Josh, Kelly, Everett, Emery, Atticus & Boo

Follow our day to day life through marriage, work, raising twins, and so much more. This is our Life As We Know It...

Thursday, December 22, 2011

21 Weeks

The twins were super busy this week. They constantly have been moving around in my tummy. One night Josh and I were talking about names so he put his hand on my belly to ask what they thought. There was one name that they would go nuts over and move around like crazy for & then when he would try another one they would stop. This went on a few times and they would only go crazy for the one name. Not sure if that means they love it or hate it? So funny!


We started the process of nursery decorating & just looking at different gear! Boy, is that an overwhelming task! You could drop some serious cash if you wanted to. Our main goal was to find cribs. I had done a ton of research so had a general understanding of what we wanted, but hadn't actually gone out and looked. Our biggest dilemma was that most cribs convert into a full bed, which sounds great in theory, but with 2 kids it doesn't work out so great. Luckily, the first store we went to was amazing (LoneStar Baby) and knew of a few cribs that would convert into twins beds. Just what we wanted! They also had the more modern/straight lines look, which was what we were going for. Yipee! We were in luck! So our first "big ticket" items have been ordered! Makes it feel so real!




Not the best picture of me. This was the end of our shopping day. I look so worn out!
My Dr. did call this week and let me know that they want me to come in every 2 weeks now to get my cervix checked and watch the babies growth. So, lots more dr. apts. means lots more baby updates!


Hoping everyone has a Merry Christmas this Sunday!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

20 Weeks

Can't believe we are half way there! Really probably sooner since most twins are born at 36/37 weeks! This week was such a huge reality check. So much to do before they get here and before I get too big. I also just want to make sure that I can carry them as long as possible so they won't have to be in the NICU and will have a decent birth weight. I really started to narrow down different things we will need to register for and started getting serious about the nursery! Fun! We are going to look at furniture this weekend!

We also had our 20 week apt. Since I'm pregnant with twins, we get to have sonos at every appointment. I love seeing how much bigger they have gotten...We visited a high risk dr. on Monday due to some family history on Josh's side. I didn't love the Dr. He was just all business and your sterotypical dr. that speaks way over your head and in statistics. Everything looked great though. It was a higher tech sonography machine then normal where you could see all the body parts and organs in detail. So amazing! The boy is weighing in at 1 pound and the girl is 13 ounces. Great sizes! They have also moved vertical instead of being on top of each other. The boy is on my right and the girl is on my left...Tuesday, we went to my normal OB and everything went well there too. Measuring right on track for weight and belly growth. She even said that since I'm in great shape and health there is no reason I shouldn't be able to carry the twins to 38 weeks! That would be amazing! We shall see!

Thanksgiving & Week 17 - 19

Josh and I love Thanksgiving! It's Christmas without all the stress. We had a super relaxing day with Josh's family. We have so much to thankful for this year!



Week 17 - 19: I finally got to feel the babies move! It started out as a bubbly, swimming fish feeling, but then quickly went to full movements. It's so amazing! 

I'm for sure feeling pregnant now since random people can tell. I love being in a store and someone asking me about it! Such a neat experience!

I made 2 cakes for my students to find out the genders. They had a great time and loved being apart of it!

Gender Reveal

When we went to our 16 week Dr. apt. & sono we were shocked when the Sonographer asked if we wanted to know the genders already! We told her that if she could know 99% for both of them then we would have her write it down and seal it in an envelope. We didn't want any guesses! Shockingly, she said she could! So we put together a very impromptu get together to reveal the genders! I took the sealed envelope to the baker and had her make the icing on the inside of the cakes the colors of the babies. So, on November 20th, we had everyone over so we could all find out together! Here are some pictures!


 Cakes and Yummy Food!
 Girl/Girl Team
 Boy/Boy Team
Boy/Girl Team
Cutting Baby A Cake




 It's a Boy!

Cutting Baby B Cake...I was super anxious about this one!
 It's a Girl!
 Toasting!
 Cheers!
So excited to know that baby A is a Boy and baby B is a girl!!

I am so glad we decided to have a gender reveal party and find out with everyone else! It was so much fun!

We're Pregnant!

Yes! It's true! In case you missed the announcement, we are pregnant! We could not be more excited for our long awaited blessing! We are due in late April! Here is a quick recap so far:


4 weeks - found out we were pregnant!


7 weeks - had our first sono! And boy was it exciting....We found out we were having twins! We could not be more excited! Since I'm an only child one of my biggest fears in life has been to have just one child. Guess we got that out of the way right away! Here I am at the Dr. when we found out. To say I was excited would have been an understatement!



