St. Simon's Getaway

Once a year, Andrew has the opportunity to go to a conference on St. Simon's Island. I used to tag along with him before we had kids. He, of course, would be in meetings all day, but I would enjoy lounging by the pool.

 I have not been with him since we have had children for various reasons. But, this year, we decided we might be up for the challenge. Keep in mind, this means all five of us are in one hotel room. It also means I am taking the kids to the pool and beach by myself. So while it may sound like a vacation, it really is just a change in scenery. He is still working and I am still chasing around 3 monkeys all day.

I am happy to say that we had an awesome time! Everyone being in one room was fine because everyone was exhausted from being out in the heat. The hotel actually had several pools...one which happened to be a kiddy pool that was only one foot deep. It also had a huge sandbox next to it. Next to that pool was a 3 foot deep pool (perfect for Ella to practice her swimming) and then a regular depth pool. It was perfect for everyone. I also got to talk and catch up with an old friend who has two girls close in age to our kids. That was the icing on the cake. Adult conversation was good for my mommy sanity. It literally ended up being a free semi-vacation for us. We all played hard and we all slept hard.

 I LOVED seeing my children just enjoy life. We had three days of just living. No real schedules, no caring what we ate...we just lived. They had hot dogs two days in a row for lunch, so I was officially the greatest mom in the world in their little eyes. (Gross, I know. Sometimes you just need to relax and not worry about how many fruits and vegetables has everyone eaten that day). Here are a few pictures of our few days in St. Simon's.

Love this picture of Ella helping Jacob. There is nothing better than watching your children help each other.

Beautiful

Playing in the one foot pool; this was more up Audrey's ally. She wasn't a huge fan of the beach.

Watch out Michael Phelps! This boy may end up stealing your titles. He LOVES the water!

Hopefully we will be able to go again next year. Even if it isn't really a vacation for Andrew, it was a nice change of pace for our family.

Fourth of July (Catching Up)

We have had a rather full summer this year. I had thought it may still be difficult to do too many summer activities because of the children's ages, but we managed to fill our weeks with plenty of fun. And although I'm sure I appeared rather maniacal at times, I did manage to take all three of my little ones to the pool a couple times a week. I am pretty sure I earned my mommy badge this summer. We spent three mornings a week the entire month of June taking Ella to swim lessons. Since it is such an ordeal to get every one there, we would usually stay a couple more hours and play in the pool. By the end of the month, she was swimming under water and coming up for breaths (although I still would not call her a swimmer just yet). I don't think she is quite ready for the Olympics, but we still have another 6 weeks of the pool being open. 2016 Olympics perhaps?

We had a very traditional American fourth of July; we spent our time at the lake, grilling out hamburgers, and watching fireworks. The people across the lake put on a fabulous show every year, so we get to watch from the comfort of our own lawn. The twins were asleep and Ella only lasted about five minutes before she decided it was too loud for her.

Here are all the kids showing their American pride. I had big plans for a red, white, and blue picture of us all, but the little ones were uncooperative. Isn't that always what happens when you have a camera around your neck?

Little Miss Fourth of July

Proud to live in America and the freedom that we have!

And this is what happened when I told them we might have another 4 years of Obama...

The many faces of Audrey

Hi! Yes, I know I'm gorgeous. Just look into these perfect and innocent eyes. They could do no wrong.

What do you mean I'm in trouble? Don't you remember that God says children are a blessing? What about that song you sing about Jesus loving the little children?

If I act like I am going to cry, will I still get punished?

Ok, how about if I make a silly face? Does that change anything?

This little girl is almost indescribeable. She is the sweetest most loveable child, yet proving to be so incredibly naughty. Although I think Jacob tends to be the instigator, he at least is easily disciplined. He has a sensitive heart just like Ella. But Audrey...she is going to be my child who rather do what she wants and is ok with a consequence. We thought she was going to be our easy going, happy child. She is indeed both those things. But along with that easy going attitude is also an attitude of not caring if she is in trouble. For example, the other day I said "Audrey, if you do not get down from the table, I am going to spank you." Do you know what she did?  She took her hand, popped herself on the thigh and laughed (in other words, she spanked herself).

My friends, don't be fooled by that sweet face. She's a tricky one. She is a natural comedian. She is cute and she knows it.

But you know what? To get through everything she has in her short little life, you'd have to be both easy going and feisty all in one breath.

