What the Tanks are saying..

Every once in a while, I like to write about the funny things these kids do and say. I think that this age, 2 years and 9 months, is HILARIOUS.

Nathan has been a chatterbox, he can have a pretty decent conversation. He talks about his Thomas Trains, His Chuggington, His Mickey Mouse..He asks questions, wants His "gog" ( green stuffed lovey) to eat with him. This means "gog" is always hungry, and needs his face wiped after dinner He is obsessed with safety. We talk about his carseats, booster seat straps, and if anyone is in the back seat he asks "are you ok back there" He also makes me hang up the phone when I drive ( this is a good thing, I think) Nathan is such a tenderheart, if not a little bit sensitive and dramatic ( I claim nothing) He  loves to tell me to "Chillax Mommy, and Take a Pill"  Funny sweet boy!

Noah has really started talking in these last two months. He is putting words together so much better. He kept saying "ready to go" when we were on vacation. I thought he wanted the beach. SO I would say "where to?"   He would say "Mama's house, play choo choo train" oh dear, he is obsessed with Thomas, he could play all day. He loves "Rusty and Salty" So proud of this little man, he is sleeping better, eating better, talking up a storm and walking up the stairs on his own (with a spotter, of course) These are all big, big steps! He learned to move the step stool to the kitchen sink, turn it on, and wash the silverware in the drying rack. Needless to say, I moved the step stool upstairs.

Sweet boys! I am one blessed Mama!!

                  Here are some pictures from a playdate at DAC Kids with Sarah and her boys!

Life's a beach!

Sorry, its been a while! We spent last week at the beach with my family in Panama City. Despite my fears that it would be "redneck riviera" It was pretty nice, we had a good time! Although, for the record, traveling with toddlers is WORK, don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.


Here are some pictures!

I wrote this as part of an essay contest... but never showed it to my Mom!!! So here you go, Happy Mother's Day Dee Dee, wish we could be with you today!!!

Motherhood is...

Motherhood is....a roll of toilet paper. Yes, that is it, that sums it up. Confused? Let me explain. Two years ago, I was blessed with twin boys, who were eight weeks early. After weeks and months of NICU, heart monitors, feeding tubes and open heart surgery for one of them, my husband decided his family wasn't what he wanted, after all. So there I was, unexpectedly a single mom with two 6 month-old boys , and completely devastated. My family and church rallied around me, and God provided in so many ways, big and small. My parents, in all of their Godly wisdom did not throw money at us or beg me to move home, instead helped me get back on my feet. I know my Mother's heart yearned to do more, to move, take, fix and do.  Instead, she chose to show me that I could do it. She supported in small ways that made a huge statement, like toilet paper. You see, every time my Mother came to visit, she stocked up my linen closet with toilet paper and paper towels etc. It seems so silly now, but there was something so tangible and comforting in knowing that it was taken care of.  The first time I came upon the full closet, I stood and wept. I felt  the depth of my Mom's love and understanding that, even though she may not be great with words, her actions spoke her heart so loudly. She was able to help, love and provide without smothering us. Of course, my Mother helped in other ways, but for me, this one made such an impact.

 Almost 2 years later, I am more than able to buy my own toilet paper. And even though my children and I may not have the nicest and best of everything, we have so much more than what we need. I pray that through my every day actions, big and small, my boys will see they are loved and provided for. I pray that I can be the kind of Mom that never smothers, but enables and challenges her children, securing them in the knowledge that they are more than capable and equipped! And every so often, I am reminded of this myself, when my own mother comes to visit, and brings toilet paper.

PS, Mom I love you :)

Off to the races?

Yeah, not the horses, better. Talladega...That's right NASCAR! I got to go to my first Sprint Cup Race this Sunday. And what better way to start than the largest track, TALLADEGA! I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive, but I had so.much.fun. I love getting outside of my box, and doing something so random and different. Add in some GREAT company (see below) and a little friendly competition and I AM HOOKED!!

I was also super impressed with the kindness and comraderie of the fans..Seriously. I mean, don't get me wrong, there was some GOOD people watching (and, um,not so good) but really a good family time!!

       We sat on the back side, just coming out of turn 2.

 Did you know you cam camp in the middle of the track?

         Sunscreen, hat, glasses, and a police scanner to listen to the drivers and their spotters.

Derek and Aidan, I love these guys :)

Its Just a Word..

Autism... Its a word that I have dreaded for two years. Literally it made my stomach clench and flip over. But I think that I have suspected it would impact us for a while. Last Friday, one of my worst fears as a Mom was confirmed. Noah, my sweet little independent, fiercely curious Noah has autism. Or so they tell me. ( "They" being the Center for Children's Developmental Disorders at Georgia State) There has been much discussion and denial....anger and peace...but ultimately, its just a word. It's just direction, on a path that we started when Noah was 6 months old. I won't and will never believe that a label, stigma, or diagnosis will keep this sweet beautiful boy from living the life that God has laid out for Him.  I wish I could wrap him in bubble wrap and protect him from any feelings of inadequecy or inferiority, but instead I will pray they sharpen and define His character, and His dependency on His Creator. That is all any of us  can ask.

Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement and your prayers this last week. I promise to keep you posted in our journey.

Psalm 54:4 Surely My God is my help, the Lord is the One who sustains Me!

Picture Time

We had a great, busy week last week....this is basically just ALOT of cute pictures!!!

Nate, Noah, Charlie, Elijah, Ian

Trouble x 3

I can't believe this baby girl is ONE, and that she (and her Mommy and Daddy) will be leaving us for Africa in a few weeks!

Nathan and Katey ( Keddy)

Noah and Haley (yay yay)

Ninjas

Yep, Ninjas..little climbing, earring losing, front door locking, bubble drinking, food throwing ninjas. That was just since Saturday, seriously. As a type this, they are in their beds. I think. I hear Noah ( most likely) up knocking on something...probably the wall, or the door. Who knows.

The twos are here, and they are taking me for a ride. ( please don't reply and say the threes are worse, yeah, I know, hear it all the time) I am so thankful for them, for our lives, for how God provides for us, but for real, this is hard (duh) and people I AM TIRED.

Someone asked me the other day.. what is your schedule like.. ok here you go

5:30 _wake up/shower. Usually Noah wakes up now, and is watching fireman sam in my bed, or running around my room screaming, or putting my brush in the toilet, or pulling open the shower curtain, you know, normal toddler 5:30 am stuff.

6:30- Super Kathi, babysitter sent from God, gets to my house, I leave for work

7:30, pull in parking deck , hoping to see best friend to mentally get ready for our day

7:45-3:30-Piedmont Wound Clinic Madness

3:45- leave, either to gym or to pick up boys

Home by 6:00 or 6:30.Dinner

6:30 -outside, walk playground

7:30- bath

8:15, books and bed

8:30-me on couch, laundry, phone, TV , studying for cert exams..dunzo

There it is... not much wiggle room :) Don't get me wrong, I love our lives, but I would love more energy, or maybe a clone.

So I guess the point of this post is not to whine or gain sympathy, but to be honest and say I could use prayer or encouragement ( not to be confused with "advice")

Now, so not to end on a down note, here are a few things I am particularly thankful for...

-Summer is coming and so is VACATION

-Had a really good weekend, and hung out with some pretty awesome women who aren't afraid to -be real and speak TRUTH to each other.

-God has put a really sweet man in my life who mows grass, fixes mailboxes, puts together tricycles and he cooks too, ya'll!!

And of course, THESE:

The kids..not the bikes :)

So there you go, real deal, not so perfect Mama..

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