Love her mix

Matilda or Tilda as she calls herself.  The word that comes to mind for her is balance.  She has such a equal balance of outgoing and reserved qualities.  Funny even her placement of 2nd child is a even number.

She is outgoing yet needs space to warm up.

Girly yet loves comfy clothes.  Royals Tshirt,leggings, and hoody is her favorite.

Funny yet not class clown.  

Loves jokes but has a serious side.

Loves to test the limits and see what she can get away with lately around potty talk but won't go too far because doesn't like to be in trouble.

Smile Matilda and she always does this...

Loves Etta Kate

  

But loves her Trudy and "Barget", can't seem to make at M sound.

She is patient yet has a limit.

Easy going yet so picky about tags on her skin from clothes

Loves dogs but really just in pictures not the real deal 

A true mix of her momma and poppa.

We love you so much Mary Matilda!!

Date Night for a Good Cause

This is our 4th year attending the Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Gala.  Poppa and I truly enjoy this event every year.  You know we love an auction and for a good cause makes it even better. 

Such a fun date night giving back to others. 

This face

This girl is the first up every single day at 5:30am.  She will lay quiet until 6:00 but then ready for a shower.  Sings the entire time she showers.

Loves her Poppa something fierce.  Wakes up every night and comes into bed on his side and sleeps glued to him. He loves it all but the kicks all night.  

She doesn't open up to others right off that bat.  You have to earn her respect and it's tough. 

She loves bags.  I call her "bag lady".  Always packing and carrying a bag.  She will wear her back back to and from the car no matter the distance.  

She likes organization and process. 

She has the sweetest voice.

She is a tiny little thing but full of might.

Margaret and I are different and she truly challenges me as a momma and person. I've learned or been reminded to be aware of others and open to their way or pace.  

She doesn't like loud praise or cheers. It actually causes her to shut down.  She likes subtle acknowledgement in the moment and praise later after but not a big fuss.  

She loves animals.  Horses, cats and dogs are her favorite.

Loves to wear dresses and tights.

She's happy to play with everyone but then perfectly happy to be on her own and have her space playing alone.

This sums up my Margaret ...

I'm driving home from school asking about their days and what they learned about the Presidents. MF is silently listening and after MM answers she goes "You can ask Oliver she knows all about it".  Oliver is her teacher and it should be Mrs. Oliver but littles have called her just Oliver from day one.  I was laughing so hard inside not letting her see.

Margaret love you so much!!! Notice I only called her Margaret in this post ... "Call me Margaret"

Sweet Dreams

Love these sweet girls.  I could take a picture every time they sleep.  

We need a Cure

My heart breaks at any story of a young kid battling for their life. I wish we had answers, ways to prevent it, could make it go away, and my wishes go on.  But reality is we have to fight and push to get theses wishes.  I can still remember the day that we were told that our final step was to draw MM's bone marrow and rule out leukemia.  Worst day of my life to date. Longest weekend waiting for the news.  I'm forever thankful with our outcome but my heart just hurts for those that sit in the same rooms as we did and go to the same blood clinics we did for weeks but are given the devastating news.  It's just not fair.

This weekend we rallied behind a sweet kindergarten girl fighting and winning her battle with cancer.  We don't know her personally but that's not important.  She is local to our community, goes to school where EK will go next year and I look at that family and have to help.  We know that the power of love, support and prayers is what she and all the other kids need.  

It's amazing how people can come together and bring so much positive to a family that is living a nightmare and a University that has had a rough few months.  The basketball stadium was a sea of gold, biggest crowd this year, best student turnout, players played with passion, they ended the longest losing streak in school history, raised 50k for pediatric cancer, there was a reason to cheer for the Tigers and it was all because of this strong 5 year old who is fighting.  

I pray for a cure, strength for these families and the childhood days to be given back to these sweet kids.  Everyone has there way of helping and all the ways together are going to help.  There has to be answers and I remain positive that we will find a cure for pediatric and other forms of cancer.  

❤️❤️❤️❤️

So excited to see what the 'love bug' left them.  Trudy not pictured because she sleeps in, thank you Trudy!

Extra special day because we also got snow. These girls love snow! But we were bummed the snow got in the way of our Mimi visiting for the day.

Giddy up says Gerty!

My life in one picture!! Love it all!

Post snow donuts are a must!

 

Fun continues with our Valentines painting.  We did this last year and EK insisted we do it again, so we did!  They had a blast!

Our completed 'What I love about..'doors.  The girls got a heart every morning of February leading up to Valentines Day from the heart fairy.  I had no intention of a fairy but was going to do it from momma and poppa but EK had other ideas.  They loved having us read the heart each morning about what was loved about them.  I enjoyed the reflection each night about what I loved about them.

We ended the fun with a dinner date of the girls choice, if you know then no surprise they chose Chinese followed by icecream!

This day and the other 364 I'm surrounded by so much love and feel so lucky to be living this life.  XOXO to all!

Valentines Party Days

I spent the morning with my big girls at their school valentines parties.

First our standard holiday picture

Trudy take your bink out... Or add one more!

First was Etta Kate's class

We had so many laughs with these bags!

Now with Ms. Huggins in the picture.

Snack time!

Dance Party!

Creepy Valentines...

Then on to Mrs.Oliver's class party.

Dance Party!

Ended the morning with lunch with all my girls in Ms. Huggins classroom.  Littles were in heaven.

We had a great day full of lots of sweets , laughs, and fun!!

Not pictured is Trudy who had a great day at school as well!!