Beyond the Barn

2011-04-13T18:28:00.001-07:00

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Snakes?

2011-04-11T21:44:00.004-07:00

We went to the zoo last weekend and ever since Addie has been obsessed with snakes... she "wishes" them to existence everywhere... her room, our backyard, and on the golf course where I was taking her pics yesterday...

Except, there WAS a snake hole AND she quickly gathered her dress so the snake wouldn't bite a hole in her new twirly dress made JUST for her by HandMaiden Designs on Etsy... AND, since I was inches away from "said" snake, I took her word for it and wrapped it up.

Not really something you chance out here in the desert! lol

Joy of Love (Day 21)

2011-02-23T23:43:00.008-07:00

Can you say S L A C K E R ?

Want my excuses? Let's see - what's happened between the 16th day and today... hmmm, soccer, a stomach flu, a night out with great friends, yogurt with a former student, Bible Study, a funeral, some temper tantrums, grocery shopping, soccer practice, preschool...

Now, you feel bad for calling me a SLACKER don't you? Hee hee... YAY, my self pity party worked on you! While I have missed some days - I am not going back at this point to catch up... I am just moving forward!

Today's challenge/lesson was on portraits... I had BIG plans to do some solo pics... but the boys insisted on being in pics together... go figure! I have to say that I am soooo glad these guys weren't the "twins"! I could see how it would have been hard not to mix them up.

I mean they have their own look... and definitely their own personality but just the other day I said, 'Look at this adorable pic of Matty Moo.' About a nanosecond later Addie says, "mom - that Noah!' And, she was right... man, at 18 months they looked SO much alike!

And while these boys are fiercely competitive, they really, really do love each other. This was a shot after their "session" was over... I whipped the camera back out to capture their brother moment.

I hadn't planned on photographing Addie... as she had the stomach bug and was up most of the night before - reminding us what she'd eaten that day! But, she grabbed a flower hat and popped in... how could I say no?

And this is SOOOO them... Matty the "sweet" baby of the family, Addie - the "stinker" doesn't that smile say it all? And, Noah - the total first born - fun loving yet serious...

Another moment. I just ADORE my kids!

I did manage to get them separated... WHO is this tall, LEAN young man? My sweet little man who always out of the blue will say, "I love you mom"... and when I say it back says "I love you mostest"

Whose eyes have gotten him out of some pretty sticky situations... can you blame me?

Honestly, after all the pics I have taken this month, I NEVER thought he'd be so sad to not be in some pics....

This kid...Matty Moo, Moo Moo, Moose... I don't care what you call him - he has the BIGGEST heart and a flair for drama! (Miss Kacie - are you teaching him?!?) AND, I have to say this past weekend when Julian was teaching him how to play the harp, my heart melted all over again. He LOVED it and has been begging for one since... I am thinking we'll start with a guitar.

Addie got a little green so I didn't push my luck... but she's been in so many of the photos lately - it was about time her brothers stole the show!

Joy of Love (Day 15)

2011-02-17T00:17:00.008-07:00

OK, I can't keep up... maybe, just maybe tomorrow I will catch up. The assignment today was capture a kiss... I didn't think this was going to be a very easy task as my kiddos aren't the most "kissy" kids to each other... Noah was a little under the weather - so to avoid spreading (if that's possible...) we kept him out of this assignment....

So, seriously, this was THE first shot I took...

And the reaction! She said he spit on her and they both laughed and laughed.

Try two - and she is ready to wipe again!

Blech! These two crack me up! I love that Matty is holding on for dear life!

And kiss number three... I talked it up about how sweet it was for Matty to love his sissy because whenever we talk about something sweet - she does that cute little praying hands thing. And, really, Moo is VERY affectionate in general. When he hugs you - he pats your back or shoulder... it wasn't hard to get him to do this...

It was sissy who was the tough one. Don't let the outfit that SHE picked fool you... this thing is sugar AND spice! And, the kissing must be on HER terms... you'll see a little while later HOW I get her on MY terms!

I told him to whisper in her ear...I am not sure what he said but she thought it was funny.

It was downright hilarious! Or it could have been boy disgusting... I'll never know - and I am not sure I want to!

Here she is - about to melt... so before I lost her - I had to make BIG promises...

She wasn't that impressed - but I was with the pose and LOVE the surly smile and result!

Another little promise and the smile comes back!

See, in the Egglet home - we don't work for peanuts... we work for JELLY BEANS! To get the smile - I had to agree to let THEM be able to pick out their own...

Here's Moo being SUPER sneaky! I think for every one he "picked out" for his pile - he put at least 3 in his mouth!

Towards the end she started negotiating ... for ... just ... one.... more....

I told her for one more smooch - she could have ONE MORE!

Joy of Love (Day 14)

2011-02-16T00:11:00.003-07:00

Rings. Capture your wedding ring/rings. I'll let the pictures talk.

Wonder. Awe.

Hopes. Dreams.

Plans. Future.

Delight. Joy.

All things I thought about and dreamt of as a little girl. Don't we all want to be sought after, loved, cherished and enjoyed? Set your sights high baby girl... and stick to them!

Joy of Love (Day 13)

2011-02-15T23:45:00.005-07:00

Day 13's assignment is to capture loved ones in their routine... and, these pictures - well, they are a real glimpse of what an Egglet morning is like... WARNING... the excitement may be tooooo much!

Let's see... some snuggle time with rat and some "bunny chocolate" milk!

This is soooo my kid. Can you see the "can you leave me alone for at least a half hour" look in those eyes... seriously, I am not good until I have had some coffee and quiet time!

Here's Moo... and yes, we ALWAYS have a car on the table... one is pretty mild... usually it's whatever car(s) they slept with the night before. And yes, while they do love their rats - they DO sleep with Hot Wheels!

After breakfast, before they get dressed (and then undressed) it's Matty's job to clean up the crumb - both under the table and around our gerbil's cage... EVERY morning we have to pick up his bedding AND the shavings he chewed OFF his cage... this is his FOURTH cage - and tomorrow we are moving him into a GLASS one because last night - he got the lid off his tower... this mama is SICK of chasing him when he escapes!

After breakfast Addie almost always does some kind of art... today she was cutting and pasting Valentines....

And a morning around here without a load of laundry.... well, that just never happens. Today was sheets/rat day... they love to watch their rodents swim! So, it's the 15th and I am on day 13... hmmmm... I promise the pics are all taken - I am just SLACKING! There will be 2 - maybe 3 posts tomorrow!

Joy of Love (Day 12)

2011-02-13T17:37:00.005-07:00

I was SUPER excited about today's assignment... capture their eyes... well, I just love eyes in general... I think if you really look at some one's eyes - it can tell you the truth ... no matter what their mouths are saying. When I worked at GCU - I used this a lot to get the students to really open up. In today's fast paced world, it's easy to say, "I'm fine..." leaves us less vulnerable and lets us get on our way... but that's not always what our heart needs.....

Here's Addie... she has the most spunky eyes... they glisten and shine... but, I have to say they are also my number one tool in knowing when her asthma is bad... they just lose their luster and she gets the dark rings under them...This girl's vibrant eyes really do match her personality!

And then there is Moo... he's got the deep rich eyes that have those rays of amber... It's just like my Moo... he's the deep thinker, the more sensitive one... He's got an intense personality and I would say those eyes are pretty intense... wouldn't you?

And Noah... or Pirate Noah to you! There is just something sweet about this kid's eyes even when he's trying to be mean... he's recently perfected the "I am MAD at you" look and I have to say EVERY time - I have to fight back giggles while telling him that those faces are disrespectful and NOT allowed!

And this is what you get when you tell your kids you are focusing on their eyes... you get fishy faces galore! They really got into this little assignment....

She told me before I shot this one, "What about my pink lips... take a picture of my pink lipstick lips."

I couldn't do a series of photos on eyes without showing this kid's ridiculous eyelashes... seriously, where did these lashes come from.... and WHY didn't I get them?

As you can tell, Matty was really into this one and I am SO glad... it's gunna be hard to choose some to frame after this project. BUT, I have a friend in CA who is making me some of the cutest vintage custom frames, I may have to order some more!

See what I mean... pure joy. You can tell a real smile from the fake ones with eyes like these!

By the end, Matty said, my eyes are tired of be pictured... and he put Addie's homemade necklaces on them... I think that's a WRAP!

Now, this picture is NOT from today's assignment... but it has to be one of my all time favorites of Addie to date - so I had to cheat and put it on here!

Joy of Love (Day 11)

2011-02-11T22:04:00.007-07:00

Today started out rough... well, yesterday didn't end until about 1am today... so the morning wake up call was not really welcomed... then the computer decided to go wonky... and I had a deadline!

So, when I read today's assignment that said I needed to photograph the ones I love in regards to their dreams... I have to say, I was a little lazy and wanted an easy way out... SO, I asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up... I kinda thought I knew... well, I KNEW what Noah would say... therefore, I knew what Matty would say... but sissy - she's got different goals (and persona's daily)!

Yes, the boys want to be race car drivers.... AND, since they have costumes... they insisted on wearing them.

And Addie... well, she had to wear her costume too.... but said she wants to be a donut baker when she grows up. I'd like to say that she's brilliant and knew that we'd have to go somewhere to get pics (and donuts) but honestly I have NO CLUE where donut baker came from... BUT... I have to say, if she ends up a donut maker - well, I hope she does it with her whole heart and unto the Lord!

And, I have to say she's be the cutest donut baker I've ever seen! Who knows - maybe she'll be a race car driver sponsored by Krispy Kreme... man... can you see her chomping on a donut and chugging the milk after she wins the race?!? (Don't you love the "stock" smile?)

Seriously though - getting pics was hard... taking 3 kids this age ANYWHERE especially a donut shoppe can be an adventure... so while I am trying to learn how to expose anywhere - I was more concerned with just getting the shots for this assignment! And they just wanted the donuts...

Here's Noah with his homemade belt of elastic since he's all of a sudden shot up and can't keep his costume up! He's VERY serious about donut selection!

See what I mean, I asked him to turn and smile but those donuts were just tooooo much to take his eyes off!

And he was even less impressed when I asked him to smile WHILE eating!

We had a blast and we were all very thankful that Sissy decided she needed to be a donut baker... I mean, it didn't take much to convince me to drive the 16 miles to the nearest Krispy Kreme!

If a smile could speak it would say, "I AM smiling, now leave me alone with this sugary goodness!"

Moose wasn't even going to play games... there was NO getting his focus off his donut. I have to say, while at 3 it seems a little annoying at times -this kid has the most incredible focus. It's VERY hard to get his mind off something once he's set it on it... but I really think with some parental guiding - this will be a strong attribute as he grows older!

And, the donut maker herself... going after the icing and sprinkles... a woman after my own heart! This project is amazing and I am so glad that today the laundry and vacuuming didn't fool me into thinking that it was more important! It's days like this that will be in our hearts forever... the kids won't remember if the house was always clean - but they will remember the moments you intentionally carved out for them! (And, for the record, on the way home Addie said she wanted to be a horse doctor... the boys and I am SO glad she said donut baker first!)

Joy of Love (Day 10)

2011-02-10T21:29:00.007-07:00

Today was all about capturing the one you love in their spaces.... I had HIGH hopes for today's photos... but an unexpected trip to the pediatrician, a yummy lunch at Nana and Papa's, and an EXTRA LONG HEAVENLY nap time left me with less than desirable light and some SERIOUS bedhead.

To really capture the Twinkie's room - I HAVE to start with these ADORABLE signs that were painted by a great friend!

When you have two that share a room, it's important to make sure they are both represented... if not this room would have been all pink and frill! lol

Since they were born, we've referred to them as Thing 1 and Thing 2... and Pottery Barn was nice enough to have Dr. Seuss themed bedding and pillows... WELL, except that NANA made these quilts - Pottery Barn has NOTHING on a Nana handmade original! This is Moo's bed and YES...

Those ARE rats in his basket. Matty took after Noah and loves his rats! (Thank you Auntie Wendy for buying them stuffed rats...)

AS you can see, the beds are the PERFECT height, not only for sleeping, but for racing Mustangs...

And here's Addie... just being her normal spunky self. She is a lot like her dad - she wakes up and is ready to tackle the world. Moo is a lot like his mom... well, let's just say, 20 mins, coffee (milk), alone time AND... well, sometimes that isn't even enough!

He's more of a hide in the corner and snuggle with his rats for a while kinda guy!

And, this is Noah's room...And YES... he HAS requested to get rid of the "BABY wallpaper"... he has BIG plans for his room for his birthday - he wants a green, black and white room that is corvette themed.... This is the top of his dresser where he holds his prized things. It rotates but for the most part these are always on there. A Lightening McQueen piggy bank that Auntie Chris and Uncle Jake brought back straight from Disneyland... some Monster trucks and the picture his dad colored for him one night after work that he INSISTED needed a frame! (That picture is the very reason I WILL NOT color with our kids....)

Yes, he has a bed and his name on the wall as well.... but like I said - the light was bad. Can't expect much at 6pm at night... I told you a REALLY LONG NAP... so, the only way I could salvage this photo was to cover it up in black and white!

Here's Addie waiting patiently (but maybe with a little attitude) for me to wrap it up... she wanted to go downstairs but lately is my shadow and won't leave my side! It's cute... kinda.

Joy of Love (Day 9)

2011-02-09T23:35:00.011-07:00

Assignment today (well, technically yesterday again... grrrrrr)... Photograph the one(s) you love doing something they love... sports, hobbies, collections, etc... Well, I am not going to waste a lot of time on words here - sorry in advance for all the photos....

While Noah is in school the twins and I do just about anything... grocery shop, Target shop, play outside... but most days - we CRAFT... and today THEY wanted to make necklaces and bracelets... Moo likes to make them for just about anyone... himself included!

We've gotten smart and put a chip clip on the end of the string... it saves us from picking up millions of beads off the floor.

And, you know when the tongue comes out - there is some MAJOR concentration happening!

She decided to be a total over-achiever... I have NO clue where she gets that gene from.... AND made a "Tangled" purple necklace.

Of course they had to model... this is Matty's "tough" face... yah, you have to have a tough face when you're a guy sporting beaded bracelets.

And the SURPRISE face... He's got it on backwards - but he made one for sissy with HIS name on it... ahhhhhh.

And, the outfit... well, ever since he's scene Tangled THREE times - he wants to be Flynn... yah, he wants to be a thief.... not too sure how I feel about this - I mean Flynn DOES turn his life around in the end... and Flynn wears a button down shirt - so my little GQ man WON'T wear anything but!

After school Noah came home and does what he does ALL the time... he builds and creates Monster trucks... Here was today's and he was NOT impressed with my camera in his face...

Which is why I am soooooo thankful for my girlie girl. She's pretty rough and tumble and can sure handle her own with her big and little brother... but nowadays - she is ALL into "pretty" things, twirly skirts AND getting her pic taken... (on her terms of course).

So, play we did! Peek-a-boo got me this fun little glance... and I had lots of fun adding some fun finishes....

And, she thought it was pretty fun to LAY on our kitchen table in front of our window... it's always more fun to do something you're not supposed to.

And, this one has to be my favorite of the day... I know, nothing to do with the original assignment for this project - but I am still working through what I learned Friday night from Sarah Goodman and something seems to be clicking! (Pun intended!)

Joy of Love (Day 8)

2011-02-08T12:27:00.010-07:00

Today's assignment... a gift from from the heart... photograph something material or immaterial that a loved one has given you that shows it was a gift from the heart... Now, I know you may have read the post that started this journey where I explained that the husband gave me my first DSLR ... little did I know that it would unleash a passion in me I never knew I had for photography! SO, while this did show me that he saw potential that I didn't... it is also a symbol to me for me (we have to love ourselves too right?) that I will spend the time to continue to stretch and grow and learn new things... NOW... this post ALSO has Matty Moo who is really one of the THREE best things God has ever given BOTH of us! This post has TONS of pics... I couldn't just pick one because of the story I felt it told!

Seriously, I feel like this series of photos really shows me in my "infant" stage of getting to know my camera and how to work it all!

Umm, OK... set my ISO...

Adjust the f/stop.....

Oh yah, get that shutter speed just right....

Ready? SMILE!

Let's see how this one looks.....

WHAT did I do wrong? WHY is it so dark? I just don't get it!!!

Let's see... power on...check. ISO set.... check. f/stop set....check. Shutter speed....check. WAIT A MINUTE... the lens cap is on!!

Oh well, we all have to make some mistakes while we learn, right?!?

I love this last one... and yes, I DID intentionally ONLY want the NIKON on the lens cap in focus... AND.... not that you'd know by their clothes (or lack there of) but this is actually Sissy. My first born gift has rebelled today against the photography assignment!

Joy of Love (Day 7)

2011-02-08T00:13:00.002-07:00

It's Day 7 and as you can tell by the time of this post... I have already started slacking. I almost didn't post this til tomorrow... but decided against it.

Today's assignment was to photograph "generations"...

Since Noah had preschool, and we weren't in the vicinity of any grandparents today... I had to think on this one and get creative. And then it dawned on me. All throughout the Bible God promises blessings for those who choose Him from generation to generation...

And that's where I got the idea to do this pic... how perfect is it that Matty and Addie are studying about THEIR past that, should they choose, will also lead to their future of eternity...

It's hard to read the verse - but it is Psalm 89:4 - I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm though all generations....

On a photography note... I am seeing the joy and fun in getting them in the area I want and then just let them be them. I love these sweet little grins and that Addie is feverishly trying to hold down the pages. Matty saw Noah's name when we first started and it was SO hard to get him to stop looking on EVERY page for Noah's name again... And that's when he found HIS name! (I am glad Addie never asked me to find hers!)

I just got tomorrow's assignment - well, since tomorrow is technically already here - it's another one that is going to make me get a little creative!

Who They Love (Day 6)

2011-02-06T11:34:00.007-07:00

This is Addie doing her treatment today.... AND... yes, that is Rapunzel ALSO doing her treatment. This girl LOVES Rapunzel.... she even makes me read her Tangled bedtime story by replacing all the "Rapunzel's" with "Addie"... makes me smile EVERY time.

