HRC Moment

So, we all know Monster's mom (Her Royal Craziness) gets her 2 weekends a month...this is supposed to be one of them. Before we left our house to go to the meeting place, I HONESTLY looked at Matt & said "I have a feeling she isn't going to be there." Well, I am not psychic by any means, but ya know how those gut feelings work...

Well, we show up at the meeting place (an hour drive for us, 1 and a half for her) & wait 20 minutes...still no show from HRC. So, Matt called her at home to leave her a message (she has no cell phone & he has to be to work at 6:30, so we couldn't wait any longer) here's how it went:
Matt: HRC, I'm @ meeting place, why are you still at home?
HRC: It's not my weekend
Matt: Yes it is.
HRC: Well, I guess I totally f*ing forgot. What do we do?"
Matt: I have to be at work & Kandice has plans tonight. Can you get your mom (who lives in our town) to pick Monster up at the PD (where he works) at 6:30 & bring her to you?
HRC: I can try.

Well, a few minutes later she calls back & said her mom can't pick up Monster at that time/place, but she can pick her up 20 miles away from the PD at the same time. Well, obviously that posed a problem. He told her that wouldn't work & she started screaming at him & cussing. HA HA, that went over like a lead brick. We refused to answer her calls for the next half hour of our drive. It wasn't like we could do anything until we got back to town anyway.

So, she left 5 CRAZY messages threatening us with police & all that drama, saying we were denying her visitation. She actually DEMANDED (used the word & everything) that he call her in 10 minutes OR ELSE. What I wanted to say was..."OK, UM DUH, YOU FORGOT YOUR CHILD YOU CRAZY WOMAN & WE ARE TRYING TO ARRANGE ANOTHER WAY FOR YOU TO STILL HAVE TIME WITH HER & YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO DICTATE TO US WHERE WE WILL MEET YOUR MOTHER?! As Dr. Phil says "How's that working for you?" Next time, we won't bother calling you!!!"

Anyway, we know there is NOTHING a police officer/deputy can do except say pretty please. Matt called the grandma (her mom) & explained the situation. GUESS WHAT! She agreed to meet us at the PD at the requested time...AMAZING RIGHT?

Meanwhile, poor Monster is crying & wondering why HRC forgot her.  (Phone was on speaker because it was broken)  Now she has to be in a car for 5 hours straight, because the grandma is bringing her to the meeting place where HRC will pick her up. Poor baby, I felt so bad for her. Just another thing for her counselor to deal with Monday I guess. Hmmm...for someone who hates us for "stealing her child" (HA), she sure did make a BIG mistake!!! If I was only able to see MY child for 4 days a month, you better believe I would know when those days were!!!

So, anyway, thanks for reading, have a great weekend everyone!

Prayers Please!

Everyone, we need your prayers & thoughts for a bit. Apparently I have been exposed to Fifth's Disease (Parvo Virus B-19). I know, you're probably like WHAT IS THAT? So...to a normal healthy non-pregnant person, it would just be a bad virus. BUT, for me, it could mean much more serious badness.

I have to have blood tests and ultrasounds, beginning Friday. If I have contracted the virus, we will have to monitor the baby weekly to check its iron levels and joints. It could cause serious anemia in our baby & he/she may have to have a blood transfusion in utero (meaning while still in me). Worse case scenario could be a miscarriage.

There is nothing we can do, except wait & watch. Pease keep our family in your thoughts & prayers. We still haven't told the girls about the pregnancy, and we'll probably wait a little longer because of this. Thanks in advance peeps, I love you all!!!

UPDATE:
At our appt, we had our first round of bloodwork. The baby seems healthy & has a strong heartbeat. However, somehow, my glucose screening results were LOST somewhere between Labcorp and the BC last month. SOOO, long story short...I never got the call saying my glucose levels were high. Now I have to go on CHRISTMAS EVE & do a fasting 3 HOUR test!!! GRRRRRRRR!!! So, yeah...sounds fun right? Well, anyway, keep us in your thoughts & prayers. I am hoping for 5 minutes of a "normal" pregnancy at some point, LOL!

What's up?

Well, we've been a little busy lately...