8 - 13 weeks: The first trimester went smooth! My biggest complaint was how slow it seemed to have gone. I was just so ready to get over the first trimester hump and not worry as much about miscarriages...I was nauseous a lot, especially if I didn't have something in my stomach. So just had to be constantly eating....I was soooooooooooooo tired. I'd always heard how tired you got when you were pregnant, but gosh I felt like I was hit by a truck. I would work all day, take a 2 hour nap when I got home, make dinner, and be back in bed by 9. I was just exhausted! Not sure if this was because I was carrying two or if that's how it always is. But, gosh, I was so warn out! We also found out that I was anemic, so know that doesn't help with being tired.


The two Dr. appointments I had during the first trimester went great. I switched to a new Dr. when we found out it was twins (Dr.Flowers). And I could not be more happy with that choice. She is my same size and build, a runner, plus has twins! Just so easy to relate to her!


Still couldn't tell I was pregnant yet. The Dr. said she thought I wouldn't show until week 16 since I was long and lean.


Finally, got to share the new with my school! It was the week the Rangers made it to the World Series, so we took pictures of everyone in their Ranger gear & me in a twins jersey. It took everyone a minute to catch on to me wearing the wrong jersey. But once they did, the reaction was priceless!

We also finally got to announce our surprise on Facebook and to all our friends that didn't know! We couldn't wait to share the news! Here is how we did it!

14-15 weeks: Start of 2nd trimester! Finally started feeling better. Stopped feeling nauseous all the time and had a ton more energy!

We celebrated our 4th Anniversary! We had a romantic night at Abacus! It was wonderful!
 14 weeks

We didn't get any picts. together. :(


16 weeks - At about 16 weeks I finally started to show a little. Clothes were fitting tighter around the waste and I didn't look like I had just gained weight in my stomach! (I'll post baby bump photos next)


At 16 weeks we also got to find out the gender of the twins! That requires a separate post in itself!


We are so excited to be going on this journey and feel that the Lord is truly watching over us and our little ones. We feel so blessed!

So Far Behind

I'm so far behind in the blogging world that I'm not even sure it's worth catching up! But here is my fast attempt!

June  - Finally started summer!! In mid June we welcomed our new niece Kylie Danielle! She was precious! We are so excited that our own kids will have a cousin close in age!


July - We went to Dominican Republic and stayed at Iberostar Grand Bavaro. It was wonderful! Here are a few of our favorite picts!








August - As always summer went way too fast and I started back to school...More excitingly, on August 18th we found out we were pregnant! We could not be more excited for this long awaited gift from God! Here is the official test!
I'll do a separate post on pregnancy so far!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

A Royal Wedding

I was completely and unexpectedly mesmerized by the Royal Wedding on Friday.  I hadn't really paid any attention to it in the months leading up to it. I knew when the wedding was and had maybe seen one picture of the couple, but that was really it.


I had Friday off of work so woke up that morning and thought I'd make some coffee and just watch a few of the recaps of the wedding.


Gosh, I was instantly sucked in. I just loved all of it!


Kate, was absolutely stunning. Her dress was a beautiful mix of tradition and modern. The custom lace was perfect.
 I loved her simple tiara. She could have picked any kind she wanted and yet she was for something so simple.
I loved the classy, yet beautiful dress she switched into for the reception. She looks so tiny!
I loved her sisters dress. It was so different then anything an American would pick for their Maid of Honor. She looked amazing. They are both just beautiful!
I loved how they added trees to Westminister. Who knew you could do that? Guess you can do whatever you want when you're the prince.

I just loved how reporter after reporter would talk about how simple Kate & William were. They have dated for almost 10 years! They are living away for the castle for the next 2 years and are going to try to lead a semi-normal life. While they're away they aren't going to have any servants. For their engagement pictures Kate did her own hair and makeup even though there was  a stylist crew there.

I really had no idea how much drama the Royal Family has had for the last two decades. I knew that obviously Princess Diana had died and that her and Charles had a rocky past. But, that was really it. As I watched the wedding on Friday morning I did a little research and link after link it told of all the affairs, divorces, and heart ache that this family has gone through. It definitely made you look at the Fairy Tale life in a different light.  No wonder William and Kate dated for 10 years with a past like that. 

It was so much fun to be able to watch a piece of history unfold!

Congrats to William & Kate! Thanks for letting the world share in your special day!

Pictures from:
http://www.weddinginspirasi.com/
www.people.com

Friday, April 29, 2011

Blessings

I'm in LOVE with this new song by Laura Story. Feel like lately I've been surrounded by so many different stories of suffering & this song brings peace to suffering. Hope you enjoy like I do!

