reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.
We were driving to Tuscany a couple of weekends ago and things kept flying into the passenger seat randomly. A sock, a piece of trash, a pretzel.
I said/hollered (in my best mom bellow) “WHO IS DOING THAT?”
And turned around and this is what I found.
J happened to catch it in the rear view mirror and he was laughing so hard I thought he was going to drive off the road.
Cate clearly thought it was funny too:
And now every time I look at that top photo I laugh until I cry.
Man, I love kids.
xo
S
The day I first saw them on the ultrasound screen I couldn’t really focus on their hearts beating or the blobs on the screen.
I was shaking so hard that the entire exam table was shaking. Clattering. I was grinning but I had tears streaming down my face. And they were tears of shock.
Not Jimmy. He had the biggest ear to ear grin I’d ever seen. A grin of pure joy.
For about 24 hours I couldn’t really talk to anyone, I was still shaking. Twins? Four children?
Let’s be honest. Four years later…I might still be in shock. HA!
But I got over the fear and read everything I could get my hands on. We bought 2 pack and plays, a double nursing pillow, boxes and boxes of diapers, binkies in 2 different colors, bottles galore…and prayed. Prayed that my pregnancy would be a healthy and safe one. And it was.
We prayed that they would stay in my belly for as long as possible. And they did. 36 weeks.
And the first year was a BLUR. Seriously…I look at photos from the first year and I don’t even remember being there. I’m not exaggerating. J was gone for most of the time and the first year was a frenzy of feeding and burping and swaddling and rocking and spit up and SO MUCH POOP and …truthfully…lots of crying. From them and from me. And from Harper and Sadie.
From the moment they were born they have stolen our hearts. They have changed our lives and our family in so many ways. Some we could have imagined and so many that we never in a million years could have suspected.
And today they are four.
We are so in love with them. They fill this home with pure joy.
I am in awe of the way that God shaped our lives in a way that we never could have seen. He had bigger and better plans than any we had.
This life is so full. Full of laughter and screaming and hair elastics and Barbie shoes and love. It’s so full of love.
Happy, happy birthday darling girls.
You are our sunshines.
xo
If you’re like me, you are thinking about kids, friends, husbands, family…but what about you?
Here’s what I’m wishing for this Christmas. What are you dreaming of? Share in the comments!
TGIF!
xoxo
1.Kate Spade watch // 2.J Crew sweatshirt // 3.John Derian tray // 4.Mod Cloth weekender tote // 5.Schwinn Fairbook Cruiser // 6.Hot Stuff thermal mug // 7.Lace Monogram Necklace // 8.Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette // 9.Metallic Nike Frees // 10.Rifle Paper Company iPhone case // 11.J Crew passport case // 12.Kate Spade “Heart of Gold” idiom bangle
I just wanted to share some photos from our recent trip to Tuscany. We rented a house about 40 minutes outside of Florence (in Pontassieve) and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Airbnb came through and yet again I stayed in a dream home. I won’t travel another way ever again!
I’ll be counting the days until we can go back.
And of course…our beloved Florence.
I dream of the truffle fries at Zaza’s. Yum.
The best part of the trip was that we got to spend it not only with each other…but with another family that we love dearly.
Many late nights filled with wine, laughter, and so much talking.
It was a beautiful experience.
I know that we need many more trips to Tuscany in the next year an a half. Next I want to visit Lucca, Volterra, San Marino, Saturnia, and Siena. I think Tuscany officially has my heart and wins the “favorite part of Italy” award.
Happy Thursday, y’all!
xoo
There is absolutely nothing like a father’s love. A good daddy makes you feel heard. They hang on your every word. They build you up, encourage you, wipe your tears, and hold your hand. They teach you how to throw a mean punch and a football.
They really listen. They know that if they want you to tell them the big things one day, they’ll listen now. Because right now? Everything is a big thing. They clean up boo boos and sit at the kitchen table for hours working on math problems. They make time for you and you always know they love you more than words can say.
And the really excellent daddies even keep this up when their daughters are 37. They give really good hugs and whisper “I’m so proud of you” in their daughters ears. They send out-of-the-blue emails saying things like
I am so proud of you. You are the best of wives and mothers and don’t let anyone try to tell you otherwise.
And these emails will make their daughter cry because every girl needs to hear those four little words.
I’m
Proud
of
You.
So blessed to be surrounded by good daddies. The best daddies. It’s a rare gift.
S
