Digital Cameras

My sister and her family decided to get our girls digital cameras for Christmas. After having some minor complications with the camera buying process (at no fault of my sisters) the girls are now camera owners!! I knew that they would enjoy having their own cameras, but I didn't realize just how much. Did you know how fun it is to take pictures of a table, or rug, or tree or the air?? Not to mention the pictures they took of themselves, or each other. We drove from Alexandria to Oliva, MN (to pick up the shaggin wagon) and the entire drive they laughed and took pictures! They drained their first set of batteries almost by the time we got to our destination. Thanks Toni and Family!!! What a great idea!

Here is some evidence of their camera fun!

Father Daughter Dance

Oh the fun they had. I think Troy is still sore from all the dancing they did!!!

The Shaggin Wagon!!

We have recently acquired some new toys for our family to play with this summer. One of them being a new camper!!! I must clarify that when I say "new" I mean new to our family. Troy's Grandma decided that since this camper has been parked in her driveway for awhile, and she didn't have any plans to use it, she would give it to us!! I believe the camper is a 1978..which is one year older than me! Its a Gem! Its has a TON of character and personality. The decor is fabulous, which its rich colors of red, brown and orange...... vintage, yes that is the word! It even comes complete with a yellow sink, shower and toilet. Remember the old material, the really heavy dark stuff in those "rich" colors that I mention above? That would be what all the curtains are made out of. Well, all but one curtain. We didn't have the camper for long before I decided it was time to start decorating. I grabbed Troy's sister Michelle and off we went to find some fun things for the camper (along with various Febreze items.) We found a great shower curtain, matching towels and rug, and with the great idea from Michelle, and a LOT of help from their mom, we sewed a curtain out of the same material (all pictured below) We knew that we would buy a camper someday, but now we get to start camping earlier than expected. Troy grew up camping with his family, and while I didn't, I do want those memories for our kids. They were SO excited to ride in our new Shaggin Wagon. So, while some people would pass on this vintage and somewhat "Clampet" style camper, I say bring on the camping!!

Sisters

I have a sister. Her name is Toni. Every now and again we will have a small tiff. Not often anymore......although we just had one. She called today and asked when we fought because she had things to tell me. I had been thinking too, I wonder if we are done fighting now? I have things to tell her.

We used to be very different people. I used to think that she was boring (very boring). I on the other hand was very not boring. I was fun! I liked the bar, staying up late, dating, and even at times being a bit irresponsible. I waited for the day that she would be a little irresponsible with me, but instead something amazing happened. I grew up and became that boring person too. Funny though, I don't find it very boring anymore. Don't get me wrong. I still have (and always will have) a bit of a wild side. But now that I'm all grown up like my sis.....I can even get her to find her wilder side every now and again. Now that's fun!! We've even taken sister vaca's...and will again.

Did I mention that shes funny??

To my "Dark and Twisty" sister. I love ya!!

From your "Bright and Shiny" sister.

Father Daughter Dance

Each year Madison's school has a Father Daughter Dance. This was something new to us as her last school never put on such an event. I had mixed feelings the first time she brought home the flyer for this dance. Madison's "dad" (I use the term lightly) has been for the most part nonexistent these last 10 years, and over the last 10 years I've done a great job at wiping tears, and mending a broken heart by telling her "your dad has to work a lot". Let me tell you....this guy has worked 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for a very very long time. As many kids do, she has created an image of what her father is to her. He is a very hard worker, and he has a great job as "vice boss" and if he could he would see her all the time.

Almost 4 years ago I met Troy. He is a fantastic father to his 10 year old. He calls her almost every night, sees her almost every weekend, and any other time he can too. He is a great father to her, and has become a great father to Madison. More of a father than her "dad" has ever been. She loves him very much, but at the same time, while seeing what a great father Troy is to Breanna, she continues to put her "dad" higher on his pedestal. She wants to believe that her dad is like that too....he would be like that too if only he didn't have to work so much. I know that someday she will figure it all out on her own.

Last year she asked her "dad" to take her. After sometime of hearing "I'm not sure", "maybe", and "I have to see if I can get off work" she asked Troy if he would take her to the dance. He of course said yes, and they had a great time. She was so excited! I think she was very proud to have him with her.

Well, a year has gone by, and the flyer was sent home on Friday for the dance. The first thing she did was grab the flyer and ask Troy if he would be able to take her to the dance. There was not and has not been any question of if her "dad" would be able to take her. Troy and Madison will be arm and arm at the Father Daughter Dance. And thanks to Breanna for having no problem lending her dad to Madison for the night.

We have come a LONG way over the last 4 years. I will be the first to tell you how hard it has been at times to blend our family into one.....how I have thought it maybe easier to just throw in the towel. And while I'm sure we will still have our ups and downs going forward I feel so blessed to have Troy and Breanna in our lives. I love them both so much.

On a side note: Tammy, Breannas mom, has given the final okay, for Breanna to come to Texas with Madison and I. GIRLS TRIP!!! Its nice to know that Tammy trusts me enough to know that I'm not going to try and sell Breanna while were gone. :) In writing to her penpal, Breanna also talked about her stepmom Deb, and her stepsister Madison. I love it!