AND, you may also notice that Rapunzel is not wearing her normal outfit.... that's because she changes her clothes daily according to what we are doing. Today, it's SUPER BOWL Sunday - so we will be heading to our cousins for a little SUPER BOWL Party... Addie heard "party" and instantly said Rapunzel had to wear her party attire!

I am so excited to have all the photos at the end of this... AND, have been intentionally taking photos of EACH of them with their "things", etc so that I can make them each their own book of what I LOVE about them... YOU know Matt's pic today will be with his beloved RAT...

Love to Hate (Day 5)

2011-02-05T16:44:00.007-07:00

HOW could I EVER possibly find something that I LOVE to HATE about this cute little thing?

OK... maybe there are a couple of little tinnie tiny things I could have taken pictures of... you know - the laundry that is on the floor JUST to the right of the hamper... OR the amount of food that is UNDER the table after a meal... seriously, sometimes I think we COULD feed a small country, or at least our dog (which is saying a lot since she's 120lb Great Dane) with the left overs under the table.

But, I'm not really one of those people who likes pics of things.... so it was hard for me to come up with something to photograph... well, until I sat down with them in the playroom today. It took all of five minutes to capture a couple of quirky kid things that really do drive me batty...

You're probably thinking... OK - WHAT could be the Love to Hate thing here... well, if you know me at all - I am a GERM-A-PHOB! Seriously -toys in the mouth just GROSS me out! I know this IS a pretend stir stick for Addie's Barista shoppe so it is just a literal form of pretend play BUT...

Inevitably it ALWAYS lands in another someone's mouth... GROOOOOOOSSSSSS! (I will admit that the kids DID NOT really swap spit in any of these photos - after snapping the first - I made Noah wash it was soap and water)... and then Addie had to mimick her big brother about 2 nanoseconds AFTER he had washed it and then had to wash it AGAIN...

And this is the ultimate... you get the idea where this finger had been and was going again... they all get into trouble so when he saw me snapping pics he tried to hide what he'd been doing... I think the "oh no! I got caught let me fake this wasn't happening" smile says it all!

I am continuing to LOVE this project... and after last night's class - I need all the encouragement daily to get at my camera to MASTER all these blasted concepts... Sarah Goodman really makes it look as easy as walking. Could be why her work is so stinking amazing!

Joy of Love (Day 4)

2011-02-04T10:39:00.004-07:00

Today's mission... what they wear. The possibilities were endless... especially with the Egglets. I am never sure who will be visiting the breakfast table... will Super Girl be back? What about a princess... a snowboarder or pirate? Many days - after they've been dressed for the day - I will take some laundry up to put away and when I come back - I am greeted by what I like to call "naked hiney". They really have on under ware - but NOTHING else!

This morning while cleaning the bathrooms - they each asked for a pirate hat... so, I adorned their heads with bandannas... and when I walked downstairs I was greeted by 3 kids who had stripped down to undies and bandannas.

Here's the hard part for me and photography... yesterday I was super excited about the shot I captured and today - well, there wasn't a stellar one. I was facing the window - a big no no... makes the pics fuzzy and I couldn't capture just what I was seeing... I did however get my BIG boy's BIG eyes (and lashes) and caught a tender moment between he and his sis.... Normally I would have kept trying or waited until later but I have a busy day getting ready for my photography workshop tonight with Sarah Goodman here in Phoenix....

UPDATED: Ok... since I first posted... I had another moment to steal some shots of Moose putting on his cowboyboots... well, one of his and one of Addie's...but they were on the right feet! I have to say I do LOVE this pic. I love his concentrated look on his face... AND, after last night's class I have to scratch out that - it's a no no to have a window in the background.... well, it is if you don't know how to manipulate your camera to work WITH any light... and I have to say, it will be a work in progress for this girl!

Joy of Love (Day 3)

2011-02-03T15:23:00.002-07:00

I love, love, LOVE this project! Today's assignment... photograph one you love do a then and now scenario. SO, a pic of them holding a pic... or a storyboard with a new and old pic.

I just love that it is stretching my idea bank... I never would have thought to have the kids (or us, or anyone) pose with a picture of the past... but I have to say that I am HEAD over HEELS in love with this idea and how this turned out... I can see doing this each year on their birthdays with the same baby pic every year or even with a favorite pic of the year they just left... the ideas are limitless.

Now, I know I promised a pic of Matty Moo... but when I started to set the shot - he insisted on Sissy being in the shot with him! So cute... of course it threw me for a loop because I had another pic all chosen and read to go - as I was about to leave their room to scramble for another one of the two of them - I saw this one on the wall and just took it down! A little life lesson for a planner/perfectionist... sometimes the BEST outcomes come from the least expected situations...

Without further adieu:

I had to throw in the silver one.... I am a huge fan of black and white... I love the mood. My friend Heidi recently told me that she heard once from a photography instructor that the color captures the moment... and black and white captures the mood.... LOVED that!

It's not too late to sign up for this class... she delivers the lessons by email each night in pdf format.... it's awesome and free.... and at the end of the 28 days you will have 28 amazing photos to remind you of the love you have all around you every day!

Joy of Love Day 2

2011-02-02T16:06:00.003-07:00

Today's assignment was to capture a loved one at their best (or worst)... try to capture their true essence...

Now, while I know I am only supposed to be picking one final pic... I had to do two today (again) - The one of Addie is the REAL final - the one of Noah is a bonus as it was his FIRST day of preschool today - and he was so excited that he wore his backpack to breakfast, and to the bathroom and to play trying to waste the moments before we could leave! And, we were STILL 20 minutes early!

I think both of these really capture my munchkins.... I promise that tomorrow - no matter what the assignment - I will follow the rules and have ONE pic and it WILL be of Matty Moo... gotta keep it fair!

Joy of Love Day 1 Finals

2011-02-02T16:00:00.004-07:00

Ok... once I went through the photos again to purge the ones that I didn't want to keep - I came up with the two that I just can't get rid of... so here are Day One of Finding the Joy of Love photos...

The Joy of Love Day 1

2011-02-01T23:29:00.004-07:00

Two years ago for Christmas - the husband surprised me with a DSLR camera. It was one of the best gifts EVER... for one - it is just a cool thing to have and play with - but more importantly for me it symbolized him really hearing a budding passion I had for photography.

After shooting for several months - I found my passion was stronger for the editing side than the photography side. I love writing programs for Photoshop and just playing... this turned into editing for some photographer friends for their businesses...

WHICH in turn made me LOVE and have a renewed passion for photography... Which is where I am today. I have quickly outgrown that first camera and have since scrimped and saved to get a newer one with LOTS of buttons and loads of options... a new lens (or two).... a smoking hot camera bag (that would give a coach purse a run for it's money).... and now a passion to learn all I can from the technical and creative aspects of this craft.

I also have inspiration... I know you have all enjoyed and will CONTINUE to enjoy our families photos from the AMAZING KathyCole... who is not only our photographer but a really amazing FRIEND! I want to be able to capture the essence of the one being photographed... I always say a KathyCole photo doesn't just tell a story - it makes you want to know the people in it! (And, I was in NO way compensated for the KathyCole plug... however if she wanted to repay me in Peppermint Shakes... well, she knows where I live...)

Part of this venture has driven me to THIS class called the Joy of Love by Willette Photography. It's about learning how to discover those you love around you and document it through photography. SO, here's day one's assignment... Capture one you love DOING something... normal, everyday.

This, as you well know, is our Noah Boy... post shower... pre-clothes....in a stolen BEGGED for moment to play the Leapster. I love the lip pushed aside in contemplation of his next move... I love that he's so excited to play his game that clothes were not yet a consideration.... I love that he's so little on our big bed...

But most of all I am LOVING that this class is showing me how to capture these moments that in a busy day get lost... as this is one of the very things I love about being a mom and that all too quickly will be gone....

Hello Again...

2011-02-01T23:26:00.002-07:00

It's been a while...
A LONG while....
Life.
Need I say more?

2011 is looking like a pivotal year.
New Adventures.
New phase in life.
New outlook...

Well, just new.

SO, if you still read... sit back and enjoy the ride of my life through the next year.
It will probably be full of contemplations. And LOTS of photography. (a part of the new ventures).

The Finished Family Card

2010-11-12T18:10:00.002-07:00

Here's the finished project AND because I am a blogger... and because Shutterfly is AMAZING.... they gave me 50 of these FREE!!! See my last post to see what I am talking about!

Picture More Navy 5x7 folded card

Unique party invitations and greeting cards by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Personal Cards

2010-11-10T12:03:00.007-07:00

I know, you are probably thinking I have forgotten how to type! Life has been crazy busy AND I have been much better at "helping" Noah post than I have about updating mine. BUT, I wanted to show you a recent pic of the kids by the ONE and ONLY Kathy Cole .... You can see more on Noah's blog at http://www.lifeasanegglet.blogspot.com/!

When I got these back I knew instantly what I needed to do! I knew I needed to head over to Shutterfly to check out their new Holiday Card Collection. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to get more and more busy each year. Between church, family, Phoenix Zoo Lights, Christmas parties and great weather - the time flies. So, this is the the time of the year that I get my Christmas cards, thank you cards AND personalized Christmas presents for all the grandparents and great grandparents made!

I know, I know, you're thinking - ya right - I never get a chance to be organized and get it all done... I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. That's why I head over to Shutterfly! It's super easy & loads of fun because they have so many options... a good nap time with a cup of coffee and a few clicks of the keyboard and voila - DONE!

Need Christmas or Holiday cards? CLICK HERE.

Need Wall Calendars (great for grandparents)? CLICK HERE.

Need some new wall art to dazzle the guests at your house? CLICK HERE.

Before I'm finished - I make some personal thank you cards from the kids and we're all set for a lesson in good ole fashioned manners as soon as the wrapping paper is cleaned up!

AND, for all my blogging buddies....Bloggers gt 50 FREE holiday cards from Shutterfly!
SIGN UP HERE

Addie Who?

2010-02-21T10:53:00.002-07:00

Is this not the cutest hat you have ever seen? Sonia over at Milk Money
made this ADORABLE hat for Miss Addie. Addie can't seem to take it off!

If you stop by her shop and pick one up - make sure you mention that Addie (Lisa) sent you! AND... for the record they are HAND made... custom in whatever colors YOU want... it's the BEST quality AND comes smoke free!!! What more could you ask for...

Help me support people here in the states who make INCREDIBLE products!

Another Little Creation...

2010-02-06T14:03:00.003-07:00

Inspired by Ashley at www.littleblueboo.blogspot.com ! This is one of the patterns she has on her site FREE to download... I had to modify it slightly because I made a cutting error BUT I think it turned out pretty cute.... Addie LOVES to wear her "princess pirate" shirt! It's actually on the verge of getting too small and I have to say that I am REALLY sad.... I guess I will just have to add this one to her baby clothes quilt I started making... I used the same concept to make the "ho, ho, ho" shirts for Christmas.... you can see them here in case you forgot what those looked like.

And, yes... a beanie hat AND mittens are ABSOLUTELY necessary in the 75 degree Phoenix weather.... IF you're Addie that is! Pop on over and check out her designs... she makes the CUTEST dresses ever...

New Year's Resolutions....

2009-12-31T11:11:00.002-07:00

I have never been a big fan of New Year's Resolutions.
Could be because for me it always seemed to be the same... loose weight, get in shape, do better at this or that... but it seems like I always fail.

So, I stopped making them. There is no worse way to spend a New Year's Eve than reflecting on all the things you didn't do last year and just roll them over to the new year. And, I think I finally figured out why... I always seek things that really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. SO this year I am setting some goals for myself that I think will have a lasting impression on myself, my relationship with Christ, my relationship with my husband and the impact I have on my kids. So... here they go.

1. I want to spend more time with God.... study, music, worship, quiet.... whatever it is... I just want it more. There is a peace about my life when I am EVEN in the midst of storms when I spent time with God.... doesn't make the bad go away but it DOES fill my life with HOPE beyond what I can comprehend here on earth.

2. I want to spend MORE TIME with my husband.... alone. I want to put us first again and have more date nights and just time where we connect without our kids. I believe firmly that it should be God, Husband, Kids.... everything else. But, I will be the first to admit that in the infant years it probably went more like Kids, God, Husband... everything else... or sometimes even kids, everything else, husband, God.... I married him because he is amazing and I love to just hang with him.... so that is what I need to do! (I am thinking a solo vacation to a beachy place would be awesome too!!!)

3. I want to spend more intentional time with my kids.... I play with them all the time... ALL THE TIME... but I want it to be more intentional... play more games, color more pictures, wrestle and giggle as much as we can. My mom said it all the time.... they grow up so fast... and I am sure I rolled my eyes and thought 18 years is a LONG TIME... but Noah is quickly approaching 4 and my babies are already 2 and 4 months! I don't want it to pass me by!

4. Lastly, I want to keep up the new and old friendships that I have. I realized more this year than ever that I have 6 of the most incredible godly women in my life that just really support me, get me and make me laugh! I want them to know they do that for me AND I want to be there for them like they are for me!

So, this year is about building my character. Being the woman God called me to be and soak it all in! Happy New Year to everyone.... 2010 is going to be a BIG one!

Christmas Project

2009-11-24T14:42:00.005-07:00

It was just one of those days yesterday... you know the kind where you are completely on top of things for once... but the kids are grumpy... why is it that you can't ever seem to get the days you are on top of it coordinated with the ones where they are all blissfully getting along and singing "koom-bye-ya"? (Does that really happen ever to anyone? If so - DON'T comment... I really don't want to hear about it! AND... don't know how to spell that song but you get my point.)

So, last night, there were many other things that should be done - but I wanted to do something to release the day... so I made these shirts that I had been wanting to make for a long time~!

Now, when I say "make" I don't mean the actual shirts... NO... I don't know how to do snaps and classy collars, etc... I mean put the words on the front... which I learned how to do here: http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/

I don't want you to think that I can just whip up clothes... (I really don't want my husband to think I can just whip up clothes....) I found these shirts on clearance and just wanted to doll them up a little... and thought it would be funny to see them all in them at once... and since they are ALWAYS together... it works perfect... I mean - when they all go to school - this totally loses effect and could quite possible scar them for life! Now, what are the chances of getting a photo of the three of them where you can see their faces AND read the shirts? Close to impossible but the following will do!

Great of the shirts... but no faces.... This was the first time they were allowed to hold candy canes... which by the way they think are decorations! lol

Well, one out of three faces is a success in my book! (I am not Kathy Cole and can not perform miracles with a camera) And, I LOVE the look on Matty's face... Noah had just snapped his candy cane and you can tell that Matty is thinking.... YIKES... what's gunna happen next?

Can't Wait...

2009-11-16T17:19:00.003-07:00

I just can't wait to share these... so I won't! We had our families photographs taken yesterday by Kathy Cole - an amazing photographer - but more importantly a GREAT friend!!!! She sent us some sneak peaks of what's to come - I can NOT thank her enough!

2009-11-08T12:37:00.003-07:00

My client and NOW good friend Jenn nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger Award! I don't feel deserving but will play along and nominate some of my favorite Kreativ Bloggers!

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.

5. Nominate Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to those you nominate.

7. Leave comments on their blog letting them know you have nominated them.

Here's some tidbits you may not know about me...

~ I am a TRUE native Phoenician... born and raised... never moved away... although I have wanted to live in Texas since I was looking at Graduate programs... it was the first and only father/daughter solo trip I have ever taken with my dad and it is burned in my memory!

~I used to tease my husband that we would have twins someday... I wanted four kids and he only 3... so I used to tell him that we would have two and since I was in better with God - the 3rd time we would get two and I would have my four... God had the last laugh AND I am in FULL agreement with my husband... 3 is the PERFECT number for us.

~While I just said that 3 is the PERFECT number.... I have ALWAYS wanted to adopt a daughter from a different country. The idea of taking a child out of a non-Christian based nation and raising them so they would know the Lord would be AMAZING...

~I preferred fast pitch softball to dance when I was little.... and little has changed since then.

~I am a self proclaimed germ-a-phob! Seriously - I am obsessed with cleaning germs...

~ I LOVE Christmas music. When I heard it in a store for the first time the other day.... I ran home and started playing it... actually I have played it often this summer.... I only like instrumental Christmas music....

~ Some of my closest friends used to be students of mine at GCU! Definitely the BEST part of working there for 10 years!

AND MY NOMINATIONS GO TO:

Little Blue Boo (Um... you HAVE to check her out!)

Kathy Cole Photography (Phoenix's FINEST Photographer! and amazing woman of God!)

The Thoman Family Blog (Seriously - she comes up with the BEST crafts for her kids!)

Lovely Little Things (JJ Heller is a VERY talented Christian artist who dabbles in great sewing crafts too!)

I actually have a ton of people I could nominate but know some of them are VERY private... you know who you are.... I would have nominated you too!!!

The Thanksgiving Tree Returns!

2009-11-06T11:53:00.001-07:00

Seven Minutes....

2009-10-23T18:08:00.003-07:00

Not to be confused with the movie Seven Pounds...
Which by the way was good, but slow.
And a little depressing.

Which is NOT the mood around here AT ALL.

Try elated, surprised, delighted, joyful, ecstatic, and the list could go on...

BECAUSE....

Last night - Matty Moo and Addie RAN to their room and jumped in bed and went to sleep within about 20 mins.... they didn't get out of bed once and it was actually cute to listen to them sing and talk back and forth.

I could hear this over the monitor:

M:"Sissy"
A: "Moo Moo"
M:"Sissy, what doin?"
A:"Shhhhh sissy sweeping (sleeping)"
Silence.
M:"Sissy swing (sing)"
A: "Otay"
They then proceeded to sing the ABC's song masterly mixed with Skitter-ma- rinky-dink-e-dink AND Ole' MacDonald's farm.... The very first Egglet Remix....

So - what does this have to do with seven minutes?

Look for yourself:

Seven minutes into nap today - I snuck in to see this!

Precious, SLEEPING little toddies!

And yes, like Noah, they also INSIST on sleeping with rats!

Day one and two have gone SURPRISINGLY well....

And I am NOW a FIRM, FIRM believer in the power of prayer!

Operation Big Kid Bed is in Full Swing.

2009-10-22T15:06:00.005-07:00

It is day one of Big Kid beds for the twins.

