...and we sat there for what seemed like hours.

25 or so years ago, I sat there.  I remember it vividly.  I was one of the last kids my age to be able to tie my shoes.  She sat there with me, legs spread apart, as I sat in between them, knees up to my chest, trying to tie that shoe.  It felt like eternity to me, hours really,  and I still remember it as if it were yesterday.  I did not know then, what I know now.  She did not have to do those things for me.  She did not have to sit there showing me over, and over, and over again how to tie a shoe.  It seems pretty basic now, but obviously I wear shoes everyday, so everyday I'm reminded that someone that did not have to help me, but chose to.  Oftentimes we forget.  We don't even realize every day when we wake up, get ready for work or school, make lunches, drive, things like that...the days we kind of just go through the motions, we forget.  We forget that we're actually teaching every day just as we were taught.  And that is important, and special, and may seem mundane, but one day the person you're teaching will go on to teach someone else.  And be able to do all of these things for themselves.  I had an "ah-ha!" moment the other day.  Zachary could not tie his shoe.  As I sat there with him after I made his lunch to take to school, the same way my step mother had sat there with me 25 years ago, I realized how special the every day tasks can be.  And he may never remember that moment.  But you know what?  I will.  And that's worth doing a million times over.

So, the days you lose your patience and it feels like it's taking them "forever" to "get" something?  Just remember, it probably feels even longer to them.  We didn't acquire all of our knowledge over night, and neither will they.  Patience and nurturing is one of the most important things to teach.

An Angry Birds Party.

The LO recently had his birthday.  He turned 6!  When my beau was blessed with the LO, he was 3 lbs. 1 oz.  He has since grown to become a smart, super funny, always kind, very artistic, science loving little boy.  He has been obsessed with Angry Birds for a very long time.  So, naturally he wanted to have an Angry Birds themed party.  I spent hours on Pinterest finding some very creative things we could do.  We scrubbed the house top to bottom and the day had finally come.  All of the kids had a fabulous time, and I'm kind of wishing we could do it all over again!  Here are some pictures from the party:

...and we know a post isn't complete without an OOTD shot.  :)

Sayonara to my 20's.

It's true.  My birthday has come and gone.  I can officially say I'm 30 (yikes!)  Better than being 6' under though.  It hit me 2 days ago "holy shit, I'm 30."  It's true that time seems to speed up the older we get.  

I wanted to document some things I learned in my 20's and what better way to say sayonara 20's, and hello 30's than to remember some very important life lessons I learned in my 20's?  

Dear 20-something-year-old-Nicole:

• Go to college right after high school.  Seriously, you will not remember half the shit you learn in high school, and I'm pretty sure your brain is not nearly spongey enough when you haven't had to read text books in 10 years.
• Life goes on after your first love.  Contrary to what you thought as a teenager and half way through your 20's, your life does not begin & end with him.  Do NOT waste any time trying to make something work.  It either works, or it doesn't. Never settle.
• Time is precious.  Seriously.  It goes by way too fast, you spend too much time doing things you have to, so spend your free time enjoying whatever you want to do.
• Your former place of employment, where you had the worst, stinky boss in existence, actually brings you the 2 loves of your life.  Your beau & your best friend aka sister from another mister.
• Say sorry.  Don't hold grudges.  Forgive.  Not for them, but for you.  Resentment will eat you alive inside.  
• Set goals.  Achieve them.
• The person you were, does not have to be the person you are.  You can always change.  It is never too late to be what you might have been.
• Words hurt.  Taste them before you spit them out.
• A Father is someone who should always be there for you.  You will end up having an amazing bond with yours.  Better late than never.  
• Always listen when someone wants to tell you something.  Keep a secret.  Let people trust you. Trust people.
• Broken hearts can be mended.  You have gone through times where it literally felt like your heart had broken in half.  It will heal. 
• Friends come and go, but best friends are forever.  
• Believe in yourself.  You can and you will.
• Do things for people without expecting anything in return.
• Jury duty is not that bad.
• Be a good person.  Have a high moral compass.  Surround yourself with people that support you and praise you, and do the same thing for those people.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Rap music sounds awful the older you get.
• You are at the age you start saying "when I was a kid...."
• Break your own dating rules.  Seriously, it will be one of the best decisions of your entire life.
• Lil Wayne is an idiot.
• Your hair will start turning gray.  Just like your Dad's.  That's okay, there's always hair dye. Appreciate that you still have hair.
• It's true what they say, you are really more confident the older you get.  Don't let anyone take that from you.
• Keep saying your prayers every night.  
• Appreciate everything you have.  The good and bad.  Everything happens for a reason.