Today during church we sang "Amazing Grace," one of my dad's favorite songs, and God used it to teach me about choices. It hit me that often we choose to be busy and drive 70mph in a 55mph just to rush and hurry up to get somewhere.
We hear the phrase "Life is not a matter of milestones, but of the moments that make it up" but we tend not to take it to heart. We choose to hurry, hurry, hurry and feel the need to go, go, go.
That is not what life is about. Life is about enjoying the minute by minute, day by days. We choose to be too busy for family gatherings or dinners, and instead choose to clean or sort through things. Often when we choose to be too busy, we hurt others. We don't realize that sometimes we just need to stop and "smell the roses."
Life can get busy and often throw us in a whirlwind, but we can choose to slow down and enjoy every bit of it (even the dirty diapers and sleepless nights.) Its all a choice. Its all up to us. No one can force us to be too busy or not enjoy the small moments. Yes I (full time job and mother of twins) realize that life can pass us by, but we allow it to. Stop. Listen. Relax. Enjoy.
When the babies were in the NICU, I had two choices, and I often explored both. I could ask "why?" and cry or I could thank God for two blessings, two babies that were healthy and just fine...just 7 weeks early. The other night I asked my dad what he thought when he first saw the babies wheeled by in their incubator being whisked to the NICU and he replied "I couldn't believe how small they were, but I counted their toes, fingers, ears and eyes and when I knew they were all their, I knew they were ok." Right then and there he chose to believe that his first biological grandchildren were going to be fine....
So, life gives us choices. I can cry from exhaustion and frustration when Parker screams about his braces in won't sleep unless I rock him, or I can choose to enjoy the moment because one day soon he won't want to be rocked. I can be stressed out about taking two babies everywhere I go and the change of lifestyle, or I can choose to thank God for the wonderful double blessings He has given me. Its all how you choose to look at it. Its all a choice. Life is a choice and how you choose affects not only others, but yourself and outlook on life. Slow down. Choose to be happy and to allow God to work in your life. Choose to smile instead of cry. Choose to rock your baby just a few minutes longer and choose to say "I love you" to someone and mean it. Life passes us by so quickly and days are not guaranteed. Choose to make each and every minute count.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Busy...Blessings...Belief
It has been awhile since I have blogged, but life here at Hickory Hills is quite busy and breezy. Mom aka DeDe is currently sailing away in the Virgin Islands, football is still going strong and now basketball is in full affect as well as my new job! I will now be teaching 2nd grade at Foyil so Chris and I will both be back at the same school. Needless to say, it doesn't leave much time for blogging.
The babies are doing great. They love going to Pop's basketball scrimmages, hanging out with DeDe or going to the nursery at church. They however, do not like the nursery at the Rec Center, so that means mommy will have a belly a bit longer. Lol. Payge has graduated from rolling and army crawling to scooting and she will "crawl" one step and then fall down. Parker enjoys attempting to crawl...when his braces are off. We go back to the Dr on the 31st to see if he can just go strictly to nights with his braces. We are hoping so because he is such a different kiddo without those darn Dobbs braces on. We are making the great adventure of baby foods and have found out they do not like: peaches, green peas or bananas. We have been sneaking the peaches and bananas into their oatmeal in the mornings. I think they have currently picked on it because they are now sticking their noses up at it. Lol my sassy kiddos, guess I cannot deny them.
As we were driving home from one of dad's scrimmages yesterday afternoon, I looked in the back seat and I couldn't believe how blessed I am. I have two beautiful (they take after their daddy) healthy kiddos who are content 97% of the time, I have a husband who busts his tail at work and at home to take care of us, I have an awesome job surrounded by great people, a great support system of family and friends and a miraculous God who loves above all. Blessed. I used to say that I was lucky but I no longer feel that way...I feel blessed. Blessed beyond belief. How could I have done this, survived all this, with out my God? Without His unending love? There is no way. There is absolutely no way that I could have possilbly endured the past 6 and a half months with out the power of prayer, the support of loved ones and knowing that my Faith will help me through.
So even though we are busy busy busy here with the nuggets scooting and crawling everywhere, two full time jobs plus the endless amount of sports going on, I wouldn't change it for the world, because we are blessed beyond belief.
The babies are doing great. They love going to Pop's basketball scrimmages, hanging out with DeDe or going to the nursery at church. They however, do not like the nursery at the Rec Center, so that means mommy will have a belly a bit longer. Lol. Payge has graduated from rolling and army crawling to scooting and she will "crawl" one step and then fall down. Parker enjoys attempting to crawl...when his braces are off. We go back to the Dr on the 31st to see if he can just go strictly to nights with his braces. We are hoping so because he is such a different kiddo without those darn Dobbs braces on. We are making the great adventure of baby foods and have found out they do not like: peaches, green peas or bananas. We have been sneaking the peaches and bananas into their oatmeal in the mornings. I think they have currently picked on it because they are now sticking their noses up at it. Lol my sassy kiddos, guess I cannot deny them.
