Love

The sweetest thing happened this morning. I was tied up pumping and Oliver had scooted over to our big push-truck. Charlie was playing with it and I don't know if he ran over O's hand or just took it away and Oliver started sobbing. He has used up all his "umph" and didn't have it in him to scoot back over to me and just laid his head down to cry. Dylan hopped right up, ran into his room, and brought out his two snuggy-toys and blankey to give to Oliver. He knows that when you're sad, those items make it all better. So sweet not only because of the brotherly love, but sweet coming from Dylan. He's not one to show much compassion, especially toward his brothers, so this just tore at my heart-strings. I'm so lucky to have these boys. They are so wonderful and I love them so very much!

Death & Regret

This past Saturday we went to the funeral of our dear family friend. She was a wonderful woman whom my mother sort of adopted into our family. She's taken on the title of "Auntie Linda" and always was around for major holidays and family events. She s.p.o.i.l.e.d our kids and loved them as if they were her own. She went pretty suddenly, and unexpectedly and because of that I do have one small regret. It's nothing big, but it is lingering in the back of my mind. For Valentine's Day she went in with my mom and gave my twinners backpacks with a little car inside. I spaced that they were from Linda, too, so when I saw her the last time, I didn't tell her thank you. After I had left she asked my mom if the twins liked the bags and my mom told her they did. I had taken pictures of the twins with their backpacks on and had the intent of sending her a thank you in the mail with the pictures. Time got away from me and I never got it done. I know she knew we were grateful but it was a little thing that I knew would mean a lot to her.

My grandma died when I was in high school. I was probably 16 or 17 years old. Everytime I went to visit her she liked me to play the piano for her. Because I was 16 and had my car, I would visit occasionally. Prior to her dying, I had the intention of stopping by one day and playing for her. She died before I got around to it. I still feel bad that I never got over to her house and was too caught up in being a teenager.

I know that everyone dies. I know that those that I love know I love them. I think it is the little bit of perfection in myself that makes me have these moments of doubt and insecurity sneak in and make me feel bad for not doing enough. I need to do two things. 1. I need to not procrastinate those things that I want to do and just get it done and 2. I need to be a little kinder to myself and be happy with just doing the best I can. That's all we can do, the best we can.

I'm grateful the last few weeks I've had to reflect on this subject. I am grateful that I know the plan of my Heavenly Father and that not only I, but everyone, can return to live with him again. I love that I know that we will see our loved ones again after they've passed from this life. I love that I know that there is happiness for those that leave and perhaps even better circumstances ahead. I'm grateful to my parents for teaching me these truths and for a husband that also shares my same beliefs. How blessed I am that I know this with my whole being. How blessed I am that I have such wonderful people around me. There should be no saddness and regret. I have things pretty good and I need to remember that. Even when it's easier to just cry and feel sorry for myself. Things are good.

Ode to Spring

Dear Spring,
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

1. I love the way you smell. I don't know what "that" smell is, but I love it. I love the fresh air, I love the grass clippings, I love flowers.
2. I love the warmth. I love that I don't have to put on a coat to go outside. If I run out to get the mail without shoes my feet aren't freezing.
3. I love the sunlight - well into the evening. I don't so much like that the sun beats into my boy's room window so it doesn't feel like night to them, but the rest of it is a.o.k.
4. I love that you can run around outside and if you fall down on the grass (my kids, not me) their bums aren't wet from the snow.
5. I love that you can clean your windows and they actually stay clean for more than a day (unless the sprinklers need adjusting).
6. I love that we get to plant a garden and enjoy the fresh veggies and not have to buy them at the grocery store.
7. I love that I can turn off my heater/air conditioning and conserve a little moolah & energy.

Oh there are many more ways I love thee...but we'll keep it at that. Here's to you Spring! Thank you for coming back this year.

I hate to admit...

I hate to admit that it was probably good the month of January that I posted every day. I was able to just get out the random thoughts that crossed my mind that day. Now that I'm not particularly making a strong effort to post I know that some of those special, mundane moments I experience each day are getting forgotten because my memory is not even close to what it used to be.

