wreaths over america 2017

This past weekend we participated in Wreaths Over America. I am so glad you girls are open to all these new experiences. I want you to always appreciate how blessed we are, and lend a helping hand when needed. I hope we make this a yearly tradition. Also...points for dad for showing up and surprising y'all. He drilled this weekend, but still made it out to be with us.

winter piano recital 2017

I want to tell you something, and I want you to always remember this. YOU are your biggest competition, no one else! Let me tell you why I'm saying this...

You've worked your butt off for this. I mean...practiced, practiced, practiced. For months, all we've heard was Peter Peter and I'm a Fine Musician. You did GREAT in your performance. You were focused and played the hell out of your pieces (even with the dog walking around. I mean, what was that!?!?). You knocked it out of the park. You were SO HAPPY. You should've seen the look on your face: total pride and joy. 

This recital, they had the beginner players start off then progressed to the more advanced ones. A few students after you, a little girl (about your age) goes up, and she plays beautifully...also knocks it out of the park. Immediately, I look over to you and your whole face had dropped. No more smile, just defeated. For the rest of the recital, you just faked it. You thought no one saw you, but I did. The recital ended, and we all took pictures of you and congratulated you. Ok so, look up at the three pictures above. The middle one is before you played, look how happy you were. The 2 to the sides were after, clearly you were faking it. 

I let everyone have their moments you, meanwhile seeing the discomfort in your face. When it was finally my turn I asked you to come to the restroom with me, and said "I know, baby." Immediately, you started crying. I held you in my arms for a few minutes and just let you let it all out. It was all I could offer you at that moment, arms to cry in. What else could I do? What else could I offer? I felt FOR you. Not because you did bad (which, you didn't), but because you thought she did better (which, she didn't). I then proceeded to tell you something along these lines:

You are gifted. You are enough, and, you are second to no one. 

With that being said...yes, you are gifted....but you also have to put in the work. Don't ever let this gift fool you into thinking that things will always come easy to you, they might not. I don't want them to. Do not assume you are always going to be the best. No matter how good you are, assume there's someone else better. Do NOT shy away from things that are challenging in favor of what comes easy to you.  Your greatest achievements will come from conquering goals you thought were unattainable.

Yes, you are enough. You are MORE than enough. Even when the day comes that someone is "better" than you, you will be enough. You are more than enough for me, and one day I hope that you will learn to be enough for you. This is easier said than done, I know. But in a time where it sometimes seems like the odds are stacked against you, believe in yourself. Always bet on you, because I always will.

Do not let someone else's spotlight make you feel like yours doesn't shine as bright. They are not your competition. Future Isabella is your competition. Think about the person you ultimately want to become...then be better than her.

You're so advanced for your age that I don't think you've had to face a real challenge when it comes to your peers. This was a great lesson, and one that I'm glad you've learned. Take this feeling of inadequacy and turn it into something positive, something that drives you to succeed (whatever the goal may be). By the same token, do not measure your value based on anyone else's success. You are not her. She is not you.

I can't stress enough how proud I am of you. Let me say that again (for the people in the back. haha!): I am proud of YOU. I am proud of who you were yesterday, who you are today and even more of who you will be tomorrow. I am lucky that you are mine because of WHO you are. The rest...it's all extra, kiddo. 

Love you. 

school pictures 2017-2018

Ok, so...I usually HATE school pictures. I probably won't ever buy them again. But, this year with it being Bells' last year in elementary and Ellie's first...this was special. The picture gods came through because you both look ADORABLE! I mean, just look at these faces!!!!

Elena, PK3

Isabella, 4th 

So, I promise to never display pictures where you're making a weird face or missing teeth. Deal? These though, these might stay up forever :)

2017 christmas card

I've always wanted to take y'alls pictures at a Christmas tree farm. This was we finally got to do it. I also thought, this was the last year I'll probably be able to do pictures in pajamas (I'm sure I'll change my mind later). Even Vito got in on the action. He didn't really cooperate much, but he did have fun running around, so WIN WIN.

thanksgiving 2017

The days leading up to holidays have always been a mad scramble. Trying to fit in work celebrations with your school lunches, and that was just when one of you was in school. This year was extra crazy as we had two celebrations to attend. Dad just started a new job, so I knew that he probably wouldn't be able to attend. But, I never want you girls to feel like you don't "have" people because there are tons of people more than willing to show up for you. So...I went to one and Kari went to the other.

So here a few things I am thankful for:

• I am thankful for my "village". They always step up to help when I need them.  
• I am thankful for a job that allows me the freedom to get to these events for you. I try to be as present of a parent as I can, and I know it would not be possible without such a flexible job. 
• I am thankful for how hard your dad works. He misses a lot, I know...but not from lack of desire. 
• I am thankful for how understanding and adaptable you both are. It makes our lives a wholleee lot easier. 
• I am thankful for parents who taught me that the best gift you could ever give your children is the gift of your presence. We might not both always be able to show up for everything, but SOMEONE will always show up!

world series champs

2017 has been a tough here. When you look back and search for memorable events of this year...most of them will be bad.

2017 has been hard on our country. 2017 has been hard on our city.

Tonight, that all changed. We're not big sports fanatics at Casa H. But we do love baseball. We've gone to games, and we've watched all season long. FINALLY...we won the World Series. This has been such a great thing for Houston after the past few months that we had. Over the course of the series, we watched...we hosted friends...we watched. And last night, it paid off!!!

This was the day we beat the Red Sox in the ALDS

From there we went on to beat the Yankees in the ALCS

And then the longest 7 games ever...

Championship Parade

vito

I've never really wanted a pet. Call me lazy, but I like that we're finally at a point where I don't have to potty train another baby. It's been a loooong process and I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Both of you are pretty independent kids, so it was finally getting easier.

Tell me whyyyyy we decided to get a puppy?! This has been a few months in the making. Your dad and I discussed this for a long time before taking the plunge. We had Estevan bring his dog over just to see how you two would do with her, and to our surprise you two did great. 

So...we waited until the perfect opportunity (really, there never is). And, we welcomed Vito. Yes, Vito...as in Vito Corleone :) As I'm writing this we've had him almost a week, and you two are champs. Ya'll take such good care of him. I know the next few months will be tough having a puppy at home, but I can't wait to see the memories you three makes. He loves you and you two adore him. I mean...isn't he just the cutest thing, ever?!

halloween 2017

I was wrong! You guys gave me another year of coordinating costumes...YAY! Ellie, this year you picked out your own costume. As soon as you tried this Little Red Riding Hood costume, it was OVER! Bells, you're such a trooper...and the cutest wolf ever!

We also attended a costume party at your Tia Gloria's house. This is the first (and hopefully not the last) year that we've done coordinating costumes. They were a huge hit, which was great since we had a cold front this weekend and we were all very warm.