As we were driving home from one of dad's scrimmages yesterday afternoon, I looked in the back seat and I couldn't believe how blessed I am. I have two beautiful (they take after their daddy) healthy kiddos who are content 97% of the time, I have a husband who busts his tail at work and at home to take care of us, I have an awesome job surrounded by great people, a great support system of family and friends and a miraculous God who loves above all. Blessed. I used to say that I was lucky but I no longer feel that way...I feel blessed. Blessed beyond belief. How could I have done this, survived all this, with out my God? Without His unending love? There is no way. There is absolutely no way that I could have possilbly endured the past 6 and a half months with out the power of prayer, the support of loved ones and knowing that my Faith will help me through.
So even though we are busy busy busy here with the nuggets scooting and crawling everywhere, two full time jobs plus the endless amount of sports going on, I wouldn't change it for the world, because we are blessed beyond belief.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tossing and Turning....
Gone are the nights of 8-10 hours of sleep-undisturbed, or the Saturday mornings of waking up at 10am, watching some College Football gameday and vegging out in your PJ's. Gone are the nighst of sponatneous dates, romantic unrushed dinners and wearing something that doesn't have spit up on it.....
Welcome to "Mommy hood." As I sit here, running on about 3.5 hours of sleep, about to start my new job, I can't help but smile. I can't help but laugh as I watch Parker grab the blanket away from Payge and shove it into his mouth-everything seems to make it there these days. I can't help but chuckle inside as Payge rolls all the way across the living room to steal a toy from her brother, or yank his pacifier out. These moments help me forget-for a tid bit- that Parker screamed for 3 hours straight last night-teething stinks!- or that Miss Payge refused to take a nap the past two days that I stayed home with her. Isn't life fun?!?
Last night, after Parker finally calmed down (because him and daddy made a palet and slept together), I couldn't help but let my mind wonder. So many questions, concerns, etc. come into my head and bounce around. When am I going to get that darn flu shot we all need to get? Should I take the babies to War Eagle? Why do people think it is necessary to come all the way across from somewhere to touch my baby? Or ask me if they are identical twins?? (HELLO?!?! One boy/One girl!! NO THEY ARE NOT IDENTICAL!!) Am I taking them out too much? How much sleep do they need? How late is too late for a nap? Man...these mommy questions and thoughts keep me up all night...tossing and turning.
No one writes a book about what to do if one twin is screaming and the other is sleeping....or what do you do if one baby is teething....or if both babies want to snuggle and you are home alone....or what if one baby dominates the other one and wont quit picking on the other one??? No one tells you these things, or prepares you. Instead....you get to toss and turn...all night long.
So self help books...or "what to expect books"...bite me. You are no longer wanted or needed, because apparently my babies are writing their own chapter and it is "Gang up on Mommy and overtake her."
So as I sit here, sleep deprived, but still with a smile on my face, I know that the tossing and turning will continue until the babies are, oh lets say 65? So, I will continue reading good books and FB at all hours of the night.
Welcome to "Mommy hood." As I sit here, running on about 3.5 hours of sleep, about to start my new job, I can't help but smile. I can't help but laugh as I watch Parker grab the blanket away from Payge and shove it into his mouth-everything seems to make it there these days. I can't help but chuckle inside as Payge rolls all the way across the living room to steal a toy from her brother, or yank his pacifier out. These moments help me forget-for a tid bit- that Parker screamed for 3 hours straight last night-teething stinks!- or that Miss Payge refused to take a nap the past two days that I stayed home with her. Isn't life fun?!?
Last night, after Parker finally calmed down (because him and daddy made a palet and slept together), I couldn't help but let my mind wonder. So many questions, concerns, etc. come into my head and bounce around. When am I going to get that darn flu shot we all need to get? Should I take the babies to War Eagle? Why do people think it is necessary to come all the way across from somewhere to touch my baby? Or ask me if they are identical twins?? (HELLO?!?! One boy/One girl!! NO THEY ARE NOT IDENTICAL!!) Am I taking them out too much? How much sleep do they need? How late is too late for a nap? Man...these mommy questions and thoughts keep me up all night...tossing and turning.
No one writes a book about what to do if one twin is screaming and the other is sleeping....or what do you do if one baby is teething....or if both babies want to snuggle and you are home alone....or what if one baby dominates the other one and wont quit picking on the other one??? No one tells you these things, or prepares you. Instead....you get to toss and turn...all night long.
So self help books...or "what to expect books"...bite me. You are no longer wanted or needed, because apparently my babies are writing their own chapter and it is "Gang up on Mommy and overtake her."
