Hugs and Kisses From A Friend

Just thoughts...

It's late...my mind is running and I can't seem to keep up.  What's new?  On this night I don't really mind being up.  I can't stop thinking about how incredibly blessed I am.  God's really opened my eyes tonight to all the amazing things around me.  I haven't felt this grateful in a long time and for that I am grateful.  

I have two of the most hilarious, loving, sweet, smart, hard-working children I could ever ask for.  I know I say this at ever age, but this is my favorite age!  Two three years olds, I never would have thought I would be having this much fun in life!  They keep me laughing and on my toes at all times.  They are quite a team and I pray they always are.  Their special bond is remarkable and unbreakable.  As it should be...

My amazing husband, I can't say enough.  He sees things in me I didn't even know were there.  He has made me a better person than I ever thought possible.  I'm eternally grateful for his love.  He's a better daddy than I ever thought possible.  Connor and Macy absolutely adore him!  There isn't enough time in the day to wrestle and cuddle with daddy.  He has no idea the memories he's making with them.  I pray he hangs the moon in their eyes forever.

I have friends that are no longer friends, but family.  They have seen me through the mountains and valleys of life, and love me anyway.  Thank you.

And of course God...He has his hand on me.  He is real and leads with a strong hand.  Always in the best direction for me of course. 

I am blessed...

Bikes!

It's official!  We are bike riders!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thanks Auntie Audra for the bikes, we are loving them!  We have each crashed a couple times but no broken bones yet.  Macy has a cut in her mouth, a hurt nose and Connor has a wounded knee but other than that we are great!  We keep getting back on so the excitement is still there!  Sadly Brian was out of town for the first ride so we got it on video.  They took to it so easily!  Mommy on the other hand is having a hard time pushing two bikes up the hill in our neighborhood.  The new rule is someone has to walk theirs up the hill.  :)  It's exhausting to "watch" them ride!

3rd Birthday Party!

We were successful at turning 3!!!!!  We had a great Dora and Diego party!  The bouncy house was a hit with everyone except Macy.  We finally got her in, but not for long.  She likes her feet on solid ground, not having her feet flipped up in the air by Connor!  Connor thought the more flipping the better.  We couldn't get him out of the bouncy house!  

They each got their own Happy Birthday song, and LOVED IT!  They had been talking about having their own song, and blowing out their candles.  You can see the smile on Macy's face when she is blowing out her candles.  She had waited for that moment for "forever" to her.  Connor enjoyed his song too, he had a hard time blowing out the candles because of his huge smile!  They got lots of great presents, and were excited to start playing with all of them.  

The whole family pitched in with the "Adventure" birthday.  All the cousins helped take the guests through the "adventure", including a slide, tunnel and the final destination being the bouncy house!    

This is the first birthday that it seems right that they are another year older.  The first two years flew by so fast that I just couldn't believe it was time for another birthday.  This year it seems like it is time for them to be 3.  They have come so far, and can do so much more than ever before.  I am finding this age to be my favorite!  (I say that every year!)  It just keeps getting better!  

I'm holding onto that, it's only getting better.  Each day holds new adventures and new opportunities to grow, both for them and me.  I'm cherishing each day.

January snow and ice

Brian and the kids (fur kids and 

human kids) enjoying some rest!

Mommy and Connor

Macy jumping, she never stops jumping!

This is how we knew it was time

to come in, Connor's eyelashes were

covered in snow!

We were supposed to leave tomorrow for Phoenix and get out of this freezing cold weather.  However, our flight is cancelled...already.  We now leave Sunday morning.  So, since there isn't a lot we can do about the weather, we decided to enjoy it!  We played outside and had a blast!  Macy didn't like it at first, but then grew to like it.  She liked throwing snow and juming in it, Connor liked running in the snow and cleaning off his swing.  (even outside he can't stop cleaning!)  We enjoyed some great family time today, Brian cancelled work today (yeah!) and only worked on the computer for awhile this morning.  It was some great family time the rest of the day.  Man, I love snow (ice) days!

Christmas 2009

                                                                   We decided we would start our own tradition of staying home Christmas morning and then going to the extended family for the weekend.  Not the best year to start this!  We are snowed in!!!  We had a blizzard Christmas Eve and now can't even get out or driveway.  Thankfully we have food and each other!  

We had a nice meal last night for Christmas Eve, didn't have church due to cancelling it for weather.  So we spent the time at home baking Santa's cookies and playing the Wii.  Connor hit two homeruns in baseball!  They had a rough time going to sleep, but once asleep they were out.  Santa worked his magic with no worries they would wake up.  Brian and I watched a movie and relaxed after the festivities.

The kids LOVED what Santa brought.  On the way down the stairs this morning Connor said, "Woooo!"  They got jeeps, a single trampoline with safety pole, and a sucker.  The sucker was actually the only thing they wanted.  Santa was just generous this year...

