10 minute Tuesday

So much is going on these days and yet so little.  I literally only have about 10 minutes so I want to get it down.

• My iPhone did something weird and wouldn't sync today, so I had to restore it.  That also meant that I had to delete a bunch of photos and videos so I had enough storage on my phone (only after uploading them to the trusty Mac, though!).  I couldn't resist and spent about 20 minutes looking through pictures and videos.  I can't believe what a baby Molly was when I got pregnant with the twins.  I thought she was so grown.  I'm glad that it's not too late for me to appreciate how little they are - all of them.
• Molly still has her paci - only at night - and people might judge...and I'm sure have their own opinions about it.  Whatever.  The DR said as long as we get rid of it by the time she turns 4 that there should be no permanent damage to her teeth.  Its not like she's going to take it to college.  I sucked my thumb until I was in first grade.  I'm letting this one go.
• Molly has discovered music and singing along.  Be still my heart.  It is so sweet.  Especially since her favorite song is James Taylor's "Go tell it on the mountain".  My Dad rode to school with us on Monday and totally cried when she was singing it.  He's a marsh-mellow, but it really is that sweet, too.  Her 2nd favorite (today) is Madonna's "Material Girl".  We are going old school here!
• Madeline continues to be my little bully.  Dang that girl has some strong opinions.
• My poor Marney...one day he's gonna stand up to those sisters of his.
• Oh how we love being outside.  It is so wonderful to have children that love the outdoors...except when it's raining or cold and crazy windy.  My favorite is playing outside with those sweet babies of ours.
• Sometimes I wish you could have an anonymous status update on Facebook   Today, mine *might* be - "If your stomach sticks out further than your boobs...you might need a boob job...or tummy tuck...or both."
• Sometimes I wish my blog was a secret so that I could say things that I would otherwise not say.  In another life I had a blog that only a few people knew about.  It was refreshing to network in that anonymous blog world and have people encourage, offer advice, offer ass-vice, etc. 
• I cannot spell anonymous.  Thank goodness for spell check.
• Relationships are hard.  Marriage can be hard.  Life isn't supposed to be easy.  I get it.  But, it sure would be nice if life were easy, wouldn't it?
• We have spring pictures on Friday.  I'm so excited.  I haven't had professional pics of Molly in so long.  Believe me, though, we have pictures of her :).  She hasn't gone un-noticed.
• Madeline has like 10 teeth....Marlin has 4.  I'm not kidding.  I wonder if he will ever get teeth?  Although, he's been super cranky the past few days...maybe that's his problem.  
• God I love that boy.  Seriously, never believed people when they said there was something about a boy and his momma.  
• I have a cardinal that has been at my bird feeder outside of my office window for what seems like DAYS.  Basically, everytime I look out there he's hanging out.  He is so pretty and I love him.  God is a wonderful maker.
• I am coaching my kids to marry people from Athens.  They will probably all end up somewhere crazy - three different places - all over the world.  Better start saving for airfare now.  Because when they call and ask me to be there, I'm gonna move heaven and earth if I have to.
• I read a post today about a girl's grandmother and how that grandmother has translated a message from God for this girl.  It was heart-breakingly touching.  I lost my grandmother 20 years ago and my grandfather 21 years ago.  There isn't a day that passes where I don't think of them.  I hope my kids have the same (and MORE) memories of their grandparents that I have (and they are lucky because they have 4).  I also hope that they will one day realize how lucky they are to have them.
• Being a parent is the hardest thing I've ever done.  We don't do everything right, I'm sure, but, we are doing it our way.  It's exhausting and sometimes just downright dirty.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Times up. 

10 minute Tuesday

Wow...I might become a regular here.  Two consecutive Tuesday blogs.  This seems to be the only way I can get a blog posted.  I like it :) At least I'm getting things down that I would likely otherwise forget.

