Life of a Star

Cute Deals for Mommies

2010-12-02T13:29:00.001-05:00

http://www.gaggleofchicks.com/r/10073

The Twig Bookstore

2010-11-10T17:06:00.003-05:00

http://thetwig.indiebound.com/miss-anastasia
I am sure that this link is sure to become a favorite destination not only online but in person. Once I began the browsing, I couldn't stop myself and I am hesitant to actually go into the store since I am sure that would surely be my fate in person as well. We will be taking the kidlets to a storytime in the near future. I am very sad to have missed that curious monkey.

The Nature of Change and Door Knobs

2010-06-07T11:40:00.000-04:00

A very poor, underprivileged person might think that is would be wonderful to have an automobile or a television set, and should he acquire them, at the beginning he would feel very happy. Now if such happiness were something permanent , it would remian forever. But it does not; it goes. After a few months he wants to change the models. The old ones, the same objects now cause dissatisfaction. This is the nature of change. ~The Dalai Lama

I guess the purpose of my posting this is just that it made me think, that it is much less important which door knobs I pick out for the new house, than who comes to turn them.

Green Concrete Forms?

2010-06-03T16:15:00.003-04:00

A new product that our builder wants us to consider using in place of some eco-panels. No termites, same footprint, same timeframe if not less, less on homeowners insurance, and they were used on an episode of Extreme Home Makeover. Has anyone heard of these? http://www.buildblock.com/insulated_concrete_forms.asp

Google Earth...love it

2010-06-02T22:03:00.002-04:00

This New House

2010-06-02T21:48:00.007-04:00

Well, I suppose it's about time I started using this thing again and what better use of an online message board to my family and friends than to discuss the homebuying and building process? We started looking at buying a home several months ago and even longer if you count getting our ducks and finances in a row to be ready to get our loan. At the beginning, I figured that we would discuss what our dream home would be like, look online at houses and talk about what an ugly kitchen this one had or what we should change about the living room in that one, and then we would spend a month in housing at Lackland while we looked this summer while we made an offer on a home and that would be that. Well, nothing is ever as simple as it seems in your mind, especially when it comes to buying a home. We soon realized that we couldn't find a home with enough space that would pass the VA standards in San Antonio. We could find plenty of hovels, but no homes. It was getting really frustrating but I just kept plugging away and trying to find something, anything that would meet our needs without budging on our non-negotiables. It must be safe, have a good school for the kids and be someplace not too far from family bbq time. The food is last on the list, but still important. The hardest part was the schools. The affordable homes are in the worst school districts. I kept getting little nudges from friends about building but I really thought that it was out of the question because we set a very strict budget. When I say strict, it seems crazy to most people, but we decided to stay under 95K for a 3BR2BA. I was finding most places that was leaving us with around 1200 square feet, and that is about as much as an apartment that you have to really like each other or have really small people in to make it work. We are planning on living here forever, so I was hoping for at least 1500 so that we could find a place for the kids to have a playroom and then a place to study and have friends over and then as a craft room or a place for Adam to hang out and play guitar when he is old and gray. Well, I gave in to the idea as the slimmest of chances and started looking into the idea of our Dream Home. We have talked about living in an Eco house or converting our home eventually to a green home bit by bit over the years. I have been doing a lot of research but never thought that it would come of anything, because most of the figures, even for a small home are around 245K. Then I found a kit home. http://www.greenmodernkits.com/r1.htm This is something that had me begin sending builders my ideas and budget. That is what has become the beginning of what might be our new home. I have since found a Green Contractor who thinks that he might be able to take on the project and have us in our home in as little as a month!!! He has been building Eco homes for 12 years, so he is familiar with many of the aspects of green design that I want in our house. It's passive solar heat with a central chimney for cooling. Additional heat will be provided with radiant floor heat. We will have rainwater catch and an aquifer with reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light to make it potable. We will have solar panels tied to the grid. Raincladding instead of siding, cork instead of carpet (better for asthmatics too), bamboo flooring upstairs, stained concrete down. It's amazing what you realize has been in your heart once you allow yourself to dream that it might be a possibility. The picture above is of the lot that we will be placing our house on...possibly. It's 2 acres to the left of the Monopoly house with the long driveway. We are thinking that we would place it about halfway up. What do you think? Any suggestions for our Eco-home?

