Liv and Grace

This picture makes me smile.  I am still pinching myself over these two beauties.  So grateful for my two daughters, Olivia Ruth and Grace Elizabeth!

Elevation Volleyball

 So exciting to watch Olivia play volleyball up at the net.  She has grown so much as a player and her hard work and dedication to the sport has payed off!

Olivia Ruth

Not sure how we got here so fast.... my little girl and I 💕

Olivia Ruth

This may very well be my favorite picture of Olivia Ruth to date.  This captures HER personality so well.  I absolutely love this girl and her laugh is always so contagious. Thumbing through my photos I stumbled upon this photo of her - and it just makes me smile!

Sisters for sure

Comparison photo.
Same BIG BROWN eyes! 😍

Volleyball for Olivia

Olivia is playing her first team sport through her school!  It's been so much fun for her to wear her Titan uniform and play with her classmates!  Their team unity and spirit is amazing!  It's fun to watch!  It's going to be a great season of volleyball for Olivia!

Happy 9th Birthday, Olivia Ruth

How did 9 years go by so quickly?!?
She is a young lady now!  A smart, loyal, fun-loving, generous, brave, kind, confident (finally!) and beautiful girl!
Everyone who come across Olivia (teachers, neighbors, other parents, coaches, ect ) always comment on her sweetness & well mannered behavior.  She seems to ALWAYS do the right thing - even when no one is looking! She has a strong character and makes us super proud!
July 1, 2008 will always be remembered as the happiest day of my life.....the day I welcomed Olivia Ruth into my life and became a mother 💝.  She truly makes life so much more fun.

Our relationship is ever changing.  I see her less as a little kid and more as a companion in the house.  As a stay at home mom I rely on her for so much - help with her siblings, and most importantly I rely on her company!  She makes me laugh all the time and she is quick to calm me down if she sees me losing my cool.  I find myself missing her when she is off with her friends during the day! She truly is my friend.  I enjoy her company so much!  And she loves hearing stories - it's fun to have someone so interested in my life and recalling my own childhood memories with her has become a favorite pastime!
Olivia Ruth, I know I am probably the hardest on you than all the other kids.  I'm sorry for that.  Being the oldest always has the most perks - but sometimes I take advantage of your responsibleness.  I have come so used to your helping hand!  You are definitely the captain of our family team!  I am thankful for you!!!!  And grateful for all your help as the oldest of four!
I love you so much!
I am always here for you!
Always!
Love, mom

Olivia's softball season

I've said this before… but She has found HER sport!  And it is softball. She loves the game. And she is pretty decent at it as well. She loves first base and making outs.  She lucked out and has several classmates on her team which makes it extra fun to chant cheers together from the dug out!  It's been a great season of softball!!!

Proud Mother

Dear Olivia,

You truly make your mother and father proud. 

You have become such a great kid that I feel so grateful. 

Yesterday I received a phone call at home from your school teacher. She has never called our house before.  When she first called I thought she was going to tell me you missed the bus home, instead she said, "do you have a minute?  I need to share something that happened at school today!"

My heart dropped. Oh no - is everything OK?

Turns out everything is more than okay.  Mrs. Gallagher was calling me to personally tell me all the wonderful traits she has seen from YOU and this one occusian almost moved her to tears.

There are two little girls in your classroom that are competing to be Your best friend.  To some, this would not be a problem, but to Olivia this was making her a little bit anxious.  Each girl would become upset at you for talking to the other girl.  You did not want to hurt anybody's feelings so you had a hard time handling this.  You felt torn in the middle of two girls competing over your attention.  You actually stayed home from school Wednesday with a "tummy ache," but I think you couldn't handle the stress anymore. 

Your awesome teacher picked up on it.  I also encouraged you to write Mrs. Gallagher a note asking for guidance.  And you did.  (In your best cursive)

Once read, Mrs. Gallagher pulled you aside at recess and talked with you about how you can handle it and gave you really great advice. You soaked up all the encouragement Mrs. Gallagher gave you.

This is The part where Mrs. Gallagher was moved to tears. She sent the three of you girls out into the hallway the last 10 minutes of school so you could work it out. 

She said Olivia's leadership skills, kind heart, and Christianity approach were remarkable. 

You came up several activities for you three girls to do in the hallway. 

The first thing you came up was having you three girls interlock arms and then try to get out of the circle. I think this was your idea of a trust exercise. 

