Friday Firsts: Pumpkin Carving

more pictures from a our Safari trip (when my camera broke), the babies' first cereal eating, Addie's Gramma's 60th birthday, and pumpkin carving to come...very soon.

as soon as I finish smocking Addie's dress for Saturday.

as soon as I clean out our laundry room so we can start construction Tuesday!

as soon as I {partially} regain order in our home! 

as soon as I get a little sleep.

speaking of sleep: the babies slept 8 hours Wednesday night.

God sure does know when I need those few extra hours of sleep, and He never fails to provide it!

But for now...a Friday First: Pumpkin Carving!

do excuse the very dirty face!

yes...a picture can be worth a thousand words.

Wordless Wednesday

Life

It's been a while since I've gone without posting for almost a week.

Yes. This is a long post.

Today was the epitome of a {Monday}.

Addie's sick. Snotty, coughing, sneezing. I spent half the morning on the phone with plumbers, the city inspectors, and the state board. Not much food in the house. I had to go to the post office to get stamps. Loaded everyone up. Managed to get inside but dropped my credit card somewhere. Went back outside. Found it. Back inside. Man with THREE packages was now in front of us in line. Wait. Get the stamps. Get Addie in the car. Walk to the other side of the car with a car seat in each hand...and trip over my own freaking feet. My knee hits the ground. Audrey Kate's seat hits the ground. She cries and I almost do too. Everyone's ok. I put Anne Perry in the car as I hold Audrey Kate. Addie informs me that she's teetee-ing in her car seat. And I spill bbq sauce on my {formerly clean} jeans. I come home to 2 plumbers sitting in my front yard and a city inspector driving up.

But that's not why it's been so long since I've posted.

It's a house that continues to fall apart, twins who have two very individual minds of their own, a precious {most of the time} two year old, none of which I'm willing to miss growing up before my very eyes, and life moving at warp speed that has required me to put many things on hold.

Like the dishes in my sink.

Wait.

That's my pet peeve: dishes in the sink. I don't care if there's laundry on the sofa or toys on the floor, but I don't do well with {our} dishes in the sink. I want them in the dishwasher. And I want my sink shining.

But the problem here is that we had the State Board come to inspect the work a company did on our AC unit last Thursday. They smelled gas. Called the gas company. Within less than 30 minutes the gas company was at our door. I'm pretty sure it {wasn't} due to just anyone smelling gas...it was the call from the State Board.

Leak confirmed.

They cut our gas off.

Plumbers came Friday morning as we were attempting to get out of town and on the road for a 4 hour trip that took us 6 hours.

We had 3 pretty small gas leaks. The city had to come inspect it today...and we have more.

So we have no gas...still.

Our furnace runs on gas. Today, that doesn't matter.

Our oven runs on gas. A pain but manageable.

Our hot water heater runs on gas. I will never take our hot water for granted again. Ever.

I can't run the dishwasher. I can't even wash the dishes by hand. I can't take a shower to wake up in the morning. I can't bathe my children. I can't wash sheets or towels or diapers.

Do I sound like I'm griping?

Well...I am.

I'm working really hard to have a good attitude here.

REALLY hard.

But I am TIRED of talking about our house. 

I am NOT thankful for one more thing to deal with and pay for. I am not thankful that it's delaying the start of the ginormous project that is about to be underway here...this week. I am not thankful that we are about to have to spend a ginormous amount of money on our house.

I am not thankful that there are complete idiots out there who have managed to work on our house over the past 80+ years. I'm not thankful that any and all projects on our house turn into something else. Something BIGGER that requires more permits. More inspections. More people to call to meet to call back to check behind to clean up after to ask 14 thousand questions to and to trust. 

I.AM.NOT!

But...

I am thankful we had problems with our AC unit so the State Board would be here with a new inspector who formally worked with gas inspections.

I really am.

I am thankful he smelled the gas and thankful it could be fixed.

I'm thankful we were out of town all weekend instead of here dealing with no hot water. 

I am thankful for my mom who let us come shower and bathe everyone at her house tonight and cook our dinner in her oven.

I am thankful that we have an excellent general contractor who will soon be handling EVERYTHING!

I'm thankful we have a house. We.have.a.house.

I am thankful that we can do these repairs.

I really am.

I'm thankful for our precious girls and an amazing husband.

But I'm more thankful for a God who gives us the exact amount of {grace} we need for each day...if we'll only ask.

I'm thankful that not only does He not give us more than we can handle...He gives us exactly what we need!

We had a wonderful weekend in Augusta, and I promise there are many more pictures to come.

When I can start to keep up...I mean catch up.

But here's one of our BIG girl in her snazzy hat at her Gramma's 60th birthday party!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

(the verse I repeat over and over all.day.long)

Partial Picture Wednesday

This is the last frame I have on my camera. 

