Fairy Works & Glitterers: One Magical day

July 4th will have a lot to live up to next year. Here's a recap for 2007. In the wee hours of the morning my sister and Michelle met me for our morning work out, (So those who know me are all thinking that you've made a mistake and logged onto a fit persons blog, because Becca doesn't sweat or do things that exert more energy then finding the remote. It really is me. I had to enlist the help of some accountability people to motivate me to not hit the snooze button but I'm doing it! This is all for vain purposes with a little health benefits that just come along for the ride. Matt and I are going to Hawaii in September and he signed me up for a wet t-shirt contest. Kidding. I just had a vision to wear something other then a t-shirt and jeans to the beach. Dare I say a bikini? Many more work outs needed.) After my sisters kick-arse workout, we saw a hot air balloon land near us. Very cool. Something I'd love to do someday. Came home, showered and then Matt and I slapped sun screen on the kids and stood them on a hot street in St. Paul to collect candy for the family while watching a parade. Went to a carnival where we ate shaved ice, corn dogs, elephant ears and lots of water. I could hear myself getting fatter. Stefanie and I took Daphne and Tobin on a faris wheel and then the pair of them went on a kid roller coaster all by themselves. It was a proud moment. Did a quick diaper change on the babies and headed home for naps and down time for us. We met up with my mom and went out to my in-laws for some fried chicken, corn on the cob, baked bean and homemade potato salad. The farm was beautiful with just a soft breeze. We let Tobin and Daphne play in the sprinkler while we ate in peace and later water the garden and gathered fresh eggs. Matt and I went off on the four wheeler for some alone time and went to his favorite spot and just talked. (Matt even prayed for our family and Thanked God for our many blessings. Sigh) We ended our time at the farm with Tobin and Daphne playing with sparklers. Tobin ran all over with his and kept coming back asking for glitterers. (Sparklers/glitterers, Kinda makes since right?) Daphne, well, fire on a stick doesn't hold much appeal to my sweet niece. I'll post a video later today.

We packed the kids up late and they all fell asleep as soon as we started the van. We could see fireworks in the distant and decided Tobin would love to see the big show on the water front. We went to the top of a parking garage and woke Tobin up. We told him we were not ready for our fun day to end. He looked at us like we were mad. But once he heard that first boom, He was hooked. He kept calling them fairy works.

Tobin uttered the words, "Thanks for my fun day" before drool was hitting his pillow last night. Back to normal life today of cereal and color books the fifth of July can be disappointing.

Planned Surprise

Yesterday we spent a lovely day at the park celebrating my sweet neice, Mariko Jane's first birthday. It took me back to a year nine months ago when I was going though my third invitro process hoping for a sibling for Tobin. Our last attemp had failed and the doctors warned that Tobin was going to be our only miricle. I was starting to accept that but why not give the little frozen tots a try? I had done the proceedure and was in the two week wait when my little sister came to me with a mystery. She was late but was having mild cramps but her "little friend" was not showing up. The thought of a baby both terrified her and mystified her at the same time. She and Rhyan had been married a little over a year. He was still in school, she had plans to get her masters. She was also nervous about her infertile sisters feelings. (Even though I was really fine with the whole idea. God taught me a long time ago that He is the giver of life and His plans are always best. ) She took the pregnancy test in my bathroom and came out crying and smiling and scared all at the same time. I rejoiced with her and we both prayed that I would get the same positive in a few days. Well of course you know how this story ends, three babies born with in two days of each other. (my poor mother) What I haven't shared with you yet is that even though little Mariko was not planned by her parents, her creator had that bundle of joy orchestrated of a reason. My sister, Elisabeth, and Rhyan stepped up as parents proudly and she is a happy confident child because of it. She has so much personality and makes others smile just being around her. I love watch the three of them interact and I am so happy they have one another.

So tell me your planned surprise.

How to have a PAR-TAY!

Number One: Have a reason to celebrate. Phoebe and Jabe born June 27th 2006. Our world is a better place because of them.

Number Two: Find a theme to set the tone of the party. I decided on rubber ducky.
Hint: I totally cheated on these invite by buying a pack of thank you cards from Target. I found these ducky stickers and covered up the "thank you" greeting and drew a little glittery pink bow on one ducks head. Very easy and very cheep.

Number Three: Have your mom come over early to help you clean and set up. Jump in the shower 15 minuets before guests arrive! Yikes! (Couldn't have done it with out you mom!)

