What? It's almost Fall??

I realize that this post is going to be obnoixously long and more full of pictures than any post I've ever seen, but, since I've had a baby book for Molly for 5 years and have never even written her name in it, I feel a burning need to document these quickly passing days and months SOMEWHERE :).

In December, Aunt Lori, Uncle Marlin and Ian and Taylor came to visit...and, we visited the ever greasy, totally yummy Varsity :)

Back in January, it looked like this outside:

And, this inside...

And, we took Molly to her first movie (Frozen, of course :))

Molly even got to go to a UGA mini-cheer camp (we are raising them right - GO DAWGS!):

In February, my Moo Moo turned 4:

In March, we went to Orange Beach to visit Marlin and Lori and the boys again :)

We also took Molly and Brooke to their first Gym Dawgs meet:

April was super busy with end of the year school parties and Easter and even some yard work...

May was super fun...the school year ended and we went to St. Augustine (for two weeks of wonderful!) with a quick day trip to Sea World...Oh, and we both got new cars!


In June we went to the beach again for a quick weekend trip and added this sweet boy to our family...

We spent a ton of time at our neighborhood pool during the Summer and enjoyed fireworks the Fourth of July compliments of our fun neighbor...and we went to see Disney Junior Live!  We love our neighborhood friends and hanging out in Dad's hammock...

August may have been our busiest month yet.  Molly started Pre-Kindergarten (be still my heart), the babies started 2 year old pre-school, both of the girls started Ballet, all three started gymnastics (no pictures because I have to participate with the twins...it's a hysterical disaster), went to UGA picture Day for our tradition of visiting Uga with Poppy Bear, rang the Chapel Bell on a random Sunday afternoon, went fishing at the lake, drove our Tractor, visited the Dentist, played dress up, decided to NOT share rooms any more (Molly moved back to her old room) and more.

A little yoga while we waited :)

All in all, the summer, let's be honest - this whole year, has been fabulous....and completely exhausting!!

Lately...

Lately, we have been running around crazy like normal.  And, like normal, the blog is always the lowest on the list.  We've had lots of fun, though!  We went to the beach in March for a quick visit to see our Uncle Marlin and Aunt Lori.  We celebrated Miss Molly Moo turning FOUR (HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??) in February, which still needs documenting.  We took Molly and Brooke to their first Gym Dawgs meet (we stayed the WHOLE TIME!!).  We stay busy in these parts of our tiny little world.

One major change we've made is that everyone decided to give up their cribs (read: Marlin and Madeline learned how to jump out of their cribs and quietly make their way downstairs at 4AM and scare us to death). Molly had been in a toddler bed for almost a year and the twins just weren't adjusting as quickly or as well as we'd hoped to the toddler beds...so, we decided to make the leap.

What?  This isn't what a successful nap at your house looks like??

Three twin beds.  Molly had been saying for a while that she wanted to sleep in their room and Madeline and Marlin were quickly on board with that plan.  At least, that's how I see it.  Rob probably sees it more like how the two embryo situation went down a few years ago in Dr. Kort's office, but, that story is for another day :).  Anyway, the decision was made, the beds were ordered, bedding was purchased.  Pretty sure that essentially everyone agreed that we had officially lost our minds this time (except Momma), but, the beds arrived and we lined them up in the bonus room and set out on a new and fun journey.

The first night went surprisingly well.  And, to be honest, we haven't had too many just terrible nights where we both were up in the middle of the night or up all night or whatever.  One night, Rob was out of town and Mom and I thought they were about asleep...we went downstairs and were sewing some pillows for my sister (she has new outdoor pillows and I still haven't made my own!).  I heard something at 10:30...oops.  Marlin was still awake, top light on, partying...girls were both totally OUT.  He was crying at the door because he had a yucky diaper.  Up until then, the boy had just been playing while the girls slept.  Another night, Molly woke up and Rob brought her downstairs.  She climbs in bed with us and still crying, tells me she has to potty and that's why she's crying.  Uhh...ever thought of just going to the bathroom??  HA!  Some nights are easier than others, just like everything in life.  The biggest pro to them sharing, for me, is that we have ONE bedtime routine.  No more juggling timing of when everyone goes down or feeling guilty for always putting Moo to bed and Rob putting the twins down, none of that mess.

