Expect the Unexpected

I've posted a whopping 5 times up to this point in 2013.  The last time was in April! Debated numerous times about just letting this space just fade away, or even closing up shop. I'd get a post idea pop into my head, but then the little voice would whisper, "Why bother? You never find time to sit down, and no one is reading anymore anyways..."

All summer I've meant to sit down & place an update here.  All summer I've just failed to do it.

It wasn't that I didn't have anything to say, it's just that I was too busy living.  Taking care of two 3-year-olds, plus a 9-year-old is pretty time consuming and exhausting. I just didn't have it at the end of the day to sit down and put a sentence that made sense together.

But, it's been nagging at me.  What to do, what to do with this space?

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Pull up a chair, this is going to be a long one....

Last fall, I think I posted that I had signed up for a running class.  I'm proud to say that I completed that class, ran my first 5k on Thanksgiving Day 2012, and haven't stopped since.  I ran my second 5k in January in the cold & snow.  I completed a sprint triathlon in May of this year, my second ever, and just ran a 10k the last week of August.  That was the longest I've ever ran without walking.  EVER.

Over the last year, as I exercised more, I started to make some better choices when eating.  As I lost weight, grew stronger, and amazed at what my body could actually do, I realized that I was finding myself again. All the years of secondary IF, all the years of failed treatments, of pregnancy loss, of pain started to fade into a memory.  Every pound shed, all 35 of them, left me not just physically lighter, but emotionally lighter, as well.

In July, while on vacation in Myrtle Beach, I took a picture of me, a selfie.  Once home, I pulled up a picture from July of 2012 and realized how far I had come.  If you follow me on twitter, you'll recognize it.

 

 Please ignore the teddy bear & my face, we were showing how BIG a gift to the twins was!

I wasn't at my goal weight, but I was a lot closer than I've been in many, many years.  I've felt great this summer.  It was fun to pull out old clothes and have them actually fit. I've fell in love with Zumba, and added it to my running twice a week. No matter what I did, all summer, I have gained and lost the same 3 to 5 pounds.  All. Summer. Long.

Ok, I thought, it's a plateau, it won't last forever.

Where am I going with this?  I'm not really sure.  I just know that in a million, billion, trillion years I was not expecting the news I received last week.

About three weeks ago, I started noticing some abdominal cramping/pulling sensations when I would work out, get out of a chair or bent down to help the twins.  At first, I brushed it off as a pulled muscle.  After a week of random pain, I said to M. that I thought I might have an ovarian cyst. 

I was not happy!  I've been on the pill since weaning C at 18 months to keep cysts away, how the heck could I have one now?!?  So, M. suggested I better call the doctor.

After another week of just working through the pain, I agreed with him.  I knew that they'd ask if I was pregnant, so I picked up a test, just so I could confidently answer that, "No, I was not."  I took the test in the afternoon expecting the usual negative result.

It wasn't negative, it was positive.  What?!?

So, instead of getting an ultrasound to check on my "cyst", I found myself having an ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy wasn't in my tube.

It wasn't.  

They measured the baby at 16 weeks, 5 days.  I've been pregnant all summer, without having a clue. 

Mind blown.

I guess I know now why I haven't been able to lose those 5 pounds!

Spring Shed ~ Week 2 & 3

This is Week 3 for "Spring Shed", but I never managed to get to my computer last week to post Week 2.

Oops!  Guess I'll have to combine the two weeks into one post...

For Week 2, it was my birthday week & the start of Easter weekend.  Needless to say, I didn't do very well with my goals for Week 2.

Week 3 has been better.

Let's take a look:

1. Eat & Prepare Healthier Meals For My Family
Week 2, this was an epic fail!  Everyday of that week at least 2 members in my family were ill.  We had many nights where soup was dinner, or M. and I just made do with whatever was left in the fridge.  Once Friday rolled around, everyone was healthy, but it was my birthday.  M. brought home takeout, complete with a birthday cake.

Week 3, found me back on the wagon.  We only ate out once this week, as a celebration for Miss O. getting straight "A"'s on her report card.  I was pleased when I got home & entered my dinner into MyFitnessPal, that I had made smart decisions, and even stayed within my calorie goal that day.


2. Exercise Consistently At Least 3 Times a Week
I managed to get to the gym twice in Week 2.  It was tough with the illness in the house!

