Raising Funds One Baggie at a Time

Giulietta's school has been working hard for a LONG time now to raise funds to redo the playground that the kids spend a significant amount of time on making awesome memories. For a time now, I have felt like doing something to help raise these much needed funds. I've contributed in every fundraiser and shared my brainstormed ideas with the director, however it hasn't felt like enough. I wanted to do more, make more, get that shiny green grass in my daughters fingertips faster.

It wasn't until about a month ago that my friend approached me with an amazing idea that sparked my interest. Reusable bags! As many of you know, I can't really be deemed one of those "greenie" folks who significantly cares about the environment. Now, don't get me wrong, I do my part to save the world just like the next gal, but I also drive my HUGE Momma-mobile with pride! What does tickle my insides is when I can save a buck, or two, or even hundreds. Therefore, I grabbed some fabric and began to sew!

After a few days, I had developed 3 different sized baggies, and chose 9 different patterns to highlight them in. I am debuting my bags for a Fundraiser at Giulietta's school this week in hopes of making a little dinero for the much needed grass! If you are at all interested in purchasing some baggies or perhaps hosting a fundraiser for your school, church, or organization please don't hesitate to email me: Katie@MyWayMomma.com.



At this time, the baggies can only be purchased via email, but we are in the process of developing a store right here on my blog! You can simply click here if you would like more information about our baggies!

The Perfect Pair of Girls

As I sit here thinking about my special Mom day with my ladies I keep asking myself...what does it mean to be a mother? For some it might simply be the dictionary definition of a mother "a woman who has raised a child, given birth to a child, and/or supplied the body for which a child grew." And, as beautiful as that sounds, for me being a Mother means so much more. It means loving smiles, energetic giggles, lots of running, unnecessary jumping, tender kisses, sweet hugs, dancing in the dining room, trips to the park, bubble baths, cuddles under the covers, books being read, princesses being played, dresses being made, and memories being created.

I know that to many people out there I make this Motherhood job look so easy. But, truth be told, it is really the hardest damn job around. As a Mom I am always on, I never have a day off, and I am constantly thinking about one or both of my little ladies whether or not I have them clung to my side. However, it is without a doubt the best, most rewarding, and ultimately satisfying job. My two beauties have shown me how to unconditionally love, how to accept those things we can't quite control, how to enjoy the small things, how to giggle until my side hurts, and how to make my heart smile.

These sisters are exactly what I wanted, what I needed, what makes me...ME! They are both so different, unique, special, and perfect all wrapped up into one. With each giggle, crack of a smile, and whimper my heart breaks a little knowing that I can't keep them young forever.

Giulietta is 3 years and 7 months young, and most definitely wise beyond her age. She's intelligent, inquisitive, respectful, sensitive, and beautiful. Her heart is filled with love, honesty, and charisma. She aims to please, but also enjoys testing the imaginary bright yellow line we have placed all around her. My little GEM is a thinker, always concentrating on those big wheels turning inside of her. I've taught her to yearn for being on the go, and her nightly question is always "Where are we going tomorrow?" Her inner and outer beauty not only mesmerize her friends and family, but it stops strangers in their tracks and bequeaths them to look, listen, and smile.







My little Sweet Pea is 1 month shy of being a year and half old. She exudes so much personality in one small tiny body, which makes me think she truly carries her twin with her. We call her tornado because she is always on the go, into everything, and just doesn't stop. Her heart is truly warm, and she does have a sensitive bone in her body although her spitfire charisma comes out with a little hair pulling. This little koala is a clinger, attached to her Momma A LOT, and in need of a few more snuggles then her big sister. Presley surely is a perfect name for my little lady. Little sister digs music like no other, she dances, head bangs, claps, and conducts whenever she hears a note being played.







I am one proud Momma who couldn't ask for a more perfect pair of girls. So alike, yet so different. It's amazing to watch them learn, grow, and make their own way through this fun we call life. I know these two will only make my heart swell more and more as the years slip by much too quickly. At this time, my wishes for my little ladies is that they remember to never grow up, to stay true to who they are, to grab life and run with it, to find contentment, because I know I have done all of these thanks to them!

Walking the Hood

When the girls wake up from their long afternoon naps it seems like there is this awkward amount of
time to fill before Ryan wakes up and we start our nightly routine of dancing in the dining room, dinner, baths, and bed. Some days there are errands to be ran, other times we visit Nana & Fafa, but on most afternoons we walk the hood. Giulietta independently pedals her trike sometimes too far, while I push the bouncing Presley slowly behind.

The California sun starts its descent leaving the sky filled with orange and pink beauty allowing the girls' golden hair to glisten and their bright blue eyes to twinkle with wonder and awe. The various palms sway in the warm breeze and we walk, giggle, observe, talk, and enjoy each others company. On these walks I spend a lot of time contently listening to my little ladies, thinking about how the world looks differently through their eyes, wondering if I will someday be able to watch enjoy these sweet moments with their own children.

The time I spend with just my little ladies on these afternoon walks seem to be by far some of my favorites. It's just me, them, and this amazing world that I am teaching them to soak the most out of.

Growing Pains

Giulietta is growing. And, I know this sentence is obvious, redundant, and probably not necessary. However, it explains so much about her at this very moment.

Being three is hard, and being a Momma of a three year old is even harder. You see...there are battles, fits of screaming, tears streaming down faces (both hers and mine), consequences for actions, and testing of bounds. Some days are harder then others, but this is life as we know it and I wouldn't change it for the world.

When I'm telling my rendition of our day which often include G's behaviors, my mom kindly reminds me "That it is her job", and she is so right. It is Giulietta's job to be three, to learn who she is without me stifling her, to find her place in this world with our guidance, to ultimately grow inside and out. And, with each growing pain endured, my little lady and I both learn more about who we each are, who we each strive to be, where we want this path of life to take us.

I can proudly say that my sweet girl is developing the ability to express her true emotions, whether or not they are dramatized that is beside the point. Today she melted my heart into a million pieces when she randomly looked at me in the mirror with a mouth full of toothpaste and proudly exclaimed, "You're the best Mommy in the world." It caught me off guard, in a good way, and left me questioning her "I am? Really? Why do you say that?" Her only response..."Because I love you!" As tears stream down my face with each press of a key, I realize that my first born is growing, needing me less at times, wanting me more at others, expressing how she feels in the here and now.

I know this isn't the first time, nor the last that she will say these words to me. And, I'm quite aware that one day she will sadly be screaming the opposite. What I can dream is that she forever understand how much I love her!