It's been a couple tough days of whining and fighting A LOT! Just typical stuff but it was wearin me down a little. There is only so much a woman can take! But that's when some of the sweetest blessings come! And today that was when time stopped.
I took the girls swimming this afternoon, just the three of us. The girls laughed and giggled together the whole time and we had a blast. For quite some time Riley "jumped" of a ledge into Keagan's arms. Keagan would then "carry" her around the pool with my help. The girls were just so sweet and fun and just loved being together! They did it over and over till my face hurt from smiling so big! Truly the joy coming out of their darling little swimsuit wearin bodies was almost visible!
And for a little while time stood still and nothing else in the world mattered but the joy that my little family of three shares. I can't think of anything in the world I would have rather done today then to be right there, in those simple moments, together and full of joy! Going to bed tonight with a little chlorine still in my hair and a heart bursting with gratitude for these moments when time stops!
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Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Back At It!
Back for another long day of therapy this afternoon.
This girl is a rockstar! I'm just so continually amazed at how hard she works and pushes herself! All of her accomplishments have been hard earned as she has fought for each one! When I look at all she has accomplised in the last year after getting out of her wheelchair, I am just amazed! And I can't wait to see where she is at a year from now!
My Riley is such an incredible example to me! And Im so blessed to be her mommy!
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This girl is a rockstar! I'm just so continually amazed at how hard she works and pushes herself! All of her accomplishments have been hard earned as she has fought for each one! When I look at all she has accomplised in the last year after getting out of her wheelchair, I am just amazed! And I can't wait to see where she is at a year from now!
My Riley is such an incredible example to me! And Im so blessed to be her mommy!
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Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Keagan's Turn!
Now it's Keagan's turn to start sleeping back in her big girl bed, instead of crashing with mommy and kicking me all night! She got cute new bedding on both beds in her room and tonight Kellie is sleeping in there with her. Hopefully this is the beginning of...EVERYONE sleeping great...ALL night long... in their OWN beds!!
This mommy would sure love that!
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This mommy would sure love that!
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Monday, July 28, 2014
Lights! Camera! Action!
We had quite an interesting afternoon! A film crew from Texas Children's Hospital came out to interview the girls and I. It was the same crew we filmed with over 2 years ago down at the hospital for a cardiac video. They are a really great group of supportive people and were just amazed at how much progress Riley has made! They also had never met Keagan and were so sweet to her!
They completely transformed the living room into a full on set with very bright lights, reflectors, microphones and all sorts of stuff that I'm not smart enough to identify. It took about an hour to set up and then Dave and I chatted for about an hour about our family's story with TCH. It's a long story with lots to talk about, but we are SO thankful for all that hospital has done for us! They will use the footage in different places and will put together a short film of our story to use in fundraising efforts at events and online.
Not our typical summer afternoon, but it was fun! Hopefully in the end results you will see a lot more of my darling girls then me!
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They completely transformed the living room into a full on set with very bright lights, reflectors, microphones and all sorts of stuff that I'm not smart enough to identify. It took about an hour to set up and then Dave and I chatted for about an hour about our family's story with TCH. It's a long story with lots to talk about, but we are SO thankful for all that hospital has done for us! They will use the footage in different places and will put together a short film of our story to use in fundraising efforts at events and online.
Not our typical summer afternoon, but it was fun! Hopefully in the end results you will see a lot more of my darling girls then me!
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Sunday, July 27, 2014
Shrinky Dinks!
After church today I introduced the girls to one of my favorite childhood memories! Shrinky Dinks! It was so much fun!
And for follow up on last nights post...Riley slept like a baby all night in her big girl bed!! She did so great! I woke up a million times to check on her, but she slept great!
She woke up at 6:30 but then sat and played in her bed for 20 minutes while I watched her on the monitor. Keags and I finally went in and hung out with her but when it was time to go downstairs she cried and cried because she didn't want to get out of bed! She cried so hard that she was able to wake up Nana and then take Nanas hand and lead her back upstairs to get back in her bed! I'd definitely call that success!
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And for follow up on last nights post...Riley slept like a baby all night in her big girl bed!! She did so great! I woke up a million times to check on her, but she slept great!
She woke up at 6:30 but then sat and played in her bed for 20 minutes while I watched her on the monitor. Keags and I finally went in and hung out with her but when it was time to go downstairs she cried and cried because she didn't want to get out of bed! She cried so hard that she was able to wake up Nana and then take Nanas hand and lead her back upstairs to get back in her bed! I'd definitely call that success!
