I’m not sure if you’ve already heard, but the twins just got into Baylor. You can see the exact moment it happened here.
(total aside: if watching at home you might want to turn down the volume.)
And just like any new chapter, getting into college brings with it all the questions like these:
Where are you going to live?
Are you going to live together?
How are you decorating your dorm room?
Are you taking a car to college?
What are you majoring in?
And the most important question of all.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
All those questions are A LOT—I mean–just between us–I still haven’t figured some of them out. And for two girls about to take the next steps into an uncharted world, the thought of what the future holds can be a little overwhelming.
And then?
Yesterday they found an answer in the most unlikely of places.
For those of you who have daughters, you will completely understand me when I say this.
They watch everything you do.
Every. Single. Thing.
You quickly learn that what you say has a slight impact, but what you do?
It’s has a hard, everlasting imprint on their lives.
And that responsibility?
It’s exciting and exhilarating and exhausting and terrifying all at the same time.
I never really intended this entire blogging thing to become a job.
Truly.
When I wrote the words of that very first post I never knew that I’d write books or have product lines or work with companies or have employees or have a group of other bloggers that I mentor on an everyday basis.
I was just a girl.
A girl who liked to write random things and wear red lipstick and the occasional banana clip and stirrup pants.
But somewhere along the way, those words grew.
And grew and grew.
Until today the blog and its social channels have over a million followers.
It’s been SUCH an incredible journey with lots of hard work and trying hard and showing up every day.
And those daughters of mine?
They watched me navigate it every step of the way.
They listened to me hold business meetings sitting outside at the baseball field.
They sat in the background while I negotiated with brands in the car on the way to cheer practice.
They heard me address challenges and complaints and missteps.
They saw me when I climbed a mountain and they followed along when I walked through a valley.
It’s been an eight-year journey since I started blogging.
And those daughters of mine?
They’ve watched me every step of the way.
After we finished this upstairs studio last week, I’ve spent more hours than I can count in this chair.
Not only working at my job, but listening to all the future college plans.
We’ve had discussion after discussion around this table. What do they want to do? What should they major in? What kind of job will they have?
And on and on and college discussion on.
I keep trying to explain to them that Rome wasn’t built in a day and that 90% of college students enter their freshman year having no idea what they want to do in life.
And that one day they’ll know.
One day they will get it.
But their eyes were still worried and their expressions were still overwhelmed and a general air of uncertainty hung in the air.
Until.
Until the other night when I walked up to the top of the stairs and noticed that the door to the studio was closed. Slowly, I approached the entrance and opened up the door.
And saw this.
Westleigh tucked into my chair with her books and her papers and her lists.
Working.
And then? She told me she’s finally figured it out. She wants to major in Communications and own her own business.
We chatted for a moment and I closed the door again and left the room and sat on the bench in the hallway and my eyes welled up with tears.
All those years of working.
All those years of trying and striving and figuring it out and making a difference and building a business.
Just when you worried you weren’t good enough.
Just when you worried you weren’t enough.
Just when you worried that people only saw your mistakes and that no one was really paying attention.
In an upstairs room at the top of the stairs filled with hopes and dreams you find out that…
….they were watching all along. 🙂
Your daughters have a fabulous role model! Congratulations to all of you.
Thank you for sharing Your Story!! Such an Encouragement to All of Us Who Often Wonder, are we doing the right things when raising our children.💗💗💗💗
Moments like these makes a 'mommy heart' smile!
I have loved all the ages my children have been, but there is something especially rewarding in seeing them grow into strong, kind, responsible adults. All best wishes to your girls!
Typing through teary eyes! Wow! How exciting for the Baylor bound pair and how beautiful that you made the best impression on your babies along the way! Pleased, tickled and delighted for you GF! Way to go!! You rock KariAnne!!!
I just love reading your blog! I have no children but can only imagine what you are going through. You are such a beautiful writer!
Oh, KariAnne, this made ME well up with tears! Daughters are special, aren't they? Bless you, my friend. I'm already praying for that day when you move them to Waco. With my first daughter, I didn't cry until we started home. With the second one, I think I started before we left, and thinking about it makes me cry right now because she's moved an hour and a half away and sometimes it just comes over me, you know? But the saving grace of daughter #2? At least she didn't move to NYC like her sister! :)
How wonderful! Lucky girls to have you as a role model, that's for sure!