Week 3 found me achieving my goal, hitting the gym 3 times, taking 2 classes and fitting 2 runs in.  I have decided to throw my hat in the ring for the sprint triathlon in May, even though I only have about 5 weeks to train.  Wish me luck!


4. Lose 1 To 2 Pounds A Week
Week 3 brought a .4 of a pound loss.  Considering I didn't lose in Week 2, in fact I was up a pound, I'm happy with that loss.  Hoping to see the scale move more in the next few weeks!

I've been working on losing weight since September.  I'm officially down 21 pounds, and am losing slow & steady.  This is a lifestyle change for me.


5. Keep Up With Housework & Organization
Sad to say that in Week 2 & 3, I didn't get very far with this.  While I did keep up with laundry, dishes, the daily chores, I haven't had a chance to really try to organize any of our trouble spaces.

So, that's how Week 2 & 3 of Spring Shed went for me.

Want to join along? Head over to Bereaved and Blessed and join on in!

Another Candle on the Cake

I am officially another year older.

Yup, last Friday was my birthday. 

With a March birthday, every once in a while your special day falls on Easter or the days leading up to it.  This year, my birthday was on Good Friday.  The last time this occurred, I turned 16.  My sweet 16th was spent eating fruit, bread, and mashed beans, as was tradition in my home growing up on Good Friday. 

I struggle with celebrating my day when this happens.  As a Christan, Good Friday is a very somber day, when we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.  It just feels wrong to be happy or celebrating on such a day.

So, my birthday was low key this year, and that's okay.

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On the Tuesday before my birthday, it was a MOPS meeting night. (MOPS is Mothers of PreschoolerS, a group I've been involved with for 8 years now)

I'm in charge of hospitality for our group, so I watch over the table as food comes in, get serving spoons out, cut up what needs to be cut up, and most importantly, I make the coffee for the moms!  

My sister showed up with a cake box & a look of concern on her face.  Before I could say anything to her she said, "I don't know what this cake is going to look like..."

Okay...

She opened the cake box & this is what we saw:

I just started laughing.  

She explained that the lady behind the cake counter had fought with her on what she wanted the cake to say.  The cake was to say, "Happy Birthday Week, Amy", as an inside joke. Instead, it appears to say, "Happy WEAK Birthday Amy".

(Since Miss O. was old enough to start enjoying her birthday, little sis has told her we celebrate a birthday all week long...)

I think the sentiment of a "WEAK" birthday was just perfect.

This wasn't necessarily an important birthday.  I didn't turn 35, or 40....just somewhere in between there, so it was kind of a "weak" birthday. 

It was perfect.

Spring Shed ~ Week 1

I don't know about you, but when I make goals, I find them hard to stick to without writing them down, or telling someone.  It's like I have to have accountability, or I'll just let them slide.

One of my favorite bloggers, Kathy, started a weekly series in January called, "Winter Shed".  I really enjoyed following along and cheering her on from afar when she was trying to reach her goals.  Sadly, I never had a chance to get my stuff together and join in...

I was happy to see that with the changing of the season, she's continuing the series, now titled, "Spring Shed"!

So, I'm going to throw my hat into the ring and work towards completing some goals I've been working on!

My goals for Spring Shed are:

1. Eat & Prepare Healthier Meals For My Family
2. Exercise Consistantly At Least 3 Times a Week
3. Lose 1 To 2 Pounds A Week
4. Keep Up With Housework & Organization

Pretty basic goals, but you have to start somewhere, right?!?  As the twins are getting older, I'm finally feeling like I can do more than just watch them all day.  Of course, they are now trying to give up naps, so I might be back to square one soon!

This week has gone pretty well.  I guess I'll break down what I did to work on each goal below.

Eat & Prepare Healthier Meals For My Family
I think, overall, this was a good week.  We didn't eat out at all, and I counted my calories with MyFitnessPal everyday.  I do need to get back to planning out our dinners for the month, though, I had a few days when I almost didn't get dinner on the table, becuase I forgot to pull something out of the freezer in the morning!

Exercise Consistantly At Least 3 Times a Week
Proud that I can say that I succeeded in this!  Even though Big Boy was sick at the beginning of the week, I pulled out some old exercise DVD's and made sure I got a workout in.  No gym time, doesn't have to mean skipping a workout!

As the weeks continue, I'm hoping to start training for a sprint distance triathalon out YMCA holds every May.

