Graduation Day

A blur of activity and laughter, graduation day seemed like a figurative snapshot of the last four years where our little girls were transformed into the beautiful young women that they have become.

Their graduation ceremony was held in the Cedar Park Center, an arena that typically hosts minor league hockey games and concerts.  Their senior class had more than 800 students.  

Bailey was the first of the two girls to walk across the stage. As you can see from the chancellor's wave, we were that family.  I should probably be embarrassed about that.

Our cheers apparently continued to impress him as they called Tyra's name. The look on his face is hilarious.

At home, we had an afternoon of family, food, and fun to celebrate the girls' big day. 

The cakes were perfect.  We wanted to incorporate A&M for Bailey and Tech for Tyra, but we also wanted to include U.T. for the rest of the family. Bellisimo Bakery had the perfect solution - when we cut into the cake, the icing on the layers was burnt orange. I loved the symbolism. The girls may be leaving Austin, but they'll always bleed burnt orange!

We were happy to have Chandler and his family join us for the afternoon.  He means the world to us and we were so happy to see him graduate and be a part of his big day.  

It was such a wonderful day, but it was this moment - my sweet little girl blowing her mom a kiss - that absolutely melted my heart.  Being her mom is the joy of my entire life, and I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by.  

Congratulations, Tyra and Bailey! We love you both so much and are so proud of you!

A letter to my little girl on her 18th birthday

March 29, 2014

My dearest Bailey,

Well, it’s happened. You grew up. I never allowed myself to plan for this part – the part where you aren’t my little girl but instead a beautiful young woman ready to take on the world. I have told you a million times that you are the reason I was put on this planet. From the second I knew you, when you were the size of a little pea in my belly, you gave my life meaning. I was so excited for you.  I read 100 parenting books and bought everything pink and ruffled that crossed my path. Even during my pregnancy with you, I loved every unique little thing you did, like getting the hiccups every time I ate something spicy. I kept up with every milestone - you were the size of a lemon, then an eggplant, and then in a blink of an eye, you were here.

Ten perfect fingers, ten precious toes, 8 pounds ½ ounce of sweet, adorable, perfect love. I talked to you, snuggled with you and sang horribly off tune to you, which you loved, by the way. As a mom, I had no idea what to do and was totally winging it the whole time, but we were a family. It was you and me forever. You were the perfect baby, and I was so in love with you. You were my true gift from God and I haven’t taken one single minute with you for granted.

As my only biological child, you became the world’s greatest travel buddy, my little best friend and adventure partner.  Where I was scared of everything, you had no fear or limits. I would not trade this part of our story for anything. All of our talks, late night snuggle time, and even the tears brought us a unique closeness that I will always cherish.  I truly feel that, while we had a very nontraditional family structure, you and I are the lucky ones.  And when the time was right, God showed you the path to our future before He even revealed it to me. You were so instrumental in the creation of our new family, and to this day are the glue that binds everyone together.

Somehow we survived your teenage years with very few dramatic moments and a great deal of respect for each other.  I learned to give you space, and you rewarded me by making good choices and becoming a woman of grace, integrity and faith.  We share many of the same passions for social justice, the greater good and hope for a better world.  You know the value of being and doing good above all else, and your heart knows no selfishness or greed.  During these years, as with all the others, I want you to know that you have taught me as many life lessons as I have you.

High school has gone by far too quickly… a driver’s license, your first job and now, college plans.  I’m not sure how to slow it down, but I wish I could.  I have no doubt that you are ready for this world.  You are the smartest, most talented, goal-oriented woman I have ever known. You have a level head and faith that will carry you through any tough roads ahead.  You have always been mature beyond your years and I have complete confidence that you will conquer all this world throws at you with your normal grace, charm and wit.  Although I never did sell you on the virtues of closed dresser drawers, folded clothes, or a tidy room,  I feel secure in moving into our new relationship as a mother and her adult daughter. I want you to know that being your mom is truly the greatest blessing of my life.  I love you more than you could ever know, and certainly more than I could ever express with words. Thank you for these years, Bailey. They were everything I could have ever wanted. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you!

