Big Boy and Girl Rooms

This weekend the kids went to stay with Honey and Pops so that we could work on their rooms.  It was so nice of them to offer and we used every second up (except for when we ate out EVERY night).  It was so nice to be able to work on everything and have dinner and TALK.  We love our little people but it is great to have some spouse time.

The kids had a blast with Honey and Pops.  They fed goats, rode a train, went swimming, and saw peacocks.  They loved every second of it.

We painted walls, furniture, and frames.  We moved closets and decorated.  We are so blessed by our family.  Everyone had a hand in this.  My Dad's Christmas gift purchased beds, Honey and Pops kept the kids, my uncle made Drew's bed,  my Mom helped me on Friday and delivered a dresser for me, and my dear friend Dina helped me pick paint.

Drew has done great with the transition.  Charis has not.  We tried letting her sleep in Drew's room to ease the blow and she still cried, so we are trying to use some positive reinforcement to get her to sleep.  Tonight was better than last night but, only because I laid down with her.  I know I am starting something not good, but it helps her now.  I never got to rock my babies to sleep because they were twins so this is our time to make habits that we have to break later;).

Falling apart

I am a hot mess!  It all started about 5 weeks ago when I dropped two Coke bottles on my big toe and broke it.  It hurt to walk and so I walked with a swagger/limp and pulled my sciatic nerve from walking funny.  Then since my back was already weak I strained it about a month ago by leaning into the cribs to kiss the kids 800 times one night.  So I had a broke toe and strained back.  Then I got a mouth FULL of canker sores.  My lips are swollen out like a duck and I can barely eat or talk.  Then I accidently tore half of my other big toenail off.  And, not that you want to know this but, when I push on the broken toe juice comes out from under the nail.  I am one nice duck that walks like an 80 year old!
You can laugh... it is ridiculous.

Big beds

Two posts in one day?  What do I do all day?  But, this is HUGE so I have to post.

My baby girl is in a BIG GIRL bed and my baby boy is sleeping alone in their room.

Today their mattresses were delivered right before nap and I put the bedding on Charis' (Drew's is not put together yet).  I told her to get in her crib for a nap and she said that she wanted to sleep in her big girl bed.  I asked if she was sure and she was adamant.  She had a little of a rough patch settling down (big beds are exciting) but then slept 2 hours!

Stephen was sad about it and wanted her sleep in her crib tonight so we agreed to just see what Charis did and she went straight to her big girl bed when it was time.  It is a lot harder to tuck 2 kids in 2 different rooms.  I felt like a pinball.  Stephen and I weren't ready for this until next week and  so we didn't have closure to them being in the same room.  It is bittersweet.  I told Stephen that she isn't getting married just moving into a bed in another room, but it is still a big rite of passage.

I am so proud of them both!  Tomorrow we will see if Drew wants his bed put together.  Next weekend we are painting and decorating both rooms while the kids go stay with grandparents.

Getch ya

My daughter is a paradox.  She would run out into the ocean and swim to Cuba if we let her and not be afraid at all but, other seemingly innocent things scare her.  Last night Stephen was watering and showed her two rainbows that the water hose made.  She was terrified.  Even after we explained rainbows are good and that they God's promise she kept saying, "No rainbows getch ya?"  No baby, and no ice cream cones, bubble gum, or pictures of soft, sweet puppies will getch ya either...

Family Fun

I am so thankful for all our family.  We are very blessed to have family that loves and supports us.  They are very giving and helpful as well.  This past week we have been super blessed by family.

We were able to go to Grand Cayman with Stephen's parents, sister, and our nephew for a whole week.  It was wonderful!  The kids loved the beach and it was great to make memories.  We all stayed in a great condo and could walk directly out on the beach.  Drew woke us up early every morning saying, "I go beach".  We enjoyed wonderful food and the sun.  The guys went diving in the morning and the kids and girls stayed on the beach.  Pops took some great pictures that I need to post and somehow I didn't get a picture of them so I hope I can get some of their pictures.

My Dad blessed us (he said it was for Drew and Charis) with some spending money while we were there and we were able to take the kids to see the dolphins.  It was so neat.  We were in the water with the dolphin and able to kiss, dance with, and pet the dolphin.  Both kids stayed in the pool and watched but Charis was willing to kiss the dolphin.  Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the actual kiss but it was very cute!

When we came back the kids had another surprise.  My Mom and Larry had got a swing set off Craigslist and put lots of time into painting it and putting it in our yard while we were gone.  The kids were able to see it Tuesday morning.  They have been enjoying it all day.  They will enjoy it for a long time.  It is perfect timing right before summer.  

We are very thankful for our family.  I am so thankful that our kids are loved.  We have been very blessed by their generosity as I stay home with the kids and money can be tight but, we are even more blessed by their love, prayers, and support.  In order to pay them back they are all welcome to live with us when they are old.  ;)

Conversations

I usually have one conversation explaining my twins everyday.  I know it will happen less as the twins get older and it kind of makes me sad because I do love having twins.  Most of time I don't even notice how funny these conversations are until later.  Today I had a funny conversation on the playground.

Random lady: "Are they brother and sister?'
Me: "Yes, they are twins."
RL: "Why is her hair blonde?"
Me: thinking- Huh? Because God made it that way but say, "Her Daddy had really blonde hair when he was little, too."
RL: "Oh, I guess if I look real hard at their faces I could tell they were twins."
Me:  then I realize she thinks twins should look alike so I say "Yes, they both have blue eyes but my son is a little bigger."
RL:  "Is he older?"
Me: "No, actually my daughter is one minute older."
RL: "One minute!  How did that happen so fast?"
Me:  "I had a C-section"
RL: "Oh, I had nine kids."

At this point I want to turn the tables because I am FASCINATED by large families.  I want to know all sorts of stuff, mainly like how they do it.  I refrained though.  I am so intrigued by the logistics of a large family.  That is why I love those Duggars.