{starting fresh}

This summer is almost over and I havent mentioned the coolest thing so far....May 21 we added another member to the Hamrick bunch....Piper June.

She's as sweet as can be...already a lot more calm that P ever was. Shes a snuggle bug too!!! She already seems so different than her sister!! Hard to imagine since she is only 12 weeks old. It's also hard to imagine that she is already 12 weeks old!!! OMG! She's our last...so Ive been trying to keep her baby-ish. Which is hard...since she is growing and huge! She's already in the 100th percentile for her length and that will remind us that at one point in her life she was concidered long!! Im sure that will change;)

P loves her to peices....and I will record and record the way she is with her because although its sometimes too much its super cute and sweet and Im sure one day they wont be so into eachother;)

P's personality is growing by the days....I mean seriously I've never met a 3 year old with such sass, attitude, and opinions on anything and EVERYTHING. I have to tell her "check your self P" and she knows that means....not here and not now. It sometimes is just a little much....like when she corrects a stranger... and tells them their rude....or tells them to chew with their mouths closed... I mean sometimes she's right...but she's 3 and needs to learn to respect others. So were working on that this year. I wont dull her sparkle...cause its my most favorite thing about her.....its....her!!!

I decided this last week that I will take off work for the next few years and just be a mama. Mark has wanted this for over 2 years ish....and I finally agreed. P starts preschool this year....and I want to enjoy her as much as I can before she start kindergarten which isnt really that far away! And Piper is such a love bug that I just can't leave her:( I want to be with her and enjoy her as much and more than I did with P. And how lucky I feel that I am able to do that.

I will for sure miss working since it's not like work at all. But luckily since I loved my clients and their all friends..so Im not too bummed. I mean who would be bummed that they get to stay home with their girls?!?!

Im excited.... to write more about these two girls of mine...who I adore....and record things i want to remember about them....even if it's interupted writing because I have to feed the baby...or wipe P's butt....it's real and it's us.

Why I left

{a lot has happened}

Lets start by explaining why I quit blogging. I read a lot of blogs! I mean a lot. I realized that people arent really who they seem to be...on their blog. Its like they write things about how they want you to think they are...and are from from the person they portray on their blog. I do NOT want to do that. Ive always been myself...take it or leave it...and im all about actions speaking louder than words.

I realized last night after someone mentioned an old blog post that I miss writing to P....she is only getting more funny and I still want to remember these things. I want to remember that her "thing" is wearing headbands. She wears one every single day...it never matches...and it goes to bed with her. I want to remember that I let her dress her self no matter how many strange looks she gets...because she is a ball of personality and I dont want to dull her shine;) or her style as she calls it.

I want to remember when I brought Piper home from the hospital...and how shocked I was that Peyton wasn't a jelly belly...that she was sooo excited and sweet and loving. I want to remember that P calls her sister "sugar" or "sugs"for short....how when Piper cries she tries to calm her by screaming over and over "piper the junza" "piper the junza". Sooo many things that go on daily with two little girls...I want to write to remember.

I missed it and I LOVED reading back and laughing at things I had already forgotten about P.

So this isn't for anyone...but me.



MIA

{MIA}

Oh my.

It's been so long since Ive been blogging.

17 weeks pregnant and I'm realizing what my priorities are.

Spending less time on line.

More time sleeping.

Less time socializing.

More time for Mark and P.

I've learned to put the phone down and at first this scared many people. lol which is sad but true.

I actually like leaving it in the car. At home.

Ive been reading a lot. Mostly to P but some for me.

Putting more effort into the people who do the same for me.

Realizing that being.... is good enough...and doing all the time is over rated....and fully UN appreciated.

This pregnancy has put a lot into perspective for me.

Whats important, whats not.

What my goals are for now...and for the future.

Who I am thankful for.

What I am thankful for.

It's shown me the true meaning behind smooshed bladder.

Exhaustion.

And crashing immune system.

I am sharing this pregnancy with a few friends....who I am more than excited for.

It's like I know what there in for....in a good way...a great way.

I know how excited/nervous they are.

I know that nothing will prepare them.

I know that they will fall in love like never before and be forever changed.

I know the love....and I'm excited that they will soon know it too.