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Saturday, July 26, 2014
Big Pay Off!
It was a very long day that started at 5:30 am of cleaning, sorting, organizing, trashing, donating, setting up and moving furniture around. I am exhausted! But I got a HUGE pay off....this smile...
Some of the results of mine and Nana's efforts today was making it possible for this big girl to get a big girl bed!
Riley is almost six and isn't sleeping in her crib for the first time tonight!! She has been safe there but she has just gotten too big for it physically and otherwise. She is SO excited! I'm a little nervous and had to put a bench up against her bed because the guard rail just wasn't going to cut it. But I'm not nearly as worried as her sister Keagan! It's rather cute.
After a long day Im really praying she does well in the bed and sleeps all night! Am I being too greedy to hope she sleeps in longer then 6:30 in it?! A girl can dream!
That would be nice, but I will settle for a big smile from a big girl!
Some of the results of mine and Nana's efforts today was making it possible for this big girl to get a big girl bed!
Riley is almost six and isn't sleeping in her crib for the first time tonight!! She has been safe there but she has just gotten too big for it physically and otherwise. She is SO excited! I'm a little nervous and had to put a bench up against her bed because the guard rail just wasn't going to cut it. But I'm not nearly as worried as her sister Keagan! It's rather cute.
After a long day Im really praying she does well in the bed and sleeps all night! Am I being too greedy to hope she sleeps in longer then 6:30 in it?! A girl can dream!
That would be nice, but I will settle for a big smile from a big girl!
Friday, July 25, 2014
Twins!
What I often hear...
"No they can't be twins!"
"Are you sure they're twins?"
"Double the trouble!"
"Wow you've got your hands full!"
"Are they identical?"
"Are they adopted?"
And my response...
"They are definitely twins!"
"I am sure! I was there."
"Double the blessings!"
"My heart is what's full!"
"They look very different to me."
"They are ALL mine!"
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"No they can't be twins!"
"Are you sure they're twins?"
"Double the trouble!"
"Wow you've got your hands full!"
"Are they identical?"
"Are they adopted?"
And my response...
"They are definitely twins!"
"I am sure! I was there."
"Double the blessings!"
"My heart is what's full!"
"They look very different to me."
"They are ALL mine!"
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Crazy Train!
Some days I feel like Im the conductor of one ridiculous crazy train! The last two days have been some of those days!
I was THAT mom today at Costco who let her kids play on the furniture while we waited for Nana to shop. The girls knew it was a rarity, so they took full advantage!
This morning Keagan asked me for a popsicle for breakfast. When I laughed almost in her face she said "oh so we are gonna do this the hard way?"
Reasons Riley has had a melt down the last two days...her mean mom wouldn't let her play in the toilet water. Her mean mom turned off her night light after she was already awake and the sun was up. Her mean mom wouldn't let her feed her mom her breakfast. Her mean mom wouldn't let her finger paint the tv with her yogurt. Her mean mom made her get in the car to go to Tutti Fruitti. Her mean mom made her get out of the car after Tutti Fruitti. Her mean mom wouldn't let her delete all the apps on her phone.
Ai yi yi! Tantrums in progress...
And finally, when we were at Tutti Fruitti this afternoon trying to have a little special treat and bonding time over our Fro Yo, Keagan says to me "I want to eat my yogurt with my man hands."
Full on crazy train! Wanna ride?!
I was THAT mom today at Costco who let her kids play on the furniture while we waited for Nana to shop. The girls knew it was a rarity, so they took full advantage!
This morning Keagan asked me for a popsicle for breakfast. When I laughed almost in her face she said "oh so we are gonna do this the hard way?"
Reasons Riley has had a melt down the last two days...her mean mom wouldn't let her play in the toilet water. Her mean mom turned off her night light after she was already awake and the sun was up. Her mean mom wouldn't let her feed her mom her breakfast. Her mean mom wouldn't let her finger paint the tv with her yogurt. Her mean mom made her get in the car to go to Tutti Fruitti. Her mean mom made her get out of the car after Tutti Fruitti. Her mean mom wouldn't let her delete all the apps on her phone.
Ai yi yi! Tantrums in progress...
And finally, when we were at Tutti Fruitti this afternoon trying to have a little special treat and bonding time over our Fro Yo, Keagan says to me "I want to eat my yogurt with my man hands."