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

CHORUS:
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel you near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if each promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe

CHORUS

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win, we know
That pain reminds this hearts,
That this is not, this is not our home…..

CHORUS

What if my greatest disappointments,
Or the aching of this life,
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy.
What if trials of this life,
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise? 


You can listen to it hear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ

Monday, March 14, 2011

Our God is Greater

 Can't get enough of this song lately...

Water You turned into wine
Open the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

 And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wait

 Came across this poem in a book I'm reading. Thought it was so good and could apply to so many life situations!

"Wait" by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, He replied.
I pleaded, and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."

"Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, i need to know why.
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

"My future, and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me 'wait'?
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no,' to which I can resign.

"And Lord, you have promised that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking: I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God; "So I'm waiting, for what?"

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes met with mine
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign
I could shake the heavens, darken the sun,
Raise the dead, cause the mountains to run.

"All you see I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want, but you wouldn't have Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust, just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me,
When darkness and silence was all you could see.

"You would never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of My comfort late in the night;
The faith that I give when you walk without sight;
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

"And you never would know, should you pain quickly flee,
What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for thee.'
Yes, your dreams for that loved one o'ernight could come true,
But the loss! if you lost what I'm doing in you.

"So be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all...is still...wait"

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Valentines Cake

Check out this cake! It is so cool! No, I'm not going to try to make it because my husband hates cake so I just would end up eating the whole thing. But, you should make it!




Follow this link to see how to make it http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2010/02/heart-cake-tutorial.html

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Someday...

I've been coming across tons of pictures of things that I'd love to do to our house, but just aren't things I'd do right now. So, I added a folder labeled "someday." Which got me thinking about my long list of "somedays"...

1. Someday...we'll remodel our master bath so it no longer has the ugliest navy blue tile you've ever seen.
2. Someday...the upstairs will be completely livable rather then completely consumed by Josh's art. We're working on this, but the progress is slow...
3. Someday...our mantel will display a beautiful piece of art. You'd think that when you have an artist husband this would be easy, but it's amazing how our own walls quickly get put on the back burner.
4. Someday... Josh will get a functional studio that is bigger then a 12x12 room where he can be as messy as he wants and track paint wherever he wants.
5. Someday...we will probably move. Yes, it's true.
6. Someday...I will get to decorate my own baby nursery rather then just saving pictures of ones I love in a folder.
7. Someday...we'll go back to Venice, Italy and actually get to ride a gondola rather then putting it off for the last day.
8. Someday...we'll go to Greece.
9. Someday...I'll have time to volunteer at Children's Hospital.
10. Someday...I will get back to a consistent work out schedule.
11. Someday...

I know that some of these things on my "someday" list will happen sooner then others. But for right now it's fun to dream while continually being blessed by the things of today.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Still learning to have open hands...

"When a woman has a kingdom heart, she has an active understanding of what matters most to the heart of God. She lives in the balance of passion and contentment. She learns to love well, give without regard to self, and forgive without hesitation. The woman with a kingdom heart may have a duffel bag full of possessions or enough treasures to fill a mansion, but she has learned to hold them with an open hand. Hold everything with open hands. I don't think we are ever allowed to grab hold of anything or anyone as though they matter more than the kingdom of heaven. When you hold relationships with open hands, then people come in and out of your life as gifts of grace to be cherished and enjoyed, not objects to be owned and manipulated. And then when you hold your dreams with open hands, you get to watch God resurrect what seemed dead and multiply what seemed small."

Came across this on a blog and thought it was too good not to share...

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Thankful Thursday

I feel like lately I have so much going on in my little head that I really should start writing it down. So, I know it's popular to do "Thankful Thursday" so thought that would be an easy place to start.

Over the past few days I feel like I keep having the same reoccuring thought. I'm so thankful for the men in my life. Men? as in more then one you might ask? Yep! More then one!

This one, that I think is pretty darn handsome, is better then I could have ever hoped for. I know at our wedding some one toasted us and said "I hope this a day where you can look back and realize that's when you loved each other the least." I remember thinking... really? Is that possible? I love him so much right now...but gosh I could not love that quote more. Every phase, season, and year that we share I really do just love him more and more. I could not be more thankful to have this man in my life.
I guess the other 2 shouldn't really be called men, more like fur babies. But, boy do they fill my heart. I love how affectionate they are. They just love love love to snuggle and be close by. Atticus always wants to be touching me. Doesn't matter if he is sleeping, chewing a bone, or just hanging out. He will maneuver every way possible just to be touching me and I love it! Silly I know. But I could not be more thankful that the Lord blessed me with these two fur babies.