Another year is in the books!

I cannot believe another school year is over!  I am so proud of everything the girls accomplished this year, not only in the classroom but personally as well.  We don't pay for grades or offer bribes, in our house it is Steve's and my job to go to work and provide for our family and it is the girls job to go to school and always do their best, education is the most important thing they can be doing right now.  I remind them that one day they will be taking care of us and we have high standards :)!  

This year has been a year of heartbreaks figuring our who their true friends are, overfilled with excitement when goals they set for themselves became real, sadness of a fellow student passing away, trials of being a teenager and wanting some freedom, broken collar bone, lots of cheer and soccer, and most importantly a lot of fabulous memories made with great friends.  

As much as I hate my girls growing up I love each stage of life.  Being 13 is tough and I never want to be 13 again but I am so proud of the person Peyton is becoming.  She handles situation with such grace and calmness, all while filling our world with pink and glitter!  Lauren has really started to come out of her shell, she grew up so much this past school year and definitely keeps us on our toes with her funny and carefree attitude. I love that in her mind she is so much bigger than she really is, she is always ready to conquer the world. 

We are all excited for summertime, schedules relax some, we play outside more, our house is full of friends and the biggest decision you have to make is what flip-flops to wear!

Wishing you all a great, fun and simple summer!

-K 

I'm Back!

So after a very long vacation from my blog I have made it a priority to get back to posting more often.  Life is crazy and every time I would think about it something else needed done.

As I said when I started this blog will not save the world but if it makes you smile, gives you a great idea or you use it as a break from the real world then I have done my job!

Steve and I realized life was running faster than we were so we took a much needed long weekend to Dallas for Spring Break.  Four days of being together as a family with no schedule was exactly what we needed.  So we dropped the dog off, loaded the car with all the necessary road trip snacks and off we went to Great Wolf Lodge.  Great Wolf far exceeded any of my expectations.  From the moment we arrived the service was amazing!  My favorite part was we never had to leave the hotel, entertainment, food, and really amazing cookies and cupcakes were all located inside. 

After we checked in we headed to the water park.  First slide we went on was called the Hurricane, we all rode together and laughed and screamed the entire time.  When it was over Steve and I looked at each other like, um was that the best ride for our children to go on?  The girls thought it was the best thing ever and rode it many times.

Great Wolf has so many activities beside the water as well.  We bought the girls wands and set out to do "Quest" to become master Magi's.  After running up and down the hotel (thanks to Steve's Fit Bit we know we climbed over a 100 flights of stairs that weekend) completing quest and looking for clues the Earle Girls are now Master Magi's!

The point of this post is not to tell you what we did over Spring Break but to remind us all that it is OK to take a break from schedules, activities, work, EMAIL AND PHONES and just play.  It was definitely the break I needed so I could let some things go, help me remember that I can not be responsible for what others do only how I let if effect me and to refocus on my family and what we believe in.

Remember, when life throws you lemons make MARGARITAS! 
Karen

Day 7... Cox Radio

I am thankful for my job at Cox Radio.  I work with a talented group of people and have made some great friendships not only with my co-workers but clients too!  Everyday is something different, I get to be creative in helping my clients achieve their goals.

I have great bosses you understand my number one job will always be being a mom and have created a family friendly environment where that is possible!

Day 6... Friends

Day 6

I am so very thankful for my friends.  They are an amazing group of women.  Together we laugh, cry, laugh because we want to cry, encourage, support and occasionally drink :)! They are there for me at the drop of a hat and I will forever be greatful for their friendship.  Life gets busy and we dont talk everyday but they are forever in my heart.

And although they may not be "Aunts" to my girls I feel so blessed that Peyton and Lauren have them as role models in their lives.

Much love to these very special women....

Day 5... Sisters

Day 5

Today I am thankful for sisters! You can love and hate each other (sometimes all in the same day) but nothing will ever break a bond between sisters.  Sisters also make awesome Aunts, which I am thankful for as well...

I love the sisterhood my girls have.  They love and protect each other and dont think for one minute that when they are both involved that one will rat the other one out.  Lauren thinks Peyton hung the moon and while Peyton probably wont admit it right now she's pretty proud of Lauren too.

Day 4... Giggles

Day 4

Today I am thankful for little girl giggles!  I woke up to the sound of the girls laughing while they were upstairs playing together.  I know as they get older these days will not always happen so for now I will cherish being woken up to the sound of high-pitch little girl giggles!! 

Here is an old picture of Lauren that always makes me smile, she was full of giggles!

Day 3...

Day 3

Today I am thankful for beautiful Fall Saturdays!  We took advantage of the amazing weather to ride bikes, play at the park, feed the fish in the neighborhood pond and of course play a little soccer!

PS... I am also thankful to set the clocks back tonight! I can use all the extra hours I can get!!!!