I wish...

there was a photo editing software that could change THIS


into THIS....


But until it is created...I guess I will keep doing it!

The Last Day

I can't believe today is the last day of 2009. I just shake my head in amazement. I began the year with a word...SHINE.

Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. The Message Matt. 5:14

I am hoping that I accomplished that in these last 365 days, shining brightly in a dark world. I am not sure what my word for next year will be- probably needs to be "organized" or "changer of many diapers"- something I might actually be able to accomplish will be nice-so probably the later.

I am sure that I didn't accomplish all I set out to do...in fact, I ended up getting pregnant and was unable to complete the triathalon I had considered/trained to do. But, these babies are much more important that some competition. My next year seems so far away, but Jan. 1, 2010 is going to come in less than 24 hours and it will begin. I am so unsure of what to expect. We will meet two new babies and adjust to a life of feeding, changing, and more laundry. What a great journey it will be!

My favorite doctor....

A Spring Day at the Park

My (no-so) Little One

Here is a picture of Evy during her gymnastics days last spring. It is one of my favorite pictures as she was beginning her posing for pictures days. She is such a ham!

Belly Pic- Week 21

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This is not the best picture. I took it last week and deleted the ones Michael took because I looked like I had a tire around my waist. So far...I am getting bigger and the babies are kicking like crazy. It is kind of like an octupus boxing match in my belly. They seem to be very active throughout the night and when music is on...they must like the beats.

As the year comes to a close, I am reminded of the things in life that matter most. Christmas was interesting this year. I tried very hard to focus on the reason for the season over the commercialized parts of Christmas. Now seems a time to focus on the new year before us. 2010 will be very different for this family. We will spend the first few months preparing for the birth of our twins, adding a precious son and daughter to our family, then (hopefully) planning a trip with our new family for the summer to the beach, sprinkled with various milestones-first smiles, first laughs, first teeth, first steps. Truthfully it makes me giddy to think about it now! One thing I hope to do is a picture a day-365 moments of our family life captured and shared with friends and family through my blog. I hope I can do it. I am inspired by the Julie/Julia movie...but not that ambitious to make 570something of Julia Child's recipes during the next-most that my family won't eat!

In the interm, I am sharing some of my favorite memories. These picture are of my firstborn and I sharing a tea cup ride in Branson. She is the highlight of most days and usually makes me laugh uncontrollably. Whether it is her crazy stories and different perspectives on life, her imagination makes me smile. Usually she is smarter than she should be and I am blessed to be her mom!

Is today Christmas? Really?

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. I am not sure that it is really Christmas. I mean, the tree is a blazing beauty, the stocking are full, Santa's gifts arrived, dinner is in the fridge to be prepared, the white stuff is on the ground, some family has arrived, but I am still not sure it is Christmas. It doesn't feel the same way. I guess it has to do with the belly beatings.

Last week we took a trip to Branson. There was lots of good. We were able to see "The Miracle of Christmas" show. I was able to finish Christmas shopping and purchase some cute clothes for the twins. There was some bad. My FIL ended up in the hospital with high amonia counts and was very confused. The bed was terribly uncomfortable and made me long for home. In the end, we were able to make it home safe and sound before the snow hit...which makes for a good trip.

Two weeks ago, the annual Kids Christmas pagent was the highlight of the week. I was so blessed to see my little one dressed as the dove in the manger scence. She didn't have much to do-except stand and look cute (which she is the best at) and sing her little heart out.

It just doesn't seem possible that today is Christmas

Superabundantly-Isn't that amazing?

A dear sweet high school pal came to visit last night. I haven't seen her in years as our paths have not crossed. She moved away, became a peace corp officer and has spent years working abroad in underdeveloped countries. Her job sounds exciting...twice in her life she has sold everything that wouldn't fit in her car! It was a blessing to hear about her job and her life. Left me a little envious at times to think of all the adventure she has had, people she has met, places she has seen. But, as I went to bed tonight, I decided that I really liked my life. Of course, we all sometimes think about how changes in a few decisions could have resulted in significant changes in the current present.

I got married early. I was technically 20- but only by 6 days. I look at those pictures now-almost 11 years later and I think I look so very young. We didn't have kids quickly, but spent time enjoying each others company. Now that Evy has arrived I seriously don't remember what we did before her. How bored we must have been! She has definitely been a sweet blessing and a reminder of how important life is.

There are some things I wanted to do...places to visit, missions to accomplish that don't seem possible with a child. I don't want to shirk my motherly/wifely responsibilities for those ideas without the Lord's leading. Now as we prepare for the twins, I am finding that I can't picture my life any other way. I mean, yes, I could do a different job, or live in a different house...but the reality of the situation is I don't really want it to change.

I am happy.

Many, many, many years ago (I guess that is relative, given my age) a woman prayed for us to bare children. We were going through a difficult period trying to pinpoint the issues going on. She told us that from her prayer time, she believed we would have a daughter and later a set of twins. I was in love with that idea. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to get two for the price of one? Along came Evy and I soon forgot the promise. We became pregnant again only to let that precious angel experience heaven first. Now we are pregnant with the twins, her words came flooding back to me...amazing how sometimes it takes years for God's promises to be fulfilled. I imagine I waited semi-patiently for this to come to pass. Now, I am wondering who in their right mind would seek out twins, trips or quads?...but I am in amazement of God's promises.

God is able. He is able to do far more that I ever had imagined. The road my life has taken is nothing like I had imagined. It is far better. Praise the Lord! I am thankful that God shows his generous love to us and chooses our path despite "us"!

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Eph 3:20-21 The Message

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, NIV

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]-- The Amplified Bible.

Superabundantly and simply amazing!!!

It's a....

After a very anixous day on Friday, we got to see a glipse of our babies. I have seen both images inside my belly several times, but I still haven't quite grasped what is going to be our new world. In fact I may not really get a full grasp until the nursery is complete and there are two of everything. I have already started planning in my mind.

After the Deeper Still event in OKC, I was able to head to Target and buy a few little outfits for our babies. There was so much cute stuff and I could have gone hog wild in there buying stuff. It was totally a good time!! Unfortuately, I was beyond tired after an emotional weekend with less sleep than usual. I wasn't feeling well, so we skipped seeing the Mills Twins and loading up baby gear from my sisters. Then I headed home to see my family and crashed fast. Today, I am still feeling a little under the weather-stuffy nose and cough- just praying that it will clear up soon.

Okay...enough stalling...

It's a BOY


and a


GIRL!!


We have no doubt that we have one of each inside there. I will try to get their cute faces added to this post this afternoon. In the meantime, I must go teach a little Sunday School and spend some quality time with my family putting up the Christmas tree.

Enjoy this Day the Lord has made! Be blessed!

Ode to Friday

I love Fridays...most everyone does.
This Friday is particularly special.
We will be learning the sex of our babies.
I can't wait...have been counting down the hours.
28 left!
Friday night I will attend a ladies retreat.
First one ever!
With my mom and my sister
Can't you tell I am excited!
Until Friday!