We are SOOO happy to announce that the pregnancy is going SUPER! Yeah, I have been sick as a dog, but it could be much worse. I can't keep anything down. I have been living on cheese & crackers (and Claussen pickles, as cliche as that sounds).

We still haven't told the girls, but only because we don't want the crazy stalker chick (HRC) to know yet. We want to keep this to ourselves and enjoy it as long as possible before she sticks her big nose in. Plus, I want to see the look on her face when she finds out since she still believes our miscarriage was "karma for stealing her child."

We have our next appointment on Dec. 19 & I hope we'll be able to set up an ultrasound late Jan/early Feb for sex determination (fingers crossed for blue news). Also, we'll be doing a 4-D ultrasound in March to get a better look @ him/her.

Monster is LOVING Daisies! She is the only kindergartener, but fits in quite well. We are selling GIRL SCOUT COOKIES beginning December 21 (sorry, I can't take orders before then). She has a goal of 150 boxes, which sounds like a lot, but is very realistic. SO, don't be shy, send me your orders.

Dance class is going well for both girls. Mosnter isn't very fond of tap, but loves the other two styles. So, we'll know what NOT to do next year, LOL. Monkey loves it all, which is good because she'll be in a mixed class again next season.

AWANA is teaching them so much & it's wonderful to see their love for God grow and develop. Church was always my saving grace & I am happy to see my girls enjoying their spiritual journey as well.

Tonight is the Asheboro Christmas Parade, which the girls will be in w/dance, so come on out & join us. Next weekend we'll be heading up to WCU for Andrew's graduation. The next week, Monster has "Polar Express Day" @ school & we'll have our birth center appt before we leave to WV to visit my grandparents for a few days before Christmas. THEN SANTA COMES, YAY!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season & happy new year!!!

Updates

Been out of touch for a few days...had to get a 50th surprise bday for my mother-in-law together. It went GREAT! Of course, we've had to lie to her for a month, but her reaction was soooo worth it!!! It almost didn't happen...I was sick for two weeks, then SHE was sick the week of the party...AAAAAAHHHH!!! She was REFUSING to go to dinner with me & a few of her friends for fear of getting us sick. SOO, we finally got her out of the house & to the party place. The girls were the first ones to yell HAPPY BIRTHDAY & SHE LOVED IT!

The girls are loving dance class & AWANAS. Mosnter is so happy in her Daisy troop. In fact, we had the Troop's Investiture ceremony last week & she is still talking about it.

We went on Monster's first field trip Friday (to the Zoo) & then had her parent-teacher conference. She is doing PERFECTLY & is right where she is supposed to be. We're still working on not talking at inappropriate times, but if that's all, I think we're doing great!  She takes after me on that one.  ;)

Monkey is still my little energizer bunny. I don't know how I'll keep up with her in a few months...HA!

Denied.

YAY..."Her royal craziness" did NOT get her appeal!!! IT WAS DENIED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION!!!
We are so glad that everything is finally over so that we are able to move on with our lives. We know it isn't "over & that it will get ugly in the coming weeks/months while she deals with her own emotions, but we are ready to stand strong for Ashley's sake.
THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, AND WELL WISHES! We are so blessed to have family & friends that have helped us through this difficult journey. Always remember that God will answer our prayers, even if not in the way we expect.

http://appellate.nccourts.org/opinions/?c=2&pdf=MjAwOC8wOC00MzAtMS5wZGY=

BOO!

This weekend was a lot of fun! I am SOOO glad that I was feeling up to it!!!

We had a Pizza/Movie night w/the girls Friday night. Saturday was Boo at the Zoo & pumpkin carving. Today, we made my "super awesome yummy chili" (as Monster likes to call it, LOL) & invited my parents & litte sis Becca, as well as Matt's parents & lil bro Steven. After dinner we took the "party" outside for a bonfire & some S'Mores! It sucks we won't have Monster for Halloween, but we're making up for it this week for sure! We've got a busy week ahead & it will be GREAT, YAY!!!

I love our Atty!

So, we spoke with the atty about "her royal craziness" - her antics at Monster's school lately, the DRAMA she is trying to cause AGAIN & her appeal...

1. Matt does NOT have to allow HRC at school. He's allowed it only because he felt it was appropriate, however, if she continues to disrupt her learning environment, it will be stopped immediately.

