Inspiration Tuesday

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I have said this to myself so much and even blogged about it several times.  You just gotta live in what's happening and make the best of it!  Like today!  It's nice and sunny, we sat outside and watched the birds fly by.  It was simple and relaxing, no need to rush things. :)

Memorial Day

Thank You to all those American heroes.  It takes a lot of coconuts and heart to fight for your country.  We love you! ❤

{Happy and Safe Memorial Day everyone!}

How Preemies Choose Their Mothers

So someone I'ver recently gotten to know, Jennifer Burgess, who just herself gave birth to 31 week old twin boys.  They are currently in the NICU and doing well.  She posted this to her Facebook, it just made me tear up and I just had to steal it from her to share. :)

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation.

As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.

Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.

Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles."Give her a preemie."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God?She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God."Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect She has just the right amount of selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.

She will never take for granted a spoken word.

She will never consider a step ordinary.

When her child says momma for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.

I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--and allow her to rise above them.

She will never be alone.

I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice.".

Anyway, I see this apply to so many more out there.  We are all chosen to take care of these little ones put in our lap and it takes a strong person to do so.  It takes, love, happiness, heart, soul, and most of all knowing your limit and making mistakes along the way, learning from them and growing up with your miracle.    

Sorry if that was a bit much, haha.  

My posts have been a little mushy lately I know, maybe it's because of hitting 1 year and it's just made me realize all the changes that are happening. Who knows? Hehe.  

I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!  

{Be safe and have fun!}

Running with Angels and a NICU party

This last Saturday was the day for the Running with Angels 5k run.  If you're an old reader of this blog you know my reason for running from this post last year. I was there in hopes of being some support for our amazing friends.

What is so amazing about this day and the fact that the race actually fell on this day May 21, was that it was little James first birthday.

(These were the back of our shirts, designed by his mom herself)

This was such a touching run and the opening ceremony was just so beautiful.

The couple was able to release white doves in memory and dedication for their little guy along with 4 (I think) other families.  

To me this couple just Shines with love and joy in their hearts.  I really love this couple they have been so strong and loving through all their hardships and am so glad that I was able to build a friendship with them.  What's even better is that these gorgeous people are expecting a little girl in a few months!  I couldn't be more happy for them!

It was heart warming to just watch the families hug as they followed the birds as they flew away.  

Hundreds of people had come to support families, friends, and loved ones that have been lost.

Soon after the race was ready to begin and as the runners took their mark we all really just talked and prepared for a nice little Speed Walk through the Thanksgiving Point Gardens.  

I'm not sure if many of you have heard of this place, but it is probably one of the prettiest gardens I've ever been through.  Pictures could never capture how large and beautiful this place was.  Full of tulips, greenery, several waterfalls, water fountains, numerous places to just sit back at look over the entire place and it's beauty. It was just the perfect scenery to be taking during something like this.  Showing us how blessed we are to be and live on such an amazing planet and to be surrounded by love and beauty.  (Did I say beauty enough?)  

This just gave me even more memories I'll always get to cherish and remember.  

Speaking of being blessed and cherishing things-

the annual NICU reunion party just happen to run a couple days after the girls birthday and on the same day as the race.  In fact I remember being in the hospital on my first trip up to the NICU and hearing them talk about the party.  

We really didn't know what to expect and figured at the least we would get to see some of the great nurses that helped us through our 6 weeks in the NICU with the twins.  

They had blow up toy thingys a bunch of tents with games, face painting, foods, candy.  It honestly was a perfect place for a toddler.  Unfortunately the girls weren't able to really enjoy any of it yet so we simply sat in the grass had some dinner while the girls people watched just enjoying what was around them.

We were able to show off the girls to a couple of the nurses that we remember from our stay, but didn't see many others.  It really was a blessing to have people who cared so stinking much about us and the girls while we were there.  I know that I wouldn't have been able to make it through those longs weeks without their support.  Constantly having to tell me that they will be ready on their own time and that everything will work out like it's supposed to.  

I remember a couple days before the girls were released the nurses had to force the dude and I to go to a movie and dinner.  Our last night out on the town with no kids at home to worry about, hehe.

We will really never forget the amazing doctors and nurse staff that were there.

I really hope everyone takes a second and looks at all the great and wonderful things they have to be thankful for.  Sometimes we ( i know i do) get caught up in the crazy fast pace of life and forget all that we are given and are blessed with.  We are so lucky to have two happy and healthy little girls even after all the little complications. 

I hope everyone has a safe and awesome weekend!  

{Happy Friday!}❤

Birthday Party

The twins First birthday turned out to be such a fun day! Despite me stressing over, pretty much everything.  

I really need to just say a huge Thank You to everyone who came and gave the girls some great new things.  Also to the family that came from WA and to other family for helping with food and deserts! Oh, and to my mum for letting me use her kitchen for 10hrs to make the girls cakes. <3

I wasn't able to finish the orange one's icing around the edge because sadly the icingerthingymabob broke. :(  I have an exercise to help you though -imagine a cake, and orange cake.  Now imagine pink icing in cute little bumps around the orange cake- get a good picture?  Good! 

The fondant turned out really tasty though.  A hint of lemon flavor and some pieces had a hint of vanilla.  YUM! 

Everyone said they probably wouldn't just go and dive into the cakes because of hearing or having experiences with others not wanting to.  Boy we were surprised..

 Oakley instantly picked hers up, flipped it, and starting eating from the bottom!

First impression-odd.  But after some warming up, LOVED IT!

