Pumpkins, Parties, & Packing

We made our trip to Mainstay Farms last weekend for a visit to their pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful day a little warm for what I like October to feel like, but still great Fall Texas weather. We trekked around the farm pushing the little boys in their double stroller, took a hayride pulled by a really cool tractor, walked through 2 out of 3 mazes, and played up,down,under, and around their 3 story tree house. My personal favorite, besides picking out the pumpkins, was the 100 foot slide "The SuperChute". Tru and I rode down this bumpy black slide on itchy burlap sacks and had a BLAST! Tru had his face painted and we munched on a harvest trail mix while we waited with the twins. It was the best day!

Then yesterday we celebrated the twins first birthday...one year! It is amazing that a whole year has past since they were born. I think about what we were doing this time last year and the fact that it involved very little sleep. I vividly remember our first night with the twins,it was a little rough. Thankfully, we adapted quickly as did they and now they sleep beautifully and have since about 3 months old. What a difference a year makes. So we had few people over for pizza and cake Friday night. The little boys loved it. We served their pieces of cake straight on their highchair tray and let them eat it with their hands. So cute and very messy, but mostly cute. Liam dug in. He didn't hesitate at all. Levi actually waited until after we finished the birthday song to try his piece and put his face in his cake a couple times. Did I mention how cute it was? Blue and green frosting was all over them. So much so that the bath water was a lovely shade of aqua green. All in all it was a nice first birthday I'll post pictures later this week.

And in the middle of pumpkin patches and birthdays we're packing and getting ready to move back to our hometown at the end of this month. We worked our tails off today packing and moving things into the garage so that loading will be quick and easy. We moved here to help with starting a church a couple of years ago. It's an awesome church with a great church family and passionate Pastors who live what they preach. We were privileged to serve at The Way Church and we have met so many awesome people while we were here. Even though we are sad to leave J and I know that our time serving here is up and we're looking forward to the next chapter in our lives. We have family and friends in our hometown and we're excited about going to our church there. The whole process of moving isn't fun. I just try to focus on the "after" the move stuff. I like unpacking and getting settled and with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner it will make this season back "home" even more fun and special.

Mercy Come Morning Book Review

I finally finished Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren. It was previously released as Christmas Every Morning. The story is about Krista Mueller a college history professor who has made a life for herself far from everyone who loves her. But when Krista recieves news that her mother, who has been battling alszheimers for many years, is in her final days she rushes back to her hometown in New Mexico. Upon arriving Krista is faced with old feelings of bitterness and unforgiveness for her mother who is quickly fading. Krista is also met with the possiblity of rekindling her first love for an old friend, Dane McConnell, who has been caring for Krista's mother. She begins to sort through her mother's past as well as her own and in the process sets things in motion for healing for the relationships in her life...
There is a bit of mystery that pulls you into the story as Krista searches through her mothers letters seaking out answers from the past. I liked how Lisa Tawn Bergren mixed the present and the past together with such ease. She tells a story of how important it is to forgive and not let bitterness steal away time, just how Alzheimers steals away the time and memories of the people who are afflicted with it. The characters in the story were genuine. I did have a hard time liking the main character, Krista, until a little later on the book when things begin to unfold. All in all it was a good read.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Twinsie Tuesday--Night & Day

So as the twins approach their first birthday there have been so many new happenings in our house. First I've witnessed the first signs of brother struggles over toys. What's so funny is Liam just lets Levi have whatever it is that he wants at the time. Whereas Levi will follow Liam until he get's his toy back. As twins they are getting the opportunity to learn early on to share. Good times!

They are definitely coming into their own personalities. Liam is pretty laid back and he's got a sense of humor. Now I know what some might say "How can a baby have a sense of humor?" I don't know how to explain it really...he just laughs easily and often. Only time will tell I suppose. Also, Liam is our adventurer he loves to explore. Levi is our social bug. He loves to be talked to and lights up when he's around people. Lately, he will wave to get someone's attention and he's been saying "hi" to people we pass in the market. Levi is very expressive and there's no mistaking what kind of mood that boy is in. Lately, Levi has been standing on his own. J has been working with him to walk, but I think when he's ready he'll just do it. Liam on the other hand seems content to crawl and he's good at it. He speed crawls...I've never seen a baby get around as fast as he does. Once he does start to walk I imagine he'll be fast.

The two are like night and day. From their personalities to their physical appearance they are so different. I see how creative God is when I look at these sweet boys and my heart is full of gratitude to have the awesome privilege to be their mommy!

Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

{A Moment in our Week}

Truitt trying on his Gi for the first time. He was so excited. He's really enjoying his karate class at the Y. Good times!

Twinsie Tuesday--Switching Seats

We switched the boys seats this week. Their little legs had grown to the very limit of their infant seats. The infant seats are nice in that you can carry your sweet bundles into wherever you may need to go without ever actually taking them out of their seats. However, the weight of two almost 20lb boys in carriers on each arm gets old. So we made the switch. Of course they're still facing backwards and I double checked everything to be sure they're in properly. With Truitt we actually went to the police department and had them show us how to put his seat in. We've been out and about this week without any problems. But I've made sure to always have our double stroller with us. My arms would be very full otherwise. A double stroller is definitely a must have for a family with twins.
It is a little bitter sweet though. Switching their seats is just a small reminder that they're growing up. They came home in those infant seats. I remember putting them in for the first time at the hospital and tucking receiving blankets because they were so small. It seems like a dream sometimes, especially with their first birthday quickly approaching! Oh my...how blessed we are to have these boys in our lives!

Liam all tucked in on his way home from the hospital...

and a very displeased Levi getting ready to leave for the first time. They were sooo little.

{A Moment in Our Week}

Our sweet Liam boy...
he is our laid back little guy.

Thursday Catch Ups

This little blog has been neglected recently. We have been working really hard to finish up with kindergarten and I'm happy to say this is Tru's last week. We are actually finishing the last of his curriculum today! The plans are to do a little review & prepping for next week and start 1st grade the week following. I am overcoming being a procrastinator...steps right?

I wanted to update today on my 30 things before 30 list. If you havent read it just check it out! J & I have started working on the top of my list together...losing weight. The set goal for me is to be 100lbs lighter before my 30th birthday, which is a couple years away. My goal I have in my mind is to do it by next year's birthday. So far so good. I've lost 22lbs as of this morning and J's lost like almost 40! Isn't like a guy...oh well it's amazing! We are following Dr.Simeons "Pounds & Inches", drinking a ton of water and making some lifestyle changes. It's not always easy, but I just remind myself, when I have the urge to blow it, that I want the end result more than whatever I might be wanting at the moment. All in all it's going well,praise the Lord! Also, on that list are a few furniture projects I've wanted to complete and some things I want to learn how to do. I actually started one of the furniture projects yesterday, I'll post pics of it when it's finished. I want to relearn how to sew and get back into knitting. I've learned to sew before, I took a couple classes in school and used to love to watch my grandmother, I just haven't done it in a really long time. I do have a sewing machine and a good friend showed me a few things the other night. I want to be able to make clothes for the boys and maybe even for myself. If anyone has any advice for a beginner or books they recommend on sewing or knitting it would be greatly appreciated.

The twins are doing great. Growing like crazy, crawling and pulling up! Levi has been standing on his own a little here & there, but no steps yet. Both are cutting teeth and chewing and drooling. It is so amazing to think how much change a year can bring...they will be a year old next month! They definitely keep our days busy.
Speaking of twins I hear that nap time is over and so is my break. Good times!