• The babies had their 15 month check up.  That's right.  1.5.  FIFTEEN.  What the?  Where are my babies?  The Pixie weighed in at 20 lbs 14 oz and The Fish weighed in at 22 lbs 9 ozs (I need to double check that!).  I need to double check their height, too...but, they measured that day the same height.  We kind of beg to differ.  Marlin looks so much taller!  I guess the doc knows best :).
• I love our new pediatrician.  As in, I want to drink wine with her and be her friend.  She is awesome.  In fact, the whole practice is awesome.  I love them all.  What is it with me and kind of crushing on my doctors???  (I do have friends that share my love for my OB, so, maybe it isn't just me.  OK - that's what I'm officially going with :)).
• Molly is on spring break this week.  She is going on a play date tomorrow to the Athens Botanical Gardens.  A play date where I won't be...and she will be in the car with her buddy and his momma.  This is a milestone.  And, no, I didn't have my DFACS cousin do a background on the momma...She's legit :).  My baby is growing up so fast. 
• I love it that Molly has friends that she can hang with...my little social butterfly.
• I love it that we are able to afford her the privileges of extra curricular activities.  Yes, she's 3.  No, they aren't necessary   But, she likes it and I'm so happy to oblige her. 
• The Pixie may be small, but she is a Mighty Pixie.  She may or may not need to go to Bully Reform School.  She definitely lives by the Toddler's Creed...and, by gosh, if she wants it...She WILL take it. Poor Marlin.  
• I have a feeling that one day, Marlin will have enough and deck her.  And, what will I do then?  Because...she might just deserve it.  HA!  Kidding...He would be given a high five and then put into time out.  :)
• I hope that my kids are always as close and loving as they are now.  Bullying aside, they really are sweet to each other.  Madeline will hug Molly and Marlin and try to give them kisses.  It's really sweet.  
• That girl is going to pay me back for every.single.thing I ever did.
• Marlin is so chill.  Unless he's hungry.  Holy smokes what are we going to do when we have 3 teenagers?  Sheesh...better start stocking up now.  
• Both of the babies are now waving Bye-Bye.  Be still my heart.  It is the sweetest ever.
• I pray that my children always feel comfortable to have a honest conversation with me, even if it is difficult.  
• A girl can really feel better about herself by taking a shower, shaving her legs and taking off chipped toenail polish.  Not that I would be in need of any of those necessities...
• I need to face the music that planking for 45 seconds a day will not melt away my belly.  One must consume fewer calories that one burns to do that.  
• I'm actually starting to enjoy exercising again...after many years of self appointed bench time.  LAZY.
• I'm realizing more and more each day that the Lord looks out for our little family and that the Lord will provide.  

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

10 minute Tuesday

It's Tuesday.  I'm taking a 10 minute break and getting some thoughts down on paper.

• We had Memories with Mom today at Molly's school.  So sweet.  That girl can melt my heart and make me rage in the same 10 seconds.  I love her with a passion...and she knows every button to push.  We had a great time and enjoyed our special little time together.  She's growing up entirely too fast.
• There is a boy from Athens that was involved in this freak accident back in October - a random tree branch fell at his school and hit him in the head.  He's been hospitalized ever since...massive brain trauma, although on the outside he's as perfect as he ever was.  His story breaks my heart to absolute pieces.  I cannot imagine the horror his parents face each day as they battle issue after issue with his recovery.  I think he's had 10 surgeries since the accident and he's currently in the PICU with no real end in sight.  His Dad wrote a post on Facebook today that literally brought me to my knees.  He said, "It's been the privilege of my life to be Tripp's father."  I feel exactly same for my children.  I pray every day, multiple times, for God to heal this little boy...and for Him to protect my children from harm.  
• My Pixie has trained me to wake up at 5AM every.single.day even if she is still sleeping.  Last week she was up between 5 and 6 each morning...and was STARVING.  Knock on wood, she's been better the past few days...but I have seen the clock (even just briefly) at 5AM for two weeks now.  This week, she's been my 7AM girl (which is much more acceptable) and we've enjoyed 20 - 30 minutes of quiet time together.  Marlin joined the party this morning, but, Madeline had no interest in sharing her cuddles with me.  I kind of love being that awesome to someone.  Who am I kidding?  I ABSOLUTELY love being the best part of someone's day.  
• Marlin cracks me up.  He's gonna be a character, that one.  He has recently figured out Bye-Bye and if he thinks anyone may be HINTING at leaving, he tells them bye-bye.  I never knew I could love a boy as much as I love him (And, yes, I love my husband but in a different way people!).
• We are finally finished in the basement...and I could not be happier about it!    
• I work for the Man and am also a full time Mom.  That doesn't make my cross any heavier to bear than anyone else's.  It just means that I have to work...and share my time with my kids.  It is what it is.  I wish, as a society, that we would stop judging parents who are able to figure out a way stay home with their children versus parents who choose or are unable to stay at home full time.  Sometimes, working is a necessity.  Let's all agree that in the trenches of parenthood, we all carry a tremendous amount of responsibility...and none of us ever have a day off...and we are all putting another person or persons before ourselves.  
• That was my soapbox last week.  I'm getting over it :).
• I need to learn patience and grace...God, why do you have to make these such difficult virtues to learn and practice?
• I also need to learn that people's priorities in this life may or may not be the same as mine.  And I need to be OK with that.
• Last week was rough...I was glad to wake up Monday morning to a less grouchy self and with a better outlook on my days.  

"This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

Twins