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!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Today is a special day. It use to be my most favorite holiday of all. A time to be thankful for wonderful husbands, precious daughters, more family, friends, freedom, my job, religious freedom, and small things-like hot chocolate and Sonic drinks. It was a time when we set aside time to give blessing to the Lord for the great blessings we had experienced. Maybe for some the one time when they could see there blessings outshining the difficult times in their lives.

Thanksgiving changed.

On Nov. 22, 2007- it became a sad day. We lost our second child that day. The miracle baby for which we had so fervently prayed. Gone in the blink of an eye. It is a funny thing how that works. I thought everything was totally normal, but it wasn't. Truth be told, it hadn't been for weeks. But, the Lord brought us through it. However, Thanksgiving isn't my favorite anymore. Really Nov. 22 shouldn't be my favorite, but for some reason it is stuck on the holiday. Don't get me wrong. I still love me some time with family, celebrating the blessings of the Lord, and some of the traditional dinner we fix. But, this day brings a sad cloud for me. A reminder of that terrible day. It may always be itching in the back of my head.

But Today!

Today, I will push it back, give it to God and be thankful for the blessings. We are so lucky to be charged with the care of our daughter and two precious packages to arrive after Easter. It is amazing how God can begin to turn that dark cloud into a silver lining. I am not going to lie...I will think about my unborn babies and pray that they will not meet the same feat as Autumn on this Thanksgiving day. I will pray for my friends that they will continue to have healthy pregnancies and I will continue to thank the Lord for the provision in my life.

Join Me! Happy Thanksgiving!

The idea of smell

Most of us have 5 senses-sight, touch, taste, hearing and smell. As small babies and children, we learn through the senses. As we grow older we use our senses to recognize situations and as we age more, our senses trigger memories.

If you ask my husband he would tell you my sense of smell is more than any normal human being. I tend to smell things...a lot! And some things that you shouldn't smell too. But smell is a strong sense for me.

As a child and teenager, smells were emphasized to need to be small and delicate-even absent. Due to some horrible perfume and Easy Bake Oven accident that happened while my Dad was a child, he struggles with smell. So, we weren't allowed to wear perfume, have smelly shampoo, etc. Some smells (like Lilac) were totally off limits. As we aged, this created the need to implore some problem solving skills. Usually, perfume was spritzed on after leaving the house-which would have lots of hours to wear off before dinner that night.

My sense of smell often triggers memories. Ladies at church wearing perfume that smells like my Old Grandma bring back sweet memories of summers spent together. Since being pregnant that since of smell is greater than normal. I am not smelling as much-to avoid any sickness problems. But it seems almost everywhere I go a smell triggers some sweet memory.

Last week, we went to get a hamburger at this hole-in-the-wall diner. I had been smelling their fried onions for days and was in need. Of course, after we ordered, I visited their restroom which distinctly smelled like my Grandparents old farm house. I loved that house and the fun summers we played there. I always imagined after I was much older that they would pass away and we would share the house between my sisters during the summers. I even considered living there full time and enjoying country life. Life didn't end as I imagined. After my Grandpa's diagnosis of colon cancer, my Grandparents auctioned the house-furniture and all. Michael and I were not in a financial position to purchase-but I strongly considered it. Since then, that happy family has divorced and who knows who lives in that house. Maybe someday we will go back--and maybe someday I can own it!

My Sister dated Michael Jackson!

No! Not Really!

But in my pregnancy dream state, they had a blast. Truth be told it wasn't the "real" Michael Jackson, but the image of her former boyfriend with the fame and name to resemble. This dream was even complete with photographic memories of Evy from 2-3 years ago, who spend Christmas with her Aunt and MJ in (of all places) El Paso, TX. Also meeting up for breakfast at some dive only to run into some church members. It is pretty funny what your mind does while you sleep.

I had crazy dreams when I was pregnant the last time. They were complete with rich details and insane themes and stunts. I wake myself up laughing at how ridiculous most of them are. In truth, sometimes it is nice to just go back to sleep and see what else happens.

Last night, was the first time in a while I had a dream (that I remembered). I am assuming this is because I haven't been sleeping as well due to these growing babies. Last night, I bit the bullet and ordered a "Back n Belly" pillow. It is the huge u-shaped contraption that might take up a 1/3 to 1/2 of our bed, in hopes that it will aid in a better nights sleep for me. I am pretty impressed with the service of Amazon.com-as I ordered it after 6p.m. last night and with the 2-day shipping options--it will be here Thursday!!! So, I am looking forward to a restful night of dreams on Thursday.

Speaking of Thursday...my youngest sister (the one who dated MJ) is having some hand surgery on Thursday morning. My mom will be going to stay with her tonight and take care of her in her recover. This surgery is on her right hand (dominant) and will remove a "bone tumor/spur-like" from her knuckle area. I guess there is a chance it might be cancerous...but we are believing it is NOT! If you think about it-say a prayer for a speedy recovery!

So Blessed!

These days we seem to be very blessed. We have a great family, food on the table and our health. I could make a few complaints about life in general, but in the grand scheme of things we are living the good life.

Even in uncertain times, as Mike Sr. is in the hospital again and other issues are arising, I am thankful we have a Solid Rock to turn to. I find that my human nature tries to fix/worry about it all myself rather than rely on the One who can. I haven't been successful in my attempts.

I have heard the saying F.R.O.G (Fully rely on God). I want to do it! It just seems that it isn't my first instinct to get on my face and pray. There really isn't anyone to blame except myself. I know it works. I know that God is in control and wants to have an intimate relationship with each of his children. But my human nature of worry and fear kick in and I clam up. Then I feel guilty.

This past month I have seen real life miracles. The kind that happen to stir your faith. It wasn't in my family, but in the family of someone who needed it. I am amazed at how God worked in the situation and while it isn't even remotely close to me...I feel the need to tell about it. You can read about it on Jennifer's blog for the full story.

As a step of faith, I have been praying very specific prayers for God to answer during this pregnancy and the birth of the twins. My human mind can worry and get wrapped up in all the negative that could go wrong, but my faith is strong that God is on my side. We are praying...These babies will be born in April, strong and healthy. They will not spend time in the NICU or the level II nursery and that I will not be on bedrest during my pregnancy. We are also praying for God to finacially support us during this time as I will be missing more work than planned. I don't know the big picture but God does...and I am relying on Him!

The Chronicles of living with a 4 yr old Part 1

These last few weeks have been interesting. While I feel great some days and not so great others, I have been trying to make everything seem normal. It isn't really normal and doesn't look normal, but we are trying to make our way through this new part of our lives. It has been great so far...but I am still tired!

Evy has been particularly animated the last few weeks. She seems to be clinging to her mom more than usual. I guess this has to do with not being the baby for much longer. She has asked questions about her as a baby. Lately, she has been non-stop talking. She has elaborate play with big vocabulary words a four year old should not be using. I think she watches too much TV in the afternoon.

I have decided to share with you some of the interesting conversations that take place at our house. These are the Chronicles of living with a 4 year old.

Me: Evy, do you want to wear a dress or pants to school?
Evy: A dress
Me: Okay I will go get your clothes. You can stay in here and snuggle with dad.
Evy: Mom, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Prowl are sleeping on my carpet. Don't wake them up. oh, and Sory is on my bed asleep
Me: Okay
Evy: (screaming to me in her room) DON'T TURN ON THE LIGHT

I turned on the light, got the clothes, turned off the light, I assume not waking her sleeping autobot friends because she checked on them later and they were still asleep.

If you know much about autobots, you know that Transformers are huge robot beings...which don't fit on a 2x 3 piece of pink fuzzy rug. But for her, they do!