Thursday, February 23

My memory fails

Every day I think to myself "Oh, I should blog about that..." 

and alas, by the time I sit down at the computer, I've forgotten what it was that I was going to blog about.

Like now.  What was I going to tell you?

Oh yeah, that Elli just asked me to put her snack wrapper in the "fridge" when I know she means "trash."  And yesterday she asked me to hang her picture on the "trash" - I'm going to forget about this someday.

I think I was also going to tell you that Elli likes to sing the taxi song...a lot...but with the wrong words.

Taxi, taxi, riding in the taxi
Roll the wind a bus, roll the wind a bus
Put the money through the slot
See ya later thanks a lot
La la la la la la laaaaaaaaa!

Oh it drives Annelise crazy.  My little type A, firstborn, everything must be done correctly or the world is coming to an end, girl.  I don't know where in the world she got that from.  Ahem.

I should also try my best to note milestones the boys have achieved.  Like they're 9 weeks old (what?!) and are starting to smile and coo.  At their doctor's appointment they had both gained two pounds (that made this breast feeding mama proud) and are officially up to speed with normal babies.  Woot!  No more premie excuses here.

I sadly packed away many of the premie/newborn outfits this week.  Tear.  Just another sign that these babies aren't going to stay that way forever.  Then what?  I'll be a mom of toddler boys...awkward middle school boys...teenage boys...GAH!

I'll just focus on them being 10 weeks for now. 


Sunday, February 19

Why having four kids has saved me money.

Yes, you read that right.  Saved me money.

Who has time to spend money?  Not me.  Even trips to the grocery store are annoying.

When everything must be timed around nursing newborns...there are no leisurely trips anywhere to spend money on anything.  Shopping has finally gone from enjoyable pastime to a necessary nuisance.  We're out of milk again?  Even if I were brave enough to nurse in public, how convenient would it really be?  One hungry baby screaming in public is one thing...but two?  No thank you.   

And laundry.  Over the last few weeks, the definition of dirty has changed from "I wore this once" to "You can hardly see the spit up...I can wear it again."  Besides, when your wardrobe consists of sweatpants, sweatshirts and the occasional cardigan - does clean really matter?  And when I do get dressed up...(read: decent) its usually only for a few hours.  Shoot, those clothes go right back on the hanger in the closet. 

Speaking of decent...there was a day when I wouldn't leave the house without eye liner on.  You know you've reached some sort of phase when your daughter sees you with make up on and exclaims, "YES!  I like you like that, mommy."  What does that mean?  "With your hair curly and that stuff on your eyes."  Oh, thanks a lot.  So you mean you don't approve of the pony tail and white washed face?  Ok.

Cooking gourmet meals has never been something I've done.  Simple meals are more my thing.  Right now, if it can't cook in the crock pot or be ordered by telephone...we're not eating.  Cereal and milk are really cheap and my kids like it.  Nevermind Matt.

So you see, lots of money saved.  And its ok for right now.  We're living the simple life.  



Tuesday, February 14

Daddies of Daughters

For me, Valentine's Day was always less about wondering who was going to show me some sort of special affection and more about the anticipation of what my dad was going to get me.

No, I wasn't some sheltered little girl that didn't notice boys.  In fact, my daddy knew I was just the opposite and he seized the opportunity to win my heart.

And he did just that.  Instead of worrying about that day, day dreaming about what boy would give me chocolates or a rose.  Instead of trying to win the affections of another, I awaited the affections of my father. 

I remember eagerly wondering when the call would come that "something had arrived for me in the school office."  And when it did, every other girl in my class would be jealous...a balloon, a single red rose, chocolates...it was always a surprise.  One thing was sure...there would be a card with a hand written note from my dad, telling me how much he loved me.

Lest you think all that affection from my father saved me entirely from giving my heart away too soon.  It didn't.  But, it did play a huge role in how I chose to give my heart away when the time came.  And I will always attribute the love and admiration I received from my dad as the influential force that caused me (in the end) to choose right the relationship.

So, daddies of daughters...be not tempted by the excuse that Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day and the like are purely commercial holidays.  Yes, love your daughters every day...but use excuses like these to celebrate the love you have for her.  Teach her the kind of love she should be seeking. And most of all, admonish her to love the Lord and seek His affection first.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, February 13

Stationery card

Crisp White Noir Birth Announcement
To see Shutterfly's birth announcement designs, click here.
View the entire collection of cards.

Sunday, February 12

The Rest of the Yumminess

many kudos go to more than words photography by tammi.  she did such an excellent job photographing our newborn babies.  let the printing of all things photo begin!












Thursday, February 2

A Secure Mom Raising Secure Girls

I really love my husband for multiple reasons, but lately my love for him has deepened.  I'll tell you why.

I wouldn't call myself a reader, but these days I have a little more time (like during three am feedings) to read articles and blogs that I would otherwise skim over.  Mom sites, baby sites, parenting sites...you get the idea.  And honestly, those articles along with all the inappropriate super bowl ads we'll be seeing this weekend, has got me thinking. 

