She's A Pre-K Graduate!

What a year it has been for Mayley! We are so so proud of our Mayley Moo and all of her accomplishments this year. She has grown so much and we can't believe how fast it has all gone by. I couldn't help but wipe away tears as I watched her on stage singing all the songs she learned over the year.

On top of her Pre-K accomplishments as a four year old, she played on her first soccer team this year and loved it, she took ballet, hip hop, tap and swim classes. She got her first bike with training wheels, went snowboarding, enjoyed painting, gardening, cooking, and playing with her sister outside as much as possible. She loves anything involving water, princesses, dragons, fairies, and F-22 raptors...LOL

Here are some other favorites of hers for this year:

Color: Pink
Movie: Any Tinker Bell movie, Cinderella, Finding Nemo, Cars 1 and 2, Surfs Up and The Little Mermaid
Food: Mac and Cheese
Dessert: Yogurt ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, cupcakes, birthday cake, and cookies (Yes, she's just like mom)
Sand which: PB &J, Ham and cheese
Fruit: Strawberry, tomatoes
Vegie: kale
Activity: painting, playing outside with water
Outfit: Cinderella dress and glass slippers
Music: Queen, Adele, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift
Sport: Soccer, swimming
When she grows up: Chef, Olympic Swimmer, Raptor Pilot
Favorite Security Item: Her purple lovey (blanket) and her rhino Scarlett
Favorite Cartoon: Sofia the First
Favorite Book: Sofia the First, Elmer, No David!, Shoe La La, Mr. Pusskins...there's to many to name

Overall this year, Mayley has become so much more social and has really started to figure out who she is as little girl. She is still very independent, sensitive, determined and excited about each and every day.

We all love her so much and look forward to what this next year holds for her. We love you Mayley!!

  3 years old on her first day of Pre-school                 4 years old on her first day of Pre-K
                                                               

And this is our beautiful Mayley now! 4 years old and finishing up Pre-K!

Here she is performing her favorite ducky song

Getting her certificate

Posing with her wonderful teachers and sister

29 Chapters

Chapter: 20

      It was one of those peaceful afternoons where school was a breeze, the weather was calm and I was lacing up my shoes for my second long run of the day. I loved those days where I got to cruz the campus at UNLV and just take in the sights, smells and let all my stresses in life escape in the wind behind me.

I often get lost in my thoughts while running. I guess you can say running is my yoga.

I was twenty years old, in my third year of college, an athlete at UNLV majoring in Elementary Education with a full class load, living with my then boyfriend (now husband) Brad in a small apartment and working at night as a hostess at a fine dining restaurant. I had a lot on my plate.

As ran across campus, keeping a steady pace, I was reflecting on my past and pondering what the next ten years of my life would be like. I could see myself graduating and being a teacher; however, that thought was terrifying for some reason. I could see myself getting married to Brad and I knew we would buy a house. Beyond that I couldn't even imagine what having kids would be like or anything else for that matter. Marriage and a career were about all I could take on in my mind at that time. I looked down at my watch and realized my pace had sped up dramatically. Thinking of your future is exciting and scary at the same time. Ten years feels so long...but here I am.

Chapter:29

       Now that my 30th birthday is approaching, I find myself sitting here reflecting on my twenties. I am a little overwhelmed as I review the last ten chapters of my life. I am thankful, proud, and have no regrets. Everything that I have endured has shaped me to be the person I am right now. Every path I walked down brought me strength, and every new soul that came into my life has brought me knowledge and a bigger heart.

In my twenties: (no particular order)
Ran track and cross country at UNLV
Got engaged
Got married
Honeymoon
Earned my right to legally drink
Worked as a hostess at AJ's Steak House
Worked as a life guard at HRH and at a county pool
Worked as a food server at the HRH pool
Moved into our first home
Endured a few heartbreaking, devastating, and unspeakable events
Lost myself
Found myself
Traveled
Had many many many fun nights with friends
Graduated with my bachelors in Elem Ed.
Began my career as a first grade teacher
Graduated with my Masters as a Reading Specialist
Had two children (currently on my third)
Started my own business as a photographer
Made some poor choices
Made some great choices
Had my gall bladder removed
I might have had an identity crises at some point
Met some super awesome people
Met some not so awesome people
Made some new friendships that I know will last forever
Went to my 10 year reunion
Ran two marathons
Ran the Tough Mudder
Ran the Las Vegas Ragnar
Ran many 5k's for fun
Got a new car ok two new cars
Got in two accidents (non of which were my fault)
And....well I am sure there was a lot more but this is what I got for now.

Overall, my twenties brought me amazing things. Although some of those moments were ones I wish sometimes I could forget, they were moments that shaped my life. Through those moments I realized I am a strong person who can overcome hardships. I learned that I can accomplish the goals that I set for myself and will never stop making new goals. I found that while being a mother and a wife is hard at times, I love these titles and strive to be the best that I can. I accepted that everyone looses themselves at times (yes multiple times) but with the love and support of those I surround myself with, I will always find my way back. I keep my plate full because I want to get as much as I can out of this life. I want to make my husband, kids, family, friends and myself proud. After all, these are the people that have inspired me, encouraged me, and supported me through EVERYTHING. I hope I have had same effect on and at least one person.

      ****

These 29 chapters were eventful. I feel like as I look ahead to the next ten chapters of my story, the plot will thicken and the story will get even better.

I can't wait to share what happens next...

Lainey's 2nd Birthday!

My little bug is growing up so fast! I can't believe she turned two already. Look at my sweet bug last year compared to this year!

Same silly, happy little girl! 

Last year we had a lady bug themed party since she is our Lainey bug or better known as just Bug. This year she wanted to have a Minnie Mouse themed party. 

Here are some decorations from her party.

Balloons and the famous piñata! Since her birthday is on Cinco De Mayo we try to include something from the holiday into her b-day! :) 

 This is the cake I made her...well for the guests. Three layers of chocolate and funfetti with hot pink vanilla icing! The cake below is her smash cake. 

These are the Minnie Mouse pretzels and the candy coated Oreos I made...YUM!

Now I had to put this out for my mom. The Barbie in the background is the one my mom gave me for my Bday in 1995. Yes till int he box as many others girls can attest too. Our moms liked to torture us. So here is Lainey's first birthday barbie 2013, out of the box! LOL (The Barbie on the right)

We had such a fun day with our family and friends. I couldn't help but get teary eyed thinking that this party is the last party we will celebrate in this house :( But that's for another blog. 

Here are some of the photos that my dear friend Heather took for us :) Thanks Heather!!

 Of course our dysfunctional family photo op! LOL We really do think it's hilarious that this how it usually turns out...hahhahhaha

Marcus and Mayley being silly

One of my favs :) 

My pretty little bug

If looks could kill! LOL "Dad I know you are not going to smash that thing in my face!"

What are you laughing at???

It's not funny!!!! I'm going to kill you!

Just kidding. I love you

Grampa time

Rare we ever get a photo with most of the family in it :) Yes Scarlett is our family too! Wish my broski and Carra would have made it time for this...and then we tried to add in the cousins and the kids all walked away and that was that...LOL We tried. 

Happy Birthday Bug! We love you so so much. You are so smart, funny and full of life and we can't wait to see what this year brings. 

xoxoxoxoxoxo