We are 15 mins into the "new" arrangement and I have to say that it is going fairly well.
Yes, they are singing and not sleeping.
Yes, they seem to be exploring every nook of the walls surrounding their beds.
BUT,
They have not gotten out once.

Currently they are singing the ABC's and every once in a while I call out from the hallways where I am armed with my video monitor, my computer and a DIET COKE...

When I call out - they drop to their bellies much like those in boot camp.... who knew I am a drill Sargent.

They are putting their stuffies and blankies on the floor and then picking them up and putting them on their beds... stuff that will get BORING sooner or later... and not worth the fight today.

I am goaling at 1 hour of them being held captive to their beds.... if they sleep - AWESOME... if they at least STAY in bed today I will call that a success...

In the mean time - Noah Boy who has NOT slept during nap time at all this week - is SOUND asleep... through the banging on the walls, the singing, and the mom hollering in the hallway...

Figures!

*********UPDATE***********

40 mins in... a couple of SERIOUS talks and action later - Moo is STILL awake... He keeps getting out and when I go in - I get the BIG tears and a "yes ma'am"...

He is currently laying on bed saying, "Oh no, I stuck on bed" ....

At least this is semi - entertaining! LOL

********** UPDATE 2 ************

50 mins in - it got REALLY quiet... the monitor was hard to see so I peeked in... and this is what I saw!!!!! Whoo Hoooooo!!!!

Here We Go...

2009-10-22T10:56:00.002-07:00

This "scene" has already brought tears this am....

From both myself .... I can't believe the "babies" are this BIG already...
And from Moo.... he said, "No bed, where my crib?"

In true Addie fashion.... she ran in her room and said, " Big bed wike Noah" and laid down on it.... I had to pry her off while she was crying the whole time, "Me go nite-nite. ME GO NITE NITE!"

We are doing the mattresses on the floor for the first couple of nights... not for any special reason but that their toddler beds aren't here yet!

SO...
This morning we have been playing chase, dance off, ring around the roses, tag, and anything else I can think of to TOTALLY exhaust them. I figure if I get them good and tired - they will just lay down and SLEEP at nap time - ha!

Here's to day one.
Negative 3 hours and counting!

(PS - better pics will be coming - I only had my phone upstairs and was to lazy to get my big camera!)

42 Minutes Away...

2009-10-21T23:18:00.001-07:00

From the day we WILL transition to big kid beds...
And, I am dreading it.
I am sure I will have a TON of funny stories to entertain y'all in the next couple of days.

If I live through this experience - I will be sure to post them!

Until then....

Oh My!

2009-10-15T16:18:00.002-07:00

I knew this day was coming but really thought that it would be later rather than sooner...

We are about to transition the babies from cribs to BIG KID beds!

With Noah it was a piece of cake... like little Miss Addie - Noah leaned over his crib when he was about 17 months old and BAM fell out right on his head! Addie did the same thing this week while I was less than 3 feet away - getting some pants out of her drawer! She just leaned over and BAM....

I was nervous that Noah wouldn't stay in his bed and since the twins were only 2 weeks old - I was stressed that my little bit of sleep I would be getting would have yet another interruption.

The first nap time was a little rough - but he got the point quickly that getting out resulted in NOT such fun consequences...

And this is one of those times where I am going to say that the twin factor is going to amp it up a little...

TWO who are learning a new concept at the same time.

TWO who are in the 2's - and testing the waters.

TWO who can talk to each other and keep each other up.

TWO who LOVE to play together.

TWO who don't think the other should be sleeping in they are not sleeping....

And, since the only option is for them to share a room... we are going to have to tough it out.

So, I spent time this afternoon assessing the room to see the potential dangers.

Making a map of the new layout of beds, dressers, etc.

Making a list of the new baby proofing that will need to occur.

Mentally noting all the "toys" that need to find new homes for a couple of weeks.

And reading blogs and advise from other moms of multiples... which I must say was a MISTAKE as none of them had encouraging words....

And, adding this to my prayer list... which seems to be getting longer and longer as my kiddos get older! ~

I just ADORE these kids...

2009-10-05T18:57:00.003-07:00

I am taking some pictures of a GOOD friends kids this weekend so thought I would practice on my own! Talk about pressure.... (just kidding Mird)

Here's Noah Boy... 3 years 5 months old.... and FULL of facial expressions

Addie Mae... or Sissy around here... 2 years 1 month... full of energy AND spunk....

And, last but NOT least - Matty Moo - also 2 years 1 month.... the baby of this family!

It has REAL Meaning to Me...

2009-10-02T10:51:00.009-07:00

You either love them or hate them.

There are few who are indifferent.

They can conjure feelings of fear, disgust, and sometimes even prejudice.

Some use them to shock, some use them to remember.

Some use them as symbols of important things in their lives.

Are you curious now as to what I am talking about?

What could evoke such a wide array of emotions and imagery?

Tattoos...

See, as soon as you read that word SOMETHING popped into your head.

I already had several and VERY soon will be acquiring one more.

My first - I had done while I was in college. I went by myself - and told no one. I got a sunflower on my toe as a reminder that God's promises are in the places you are least likely to look. It was a summation of personal experiences I had struggled with while watching my dad go through and struggle with his new "life" with disabilities by a very unfortunate accident.

My second one is a variation of the Ichthus. The Ichthus is a fish which symbolizes Christianity. This is who I am... The Lord completes the sentence of my life - I am unexplainable and have no purpose without Him. I HOPE that people know that by interacting with me - but just incase - I wanted something to "tell" the world what I am all about.

My third one is a butterfly on my wedding ring finger. The butterfly was a intricate part of our wedding ceremony (turned comical too) and has a significant meaning to Wade and I and our journey into marriage together.

My fourth one is probably what I would consider my most intimate tattoo. The heart symbolizes my husband and I coming together to form our family. The swirl on the left is our Noah Boy. The swirl on the right that breaks into to is for our precious twins... Matt and Addie. The words coram deo have become an anthem to my life. I was introduced to it faintly in a chapel at GCU and then had some great conversations with Justine about it after she had the words "corum deo" tattooed on her.

Coram Deo - encompasses everything I believe about my faith. It is a reminder of who and what I want to be - at all times... I wish I could explain it and give it justice - but I can't - so I want you to read an article by Tim Challies. This article is what made me want these words incorporated in my new tattoo...

What Does "coram Deo" Mean?
February 23, 2009 @ 6:10 AM Posted By: Tim Challies

"The big idea of the Christian life is coram deo. Coram Deo captures the essence of the Christian life."

This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram deo is to live one's entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

To live in the presence of God is to understand that whatever we are doing and wherever we are doing it, we are acting under the gaze of God. God is omnipresent. There is no place so remote that we can escape His penetrating gaze.

To be aware of the presence of God is also to be acutely aware of His sovereignty. The uniform experience of the saints is to recognize that if God is God, then He is indeed sovereign. When Saul was confronted by the refulgent glory of the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his immediate question was, "Who is it, Lord?" He wasn't sure who was speaking to him, but he knew that whomever it was, was certainly sovereign over him.

Living under divine sovereignty involves more than a reluctant submission to sheer sovereignty that is motivated out of a fear of punishment. It involves recognizing that there is no higher goal than offering honor to God. Our lives are to be living sacrifices, oblations offered in a spirit of adoration and gratitude.

To live all of life coram deo is to live a life of integrity. It is a life of wholeness that finds its unity and coherency in the majesty of God. A fragmented life is a life of disintegration. It is marked by inconsistency, disharmony, confusion, conflict, contradiction, and chaos.

The Christian who compartmentalizes his or her life into two sections of the religious and the nonreligious has failed to grasp the big idea. The big idea is that all of life is religious or none of life is religious. To divide life between the religious and the nonreligious is itself a sacrilege.
This means that if a person fulfills his or her vocation as a steelmaker, attorney, or homemaker coram deo, then that person is acting every bit as religiously as a soul-winning evangelist who fulfills his vocation. It means that David was as religious when he obeyed God's call to be a shepherd as he was when he was anointed with the special grace of kingship. It means that Jesus was every bit as religious when He worked in His father's carpenter shop as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Integrity is found where men and women live their lives in a pattern of consistency. It is a pattern that functions the same basic way in church and out of church. It is a life that is open before God. It is a life in which all that is done is done as to the Lord. It is a life lived by principle, not expediency; by humility before God, not defiance. It is a life lived under the tutelage of conscience that is held captive by the Word of God.

Coram Deo . . . before the face of God. That's the big idea. Next to this idea our other goals and ambitions become mere trifles.

Good stuff - huh?

Happy Birthday to You...

2009-09-12T14:36:00.006-07:00

Can you believe it? Look who is about to turn TWO!

Miss Addie Mae...

And her little BIG brother - Matty Moo!

Our little twins may share the same birthday . . .

But, that is about it!

They may have been born at the same time - but God graced them with VERY individual traits and gifts and it is so awesome to watch them grow up together...

Yes, different indeed but a perfect compliment...

Like Milk and Cookies,

Eggs and bacon....

or Peanut Butter and Jelly...

Uniquely different - yet perfect together!

Happy Birthday Matty & Addie!

*as per previous post... the shirts were made by me by using the instruction from Little Blue Boo

* special thanks to Ally Stevenson for helping me capture this birthday on film!

2009-09-11T23:23:00.004-07:00

While we were in Sedona this past weekend... we attempted to get some photos of the twins. I knew they wouldn't sit still for those "2" year pics that you wish you had... so we went for the action shots. I will post more later.... but action is JUST WHAT WE GOT! We took them to Tlaquepaque - which is this beautiful area in Sedona....

Sounds familiar?

Yep! Same place that was covered in mud and water in a flash flood Wednesday!

Anyways - thought I would give you a sneak peak! The photo itself was taken by Ally and the texture and fun edits are something that I am learning more and more of each day! SO FUN!

All I can say is that the ONE and ONLY Kathy Cole is going to have her Sunday afternoon in November cut out for her! Think a photographer ever suddenly retires from certain families?

Cute and Fun Shirts...

2009-08-31T11:59:00.002-07:00

I am a BIG fan of JJ Heller's music and recently discovered that she has a blog http://thelovelylittlethings.blogspot.com/ that is all about her life and the FUN projects that she does.... She posted some things she has made recently for her adorable baby girl that I just HAD to try... so I followed her advice and went over to this blog http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/ to get some much need instruction AND some more ideas!

I have a friend who is going to take some pics with me this weekend in Sedona of the twins.... I want some pics of them TOGETHER as kind of like their 2 year birthday pics... but didn't want to take them to get the normal posed pics... who am I kidding... there is NO posing them anyways.... we will be doing family portaits with Kathy Cole in November - so this is like a dry run..

That is where the two sites I listed above merged into my quest for cute shirts that were similar but not too matchy matchy.... and I came up with the idea of a shirt that had a giant "2" on them.... So, I read through all the instructions and set out for JoAnn's Fabrics (and yes Chris that "fabrics" part was just for you~!)

Now, those of you who know me - know that I would never just stop at one idea... I have to go for the gusto... so I went looking for some red materials to make the tutu petticoat that Addie will be sporting in the pictures. And, then I wanted to find some Fall looking material for our TX trip to the Pumpkin patch in October.... Above you will see some of the fabrics I fell in love with.

After following the instructions... Here is the shirt I made for Addie... I LOVE it... so fun, so easy! And, to make the whole thing better - I found the shirts on clearance at Target... seriously paid less than $3 a shirt!

I couldn't let Noah be left out - so the boys have matching materials... you know this will be the only time the shirts will be in a picture together right?

Here's a peek at the shirt I made for Addie for the Patch~! Now, I know it will be cool in TX - so I am going to layer it over a long sleeve brown shirt! I LOVE this one too!

And, the others.... good thing we didn't have a fourth kid named Emily or something! I am making some more for the cousins in TX... the hard part now is deciding on the fabric! I love that polka dot pattern... AND... of course - I need to add a butterfly to the back side of Addie's shirt - prob on the lower right corner... just some flair!

Gas Gauge on Empty

2009-08-17T16:11:00.003-07:00

For the past few weeks I have felt like my "Empty" light is on signifying that the gas gauge is about to run out. The problem is I still have 1000 miles ahead of me.

Errands to run, groceries to buy, schools to check out, doctor appointments to make, meetings to go to, a checklist FULL of obligations.

And NO gas.

I am sure there are so many of you that are right there with me. It seems that with the end of summer comes an onslaught of things that need to be done. And, something told me that if I didn't find a way to re-fuel... there was going to be a broken down mom in the road. I am pretty sure On Star and AAA don't have road side assistance for a broken mom.

I've made a few changes and let some things slide and can honestly say that my fuel tank is at least 3/4 full! So my house isn't as perfect as I would like it to be. The kids may not get a bath EVERY night... but on the days when we don't even leave the house - is it that BAD that they don't? Even in "slacker" state - our house is still acceptably clean.

I have read more, relaxed more, worked out more, talked on the phone with friends more, enjoyed my husband more, listened to great music more, lighted the mommy guilt load more... and the list could go on and on. Just by infusing my life with a little more of the things I love - I have re-fueled and feel like I have more to give.

The tank is not yet full but it's no where near empty!

This Girl!

2009-07-19T12:01:00.003-07:00

Not kidding.
This is the after effect of ONE Oreo cookie.
Did she get ANY of it in her stomach?
Our boys would have had a CLEAN face after eating one.
How is it that our girl is the roughest, toughest, dirtiest, most active child?
Must be God's little joke on her very girlie mom who has to eat ONE piece of popcorn at a time because she can not stand to get her fingers dirty!!!

Family...

2009-07-09T21:25:00.002-07:00

Some girls want diamonds....

2009-07-02T14:41:00.004-07:00

But I prefer to get Arizona Jade rocks!

In all seriousness, my husband let me pick out some new plants AND some new rocks for our "dead" spot in our yard! We met Tuesday night and got loads of desert flowers to put all around!

Yesterday the kids and I went to the rock store and Noah helped me pick out and tag our very own Arizona Jade rocks! (He thought it was SO cool to write on tape and stick it to the rocks.) I have to admit when I walked into the rock yard with a double stroller AND a kid in tow - I got some funny looks from the men working the yard... who knew there were SO MANY different types of rocks! When we got there - they asked me the size I thought I was looking for- I looked at the scale rocks and said - prob one or two of the 200 - 300 pounders... they didn't seem impressed at my purchase and told me to look around and find the ones I wanted.

AND then Noah and I got a look at these 1000 and 800 pounders and fell in love! Guess it doesn't matter what kind of rock it is - we women migrate to the BIG ones! The owner came out after a while... think he was intrigued at a woman who choose to bring three kids along. He was the NICEST man EVER... we talked about his granddaughter who was flying in from TX that evening. Not sure how but we got on the economy and I asked how business was... When we went to check out he gave me HALF OFF! Sometime it pays (literally) to be chatty!

They were delivered a little while ago and Noah and I washed them off (I know - WHO washes their rocks!!~) and he helped me place the plants that need to get planted all around them! It was cute - he even told me which color to go where - I am not sure I would have done it the same way - but what the heck... he was so proud of himself that I am NOT going to change it one bit!

So now when I do the dishes - I have a wall of beautiful plants outside in the back and when we drive up - this is what greets us! I can see some jumping and climbing on these in the future while the kids are supposed to be getting into the truck!

Comments Worth Sharing...

2009-06-30T22:10:00.002-07:00

Here is a comment left by a friend who also happens to be a dietitian! She was responding about my blog on Kids and Veggie Consumption! She has some great advice and I think the thing that jumped out at me the most was remembering portion size with kids!

Check out Jenny's blog at http://thomanfamily.blogspot.com !

"Give them the protein and veggies first on their plate...and remember portion
size...their stomachs are the size of their fists.... so for example
carrots...give them 3-5 cooked carrots and let them accomplish that...they will
feel so good that they ate just that much. Have them finish their
chicken...remember again portion size....cut up chicken into small pieces and
put them on their plate. Then when they have finished all that....dish out the
fruit and bread...also watch the milk/drinking consumption...sometimes if the
little ones fill up on fluids, they won't have room for food....remember this
when you go out to dinner...when ordering, ask the waitress or waiter to bring
the drinks with meals, so the kids won't even have them in site to sip on.
Instead let them color or play tracing games on paper at the restaurant table. I
hope this helps and any time you have questions just let me know. Always
remember.....Lisa....Kids portions sizes are a lot different then adult portion
sizes...a lot of parents forget that and try to feed our kids too much."

Kids and Veggies...

2009-06-29T12:37:00.004-07:00

If your kids are anything like mine - the veggie fight is long and hard.

I have been using bits and pieces of that Deceptively Delicious cookbook - but frankly there is so much prep before you even start making meals that I have slacked some recently.

At Noah's 3rd year appointment - I told our Dr. about his aversion to anything green. Well, except for spinach or brussel sprouts. Or anything of the mashed kind - like potatoes... strange kid! He will eat sweet potatoes and carrots though. (The best part about Dr. V. is that he has kids the same ages so he is going through this at home too!)

Dr. V asked me what we were doing. I told him that I hide veggies in meals as often as I can. He told me to take the fight out of the experience. Just hide it as much as I can BUT always serve it to him. Just leave it on the plate and make sure that he sees his parents eating them as well. That last part is NOT a problem for me - I LOVE veggies and would have them all the time if I could. He also said - don't smoother in butter, cheese or other things or you have defeated the whole purpose... not so healthy anymore... said fine to dip but not drown in sauces. Shoot - I thought that was part of hiding them!

So, it got me thinking... how could I sneak more veggies in the diet? Well, here are some of the things I have tried lately that HAVE been devoured:
Carrot Raisin Muffins (yuck - but they loved them)
Zucchini Bread (today!)
Banana Bread
Pumpkin Squash Bread
Spaghetti Sauce - Homemade with pureed spinach and carrots.
Scrambled Eggs with Veggies hidden in them

I have to admit that I have gotten so frustrated sometimes that I have even used a dash of sprinkles to entice them to eat the veggies... do you think that would count as smothering them in stuff? Ha...

I think there is nothing more frustrating than trying to "make" someone eat something they don't like and seems like my three have the uncanny ability to make everything they have already consumed come up with whatever I was forcing down!