Full on crazy train! Wanna ride?!
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Flyin By
A lazy morning, therapy all afternoon and dinner with friends. This summer is flying by! Less then 5 weeks left!
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Sunday, July 20, 2014
Disasters
We've been a mini disaster all weekend. A summer cold forced us to lay around in jammies, try to take naps and survive on ibuprofen. Not the highlight of our summer, but hopefully we've kicked the cold to the curb for good today!
The following pictures are proof that...A. We did in fact stay in out jammies all weekend. B. We were a disaster, and C. Riley can rock an 80s sweat headband!
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The following pictures are proof that...A. We did in fact stay in out jammies all weekend. B. We were a disaster, and C. Riley can rock an 80s sweat headband!
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Thursday, July 17, 2014
Summer Benefits
Oh the benefits of summer time with longer days, slower schedules and a whole lot more relaxin. Those summer benefits the last couple of days were...
Snow ones at the cutest little place.
Supper fun play dates with friends
And oh you know just sittin in your sisters lap while she blow dries your hair after swim lessons!
And not a summer benefit? Another trip to the dentist cause your mom is trying to get as many appointments done before school starts as possible. Poor Riley! And poor Keagan who was sitting in the corner taking this picture and then witnessed the full Riley meltdown as the nurse, dentist and I all pin her down for her exam!
Glad that's over!! Now back to the fun stuff!
Snow ones at the cutest little place.
Supper fun play dates with friends
And oh you know just sittin in your sisters lap while she blow dries your hair after swim lessons!
And not a summer benefit? Another trip to the dentist cause your mom is trying to get as many appointments done before school starts as possible. Poor Riley! And poor Keagan who was sitting in the corner taking this picture and then witnessed the full Riley meltdown as the nurse, dentist and I all pin her down for her exam!
Glad that's over!! Now back to the fun stuff!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Mini Miracles
Yesterday Addie and Kellie were here with the girls, so I actually got to go to the grocery store all BY MYSELF!
Today the girls cute friend Kennedy came over to play. That means they were so busy having fun there was NO FIGHTING or WHINING for over 2 whole hours!
This afternoon at Costco, my two micro-preemie babies that were 1 pound 14 ounces and 3 pounds 7 ounces, were so BIG that I couldn't see over them while they were sitting in the cart!
It's July in a Houston, Texas and it was only 82 degrees today! That's insanely great!
If you look around, there are miracles everywhere! I'm so thankful for my mini miracles!
And as a bonus I got a Costco hotdog for dinner! Deliciousness for a buck fifty! Not bad at all!
Today the girls cute friend Kennedy came over to play. That means they were so busy having fun there was NO FIGHTING or WHINING for over 2 whole hours!
This afternoon at Costco, my two micro-preemie babies that were 1 pound 14 ounces and 3 pounds 7 ounces, were so BIG that I couldn't see over them while they were sitting in the cart!
It's July in a Houston, Texas and it was only 82 degrees today! That's insanely great!
If you look around, there are miracles everywhere! I'm so thankful for my mini miracles!
And as a bonus I got a Costco hotdog for dinner! Deliciousness for a buck fifty! Not bad at all!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Sunday Funday
The girls were a mess today at church! They are usually pretty good, but today was a nightmare! I felt bad for the darling couples in the pews in front and behind us during Sacrament meeting with no kids! Oh and I was super jealous of them too!
Apparently one of the monsters I was so desperately trying to keep quite was a little old lady! She had her glove on, her handkerchief and her purse hung on her arm! Silly girl!
And after church, Keagan turned the kitchen sink into a Spa Retreat! I can't believe I let this happen, but they had worn me down!
Thank heavens the day is over! Hopefully the rest of the week goes much better! I never thought I would say this but bring on the Monday!
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Apparently one of the monsters I was so desperately trying to keep quite was a little old lady! She had her glove on, her handkerchief and her purse hung on her arm! Silly girl!
And after church, Keagan turned the kitchen sink into a Spa Retreat! I can't believe I let this happen, but they had worn me down!
Thank heavens the day is over! Hopefully the rest of the week goes much better! I never thought I would say this but bring on the Monday!
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Weak Things Made Strong
For the last couple of days my heart has really been hurting and my mind distracted. I made a mistake. A stupid, stupid mistake. It was a mistake that some may not really worry too much about. But in the process I hurt some friends who I love very much. So that has caused me a great amount of struggle and turmoil. All of which I could have avoided if I made a better choice.
