Dirty, but fun!!

This past weekend was crazy, but fun! We celebrated both of the kids' birthdays in one party. I'm pretty sure this will be the last year we can get away with that, so we did. :)
I'll post some pics from the party as soon as I get them off the camera, but here's one from our Sunday afternoon-evening at home.
We put together the trampouline that my friend from work gave to us, as a surprise for the kids for their birthday party. They loved it! So, we came home and jumped on the trampouline and then Rob made a fire and we roasted hotdogs. So fun and So relaxing! Here's a pic of me and my dirty babies!!!!
Not long after we took this, it was off to the tub and then to bed. They were both out about a minute after I laid them down. Just down right tuckered out! :) I love these babies!

Planting Flowers!

It was beautiful today! A little windy, but pretty! And since tomorrow we are having a party for the kiddos for their birthdays... thought it would be nice to have some flowers in my front planter. Rob had to work, so the babies and I got up early and headed to buy flowers. My sister-in-law came along, which was awesome, cause the boy really just wanted to run around... she's a great help! Both kids got to pick out two flowers... they are pretty funny! EmJ chose pink-she's such a girl and Superboy chose blue-such the boy! Here's some pictures of the three of us planting flowers! I hope this is something we can do together every year!
Gavin got bored after a bit and took off to play, but EmJ had a great time making giving herself a mud facial! :)

Happy Birthday, Superboy!!!

Four years ago our lives changed forever!! And so much for the better!
Little boy... You are amazing!! You are so smart and funny and full of life!
You keep mama and daddy on our toes and will forever keep us young.
Thank you for trusting us even as we make so many mistakes! I love how you love and care for your sissy... And I love that you call her 'little' :) I hope you always do! Mama and daddy are so blessed to be part of you life! Happy 4th birthday, buddy!! I love you more than you know!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Baby Girl!

Today is EmJ's Birthday! Her second birthday! Two years! What? Can that really be? I can't believe that she is already two! She's so precocious! And Sweet! And Wonderful! Like her brother... she is full of life! She absolutely has her own ideas about things and loves, loves, loves her brother and daddy! Right down to loving and playing Superm@n with both of them! I am honored to be her mommy and blessed to be in her life! Happy birthday, sweet baby girl! I love you more and more and am really enjoying getting to know you!

SNOW DAY 2009!!

Goodness... I haven't been in here in a long time! And even now I'm too tired to write, so I'll just post some pictures from our sweet snow day at home!

2009

WOW! 2009. Crazy. So, now that all our New Year's Eve Company---well, most of it-- has headed home, here I am still wide awake. (too much coffee and energy drink. :) ) I was just thinking about how much I can't believe will happen this year. My little boy will turn 4!!! And my little girl will turn 2! Rob and I will be married for 10 years and will have been a couple for 13 years!! My family will have been a blended family for over 10 years... seems like longer some days and like we went from being an at home family of 3 to 8 about a blink ago. I will have been at my job for 6 years in February and still loving almost every day of it! (aside from the being away from my babies and Rob thing...)
Amazing how quickly it seems like time is going. Didn't we just get married? Weren't G & E just born? Tonight, my little man was running around, playing with his cousin and sister, and he just seemed so grown up. Where'd my baby go? Seriously! How'd he get this big? And EmJay! She is one ornery little miss. When she has her mind set... Good Grief!
Rob is still at home with the kids full time for the winter. If someone would have told me that one day we would have a complete role reversal in this area of our family... I would have laughed them out of the room, but here we are... neither baby has been to daycare and has only been with either Rob, my mom or their Auntie Shell! Amazing! It's so crazy how freaked out I was when I found out we were pregnant and now here we are and daddy still loves being home with his kiddos.
Rob and I are leading worship at two churches and even with the business of it, I know that we are doing exactly what God has called us to do!
I'm pretty excited about 2009. I'm continuing to learn to trust God everyday---sometimes every minute! :) And learning to wait EXPECTANTLY for what God has. Not hesitantly, but with anticipation and expectation that God has good things for us!
Happy New Year! Bring on 2009!