2. We will stop the custody planner site if she continues to use the message system as a battleground. Its intention was to be a POSITIVE EFFECTIVE communication tool that minimized our need to speak with her by phone. She doesn't get that.

3. The appeal is "supposed" to be reviewed next week. It can take anywhere from a week to a year to get an answer as to whether the Appeals Court will even hear the case further...so, nothing is really decided yet, but thanks everyone for the prayers!

We love all you guys & gals (lol) that have been here & continue to support us through all this crap!

R&R

The State Fair was fun, but I think I overdid it. I've had some cramping (but no spotting) so I am taking it easy tonight. I'll keep ya updated. We'll post some pics of today's fun when I am feeling a little better.

Oh, and for those that have read my Myspace status, HRC is playing stalker again. She's been to my page like 40 times this week (really)...OMGosh, Right??? So, anyway, just wanted to let ya know that it isn't directed toward any of my peeps. I LOVE YOU ALL!

Hootiehoo!

Ok, last week could have been better, so we're starting it off right this week!
Last night we had a yummy dinner that we all helped cook. While it was cooking, the girls & I made caramel appes (yummy, but very sticky, lol). After dinner we played Hungry Hungry Hippos & then just chilled as a family.
Tonight I have an MK meeting & Matt is working, so the girls will be hanging out with my lil sis Becca (they love her).
Tuesday night will be busy...dance class for Monkey, then open house @ Grays Chapel.
Wednesday night will be AWANAS (maybe a dance class for Ashley to make up for Tues)...
Thursday will be Family Night, no phone from 5-7 pm, sorry guys!
Then, we'll drop off Monster Friday, Monkey will go to Granny's, then I am off to an MK Retreat! WOOHOO!!!

Halloween

So, we have both the girls' costumes ready to go!!!

Monster has picked purple wings & her purple sparkly dance leotard, her halo & wand...that's right, she's going to be a FAIRY PRINCESS!!! LOL, she has wanted to be one ever since she saw Monkey's fairy pics...Since we don't get her for Halloween this year (the next couple years really), we've made alternative plans to celebrate & have a great time the weekend before & then Thursday night will be trick or treating at family & friends who are SO great to make it special for her, YAY! Having to "share" her doesn't have to mean we miss out, we just have to make it work!

Monkey has a VERY cute costume...she is Remy from Ratatouille. If you are out of the loop & don't have kids, Remy is a rat. Yep, my 3 yr old baby girl who loves Disney Princesses wants to be a RAT! It's ok though, she will be the cutest rat in the entire world!!! We're still taking her trick-or-treating on Halloween, probably in Liberty with the White's for their annual hay ride.

So, if you want to join us Oct. 25 for some Halloween fun, let me know. It will be great!

Fall

So, the girls were too cute in the Fall Festival Parade! We had soo much fun! I painted their faces (see my profile pic) & they had a great time!

Saturday, I took the tiny one to the Fall Festival w/my dad, Cheryl, and Lindsay. We ran into Becca-Boo too, LOL. Monkey did the "Queen for a Day" booth the Jaycees had. She thought she was "gorgeous" when they had finished her nails, glitter lips, and other little girly things (and of course she was). She even got a crown & a sash, OMGosh, how precious! I got a few cute Christmas gifts & a bday gift for my hubby (one he has been looking for at least 3 years!!!)

Sunday, Matt & I took Monkey one back for one last round before we picked up Monster. We got them both "halos" (the star circle things) & they go perfectly with the wands I bought them Thursday! So now they can play fairy princess 'til the cows come home. It's so great to watch them run around in their little dresses together, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Tinysaurus

We had our first appt today @ the birth center. I was a little uneasy, but not too bad. So far, everything seems fine. My progesterone levels are a little low, but we're getting that under control. I hate not feeling like I can tell "everyone" (especially the girls) but it's just easier this way, just in case. We are so blessed to have two beautiful girls, so whatever happens we are ok with God's plan. We have a due date of May 25, which is kind of ironic. Also, one of the benefits of this pregnancy is EXTRA ULTRASOUNDS! Our midwife wants to keep a close watch on growth & development this time. Our next appt is at 12 weeks (Nov. 12). I had a choice of an 8-10 week visit, but delclined. I know it sounds silly, but I just wanted to wait until after "that point" for my own personal issues. Other than feeling extremely tired & nauseated 24/7, I feel great! My girls know something is up, but they just think I'm sick, LOL. With everything that has happened since May, I have accepted that our miscarriage really was for the best, in the practical non-emotional sense. The past few months have been hard for a variety of reasons, none of which would have been any easier with a newborn.

