Way Back When-esday

Oh, how times have changed! This is a picture from the girls' first Christmas in 2005, when they were about 8 months old. Who knew 3 years were going to go by so quickly! It's true what they say...each day can seem like a year, but the years pass by like days.

Check Twinfatuation to see who else is sharing some pics from the past!

birthday boy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POP!

We love you!

Yeah...THAT didn't work!

Sometimes I am guilty of handing out consequences without really thinking things through.

Let's just take Tuesday, for example.

The girls and I had battled all morning over cleaning the playroom. We had planned to meet some friends at the park after lunch, but I had told the girls that we weren't having lunch until the playroom was clean (which should have taken all of 4 minutes).

The minutes ticked by, and the room was still not clean. In my frustration, I shouted out calmly explained that it was almost time to leave for the park, but since they had not finished cleaning up in time to eat lunch at home, they would have to take their lunch to the park to eat.

Okay, stop laughing. I know...a picnic in the park on a beautiful day. How horrible!

Here was my logic - Instead of playing with their friends in the park, they would have to sit all alone and eat. While watching all of the fun they could be having if only they had obeyed Mommy at home, they would become extremely remorseful and vow to be obedient until the end of time.

Obviously, that didn't happen.

On the way to the park, brown bags in hand, Grace actually thanked me for letting them have a picnic. "Not everyone is lucky enough to eat their lunch at the park!" she said.

UGH!

After eating their sandwiches and spending a few minutes in time out, they did apologize. I'm kind of doubting, though, that this will be a lesson they will remember. Unless, of course, the lesson I was going for was, "Mommy doesn't think too quickly on her feet!"

I wish kids came with a discipline cheat-sheet. I wish they made playbooks for mommies that we could wear on our wrists like football players. No huddle or timeout required. One glance at my arm, and I'd know just what to do next.

Could someone start working on that?

Way Back When-esday

Since it's December, I've decided to try and use Christmas pictures for the next few weeks. This picture was from Christmas of 2006, when the girls were about 1 1/2. It's hard to believe they were this little! Christmas was so much fun that year, and it's only getting better. I can't wait to see the girls on Christmas morning this year!!

Check Twinfatuation to see who else is sharing some pics from the past!

Two for Twos-day

Before running some errands on Saturday, we made a quick stop at Chick-fil-a. As you can see, Catherine has really started to take her job as "big sister" seriously. She is a whole minute older, you know!

Stop by Eight is Great today and see who else is playing:)

Blessed

Happy Thanksgiving!

don't look too closely

2 hot pink t-shirts: $6
brown and pink polka-dot fabric: $2.50
red and orange felt: $0.50
buttons and thread: free
hand-making Thanksgiving tees (that are nothing like the ones I wanted to make) for the girls in under four hours (without tears or expletives) that I'm not too embarrassed to let them wear in public*: priceless



*Please note that the public I'm referring to is limited to my parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. The girls will most certainly not be wearing these shirts in the presence of professional seamstresses, perfectionists, anyone in a well-lit room, or the rest of the general public. The handprints are ironed on, the stitching is all over the place, and no two legs are the same length. The shirts will have to be removed before eating, as I'm quite sure they won't survive a trip through the washer!

Way Back When-esday

Thanksgiving 2007

Girls' age: 2 1/2

This picture was taken last Thanksgiving, before heading out for the day. Little did we know, we were going to need coats! A little while after we arrived at my parents' house that afternoon, it started snowing! That doesn't happen here! We didn't get enough snow to even stick on the ground, but it was pretty neat anyway. I doubt we'll have another Thanksgiving snow anytime soon:(

Don't forget to stop by Twinfatuation to see who else is playing!

and the winner is...

...Sara! (chosen by random.org)

Congratulations, Sara! I know you will love your new necklace!! And thank you, Lisa, for donating this beautiful piece of jewelry!

Thank you all so much for participating. I hope you had a chance to view all of Lisa Leonard's amazing designs. Maybe you were able to pick something out for yourselves! I don't know about your husbands, but mine sure liked getting my e-mail several months ago with a link to Lisa's website, the specific necklace I wanted, and exactly what I wanted on the necklace. After a few clicks, he was done shopping and he had something he knew I'd like! And there were no lines, parking lots, or crowds! Couldn't be easier!

