Keeping them pure

As I walked around at Kinley's school orientation tonight I couldn't help but stare. 13 year old girls dressed in shorts so short you could see their panties had they not been wearing THONGS! Black eyeliner caked around their beautiful eyes. Padded bras in their barely there tank tops. I wondered do the moms just not care? Do they not think this is wrong?"

I am very tough on Kinley. I guard her from all I can. Shelter her mind. Cover her body. Protect her heart. I just feel all these things are important to maintain their pure spirits and keep their innocence. My heart aches for girls and women who lose this innocence to early it causes life long scars, I know this firsthand.

Part of me fears this school year. Kinley looks like a baby compared to these girls. I wonder will this hurt her self confidence that I worked so hard to help her build? Or will she stand tall and realize true beauty cannot be painted on that it comes from within? I worry her feelings will get hurt because she will not be that girl that all the boys like and chase after because she won't be doing or wearing things to catch his immature eye. Yet I have no doubt she will be that girl that a man will praise God for everyday for the rest of his life when they marry.

So as we start this school year I have worries, fears and concerns. I also have hope and happiness as I watch my baby girl start her first year of school as a teenager.

As a side note: I am not saying wearing make up or certain clothes etc are wrong but I just think with make up less is more and with clothes the longer the better;)

Day date with my best girl:)

With less than two weeks until school starts I knew I needed some Kinley time ASAP! So today my mom kept Hudson while we had a little date with the Hogan girls.

We went to lunch, did a little back to school shopping, then to a movie. I had so much fun just being with my big girl. It made me realize how much she has grown up this summer mentally, physically and spiritually. She makes me more proud every day. I hope I am still able to say that as we enter those dreaded teenage years!!;)

I know that Kinley really enjoyed her day with me as well because I got called the "best mommy ever" on instagram:)

Friday with friends.

We have had such a great week and it ended even better, with some of our favorite friends!

We got brave today and took 5 kids out to eat durning the lunch rush!!! Nothing but laughs:) Then home to let the kids play and to do a little craftin' for Hailey's baby shower.

I am so blessed to have such great friends. One has been a friend for almost 25 years. We have seriously been thru it all and can laugh about every second of it! The other friend I've only know a little over a year but feels like forever! It's so funny because I am the complete opposite of the both of them but we say we just even each other out:) Our kids are the same way. They love each other to pieces and totally compliment each others personalities. So thankful to have these great friendships and I can only pray that my kids will have people like them as friends someday.

Sissy's home!

Kinley is finally home from church camp! Thank goodness because we missed her!:) She learned so much and had such a great time. The day we picked her up she was just on fire telling us everything she had learned!

Pretty sure Hudson hasn't left her side since she got home!

Bye bye Sissy...

It's gonna be a long week here without Miss Kinley! She left today for church camp:) I know she will have a blast! She has been looking forward to it all summer. But I know a certain little boy who woke up from nap crying for his sissy!!!

21 months

All the Hudson stats are pretty much the same from last month but he talks SO much more!!! But there are a few funny/sweet things I want to remember:

One night as we were saying bedtime prayers Hudson throws his hand in the air and says "Praise him for choo choo's!"

If he wants something and I say no he will pound his chest and say "bubba nice!" like he thinks he should get it since he's being good:)

We probably read 10 books a day! He is just obsessed with his books!

His personality is really starting to come to life and he's losing that shy little shell he had! Somedays he is just plain LOUD and WILD!!

Love my boys!

Hudson is def a mommas boy but he's a daddy's boy to! He wants me to snuggle, to feed him, to rock him, when he doesn't feel good, you know the usual. His daddy is like a rockstar to him! When B gets home from work it's all about "my dada!" I just love that! I never had a Dad in my life so I am SO THANKFUL for what an awesome father Brandon is to Kinley and Hudson! Tonight as B mowed the lawn Hudson ran to every window so he could watch him. So sweet!:)