Mommy's One-on-One

Embrace The Camera

I have never done this post before, but a friend does on her blog and thought I would give it a whirl.  It is called "Embrace the Camera" and basically the mommy gets herself in some shots with the kiddos.  I love this, for the simple fact that I am not in many pictures with my kids (older I-Phone : yes boys, I'm sure that will be obselete technology by the time you read this).  I got my hubby to snap a few of me with each of the twins.  I love my one on one time with them, especially pictures with just one. 

 Braden had a fever tonight, so he gets a pass.

 Poor little man got some TLC from mommy after!

 Hunter was all smiles!

 Doesn't always like to look at the camera...much to my chagrin!

Wasn't long before we got some much needed rain, if only for about 10-15 minutes.  If anyone in bloggerland reads this, here is the link: Embrace The Camera

       Until I Write Again,

Wordless Wednesday: Napping on Mommy's bed

               Until I Write Again,

Wordless Wednesday

We went to Floral Haven Cemetary on Memorial Day (which we have done for 2 years now) and paid our respects to those who fought for our country and are no longer here.  They also have a re-enactment of the changing of the guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The vision of the hundreds of American Flags all over the grounds are breathtaking.  I am very patriotic and want to instill a love of our country in the boys.  We went to McAlister's Deli afterwards and the boys LOVED the mirror at our booth.

Until I write again,

Tickle Me Tuesday

Long time, no post!  Yes, it has been a while.  I am making an effort to change that.  I actually thought of this title and idea a couple weeks ago - there was one Tuesday in particular the boys were being so silly all day.  I thought to myself, I need to write about all the silly antics from today.  The title just popped in my head.  Needless to say, I never got to the post that day so I thought I would just do it the following Tuesday.  Well, do I need to say more?  I meant to do it last night and even got out my scrap papers where I had jotted down what I could remember.  I had a TMOMs Board meeting and well, here I am.  One day late but who cares at this point - it is getting done! 

Boys, these are all things that you have done that either have had me in stitches or I think are too cute and make me chuckle periodically... I want you to know how you have entertained me and made some days better by giving me snippets of laughter....

~ If I say Braden's name (usually when you are doing something you aren't supposed to), you repeat it over and over, either looking at me with a grin on your face or just talking to yourself (and you are pretty good at adding different voice inflections) "Banenn"  "Banenn"  "Banenn"

~ A couple days ago I had you watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the computer, just for something different while I was doing something in the kitchen.  You were both on the same chair and Hunter wanted Braden on his knees just as he was.  Hunter, you kept shouting "knees, knees, knees" for what seemed like an eternity until Braden finally complied.  Then when he 'obeyed' you you said "gacome", which is your cute way of saying thank you.  The way you said is the absolute best and wish I could put it in words, but someday I will imitate it for you.

~ Braden, when you watch Mickey Mouse and Mickey says "Oh Toodles!", you repeat "tuuduls, tuuduls, tuuduls" and it always cracks me up....also, when Mickey says "do you want to come to my house?", you say "NO" and shake your head EVERY time!

~ Hunter about a week ago you were coughing on your juice and then put your hand on your lower back and started tapping your back, then looked at me to come over and do it for you.  I went to you to do what I always do when you cough/choke on something and as soon as I started you were fine and stopped coughing.  Then Braden you came over and said "I help" and starting patting his back for a minute.  It gives me great joy to see you help and love each other the way you do.

~ Braden, out of the blue 6 days ago you started calling legos "colors" - I don't know why you started that but I love it!

~ When someone sneezes and you say "Bless You", you both don't actually say the words, but you say the sound of  "uh uh" (like when you say no to someone but no words).  CUTEST THING EVER!

~ About a week and a half ago I asked you Braden if you were messy and right away, you answered "YES!".  I must add that you had so much pride in your response!

~ Hunter you woke up earlier than normal from your afternoon nap and I brought you to the living room with me.  I was working on something in the living room and it was a little messy on the floor with all my stuff spread out.  You saw everything and immediately said "Oh My!", as if you knew there the mess mommy had created was not a small one.

There are many many more things I could write, but these are just a few that tickled my heart and cause me to thank God everyday He chose you two precious boys to answer our prayers and give us the joy and honor of raising you.  I know I speak for your dad when I say WE LOVE YOU more than anything in this world!

Until I write again,

I Come! I Help!

