Here is Haven (left) and Aspen sitting on daddy's diet Mt. Dew

Here is Aspen (left) and Haven feeding their babies together.

Here is Haven playing with Aspen's hair. Aspen could care less

as it was a normal thing. Haven had such a fascination with hair!

And last but not least here they are as infants. They always

slept in this "circle" in the living room until they were just too

big. And yes, I let them sleep on their bellies if it meant mom

got a rest time or they would sleep at night. I just prayed about

it a lot! :O)

The soon to be birthday girls...

There has been so much commotion in my mind with Kaelyn turning 13 and all the changes that seem to come within a few months of that. To be quite honest I am still adjusting to the idea of having a teenager. I know I will never adjust with having a teenager because there is no normal. But I have been thinking about Aspen and Haven the last few days. They are going to be 11 next month and yes, they are starting to act like pre-teens. Not as bad as teen but getting to that point. I asked them if they wanted to have 2 separate parties this year. I have been putting it off thinking of the work involved...twice but I decided to bite the bullet this year. I told them they could each have several girls over on 2 different weekends and have sleep overs. Well, they decided that one party would be better because then they could do something more fun then a sleep over. Here I have been putting off asking them each year never dreaming they would turn it down. Aspen wants to go roller skating and Haven can't decide. I told them they need to decide cause dad will miss the party and I want to okay everything with him before his trip (we may not have a decent way to communicate while he is away). Part of the sleep over party problem is that they don't both have separate good friends. This school year it is Aspen with all the friends and last year it was Haven. It all depends on who is in their class that year. Last year Haven had the class with all their friends and this year it is Aspen. Haven has one really good friend in her class (which we are all grateful for) but that's about it.



Having twins has more obstacles then you could ever imagine. Most of them are not major but they are still details we have to work through. Every stage is certainly different and the obstacles are not physical like they used to be but they are still there and to be honest I liked that physical work better then all this emotional/mental stuff!



I just don't know how they got SO old. I am going to try to stick in a few baby pictures I have of them on my computer. Enjoy my precious babies.

Can you say what a 24 hours or so?

Yesterday I went in the morning to get a blood draw. It was just routine and time. I knew I needed my thyroid levels checked and I always get my cholesterol checked with our family history. Well, I got the call last night that all my labs were good but that I have high Cholesterol. I of course have to eat less fat (I do watch my fat), more fiber (I eat high fiber every am for sure) and exercise (I admit this is a downfall but with GOTR I hope it to get better). But I have this strange feeling none of these things are going to make a difference and I am going to be on more meds. for the rest of my life.

Then this morning Andy got me up at 6:30 (before he had to go to work) and we set the water bed up to drain because our new mattress was coming today. There is a way to hook it up to the sink with the water running and it causes and suction for the bed to drain out. We have done this before. Well, after it was all hooked up, he left and I went back to bed for a little while, in the guest bed. I got up and the bed had not drained at all and to top it off the spray from the fitting had drained through the faucet and down into the cabinet. My carpet was wet but it had went to the ceiling below. Thankfully the ceiling dry wall is fine as it still dries but it is stained a rust color because of our wonderful water! Needless to say, I was a little stressed this morning. But in the end our new bed is set up and ready to use tonight.

P.S. I love my new refrigerator! It is wonderful and we finally have enough room for a 6 person family! I just keep thanking the Lord for all our blessings. They flow endlessly. God is faithful!

Our trip and more

Well, we left last Thurs. evening to go to Ohio. We had a good trip after we got out of town. With GOTR it was late before we even tried to get started. Then when we got going we had to get food, the Envoy washed, and gas. In that process, I remembered I had not cord to charge my cell so back home we went.
Friday here we had about 14" of snow or so we hear. We were in Ohio and it was 65 and sunny. Andy stayed home and helped his dad install things on his new computer. They girls and I had a slow day and didn't get out of the house till about 4:00. We then went to buy Easter shoes. It was so nice to get out of the Envoy and not have to have a coat on. The weather was beautiful.
Saturday the weather was much colder. But it was a good day. We were going to my aunt Constance's house for an Easter pot luck at 4:00. I made a main dish and a dessert during the day. Then we went to visit my grandma Kirk. It was nice to see her doing well after breaking her tailbone a while back. After our visit with her we went back to Shirley and Cecil's to finish the food and head to Constance's house. When we got there a lot where already there and more continued to come. It was such a fun evening with family. I got to see my cousin Ben and Danielle's new baby Samuel. I even got to hold him for a few minutes. I got to talk to cousins I just don't see much anymore which was nice.
Sunday we went to the Joe Black (Andy's grandpa)Memorial Breakfast at Andy's parents church. Then we went over to Ripley Church of Christ for our Easter service. It was another cold morning but the sun ended up shining. After church we headed back to Andy's parents house to get changed, get the Envoy loaded and head home. The long weekend visits are always too fast but it was a nice relaxing weekend. I told Andy I want to go back for Memorial Day weekend because my cousin's daughter is having her graduation party.