Christmas Photoshoot

Too busy to say much, but I thought I'd post some pictures from our attempt to get some good shots for Christmas presents.

Weekend to Remember...

We were given the gift this weekend, by my mama and step dad, of spending the weekend at the Family LIfe Weekend to Remember marriage conference. It was really amazing and I would recommend it to any couple... married, engaged, or thinking of getting married! We learned so much! Too much to write all about in this short post... :) I realized a few things while we were there. 1. I am so thankful for my husband. His willingness to put our family and me before his own needs and desires is really amazing. 2. For someone who communicates for a living, I've really sucked at communicating with my best friend. I am quick to unsheathe my sword and draw blood from the belly... I really want to communicate with him in a way that he will both hear and understand me. 3. Rob really loves me. And he completely trusts me. He is my gift from God and a treasure! And my job is to respect him for the authority that God has given him. I am to be his helper... Not is mama. (wow... ok, so there's even more that I've learned, but I'm still pretty worn out from the weekend, so I'll have to save the rest for another post!)
Anyhow... we went up there with an already pretty great marriage! And even though it's not as if things have just become some fairy tale, happily ever after thing, I already can see how God is using this weekend to the benefit of our marriage, our family, and to God's glory!

Thanks, Mom and Wes. Thank you for investing in us. We love you!

And to my best friend, lover, father of my children, my partner (sometimes in crime!:) )... When I say I love you... I love you!

My Family Throws The Best Birthday Party...

I love my family so much! When I got home today they (they, meaning daddy... of course!) had made me a fantastic dinner and my sweet, creative husband had made me the cutest cake! Then the babies said that we needed to play our new family game. (See previous post. :) ) I LOVE my sweet family!
Here's a picture of my adorable cake! :)

Oh, yeah. It's On!!

So... in this time of economic hardship, my family has found a fantastic way to occupy our time and have a little cheap entertainment! N-E-R-F G-U-N-S!! We are having so much fun! We take turns hiding and then the kids and the not hidden parent go find the missing parent! The kids love it! Then... when the kids go to sleep, we turn all the lights off and... It's On!! We've even pulled my brother into the game! I'm exhausted by the time we go the sleep, but I haven't laughed this much forever!

Did you ever think you'd ask...

So, tonight, I went into our bathroom and I found the new box of tampons that I just recently purchased, and to my complete confusion, the box was empty. Hmmm? Ok, so I figured that the kids had maybe gotten into them and daddy had put them in a drawer and not in the box to keep them away from the babies. So, I looked in the drawers and under the sink. Nope. No tampons. Hmmm? That's strange. So, downstairs I go. And this is how the conversation goes. "Honey?" "Yeah, babe." "Ummm... where'd you put my tampons?" "Excuse me?" "My tampons. Their not in the box." "And you think I used them?" "Um, no. I just thought you maybe moved them." "I have not seen your tampons. You know I don't even like to think about those things. Why would I touch them." "Well, the thing is... is they're gone." "Gone? Gone where?" "Yeah... Um, I don't really know. I need you to help me find them." So, reluctantly my husband follows me upstairs to try search for my missing tampons. We searched everywhere. Finally, we find them. Stashed under the bed. Yup. Under the bed. Not really sure why. But, there they were. Under the bed. 

Daddy took the babies to the store today to try and find this special tea for my brother. While he was searching the shelf, he turns around, and this is what he finds. He said it took him forever to put them all back. 

Our weekend in the hospital.

