Dear Mom,

I love you very much.

You are the best MOM ever.

I am so glad you are my mom.

Thank you for being my mom.

I am so glad God gave me you for a mom.  I love to DO fun stuf with you.

Sinserle,

Madilyn

I am the lucky one.  I love you, Maddie!

Remember me?

I know it's been awhile.  The good news is that I finished up third semester about 3 weeks ago and my summer has officially started!  My friend Nicole summed up third semester quite nicely here.  I have to say that one of the biggest 
benefits of starting nursing school when I did is meeting some of the most amazing girls I know.  I have made some great friendships and I hope that we are all able to stay in touch after graduation.  It's so nice to have a bunch of girlfriends to help you through the rough spots of nursing school!  

My mom gave Aaron and I the best Christmas present ever this past year.  She gifted us a week of her time to watch the girls so that we could get away.  It's the first time we've had that much time alone together since before Maddie was born.  In fact, the last time we took a vacation that long alone was in March of 2000!  We had a week "vacation traveler" package at a Westgate resort and decided on Orlando, Florida when we found a great deal on airfare.  I had never been and Aaron hadn't been since high school.  We bought 6-day park hopper passes and had a great time!  Our trip started on May 8th and we returned on May 15th.  I think my mom had a good time with the girls, in spite of a cold that had her feeling pretty crummy.  Thank you so much, Mom!  

I am currently compiling a list of things to do and places to go this summer with the girls.  We are going to Jackson Hole at the end of July with my family, and will be hosting a friend of Aaron's from his mission for a bit this summer.  He's coming all the way from Scotland!  I met him when Aaron and I were dating and we found him online last fall.  We're really excited to spend some time with him again.  

Fall semester starts on August 26th.  I don't even want to think about it right now!  The fourth semester of the program is rumored to be pretty brutal.  It's only 16 weeks between me and the NCLEX (licensing exam) and I know it can be done.  This summer I'll be going over the Kaplan NCLEX review book and reading over some of the units that are more difficult for me so that I'm hopefully ready for the last of it.  I'm also still doing my internship at the newborn ICU once a week.  I really enjoy it there.  

Three!

Time does fly.  I can't believe you girls are three!  I love to hear you laugh, play together in your room when you don't know I'm listening, watch as you explore new things and hear you repeat songs that Maddie works so hard at teaching you.  You girls love to dance and "shake your booty." You both do this whenever you hear music - whether we're at home or in a store.  You love "super bubbles" in the bathtub.  I love how you both enthusiastically say "Good job!" when someone does something worth noticing - whether it's cleaning or making a good dinner or doing well on a test.  You both shower your family with hugs and kisses and happiness.  

Brie:

You are one spunky little girl.  You experience everything so intensely.  This will serve you well in life, although I have to admit it is a source of frustration for me as a mom.  You have mellowed out over the past several months and we've both found better ways to deal with the emotional rollercoaster.  :)  You have really blossomed this past year.  You are so quick to say "You are the best mom EVER!" to me, "You are the best friend ever!" to your sisters and your dad.  When you tell Cami she is your best friend, she says "No, I'm your sister!" and you reply "But we're best friends, too!" I love to hear the two of you talk and play together.  I will do my best to help nourish the bond you two have with each other and with your big sister, Maddie.  

Cami:

You are a great source of comic relief in our home.  You have always been an entertainer, and I think you are aware of your talent in that respect now.  You love to make people laugh.  You are very concerned about the people you love.  If we're running around while Maddie's at school and I stop to get you lunch or a treat, you always remind me to get something for Maddie.  You are very particular about the things that you want, and are quick to tell me if I leave something out of our bedtime routine.    

I still remember the day I found out we were getting two babies instead of one; the day I found out we were getting two little girls; the day you were born several earlier than we were expecting.  The first year is a bit of a blur in a lot of ways, but you have always brought me joy.  My girls are the best thing I could ever hope for, the best thing I have ever done.  I am lucky to be your mom.  

Happy birthday, Cami and Brie!  I love you!!!