Ha! Told you!

My sweet friend, Julie, sent me this after my post about the questions/comments we get from people about the twins. This just confirms that we aren't the only ones:) Love it. Watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT-lgB_HGEE

Bikes?

My heart is soft for the homeless in our society. One of my BFF's just dreamed a very extreme dream about it the other night...we were letting a homeless man stay with us and found out he was a werewolf, but I promised she would be safe staying with us too because we tied him up at night. I also bribed her to stay by buying all her favorite coffee creamers. Crazy!!

Back to reality...I remember being at McDonald's on Barton Springs in downtown Austin when I was a little girl as homeless man walked in and asked if they could spare a Happy Meal for him, but they turned him away. I looked at my dad with tears in my eyes and said "Please? He asked for a HAPPY MEAL!!??", so my sweet dad chased him down and bought the man a Happy Meal. So, maybe that's where the Lord planted a seed?

We were involved in an awesome ministry serving the homeless in Kansas and since back in TX, I've been longing to serve in that arena again and just can't seem to get connected - or I have a load of excuses like, "I just had a baby...I have twins in 1st grade...I don't live downtown (oh, but I WOULD if it was up to me!!!)...I don't know where to start, etc., etc." I. I. I. = NO good. Life is a vapor. I don't want to look back and see I did nothing with what I was given.

We are actually finally about to get trained with Mobile Loaves and Fishes - a great help to the homeless in our city. BUT...we had our own idea the other day - give bikes away to the homeless! Is it a crazy idea? Are we naive? Would it even be helpful or would they laugh in our faces when we hand them a bike? It just seems like it could help them get around...shelters, job interviews, jobs, out of bad weather, to and from wherever they call "home", whatever. Austin is such a bike-friendly place and it's really easy to get around on one here. But, really, we just need to talk to them and see if it's even a need. And yes, there is the thought that whatever we give them could be sold for money to buy drugs and alcohol because that's what we think all homeless people do, right? Maybe sometimes, maybe not - that's not our call. The bottom line is - when we show people Jesus' love, they are moved (and we are humbled). Maybe not the first time and maybe not every time, but one time is worth it.

"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"

James 2:16

Life changing read: Same Kind of Different as Me

"When I Die..."

I've always thought I was going to die sooner than later. It's quite morbid, I know. And it drives Tyler crazy because I'm aways saying these type of things:

When I die...

Make sure you learn how to properly fix Piper's curly hair

Look at the kids' faces before you send them to school

Don't forget to send notes in the their lunch boxes

Buy organic

Let my mom be your Nanny

Get a job where you don't travel

And the list goes on. You see, I still want to be in control even in my death! But, I'm not now and I won't be then. Surprise, surprise, huh? Yep, just as God is a Father to the Fatherless, He is more than able to care for these kids while I'm here and whenever He decides to call me home - not a day too early or late. But...I'm praying I see them know Jesus and bring Him glory, and that I see their children do the same!

The funny thing is what Tyler said recently..."When I die, promise me you won't celebrate Halloween!" He hates it.

Yep, they're Twins

They are 6 years old and I still get the same questions about the miracle that is twins. I'm not upset about giving the same answers all the time. It's almost comical now. But, for the record - here are the stats. I've been asked all of these multiple times, I promise:

*Are they twins? Yes!

*Are they identical? If you thought about that question about 5 seconds longer, you may not ask it, but - um, NO they are not identical because one is a boy and one is a girl. But, usually I just smile and say "nope":)

*Do twins run in your family? Yes, as a matter of fact!

*Did you do fertility treatments? Yes, as a matter of fact!

*How much did they weigh when they were born? 5lbs 8oz and 5lbs 9oz

*Did you have a c-section? No

*How much weight did you gain? I stopped weighing at 50 lbs gained.

*How long did you carry them? 35 weeks and 2 days

*Were you on bed rest? Yes, 11 long weeks!

*Were they in the NICU? Yes, 10 days for Porter and 12 for Piper. Nothing major, though.

*Did you nurse them? Yes, for just over a year. Don't ask me how - it's all a blur! Just glad it wasn't triplets.

*Do they have their own twin language? Not that I know of:)

*How did you do it? I don't know...God's grace and strength and not knowing any better!

