Movie Magic for #3...

I could have sworn just yesterday I blogged about the twins' first real movie theater experience.  It was during the first summer we lived in Kansas and they were 2 just like Payson is now.  The theater near us did free summer movies for kids.  Their first was Charlotte's Web and it was perfect.  Well, we thought it was about time for Payson to give it a go.  I've had it on the calendar for a while...$1 movie at Westgate (Ice Age).  We were so excited for him today!!  The one small hiccup was it ended up being Diary of a Wimpy Kid - not Ice Age (that was last week!) which would have been WAY more suited for a 2 1/2 year old, but we couldn't back out once we were there!  He actually did really well considering.  He sat in the chair for a while, had some snacks, sat with me, sat in a different chair, put his head between the seats of people in front of us, dug in my purse, etc.  But, he really did pay attention and was very quiet!  Next week and/or the next, we'll try something he'll enjoy much more and I bet it will be even better for us all.  Our family LOVES going to the movies and we've been waiting to include our youngest!  So glad we can now.    

Worst Nightmare

My kids go to school literally right behind out house.  I can stand on my back porch and see their classroom.  In some way, that is comforting to me.  But, then again - I have no control.  Evil happens.  God is Sovereign.  This time, my kids were not harmed.  But, I ache for the families who lost their little ones.  My eyes and my heart well up when I imagine it.  In the wake of this horrible tragedy, our pastor delivered the best sermon I could have heard Sunday.  I urge you to listen here with open hearts and minds and be moved.  


"...Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I".  Ps. 61:2

Second Grade--best school grade ever!

I will have two second graders tomorrow. I remember everything about second grade because I met one of my forever best friends that I still talk to almost every week. I remember her walking into class with her swinging pony tail and sitting down in front of me. I also remember her yelling "Run!" at me the first time we played kick ball at recess because of course I was the only one who had never played before and was clueless. I can name every kid in the class picture my mom still has. I have so many funny and lasting memories from that year. My school was Travis Heights in Austin. After living in many cities, my kids are now starting second grade in Austin. I hope they meet best friends for life and have good memories from this year, but no pressure:) I get teary eyed when thinking of how God orchestrates everything and all good things are from Him. On my first day of class, I had no idea of the lasting friendship about to be formed, but God did!

My Sweet Non-Girly Girl

My daughter's current chapter book is Thor.  She's announced she is going to be The Hulk for Halloween.  She already has the mask and the fists and says she just needs a green shirt and torn pants. Oh dear.  Sometimes, I admit, I just want her to ask me to paint her toenails or ask to take ballet.  But, God has created her differently and that's ok.  I just pray she loves Jesus and spreads that around.  She's stubborn and she's determined, but she's got a sweet spot and is a mama's girl that I love so deeply.

The Tooth Fairy of twins was bound to forget...

It's not about the money or the fantasy of the tooth-fairy...I always fear I will forget and that my kids will feel forgotten.  Well, with 7 year old twins alternating the same teeth falling out on almost a weekly basis, it happened - I forgot.  It went down like this...

Porter had a top tooth that really wasn't ready to come out, but he works on those things constantly until he can pull it and then he does.  He's not one to fear the pulling and let it hang by a thread for weeks.  So, I wrote TOOTH FAIRY on my wall calendar really big, I set out the money, and then, I went to sleep and never thought about it again.  Until...Piper woke up this morning came down stairs and declared "I checked on Porter's tooth and the tooth-fairy (whom we lovingly call Tia) didn't leave him anything".  Luckily, Porter had come to our bed about 4:30 this morning and luckily, I'm a great actress.  Inside I was freaking out, but outwardly, I was calm and casually said "Well, the tooth fairy may just be running late - there are lots of teeth to be picked up out there".  Then, I grabbed the money and hurried upstairs and left a note saying "So sorry, I was running late.  You worked really hard for that tooth!  Love, Tia".  Piper never noticed where I went and Porter was still snoozing downstairs.  It all worked out.

Can we continue the magic of the tooth fairy until all teeth are gone?  Doubtful.  If I forget many more times, it may all be ruined.  My kids don't believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa is sketchy, but for some reason, the tooth fairy is never questioned.  I always have an inner struggle with all these imaginary characters knowing eventually, they'll find out we were lying to them all those years.  Or, were we?  Are we just encouraging imagination and fun?  And will they understand Jesus really is real even though all the other things are not?  I pray, yes.  For now, Tia, the tiny sparkly tooth fairy will continue to visit in the form of a tired, pajama wearing Mama.      