I was shooting away at the Safari Animal Park where we visited on Saturday and...

...click.

...pop.

...veiwfinder goes black for longer than usual.

...nothing will focus. 

I pretty much f.r.e.a.k.o.u.t.

F.R.E.A.K.O.U.T.

We're driving along in a Zebra car (more about that later)

...surrounded by animals who want us to feed them

...Addie in the drivers seat with Paul

...my mom in the very back with both babies

...so i can take pictures of everything. 

BUT...not only is DiAnna an amazing photographer, she's also an amazing friend. 

I bought this camera from her a few months ago
(ok...almost 6 months ago right before the babies were born).

I texted her.

...and not only did she tell me

1.) not to worry

2.) it was a known problem with the 5Ds

3.) canon would fix it for free

she also told me

4.) ...that I could borrow hers this weekend for Paul's mom's 60th Birthday part!

So I tried really hard to quit freaking out.

And there have only been 14,562 times I've wanted a camera to capture rolling over, grabbing feet, playing on the floor, needing to start cereal moments...

...ok, maybe more like 14; but you get my point.

deep breath. this will be a long 5-10 business days.

Road Trip: Birmingham

A few weeks ago (yes, I'm that behind), Addie, the little girls, and I went to Birmingham to visit our sweet friend's the Lewis'. Long, long, long overdue visit!

There's something about this family that when you leave them you feel a bit refueled, encouraged, and always uplifted. They have a way of reminding you that you're loved and valued, that you are doing a good job juggling 3, and that joy comes from being with family and friends!*

(*disclaimer: I am not saying many, many others in our life are not this way as well; but this post is about the Lewis' ;)

It was an absolutely breathtaking day, and the 4 big kids ate lunch outside! Can you see Addie watching Abigail?

The mamas went in and out and mostly chilled inside with the little girls. You see Audrey Kate trying to sit up here? I do believe she was on her 2nd or 3rd outfit by then.

Anne Perry was in our bouncy seat from home, but they both got the treat of playing with a new toy!

If only there were big sisters for borrow. I'd have to have an Abigail visit us on a daily basis. She was so helpful with the little girls and with Addie! You see Addie and Izzy laughing hysterically here at Abigail rolling back and forth?

Well of course Addie had to join in the hilarious fun!

Oh but wait, now all 3 big girls are being silly. I do believe Audrey Kate was amused!

Allison's two younger ones (Jack and Izzy) went down for a nap, so that left Addie and Abigail to watch some videos on the computer and play outside some. It got really quiet though, and then Abigail appeared at the door: Come look what I made for Addie! {Allison and I exchanged looks} And this is what she'd created...

Yes, we did promptly put a stop to the two barefoot girls under the deck playing with the disassembled swing set (nails and all). Considering they weren't supposed to be down there in the first place, they were having quite the time. It was so sweet of Abigail to make Addie a slide though.

That's another reason I love visiting this precious family: what better a role model for Addie to have! I pray she has a heart as sweet as loving and as giving as Abigail's!

And I leave you with these few pictures I took while the big kids were eating. I don't often get a smile on camera and even less often get a smile with eyes...so I kinda fell in love with these!

Thanks for letting us come visit you Lewis'!

Loving the Fall

It's been perfectly beautiful, absolutely amazing fall weather.

You think they might agree?

We've had lots of fun outside with various contraptions and toys to entertain the little girls.

Except it doesn't take much to entertain Addie...and Abbey. Should I be concerned that they are both fascinated by the same thing...

...sticks.

chalking it up to a phase...

for now at least.

1 Year Post-Surgery

On October 17th of 2009, I was 10 weeks pregnant with what we knew was twins and were soon to find out was actually triplets.

And...I found myself undergoing unexpected life-saving surgery.

I often times just stare at these little girls in complete awe. There really is no medical explanation for their survival. My blood pressure (and temperature) was either difficult to find or very low for several hours, redirecting blood flow to the major organs of my body in an attempt to keep me alive due to the extensive blood loss that was occurring. Those major organs did not include my uterus. My body was in shock, fighting to communicate to these doctors the need for surgery. Fighting to keep me alive. How does one respond when a surgeon tells you that you had about 2 hours left to live?

