My baby is growing up...

Today was Madison's Birthday party.. She turned 8 years old. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast. She wanted a swimming party with her friends again as usual. She's my little fish, she could live in the water. Her and her friends had a blast, and she feels so important when she has all of her special friends around her and all of the attention is on her!

I feel so blessed that I was given the absolute privilege of being Madison's mother. I just love her to pieces and she's such a sweet, caring, and funny young lady and she's growing up to be a beautiful person, inside and out.

When we got home, Maddie decided she wanted to send her birthday balloons up to heaven to her grandpas that have passed on. Her Grandpa Lawrence, Grandpa Tom and Grandpa Norm. It was very important to her to send a message to them, so she wrote on her balloons and let them go, so they would get to her special grandpa's and so that they would know it was her birthday.

First day of school...

Today was the first day of school. I can't believe how fast my girls are growing up. Taylor is 11 yrs. old and in 6th grade, and Madison is turning 8 next week and is in 2nd grade. I am so proud of these girls, they bring me so much joy. As they get older, it's so much fun to be able to share more with them, and I realize more and more how much like me they are -- (I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing). They have grown into beautiful souls and are so kind and caring for others. I couldn't be prouder of them, and am so blessed to be their mother.

Madison & Taylor

Madison

Taylor

Madison, Taylor and Taylor's friend, Tiani

Madison & her friend, Emma

Taylor with her best friends, Tiani, Maya & Grace

Minnesota Trip...

We went to Minnesota from July 31st - Aug 8th. My mother in law, Barb and her awesome guy, Orris, were married on Saturday, August 7th. We LOVE Orris, and we are so happy for her that she met someone who is so kind and loving to her and her family. The girls were flower girls in the wedding and they had so much fun hanging out with their cousins Parker and Natalie, and their new relatives also. It was fun to spend this time with family, I always love being around Russ's mom, she's such a great person. It was great to spend time with his sisters, Karen and Lisa also. We don't get to see everyone that often, so we loved it.
Here's some pictures from the week of fun....