Wordless Wednesday (Caption Me!)

2010-02-10T08:04:00.004-05:00

AFG, Preschool and Kumon

2010-02-09T21:43:00.005-05:00

A mini update for all of you who wonder what Adam is doing in Afghanistan, without divulging any national security secrets (as if I would know any), a whole lot of nothing. He goes to work, works out all the time, and wakes up in the middle of the night just to eat. It sounds just like him, doesn't it? I guess it's mostly an update on how bored he is. He is on a base he can't really leave, where the highlight of his day is going to the one small store to see if they have anything new. It's Ground Hog Day without the awesome diner. If you want to cheer him up, I would be more than happy to provide his email address or you can contact him on Facebook. If you want to send him a package, as I know some of you have asked me to provide ideas on what to include, think like a 5 year old...Gummy Bears! He also has people that he works with that don't get any packages, so it might be nice to send a gift that everyone can share. I don't bake so I never suggest anyone else do that, but perhaps a nice bakery is around the corner from you, like the lovely Sugar Plum Bakery here in Virginia Beach. They make much better baked goods than I ever could.

Jaden is doing great in Preschool. He is loving his teachers and has even begun to join in the group, another first for him. The only person that he has ever wanted to interact with is Ava or myself. I am constantly amazed by his progress. He initiates conversation, asks for items, shows more affection, acknowledges people and even expresses dismay when people leave the house. It's a whole new world for him and us.

I have just learned about this wonderful resource for Ava and I to work with, provided through Kumon. I was recommended them through my friend, Amber, who is a talented Homeschool Teacher. The games and workbooks are engaging and go right along with our Unplugged Play method of entertainment and learning throughout the day. Since Jaden is in school and learning to use scissors, letters, numbers, ect.., it's only fair that Ava have the same stimulus at home. We do some "school" each day for a couple of hours. I think her favorite is the matching up her letters with the corresponding picture on it, e.g. "M" Milk, "N" Newspaper, because she cheers every time she finds a match. They are great and really let her engage at her own pace. We also have the usual puzzles, coloring, painting, stringing macaroni, and sorting colors and shapes, but I think the best learning opportunities are when we are out in the real world and we find letters, numbers, colors and shapes in the environment. She practices her manners when we shop, and is learning patience and commerce in the checkout line at least once a week when we do a bit of grocery shopping together.

That's the update on the home front. I have been back to work, and it's making for some busy time after the twins are down to sleep, but I love being able to take photographs again. There is something special about people letting you into their lives even for a little while, that has to make you feel a bit privilaged. I really just like what I do, and it makes something in me sing. If you want to see what I have been working on, take a look over at Starlite Photography.

Jaden's going to school...

2009-12-20T12:53:00.002-05:00

I didn't really think that my little man would be going to school so soon, but we had our evaluation with the school system and he qualifies for a placement due to his reluctance to talk or pay attention. I am doing some sensory work with him in the meantime, but he should start the first week in January. I suppose the best Christmas present for him is going to be riding in a bus. He is in love with all trucks, fire engines, ambulances, school buses and semi's. It's amazing how much of a little man he is already. I am excited for him to get into a classroom with teachers who have been trained to redirect him appropriately and are prepared for his personality quirks. It's difficult to get people to understand, because he's not outwardly disruptive in a group. He just retreats, but that is a problem too. Since we have started Speech Therapy once a week at home, he has make great strides. I also have him on a Sensory Diet that just lets him experience different textures while he eats. It's been a great way to get him interested in the world without being overwhelmed.

Today I am making a sensory blanket. I didn't really know what this was until I read up on another mom's blog. I am filling mine with beans since I don't want to go to the store in search of the doll-making pellets that she suggests. I suppose if it works, I will make one of that eventually. It would be great to be able to take him to the movies, or to unfamiliar places without him getting upset and having a meltdown. I know that at 2 years old, there are certain places that he is just not going to be happy going, but I also know that there are things that he wants to be able to do and cannot because he is overwhelmed. It is also supposed to help with falling asleep, which would be great for naptime!

