Missing Our Girls!

It hasn't even been a full 24 hours but I miss them so.

Joey was admitted in the hospital for exactly what, we're not sure, but we know it IS getting better which is good. What was originally diagnosed as a very bad reaction to poison ivy has turned the shoulder area of his skin bright red and significantly blistered. Four different diagnosis, and a dozen different meds later, the white blood cell count (which was quite high yesterday) is almost stable. I spent the night at the hospital with him and family is at our place with my twincesses.

So I am here.

We've been toying with the idea of getting out and spending the night without the girls, but this is not exactly what we intended.

I'm just glad he is on the road to getting better and that we are able to hang out in his room and laugh and talk despite the situation. He really is my best friend and I hate seeing him confined to a hospital bed. What will be even harder is not being able to be in direct physical contact with them until the blisters begin to go away.

These girls are way too lovable to stay away from.


See?

What I would do to have such long, black, curled lashes!

She has such a pure smile!

Dream come true :) 

Love just looking into those big brown eyes!

If you're the praying type, send some this way for a speedy recovery, if you're not, try it :)

Epiphany.

These past two weeks have been crazy busy.

Especially this one.

My students had a juried competition yesterday and getting prepared to take over 30 middle schoolers to any event is a chore. Add the last minute creative changes to their work, matting, paper work, late nights away from home and all with out a right hand for a few days (long story) then you have me with an insanely high level of stress.

Was it worth it?

Definitely.

Afterwards I decided it was time to have my first real night out since we've had our girls. A lot of doubts about leaving them ran through my mind, but listening to some incredible live music, I found myself mid epiphany last night.

It's easy to lose yourself in a marriage, to forget who you are as an individual and only view the spouse you are. The responsibilities can be overbearing, and the routine confining. Parenthood can be the same way.

I made the mistake once of losing who I really was once. I made it a plan then,  to never let that happen as a mommy. Of course that's easier said then done but so far it has been great.

Last night I felt so at ease. I was doing something I loved, meeting new people, absorbing all of this wonderful music and creative energy - and I was able to do it as a wife, and a mother.

My epiphany was it doesn't have to be one or another. I can have it all.

I can be a mom, wife, and employed. I can be a friend, and a daughter. I can be a Christian and an artist. I am a designer, and domestic, a lover of music and art, and a boring homebody. I can be a good teacher who invests in my students, and not neglect the aforementioned in doing so.

During some beautiful vocal harmonies, I was reminded of a song that helped me stay positive during my time dealing with infertility and loss. This song warmed my heart during those times it began to feel cold.  Now it's my motherhood anthem.

My Heart With You Lyrics

Waited a hundred years to see your face,
And I would wait a hundred more
If only to be near you,
To have you and to hear you.
Isn't that what time is for?

I sailed a thousand ships in search of you.
Traveled to distant land.
I dove for sunken gold.
I took what I could hold,
But you're still the greatest treasure I've held in my hands.

My love, the reason I survive,
Trust we'll be together soon.
Should our fire turn to dark,
Take my heart with you.

A tattered photograph my pocket holds.
I keep you secretly.
I studied every line.
You're etched upon my mind
For not a million soldiers could take you from me.

My love, the reason I survive
Trust we'll be together soon
Should our fire turn to dark,
Take my heart with you.
You

My love, the reason I survive,
Trust we'll be together soon.
Should our fire turn to dark,
Take my heart with you.
Take my heart with you.
Take my heart with you.

I want to love them with everything I have, all of the time. I don't want to take for granted what I've been given. I know I say that a lot, but it's true,  I'd do anything for these girls.

I look forward to many more minutes, hours, days, months and years of not only being their mommy, but being everything else I want to be as well.

Have a great week.

Weekend Odds and Ends

These are my stragglers from the weekend.

Either they didn't work with the photo compositions, are they weren't related to the blog topic. 

Ear Piercing

G-Mom and Grandad took the girls to get their ears pierced. They did great! Mommy could have done better :/ 

Lola get's ready for her bling!

Post piercing bottles keeps the tears away! G-Mom, Grandad, and Tia Lor

Recycle Those Tees!

I had a hard time getting rid of old t-shirts of Joey's from previous schools and camps he has coached through the years so I had the idea to make a t-shirt quilt, and mom had the know how and skills. I love how this worked out and cannot wait for her to make me one with some special red and white t-shirts of mine from college <>

Quality Time with Popo and Grandma

We spent the night with my parents Saturday night and the girls had a blast. They have four of the best grandparents ever.

Mom with Mila and Dad with Lola

Mom and her grandbabies

 Monkeying Around

Lola LOVES her new sock monkey from her grandparents. She kicks and waves her arms around when she sees her.

Just Like Daddy

The girls in one of MANY of daddy's ball caps...

Lil' Homie.

Peep the bling!

Have a GREAT rest of the week.

My First Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day busy but blessed.

It started with my gift from my girls, a silver cross necklace with their birthstone, and some glittery silver Tom's from Joey.

No new vacuum for this momma :)


It was almost surreal that I was a mother this Mother's Day. Partly because I'm still baffled that I am FINALLY a mother, also because I stayed so busy packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, driving, visiting here and there and packing and loading to head to the next place. By the time we made it home Sunday night (we spent the weekend in our hometown) I was HAPPY to finally be able to spend the quality time with my daughters I think any mother would want on Mother's Day.

It was a big day for me, something I've looked forward to for many years and I was humbled by the experience. I know I say this often but I am forever grateful for the opportunity to raise such beautiful, precious girls. I think it's easy to take for granted what we are given when we are chosen by God to become mothers. In a world where women depend on their own mothers to raise their children, or mothers who spend more time on their own social agenda instead of at home with their family I am grateful that my heart is so embedded in theirs that being more committed to anything else is unfathomable.

Not only do I have these jewels to treasure, but the jewel that gave me life. My mother is more than one could ever want in a mom. She is my cheerleader. She encourages me, supports me, sets me straight, makes me laugh, and is my best friend.  She not only showers me with love, but my husband as well and for that I'm very thankful. Our relationship isn't perfect, but it shaped me to become the woman, and mother I am today.

Okay, I'm getting too wordy, here are the pics!

1) My girls and I on Mother's Day
2) Mom and I with washed out eyes, Mother's Day service was quite emotional
3) The man and I
4) The brother in law Brandon, my niece Keegan and my sister Mia with her baby glow!
5) The best brown sister in law I could ask for and my mother in law with her snazzy new Swarovski crystal earrings
6) My father in law Joe, nephew Rich, Mila and niece Kacie

I hope your Mother's Day brought as much joy as mine did! For all of the women who are still praying for their mommy moments, I'm still praying yours will come soon.