We have a preschooler!

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So the day has come! Arianna has started school. What a bitter sweet moment this is. Daniel and I have spent the past couple of weeks reminiscing the last 4 years and wondering where time has gone. How can we possibly be sending Ari off to school!? I found myself crying over her lunch box and backpack, as I wrote her name on them. And then just 30 minutes later at her open house I was bursting with excitement for her. She was smiling ear to ear as she met her teacher and explored her cubby. She is so full of life with a readiness to learn. I can't help but to be ecstatic for her world to grow. I just wish I could hang on to her just a little while longer. But since I can't do that, I decided to pour myself into some old photos of Ari and share them with you. :)

Daniel and I cherish these moments most. The world feels so still when a little life is asleep on your chest. 

Such a chubby monkey. 

My heart overflows with gratitude when I remember the last 3 1/2 years of my life. It humbles me to think that God found me worthy to be her stepmom and a wife to Daniel. So as she starts school and moves on to the many adventures life brings her way, I cannot help but to enjoy these moments and remember the gift her life is to us. 

And there she goes! 

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Welcome Step-mammas!

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To my stepmom readers, WELCOME! I am beyond excited to get to know all of you and join the community. Before I get further into this addiction we call blogging, I feel the need to clarify a few things. I promise it will be short and sweet. :)

As I mentioned in my about post found here, I view stepmotherhood as a vocation and blessing. I believe that part of my purpose in life is to love Miss A with my whole heart, just as any mother would naturally do. The joys I receive are numerous and I would not change anything about my life.

That being said, I also recognize that our roles as stepmothers presents many challenges. Trust me, I have plenty of struggles. However, I do not wish to make this a place where stepmothers focus on the drama. I want this to be a positive yet REAL blog for me and you to share our experiences, joys, and struggles. 

 I would also like you to remember that although we have our role as stepmothers in common, every situation is unique as we all have different stepchildren and spouses. Each one of our stories is unlike the other. Lets always be supportive of that!  Lastly, remember that I am no expert! Heavens no! I have so much to learn yet. So when I share my tips I do so in hopes that they will help you in some way. 

So please leave a comment below or message me introducing yourself! I want to get to know all of you!

And for a little Saturday Inspiration....

P.S. I hope I remember this in Walmart today. :)

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Yummy Zucchini Quiche

Now I am no chef. I am constantly working on my skills in the kitchen and it is a process to say the least. Many of my recipes come from the women in my family and of course online. So from time to time I will share a recipe that has pleased the tummies in my house. Lets start with a summer favorite in my house, Zucchini Quiche. Its on our menu quite often and a favorite of Miss A. Possibly because this means a trip to the produce stand to pick out the zucchini. The best thing about this recipe besides the fact its delicious is its easy and budget friendly. Pair it up with your favorite chicken dish, salad, and some of those yummy summer fruits for an easy crowd pleaser!  

 This onion was particularly unforgiving! I found myself taking my mother's advice and tied a kitchen towel around my face to keep from crying off all my makeup. Ari had to join in on the fun and requested to have one tied around her little nose too.

 YUM!

Ingredients 

3 cups of thinly sliced zucchini (usually one large zucchini will give you this amount)

1/2 an onion, chopped

1 cup of bisquick

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

4 eggs

1/2 cup of parmesan cheese 

1/2 teaspoon olive oil mayo

salt and peper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375. Slice the zucchini and chop up the onion. Then mix all the ingredients together.  Grease whichever type of pan you wish to use. I normally use a pie dish or muffin pan (great to serve as appetizers). Pour mixture into choice of pan and bake for 35-45 mins, till its golden brown and you get a clean center. 

So how easy does that sound?! Hope you and yours enjoy!

3 things stepmothers hear in the grocery store

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Every Saturday morning Arianna and I go on our weekly trip to the grocery store. She makes her list which normally consists of bananas and goldfish (because they have to be in constant supply) and I make mine. Let me tell you, Miss A is quite the shopper. If you were to ask her what her favorite store is she would ecstatically respond "TJ MAXX!" I have never met a little girl who enjoys shopping as much as she does and as you can imagine this terrifies Daniel. :)

So we hop in the car and head to Walmart. I normally try to get there before 10am or else I feel like its a battle to the death. I consider it a successful trip if I don't run into three other buggies, wait 20 minutes or more in line and I don't drop a six pack of Dr. Pepper in the middle of the isle. Yes that actually happened to me about a month ago and yes it did explode. I smelled like Dr. Pepper for the rest of the day but I guess that is what happens when you pray for humility the night before.

Anyways, I find myself having to stop at least every other isle because Ari has caught the attention of another stranger. I blame it on her long brown curls. :) It amazes me what people say to me when this happens. Here are my favorite 3.

1. Oh she is beautiful! She must look like her daddy.

2. She looks nothing like you! Is she yours?

And last but not least, once its known that she is my stepdaughter

3. You look young to be a stepmom! How old are you?

Yep, I have heard every single one of these comments and have heard them more than once. My responses are usually short and sweet to protect Ari from hearing the sometimes not so positive comments or questions that come our way.  You never know what you will see or hear in Walmart. :)

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The new Mr & Mrs

If I have not made it obvious enough already, I am a newlywed. Daniel and I were married last December and I still cannot believe we are hitched! What an amazing 7 going on 8 months it has been . We have already made so many memories and shared lots of laughs. Like the time I found a frog in the laundry room. Actually, Daniel was the only one laughing. I just called him at work frantic and refused to ever go in there again. In my defense the thing was the size of a grapefruit. Please tell me I am not the only one petrified of frogs. 

Like most newlyweds we have also had our fair share of petty disputes over dirty dishes and how to arrange the decor pillows on the bed. Gosh it sounds even pettier in hindsight. We are what most would call a work in progress. :) But I wouldn't trade him for the world. It is unbelievably comforting to know that I am tied to my best friend forever. Here is a LITTLE glimpse into our first year of marriage so far. 

I will continue to share bits and pieces about us and our marriage. Till then does anyone have any tips or words of wisdom for the first year of marriage? We would love to hear them!

P.S. In doing this post I realized I need to work on taking more pictures of us...

Hello there!

I’m Marybeth and welcome to I DO to motherhood. Here is a little background on me.

On December 29, 2012 I married my better half, Daniel. I know how cliche. But seriously, he is the better part of us. Our wedding day was truly blessed. We were surrounded by so many people who supported us as we promised ourselves to one another. We received a gift in each other that I can hardly put into words. 

Isn't he handsome? :) Anyways, he is a police officer and I am a full time nursing student. He works on average of 115 hours every two weeks and I am swamped by clinical hours, lectures, case studies, tests, and more tests. We both love it regardless of the challenges it presents.

However, on my wedding day I received another extraordinary gift. A gift I could never have wished for myself. I became a stepmother to this little gem...

Meet Arianna, the 4 year old who stole my heart. She is my princess, my little helper, my wake up call, my shopping buddy, my energy sucker, my little baker, my taste tester, my mess maker, my hugging monster, my kiss giver, and my daily blessing. How lucky am I?

I view step motherhood as a gift from God. He placed this precious girl in my life to love as my own. Being a stepmother is part of my vocation and boy do I love it! This blog is about my journey to becoming a faith filled wife and stepmother. I will share with you my experiences, my struggles, my tips, and all the joys my life brings.  Hope you enjoy!