Is Anyone out there?

I am not really doing this blog to get more and more people to read it, but it would be nice to sometimes know that it is being read. I get people that tell me all the time, "well, I read on your blog . . " It is not a lot of work to keep this up, and I would probably still do it if no one was reading but sometimes just a "thank you for the recent pictures" or "they are growing so fast," would be nice. If you want to correct my spelling or grammar that would be fine too, although you may have to remind me that I asked for that. It is really simple to do, all that you have to do is click on comments and then type what you want to say and you can click on anonymous if you don't have a sign in (but be sure to leave your name in the comments). This goes for you too, Grandparents. It would just be nice to get some feedback. You don't have to comment every time you read but once in a while would be nice.

Okay, enough of that, I will stop criticizing my readers because I do appreciate you reading.

There is not much going on here. We are getting ready for Grandma Greene to come this weekend. I have been taking some time for myself which means doing things that I think are fun around the house. Like sewing, painting and decorating. so I will post some of my recent projects.

This is some of the Uppercase Living lettering that I got at my party. The "Faith, Hope and Love" is on what I call our dust catcher. The "One day at a time", is a phrase that I had to have because it was something we said a lot with Mom's illness. I hope to paint that hutch black soon. I made the curtains a couple of months ago for the sliding doors. The pillow was something I did while messing around with some cloth napkins and my sewing machine. I made another one just like it (I had 4 napkins) and I made the pillow behind the embroidered pillow a couple of months ago. I have one more thing that is not quite finished. Andrew finished it last night and the paint has to dry really well before I put the lettering on. It is nice to have the boys taking decent naps and I can't clean all the time! I still have not taken pictures of the back yard yet because we are not finished and it is so stinkin' hot here-105 degrees today! So, hopefully soon we will finish and get some pictures taken!

I will close with a picture of Drew and then one of both of the boys. Drew loves to climb. Of course he had to take everything out before he could get in. They tend to do this a lot lately. We are ready for the phase that Jett and Bray are going through when they like to clean.

Anxious!

Our church has been doing a series on anxiety. I don't know why I have felt so anxious since we have moved here. I know it is something that is a true temptation for me. Last Sunday pastor Dave pointed out that the Bible specifically says, "BE ANXIOUS ABOUT NOTHING". That is pretty clear on top of being a command. What he also pointed out was that anxiety and worry is a lack of faith. Jesus says a couple of times in the Bible, "O you of little faith." The times he said that was because the people he was talking to were showing their lack of faith by worrying and not trusting in Jesus. Peter walking on the water, when the disciples thought they had nothing to eat, and the disciples again during the storm while Jesus was asleep on the boat. All of those times were examples of not trusting in Him to take care of their basic needs. Everyone knows the verse about not worrying because he even cares for the birds and the grass. He even knows the number of hairs on our head. He is going to take care of our bodies and our minds. I have never really worried about my body as much as I have started being worried about the boys'. I have worried about their bodies and minds. Are they getting enough sleep, tummy time, nutrition? (the list goes on) Sunday was a great reminder that God created them and I need not worry, He is going to take care of them. That does not mean I am going to let them fend for themselves right now, but he has entrusted me to do what I think is best for them. Worrying is not going to help any of us. In fact, me worrying is not a good example to them or for them. I took this picture because I thought it was cute but then I started wondering if I am projecting my anxiousness on them?

Anyway, I think truly they just liked the light in the oven. The same verse that talks about being anxious about nothing also says-GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING. So, I want to give thanks for these beautiful boys and the chocolate chip cookies we enjoyed. Also, for an oven that does not get hot on the outside while it is baking.

I wanted to post a picture of our back yard which is being worked on even at this moment, but I will wait until it is finished. There I go again being anxious. So, you will just have to stay tuned to see that.

