4 years ago

 (Woah - check out my short hair!)

This picture kinda rocks! This is Harper.

Four years ago this was my world. This girl and my hubs.  These pictures were taken at Seaside in 2008 after my first year of teaching at Dubach.  One girl. Now I have three! Now I have so much more than I thought I would ever have -  three lives to mold.  I am my mom! I used to hear people say, "Judy and her girls," like we were some kind of girl group. We were! And that is exactly what I want for my three girls. I want inside jokes and touching feet under the covers. I want beach trip memories, break up stories and family sing-a-longs. I want my girls to be cheerleaders for one another. To celebrate the highs and bunker down in the lows. I want them to stand together at weddings, be present for babies, and hold hands through heartbreak. I want them to LOVE and I want them to LIVE! Intertwined. Encompassed. Unified. I really like the sound of that, "Mandy and her girls."

lots of random

I have so much to say so I think I'll ramble:

It's been a year...A YEAR.. since Harper entered the hospital. In the middle of that journey I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to smile, relax, and laugh again. One amazing year brought so much incredible change to our lives: renewed faith, awareness of our support in Ruston, a new home, a new baby and so many new ideas! To quote Phil Roberson from Duck Dynasty, "I'm Happy. Happy, happy, happy!"

 
 While riding high on that grateful wave I made the most of my last few days before returning to DHS.  I made a trip to TX to see my mom and BFF for our Hunger Games date.  My girlfriends celebrated my new babe circled around tables on the porch of the yogurt shop in Longview.  Hugs and gifts and catch-up stories bounced back and forth among the oldest and dearest friends in my life.

 There is nothing like the feeling of being surprised.  When Tricia, Mary Ann and Grace piled out of the car at my mom's, unexpectedly, of course, tears of joy took over. I just passed out hugs and wept happily.  I love my family!

 This year I've dabbled a bit with my love of photography.  I've done several sessions with Senior's from DHS.  I was pleasantly surprised with the shots, but mainly I felt gratified when I saw the looks on their faces.  It does a heart good to make someone feel pretty and to capture that moment for them.

 My girls are growing quickly so I've felt the need to capture each expression, smirk and nose crinkle.

 Thanks to all of my friends who shared their "advice" with me.  I can't wait to share more about that book with you in the future. I have a lot of projects up my sleeve and I will take you along with me on my literary journey.

Still feel frazzled and random but at least I got some cute pics up.  Have a great weekend!

Stuff we want them to know

Hey blog friends,

I need your help! I'm working on a book for my girls. It's a book of all the stuff I want them to know about life. Crazy I know - like I can fit all of it into one book!

I've compiled my list of important life stuff but I want to know your thoughts.

What one thing would you tell your teenage daughter? What do you wish someone would've told you? It can be serious or funny. For example, I remember being told to always wear hose to a funeral. That's important. I also wish someone would've told me that the bride shouldn't pay for anything on her wedding day. Shout out- sorry I asked you to help pay for donuts on your wedding day, Allison. I'm ashamed!

So you get the idea. Please leave your lesson in the comment box or email me if it needs a lengthy explanation! This should be fun and educational.