Hello there

 I think on a few occasions I've mentioned "survival mode". Well, that's what we've jokingly called our life for the past 9 months.  Not b/c we are unhappy, or not making it - but b/c the maximum we could do around here is survive :) 

 Having four amazing gifts from God under the age of four for a bit was wonderful, but I'm glad that's over!!  So we've been finding our groove, trying to stay ahead of the laundry pile (not very good at that one) getting everyone fed, then again, and of course trying our hardest to keep the inside of this house decent b/c we are still trying to sell it :) - so that's survival mode

 But these little angels are growing and getting more and more independent (well, as much as a 9month old can be).  They are playing together, moving all around to get toys they want, reminding me to vacuum every 10 mins :)

This weekend might have officially marked the end of survival mode!!!  Why might you ask??  Well, one of the signs of our crazy, fun filled life has been our yard - it has been severely neglected over the past 9 months.  

So this weekend we did it!  The twins had an amazing nap while we tackled the weed infested front yard and got it looking like we actually want to sell this thing!! :)  So to me, I say we are official done just surviving!!  Thank you Jesus and all our friends and family who have helped us get here!!! 

A Little Perspective

 So Alan has this job - he designs ships.  People often ask me what he does and I try to explain it and then laugh my very silly self out of it by saying "oh, it's just all Swahili to me." And it is! 

 When Alan comes home from work I ask "so how was your day?" (b/c that's what good wife's do, right?)  Most days he knows just how little I get what he does, and he really has no desire to relive some very tense stressful moments that don't belong in our home, so he says "I'm just so glad to be home" or "it was busy, but I got a lot done."

Period, end of story, let's move on to eating and finding out why there are four very small people screaming right now. 

But some days he'll say something like "oh, I just designed an analysis for a lift of a panel......"

"Wwhhaat" I think to myself, as I smile and lovingly hand him a baby and then continue to think "Swahili, Swahili, Swahili"

"Yea," he continues on "we have to lift a panel of the ship and move it"..blahh, blahh, blahh

"Um, honey, I mean really - it's a heavy duty piece of something that you designed, it can withstand missals and stuff, can't you just hook a crane up to it and just move the thing already"

"Of course sweetie, of course" with a singe of sarcasm that I of course ignored (or didn't hear) and then that's it, it's all still just Swahili to me!

So this past weekend Alan tells me that they are opening up the facility where they are building, lifting, and flipping all these panels and stuff that has been his work life since I've known him.  So of course I jumped at the opportunity to see where my husbands second home is and I knew Stephen would love, love, love it!!

Off we went, and as we walked in Alan began pointing out these "panels" and sure enough I thought - Swahili Swahili, hello I knew it, that thing can totally be picked up and moved, why as he been so stressed?  Man this guys needs a day in my life!

Then, Alan led us to The Hanger and Deck House of this ship - these two main key components that all those other things where going onto.  My jaw dropped, my heart sank, my mind was blown away

"ummmm, sweetie, you do WHAT???"

Alan smiled, realizing he made the right decision bringing me there

"Alan, is that massive, large thing in front of me the thingie that you designed a thing for other people to know how to pick it up, flip it over, and set it down over there?"  I'm very technical about my words!

He smiled, got really into explaining everything to me (which was awesome, but if I told you I'd have to kill you) and then from behind the barricade he was called away.  Off Alan went to check on something, and Stephen was left to play with the security guard that was very aware that this little mischievous red head wanted nothing more than to jump that gate and build a ship with his daddy!

So as Sunday morning (um really I would call it Saturday night, since it was 3am) came and Alan woke up to head into work (first time on a Sunday since we've been married :( ) I knew just how amazing what he was doing was!

As Alan supervised and spoke some more Swahili to the other amazing men and women that day, I prayed for them, and prayed for them. 

It's just amazing what a little perspective can do! 

Magical trip - part two

 I wanted to add a special post to say that this amazing, wonderful, fun filled trip could not have been possible without these two amazing, wonderful, fun filled people..... my parents :)

 Thank you Mom and Dad!  You guys made the trip stress free, and so much fun!!!  We love you and can't wait to do it again!

Abby and Stephen say hello :0, actually this is the only way I could get a picture of them in their new T-shirts, and Stephen is turning Abby into a dinosaur :)  Love them!!

P.s. a public service announcement, I know my pictures have been a little, well, not very good lately; but we are slowly moving out of survival mode, which means maybe some more fun picture taking!!  Right now, my goal is to get my amazing children's life documented - period. :)  That's about what I have time for, and well that's really all they'll stay still for! LOL  Oh and I am saving up for a new lens..... can't wait to get that in a few months!!!  That might just be the inspiration I need and watch out! 

What a trip! Be warned, more pictures than words!

