Happy Birthday Ally!!

Being a mom was always high on my list of things I wanted to experience, and 8 years ago I became a mom for the second time to a beautiful baby girl.  She chose to make her appearance at 1:00 in the afternoon, and she let us know the minute she had arrived...man that girl had lungs.

From the time I found out I was pregnant with a little girl, we had decided on the Alexandra - and I immediately started calling her Lexi.  But the minute she looked up at me with her big brown eyes, I knew without a doubt that she was an "Ally".  And thanks to my dad, her full name ended up being Alexandria - and the name became as unique as my little girl has turned out to be.

I'm having a hard time believing that my baby is turning 8.  It really does not seem like 8 years since she joined us.  Time is truly flying by, and I try everything I can to slow it down...but the birthdays keep coming.

Ally,
You are truly an amazing little girl.  Your smile lights up every room you walk into - and I love that you always have a smile for anyone who needs it.  You amaze me everyday with how big your heart is, and how you always try to see the best in everyone.  I love that you love school and love to read - and the fact that you love to shop means that you didn't fall far from the tree :-)  While I am in no hurry to have you grow up, I truly look forward to having a spa partner and someone to take on shopping sprees.

Don't ever change who you are my love.  It can be hard to be "everything to everyone", but your tenacity, confidence and independence will get you through anything and everything life has to throw at you.  Just remember that Mommy, Daddy and Marianna are always here when you need us - and know that we will come to you for hugs and a smile when we need cheering up.

Happy 8th Birthday my munchkin.  I love you more than you could ever imagine - and I am truly grateful that we were blessed with you 8 years ago.  I look forward to living every moment with you.

Love,
Mommy

My pretty reminder

So I have truly trying to live by my "let it go" mantra.  And my kids have embraced this new outlook wholeheartedly.  I've even caught my oldest taking a deep breath while muttering "let it go".  It sounds kind of hokey, but it really does seem to snap things back into perspective pretty quickly.

While browsing Pinterest (yes I'm a pinner), I came across this idea for a tattoo that I fell in love with - it is an image of a balloon floating up with the words "Let it go" inscribed under it.  While I'm not quite ready to get my tattoo (still working up the courage), I really wanted a piece of jewellery with this charm on it.  Problem was, I couldn't find anything that was just right.  Most balloon pieces had hot air balloons on them, and that wasn't really what I wanted.

After putting the word out on Facebook that I was looking for someone to do custom made stamped jewellery, I was given contact info for Teri at Swirlicious (http://swirlicious.myshopify.com/).  I sent her my idea (essentially I said a birthday balloon with the words under it)...my heart broke just a little when she said she didn't have a stamp of a birthday balloon.  She did tell me she would see what she could do, so I left it in her capable hands.

A few days later, she sent me this picture and asked what I thought of it:

I think I literally squealed...it looked EXACTLY like the picture I had in my head!!  I was over the moon excited and told her to go for it.  I should clarify that I was getting one for each of my girls and one for me.

Well today I picked them up - and they did not disappoint.  I LOVE them, and I can't wait to give them to my girls tomorrow.  I'm thinking this piece will get alot of wear from all of us.

I would like to officially thank Teri for using her creativity to make what I wanted a reality.  If anyone needs any awesome pieces made, make sure to check out her FB page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swirlicious/50893132379)!