I am certain our twins were not protected by my body. They weren't protected by my uterus. There was nothing I could do to save them. There was nothing medically that could have been done to save them. But I continue to be amazed at the unexplainable peace God covered me with. I feel certain that God Himself had our girls tucked gently in His hands for those touch-and-go hours. He continued to breathe life into them, allowing them to beat the odds.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13

I don't know why He spared my life. I don't know whey He chose to spare the life of these girls. I do know there were two of my closest friends constantly kneeling at the gates of heaven on our behalf early that morning. And I do know His plan is perfect.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

When I find myself completely overwhelmed; I try to remember this, and I once again find strength in God and not myself.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  

2 Corinthians 12:9b

There were countless people who willingly served our family for weeks and months, and I could write a book with all the emotions I feel right now; but instead, I've included some simple words that bring back the flood of this day a year ago and many days after created.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17

Mountains, Tennessee, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge

10 Year Anniversary

Passing out, cold sweat, alone, email, cabin code, 911, 

temporary relief

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Prayer

Ambulance, following, waiting, wondering

Fluids, fluids, fluids

Intense, excruciating, mind numbing, breath taking, worse-than-labor, unexplainable pain

ER, EMT, IV, BP

Gall bladder, appendix, uterus, ovaries

Baffled, waiting, consulting, exploratory, risk-taking

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight

 Proverbs 3:5-6

Prayer

Hysterectomy, miscarriage, dying, death

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:1-4

Babies, uncertainty, tiny

Peace

Bleeding out, blood, transfusion, units

Emergency, shock, distress

CT, O+, OR, OB, ICU

Wedding rings, necklace, bond, pull-it-together

Brave, in sickness & in health, strong, rock, grounded, godly, sole mate, husband

 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 

Ephesians 5:25

Fear, confusion, exhaustion, alone 

 
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6 

Alone, together, alert, out cold

Nausea, sick, groaning pain

Zofran, phenegran, anesthesia, morphine

Prayer, scripture, prayer, emails, prayer, texting, peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

Life-saving, life-changing, life-sparing, Life

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  

John 10:10

Heartbeat, dancing, wiggling, alive, perfect, twins

Miracle, miracleS, blessed

Staples, bandage, tape

Leg compressions, catheter, hospital bed, days

Temporary, discomfort, permanent, scar

Family, friends, unselfish, serving

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Care, commitment

Testimony, purpose

Prayer, Praise, Peace

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

Romans 5:2b-5

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7

Flashback Friday

I picked up this toy at a yard sale almost 3 years ago...for $5. One of the best spent $5 if I might say.

This is Addie...at about 2 and a half months.

She had so much fun making this toy go by kicking her sweet tiny feet!

See that smile!

Although a few months later (after playing with the same great toy at our friends the Lewis'), we remembered to pull it out for the babies! (check out Addie hanging onto the crib wearing her raincoat after playing outside in the cool weather!)

They had SO much fun...and even held hands :)

But all good things must come to an end. And with twins, well, babies in general, it tends to end like this.

But it was still fun! :)

Play

Absolutely nothing profound to say. Just trying to keep up right now. The girls have gone back to waking up at least twice in the night. After dropping that to none only weeks after birth, it's been a readjustment. Needless to say, we're tired. 

These were taken a few weeks ago. Still amazes me how much these little girls have changed. How quickly time seems to move and at the same time creeps by. It makes me joyful and sad all at the same time.

...make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace... Colossians 4:5b-6a

A few of my goals: Play hard. Enjoy every moment...or as many as I can. Snuggle lots. Rub backs. Smell sweet baby heads. Twirl Addie's curls. Hold hands. Cuddle babies. Draw with chalk. And worry about the laundry, dishes, and everyday problems later. It's not easy. And I don't succeed often; but when I do, it's fabulous!

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.--George Bernard Shaw 

Like being able to enjoy just running...back and forth. Back and forth. And still having more energy!

...chilling

...stretching

...and searching

...staying organized

Life must be lived as play. --Plato

...and using things for alternate purposes just because it's fun.

...but most importantly, thanking God for our girls. 

 (yes, a top 10 favorite!)

The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us.  When the world seems familiar, when one has got used to existence, one has become an adult.--Eugene Ionesco 

Wordless Wednesday: Sleep Where You Can

5 Months

Sweet smiles. Hilarious {expressions}. Loving bond.

Intense gazes. Focused looks.

and absolute {amazement} at God's goodness!

Five months people! Five months! I ask it every month...but where does the {time} go?

I went to stand up to put the girls back in the bed early one morning and could hardly muster the strength. It was like they had {grown} 5 pounds each during the night...and I wouldn't doubt it! I always know when they're growing because I usually get a crick in my neck and have aching arms. What an awesome reason to have to deal with aches and pains...{growing} growing babies!

I love how these little girls love their {big} sister. I love how they coo and talk to her. I love how they immediately grab onto each other's hands (or ears or arms) when they are near each other. I love how they've discovered their feet. I love how their {personalities} are evolving; and just as I think I've got them pegged, they reverse roles!

I've never seen so many smiles. So many tears. So many diapers. So many fall clothes. So many spit up covered objects! So many loads of baby laundry.

So much joy. So {much} happiness. So much love!

