A genie in the bottle.

I don't know about most of you, but night time is just about dreadful around here. Tempers flare, people are hungry and tired and yet we still have SO much to do before our heads hit the pillows. There is dinner, clean up, baths, brushing teeth, getting pj's on, feeding twins, changing diapers, more baths, nursing, packing lunches for next day, laying out clothes, storytime etc.... Each night can be a struggle especially since Kingsley works so hard at night so I can stay home and be with the kids, but the last few nights have been especially hard for some reason. Keller, who is usually not so observant did happen to take notice. Tonight in a worn out very tired voice I said "Can you PLEASE go take a shower, brush teeth and get Pj's on"? I truly expected resistance, which leads to discipline, but to my amazement his response was "Your wish is my command". WOW. That's all I can say is WOW. God really knew my breaking point was close and he put it in little Keller's heart to respond with respect and love (and a little comedy). It was amazing how one little phrase got me out of the "rut" so to speak and put me in a right frame of mind. I realized we all have the power to do that with EVERY PERSON we come in contact with. We have the ability and opportunity within and out of our homes to make another person's life easier and more positive. I'm not saying ease of life is the goal, but to love one another and come along side them and supporting them with encouragement. We may never know the circumstances that lead up to our encounter with someone, but we have so many opportunities to make another's life better through a Christ like attitude. So tonight, I thank you my sweet Keller for teaching mommy instead of mommy teaching you. I love you and am so proud of you.

Holding hands....

I don't know at which point in a child's life they STOP holding their parents' hand, but I'm sure it's a sad day. Most of parenting and childhood is bittersweet. Our goal is to raise them but yet why do we want time to stand still when they are so young and "innocent" (not using that word in a theological sense). Saylor and I had a deep conversation about life and the aging process tonight. She really DID NOT like to hear that when she is my age I'll be Mimi and Nana's age... She said "you are going to get OLD?" (sorry Mimi and Nana). I said "yes, of course honey, we all will get old, even you". She made the cutest little "disgusted face" and then said "Well mommy, when I get old and die, will you hold my hand on my way to go see Jesus since it's up real high"?
So tonight after I laughed, I realized that was a moment, tonight is a moment I wanted to "freeze" and remember. I really wish time could stand still tonight.

Rolls rolls and more rolls

I can't get enough of these rolls.... Hard to believe it was only 3 months ago we had to force just 2 oz. down this kid and NOW look at him.... he makes me laugh... such a little bump on the log. I adore every ounce and fat roll of this little guy.

Out of frustration the truth comes...

Tonight as I was tired and frustrated (mostly with myself ... but kids weren't helping:) I yelled at Keller to get in bed. Like most kids he'll find every excuse in the world to get OUT of bed. I firmly told him "YOU MUST get in bed and sleep, it's how you grow. You need sleep to get bigger and stronger and to grow older". His response "but mommy, I want to stay a kid forever".... that comment made me laugh and got me out of my frustration. I just laughed and hugged him and said "I wish you could honey". Many kids are in a hurry to grow up but mine is content to stay 5 forever. He may just be smarter than I think.... ha.

Elf ear

Check out our little Ramsey's "elf" ear. The cartilage on her left ear is broken or shaped funny resembling that of an elf....

Saylor and I were talking about "mutations" and how God makes each one of us different. She said "like Keller's eye?" and I said that is right. She said "so Ramsey and Keller were made special, but what do I have that God made different and special"??? How sweet... she was longing for a physcial mutation to stand out as one of God's "special" ones. We had to take the conversation further into how unique we are all made, mutations or not. She still REALLY REALLY wanted something PHYSICAL as a sign that God thought to make her unique. Thankfully we found a freckle on each hand (in the same place) and on her knees (in the same place). We finally found something to make her "different". I pray she carries that attitude with her for life - she looks at people who others say is "different" in a bad way and she translates that into that person being "special" because they truly are!

Heading to church

Here are my precious nocturnal babies. Amazing they can be so happy after being up all night... wish I could muster up a smile as big:)

Water-Sliding at the Fairmont

Here are a few pics of my fearless kids on a GIANT waterslide. You can't see how big it is in the pics, but I was even screaming every time I went down. Kingsley and I both were nervous we'd fly off the side.... it was such a fun time.

A perfect 10 years...

Enjoying the luxury


The view from our room

OK so maybe not perfect 10 years, but the celebration of those 10 years couldn't have been more perfect. I'm a person who LOVES memories and trips over gifts... and Kingsley made sure it was a memorable weekend! We were so blessed to have my parents willing to watch ALL 4 kids for the night. We reserved a night at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and had a fabulous time. It's been so long since we've been alone so we didn't want to miss one minute of it. We only slept a few hours then got up at 2:30am (well I was up every 2 hours pumping) and decided to tour the grounds. We ended up hot tubbing and swimming from 3-5am! We were the only people up in the entire resort (or so it seemed). They had these incredible queen size beds by the pool and I was in heaven while kings went swimming. The next morning my dad brought Keller and Saylor over to enjoy the Sonoran Splash kids pool with the water slides. They were like little fish and were not happy to leave. I was so excited to see them and have them experience so much fun with us. I missed my babies like crazy, but was so thankful to have this time with Kingsley. I'm so thankful for my parents help it was a perfect anniversary gift to us... but they said next year they'll get us a gift:) LOL.