Fall 2009, by star dye

2009-11-17T19:30:00.001-05:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Afghanistan

2009-09-28T07:39:00.001-04:00

I know that everyone, like me, is worried about Adam getting orders to Afghanistan. I am still railing against the decision in my heart, and probably will be for a long time. It's a horrible thing to know that he has to leave our family and within a couple of months. I have more information that makes it somewhat softer news. He is going to a very safe area, so safe it has a Burger King. I guess you can have it your way, no missiles included. Even insurgents seem to know that it's wrong to bomb flame-grilled goodness. He will be supervising a watchfloor, so don't bother sending baby wipes, he's not on patrol in the sandbox. I still hate the idea of him going, but am glad it's relatively safe, considering everything. We also will be negotiating for follow-on order immediately, so I will be able to prepare before he even arrives home.

Preparing for any deployment is rough. I am always wondering how I will manage without my best, most consistent help. The twins are so much work, and so unpredictable with changes to schedules. A huge help is already in place this time, their school, Little Lights at Virginia Beach Beacon Baptist Church. They have so much fun and learn such great lessons about God and their place in the world. I am so grateful. I have also had friends volunteer to help out and watch them when I need a break or a helping hand. I think of the alternative, setting up a home in a couple of months in a new place without any friends or family, and feel doubly blessed. I will be planning the 3 year old birthday solo, so help there would be appreciated as would some family and friends visiting to break up the monotony of my groundhog day-like life.

I am happy that the duty seems to be one that will be great for his promotion potential, because it's more responsibility and in such a tough situation. I will continue to pray for President Obama to decide to pull all of our soldiers and sailors out of harms way and send them home. I ask all of my friends and family to do the same.

Brew Group * Small Group and more...

2009-08-25T07:40:00.001-04:00

Well, there are some happenings here in my life that I would like to share. I will be hosting a small group at my house on Monday nights for Military wives. I have felt for a long time that I would like to do something involving military women of faith because we have a different perspective than most. When I was in Naples, I was so encouraged by the women of PWOC and I am still encouraged by them. I remember their lives and their honesty about their walk in faith and it encourages me to this day. I hope that I can provide an opportunity for similar growth. I am doing this through my church, Reality Church, here in Virginia Beach. Besides the rock band, and the laid back dress code, there is a community feeling that permeates every ones personality that I see there. I would like everyone who reads this to pray for me to know what to do and what to say to be able to show people that God is where I find my center. If you want to know more, come to Reality Church on Sunday and see what it's like and stop by and talk to me about Bad Girls of the Bible and the specifics of when and where (my house).

My SHARE program box came, and it was full to the brim. We already had some of the food out of it, and it was really good. I was late picking mine up due to a mosquito bite on Jaden's face that made him wake up looking like he just spent 3 rounds in the ring with Tyson (circa 1980). We treated it with Benadryl and it was fine after about 3 days. Included in my box was Ham, bacon, chicken drumsticks, potato cakes (like flat tots), cinnamon bites, seafood snacks (that look like crab in a pastry), a huge bag of cut corn, chicken and wide rice soup (that looks big enough to fill a medium sized stock pot), a big bag of green beans, blackberries, and the family size Salisbury steak (which Jaden even ate). It's a lot of food. We paid just $35 and that is the largest and most expensive package. I think I will keep doing it as much as I can remember to. Between SHARE, my CSA and the Bread Program, I only need to go to the store for exotic fruits like bananas, diary items, and chocolate!

The basics of my life are pretty boring. Ava is getting more consistent with potty training, as long as she is pants-less, which is easy with a girl. Jaden still could care less about anything except Cars. I bought him a Lightening McQueen pajama set and it was love at first sight. Adam is going to be on leave pretty soon. I am painting again, during naptime, after chores... so very little, but it's great. I will post photos of what I have once I have something finished.