Handful

This 3rd one is trouble:)  Good thing he's super cute and happy.  He's started a high pitched screaming when he wants something, doesn't want something, or if a 7 year old sibling is annoying him.  It's kind of funny, but kind of like nails on a chalk board at the same time.  He's also super messy and a destroyer of anything that has order to it.  Yesterday when he was playing in the back I came in to get something and when I went back out, his entire head was in the dog's water bowl and he was blowing bubbles into the water.  He has discovered the word "no" and uses it often even if he means "yes".  But, on the other hand, he is very affectionate and loves people and makes us all laugh non stop.  He is giving us a run for our money, but we love every step - even though I pass out on the couch at the end of the day!

We are forever thankful for all three of these kiddos.  I can't believe at one time I wondered if I would ever have any!  God is good and faithful and I'm so blessed and unworthy!

18 Months, Baby!

Today Payson is 18 months old and we had his well visit.  Since birth, he's consistently off the charts for height and in about the 95th % for weight.  This means he's 34.5 inches long and 30 pounds.  He's a big one, for sure.  But, he remains happy and healthy and on the move.

A few of his fave things...

*Elmo
*Porter and Piper
*Sweets
*Food and drinks in general
*Playing outside
*Mommy
*Nana
*Daddy
*Ms. Heather
*Being in the middle of whatever Porter and Piper are doing
*Destruction
*Scout's food and water bowls
*Playing in water
*Blankie
*Aquarium on the crib - it must be on for sleep:)

Words he can say:

*Mama - this can actually mean "Mama" OR a slew of other things like "more", "I want that", "Help      me", etc.  Basically, it's the most used word.
*Dada
*Nana
*Piper and sort of Porter
*Heather
*Car
*Ball
*Uh oh
*Cracker
*"Ga" = "shoe" for some reason

Most of his communication takes place via pointing and/or shaking his head "yes" or "no".  He understands everything we say, though! He gives and blows kisses, waves good bye and hello. Waving also means "thank you".  He can do the "more" sign, knows all his body parts, and loves to dance and spin around.  He is a master of expression and cute faces.  Everyone continues to love and adore this precious baby.  He keeps me on my feet all day long and I can't leave him alone unless I want to come back to something flooded or shattered.  But, I will take that to get his sweetness.  I also love his super blond, long, surfer hair.  And, secretly, so does Tyler.

He's a wonderful gift from God that keeps smiles on our faces even when he's eating handfuls of mud.  Love him.        

Moms for Moms

I've never seen a full episode of any of the teen mom MTV shows. But, every week, I volunteer at a program for teen moms at an Austin high school. Today I was reminded that because of all those shows where chaos reigns in the homes and lives of those teen moms that even the phrase "teen mom" now has a negative stigma attached to it and the teens I am with each week would rather just be a "mom". They are teens, yes. They are also in high school and extra curricular activities of all sorts. They are beautiful and smart and speak their mind. And they have children and/or are pregnant. And though I go each week supposedly to help and encourage them. They help me so much more. I see the world differently through their eyes; I see God's great grace and mercy upon my life and theirs; and I see my circumstances, that I all too often complain about, are nothing at all to complain about.

One of the moms in the group is currently salutatorian of her class and wants to be a lawyer. I believe she will be one. And I believe she will all the while, somehow, figure out how to continue to be a loving mom to her daughter. What I pray for all of them, though, is that they will not struggle in their own strength, but lean on Jesus. That's ultimately why we are there with them each week - to show the love of Christ and that He compels us.

Spring Break Success

Spring Break takes a whole new turn as a grown up, obviously, but also after your kids start school! You can't just pick up and go at the drop of a hat anymore - you have to wait for days off of school. Boo! So, the pressure is on to make the most of it. The twins possibly only have 11 more Spring Breaks under my roof! Yikes.

Well, our besties from Houston, the Askews, came for a visit the first half. We let the kids play while we do what we do best...talk about anything and everything, laugh hard, be mommies, drink wine and eat chocolate. We also shop pretty well together, but didn't get to that this trip. We took the kids to the pond, to see The Lorax, and to eat burgers. I LOVE watching and listening to our kids play and laugh together. It sometimes could bring tears to my eyes if I think about it too much.

