Vacay

Here are many more pics of our trip to St. Augustine I just finally got around to posting...our time at the beach just went by much too fast! Enjoy!

To view the photo's, Click here

My First Child

When I was 22 years old, I had just finished an internship in Nashville and moved back to Chattanooga to finish my final semester of college. I missed all of my friends in Nashville, and most of my friends back in Chattanooga were now gone. This transition was so difficult for me to make. I had two good friends call me up and tell me that while driving down this incredibly busy road in Chattanooga, they spotted this tiny kitten running back and forth across the road. They stopped, chased it down, and took it home. Having an inside dog of their own, they couldn't keep the cat. But, they thought of me and had me come meet this tiny little kitty.

She was gray with a broken tail and truly was the coolest kitten I'd ever played with. I took her home and named her Grace because she was my saving grace for a very lonely time in my life. And 12 years later, after being my constant companion and easiest roommate all through my twenties, moving with me back to Nashville, then to Johnson City, then to Greeneville, then up to Michigan, then back down to Georgia, she passed away just a few weeks ago.

I call her my first child because she was the first living thing that truly was my responsibility to take care of, to keep fed, hydrated, happy and healthy. She was my baby girl to take care of...and I loved her so very, very much. She was an incredibly social cat who never met a stranger. When I lived in Nashville, she had a kitty door and would come and go as she pleased. One day she was sitting out on the front porch with me when a couple walked by on our street. They stopped and asked if she was my cat. When I told them she was, they told me that she would come visit them at night and sleep in their bed with them! They had even named her! Nope, never met a stranger. That cat.

I am so thankful that she lived long enough to see me get married and get her own "daddy", comfort me through nauseous moments of my pregnancy, and finally, meet my girls! While they won't remember it, the girls can now say that yes, they have already had their own kitty cat! I'm so glad Gracie was their first pet cat.

When she got sick, I told her that it was ok if it was her time to go...that she had fulfilled my need of companionship when I needed it the most, and that I hoped I had fulfilled her need of love and nurturing through a happy, long life. I pointed to my girls and told her my life could not be more full now. And I think she was trying to tell me that a new life filled with getting her fur pulled and yanked at just wasn't going to classify as a "happy life" for her anymore! ha ha!

So, on May 11, 2009, the day after Mother's Day, my "baby girl" Gracie passed away at 12 years old. She was a great pet, a great companion, and a great friend. I will always miss my first child. Rest in peace, little Gracie girl.

Moving to Michigan - sat on my lap the entire drive up.

Bailey shared his bed with her....

A typical day at the office for me. She loved sitting on all my papers!!

Helping Lynsey do her homework.

Grace talking to Lynsey on the web cam.

"Do not like this cage. Do not like this cage! Need to eat that bird. Cage won't let me."

Drinking out of the sink (her favorite past time) as mommy's belly grows.

Gracie meets the new baby girls!

"What are these cute 'toys' and why are they taking up my drinking space?"
(Look closely at the top of the pic.)

She was comforted by her "brother" Bailey the night before she died.

Bailey and Gracie snuggling for the last time. She was so sick, but the minute he snuggled with her, she did not stop purring.

Gracie. The coolest cat that ever was. Rest in peace my dear furry friend.

Father's Day

"I Love Dad" and "Mommy and I agree: Daddy's Charming"

From the moment I met Chris, I knew he would be an incredible dad. In fact, I still remember it very clearly.....he was at the pulpit preaching and talked about how he knew that it would be an amazing feeling one day to hold his newborn baby in his arms. Actually, I had not even officially met Chris because I still lived in Nashville and was just visiting my dad and Patti that weekend. I just remembered thinking "aw, how sweet." I was, of course, equating his sermon to the love my dad has for me and his children. At the time, there was no other man I could ever really imagine as being a great a father as my very own dad. I had no, absolutely no idea that the newborn baby Chris was talking about would one day be ours, and not be just one newborn baby, but two....at the same time. I also had no idea that I would one day find myself blessed by marrying a man who made me as proud at seeing someone be a father as my very own dad makes me.