Remember my Dad today. I was a year ago that I lost him and I know he is with me always, but I am still selfish and want him to be my Dad and "the Grandpa" again for me and the babies. He wasn't a perfect person, but neither am I, and there is a piece of my life that is missing since he is gone. I will love him always.

iPhone for Mommyhood

2009-08-13T22:11:00.001-04:00

I have an iPhone, ostensibly for work. I do have a credit card processing app that is fully functional with a simple interface, but the apps that I love the most are the ones that Mommyhood demands. I have alarms and iCal which nonone can do without if you have Momnesia (the lack of memory beginning in pregnancy and continuing throughout the sleep-deprivation phase). I love Facebook, since I can let my other Mom's or the Husband see photos, know when I am running late, and do it all without having to be at a computer or talk on the phone, which is difficult when you have two people screaming about Nemo Fruit Snacks. I have been using SparkPeople to track how many calories are in my guilty pleasures, in the hope that it shames me into avoiding them. I like several apps aimed at foodies like, Whole Foods Market which gives me ideas on how to cook things that I get in my CSA like white eggplant and turnips; Epicurious for ambitious days, and Betty Crocker for ways to fool my family and friends into thinking that I might be able to bake. I get those mixes on sale and no one is the wiser. I save money at the grocery store with Cellfire that lets me load coupons on my saved store card and use them within about 10 minutes. I even have little fun learning tools for the twins to keep their attention when their patience runs out, like the ABC's and fun bobble head animals. It lets me check the weather, my email and even sometimes talk on the phone, but mostly it makes it easier for me to feel in touch with the world out there when most of my day is spent singing the same songs, squishing play-doh and asking who has to go potty around 200 times. If you need a new phone and think that the iPhone is only for executives or people who want to be trendy, save the money on a new laptop, which is in danger of having juice spilled on it and getting ruined in my house and check the New York Times or E! while you have a moment waiting in the line at the bank, or while you are stuck in the ER for the second time in a month because someone "might" have eaten an earring (or Scrabble tile). It's not any pricier than any other plan out there, and it's my little link to the outside world. Invest in antidepressants or just get Pandora and create a Laurie Berkner station and stop the voices from screaming inside your head.

August doings and happenings

2009-08-12T16:07:00.000-04:00

Here are a few things that I am trying out and think are great ways to save and support your community at the same time. I wholeheartedly believe in the ASYMCA and the programs that they provide. I like the community outings, like to a farm or the park because there are always so many more sets of eyes than I have. It's 10 times harder with another 2 year old than just one. I have to choose carefully the places that we spend our time so that we can be safe and still have fun. I will never forget Ava chasing the chickens around at Hunt Club Farm and yelling, "Come'ere Chicken, I want to hug you!". The twins also learned that day that spiders are not to be touched unless a parent was there. I knew that they had the concept down when they saw Charlotte's Web a couple months later and both of them were yelling, "DON'T TOUCH, NAUGHTY!". We have done crafts and trips but the constant source of fun for all of us is Mommy Moment. A few times a week, the kids go and play and learn in a structured group, led by caring and educated facilitators while the Mom's can sit in another room and work on whatever they need to. Some women work on school, or balance the checkbook, read or like me, sort coupons. This interaction with other children has yielded huge benefits for the twins. They can now transition from one activity to another, with warning, without a tantrum. Well, when Lightening McQueen is involved, it might get a few tears out but that is the way it is sometimes.

Couponing has led to significant savings for our family. I saved 50% of my purchases at CVS and earned $13 in coupons to spend on my next visit. That's currently about 5 gallons of milk. I also couponed and shopped the sales at Kroger and saved around $68 on our monthly groceries that I stock up on. I also used the Bread Program on the ASYMCA link above to get free bread. Any military family can get it, and it's great quality, just like what I buy at the Commissary or Farm Fresh. Trying to save on food is sometimes hard because the prices are pretty much fixed, but alot can be saved if you are smart about what you buy and when. I am also trying this SHARE program. I have been looking for ways to show the kids how to volunteer to help yourself and others. When you volunteer, it gives you pride in yourself and is kindness in action. I am buying one of the boxes this month to see what is in it, before I recommend that my friends order it as well. The August deadline for ordering is just passed anyway, but even if you don't live here, one is probably active where you live. VIRGINIA SHARE PROGRAM

I am so looking forward to meeting Conner this weekend. He is already so big and I just can't wait to love on him. I am going to take some family photos, so keep an eye out for pics of my new nephew!

