A little of this, a little of that

We've had so many fun days this month already! Of course those have been intermixed with colds and flus (anyone else SO ready for summer!?). But for every one's sake I'm not going to document our illnesses here, just our fun times. You're welcome.

 

 

 

Abbeygirl and Dory. I believe our Dory has officially claimed this Dora couch as her own...it's just her size and we always find her napping on it =). Dory has been such a lovely addition to our family! She is just the best dog, and our kids still adore her as much as they did when we first adopted her.

 

And this guy? He is always in motion. So busy, and so fun.



 

Several of our little friends have had birthday parties recently, and we've had a blast celebrating with them. Some triplet friends of ours hosted their party at an indoor play park. Abbey and Luke had SO much fun!

Luke is very into tools these days. Here he is hammering the play structure =).

 



 

 

It was a "Cars" themed party...

 



Luke was seriously so enamoured by this cake. Cake AND Cars?! I thought he might explode from the excitement! Every 10 minutes or so, he'd take a break from playing and come over just to stare at the cake =).

 



 

I think there might be a dollhouse in our family's future...

 



Some other sweet friends of ours hosted a party at The Children's Museum. Luke and Abbey loved decorating these treasure boxes!

 



After the party was over, we hung around the museum for a bit exploring. Our kids LOVE it there. I would have taken more pictures, but I was busy chasing two two-year-olds in different directions while carrying treasure boxes covered in not-yet-dry glue and glitter.

 

=)

 

 

Hooray for a fun month so far =)

Growing up...

These days I'm continually stunned by how much Luke and Abbey have grown. They are SUPER into "helpin' Momma bake" lately, which is equal parts endearing and annoying. I love that they have helpful spirits and want to be involved in what I'm doing...but things tend to take 752 times as long when two 2-year-olds are involved.

 

We've also entered the "I wanna do it MYSELF" stage of childhood, which I'm not loving. Especially when we are in a hurry. But, such is parenting, eh?

 

As much as they're growing up, they have little-to-zero interest in potty training. And honestly, I'm ok with that. We've purchased pull-ups and encourage trying to use the potty, but they aren't excited about it. Really, I haven't stressed about it, because it's not like they are going to go to college in diapers. I'd prefer to wait until they are reallllllly ready, and then *hopefully* it won't be a battle.

 

They've been doing really well in toddler beds, and although naps are hit and miss for me (they always nap for Daddy!), they at least good about staying in their room during nap time.

 

I seriously can not believe I am starting to plan their 3rd birthday party!

Their language grows every day, and I just love hearing all they have to say to us. They bust out the funniest things and have Dave and I cracking up. Just last week they had their first dental visit, and when we were discussing it, Luke gets a suspicious look on his face and says "I'm not so sure about this Momma..." haha.

 

 

Helpin' Momma bake...

 

Isn't licking the beaters the best part of baking??

 

Another thing that's gotten significantly easier as they've grown is taking them places by myself. I had a doctors appointment a few weeks ago for my back, and Dave wasn't able to make it home before I needed to leave. I had to take Abbey and Luke with me, and they were SO GOOD as I talked with the doctor and got my back adjusted. They sat in their chairs and read their books and ate their snacks.

 

I was so proud of them!



 

Our babies are all growds up =)

Ordinary

As I type this, my husband just got back from walking our dog. Our babies are sleeping in their beds. The house is quiet, save for the dishwasher running.

 

 

It's just an ordinary Friday night.

 

And I'm so grateful.

 

 

Last week I learned that a childhood friend and his pregnant wife had lost one of their twins and the other one is struggling in utero.

Today I learned a friend miscarried both her twins.

 

So much heartache.

 

 

It's been the kind of week that makes you grateful for normal.

Tonight, I take comfort in the routine and the ordinary.

Best of friends...

 

Yep. Those are our kids. On an Expedition. Luke wearing a strainer for a hat, and Abbey pushing her kitty, Frosty, in the stroller (and in her ubiquitous Elmo jams, don't even think about taking those off her but to bathe her or when they need to be washed, lest you be ready to offer up a bribe reward.)

 

 

Now more than ever, Luke and Abbey are such buddies. They play together (most the time) so well. Sure, they get frustrated with each other when one doesn't play the imaginary game correctly, and yes, they still struggle taking turns from time to time. But for the most part, they are thick as thieves, adventuring through their days side by side.

 

Their imaginations are running wild lately, and it brings Dave and I such joy to watch (or listen) to them playing together, in their own little world.

 

Having twins has not always been easy. Two newborns at once was...challenging...but have two almost-three-year-olds is so fun. Those early years months with twins are sure paying off now as we watch these two buddies grow together. 

Then & Now

January 2012

January 2013

Growing up SO FAST over here.

The gang's all here!!

Several years ago I started blogging. At that time I connected with a lot women who were traveling the same path of infertility I was. I found comfort, encouragement, and hope in these women I grew to know as friends. 

Over the years, I've had the joy of watching every single one of them become a Momma...with the last one earning the title this very day!

Today, Lianna and her husband will welcome sweet Addison Kate into their lives. 

It's been a long road for all of us. Some longer than others, but all of us affected by the heartache infertility causes.

Inspired by stories such as Kelly's and Jenna's,we kept the faith. And we encouraged one another and prayed for one another. 

And slowly but surely, we were all blessed. Some naturally, some with fertility assistance, and some through the gift of adoption.

Becky welcomed a son, as did Jennifer (who now has two beautiful boys!). Lori and Amy were blessed with gorgeous daughters, and Faith recently had twin girls!! Lacy had a miracle son, to be followed a few years later by a miracle daughter! Sarah welcomed a sweet daughter, and Amanda a precious little son. 

And Dave and I? We had our twins =).

God is faithful, all the time. His timing is often very different from ours, but it's always best. 

This morning I was at the store with my two miracles and we had to wait in line for a bit at the pharmacy...

 

Luke and Abbey were growing restless, and I was trying to help name their emotions by saying "it's frustrating to wait, isn't it?" and they both agreed. I bent down to their level, looked them in the eyes, and said "I know, it's really hard to wait sometimes. You know what I waited a long time for?" they both looked at me expectantly..."you!"

Habakkuk 2:3b

"Though it linger, wait for it;
    it will certainly come
    and will not delay."