What will you be doing Tuesday?

Don't know about you all, but we'll hopefully be attending the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball!! That is, if I can find a dress and we can find a sitter! Not knowing anyone in the area may be an issue, but I'm still crossing my fingers, if I ask one of the 2 people I've talked to and met at church (I miss my Tri-city friends and the Edison ward!), we may be able to find someone- right?!? And the dress is another issue entirely! 3 days to find a gown (or at least a nicer dress!) for someone of my height and on a limited budget could be a complete nightmare!

But technicalities aside, Ty scored us some tickets this week after helping distribute the Air Guard's portion of tickets and we are so excited at the opportunity to go catch our 5 minute glimpse of the President, mainly for bragging rights, but it could be a good time!

Excitement is in the air!

There are so many exciting things happening!

1. My lil' sis is engaged!! Yay! They gave us a wonderful anniversary present when he proposed New Years day! We are so excited for them... he is a great guy, totally fun, laid back, fits in well with the family and is great with Micah and Hallie! It's still surreal to imagine Kenny being engaged, but the ideas wearing on me! I'm just sad I'm not there to be a part of the pre-wedding fun :( But I'll build my bridge and get over it :)

2. Ty's cousin Liz and her hubby Bobby will be here tomorrow! They are coming to check out a couple law schools in the area, to see DC, and of course they get the wonderful bonus of seeing us! ;) We are so excited for them to come!

3. My good friend Meagan will be here Friday! Really she's coming to see her hubby who's in training at Quantico, but I am so excited to spend the afternoon with her! It's been a couple years since we've seen each other so it should be great fun!

4. Ok political views put aside, its a pretty exciting time to be in the DC area. Minus the fact that we may be holed up in the house for a couple days, its pretty exciting to be here during this historical time!

5. I don't really have a fifth, but in randomness, I made homemade bread tonight that is delish! We've decided to start making our own bread for a few reasons... saving cash, it's healthier, and no one carries our absolute FAVORITE bread, Vita-bee, from Fred Meyer.

Naptime.

Naptime.

I could really just leave the post at that and leave the rest up to your imagination. It would be fun to hear your thoughts on that little word that means so much, but then you might miss out on one of the joys of having twins!

I know Naptime, or should I say *!#@!*#, isn't just a twin-mom frustration, I know lots of singleton moms who have their own naptime frustrations- it seems to be a common factor in frequent conversations with my sister and other moms. But, at least for a few minutes, I'll pretend that *!#@!*# 's in our house are, let's just say, a little more interesting.

Micah and Hallie have started this wonderful part in their relationship, one that I've imagined, longed for, and even dreaded- they are fully aware of each other! On a pretty regular basis they share with each other, tease each other, and chase each other, when one wakes up before the other, one looks for the other often crying periodically until the other is awake... all of which is so cute! Along with this new found awareness, unfortunately comes the negative... the pushing, stealing, and taunting- yes taunting- seems so innocent at first, but if you look closely you can see the glimmer of taunt in their eyes!

So back to naptime, I mean *!#@*!#. Looking back, each age has presented a little variation in naps, some of which may have been a little easier, but I was pretty gung-ho on keeping them on the same routine- days where they slept on different schedules were exhausting! No "breaks" and forget about trying to go somewhere! If one wasn't asleep one of them was ready to go back to sleep, so we would be housebound. Not one of my favorite things! Anyway looking back, I would probably prefer the stage we are in now, but just the same this stage can make for some interesting times.

This stage begins like most other naps have always began. Turn on the noise machine, give them their binky and silky and lay them down. That simple right? I wish! Now the minute I leave the room, its a free-for-all... bouncing up and down laughing at each other, passing the binky's and silky's back and forth, tossing them on the ground, banging on the shelf, squealing, more laughing... get the idea?

Cute right? Yeah pretty cute except for the fact that if left alone long enough... I tried the whole let them wind down on their own, both end up crying because they are tired and their binky and/or silky are now in the other's crib or on the floor. Or worse yet, one will fall asleep and the other will continue with the shenanigans, waking the other up which ends up being even more detrimental to getting a good naptime in! Oh the joy!