We have been outside and played a bit in the snow.  With Connor's bronchitis we couldn't stay out long, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity.  They may not see snow again until they are 20!  At least this much of it!  We were only outside long enough to get pictures, and make a tiny snowman...that mommy made in record time to check it off the list.  

We are having a great time, but wish we could be with the whole family.  This is the second holiday in a row we have missed...not a good trend to be setting.  Hopefully we will be able to get out tomorrow.  All the interstates in Oklahoma were shut down last night, they are back open today but our neighborhood is awful.  An ambulance got stuck on our hill earlier this morning.  Not a good day to need emergency vehicles.  We decided to take it easy today and try to travel tomorrow when the snowplows have had a little more time to work their magic.  

We wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Noises...

I was awoken last night about 4:30am to noises.  After listening awhile, I realized what those "noises" were.  The kids were up, and chatting up a storm.  I have to say, I don't ever remember a time that they were both up chatting to each other.  Many a nights I'll hear one or the other but never both.  I thought to myself that they will stop soon don't bother getting out of the nice warm bed.  However, after 10 minutes they still hadn't concluded their business with each other so I decided to take charge and put a stop to this early morning business meeting.  

I stopped at their door to see if I could figure out what they were talking about first though...knowledge is power after all.  This is a bit of what I heard: 

Connor: See Santa Macy, yes?

Macy: Yes.  My turn to talk.  umna, umna, umna, umna, all fall down!

Connor: Connor's turn to talk.  See Santa Macy.  Green sucker Macy, blue sucker Connor.  Ok, Macy's turn.

Macy: umna, umna, umna, all stand up!  (at this point I hear what I believe to be her hands slapping her mattress)

Connor: What you mean Macy?  

Macy: umna, umna, umna, all fall down!

LOTS OF GIGGLES

At this point I'm having to calm myself down outside the door so they don't hear me laughing.  This went on and on...I decide to go in and be scrooge anyway.  They both look at me and say, "What doing mommy?"  I told them it was time to sleep and I tucked Connor in.  I stroked his head as he lay on his pillow and all of a sudden he reaches up and strokes my head.  I couldn't stop the chuckle that came out.  Which of course made him laugh.  Which of course made Macy laugh.  You would have thought we were having a party in there.  After holding hands with them and giving lots of "hug and kiss?"'s and high fives (this is a new one to our nighttime routine) I shut the door and left feeling so blessed.  

Big kid beds

We have finally changed the cribs to toddler beds!  After finding Connor playing superman across the two beds, we realized it was time to change them.  Brian worked this morning on them both cribs...I mean beds.  That will take some time to get used to.  They napped in them, and did a great job staying in them, not once getting out.  They woke up, called out, "Mommy, we're awake!"  We told them they have to have permission to get out of bed.  With their room being right by the top of the stairs, we don't want to take any chances.  

They are so excited about being in big kid beds!  After nap today, Connor got out of bed then told me he wanted to go back to bed.  (This only happens when he's sick)  He just wanted to get back into his "big boy bed"!  He crawls in and pulls the covers up over his head.  SO cute!  

I'm finding this a hard step to move past.  NEVER have they not been in a crib!  Just when I get used to a certain stage, they move into another one!  I'm thrilled, but I also know I'm never going to get these times back.  The life of a mother...

Past tense

I can't believe the day has come!  As we were driving in the car today after taking naps at the office, (the kids, not me) Macy spotted a school bus and screamed out "BUS!"  We went to the post office, then were back on the road in which she spotted the bus.  She said, "Macy see, Macy saw a bus."  She corrected herself and used the past tense!  I sat in amazement.  Anytime she or Connor would say they see something that they already saw, I would say "You saw ____". She picked up on it and did it herself today!  

Part of me is thrilled this is something she might be catching onto.  However, another part is SO sad.  One more step to adulthood.  (I know that sounds ridiculous because they are 2, but you all know what I'm talking about.)  I am trying to savor EACH and EVERY big or little step.  It seems like I blinked and they are now 2 1/2.  How much more time will pass in my next blink???? 

Finished project

  I have been working on aprons for several "sessions" with Ann Taylor.  She is teaching me to sew.  I love that time, it's my "stress free, fun time".  I'm incredibly grateful Ann is taking the time to teach me.  The kids love their new aprons, I know it isn't very "boyish" but it was an easy project to start with.  Next up is stockings for the kids.  Hopefully done by Christmas!

Motivation!

I think I have found Connor's motivation for pooping on the potty!  Cars!  For the last two days he has pooped on the potty because he now gets little matchbox cars for each time he poops on the potty.   M&M's worked for peeing, but we needed something more "substantial" for pooping!  I'm not claiming total victory yet, but we are hopefully on our way!

Macy seems to be getting interested in peeing on the potty again.  She asks to now, not that anything is happening, but hopefully the desire is coming back.  

The doctor thought Macy might have had the swine flu, but we now know it was roseola.  Connor has had this in the past, we were confused by the high fever until the rash showed up.  Then we knew...  Nothing major about roseola, just a bad attitude that comes with the rash.  Over with  in a couple days.   