It just goes to show that God does have a purpose, we just have to be willing to accept his will and see it for what it really is. He may have closed a door, but he opened a window. Ok, enough of the "chicken soup" sayings, LOL. WE ARE SOOO EXCITED & I can't wait until we know more!

Ok, so this is why we wanted to wait to tell everyone...the BC called & we have to set up an "urgent" ultrasound @ UNC. Apparently, my progesterone levels are low (DUH, we knew that). They want to make sure the pregnancy is progressing normally (or at least developing at a "normal" rate for me) before we decide what kind of action to take...Since this is only a diary post right now, there is no point in asking for thoughts/prayers I guess, so...here's hoping...
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YAY! Ultrasound went perfectly! Only "issue" is that the baby is measuring about 8 days younger that what it should be...but, so is the gestational sac, so it's perfect. THAT is why the Hcg levels were a little low! My midwife & I are going to discuss changing my due date. That is a pretty big deal...if you don't know, due dates are pretty much set in stone once they give them to you, unless something like this happens. I'd like to keep the same due date, or only adjust it a tiny bit. That way, if this one comes earlier than 37 weeks, I will still be able to deliver at the Birth Center. We even got pics, which are up in the GUESS WHAT folder! Matt is super excited because the hearbeat is in the 120s. (for those who don't know, boys usually have lower heartbeats...Mady was usually 160-180)
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BUT, since we are still in the first trimester, the heartbeat will be a little slower anyway. So, of course, he isn't getting his hopes up, but I think secretly he has his fingers crossed for some blue news this Christmas. Well, now we have to play the waiting game until our November 12 appointment to see how we are progressing. We appreciate all your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. THANKS!!!
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Thank you guys & gals for all your thoughts and prayers. Everything on the baby front seems to have calmed down FINALLY!!!
1. I am immune to Fifth's disease (yay, score one for my crazy body)
2. The extended glucose screening went super! Apparently the first test was just an abnormality. (with me? NO WAY, LOL)
3. Our tinyasaurus has started moving around!!! Of course, no one can feel it yet but me...it's still a great sign!
4. I have actually lost about 5 lbs (sorry if you've found them, LOL). Our midwives are not concerned about the early weight loss, but they are still watching my diet like little hawks.
5. I am starting to keep food down, YAY!
6. Our next appt will be Jan 16 @ 9:30 am, to be shortly followed by another ULTRASOUND at 10:30
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YAY, we are 26 weeks & there's less than 100 days to go! WOW, I can't wait!!! We've been shopping, buying a crib, and getting ur house "baby ready" again. Kamrynn will DEFINITELY not be naked, LOL. We are so blessed to be adding her to our family & I am SO excited to be meeting her soon. In fact, we've scehculed our 4-D ultrasound for March 27 @ 11 am. We'll even be able to see her tiny little face & start arguing over who she looks like, LOL!

 Monster & Monkeyare super excited. The girls are watching the childbirth videos and we're talking about all the sounds they'll hear. We still haven't decided if we're going to let Mady stay in the room & we proabably won't know until the day of & we see her reactions. Monster decided for her self that she IS going to be there because "Kamrynn is HER baby sister and she wants to see her when shis is just born." She is sooo funny sometimes.

Busy Bees

AAAAAAND BREATHE...
It's been a busy few weeks...and things aren't slowing down quite yet.
Monster is LOVING school and dance class...she can't wait to start AWANA & Daisies in the next few weeks. She already thinks homework is dumb and boring (and she's only had to write her name, put a puzzle together, and color some shapes...LOL)!!! She is a great listener, most of the time.

Monkey is missin' her "sissy" while she is at school, but getting used to it. We'll start some fun trips as soon as I get our schedule running a little more smoothly. She is absorbing everything in dance class. I am SO glad that they moved her class to Tuesdays right before Monster's.