Lose 1 To 2 Pounds A Week
This week I lost .4 of a pound.  I'll take it!  After having First Communion & a birthday celebration last Sunday, plus not seeing a loss last week, I'm calling this a win!

I've been working on losing weight since September.  I'm officially down 21 pounds, and am losing slow & steady.  This is a lifestyle change for me.

Keep Up With Housework & Organization
This will be the area that I most need to grow in.  I feel like paperwork is overtaking my house! 

This week, I did manage to gather up all our tax information to give to the accountant.  M. & I also pulled up the carpet in our dining room to reveal the hardwood floor underneath.

I'd really like to get into a schedule of what to do when, so that my house would be ready for company with very little effort on my part.

That's how my Week 1 of Spring Shed went. 

Want to join along? Head over to Bereaved and Blessed and join on in!

Nine

It's so hard for me to believe, but my Miss O. turned 9 years old today.

9.

Wow.

I can remember the day M. and I welcomed her into the world so clearly, how could 9 years have passed?

She makes me smile everyday.

Her loves are school, reading, art, and ballet.

She wants to be a teacher, artist, fashion designer, and baker when she grows up.

I tell her she can be anything she wants to be.

(Except work in TV...I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Haha!)

She is becoming such a sweet little girl, who I am so very proud of.

I am so lucky to call her my daughter.

Happy 9th Birthday, Miss O!

Time Won't Let Me

It's been over a month since I last posted.

I was hopeful that I would find some time to sit down and write out my thoughts...

I was obviously wrong.

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This two and a half age exhausts me.

Physically and mentally.

Pretty Girl is very much an independent little girl. 

Which is wonderful, until I need to get us out the door in less than 5 minutes.  Then, watch out, the fight is on!  Only she can put on her shoes, coat, etc...and no help is needed, Mommy!

Big Boy is a climber.

I don't even want to admit how many times I've found him mid-climb and had to take a deep breath and just take him down from where he shouldn't have been.  The boy is SO silent, ninja-like, I suppose.

I remember this with Miss O., but there was only ONE of her. 

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Of course, now that I logged in and started a post, I can hear crying from the living room.

Nap time is over, so I'll leave you with some of my favorite pictures from Christmas Eve...

I am so very blessed, even when the days are hard!

Warp Speed

How is it the end of the year already???

How?

The days just fly by anymore, at least when I look at a calendar.  In the moment, not so much. 

What's that saying? The days are long, but the years are short? 

I totally understand that.

So, 2013 is just around the corner.  Crazy.

The last few months of 2012 just flew by me. 

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I'm happy to say that I'm still running. 

It still shocks me.

To think that in August, I couldn't run for more than 5 minutes at a time without being out of breath, and tomorrow I'll run my second 5k race.

In the cold & snow.  With at least a foot of snow on the ground.

Insane.

At the end of my running class, I was surprised to find myself 15 pounds lighter and 14 inches smaller.  I'll take it.  I do feel better, and I have gotten a chance to wear a couple of pre-twin jeans. I call it a win!

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Christmas was wonderful here.

My favorite moment was Christmas morning, when Miss O. joined us all upstairs, in our bed.  She whispered to M. and I, "Oh, there are 2 big things down under the tree....I think the babies are going to LOVE them!"  She could hardly contain her excitement for them.  It made my heart just jump for joy!

She is such a special little girl, and loves her brother & sister so much!

I hope your holiday celebrations were awesome, as well.

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This is most likely my final post for 2012.

I didn't get a chance to sit down and type much this year, but I often thought of blog posts in my head.  That's where they'll remain, I'm sure, but perhaps I can start carving out some more time to post.

I hope so.

I miss being part of the community that offered me so much love while I was struggling to add to my family.

So, here's to hoping in 2013 that I can get my "blog" back on!

Christmas 2012

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Fragments for Friday

I've been meaning to blog at least 3 times this week, but haven't had a chance to sit down and type it out.

Thank goodness for Fragments for Friday!

It's a great way to quickly jot down what's been going on in your life.  My friend, Suzy, over at Not a Fertile Myrtle offers you the chance to link up and share your Fragments for Friday.

 Here we go...

