My green stripe

I just came from Taekwondo class where I earned my first stripe. I can't believe how important this little piece of green colored tape wrapped around my white belt makes me feel. The sense of accomplishment (knowing my stances) is great, but to have Mr. Dallas say that I earned a stripe was amazing. It's such a little thing but at this moment it makes me feel wonderful.

I always enjoy the little things in life - the smallest things make me happy. This brought a tear to my eye. Sentimental? Me? Absolutely!! Just wait until I earn my next belt.

Time is a funny thing

As my daughters birthday approaches I find myself looking back over the last year. At each of Janna's birthday's I take the time to look back over the year at all the wonderful events, quiet moments and loving hours that we've shared. I enjoy looking at what we've accomplished and setting new goals.

It's not that the time has passed me by, more that I've been so busy living and loving my time that I didn't notice how much had actually progressed. It's been such a great year with so many changes for our family. Courtney and Kennedy have added so much to our family. I can't say they completed us, because I didn't think we were empty without them, but they add their own zest and flavor to our world.

I'm excited to experience today!!! The possibilities are endless, what can we make of it? I'm going to find out!

To my "other" girls

While we lived in Charlotte I was lucky enough to work with the youth at my church. I was assigned the 12 -18 year old girls for almost two years. They know who they are and this is more in the nature of a note to those special young women.

This was during the worst of my infertility. David and I desperately wanted a family of our own and I was on an emotional rollercoaster. It had been years of trying, doctors, wanting, waiting, and praying. At times I could feel myself sinking into a depression. This calling to work with these young women was my saving grace. The girls I served met the need I had to nurture. In small ways I felt like a second mother, but mostly I just enjoyed being a part of their lives.

I had so much fun with these girls. They were smart, funny, entertaining, spiritual, uplifting, friendly, sporty, quiet, shy and without exception beautiful. They allowed me into their lives and confidences and I am forever grateful to them. The girl inside me who longed for her lost childhood was able to play. I was sixteen again, and my world was lighter.

Since this time I’ve been blessed beyond measure to have three wonderful daughters of my own. But I will forever be grateful to “my girls” who shared their lives with me during that time. I’m lucky enough to keep in touch with many of these ladies.

Today I learned that one of my girls had her first child (congratulations Ashley). It does my heart good to hear this news. I’ve been able to keep in touch with so many of my girls. I love learning of their triumphs, graduations, dating, engagements, careers, marriages and children. It’s always been easy for me to view these young girls as the women they are now. Maybe it’s because I’m not their mother, or because I was trying to teach them how to become the women they wanted to be. Whatever the reason it’s wonderful to experience these new phases of their lives with them.

So thank you for sharing your lives with me. I love you more than you will ever know. You each hold a special place in my heart. I will always be here for you in whatever capacity you need me. In laughter or tears, I am here.

Mental note to self:

If you can't see the twins but you can hear them laughing, stop what you are doing, run, don't walk to where they are. You will find one of two things. 1) a sweet tender moment that will melt your heart and make you eternally grateful for these precious children you have been so deeply blessed with; or 2) a huge mess.

A friends birthday party

Janna attended a horseback riding birthday party. She loved every minute of it! Here she is with her horse.

Kennedy & Melvin

We went to a Mike & Kristin's today. This is my favorite pasttime!! Sitting around, talking, eating and enjoying good company. We ate hot dogs, coleslaw, chips & bean then topped it all off with S'mores!!

Kennedy was absolutely flipping over their cat Melvin, as you can see from the photo & video, Erin had dressed him up as a baby complete with a bib. She even took him for a walk in the stroller. Every time Melvin got around Kennedy she would start laughing and yelling. She loved it!!!

Springtime???

We've been having gorgeous sunny days in the 70's here and I got overzealous. The day after I took these it was a high of 60! Janna was at school but the babies & I made the most of it. Mostly they tried to eat the grass but we still enjoyed being outside!

The girls enjoyed being outside so much they decided to tell me all about it. Kennedy is our chatterbox and we are used to hearing her "talk" while Courtney has always been quieter. However, she has hear me say this too many times and decided to prove me wrong.