So, for now, I am becoming the master hider. I have learned to choose my battles. We don't eat out or at other people's houses often - so when we do - no forcing at all. They will eat what they will and we will leave the fights, fits and tears for the comfort of our own home. AND, I am learning that 4 -5 servings of fruits and veggies a day IS doable if you get creative....

And, I was pretty picky as a kid. I remember sitting for hours with a plate of untouched veggies... going to bed only to wake up in the morning to see them back on my breakfast plate. Talk about stubborn! I think I turned out OK... and now I love the green stuff so there is SOME hope.

If you have any ideas or suggestions - I would LOVE to hear them!

A Nice Change...

2009-06-28T21:26:00.005-07:00

Do you know what the best part of being an aunt is once you are a mom yourself?

Someone actually thinks you are cool and thinks you are the best mom... unlike your own kids who tell you, "Mom, You not my friend anymore," after receiving a well deserved time out!

Seriously, it is SO much fun to have you for a niece Bri - I Love You VERY much!!!

Thanks for all your help this weekend - you are welcome over ANY TIME!!!!

Amazing...

2009-06-23T23:15:00.004-07:00

Sunday our Pastor spoke about what it means to amaze God.

He had me with this statement... I KNOW and BELIEVE that I serve and amazing God but where was he going with the "I amaze God?" I know that we are created in His image BUT we are sinful and have free will which makes my attitude and behavior more often times than not VERY short of being amazing.

Now, because I have lost my edge - I did not have a pen with me - so I need to get the exact scriptures from him... but they were in Mark and Luke. (Two amazing books if you ask me). I am pretty sure I have have right scriptures listed below... but check it out for yourself!

He went on to explain that there are only two times in the Bible where God was amazed. In two different towns with two completely different types of people. One was in his home town (Mark 6:1-6). He was with the ones he grew up with and his family. He was with the ones who should have known him the best and believed in Him the most. But the scripture says, "6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

The second is in a town called Capernaum (Luke 7:1-9). There was a ruler who had a sick servant whom he loved. He asked his guards to go and get Jesus (the miracle healer) and bring him to heal his servant. Before Jesus even reached this ruler, he sent more people to Jesus to tell him that the ruler knew he was not worthy of Jesus and his home was not worthy of Him. BUT, that if Jesus would just speak the healing it would happen. At this Jesus said he was amazed by the faith of someone who did not know Him - but believed in Him.

Ever since the service I have been thinking... in which way is God amazed by me?

Is He amazed at my lack of faith. My lack of trusting Him completely.

OR...

Is He amazed by my unwavering faith.

I can't really say that I am in either camp. I feel my faith is real and that it is strong but how strong... I am not sure. In the day to day I lay things at his feet in prayer only to fall back into the traps of worry within hours or sometimes mere minutes after "giving it to Him". And at other times, I don't worry about things that maybe some would think that I should because I have a peace that my God IS in control and the outcome - no matter what - is His perfect will.

When I was pregnant with our son Noah, it was discovered early that he had a 2 vessel chord instead of the normal 3 vessel chord. It can be serious, it can be fatal. I was worried at first. I searched the Internet and read some medical books on the subject. I wanted to know what we could be up against and then I prayed that God would give me peace. There were moments - but they were few - that I was concerned... I just had a peace that Noah was never really mine and I had to trust that God would do with Noah what He needed him for. Everything turned out fine - Noah was and is healthy with no complications.

But my faith isn't always in that form and it should be.

I am amazed by our God and I want him to be amazed by me.

A New Book...

2009-06-04T19:47:00.001-07:00

If you know me, you know I love to read...

But, reading with three little ones is almost impossible. Lately, the kids and I have gotten into a really good routine AND if everyone takes naps AND I have gotten all the stuff I need to get done, done - I read while they are napping.... well, maybe not the WHOLE three hours but at least for an hour. I alternate between some great parenting books, devotions, or just a great book.

Recently I was introduced through my blog to a book called, "The Shape of Mercy". Now, I don't believe in chance occurrences or things just "falling" in your lap. But I am in no means dissecting the meaning to each and every daily occurrence. I just ask that God would keep me open to the things I am to be learning and help me to stop long enough to catch the message.

So, how does this book and a life lesson mix? Let me tell you.

I don't normally do this - but since I really knew nothing about the author or her style - when the book came in the mail - I read the comments from other authors to see if I had heard of or read any of them... I read the dedication (again - this may seem strange but you can tell a lot from a dedication... is it to the point and meaningful or a long list of toe smashers - what I call name dropping) ... and then I flipped to the Author's Note...

"A story about three women - all fictional - who wrestle with the concept that we tend to judge people based on notions rather than on truth, and without stopping to consider if we even have the right to judge them at all." (bold and italics for emphasis)

OK Lord, you have my attention!

This is something that I have be wrestling with for months! Quite honestly I have been on both sides of the fence - being judged or in a situation where someone I know was being judged to judging others. My own judgement could have been about little daily things OR judging those who are judging.

So, I quickly started this book - and from the first pages I knew I was going to LOVE it... I love anything that is fictional but based on life experiences... I love getting into their minds - or what we think their minds would have been thinking and feel a little of what their hearts were feeling... but most of all I loved what I learned about myself and how I need to ask God to help me cease anything that is NOT of him. I need discernment to know the difference between seeing that something is of Christ or is not of Christ and then need to leave it at that.

And, then I saw it play out in our playroom between the 3 year old and his little brother and sister... Noah saw something that Matt was doing to Addie. He knew it was wrong. That was good. Then he choose to go over and say, "No, no Matt. No hitting." Again - good - we need to hold each other accountable.

BUT, then he passed judgement and decided that HE would be the one to punish Matt. He hit him. And crossed the line. You see it is MY job to judge the behavior of Matt and determine the allowable consequences. (Notice I said allowable consequences - I don't believe that God punishes us - but he does allow the consequences of our sin.) I appreciate that Noah knew the difference between right and wrong and I want him to apply that knowledge to his own life but He is not the Father (or mother) and should not be choosing the allowable consequences that is the job of the parent.

And, that is where I need to be with my Heavenly Father. I need to know between what I think would be His will and what is not. I need to act accordingly in my own life BUT I should not be judging or passing out what I think are allowable consequences. That is the role of the Father - not of me and only He knows what consequences are appropriate - to turn that heart back on His path. This doesn't mean that we become lukewarm to what is wrong - we need to hold each other accountable but we should do so in love and if they choose to continue - we may need to limit our contact but we should still LOVE and show respect to that person. Let the Father do the rest...

I don't want to give away the book... get on Amazon, go to Borders, Barnes & Noble OR better yet - find a local independently owned small mom and pop bookstore and REALLY support the heart of the economy! (Sorry, enough politics) ... but it is AMAZING...

I read it from cover to cover in 3 days... and that NEVER happens anymore. In fact one night Wade climbed in bed while I was reading and when he got up to shower for work the next day - I was reading... now, I didn't read all night - but as soon as I woke - I grabbed the book and read until the kids got up!

I love that God gets my attention and meets me where I am at. He knows I have been struggling with this for some time and I wasn't stopping long enough to listen to His message... so He sent me this book!

Thanks Sooz!

Cute Idea...

2009-06-02T20:39:00.002-07:00

This is Belle (or Belle Belle as Noah calls her!) Belle just turned 6 and I just HAD to share this birthday tradition with you...

Whit (her mom) makes her breakfast in bed! Is that NOT JUST THE GREATEST IDEA? I love birthdays over any other holiday for kids because it is all about them. I love all other holidays too but in our house they are more about the Christian element - what they really mean - and not the society's definition as present holidays...

Take Christmas - I don't think it should be overboard... I think a few gifts and not even BIG ones... Easter - sure do egg hunts and little baskets - but I really want it to be about the reason and not so much the greed... BUT... don't get me wrong - we celebrate with the fun stuff - just not the gimmie, gimmie, gimmie....

But birthdays are totally different. It is a celebration of life, accomplishments, and WHO the person is. That is why when I saw this picture - I had to share...

This breakfast in bed was complete - with flowers, chocolate chip pancakes, presents, the WHOLE thing! And Belle could not have loved it more... It was the FIRST thing she told me about when we called... and you can see that she had gifts. The very fact that she was made to feel special made the top of the list before any gifts and I just think that is the coolest thing EVER.

AND, with having twins - I think it is even that much more important for us to celebrate the individuals... It is SO cool that they were born together but I want to always remember that they are independent of each other and deserve the spotlight individually as much as they get it for being twins...

Thanks Whit for the fab idea! I love it and can not wait to make it a tradition in our home... good thing it is not breakfast in the crib! Ha... think we will start with Noah's 4th and go from there!

Not Me!

2009-06-01T09:08:00.002-07:00

If you are not familiar with Not Me Monday - or want to see all the Not Me Monday posts from today - click here.

Here's my Not Me for this week...

When I first read about Not Me Monday I most certainly did not think that I would NEVER be able to come up with something...

At 9:05am this morning... I DID NOT sit down at my clean kitchen table - listen to the washer going and think to myself... "What in the world am I going to do today?" Nope, not me.... why would a mother of three ever wonder if she was going to be bored for the day....

Five minutes later Matty Moo DID NOT take a taste test of his sister's arm. My kids would NEVER bite each other, especially when I am sitting less than 5 feet away! And I did not react louder that I should have... Not Me - never!

This weekend I DID NOT open the pantry to discover that SOMEONE had put the milk in the pantry and the Cheerios in the frig... NOT ME...

I am SO cool...

2009-05-30T16:17:00.003-07:00

But, I really can't take the credit... a good friend of mine is jumping ship and moving to Italy... it has nothing to do with who is running our country - it's for a job.

Anyhoo... since she loves shoes and great handbags more than she loves to talk to her friends in the States on her cell phone... she got Skype... and convinced me to do the same.

I have to admit the very fact that Oprah uses it daily on her show annoyed me enough to rebel against it... not that I watch Oprah everyday...

Anyways - I signed up and it is SO cool - free calling or video calls to anyone who has it... are you kidding me... nothing is free anymore AND it is helping me keep in contact with a good friend and hopefully family too - come on Gae - I KNOW you want to get it!!!! (hint, hint)

SO, here is to all the money I am going to be saving while STILL keeping in contact with my friend... we can even use the video part to show each other the shoes we will STILL be buying at Nordstrom's with all the saved funds....

OH WAIT... you won't have Nordstrom's in Italy - oh well, you can see all the shoes I WILL be buying with the saved funds! And, I have a closet to house them in too... one thing the pres hasn't been able to take away or make smaller .... YET.
Ha....

My Princess

2009-05-25T10:26:00.002-07:00

Words just don't describe this little ball of energy! She is such a joy...

She is the perfect mix of girlie and tough! I just love her!

My Boys...

2009-05-18T16:03:00.005-07:00

Where are my "baby" boys? Both of them are growing up before my eyes! The older Matt gets the more I am SO glad that they boys were NOT the twins! We would have had a hard time keeping them straight!

Tired of the Fight...

2009-05-14T21:07:00.002-07:00

So, our oldest is three.
Terrible Two's - we breezed through them and I think I got a little OVER confident about my parenting skills. If the past year was "terrible" I'll take it times 10.

Then it happened.

Noah was 5 weeks from turning 3 and all of a sudden...

The kid who ALWAYS goes to bed without so much as a peep - now cries and tries to negotiate a potty break, a sip of water, one more book, a hug from dad (which is the MOST successful plea I might add) or anything else that he knows will buy him a few more minutes with us.

The kid who has slept through the night since about 4 months old (of course there are exceptions for teething and illness) now wakes up at least one time a night scared or worried about where his mommy is.

The kid who used to at least try new foods will now sit for an hour refusing to eat something that he used to love. Not kidding, tonight he sat at the table from 6:30pm - when we all sat down to eat until 8pm when the timer went off for bed time. All he had to do to get down was take 1 bite of apple (which he has been known to eat a whole one and then ask for more) or one grape. He had already had 5 naked chicken nuggets and some milk but would NOT eat fruit.

I have pulled out all the stops, I am reading every book, I have tapped into all my mom and non-mom friends for advice...

And I am tired of the fight BUT I am not going to let go. I want a child who obeys and is healthy. I want him to choose to do right - not just because he is told so but because in his little heart he knows it is right.

I just started a new book - Don't Make Me Count to Three and so far - I can relate to the author (always a plus) and I really desire the outcomes she says you are sure to see. The book was recommended from a friend who I love and respect highly and she said it has helped with her 3 year old...

While I am tired of the fight - I will not give up. My kids are only 3 and 18 months but I can already see so much potential in who they can become. They are each unique and wonderful and I want to make sure that I teach them about God, about respecting others, loving others and being good people. Those four things will get them farther in life than any amount of money, any degrees they earn or any accomplishments they make.

Any fun stories, comments or suggestions are welcome! I love to hear it all!!!!

Funny kid...

2009-05-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Noah was eating breakfast...
Yogurt, o's and some apples.
I left the skin on - for once after seeing that Libby can eat it...
He took a bite and said...

"Wook, Belle Belle and Wibby sent me some apples."

I asked him how they sent them. He sat there for a second and said...

"They text me apples on my iphone."

Wouldn't apple be so impressed?

A Little Behind...

2009-05-13T15:52:00.003-07:00

Sorry - I COULD NOT RESIST - the title or the picture...
And, I am a little behind.
We just got back from the most amazing family vacation to Texas!

Someone picked out his very first pair of boots...
And has to wear them ALL the time!
Shirt or no shirt.
Pants, shorts OR under ware...

To have the fashion blindness of a child.
The pure confidence to wear whatever, whenever.
To play like no one is watching (much less taking pictures!)

Noah will be updating his blog very soon with lots of pics from our trip! I will try to let you know when he does!

Trapped...

2009-05-04T14:46:00.002-07:00

Help! I am trapped in a room between two sets of sleeping kids and can't escape! Guess this is one of the hazards of being a mom on vacation! ha...

Actually the quiet is AMAZING... almost as great as the hosts we are staying with!

Texas is amazing... and what they say is true - everything is bigger in Texas...

It's not just a storm - it is a tornado watch....!

I think the sister in law got a kick out of my VERY city girl questions about tornadoes two nights ago... think we are expecting more storms this week and I will be like a Texas pro now and not even think about that National Weather Alert Alarm sounding! (yah right!)

Well, I jinxed myself - Addie has finished her nap I guess.... two out of three isn't bad!

My Noah Boy...

2009-04-16T18:14:00.003-07:00

I was uploading these pics from out little outside adventure on the swings today and thought to myself...

When did my toddler become this beautiful little boy?

It is so exciting to see him growing up before my eyes.
A little more independent each day.
A little more feisty, compassionate, loving, sharing, talking, learning...
A little more of everything each and every day.

But there is one thing that will never change.
He will always be MINE!

A Little Mishap...

2009-04-05T20:21:00.002-07:00

Do you ever find yourself in quite the situation because you didn't give your kids enough credit?

Well, Wade and I found our self in QUITE a position today because we did not give Noah enough credit.

Lazy Sunday... Wade didn't have church this am - so we decided to walk up to the bagel shop and have an awesome Sunday breakfast in the BEAUTIFUL weather...

As I was loading Addie in the stroller - Wade walked out with Matt. I was almost done hooking him in when I saw Wade standing in the garage with a STRANGE look on his face. Calmly he said - "Well, Noah locked us out."

"What?" (me...)

"He's locked us out."

"What are we going to do? Where are your keys? Did you lock the back door when you let Daisy out? You NEVER lock that door - it's not locked right?" All said a little loud and very fast.

"I am sure I locked it. And the keys are in the house."

He tries to tell Noah to unlock the door. Doesn't work. So we didn't give him enough credit that he would lock the door on us - BUT - we are giving him credit for not being dumb enough to unlock it to people who sound pretty pissed off...

I run around to the back door. I can NOT believe that Wade remembered to lock that door... why would there be a first when we needed it to be the other way for once?

It is locked. Deadbolt locked.

OK, think. Stay calm. Sound chipper and fun. Smile.

"Noah..."

knock.

knock.

knock.

"Mom. I locked the door."

"I know. Can you open it?" (In a disgustingly nice voice - dripping with sugar)

"No mom. It locked."

"Can you unlock it?" I can hear him messing with the knob that has the child lock on it... "No Noah - not the knob - can you reach the lock... It is SO high - can you stretch SO high?"

I can see him reaching and trying to unlock it but seems that the locking movement is easier than the unlocking for an almost 3 year old...

Finally - I hear a faint click - and I open the door....

He is jumping up and down -

"I did it! I did it MOM!"

Yes, yes you did and now you are busted...

So, we had the talk about NOT locking doors and how naughty it was. He was in tears and very sad that he was in trouble and was NOT allowed to bring any cars to breakfast...

Later today I asked him if we lock doors... he was quick to say, "NO!"

And then he looked at me and said, "But mom likes it to unlock!"

Yes Noah. Yes I do!

Thank goodness this happened when Wade was home and when the babies were NOT in the house with him... I can think of taking diapers to the trash, watering the trees, running to grab the ipod from the truck... all the little two second times that I run out - never suspecting that I could be locked out...

Never underestimate an almost 3 year.

AND, have a back up plan that does not include the closest spare key being 25 minutes away!

There is nothing better....

2009-03-29T22:49:00.001-07:00

than a church BBQ - unless it is a church BBQ and your dad is the drummer!

Sweet Sunday Mornings...

2009-03-29T11:31:00.004-07:00

There is NOTHING like a lazy Sunday morning... Unfortunately we have had too many of them forced upon us since Addie had RSV and is not allowed to go to nursery - which means mom is not allowed to go to church! We have really enjoyed our lazy Sunday mornings but will be back at church soon!

We are going to a BBQ tonight to watch Wade play at the night church. I didn't feel like dressing and re-dressing kids all day - so I declared a PJ day... and that includes me! It feels great... but Addie spilled and then Matty spilled - so we regressed to just diapers... then Noah stated that he wanted a "naked tummy too!" So, Noah is in his mini- tidy whitey underwear and the babies are in their diapers and there is NOTHING sweeter than seeing them run all over the place!