• On Thanksgiving, I ran my first 5K race.  The Gobble Wobble was a ton of fun and I didn't walk once!  It was an amazing feeling to cross that finish line!
• This week has be crazy busy, and with the time of year, I know it's only going to get worse.  All good things to be busy with, like MOPS, friends, and my Tastefully Simple business but I'm exhausted.
• The twins have kept me on my toes this week.  First, they decided to empty my wallet on Wednesday, while I was in the bathroom.  It needed done, and boy, were they proud! Lucky for me nothing was lost.
• It's official, I can no longer take a shower, if I'm home alone!  Big Boy made his point yesterday, when he pulled down the gate to the kitchen, opened the fridge, removed a dozen eggs, and proceeded to place them in a large glass vase.  At least I think that's what happened...I was in the shower!

At least they weren't all over the floor!

• If you're looking to get some holiday shopping done, you should head over to Suzy's adoption website.  She's holding a Fund Our Family auction and all the proceeds go towards their adoption fund.  I donated a yummy item...check it out!

That's all for now.  I know I'm missing some things, but I'm outta time to type!

So, what's going on with you? 

Honored To Be Giving Thanks

For the past several years, my friend Julie Arduini, has turned her blog over to her readers in November.

The reason is two fold, she gets a chance to share others stories of thankfulness AND she can focus on completing her NaNoWriMo project for the year.

I always look forward to reading the posts she has selected, as I enjoy seeing what others are thankful for.  Every year, I think, "I should really submit my story...", but I never seem to do so.

That changed this year.

Once the call went out for submissions in September, I carved out a small window to sit down and write why I was thankful.  After writing it, editing, and re-reading it numerous times...I finally got the guts up to hit the send button on the email.

I thought I was going to puke.

Within a few hours, I had an email back from Julie, thanking me for my story.

I am honored to have been selected to be 1 of 30 people giving thanks publicly on her blog this month.

My post is being featured today, and I'd love for you to check it out!  You'll find it here.

Halloween Fun

Halloween was delayed, thanks to super storm Sandy, although we didn't have anything but a little wind and rain. 

It didn't deter the kiddos, though, and they had great fun in November running from house to house and yelling, "Trick or Treat!"

Ok, ok, so the twins didn't really yell it out, but Miss O. did. 

It was the first year that the young ones did understand it.  We would get to the end of someone's driveway and Pretty Girl would yell, "Treeeeeeaaaat!".  I couldn't get her to say a word once we were on a doorstep, but it was cute. Since it was an abbreviated Halloween, we only did the street that my in-laws live on, so we let the twins walk this year, instead of riding in a wagon.

My Rapunzel, Lady Bug, and Spider came home with way too much candy, but were all smiles!

Fragments for Friday

Suzy over at Not A Fertile Myrtle has joined up with Lexy at God Uses Every Tear to create Fragments for Friday.  The idea is that sometimes you want to share some things on your blog, but they just don't seem like a full post.

That's where Fragments for Friday comes in! 

• I reside in what was considered a swing state for the election.  I can not tell you how happy I am that my home phone has not rang once since Tuesday afternoon!  The calls were riduculous.  All hours of the day, at least 10 a day for the last month. Can you say overkill???

• For the life of me, I can not keep up with the dishes in this house anymore!  I think it's because we've made a concious decision to eat at home more, but it's crazy.  If I don't run the dishwasher once a day, I can't find my sink the next morning!

• Nights have been a little stressful.  After 3 consecutive mornings of having Big Boy scare me to death by climbing out of his crib, we decided it was time to convert the twins' cribs to daybeds.  Big Boy is sleeping like a champ, but Pretty Girl is still getting up at least once a night.  At least it's 50% of a success, right?

• This week has been busy!  It's one of my 2 weeks a month for my work from home gig, but I also had an event for my Tastefully Simple business, too.  Never heard of Tastefully Simple?  Oh, man...such good stuff.  And everything takes only 1 or 2 ingredients from your pantry.  Check it out, here.  Yum!

• Best part of the week was tonight.  Miss O.'s school had a Mother-Daughter event at a local roller rink.  The theme was 80's and we had so much fun!  I picked up some fake neon hair extensions, some leg warmers, and some hair scrunchies for us.  Miss O. let me do her hair and makeup and we had 2 hours of just girl time.  Pictures to come ;)

Do you have some fragments to share?  Link up with Suzy or Lexy.  The link stays open through Sunday!

I Might Be A Runner, Kinda...

Growing up I was very active.  I loved participating in sports. 

