Missionaries Round Two...

 Just over three years ago my brother and sister went into the MTC within a month of each other. So our family had two missionaries out at the same time. 

Last month, my twin brothers left on their missions as well. They left four days before Christmas, but we are so happy those chose to serve a mission.

Paul went to serve in Phoenix, Arizona.

Adam went to serve in Fresno, California. 

I have started a blog for these two (that I have yet to post anything to), so check back soon to see their letters and pictures!

 

Getting their missionary haircuts by our cute mom.

 

 

After breakfast before going to the MTC. 

 

 Elder Adam Wilson & Elder Paul Wilson

   Hugs before saying goodbye for two whole years!

 

Isn't my mom the cutest thing ever?

Entering the MTC

Awkward & Awesome Thursday...

I have been busy. Sorry. Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. Wait. No...I was busy with life, my kids, my husband, my family. They always come first. 

My boys relaxing in the sun.

We stopped on our walk to play soccer with the neighbor kid for a few minutes.

Hopefully with these pictures of a rare, sunny, warm day we had this month it will inspire Mother Nature to pull back on this rain and let the sun shine. 

Red Top: Forever 21 ($5). Belt: Thrifted, DI ($1). Jeans: American Eagle ($15ish). Shoes: Target ($9). 

Awkward

- A runny nose during a soccer game.

- Trying to change my entire outfit into clothes for soccer game in the car, while still staying buckled

-  Trying to put a diaper on Chubbs when he insists on rolling over. And he is one strong little sucker

Awesome

- Munchkin being so independent and learning so many new things

- Me reading the Book of Mormon stories to Munchkin and him not wanting to, but then after the first story making me read at least six more stories

- Getting to go to Ohio oh-so-soon

- Playing Dance Central on Kinect while wearing big chains and sideways hats

Baby Boy...

Chubbs after eating Prunes

Today I cried at work. 

I swiftly went to the bathroom so I could collect myself. Luckily I was the only one in there so I let out some sobs and then just gave myself some time to settle down. 

I read blogs out of boredom and curiosity mostly. 

And lately I have been thinking about death. I know it sounds morbid, but it is inevitable. Munchkin and I were talking about it, mostly in terms of the Resurrection, but I kept thinking about it long after I kissed him goodbye at preschool. 

I know I'm going to die and that my children will too. But I truly hope that I don't have to see them die and that I am a ripe old woman when I go. I read a blog post a while ago (and have searched everywhere trying to find it again) about a woman who would take pictures of herself with her children once a month. She didn't care how she looked or what she was wearing. She made the point that when she looked back at pictures herself and her mother, she didn't care what she was wearing, or how her hair looked, just that she had a picture of them together. She had a tangible object that held memories and emotions of her and her mother. 

I want to be able to do that for my children. I told Hubster that I wanted him to take more pictures of me with my boys, and I try to do the same for him. I want my kids to see the love we have for them and sometimes a photograph can do that. 

My tears came after reading about this woman.

Natalie Norton. 

I have not the slightest clue who she is, except that she is an amazing woman and excellent photographer. I found her blog today through a friend on facebook today and immediately was taken in through her trial of losing her son.

I literally wept as I read the tragedy of his short, three month life and couldn't help but think of my Chubbs. What if I lost him now? What if when I said goodbye for the day, it turned into a goodbye for our lives. What if that was him?  The moisture keeps creeping in my eyes as I write. 
That could have happened to me. It still could. I could lose my children. How could I move on after that? What meaning would my life lose? Or guiltily gain? 

I read her blog, but not of all of it because it made me cry and I wasn't strong enough to get through it all. I felt her words so deep, and her pictures made my heart ache for such a loss. 

I admire her honesty, and her faith and her work.

So Natalie Norton, stranger who touched my heart, I thank you for your story. For your vulnerability and honesty. 

You will be in my prayers tonight. You and Baby Gavin. 



Cried again after this. 

Awkward & Awesome Thursday...or Friday...

I'm a day late...yada, yada. Go ahead and get after me. I have been swamped at work and when I'm home with the kiddos they have my full attention. So, I'm sorry, but not really.

Awkward and AwesomeMunckin put these on Chubbs head and didn't say anything, when we came back in the room Hubster and I about died laughing. It's nice to have those good-hard-belly-shakin' laughs every now and then.

Awkward

- Looking for where I parked my car while a good portion of the university's football team is walking through the same same lot. 

- Having some of them men I work with stare at me trying to figure out what is different about me.