Tonight was one of those nights where I was about to lose my mind...the babies were both SO TIRED and Molly would NOT SHUT IT.  Seriously, it was like she drank a cappuccino at 7:00.  She was dancing and showing me all of the "things she did today at gym" (not even sure they had gym today at school???).  Rob and I were just looking at each other like "What the hell has gotten into this kid??".  I am telling you - serious burst of un-ending energy.  I take them upstairs and we get everyone in bed.  The babies were so tired and immediately settled down.  I sang to them and we said our prayers and I told Molly I'd come back and check on them in 5 minutes.  Come on, you know you lie to your kids, too.  I get downstairs and we laugh at the amount of energy we just saw.  And, then we hear it.  Molly is talking..."Mar.  Mad.  Are you awake?  Look at me.  Turn your face to me."  Marlin obviously sits up and looks.  Madeline never even moved.  "Ok, I'm going to read you a story.  Keep your face to me....On the first day he ate through one apple and was still hungry."  (She's "reading" him Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar").  Marlin lays back down and Moo continues the story.  Seriously, nothing could have made me smile more or make my heart happier.  These are the sweetest moments.

These are the moments that make it worth it.  The night times that seemingly never end, and eventually do with something so sweet you think you might just completely melt.  The morning time giggles before they call for us.  I pray that they remember these times( like I remember sharing a room with Mandie) and are thankful for it.

In the midst of some really awful things happening in this world, my problems are quite small.  And, for that, I'm so thankful.  I pray my problems are always as small as someone not wanting to go to bed on time and of role changes at work that always cause me anxiety, but end up fine.  I pray for my friend who lost friends this weekend and got opposite news today than she wanted.  I pray for my friends who are going through situations I can't imagine.  I pray for this world who seems to be losing sight of our God and losing sight of morals.  I'm so very, very thankful that my three children are here...and healthy...and happy.  I pray that one day they can read this silly little blog and know how much they are loved.

Mickey and Minnie and my babies 2nd birthday!

Better late than never....

We had a Mickey and Minnie Mouse birthday party for our little babies the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  We had a 2nd birthday party in December and had AWESOME weather for the SECOND year in a row!  I think God likes smiling on these two.

The day was filled with great family, good friends and decent food :).  For once, I had enough food at a birthday party for our kids.  Molly's first birthday, my sweet friend and then neighbor, Jennifer, spent the entire party making more sandwiches.  Her second birthday was similar in fate, and her third was maybe a bit better...and the babies first birthday Rob was somewhat annoyed with me that he didn't get anything to eat.  Hey, gotta get it while the gettin's good, right?  Maybe I'm learning how to determine how much food to have...it helps to keep a list of who is actually coming :).  Who says you can't teach a old dog girl new tricks??

Anyway, for my memories sake, here are pictures galore.  I love you Marlin and Madeline.  I absolutely cannot imagine this crazy life without you two.  Live out loud, babies.  Dance like no one is watching.  Never be afraid to fail...reach for the stars...Daddy and I love you and will always be here for you.

Happy 2014!!

Holy smokes, it's FEBRUARY 2014.  (I actually started this post in January).  Do you remember Y2K?  Seems so long ago...and just like yesterday!  We've been super busy with birthdays and the holidays.  I lost my camera at the Christmas tree farm for two weeks and when I finally found it there were over 500 pictures that needed downloading.  I am soooo sooo grateful for the honest person who turned it in and for the honest people that held if for me until I called to see if they had it!!  The pictures I thought I lost were of the babies 2nd birthday party, their actual birthday-day at school, Molly's Christmas show at school and the Christmas tree farm (which is now our tradition since this was year 2!).  Can't begin to express how grateful I was when I called them and they had it.  So, yeah, my babies are two.  And talking in sentences.  And running.  And being toddlers.  And talking about using the potty.  And started sleeping in toddler beds last Monday (1/27/14).  I can't hardly remember our family before diapers.  It's crazy.  Time passes us by so quickly.  I used to think that was so cliche until I had kids and could literally SEE them growing right before my eyes.

I don't know how to write a post without bullets...honestly, I don't think I even speak or think in anything other than bullets...