I wish I could just move the cribs away from the shelf, or farther apart from each other, but there's just not enough room to attempt this. So we've moved to a new strategy... we attempt naptimes like normal, sometimes they go right to sleep (hallelujah!) but more often then not, they will start the free-for-all. So after a few minutes or a couple attempts at laying them back down, I remove all of my things for my shower and clothes for the day from my closet, remove one from their crib and head to the pack and play set up in our bathroom/closet. I turn on the second noise machine and usually within a few minutes, both are out for a glorious 1 hour and 30 minutes of peace and quiet!

So for now, we have reached an acceptable solution for the on-going naptime dilemma. I'm just wondering what will happen when we move or go somewhere, will we have another place to put the other? I guess we can cross that bridge when we get there, but for now I guess I'll be thankful they are still napping twice a day and sleeping 12 hours a night! And for all of you singleton mom's out there... just be thankful you won't have to throw this dilemma in with all your naptime woes! :) Happy sleeping!

Perspective

Yesterday's series of events:

I waited for Sears to check out the brakes on our vehicle, with Micah and Hallie in tow, I was given an estimate of $600 for the work that needed to be done... yikes! Not exactly in the most exciting news I've heard.

I rushed home for nap time since we were already 45 mins past due, I decided to let Micah and Hallie walk, instead of get the stroller out, from the parking garage to the steps and carried them from there (that's a whole post in and of itself!).

While opening the door Micah, being the wet noodle he is, whacked his head on the door frame and began wailing.

I opened the door to find the cleaning ladies working in full force... seriously?!?

So I come in to 3 ladies who can't get enough of Micah and Hallie, which turns into 2 kids who can't get enough of all the stuff the ladies are into and who are now an hour past due for a nap.

My initial reaction was anger and frustration, but then reality hit... my house was being cleaned from top to bottom... and it wasn't being done by me!!! Talk about a change of perspective I then happily gathered up the kids and we went to check the mail and explore the theatre room.

Yes the kids were a little cranky, and yes our schedule was completely thrown off, and yes I had to do a lot of waiting, but really it was all worth it when I walked in and saw the glimmer coming from the kitchen sink... totally worth it.

You 3 wonderful cleaning ladies are welcome in my home anytime!

P.S. Call it what you want, but after picking up the vehicle today, it ended up being $100 less! Must have been that change of perspective!

It's a New Year!

After much deliberation I have finally found a focus for 2009. My head has been swarming with ideas for the last couple weeks and in an attempt to conform, but not too closely :) I didn't feel a rush to pick a focus right at the New Year. I loved the ideas of simply, slow down, health, eating right, etc. But none of those things stuck, they all seemed too specific for me this year... in other words, they are ALL things I need to work on! So in sticking with Ali Edward's idea of picking one word for the year... I picked the word...

{Order}

Order: or⋅der [awr-der]

1. an authoritative direction or instruction; command; mandate.
2. a command
3. the disposition of things following one after another, as in space or time; succession or sequence: The names were listed in alphabetical order.
4. a condition in which each thing is properly disposed with reference to other things and to its purpose; methodical or harmonious arrangement: You must try to give order to your life.
5. proper, satisfactory, or working condition.
6. state or condition generally
7. a direction or commission to make, provide, or furnish something: The salesclerk will take your order.
8. to regulate, conduct, or manage: to order one's life for greater leisure.

This word has so many meanings, many of which fit closely with my hopes for the year 2009

1. A house of order... as I worked on last year, I continue to rid our home of unneeded items (this move has been a great push in that direction!) I am developing a system of order for myself and the kids, i.e. load dishwasher at night, empty in morning, put things away before moving on to something else, etc.
2. Crafting... I need major help in this one! ONE project at a time, FINISH it before moving on to another, keep craft closet in order, you get the idea!
3. Health and Fitness... bringing order into my eating and scheduling a regular time to workout- or at least stretch this pesky hamstring til I can workout!
4. Putting my life in order... prioritize, prioritize, prioritize!
5. Orders... sharing and selling my creations! I've put a face lift on my crafting blog, I've been sewing away, and the ideas are flowing... so look for the debut of some of the goods coming sometime next week! (now I should get off the computer and start working on them!)

