Guests, Birthdays, Puddles, Trips

I'm going to try and catch up with our recent happenings.

Two Wednesdays ago, Eva came to see us. I was extra excited about this trip because her birthday was on Thursday, so we got to celebrate it with her! John got in Thursday afternoon, so we had a big meal of steak, shrimp, sweet potatoes, green beans, and rolls in honor of Eva. Followed, of course, by chocolate cake and ice cream. We stayed up way too late playing games and just enjoying all being together again...it's been too long!

And like every good mom, I fed my children the leftover icing.

It rained and stormed Thursday night, so what did we do Friday?...play in the mud puddles of course.

I guess it's about time to get their little pool out. It's just as fun and much easier to clean up afterward.

Saturday we got up early and left for Iraan where we would be spending the rest of the weekend. We took a group of kids from the church here to an  area-wide youth fellowship. We played softball, volleyball, and pillow-polo. We ate hamburgers and cookies. We sang and listened to a very good lesson. The boys played in the rock pit. And we just had a really great time hanging out.

Sunday we all worshiped together, ate a big meal, and then got on the road to head home. It was such a fun weekend!

Sometimes all we focus on is how much worse today's youth is than in the past. I know I'm guilty of that. And while kids today face unique challenges in some ways, it's really just the same old thing kids have been dealing with forever. Dustin and I have had the privilege of spending a lot of time recently with these kids and I have to say...it restores my faith in today's youth. The truth is...kids are good. Especially these kids. 

That's a New One.

Last Saturday, on our way to Iraan, we stopped in Midland for lunch. We ate at McAlister's Deli, where a very friendly cashier assisted me with my order. Eva had Landon at another register, so when we all arrived at the table after ordering, and the cashier, who had accompanied us with our drinks, realized that Eli and Landon were twins, she began to ask the questions that I so often hear when out in public.

"Oh, are they twins?"

"Yes, they are." I said with a smile.

"Are they identical?"

"Yes, they sure are," I say.

"Oh! Do they have the same name too?"

Um...excuse me? Did she just ask if I gave my two sons the same name? What kind of redneck do I look like? It totally caught me off guard and I hesitated for a few moments before responding. "Oh no...this is Eli and this is Landon."

Eva, John, and I tried to figure it every way. Maybe she meant last name? Still doesn't make any sense.

The funniest part is that when I left the table to go get silverware, she continued on to tell Eva that she had twin brothers. Makes you wonder what their names are!

I went grocery shopping tonight.

Alone.

Notice anything about my groceries:

I had no idea I was picking up two of everything.

Apparently I think everything should come in twos. 

I'm seeking help for this problem.

It might have something to do with these two:

They like to roll around on the kitchen floor while I'm trying to cook or clean.

They are so helpful.

And they think they are so funny.

And they are...

When they are wearing swimming shoes, a t-shirt, and no pants.

And Oh.My.Goodness are these boys cute.

Telling secrets...

So sweet!

Happy Half-Birthday!

I take half-birthdays seriously around here. I don't think that we should just get to celebrate Eli and Landon once a year, so tonight we're having a small family party (as in just the four of us...which is so different from every other night.) We're cooking out, having strawberry shortcake, and spending the evening outside.

Well, that's what we would do if we hadn't been struck by the nasty stomach bug that is going around.  But with things as they are...we'll probably just eat something bland and do more laying around, rocking, and cuddling.

This is where Eli and Landon stayed all day yesterday. It worked best for us because we have tons of their blankets and I could easily clean up and switch out blankets as they were thrown up on through out the day. They didn't even try to get up all day. It was so hard to watch them so sick.

Today, we have stopped throwing up/having explosive diapers, so they graduated to the couch and the chair, but they are just as lethargic as yesterday.

In honor of Eli and Landon's half birthday today...I started looking back through pictures (as I so frequently do). It is so amazing how much they have changed along the way, so here is a quick peek at their short lifetime in pictures.

Newborn -

One Month -

Two Months -

Three Months -

Four Months -

Five Months -

Six Months -

Seven Months -

Eight Months -

Nine Months -

Ten Months -

Eleven Months -

Twelve Months -

Thirteen Months -

Fourteen Months -

Fifteen Months -

Sixteen Months -

Seventeen Months -

Eighteen Months -

The best 18 months of my life!