I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments, and seeing how much we all have to be thankful for. No matter how different we all are, there seemed to be a few things that we all had in common. It all came back to faith, family, friends, and freedom. No one was most thankful for their possessions...it was all about people. People who stick by us through thick and thin. People who add love, joy, and comfort to our days. People who are willing to sacrifice everything to protect our freedom and fight for the freedom of others. And most importantly, a Savior who was willing to die for our sins.

In the busyness of our lives, it is all too easy to take these things for granted. We tend to forget that we have so much to be thankful for. We focus on what we are lacking instead of all of the blessings that surround us.

Maybe this week, we can start to change our thinking. Maybe we can use this Thanksgiving to change our hearts. And maybe, just maybe, that change can last!

100th post!

***giveaway has now ended***

Yay!! It's my 100th post! I wanted to wait until tomorrow to post this, but I was way too excited! I started noticing a little while ago that lots of people did something special on their 100th post. It seemed like most people either had a giveaway, or a list of 100 things about themselves. Knowing that none of you were really that interested in learning 100 random things about me, I decided to do a giveaway! I considered a gift card, a book, or maybe something handmade. A gift card is so impersonal, though, and who knows if you would like the same books I like. And really, who wants something that I've made? (except you, mom!) Instead, I thought about one of my absolute favorite things. It is handmade, just not by these hands. How would you like to win something made by Lisa Leonard's hands??? That's right...Lisa Leonard has so graciously offered to host a giveaway here! One very lucky reader will win an Original Necklace, just like this one...personalized just for you! If you've never seen her handmade jewelry, you've got to go check it out. She has lots of different designs, and each one is so unique and beautiful! I get compliments on my necklace every time I wear it. I've been stopped by random strangers (even the Sonic carhop!), asking me where I got mine. My girls love it, too, and think it's pretty neat that I have a necklace with their names on it.

Now, here is your chance to get your very own. Just leave a comment here before Monday at midnight CST telling me what you are most thankful for. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win! That's all you have to do! I'll post the winner first thing Tuesday morning. And while you're waiting to see if you've won, pop on over to Lisa's website, take a look at the rest of her amazing pieces, and check out her blog. You could even do some Christmas shopping while you're there. Who wouldn't want to find something from Lisa Leonard Designs under the tree?

So go ahead...start commenting!

it's only getting worse!

Last week I told you about Catherine's bad habit. Unfortunately, things aren't improving. Here's a portion of the conversation we had just a few minutes ago...

Catherine: Mommy, you know how last night I picked that really big ear booger (ear wax)? Well, I put the big one in a tissue, but I also picked a little one.

Me: Oh, really? What did you do with that one?

Catherine: Well, umm...I ate it!

Me: CATHERINE! That's gross! You don't eat things that come out of your ear. Or your nose. Or any part of you body. Didn't it taste bad?

Catherine: Well, no, not really. It was just a little sour.

UGH! Seriously! What do I do about this???

Recipe Contest

Sarah from Short Stop entered her Chicken Pot Pie recipe in the Marx Foods Comfort Food Recipe Contest. And guess what? She's a finalist!!! So let's help her out! Click here and go vote for Sarah. Her recipe is #95 - SG's Hearty Chicken Pot Pie. And while you're at it, check out her blog. She's got lots of yummy recipes and tons of cute pictures of her adorable boys.

What are you waiting for? Go vote!

Way Back When-esday

This picture was taken in February of 2006, when the girls were only 10 months old. They were getting way too big for their carriers, so we had just bought new carseats. Catherine was trying out her carseat in the living room. I can't believe how tiny she looks it in! She liked it way better in the living room than she did once it was in the car!

Remember to check Twinfatuation to see who else is playing along!

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psst...Don't forget to keep checking back for an awesome giveaway! I'm only a few posts away from #100...you really don't want to miss it!

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes?