I know that I've been slacking writing on here to you...P.

But I think you enjoy my full attention.

The nights I spend in your bed snuggling with you rather than typing on here.

I sure have been enjoying you.



My Sweet Pea

{my sweet Pea}

You are two and a half this month and you are your own person no doubt!

You like to put your own shoes on...and Im not joking when I say you have 15 pair (weid because I am like the only person who is NOT a shoe person) but you will only pick between two pairs....and there exactly the same just different colors.

Im shocked when I tell you "that goes on the right foot" and you know which one that is!! I think daddy liked to work with you on that one....he has been teaching you that for over a year now.

You don't back down to much...and Aunt Shanie who you've nick name "Shantie" can back me up.

She has witnessed your....shall I call it..."personality" your stuborness, your temper.

Your not the kid we can trick with candy....but....telling you that I will call Helga....seems to do the trick (sometimes) and parents dont make feel bad for this one....Helga the mean ugly babysitter isn't any different than Santa, Easter bunnies, tooth faries etc....

Nanny Hamrick has talked about Mark as a child....and I think you must be a lot like him (temper) but I won't lie....you get your stubborn ways from us both...the attitude from me...were all working on things though....you teach us a lot about ourselves....possibly more than I'll ever tell you!

Your not all attitude and tantrums though....your still my sweet Pea....who yells "MOM" just to tell me "I love you to the moony" you have my back and tell me when my breath stinks, you still rub my face and hold it ever so gently and tell me "i just want you to be happy" (one reason you work me over so well), you beg me to lay in your bed but the second I fall asleep you tell me Im breathing to loud....and I find that so humbling...because I do the EXACT thing to your daddy!!!! The other thing Im loving about you right now (besides every little thing) is how you call daddy and I babe.....and it's not out of the blue....it's like a daily thing and a normal thing you call us wehn you want our attention, when you want us to come to the room your in, when you tell us "good job, babe". You get that from me......I think I call everyone babe...but mostly Daddy. You try teaching me that Im supposed to call him Daddy and I try teaching you that Im not;)

Oh, P.

Just things that I never want to forget about you....at age 2 and half.

The age you kicked down your crib....and became a big girl....sleeping in your big girl bed.

The age you are but everyone thinks you are older.

Smart.

Sassy.

Halarious.

Beautiful.

bitter sweet

{bitter sweet}

It's been a great three years in our little home.

Little being the key word.

Just over 2,000 square feet but when you chop it up like this style of home it seems like a lot less....to me at least.

This house was our first together.

We brought P home to this "castle" as she calls it.

I'm the type of person who gets attached....hates change... and cringes at the thought of the un known.......

but...timing is right and things seem to be falling into place for us right now.

After talking to our friends who are Realtors here in town they assure us the person buying our home is a very lucky new home owner and it should sell fast.

The price is great and everything inside is new, nice, and updated.

We put a lot of work into this house.

So today we decided.....

it's time to DE clutter and put it on the market.

I hate the thought of moving.

Packing.

Selling.

Someone else living here.....I wished it were someone I knew so I could feel better about it....knowing how they would appreciate all we've done....

I will take Lot's of pictures for you P....to remember the home we brought you too....your first (and second) bedroom, your adorable toy room.

Why do we get so sentimental with houses?? It's so weird.

My friends mom always says...."you don't LOVE material things" and I think about that when I  selfishly think about... "I will make sure the person buying this house knows how much money that floor cost...and how my husband spent long hours and I mean hours pulling staples out of the base of the floor so he could lay the ever so expensive tile we picked out". It's all materialistic.....I should have listened to my mother....so I wouldn't be so attached knowing we wouldn't live her forever. Trust me there are things I hate about this house too....so I'm not all sad....and if I keep in mind....it's all material.....and cross my fingers a nice young family will buy our house...and appreciate everything we have done to it....I might just free myself of an ulcer..

Things are really falling into place for us and it's our time....I hope it all goes as smooth as planned.

Tonight

{tonight}

Tonight I come home from a nice short walk with a dear friend who lives down the street.

I see P's bedding on the floor at the top of the stairs...and I think "oh no, the flu".

Thank goodness.....she just peed the bed!

I never thought I would ever think nor say "ah, she just peed her bed".