Thank you for making me a mom. I love you with all my heart!

Happy 18^th birthday!

All my love,

Mommy

A letter to my bonus daughter on her 18th birthday

Tyra, 

Today's the day! You, my sweet, beautiful, intelligent, witty, kind-hearted, bonus daughter have reached your 18th birthday. It's hard to believe that I have now known you for half of your life, and I feel so blessed to have been able to watch you grow into the beautiful woman you are today.  

I will never forget the first time I met you. I am not sure if you remember, but you were in the 4th grade and came to my house after a school day for a sleepover.  You were so sweet and shy, and told me stories about your family and riding horses in Minnesota.  That night when we watched movies, Bailey snuggled up on one side of me and you snuggled up on the other, completely stealing my heart.  The next few years were filled with sleepovers with Bailey, late night trips to HEB for snacks, volleyball games, competitive cheer, Sea World trips, and a million great memories.  I kept olives in my refrigerator just for you, and you became a normal part of our daily lives.  I loved you before I even met your daddy, which I believe is a special gift and makes us such a unique family.

When your dad and I started dating, you were so gracious in sharing him, not only with me but also with Bailey.  When you dad married me, the mom of one of your closest friends, it seemed like we were living the script of a Disney sitcom.  Everyone who hears our story responds the same way: "They are so lucky! It's like the girls are having a sleepover every night."  And it was.  Your dad and I laughed at the fact that you and Bailey slept in the same room all the time.  We didn't know which bedroom to look in first, but we knew we would find y'all together.  The memories of those first months will stay with me forever, from the monster that lived in the fireplace to us girls binge watching Vampire Diaries and everything in between.

As time went on, you taught me how to be your stepmother, allowing me to learn and forgiving me when I stumbled.  There is so much I admire about you: your strength, resourcefulness, creativity, style, determination, attention to detail, and so much more.  I have no doubt that you'll achieve any goal that you set, and as we prepare for graduation and college in the next few months, I can't wait to watch you carve your place in this world.  You will make Texas Tech a better place simply by being there, and while leaving you there may be one of the hardest things we've ever done, I know you are going to have the time of your life (and study a lot, too!) 

I just wanted to say thank you for bringing such joy, laughter and love into my life. I love you to the moon and back and I am so blessed to be your stepmomma.  Happy birthday, sweet girl!

Love,

Diedra

So there's this girl.....

I remember being so excited and nervous to meet Wylie's friends. Wylie and John have been the best of buddies since high school, which is a rarity these days. And Moneesha, the wife of said best friend, was so beautiful, so together. Basically, the woman that all of us other women aspire to be. Would she like me? Would we have anything in common? Would they approve of me for Wylie?

From the second we met, all of those worries went away and I knew we would get along just fine. As much as she was beautiful, Mo was authentic, witty, intelligent, fun, funny, and soon became one of the best friends I've ever had. We joked that Wylie had to keep me (and I am so glad he did!) or she would have to kick him to the curb. We just fit that well. Her friendship is the puzzle piece that I didn't even know was missing.

As time has gone by, we've spent many holidays, Sunday Fundays, spring breaks and several vacations together. She helped Wylie plan his proposal and she even stored my engagement ring at her house for three long months. (I don't know why Wylie felt like I would snoop and find it at our house!?!) She carried the ring around New York City in her purse and handed it over to him when he was ready to propose.

When we got married, she and John were right by our sides, and their sweet boys were our ring bearers.

She's taught me so much about being a wife, a mom, and a friend. She has been right next to me when I was sick, in yoga pants and ponytails, just keeping me company until I felt better.

She shares her amazing family with us, and has become a natural extension of my family. Her sweet boys know us as aunt and uncle, and we take those roles very seriously.

She throws parties for my mom to celebrate her cancer remission, remembers my girls' birthdays, and she talked me into creating this blog to document our amazing life.

She even brings out a little of the rebellious side of me. Because, you know, we do what we want.

So thank you, Moneesha. For pushing me to be better, for being right by my side, and for teaching me so much about life. I am forever grateful for you!

A Blog is born...

Welcome to Smoke and Pepper!!!