The second half of the break we went to Dallas to see the Prices and our other bff's. We took the kids to the Dallas Aquarium and just spent time with those we love, but don't get to see enough. Payson was a trooper with the travel and new sleeping arrangements, but I would expect nothing less. He remains his happy, easy going, lovable self. However, he does pretend he is shy around strangers at first and when they try to talk to him, he averts his attention to something insignificant and pretends to doodle with his finger on a wall or something. Very funny.

Overall, we really had a great vacay with our kids close. Piper declared tonight that the break was "awesome". Success.

And tonight they were in bed at 6:57. Success.

This Week was a Doozy!

Tyler could not have picked a worse week to be gone. Of course, he didn't pick it. He would happily un-pick it, but duty calls. Monday the kids were out of school, so we took a day trip to Katy to see our sweet friends and their newly adopted son. It was a precious time, but it made for tired kiddos and mama. Not to mention, I can't seem to get in bed before midnight when Tyler is gone! Tuesday night we took out our monthly Mobile Loaves and Fishes truck. Again - precious time serving and seeing my kids make hot chocolate for homeless people - would NOT trade it. But still...having Tyler around during those times is so much better (and easier!). And Wednesday and Thursday, I had a house full of family here to see my cousin become a state trooper. I love my family, but there is just a lot of them and it helps to have my partner during those times. Plus, I always put pressure on myself to be a perfect hostess with a super clean house and yummy food. All it really does in the end is wear me out - I doubt my guests care all that much if my baseboards are gleaming and the eggs are perfectly scrambled. I'm learning, folks. So, today is Friday and I'm counting down the minutes and miles until Tyler is home (that's right, I'm tracking him with a gps on my phone!). The baby woke up with a cold (boo!) and is napping and the big kids are happily playing with the neighbors. I'm truly wiped out this week. There were many moments when I wanted to curl into a ball and cry, but #1 I didn't have time and #2 I was reminded by the Lord that it's all going to be ok! He's got the world in his hand - and my hard week is included in that. I failed at times this week, and the dog didn't get daily walks and was extra needy, but I did have some good times in the Word, made some lasting memories with my 3 babies, and took some great pics of family. However, I don't want to do it again anytime soon. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to. It's a fact of our life right now. Grace, grace, God's grace!

Natalie

Laney and Daddy, Michael

Natalie and Mommy, Kristi

Danielle feeding Payson cake and he LOVED it

State Trooper Walts and proud wifey

Payson fascinated with balloons

Already ONE!

Can't be true! It really feels like yesterday that our sweet surprise and miracle was born. And now he...

*Takes many steps in a row, but still prefers the quickness of crawling

*Smiles and giggles all the time

*Barely naps on most days

*Sleeps thru the night, but wakes at the crack of dawn for the day

*EATS and EATS

*Loves being outside

*Gets into everything

*Snuggles and buries his face in his blankie

*Started saying "uh oh" when he "drops" his food onto the floor

*Adores his siblings and his dog

*Gets shy when strangers talk to him

*Makes crazy noises and faces

*Has wild hair, crystal blue eyes, and the cutest one-dimpled smile

*Has often been mistaken for a girl despite how we dress him

*Could care less about watching anything on tv

*Puts everything in his mouth

To celebrate the big day, me and the kids went in to get him up and sing Happy Birthday this morning. Piper had in her head that since he was ONE today he would be walking and talking. I guess it's a hard concept to learn that in actuality, he's just one DAY older and nothing magical happens:) Anyway, the day went on as normal until this afternoon when we took him to the Children's Museum which he really seemed to like; dinner which he ALWAYS likes; and CUPCAKES! He mainly just sucked the icing off and when it looked like he was about to start throwing the rest, we grabbed him up for a good washing:) He went to sleep a very worn out, happy ONE year old and I'm one proud, thankful, blessed (and also very worn out) mama. He is a true gift to all of us. The Lord is so good.

Tyler is on his way back from LA now. Shew!

He's Done:(

Two weeks before he turns one, looks like my last baby has self-weaned. No warning - just went from all to nothing in the matter of one day. He has absolutely no more interest in his mama feeding him:( Porter did the exact same thing - just when he was 13 months old. We have two weeks to go before he can technically have real milk, but I cheated and started early and this morning gave him a mixture of what we had in the fridge - skim milk and coconut milk in a sippy. He loved it and drank it down while I whimpered in a corner. Kidding, but really, I wasn't ready! Chalk it up to one more thing out of my control.