We're home now. I'm very thankful. As I'm starting to type this, I'm realizing how tired I am, cause I'm getting really teary... which I don't really do that much. Emme got sick on Friday. She seemed to just have the crud. Congested chest cough yuckiness and a fever. At about 4am on Saturday, she woke up and her fever was high again. So, daddy and I were trying to decide whether to strip her and give her a bath or more motrin... when she started to roll all over the bed. She couldn't get comfortable and I realized that she couldn't hardly breathe. She was panicking and so was I. I scooped her up and we headed to the emergency room. They did some chest ex-rays and started giving her breathing treatments.... albuterol and then another one that I can't remember the name of. I seem to take a bit after my mom... strong until it's all over, then I cry. I didn't really cry while we were in the ER. I didn't really break down, even when they were putting the IV in her tiny hand, but now that we're home, and she's resting peacefully with her daddy, the tears just won't stop. I cannot imagine our lives before she was here. She's just so much apart of who we are now. Funny... I did not want a girl. I even had a hard time with the idea of a girl. Now, I don't just want a girl, but I can't believe that I ever thought that I wouldn't be able to relate to my daughter. She's my mini-me. I almost every way. She has my temper. My stubborn head. My eyes. My hair. I love my mini-me. Her ex-rays, in the ER, showed some stuff on the left side of her lungs. They explained to us that she had pneumonia. Pneumonia??? How can that be??? She was healthy and fine just a day and a half before that!! I was just sure that they didn't believe us and that they thought we were the worst parents ever! Thankfully... they were so reassuring and validating to us about how babies can compensate for quite awhile before they crash, so although she may have been sick, we couldn't have known. After spending several hours in the ER, they decided to admit her to the pediatric unit. It's amazing how, even when you know that people are all around you and ready and willing to help, as you look at your sick baby, you just feel so helpless. Breaks my heart. I'm so thankful for the hospital staff. They were awesome! So full of compassion and so gentle. She had to wear this nasty contraption on her arm, where they put the IV in. Kids are incredible! Even with this monster on her arm--her right arm at that!-- she managed to figure out how to eat her cereal and fruit snacks using the board and her thumb! AMAZING! She's so smart. The doctor came in today before we left. She said that she looked at the ex-rays from the first night and that they are clear. Nothing on her lungs! Ok, so she said that the ER staff probably made a mistake, but I am confident that God healed our baby and went right ahead and healed the ex-rays with it! He's so good! So, we're home now. This has seriously been the longest weekend ever! I'm so thankful for God's healing hand and His grace even in the midst of our storm! The girl's been pretty ornery (I'm not sure how to spell that...) I think that's probably the best sign that she's getting back to normal! We sure love you, baby! Feel better! 123~Mama. 

I tried to upload a picture of her in her hospital gown... she looked so sweet! 

I woke up this morning and The Caped Crusader was in my bed.

Fall 2008 Photo Shoot

Tough Week

This has been a really tough week. So... going back a bit... My work, a few years ago, stopped accepting Medicaid. This was such a bummer for me, because, the population that generally has medicaid and mental health issues are the kids that I most love working with. The are hard, but really worth every minute of your time with them. So, I have been praying and petitioning for us to have those kids back and within the last month, God has honored those prayers and work, and we are now taking Medicaid again! I'm thrilled! I mean... this is why I do what I do... to serve those kids and their families. 

