The Real World

This is the photo you get when they are upset with something their brother/sister has said.

This is the photo you get after you tell them that they won't go swimming unless they be nice to one another. They listened and wanted to take this picture for mommy!

And this is the photo you get when a big brother has just told his little sister that she looks beautiful!


Being a mommy is the hardest and the best thing that I have ever done. I know that God has meant it for my purpose at this point in life. My children bring me unspeakable joy and fill my mind with worry and doubt. I constantly wonder if I am raising them with the right amounts happiness, love, discipline, and self worth. I LOVE my babies....there is absolutely no doubt about that. Raising them is wonderful and challenging. It makes me happy to get them ready for church in the mornings, fill their bellies with food after church, and lay down to snuggle with them during naptime. Some mornings, they wake you up at 5 am because they are partying in your belly. Some mornings (like today), it is because you are cramping and can't lay back down because you are praying that God will bless you with carrying them in your tummy for a while longer. Some mornings (also like today), they bicker like siblings do and these are the pictures you take to remember real life. To remember your wonderful, blessed life! This is our story and I love the reality of it!

Happy Birthday to our Nana!

Today is Nana's birthday and we would like nothing more than to give her the happiest birthday ever. Unfortunately, we are all still missing Papa and today couldn't possibly have been her best birthday ever. We did get to be with her most of today. First, celebrating sweet Noah's first birthday with family. Then, she took Asher and Leila to see Kung Fu Panda 2 and for a snowcone. Finally, we had birthday dinner at Cheddars and ate cake and opened presents at her house.

Nana, you bring sunshine into our lives! We love every moment that we spend with you. We are proud of your strength and resilience. I know today was hard but thank you for letting us celebrate you! You are beautiful and lovely. There is NO better Nana in the whole wide world and we love you with all of our hearts. Happy Birthday to you!

May Showers!

I may or may not be eating another piece of the yummy chocolate cake that we had at my shower from the sweet girls from work!!!! I had such a fun time eating and visiting with these girls....I have missed them so much with my sudden, extended maternity leave! They showered the twins with thoughtful gifts and I am so thankful to work with such wonderful, fun women. Thank you so much girls....I love y'all!

30 weeks

I had my 30 week Dr. visit today for the twins. We didn't have a growth scan today but I saw my sweet peas on ultrasound to check heart rates. They are both in breech position right now with their heads right under my rib cage. That explains why I can't breathe and feel like my rib cage is flaring. Caroline had her arm around Callum as they were sleeping head to head. So sweet! We scheduled every appt. from here on out and scheduled a tentative date for the twins birthday.... unless they decide to surprise us a little bit early! :) I did find out that my ob/gyn will be out of the country the last two weeks of June....yikes! Praying these twins will hang out in my tummy until first of July. I didn't gain any weight in the past two weeks. I was surprised. I guess there is a first for everything!

Twin Update and Dr. Visits

I received these cute onesies today for the twins. They came in the mail just after I had returned home from taking Asher to the doctor for his terrible cough. A terrible cough that has been shared with me and Tyler. Asher was diagnosed with bronchitis and has started an antibiotic. Looks like I'll be visiting a doctor tomorrow morning and then my ob/gyn on Wednesday. It will be a busy week of doctor's visits! And so continues the crazy nature of my third pregnancy. It feels as if we have bounced from one stressful event to another this pregnancy. I am definitely feeling more tired in my third trimester and am experiencing more swelling in my ankles and feet. I have gone from taking no medications (pre-pregnancy) to taking 6-7 medications per day. Crazy, huh?! I have had a couple of days of braxton hicks contractions but nothing major. I sure am hoping that the remainder of my pregnancy with the twins is uneventful and that they are born big and healthy. Also, I am praying that I will have the energy to enjoy my time with Asher and Leila and to complete some much needed things on our to do list. I can definitely say that twin pregnancy is harder than single pregnancy. I know I'm older but this is tougher on my body than before. I feel like a wimp! I know it will all be worth it, but I am ready to feel like myself again!!!!

The perfect plant!

The kids made me a pot for Mother's Day that I have blogged about a few posts back. I have been searching for the perfect plant for my treasured gift. Yesterday, my Nana brought me a beautiful hibiscus plant from my Papa's service and I knew it was just the right fit. I potted it today and put it on my front porch so it greets all of our guests! Thank you Nana....I love it! Now I just hope it likes it's new home and grows and grows!

Renaissance Fun

We woke up on Saturday morning to a pretty sky and not a rainy one as predicted. Tyler wanted to take advantage of the sunshine and take the kids to the Renaissance festival. I agreed because I know how much Asher has been wanting to go. Remind me that the next time I am 30 weeks pregnant with twins (not gonna happen again!) to stay at home! No, I'm so glad I went and Tyler was great to keep up with the kiddos and let me sit down and rest. The kids had so much fun and it was a nice day. I was just ready for a shower and some relaxation when we got back home. Asher went as a knight and bought a few more weapons to add to his collection. Leila went in a dress and we had to fix her hair like Rapunzel. She did take her princess bow and arrow though! Oh, it's so fun having a boy and a girl!

Last Day of Preschool

I drove my baby to his last day of preschool this morning. It was kind of a sad thing....we sure are going to miss his teacher and his little classmates. I feel thankful that God placed Asher in this preschool and class. It's hard to be sad when you are so happy that he has had such a wonderful year! I put his first day of school picture first and then his last day of school picture. We are looking forward to sleeping in every morning and enjoying the summer before these two little twinkies arrive!

A few more from preschool

Preschool Graduation

They serenaded us with song, made scrapbooks about themselves and memory books of their monthly art projects, giggled as they watched the slideshow, and they marched across the stage to receive their diplomas. They were so stinkin' cute! They even threw their hats into the air as they were announced the Class of 2024. I'm gonna miss the 7 sweet kiddos in Asher's first class ever....and their parents/grandparents! One father of a little girl in Asher's class came to share a story with me. He said that his daughter had referred to something as handsome. He questioned her if she knew what handsome meant. She told him matter of factly, "Yes I do, it's like Asher's face." Isn't that the sweetest thing?! Dad and Kyle, sorry we missed getting your picture but we thank everyone who was able to make it. Congratulations, preschool graduates of 2011! Asher, we love you and you bring us unspeakable joy!

My Silly Princess Girl...

I had to get a few pics of her this week too. Oh girl, I'm so glad you are in my life! Mommy loves you so much, my precious little daughter!

This week recap

It's been a big week at Asher's preschool. Monday, they had their end of the year worship service. Asher was pretty emotional and exhausted Monday and I did fix his hair but between trying to go back to sleep at home and the car ride to school, it didn't stay fixed. He looked pretty cute singing the worship songs. A couple of the kids in his class were singing loud and proud and I was getting a kick out of watching them! Asher would sing, yawn, and sing some more. At one point they sang about babies and he winked at me while he was singing. So cute! I love to see his face light up when he smiles at us while performing. Tuesday, he had pyjama day at school. He wasn't happy with me that he had to wear dinosaur pyjamas instead of superhero pyjamas. I was instructed that he would be needing some superhero pyjamas. Whoops, I've been a little busy! Today, Asher graduated from preschool. They had a sweet service and I'll post on that next! Tomorrow is the last day of school and I have to go get the "best teacher ever" (according to my son) a teacher's gift. I'm going to sleep for a week after this week is over! ;) Oh, just a side note, I'm getting a fever blister on the end of my nose! Gotta love stress! Also, I have been so busy and I just want to say that I am truly blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Roger and Gina for all your help with the kids this week and for all of our lovely friends and family that have cooked meals and came to support us during this sad time. We love you!