So as I sit here, sleep deprived, but still with a smile on my face, I know that the tossing and turning will continue until the babies are, oh lets say 65? So, I will continue reading good books and FB at all hours of the night.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
October First
The days of making out practice schedules, preparing pre season posters and speeches and setting up teams to scrimmage are long gone. October 1-the first legal day to practice school basketball. The day that for my entire life has been bigger than Christmas and more important than birthdays.
Well, this October first, we celebrated and rejoiced. This past Thursday we were at a softball game watching my brother coach when Payge, my sweet precious Payge, was hit in the head by a line drive foul ball. She was sitting in my mom's lap when Chris say the ball out of the corner of his eye and tried to stop it with a back hand. He blocked the ball but it then bounced off and hit Payge in the upper part of her head. Without Chris' attempt to slow down the ball.....well only God knows the damage that it could have done to my babygirl. We were rushed to St Johns ER in an ambulance and she was given a CT to see if and what the damagae was. Hours (and hours) later we were informed that she had a slight skull fracture and they were admitting us to Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU) where we had already spent 3 weeks of our lives.
After a night in PICU and then a night in Peds, we were told that Payge could go home and that we were lucky. I will go with the fact that we are blessed. Truly blessed. God, and Chris' state championship ring, saved my little girls life.
The babies celebrated their 6 month birthday today. A day that has approached rather too quickly. A day that was full of tears (from the setting and complete exhaustion) smiles and lots and lots of kisses and hugs. My two miracle Nuggets have been through so much in their short 6 months. We have had IV's, surgery, heart monitors, a trip to Florida for the passing of my Uncle, a move "back home" to Hickory Hills with Dede and Pop, an ambulance ride and oh so much more.
October first has come and gone. A day that my whole life used to revolve around. A day that I looked forward to and prepared for. I miss my girls. I miss decorating the locker room, timed miles once a week, setting up a scrimmage schedule and coaches clinic. But I wouldn't trade my life of rattles, breathing treatments, sweet potatoes and pre digested formula for the world right now.
So, October first, thank you for helping me realize that even though I miss it, there is more to life than airing up new basketball, sweeping the gym floor and pulling the practice jersey's out of storage. Thank you for opening up my eyes to "mommy hood" even thought I have ego issues at times about no longer being a "head coach" I know that my love for the game is deep in my heart and the passion I have for basketball will be passed on to the two that have made me realize that EVERY day matters and should be cherished, enjoyed and soaked up.
So, October first...you can keep your freshly waxed floors, your squeeky ball cage wheels and shoot aways-I will take my job as Head Mommy for now....but we will meet again one day....and I promise you that.
WC ladies-play hard and play smart and remember "do the little things right"
Well, this October first, we celebrated and rejoiced. This past Thursday we were at a softball game watching my brother coach when Payge, my sweet precious Payge, was hit in the head by a line drive foul ball. She was sitting in my mom's lap when Chris say the ball out of the corner of his eye and tried to stop it with a back hand. He blocked the ball but it then bounced off and hit Payge in the upper part of her head. Without Chris' attempt to slow down the ball.....well only God knows the damage that it could have done to my babygirl. We were rushed to St Johns ER in an ambulance and she was given a CT to see if and what the damagae was. Hours (and hours) later we were informed that she had a slight skull fracture and they were admitting us to Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU) where we had already spent 3 weeks of our lives.
After a night in PICU and then a night in Peds, we were told that Payge could go home and that we were lucky. I will go with the fact that we are blessed. Truly blessed. God, and Chris' state championship ring, saved my little girls life.
The babies celebrated their 6 month birthday today. A day that has approached rather too quickly. A day that was full of tears (from the setting and complete exhaustion) smiles and lots and lots of kisses and hugs. My two miracle Nuggets have been through so much in their short 6 months. We have had IV's, surgery, heart monitors, a trip to Florida for the passing of my Uncle, a move "back home" to Hickory Hills with Dede and Pop, an ambulance ride and oh so much more.
October first has come and gone. A day that my whole life used to revolve around. A day that I looked forward to and prepared for. I miss my girls. I miss decorating the locker room, timed miles once a week, setting up a scrimmage schedule and coaches clinic. But I wouldn't trade my life of rattles, breathing treatments, sweet potatoes and pre digested formula for the world right now.
So, October first, thank you for helping me realize that even though I miss it, there is more to life than airing up new basketball, sweeping the gym floor and pulling the practice jersey's out of storage. Thank you for opening up my eyes to "mommy hood" even thought I have ego issues at times about no longer being a "head coach" I know that my love for the game is deep in my heart and the passion I have for basketball will be passed on to the two that have made me realize that EVERY day matters and should be cherished, enjoyed and soaked up.
So, October first...you can keep your freshly waxed floors, your squeeky ball cage wheels and shoot aways-I will take my job as Head Mommy for now....but we will meet again one day....and I promise you that.
WC ladies-play hard and play smart and remember "do the little things right"
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