Friday, May 9, 2014

What's For Dinner?

I made artichoke lasagna last night. Which is always delicious.
 But as I was closing the oven door I noticed something... something didn't look right.


As I opened the oven door wider, I ignored all the nasty food particles that have been forever cooked onto my oven, and focused in on that bottom right side. 

And then I nearly jumped out of my skin.
The biggest cockroach I've ever seen was in my oven.
And fortunately for me, I had already cooked him at 350 degrees before I noticed him. 
{And of course I cranked up the temperature and baked him awhile longer, just for good measure.}

The artichoke lasagna turned out perfect.
I just hadn't anticipated the side of cockroach. 

As my dad told me. "Welcome to Texas."
Yuck.



Walking.

We officially have walkers.

They now use walking as their main mode of transportation, until they fall down and then they'll crawl until they decide to get back up.

Ian can stand himself up straight from the floor. Briggs still needs a little extra height to help give him a boost.
Briggs walks like a drunk and quickly. Ian walks slowly, more deliberately.

They spend most of the day just wondering around the house.

On this particular day, Briggs was packing around some straws and it was just cracking me up so I had to take a video.

This kid is too funny.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

The View From Here

I get many views of my children throughout the day, and I love every single one of them.

I love watching them talk to each other before they fall asleep.


I love finding little booties in the air all over my house.


I love looking down to find sweet little hands on my legs.

I love having a full lap.


I love watching them while we take a walk.


I love hanging back just a little bit on our rare family walks to stare at my three sweet boys.

This picture doesn't quite do it justice but I love looking in my rear view mirror to see my cute littles in the backseat. It's especially great when I turn on some music and they starting bouncing. It's a shame I have to watch the road because I would much rather watch them.

I love catching them snuggling pillows and blankets...

and Elmo.

I love watching them develop their talents. 

I love hearing little yelps telling me that they are stuck somewhere and need my help. 

I love watching them learn new things. Folding their arms for prayer is one of my favorites. 

And I love the wonder in their eyes as they explore their surroundings and take everything in. 

I just love the view from here.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

A Birthday Fit for a Mama

My birthday this year was just perfect.

{As a side note, last year seemed to be glossed over due to our circumstances. I had just had the boys about six weeks before, and Briggs was still in the hospital recovering from his nasty infection. (you can recap here, and then follow up here and here, if you so desire.) All I wanted for my birthday last year was to have my two boys home together. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out that way, but we brought Briggsy Boy home the next day so it all turned out well.}

Last year.
{Ian} 

{Briggs} 


Anyway, so this year I was hoping for at least a little bit more of a celebration. Because as much fun as it was to drive to and from church and the hospital and home, it wasn't the most ideal of birthdays.

Of course this year was filled with scrubbing bathrooms, wiping noses, changing diapers, and chasing around two little boys, but that's just the way I like it. And the boys were seriously angels. They were just so adorable I couldn't help but nibble on their cheeks every time they came within an arms length of me {especially when reflecting on our sad separation last year.} And I did try to make it a little extra special.

Such as letting the boys have bubbles in their bath. 
I'm pretty sure they thought this was the greatest thing of all time.

And I even let them unroll some toilet paper.

They also got haircuts.
{B}

{I}
{You can tell who was a little more easy going with their haircut.}

And my parents certainly know how to make me feel special.
{I was told the flowers were for me, and the balloons were for the boys.}

And those balloons were definitely exciting.  

I was having a mild panic attack trying to keep them from popping these balloons because I really didn't want it to scare them and give them an eternal fear of balloons. I tried to teach them to be soft with the balloons and to bop them instead of squeeze them. And they did pretty good. 

Until Briggs loved his balloon just a little too much.

And fortunately he looked at me and giggled instead of cried. He then continued trying to bop his deflated balloon. I was quite relieved.

Jesse slipped out of work a little early and the four of us went out to dinner at a cute little Mexican place that had the fastest service for a sit down restaurant I've ever seen. 

We then came home to presents that my very own husband got for me and even wrapped! 
{He did tell me to keep in mind the story of the Widow's Mite when evaluating the wrapping job. I honestly could have cared less. I was just tickled that I got wrapped gifts this year. }


And I got great presents. 
My weights {and Jillian Michaels} have already kicked my trash and the snow cones are to die for. 

Plus I'm instilling good workout habits for my children. 
{I}

But maybe not so good eating habits...  
we'll work on that.

And then I took about ten pictures with my birthday buddies, and every time their expression was the exact same.
Briggs: expressionless.       Ian: fake smile.


I was dying by the end of the pictures once I realized their faces were not changing.
These boys are too funny.


Twenty-six is off to a fabulous start and I love it already.
I can't wait to see what is in store this year. 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Win for the Rebel

Sometimes, when you're a twin, and you refuse to take an afternoon nap, it means you get to do fun things and spend one on one time with your mama. Unfortunately, the baby who was obedient and actually took his nap, missed out on this particular afternoon. Another day, buddy... don't you worry.

While Ian took a delightful nap, Briggs and I took a walk.

And went and played in the very chilly pool.


He had a blast splashing, despite the chilly temperature.
I can't wait for the weather to warm up our pool a little more so we can take them there and play! 


One on one time is so special when you have multiples. It is such quality time and fun to be able to give all your attention to just one of them. I love it!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Friday Night

A Friday night just isn't what it used to be. 

After laying the kiddos down for bed, I clean up our disastrous house, complete with a torn up fourth-of-a-paper-towel-roll all over our living room floor.  

And Jesse goes grocery shopping.

It's not romantic, but it is true love. 

If it wasn't for my sweet husband, we wouldn't have food in our fridge, and if it wasn't for the time I spent cleaning, we'd live in a chaotic, messy home. True Love.

And even though our shopping receipts are now taller than our children...





it is totally worth it.

These little boys of ours have taught us the true meaning of love.

And they are super cute. As demonstrated by these pictures.
{Briggs crawled into this wagon one morning and stood there, just waiting for a push.}



{Ian obliged until he decided to join in the riding.} 

{I nearly died laughing when he crawled into that spot that was just barely big enough for him} 


{And then I pushed them around for probably 10 minutes.} 

{Until they were just too tired to go on.} 

I can't picture a better day.