Three sports a year active all the way through high school.

Swimming competitively was my favorite, but I enjoyed softball and soccer, as well.

One thing I tried but hated?  Track.

I always joked that I wasn't a runner...that I would only run if I was being chased.

Truth is, I didn't like to run because I had asthma and running aggravated it.

Thankfully, I grew out of my asthma eventually.

I graduated from college and started working. 

Exercise fell to the wayside.

I met M., fell in love, and accepted his proposal.  We got married,  had Miss O. and continued to try and expand our family.  Exercise wasn't important, because I could always say, "Oh, well, I'll be pregnant soon".

Except, I kept getting pregnant, but losing my babies way too soon.

It's really hard to want to exercise, to be healthy, when you can't get past the pain your body is putting you through.

BUT, I did get through secondary infertility hell. With the birth of the twins, I made it to the other side.

Now that they are two, I decided it was time to get healthy. 

Time for a change.

Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, I started taking a running class at our local Y.  I've been surprised that I'm actually enjoying it.  I haven't wanted to quit, either.

You guys, tonight I ran for 27 minutes!

Granted, it was walk 1 minute, run for 9 minutes...repeat two more times....but I did it!

And it felt good...I might just be a runner after all.

Finding Rhythm

Tapping your foot along to a catchy song on the radio.

Clapping your hands together as you sing Pat-A-Cake with a child.

Feeling your heart begin to race as you prepare to speak in front of a group.

Life is all about rhythm.

When things are going good, a life rhythm is smooth and continuous, you might not even think about it. Things just click and work like they should.

On the opposite end, when things are hard in life, you feel clunky, like something just isn't fitting into gear.

The weird thing about life's rhythm is that you can often feel like it's smooth in one area, and super bumpy in another.

For most of the last two years, I've felt like my rhythm was like riding down a pot hole covered road.

The twins arrival was a dream come true, something that I had hoped for, wished for and prayed for.  That doesn't mean it's been all sunshine and unicorns around here. 

Any mom of a new baby will tell you, the first couple of months are just about survival.

I can tell you, that when raising twins, the first year is all about survival.  I'm so thankful that I took lots of pictures, since I don't have a lot of memories from the day to day doings that year. The second year was better, and I see glimpses of good things in this year ahead of me, before they turn three.

The problem with feeling like things are going well?  I've started to feel like I can be active outside of the house.  I'm involved with my MOPS group, on the steering team, I'm recording secretary of the local twins club, I'm attending a weekly Community Bible Study.

All good things.  Things that make my heart happy, give me a chance to interact with and support others.

I'm just struggling with finding my rhythm from adding new tasks and obligations to my daily schedule.  Add in Miss O.'s extra curriculars and we're a mess. For the first time, M. and I have moved from a paper calendar to go.ogle calendar.  It was needed, as it's getting too hard to keep what everyone is doing or where we need to be and when straight.

I know it will come, but I'm impatient on how long it's taking for me to feel like we've hit our rhythm again.

If you haven't noticed, I'm struggling with trying to get back into the routine of blogging, as well.  I miss coming to this space, and typing out my thoughts, feelings.  It seems like I have so much to say, but when I actually carve out some time to sit down and write, I end up starting and stopping, worrying that what I have to say isn't making sense or isn't good enough to publish.  As I mentioned to some friends today, I miss the days where I could just write, and not feel like I have a filter between my heart and my brain. 

So, how is your rhythm today?

Catching Up ~ Bullet Style

It's sad, really.

I get a whole new look for this place, and it's over a month before I post again. 

Something's got to give.

So, here's a quick update to how things are at Not The Path I Chose.

• I just started Week 6 of the Run to Lose class. I'm shocked that I haven't quit yet.
• The twins are busy, busy, busy.  I can't take my eyes off them.
• Miss O. has an activity everyday after school Mon. thru Thurs., this makes the weeks fly!
• Halloween is coming up, and for once I have all the kids costumes ready early.
• Both Big Boy & Pretty Girl were tested for speech delays. They both qualified for speech classes, but my insurance won't pay for any until January 1st.  Grrr.
• We had professional pictures taken at the end of September.  I can't wait for them to come in.
• M. about had a heart attack at the price of said professional pictures.
• I'm getting ready to host a Mystery Host Open House for my Tastefully Simple business, which means I need to really de-clutter the house!
• Corn maze on the calendar for Sunday, can't wait!