Last week at MOPS, we had a speaker that came to talk to us about nutrition. She talked about the importance of healthy eating, the difference between regular and organic foods, and the science behind things like hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. It was pretty interesting, to say the least. It was also a little convicting. I don't normally buy organic foods, but I do try to feed my family a healthy diet. I read labels, try to avoid excess sugar and fat, provide my kids with lots of fruits and vegetables, and teach my kids about healthy eating. We opt for fruit instead of french fries, eat lots of whole grains, and buy Morningstar Farms products on a regular basis. Until Friday, I thought I was doing an okay job (even though I knew there was plenty of room for improvement!). My eyes were really opened, though, and I've started doing my research. During my weekly shopping trip, I tried to pay attention to what I was buying. I bought natural peanut butter, organic grapes, organic lettuce, and Annie's mac and cheese (sorry blue box...you'll always have a special place in my heart!!). Today, I bought a book about organic foods, and I'm hoping to learn more so I can make an informed decision. I want my kids to be as healthy as possible. I want them to enjoy eating healthy, and I want them to make healthy choices, even when I'm not around. With all of that said, though, I do have kids. They like chicken nuggets. Sugary snacks are around every corner. They want the cereal box with Barbie on the front (don't worry...I don't give in!). I need meals that are quick, easy and healthy. And I need to be able to serve them without breaking the bank. To do all of that, I think I'm going to need some help!

So here are my questions to you...

Do you buy organic foods?
What are some healthy snack options you give your kids?
What are some healthier alternatives you have found for some traditional favorites (like substituting Annie's for Kraft!)?

I really do want to know more. But I don't just want to hear from a middle-aged author who doesn't have little kids at home to feed. I want to know the text-book stuff, but I need to know the real-life stuff, too. So, help me! I really want to know your thoughts!

seventh heaven

Today is our seventh anniversary!! I told Toby last night that it seems like so much longer. I really meant that in a good way...I promise! I think it's because even though we've only been married for seven years, I've known Toby for over half my life. We've been through the good and the bad together. We've sailed through times when life was easy, and stuck together when things were hard. He knows how to make me laugh, lets me hog the covers, puts up with my trashy reality tv addiction, and waits (fairly patiently!) for me as I search for my misplaced keys on a daily basis. He knows all of my quirks, habits, flaws, and weaknesses. And he's still here! Seven years ago, I never could have imagined what our life would be like today. I can't wait to see what the next seven years have in store for us! And the next seven, and the seven after that...

Happy Anniversary, Toby! I love you!

There's No Place Like Home

Tonight was supposed to be date night. Toby and I were supposed to go to dinner and a basketball game with some friends. Instead, he's there, and I'm here. The girls were supposed to spend the night with my parents. Instead, they are here, too. Catherine woke up not feeling well this morning, but I didn't think much of it. Grace and I went to MOPS, and she spent the morning with my mother-in-law. When I picked her up around lunchtime, she said she felt better. She looked better, too. But it didn't last long. She didn't eat lunch, took an early nap, then woke up feeling terrible. Since it was Friday, I decided to play it safe and go to the doctor. Just a virus. She was feeling better, and insisted on still going to my parents' house to eat dinner and spend the night. By this time, I'd already canceled my plans for the game, and Toby had already found a friend who could take my ticket. I let the girls go to my parents' house, and after staying over there for a while, I came back home. Not 10 minutes after getting home, my mom called and said they were bringing the girls home. Apparently, when it was time to get ready for bed, the girls had decided they wanted to come home. They wanted to see Mommy and sleep in their own beds. I still can't believe they wanted to come home! They are usually the ones telling me to leave so they can be alone with Nanny and Pop. This is definitely a first! And probably a last. While I hated the fact that they missed out on their sleepover, I'll have to admit that it was nice to be needed. Really, though, she didn't need me. But it was sure nice to be wanted.

Score!