You (and your mom) are such great role models! I’m not even crafty and I find myself soaking up every idea you have shared! Congrats to your girls! 💚💛
Life is hard for the young all they need is love and leadership, and i think they have a great start with two wonderful parents. You have taught them so well.
This is so lovely, KariAnne...you are a wonderful role model for your children! I love seeing the creativity in your family!
I know you are flattered beyond words. So happy she has made a decision and that she wants to emulate her extremely successful mom.
Congratulation KariAnne and your two sweet girls on the next adventure of their lives. These are exciting times, soak it all up!
Oh my heart!! I got tears too. I only hope that what I've modeled for my daughter will be as well received. Love y'all!
Posts like this one keep me coming back. Of course the beautiful rooms with great decorating ideas are nice, too. Thanks for inspiring me!
So happy for u & ur little family. You’ve done such a good job & ur blog brought me to tears, after raising 3 children myself.. Great job, mama, keep up the loving work, as I know u will. Btw, I went back to school when my 2 boys were in college, & graduated w/an RN degree when I was 49 y/o. Talk about late bloomers!
You may touch a million followers, but whenever I read your posts I feel like you’re talking right to me, you have such a gift for writing and story telling! This post especially touched me, we are raising 3 daughters and my oldest turned 16 last week and yesterday said, “Mom, I’m going to be 18 in two more years. That’s not very long”. And I agreed. All the thoughts of how fast time has already flown rushing through my brain. And yet of late, my girls (the other two are 14 and 11) have each in their own way acknowledged how they have seen what I do and have either bragged to their friends or been thankful for or inspired themselves by it. I was a pastor for 13 years, and some of those years felt like they got the short end of the stick, and yet they look back frequently with fond, happy memories and wish I would return to ministry. They are proud their mama was a pastor, and my oldest is considering ministry someday. Now I own a creative business, and my oldest brags to her friends about how her mom is in the vintage industry that they all think is “so cool”. My middle is proud of the fact that I have my own business, as small as it is. So yes, they are watching, they don’t remember all my struggles and failures, they see my success and willingness to just be whoever God made and called me to be. It’s humbling and affirming at the same time. I’m so glad you had that moment with Westleigh!
Good job, mama! They'll do great things!!
If your daughters are anything like their Mama they will soar! We took our daughter to Ireland for her high school graduation gift, and we met an older couple that had worked in education for years. They told us our daughter was a born leader, and that apples didn't fall far from the tree. I knew we had given her a good foundation but it was still nice to hear. She has never disappointed. I know your daughters will make you so proud. Your studio is beautiful.
That is so awesome!!! Your so Bkessed
How exciting for the twins! Brought back memories when my boys opened their acceptance letters😥. Happy and sad tears at the same time. Tell them congrats❤️
This brought a tear to my eye, because Finally, just a few weeks ago, my middle child told me he knows what he wants to do! After years of watching him struggle (and wondering if he'd Ever leave home), he is excited and motivated and passionate to take the next steps on his journey!
Fabulous!
Words alone can't describe these "Mama Moments" with our daughters, and there will be more to come. You are giving them wings to fly, KariAnne, and when they do, you will both cry with sorrow, and cheer, with the greatest joy.
The fears are legit! I always wonder what will they remember of their childhood? I hope it’s not mom in front if the computer! I try to find balance! Hopefully they can see and remember the bigger picture! Good job mama! You’ve got their hearts!
So wonderful! I'm happy for you and your twins! Have a blessed day!
What a great story!!!! I can’t imagine the joy you feel!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Congratulations to them on their acceptance to Baylor!! You are amazing Momma...well done!!
Awl, how awesome. So so awesome. They're going to do so well. They truly do have rock star parents. ♥♥
A great post, KariAnne. My son is in his last year of college. He's lived at home until now but has decided that next year he will live in the Halls of Residence. I'm sad, but proud. I know what you're going through. Your daughter has a plan - that's fantastic. Two years into a music degree, my son is still saying, I don't know, but I'm not worried. It will work itself out. Otherwise, he'll be back sleeping at my house year after next and figuring it out.