There are so many other ways the word Order applies, but these will be my main focus. I am looking forward to the success of achieving Order in my life and the peace it will bring!

Here's to a happy and successful 09!!

How do YOU know its time to get out?

We know it's time to get out when we start trying to make our kids look like Goonies characters!

6 long years...

It's our anniversary today! 6 years ago we we're married and 12 years ago we started dating! So to celebrate, we'll get real crazy, you know... watch some football, I'll blog some, maybe take a trip on the metro to costco for lunch, then head out to buy a NEW popcorn popper, AND maybe even go out on a little dinner date (with our kids in tow- no babysitters yet!) It should be a fun day! This weekend we'll try to head out into the "country" or over to Chesapeake Bay, pretty much where ever the wind takes us- with only one stipulation- OUT OF THE CITY!!!!

How long have you been married? 6 years (totally kidding about the 6 long years- its been a fun and exciting 6 years!)

How long did you date? 6 years to the day :)

How old is he? 30

Who eats more? Him by A LOT! He usually bats cleanup on my food. He's learned, however to ask first... when he was younger and unwise he used to snatch things off my plate without asking, and because I always save the "best bite" for last he would take the "best bite." After many chewing outs he thankfully learned his lesson :)

Who said, “I love you,” first? I think he did? It was too long ago to remember!

Who is taller? Him thankfully, I searched long and hard to find someone taller then me and at 6'5" I did just that!

Who sings better? He does by far although he says I can sing well, but please... I've heard my own voice before!

Who is smarter? I think we make a good team in the smarts department, where he lacks, I excel, where I lack, he excels.

Who’s temper is worse? His by far! I'm way more calm then he is!

Who does the laundry? Unfortunately, I do... although I rarely fold or put away clothes so when I do he usually helps fold- especially since he is home more now.

Who does the dishes? We both do.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I used to until Micah and Hallie were born, then I got booted to the left side cause it was closer to them.

Who pays the bills? He makes the cash, I pay the bills.

Who mows the lawn? We both do. Funny story this summer (when he was home) we would fight over who got to mow it cause we would use it as a workout- Tyson runs while mowing (I know, real safe huh!?!) and yeah, I don't need to run with it to get a workout!

Who cooks dinner? Unfortunately for our taste buds I usually do. I've said it before and I'll say it again- he cooks WAY better then I do. Back in his rebel days he worked with a chef and learned lots of great tricks... he creates meals that melt in your mouth. I follow a recipe, cross my fingers and hope it turns out!

Who drives when you are together? Right now, TYSON!!!!! He is the only one authorized to drive the rental and why put miles on our own vehicle when we can ride in style (and comfort) in our rental! Usually if we're going anywhere far away, I try to con him into driving so I can do something crafty while we drive... of course that doesn't really happen that often anymore :(

Who is more stubborn? We both can be pretty dang stubborn. But I'm usually stubborn only when I'm right :)

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I am usually, he does, but... the whole temper thing gets in his way sometimes- it usually takes him a little while :)

Whose parents do you see the most? Right now? neither! Before probably equal, I saw my family more with just me, but together we saw them all about the same.

Who has more friends? Probably me... I keep in touch with friends more then him, but he seems to pick up right where things left off with all of his friends.

Who has more siblings? Him by a lot!

Who wears the pants in the family? He wears the pants, but I'm the mind behind the pants :)

Bottom line... We make a great team!

We have had a wonderful 6 years and we are looking forward to so many more! Have a great New Years day!

Visit a look into the past for some more of our wonderful "young" pictures!