She is officially mobile...both a blessing and a bit of insanity for this mother. She is still going to physical and occupational therapy, however, we are going to be going less now that she is walking. She is being fitted for ankle braces to help give her a little more support and balance. She still has some low tone issues, but I don't know that it would be anything noticeable to someone who wasn't really an expert on such things (ie-a doctor or therapist). I am ridiculously proud of this girl. Do you know how excited mothers get when their child learns to walk? Well, when you have a child who has really struggled...it is like watching Jesus walk on water. It's like seeing someone who has trained for the Olympics finally win their gold medal.

She and Jacob have also started speech therapy. Audrey has very quickly picked up sign language. Whatever the girl may struggle with physically, she makes up for in intellect. She is smart and funny and a hard worker. She is silly and witty. The speech therapist calls Audrey the comedian and Jacob the engineer. That describes the two of them exactly.

So while she challenges me daily with this new attitude of hers, I must say I am thankful God made her that way. I am thankful she stands up for herself (although, the hitting and pushing thing does need to stop). And I LOVE seeing my other two children help her when she falls or needs an extra hand. There is nothing like seeing her twin brother run up to her and hug her when she has fallen and is crying. And they may fight...but, they love each other so much.

It's just beautiful. And they are beautiful. And I am so blessed.

So, don't ever feel sorry for that little girl who maybe walks a little funny and wears braces on her feet. She is stronger than you know.

I love that little face.

Breakfast at Tiffany's: Our version

So are you still wondering what was inside that Tiffany's box? Probably not, but I'm going to tell you anyway. So, for about 4 or 5 years now, I have been trying to be careful what I buy when it comes to adding things to my wardrobe. Part of it is because I no longer bring home an income, but the other part is when we starting thinking about having less things. We have had 4 addresses since we have been married and it is always embarrassing when you pack up boxes and see how much junk you have. The third part is just coming to peace with myself that I'm not really a trends kind of girl...I'm an old soul who loves the classics. I love clean lines and simplicity.

Anyway, around this same time I told Andrew that I wanted to start collecting classics for my jewelry box that I could later give to my girls. My brother bought me a beautiful silver bracelet from Tiffany's one Christmas (which is totally shocking if you know him...he is very generous, but I never would never expect him to step foot in a jewelry store.). Besides my wedding ring, this was my only other classic piece in my jewelry box. Through the years, Andrew has added a strand of pearls (both necklace and bracelet) and diamond earrings to my collection (all at various times). I also bought a silver necklace from Tiffany's when my dear friend and I were visiting New York one Christmas (before children)...I'm pretty sure we told our husbands we were picking out our own presents that year.

 So having Mother's Day, my birthday, and our anniversary all within 3 weeks of each other usually means I get one "clumped together" gift. For me, this is great since we are on our pursuit of minimalism.

For our anniversary this year (our tenth), we actually got a babysitter for the afternoon. We ate lunch at our favorite cafe and enjoyed uninterrupted adult conversation. That in itself was a huge gift. At the closing of our lunch date, Andrew gave me two options to end our afternoon: we could either go to a museum or we could go to Tiffany's and pick out a classic to add to my "collection."

Huh? This seemed like a trick question. "Do we have money for something like that?" I asked. To this, he smiled and told me he had made some extra money with his side business and would be happy to buy something for our ten year anniversary so long as it was reasonable.

Would you believe I almost said no? I almost did.

And then I realized these kind of offers don't come very often. (And I know it made him (the giver) feel very happy as well...even though we have been married for ten years, I think men still have that need to "woo" their wives every now and then. And I was very "woo'ed"!!)

So, here is the classic I added. I have worn it proudly almost every day since. (It's a necklace by the way).

So, I had my Audrey Hepburn moment...my Breakfast at Tiffany's moment. We didn't make it to Paris. But, this was the perfect day for us.

That iconic Little Blue Box

Don't you wish I'd tell you what's in this little blue box? 

I know...I'm such a tease. 

You know I love a good story. Who wants to guess? Come on...amuse me!

(Yes, I might love Breakfast at Tiffany's: I have an orange cat, a child named Audrey, and now this little blue box.

All a coincidence...I promise.)

Unexpected Surprises: Part 2 of 2

I know. That was really mean of me to leave everyone hanging like that. I was shocked how many people sent me messages via facebook trying to pry it out of me.