My niece is a Freshman at Baylor this year! It is the first time that she is away from her twin who went to Elon in NC. I am sure your girls will have a wonderful experience because even in this crazy weird year Sydney is having a great time!
They will both be great, after all, they had a wonderful roll model! Love you all!
You clearly helped teach your children love, optimism, how to work hard, not give up and how to persevere and look for opportunities and solutions. You love them. You're a smart MAMA! Can't wait to see what you continue to do! You are so cheerful, and I sure hope everyone gets to see more about you on the BIG SCREEN one day. I'm serious. I don't really enjoy cooking, but I loved learning about Julia Child. People like you help the rest of us feel happier and grateful for life! I love reading your personal family stories. They are sweet and funny and how you cared for your baby girls and brought your little girls home from the hospital makes my cry. You're just wonderful! Thank you, Karianne!
You are incredible. Such a role model for them to follow
Oh my goodness! I think I might have been following you your entire blogging life! Those sweet little girls are all grown up and have had an amazing role model!! Congrats Mom! You’ve done such a great job!! ♥️ Love and maybe a little tear 😉
What fabulous daughters you have ~ and what an amazing mother THEY have. Peace and Blessings to you all . :)
You are the best role model ever!!! Your family is so lucky to have you!
This brought tears to my eyes. You have done a great job with your children. They are all wonderful.
Oh, sweetie! You do know how to turn on the eye faucets! Those little eyes are always watching, aren't they? And they see more than we know. And sometimes, years down the road, we may find out. You have certainly been enough, my sweet friend. More than enough to fill those precious girl-hearts with the things they need to grow and live successful and happy lives. May they be as blessed in their futures as you have been. ❤
What a wonderful little story about what our children learn from us. You've set a beautiful foundation for their lives. Now they will test their wings. Way to go Mom!
My son is a junior at Baylor! He's made such wonderful friends. It really is a special place. They will LOVE it!
Such a joyful post!! We all need joy these days!
I love EVERYTHING about this post!!! Congratulations to the entire Thistlewood team!
As you know, I have been on the sidelines watching you every step of the way. I am so pleased that you can acknowledge what a successful business woman you are because I know how humble you are. It's so wonderful to watch your success and I thank you for sharing it with us.
Such a beautiful post, KariAnne! You and your hubby have done a wonderful job of raising your twins -- and your boys! What a fabulous role model you have been. What precious moments you spent with Westleigh! Your twins will do well at Baylor because you have taught them well! It's so nice that they will both be together. Thanks, again, for sharing your wonderful family with us! You are all so special! Bless you!
That story truly warmed my heart.♥️♥️♥️ You “done good”, Mama!!! You mentored those mini thistles just fine!!!
just looked up Baylor tuition .. . you better write another book! Congratulations to all!
Those girls of yours know that you are enough. They know that because you are enough and have worked hard in raising them, taking care of them, taking care of yourself, running your businesses and loving their dad before them, they will do well. They know college will be hard, but they are blessed to also know they have a soft cushion to land on in tough times. They also know they have someone who will rejoice with them in their victories. KariAnne, you are enough. Every day you become more "enough."
Congratulations on a job well done. Our children are our greatest accomplishment and victory in life. It is the most satisfying and heartfelt feeling one can experience and every once in awhile we get a glimpse....a moment of time we have made a difference in their lives....
❤️❤️❤️ Pat
You, sweet, wonderful you, have always been, and always will be, more than enough! xoxo
you just made me cry, darn it. congrats mama you did such a great job!!!!
They are so blessed to have a mama like you! Thank you for sharing this sweet story.
Karianne.... You have truly found your calling!!! Your blogs are written with such heart and soul and have brought me to tears more than a few times.
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I’ve always said this... follow your dreams! Your children are absorbing your journey. It’s their journey. It’s mostly at home, so it’s their comfort, too! We brought our son to our office on his time of school or in the summer. He understood how our livelihood supported our family. He saw the passion, relationships and problem solving. You do an incredible job of weaving your family and history into your blogs. Communication 101!
So, I hope the twins find a life apart at Baylor--I know it's hard, but they need to try and separate. I have identical twin sisters and I know how attached that they can become. They can live together even, and still have lives apart. So I am just throwing this in the hat, along with everything else they have had to get used to living within their first year away from home!!!