I have a confession. Several actually. I'm a procrastinator. I'm also kinda cheap (especially when it comes to clothes that will only be worn once!!). And I have a really hard time making decisions. Even simple ones. All of these things usually get me in trouble. Today, though, they paid off BIG time! I was at The Gap Outlet several weeks ago, and I saw some dresses that would be perfect for the girls' Christmas dresses. I considered buying them right then, but I didn't. I wanted to wait and look around more. They were also kinda expensive for dresses that would only be worn once, maybe twice. On top of that, I just couldn't make up my mind. Since then, I've searched high and low for cute, but cheap, Christmas dresses. No luck. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking about those Gap Outlet dresses, but I knew they were probably already gone. I finally decided to go today, and guess what? They had the dresses! And they were 40% off!! AND I had a coupon!!! I got both dresses for $22!! If only things would always turn out so well when I procrastinate!

Way Back When-esday and Giveaway Info!!!

Today is Way Back When-esday! Share a picture from way back, then check Twinfatuation to see who else is playing along!

This is one of my favorite pictures! It was taken in August of 2006, when the girls were about 16 months old.

Tickle, tickle, tickle!!

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GIVEAWAY INFO... Only 8 more posts until the big 1-0-0!! To celebrate my 100th post, I'm going to be having an AwEsOmE giveaway!! Seriously...you won't want to miss it! I can't tell you what it is just yet, but I can promise you that it's something you're going to want. Keep checking back to see if I've hit 100 yet, then be sure to enter to win. I may drop some hints in the next few days, so stay tuned!

such a hard habit to break

I hate to admit it, but I have two little nose-pickers. One is fairly serious about it. The other is really just a recreational nose-picker. Today on the way home, I heard this exchange coming from the back seat:

Grace: CATHERINE!! Put your hands down!! Quit picking those boogers out of your nose! EWWWW!!!

Catherine: Oh, fine. I'll just put 'em back in there.

Nice. See why we need so much Purell???

A Hunting We Will Go

For a long time, Toby has been promising the girls that once they were old enough they could go out to the deer lease with him. They watch hunting shows together, go to Cabela's and Bass Pro, and love looking for deer in fields around dusk. They ask all the time when they can go deer hunting with Daddy, so yesterday was finally the day. Okay, so we didn't actually hunt, we just watched. For those of you who know me, picturing me sitting in a deer blind wearing camo might be a stretch, but I do have pictures to prove it. The trip was actually pretty close to perfect. It was about a 2 hour drive out there, and we got there at just the right time. Not 5 minutes after getting settled into the blind, several does came out to feed. Just a few minutes after that, a buck came out, too. Surprisingly enough, the girls stayed pretty quiet. They whispered as quietly as they could, and they tried to be still. We stayed about an hour, then headed back to the truck. The girls had a great time, and so did their Daddy. I don't know who had more fun...Toby or the girls! I had a pretty good time, too. It was sweet to see the three of them together doing something that their Daddy really loves, and it was fun to see where he spends all of his hunting time. Maybe next weekend we can all spend a day at the mall!!

Way Back When-esday: Storytime

This picture was taken back in September of 2006. Hard to believe it was that long ago! The girls were only 1 1/2. My sister and brother-in-law were out of town, so my dad was keeping my niece, Courtney. These three girls sure love their Pop! (And I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual!)

Today is Way Back When-esday! Share a picture from way back, then check Twinfatuation to see who else is playing along!

tired tinkerbells

Like I mentioned the other day, the girls had originally planned to be Tinkerbell for Halloween. Luckily, even with the last-minute wardrobe change, the costumes did not go to waste. Nanny and Pop had all of the grandkids over for a special Halloween dinner on Wednesday night. (Kids, you can thank me later for talking Nanny out of the ghost-shaped, pastry-covered meatballs!) They were all supposed to wear their costumes to dinner, so the girls wore their Tinkerbell costumes. I didn't think to take their picture while they were dressed up, but I did snap these pictures at a stoplight on the way over.

See girls...you do still need your naps!

weekend ranch hands

My cousin, Kristen, got married a few weekends ago, so we turned the trip into a mini-vacation. Instead of just staying in a hotel, my parents, my sister's family, and our family shared a three-bedroom house on a ranch. The house came complete with land, a pond, a barn-turned-gameroom, and horses. In the mornings, the kids got to help feed the horses and give them treats. There was even a white horse there who was temporarily renamed Sara. Not surprising. At the end of the trip, all of the kids even got to ride her. You can imagine that the girls were over the moon. They got to sit on a real-live Sara!! While we were there, the girls learned the fine art of pool, played a little shuffleboard, played a few games of ping-pong, and went fishing. It was the perfect place to stay for the weekend. They had lots of room to play instead of being locked into a tiny hotel room.


