I have apologized to them and repented on my knees, but the regret of hurting them has not gone away. I think it's just something I will have to live with and learn from. And I have learned a huge life lesson on this one! Huge!
I went to church today with this turmoil in my heart. It didn't help that in a meeting that is supposed to be a sacred one, where we partake of the sacrament and renew our baptismal covenants, I all but wrestled with the girls and was sweating just trying to keep them quite. I then amplified my frustration with myself and struggled to pay attention during what was a good Sunday School lesson.
And then I stumbled upon this...
The Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
What a tender mercy that I got this message from The Lord! This reminded me that I am not alone. I am never without the grace of my Savior. And the Atonement of Jesus Christ can heal my mistakes!
Yes, I made a stupid, stupid mistake. But I am so thankful for the faith that I have been blessed with to know that my Savior can right the wrong and take all of my weaknesses and make them strong! How truly blessed I am!
I'm even more thankful to know the same Atonement can heal the hearts of those I hurt. This brings comfort to my aching heart. And in humbling myself before The Lord, I hope to not ever make this mistake again. The Atonement of Jesus Christ just covers so much! And tonight my prayers of repentance have changed to prayers of gratitude for the grace that the Atonement brings once again!
I am truly so thankful that His "grace is sufficient!" Even when I make another stupid, stupid mistake.
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I have apologized to them and repented on my knees, but the regret of hurting them has not gone away. I think it's just something I will have to live with and learn from. And I have learned a huge life lesson on this one! Huge!
I went to church today with this turmoil in my heart. It didn't help that in a meeting that is supposed to be a sacred one, where we partake of the sacrament and renew our baptismal covenants, I all but wrestled with the girls and was sweating just trying to keep them quite. I then amplified my frustration with myself and struggled to pay attention during what was a good Sunday School lesson.
And then I stumbled upon this...
The Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
What a tender mercy that I got this message from The Lord! This reminded me that I am not alone. I am never without the grace of my Savior. And the Atonement of Jesus Christ can heal my mistakes!
Yes, I made a stupid, stupid mistake. But I am so thankful for the faith that I have been blessed with to know that my Savior can right the wrong and take all of my weaknesses and make them strong! How truly blessed I am!
I'm even more thankful to know the same Atonement can heal the hearts of those I hurt. This brings comfort to my aching heart. And in humbling myself before The Lord, I hope to not ever make this mistake again. The Atonement of Jesus Christ just covers so much! And tonight my prayers of repentance have changed to prayers of gratitude for the grace that the Atonement brings once again!
I am truly so thankful that His "grace is sufficient!" Even when I make another stupid, stupid mistake.
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Saturday, July 12, 2014
Pippy!
Today was dreamy! And dreamy for a gal like me means making memories with two little happy girls! Yep, my dreamy is just a little bit different.
The three of us went to the family musical of "Pippy Longstocking" at Main Street Theater. It was the girls first ever show and they just absolutely loved it! It was very funny and very entertaining, so both girls were engaged and mesmerized for the entire hour and 45 mins! Plus it was in a small theater in the round that only sat about 150-200. And the acting, singing and dancing was really great!
We also loved the fun lunch before hand at Chelsea Grill. And each girl was beaming after the show at the actors free meet and greet. They got everyone to sign their play bills and loved giving Pippy hugs!
Almost the whole way home we laughed and gushed about what we loved about the show. Then at one point Keagan added her own autograph to her play bill and then said "now it's got MY autograph! BOOM!" Gotta love that girl! Gotta love a day like today!
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The three of us went to the family musical of "Pippy Longstocking" at Main Street Theater. It was the girls first ever show and they just absolutely loved it! It was very funny and very entertaining, so both girls were engaged and mesmerized for the entire hour and 45 mins! Plus it was in a small theater in the round that only sat about 150-200. And the acting, singing and dancing was really great!
We also loved the fun lunch before hand at Chelsea Grill. And each girl was beaming after the show at the actors free meet and greet. They got everyone to sign their play bills and loved giving Pippy hugs!
Almost the whole way home we laughed and gushed about what we loved about the show. Then at one point Keagan added her own autograph to her play bill and then said "now it's got MY autograph! BOOM!" Gotta love that girl! Gotta love a day like today!
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