Since we have been home, my new fridge was delivered. I love it! It is nice and roomy and it works! :O) We are also scheduled to get our new mattress Saturday which I am also excited about. I know it will take some getting used too but I know it is time to make a change from the water bed.

I also went to the Dr. and she referred me to a Physical Therapist for my hip. She says it most likely won't finish healing on it's own unless I have 1 to 2 weeks to devote to doing NOTHING! Well, we all know that isn't happening so off t physical therapy I will go! I also have to get my routine blood work and a routine ultrasound on my thyroid. Everything else is good. I had her check over my moles and they all look fine.

GOTR is going well. We finally felt like we had a normal routine yesterday. I think it is going to be a lot of fun! The girls all seem to really enjoy it! I even did the stretches and some running yesterday. I figure I will do what I can handle till I find out what I can and cannot do from the PT.

Well, that is my 'catch up' from not posting in a while. I will try to keep up for the next week or so. No promises the week after that because we are leaving for FL next Thurs. :O) Can't wait for nice warm weather!!! We also get to see my parents and my sister. The girls are SO excited!

getting old...

On Sunday (a week ago) as I mentioned, we got a Wii. It is very fun ...or so I hear. I bowled 3 times on Sunday, then Monday I bowled a game and then played a game of baseball. I'm not really a baseball fan but I thought, one game, not big deal. Well, turns out I hurt my hip. It started hurting on Tuesday. Finally on Friday I went to the chiropractor. He said my Bursa sac in my hip was full of fluid. I knew it was full of something because it was swollen. I haven't been able to wear zip and snap pants since Thurs. Anyway, I have been putting ice on it and taking ibuprofen with strict orders to not stretch, exercise or do anything to irritate it. It is getting better but it is a long process. I can lay and stand but sitting is very hard. Okay, so the Wii isn't only about exercise...there is some caution to be had too. :O) GOTR starts Tuesday so I am praying it's okay by then or poor Crystal will be wore out trying to do everything for both of us. Getting old is the pits!

The girl's school rented 2 theaters today for Horton Hears a Who! We got in, had a small popcorn, small pop and pixie stix for $3.50. Really they charged $5 and change but our PTO picked up the difference. My verdict is that it is a really cute movie. There certainly are some lessons to be learned in the movie.

Well, I get to go to get 2 of my old fillings replaced tomorrow morning. It's the back two so it will be 1.5 hours of holding my mouth way open. I am not looking forward to it...although my ipod will come in handy. I now have one hundred and thirty some songs on it.

Can I also say that I am so enjoying the time change. I love that it is a few minutes after 8:00 and there is still some daylight out there. I think my winter depression is fading. With the more hours of light and having some days that have been warmer (ie:above freezing) it feels good. Can't wait to go to Florida and warm my bones!

Guess that is all for today! I think I will watch Makenna box on the Wii now..... LOL!

my epiphany

I almost forgot to share my epiphany. Well, it did happen a few weeks ago and even though I almost forgot to share it, I certainly haven't forgotten about it.

