Lily's Plastic Purple Purse play:)

 

In April Grandma came to Omaha and we headed to Lily's Plastic Purple Purse play at the children's theater.  The girls were super excited about this one because they have read the book many times in the past.  It's always a great time with grandma and this was no different.  After the play we headed back to Lincoln to spend the weekend there.   Thanks to the g-rent Dorseys for the year membership so we were able to give these experiences to the girls. 

Easter/Mom's birthday

Happy Birthday to my beautiful mother!

On the way to hunt eggs:)

A little help from daddy

Running around finding eggs

Watching the fun

Grandma Cindy capturing the moments

sister teamwork:)

Intensely looking for goodies

Playing with the goodies

Uncle David playing hard:)

Grandpa Frank & Great Grandma Shirley

 Grandpa Dorsey playing baseball

Grandma Dorsey's (my mom) birthday fell on Easter this year.  We had an amazing celebration in Lincoln at their house.  Grandma Cindy, Grandpa Frank, Great Grandma Shirley (Frank's mom), Kate, David, Shannon & Jason all joined in on the festivities.  We had a great meal, birthday cake, Easter egg hunt, and a fun time playing outside in the beautiful weather.  The girls were so excited the Easter bunny came and were most excited with their outdoor toys the bunnies (the grandmas) brought!  I know that I am blessed to have these amazing people in my life but on that day I was even more grateful for the girls to have all these beautiful people around them.   My cup is overflowing with love; love wins!

LJ

Livy Bug,
I was organizing clothes this past weekend and had a nostalgic moment when I was putting your 18 month clothing in a tub for storage.  The time is flying by at light speed rate and you are getting so big.  You are still a little thing as far as size but your are big with your brain & development.  We had a rough couple months at the end of last year as far as parenting you & that stage of your development.  We learned a lot (& are still learning) on how to be the best parents to you (& your sissy).  Parenting is tough work sister and especially when you, at 2 years old, have a strong like bull mind and are determined to have everything your way.  Not a lot of room to give at this stage.  We (you included) have been working together to help you understand the world around you, instead of it being only your world.  Don't worry sister you can have your own world, but there has to be a time & place for it and its not all the time.  I lived in a world called Kandra-land for a long time before you girls were born;)  I still go to that place as much as I can!  Being in your world is amazing and when I actually allow myself to stop the "task mastering" world and step into your world, it is breathtaking.  You are beautiful inside and out.  The more we work together on this life thing, the better we will get.  It may seem as though I am being a bit "dramatic" on the rough months part, but compared to the recent months we are in good shape and heading in a fantastic direction:)  All the text books are out there to teach us parents how to raise you.  The fact that 2 year olds need routines, limits, affirmation, continual redirection, patience, non-emotional parents when melt downs occur, and the list goes on and on. In theory all of those text book ideas are great and they work.  The hard part is practicing these things to help you grow amidst the constant daily demands.  The good news is you have 2 parents who adore you and want to help you become a loving, kind, and giving person.  We will always be in your corner supporting you during every stage of your life.  I'm not going to lie and say its going to be all rainbows & butterflies because its not.  There will be a ton of moments like tonight when we sing, cuddle, and enjoy each other and "our" world to make all those "tough" moments worth it.  I love everything about you & thank God that you are in my life. 

Love you to the moon & back kid...
Love always,
your momma

ps. The other night you asked me why I came home late the night before. (you were already asleep)  I told you I had a work training I was at.  You looked at me with your big brown eyes and said "you rode a train?"  Too cute!      

Harper Sage

Harper Sage,
This stage of life with you just keeps getting better and better.  We had a rough couple months starting back at the end of last year with transitioning you and your sister into full time childcare.  It was actually more hard for me than it was for you girls.  (although I know it had to be hard on you too)  The hardest part was getting into a morning routine to get out the door.  Lateaf leaves work at 5:45am so it is my responsibility to get us ready and off to school/work.  I had to make some adjustments on my end to make a more smooth process.  Mornings are much more pleasant these days which makes for a much better start to each and everyday.  This doesn't mean that we don't have occasional set backs but they are way less dramatic.
(for all of us) 
You are one fantastic sister to your Livy Jade.  She wants to have everything you have and do everything you do on a daily basis.  Most of the time you are understanding of her desires and attempt to teach her the ways of the world.  You are very sweet with her and there are those moments when no one is watching where you take her under your wing and it is incredibly precious.  Liv drums to her own beat and is very different from you but even though very different, she looks up to you.  You are her role model and you have a pretty good understanding of what that means.  It's a big job sister and I know you will do amazing all the way through.  You still love all things boy and its fun to watch your personality and interests blossom.  You love music and instruments.  You keep saying you want to play the drums when you get older but also love to get your guitar out and strum along to the background music.  You love board games, playing outside, sports, American Idol, super heroes, the Fresh Beat Band (and a lot of other things on Netflix), riding your bike, dancing around to music, and playing with your friends.  You are a lover of life little miss and I love every inch of your being.  This mothering stuff is hard work and more intense than I ever imagined but you light up my life everyday and for that I am tremendously grateful.  I love you to the moon & back Scoops. 
Love always,
your momma

ps.  You came into our bed at 1am last week and you had a nightmare.  I gently rubbed your back and told you everything was OK while I dozed off.  You said "no mom the Leprechaun took Livy"  We went potty and back to your room where Liv was sleeping soundly.  I rubbed your back and dozed off again.  You woke me and said "mom I can't stop thinking about it."  I told you that we were all here and we were all safe.. .you fell fast asleep:) 

G-rent love...

 
 Harper wanted a power ranger mask out of Toys R Us ad...so grandma made them one:)




I have been off the blog map for awhile now. Between having a sweet nephew to blog about and having my gall bladder removed I haven't had much time to dedicate to this blog. I have lots of catching up to do because life keeps happening even when there is no time to document it;) I had surgery the beginning part of March on a Thursday. My parents were ever so kind to take me back to Lincoln post surgery and take care of me. Lateaf brought the girls that weekend and then the girls stayed with me & the g-rents for the week while I recovered. I can't express how much my parents "rock" and are my rock in my life. They are phenomenal grandparents and just as great as my parents. A million thank you's to them for everything they do for us and the unconditional love they give us.