Being married now to that man I saw at the pulpit so long ago, watching him hold each of his newborn babies in his arms for the very first time, and then watching him grow into his new role as a father is sometimes more than I can handle. God has blessed our two daughters with Chris as their dad. To see him interact with them and play with them and love on them reminds me over and over why I fell in love with him in the first place. For Father's Day, the girls and I gave him a picture that says "The righteous man walks in his integrity. His children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7." Madeline and Savannah are so blessed to have a daddy like Chris, a Papaw like my dad, a Pa Pa like Chris' dad, and a Papa Bob like my step-dad. We are so very, very blessed by the special men in our lives.

Happy Father's Day, Chris. The girls and I hope we made your day as special as you have made our lives.

"King of the Grill"

Six Months

Seriously? We're halfway to their first birthday? I remember when the babies were first born, so many people told me to savor every moment because it goes by so fast...I have been savoring every single moment and it doesn't seem to be helping slow down time. I guess that wasn't the point, was it. What I do know is that for the last 6 months my and Chris' life has drastically changed in so many ways. We did not know it was possible to feel this blessed and to have a life this full of love. To be able to multiply the love we had for each other by another 2 at the same time has been overwhelming to say the least. We are overwhelmed with love...our cup certainly runneth over.

Madeline and Savannah are becoming quite the "grown ups". They now eat with spoons, even though they still prefer the liquid diet. However, to see their little faces light up when they try something new (so far we've only had cereal and applesauce...but still!) and sit up in their table chairs like we do is more than I can handle sometimes! They roll over with ease, they stand on their two strong legs while holding on to my hands, they intently grab at things that capture their interest, they love looking through books and being read to, they smile and laugh , they turn their heads to the sound of my voice and give the cutest smile ever when they make eye contact, they even sit up - with help, but they are getting better at that each day! I have noticed that my favorite - their feet - are starting to really grow! Those tiny little feet that were shorter than the size of my pinkie finger are getting chunky and cuter by the day (not sure how that is possible!). They've discovered their hands and feet and love to play with them when they're getting their diapers changed or just laying in their bouncer. They've graduated up to the new "johnny jump up" at playtime. For now, they like using it as a swing. Those girls just giggle and smile when I push them in it! Soon they will discover the fun of bouncing in it. I know it won't be long.

With all their growing, they are still my petite girls weighing in at around 12.5 pounds each. They are still wearing 0-3 month sized clothes, but just now beginning to show signs of moving on to 3-6 month clothes! I finally started putting away all the newborn clothes. Yes, there were newborn outfits they had still been able to wear! Some parents might worry about such small babies. Not us. We remember how small they were the day they first came home from the hospital, sitting in those huge big car seats, their heads barely making it above the buckle (!) and we praise God for their amazing health and continued growth! When Madeline came home from the hospital 5 months and 3 weeks ago today, she only weighed 3 pounds 15 ounces. Savannah only weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces. Those tiny, little girls fought hard and showed such resiliency and strength. I was so proud of them then, and I am just as proud of them today as they continue to grow into more beautiful, bubbly, healthy, chunky, sweet baby girls.

When I think back to 6 months ago today, I remember being introduced to the most amazing love my husband and I had ever experienced. Now, 6 months later, that love has only gotten stronger for the two special angels that brighten our days and fill our lives with joy unimaginable.

Happy Half Birthday, Savannah and Madeline. We love you more than you could ever know!

Mom & Dad

Musical Food

So Chris and I took the girls out to our favorite Mexican restaurant this evening. As the waiter walked up to the table to give us our check, Savannah, sitting down in her car seat right next to Chris, let out the loudest toot. It was not clear who let out the toot. It was a moment I could not pass writing down for the records. Gotta say it again....good times.

Cereal Time

For the last two months, we've experimented on and off with rice cereal. There have been moments when they've actually liked it, and then moments when they don't. But today we finally set up their feeding chairs. These are an unbelievable space saver for twins - they sit on the chairs at your table. Otherwise, we'd have 4 chairs plus two high chairs around the kitchen table. Not good. Feeding chairs, very good. Anyway, just putting them in their chairs made something click in their little minds! The girls immediately knew it was time to eat - in the same ways they had been watching us eat! Madeline chowed down. Not once, but twice today. Savannah ate, but not as eagerly. She's still got to get used to this. But she will.

And for those moments that weren't so good...I'll just post one pic of those times. Good times.