That's a quick recap on what's been going on here.  Hopefully, I'll be able to sit down and post a little more often.

Tell me, what's going on with you?

New Beginnings

I love Fall.

The air turns crisper, the leaves change colors and fall from the trees, school & activities start up again...it's all good in my book.

There is something about this time of year that just feels right for changing things up, for starting something new.

Many "new" things around here, starting with my awesome blog makeover compliments of Blog Sites By Suzy!  

If you're reading me in a reader, click over and check my new look, I promise you won't be disappointed.  Before, it was really quite dingy around here...brown on brown, with a brown header that was created within the first few months of me starting to blog. I like to write, but I don't pretend to know much about how to make a blog look nice.  Suzy was wonderful to work with and I think she did a great job making this space look much more like ME!

Oh, and you'll probably notice my snazzy signature line she designed as well.  In case you don't really know me, my name is Amy.  When I started blogging 4 years ago, (has it really been that long!?!), I didn't know what I was going to fill this space with and decided to be kind of anonymous, or at least try to be.  It just feels like it's time to let the "Photogrl" persona go.  It fit when I began this journey, but doesn't really fit anymore.

In other "new" news, Miss O. is about two weeks into a new school year.

Third grade is tough, but she's enjoying it.  On the other hand, I'm struggling with her budding independence.  I know that I have to start letting her do some things by herself, but it's a balancing act between watching her grow and not wanting to see her fail.

I often wonder if it's even harder because I'm raising 2 two year olds at the same time.  Sometimes I feel like I need a reminder that Miss O. is not a baby! 

Finally, in the "new" news of this Fall, I decided to join a new class at the local Y called, "Run to Lose". 

I've tried running in the past, trying the Couch to 5K plan, only falling off the wagon about 2 weeks every time I've tried because of getting sick, a child getting sick, or life just getting in the way.  I don't like to run, but I have too many friends that absolutely love it and keep telling me to give it a try.

The class seems to be like a Couch to 5K, only in a group setting, along with some nutrition information.  I'm excited and hopeful that this will ignite a passion for running in me...and if not, maybe I can at least lose a few inches and pounds!

So, that's what's new around here....what's new with you?

Peanuts, Get Your Peanuts....NOT!

The summer is quickly wrapping up, and I honestly can't wait for Fall to come.

We packed the last few months full with lots of fun stuff and family time, starting with our Disn.ey trip and ending with a week spent with family in Savannah.  I think we're all tired, happy, and ready for a little structure around here.

At least this mommy is!

Miss O. starts third grade on Tuesday.  I really don't understand how this is possible!?! Third grade?  She's excited to go back to school, see her friends, and read.  Secretly, I think she's ready for a break from the twins 24-7.  From her viewpoint, it has to be hard to constantly compete with 2 two year old's for Mommy's attention all day long, as well as having to do certain things because they are little.

The twins are doing well.  Acting like typical two year old's, showing independence, pitching fits, giving hugs & kisses to anyone who will take them.

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Over the summer, we found out that our little peanut, Pretty Girl, is allergic to peanuts.

Very allergic.

Like, we have to carry an Epi.Pen, allergic.

Cue Mommy freak out moment.

I wasn't super surprised that she was allergic, I just didn't expect it to be that bad.

In May, M. had given her a tiny bit of peanut butter on the tip of a spoon while I was working at my Twins Club yard sale.  He called me, panicked, because even though she had spit it out immediately, her entire face had broken out in hives almost immediately! I told him to give her Ben.edryl and watch her closely, and it seemed to work and she was fine a few hours later.

Obviously, we called the doctor on the following Monday, explained what happened and was told to just keep peanuts away until her 2 year old appointment.  Once that came in July, Pretty Girl had blood drawn, and we found out how severe her allergy is.

I have plenty of allergies, myself, but no food allergies.

She'll never enjoy a package of peanut butter cups, my no-bake cookies, or a PB&J sandwich. 

It's been a real learning experience for us.  Pretty Girl needs to avoid peanuts and all tree nuts, just to be safe.  I never realized how many things may or may not have nuts in them.

We've found that even if someone has eaten a forbidden food and touches or kisses her, she will react.

It's scary.

And because she's two, and I've spent the last 2 years teaching her and Big Boy to share EVERYTHING with each other, Big Boy has to be peanut-free, too.