I look in her room, her big girl room (i know sounds crazy 2 rooms, not so lavish trust me) then I go look in my bed.

P is snuggled tightly in Daddy's nook.

The nook?

The perfect little crevice where daddy's shoulder curves in ward....it used to be my nook...now it's our nook.

She is not a snuggler....especially with mama.

She saw me..probably heard me...and said mama I'm sleeping with my daddy...and who could argue with that.

I can hear her though now....chit chatting to daddy who is sound asleep due to being awake 48 hours now....so off I go....maybe she'll snuggle me?



Technical interference..

{technical interference}

I love technology for many reasons.

I love the fact that when my daughter is napping (or lets be real watching cartoons) I can jump on the book.....share pictures of P with all my friends and family, enjoy all the pictures of my friends children who are also ever changing and growing quickly, and even just keep up with friends who if it weren't for the book I'd see once a year if that.....I love fb for all these reasons.

I don't love that it takes the realness out of some people.

It's so funny to me how you can communicate via fb and share so many friendly thoughts and words...and then you see the same person in person and they get that uncomfortable look and seem so awkward having a real LIVE conversation.

Obviously I'm not delusional. I know that having over 300 or however many "friends" we have via fb...blog followers, etc...doesn't really mean were all "friends" but in a sense it means we feel safe and comfortable sharing pic's of our children, sharing silly stories of our lives, and sometimes building new friendships based on common interests and the fact that our children will be growing up in the same community....

So the fact that the courtesy and comfort lies in a silly computer screen boggles my mind.

When I see you in person....I find it sad that people are not as friendly, act as if that kid in your shopping cart is not the same kid they leave comment after comment on in the pictures you post. It's kinda like the people who you have done their hair for years...and when they stop coming to you (happens all the time we as hair dressers expect this) act like you your going to be angry with them so they avoid you and act as if they haven't shared detailed stories of their life with you... it's okay people....my feelings towards you don't change because you wanted to try someone new to do you hair....it's okay....we can still be friends.

This technology interferes with the realness of people.

OR

Does technology just give people the confidence that they lack in person.

Either way it's kinda a tease.

You don't always get what you see on the book.

Denver...

{Denver}

It's that time again.

Heading South.

P in the back....plenty of DVDs to choose from, a snack bag....

I'm hoping she will use the ear phones this trip so I can listen to my own tunes.....I mean enough Disney is enough.

No plans really.

No time frame.

Just P and I.

Loading up and doing whatever we want.

I like this idea....

I know P and I will do this lot's throughout the years....why not start early?

wardrobe

{wardrobe}

I think he entire wardrobe consists of three brands.

Matilda Jane.

Crew Cuts.

and
Target.



Not those shoes of coarse.

Those shoes (which are too small) were found at some boutique in Sheridan....and of coarse they are her most favorite shoes ever (I was going to put in a box and someone got very very upset with me...so they have been glues to her since). If I let her pick her out fits...this is what you would get form Miss Peyton at age 2.

I thought it was cute....she did a good job.

So...off to the pool we went.

Have your own style P....(please always let it be like mine so I can have this much fun with dressing you forever).

Important

{important}

The narcissist

{the narcissist}

My sister used this word when describing a person the other day. When I don't know exactly what something means I google it and to my surprise I think I know one too many.....

• React to criticism with rage, shame, or humiliation
• Take advantage of other people to achieve his or her own goals
• Have excessive feelings of self-importance
• Exaggerate achievements and talents
• Be preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, beauty, intelligence, or ideal love
• Have unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment
• Need constant attention and admiration
• Disregard the feelings of others, and have little ability to feel empathy
• Have obsessive self-interest
• Pursue mainly selfish goal

Wow right...................................................my best friend Sarah and I have been talking a lot lately about people....and I find this very fitting.

People never seize to amaze.



Character

{character}

"I'll take character over reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are".

My lil fishy

{my lil fish}

Our summer has consisted of...

swimming

napping

more swimming.

My lil fish....

You love the water.

Scare the lifeguards (not so much me, surprisingly).

You love to  play "go under" and shockingly you hold your breath the longest most of the time.

You love everyone elses swim toys....not so much your own (unless someone else wants them).