As far as the wedding, things couldn't have been nicer! Everything was beautiful and elegant, but kid-friendly at the same time. There was a hayride at the rehearsal dinner, and pizza and cupcakes at the wedding. The wedding was outside in a gorgeous setting just a little before sunset. The reception was also outside with plenty of room for all of the kids to run around. There were even a few peacocks for the kids to chase! A little to my surprise, the girls did really well at both. I don't get to see my cousins very often, and it was so much fun to watch the girls interacting with them. My only regret is that we didn't take more pictures!

tricks and treats

The girls spent part of their Halloween last night at our church's Trunk or Treat. They had so much fun...and got way too much candy! They got to see most of their friends, and even spotted a few celebrities. Yes, they saw Ariel and Sleeping Beauty in person. They also saw Cinderella, but since they knew it was one of their friends they weren't fooled. A little while later, though, they spotted Sleeping Beauty. Since they didn't know the little girl that was dressed up as her, they were pretty convinced it was actually her. Same thing happened with Ariel.

After much shopping, debating, and costume-trying-on, the girls decided to be brides. They originally wanted to be Tinkerbell, but the costume we got was just a little too big. I looked through their dress-up clothes for an alternative, and suggested that they wear the wedding dresses my sister gave them for their birthday. They agreed, and it was perfect. A salon for kids was doing Halloween hair for just $5, so we stopped by on our way to the church and had the girls' hair styled like a real bride. They looked so cute. It was almost a little too realistic.

After the candy had been safely put away, the hairspray and glitter washed out, and the beautiful brides were turned back into silly little girls, we got our Halloween trick. Catherine woke up around 2:30...throwing up! No, it wasn't candy overload. They didn't even have any candy. That turned out to be a very good thing. She's better now, and Grace seems to be fine. Let's just hope it stays that way!!

The Fair

A few weeks ago, we took our annual trip to the fair with Toby's parents. The girls had a great time, but they were really only there for one reason - the carousel. They enjoyed the petting zoo, loved feeding the animals, inhaled some chocolate-covered strawberries, and had fun seeing the cows up close. None of it, though, held a candle to the carousel. See, the carousel at the fair last year is where they met their very best horse-friends, Pepper and Sara. They rode these horses last year at the fair, and they haven't been the same since. Every horse since that day has been named Pepper or Sara. They have talked about them on a regular basis. They even bought little plastic horses that resembled them. So, of course, we had to make sure they rode Pepper and Sara this year, too. And they did. Twice. In a row. Usually you have to get off the ride, get back in line, and pay again. Knowing that wouldn't go over very well, their granddad paid the attendant to let them ride twice without getting off. Needless to say, they were pretty excited. And pretty bummed when it was time to leave. There's always next year girls!

I'll be loving you FOREVER!

You already know about a few of the things I am madly in love with. Of course there is my husband. Then there are my kids. And then there's the minivan. What I haven't told you about is a love that began before all of these. Before Violet, and way before my girls. Even before Toby, I've loved these five. Jordan, Joey, Donnie, Danny, and Jonathan. Oh yes, I'm talking about the New Kids On The Block!!! And I got the see them the other night! LIVE!! I can't even put the experience into words! An arena full of 30-something women, squealing like a bunch of 13-year-old girls. It was great! They were even better than they last time I saw them many, many years ago...with my dad! Who else has a dad like that?! Years may have passed, but once we walked through those doors, it was all the same. We were on our feet the entire time, hands in the air, singing and screaming. I didn't buy the $40 t-shirt, but thanks to Jennifer, a fellow NKOTB fan, I've got plenty of pictures to remember the night. SO. MUCH. FUN.