Ever since Tyler and I got married, we had a strange feeling we were going to have twins. I remember stopping in the hallway before our first sonogram and breathing one last prayer for twins. And although I was heaving sobs when we actually saw the TWO heartbeats, I wasn't surprised - but I am forever thankful.

Now that I have just ONE baby, I sometimes miss the magic of twins. They always had a playmate - and still do! We see in them how God creates each of us uniquely...they have been together from the start, have been raised in the same household, by the same parents, at the same time, but they are each SO different! However, having just ONE baby is a special thing all it's own that I appreciate even more than I would otherwise. He does not have to share my attention (or mealtime!) with another baby! And he has a big brother and sister to teach him, tickle him, help him, and love him doubly.

Having/raising twins is HARD and is finally getting easier (a little) after 6 years, but really - parenthood in general is a crazy ride. Deepest heartaches and deepest joys are involved. We struggle everyday, but have to trust that the God who blessed me with these 3 beauties is the God that will supply and provide.

No Bake Bites

If you're out there and you don't know about Pinterest, go now and figure it out! It's the latest, greatest, idea sharing shmorgishborg - kind of like tearing things out of a magazine and putting them on a bulletin board, but way better. I've actually succeeded in doing lots of the stuff I've found, be it recipes, decorations, sewing patterns, or organizational ideas. And I've passed the hard stuff on to my mom and she's done those and given them to me...a laundry basket, mini ironing board, refashioned t-shirt, and a pumpkin wreath! The one thing I've made several weeks in a row (because they are so easy!!!) that get eaten up for breakfast, snacks, and dessert are these yummy bites of goodness. I changed a few things around to better suit our tastes (like cutting some of the flax and adding oat bran - too much flax was kind of metallic-y) but really, the possibilities are endless. YUM...

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (I bet almond butter would be good, too!)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup shredded coconut

1/4 cup ground flax

1/4 cup oat bran

1 - 2 tsp vanilla

handful of dark chocolate chips or crushed dark chocolate ghirardelli squares

Mix everything together (mixing 1st 3 ingredients together first makes it easier). Then, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to dish out and roll into a balls with your hands. Store them in the refrigerator and keep covered.

*original recipe found here

State Fair 2011

We went to Dallas to see the Prices and some BFF's and took the kids to the State Fair. We took them when they were 4, but they barely remember. This time, though, they had a blast! And Payson so enjoyed the sites and sounds that we had to keep checking the stroller to make sure he was there because he wasn't even making a peep - just staring wide eyed. First things first - Ferris Wheel! Porter wanted to chicken out when we got up to it and he saw the height, but he finally came around. So, Tyler stayed with Payson and me and the big kids went. Then...cotton candy, two more rides, a few Midway games (gag) to win a prize, walking around looking at the sites, and finished out with a humongo sausage on a stick. We tried to convince the kids to try a famous state fair corn dog, but for some odd reason they both wanted the alternative which - despite it's enormous size, they devoured! It was nice, cool weather, and we didn't stay too long, so all in all - it was GOOD!

10 months

Whoa, time has flown by more with this third child than ever before in our lives. A little scary! He is still the sweetest, happiest, cutest baby - everyday we can't even believe it. He is also a very curious, on the move baby! Maybe it's because of the 5 year gap, but I just don't remember the twins being into everything he's into! Maybe it's because they had each other to interact with? And for Payson, no toy will suffice - he only likes climbing stairs, getting into the fireplace, eating candles, getting into the dog bowls, and putting every possible thing into his mouth. If I'm not feeding him, I'm chasing him - and he thinks it's pretty funny. He also...

Loves people!!

Stands unassisted, but takes no steps yet

Giggles at everything and nothing

Has 4 teeth - 2 up, 2 down

Is super tall (95th%)

Says "mama", "dada", "nana"

Dances

Waves and claps

Shakes his head "no"

Points to my nose if I ask him where it is

Plays peek a boo with his beloved blankie

Tries to eat Scout's ears

Loves the bath and splashing water

Wakes for the day at the crack of dawn! Yawn.

And by the way, he adores his big brother and sister who, so far, are turning out to be the best big bro and sis we could ever hope for. They love to make him smile, pick him up and carry him around, and get me a diaper when I need it without too much complaining.

2 more moths till the big ONE. Yes, party ideas are already in the making in my brain.