On a lighter note, I have been pretty serious on that last 2 posts. When I was pregnant those of you who were around me or that I talked to often knew that I could not get enough mac-n-cheese. Sometimes I would have it 3 times a day. I craved the stuff. Andrew thinks that is why Gavin has red hair. Seriously, I could not get enough if I would have been swimming in it. Well, I wondered if the boys would have a strong like or dislike because of all that I ate. Well, it turns out they have a strong LIKE for it. It is their favorite meal. I used to make it with sauteed squash and zucchini when I was spoon feeding them and they would eat so much it would almost make them sick. Well now that they are picking up their own food. . . Well, I think they picture says enough.

I could not decide which picture to use. I especially like the thumbs up in the one, but the cheese in the eyebrows is great in the other one. Now that I have shown 2 pictures of Gavin, let me tell a story about Drew. Drew has been waving for a while now, but it would take some coaxing. Yesterday as we were walking through Costco, Drew started waving at everyone. Most of you have heard me say that the one thing I was not prepared for when I has twins even though I was warned was how it takes longer to get anywhere when you are out in public. People are always asking you questions or wanting to tell you about twins they know. Well, now Drew -I guess has come to like the attention because now he is bringing it on. I don't know how many times I heard, "look, he is waving -oh look there are two. They are so cute!" Apparently, Drew would catch some one's eye and then start waving. I do have to admit, they are cute! I think Drew is going to be like his uncle Greg and be able to talk to a wall or like his Grandpa Garvin and go up to strangers and ask for a bite of what is on their plate. I guess I am just going to have to plan for even more extra time on our outings.

Blessed

I was running this beautiful morning and realized just how blessed I was. I have a wonderful husband who is a terrific father (Happy 2nd Father's Day, Andrew). He provides so much for our family and especially for me. He is my rock!
Then I came home and the boys were up early and the kitchen was a mess and I was just feeling overwhelmed and said okay God, I guess Satan is trying to tempt me into having a bad day and calling Andrew and complaining. So we are going to have to get through this together because I know I can't do it alone. Then, I got online while the boys were eating their breakfast and read a wonderful email from a counselor from the school I used to teach at who also has twin boys. Her boys are 16 now and I started thinking ahead and started getting overwhelmed again.
Then I started reading through my usual blogs. I don't think I have mentioned it but a college friend of mine, Beth, noted a blog on her blog about a family who really needed some prayer. You can read up on them on his blog, but a long story short. The wife of the man who writes the blog has cystic fibrosis. She has really been struggling after the premature birth of their daughter and then she (the mom) had a double lung transplant. Well, if that is not enough, she has just been diagnosed with post transplant lymphoma. Yes, cancer after all that they have been through. It is amazing after all this they are still praising the Lord. They are truly inspiring when it comes to their faith. Then, I realized how shallow I was thinking about how awful it was that my kitchen was a mess and the boys were up early! I am so blessed that they are here and they are "safe and sound." Nathan's re-post of a video clip he did makes me cry every time I watch it. (Listen to me talk like I know him, all I know is that he is a brother in Christ).

http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/

It was posted for Father's day so it was a couple of posts ago.

I realized by listening to the words how blessed we are to be children of God where we are also safe and sound. I hope I can live up to being the kind of parent that God would want me to be and to keep my children safe and sound. I also know that I can not do it with out Him. Anyway, I know that was kind of all over the place and I hope that it kind of made sense. I just feel led to share their amazing story and what I am learning from it. I hope you will also gain something from their story as I have and also keep them in your prayers.

Birthday Party Take Two

Get it? Their second party and there are two of them? Okay, so I am stretching a bit. We had a birthday party at our house for friends, neighbors, and some of Andrew's co-workers. Gavin was a pro. He ate the cake like he has been doing it his whole one year. Drew decided he didn't need his hands he would just avoid the middle man and just eat the cake. They had a great time and so did we.

Sunday we went to a local park and took some shots of the boys. They were loving the sunshine and all the attention they were getting because they were so cute. This is a sneak peak of some of the pictures we took. They got the sunglasses from our JC neighbors Mark and Linda. Gavin loves his. He wore them all the way home. He knows he looks good.