You seem to be perfectly happy with playing by yourself or with Daddy and I....even when we have friends or cousins swimming you choose to be the loan ranger (I'm a loner my self...trust me it's okay).

Which reminds me....I wanted to tell you....

I've noticed as I've gotten older I'm one of the only people I know that is "okay" doing things alone (going places, meeting people, etc) I never feel that "awkward" feeling most people feel.... It's a great quality and I hope you have it (I think you do)! It's very unsettling to me when women don't go places and don't do thing because they "need" someone with them. Just a little life info I want to pass on.

I said to a friend at the pool who was their with her children....it's okay if P would rather play alone......I'm kind of a loner too.... and I love that about you...that your you...and your already comfortable in your own skin.

You started kicking your legs while being under water this week, swimming with your kitty board, and your liking your floaters since you realized how good you can swim with a little extra help....and of course I snapped some pic's to show off how proud of you I am.

Our little fish....we love you.

I know you love this swimming....but the Sunday cone after is your favorite part.

Realization

{realization}

Sometimes in the middle of your average day you realize.....

You can't make people care as much as you do.

Some people are givers and some are takers.

You can go out of your way for people all the time and they may never notice.

You can be a genuine real person in a world full of ..... well the exact opposite....

....And when you realize this is your thought process.... you go take a nap with your sweet precious baby (she'll always be my baby) and you wake up....being grateful for this things that give you pure happiness....without even thinking at all.

Realizing that's all that really matters anyway.

Wont back down.

{wont back down}

I thought I was the only one going to Zac Brown band's concert only knowing like 3 songs....I didn't mind....I was still excited.

I'm not the girl to pretend to be anything or to know things I do not know....so like typical me it was one of the first things I said when we met up with Trish and Darbs....

Trish's response.... "me too...just do this" and since you cant see me I will try to describe what "this" is....

its Trisha....singing a song....just making up her own words as she goes....and smiling....and dancing...and if you know Trish at all...you know exactly what I mean!!!

So when this song played at the end (my sisters favorite) I grabbed Shan and started dancing. We didn't have to make up any words!

We went to Natalia and Blake's wedding Sat and Amber (another friend from high school) said "Trish are you still making up your own words to songs" Trish and I looked at each other and I answered for her.

I LOVE this about my friends.

I LOVE that it's like we never missed a beat...and when we all get together its like were all back in high school....laughing non stop...dancing(sorta)...and stopping to bring up a few old stories that make us laugh some more.

I love that when so many people dread their high school reunions I (and most my friends) can not wait to all get together again!

That's next year by the way.

And while every single one of us is at a completely different stage in our own lives you would never know that by seeing us together.

I feel lucky.

Lucky with friends.

Lucky with family.

Lucky in love.

DJR

{DJR}

AKA

Danny

Dad

Papa.

My younger sister posted this picture tonight.

It was at my birthday dinner this year.

I showed up in the normal....sweats...hair in messy bun..no makeup

and he comes out in this.

I smile big.

On my 21st birthday he wore this exact number to my dinner at Bosco's. Then he came to sidelines and partied it up with me and my friend Nicole.....(I think we stopped before he wanted to).

Any way...on that day I stated this outfit he wore was my favorite on him!

So, this year.....at the good ol age of 27 he walks out....and I smile.

Everyone asked...why are you so dressed up? (we were eating dinner at my moms house with just the fam)

and he said "this is Shelby's favorite outfit". It is!! And I'm so glad Britt took a pic!

How sweet that he remembered. (even the prescription sun glasses;))

Next year I might dress up too....and make it an annual thing!

Love you DJR.

{merry go round}

Our afternoon was spent watching P play her "gwitar" and since Justin Beiber, row row row your boat, and some fresh beat band song. (my LEAST favorite kid show of all times)

Then since the parade is over and she has been asking to go back to it since yesterday....we decided the fair would entertain her just as much as the parade!

She didn't like the merry go round like she thought she would. She held onto me so tight and I was shocked.

My little dare devil not so daring?

Could have guessed the car she was going to pick...

Pink convertible...just like her car parked in the garage...a glimpse of whats to come when we car shop?