Let me just start by saying, since many people asked if it was a plane ticket to Paris, the ending of this story may be a little anticlimactic for you. However, that would make for a REALLY good story! So, if anyone would like to send me a ticket, I'll gladly change the ending to this story or give you your own blog post. Should I set up a paypal account on my sidebar? I kid. I kid.

 OK. So, before I tell the ending (because I just love story telling and drawing things out to keep one in suspense), I'm going to tell you something I have learned about giving. There are different types of giving, and although I always feel equally grateful for any gift, there is a certain emotion that is evoked when a gift is given to you that is truly sacrificial. For example, I periodically clean out my closet and either give my unwanted clothes to a friend or to goodwill. Although this is a type of generosity, it truly isn't anything I am feeling a loss over. The same could be said for money or anything of monetary value that doesn't really put a "dent in my wallet" so to speak.

 I pretty much felt like the world took care of us when I was pregnant with the twins and I'll never be able to repay the kindness. And I struggle with pride...really, really struggle with it. I don't like "needing" anyone. I would probably just drown before I asked someone to throw me a lifesaver so to speak. Being a nurse, I was called to serve. I enjoy serving. But when someone serves me...well, I just don't even know how to respond.

Am I talking in circles? Yes? I'm sorry. I'm still a little overwhelmed.

Because I know this person would never want any attention brought to this, I am going to have to be very discreet. She is a true example of Matthew 6:2. You also must understand that this is someone who I am going to guess does not have many extras in life. I know she works several jobs. She works very, very hard and has the best attitude of anyone you will ever meet.

So, I'm opening this letter with a big smile. Although I could not tell you when her birthday is, it is no surprise that she would remember my birthday...because she's just one of those people that keeps up with those things and always tries to make others feel special and important. But, when I opened the letter, a very large sum of money fell out of that envelope. It doesn't matter how much it was, what matters is that the amount she put in that envelope I am sure was a huge sacrifice for her. It was money that I am sure she had to put in extra hours to give away.

 But there was more. You see, this wasn't really a birthday card. Inside was the loveliest letter that also included a list of babysitters that she had found for me. People she knew and trusted. She had also remembered that it was my tenth wedding anniversary. And she told me to use that money to go out as well as towards a babysitter on that list.

 But, there is even more to this story that even she does not know. The money she gave, was exactly the amount of money Andrew and I had budgeted for going out for lunch and getting a babysitter for the afternoon. The EXACT amount. (And when I say budgeted, I mean that we were taking money out of savings to celebrate...because we did not really even have the money without dipping into that account).

 And at first, I thought about giving that money right back. Because I just couldn't accept something so generous from someone who I know really needed it herself. So, I prayed about it a lot the past 24 hours. I even prayed for God to tell me someone else who could use that money more than us...someone in true need and not just simply celebrating an anniversary.

And last night, I got an e-mail from someone who was inquiring about a photo shoot. This someone is also walking through some very, very difficult trials. I also knew that money was certainly an object for them. And I felt this divine presence of God. I read that e-mail and I saw that money fall to the floor in my mind. I replayed the scene over and over. I didn't need to physically hear God's voice. He had made it very clear. He had given Andrew and I a gift, and in return, I could gift someone else with my own gift.

At first she refused...saying she knew I ran a business and wasn't a charity. But, I made her understand that God had been very generous to us. And it was my turn to pay it forward. And I have never been so happy giving away a photo session.

I cannot wait to share with my friend how her gift blessed more than just me...but, that it blessed someone else. And the fact that God had given exactly the amount we felt like we needed...that just blows my mind. And then how He immediately showed me how to give back, well...my friends...I have never been so overwhelmed at seeing God at work. Because only He could have orchestrated that whole event.

So, I may not being going to Paris. But, this is WAY better than that plan. This will forever leave an impression on my heart. I got to experience God in a huge way. And that is priceless.

Unexpected Suprises: Part 1 of 2

I do realize that by entitling this post "unexpected surprises" that I am being very redundant. However, calling it unexpected or completely surprised does not really convey truly the emotions involved.

Yesterday was my birthday. My 32nd to be exact, but that does not really matter in thick of the story except to point out that it wasn't a "big" birthday. I had my "big" 30th two years ago where I was more than shocked at my husbands ability to throw me a surprise birthday party without me having even the vaguest clue. Lucky for him, my 30th (on the 30th) happened to fall on a weekend that year which made it even easier to pull one over on me. He (and my family and friends...who are really ALL my family, just not all blood related) made me feel so special that night that I honestly haven't felt the need for another birthday since. We now jokingly call it my "going on bed rest" party because I was pregnant with the twins at the time and it was shortly before that pregnancy started going down hill.