I couldn't resist snapping this pic of little Addie Mae sitting in her upside down chair... both she and Matty have decided that they like to sit in them this way better!

For everyone praying for Jett... keep praying! They had to remove about 1/3 of his intestine and he will be in the hospital for months - possibly 6! Pray for mom and dad and brother too! I will keep you posted but the family really, really, really appreciates all the prayers!

Life is Precious...

2009-03-26T22:10:00.004-07:00

I don't have to tell anyone reading this that life is precious - but I do think that we sometimes fail to remember just how precious it is!

Our cousin had a baby today who has had some complications and needed immediate surgery.

Baby Jett is in critical condition and needs your prayers!

I don't have a lot of details.

There is a mom who is crushed. Who has just given birth and experienced the best and worst day of her life all at the same time.

There is a husband who is hurting and wants to make it all better - but he can't.

There is a big brother - who is not so old - who probably doesn't understand really what is going on.

There are a lot of unknowns...

BUT, I do KNOW this...

There is ONE God who knows it all. He knows how this is going to play out. He knows how the story began and where it will lead. He knows how many hairs are on Jett's little precious head and HE knows exactly what little Jett needs.

Please keep Baby Jett and his family in your prayers...
Please keep the doctors and nurses who will be providing him care in your prayers.

Thanks to each and every one of you! You are an amazing bunch of friends!

A Date with Noah!

2009-03-20T09:58:00.002-07:00

Wade and I are starting a new thing this weekend. We are going to take Noah on a "date" with mom and dad. I had a pastor who used to talk about the importance of taking your kids out individually and I always thought it was a cute idea.

But, when the twins came along - I did not realize how much I would miss the little things with Noah. Don't get me wrong - I love going places as a whole family - but whoever is "working" with Matt and Addie ends up missing the precious moments with Noah. Wade and I trade off who is on twin duty - but then we miss sharing the things with Noah together and forever play catch up telling stories.

Noah's just at a different stage - he is learning and amazed by everything. It is fun to see things through his eyes for the "first" time. The twins are still into the snacks on the tray more than what is beyond the stroller. They are still fun but it is work to keep them entertained and you miss out on all the rest.

So, this Sunday will be the first Mom & Dad Day with just Noah... we are going to breakfast and The Thunder in the Desert (Air Show at Luke Air Force Base). I can't wait. Wade always gets Noah the BIGGEST cupcake at Wildflower BEFORE breakfast comes... Noah thinks it is SO cool to eat a cupcake before your eggs! I love it - it is just so cute. And, Wade will get to see the sheer joy in Noah's face when he sees the jets. We go see the jets practice once a week but dad always misses out because he is at work.

So to Pastor Tim - thanks for the message years and years ago before I even appreciated it. And, I really think that it is just as much for Wade and I as it is for Noah. It is fun to steal glances at each other smiling at the fun things he says and does.

I can't wait to do this with each of the Egglets!

It Finally Happened...

2009-03-16T16:28:00.002-07:00

I knew it was going to happen someday...

I am actually surprised that it has not happened yet - seeming that I have an almost 3 year old and two 18 month old babies...

It was Sunday and I have to take blame for part of it. I realized too late that we were almost out of milk and diapers... two things in this house that you DON'T run out of.

Wade was playing at the am church and since Addie has a couple more weeks before she is allowed back into the nursery - we fly solo on Sundays...

It was 11am when I made my discovery - so I thought - no biggie - we will just head over to Costco for a quick diaper and milk run.

I know, you already see part of the problem don't you. There is NO such thing as a quick Costco run on a weekend... and usually with three kids - there is NO such thing as a quick trip anywhere.

So, I changed diapers, took Noah pee pee and loaded the Egglets in the truck. We even stopped at the John Deere Tractor lot to count the tractors (Noah's FAVORITE thing to do).

I should have known things were going south when the twins started fussing while I put the Floppy on the cart. By this time it was 11:30 - precariously close to lunch (noon) and an hour from nap time. I grabbed the secret stash of teddy grams and felt that I was armed and ready to go.

We stopped by to see Sally at the Photo Center - she has been a family friend of mine for YEARS (34 to be exact). Noah loves to show her the hot wheels he brought AND give her a kiss... we were quick as I told her I was expecting a melt down from Thing One or Thing Two.

We grab the HUGE box of diapers times 2 (a month's supply) and head for the milk. A really nice lady offers Noah a sample of soup (which I ate because he would NOT eat soup...) and we are like a bullet to the milk. Noah spots the freezer section - and DEMANDS to walk into the cold room.... so, like a good mom, I comply.

The stocker at Costco was right in the middle of the isle so it was hard to navigate around him and the million other shoppers (he must not have kids...). I am not sure what exactly happened but I hear scrapping and Noah starts to cry. I realize he is kissing his hand and notice that CHOMPER (Matt) has struck again. I scold Matt and get Noah out of the cart to let him walk to get away from "HIM".

We are not in rush mode to the checkout... when Noah spots THE coolest book ever... I try to just keep walking - he just got a whale at Target on Monday - he is NOT getting something every time we go out...

And it happens...

He yanks his hand out of mine and throws himself dramatically on the floor while yelling at me in a voice that I am sure is out of some horror film...

I am almost frozen...

My PERFECT child is throwing his FIRST full blown fit in public...

We have had tears before. Maybe a little louder of a voice than normal and even a sit down but never the screaming, crying, throw yourself on the floor kicking kind of tantrum.

I have to admit that my first response was to look at him with that "Where is your mom and why can't she control you?" look. Hoping no one would realize that he was with us... but quickly realized that the gig would be up when I pick him up.

I stoop down and in my calm (fake) voice tell him that we need to go and the book will be here next time.

SCREAMS... I WANT MY BOOK.

I make things worse - "It is not your book. It is Costco's book."

I WANT THAT BOOK!

I scoop him up and look for the shortest line all the while telling him that this is NOT nice and he needs to have a happy heart.

I am NOT kidding - he looked at me and said, "YOU not nice mom. I be happy heart with my book." I laughed (come on - it was funny) and realized that he is SO much like me...

You know, you look at that nail polish (fill in the blank) and think - I have had a rough day and that will just make me feel better, prettier, whatever.... point aside... I was SO embarrassed.

BUT, I won. We don't own the book. We are not banned from Costco.

I have lived through my first full blown kid tantrum in a public place.

And, I lived.

30 Days of Dinners...

2009-03-11T10:52:00.003-07:00

For those of you who know me or even used to work with me...
This is NOT going to come as a surprise.

I feel like I make the same things for dinner week after week... yet I know that I make more than 5 things... and I am SURE that Wade would like more than the same 5 things over and over. AND, changing the spices or the veggies on the side DOES NOT constitute a different meal.

On a blog called Simple Mom - she mentioned that she plans out two weeks in a row and even has them scheduled on her calendar... that is AMAZING but I am not at that level yet.

So, I made a 30 day generic calendar in Word and have it completely filled out...
Some of it was really easy -

Sundays - Wade always brings home Pizza for Noah and I after he plays drums at the night service at our church... so that knocked off 5 days... only 25 more to figure out.

Saturdays - we almost always try to go out to dinner as a family... what once used to be a leisurely time is now probably the fasted turned around table in the whole place all night... I am sure the servers LOVE us... we are a table of five - we leave a huge mess but a tip that says "sorry"... I feel bad but then think - I do this all week and I have yet to get a tip from any of my kids! (Well, that is not completely true... I do get the most amazing slobbery wet kisses!)

Thursdays - Wade is usually at band practice for the Sunday church we attend... so I keep it easy with sammies... sometimes I am even too lazy to make those - I just grab whatever while I clean the house.

So, I am excited to start it next week - mid cycle as we are mid-month... We will NOT have the same home-cooked meal for 30 days...

I will keep you posted... if I get really Type A about this - I may craft up my grocery lists by week... the ingredients will be the same - just the lunch, breakfast and staples will change... easy enough.

I am sure some of you are totally thinking I am a freak... but my goal this year was to enjoy my kids and the few moments I get for quiet time... if I organize the stuff that HAS to get done and get into a routine... the more free time I have for my kiddos and myself...

AND, I am pretty sure that having a home cooked meal for the husband every night shows him that I love him and want to spend time eating with him too! Last year I did the same thing with the laundry and the chores - and weekends really have become NO LAUNDRY / NO CLEANING family days - it has been great!

Caffeine and Kids DON'T MIX

2009-03-09T19:59:00.007-07:00

Now, before you snap to conclusions...

I DO NOT, I repeat, I DO NOT give our kids caffeine. I am not judging anyone who does - it is not any of my business. But when you have three kids who are as active as mine - you DO NOT give them caffeine.

So, how then do I know that kids and caffeine don't mix?

It's Monday - Target Day. (Yes, that is in capitals like it is a holiday - when you have three kids our ages - getting out the door and successfully doing anything like a "quick" Target run is something to celebrate).

Like usual - I have the list in order of the store set up. I have the coupons already paper clipped to the list and I have a surplus of snacks loaded in the bag.

After scrubbing down THE mother load cart and loading the twins - I realize that the cart we choose (only because it was in the parking lot) had a broken seat belt strap... so I hold Addie and leave Matt and Noah in the cart, push it awkwardly into the store and repeat steps necessary for sanitation of a new cart. I manage a semi-successful transfer and off we go.

If I am lucky - I can stretch the Target run into a blissful hour of cruising through the store at a speed that tricks Matt and Addie into believing that we are in constant motion - yet slow enough for me to gaze at all the items I could convince myself that we NEED.

As usual - stretching the trip means that the last few isles on the list are at a break-neck speed as to avoid a meltdown. You know you are in trouble when the BEST snacks are being pitched...

We approach the checkout and I instantly feel sorry for the nice older man who has asked if he could assist us today. I make a joke and he says - "I had 8 kids of my own - there isn't anything they could do in line that would bother me."

I am NEVER shopping another Target. I make a mental note to always look for his line on Mondays.

I promise - we are getting to the caffeine part.

So, I am masterfully putting items on the belt, mentally making a note if there was a coupon that was to go with it and handing snacks to Matt and Addie who are facing me in the jump seats. I am reaching over Noah who has his back to me as he is in the cart seat kind of listening to his jabber.

A couple of times I hear,
"Mommy. Mommeeee."
I didn't really pay attention to the question that followed. I was now almost in panic mode. I could feel the stress level rising and the sweat starting to bead as I am trying to avoid the meltdown. With twins - you never know who could blow but we are almost always guaranteed a sympathy cry from the one who didn't originally melt.

Before you know it, I am finished paying and loading the cart. I reach over and tousle Noah's hair and comment on how proud I am of how good he is being. He didn't even ask for the toy whale that I got suckered into buying... should have been a RED flag.

I start out the doors pulling the cart from the end. Noah spots two policemen and says,
"Thanks for keeping us safe."
Something we say in the car when we pass them on the road.

My heart melts and after a few seconds of talking to the police "guys" I go around to the front of the cart to continue out.

AND... that is when I notice that Noah has my "bubble drink" (AKA - Diet Coke) in his lap.

Oh No!

It is EMPTY... I know I had not had much of it because who can take three kids with the monster cart into a Target bathroom? I have to pace myself - usually enjoying a majority of it on the way home as a sort of celebration of a successful (or completed) trip.

I laughed it off and thought in the future I should make sure I listen to what he is asking AND answer...

It wasn't so funny this afternoon when his nap time became a jumping, talking, singing, playing fest in his room. I guess I can't complain - he still took a 1 hour quiet time - it just wasn't so quiet.

It was another one of those - Practice What You Preach - moments... I am always telling Noah to listen and pay attention. Guess I should take heed of my own advise.

Football...

2009-03-04T14:19:00.003-07:00

Ok - I like football. I am not a die hard fan but I like it.

I like the Cardinals... I did and have before they went to the Superbowl this year...

And if you don't believe me - ask Wade who would get their face painted with a cardinal everytime we went to a game!

Today, as I thought I was going to catch a few minutes of the Doctors on TV while all three kids were sleeping... instead I realized that my show was being intrupted for a press conference with Kurt Warner.

Not impressed. When I am mopping the floor - a press conference on football siging is not really my thing. I would rather gather more useless information on medical stuff (I know - I am weird).

And then Kurt Warner says "God".

My head whipped around and I sat down to hear what he had to say. In summary - the media was asking why AZ when SF was offering so much more (money I assume). Kurt says on TV in a live interview that he and his wife wanted to be open to where GOD WANTED THEM... He wanted to make sure that they followed where He was leading them so that they could do whatever He needed them to do. They felt that even though the money and opportunities might have been more elsewhere - they really felt that God was being clear that He wanted them in AZ.

I can tell you know that I have more respect for Kurt Warner than EVER before.

Is he a great football player.... YES!

But I was so impressed that he shared the REAL reason he and his wife made the decision they made. It takes someone who is real and real in their faith to say that on TV. It isn't always the popular thing to claim your faith and admit that it was the primary reason for making whatever decision you make.

He didn't care what others thought - he was real and he was honest. I was impressed that he said it was a family decision made in prayer. I was impressed that he did not get up there and say "I decided". "I felt"... instead he showed the many who were watching that he makes decisions prayerfully and as a partner with his wife.

It is so refreshing to see someone in the public eye - showing a positive way of living instead of being reported for drinking and driving, fighting, drugs - whatever.

I will forever be a fan!

Seeing Spots...

2009-02-26T21:41:00.003-07:00

OK - I have to admit - when we found out we were having B/G twins... I was a little perplexed at how to decorate their room... I know, I worry about the dumb stuff... So - we just painted a red stripe around the room to match their farm bedding... kinda generic but worked for both sexes.

Well, that bedding has come and gone since they can't have bumper pads... they just use them to climb out... and since Addie's crib spindle broke (we are waiting to see if the company is going to add her crib to the 250,000 cribs on the recall list this year...) and she is in a pak-n-play I decided it was the perfect time to finally complete their room...

So what do you do for B/G twins? Well, ever since they were born - my mom has teasingly called them Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat... so I decided to go whimsical in their room with dots, stripes and framed pages from the Cat in the Hat book...

I have an AMAZING friend who paints customs everything - and I am going to enlist her in making custom signs for over their beds (which will be sooner now thanks to the crib issue).... she made them a growth chart and some letters for their bathroom that I will be posting pics of VERY soon....

So, here was step one of the polka dots... I needed the perfect size dot... the carbon monoxide detector was the PERFECT size! Ha ha... So, I drew and drew, and measured and drew.... and then stopped measuring - who is going to notice if they are off a little and I don't think I know anyone brave enough to mention it if they did notice!

And here is day one of painting... this may take a while... I have the smell-less, vapor less paint they sell now and sneak in while they are sleeping... AND... I forgot that when you paint dark on light... it is going to take a bazillion coats! Noah LOVES the circles and wants them in his room... ummm.... NO! I did let him help me paint a few of them... I know all mom's think their kids are amazing - but this kid really is great at painting.... and he loves it!

Day Two... Not too shabby - you can really tell which are 1 coat and which are 2 coats... think they will have to be 3 coats total! There is one more row of dots at the bottom but I need to tape it off to do those and always forget before the twins go down for their nap.

So, once this wall is done - I can move the dresser back over - anchor it to the wall - put up the hutch that got taken down because the cribs had to be separated due to a very accurate arm (Addie and her throwing things to wake up her brother) and I will be able to start on wall #2... I am hoping to have it done before we venture to TX in late April... we shall see!

I guess the only question I have now is...

WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

RSV Quarentine Boredom...

2009-02-20T15:17:00.004-07:00

OK - now that Addie is NOT allowed to be in any nurseries or around kids under the age of seven until March to mid-March...

Momma is going a LITTLE cookoo...

I mean come on - after 7 months of this last year - I got a taste of freedom and adulthood and was enjoying weekly outings to Bible Study and to Kate's Cup...

AND, I was even enjoying a random visit now and then to the gym. (Now you KNOW I needed to get out after last winter if I say enjoy and gym in the SAME sentence.)

So, what do I do when I start to get bored of the same ole, same ole?

I cut my HAIR! Yup - below are some before and after pics... I am loving it one second and then not so sure the next minute... the color is a lot lighter and will get even lighter in the next couple of days...

I guess I am doing my part in America to cut expenses - one bottle of shampoo and conditioner is liable to last 3 months now! Ha...

Before with Matty Moo's new hair cut... I am starting to get the knack for cutting his hair!

Another before... thanks mom for taking the pics!

After! Oh my gosh - I have NO hair! Like I said - I love it and am a little hesitant about it at the same time... it goes along with me mission to get healthy this year!

Tah Duh! I LOVE the back...

3 AM

2009-02-17T21:43:00.003-07:00

It's 3 AM - Who are You?

Have I lost you already?

Stay with me. I am in a new Beth Moore Bible Study and as always it is amazing...

When I do these studies - they stretch me to think about the Bible like I have never thought before. The WORD becomes alive. It jumps off the page and seems to make sense and resonate in ways that it didn't before. God has truly blessed that woman with a gift of teaching AND delivery!

So, in this new study - she talks about being the same at 10AM as you are at 3AM.
Here's my own part... being the same at 10AM - in a clean house - there is no laundry - the kids are all playing AND sharing. You had a shower and look amazing... you know - that 10AM... compared to a 3AM where the baby is puking on you for the 6th time and this time it got your sheets AND your hair... that 3AM...

It got me thinking...

Am I the same when "no one" but the kids are around as I am when I am talking on the phone to a friend I haven't talked to in a while.

Are you tracking?

"Noah - please stop pulling your sister's hair, we are nice in the Egglet home." (On the Phone)
vs.
"NOAH! Stop pulling your sister's hair NOW. I mean it or you are going into time out... NOW, I said NOW." ( OK - this was just for example - I NEVER do this...)

I know that right now - I am NOT the same at 3AM as I am at 10AM - even on the worst day - I can bet that my 1oAM is always better than the 3AM. Don't feel like you need to verify with Wade - he would just bust up laughing that you even asked!

SO, why is this important? Carry it over into your spiritual life and relationships with people. Are you the same always - or do you have the "public" face and the "real" at home person. Now, to an extent - I am sure that we all morph a little in public (and might I add - that prob saves a lot of people from road rage).