- Trying to keep a straight face (and not pee my pants in terror) as a guy comes into my office with hair and facial hair past his shoulders, draped in a blue cloak, with his hands hidden underneath telling me he wants to complain about an advertisement.
- Going to sleep the same time as Hubster, then in the morning telling me there is a plate of brownies on the counter that were not there when we went to bed
- Knowing certain event have occurred thanks to facebook and blogs

Awesome

- Being a new aunt! Congrats to my sis-in-law on her baby girl!

- Having the kiddos come visit me at work
- My amazing bro & sis babysitting for me super last minute.
- The snow again. Well, not really, but it's not awkward, so I had to through it in somewhere.
- Pandora
- This article in the Huffington Post

it's been a while crocodile..

So sorry I haven't posted in a few days. This past weekend was busy. 
I was mostly absorbed watching General Conference.  And let me tell you, it was awesome. But then again, it's always awesome. Getting to hear from a Prophet and Apostles in our day is such an amazing blessing.

Monday I had a migraine...nasty things those migraines. So, I was pretty much m.i.a.  Thanks to my sweet sister who came and babysat for me so I could sleep for a bit, and then changed Chubbs after he blew out of his diaper, and later whooped me in a game of Toy Story memory. Ok, so not the last one, because I hate to lose, but a for sure thanks on the rest.

And the weather was nice for about 1.587606 hours on Saturday so we went outside.

Big boy Chubbs can sit up all on his own now and does so very well.






Jacket: Thrifted, DI ($6). Striped Top: Gap ($9). Necklace: The Limited ($9). Jeans: Express ($25). Belt: Borrowed from Hubster ($0). Shoes: Guess, Ross ($16).



And the munchkin and I having fun. We love our kids so much...especially squishing their faces...


and throwing them in the air.

One Fine Day...

Saturday was a good day.

There was nothing significant about this day, but it was a good day. Hubster woke up before the sun and went into work.  I don't like him working on Saturdays, and he knows it, but he had to.  He woke me as he does every morning with a sweet smack on the lips tangled with a "goodbye babe" and a "love ya". 

I turn over to his side of the bed and curl up as the cold from the sheets tickles my body and I give a little shudder. I lay there listening to Chubbs over the monitor. His sweet breaths and tiny sighs make my lips give a teensy smile. I keep my eyes closed and drift back into a light sleep because I know Chubbs is going to be waking up soon. 

What seems like seconds later Chubbs is gooing and quietly exercising his increasing voicebox volume. I grope around for my glasses, slip them on and throw my hair in a pony tail that flounces on the very tip top of my head. I'm grateful I cleaned out the bottles the night before as I turn on the cool water and let it trickle over my fingers as I wait for it to get warm.  

Chubbs is wide awake with his fat dimpled hands clingy to his feet. A new toy he has just discovered. We go back to my bed and after he eats he lets out a hearty belch and we fall asleep for a little while longer.

We get up, get ready and I contemplate what stores I have to go to and which ones I want to go to. Then Hubster gets home and I am thrilled because he gets to come with me all day, and lug our chubby little man around while I scurry around shopping. 

Hubster and I flirt. We joke. He makes me smile. He tells me I am all sorts of wonderful and wraps me in his strong, comforting arms and reassures me everything will be ok. Have faith. 

We get back to our home and unload our goodies and necessities we bought throughout the day. Chubbs is wide awake and has his open mouthed smile plastered on his face. Our little family (minus a very important Munchkin), soaked in each others presence and just relaxed. 

It was one fine day. A good day, where our cares were hung out to dry for little while and we just lived in the moment. I need more days like this.

Day 30...

A photograph of yourself today & three good things that have happened in the past.

I look like crap today because it's been a hard week to put it lightly. You really don't want to see what I look like...trust me.

I try to not be cliche when I write, but I get lazy and it happens. 

So..."when it rains, it pours". And that is how it has been. 

I hope to see some sunshine soon.

Three good things that have happened in the past:

I think I need to focus on today. Put on my PollyAnna hat and focus out what has been good about this day. 

1. I woke up to a smiling toothless little boy who is obsessed with grabbing his feet

2. I have warm feet (thank you uggs)

3. I have an amazing husband to get me through

Day 27...

A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?

Last March...

 

This March. Although I am pretty sure the picture above it from Valentines Day, but eh, close enough. I realized also that I don't have very many pictures of myself because I am normally behind the camera. Guess I should work on that one. 

