Disney

How did I forget to post about Disney! Back in December we took our first Disney Trip. Thank God for my MIL who is the most organized woman in getting the whole entire thing set up. She planned for all the parks and events, big thank you to her, there is so much that can go into planning a trip its a whirlwind of things to plan.
  We left on December 3 to Orlando, we were all very excited for this day, honestly I had no idea as to what to expect but I knew the girls would have a blast. We all stayed at the Shades of Green and got in late afternoon and met the rest of the family at the airport, we then had a van drive us all to the resort. After just a quick check in and drop off of luggage, oh and a change into our Disney shirts, the journey began immediately to Animal Kingdom. I honestly cannot tell you the first ride we rode, all I remember was that it started to pour down rain, thankfully I packed our rain parkas and stayed as dry as we could have, it was a great first day experiencing Florida weather. Oh now I remember the first ride was a water ride, there was literally no line (due to the rain) so we went through twice. But that first day I remember the most was the Mt Everest ride that evening. I was so nervous, the girls had never really been on a large roller coaster, and Brooke was exactly the right height to ride. It was the funnest ride of the whole trip, I could not stop laughing looking at brooke who was sitting next to me! Her face was priceless, pure look of a kid having an amazing time. Sophia was ecstatic getting off the ride, she loved it so much. Great ride. It was a very long day of travel plus all things Disney. The girls  were exhausted falling asleep on way to back to resort. Total mom fail. We were so excited and ready to start our day, we traveled in comfy clothes and Sophia wore her comfy fuzzy shoes, which had hard bottoms but was basically a slipper. I failed to change her shoes and poor girls did all her walking in them. When we got home her feet were swollen red with little blisters wanting to come up. I was so upset, I mean, day one and her feet won't be able to go on the next few! We soaked them, rubbed them and they ended up not being too bad, we did buy a $50 stroller (really a $20 sold for $50 because its Disney) Sophia didn't really use it but her sister was gladly to take advantage of it! I mean every time she got off a ride she just sat down.. that girl!

  The next morning we headed to Disney Springs so that the girls could be transformed into Princesses! Bibbidi  Bobbidi  Boutique it was the cutest thing to see. And why I fell in love with Disney was the production of EVERYTHING! The employees were always in character and entertaining, the boutique had Disney princess to the T They looked so adorable afterwards. Later that night We were headed to Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Merry Christmas. That also was the BEST! We all obviously love Christmas but to be at Disney during the season, they go over the top with it all. It was decorated from top to bottom. It was a great parade, with cookies and hot chocolate.
  Again the next morning we headed out to Epcot, rode some rides, then later off to Hollywood!Then the next day we were back to Magic Kingdom. It all has became a blur a little bit with the rides and the parks. I was happy to know that age has yet to affect my enjoyment of some of the funner rides. With the exception of one ride which was a simulator of being an astronaut. I had to try not to get sick on that one! Sophia rode next to me and i worried the whole time how she felt...but forget it...she's young and loved it!
  Needless to say it was the trip of a lifetime, one I know I won't ever forget. I can truly say that I enjoyed Disney as much as the girls. I can't wait to plan another trip back. I can see why so many people go often. I can't be more blessed with my in laws and family who helped so much in making this trip happen for my family. Forever thankful. Love love love.

Sophia is 7

  Lucky number 7! Again and again and again, I CANNOT believe it! I mean double digits is 3 years away! And oh man I didn't think 7 year olds were like this! The attitude that comes with seven year old girls is not what I was expecting. There are times when I have to discipline her or talk to her about her behavior or attitude, and she will come back with the a  sarcastic tone, or a surprising response to where my mind blanks... and just think...um...where did that come from, how do I respond to this as a mom...and why am I having to at 7! I find myself looking up articles of "how to" deal with sassy girls or teenagers just so that I am ready because man it can only get worse and I refuse to be unprepared.

  I remember the kid Sophia, she was so darn silly (she still is) but as she gets older she is a serious girl. When she is in her moods she is in her moods and nothing can change that, unless you try real hard to make a darn good joke, or tickle her. She so reminds me of me. I love to see it but I find myself telling her to relax, don't take it so seriously. I love it because it does maker her a great student, and amazing learner, she will work hard for hours, drawing, writing, or working on her gymnastics, she's a worker for sure. But I miss her taking being a silly girl majority of the time. Sophia is serious Brooke is more of the carefree silly one (thus far) I like to think they will compliment each other well in the future, they can  help balance each other out!!

  Sophia, like her sister, has a kind soul. She may not show it as much, but she knows and has learned to love and care for all people around her. She is a big thinker with big ideas. She  has a great imagination and loves to come up with stories. She at one time wanted to be doctor which I loved to hear. Then I loved that she came up with an engineer, she wants to come up with robots or invent things, she then wanted to be an author/illustrator, I love she seems to be a creator. 

  I teach her to be proud of who she is, be proud of what you like. I share the popular advice, be you because everyone else is already taken...she is at an age where kids will make comments about things you like. She had a group of girls they were chatting about things and Sophia bought up Pokeman, they laughed and said that was a "boy" thing and she felt embarrassed by it...it was sad to watch. But thats life she will deal with many situations like these. I love that she likes what she likes and doesn't let other alter that about her.