But are you who you are at the core at all times?

She really got me thinking... are some things OK with certain friends or certain family members that I would or would not do in front of others? If I answer yes - sometimes they are different - I need to re-evaluate who I am at the core and make sure that I am consistent - AT ALL TIMES.

We hurt people when we are inconsistent or mold into something we think they want or need us to be. The truth is God made us how we are and we need to be just that. If we are true to him and stay true to character - life will be filled with a lot less drama and a lot more amazing relationships!

Like always - I am learning I am a work in progress!

Preschool?

2009-02-10T09:19:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I found myself in SHOCK...

I spent about three hours on the phone checking out preschools!

Can you believe that it is time for my Noah Boy to start preschool?

Once again I find myself in new territory... here are a couple of things I learned yesterday.

1. NEVER think you are WAY ahead of the game plan when it comes to applying and registering for preschool. The first place I called - I mentioned that I was playing it safe by calling so "far in advance" for next August. There was a very awkward silence on the other end of the phone followed by, "Well, actually ma'am.... the application process is already in full swing and since it is a first come first serve - you are already two weeks late!"

2. Don't assume that two day a week preschool is standard. I had the attitude that since he will only be 3 in May that he would ONLY do two days a week. I was met with MANY reasons why he should do at least 3 days but they strongly suggest 5 days! I can tell you the number one reason they want my kid five days a week... he will be accompanied with a very GENEROUS check!

3. It is NOT nice to LAUGH when they tell you the price. I know this particular school is great but lets just put it into perspective... the cost of 5 day preschool is 1/2 of our mortgage EACH YEAR... I guess we can cross off "being the President of the United States" dreams for our kids... NO, wait - I am SURE President Obama didn't go to this preschool!

I already knew where I really wanted him to go - but felt like if I did not at least do some research - that I was making a decision with my heart and not my head (not the first time, I'm sure).

So, tonight - I am going to Open House at Northwest! I am excited and a little weirded out by this whole thing. I can not believe that my Noah will be off to preschool next year! I may feel differently once he starts - but I don't find myself sad - I am so excited about all that he is going to learn and about all the new experiences he will have.

Am I sad that he is growing up? NO.

I AM sad that it seems to go so fast.

I always try to remember what a very smart and wonderful woman told me one time about her kids... "It shouldn't be sad to see them grow up - that is the purpose of parenting. Be excited about all that they are doing and encourage them to try new things and travel to new places - just keep the communication open - AND - remember - where ever they land in life means another vacation spot for you! (Thanks Penny!)

Funny or Not?

2009-02-05T21:08:00.002-07:00

OK - so the closer we get to "three" the more I am learning that I have A LOT to learn about dealing with toddlers! Noah is usually the sweetest boy ever but he is a lot like his mom and dad and when he makes up his mind - there is little that can sway him!

So, hard for you to believe I'm sure, but the other night - he threw his cup at dinner because it was empty and I guess he forgot how to ask for more. He was excused to TIME OUT. He was very vocal about what he thought and even tried to get dad on his side - but Wade just pointed and said - "Now" in that really cool and scary dad voice!

When he got to the TIME OUT spot, he decided to show how mad he was. He started banging the wall and kicking some innocent toys that just happened to be in reach. I told him if he did it one more time - he was going to get the spoon.

He just looked at me and kicked his Little People Farm. I got the spoon and took care of business. I was expecting the dramatic screams and HUGE tears... but instead...

Noah turned to me and with the snottiest tone and look that I have ever seen from him said,

"THAT DID NOT HURT."

Man, he has A LOT to learn... you never, ever tell the person who is still holding the spoon that it didn't hurt.

It was one of those mommy moments where you know you should be furious but are laughing your butt off inside. Dad wasn't doing as good of a job holding in the laughter!

RIP

2009-01-23T18:01:00.003-07:00

OK - so after ELEVEN years...
My computer died.

I was so sad - I could have cried.
My father-in-law mentioned about 6 months ago that he was surprised that it was still going. Which made me start thinking that maybe I should back stuff up. So I got an external drive and pretty much did everything through it. SO, Thanks a TON Pops! It really didn't just stop - the A/C adapter broke so after trying three different cords... I had to give up and get a new computer. Man, HP lost their shorts on our last purchase!

Today - my husband took me out to get a new smart little laptop! It is the cutest thing ever - AND - it has a battery life.

SO - the updates will be coming fast and furious now - I can actually get my computer on and will be able to get my pics off my new camera that I got for Christmas! I am so excited I can not wait!

But for now - I need to get back to feeding the Egglets... there looks to be more food on the floor than could possibly be in their bellys!

DAISY.... CLEAN UP!
(Who needs a sweeper when you have dog?)

Blessed...

2009-01-18T15:54:00.003-07:00

So, yesterday, I had a facial AND a pedicure...

It was the first pedicure I have had since September and I don't think Veronica - the nail tech - was impressed with the tiny amount of red I still had left on my two big toes...

Christine and I decided that we would rather spend a few hours together than buy each other gifts for Christmas and I must say that this ranks up there as one of the best decisions of our friendship.

They always say that you make lifelong friends in college... In our case I think it should say "Lifeline" friends. There is no better cure for anything than a talk the phone with a treasured friend. My husband is technically my best friend for more reasons than I could ever list but there is one thing that he will never be - and that is a girlfriend. There are just some things you share with a girlfriend that resonate in ways that they never will with the husband!

SO, yesterday - I had the best day of the year. We laughed. We relaxed. We smiled. We shared. We just hung out and now have fab toes! And, I might say that both of us look at least 10 years younger with our re hydrated facial skin! :0)

Thanks Chris for sharing your day with me... I feel like I can face HOURS upon HOURS of squealing kids, food thrown all over the floor and of course all the sweet smiles and giggles from the Egglets!...

This might just be our PERFECT Christmas gift!

A New Look for a New Year...

2009-01-14T23:16:00.002-07:00

At least I got it done in January - that is all I can say... I am not sure how many posts or blogs I will be able to complete before this trusty, beloved computer finally says goodbye...

A little about the new look...
I wanted something fun and vibrant and I LOVE anything that Melissa Bennett makes by way of digital scraping kits....
The "Material Mommy" as istock calls the cartoon was not for the obvious reason of the love of shopping... I actually wanted to put something on there that kinda represents the independence I am gaining back now that it is getting easier and easier to get out an dabout with all three kids... I still get the stares but have even gone out twice in one day...

For anyone who is laughing at that right now... come on over. Leaving means - 2 diaper changes - 1 two year old potty break, stocking and grabbing diapers, sippy cups, paci's, the beloved rat and a few toys for the ride... then it means latching in three - unlatching three and getting out the stroller of all strollers...

Twice in one day is now the milestones by which I manage my life! But I wouldn't trade it for the world!

post signature

Christmas Still Really?

2009-01-11T21:29:00.004-07:00

This Christmas look should have been gone WEEKS ago.

I know. I know.

It is even more pathetic knowing that I have a side deal re-creating blogs.

Do I have a good excuse? Well, I am not sure if it is a good one - but it is the only one I have. The days around the Egglet house have just gotten, well, how do I say this, more interesting?

I wanted to wait until the twins were 18 months to grant them their freedom, but Addie Mae had ideas of her own. She decided if I didn't let her out, she would just bust out. Shoes or no shoes, upset or just looking for a little fun - this monkey will just NOT stay in the octagon anymore. I wanted to just let one out at a time - it is so much easier and since Addie is more stable on her feet (she has been walked assisted and unassisted since 9 months old) and since she will just climb out unless you get her out - I wanted to start with her.

Then SOMEONE - who shall remained unnamed (MOM) let Matty Moo out to visit with his Great Aunt and Uncle and now he won't have anything to do with extended stays in the Octagon.

Now, it is STILL up and will remain up until I can trust them alone long enough to take Noah to the bathroom OR long enough for me to run to the bathroom myself! Addie may be 13 before that level of trust has been reached - but it is her reputation - not mine...

Speaking of freedom... Noah was 18 months old when he "graduated" from the Octagon... he actually moved into a big boy bed at 17 months old and we figured if he would stay in his bed - he was probably more trustable around the house... Looks like I have about 2 more months until we THINK about moving the twins to "Big Kid" beds and ONLY 9 more months until I attempt potty training for the second and third time...

Noah has us spoiled. He is an easy kid. He has his moments - what kid doesn't... but I think we are in for a MUCH different experience the second and third time around...

There are days where 2000 college students seem SO MUCH EASIER...

Just Watch!

A New Christmas Tradition...

2008-12-18T11:01:00.003-07:00

Now more than ever, I really feel blessed. I have a WONDERFUL husband (even though that message probably doesn't get to him as often as it should), I have 3 very unique and amazing kids. I have the world's best dog (only after hearing stories about my sister-in-law's dog has Daisy been moved up to world's best dog). We have a great house that is perfect for us. My husband has a great job and is so blessed to work with family. I am able to stay home with our kids... although I really have a WHOLE new appreciation for mom's who work for more than one reason.

And, this got me thinking... Our kids have SO much and they are about to get SO much more... Christmas is fun and special for us because of the circumstances we have AND because we have so much family. So, I have decided that a new Christmas tradition for me is to go through EVERY toy bin, EVERY closet, and every cupboard BEFORE Christmas. My goal is to simplify and get rid of the things that I just hold onto because society says "More is better." The Bible is VERY clear that we can not take the things of this world into eternity. So, why is it that I place such value on stuff?

I have completed my closest. The kid closets. The hall closet. The chest. The kitchen. But, yesterday I went into what I affectionately called "Toy Hell" for about 3 hours. Just before the kids went to nap, I took every toy, every stuffy, every book - EVERYTHING, and put it in the middle of the floor in the family room. I put the kids down for their naps and prayed for at least two hours (I got THREE!)of uninterrupted sort time. I made a pot of coffee and got out the peppermint mocha creamer. I put on 'The Holiday" movie and got to sorting. I sorted & sorted & sorted. Broken toys were tossed. Toys the twins have outgrown were put in the Goodwill pile.

I got a little wistful at the things that are so sweet but no longer hold their attention. And, instead of holding onto the items - I remembered that I have the photos and the stories in albums and don't need to actually keep the toys.

Two hours later, it was done. I had completed the task and have plenty "empty" bins to fill in the future. I am taking the items to Goodwill tonight on the way to see the Christmas light display at Community Church of Joy. In these hard financial times, it makes me smile to think that someone who is pinning to get their kids some great toys but have little money - will be able to find and purchase the treasures that my kids once adored. And it warmed my heart.

Sometimes it is hard to give things away - memories, guilt - whatever the reason. But this season I have realized that it is SO rewarding to be able to be blessed enough to give away!
This entire basket is FULL of toys that other children are going to love and cherish as much as ours did!

Maybe I am Missing the Point.

2008-12-10T22:13:00.004-07:00

There are FEW things that really get me flustered about having twins but here are a few of the daily "things" that get me right now.

BATH TIME: How in the world are you supposed to bathe three kids under the age of 3 in the tub and remain sane? (To all the smart Alec's out there - YES - I am well aware that it was a CHOICE to have this many kids this close - but maybe we didn't consider all aspects first!)

MEALS: Again - how in the world are you supposed to feed two starving babies ( one who is QUITE vocal about not getting his food in his mouth in a timely manner) and supervise the nutritional content of the two year old's plate... without getting food all over the floor, under Addie's bum (and therefore staining her clothes - do they make bibs for butts?) and all over the table?

And then it hit me... not just that I am SO blessed to have these kids - but that God is SO amazing in His plan. Two seats won't fit in the tub at the same time and still allow Noah to get in. And, if Noah isn't in - there is NO bath time - he is the KING of baths. It is not uncommon for him to have a shower in the morning and a bath a night... he is SO Wade.

But, as I was bathing the three tonight - it hit me. Addie WILL NOT sit in the tub for longer than minutes - she wants to get in and get out - she doesn't scream or get upset - she is just over it and out of there. (Seat number two would have been a waste of money) She stands up and almost climbs out herself. The miracle is in how God made her - she is busy, busy, busy - but will still as still as can be if Diego or Veggie Tales are on TV. So I put her in the holding tank and she is as happy as can be. Moo Moo on the other hand - could stay in the tub until his skin shrivels up! He loves to stay in and play which is perfect because I need him to stay in his tub seat as I dry and dress Addie on the bathroom floor (inches from Moo).

Then at dinner tonight - I was disgusted at Addie and her eating manners. She now will not have anything to do with a spoon or anything on it. She wants to put the food in her mouth - BY HER SELF! It is just gross. The kids had Mac-n-Cheese tonight (Noah's request). Matt can't get the food in his mouth fast enough and is just like Noah in the sense that he WILL NOT get his hands dirty... so I have to spoon feed him. Normally, Addie shoving fist fulls of mac-n-cheese in her mouth with her hands sends me over the edge. I just think it is SO gross... but then I realized - I really can't feed them both with out someone constantly crying in between bites... and that is NOT a peaceful dinning experience.

Isn't God awesome. He knew how many kids I could handle (Suz - you must be amazing) and he knew just which personalities I needed...

I wonder how wrapped up I am in complaining about other stuff that I am missing the perfect design of it all...

Egglet Posts

2008-12-02T22:40:00.003-07:00

Don't miss the new updates by Noah - there are about 10 new ones since Sunday! He is catching up from a busy November! Just click the Noah's Update Link to the left!

Bye, Bye Thanksgiving Tree

2008-12-02T21:19:00.004-07:00

I didn't think I would be this sad to turn our Thanksgiving Tree into our Christmas Tree... Noah pretty much summed up my feelings... oh to be two and have no editor and NOT care to have one!

As I started to take the leaves off the tree, Noah just stood there and stared at me. After I had quite a handful I walked them into the kitchen and put them on the counter. I went back for the rest and when I turned around Noah had a handful of them off the counter and was trying to place them back on the tree. The cutest part was as he "hung" them he said, "Thank you." Made my heart smile - I know he doesn't "get" this project yet - but some part of it sunk in...

I reached down and took the ones he placed on the tree off again and said - "we have to take these down now. It is time to put up the Christmas decorations."

And a flood gate opened. You would have thought we had misplaced a prized race car. He sobbed and sobbed and told me he didn't want the leaves to go bye bye. I told him we would make a book out of them and that we could read them every night. It didn't work.

And then I remembered - Noah had a new coloring book from his Christmas with his cousins last week - I ran and got it and God was smiling down on me because the first page I flipped to was a Christmas train. The tears instantly stopped and he colored while I took down the rest of the leaves.

So the leaves of 2008 rest in a neat little scrapbook. I have to say, this project makes me smile. There will be something about going through the book year after year, reading the things our family and friends are thankful for. Some are practical and funny and some are just plain sweet. BUT, all of them are definitely things that we can all be thankful for! I can't wait until the kids can look back at what their great aunts and uncles, Great Nana and Great Papa, Nana, papa X2, Gram and the rest of their family and friends had to say!

Another Rough Day...

2008-11-28T16:27:00.002-07:00

Sheesh... can't this guy catch a break? Or better yet... can't his mom keep him safe? Just before we were heading to Wade's parents for a little early Christmas with his sister and her fam... Matt fell once again and gave himself a fat lip. This one made Sunday's look like NOTHING...

I do have a good excuse though. I was loading the highchairs, presents and misc stuff in the car to get all 3 of them loaded to meet Wade and his family. It was in one of the trips to the car that the accident happened... so I am not sure how it happened but Addie was as far from Matt as she could possibly be and she looked shocked... if I was a betting woman - I would bet she had something to do with it!

The true miracle was that there was NOT a DROP of blood on his freshly pressed white shirt that was KEY for the family photos... oh well, if it had gotten some blood on it - it would have matched the red, white and jeans theme! Ha.

Rough Day...

2008-11-23T15:42:00.003-07:00

Well, Moo Moo has had his first ever bloody accident and it was a BIG one! He was reaching for a hot wheels and that belly of his must have made him a little off balance... WHAM ... right onto his chin...which sent all four of his bottom teeth through the top lip! Poor Guy!

His top lip is SO swollen that you can' t even see the bottom lip... I am sure it hurts but MAN is he cute!

Addie did a great job of cheering him up and getting his mind off of it! They were laughing, holding hands and pitching Cheerios off their highchairs like NOTHING happened!

Giving Thanks...

2008-11-19T20:57:00.002-07:00

So, many of you know that we are doing a tree of Thanksgiving this year as a start to a new family tradition... and it has been nothing short of awesome. It has been so much fun to see the leaves come in from different people and really fun to see some of the things that they are thankful for...

I may have to argue with some of them... hands down toilet paper IS something to be thankful for and I must say that it is something I take for granted... but the vacuum? I am struggling here with that one... yah, yah, modern connivance but I really HATE to vacuum...but Wade loves it and is OBSESSED with the whole line thing - another reason why we are a match made in Heaven!

It is definitely something that we will do over and over again - and next year (thanks to Ally) we will probably have a theme... I know some of you would just say the same thing again - so we will come up with a theme each year... maybe list something you are thankful for that has wheels... or list something that uses electricity that you are thankful for... or list somewhere in the world that you are thankful for and why... or list something outside that you are thankful for.... this could be good...

So, this little tradition is going well... the Christmas tree is up... the house is decorated for Christmas as of today - the monitor is purring piano Christmas music and I have started some Fall baking... I love Christmas and kinda wish Easter was this big of a deal... without Easter - where would we all be? Maybe I will start an Easter tree... ewwww.... hard boil eggs hanging from a tree for 30 days.... MAYBE NOT!

Don't get lost in the "stuff" of the season!

Merry Christmas

2008-11-09T17:20:00.003-07:00

Ok - Since I do blog make-overs on the side... I thought I should give myself a little facial for Christmas (since getting real facials went away when I had kids...) AND... decided that I needed to design my page instead of hosting a desing by someone else.... Not that it wasn't GREAT because it was BUT come on!

Enjoy my Christmas look! I already have the Christmas music playing around the house - the tree is up - even though it is a Thanksgiving Tree right now...

Needless to say - I think I am already driving Wade nuts...

About two more gifts and I am done with the shopping too! Whoo Hoo... this Christmas season I am determined to ENJOY the season instead of getting lost in the craziness. I'll let you know how that goes...

