It's been a while again, summer really takes over when the girls are out of school. So I'm checking in again to see how my favorite bloggers are doing. I miss you, I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. It's been an eventful one here with the family. I'm trying to soak it all up since the girls are getting older and will be off to college soon. The oldest is a senior, we went to visit a few schools and she already has her favorite picked out! The younger one has a few more years though, she's a sophomore this year. Wow, where did the time go! When I met my husband they were 8 and 11! Today I joked around with them and said, "I'm telling your mother!" and I almost cried when they said, "You are our mother!" Okay, how am I supposed to not melt when you say things like that! I guess when you become a mom/stepmom full time you just do what you need to do for them and you don't really think about it. I'm really lucky, some step families take a while to blend or just don't blend at all. It was a little tough at first going from being their friend to stepping into the mother role when we took custody of them. But now that we are settled in, everything feels just right.

Here are some photos from this summer...enjoy!

We went to the park...

Celebrated Hubby's Grandpa's 90th Birthday...

Made Feather Earrings Using Duct Tape...

Went fishing for the first time...

Celebrated Independence Day with the best Fireworks...

Vacationed with the bestie...

Started our beach paper bag scrapbook...

Saw a horseshoe crab on the beach...

Found a hermit crab in the water...

Ate the best softshell crab ever...

Became more owl obsessed...

Read another great one by Emily Giffin...a must read!

What did you do this summer?

Mother's Day...

I miss you guys and I'm so sorry I've been lacking again. With the school year coming to an end there are a lot of things going on with my stepdaughters that keep me busy, busy, busy! My oldest was in the school play of Peter Pan and this week she was in the choir's Spring Concert. It's hard to believe she's going to be a senior next year...what happened to the little 11 year old I met who gave me dirty looks and wasn't sure if she liked me yet! LOL! I was really nervous when I first met her, my husband warned me that she might be a little difficult but that his youngest, who was 8 at the time, might be a little easier to deal with. When I first met them we were in the car and the youngest said, "Diana" and I thought, "Oh no what is she going to ask!" so I said, "Yes?" and she said the cutest thing and stole my heart when she said, "You're Pretty!"...AWWW!!! Her sister just said, "Yeah, you're pretty." Like, sure yeah, whatever! But over the years we got to know each other and our love for one another grew stronger and stronger and now when they go out and do things with their friends I miss them and can't wait for them to get home! They surprised me for Mother's Day and made cards and bought me an adorable butterfly planter without their dad even mentioning anything! Their older brother also came down from college for a visit and brought flowers for me! We have all come a long way and now I don't know what I would do without them in my life. They impress me and inspire me, and every day I'm just amazed with their kindness, talent, intelligence, and thoughtfulness. I'm very blessed to be a part of this beautiful family.

How was your Mother's Day? I hope it was just as wonderful as mine was!

Hoot Hoot...

I Love, Love, Love my new owl tattoo!!! This may be my fourth tattoo, but this one hurt the most. Even when you've had tattoos done before you are never really ready for that first touch of the needle. But it was all worth it because I just adore it so much! This is a fresh photo of it, it's still healing and still a little swollen! I was a little nervous about getting it on my forearm, but I'm really glad that I went through with getting it.

How adorable are they!!

They were inpsired by my stepdaughter's drawing she did for me....