Anyhow... we have a new girl. Our second Medicaid admission since we started again. She's so hurting. She's 12 years old (the youngest age that we accept) and has been in residential treatment centers for several years. Including the state hospital... which is a big deal. So, tonight was my first music therapy group session with her. We had 7 kids tonight, including 2 new boys, and the girls were all wound up, so it was a bit of a mad house. We headed to the local grocery store for one of the kids' favorite music group traditions... the purchasing of snacks for the evening. Somehow in the craziness of all those kids, I left her behind. Yeah, I  actually left this little girl back at the facility. While I was at the store, another staff member came running in and let me know that they had a situation and that I needed to come. I realized instantly what had happened, left the other kids with my team mate and ran... literally at a dead run back to the hospital. You have to understand that this little girl has severe trauma and attachment disorder. (This is also a big deal.) When I got back, she was crying and calling me names and kicking things. I really just wanted to throw up. I have never, never done anything like this. It took some time and we finally got her calmed down, and I asked her "Where were you? Did you go to the bathroom? How did you get separated from the group?" She replied, "You all walked out the door and I was waiting to see if you'd turn around to see if I was coming, and you didn't, so I came back inside." To which I replied, "You set me up?" And she nodded her  head. Again, I wanted to throw up. This was after having several incidents throughout the week where we had to de-escalate her. My heart is so hurting tonight. I can't believe that I was so careless and part of me can't believe that she would be hurting so bad that she would have to do this... prove that the World is a sucky place and so is everyone in it. I met with her mom. She's amazing. So understanding and so aware of her daughters needs and the way she attempts to get those needs met. Amazing. God is good... I got to tell this little girl how much I care about her, but that I am human, and I will fail her. I will let her down. I make mistakes. I also got to tell her that we (our team) prays for her and for her mom, and that we're not going to give up on her. Both her and mom were crying. I think I'd of cried too... if I hadn't felt so much like puking. Not really sure what will happen from here. I've never made this kind of a mistake. I called my boss. She's great... she assured me that this could have happened to anyone of our team. Still sucks that it had to be me. She has to talk to her boss tomorrow to see what needs to be done. I could be written up.... this would be a first for me. Again... that nausea. I'm trying really hard not to beat myself up and to rest. I do believe that everything happens for a purpose. And I know that God will use it. Trust. Rest. The song "It is Well" has been on my heart for a couple of days. Especially the part about "when peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll... whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say... It is well! It is well with my soul." Abba, Whatever my lot. It is well with my soul. I trust You. I will rest in You. 

Parents of the Year

Don't judge me, but there are words in my life that I have used for as long as I can remember. I don't recall ever really really getting in trouble for using these words, although I do remember hearing someone coin them as "Christian cuss words." I don't use real cuss words. (Well, I try not to.) Anyhow. 

Today we met my in-laws for lunch. It was a nice lunch, but the kids were pretty worn out, so we cut out a bit early, hoping that they would both take a nice, long snooze in the car. It's been a bit cooler here, since our streak of 90+ degree weather, but today, was again, pretty hot. The boy was so sleepy and needy, so I was carrying him out to the car. As I put him in the back seat and begin to buckle him in, he says "mama, it's freakin' hot. it's freakin' hot, huh?" Yup. Parents of the Year. 

"Something very powerful was when I learned that everything, no matter how trivial or menial, can and should be seen as an act of worship to God." ~DW

What a statement. 

And spoken by a Man of God with wisdom beyond his 22 years. 

Amazing how, even being 6 years older than him... I know I looked up to him. 

I want my life to be a living sacrifice. To be sanctified holy. To be set apart. So, that everyone around me wants to know where my joy comes from. Not just when I sing, but that in every aspect of my life, in all that I do, that my life is an act of worship. 

"You alone, oh God, are worthy, of all that I am." 

I love you Jesus. You, the fullness of God in man, are worthy of all that I am. 

We have potty...

The boy pottied in the potty... his first real live, more than just a few drops, full on urination in the potty!!! We are so proud! We were getting worried that he was gonna be 16 before this finally happened! 

I'm so proud of you, baby!!! Diaper free life... here we come!!! 

Bees

A bee stung my baby girl today... right on the thumb. She cried alot... 

I hate bees. 

"I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,

Won't my mommy be so proud of me,

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,

Ouch! It stung me!

I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee,

Won't my mommy be so proud of me,

I'm squishing up a baby bumblebee,

Ooh! It's yucky!

I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee,

Won't my mommy be so proud of me,

I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee,

Now my mommy won't be mad at me!"

Stupid bee.

I think I'm Finally Figuring This Thing Out...

I changed my layout. I think I like it. I should be sleeping, but since we FINALLY have internet at home (Long story... our house is great, but really old!) I'm able to play a bit more. I figured out how to add music too. Wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I LOVE the two songs that I chose. Marie Digby... she's so sweet! This song is a cover, but when I listened to her sing it... it became so real. I can really relate. The Plumb song... Rob put that on the girl's One Year Slideshow. (He started this tradition with the boy. I love it. He takes all of the pictures from their first year and makes me a slideshow... complete with music and everything.) This song makes me cry. I teach my "kids"--this is what I call the kids that I work with-- about the emotion and power in music. Funny, sometimes I forget that...