Why am I such a secure woman?

Don't get me wrong. I struggle with all the normal things women with mirrors in their homes struggle with...weight (especially six weeks postpartum), hair color, hair length, hair style, my complexion, crooked teeth...you name it, I probably don't really like it or could think of a way to improve it.

When we were dating, Matt was like any other doting boyfriend.  He'd take me out to fun restaurants, plan surprise dates and compliment my looks.  But he never remarked positively or negatively on things I had control over.  Let me explain.

Matt loved (loves) my eyes.  Honestly, to me, they're nothing special.  I've never really liked my droopy, squinty, (boringly colored) hazel eyes.  I used to never leave the house without eye liner and mascara on top and bottom. But to him they were beautiful without all that make up...and he told me often.

He didn't compliment me on the dyed color of my hair...but told me he liked my hair dark, which (disappointingly at the time) is my natural color.  But blonde highlights are so in!

When I would complain about my weight (ha!  I can't believe I thought I was fat then.  I'd kill to be that size again.) he'd also say he liked a girl with some meat on her bones, something to hold. Guys like that are rare. 

He didn't care what kind of clothes I wore.  In fact, the day he fell in love with me (because it was love at first site, you know!) I was wearing a ball cap, no make up and my very best sweats.  Attractive.

Needless to say, I sunk my hook in him and held on for dear life.  We were married in 2004 and in the seven years that we've been married, he's never changed his tune. 

Do you know how secure that makes a woman feel?  Not just secure...but beautiful even?  And do you know the power of a secure mama to her girls?

I can't give my husband all the credit.  My security in who I am physically extends beyond my adult years and began when I was a young girl.  My relationship with my dad was strong - and is to this day.  He always affirmed me (not just physically) as a little girl growing into a young woman.  He also loved my mom unconditionally and that made her a secure woman. 

You see the cycle here?  Affirming men beget secure wives who in turn beget secure daughters who seek out affirming men.

And the foundation to it all: Christ.  Big turn here, but if you know Him, you'll transition easily. 

My dad loves the Lord.  His love for the Lord fuels his love for my mom.  My parents love for the Lord fueled their love and affirmation for me.  Finding the true source of love as a young teenage girl caused me to seek out a man who also knew Christ.  And this affirming, loving cycle continues as we raise our girls.

Is the cycle perfect?  No.  There are many Christ-loving women who did not come from Christ-loving, affirming homes (and vice versa).  Praise God! 

I guess the point of this post is to...

1) Praise the Creator for His unending affirmation and love for me.

2) Thank my parents for living out true love and affirmation in their marriage...and encouraging it in me, even as a young girl.

3) Speak highly of my husband and the way that he continues his godly affirmation of me and my girls, so they can (God-willing) continue the cycle of feeling loved and secure.

4) Encourage you and your families to consider these principles in your own homes.

Raising boys?  Teach them to love the things about women that God loves.  Show them that the world's standard of beauty is so much less fulfilling and temporary than God's standard.

Wednesday, February 1

7 weeks...Oh the terror

My boys are seven weeks old.  Today, as I was nursing Abram, I decided to turn on the boob tube (no pun intended).  There's really not much on at 3:00 worth watching.  But an episode of Dr. Phil caught my eye and I decided to watch a few moments, which turned into the whole hour, which left me full of terror.

Identical twin boys, age 16, so out of control that their parents were throwing in the towel.  Wow.  How do you get to that point?  I guess pot smoking, alcoholic, full of hatred and anger twin boys might push me to that edge too.  Honestly, my biblical viewpoint on parenting forces me to hold the parents responsible first for their sons' behavior (and I was glad to hear Dr. Phil affirm that)...but I'm also forced to recognize that they are responsible for their own sinful actions.  I'm sure those parents felt like they had failed.  And in many ways, they had.  How sad.  Very, very sad.

And then a friend of mine posted this incredibly eye-opening post on her blog that made me even more fearful for my young men.  Its not that this is news to me...the world we live in is a very scary and wicked place.  That's why scripture affirms us over and over to cling to Christ, turn our faces towards him and to flee sin.  But I'm a woman.  I've only ever mothered women.  Ask me about all the struggles my girls will face with sexuality, body image, the desire to be loved and accepted by men - and I could write a book.  But I'm new to this "mothering a male" thing...and yes, even now at seven weeks old, its much different.  I feel a greater sense of protection over my boys.  I guess I understand that special bond a daddy has with his daughters now.  I feel that same sense of protection for my boys.

My sweet, sweet boys.  Full of sin even now, but so ignorant of what lies ahead.  My heart is weighty at all that you'll have to flee from in your life.  And my prayer is that you do just that, flee.  Cling to Christ and be fully aware that the temptress will try her hardest to lure you in.  Fight, my sons.