Trust

This week is Infertility Week (preceded by the very important National Pretzel Day, I hope you all took off work). This week a year ago I was only a few days pregnant and was waiting to find out if our in vitro had worked. It was a rough nine days. I only worked part time and so I came home each day and pretty much prayed all afternoon. I had several scriptures that really encouraged me at the time. They were:
"May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 115:14-15

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Heb 11:6

"One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is H"e who fights for you, just as He promised you." Joshua 23:10

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:4

and Amos 3:3 "Do two walk together unless they are agreed?" This one was very important to me because I KNEW that God was sovereign and His plan is better than mine, even if I don't like the circumstances, BUT when I read this I realized that at times I didn't agree that this was best for me and I really wanted to walk with Him through this and everyday. I had to seek Him and get to the place where I was at peace with WHEREVER He was leading me.

I am praying this week for everyone who is waiting on the Lord. I am praying for those couples who are waiting on a baby, singles who are waiting on a godly spouse, and families waiting on healing. This is such a special week coming up to honor Mothers but, I know this week has pain for others. It is hard on those who have lost their Mom or child or those who want to be Moms. Not to be a Debby Downer but, I want to encourage those people that He is faithful and will carry you through the times of hurt.

Steam Mop

Does anyone know anything about the Shark Steam Mop? I think I really want one but, I wanted to know if they are good. I also keep breaking vacuums and thought about getting a Roomba next time. What is the word on those? Am I boring you yet? Wow, I am getting old, next week I will be asking about where to get a good pair of elastic waisted high rise jeans.

Rolling with the babies

Drew rolled over today! We have been waiting on it. He has been rolling up on a shoulder and then deciding to fall back down for a few weeks now. Today my friend, Taryn, was in town from Colorado and we were talking while he was playing on the activity mat. We watched him as he decided to go for it. I am so thankful I was able to see his first roll. Tomorrow is their 4 month birthday!

Three months

The third month of the babies' lives was a big one to me. They seem to have really learned so much and become little people this month. For some reason I thought life would miraculously change at three months. I thought they would sleep through the night and space out feedings to 3 hours. When that didn't happen I then thought that will NEVER sleep through the night and will always eat every 2.5 hours and I will always pump. Lack of sleep has made me pretty rational that way. But, this month has been such a big month for them. They sleep about 7 hours now! They still eat every 2.5 hours but, they eat alot and that makes me happy because I know they are growing! Charis doubled her intake in one day!

Their little personalities have begun to shine through and I LOVE IT!! They make us so happy to hear their coos and laughs. Charis is our social butterfly. She loves to tell stories. Drew is a happy little guy and snuggles. He laughs and smiles when you talk, no matter what you say. Stephen recounted the whole Masters tournament to him and he loved it. Drew loves baths and having shirts going over his head. Charis tolerates both, but loves to be rubbed on the tummy. They are both major wiggle worms.

Cleaning

Kelly's Korner is doing Show Us Your Cleaning Tips. I should really have a lot of these because I come from a long line of "Cleaners". They have a sickness, I mean gift. If I was to clean my kitchen table I would spray it with disinfectant and sweep/ mop under the table and dust the chairs. My mom would disassemble the table scrub the parts with bleach water, use a toothbrush on the bolts, steam clean the ground under the table and then reassemble the table. I'll be honest I don't iron. I hate it. I only iron if I HAVE to. But, my sweet Mimi on the other hand irons her sheets. That's right, sheets. I love being in their homes because they are beautiful and immaculate. I'm a "picker upper". I try to keep everything picked up and I clean frequently but, I am not good at the DEEP CLEANING. I put off cleaning the blinds, light fixtures, and baseboards. But, here are I few things I learned from my mom:

1. Don't go to bed until the house is picked up. Items need to be returned to their "home".
2. Straighten the couch pillows before bed.
3. Make your bed everyday.
4. Vacuum your house very often. I don't do as good as her on this one, mom has been known to vacuum on her way out the door to work.
5. Put bathroom supplies back in the cabinet as you get ready.
6. Put laundry away when you pull it out of the dryer. I hate to do this step so my dry clothes sometimes spend a night in the dryer until I can just do it and get it over with.
7. Put dishes in the dishwasher after you are done with them.

and something I learned from Keepers of Your Home Bible study: clean your sink every night. All this cleaning makes me want to be a boy.

Kristin Cook took pictures of the babies a few weeks ago. I love how they turned out. She is so talented. Here are a few that she took.

Stephen is OLD!

Stephen turned 30 this week! I took the babies to his work and we had lunch on his birthday. We went to this hole in the wall place called Jimmy's. It is really an Italian grocery store but, the deli sells amazing sandwiches. You can go behind the kitchen to this secret room to eat. I am pretty sure several "hits" have been made in this back room. It is pretty mob. After lunch we went back to GuideStone and saw his friends. Poor baby Charis had a major diaper malfunction and her genius mother forgot to bring extra clothes so she ended up looking like a Wal-Mart baby (no offense Nelson).

This is our other set of twins. I found these great shirts for the guys and think they look so cute. Blue Bell is posing too.

I asked Stephen if he wanted a party or anything for his big 3oth birthday but, all he wanted was to smoke a brisket with Marcus. We went over on Friday and spent the day at the Watson's and then ate their delicious brisket that evening. Dina was sweet enough to get Stephen a cake. I hope Stephen had a great 30th birthday. He deserves it! He has been such a wonderful husband and Daddy. He is a huge help when he is home from work. I am thankful for all he does for us!