My own vent for the day.

Sometimes Mom's have really bad days, and today was that day for me. I feel bad for yelling at Ava twice, but some days I am so sick of a two year old ruling my every move. At least 1/2 an hour to get out of the house on any given day, battles over socks (which is really dumb now that I think about it), a few minutes to make myself presentable to the world results in an hour of cleanup later (she gets into everything), getting into the car is another battle (she never wants to get into the car the same way twice), toys, clothes, dishes, piles of paper & furniture seem to be strung out all over the place, stray cats, my own cat not using the litter box, my house a mess ALL the time, regular showers are iffy, workouts fit in as energy allows, battles over how much to allow her to do and how much to pull the chain on, my husband's silence after calling him and asking him to ask me how my day is going, ugh!

I can't even believe I am complaining about my sweet girl. She really is so good 99% of the time. My patience have just given up today.

I'm just missing myself right now and know I will make a come back some day. I had a nice couple hours out with some girls last night...maybe that's why I'm so grumpy today, I miss doing that. I miss being a women and not a mom.

I love you Ava with all my heart and can't imagine my life without you. Today was bad and tomorrow I will be a better Mommy. Tonight I will make you happy (and hopefully make myself feel better for yelling) and take you to the parade to see your favorite thing...a marching band.

A defining moment for all us mommies...

Ava last night as I was leaving her room, "oove (love) you" , "niiighht, niiighht".

Folly Beach, SC is probably one of my favorite places to go. I have a love affair with sandy beaches and sunshine, and Folly Beach gives me that and my southern family! It's been four years since we have been. FOUR YEARS!! What were we waiting for... the perfect timing. I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the summer (saying 'end of summer' makes me cringe, I won't be saying that again).

My husband is the travel planner, so I must first say thank you honey. You out did yourself this time!

A check of the weather, before our vacation begins, shows three hurricanes out in the Atlantic... what's the big deal?! We took off in our grandpa car, a Grand Marquis, without looking back. It really could have gone either way, so god bless our lucky stars hurricane EARL took a slight turn and headed just far enough north to not affect our stay. Ava was a perfect traveler (that girl didn't complain or cry once the entire time), the weather was perfect, the waves (and surfers) were amazing to watch for two days as EARL approached, being around Sudanos always makes me feel happy (mostly because it seems like we talk and laugh a lot), Charleston is still my wanna be home town, two nights without Ava made me a little sad but I really enjoyed my time alone with Dejan. There are so many stories from this trip, I could go on forever...

Ty spitting grits all over me after we starting laughing so hard, having to evacuate our condo at 7am (after going to bed at 1am) due to a fire alarm, Ava's new BFFs- two wooden birds and her real life BFF- Nick, walking the pier with Nick & Rosanna and Ava getting us all to "stomp and shake it", Mia showing us her new cheerleading chants that I am still cheering to this day, Zia Rosanna taking us to Monza and the fun car trip we had getting there (despite going down a road the wrong way), 3 hours on the beach, 1hour in the pool, eat, nap, over to Sudanos, the boat ride on our last night there, and the amazing brunch we all had together before leaving. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. This isn't even half of it, but a little peak into our 10 day trip will help spark other memories when I look back.

Thank you Sudanos! Thank you Folly! Thank you Charleston! Thank you Dejan and Ava! for all making this girl feel really happy and content about facing the upcoming winter months. It was a perfect way to end the summer! All the memories, pictures, and videos will keep me entertained for quit some time. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! TIAMO!