This loverly picture I took with an old film camera my madre gave me. I haven't used it that much the last few years, but after seeing this baby (haha. get it), I might become a little more familiar with it. 

How have I changed over the past year? 
I will answer your question with a question (...where is this from? ten stanley nickels for whoever gets it right)
How haven't I changed over the past year?


I went through pregnancy for the first time in my life..and it was amazing is countless ways.
I had a baby. Wow. The magnitude of this cannot be realized until you have gone through this yourself (sorry guys, you miss out on one unbelievable experience) 
Started working full-time
Became more emotional about everything...thank you hormones
I have grown up. Learned more. 
Had a handful of experiences, some good, some bad and some I wish never happened. 


I truly have to practice the teaching of " But behold I say unto you, love your ^aenemies, bless them that curse you, do ^bgood to them that hate you, and ^cpray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;"
 And it. is. hard.

Magical Moment...

Today Hubster got up, changed Chubbs, made his bottle (yes, he is so great) and then I fed him while he got ready for work.

After I feed him, he normally lays there for a while and we look at each other. I wonder what those big eyes are seeing. What is going on inside that cute little noggin' of his? I look at him and wonder if I could possibly love him anymore. Those tiny eyelashes, soft skin and tiny features make me yearn for time to slow down.

Then he falls asleep while we are cuddling and I breath him in. He is so perfect. Straight from heaven. A gift I do not deserve. Then fear and my lack of faith sets in. What if I lose him? What if this is the last time I will kiss those plump cheeks of his? There is no way I could be this lucky to have him for years on end. I am not that fortunate, nor that deserving.

I cry. Pleading with my Father in Heaven to let me have this perfect gift, this little bit of light in my life for a long time. I don't want to be a sad story. I don't want to be the one they flash on the news of some tragedy that happened to some girl in some place and you are grateful it didn't happen to you.

Then I lay him down next to me in bed so I can watch him. There is something utterly fascinating about watching your child sleep. Even slightly magical. I look at my child and think 'he is perfect'.

I lay there knowing I have to get up, get ready and go to work again. I have to say goodbye to this perfect little life. I hear my alarm beeping at me, warning me I'm going to be late if I don't hurry. I despise that sound and those little beeps telling me I have to leave.

Those moments are special. The moments when everything is quiet and I can hear those tiny inhales and exhales from my baby. Then if I am lucky, he wakes up and looks at me. As soon as our eyes meet smiles grace our faces. Our bond is solidified all over again. These moments are some of what make being a mother the most amazing experience in the world.

Day 17...

A photo of you and your family.

Muchkin, Hubster, Chubbs and Me the day Chubbs was born.

Us a few months later

My immediate family came to visit, and guess who didn't think to get a picture of the entire family (my little fam, my parents and siblings, who haven't all been together since the day my little bro went on a mission)...yeah. me. it was too late by the time I thought about it and we couldn't get everyone together on like we hoped.
So, here is almost all of us around Christmas time.

My brothers, sister and me.

Growth Hormone

Thought I would deviate from the 30 day thing for a minute...

I have twin brothers...
They were born Dec. 1, 1992, but were not supposed to be born until Feb. 12, 1993. Yeah...wow. That is a whopping 11 weeks early. eleven.
Needless to say it was a super scary time for my parents. I was eight at the time and didn't understand the severity of it. Since having a child and carrying him the full 40 weeks (plus one more week, yup 41 weeks), I can't even imagine having him at 29 weeks. Terrifying.

But it happened. And they both survived. They were 3 pounds each at birth which was huge for twins at their stage of development.

Fast forward 8 years...we are living in Ohio and the twins are smaller than everyone their age. everyone. They were growing about a half an inch a year when they should have been growing 2 inches.

Short version: they had lots of testing and it was determined they were not producing enough growth hormone. They received shots of growth hormone (that is another long, costly, yet amazing story in itself) and eventually caught up with their friends.

They had shots 6 days a week for 9 years. yep, lots of shots. About 2,817+ shots..each. Ugh. Poor kids.

Well, last week they went to their doctor visit and NO MORE SHOTS!!! Yeah.
I am so happy for them. They are just using up the last of the medicine and then it's over.
So great.

If they never had growth hormone, best case scenario they would have be 5'3"...my height. short. With the growth hormone they projected and best case scenario was 5' 9"...average.

Their current height? 5' 11.5" and 5' 11" ! Bow chick-wow-wow. Congrats boys.