What a Busy Month!

I cannot believe that the month of June is just about over! It seems like we were just finishing up the school year yesterday. I hate that the weekends and summers go by so quickly but the work week and school year drags on and on. Oh well, it doesn't seem possible for my girls to be as big as they are; those entire years just flew by.

Even though we have the same events in June every year, it is still something I have to get used to. I used to think it couldn't get any busier, but I'm proven wrong all the time.

The first big event in June (not chronologically, but the first big one for us) is, of course, my sweet twink-os birthday! They turned five the 14th!!! I told Warren that we've made it five years as parents to twins, we can do just about anything. :) During those first few weeks of navigating twin parenthood, I often wondered how other parents of multiples did it. We were so exhausted, sleep deprived, stressed, etc. that I really didn't know if I would make it some days. But, here we are five years later still going strong.

brand spanking new!

two big FIVE year olds!

The second big event for us is Father's Day! We truly have the best father/husband in the world. We are kinda slackers in the father's day gift department due to how many 'events' we have in the month of June, but Warren takes it all in stride and doesn't focus on the gift. We were just thrilled that we were able to just hang out yesterday and be together before he had to return to Jackson. (Have I mentioned that I will be so happy when we're no longer living in two different cities?)

Maybe even better than Father's Day for us is celebrating Warren's day of birth on the 27th. I mean, if he hadn't been born in the first place, we wouldn't be able to celebrate his being a dad, right?! :) I'm sure he'll kill me for sharing, but he's got a big milestone birthday this year--the BIG 3-5! He likes to tell the girls that I'm older than he is, but one day they'll really get it and know that he will always be older than me (by six months, but older is older, right? Just kiddin' Warren! You know I love ya!)

Warren & his girls--late May 2010

Warren's mom, affectionately known by our girls as "DamDam" will celebrate her 21st birthday on the 26th. She really tried to have Warren on her birthday, but I guess he wanted his own special day!

DamDam & BopBop at our house Christmas 2009

(this is the most recent one I could find for such a quick search)

And while these events don't necessarily affect our little family like they do another, I wanted to give them their proper shout outs!

Warren's sister, Katie, and her husband, Mitch celebrated ten years of marriage on June 3. It's easy for me to remember how long they've been married for two reasons: 1. they got married one year after us--we got hitched April 1999; Katie & Mitch: June 2000. and 2. adding years to even numbers is something that doesn't make my brain hurt (ask anyone, math is so NOT my thing!) Sadly, I don't have many pictures of them, which I'm sure they're probably grateful for!

As if June wasn't already jam packed, Katie and Mitch added a new member to their family on June 12--Hensley Kate:

Now my big girls have a real live baby doll to mother! They are excited about meeting her in a few weeks when we're all together at the beach!

After looking back at all of this, I'm exhausted just sharing it with everyone! I wouldn't trade it for anything though. Being surrounded with so much love and joy is never a bad thing!

Looking forward to what the rest of the summer might bring--hint hint, the selling of our house and moving to Jackson!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us get a buyer......SOON!!!

A Little VBS

The girls completed another year of vacation Bible school last week. I think that that week went by faster than any other I can remember. Before I knew it, it was Friday and VBS was coming to an end. The twins were able to attend 'for real' this year. Last year, they hadn't turned four by the time VBS started, so they only got to attend because I was helping in the younger four year old room. They had a blast last year nonetheless, but I kept telling them that they were big girls this year since I wasn't helping. I felt extremely bad about not being involved this year because last year was such fun, not only because I love children but because maybe in some small way I helped to plant seeds in the minds and hearts of those little ones.

big girl ready for her first year of VBS--2008

We began attending Fairview after Reese attended VBS there two years ago. I have to give a shout out to Courtney & Rachel Stanback--Courtney was Reese's teacher that year, and she is wonderful, awesome, loving, caring, supportive--every great adjective you can think of!!! Reese fell in love with Courtney's daughter, Rachel, and she has become one of if not the only babysitter we use! The girls rarely want anyone else watching them. Needless to say we love these two people so much, and I am eternally grateful that God led us to them.

big girl's second year of VBS--2009

Like I said, last year I helped in one of the four year old rooms. It was such a joy!! I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I was nervous about it since my expertise is either with my own children or middle & high schoolers. I have always said that it takes a very special person to work with small children. I was worried that I wouldn't have the patience for it, but surprisingly enough, I was more patient. Probably because those sweet souls belonged to someone else! :)