• Molly will be 4 next week.  She's such a grown little person lately and still such a baby at the same time.  I signed her up for Pre-K today.  Wow...if the milestones want to slow down, I'm good with that.
• Christmas this year was a tiny bit over the top.  Every year since we've had the honor of helping Santa, I always get to Christmas Eve and look at Rob and we lament that I didn't get enough.  This year, we held several gifts back and have enough for Valentine's Day and Easter, too.  OOPs.  
• American Express loved me in December.  (See above)
• Thank goodness we were quickly back to the budget in January...
• Best gift from Santa....the roller coaster.  I totally thought it would be an ER trip in the making, but, have decided otherwise since we've had it.  It's not nearly as crazy as I'd imagined...but, it is as big of a hit with them as I'd imagined.  
• However, we no longer have a dining room...but who needs one anyway, right?
• I'm so incredibly thankful for this crazy life, even though I bitch constantly about my lack of sleep.  Who knew that you'd figure out how selfish you are once you had kids?  Man, I do love to sleep.  Any tips on becoming a morning person when you are a TOTAL night owl are appreciated.
• I have a new found love of yoga.  Hopefully, by spring, my stomach will reflect this in my (one-piece) bathing suit.  
• New Molly words - Flesto star= disco ball, wash car = car wash.  Love.
• Does anyone get as excited as I do to complete their taxes?  Seriously...I love it.
• I'm so lucky to have my Momma.  She does things that I would never think to do for someone.  For example, we needed swim diapers and she got online within hours of our need, ordered, and had them to me within the week in time for our second swim lesson.  (Thankful for awesome neighbors who got us through the first lesson).  She also brought me time release vitamin C today for my teeth and gums - her dentist recommended this and has seen an improvement...my dentist didn't offer that suggestion, but, did say that the ol' mouth is not looking so awesome lately.  It's just so nice that someone thinks of me often enough and wants to help me...when she knows that I'd have time release vitamin C on my shopping list for months and keep complaining about my bleeding gums.  She's amazing...and selfless...and I'm lucky.  It's the little things in life that really do make a difference.
• Sidda has a suspicious tumor on her leg and is having surgery on Valentine's Day.  To say that I'm scared would be an understatement.  As much as I complain about our furry friends, I can't imagine life without them.  We've had Sid since the summer we were engaged.  She's really one of my best friends.  
• Buffett is still super crazy, but I love him, too.  I'd be just as scared about surgery for him...even though it's him that I bitch about the most!  Ha.  
• So, the babies...TODDLER BEDS.  What a disaster.  They started climbing out of their cribs all.the.time.  Mad-Mad (as she calls herself) came down the stairs two nights in a row and then patiently called for me to come get her.  Holy hell, I almost had a heart attack.  Then, one Sunday, Rob was in the basement, came upstairs thinking they were still asleep...nope.  Sitting in the chair together playing the iPad.  He didn't even see them and heard them start giggling.  Clearly, we had to bite the bullet.  Molly was in her CRIB until after her third birthday.  She's still in a toddler bed.  I can't even take it that the twins are in toddler beds...and nap times are just ridiculous, if they even happen.  It pretty much goes like this - 
• Take them upstairs, tuck them in their bed.
• Very sternly tell them NOT TO GET OUT OF BED to GO TO SLEEP.
• Run downstairs and grab the monitor to watch the dance party that ensues.
• Go back upstairs after a few minutes of this insanity, repeat steps 1 - 3.
• Pray they will go to sleep.
• Pray some more.  
• Give up after 2 hours when they are still playing, albeit quietly, and go release the hounds.
• Or, on days where you are really lucky - enjoy the nap time and the much smoother evening that follows.
• Today, they refused nap and Marlin literally passed out in Mom's lap about 4:00.  Literally.  Like, she couldn't get him to wake up.  The kid was beat.  
• This nap time ridiculousness has helped with the crazy early mornings, though.  Mar-Mar (as he calls himself) will now typically sleep until 7.  Much more acceptable to his Momma, who does not function well before 8.  
• It's awesome that they are my 2nd and 3rd children, because if this had happened with Molly, I'd have laid down and just died.  I would have lost so much sleep over it.  You definitely parent different after the first.  It's so funny to watch them and infuriating at the same time. 
• What am I going to do next year when Molly  has to be at school by 8??  Yikes.  Again, becoming a morning person advice is appreciated :)
• On Christmas Eve a high school friend's husband lost his battle with Melanoma.  He deserves more than a bullet on my blog, but I haven't yet found the right words.  Until then, hug your babies tight.  Life is precious and it could be gone in the blink of an eye.  And, please pray for my friend Rachel and their 2 young children (4 years and 3 years) as they face a very difficult path ahead of them.  

I really want to post pictures from the birthdays and holidays, but, I couldn't go to sleep tonight without at least getting down some of my thoughts as of late.  I'm writing it down now to hold myself accountable - my (February) New Year's Resolution - keep my blog up to date because one day these babies will be too busy for their tired old momma and our memories will be more special than I could possibly realize now.