Number Four: Think simple. I went for a hot dog bar with disposable everything. Cupcakes with no ice cream. No mess; no fuss.

Number Five: Have your Talented Mother-in-law make thirty of the most adorable cupcakes you have ever seen. (delish too!)

Number Six: Fill your little house with lots of people you love.

Number Seven: Bubbles

Number Eight: Watch two babies eat sweets for the first time. (notice how much cake Jabe ate!)

Number Nine and Ten: Sprinkle a few gifts on top and put bubbles in the fountain.

What a year. What a reason to celebrate.

One almost

I've been in a denial fog this month. Because it's coming. My babies are turning one next week. This panic has come over me. And as much as I beg father time it just keeps on ticking. I'm done breast feeding and my sagging bras are the only things sad about that. But I suppose my body misses burning those extra calories and I could really use some of those endorphins that are realised while nursing. I will not miss nursing one while the other is screaming for me or squeezing into my mini van trying to find a quite place to feed.
I feel guilt over their blank pages in their baby books. I almost wish I didn't write anything in them, I could at least sell them on eBay. But no, I had to write one obsolete fact in each of them. Phoebe first tooth bottom right came in at four months and Jabe rolled over . . . oh I don't know when but I have it written down so if we ever want to have an anniversary party on that glorious day I've got it. So sorry Jabe and Phoebe, I never documented when you first laughed or clapped or had your first solid poop. I know that one day you will ask to see your baby books and I will tell you a sad story of how they burned in a house fire but I rescued you while crying for the precious pages going up in flames. (Do you think they will buy it?) I can only say this: everything that was supposed to happen developmentally DID. No signs of either of you being a genius or super athlete (although I'm not ruling that out for your future.) That being said, no signs of needing to ride the special short bus either. So you're normal. As far as Parents Magazine is concerned.
I am busy planning their party and will post pictures early next week of the bash.

Good Thinkin

Matt, Happy 30th birthday! So glad God thought you up. Hope you feel loved and cherished today because you are.
Thirty things I love about Matt.
1. His ambition to go above and beyond with every task. (You ask for a bowl of ice cream and he brings you a Sundae with a cherry)
2. His love of God and his efforts to be like Him.
3. His devotion to his country and all war movies.
4. His inability to cry. ( I do enough for both of us)
5. The way he melts around Phoebe.
6. The way he admires Jabes looks and always says he got them from me. (even though he looks just like Matt's dad.)
7. The way he never tires of Tobin following his every move.
8. The way he can recite EVERY line from Star Wars.
9. His desire to keep his family safe at all cost.
10. The way other people want to be with him.
11. The way he feels a compulsion to answer the phone no matter WHAT we are doing.
12. The way he cares about his health by jogging during almost every lunch break
13. The struggle he has every time he is faced with drinking a coke. (tonight honey you can have one after the other without guilt.)
14. He sleeps only in his underwear even during naps.
15. Speaking of naps; he can sleep though anything.
16. He is a self-taught genius with all things electronic.
17. He makes up his own lyrics to songs and sings them boldly.
18. He can't do math in his head and doesn't apologist for having to use his cacluator on his phone to figure out a 20% tip.
19. You give him an address of where we are going and he know exactly how to get there.
20. Everytime I make him cookies he says they are the best he's ever had.
21. He loves green plaid shirts.
22. He LOVES squirrels.
23. He still calls his mom, mommy.
24. He has this weird number thing where he memorizes every phone number. (even wierd things like G.I. Joes)
25. He is always dreaming of ways to create a better life for us but at the same time is happy and greatful for where we are.
26. He doesn't mind changing a poppy diaper.
27. He reads my mind and make me a coffee at just the right time.
28. He cooks really, really good. About 98% of the time he is in charge of dinner.
29. He loves clean sheet day.
30. When he comes home from work I feel like my day is complete.

Love all of you honey.

Are you trying to tell me something?

What does it mean when you're at your son's preschool program and one of the teachers stops you and says, "Oh, so YOUR Tobin's mom."

I say, "Yes, I am"

And then she says nothing.

We just stare at each other with polite smiles. What does that mean?



Maybe this video of the school's performance tells it all.






For those of you who don't know that's my boy deciding a solo by Tobin was needed in Jesus loves me.

Dilemma

What do you do when you're at the park with TWO babies and there is only ONE infant swing?

Editors note: This brilliant idea has been brought to you by my husband Matt.

