100 Things I Want to Teach My Daughter

1. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of body.
2. The benefit of the doubt is sometimes the best gift we can give our friends.
3. There will always be mean girls– that doesn’t mean we find a tower and Rapunzel ourselves away from the world.
4. Your daddy has loved you better and longer than any boy ever will.
5. Your father will teach you how boys should treat you.
6. You’re always welcome in my wardrobe.
7. The world needs your point of view.
8. Food is a joy.
9. Your body is strong and capable of more than you can imagine right now.

10. Ice cream is a love language.

11. Cook, decorate, clean, organize because you love to, not because someone tells you you’re meant to.
12. Music makes everything better.
13. Dance – especially when you’re doing the laundry.
14. You’ll never be too old for me to rock you.
15. Nothing you tell me will ever make me want to stop hearing from you.
16. We need your story.
17. No prayer request is ever too small, too silly or too embarrassing to share.
18. Washing your face every night is the best kind of beauty routine.
19. Sunscreen – you got my genes.

20. Mr Darcy and popcorn make for a perfect evening.

21. Blue eyes really do melt hearts.
22. Betty Crocker’s chocolate fudge is the best in the world.
23. A good movie can change how you understand someone else.
24. Words can build bridges between people.
25. Home is not where we live but who we love.
26. Naps are great!
27. Your Name holds a special meaning for us.
28. Inevitably I will splinter your heart.. But we will tweeze it out together.
29. You taught me how to feel beautiful.

30. Staying up late to read a good book is never time wasted.

31. Good girls aren’t boring.
32. A great mascara is always worth the investment.
33. There is not "right" way to be a woman and mother..
34. The “mommy wars” are a myth; we’re all in this together.
35. The best way never to worry about anyone gossiping about you is never to gossip about anybody.
36. Saying sorry first is a sign of strength not a weakness.
37. I’m on your side; especially on the days when it doesn’t feel like it.
38. Your body is not just yours. It’s a gift for your husband. I promise it’s worth waiting to unwrap together.
39. Sex for the first time will require a beautiful sense of humor and a partner who’s in it for life.

40. The movies lie. Passion isn’t a contorted exercise on a marble staircase, it’s doing the dishes together and lying with your feet touching in bed at the end of a long day.

41. Marriage is an act of courage, commitment and sacrifice. It’s also the most fun you’ll ever have with your best friend.
42. Always fight fair. But don’t be afraid to fight.
43. Long hair requires a really good conditioner.
44. God says He has made all things beautiful – that includes you, my love – no matter how you feel about your body
45. Fashion is not my forte; I look forward to learning from you.
46. I love the curves you added to my body.
47. A good cry is great therapy.
48. Christian women aren’t immune from cliques. Love on regardless.
49. Bad hair days are inevitable.

50. A strong man is never threatened by a strong woman.

51. Go big even if it means failing big. Especially then.
52. Be the friend you wish you had.
53. Travel all over the world.
54. You can’t control what others think about you. Let it go.
55. A first kiss should be toasted, treasured, savored.
56. I will be your best friend. But I will be your mother more.
57. Your dad will teach you about music. He has the best taste.
58. You can’t go wrong with a good journal
59. Stop for sunsets.

60. Prince Charming isn’t a fairytale, he’s a myth

61. Daughters teach us about our mothers. You gave me back my mom.
62. Jesus loves you for you. Not for your ability to bear children.
63. Husbands need a wife. Not another mom.
64. It’s true what they say about childbirth and then some.
65. Love waits.
66. Patience is never wasted.
67. Don’t just Instagram your life. Live it.
68. Dad will be the one helping you with math homework and when that fails there will be a tutor.
69. Don’t be afraid of a broken heart.

70. The only thing holding you back from making a difference in the world will be yourself.

71. IHOP pancakes are better than mine
72. Girlfriends are the best kind of free therapy there is.
73. Don’t be afraid to be foolish.
74. Real life is always better than online.
75. A good friend loves at all times. Period.
76. Read everything written by JRR Tolken and JK Rowling
77. Eating too much nerds candy will be something your teeth make you regret in your thirties.
78. I’m more interested in your growth than your happiness.
79. I will earthquake wide open when you hurt.

80. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t do it, wear it or say it.

81. Challenge yourself.
82. Walk across the Charles Bridge in Prague.
83. Learn at least one other language.
84. Cross-cultural marriage is much harder than you can ever imagine
85. Homesickness never gets easier.
86. But Dramamine is the perfect cure for motion sickness on 18 hour flights.
87. We need each other.
88. Bad haircuts grow out eventually.
89. You will love again.

90. The painful truth is always easier than a messy lie.

91. Jesus loves you, this I know. In my heart, my bones, my soul.
92. There’s no such thing as perfect.
93. You can always come home.
94. Nothing will make me love you less.
95. Nothing will make me love you more.
96. The mirror is not the boss of you.
97. You’re the most brave when you’re the most scared and keep going anyway.
98. Womanhood is a gift.
99. I’m never tired of being your mother.
100. You will always be my baby girl.

Having only one child..

Its funny after you have a baby how the question then becomes.. when will you have another? or .. do you think you will have another? I just gave birth not even four months ago and already this question is a constant companion to the "are you sleeping yet" question. As someone who just gave birth.. the idea of going through the last year of my life again seems cruel and unusual. Not to mention the fact we have zero money to even take care of the baby we have presently. If it wasn't for my mother we wouldn't even be able to afford our current child's daycare. My mom has been our sole source of financial and diaper help and it looks like she will be that only source for a long time. After looking at our monthly income and financial future.. having another child would send us to the poor house. But people don't want to hear that.. people want to hear that I will be popping out kids so my "poor" child will have a playmate.. which leads me to my next point.. who says siblings will get along?.. I grew up with a lot of friends who hated their brother or sister. Some to the point where as adults they don't even speak to each other. As an only child I had my own room, my own toys and a free college education due to my parents saving easily for just my future. I was not spoiled or made to feel entitled...instead I was loved and given a good base of values. I know A LOT of only children.. my husband being another.. and we are all just fine. Our lives were not "less" because we lacked a sibling.

I found a wonderful article on the NY times...she basically speaks my mind about what I have witnessed too!

"Oh, I am not sure, we might just have one,” I’d say, only to see the other mom’s face turn into one of disbelief, at best, and instant negative judgment, at worst. This would be followed by a range of comments, from the passive-aggressive “Are you serious?” to my personal favorite, “I’m sure you’ll change your mind soon.”

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/whats-wrong-with-having-one-child/


I don't know how I will feel in 2-3 years but I just hope Eleanor is healthy and happy and if we only have her.. at least I know I will be able to send her to college and help her in any way she needs me. If that makes me look bad in other people's eyes.. oh well.. The older I get the more and more I realize the only persons opinion that matters is my own.. and at times my hubby :) lol

The Mommy Club

They really don't tell you what being a mom will be like or what having a baby will be like..its kind of like a secret society. I've noticed everything I THOUGHT I was going to do .. or not do.. is now different. They tell you to sleep when the baby sleeps.. and then you don't becuase your so happy to have "you time" that you watch tv or do dishes or have time with your hubby. They tell you breast feeding is best and blah blah blah.. then you realize how stress full and time consuming that is and you get over it and tell those that make you feel guilty to shove it! They tell you to stay at home through contractions...then you end up never even having one outside of Pitocin and have a Csection....I really believe nothing in life can be planned or controlled.. if being a mom has taught me anything its that you just have to go with the flow and enjoy life. Every mom is different and every baby is different.. none better than the rest.
Ellie started Daycare and we are sorta happy with them.. sorta not.. its hard as first time parents to know if what we are getting for our money is good. We love Mrs. Donna who works 8-3pm but aren't so happy with Mrs. Tonya who works 7:30-8:30am with the babies..not a fan. But then again what do we know? We are just trying to get Ellie on a schedule and make sure she is taken care of.
Last week She turned three months old. Its amazing how fast time has gone. I'm back at work and trying to juggle my new life. Its hard at times but in the end its a amazing to be a mother and I wouldn't trade it for sleep any day...