Last year's theme was "The Boomerang Express" and everything had an outback/down under/Australian theme, hence the picture of Reese and the kangaroos. I just love it, even though her eyes are teary because it took an act of Congress to get a shot of her by herself; her sisters kept insisting on being in the picture with her.

the twink-os on their first day of their very first VBS

2010--Reese's third VBS

This year's VBS theme was "Saddleridge Ranch", and it seemed to be just as wonderful and fun filled as last year's. I didn't help this year, and while it was a bit disappointing, that week of having a few hours to myself was something that I needed. I was able to finish painting the interior of the house getting it ready to show to potential buyers (we still need LOTS of prayers that this house will sell quickly so we can have a shot at being settled before school starts!).

twink-os and Ms. Shannon (they look so big here to me)

I appreciate all the workers, helpers, who ever is involved in getting VBS together and putting on a wonderful week for my kiddos. As a parent, it's my job to raise my girls to be the best they can be and becoming Christians and learning about God and His love for us is one thing that I pray I can be successful in. I am grateful to VBS and the church for helping me with this. The twins came home everyday telling me that God has plans for you (that was one of the main themes) and that Jesus is alive in heaven!! How awesome is that!!! My heart nearly leapt out of my chest with joy hearing my sweet babies speak the truth. Having other Christians be involved in their lives is something that I won't take for granted. It's important to surround them with all the love and support they can get!

"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

NEED ANSWERS? ASK GOD!

My Babies Turned FIVE!!

On June 14, just a few days ago, my sweet twins turned five. I cannot believe that five years of parenting twins have already gone by. As nervous as I am about having three teenaged daughters, I welcome it because I have already been overjoyed watching these three sweet beings grow into the little people they have become. I am truly blessed!

modeling some new duds from Mimi & Pop

with Mommy & Daddy at the Veranda celebrating the big milestone b'day

me with my babies

they were given special molten chocolate cupcakes from the restaurant (big sissy got one as well)

what sweet sweet souls

I'll never forget the day that I found out that I was going to have two babies at once. Now, I don't remember the exact date, but I remember the instance like it was yesterday. I had taken two pregnancy tests at home a week or so prior to my doctor's visit and had been home to celebrate my brother's wedding to our dear, sweet Ang (who is expecting my new niece in September!!! we do love us some girls around here!)

Anyway, I wasn't able to get to the doctor until after the wedding, but we had told immediate family that we were indeed expecting again. My daddy kidded me at the rehearsal dinner that I was already gaining weight and that he thought I had two in there. No joke, that's what he said. It never even entered my consciousness that I would be the one to have more than one baby at a time. I laughed him off and told him that that wasn't a funny thing to say.

Well, I went to the doctor, and after reading my chart and learning of my miscarriage prior to Reese's birth, the doctor remarked that she knew I'd feel better if I saw/heard the heartbeat. (I had been told that once the heartbeat can be detected, a chance of miscarriage goes waaaaaay down.) So, off we went to the ultrasound room.

Now, keep in mind that I am at the clinic by myself. That particular office did not allow children over 6 weeks old; don't know why, never asked and we didn't stay long with those docs anyway.

Seeing that I was only around six weeks, the heartbeat couldn't be found with the doppler thing, so I told her that I wasn't opposed to a vaginal ultrasound (sorry if that's TMI). I was SO relieved when I saw the little bean with the little fluttery heartbeat going 90 to nothing. Now, while she's checking the little bean out, I'm telling her my story about what my dad had said at little brother's wedding. No lie, she looks at me and says something like, "Now that you mention it, I am looking and yep, here's the other one."

At that moment another little bean 'swam' into view on the screen with a second little fluttery heartbeat going strong!!! Total shock, disbelief, fear, anxiety, joy--the whole spectrum of emotions overwhelmed me. Imagine Warren's shock when I showed him the ultrasound picture of the 'baby' after she marked twin 1 and twin 2. He almost fell over in the parking lot!!!

I would be lying if I said that these last five years have been smooth sailing; what parent in the world can say that, regardless of having multiples or not? I'd like to meet you if you have had smooth sailing--I definitely need some tips! :) I don't think I could ever have multiples again--it truly is double or triple or however many 'extras' you have, but I wouldn't trade these two souls for anything in this big ol' world.

People would stare at us in the early days (and they still do) and say things like, "Glad it's you and not me." That used to really make me mad, but I realize that that's maybe the reason it is me and not them---that God truly has His own very special reason for making me a mama to twins. Haven't figured it out yet; guess it's just one of life's mysteries.