Kenzlee took another approach and decided to just take big bites out of the side without using her hand.  I think I got more pictures of her because of the faces she was making.  She would open up super wide, lean over, then as she would bite down her eyes would instantly cross!  Perfect!

Afterwards of course they were a giant mess!  This was the aftermath of their destruction of moms hard work, ;) joking of course, hehe.

We had some great friends and family over, including 5 babies and 3 toddlers.  It was a party house.  After opening up some gifts, cleaning up some cake covered kids we all dug into some ice cream and cupcakes and just sat around playing with the little ones and chatting.  It was really a good night, although much of it seems a blur.  

After planning and getting it all ready for the first time, I really know how I want to do things for the future birthdays to come.  I really loved our theme, Julius the Monkey just seems like a fun happy character.  It wasn't one of those fancy parties but it was our party!  ❤  

What themes do you like?

Happy Anniversary ♥

It was 3 years ago today the dude and I were sealed with a kiss!

We spent our last anniversary in the NICU and decided to spend this one early in beautiful Mexico.  Best part of it all?  I've been able to do it all with him by my side.  He's too amazing for words and helps with so many things.  Probably the best dad around, always willing to drop everything and play with his girls.

Who knew one day I would find the man I was meant to be with and we would start our adventures together.  I never knew, as I was meant to be the one with no husband or kids (in my mind).  It's been a fun ride, despite the regular bumps, and the future is bound to bring even better stories for the future.  

Love you babe! ❤  

I Heart Faces | Yellow

Playing with daddy ❤

Fabulous Five ❤

Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 Fabulous Wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous!

Today I get to talk about 5 Fabulous bloggers that inspire me and are, well, simply fabulous!  To me fabulous is being you and showing people who you are with no regrets!  Also having fun with what you do on a day to day basis, that can be hard but it's amazing how many people out there are so positive about life.  (Sometimes I wish I saw my glass half full more often than not ;) )

In reality there are so many wonderful blogs that I read daily that it was difficult to pick 5.  Alas I did and If you haven't heard of em before please do go check em out! :)

♥elycia

She is a total cutie and has some of the most adorable headbands around! I love her style as she isn't afraid to go with the bright and beautiful colors when creating in her studio or just simply dressing up for the day!  Lets not forget the her adorable kitties that she captures and shares with us weekly! 

Pyjammy's Triplets 

Being a mum of multiples I follow and am friends with a lot of other moms of multiples.  I've always said that it can be difficult with twins but this mom shows us just how fun it can be with triplets!  Not only are they identical but they are totally handsome adorable!  To me that's a super mom, keeping up with 3 boys, taking daily pictures, creating T-shirts for other moms of triplets and so much more!  I love reading about their adventures.

Adventures of a New Mom

Head over to her blog and try not to tell me how fun and adorable her little man Oliver is?!  It's so fun to see the new faces he pulls in her daily pictures of him, too cute.  My most favorite thing about her is she speaks her mind and isn't afraid to let other know how she feels.  But always in a fun loving way.  I can't help but get a few good giggles when reading her posts.  Not only that but word on the street she is opening an Etsy shop with some great vintage items!

Skunkboy Creatures

First thing I have to say about this blogger is OMG I love her clothes and outfit posts and totally wish that I could pull that stuff off, hehe.  She creates some of the most fun and adorable creatures in her Etsy shop and I'm just waiting for that extra cash to come in so I can snag something plushy. She has two little ones and She recently (4 months recent) had her 2nd girl and you'll just die over how cute little Miss Poe is. Poe? Yes LOVE IT!  She posts about randoms and mother hood keeping you on your toes with the fun little reads.

The Wiegand's

This little jewel is something a came upon recently and so glad that I have.  Casey is a mother of two, an artist, and married to an Ashton Kutcher look alike film maker.  Totally awesome right?!  Being someone who has always been into art and design since I was a wee one I just love seeing some of her paintings.  She blogs about so many great and inspiring things you can't help but enjoy reading up daily, life, love, family, faith, and friends.  Not to mention you can't get by how stinking cute her little family is.

I hope you stop by these fabulous bloggers and check them out! 

{Happy Monday Lovies!}

Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

One Year!

Remember these guys?!  Yeah, see how tiny and stuff they were.  

Now, a year later!  One whole year!  Look at'em!

Don't worry, we have covers, ha!

It's OK, people have called them fat, chubby, chunky, you name it!  But I'm OK with that.  Why?  Because they were born 3lbs 16oz and often premature babies don't pack the weight like they should. :) I'm a happy momma, hehe.

Just a few facts about them-

They both:  Say momma, daddy, dgy (doggy), iggy (kitty), more that I can't remember.  They can sign more and milk.  Give high fives, wave, clap, dance, roll, almost crawl, play peek-a-boo with each other (yes each other), reach up and pull up when we say "up"..hmm so many cool things they are doing I can't remember them all.  Have curls in their hair they obviously got from mommy.  Like to mimmic everything you do or sometimes say.  Throw temper tantrums.  Shy away when embarrassed.  

Oakley is 22lbs 9oz 

Kenzington is 22lbs 5oz

We are just so blessed and lucky to have such strong girls who really love to keep mom and dad on their toes.  ❤

We will be throwing them a party tomorrow night and I'll be sure to report back about that with some fun cake pictures! 

Also!  Before I go...

Despite the blur-yes already, heck BEFORE the age of one Ms. O is showing her accident prone side like her mom and has fractured her femur bone.  She is a trooper though!  Love her to death!

Hope you all are having a great Thursday!  I know we are despite the trip to the Dr.  

Much Love ❤