SIDE NOTE: Special thanks to Melissa Bennett who allowed me to use her kit - It's a Wrap for my blog... she is considering allowing people like me to use her kits for commercial use. If you are a digital scrapbooker - you HAVE to check out her designs... they are AMAZING! She's featured at the Sweet Shoppe!

A Tree of Thanksgiving...

2008-11-03T22:06:00.002-07:00

OK, I know many of you are going to think that I have totally lost it... but we put up our Christmas tree yesterday. BUT... we are starting a new EggeBrecht tradition! We will have a Tree of Thanksgiving from November 1 - December 1st and then it will morph into the traditional Christmas tree...

So, here is how it works. I cut out a million leaves (can't wait until the kids are old enough to help with this part of it!). We are mailing them out to friends and family. The idea is that we want people to write what they are thankful for and mail them back. As we get them in the mail - we will read them and talk about them...

I know our kids are a little young - but heck - Wade and I could use some reminders of things to be thankful for too! My hope is that as our kids grow up, they will see all the great everyday things that people are thankful for. Who knows, maybe some of the things that people will write down are things that we don't think to be thankful for! We will read them at dinner - pray for the people who sent in the new leaves and hang them on our tree!

I must say, it is really fun to look at our "Tree of Thanksgiving" with it's autumn colored ribbon, brown tree skirt (sheet) and white lights... Made me think a couple of times today of things I am thankful for! Too bad it takes a tree to remind me to stop and be thankful!

That Noah...

2008-10-31T00:45:00.002-07:00

So, our Maddie in Sedona had a birthday today too (just like her Uncle Wade). Well, on Monday the gift that I was late in shipping was on the kitchen counter. Noah had not even showed the slightest interest in it at all...

I went up quickly to drop (I literally mean drop off with lightening speed) Addie in her crib for her nap... When I came back - the present is on the floor OPEN...

And Noah, with those HUGE precious eyes surrounded by those great lashes (another question for God - why do all the guys get the GREAT lashes?) is looking up at me with the saddest little look...

"But mommy," with tears springing to his eyes...

"I don't like dolls."

And I thought he felt bad.

Priceless.

2008-10-21T12:46:00.002-07:00

Ok... I know it has been FOREVER since I posted but there are some good and some not so good reasons...

The Good Ones!
1. I have found the most amazing group called Kate's Cup on Thursdays! It is at the church where Wade drums every other Sunday with his cousin Eric... So, Kate's Cup is a network of moms who get together to eat, talk, have a devotion and then learn how to take care of themselves or their families better. The first week was on exercise (hmm... are some of you wondering why I stayed?) and the second was on accidents that happen to our children and how we need to focus on the gift that they are AS well as let go of some of the guilt that comes along with being a mom. The people are AMAZING. . . the food, well food is always good. . . but most importantly - it is an out for me that I was desperately seeking! Oh yah - and the kids LOVE the nursery program... Noah even made a new best friend - Jack - who I had no clue was the bass player in Wade's band's son. (Read that 6 times.) The only draw back is that it is 41 miles from our house to their door... yes, that means that it is 82 miles round trip... hmmm.
2. I am still involved in and enjoying my Wednesday Bible Study but the homework has been keeping me busy. It is about the power of a woman's words and we are learning how to use that power for positive instead of negative - to share Christ through our everyday words... maybe that is why I have not written much - ha ha... learning to hone in on those words!
3. My blog business traffic has increased... I am working on an everyday AND Christmas design for a woman in IL who randomly found my site... kinda cool! It has been a fun design to work on in between meals, diaper changes, laundry and naps... whew... I am tired just writing about it.

Bad reasons:
1. Time management... need I say anything more?
2. Over scheduled... we have been SUPER busy as a family - dr appts (well ones), church, zoo trips, birthdays, outings, etc.... while all those are AMAZING things - the fact that we are letting some stuff slip is not so great.
3. I have a TON of fun stuff to post for Noah on his site and the sheer amount of things to report on and post as pics has made me procrastinate.... so here I am writing here on mine instead... lol

Anyways, there are some amazing things that God is working on my in my heart... I will post more soon.

Do You Share Your Faith Regularly?

2008-10-07T15:45:00.007-07:00

I got an e-mail today from a friend... Kristin, thanks for caring enough to ask me this...
Below is the question she sent me for her small group she is leading and it got me thinking... so here is the question and here was my response....

Kristin: Do you share your faith regularly?

Me: Now that I am "growing up" I find that I am sharing it more and more... however, I am ashamed to say that I sometimes get embarrassed or if I am in a hurry and know or sense that the other person is NOT a Christian - I hold back... which is horrible... I am trying to find a balance... I am just trying to work it into my life - much like talking about my kids or my husband... example - yesterday the cable guy (yes, this is true not a "funny" made up to make a point) was here fixing our cable... we got to talking about our kids and he was telling me that his daughter is a biter... I told him that my son just got bit two weeks ago at church(don't worry Amy, he doesn't know Maylee!)... he laughed that it was at church and started talking about where he goes to church - in the past I would have just said in nursery or daycare and not mentioned church... and the sad thing is that it would have limited what he could share about his family and what God is doing in their lives...

I think the one thing that I am learning is that my relationship with Christ should be a constant communication with HIM... not just scheduled prayers, devotional time or church on Sundays... it is in the car, the shower... I try to "call" HIM first with exciting news instead of rushing to call Wade, a friend, my mom or whoever I can get a hold of... much like our relationship with HIM... how we talk about HIM to others should be the same.... if I am living "in HIM and HE in me" sharing my faith regularly becomes the very act of living. I can not live a day without sharing Christ if HE is truly living in me and I am living in HIS will...

Christ can not live within me if I am not loving others... Christian, non-Christian, whatever race, religion... whether someone is a friend or a foe... I have to love them all as Christ loves them... it really doesn't matter how I see them or how I feel that I have been wronged by them... I need to choose to see them as Christ sees them... a child of God, created in HIS image... forgiven, like me, for whatever sins. I have to separate myself from the role of judging and take on the role of loving unconditionally, in ALL circumstances....

What about you? Do you regularly share your faith? Comment back...

PS... want a GREAT read... get The Shack... it will knock all your conventional thoughts and questions you have about God how he can "allow" evil out of the water... it is a MUST READ for every Christian out there!!!

In This World but Not of This World...

2008-10-07T10:41:00.002-07:00

As a parent I have a new struggle...
How do I raise my kids in this world but not of this world?

As a Christian, I want to uphold the values of Christ. I want their "world" to be focused on Him, what he gave us and how that impacts theirs lives...

And, I want a "normal" childhood for them as well...

I want them to dress up for Halloween in costumes that are appropriate for their age AND our beliefs. I want them to see Santa and have that innocent fun that comes along with sitting on his lap and asking for treasures.

BUT, I want them to KNOW the real meaning behind things. Knowing the meaning behind things will mean explaining that witches and spell are all wrong and not of Christ... but that dressing up in fun, going to a festival or trick or treating is OK.

I want them to learn from the start that Christmas is about the birth of Christ... I want them to enjoy his birthday and learn all about the journey that Mary and Joseph had. I want them to learn about the stable and have fun thinking of all the animals. I want to have a "birthday party" for the Lord with cake and the whole thing. I want the tree, the stockings, the gifts... but I want the focus to be on Christ.

So, as Wade and I start more and more family traditions, I want to be mindful of the thin line between being in the world and of the world. As I hang spider webs and plastic spiders (yes, I am taking one for the team and actually hanging plastic spiders everywhere) I am enjoying seeing Noah smile and point out the decorations. At Thanksgiving, I can't wait to decorate and teach him about being Thankful to the One who made all of this possible... And Christmas, I can't wait to celebrate a "big party" as Noah calls birthdays...

I want my kids to have a "normal" upbringing with a very Christlike view. I want them to decorate and have fun with the holidays - all of them - but want to make sure that we teach them what they are about... and as for holidays like Halloween... I want them to have fun. It IS OK to dress up, go to a festival, or trick or treating, or to a party... as long as that it ALL that it is! As their parent, it is my responsibility to make sure that their costumes are appropriate and fun... it is my responsibility to teach them right from wrong and while I want to shelter them from everything that is bad and wrong - I believe it is my responsibility to teach them to learn discernment so that when they are no longer under our wings, they will be equip to use what we have taught them.

I would love thoughts and comments... And, as for the pumpkins... The one with the two bottom teeth is our Addie - that is her signature smile... The larger of the three with one tooth is Noah - we didn't think that kid would EVER have teeth... and the one with four teeth is Matty Moo - he has SO many teeth - he got 8 at once!

New Kathy Cole Originals!!!

2008-09-26T17:04:00.012-07:00

Whoo Hoo! More Kathy Cole photos!
This was CRAZY to get three kids 2 and under to coorporate...
but Kathy is AMAZING...
The best part of the pics are Noah's whitie tighy underpants...
And the tattoos! Noah gets to choose a Monster Truck or a tattoo for pooping on the potty...
He had two succesful days prior to the photo shoot...
It is classic...
And, yes, that IS Dad's drum in the pics!

Mirror, Mirror...

2008-09-18T19:29:00.002-07:00

Last Friday night Noah decided to spike a fever of 105.3 - just randomly. Before you freak out - he is my high fever kid... he runs these ridiculous fevers and never has anything else...

SO, after Motrin, a HUGE sippy of ice cold juice, and a Thomas frozen boo boo pillow - I threw him in the tub. He couldn't have been happier... he could splash, play an sing in the tub for hours...

It was kinda relaxing - I was just sitting there with him watching him make believe with his cars and letters when out of the blue he said,

"What you hear?"

One thing you have to know about Noah is that he doesn't want you to answer - he wants you to ask him the same thing back... so I said,

"What do you hear?"

"Daisy barking."

I listened and sure enough Daisy was barking AGAIN. Our neighbors were moving out and had locked their vocal wiener dog in the backyard. Apparently Mick (the dog) didn't like being out there while his possessions were being boxed and moved... so he had been barking all day. Which meant Daisy had been returning the conversation ALL DAY.

My pink cheeked fever boy then said, "Shut up dumb dog" in a voice straight out of Poltergeist.

Shock mixed with stifled laughter made it hard to choke out the next words...

"Noah did mommy say that today?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well, mommy shouldn't have said that today. That is not nice.

"Shut up dub dog not nice?"

"Yup, that's right. Shut up is a mean word and so is dumb. Mommy should NOT use those words."

"Mommy time out?"

"Yes, mommy should go in time out."

My kids are a reflection of myself. I am learning that what goes in is coming out and I don't always like what I "see" through his eyes...

Party of Three... Wait - Party of Five!

2008-09-13T14:06:00.004-07:00

One year ago... the Eggebrecht - "Party of Three" became - the "Pary of Five"...
It has been a heck of a year and it is so hard to remember the munchkins being THIS small...

There isn't much to say on this post - just marveling at the gift of life that God has given to me - both for my own life and the three little ones that He has entrusted to Wade and I while we are here!

Enjoy the pics but try NOT to stare too much at me... Hey - after 5 weeks of bedrest and major surgery - a girl's got a pretty good excuse for not looking so hotte!

One Year Ago...

2008-09-12T11:18:00.003-07:00

One year ago I was HUGE! No really, I was 34 weeks, 3 days pregnant with twins. I was on bed rest (my 5th week) and sulking because it would be my birthday tomorrow and I wanted so desperately to go out one last time before the twins came.

I was excited because I had special permission to go to dinner for my birthday and it was ALL I could think about.

I was on medication every 3 hours to make my contractions stop...

Wade was at SALT (a ministry that used to be at Canyon)...

7pm - My contractions were pretty consistent and not painful, but also not a walk in the park.

8pm - Time for my next dose of wonder drug.

9pm - Contractions are every 5 mins but still not "hurting" bad.

10pm - Contraction STILL every 5 mins and starting to get a little rough.

11pm - Time for my next dose of wonder drug... called the Dr... said to see if the next dose worked - if not come in. I went to bed...totally willing this all to stop because I did NOT want to have them yet.

2am - Woke up to my alarm for my next dose of wonder drug... smiled to myself - "It's MY birthday!"

4am - Woke up to pretty good contractions. Crap. I really want Los Dos tonight... something tells me I won't be getting it!

4:15am - Wake up Wade and tell him we might need to head to the hospital. Wade's response? "Ok". Rolls over and falls back asleep.

4:25am - Go downstairs. Check hospital bag, pack Noah's bag. Leave instructions for Wade. Pick up a little bit.

5am - Take next dose of wonder drug that is not so wonderful anymore. Read and count contractions.

6am - Wade's alarm goes off.... tell him he might be missing work today... he looks at me funny - obviously when I woke him in the middle of the night - he was NOT awake...

6:15am - Wade is rushing around and saying let's go... I answer, "I need to take a shower and do my hair, and call my parents, and get Noah ready. Wade seems stunned.

8am - Load a sleepy Noah, our stuff and head to mom and dad's. Wade's parents would load up to pick up Noah so my parents could come to the hospital if needed. Take next dose of wonder drug that is NOT working AT ALL.

9:15am - Sitting in Labor and Delivery - waiting for someone to give me magnesium again to stop labor and send me home.

9:30am - Dr asks me how I feel about sharing my birthday...SHARE WHAT?

9:45am - Confirmed that I would be having these guys today... casually ask what time about... in 45 mins! OH MY GOSH - Call my mom and dad and tell them to GET TO THE HOSPITAL!

I don't remember much after that. It was a blur and a rush. By 10:34 and 10:35am Addie Mae and Matthew Douglas had entered the world!

AND I NEVER GOT LOS DOS! Ha!

So, tomorrow I turn 34 and the twins turn 1. (And we have Kacie - the world's best babysitter - coming so that we can go out to LOS DOS!) Birthdays and age have never bothered me. I don't care how old I am - maybe someday I will - but it doesn't bother me at all...

And this year - it REALLY doesn't bother me... I consider the signs of aging my proof that I made it through a year with twins AND a 2 year old! I have earned every spot that doesn't look like new skin, I have earned this new wisdom I have about juggling and balancing, I have earned the laugh lines enjoying my crazy life and I haven't just earned this mom's figure - I worked hard for 9 months to get it this way - ha ha!

For this next year - this is what I want for my life...

I want to be easier on myself. I want to enjoy what I have instead of constantly trying to fix what I don't like.

I want to enjoy every day that I have with my husband and kids more intentionally.

I want to keep getting to know my mom the way I have this past year... not just as a mom but as someone I could not imagine life without.

I want to keep being creative - dumb crafts, blogs, scrap booking, etc.

I want to keep establishing new traditions with MY family!

I want to keep learning more about the God who made me in His own image!

This is What Being a Mom is About!

2008-09-03T21:40:00.003-07:00

Tonight I am baking cookies. It is great. I have music on (BarlowGirl - Kathy you would LOVE them if you haven't heard them), the oven going and a house full of sleeping angels... (They are always angels when they are sleeping!).

I am baking cookies for a family birthday party we are having for the twins on Saturday. It really isn't a big deal and is more to say "thank you" to the people in our lives who were critical in helping us through the first year with twins AND another one 15 months older!

There are so many things I love about being a mom, but planning and celebrating a birthday for them takes the cake. I love the decorating, cleaning, preparing, planning. I love the goodie bags, the cake baking, the hustle and bustle. I love getting the camera charged (like it wouldn't be) and making sure the video camera is ready. I love shopping for the perfect gift for the perfect kid and wraping it.

As I sit here typing, waiting for the timer, I realize that the reason why I love it so much is because every second of the planning makes me more and more grateful that I have these lives to celebrate.

They told us we had an 80% chance that one would not survive past week 12 of the pregnancy.

I had some complications with the going into preterm labor starting at 24 weeks and had to take medication every three hours around the clock to keep them in as long as I could.

They came four weeks and 4 days early without a complication in the world!

I am here planning their party.

I am here decorating their cupcakes and making goodie bags.

And I am marveling that God picked me to be their mom. I am so thankful that the tablet of their life had this year and I pray that it will have many more.

Nights like tonight are one in a million!

Failed The Test...

2008-08-29T11:30:00.002-07:00

I wouldn't normally admit to this - but I have failed a test! I failed it pretty bad... now, I am full of excuses, but even though some of them are pretty good ones. I failed.

Wednesday night I thought out wood floor in the hallway to our living room looked funny. I mentioned it to Wade and he thought it was strange but we both moved on.

Thursday morning - I get up with the kids like always. Get bottles, sippy of milk, let the dog out and start the "stuff" for the day. I let the dog back in and notice that she dripped slobber on the floor. I am a little ticked - I must wipe up the slobber like 15 times a day in the summer. On my way back from wiping up the slobber, I notice more...

AND THEN IT CLICKS...

The dog is upstairs and has not been back to this "weird" looking spot on the floor. WAIT a minute... it is a much larger section of floor that looks funny AND there is more water when I step on it.

Wade is already gone for work - so I do what I do best when stressed.... I panic.
I am thinking "What in the world am I going to do dealing with a ruptured pipe while watching/chasing/feeding/wrestling 3 kids 2 and under?"

So, I do what any housewife would do - I called Wade.

He rushed back - turned off the water - yes, I know how to do it now and helps me figure out what we are going to do with the three kids while we have no running water in the house. I call mom, Jake (Christine's husband who is in the construction remodeling business with his dad), and the leak detector guy (whom Jake recommended). We call the insurance company and the contractors who will repair the leak, the damage, and the floor.

And then I started crying. Wade - who is the logical one- told me to stop crying - there was nothing we could do about it now - we just needed to deal with it and get it fixed. Men. Why can't they just get stressed and cry every once and a while... ha! I know why... so that we don't have two blubbering parents who are stressed and not getting anything done.

So, I load up a diapered only Addie, Noah and Moo in his PJ's - 2 duffel bags of stuff we need for the next 24 hours, a pak-n-play, my computer and some tutu supplies and head to mom's.

I don't know what mom thinks - but 24 hours later - the situation seems much more under control. We found the leak (the filter to the refrigerator). We have water on for the time being. A contractor should be here later today to fix the leak. The insurance adjuster should be calling be the end of tomorrow to asses the damage to the floor... the kids are at Nana's and I am here in a very quiet house just waiting.

