Catching up

be joyful always, pray continuously & give thanks in ALL circumstances for this is God's will for you through Christ Jesus  ~ 1 Thess. 5:16-18

thanksgiving looked a little like this ...

life is a little different around here as we try to adjust {understatement of the year}

the funny thing is simply how our family 'rolls with it'.
Yes - it is overwhelming at times
Yes - we know it will get better
Yes - we are tired
Yes - the older sisters are dong fine
Yes - the younger ones are growing, eating, sleeping, etc.

we are living our life, our life of craziness, but this is the life, the journey He has laid before us and we embrace it, challenges, sleepless nights, frumpy clothes and all. We don't mind working hard for all the blessings He has provided us. Strangers have said some of the most natural of comments to me when they see us and our truckload anywhere, and for soem reason {maybe its the adjusting hormones} I have had the strangest reactions.

They say {wow - you are brave }
I think {brave? being a mom to the children God has given me is not being brave.  blessed. i am blessed}

They say { you have your hands full }
I think { yes, i do. and isn't it wonderful }

They say {are you done now?}
I think {no. i am not done allowing God to lead my heart & our marriage, down whichever path He wants. That is how we got here and who knows where He will take us next}

They say {how do you do it?}
I think {there is a really long, detailed answer or in short : because you have to, because God entrusted me with this amazing role. i am a mother. you just do it. you don't analyze or strategize, you survive so your children can thrive. you just do it. {not to go all Nike on you} but that's it. my day to day is focused on my children, what they need; my husband, what he needs; and our family chores, tuitions, schedules, etc. I am knee deep in pulling all that together, and with the grace of God we make it work. I don't do drama. It requires too much of my energy to entertain the dramatic things in life. My life, my family, our children have no room for drama. My goodness, I imagine with 3 girls there will be enough of it within our own walls.}

There is a lot going on at our 'house.' David and I are operating at our highest, fullest, most exhausting levels and we are doing this together, because it is our family. I am grateful for my parents, especially my mom, who have done far more far us, for me, for the kids, then i could have ever asked or expected or thought necessary. My mom is not only my mom, but my friend. Which means she knows me, my heart, my intentions more than anyone {except my husband}, tolerates me emotionally, and takes the time to listen and really hear what I am saying or feeling. I am so thankful for her love, patience, and understanding and for teaching me the art of communication.The last 2 months have not gone as we would have 'planned' ; rather they have gone in every way He intended, which left very little room for us to do anything but the absolutely necessary things to get by and adjust. It has been a blessing to not have to 'explain' this crazy time frame, and still feel loved and supported.

I am thankful for my husband who has been there to pack up our Paris life and fly home with 24 hours notice ; experience the daily routine that is our children and see how truthful I was being when I said it was busy and crazy ; experience the twins, arriving early, staying in the NICU and all the emotions I went through as I pumped and nursed and processed what was going to be necessary when they came home : and lately, for being there, with our kids, asking me to dance while I am making dinner, spinning me around and holding me tight - for recognizing where I am emotionally and reaching out. I am  blessed and grateful for your love.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in worrying about what everyone else has or what everyone else gets to experience, or what everyone else wants,  we forget to stop and be grateful for the moments, the little moments we are blessed with. It is such a waste to dwell on what isn't. So please, remember to take enough time to really look at all the moments, memories, and more you do have and give thanks for those. Be grateful...be grateful in the moment.

Swim School, Potato Helper & recital practice

here are some Faith moments to share:

Swim School Fish

Super Baker...way to help out with the family traditions...

Practicing for her recital... she is in the red/green tutu - normally there is a class full of fancy tutus, but the one day Faith decided to bring hers, the others didn't. oh well.

Thanksgiving.... UPDATED

Our Turkey Day week-weekend was fabulous. Daddy was home and we took full advantage of it.

First came all the goodies...

my first homemade pie, which we referred to as "Holiday Surprise" It was a success. Homemade pie crust and all.

David and Faith made Holiday Pretzel Treats... adorable, easy and perfect to keep a toddler busy. All who are nice will receive them in their Holiday Cookie Boxes arriving in about 3 weeks.... She was quite the little helper

Black Friday fun...random shopping excursions and tree decorating at our house...

Faith was a bit tired from all the fun festivities, and even though we never intended on leaving the house Friday we did steal a few great holiday gifts for some.

Our decorations are finally complete and I hope to take lots of pics for you to see. :) I love Christmas. And the 25+ boxes we have of it in our attic...ahhh, I can't wait to get more over the years. Just wait till we get that 20ft tree for the living room next year ;)

Did I mention that not only did my first pie crust come out perfectly fabulous.... David made his first homemade pizza dough.... an Faith helped (hence the toys near the pan). It was amazing!!!!

Turkey Day Part 1 was with my family and my uncles (john & george) and cousins (chelsea (and her man Jeff) and garrett, and brian from the other side, too). It was great to have 14 at dinner. Mom did an awesome job with the turkey-and she did manage to time it perfectly and without opening the oven a million times. Faith was a HUGE helper this year. She was officially ready to help out with Pop and Mommy's favorite sweet potatoes... we all know there is no real secret to the fact we never measure anything so as far as it goes, Faith was perfect for dumping in spices and tasting along the way. Her favorite part---adding the 'butta'. I hope to steal some pics from my mom who took several of the Pop and Faith making moment. Maybe next year I can get her to stand and stir the gravy for 30min or so. :) My Holiday Surprise was well shadowed by "Mom's best cheesecake ever" so they all voted. Mom never eats it so she was glad to hear it won out not only over the other pies but all previous ones, too.

Turkey Day Part 2 was with David's family complete with Great GrandMom, Aunt Sara an Uncle Chris. Faith had a wonderful time claiming all her territories of the house and keeping Gigi bouncing around playing and reading in between checking on the turkey and yummy goodies. We managed to corral her long enough for a fabulous lunch in which she particularly favored the rolls. So much that she even pretended to not like peas to get more rolls (and I say pretend becuase she absolutly loves peas on just about anything). The night wrapped up with us managing to keep her awake just long enough to have a quick Target run and eat some soup before bed time. I however, went to bed with a fever of 100.6 in hopes of it being gone in the morning.

It wasn't. Which meant we were off to the hospital, where we stayed for most all of Sunday. Faith was able to steal away to Grandma & Pops for church (since we figured we would be done after that). But after clearing me of all flu types and other major conditions I was released with a "baby is good and not in harm, but we have to wait for the other tests for a few days. Stay hydrated and see you on Thursday (at my doc appt). So then it was back to get Faith, a quick dinner and back to bed for me. Boo - I hate being ill of any kind and you can bet I am still not sure of what is up, but I am safe. So on to quick recovery and back to Christmas Preparations. Almost all of our gifts are done, cards are hear and ready to be stuffed and labeled (once I can get our letter written and labels made). So who knows, hopefully it is a fun, relaxing holiday season!