King size takeover

I love my girls ... All of them ... I really really do. I love everything about them, their smiles, their laughs, their silliness, and the way they love us. Ok, ok of course there are things I would rather not have to deal with, not everything isn't sunshine and rainbows ... Let's get real. But some how even the things you would rather not deal with end up turning into something you couldn't do with out.

Since moving into our house the twins have been out of the cribs and into twin beds. Every once in a while they would make their way into our bed sometimes we would let them stay and other times we would take them back to their own beds. It might be just one of them or it could be both. Since Parker has made her arrival Charlotte and Olivia have made it a pretty regular habit of coming into our bed nearly every night. It usually starts with one of the them snuggling in and about 10 minutes later the other is joining us. Most times a fight ensues because both of them want to lay by mommy or one is by daddy but the other wants to be there. Or they fight over the pillow, or the blanket isn't pulled up correctly, or Charlotte is touching Olivia... oh there's more I assure you. I can usually be heard - half asleep mind you - telling them to stop fighting or they are going back to their room. Then you are woken up by a knee in your back or a foot in your face. I tell myself every night I won't let them stay in the bed with us if they come in. I have plenty of opportunities to take them back to their own room.  Like when I get up with Parker, or need a drink of water, or Curt gets up with the dog. So why don't we do it? If it bothers us so much why don't we just take them back to their room? Because in the chaos of it all Olivia rubs my back and Charlotte snuggles up close to daddy. Because I open my eyes and see my curly haired "almost" three year old with her long eye lashes and pouty lips sleeping so innocently next to us. Because sometimes they cuddle each other and it reminds me of the time they were always with me. Because we know this time is going to pass and end more quickly than we want it to. Soon we won't have little ones crawling into our bed at night. And so we deal with the arguing and the feet in our face because we know we would't have it any other way.

A Family Strengthened

There are seasons in life that last a few years, a few days, or maybe a few months. Each season is different maybe they are difficult and we don't quite understand why we are there. The past three months have been a season of growth, change, and learning for our family. We've been staying with family while we looked for a house to rent, it's never easy to have to rely on others because of your personal situations. But my husband's sister and her family were kind enough to offer us a place to stay during this time. It's not like we have a small family either... hello family of 6... but we all made it work. I talked about how this transition has been for our family and just what it called on us to do.


Now that this season is coming to an end I have been doing a lot of reflecting on our journey how we got here, what we've learned, and how it has strengthened our family. Like most seasons in life we can say we are some how different once that season has passed. I think this statement is true for my family in a lot of ways. It can be so easy to question why we are where we are when times are difficult. It can also be easy to think things are never going to change or "we" are never going to change. But what we don't see is the change happening each day the little bits of ourselves that are growing and learning. I think there is a reas
on we can look back after a difficult or challenging season and wonder how we made it but at the same time feel grateful we did. We can then somehow see that we did change and what we once didn't understand about our situation is now clear.

As I sit here I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense gratitude towards the unknown.. of course it's only unknown to us. I have long believed that there is a path laid out for each of us meant to challenge us, grow us, and generally prepare us for our next stop on the path. I am also grateful for the faithfulness of those around us, times are not always easy and they don't always reveal the best in all of us. Without the love and support of those we rely on the most the challenges seem much more difficult. As a family we are ready to make the next stop on our path and we are surely better individuals and a stronger family.

So here is to the unknown, the hard times, the good times, and the perfectly imperfectness of it all.

~Kristy

OnE and a HaLf!!

How is it that only six months ago my two littlest girls turned one?? And now they are 18 months; a short six months away from turning TWO! Things sure have changed in the last six months- personalities have emerged, new words have been said, sleepless nights have been had, and so much more. Our lives have changed so much and so quickly. SO here is to 18 amazing months with the two cuties we love so much!

Olivia -

Still very much a daddy's girl, she loves to snuggle up with him on the couch, take his snacks, drink his drinks and pretty much invade his space at all times. She finds new ways to make us laugh every day from her silly smiles to her amazing dance moves and who could forget her attempts at word pronunciation. She loves to run around with her cute little giggle and play peek-a-boo using anything she can find to duck behind. She loves mamas iPhone and iPad, her favorite things to do are to try and crack my password and play her favorite app peek-a-boo barn. I am telling you if your child likes to play on your phone this is the best app ever. I did have to spring to purchase the app at $1.99 so that we had the full version but it was so worth it. Olivia (and Charlotte) are starting to recognize the animal sounds and their names even trying to say them. Olivia also loves to watch TV at times, her attention is mostly held for about 10 minutes but she is fixed on the screen for those 10 minutes before she finds something else more interesting. Food has been rough for both girls this month only wanting to eat fruit, cheese, and fruit... yes, I said fruit twice. Her favorite being grapes give a girl some grapes and she is as happy as can be. You would think with all the fruit she eats she would have zero problem pooping... well that is not the case. Poor Livy struggles so much with this; even Charlotte knows when her sister is having a hard time.. rubbing her back and yes even checking her diaper to see if she did in fact poop. We've tried many solutions but poor Livy just can't catch a break. She is becoming such a little toddler saying please and thank you and trying new things every day. Her personality is still very much about observing- in most photos I take of her and Charlotte she is for the most part looking at Charlotte. Olivia will watch what Charlotte does and then try and join in or do it herself. We love watching this little one grow and change and we can't wait to see what new things are in store for her!! we love you Livy girl!

