We have a preschooler!

Tweet

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! 

Tweet

Welcome Step-mammas!

Tweet

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. :)

Tweet

3 things stepmothers hear in the grocery store

Tweet

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. :)

Tweet