Andy hasn't been too happy with his job for a while. Basically, to make a long story short, too much work, not enough time and not enough help. He does love what he does though. He talks about moving and starting a new job IN THE SOUTH and I am always supportive of the talk (and would be a move too). Well, he would love to transfer to the mill in Macon Georgia. For some reason the co. is not on the same boat with him so far. They also have a mill is West Monroe, LA. He went down there recently and it was brought to his attention that they would love to have him transfer to West Monroe. He then made a comment about his wife not liking that idea. He had every right to make that comment because I had my heals so dug in the ground I wasn't going to budge at the thought of moving to Louisiana. But a few days after he got home is when the epiphany came. Actually to be truthful, I think God hit me upside the head because one second my heals were dug and the next they were free. He made me realize that it wasn't my choice. I don't get to decide where God want us to be. I am not in control. If God wants us to move to LA, then we will move to LA. It was funny, I told Andy all this and then when I was done I told him I would go to Louisiana if that is what God wanted from us, but I still wouldn't choose it. I don't know if we really will end up in LA at some point or if it was just a means for God to remind me it's His will not mine! Either way, it was eye opening. I need to be in support and respect of my husband in all things that are not against God's will. Not to say Andy wants to go to LA either, but they want him there and who am I to hold him back if he wanted to choose to do that?

Plus, it's gotta be warmer then Michigan! :)

Things I am getting ready to start...

I have now entered the volunteer stage in my life...at least that is what I am thinking it is. I felt like there is more I could be doing but didn't want to take the time (or thought I didn't have it) plus I am not found of the unknown. But I have some good friends who I am either coming along side or they are coming along side me.

First I guess is Girls on the Run. My friend Crystal and I were both considering coaching a program called Girls on the Run (I will refer to it as GOTR). When one or the other of us brought it up to the other, we were surprised that we had both been thinking about it. Needless to say we are in the process of getting ready. Not running mind you but everything else. :) We are both now CPR and first aid certified and had 8.5 hours of training. Are we ready for a class of 15 3rd and 5th graders (odd that no 4th graders signed up but that's okay)? Only time will tell. You are all certainly welcome to pray for us! Now, what is GOTR? It's a program that we will coach at the school but it is not a school program. There is a "teaching" part where we are basically teaching them self-confidence, helping them have a good body image and of course teaching them to be fit and healthy. They will have to run each time in the "teaching" part but then there will also be time reserved for just running. We will build them up the 5K and there will be a GOTR 5K. I think the Kalamazoo area leader said we are the 4th largest group in the US. We will meet on Tues. and Thurs. right after school from 3;30 to 5:00 from March 18th through May 23rd (?) when we have the 5K. Crystal and I are hoping to have a better body image and be more fit and healthy by the end too. :O)

Something else I am volunteering in is Women's Ministry at the church. My friend Kim and I went to a planning meeting and we both got ourselves signed up as co-chairs for the fellowship part of Women's Ministries. Good fit or what? So we will be planning fun fellowship!

And last is that my same friend Kim has a passion for VBS! We have held VBS before but it really hasn't be a hit. I have come along side Kim to help her with her vision of making this a wonderful VBS! I am sure this will be much fun as well.

So even though things are busy, I think a lot will come from it. They are all such wonderful causes.

exciting stuff...

If you are into stuff, we got some exciting stuff this weekend. I had asked Andy recently if I could have a MP3 player or ipod. He was fine with it so we bought me an ipod this weekend. It is pink and shiny and very thin but it still has no music. I want to put music on it but don't know where to begin. I need to get the CD's out of the van and start to organize what I want on it. It seems too much work just to figure out what I want to listen to. But it will get filled with songs and I will use it, I just have to get motivated to do it. :O)

Also over the weekend we got a Wii. We had wanted to get one for Andy's birthday in January but as I am sure you all know, they are very hard to get your hands on. Well, a lady that works at Meijer gave my friend Kim a tip. She told her to check the ads on Sat. night on line and if it was in the add to come when they start the ads which is 6:00. He ended up getting on yesterday am. Anyone who will argue you don't get exercise while playing the Wii needs to feel my muscle in my bottom down into the back of my thigh because it hurts! It is going to be a lot of fun and exercise!

Will the illness ever end?

The first thing I had to be at this morning was at the elementary school. Aspen got the Student of the Month award for the 5th grade this month. She also got the award in 1st grade. She really is a good girl. :O)

I did go to the Dr. today and I have bronchitis again and another sinus infection. Haven has started a dry cough and is a little hoarse. She is the only one who has not been sick all fall and winter. I just want it to END! Thank you Jesus that spring will come! :O)

Andy found out today he is definitely going to Germany and Sweden for 2 weeks in April.