 I've decided that a non-stop, constant go go vacation is what God made this family for!!  We had a blast!!  From the moment we entered the Magic Kingdom until the moment we collapsed in our beds on the last night!

 We threw caution (and our routine) to the wind, and went in with a very optimistic mind set - we were going to have fun!!  And we did!!  (of course, throwing our schedule out the door almost killed my minor OCDness; but after a day I noticed I was the only one who minded so I let go)

 Stephen of course was a big help......... haha

 I think the twins inherited my people watching disease and just enjoyed the cool air and the people, ahh the people!

We hit the parks running, we moved from one ride to the next - and loved every moment!!

I'd like to take a brief break to mention this shirt was purchased b/c Abby had gone through two other outfits already on day 1!  She just really wanted a Mickey Mouse shirt I guess!!

We had to make time to dine with our dear friends Goofy, Donald, and Minnie

Ohh Minnie, Abby loves her so.  It actually reminds me of my strange love of Donald Duck - which was reignited when he approached our table at breakfast - soooo oddd, and yet so cute!

After a wonder day off at our resort where we rested up by swimming all day :)  We had to head over to Universal Studios!!  And of course - the Wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I'll be honest - we had an amazing time - but after the experience at Disney I felt that Universal had a lot missing!  The kids had fun, we had fun - but there just wasn't that Disney feeling. 

Now please note that Stephen and Abby are not ones to just fall asleep anywhere - this my friends is a sure sign of complete exhaustion!!  Ahhh, to me I would say these are signs of success!!

Lunch time nap for Minnie and her new best friend Abby

Cecilia not really into a nap, but more squinting at her daddy flashing his camera at her during a very exciting parade!

But of course like all things, this to must end :)  The trip was great, the kids loved it, and I even got to read a book!!  Dear Pioneer Woman, it was your book - I loved it, and I know you are not reading this :)

So long, so long!

 I don't even know what my title means.... but what I think I wanted to say was something like - it's been so long, I miss talking to all of you out there, hope you're doing well! :)

 Around here, well busy would be the best word for us.  We have been up to a little this and that, but let's face it four little ones keeps a mama movin!!

 One evening when Alan got home from work I looked over (as I was putting a twin in a high chair, realizing that we where now feeding solids and things were changing again) and I mentioned "do you think there will be an "easy" stage with twins?"  Not that feeding them is "hard" but that day, looking at how my perfected routine was going to change again and that Alan and I hadn't figured out how to feed them dinner and eat dinner ourselves - I just wondered if there was an easy stage. 

 That being said, our lives have changed again with eating, crawling (Jude) scooting (Cecilia) babies and it's of course wonderful - but those first moments of routine change are well a bit difficult for a minor control freak like myself :)

All in all things around here are finally getting into a groove, a constant motion kinda groove, but a groove at least.  (did I say groove enough to convince anyone??)  :)

Well, things are actually moving from what we've called the "survival" period.  So much so that we have a fall full of fun mini vacations, and one major vacation..... I'll let you all in on that one - but I'll give you a little clue.... Miscka, Mooska......(did I even spell that right?)

Keep us in your prayers, as you are in ours! 

A little comparison :)

Stephen and Uncle Hank, 11months old!

 I often find my self thinking of Stephen when I get Jude dressed......wonder why? :) 

Jude 6months old! Crazy

Although, Jude seems to be a bit bigger then Stephen, so I'm sure we'll be buying some new winter clothes for him soon! 

(Just to clarify the difference, this is a 9month old outfit; Stephen could wear that size for a while - don't think Jude will!)

Fun times Tuesday :)

A friend of mine posted this meme at http://thetomanfamily.blogspot.com/. She saw it on another blog: http://makinghome.blogspot.com/.  I thought it would be fun :)  If you've enjoyed it, do it yourself, and let me know I'd love to read it!  Here's the deal - everything you've done Bold, anything you haven't done, leave normal :)  Enjoy!!

1. Started your own blog


2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii (soooooo want to go oneday!)

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo (karaokecounts right? Buffalo's anyone?? :))

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child (Maybe...)

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train (

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort 

25. Held a lamb (does it count if it's dead and I'm about to cook it?)

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (not a gondola - but the water taxi's, still kicking myself for not getting a gondola)

29 Seen a total eclipse (anyone else breaking out in song at this one?)

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run (when I married Alan, that was a homerun for sure!)

32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (I finally learned, that money will never give me the satisfaction that Christ will!)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41 Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on the beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris(I'm going to half bold this one, the top was closed so we could only go up half way :( )

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60 Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67 Bounced a check - oops

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt (Hopefully, one day...)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book (Maybe one day...)

81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous (Marky Mark, next to the Eifel Tower in Paris!!) 

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

That was fun!  Now it's your turn!! :)