  The girl can be dramatic, she asked to get her ears pierced so we did it! She loved them until they got a a little infected and we had to start cleaning them out. And man did she throw dramatic fits, it took FOREVER to clean them. We thought she had strep so took her to the doctors and oh boy was that a process, I had to talk and talk and reassure her over and over again all would be okay, and explain in detail what any why we had to swab her throat. With that said... she is a strong cookie. She loves gymnastics and loves to practice day and night, her day is full of many cartwheels, bridges, and any kind of flips she can get in!

  She is a great big sister. She looks out for Brooke and she walked Brooke to her class every morning  when she started school...until Brooke told her she could take herself. She looks out for Brooke and when they are not fighting she is the caring mother to Brooke.

Love these two most and always! 

Love spending one on one time with this girl

Shes still silly...when she wants to be

She will soar

Strong girl

So sweet!

She loves her daddy!

From Farmers to Ford

    Around the Holidays Rusty had been actively looking for a new job. There was always talk about an exit plan with Farmers only because he was ready for a change, and Farmers (although great for 8 years) suffered from their lack of mobility. He had several of  his co-workers go to his current position with Ford. Luckily with their reference Rusty was able to interview and get the job. Its similar to the insurance position, but instead of working with everyday customers, which I know was stressing and exhausting, he now deals only with the Dealerships, and other Ford employees. Another reason for taking this position was to have him home more often.
    When Rusty first got the mini cat position which entailed lots of travel, we said we'd do it for a year or so...only because we didn't think we could live with him gone so often. Then 4 years flew by...and our family adapted to it, it worked well for us, although there were the obvious problems with one parent gone so often. I think the traveling was finally starting to get to us. With the girls being more involved in things during the week I was ran ragged. So when Rusty got home I expected a lot of help and wanted to relax....but then realized Rusty also worked long hours everyday he was gone which could end up being a full 3 weeks in a row...so he too was exhausted...therefore having a household of two very tired and cranky parents was not fun. Also when he came we wanted to get out do things as a family, go out for dinner. Rusty wanted to just stay in the house and lounge. Don't get me wrong he
wanted to have family time, but since being away from the home so often, he wanted to enjoy it, where as we have been stuck home the entire time he was away!  So theres our story about why we needed a job with less travel.
    So thus far he has been traveling still quite a bit, but its a week here, two nights there, and maybe a weekend there. He is still learning and getting used to the job, and not necessarily enjoying the travel he's thankful its not for long period of time The other option we had discussed if he took another position with less pay, then I would then go back to a full time position to make up for the pay. As much as I was ready to I am glad I get to stay at my current job and have the same schedule as the girls.
    One perk is the great company car. I was never into trucks...but I love his truck and we love the 4 wheel drive, its come in handy with all this dang snow we've had. Ive always been proud of Rusty and his career. He's always made the right moves at the right time when it came to looking for a new job. He makes sure he does his best when applying for a job he knows he will love and really wants. Cheers to Rusty!

Brooke is 5 and in KINDERGARTEN

  Brooke is already 5 1/2 and well into the Kindergarten year. Besides being a bit tired the first couple of weeks she transitioned so well. I knew she would, she's such a good student, she loves learning and being in the classroom.  I cant believe how well she already knows all her sounds and is capable of reading small books and writing words all on her own. I love her growing up, but am very sad my littlest one is now a school aged kid. I don't know why but in a blog a long long time ago when I was talking about how fast the girls are growing up I for whatever reason I said " Before I know it they are going to be 5 and 7! " And what do you know that time is already here.
    Brooke, what to say about Brooke...she is still the sweetest caring girl I know. Some people are just born with that strong personality trait. She cares so much for the feelings of others, she loves animals, she is always thinking of others. I love that quality. But she also can definitely not care about my feelings and turn a switch and be a sassy butt. She can go a mile a minute and basically tell me about how what her sister did was wrong, and unfair to her. She's a sweet lover, who has a back bone and she has no problem standing up for herself and saying something. She's a silly girls who can turn serious, she loves to listen to music and dance, why I have not got her into dance...I have no idea. She loves playing soccer and gymnastics for now. Ive always known that Brooke has a drive in her. When we would go on jogs or bike rides she was always pushing her self and always impressed me with her determination. So it should come to no surprise that I can see this in her one the soccer field, or in gymnastics.
   She already lost her first tooth August 31, 2018. She was eating pancakes that morning before school and had to spit it out before she ate it! She as so excited and I was so sad. With her I am experience my last firsts....if that makes sense. I know I have always been doing that but since school has started school they are affecting me more. She is your typical "little sister" she will nag and pick and annoy her sister. They love and play extremely well...dont get me wrong. But at my current stage of motherhood you can find me breaking up many arguments and trying to keep the peace or strategize! Its kept me on my toes for sure. Ill tell brooke over and over again to give Sophia space, leave her alone, stop teasing, stop nagging, or that shes going to get hurt if she keeps at it, then sure enough Ill hear her cry because Sophia pushed her. At the same time Im telling Sophia to be nice, she just wants to play, she's your sister, love her, don't hurt her! It can get exhausting sometimes, to where ill check out and just listen and let them figure it out.
   We all love this little one, she makes us laugh and love seeing her grow to a beautiful caring person!

sister sister

She loves to pose with those hands on her hips

Our little baby!