8 bags

I like to keep things. Especially things that are tied to the past. I keep letters, shoes, pictures, books, clothes, and more. I have a sweater from 8 years ago that I refuse to give away, even thought I will never wear it again. But I was wearing it when Toby proposed, so to me it still has value. Even if it's just the sentimental kind. Maybe that's why I've kept all of the girls' clothes. Really. I've kept them all. I've given away a few things to friends, but that is it. Or that was it. Until last night. The girls and I went through some of their old clothes to give away. We didn't go through everything, just about 1/3 of their old stuff. Everything I picked up had memories attached. I remembered the day they wore that shirt to the doctor's office, or how cute they looked in those dresses at church. I remembered the excitement of all of the firsts they had in those clothes. I also remembered the struggles. They liked to hold their baby clothes up to them to see if they still fit. Of course they were much too small. So small that I wondered how they ever fit into them. But they did. This time next year, I'll wonder how they ever squeezed into their little jeans that they wore this week. I'll remember how cute they looked at night in those little ladybug pajamas, and the way they giggled, talked, squealed and sang in their rooms before falling asleep. I'll remember how small their hands were and what tiny feet they had. Hopefully by then, some of the struggles of this year will also be a memory!

As I sit here, there are 8 bags of memories on our porch. 8 bags of sleepy pajamas, innocent dresses, and well-loved shoes. There are even a few pair of shorts that made a trip or two to time-out. I hope that those 8 bags will bring as much fun, love, and memories to their next families as they did to us. Minus the time-outs, of course!

look a little closer

One of the things I used to worry about when I was pregnant with the girls is that I would not be able to tell them apart. I pictured Jesse, from Full House, mixing up his sons' socks and fearing that he would never again know which one was Nicky and which was Alex. I was pretty sure this would happen to me. At some point within the first 72 hours of their lives, I would lay them down, side by side, only to come back moments later and forget who was on the right and who was on the left. Once they were born, I realized that I had worried over nothing. Parents of twins (even identical) will always be able to tell their children apart. What I didn't count on, though, was that few others would be able to do the same. Sure, there are other relatives that we see on a weekly basis who can. I also have a handful of friends that can tell them apart almost instantly. Other than that, most people have to really think about it. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they're wrong. But they try. Other people will just take a wild guess. It doesn't bother me that people get stumped. They are identical. I get that. What bothers me is that some people don't even try. To some people, they are a set. Catherine and Grace. The twins. I try to do something to their appearance that sets them apart and makes it easier for others. I fix their hair differently, put in different colored clips, or dress them in different colored clothes. It hasn't helped. I think it's only made things worse. Instead of finding something unique about each one, people just look for the clips. They take one glance at the girls(if that!), look at me, and ask, "Who is in pink today?" I didn't even realized how much this bothered me until today. We walked into BSF this morning, and the girls' teacher was waiting for us in the hall. She greeted the girls with a huge smile, and told them how glad she was to see them. She said that she had waited all week just to see them again. Then she looked straight at Grace and said, "Hi, Grace!" At first I didn't think much about it. The girls' names were embroidered on their shirts. Of course she could tell which one was Grace! But then the teacher said something that really touched me. It probably won't mean much to you, but it did to me. She said that she knew it was Grace because of the part in her hair. She remembers Grace by saying to herself "Grace's heart," because Grace's hairline gives her face a heart shape. She has only been in this class for five weeks. And the teacher knows her. She doesn't know Catherine and Grace, or the twins. She knows Grace. And she knows Catherine. She made it a priority to learn about each of them as unique individuals, not just a set. Many people don't do this. Some people take a guess and then with a laugh say, "Well, I had a 50/50 chance!" Like I said, I know they look alike. I know it is hard to tell them apart. And yes, I know that people are not meaning to be rude or hurtful. But they aren't interchangeable. They aren't carbon copies. They are not the same. They deserve to have people know their names. Or at least act like they care. No, I'm not terribly offended when people can't tell Catherine from Grace. Yes, I am mildly annoyed when they don't even make the effort. Or when they make it half-heartedly. I know people's intentions are not bad. I know some people are just trying to be funny with the comments they make. I don't expect everyone to be able to tell them apart all the time. I just want people to be considerate. I want them to know my children. Not just my twins.

Tag! I'm it!

I've been tagged! Cheryl at Twinfatuation tagged me for this meme. To play, you have to go to your sixth photo folder, and select the sixth photo from that folder to share. As it turns out, this is one of my favorite pictures...and I didn't even cheat!