And then You had each girl say something mean to each other so they could each feel their feelings get hurt and how that is not fun for anybody. 

Finally, you wrapped up the activity with each girl saying something nice to each other so the girls could experience kindness from each other.  You then concluded that kindness is much more fun than meanness and that there is room for EVERYONE to be friends.  The girls agreed.

Mrs. Gallagher was so moved by her second grade capacity to orchestrate a successful meeting with her two friends. She called me to share the news. 

I feel so proud. This is the stuff that matters to your dad and I.  Sure, we care about good grades. But more importantly we care about your character. And you have great character. Keep up the great work Olivia and never lose that big heart of yours. 

Ps - you're an awesome big sister too.  You are always the first to offer me a hand without being asked.
 

We love you, 

mom and dad

 

Olivia's 1st Holy Communion

 

Dear Jesus,

Bless Olivia as she is coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.

May this day be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist.

Give her a hunger for this sacred food so that she can turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as she grows into full discipleship.

Thank you for her innocence and goodness.

May her hands, extended in anticipation of your Body and Blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred sacrament.

Amen

May the Lord BLESS Olivia Ruth and keep her.  The Lord make his face shine upon her and be Gracious unto her.  The Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace.  

Number 6: 24-26

Olivia's First Holy Communion

Saint Susanna Catholic Church

May 6th, 2017

 
 

 

to my daughter(s)

To my daughter:

I have been waiting for you.

Since I was a little girl toting around a baby doll, I have been practicing to be your mommy. I have dreamed about reading you bedtime stories and tucking you in. Your perfect eyes and warm smile, I’ve pictured them in my mind countless times.

I’ve hoped for the special connection that would bond us together, unshakably. That we find the perfect balance between parent and friend.

I want to be the one who knows your secrets, and your dreams, and your fears.

I worry about the rough times, when you learn everyone isn’t your friend and some people are unnecessarily cruel.

I want to protect you from the evil in the world, but also prepare you for it.

I hope I can be the mother who teaches you kindness, patience, and forgiveness.

I don’t want you to struggle to find yourself, like I did. I want you to be confident in who you are, and in the love and support you have from your family.

I hope you never feel the sting of being different, but rather embrace it, knowing that our differences are what make us beautiful and allow us to grow.I want you to be strong and stay grounded in what you know is right. If you must stray from the crowd to remain true to your values, I hope you are courageous enough to do so.

I wish it were possible that you never experience pain or sorrow, but you must. It will shape you in a positive way, if you let it.

You will stumble and fall and, no doubt, be discouraged. But you will stand up, dust yourself off, and take another step, because you are strong.

You are beautiful. You are amazing. You are LOVED beyond measure!

 

which one is who.....?

Which one is Olivia and which one is Grace? It's so fun putting Grace in Olivia's old baby clothes that I saved. It brings me right back to 2008. I got such a tickle out of putting Grace in Olivia's first hand me that outfit... so sweet!

 

Olivia's first reconciliation

Dear Olivia, 

Let me begin by saying you are BRAVER than you give yourself credit for.

You demonstrated that last night. 

We always tell you, you can do hard things... And you proved us right again.

Last night you made your first reconciliation. 

You were so, so nervous but powered through your fear!  You were the first to go up to the priest and say the act of contrition, confess your sins to the Lord and received your penance (One Our Father Prayer)

We are so proud of you Olivia and the little lady you are becoming. Just remember you are braver and more confident than you think… And you CAN do hard things. 

Last night was proof of that and a great life lesson. 

We love you Olivia, 

mom and dad

 
 

 

Real life baby doll

Olivia and Grace. 

Grace is Olivia's real life baby doll.

Grace will be four weeks old tomorrow. 

 

 

My girls ....

This picture brings me so much joy. My heart could burst out of my chest. I'm still in that "pinch me" phase that I have two daughters. I feel so blessed. God is so gracious. My hope is, as their mother, that these two will be close even though their age gap is large. They are so lucky to have each other. I never had a sister and always wanted one. My mother has three sisters and I've seen their special relationship throughout my life. It's a gift. Sisterhood is definitely a gift. I'm so glad my girls will experience that. 💝

 

Grace @ 1 week old

We still cant keep our hands and eyes off this beautiful baby!!!!  

She is one week old and we are in newborn bliss over here!!!