Not much else new.  I just swear I have the cutest kids.  They are playing together so well, laughin with each other, sharing with each other, helping each other, etc.  I love them dearly!!!

Another day....

Nothing much exciting about today.  It was just a nice day.  We had a playdate at the science museum this morning and played with our friends.  It's always nice to get together with other moms you really like.  :)  

Connor told me he had to poop, but he wasn't wanting to go in a public bathroom so we left shortly after that.  We did have success when we got home though!  He pooped in the potty!  (But then later this afternoon he pooped on Thomas (Thomas the Train underwear I mean...).  Someday we'll get this pooping thing down!  If only it were as easy as the peeing!

We played outside, it was gorgeous.  The kids love playing in the sand...thankfully our yard is very sandy.  They ran in the leaves, and scooped sand.  A perfect day to them!  It's cheap pizza night so Monday night is our pizza night.  So it was a great day for me because I didn't have to cook!    

Macy's teeth did get fixed on Friday.  Dr. Mike was great.  He called later that day to see how she was doing.  Such a nice guy!  She will proudly show you her "new teeth".  She did pretty well while getting them fixed.  She cried, but did get used to the idea that she was going to have to sit there while Dr. Mike worked on her teeth.  However, when she started saying and signing "all done", I have to admit I cried.  She was trying to tell me in everyway she could that she had had enough.  My heart broke.  But just a couple minutes later she had her new beautiful teeth and she was asking to play with legos.  Such a trooper.  I love her.  

Chipped teeth

Well, it finally happened.  We have our first "expensive" accident.  While playing at the park today another girl pushed Macy and she fell to the ground and chipped her two front teeth.  I didn't notice it while at the park or I might have gotten the ladies info to make her pay the dentist!  We are going first thing in the morning to get them fixed.  I'm worried because they are so sharp that she might cut her mouth, but so far so good.  It doesn't seem to bother her much.  It doesn't look good, but it could be worse.  I would take a picture but my batteries are dead in my camera.  I'll try to get one before we get them fixed, we'll see...

Dentist Visit

The kids went to the dentist last night.  They did a GREAT job!  They sat in the chair and let Miss Megan count their teeth, floss, and clean their teeth.  They did awesome!  They each took a comfort with them to sit with them in the chair.  Macy took Mickey and Connor took his bear.  Macy cleaned Mickey's teeth, and Connor cleaned bears teeth.  It was a such a good time!  We love Dr. Alsbaugh, Dr. Mike is what the kids call him!

Colorado Vacation!

We took a vacation to Colorado to see Brian's cousin get married.  We saw a lot of family and had a great time!  The kids loved seeing Auntie, Uncle Sean, Lola, and Grandpa.  We went to the Children's Museum on Thursday while we waited to pick up the family from the airport.  We toured downtown Denver with the family on Friday and took some really cute pictures!  Saturday was the wedding and Kirsten looked amazing.  After the wedding we headed for Aspen and visited family there.  It is as beautiful as everyone says it is.  We will be going back...often.  Enjoy the pictures!

Thomas the Train!

We went to Thomas the Train on Saturday!   The kids LOVED it!  Connor couldn't stop telling everyone we were going to see Thomas.  It was a great day.  My sister and two of her kids went with us.  We got to play with trains, get conductor hats, get tattoos, and get animal balloons.  We had wonderful weather for it, and it was a great day!

The kids love talking about Thomas and would gladly tell you that trains don't say choo choo, they say push.  When the train was taking off, the conductor told us to tell Thomas to push!  Macy thought it was Thomas talking to her!  

Prayers

We pray before we eat and I was finally able to get a picture of it.  They each have their own distinct style!  You should hear them pray, it is priceless.  Dear Jesus, thank you for this food. AMEN!

Dress up

Boy do our kids love dress up!  Actually, Connor loves it way more than Macy!    Here are a few pictures of them.  Brian will kill me for posting these!

Poop in the potty!

Before getting in the bathtub the other night, Brian asked Macy if she wanted to sit on the potty and try and she said yes.  She sat there and then got up to show Brian her poopy!  She pooped in the potty!  We haven't even started potty training, we're just talking about it.  She is ready!  However, we are waiting till after we get back from driving to Colorado in October.  Connor then wanted to sit on the potty, he sat and pointed "it" down and then got up.  He got a little jealous of the yippee's and hooray's Macy got I think.  He doesn't seem as ready as Macy, so I'm starting to think that I'll just start with her and see if he gets more interested.  

I know this was not "normal" or any indication of how things will go, but it was refreshing to know that she is really ready to start potty training.  It makes me more excited about it!

Consignment sale

Anyone in the area on Saturday, Sept. 12th is welcome to come to our twins club consignment sale.  It opens at 8am and goes til 2pm.  It's at the Nazarene church on Blvd and 33rd in Edmond.  Clothes, bath stuff, car seats, furniture, shoes, coats, costumes, maternity, etc.  

Everyones welcome!