The Neillie Family
Phoenix, AZ
What is your favorite family tradition?
Dyeing Easter eggs and ALWAYS making a watermelon egg 😍
Tell us about your favorite family story.
I had a massive stroke, spent almost 2 months in a coma. My boyfriend moved into my house, my son moved down to Phoenix from Seattle and moved into my house. They wanted me to come home to the same house I'd lived in for over 20 years.
I woke up from the coma and decided to focus on my family and not my career. My son met a girl in Phoenix, they got married and have 3 beautiful girls. My daughter is also in Phoenix, she is married and has 3 amazing girls, too.
No one on their death bed wishes they had spent more time at work so I took the opportunity to spend more time with family. I now treasure every moment I have with my 6 amazing granddaughters, my boyfriend that moved into my house while I was in a coma is now my husband and I treasure every moment I have.
Life is short - let your family know you love them, appreciate the little things and be grateful ❤️
What is your family's motto?
You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.
Share Your Parenting Wisdom
What's your number one tip for new parents?
Don't sweat the little stuff - and most of it is little stuff!
What has been the most surprising thing you've learned as a parent?
This too shall pass.
Tell us about your funniest parenting story (we all have them!)
I was working and came home late one evening. As I walked through the house, I heard my 15-year old daughter say 'hold still, you asked me to do this!'. I heard my 12-year old son say 'ouch, you're hurting me!!'
I imagined my daughter trying to pierce my son's ears. As I came into the master bedroom, I came upon her shaving his head. With my Bic razor from my shower. And since it wasn't working too well, she was pushing reeeeeaaaally hard... ( yeah, there was blood...)
I dropped my briefcase and said 'WHAT are you doing???' They both turned with a deer-in-the-headlights look and I told them both to go to their rooms. Just then, my cell phone rang in my pocket. It was my mom. I told her what I walked in on and she started laughing.
I told her that it was NOT funny and she said 'yes it is - you just don't know it yet'. And she was right. That has since become a favorite family story, one all my granddaughters love to hear.
You can find the Neillie Family on Instagram at @Judyneillie.