I hear these words about 57,000 times a day ~ no joke!  From both boys.  It started maybe a month or so ago (possibly a bit longer).  Really it started farther back....indulge me in the back story.  Troy is the best husband and father...no, I really mean THE BEST!  He rolls out of bed, showers, and gets dressed for work.  Usually by the time he is done, the boys are in bed with me and we are snuggling watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (or sometimes Chuggington if they bless us with an early wake-up).  He then bundles both in his arms and changes diapers, as well as gets breakfast going for them while I get ready for the day.  Neither Troy nor I are early risers.  Needless to say, I don't have much time in the morning to get ready and am rushing like a mad dog!  By the time I make it out to the kitchen, it is pretty close to the time Troy has to leave so I don't dry my hair until after he is gone.  The boys will finish breakfast and sometimes I sit with them playing with toys or watching tv.  One morning (as I had always done) I told them I was going to dry my hair.  Braden came and said, "I come!  I come!"  He ran to me as fast as he could and grabbed my hand as we walked down the hallway.  Of course, Hunter came too (brother see, brother do).  So this was going on for several months and no biggie.  Fast forward to 'maybe a month or so ago'... I am going to my bedroom to get a book or something and I didn't tell them I was leaving, I just thought I'll sneak back there and they will play with toys and I hear Braden anxiously screaming, "I COME!  I COME!"  So I waited and he came.  He grabbed my hand so tightly and of course, Hunter came and grabbed the other.  We got what I needed and went back to the living room.  And he and brother have come ever since.  I must admit at first I thought, "seriouly, I will be back in 5 seconds".  But just as fast as that thought entered my mind, so did another.  Another that was "someday in the not too distant future they may not always want to walk with you...they will want independence and freedom...as that is part of growing up".  So right then in the hallway, while holding the most precious hands, I decided that each moment of "I Come" would be dearly cherished.  Even now I am wiping tears, knowing that as Braden and Hunter read this one day, for them it may be an entertaining story....for me a precious memory that I will wish and long to have just one more minute of. 

I don't exactly remember when "I Help" started, but maybe 1 1/2 - 2 months??  Everything I do, whether carrying a bag, putting on my shoes, picking up toys, buckling them in their carseats...EVERYTHING... they want to help.  I don't ever want to squash that in them...I want them to be kind, caring, compassionate men ~ who know how to serve others out of the kindness of their hearts.  If I say "no, mommy can do it" or don't encourage them in any capacity, I don't know if that fire will be able to be lit again.  I'm not saying it couldn't.... but their sweet little hearts want to help me and feel the need to vocalize it.  I, in turn, feel the need have the responsibility to cultivate it and stoke that fire until it is a raging flame. 

Are there moments that I think "seriously?...this is the 58th time today and we haven't had lunch yet", you bet.  But hearing the pitter-patter of their precious feet run across the living room floor and grab my hand or them helping me put my shoe on gives me just enough pause to remind myself that of everything in my life I have done or will ever do, being a mother is the most important..... and by far the most rewarding.

      Until I write again,

Wordless Wednesday

Listening to a cd of nursery rhymes ~ would say "again, again" if the singers stopped for any reason (including to catch a breath) or in between songs.

        Until I write again,



Friday Funnies

I have tried to get to the computer to write this post since Saturday morning and now, Monday evening, I am finally able to!  It's a busy, busy, beautiful, fun, incredible life I have.  I was inspired to write this Friday at lunch:  the boys like to dump the food off their plates onto the table and put the plate on their heads.  Normally I would tell them that isn't what we do with our food, and together (mostly me) we put it back on their plates.  Instead I decided, at that very moment, to just let it go:  it wasn't a messy lunch and they were just being 2 year olds.  I took a couple of pictures and hoped prayed they wouldn't take my photography as validation.  So lunch is finished, they are napping, and I wrote down what happened.  I then wrote down a few things from the morning and kept my list running until they went to bed.  Here are a few of the giggles I experienced from my little monkeys:

 ~ at some point in the morning, for no apparent reason to me (has to be the twin thing), they would point a finger at each other, make a high pitched squeal sound that I'm sure every dog in town heard, and then would laugh hysterically!  I don't remember who started it, but the second one didn't miss a beat!

 ~ I was in the kitchen doing some random act that took 30 SECONDS to do and as I come out of the kitchen around the corner, I discover they have both ripped off both pants & diapers and are streaking around the house running faster than lightning.  Giggling beyond control, you would have thought it was Christmas morning.  I'll never understand the boundless joy that gives them.

 ~ of course, the plates on their heads at lunch thing I described above

 ~ I have foam mats from when they were first learning to sit up (we have wooden floors in the living room and I thought a little cushion might be a little loving on my part)...anyway, now they find a million and one uses for those things.  Friday morning's choice was taking 1 square (each square's side is 23 inches) and pulling the sides up around their body.  They thought they were so funny and the only thing it reminded me of was a hotdog in a hotdog bun.  Random thought, I know.

 ~ My fav: I was laying on the couch and told Braden, "come give mommy a kiss".  He came over and kissed his mommy and then the kicker: walked over to Hunter and practically carried him to me (about 6 steps) so Hunter could kiss me too.  LOVE that kid so much!  He has a heart of gold and God has given him a heart of compassion and caring.  Some people may not see it, but I as his mama KNOW it is there.

Sometimes the days can seem long and difficult, but I'm so thankful for days like Friday:  when my precious angels make me laugh and tickle my soul.

     Until I write again,