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

Soccer Swag

This year Mayley decided she wanted to play soccer. So naturally I signed her up! She landed a spot on the Power Puffs. I thought it was a good fit since I once played on the Power kickers and we both have the same colors, teal and black.

Now on her first day of practice she was very hesitant to get out there. This is where mom's patience must come into play. While I was stewing inside from just paying the registrations fee, new cleats, shin guards, clothes and a soccer ball, I had to let her get out there on her own time. Well, she sat out the whole practice until the last 3 minutes when they played a fun game of Shark. I was so happy that she found the courage to get out there and try it. Now every Thursday she runs to practice excited as can be.

Her team has had quite a few games now and (although they don't keep score since its U5) they have won every game except one. I am so shocked how amazing some of these girls are at 4 and 5 years old. I mean they run full out after that ball, dribble, and even turn in. They know to which direction to kick the ball and these girls know how to score goals! I'm not gunna lie either...they know how to be aggressive.

My dear little Mayley on the other hand has such a gentle soul that instead of running into the crowd to get the ball she runs away from it. LOL She loves to watch her little feet scurry when she chases the crowd and is always all smiles. She is just a free spirit out there doing her thing. Of course Brad and I are a little confused by this being that both of us were very aggressive soccer players known for our fair share of cards yellow and red!

She has definitely improved and last game she got a touch on the ball and almost scored a goal! We have four more games left, so I hope she finds the courage to get in there and feel the joy of scoring her first goal. :)

We have really enjoyed watching her play and are so excited to be part of such an awesome team! Brad loves it sooo much he even stepped in as Assistant Coach. I catch him looking up drills for little kids in his spare time. I can definitely see him being the head coach one day. We for sure have two awesome dads coaching this team who loves these little ones so much and are so gentle with them.

So that leads me to this portion...the photo portion of course. I volunteered to take individual pictures of the girls as well as the team photo. Here is Mayley doing her poses with some swag of course. LOL

Bigger Plans

Like most people, we start the new year with goals, ideas, inspiration, and lots of plans. If you know me you know that my wheels are always turning! Yes, that hamster inside my brain is running fast cranking out all kinds of things.

I ended the year in pretty good running shape. I had finished my first Ragnar in Las Vegas and was consistently running almost everyday. Feeling great and heading into the new year I began making plans. I joined three Ragnar teams. The first one would be in Utah (Wasatch) in June, the second would be Napa in September and the third would be Las Vegas again in November. I even signed up for my second Tough Mudder on April 13th. My goal was to earn the highly coveted Saints and Sinners medal for doing Utah and Las Vegas in on year.

To add to the madness I play softball every Thursday on a coed league, go to yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays, shuttle Mayley to school three times a week, soccer once a week and her games every Saturday. Of course there are my wife duties as a stay at home mom...you know the cooking, cleaning, child rearing, errand running and taking care of my amazing husband who helps me out sooooo much without even being asked.

Aside from all of those things I started the new year with new photography goals and plans. I am always looking to learn, grow and better myself as an artist and business owner.

And to end this year with a bang I was asked to be in a very good friend of mines wedding in L.A in November. Might I add I would be finishing the last day of the Las Vegas Ragnar (with no sleep and dying insides) hop on a plane to L.A and stand in her wedding as a brides maid!

I know people think I do to much and sitting here writing this I guess I do. I guess I just have a craving to live this life to the fullest...after all this life is short and filled with too many rules, disappointments, depressing news and glorious politics that piss me off to no end. So why not LIVE and LIVE hard! I want to fill my life and my families life with as many wonderful memories and stories as I can. I hope that they see all the things that we do and work hard for and aspire to be like their mom and dad.

So now that you all are rolling your eyes mumbling "good for you" under your breath, I want to tell you something else.

Like all plans that people make, they don't always work out the way you intend them to. As much as one tries to steer their life down the path they think is right, sometimes someone bigger than you takes the wheel and leads you in a new direction. I can't say that I mind because I do believe that everything happens for a reason.

Many of you already know (since I had to break almost all of the said plans listed above) but for those of you who don't know well here it is.

Brad and I just couldn't decide when this would happen or if it would happen. If it did it was going to happen in 2014 after I got all my "plans, goals and ideas conquered"and after Brad could work on all his home improvement plans that he wanted to do. But like I said before, someone bigger decided for us...

 In case you still don't get it...

 Yes that's it! We are expecting baby #3! Hold on I just fainted...ok I'm alright. This little surprise is due October 23rd and we are not going to find out the sex until he or she is born. I know that annoys many of you but I have done something different each time when finding out the sex and this was how I wanted to do it if we ever had a third.

This is how we told our parents:

Brad's mom and dad: This will be their 6th Grandchild!

This will be Brad's Grandmother's 6th Great Grandchild!

My mom and dad: This will be their third grandchild.

This will be my Grandparents and Grandma's third Great Grandchild.

 

This is how I told Brad! LOL Here is the back story: I called Gosia the day I tested (on Valentine's Day) freaking out! We decided I should tell him two days later when we were going to be celebrating our V Day at dinner. That same day, Gosia's husband texted Brad saying wow another baby! Brad calls me freaking out asking me if I have something to tell him. I calmly laugh and say, "Of course not! Evan must have mistaken you for his other friend Brad!" He replies with a sigh of relief, "thank god I was going to die!" Well, thank you because now I really didn't want to tell him. LOL 

This is the card I chose

This is what I had on the inside. 

Now as we got to dinner I knew I had to give him this card rather quick because he would have known that something was up right away if I didn't order any wine. ;)

This is him opening the card and reading it at one of our favorite places Mon Ami Gabi.

This was his reaction! That is genuine happiness mixed with holy F%# I am freaking out! Hahahahah 

Of course he bent over and kissed me and told me he's excited. Well at least that is what he said, can't really say what he thought for real...LOL JK 

This was our second ultra sound at an early 6 weeks. Please tell me why everyone thinks there is two in there???

This was our 8 week follow up. Yes just one!! I was having a heart attack! The Dr. said the last one was taken at a weird angle in which she demonstrated and said that sometimes it can appear to split the sack. She laughed and said that photo does look misleading hahahaha. 

Anyway, we really are excited for this blessing and are hoping and praying for a healthy baby. Our girls are very excited about the news and I often catch Mayley in my bed looking at my pregnancy books. She loves to describe what stage the baby is in currently (too smart for her own good). 

Our lives are changing so much now. I may have had to set aside all those old plans and goals but I have quickly replaced them with new ones. 

Stay tuned for more excitement to come! 

Love, The Callihan Clan