It seems like just a few months ago Jenn and I were out shopping for maternity clothes together and now, both our babies are ONE! The Madeline’s are just 2 months and 1 letter apart - the birthday girl is spelled Madeleine. I was able to put down my books for a few hours on Sunday and go to her first birthday party! Her mom and dad made a fabulous ladybug cake and had some burgers and hotdogs, what else is better on a first birthday? Ms. Madeleine dove right into that cake and it didn’t take long before she had it in her hair, her eyes, ears and nose! There was no stopping that sugarholic! Isn’t she the cutest?! Those red curls are adorable! Anyway, just wanted to take another study break and show off the birthday girl and to let people know that, yes, I am still alive (well, I’m breathing, but I sure feel dead! Nursing school is EXHAUSTING!!) Michael and Jenn, thanks for having us over! It was great to see you guys again!
(Here’s the cutie patootie this time last year!!)

After 86 very, very long days, our home is finally completed!!! Who knew that one roll of toilet paper + one busy toddler + one tired mommy could do soo much damage!! Actually, we’ve been back in the house for a week now, but nursing school has kept my nose buried in my books, so I’m just now getting around to posting! It has certainly been an adventure! A few wrong paint colors, floor decisions, bad texture jobs, ahh, the joys of dealing with contractors. For a while, we weren’t sure if we’d survive this ordeal. But we have and we are finally back in our home. It’s still a wreck, but at least we’re home! It doest feel a bit strange though, the floors are so different that at times it doesn’t even feel like this is our house! I just have to brag on my amazing hubby, he stayed up til 4am one night last week to paint our room as a surprise! It looks awesome. And Mom, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! I’m very fortunate that you spend an entire week down here just to help get things back in place! We’d be wading through boxes at Christmas if it weren’t for you!!

I know some of the Staybridge staff read my blog, so I just want to say, on behalf of our entire family, thank you so much for your amazing hospitality! Chirag & Raul, you two have built a beautiful hotel and I feel very fortunate that we were able to call it “home”. Chenille and Leah, you guys are the greatest managers ever! Thank you for the love and attention shown to our kiddos - Aiden is really going to miss that place!! Nathan, Sam, Sarah, Rachel & Cherise - thanks for always giving me a new key card with a smile At last count, I believe we returned 12!! Ha ha! Purida - I’m going to miss my fresh towels and made bed every day!! And Mr. Morris, I’m already missing you! Okay, I confess, I miss your breakfast!! But seriously, you are a wonderful man - we’ll miss your laugh and smile! I promise to bring the kids by to say Hi from time to time though! I guess it’s true… all good things must come to an end. Thank you again Staybridge - it was a wonderful 86 days! Mike and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you guys to anyone! And readers, if you happen to need a room, be sure to call Staybridge… and tell them that the Collins’ sent ya!

I must get back to my books now, I just wanted to let everyone know that we were finally HOME!

Better late than never, right? I hope so! I’m still trying to make my way through nursing school and most days I feel like I’m failing miserably! It’s become very difficult to juggle all of my many roles - there simply isn’t enough time in the day! We didn’t do much for the 4th this year, it was moving weekend, so we just tried to quickly unpack boxes so that I could feel some sembalence of “normal” when I went back to class on Monday. We worked all day, went out to eat, then took the kiddos to watch fireworks in Webster. Nothing major, but it was great to have Gigi with us! Maybe next year I can take Mike and the kids back home for a Canadian 4th (no, not Canada… Canadian, Texas!!) Aiden loved the fireworks. I wasn’t sure how he was going to react at first, since he doesn’t like noise, but he ended up being fascinated with them! MJ didn’t really care, she just wanted to sleep. Poor girl was exhausted! We weren’t in a great location for good firework pictures and I was too lazy to mess with my tripod… maybe next year I’ll get the awesome firework shot I’ve been dreaming of! Anyways, just wanted to share some pictures from our Holiday. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Independence Day!!

Is this not the sweetest girl ever? Her big sister says that she looks “like a princess, or something” She has 2 older sister who absolutely adore her! Who wouldn’t? Susie, thank you for allowing me to spend some time loving on Miss Chloe today - it was nice to get a baby fix, then go to sleep tonight We love you guys are are thrilled over you new addition!! Hope you like your sneak peek - I’ll let you know as soon as her gallery is completed!