Back to School, again

Avery started school again on Wednesday. I couldn't be happier to get her back into a good routine. And I'm not gonna lie, I needed to get that girl out of the house! She gets so bored on summer break. I feel the mom guilt for not getting her out more, but finding things to do for a non-mobile, non-verbal, special needs princess is ridiculously hard. Throw in a running, bouncing, talking-a-mile-a-minute little sister and it's all out impossible.

Sadly, going back to school wasn't quite as fun as the previous years. Lil'bub is in a new classroom this year, with different teachers. Change is so hard. Especially when you feel like certain people (Avery's previous teachers) know your child almost as well as you do, and love them without judgement. I cried like a baby on the last day of school, knowing we wouldn't be back in that class, with those wonderful teachers again. Avery's head teacher changed her life, and ours, in so many amazing ways. 

I'm trying to keep an open mind about this new class, but it's hard for a lot of reasons. You know what else is hard? Seeing friends on Facebook posting adorable photos of their 5 year olds starting Kindergarten. Like mine should be doing, in a different world. I hope no one will take offense here, I don't mean to make anyone feel bad. It's a memorable milestone! I just wish we could join in the fun. And don't get me wrong, I love my daughter's school and I am beyond grateful that she can attend and get the help she needs....I can't help imagine though. There I go again. What if.

Here is my big girl on another first day. Hoping another great year lays ahead.

Baby Bub is TWO!

And in the blink of an eye, you are so grown-up and getting more beautiful and bright every day. Two years ago I held you in my arms and couldn't believe my good luck!

What a dream you have been, Maddie Brynn. I tell everyone that you balance me out, sweet girl, and it's true, you do. You bring constant sunshine and so much more love into our little family.

our little comedian, you always make us smile

you are growing up so fast, TOO FAST!! 

Precious girl, you light up our lives!

Happy 2nd birthday, sweetheart

Something's Gotta Give

And in my case, it's this blog! My intentions to blog once a week are always very serious. Somehow life continues to get in the way...imagine that. These past two weeks (of not blogging) we began summer break #2 for Avery, celebrated my 31st birthday, installed a new kitchen into the new house among a ton of other updates, and worked on a record number of cards! It's insane! I am DYING to share new photos of everything we have done to spiffy up the house. I just need to find the time to organize all of my "before" and "after" photos. Like 100's of them! ah!

Suffice it to say, we had (and have) a lot to learn when it came to renovating and updating an older home. We saved a ton of money doing a bunch of DIY projects, but we did not save any time! We also THOUGHT we were saving money using a couple of stores, ahem HOME DEPOT, who totally screwed up every. single. thing. we bought through them and pushed our timeline way later than we anticipated. But live and learn. It will be so worth it when we have everything done and settled and we can look back and laugh....maybe. Next up we have unpacking and decorating the new house and Maddie's 2nd birthday party! The fun/stress never stops! 

You know I would never leave you hanging without photos of the girlies, so here they are! As beautiful and sweet as ever.

and p.s. thanks for all the comments/emails/texts about the Avery walking video :) means a lot to me!