{Day 1} Joy School.

Friends, my big girl had her very first day of Joy School today.

She was so excited to get up and get ready for her day. She picked out her outfit, packed her mouse backpack {with a penguin} and got ready to go. She also left me at the door, didn't even need me to come in with her. Made me so proud. Absolutely love watching her and her confidence grow.

 She absolutely loved it, and keeps telling me that she learned about her "special letter" today. Everything is about the letter "A" today. I thought she loved it before, but after sharing it with her friends, she is addicted to it now! 

So with school starting, and with it coming to my house the first week of October, I'll be sharing what I've been up to while getting my lesson ready, also, I got a chance to make the music box for school and I'll be sharing that soon!

Have you ever done a Joy School in your neighborhood? If so, what types of things did you enjoy doing with the kids?

Happy Wednesday!

2013: Just 10 Photos.

10 Photos I Took in 2013. 

ONE.

Last vacation as a family of 3 to Vegas, April 2013.

 TWO.

The day another absolutely perfect, amazing little girl joined our family. July 2013.

THREE.

Crazy sisters.

FOUR.

Eyeliner. Someone is getting adventurous. 

FIVE.

Baking with Baby Powder. Oh my sweet 2 year old.

SIX.

Halloween as a family of 4. October 2013.

SEVEN.

Just the 2 of us.

EIGHT.

Thanksgiving 2013.

NINE.

Kisses for her sweet sister. November 2013.

TEN.

December 2013. Yes, December 23 to be exact. 

In-law Drama & Babies.

I'm not sure what makes my in-laws do the things they do. I am however very tired of the way they question every decision I make. 

For example, the fact that I didn't want any visitors while I was in labor with Miss A, my mom and baby sister took me to the hospital and waited till my husband showed up then left to pick up around my house & love my dog. My younger sister stopped by with food for the husband that night, weren't there for more than 5 minutes total. 

Or that I didn't want kids or very many visitors in the hospital after I had her. I didn't need a crowded room while I was relaxing and enjoying my first hours as a mom. (If you like to do that, that's fine I'm not judging, its just not what I wanted to have happen.)

Every time they threw a fit. Complaining, saying it was weird. Like when they got mad because I was tired of people showing up whenever with whoever they wanted after I got home and said something about it. My house, my baby, my rules. 

The newest thing is the fact that I'm having my girls share a room. I just finished putting the toddler bed back into the nursery & setting up the new crib. They fit perfect in that room together. I grew up always sharing a room, I loved it. Once I was older I got my own room, just when I started feeling like I needed my own space. And again, my house, my girls, my rules. 

Every one parents different. My husband and I have agreed on a certain way that makes us all comfortable and happy. It's worked for us for over 2 years now. My sisters and their boyfriends choose to parent different than us, as do my brother, his fiance and his son's mom. They do what works for them. I might not agree with their styles, but they know their kids and I'm gonna keep my mouth shut, it's not my place. 

Having our new addition joining us so soon really has me on edge. I'm not ready for any drama with my in-laws. They're just going to need to accept that I do things different than them. I don't want an audience at the birth of Miss M, Miss A will be with my family, we'll only have a few visitors at the actual hospital and then people can schedule a time to visit at home after. It's really that simple. 

I don't know what to do. I'm starting to stress out about what they're going to do. I don't need my brother in law telling me that I need medication, because I like things a certain way. (Still can't believe he said that, I should have strangled him.)

 But really friends, what do you do?