Free. A very good price

Tobin has forgone the few OPB shows that he watches for time looking out our window at the construction of a new church worship center. He is captivated by the large yellow equipment and the manly men who get to play in dirt all day. He taps at the window to get their attention. He asks me questions about names of the equipment that I have know idea about so I've made them up. Today after putting the twins down for morning naps we got busy making a lemonade stand to meet the workers and enjoy outside. I wasn't prepared to deal with money exchanges so Tobin and I decided FREE was a very good price. We had a blast preparing Styrofoam cups of refreshing beverages to the men in the mud pit. The foreman even took Tobin on a little tour of the equipment. He could not stop smiling.

Just start writing.

All of my writing teachers have given the advice that if you don't quite know what you want to say, just start writing. So I am taking that idea and hoping that the some sort of coherent train of thought will follow.
I'm in the market for a new Bible. Mine is from college and has been highlighted to death and has notes written in the margin with my college thoughts and color scheme for my wedding. I love reading The Message Bible but it's not great for studying. I also want something "grown up" that is leather bound. Anyone have any suggestions?
Speaking of suggestions, I am open to parenting advice regrading my almost eleven month old twins biting each other. Phoebe currently has three sets of teeth marks on her arm. But don't feel sorry for her because Jabe has two on his arm and one on each ear. I don't want to keep them separate all day cause I need them to play well together. Ideas?
I need new sheets for our bed. Notice I didn't say want new sheets. Matt pointed out to me that his side has a large hole in it. Any earth shattering finds in that department bloggers?
And lastly as I leave you with this post that really had no fluent thought or testament to my brilliant English professors so I give you a picture from mothers day. Tobin and his cousin Elsa on the farm.

A title earned

Mom. This Mothers Day I feel so worthy of the title. A title I have earned in so many ways. I know what it feels like to be utterly depleted of rest yet still be required to make coherent decisions. I know what it's like to need to turn on the car radio drowned out the noise of babies screams and toddler tantrums. I know what it's like to try to convince a three year old to just TRY a piece of corn. I know about changing a wet diaper and as I snap the last pant leg button to watch them poop. And poop. . . .there are too many stories and situations regrading poop. I know about the healing properties that a kiss has on a skinned knee and rocking the wounded repeating, "Mommas here, Mommas here." I know what it feels like to crowd with other parents waiting to pick up their babies from the church nursery. To see your babies face searching the mob for my familiar face; our eyes meet and they light up with joyful relief.
In the years that I tried and tried for the title of Mother, I didn't know that I would ever reminisce about the days when our house was quite and Cheerios didn't stick to the bottoms of my feet. But I admit sometimes I do. I also didn't fully know the satisfaction I would have crawling into bed at night, my body aching from the days worth of holding, cuddling, lifting, toy picking upping, wiping and changing. A day well spent. Happy Mothers Day to all you in the trenches with me and to all the pre-mothers out there who's heart are being prepared.

My sister Elisabeth, My niece Mariko, My mom Sharon, Phoebe Claire, Me

Ten Years Ago. . .

I didn't sleep well. My head and heart felt as if they may burst. I was happily anticipating my wedding day. I was newly twenty and my groom a strapping young man at nineteen. We had been dating for over three years and had "saved" ourselves for our wedding night. Looking back, would I have done things differently? YES! I would have said no to the floral patterned bridesmaids dresses, I would have chosen to put a tea cup with roses on the top of my cake, not the plastic heart with fake rose buds that the baker choose. I would have put a limit on my three hour receiving line. I would have told Matt not to invite the whole student body at our private college to our wedding via e-mail. I would have hired someone to video and a more creative photographer to capture my day. But that's about all the regrets I have. I would have married Matt all over again. and again and again. Truly quality men are as rare as the endangered snow leopard.

Matt, We had no clue what we were getting ourselves into, did we? I am so fortunate to be clueless with you. I am fully happy with our lives. I thank you for being such a kind, patient man. It is a joy to raise children with you and a privilege to share your name. Here's to fifty more.