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Opps. I missed the boat on this one. I freaked, stressed, cried, got mad, worried about money, worried about the kids, worried about upsetting my mom's routine, got grumpy (that one is probably the hardest to imagine) and let this thing consume me.

I had a hole in our concrete, walls ripped apart, a HORRIBLE floor, a canceled 1 year birthday party, our saving DEPLETED, 3 kids walking through dust and muck ...

When I didn't even have all the facts.

Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart.

He had it all the time. He was probably even snickering a little at my hole in the concrete, walls ripped down... He was thinking "Lees, it is JUST the filter. Chill and trust in Me."

So, I got an "F" for this test. I think I learned though - I don't need another one to see how I will do next time.

Speak the Truth in Love

2008-08-21T18:22:00.006-07:00

Here is something that has been on my heart and mind for about 3 weeks - I have written, deleted and pondered over this post.

In my 33 (almost 34 years) I have noticed that sometimes the most damage to relationships has come from other Christians. (Myself included). I know that their heart is trying to do right but in their course of sharing the Word of Christ - they end up hurting a lot of people. Maybe we are more lenient towards non-believers and give them slack because we think they don't know what they should or shouldn't do - or maybe it hurts more because as Christians - we feel they SHOULD think more before they speak and act. Either way, it hurts.

Sometimes it is in being unforgiving.

Sometimes it is being quick to judge and point fingers.

Sometimes it is being exclusive in friendships.

Sometimes it is passed along in jealousy.

And sometimes it is just painting a picture of Christ that is so unappealing that people mistrust God when they should be mistrusting the validity of a personal opinion.

As Christians we are called to seek what is right in the Lord's eyes. There are some things that are black and white in the Bible. But, there are more areas that are left open with what I think as the intention for us to seek God and his answers. It seems like some of us harp on those black and white issues and turn our own eyes away from the grey areas in our own lives that are probably displeasing to God.

I am sure that I have done this at one point or another. Not intentionally, or maybe intentionally ... I am not proud of it either way.

"Prayer requests" at the water cooler. Was it passed along in prayer or was it gossip? Wouldn't our God have known what the prayer was if we hadn't divulged all the details?

Kinda a grey area... I know it talks about gossip but what about the slip - the "I wasn't thinking before I participated" kind? The one where later - sometime days later you think back that it may have not been the right thing to do.

Recently I had a friend who is seeking the Lord and what is right more intentionally than ever. She is wanting to do what is right & what is good but she can't come out from behind the judgment of what she has done in the past. It is brought before her and made her question her walk of faith and the goodness of the believers. She feels she is not accepted at church when in fact - we are ALL sinners and ALL needed Christ to shed His blood for OUR sins against Him. Christ would have been the first one with the "Welcome" sticker on his shirt - shaking her hand as she walked in the door. He would have told her He was happy to see her - and he would have MEANT it.

I have been thinking about this more and more and I am saddened each time. And then God spoke to me. It is always great how He gets my attention - I must not listen for Him very well - maybe it is because I am never still and waiting on Him.

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

My being still means waiting and seeking, and praying like He can't hear... be still Lisa, be still. I never seem to give Him the chance to answer...

His lessons seem to come at them most quirky times... and from unlikely sources. So, as Noah and I were at the kitchen table working on our "school". We had a CD playing and Hermie and his friends started singing the Ephesians 4:15 song and it hit me hard.

"Speak the truth in love.
We should speak the truth in love.
Ephesians 4:15 says we
Should speak the truth in love."

Lord, how many of the issues of our relationships would be erased if we would do as you say? Are we supposed to speak the truth? YES. Are we supposed to hold each other to the standards that you set forth in the Bible? YES. Are we supposed to brow-beat, belittle, or pass judgement? NO. Lord, you make is SO clear.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15

That is how we are to be like Christ. We are to speak the truth in love. That is what Christ asks us to do. Don't judge - that is His domain. Speak the truth. Speak in love. And, on the receiving end, we need to take it in love and before getting defensive or over hurt - we need to receive the truth and then work with God towards fixing the issue.

Christ doesn't need us to make things happen ...
He can point out the problem areas to us without the aide of others...
But, he has asked us to speak the truth in love because we can help build the Kingdom of Christ and we can help each other accountable.

Dear Lord, please help me to speak the truth in love and to know when I have not done so so that I may right the wounds I may have caused.

I'm Raising a Camel...

2008-08-20T16:55:00.003-07:00

Potty Training Final Update....

(Days One and Two are the two previous posts)

Because there is more to my life than potty training AND because I am sure that all this bathroom talk is getting old - this will be the final update on Potty Training at the EggeBrecht home...

I have decided that I have raised a camel...

Let me explain.

Day three: NO ACCIDENTS... Not at nap time, not a drip or drop all day!

Day four: The true test.

Mom and I had a day out with the kids at IKEA. If you haven't been there - well, go. IKEA is a post in and of itself. SO, 10am we load up - after the FINAL potty trip. I, being the wimp that I am, put a diaper on him because I am not an iron woman and the thought of pee running down the legs, over the cart cover and onto the floor in public mortifies me. So, as I place the diaper on his butt I say to him, "Don't pee pee in your pants."

Noah looks at me with his eyebrows furrowed, "Ewwwwwwww ick. No pee pee pants."

It's working. I've gotten to him.

We get to IKEA and I have to pee. (Who's potty training here?) SO, I take this opportunity to let Noah try. Yah right - he doesn't have to go. Well, let me rephrase that - he is REFUSING to go. Camel parallel #1. Camels are stubborn. At this moment Noah was more stubborn than his mom - so he "won". (This doesn't happen often as he comes by his stubbornness honestly).

At the end of a VERY long IKEA trip, I realize that I am the world's WORST potty trainer. I forgot to ask Noah if he needed to go. Oh well, start again tomorrow. We load up our treasures and head to In & Out for a healthy lunch. We pull into our driveway and unload the kids and the food (the packages can wait for the fries). We change baby diapers (Matt & Addie) and get Noah washed up and in his seat.

We eat. We laugh at Addie and all her silly faces and sounds. Mom (Nana) holds Moo Moo and we have a great time just eating our In & Out and hanging out.

2pm: Time for nap... dun, dun, dunnnnnn..... I get Noah down to change his pee soaked diaper...

Wait.

Wait a minute.

It is dry! It has been F.O.U.R hours since he was successful at home and he is DRY!

I say to him - "Noah - you are clean and dry. Do you need to go pee pee?"

In a voice that is usually reserved for teenagers - you know the one where they answer you like you just asked the dumbest question on the earth... Noah said, "Yah. Hurry mom."

Here is the funny part...
I grad him and start running with him to the potty. But, I forgot that his pants were 1/2 off 1/2 on since I was changing a diaper... so Noah is like trying to run the potato sack race with his pants around his ankles... he trips...mom and I are laughing hard at how dumb I can be...

I grab Noah, scoop him off the floor and with my best football hold - RACE to the bathroom.

He pees, and pees, and pees, and pees (Camel reference #2 - they drink lots and hold lots in... but it has to come out sometime).

AND, that is when I realize that I FORGOT to put the bowl back in the base of the little potty after rinsing it with bleach after the last pee pee...

Some days you just have to laugh!

SO, what have I learned after 4 days of potty training?
1. My son seems to have gotten it even though I haven't.
2. When potty training - you need to ask your kids if they need to go more often than once every four hours...
3. Poop happens... It happens in pants, in diapers but not in the potty at our house.
4. You go through a ridiculous amount of stickers when potty training and only about 1/3 of them land on the sticker chart... I think I will be finding stickers in the most random places for years... thank goodness for Goo Be Gone!
5. Twinkies aren't strong enough. It's too hot for Ben & Jerry's... I may need to shop somewhere that DOES sell Jack Daniels.

A Walk In the Park

2008-08-18T14:06:00.013-07:00

The theme for day two of our potty training could be labeled:

A WALK IN THE PARK.

Now, before you get all mad and jealous - read the ENTIRE blog... a walk in the park has more than one meaning... and I am sure that you jumped to the conclusion that it was a piece of cake today...

Well, it was not bad. But today overall reminded me of a walk in the park.

Every park has a fire hydrant. They are good right? Meant to put out fires and cool down children on hot days... but when they break - WATER EVERYWHERE right? Well, no accidents today AT ALL. Not even a drip of pee in the under ware. I consider that GREAT success BUT I would really like to get the over spray under control. Seems that my Noah thinks it is fascinating that he is controlling this peeing thing and his awe causes him to miss the pot AND the guard. (And yes, he is sitting.) I need to get this little fire hydrant under control!

Some great parks have fun games and rides. (OK thinking of the great parks lining the beaches in California...I am sure there are some on the east coast too but I have never been there.) Every great park has some sort of game where you throw something, shoot something or aim something at a target...

Are you getting where I am going?

Today I was thinking that toilet painting might be my next big career...

What little boy wouldn't love taking aim at something like the above picture painted on the inside of a toilet... OK ... I really could be on to something here... (Jessa maybe you should join in on this one - you would be the talent behind the venture).

I can see it now.

Wade and I are at some high society black tie dinner (since we are invited and go to these kinds of things all the time). Bill Gates walks up to make conversation (and yes, his hair is as bad in my "daydream" as it is on TV) and asks what we do. He has a stimulating conversation with Wade about Bonds Alarm Company and then turns to me.

Me: "I am the CEO of Aim Straight".

Gates: "I am intrigued... is this a non-profit organization targeting the welfare of our youth? The next generation who will save the world? What a noble cause."

Me: "Not exactly. It is an artistic endeavor in which we work with parents. We creatively help them with their parenting."

Gates: "Tell me more. I have kids and parenting is tough. Any useful source of help on the subject is a gold mine. I could see myself funding this."

Me: (Excited - who wouldn't want to be backed by Bill Gates?) We paint custom targets and bulleyes in the bowl of toilets. It has turned out to be an amazing tool in the aiding of toilet training. Success rates with over spray and toilet training have skyrocketed since we started this company. Clorox is not very impressed, the sales of bleach has dramatically dropped but they are working with me on a new product that cleans, protects and enhances the design. OSHA caught wind of it and is thinking about making it mandatory in all homes with kids under the age of three... it dramatically cuts down on the spillage of body fluids."

Gates: (Dumbfounded look on his face and the hair doesn't help) "Great. Um. Sorry, but I see the owner/CEO of Google... "

OK. So maybe not the best idea in the world but if anyone steals it I have proof that is date and time stamped right here showing it was my idea!

Anyways... day two a complete SUCCESS in my book! No poopy today - think we are on strike... no complaints from me - I didn't feel like scraping it off cute under ware anyways! I do feel like I spent yet another day in the "outhouse"! (If you missed day one and care - check it out below)

***update*** well, the poopy strike is over and it didn't end pretty... so day three we will work on getting the over spray AND the poop in the bowl!

Grab Your Rain Boots and Come On Over!

2008-08-17T17:48:00.013-07:00

AKA: Potty Training Day One...

OK. So this kind of stuff is usually on the kids blog at http://www.lifeasanegglet.blogspot.com/ BUT I wanted to chronicle the MOM'S PERSPECTIVE on this whole potty training thing.

I woke up this morning with a sense of dread. I was not too excited as one of my good friends described the first day of potty training as "Pee Pee Hell". I got out of bed - started the am routine with the twins and put the most adorable underpants on Noah.

Oh my gosh - how could something who looks so cute in these Tow Mater pants be hard to train?

I'm armed with a treat basket filled with new hot wheels (for poopies on the potty), stickers for the sticker chart and LOTS OF CANDY for the treats... He has great taste in treats...dove milk chocolates, mini kit kat bars, mini animal crackers, mini nilla wafers, and mini oreos!

Well, here's how the day has gone so far...

8:15am - sat on pot - no luck... with this guard thing - how am I going to know if he goes?

8:30am - sat on pot - no luck

8:45am - small wet spot on under ware - sat on pot - jumped up and down, gave stickers and mini m&m's for an amount of pee that could hardly been seen with the naked eye...

9am - OH MY GOSH - how could this much pee come out of a body this small... I mean really - I don't think I pee this much... the BAD news is that it was in his pants and on my floor (thank God for wood floors) and NOT in the potty...

9:15am - wait, oh my, wait - YOU DID IT! That is a measurable amount of pee in the toilet!! Definitely know when he pees...the guard did not work... anyone got rain boots I can borrow?

9:17am - change my clothes (got peed on - hasn't happened since Moo Moo was about 6 weeks old!)

9:30am - OH NO! Is that POOP? Are you kidding me? I think I am going to puke... the poop was NOT in the potty... another change.

9:45am - You have got to be kidding... I quit. There is PEE in the pants AGAIN.

10am - we wait, and wait, and wait, and wait, and wait... WAIT... I hear the trickle of pee!!! Whoo Hoo - M&M's for EVERYONE! Laundry load #1

10:30am - Went longer before trying this time since we were on so long last time... success...

11:00am - Another successful trip BUT they are longer stays... books, trucks, silly songs... SCREAMING TWINS... oh wait a minute - I need to pay attention to them too!

11:30am - a little accident - but success!

12:00pm - Success before lunch!

12:30pm - Success again before nap... my kid is AMAZING... but here is the true test - NAP TIME.

3:45pm - Noah woke up. At the first little movement I fled up the stairs and rushed him into the bathroom. He was still groggy and I am sure wondering what drugs his mom took while he was sleeping - I am never that fast to get him...
the bed...
the bed...
wait, it's dry - wow those vinyl pants must be AMAZING and created by a MOM. Wait, they are dry too! MY SON MADE IT THROUGH THE NAP DRY? M&M's for EVERYONE! A HUGE success on the potty this time.

4:15pm - Poop in the pants... crap. Literally. But success finishing the poopy and a pee pee too on the potty. Not sure what is worse - changing a poopy diaper and tossing it or scraping poop off cute underpants, dumping in toilet and then scrubbing the bio hazard off cloth... how does it get so embedded in every fiber so quick?

4:40pm - Success again! Stickers, M&M's and a dance that I will NEVER do in public!

5:00pm - Success again! I think I have this down!

5:20pm - Success again - the floor keeps getting over spray - not sure how to correct this - not sure I can! Ha... Mop up the floor with Clorox for the 15th time!

5:40pm - Success again.

6:00pm - Making baby's food... what is Noah doing? It looks like he is painting...
OH MY GOSH... large puddle on the floor! Sorry Matt & Addie - you are just going to have to wait for food... And those vinyl pants don't work any better than the cute one... maybe NOT made by a mom...

6:32pm - Actually feeding the babies and need to change them now too... I think I am in pee peeville...Lord, I promise to really, really watch my mouth and attitude - just give me a little relief from all this pee... Ha.

7:00pm - At dinner Noah got a funny look on his face and grabbed his shorts...rushed in and guess what? Peed AGAIN!

7:25pm - Last chance... here's to a dry night (yah, right! I am ambitious but that is just plain unrealistic and too lofty for day one!)

7:30pm - Noah off to bed.. All and All, I consider today to be a HUGE success! Laundry Load #2 started...

So, day one has not been that bad. BUT, I think this whole potty training thing is OVERRATED... I mean come on - when he moves into his dorm room at college with diapers - he'll get it that it is weird and train himself, RIGHT?

What have I learned today?

1. Potty Training is more for the mom than the kid. If I don't remember or jump at the timer - problem.

2. We have trained him to pee whenever he feels like it for 27 months... I can NOT expect him to get it in one day.

3. This is the one time that having twins only 15 months younger SUCKS! I think it would have been hard enough with another baby but the two of them are ganging up on me today...oh the guilt and shame - oh well, I'll just put more money in the "therapy fund" ...

4. Attitude is everything on my part and when that fails...M&M's are helping to make an adjustment.

5. I am not the easiest to live with when I can't control something... Sorry husband (mom STOP laughing!)

6. I need to run to Target tonight to get the things I didn't know I needed. 1000 stickers, more Clorox wipes, Kandoo wipes(flushable - do you KNOW how hard it is to wipe a toddler's poopy butt?), about 100 pairs of training pants (not the cute under ware) and a HUGE bottle of Jack Daniels....oh wait, Target doesn't sell that - will have to settle for Twinkies....

Pee you tomorrow....

(sorry couldn't help myself!)

A Gentle Pull...

2008-08-13T21:28:00.002-07:00

I have something pulling at my heart.

tug

It is something BIG. It is HUGE. It is life changing. It is nothing short of miraculous.

tug

I actually just chuckled to myself. You know the kind. The chuckle that slips out. Pure excitement. Unleashed joy. Christmas morning type of anticipation. And, I realize that I am alone in the dark (yes mom I know that is NOT good for my eyes but I am a mom now and can make up the rules). AND, I, alone in the dark laughed out loud.

tug

Here's the thing. I want to share what it is that has my heart pulled. I want you to feel the excitement with me and to know what is on my mind....

BUT, I want to make sure that it is of God.

Don't get me wrong. I trust you, and I value your thoughts (or I would not bare my own). It's just that I know SO many of you would help make this thing happen. But, I want to make sure that it is the Lord's will and NOT my own. It is so easy to get an idea and to run full speed ahead to make it happen when maybe it was not what the Lord was trying to get across.

But I want it. I want it bad.

tug

I want to know that this tug is from the Lord. It is something that has been in the back of my mind for about 11 years. (Yes, I do remember the first time I thought about it. I actually remember what I was doing.) But recently it has danced it's way from the back of my mind to the front. At first it was a fleeting thought. Something to consider. But more recently it has become a desire.

tug

SO, pray with me. Pray that if this something is real and of God that it would come to fruition. Pray that I would seek the Lord's will and not my own. Pray that my motives would be correct and my heart pure. Pray that my family would not only be open but just as excited. Pray that the doors would open.

tug

You need to know what it is so that you can pray? Almost caught me there... don't worry. The Lord knows what is on my heart and in my mind and God is so big that he is OK with you being vague.

tug

So, please join me on this journey and pray with me. I'll let you know if it is a part of the Lord's will for my life... maybe sooner...maybe later...maybe never. (P.S. Don't ask - cuz I'm not telling and don't try Wade - he is like an Iron Mountain!)

tug. tug. tug.