Speaking of Tuesdays...If you are trying to get in touch with us on that night...try the cell! We'll have Daisies every other week until 4:15 then their dance classes are from 5:45 through 7:30.

WE ARE BUSY LITTLE BEES, but I am lovin' life!!!

Tornado Warning?!

Ok, so yeah....today was superfun (not)!

Everyone in NC knows that in our area today there have been non-stop thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and flash floods.  So, of course we have a busy day. Monster had her counselor, Mady had a DR. appt, I was babysitting & had to pick up her other two kids after school...

See, what had happened was..

I was babysitting for a friend.  Her nap went a little long but I had to pick up Monster.  As I put her car seat in, my shoes got SOAKED from the 5 inches of water in our carport. So, since we live like a mile from school, I decided I'd just drive barefoot because I wasn't getting out...yep, that so didn't work out. I pulled into the drive and noticed all the parents were parking in the traffic circle and walking to the gym. Turns out that the school was on lock down because of the tornado that had touched down like 5 miles away. EVERYONE that came onto campus had to go to the gym for over a half hour...did I mention I had two small children w/me & NO SHOES ON. GREAT!!! Yep. I looked like the classic redneck "trashy mom." LOL THANK GOD everyone there knows me anyway but, then again, I won't EVER live it down!

Monster's counsleor went fine. She is very proud of how much progress she is making. We will just have to keep doing "damage control" as she calls it for a while. Monkey is STILL running a fever. She is still whining about the world being round, the grass being green, and everything else that she can think of! So, she had an appt w/her doc at 1:45. NOTHING IS WRONG (that they can find)...except her "fever disorder." So, now we have to keep a "fever log" for a while, then take her to a diagnostician (like HOUSE, really). Yeah. Uh huh, super. YAY.

So, now we have finished a yummy dinner, Matt is working, and I am putting the girls to bed...then, it is SOOOO time for a relaxing bubble bath!!! Have a great night everyone...Love ya!
-Super K

Dancing Queens

So, the girls are officially registered for DANCE CLASSES this year!!! They will both be in "Combo Classes" that incorporate Ballet, Tap, and Tumble. Monkey was measured for her ballet slippers and tap shoes yesterday...let me just say OMG, HOW CUTE! After a drama filled set of phone calls, Monster will be measured next week after we pick her up Saturday.  It is just easier that way!  :(

Trying hard!

Ok, peeps...you all know how HARD we have been trying to do the right thing for Monster...wow...it does not get easier over time. No matter how hard we try, it is just too much to ask for a drama-free week.

Why is it our fault that we called Monster when her mom was expecting a call?  It's only happened twice, but now we are "doing it every time we call."  We are not psychic. How can we know that at the EXACT moment we call she was expecting a call from Korea, especially since it was two different times.  If you don't want us calling at a certain time, you have to tell us a better time.  BUT NOOOO - that is "intruding."

Also, when it did happen, instead of saying "I am expecting a phone call. Would you mind calling her back?"  She hands the phone to Monster & just throws a fit in the background saying "those jerks. they know I am waiting to her from him in Korea and he only gets to talk for 10 minutes. (blah blah blah)"   So, we just told Monster that we would call her back later and hung up. When Matt called back later to speak with HRC and arrange a time, she yelled at him. All he was trying to do was get a better time to call her back.

I didn't know that so much had to encircle a 5-10 minute phone call to a 5 year old. I understand that her mom is stressed. I would be too with all that has gone on in her life. But that doesn't give her the right to attack us for calling at a "bad time." A simple, polite "can you call back later" and a time would have been so much easier.

It's ok. We'll call her back this afternoon. It could really be so much easier by just using common courtesy. We will just chalk this up to a crazy moment & move on.

Ok, I'm done...lol. Have a great day!

Been a while...

Hey everyone! Had to delete a few things from my page (like some of your WONDERFUL comments), a public page means I need to remember that everyone can read these & while I LOVE ALL OF YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT during our trials and tribulations the last few months, I have to think of my family first...Been a bit since I posted last...we've had a VERY busy summer!

I am happy, healthy, and ready for life's curveballs! We are thankful for the two beautiful girls God has blessed us with & for now, that is wonderful. If the Lord has it in our plans to add another to our happy home, I'll let you guys know.