Blog Fraud

I'm not very good at this. I mean I like blogging but I'm not as fancy as I'd like to be. I love living my day to day, normal life and looking for the nuggets that might make and interesting post. But most of all I blog because I am a miserable failure when it comes to my kids baby books. I suppose it's because on those types of memorabilia I think they have to be perfect. You know, like you have write all entries of milestones and immunization records with the same black pen with perfect penmanship. And that requires . . . a restful state of mind and hours of free time. Maybe in twenty years. So I love blogging. It's quick, easy and makes me feel that my kids might have some sort of account that they were loved and so on. But I am rather plain about the whole thing. I haven't the first clue how to add side bar lists of my favorite books or movie reviews. Although I love the creative blog designs out there, I use the functional yet overused template settings. I don't know how to add a link or even move a picture so it's not at the top of the post. "But" you say, "You have music". (May I take this opportunity to apologize to all the times when you've been up late and the house is quite and sleeping only to be jolted to the 'three little birds' song on my site.) Alas twas not me that figured out how to add music but my genius husband. I've been sick of the song for a long time but I have no idea how to get it off!!!! I have lately been in love with this new John Mayor song and at least had Matt change it to give you some variety while you race to turn down the volume. The other major issue I need to address is my lack of English skills. I feel I am a much better speaker then writer so I have always stayed away from this awkward communication. I have never formally been diagnosed with a learning disability but I live as if I know I have one. Spelling for me is an art form. Meaning people have to use interpretation to guess what I am trying to say. If it wasn't for spell check and my English major roommate, I would have never graduated from college. And it's not just the spelling but my grammar. It's like a cat climbing a fireman's pole. It's painful. I don't know how to use commas or quotes or accent marks correctly. Rather I guess and hope no one too critical is reading. So I thank you all you professors and homeschooling mom's, thanks for not correcting me in a comment. It would just leave me feeling like I was back in school again. I would get my papers back full of red marks with notes like, "great content and ideas but make sure you proof read." But I suppose I can comfort myself knowing that I provide you with charming pictures of my children.

Rubadub two babies in a sink?

Had to share!

Momma needs a diaper

I just polished off three, no four mini MilkyWays from Tobin Easter basket. All the kids are napping and I thought it was time to update the old blog. I just got back from Hermiston where I spent a few days with my dear friend Ang http://www.dailyditch.blogspot.com/ and her kiddo's. Matt stayed back to keep the money rolling in and I took all three kids on a three hour road trip. I know what you are thinking and your right, I am crazy. I timed the drive after lunch and during nap time. The plan was that the kids would sleep during the drive. Everything went well until of course my McDonald's Iced coffee (love them by-the-way) caught up with me and I had to PEE! What do you do with three sleeping children in the car? If I stop the car they will wake up and might realize that they have been strapped in the car for an uncomfortable amount of time; thus making the rest of the trip . . .um unpleasant. But as the feeling was getting more intense and the John Mayor CD stopped distracting me, I started to scheme. What if I stop at a rest stop and find a nice old lady to watch the van while do my thing? And then I was haunted by the reality of that little old lady kidnapping my children and . . . I knew that it was off the table. Could I brave waking them up, putting the babies in the stroller and trying to find a stall large enough to hold all of us? Then I imagined Tobin touching things and dealing with awake children blah....blah....blah... Other options: pulling over and squatting (too many what if's to write) or as inspired by the lady astronaut. . . Phoebe's extra diaper sitting next to me. It began to call to me. "You can do this." "You would feel so much better." "No one would have to know." You'll be happy to know that I dismissed this idea considering what this might look like to the truck driver next to me. So I bucked up a held it the rest of the way. I have no symptoms of any bladder infection and I lived. Applause Applause Applause. The things we do to avoid being stuck in a mini van with screaming children.

Easter was fun with my family. I made a chocolate trifle that was layered brownies, pudding, whipped cream, and crushed heath bar. Tobin helped me assemble it. We admired the creation and I asked Tobin what he thought of it. "It needs frosting." Man after my own heart.

I'm laying all the cards on the table

So I've shared about my addiction to sugar and I obviously have a hoarding issue with babies but here is a few more you might not know about. I chew ice. A few cups a day. I know what they say about ice crunchers and I am only willing to admit that yes, I probably am anemic. My other folly is. . . . buying baby clothes. I have gotten better since Tobin was a baby. Tobin, (now Jabe) has boxes upon boxes of clothes. Jabe will never come close to wearing all his hand-me-downs. And really, how do you pass up little girl clothes? Just to make my self feel better I should let you know that I never pay full price at stores like Gymboree or Janie and Jack. And I always look for bargains at Target and Wal-Mart. Sometimes I find the best stuff there. So I just have to show you my latest find on the clearance rack at Janie and Jack. These little boots will be perfect for fall.
I am also including some pictures of the twins first dip in the pool. Check out Tobin's water wings.