Anne Perry has obviously been battling some teeth eruption. They haven't made it through her gums yet, but they're almost there. She feels pretty much the same about her incoming teeth as she does about sitting for even 3.5 seconds in a poopy diaper: {intense displeasure}!

But something has happened over the last week. Utter happiness and relief. So many smiles. Silly noises with her tongue. Squeals and coos! She's at least {temporarily} reached the other side of this initial encounter with teething...I think?

What scares me about this little one is her ability to know when she's about to be put down. She will start wailing before her back hits the floor/bed/changing table except for when she's asleep. She would much prefer to be upright, sitting in her bouncy seat or bumbo, or held tightly on my hip!  

She wants to see what's going on, {take it in}, make sure it's all sorted out, and not miss a thing!

She's started this wonderful thing she does with her {tongue}.

And she looks so darn {cute} when she does it! Don't you think? ;)

She's also already preparing for a career in music...or ballet....or something {dramatic} with her arms/hands!

She's even picked up a little of her sister's Derek Zoolander face. Agree?

But it's this {smile} that I love seeing. It's more frequent and common every day. I'm so thankful for her bright eyes and little curls already growing. I'm so thankful for her desire to watch and observe her surroundings.

We are so {blessed} to have you little one!

Audrey Kate tends to be considered more {laid back}. She doesn't usually mind being soaking wet with spit up. She'll still play on the floor or in the bouncy seat for what seems like hours at least several minutes! She loves to gradually turn her body as she lays on the floor. While she's not the biggest fan of being on her tummy, she's learned to almost immediately prop her arms up, hold her head up high, and {roll} to her back!

Her little cry is now a tad hoarse from the reflux. And even though I know she's not calling my name, it breaks my heart when she cries and says {mamamama} at the same time.

I adore watching her interact with her big sister. Addie does the Audrey Kate dance and AK just coos and giggles at her. When Anne Perry is laying next to her, she automatically grabs for her, which can sometimes end their close play. But bottom lines, she loves people and loves {interacting}!

 

Unfortunately this little laid back girl has hit the {teething} stage as well. She can fit her entire fist in her mouth, but she is almost always chewing on a few fingers! She's the first to wake us up at night right now (which the teething has restarted), so I can't help but wonder if she's {growing} again!

and believe it or not, shes can put herself to sleep in her bed in an unswaddled sleepsack with a lovey and paci. my favorite thing is to look over the crib when she wakes up, catch her eye and watch her break into the cutest {grin}!

And I'm not sure you can see it here, but she's got this fabulous {fuzzy} hair. It's so soft, and I love rubbing my hand lightly over it!

and when she's sleepy she {rubs} her eyes and wants her paci!

Her little squinty smile makes her look so much like her {daddy}, and I simply adore seeing it!

I am so thankful for her fuzzy hair and hoarse cry. i am so thankful for her happy smile and social self.

God has really blessed us with two more precious little girls!

Psalm 46: 10-11

Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth."  

The LORD Almighty is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

a Flashback Friday of Sorts

{a little late} 5 month post to come!

But for now, here are our {not so} little girls!

Harder to hold

Harder to feed

Harder to carry in their car seats 

{together}

{Easier} 

to

nap

  interact with

entertain

and a total and complete

{joy} 

to watch grow up together and with their big sister!

The LORD your God is with you, 

he is mighty to save. 

He will take great delight in you, 

he will quiet you with his love, 

he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Musical Motion Activity Jumper

With a name like that, you'd think this contraption could change diapers, wash clothes, teach Addie to read AND entertain the twins.

Not so much, but all three of our girls think it's pretty {swanky}.

There wasn't much, gear wise, that we had to purchase for having twins.

Well, {except} a double stroller, a double jogger, a second crib, another bouncy seat...oh never mind!

But ever since Addie enjoyed this {jumper} at our friend Julie, John, Savannah (and now baby David's) house, I've had my eye on it.

(Addie at 5 months!)

I mean...wouldn't you want something this fun?

I just wasn't willing to pay for it.

Even the used ones were expensive.

So when my mom and I found this brand new {display} model almost 50% off at Sam's...there was no passing it up.

And after a thorough decontamination, it's been {hiding} behind the twin's bed!

That is until the little girls started getting stronger...

...more alert

...and older.

Anne Perry was the first to try it out, and she still seems to be the bigger fan of it.

She discovered her tongue weeks ago, and I'm not sure it's stayed in her mouth much since then!

But Audrey Kate was not about to be left behind!

And her Derek Zoolander face was in all actuality enabling her to concentrate on spinning the green frog!

You know.

Because as Addie would agree,

This contraption may not change diapers, wash clothes or teach her to read...

But it's already provided many hours minutes of entertainment and fun for all of our girls!

Seriously!