I just can't trust that they wouldn't share with each other, at least until they are much older.

It's a big adjustment...just yesterday we had lunch at a friend's house, bologna sandwiches, watermelon, and pretzels.  Should be fine, right?

Yeah, not so much.

About 10 minutes into lunch, I noticed that Pretty Girl was starting to break out around her mouth.  Crap.  Grabbed the bag with the pretzels in it, and looked at the label.  There it was..."made in a facility that uses nuts"...I hadn't even thought to look at it, it was a bag of pretzels!

That's just it, it seems that I need to scour EVERY processed food label, in order to make sure it's safe for her.

It's a learning process, but one I want to learn quickly, that's for sure!

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Do you or a family member struggle with a peanut allergy?  Food allergies in general?  How do you handle it? I'd love to hear how others deal with this...

Taking the Plunge

Last week, I had the opportunity to step way outside of my comfort zone.

Way outside.

After a lot of prayer, discussion, and arrangement of child care, I made a decision.  I was going to "plunge" in, step outside of what's comfortable to me, and take some risks. 

Last Wednesday night, I left my husband and three children at home and ventured out with two relatively new friends to Texas.

Texas, y'all!

Our little group flew to Grapevine, Texas, which is over 1,200 miles from home, for the 2012 MOPS International Convention.

I had no idea what to expect.  I haven't left the twins alone for more than one night at a time. I knew the two girls from my MOPS group, but didn't really know them, you know?

To say that I was scared, excited, and utterly overwhelmed would be an understatement.

The convention was held at an absolutely amazingly beautiful resort.  I had the opportunity to hear from some incredible speakers, enjoy some beautiful worship time with Christy Nockels, and had some time for relaxation and introspect.

The theme of the convention was "Plunge", based on scripture from 1 Peter.

"Love as if your life depended on it."

~ 1 Peter 4:8

Over my days away, I heard why we as moms should love ourselves, love our family, love the world, and love other moms.  I spent hours with my new friends and found that we all had much in common, including infertility. 

Now, don't get me wrong...I was homesick.  I missed M. and the kids, but I knew they were all being taken care of.  I kept seeing things that I knew Miss O. would enjoy and my heart would tug, but I just reminded myself that it was okay to be enjoying myself.

It was really hard to make the decision to step away from real life for a few days, travel with near strangers, to step outside of my comfort zone.

But I am so thankful that I did.

2nd Birthday Party; Mickey & Minnie Style

About three weeks before the twins were going to turn 2, I finally just looked at M. and said, "Well, are we having a party, or not?". 

For months we had been going back and forth on what to do.  Their 1st birthday was a cinch, no doubt, we were celebrating, and we were celebrating big!  Over the last year, though, with me staying home, our finances have gotten a lot tighter.  In March, for Miss O.'s birthday, she had her first "friends" party, and we didn't do the big family party this year.  Plus, we went to Dis.ney Wo.rld in June, and we all know visiting the mouse doesn't come cheap!

So, back to asking M. about whether or not to have a party...

We decided yes, we'd keep it low key and just rent a tent for the backyard, and have family and a few close friends.  Once I decided on a theme,  M. created some adorable invitations for me, and I went to town planning!

Thank goodness we got the tent, as it rained off and on throughout the party!  Otherwise it was a fun day, and the twins were showered with love and attention.

And you can't do a birthday post without including some pictures...

All the food was "Clubhouse" themed.  We had make your own club sandwiches, hot diggity dog hot dogs, Minnie's Bow Tie Pasta salad....I could go on and on.  Yes, I'm a dork ;)

Cupcakes, instead of cake!

Each treat bag included a handmade mouse rice krispy treat!

My favorite shot of the day!

Birthday Wishes for the Twins

It's Friday the 13th, AND it is the twins' 2nd birthday!

How can that possibly be???

M. and I stayed up late last night, talking about their birth day.  I'm still blown away every time I look at them that they are here and they are mine. The day that they joined our little family of 3 and made it a "party" of 5 was filled with great anticipation and excitement. 

July 2010

Two years.

Thousands of diapers, tears, kisses and hugs.

The first year was survival.  

The second has been a little more fun.  

I enjoy watching them grow independent, yet still look for me and each other. 

Can't wait to see what the next year brings!

July 2012

Happy birthday, Big Boy & Pretty Girl!