Mommyhood rantings

So, its almost midnight, the kids are asleep and my whole body is aching for rest but here I am..AWAKE..and thinking. So, I thought maybe writing it out would help expel it from my head. See, I rarely get alone time when there isnt squealing, singing, fussing, barking, phones ringing, fox news background noise, electronic toys...etc. The ONLY time I get is a few hours in the evening. So, one of two things commonly happen. 1. I go to sleep and rest and feel wonderful in the morning. BUZZZ! that one rarely happens. or 2. I sit and all the thoughts from the day about my life, my children, my friends, our future, and all the worlds problems swirl around in my brain. Dont get me wrong, I like when it happens because I feel all my creative juices coming alive and I remember that I have more gifts in me rather than being a great mom. Thats when I get my best ideas and when I'm inspired.
So, tonight, these are my thoughts.

- I LOVE being a mom. I always knew I would, I always wanted to become a mother and stay home with my children. But until Taylor was born, I didnt realize how fulfilling it is to my life. I am so amazed that the Lord God entrusted these children to me and I get to be their mother! I got to carry them and help to give them life! I get to watch their bodies grow and witness their development- the walking, the talking, the learning of all the things they encounter. Its almost too much for my head! Its like such a wonderfully hard and wonderful job. Each day is hard and my patience is tested, but in the same day I always have several unforgettable moments, and build precious memories with my kids.
Some days it does feel monotonous- the diapers and the feedings and the tantrums and the LAUNDRY but at the end of the day- when the house is fast asleep- I know with my whole heart that I would never have wished this day any different. I never want to miss a moment of their lives- even the boring and monotonous ones- even the diapers and tantrums. I am greedy for time.
Speaking of the house being asleep. My husband is a wonderful dad! He really is! However wonderful,  we all know men do not possess that batlike sense of hearing that we moms develop the second we give birth. Its a sixth sense. I just know when they are awake...and because I'm weird, I cannot sleep until they are both fast asleep again.
Mark and I joke that I am a night creeper. I'm up all night with the kids when they wake up and cry or need a bottle. But you can also find me tip toeing around the house multiple times a night checking on them. I can be found tucking and re-tucking them into their blankets, rescuing pacifiers and bunnies from the floor, praying over them, making sure the room isnt drafty, just generally making sure that everyone is peacefully asleep. I know my obession is robbing me of my own rest - and I think I should turn down the monitors and just go to bed...but then again I dont want to miss a thing- not even a moment. It makes for a tired mommy though- but then I think Sleep is for the birds anyway.

Day Trip

Oh Blue Ridge Mountains...how I love you. You are not as majestic as the California mountains, nor are you as lofty and rugged as the ones in Colorado- you may not be as magnificent and proud as the ones in the west..but you are ancient and mysterious, and green with trees- and best of all you are close to home.

We visited Chimney Rock in Nc- It was about an hour from our house...we actually live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge and they can easily be seen from Greenville. Its only a short drive to hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. I think this place is definitely for us.

On a side note, Mark and I realized on this trip how out of shape we feel so we joined our YMCA. Hopefully we will go this time...( oops my eyes are closed in this pic)

Zoo!

The Greenville Zoo is awesome for families. Taylor had a wonderful time looking at the animals but of course her favorite was feeding the farm animals. These billy goats were super obese for goats, in my opinion, and we bought special crackers to feed them. I was a tad nervous letting my kids feed them at first. I can remember when I was little going to the Houston zoo and having one of those eating machines eat a hole in the shirt I was wearing. In fact, I think I have a picture standing next to that goat the moment before he chowed down on my clothes. So, ever since I've been apprehensive about feeding the goats. But, we've visited these goats a few times since and I'm getting more comfortable with the idea...and Taylor talks about them non stop. She thanked Jesus for them that night when we said her bedtime prayers.

Even Noah was interested

Okay enough with the goats already.

I love this expression on her face....

Look at my handsome Mister....nothing sexier than a hot guy with a baby- in a front carrier no less

Speaking of zoo...here are a few pics of what happened around our house that week other than the zoo.

We had a Raleigh dog birthday party! Every year on our dog's bdays we give them half a can of dog food and put a candle in it and sing happy birthday. They get bones wrapped in bday paper too. We were happy that Raleigh's bday was before Taylor's so we could get her warmed up for her big day.

Three sisters

I'm sure my family will kill me for posting this picture but it was the best one of twenty I took trying to get the kids to all look at the camera at the same time! These are the three sisters , my mom, my aunt Jill, and my aunt Donna. They are the best of friends and I am so blessed to have all of them in my life. God never did give me that sister I wanted but as I grow older I realize more and more that having a close relationship with my mom and aunts I feel like I am being "grandfathered" into their sisterhood circle in a way.
This pic was taken at one of our favorite places- the BEACH - of course. The best memories are made there. So, naturally, all the girls decided to drive to the beach to celebrate my aunts birthday. We had a ball- not to mention it was so pleasant in September. We made shirts for the kids that spelled out the numbers of her birthday. Getting them to be still for a photo was pretty much impossible. We had such a good time lavishing on my aunt for her big day! Happy Bday Sissy- you deserve it!

Summer photo catch up

Here are a few highlights from this summer. We went to the Kingston Plantation at N. Myrtle in July with the family. Had a ball!

My little diva loves her zebra striped hat and sunglasses

We spent alot of time eating lemon slushies on the beach. As you can tell, it was the highlight of Taylor's day.

Love the sandy feet!

Noah, on the other hand spent alot of time doing this

                                                      Heres another of my sweet boy

Don't you want to just eat him up!!! He is all smiles all the time! I can hardly stand it!

First time for everything

Click here to view these pictures larger

DSC_0225.JPG

Click here to view these pictures larger

DSC_0211.JPG

Click here to view these pictures larger

Dont give up on me...

Ok So, by now you've figured out that I pretty much stink at updating my blog. But if you are reading this now, you obviously have held out for some hope that I will eventually add something to this website. So, thank you for not giving up on me. Ive recently edited a whole slew of photos from this summer that I plan to post so stay tuned....of course you dont believe me but we'll just see if I prove you wrong. Love you all.