Last night I thought it was the last night that I could get a free photo book online from a particular website so I stayed up WAY too late putting it together. Then, pushing midnight, I couldn't get the purchase to go thru cause either their website was extra extra slow or my computer was (I think it was their fault) and then I read the fine print and it is tonight that is the cutoff. So, needless to say, I should have gone to bed instead of busting my hiney to get it all done - or sort of all done. Because it wouldn't go thru I then was laying in bed with my brain just a-going. Seriously. I hate that. Now I've been super grumpy and tired today and my twins don't want to nap today and I need to go let them out of their room since it's been about an hour that they've torn it up. AND, Brandt has to work late. Ergh. It's a vicious cycle.

Anway - we're all good around here. Everyone is getting big, everyone seems to be happy (except the tired mommy), and everyone is somewhat healthy. No complaints.

and we're off...

Last night my baby took the first step in NOT being a baby anymore. He showed me and his daddy how big he is and is creeping along army-style. Yes, he is on the go. I knew he was close. It is adorable. He puts his right arm forward with the forearm flat and pulls his body up and over it, all the while his little bum is up in the air. Anything to get you going, right? O is a joy. He is so pleasant and so smiley. My sister-in-law was holding him the other night and commented on how great he is and happy he is with a stranger. He loves everyone. If I'm around, he will choose me, but otherwise he will go to anyone and be your best friend. It is his big 8 month birthday tomorrow. Where does the time go? We were just getting ready to go to the hospital. How our lives have changed, but for the better. I cannot imagine it any other way.

Watch Your Mouth

A couple nights ago we went to Costco as a family. After buying the whole store we ran home and I left to go grab some burgers while the boys put everything away. Brandt later told me that Dylan was his little helper. They were putting away everything in the laundry room (diapers, wipes, etc) and they got to the Q-Tips. Brandt opened the box and one of the boxes separated from the rest and fell to the floor, popping open and all the Q-Tips scattered all over the ground. Brandt said "Shoot, shoot, shoot" as this was happening and then Dylan came over and bent down to help pick them up. All the while saying "Sho, Sho, Sho"...and sounding a lot like you know what.

Storytime again...

I need Dylan & Charlie to nap. I need them to. Not want them to, NEED them to. Yesterday I ran up to see a friend and my mom watched the crew for me. She put the boys down and then I got home. All was nice and quiet and then she left. Then the noises started. I went in a couple times to tell the boys to go to sleep but they wouldn't. I just eventually ignored it and let them do whatever in their room. When I finally went to get them out of bed, I opened the door and Charlie walked toward me saying "poo-poo". I turned on the light and he had his socks off, and put on his hands like mittens. On the socks were poop. I guess he put his hands down his pants and found a surprise. I don't want to even think about what he did with the poop on his mitten-hands. They also graciously took apart their beds, sheets off and all, and of course, removed the vent...like we've told them five thousand times not to do. All in a day's work I suppose.

Here's some pictures for a little update on us the past little while:

I judge a night's sleep or a nap by the hair we wake up with. If we have crazy hair...it was a good nap.

I love checking on the boys before I go to bed and I love it even more when they are on top of each other, or in the same bed, or just in a funny position. Here is one such night.

At our house if you leave any forbidden room's door open you're bound to have some little guys go take it over within two seconds. Look what we found. And look who joined in the fun.

The other morning we thought it would be fun to drink our "gurt" instead of eat it with our spoon. It was fun. Fun to watch mom have to clean everything up.

The end.

My latest venture

I have taken the plunge into selling my crafts. My etsy shop as of today, March 1, 2010 is up and running. I'm new to this and we'll see how it goes but I'm excited. I love to keep busy doing little projects and I've decided to make and sell little boy's ties (among other things when I feel inspired). Please check it out and if you have a little guy that needs to be spruced up a bit I'd be happy to sell you a tie!