Losing My Voice...

Last week was rough...I came down with a terrible cold and ended up completely losing my voice. As you can imagine this made interacting, disciplining, and really even enjoying the twins quite difficult. But the Lord is good and sweet. He taught me such valuable lessons during these challenging few days--to simply rely on him for strength, to ask for help when needed, to prioritize and let some things go.

And then on a more practical level, it was pretty neat to see the babes (can I still call them that?) respond to my lack of a voice. I had to get right on their level and whisper to give them a direction. At first they didn't know quite what to do with that but the quickly adapted and I noticed that the tone in our home totally changed. Rather than everyone yelling to speak over one another (including me...yikes!), we were all whispering or using quieter voices to get across our message. What a great lesson in how the Lord speaks to us...and even disciplines us!

Hoping to keep this "tone" up in our home even though my voice has returned.

Had to add a quick, cute video of the babes dancing. A few disclaimers...

1. Yes, we do usually wear clothes (I know pics from last week also included us in diapers)

2. Yes, we do often eat off the floor, I am ok with that :)

3. Yes, we are working on being gentle with Savannah

Says it All...

Is this bad?

So sorry if you don't drink Diet Coke, don't believe in it, or think it is against God's will for your life. Right now, this is what get's me through each and every day...and I am totally ok with that :)

Happy Weekend everyone!

Decorating for Fall- Yes or No?

So last year I was still in survival mode…or at least I kept telling myself that. The twins had just turned one and I felt like I was just barely out of the deep waters and starting to really get in our groove. I definitely didn’t put out any “fall” or harvest decorations and my Christmas décor included some poinsettias (maybe not even a tree??!! Can’t even remember!). Anyways, this year I am back to normal…or my new normal J

This past weekend, we went to dinner at a friend’s house who had decorated a little for fall but did in a very classic way- very much my style (hi Meredith, if you’re reading). That got me inspired and I picked up a few items to make our house a little more harvest-ready J

The kiddos love our new pumpkin outside. Hoping to carve it before Halloween!

I found this cool "fairy tale" pumpkin at Trader Joes- makes a perfect centerpiece!

I thought these mini pumpkins were cute and added a great touch to the end of my mantle

What about you? Do you go all out or skip Fall decorating all together?

Rainy days

Several months ago, I had sent a desperate plea on facebook to other stay at home mommas asking for ideas/advice when it was rainy and cold outside- what to do with our kiddos? Many of you responded and had super creative thoughts and ideas, many of which I have filed away. Recently, it has been super rainy here in Virginia and I have needed to pull some of those ideas out of the “file.” My dear friend Emily mentioned to me that she bought butcher block paper and rolled it across the floor, pulled out crayons (or other art supplies) and let the kids have at it- brilliant! Last year, we were still eating art supplies (awesome…) so I decided to give it a try this rainy weekend. The twins loved it!! And have since asked to “color, color” every morning when we wake up.

What do you do on a rainy day with your kiddos? Still filing away ideas as we get closer and closer to winter J

Getting started

Showing each other their work- so cute!

Our finished product!

Is It Really Possible?

That this was two years ago today? Looking back it was such a blur-- those long nights and figuring out our new normal.

Do I look exhausted or what??

My sis captured this amazing shot and it is still one of my favorites of the babes

And now look at my big boy!

And my spunky girl

Still best buds

The past two years have been quite an adventure but I wouldn't trade a minute of it. Happy birthday Jackson! Happy Birthday Emma Kate! Can't wait to see what next year brings us :)

Once Upon A Potty

Guess what arrived at our house today??

Yep...we're pretty excited :)

Wish me luck!

Sweet Tea, Sweet Friends, Sweet Memories...

After our beach trip to Hilton Head this summer, I decided I was close enough to Atlanta that we should make the trek. What was supposed to take 4.5 hours, took the twins and I 6.5 hours BUT we made it and had an amazing week. We stayed with our dear friends, the Kangs, and saw all our Atlanta buddies. Certainly made me miss the south (I think I drank my body weight in sweet tea!) but I love that each time I come for a visit, my friends and I just pick back up where we left off. LOVE those kinds of friends! Here are a few highlights from the trip...

My babes...can you believe they are nearly two??!!

I mean, just precious....

This was the daily line-up in the Kang home for meals. Please note Gunner "joining" in :)

Jordan with her baby Jackson- love those cheeks!

Love Aunt Casey!

Sweet Henry

Amy, Campbell, and Casey

Kasi and Henry