Your Mirror

To my sweet Brooklyn, Cayleigh and Morgan: 

There is something I want you to know...

The hours I spend at the gym are for you. You don't know this yet, but it's the example I am setting. A healthy self means maintenance and sweat and dedication. There are never enough hours in the day, but you have to find time. Time dedicated to keeping yourself physically healthy which will ultimately keep your mind, soul and heart healthy. 

The valleys are low and endless and the mountains are short and often difficult to stay on. You will go through so many stages in your life when you hate your body. Don't allow society to keep you trapped in those valleys mentally. Those super adorable jeans that look amazing on your friend won't look so great on you. And they won't be the same size. That cute top that your roommate wears out won't get as many stares when you wear it. You don't have their body. You don't look like them. Praise God! Thank you for that, Lord! He made you look exactly the way YOU were supposed to look. Every curve or lack there of, every extra pound here, pimple there, is all exactly the way He envisioned. 

No matter how many changes your body takes (and way too many, I'm afraid to say), I pray that you remain "healthy" in your skin. Physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. Life takes it's toll on you. I want you to embrace those valleys and mountains with an open heart. I want you to know that your extra curly locks, big feet, thick thighs, pale skin, wide nose is a gift from God. He made no mistakes and you should have no regrets. 

Your mommy has struggled with this since as long as she can remember, which means way too long. And I am changing for you; for my amazingly gorgeous daughters. I want to be that positive example in your life, no matter how hard it is for me. I must show you that your body is beautiful. And it will always be beautiful. I will be your biggest advocate and pray that you join me in that feeling. YOUR healthy equals happiness.

Because you, Brooklyn Grace, ...are fearfully and wonderfully made...

You, Cayleigh Nicole, ...are fearfully and wonderfully made...

You, Morgan Alese, ...are fearfully and wonderfully made...

Psalm 139:14 New Living Translation

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous- how well I know it.

Love, Mommy

Life on the Road

I have to share this funny story from when we were driving back from Pennsylvania because there are some stories that are so ridiculous they make you smile every time you reminisce about them. 

It was about 9:30 and we had just past through Memphis where we caught a quick glimpse of the Fourth of July fireworks taking place over the river and Aaron was ready to rest. The girls had fallen asleep about an hour before and so we definitely did not want to make a production out of a stop and wake them up. However, I really needed to pee and Aaron wanted to try and top of the van with gas again. He tried to stop at one exit but missed the turn and therefore we remained on the service road only to get back on the highway having to drive a bit more before signs of another stop. We see signs for another gas station, so we exit and of course, it's closed because it's 10pm on a holiday. He stops anyway and jumped out to see about getting gas and it was still working. Since the place was deserted and all the lights were off, I grabbed our roll of toilet paper (yes, we had that packed just in case!) and told Aaron to stand guard on one side of me and the van door on the other side and go potty. Classy, I know; peeing in the parking area of a gas station! Anyways, Aaron also peed, we switched places and hit the road quickly before anymore commotion could wake our slumbering girls. 

I begin driving and all the sudden Aaron claims that he just got bit by a mosquito. So, we turned on the inside cabin light near the front and we can see TONS of them flying around. It was straight panic mode. Aaron dives into the back to make sure the girls are covered from head to toe with their blankets so they wouldn't get bit up. And then, we literally spent the next 30 minutes swatting countless blood-thirsty bugs. Hitting our arms, clapping our hands on them, bashing the windshield, madness! Aaron would turn the flashlight on his phone to "bait them," he said, and then smack them with his hat to kill them. It was hilarious!  And the dashboard was just a mosquito graveyard when we began to unload the van (and it was light enough to see them all) late the next morning!

Oh, the stories!

Vacation to PA

This past week we took a major road trip to Gibsonia, Pennsylvania to visit Jason, Jen, Addy, Kate and Nolan de Wolfe. With the van loaded with games, clothes, snacks and bottles, we left Friday afternoon for the 1,300+ mile drive. Aaron and I ended up driving straight through and we arrived Saturday afternoon after around 21 hours in the car. We were greeted with big smiles and hugs to kick start our stay.

Saturday evening we walked over to the local pizza place for dinner. It was right on the golf course, so all the cousins ran around for a bit afterwards. Sunday and Monday consisted of a very long walk and lots of playtime inside. The weather was unusually warm for most of our trip, so indoor play and crafts were a lifesaver!

Tuesday was game day and we made nachos and all of us adults were in full-on sports mode for the entire afternoon. Later that night, I took the 4 big girls to Jason's softball game and played at the nearby park.

Wednesday was water day, so we got out the sprinkler stuff and Aaron and Jason spent some time getting the trampoline back to working order. It was so much fun watching the girls play together all the time!

Then, Jason attached the trailer to the tractor and took B and Kate for a ride around the property and then Addy and Cayleigh. They had a blast!

The kiddos were exhausted every night; playing all day, going to bed later and waking too early! Us adults were too after staying awake chatting and enjoying some down time each evening! We did manage to sneak out on Wednesday night to downtown Pittsburgh for some German food and bar hopping.

Thursday was our last full day before heading home and the weather was awesome! The cousins played outside most of the day and we had delicious chicken fajitas and s'mores for dinner followed by sparklers and catching fireflies. It was the best night to cap off an AMAZING vacation with the de Wolfe Family. The kiddos were great and we just loved spending time with each other.

This picture pretty much sums up the reason for the trip. We were in the car for 42+ hours to make the most memorable times!! We are truly grateful for the many sacrifices that Jason, Jen, Addy, Kate and Nolan made as well. We are so blessed to be so close to them even though they live the farthest from us. Thank you God for the endless blessings that enabled this vacation to take place.


Link to all the pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=118313700767203019113&target=ALBUM&id=6033045818428408721&authkey=Gv1sRgCKGllvujrLfJ_wE&feat=email