I digress.

When Andrew told he had to go on a day trip with work and wasn't sure what time he would be home yesterday, I really didn't mind. In fact, he thought it was strange that I really did not mind. But in all honesty, my love cup is still full from that party two years ago...but, don't tell him...he may never buy me a present again! Anyway, I just planned my day like normal. We were invited to a friends house to play which was perfect because I did not have to spend my day alone. And by alone, I mean chasing 3 children by myself. And thanks to facebook, everyone always knows when it is your birthday (which I secretly love when it is my turn!). So, although I never mentioned it to my friend, she had a special birthday cake and all the kids sang. It was awesome!! Seriously, children make birthdays wonderful because they love them. They don't care whose birthday it is...they just love all that it involves! Another birthday that I will always remember!

So after a wonderful day (the kids were really good that day), today I woke up to the twins being possessed by poltergeists or something. They were completely out of control. Some of you have already heard this story, but it started with acting like a bunch of crazy monkeys at my dermatologist appointment. I was THAT mom who looked like she didn't have any control over her kids. I was trying really hard, but someone asked me to sign a paper and I took my eyes off them for a second...and well, Jacob pulled every magazine off the rack and pulled half a box of tissues out of a kleenex box in one nano second. In my moment of trying to put everything back in its place, Ella announces to the entire waiting room "MOMMY!! Audrey has a REALLY STINKY diaper!!! Smell it!!!"

Thanks Ella. At least someone is on top of it all.

Anyway, we made it out of there in one piece and Jacob screamed the entire way home (just because). As I was making lunch in kitchen, the twins went upstairs to "play". Now, maybe I am naive for being so trusting. But there is no way to contain them downstairs. The downstairs is completely open (no doors between rooms...except the pantry and half bath) and the gates on the stairs were removed a long time ago because they were climbing over them. Anyway, I preface that because there is only so much I can control. However, for the most part, they are good about playing with the various toys in their rooms and there is not much they can get into.

Except that I was very, very wrong about that last part on this particular day.

Today, they decided to empty a box of about 20 tampons, unwrap most of them, and threw them all in the toilet. When I caught them, they were stirring them around like spoons. Some were wet and on the floor. There was also a whole wet roll of toilet paper that they had obviously stuck in there and then threw on the floor.

That is all I have to say about that.

While I was cleaning that up, they went in Ella's room and used her baby doll high chair as a ladder to climb on her dresser and eat smiley face stickers (the kind you can reapply over and over on chore charts). Although they did not swallow any (at least I don't think) they did manage to suck all the color off the faces only leaving clear plastic...well nothing. I thought the worst was over. hahaha...silly mommy. The day wasn't even half over.

I'll spare you all the details, but Jacob used a chair to climb on Ella's dresser and broke her nutcracker snowglobe into a million pieces...glitter, glass, and water everywhere. There is more to this day, but does it really matter at this point? And then the doorbell rings...

Although I normally play it cool and act like I'm not home (sorry, I get nervous at unexpected visitors), Ella had already run to the door (but didn't open it) and yelled "MOMMY!!! The mail lady is here!!!"

The mail lady? Don't they usually just drop the package at the door and leave? I am very puzzled at this point. So, thanks to Ella, I feel obligated to now go answer the door. She said she had a certified letter for me that required a signature. I have a moment of panic thinking "holy crap, am I getting called to court or something? This can't be good". I must have stood there in denial for a few moments because she gave me a funny look and said "Um...you need to sign here." Still hesitant, I glance at the small letter in her hand and it is addressed in the loveliest penmanship and had a return address sticker with high heels on the envelope, so I figured it must be safe". I sign on the dotted line and the mail lady quickly runs away as I stand there with a still very puzzled look on my face. Don't ask me what I would have done had it not been for the high heels...refused to sign?

The question remained, who would send me a certified letter? I see the name on the return address and smile...knowing it could only be something very sweet coming from this lovely lady. I'm still completely baffled why a letter from a friend would need a signature upon receiving it. Knowing how lovely she is, I figured she must have just really wanted to be sure I got this card (I was guessing a birthday card at this point).

I pull out the letter written on beautiful stationary, yet as I am opening it, something falls to the floor. As I look down, I am sure my eyes were as wide as an ocean and I quickly got weak in the knees and had to sit down.

(To Be continued)