Some things I want my daughters to know...

As time flies by && both of my daughters begin to grow, love, & experience life there are some things I always want them to know....

     

#1: The number on the tag of your pants can never define the size of your heart. Dont ever let that number determine your self worth. You are beautiful on your worst days, inside and out.

#2: Be spontaneous. Be adventurous. Don't let routine stop you from experiencing the beauty of our world. See the world through your own eyes && not the eyes of another.

#3: Be kind. Be polite. I don't care if you're talking to the president of the United States or the lunch lady in the cafeteria--be respectful. Always say please && thank you...

#4: Be courageous. Don't let fear stop you from becoming something great or keep you from loving. Believe. 

#5: If you're going to love, love hard. Love passionately and love deeply.

#6: Be yourself. In a world where society tells you how and who you should be, remember you are perfect just the way you are. The approvals from others don't mean a thing. You were perfectly made. You are who you are. Be proud...own it.

#7: This world is crazy & can be cruel. You will have your heart broken, your feelings will get hurt, and there will be days when you feel like giving up. And as much as it might hurt, never let it harden your heart. Remember there is always a rainbow after the rain.

   

#8: PRAY. If you're happy, pray. Scared? Pray. Thankful? Pray. Anxious? Pray. Praying will bring you peace & a better understanding...I promise.

#9: There is nothing that you could ever do that would make me love you any less. Nothing. The days you were brought into this world were the absolute best days of my life.

#10: Be independent. Don't be afraid to be alone. It's in those times where you discover the best and most beautiful things about yourself. Look inside yourself to find your happiness && nowhere else.

    

   

   

Love, your mum :)

BRSLRN <3

There are millions of things that I am so grateful for everyday of the year. But there is something about the holidays that make me always reflect on what I am truly grateful for and appreciate.

World, meet Bruce. The kindest, goofiest, biggest teddy bear you will ever meet. Thankfully, I get to call him my best friend && other half. God truly does put people on this earth to fulfill you and complete you...&& when you find that person it totally makes sense why it never worked with anyone else. I'm not going to sit here and paint a picture of rainbows, unicorns, and fairy tales--because like anyone else we have our days where I might have the urge to make him sleep (or should I say snore) on the couch or when he might want to lock me in a room until I lose my attitude lol (I might lose it, but it's never far away--ask him. lol) He deals with my craziness, which I blame on the Niu gene.

       

At one point Bruce was a full time student, college athlete (bragging moment: he's a National Champion btw), father & was working two jobs. Not once did I ever hear him complain, and that's something I admire about him.

        

Not to mention he is a tremendous father.  From the day we found out we would be parents to now, he has filled out daughters with such joy that only a father can give. They adore him.

    

  

   And let's not forget how cute he is ;)

          

                        I

                            AM

                                    BLESSED.

            

Pumpkin' Patchin

We recently took the girls to a pumpkin patch that is located at a wild animal reserve. Literally lions, tigers, and bears...oh my! 

Towards the back area they have lions, tigers, cheetahs, etc in double fenced cages. So you literally could be standing six feet away from any of them if they are near the fence. Bruce and Marley led the way to where the tiger was. I happily followed pushing the stroller watching as the tiger paced back and forth. As I wheeled by, his pace picked up heading towards the fence where I was. Let's just take a quick poll. Has anyone reading this been six feet away from a massive tiger that stared you down, ROARED at you, and pounced on the cage in your direction? No? Didn't think so, because you see things like this seem to only happen to me LOL It is safe to say that I screamed like a six year old little girl. And as much as the workers tried to explain to us that tigers don't like wheels...I'm convinced it occurred because of another reason. See shirt below.

    

Yep, that's right people...I look like a freakin zebra in that black and white striped shirt. Note to self---don't look like prey next time you plan to see tigers.

Despite almost becoming an afternoon snack, we had a great time with our babies--and if you're ever in Oregon during October I highly recommend checking out the Wild Animal Reserve in Canby. All proceeds go to rescuing && helping the reserve maintain shelters for the animals.

   

               A petting zoo...

   

              Some face painting....

   

           And some pony rides...

A letter for Marley

My dearest Marley,

Well, today is September 29th. Three years ago today I was in complete agony, tired beyond belief, and on the verge of punching your father. And if there was any indication of how you would be once you got into this world by how you finally came into the world then I should've known then. Terrible twos don't give you justice girlfriend. How such a huge personality can fit into that little body is beyond me.