Doctors, teeth again and news

Well, I had to take Kaelyn back to the Dr. yesterday morning. She went twice last week for breathing/asthma stuff and boarder line bronchitis. She ended up having to have steroids for 3 days. Well, her head was still a mess and she was complaining about her ear hurting. So we went back to the Dr. She has a sinus infection and ear infection. This has been our sickest year since they girls were all little. I won't even list all that we have had. I am going back tomorrow cause I have a wheeze/crackle in my lower right lobe of my lung. UGH!

I also took Haven and Makenna to get their teeth cleaned and they have wonderful teeth. Whew! Once again, just down to me...I got one old fillings taken out and re-filled yesterday while they got theirs cleaned. I get to have 2 more done Tuesday. I know you all are so excited for me. :O)

I had my friend Kim watch Saxon and Grace for me while we went to the dentist. Yesterday was the day she found out results from her final testing to see if she is compatible to give her son Coleman a kidney when the time comes that he needs one. She has a cyst on one of her kidneys and they are going to have to check into that which is scary but she is still in the running and they want to use her.

Also yesterday, my friend Debbie got home from Florida. It is so strange when someone who is in your life almost on a daily basis is gone for a while. I felt like there was a void. I think I handle those things well because it was such a way of life for me but it's still not fun. I am so glad she is back! :O)

Last but not least Andy found out yesterday he is most likely going to Germany and Sweden for April for 2 weeks for work. He has to miss Kaelyn's Solo and Ensemble for band, Aspen and Haven's Birthday and my Birthday. But what a great chance! I wish I could go with him. I am just going to make a list of things he has to bring me back!

Wednesday

On Wednesday my friend Kim went with me to Kaelyn's band festival in Holland. It was a totally new experience for me (and Kim). We watched them play 3 songs on stage. Then we went to another room for Sight Reading. I had no clue what this was and since some of you may not either, I will explain. They are given a piece of music they have never seen. Their instructor goes over it with them and they can 'sing' it (but not play). This means they sing the song by saying numbers to get all the components down. They get 7 minutes to go over and play 2 pieces of music. I was a little afraid of what I was going to hear. After all they are in 7th grade and only in their 2nd year of band. They were wonderful! I was so impressed! When you go to festival you get rated with a number in all categories. 1 being the best. They got all 1's.

We really enjoyed it!

Teeth

Well, today was the first of 2 dental appointments for the girls and I this week. Today was for me, Aspen and Kaelyn.

Kaelyn's teeth were great! Aspen's teeth were great too which was a huge concern for me. She actually had her 6 year old permanent molars pulled a while back so she has had no molars to chew one. Well, she is getting her 12 year molars already (she will be 11 next month-Kaelyn got hers early but not this early), I am wondering if it is because the 6 year old molars weren't there? Anyway, the new molars look great. She will get them sealed when she goes back in 6 months and they are in a little more.

I on the other hand had the issues...imagine that! I have 4 teeth that he wants to replace old fillings. 2 of which are my very back teeth on the top and have had enamel issues from way back. He would also like to eventually crown them, can you say Cha-Ching? Yes, I know the cost as I have a few crowns. I also have a tooth that had a root canal that is bothering me. He thinks I may need to go back to the Endodontist and get it worked on again. UGH!

Stay tuned, Makenna and Haven go Thursday. I expect no problems with their teeth either...it's just me. I am the only one who can see really well without glasses and I am the only one who had a filling (and I have enough for the whole family).

On the bright side, I got to go see a chick flick with 3 of my friends tonight! It was nice to laugh although I missed my friend Debbie who is in Florida for a few days for work. I said I missed her, not feel sorry for her. :O)

Tomorrow is another day I will try to fill you in on after it happens...

P.S. I will try to add photos in the future but I really haven't taken many this winter. We haven't seen the ground or been above freezing more then I can count on one hand this winter!

Let's try again...

I have struggled for 2 days to be able to use my blog. I guess because Blogger is now owned by Goggle, I can't use my old blog. I can access it and read it but not post on it anymore. So, I am starting again with a new blog. Same great look but no old posts.

Anyway, I hope to stick to my blogging longer then in the past. I am so far from any family that it would be nice to have them keep up a little by reading here.