WHY AM I STILL UP???

AGGGHHH Here I am at midnight and EVERYONE is asleep, except me! I could've gone to bed 2 hours ago, but here I am. I know what is happening. From the time I hear that first little cry or "da da da da" in the morning, my day is off and running, with almost no stopping. It's not really until 10pm that I can sit down, rest and relax. I'm almost afraid to fall asleep b/c I know once I do, the madness starts all over again. I want to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet and SILENCE. Though in saying that I realize there will come a day VERY soon where it will all be silent and I would do ANYTHING to hear squealing, laughing, screaming, fighting, teasing, phineas and ferb on TV, etc... I don't long for that day, I'm thankful for the chaos and the moment to moment things that happen in a day, but yet at the END of the day I think of ALL the things that DID NOT get done that day and how long the list will be tomorrow, and knowing tomorrow's list won't get done which makes 2 days from now twice as long and so on. It's an overwhelming feeling to say the least. But today when I looked at Ramsey and she just laughed and laughed and wouldn't stop crawling to me just giggling (slap happy giggle) I realized there will ALWAYS be a list and that I can't live to get it done, I have to stop and say the #1 thing ON that list is to love and nurture these 4 blessings God has given me. If I don't get anything else done in a day, at least I got the MOST important one done. I grabbed her and loved on her and she was eating it up. It's these moments that we aren't promised to have tomorrow.

Well I'm exhausted and life is good.

A woman who has changed my life....

Some days I have time to sit down and think of the people God has put in my life strategically at times to grow me, challenge me and help mold and change me (other days it's simply SURVIVAL), but today I had a minute to sit and think and just thank God for someone specific, and this is HER.... my friend, BW. I wish I had an elaborate vocabulary and great writing skills to communicate just how amazing she is and how she has changed my life, but since I do NOT... I will express it like a typical 15 year old... I LOVE HER TO DEATH:)

Most people do not meet let alone have the privilege of knowing a person such as her. She is by FAR the most selfless, most thoughtful, giving and caring person I know. She is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman. She is a friend who doesn't tell you what you want to hear, but yet what you NEED to hear, and with more love and grace imaginable. She humbly admits when she is wrong (not often:) and serves her husband and family with everything she has.

Anyway, I was feeling sentimental and in the rare case SHE has time to read this (has 5 little ones of her own) I wanted her to know that I'm blessed beyond measure to not only know her but call her friend.... Thank you BW for being you, for being who God has called you to be, for not being of this world, and keeping me thinking straight. I love you girl....

Birthday Party fun

We had a blast at our friend's little birthday party. Only in LA will you see someone's pet goats and pet pigs wandering through the house with more privileges than kids:)

pumpkin patch pics

Sorry for posting late, been having problems getting my pics uploaded. I have a feeling I have TOO many saved on my computer.

We had such a blast visiting the patch with the little one's. They just are amazed by everything they see and touch. It's fun watching them experience life!

Slade's 2nd haircut already!!!!

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It's been TOO long...

This is for the ONE person out there that probably still checks this once in awhile... I'm pretty sure blogging had died out thanks to Facebook and the like. But for those that choose NOT to follow the crowd on FB, here I am still blogging:)

Things have been quite hectic around here. The day has arrived. The dreaded and feared moment... both twins are now mobile! One I could handle, but two is crazy. It's like they conspire and go opposite directions on PURPOSE. They are smart little boogers. Ramsey has the speed advantage, but Slade has the size, so when he sees her take off, he'll grab her and scream. I'm not sure why, but he just doesn't want her getting away. She will then throw her head down in tears and he takes the moment and will SLOWLY move by her. It's like the tortoise and the hare!!! I can't help but laugh. The few times Slade isn't quick enough to grab her she is off and moving and you'll NEVER know where you will find her! She is fast and likes to hide. It's like having a mouse in the house! They are just as fun as can be though. For naps they are in separate cribs and will peek through the slats and babble with each other! I love just listening to them. It is true for fraternal twins as it is with identical.. they really do have their "own" language. Having twins is like having your firstborn child ... everything is new and exciting. You are experiencing things differently. I love that God has allowed me to experience this here on this earth.

Let's see... a month or two ago all 4 kids got hand, foot, mouth disease (not sure if i mentioned it). Keller joyfully shared it with his siblings after school one day. The older 2 were OK with it, but the babies got these awful blisters in their mouths and refused to eat. They screamed for days b/c they were hungry, then screamed b/c it hurt to take a bottle. It was miserable but like anything else we survived.

Well here are a few more pics until I get the rest uploaded.

Make a Wish....

I find my 4 year old's mind FASCINATING... the stuff she thinks of, or says just amazes me at times. Today she really impressed me with her "role" playing abilities. When I was 4 I remember playing dolls and playing house, and pretending to be a mom, etc... but not sure my mind is triggered the way hers is. Today she "gave birth" to a little girl named "hannah". She brought Hannah down in a bassinet and told me it was time to say goodbye to her. I asked her where she was going to which she responded "she's dying". Shocked by her comment I said "WHAT?, what happened, you just had her?" She said, "Yes, I know mommy, but my hannah was born with a brain tumor and now she is going to die, but it's OK, because she will be with Jesus". Not knowing what to say, she went on and said "maybe you can be here when the 'men' come". of course I ask "what men?" she said " you know the men that come and ask her what her ONE wish is before you die". (Make-a-Wish foundation). WOW!!! Apparently Hannah's last wish (as a newborn) was to swim with the dolphins and go to disneyland. I am so thankful for my observant and compassionate little Saylor. She teaches me to be aware of others and their circumstances (this role play is primarily due to the little girl, Kate we pray for each night www.prayforkate.com).

My newest and ONLY niece on Ramsey side...

My sweet little niece, Lily was born a week ago. She is just as adorable as can be! My sister started to develop a fever and Lily's heart rate was quickly going over 200 so they took her via c-section. Mom and baby are both doing GREAT (as you can see). Welcome to the world and into our family Lily.. .you are beautiful!

SITTING..

Well it's official... both babies are now sitting confidently with no assistance needed. They have been doing well for a few months now, but I never felt I could sit them down and walk away. I LOVE watching them sit and interact with one another. Ramsey will just sit and watch Slade squeal over a toy, then she'll try and take it away from him. The look on his face when this happens is priceless. He is in utter shock that she would do such a thing. Once he realizes that she is more flexible and can turn her back away from him to protect that toy, it's like his world is crashing in. He just throws his head down and sobs and screams with NO end. The response from her is also priceless. She smiles and coos and laughs at his "fits". This is ONLY the beginning of things to come for this poor little boy. Having twins is like having a first born child, everything is so new and exciting. Not that it wasn't new and exciting when I had Saylor (fun being my 1st girl) but having two is a whole new ball game. I'll write more on their sweet little personalities once I get them calmed down and in bed... Here are a few pics of my proud sitters!

And MORE baby pictures

Yes, more and more baby pictures... why???? Because this is a blog about them:) So they will just keep coming I guess... who knows for how long..

It still amazes me that ONE baby can be formed and turn out so perfectly... but TWO is just mind blowing to me. By far the most common comment in public (other than "glad it's you and not me" to which I respond "me too") is "wow, you are double blessed" and I truly am. I can't get enough of these babies. I am so very thankful to be called their mother. I pray I give them the best of me.