This last shot is a picture I took of Drew the other day. He has become quite the climber. The other day I heard some shrieking and I was in their room with Gavin and Drew escaped to the bathroom. He was scared to death because he had climbed up on the stool I use to sit on when they take a bath and could not figure out how to get down. I know this is just the beginning. They also enjoy climbing on the hippo that Aunt Darce and Uncle Darin got Gavin for Christmas. Except the hippo is supposed to pick up blocks when you push it and so they keep getting their feet and legs caught and can't figure out how to get out. I would take a picture but they freak out when they can't get out. Well, I guess I am done because Gavin is pushing the Hippo away from Drew and he is in hot pursuit fussing all the way. I just read that they don't know how to share yet and that is truly the case. They do know how to take things from each other and will get frustrated and try to bite! I know it has only just begun!

Happy Birthday, boys!

The boys had a great first birthday! We started off the day by seeing their photo on the news. Here is the link.

http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=4706062&nav=menu484_11_5

I think you may have to click on Wednesday, June 4th birthdays.

Since we have moved to WA, Andrew has had this fascination with the birthdays played daily on the local news. He watches everyday. So we sent the boys' picture in. We almost forgot and he came running down the stairs and said "birthdays!".

We then had a party and baby dedication with our small group. We were gone when the church had their baby dedication service so our group prayed for us as parents and our boys. The boys enjoyed their carrot cake cupcake. I thought Drew would be the one to chow down but it was Gavin. He ate the whole thing. He loved it! Drew held his own on the cake eating though too as you can see.

After cake, they boys crashed. Too much sugar and too much birthday!

Happy Birthday, Linda! Can you believe it has been a year?

On and interesting side note, some friends of ours had a baby boy on the boys' birthday. I was supposed to be in their wedding a year ago but it was on the boys' due date and in IN so travel was not feasible. They named him Gavin and he was same weight as our Gavin. He was a 1/2 in taller but his parents are much taller than Andrew and I. Welcome Gavin Douglas Maiden!

What a month!

We are finally back home! We have had quite an adventure the last couple of weeks. Andrew and I completed our mini marathon and had a great time doing it. You can see Darce and Natalie's blogs to get more details and pictures. It actually felt better than I thought it would. There is another thing we can cross off of our list. I also saw a friend I used to teach with so it was nice to catch up with her. She and her husband also ran the mini.

We did a lot of playing with cousins. We were there for cousin Jett's 3rd birthday and cousin Adie's first birthday. I had lunch with a high school friend. We saw our mom and dad's best friends aka "the gang". We had a campfire with my mom's family at my cousin's house. My college friend Sue even drove over from Ohio and spent the night with us. In other words, the boys got to meet and see a lot of people who helped make me the person that I am and have been very influential in my life. It was nice to just spend time with family even though it was stressful at times. Between the stitches, my kids having a biting problem, and some fevers here and there it was a very wonderful trip. We made it back in one piece and now we are trying to settle down.

We made our first trip to the emergency room yesterday. The boys had not been themselves since we had gotten back and both had a case of diarrhea. Well, yesterday when Gavin woke up from his nap he could not hold his head up. It scared me to death. He had a fever the night before so I was panicked. At the ER we found out he had an ear infection and bronchiolitis. Now Drew has been running a fever so we are going to take him to the Dr. this afternoon. Between the time difference and being sick, I have not had a full nights sleep in like 2 months. I realized how spoiled I was before. They are also cutting two teeth each so they have been pretty cranky. They did sleep in until 8 this morning so I got to sleep in too.

We had a really nice visit with Aunt Michelle and cousin Katherine. It was very nice to have an extra set of hands for the week and catch up with them. Drew learned to sign more this week so he has been very entertaining with that. They both have found a love for climbing the stairs so it was nice to have someone else be able to follow them up. We miss them already. Andrew, Katherine, and Michelle went for a day hike a couple of hours a way where they took this picture.

We are now gearing up and trying to get everyone well for their birthday parties this week. We had hoped they would take their first steps before then but I think we are going to have to wait a while for that. They are crawling fast enough to get into enough trouble. Speaking of trouble, they are sleeping so I better get some things done. I hope to post later this week for their birthday!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Greene! We love you!