Then since she was way under 42' I held her so they wouldn't notice....let her ride a third ride pa pa pa lease!!! strapped her in tight and vroom!!! She loved this ride....but when we asked her favorite? She replied...I want to go right my pink car again!

Fair food!!

Dad was all about corn dogs and lemonade.

That's about as fair food as we get.

 

 

And because we all know how clean that place is.....the clothes cam off at the back door and P went straight into the tub.

Her new thing?

To pretend to look for diving sticks.

I am anxious every time and surprised at how well she hold her breath!!

Today was filled with focus.

Focus on the family

{focus on the family}

We say this a lot at my mom's house. I swear each member of my family (sister, mom, dad, nieces, and nephews) all have some form of ADD. Some took meds for it...others never diagnosed. But positive we all have it!

So my mom takes her two fingers points them back and forth and your eyes and hers and says...."focus on the family".

Tonight I say it because....

it's perspective.

To know her is to love her. She is by far the most beautiful thing Ive ever seen in my entire life.

I remember taking this picture of her thinking her hair looks so long.  Her eyes so blue. Man has she changed.

the eyes now green...and the hair sun bleached more blond every day she still melts my heart like the day she was born.

I need to get more professional pic's of her. Mine just don't cut it. But it's how I see her....everyday....and because it's her...it's perfect enough for me.

I look at this pic and realize how much her teeth have changed since the passy send off!  That was such a success for more reasons than one!

The temper has always been the same...and Edna says she comes by it honestly. I can say....I have found the way to talk her out of this fit thing before it starts.....that was short lived and I'm hoping it doesn't come to visit often:)

And this just reminds me of how silly she is. How she will do anything to make me laugh.

Tonight when I stay awake late...thinking about things people do that I wish they wouldn't, the way people talk but you've already quit listening, the way a persons word means nothing these days....negative thoughts....thoughts that can make a person....UN focused

 I think of my mom and how even though I make fun of her when she says "focus on the family" I find myself say that...to myself.

She is my focus.

She is my family.



Rules to live by

{rules to live by}

if you know me at all you know that it's not abnormal for me to bust out a random song...

This one I bust out more often that you might imagine....and what does Mark think? He usually bobs his head and makes me feel....well...not so weird.

Proof that church camps and Sunday school classes do stick with your children.

(in your singing voices)

Commandment number one you shall have no other God you shall worship only me eee.

Number two don't bow down to idols heaven, earth nor sea ee.

Three do not miss use my name.

Four remember the sabbath day.

Five says honor your father and mother.

Commandment number six says you shall not murder.

dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

Seven, eight , and nine for spiritual fitness don't commit adultery, steal or bare false witness.

Last but not least number ten don't covet.

That's Gods law let's learn live and love it.

Summer Lovin....

{summer lovin}

Wow....blog slacking.

Summer is flying by.

It doesn't seem like we have gotten much summer weather and June is almost over!



Peyton gave me a taste of the "terrible two's" today.

The pic above is from today....a sweet moment...when she thought it was fun to get her pic taken instead of screaming "no" like she did every other minute of today.

I've been lucky...I've seen plenty of kids embarrass their parents so I guess today was my turn.

I almost wanted to laugh at her...but knew she wouldn't like that so I just took deep breaths in and out while she threw down.

When it was over.....she was back to normal.....and I explained why mama won't respond to her acting that way.

She's as cute as a button and I'm mostly all talk when I sound like tough mama..

I will however leave any place I am at when she throws down like that....how embarrassing! Oh, P!!!

So, tonight I took my sweet little nephews for ice cream....P and Mark were in bed (m recovering from the flu that I am right now feeling a bit of...ugh) and I wanted to get out of the house!!

The boys were excited to try out the new ice cream shop.

One scoop of Scooper Hero, and one scoop of Cotton Candy, pop rocks, sprinkles, and gummy bears later you have.......

We took P the other day and shes been asking to go back since. Sugar tooth P nut!

Other than ice cream we do parks, pools, movies and walks.

It's funny how you get a little sunshine and your too busy to blog or to do much of anything but be outside.

I know its been a long process getting P's big girl room ready for her but we got her this....

and I think she's getting close to sleeping in it..... I tried it out one night and I don't know what she's waiting for!?! It's super cozy....fit for a queen. or a princess named Peyton.