          

You've definetly given me a run for my $$$. Despite coloring on my walls, coloring on your face with my favorite lipstick, throwing my iphone off the balcony (which I didn't find the next day and it had been raining ALL night), stuffing toys in your dads football cleats for him to find before practice the next morning, and sticking gum in my hair, (which if you've seen my hair you all know that didn't end well)---I still LOVE you. All the crazy moments in fact have become my FAVORITE moments And those are moments that I'll cherish forever. But I swear Marley if you give me grey hair I promise you I will walk you into school your first day of class every year from the 8th grade til you graduate from college...but can I? Would you mind? Lol I love you teine aulelei. Always & forever.

A few things being a mom has taught me...

#1: When sleeping with a toddler, the more you get hit and kicked in the face...the less it hurts.

#2: Sometimes, bribing a child is the easiest solution.

          

Child meltdowns are always a joyful time!

       

#3: Taking a shower or getting to use the bathroom by yourself is a vacation within itself.

#4: Once you become a mother, your Facebook, Instagram, twitter, myspace, blog, and every other social network known to mankind gets plastered with your child's face.

#5: You know that hobby you love so much called shopping? Well, once you have kids you'll never, ever buy yourself something again. Suddenly your kids will have 3x the amount of shoes you own and their clothes will be overflowing into your closet. Makes for really fun times with the laundry.

#6: Your toothbrush isn't safe. Seriously, don't leave it out.

#7: If your child has been quiet for more than 20 seconds chances are she is either coloring on the walls, sticking your toothbrush in the fish tank (see I told you it's not safe), unrolling every single roll of toilet paper, or squeezing toothpaste all over the bathroom counter. Silence means trouble and you should be afraid...very afraid.

#8: Toys. Toys will be everywhere. In the fridge, in your shoe, in the shower, under the bed, in the closet, in the toilet, in your bed. Everywhere.

#9: As much as you read and are told that electronics are the devil...I'll be the first to admit that sometimes the iPad is quite the perfect babysitter. Thank you for your services Netflix. You the real MVP.

#10: Being a mom is stressful at times and hard at moments---but by far the realist and most beautiful love you will ever feel in your life.

Yours truly,

Larissa

So it's been a while...

And by while I mean almost a year...lol. Hey life happens, blogs are forgotten, and babies are born. And by life--I mean we just recently welcomed our second beautiful, and healthy baby girl into the world on August 26th at 2:56 pm

   Reese was 8lbs 6oz && 21 inches long!

Labor was fun! Said no mom ever. But none the less finally getting to see your child after carrying them in the womb for nine months (plus an extra 5 days-but who was counting) is an awfully beautiful thing :) And every single night of walking, stair climbing, yoga ball bouncing, and  hours upon hours of contractions was worth it. Beyond worth it...&& Id do it over a bazillion times over and over if I had to.

              

            Daddy && daughter lovin'

Let's see..where to even begin. My Marley girl will be three in a few weeks. Acts more like two going on sixteen. Saying time flies is an understatement. Her personality is out of this world && she keeps Bruce and I on our toes...24/7. The other night Bruce and Marley were outside and Marley looked up and pointed to the sky && said "Look daddy the moon!" Bruce looked and said "Yep that's the moon Moo." Marley replied, "Daddy, I want it....." So good luck and best of wishes to any man who is interested in dating or one day marrying my daughter because yes--while flowers, chocolates and diamonds might be nice....my dearest Marley, wants the moon. 

        

I had my first O M G I'm a mom of two moment the day of Reese's first doctor appointment. Nothing says welcome to the world of being a mother of two than waking up late, running around the house like a chicken with her head cut off, trying to pack a diaper bag, get the girls dressed, hair done, teeth brushed, getting them both fed...well you get the picture....I was feeling stressed yet accomplished because after my calculations we were only going to be about five minutes late--and if you know me you know I am always five minutes early to everything--being late is such a pet peeve it literally gives me anxiety (all thanks to my father who never let us be late to ANYTHING growing up lol) Anyways, everyone's all buckled up and ready to go and it hits me...OMG I didn't even brush my own teeth. Go ahead people, judge me. Bruce literally made fun of me all day. Quite the humbling motherhood experience.

So there goes my vision of being the perfect, put together and punctual mom of two I imagined in my head...And I am totally ok with that.

-- Larissa