Rammer Jammer

I just love my state and especially my alma mater..... Rammer Jammer. What a resilient state.

A new normal

Family is something I hold so dear, even with the disagreements, fights, etc. They are the people you can count on, no matter what happens. It really is such a special and comforting realization when you need "it." The past few weeks have rocked my family to it's core. Although, on some level we all are not shocked, but the actual facts coming true is so much harder than the "wondering."

After many talks and hashing through details and feelings, we have come to a really cool realization....although it IS a tragedy in many eyes; in the end, it IS a blessing.

When one becomes aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his/her life, I believe a clarity comes with it. What a blessing it is to see a tragedy as a blessing -- to see good, in the midst of evil. Thank you Lord.

Tonight I pray for my own little family, as well as my extended family and my precious friends, (who are my chosen family).

No one is immune from the struggle we all face as humans. Tonight my prayer is that everyone feels the presence of the Holy Spirit in their own life as well. What a treasure it is when we are blessed enough to recognize it.

Please continue to pray for clarity and understanding. Love to all....

Spring Break '11

Oh what a fun week it has been! It started with the babies and Billy taking a trip to visit his family in Dothan...and yes, that left me taking a trip to visit Marty in Waverly. We had such a nice visit and I felt renewed when I returned. The rest of this week has been spent being a stay-at-home mom and I have really enjoyed every second! We've had a couple of playdates, trips to the park, a family morning at the zoo, haircuts, and of course, a trip to the doctor.

The babies have seem to have hit a huge growth spurt, not only in size, but vocabulary and just all around awareness. It is so fun to watch, but a little sad to realize the "baby" in them is slipping away.

A huge milestone has been the switch from constant backyardigans and yo gabba gabba to Movies! Yeah for Up and Toy Story!
Another huge milestone is playing together --- oh yes! It is all worth it now with the twins. Of course, they have their fights, but for the most part, it has become a built in playmate. The got in a wrestling match last night (of course, I was there to be referee).
They were so tickled with each other and it was quite funny to see little Henley take the lead sometimes. They are just too cute and I know I have said it before, but this is just my favorite age so far!

Looking forward to our summer together. Much love to all...

Normal Day

Normal, Everyday Pictures...

One blog I follow ( www.enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com) is such a great inspiration to me on some days. Of course, not every entry she writes is life-changing, but a few have resonated with me, and more importantly, stayed with me. I think about something she wrote about long ago...a poem..

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

"Anonymous"

Today -- March 1st, 2011 was a dull-normal day, starting with an early alarm, a rushed Tuesday morning, with sick babies. A day at school, with no life changing breakthrough and a lot of mind-numbing, repetitive behavior control. A stop at the grocery store turned into FINALLY getting home to my babies. My sick babies... I held one, while the other pawed and whined for me. I cooked dinner and then their bath... And THEN I stopped and thought to myself... STOP!...and enjoy. So, we did. We sat and cuddled and sang and danced, we watched the movie "UP" (best movie ever btw) and Henley said her first Rollllll Tide!

As with anyone else, I dream of tomorrow, of some perfect and realized dream in the future. Reality is -- it's HERE! Cliche, I know, but so true.

I stopped and I enjoyed, and I thank God for my normal day. What a treasure it was...

Say "Cheeeeese"

Mom and I noticed that Henley was putting objects up to her eye and saying "cheese!" We do not say or do this at home with the camera, and her teachers at school say it's not done there either? So....we are left with the mystery of where she picked it up. Regardless, we have tested her new "say cheese" trick and she does not disappoint!

First of all, I warned you in the last post -- her teeth are "a little" askew because of her love affair with the pacifier. Of course, being her proud parents, Billy and I think it is probably the absolute cutest thing we (or anyone else) have EVER seen.

This little girl is too funny -- such a personality. Say "Cheeeeeese!"

Oh Random January

As always, January has been quiet and nice, except for the ice storms! I wanted to post a few pictures from the month. The babies are just beyond cute right now. Henley is repeating EVERYTHING and Davis is still very busy, only stopping to talk about trucks or trains. They could not be any more typical boy and girl. She gravitates to anything pink or any babydoll, while he only cares for balls, trucks and "choo choos." How precious they are though -- little sponges soaking up the world around them.

Below is at Nonni's house...the dog crate provides endless (and dirty) entertainment. But hey, whatever works, huh? It is a little out of focus, but for once I got them both smiling at the camera. Rare in our world!

We have heard -- "if you can make it to 2 years with twins, you're golden" I think they have a built in playmate and just entertain each other. Well, with 2 yrs old approaching, we are really starting to reap the benefits of twins. Whew....I thought we'd never get here, but I do see it. I thought I would show a few action shots of the mutual entertaining we are seeing. (Excuse Henley with no PJs...we were getting to it!)
As you can see, Davis is a little bigger/stronger and tends to dominate the wrestling matches, but she is actually starting to hold her own now. We still have to referee of course!
My next post will be about Henley's new say "cheese" and the smile that comes with it....but before I show you those teeth, I thought I would show the culprit. She is completely obsessed with the pacifier. She usually has 2 or 3 with her at all times. I will start limiting her paci time when we hit 2 yrs old....but Oh the love affair. It will be some sad times ahead for the girl. Also out of focus, but we often catch her with 2 pacis in her mouth! Funny girl....
Finally, my dear Meme has recently suffered another stroke and is currently in rehab. We went to visit her on Saturday morning. She looked great and we're so hopeful for the future. I love her dearly -- what a woman. I'm so glad we got to visit with her! I think she looks great...
Well, Happy February.....one step closer to spring y'all!

Much love to all.........

C

1.1.11

In being true to mine own self, I just learned the first day of our new year had the numbers 1.1.11. I think it is a sign of good things to come this year (or so, I hope). The end of a year always makes one reminisce about the year past...this past year has been...amazing to watch the babies grow and learn; this year has been...hard to figure out and continue to juggle work and kids and home; this year has been...sad to see the passing of a dear friend's mother; this year has been...humbling to know we ARE now becoming THAT age; this year has been...fun to spend so many great times with my dearest friends. I could go on, but I think the point is....I'm thankful at the end of 2010.

And with 2011 started, here are some pictures of my "grown" babies the other night after their bath. Oh what a difference a year makes!

Davis is WILD, to say the least. Henley is such a girl, loving anything pink and anything to do with babies. They are saying new things every day. Henley loves to try and mimic the "dancydances" on Yo Gabba Gabba and she's starting to try and sing as well. Davis is just running into walls and jumping off of furniture.

We are loving every minute of this age. In fact, Billy said just the other night..."I think this is my favorite age so far." We shall see I suppose...love to all!