Matt is great. He is excited about taking his "intoxilizer training" soon...yeah, now that Asheboro has Alcohol, Ramseur figures that ALL their guys need to be trained. Well, anyway, he & I just celebrated our 3 year anniversary in July.

Monster starts KINDERGARTEN in two weeks!!! OMGosh! She is excited & ready to go...we'll see how Matt holds up. She will have the same teacher that Matt had...isn't that cool? So, at least we won't have to worry about getting along with the teacher...HA! She is looking forward to being a DAISY in the fall! Her favorites right now include: green, Disney princess...w/emphasis on Cinderella, barbie, My Little Pony, Coloring, Painting, trees & flowers, and playing games with the family.

Monkey is doing quite wonderful. She is now completely toilet trained (including bedtime) & that is definitely a weight off my shoulders. You all know how many times we had to start/stop because of everything going on...so YAY, its over!  She loves purple, Ariel & Sleeping Beauty, My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, MARKERS, scissors...and general Mayhem, LOL. She THINKS she is going to school w/her big sister...we'll see how it works out when she realizes she isn't (at least she will have a friend to play with a few days during the week)! That will be super fun!

June 16

This weekend was great!
Friday...My mom, Becca, Myself & Matt did the Hospice Flea Market...it was HOT, but we found a lot of great deals on videos, crafts, and other odds & ends...

We played in the TBall tournament Thurs, Fri, & Saturday...we lost our first game, then turned around and won two games in a double header Friday night, which guaranteed us at least 2nd place...Saturday morning we played a great game, but lost to Franklinville. We are so proud of our kids!!! We only had 10 kids for the double headers & only 11 on Saturday (which meant all the kids played the entire game)...They were all so tired, but they ROCKED IT!!! We made the other team work for it!
Sunday, My mom & I took the girls to the Zoo (and Becca too) so that Matt could "enjoy" his sleep for Father's day because he had to work all weekend...

Today, I braved the Hospice Flea Market again with Angie...not as hot or crowded, and even better deals! oh yeah, and Angie fell in a gopher hole...she's ok...LOL, ask me later! Tonight we are having some family time...some more UNO! YAY

Some down time?

Had a GREAT morning...made waffles w/fresh picked strawberries & whipped cream for the family as a thank you for picking up the slack the past couple weeks & being so great...then we spent some quality time together with NO interruptions! Isn't it funny how life works out? Our miscarriage may really be a blessing in disguise. No, we aren't happy it happened, but it has given us a new outlook on life. I mean, we lost a child & I almost bled to death in our bathroom. We realized how precious life really is. So, if you have a beef with me, deal with it, because I am too busy to bother with you.

I think we are becoming a much closer family. Matt & I have really done some soul searching & talking the last few days...its been great. We've decided not to sweat the small stuff (or even some of the big things) that we can't change. Life is REALLY what you make it. If you dwell on negativity, that is what you will have. Likewise, focus on the positive and you will find you are truly blessed.

We are blessed with: Each other, Monster, Monkey, our families (no matter how crazy they are), a home, our church family, friends, love, and so much more. Every morning and evening we now make sure to spend some "quality" time alone together & with our girls (although we already did that most days). We take this time to be silly, laugh, & to communicate our feelings! We are also setting aside time each week to "work" on our marriage, whether that be through having a date night or just working out any issues that may come up.

Our bedroom is now OUR space. We don't discuss any problem or talk about anything that is not our marriage. We will use the living room or dining room for other matters, including (and especially) finances!!! We have even decided to set rules regarding his ex-wife & we will no longer "allow" her to have an affect on our family. Otherwise, why are we paying an attorney to deal with her DRAMA!?! We will only discuss the issues surrounding custody after we drop off or while on our way to pick up Monster from her EOWE visit. That time is already wasted, so we will use it to our advantage. If something comes up that needs an answer, we will spend no more than 15 minutes on it & never in front of the girls, no matter what.

My day (and his time off) is much more devoted to girls! Housework & other activities can wait! They will only be this young once & we want to be an everpresent force in their life. This will help us to communicate with them as they grown and change into young women.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH & THANKS FOR EVERYTHING