This picture is of Catherine and my dad, taken the day she got her cast removed. She was almost 2 1/2 at the time, and had apparently tried to jump off the bedrail in her bedroom. Not a good idea, just in case you're wondering. Despite having to get creative with bathtime, the cast wasn't too bad. She didn't even use it as a weapon!

Now it's my turn to tag 5 people to play along...

Anna at Anna and the Boys
Sarah at Short Stop
Stephanie at Stephanie's Spot
Mandi at Stories from the Savages
Karen at Doubly Blessed

Have fun, girls! I can't wait to see what pictures you find! Even if you weren't tagged, you can still play along. Just leave a comment so we can visit your blog and check out your pictures!

Way Back When-esday

When the girls were babies, they had some major reflux issues. Even on medicine, they spit up MANY times a day. We cleaned up after them so much they eventually started doing some of their own clean up! Here they are in June of 2006, when they were about 14 months old, pretending to clean the floor. I wish they were still this interested in cleaning!

Today is Way Back When-esday! Share a picture from way back, then check Twinfatuation to see who else is playing along!

looking back

Four years. It seems like so much longer. Four years ago we realized our life was about to change even more than we thought. Just a little over four years ago, we found out we were having twins. We went to the doctor on that Tuesday afternoon, eagerly hoping to see our little baby's heartbeat. We saw two. To say that I was shocked would be a colossal understatement, at the least. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think we would have twins. From the moment I saw the second heartbeat, my mind raced. I was scared to death. I didn't know anything about twins. I didn't know if they would be premature, or if they would be born healthy. I didn't know what complications we could face, or if I would need bedrest. Once the babies were born, how would I possibly be able to take care of two babies at the same time? I worried that I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. I wondered how I would do things normal moms do. How could I go the the grocery store? The dry cleaners? Church? What if I favored one child over the other?

There were so many questions. So many fears.

Four years later, I can still feel those emotions. Even though we've come so far, those emotions are still so real. Maybe it's because I still have the fears and the worries, but for a different reason. I don't worry about the pregnancy, but I worry about their health now. I don't worry about taking care of two babies anymore. I worry about keeping up with two toddlers in the mall. I don't worry about being able to tell them apart. Now I worry about really knowing each of them. And no, I don't favor one over the other. I just worry that others will. Or worse than that, I worry that others won't see them as unique individuals, just twins.

We've learned to do all of the things "normal" families do. Except I've realized that no family is really normal! As they've grown, I've learned how to manage two baby carriers at once, get two babies into and out of the car without the carriers, maneuver a double stroller like it's nobody's business, and get two toddlers (who are most likely to run in opposite directions!) safely through busy places. I've said it before, but it's really true...raising twins is a totally unique experience. It's nothing like I thought it would be four years ago. It is harder, more exhausting, and more unpredictable than I imagined. There is also more love, more laughter, and more blessings than I ever thought possible.

friends in town!

One of my best friends was in town for a wedding this weekend, and the girls and I were lucky enough to be able to spend a little time with her and her family while they were here. The girls enjoyed playing with her son, Preston, and meeting Jill, her husband, Greg, and Jill's dad. It was Jill's mom, though, that won their little hearts! They loved walking through town with her, singing songs to her, and holding her hands. I wish I had a picture of the three of them! I wish I had more pictures of everyone, actually! When the kids are around, they have a way of stealing the spotlight! It was so much fun to see them all and spend a little time with them. I wish we got to see them more often!!

a child's heart

On the way to choir yesterday, the girls wanted to pray that we would stay safe on the way the church. Is my driving that bad? Anyway, here is how their prayer went...

Dear God, please keep us safe on the way to church. And thank you for the green trees and the green grass. And thank you for our friends. And please don't ever go away. You're our Father! Amen.

Pretty sweet.

(And yes, we did make it to church safely!)

Way Back When-esday

Today is Way Back When-esday! Share a picture from way back, then check Twinfatuation to see who else is playing along!

These pictures are from July of 2006, when the girls were only a little over a year old.

Hide-and-seek, anyone?