Charlotte -

Oh this girl she is just like her mama and her big sister Kendal - she knows what she wants and she will not stop until he gets it. If she has a toy she will not let anyone else have it ... unless she happens to see someone giving a "new...better" toy to Olivia then she is more than willing to give up whatever she happens to have. She is very opinionated and has taken to saying "no" and shaking her head right along with it. She is also very picky and this month has been pretty rough around eating and going to bed. She only wants to eat fruit and cheese just like her sister. She has been extra clingy and only wants mama this month... I am figuring it is the rest of her teeth coming in all at once. I do love the extra cuddles though! This girl is also the most lovable little one I have ever seen, she is always hugging and loving on something or someone. When Livy is struggling with her pooping Charlie can always been seen rubbing her back bringing her a diaper and her diaper cream. She loves to give kisses and make sure everyone is happy. She absolutely does not like to see someone upset and she will usually start crying herself.. just like her mama and big sister. Her vocabulary has changed a lot this month as well. She will repeat words we ask her to say and my favorite part is when she says words we haven't asked her to say. I love this age for that reason - you ask her a question and she often repeats what your saying... Yogurt is may favorite. Her please that sounds more like a please now and her little Thank You are just to die for. Life with this peanut is always exciting and we wouldn't have it any other way. We love you Charlie!

This month has proved to be the toughest and most rewarding yet with these two girls..these TWINS! After going through this fantastic, exhausting, exciting, memorable phase twice before you would think I would be prepared... but what "they" say is true TWINS are hard, there is no way around it. This age is especially hard and I learned that several times this past month. But no matter how difficult it may be to get groceries or just run into the store (Target) for a quick "something" I'm learning what life is like with twins and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

One Week Down - 4 days to go

Well, we made it a whole week without daddy! I kind of feel like I was brought right back to all the times of traveling in the past. But this time felt different, never mind the fact that there are two more little ones added to the mix; but I am also few (ok several) years older. I guess being older does in some ways make you wiser and all of those past experiences do help to make difficult times just a little easier.
I have to say the days kind of blurred together a bit and some days felt like I was in pure survival mode. Tuesday started with a  visit to the orthopedic doctor where I was told I needed to start Physical Therapy again and I had to wear a knee brace for the next 4 weeks. Fantastic - so all that sitting on the floor to change diapers and play and read books and more can no longer happen... Great! Wednesday and Thursday were full of homework, projects, and face time with daddy, not to mention the snotty noses and coughing. Friday we decided it was time to visit the doctor with the twins, one double ear infection, one sinus infection, and one upper respiratory infection later I knew it was the right choice to take them in. So now we have breathing treatments and medication added to the mix of mommy only duty.
Friday the twins went to stay the night with their Aunt Bridget and Uncle Ryan. Why is it so hard to let them go?? All week I was preparing myself for them to go its so strange- its not like  I was worried or anything but it just doesn't feel right not to have them with me! However, it was a much needed break and allowed for some alone time with Kendal and Madison. Subway for dinner and a few movies from redbox with candy and popcorn to round out our movie night. Did I mention Kendal  and I had our own little dance party to some 1D... apparently I need to learn how to flip my hair all over the place to keep up with her. It was a great night and a fun time with the two girls that started this whole mommy thing.

Even though the days seemed to run together and survival mode kicked in at times, I wouldn't trade those days for anything. The tough days allow me to grow as a mother, wife, and woman.

We can't wait for daddy to be home on Friday!

The things we do

I had a moment on Friday when I am pretty sure anyone driving near me would have thought I was crazy, and I am pretty sure I was. I was singing at the top of my lungs ... well I am sure to Charlotte and Olivia it was singing. There wasn't a particular song I was singing but it went something like this "stay awake, stay awake, don't you fall asleep OLIVIA... CHARLOTTE OH CHARLOTTE keep those eyes, keep those eyes open!" and so on. Just a lot of random words about not falling asleep until we got home! I mean how the heck was I going to get two sleeping babies into the house without waking them up! It kind of worked we "almost" made it home before they dozed off.

Yesterday, Kendal didn't feel well- sneezing, coughing, red eyes, fever, and on and on. She laid around all day barely moving. She got worse though out the day and into the night. Today was worse, the poor girl looks like she's dying. Red nose, red eyes, puffiness, coughing, and sneezing. She was waited on hand and foot today, anything she wanted she got. Thankfully, Madison and the twins have not gotten sick at this point. All fingers and toes are crossed!! Once last year Madison was sick.. I mean sick, throwing up ever 30 minutes for almost 36 hours! We had to make a trip to the ER to get her some medicine to help her stop! During this time we laid together, watched netflix, and I rubbed her back every time she got sick.

Clearly these are all things that we do as parents and of course moms! And we do them freely because the pain of seeing our children sick is worse than us being the ones that are sick. We would do anything for them, anything to help them feel better... or keep two toddlers from falling asleep minutes from home. When I was driving "singing" to Charlotte and Olivia, I realized in that moment, I would do anything for my girls no matter how crazy I look or tired I am (and sometimes being tired makes me look crazy!). I always knew being a mom would mean sacrifice, but what I didn't know was that the sacrifices made would result in an amazing deeper love than I could have ever thought possible.


The following are photos of how spent the rest of our weekend (when we weren't wiping sister's nose)

Poor Kendal.... She even tried to smile

And Madison... She's not sick... yet

These 4 girls make every sacrifice worthwhile and even in the most sleepless nights I feel incredibly blessed.