One Year Ago

December 2, 2010 was a CRAZY day, to say the least. We had found out the afternoon before, at our 20 week ultrasound that we were expecting not one, but TWO babies! We spent the evening on the phone with family and a couple of friends sharing the news. Before I went to bed that night, I sent out an e-mail to the staff at my school, sharing our news with them. SO, Thursday at school was insane. The door to my classroom was revolving as everyone came in and out to congratulate me and share in my shock of carrying two babies. It really was fun, overwhelming and made my head spin. I wasn't used to having so much attention, and wasn't so sure I really liked it. :) I couldn't walk down the hall without someone stopping me. My head was spinning for a good two weeks as I rode the rollercoaster of emotions that were flooding my already hormonal body. I was kind-of freaking out, but everyone was SO EXCITED, so I couldn't help but smile.
Fast forward a year.
My life is full of blessings, even unexpected ones. :) It has been a wild ride, but all-in-all, I wouldn't change it. God is good and he is sovereign and his plan is always better than ours. :)

Potty Training Turns Theological

After yet another dirty ‘accident’ in his underwear today, I sent Mason to his room early for rest time and took away his blankies and stuffed animals, telling him that when he decided to put his poop in the potty instead of his underwear, he could have them back. I left him crying on his bed and listened to him cry for almost a half hour. When I went back in to talk with him, this is how the conversation went:

“Mason, stop crying. It is time to rest.”

“But I want my blankies.”

“Honey, you know when you have to poop and you can feel it coming. You are old enough and big enough to put it in the potty, you are just choosing to put it in your underwear. Mommy is sick of it. It is gross. I don’t like to clean it up and neither does daddy. When you decide you are ready to be a big boy and put your poop in the potty, you may have your blankies and animals back.”

“But why am I old enough?”

“Because you’re 3 years old!”

“But why am I three?”

“Because you’ve had three birthdays!”

“Why have I had three birthdays?”

“Because God has allowed you to live that long.”

“Why have I lived that long?”

“Because God loves you!”

“But why does God love me?”

“Because he made you!”

“But why did God make me?” (tears and sobbing)

I know the answer I gave him was inadequate and insufficient because I was exasperated with him. What would you have said?

So Proud

Lucas and Lauren are now over 5 months old, but a month ago or so, we had their pictures taken. Unfortunately they did not share my sentiment of the cuteness of a picture together. This is what we ended up with...

Sweet Sweet Summertime

The following are a few shots of what we've been up to as we enjoy the lazy days of summer. :)

A boy and his tractor.
Daddy helps Mason with the sparklers. As you can see...he didn't love it. :)

We visited the zoo with some friends in July. Mason's favorite? The "pin-cham-zees".

My mom's family gathered for a reunion in Wisconsin for 5 days. This meant a 6+ hour car ride for us. Mason was thrilled to have me join him in the back seat for the trip.

Enjoying the beach with cousins Kate and Dylan.

For all of you who have asked, "Do twins run in your family?"...here they are! Uncle Marly, Aunt Marsha, nephew Cole, niece Ellie, Lucas and Lauren.

Here are the 8 children of my Grandpa & Grandma. We now total over 100 when we gather. They would be so proud to see their family.

This picture is for Uncle Marly & Aunt Karen. ;)

4 months old!

Mason started swimming lessons this week. He is on the far left (as far away from the teacher as he can be).

I arrived home after everyone was in bed tonight and found this on the kitchen table accompanied by a little note: "I want to make...I maked a cake for mom. She will be really excited about this one. PS-We are writing mom a letter...just like Toad got a letter from Frog. Love, MASON"

You Make Me Smile

Last night Mason and I were at Meijer, loading groceries into the van. Mason all of sudden exclaims, "Mommy! That man blowed his STICK!" I turned around to see him pointing at a guy smoking a cigarette. "Why's he chewing that stick, MOM?!?" were the next words out of his mouth. All I could do was shake my head, smile inside and say, "I don't know honey, I don't know."

A Few Pictures for You

Friends and family,
Thank you for your patience with me, as it has taken me a long time to put new pictures on here. We are enjoying our summer immensely and just taking one day at a time! God is SO good! :) Enjoy!

Each month I take a pic of the kiddos for their baby books. These are at 2 months.

We went to the beach for memorial day. It was gorgeous and Mason had a blast!

This is the LIFE, I tell ya!

You are MY sunshine, little man!

Baptism Sunday

She is wearing my dress from 30 years ago, kinda neat. :)

Great is thy faithfulness to all generations

One of Lauren's first smiles I caught on camera.

Lucas' sweet little personality is beginning to show.

Mason was recently gifted with an art table that he loves! I think this picture makes him look SO old, but it captures his smile perfectly. :)

Lucas has found his thumb and is using it quite consistently.

Tony and I celebrated our 7th anniversary this past weekend and enjoyed some time away at The Shack. It was so relaxing to get away! Thanks Mom for taking the kids!

An Update for You

Where has the time gone? The last 10 weeks are a blur and now we have growing thriving babies that are 10 weeks old today. My apologies for the lack of news in the last number of weeks. We are doing well. Lucas and Lauren went for their 2-month check up and have both doubled their weight since birth. They eat well, they sleep well and are having longer and longer awake times during the day. Lucas sleeps at least 10 hours through the night and Lauren in hovering between 6-8 hours. YAY! They have both kept their hair and it remains dark yet. Just in the last week or so we are getting more and more smiles out of both of them....SO FUN.

Mason is a trooper and doing well. He loves on his new siblings and is always aware of where they are and what they are doing. He is sure to let me know if one of them is crying. ;) He is my right hand man, and when I ask him to please bring me something his response is, "Sure, Mom!" I am so thankful for him!

Tony's last day of school is today, and he also finished his term as deacon this past Sunday. He is definitely going to enjoy a slower pace of life for a little while. :)

We enjoyed celebrating God's covenant promises to Lucas & Lauren on Sunday with their baptisms. We are into our 2nd week of no day-time help and it seems to be going pretty well. However, if you would like to come visit, please don't feel like you can't do that. We love visitors!

I do have a prayer request for you. At the end of the summer I will be returning to teaching part-time. At this point we do not have anyone lined up to watch the kids. I have pursued a couple of options, but those did not work out. I know God has just the right person for us, that will be a good fit for our family, but I need to be actively seeking that person out, wherever they might be. Thank you for praying about that for us. Take care and enjoy the summer weather!

Love, Sarah