Two Much Fun

Have I mentioned that this is one of my favorite stages yet?? Ok, so they just keep getting better every single day...but regardless, these girls make me laugh!! I mean, seriously....

Double Disasters

Camp ended for us on Saturday after Chris preached one of my favorite sermons I've ever heard him do. He is such a natural around youth. He has such a God-given gift. Anyway, we couldn't end the week without going out with a "welcome to twin parenthood" bang. We were in the cafeteria after church, eating our last meal there with the campers, holding both girls in each of our laps. We were sitting at a table with lots of staff when suddenly Chris gave me this look....sure enough, Madeline - who was sitting in his lap - had made an explosion...in his lap. On his shorts. Oh yes. I burst out laughing - what else was I to do? Madeline just looked up at me grinning from ear to ear! She was a happy girl!! And poor Daddy was a bit embarrassed....once I stopped laughing, I asked if he would just please let me finish my food before we left. I was starved! So...we did. My husband is such a sweet man....

As I finished my meal, still just laughing about what Madeline had just done to poor Chris, I looked down to discover that yes, Savannah - who was sitting in my lap - had made an equally alarming explosion...on my lap. Oh yes. All over me. That's what I get for laughing.

We then left the cafeteria, holding each baby out at arm's length, all the way back up to the chalet. And oh yes, we passed several people along the way....both of us with poop stains on our pants...and me on my shirt too. Double the fun...double the disasters. Good times.

After the explosion: "Try to look like we feel really bad..."

"Think they're gone? We got 'em good!!"

A Few More Pics to Remember the Girls First Summer at Camp:

Love this place.

Love these feet.

Cassia put Savannah to sleep. She was a natural.

The staff loved these girls! And the girls loved them!

Chillaxin' by the pool

They look like they are telling secrets back there!

The kids LOVED these girls!

Savannah workin' with Dad

A surprise out our back door! Just another of God's beautiful creations out in nature.

Sleep and the Lack Thereof

This week has had its highs and its lows when it comes to sleep. The girls started the week off on a huge high -- sleeping for 9 hours. Then, as the week progressed, their sleep digressed. We have had some rough nights. However, last night as I was laying them down and having their prayers with them, it hit me. No matter how many times they may choose to wake me and daddy up, I am thankful to God for the blessing of my girls waking up. I think about the babies out there that die from SIDS...they just don't wake up. That hit close to home for a good friend of my sister's recently. Rather than get frustrated when they wake me up, I want to remember to praise God for the blessing of them waking me up! Not only should I savor every moment I have with them at this stage, but I must remember to savor and reflect in the fact that my baby girls are protected each and every night from our loving Savior and the heavenly angels that are sent down to keep watch over them, every single night. For that, I am thankful. And for those tiring moments in the middle of the night, I too am thankful.

The Zipline

Just another tough day at Camp....

Summer Camp

Ok, so the girls aren't exactly old enough to remember what they are experiencing, but they will read this one day and look back at the pictures and know that their very first summer was full of good times....including a week at summer camp! Considering that their daddy worked at this camp for 7 years, it has given him incredible joy to now take his daughters to that same camp while he serves as camp pastor. He's speaking to around 200+ junior campers this week, while the girls are getting strolled around and enjoying soaking in the fresh air and all the new faces!

First and foremost, they are getting their taste of camp in the cafeteria. These girls have never experienced such loud chatter before! No longer are they the ones making all the noise when we go out to eat! It's actually pretty funny watching them watch all the kids during meal time! And yes, even in the midst of all the noise, they've even drifted off to sleep a few times. I swear these girls can literally sleep through anything!

They've also been enjoying nap time outside....we lay their seats back in their jogging stroller and they just snooze away while we walk them outside in the fresh air. So relaxing...for not only the girls, but also mom and dad! They are also loving all the cute little kids that come up to say hello. They'll say to us "your babies are famous!" It is too cute.

It's scares me just a little bit to think that before I know it, I really will be dropping the girls off here for Camp....Chris and I absolutely have to treasure every single moment we have with these special angels of ours before they are all grown up on us, literally in the blink of an eye. That's when it will not be cool to have mom and dad hanging around with them either...ha ha! I just pray that day takes a loooong time to get here. Here's a few pics of our time so far!