Lessons Learned in First Two Years of Parenthood

2009-07-16T22:43:00.000-04:00

The smaller the item you are missing, the more likely you are to have placed it in the freezer or fridge when trying to placate your domicile terrorist.
Chicken nuggets can quiet almost any tantrum.
Diapers can be changed while standing up.
A new car/TV/carpet/anything of value is a waste, until your toddler understands that it's not okay to just spit out whatever they are done eating because they see something tastier in the periphery.
Pants with elastic are not helpful for losing baby weight. (Jeans with spandex worked into them fall into this sneaky category, as well as yoga pants).
"No!" doesn't mean No, it can mean, "I would like something else to eat/do.", "I don't like that", "I see you have taken off your diaper and Mom is going to be pissed".
Chocolate milk can buy you another 1/2 hour of shopping time.
Getting a toddler to leave the house in a reasonable amount of time requires more preparation than a battle group deployment.
Fork sounds a lot like another word, but don't ever try to clarify the difference.
Things that you shout in traffic sound ridiculous when repeated in a higher octave and a slight lisp.

Watch out World

2009-07-04T22:33:00.001-04:00

Ava is behind the wheel.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T22:27:00.001-04:00

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July. We celebrated with crafts, corn dogs and Fun Dips. Ava also learned to drive a car.

Sleeping in BIG BEDS

2009-07-03T07:52:00.001-04:00

Early this morning, around 4am I woke up for no apparent reason, other than the light being on, my book suffocating me while I was trying to sleep and it was 77degrees in my house. When this happens I always check on the little monkeys, especially since we have transisitoned to BIG TWIN BEDS. They have been pretty good about trying to stay on them for the most part until tonight. What a couple of cuties. I guess Ava doesn't need her Lovey-blanket when she has her Jaden.

Convicted!

2009-06-30T16:15:00.000-04:00

I have been a bad blogger. I used to be pretty good about getting my posts up in a reasonable time and getting some kind on content in them as well. I have been such a slacker. I have a new gadget, my iPhone, and it's not blog friendly to me yet. I really stink at typing on the thing so it will be a while before I can do cool mobile posts. We have had a couple of birthday parties, an ill fated trip to the movies and alot of playdates. The good news is the that kids are getting more language skills and learning to take turns, share and transition to new activities without losing their minds but the bad news is that I am constantly running behind. I started a new business and it's going great. I can't wait to do some more purse parties, I love making women feel more confident and a bit posh. I am going to post a few photos and some video but for the most part, we are trying to stay cool or at least sunblocked up right nicely.

My Kids Eat Free

2009-06-18T08:27:00.000-04:00

http://www.mykidseatfree.com/states/Virginia.asp Find where your kids can eat free! This is a great little website that I found that lets you look for where you might like to take the kiddies if they eat around 2 bites a piece or an entire Virginia ham and nothing in-between. I figure that if one eats a couple of bites, and the other (you know who you are Wava) eats all of theirs, and half of mine then we got a great deal without dishes to wash.

So nice I had to share it

2009-06-17T06:41:00.000-04:00

When someone deeply listens to you, it is like holding out a dented cup you've had has since childhood and watching it fill up with cold, fresh water. When it balances on top of the brim, you are understood; when it overflows and touches your skin, you are loved. ~John Fox

Better Late than...

2009-06-08T22:32:00.009-04:00

Spring Break 2008

M.O.M. Mom's of Multiples

2009-06-02T00:55:00.001-04:00

A friend whom is expecting twins asked me to post a link to my t-shirt site and this seems as good a place as any...since she already has it bookmarked. http://www.cafepress.com/multiplesmommie It's a little goofy, but I am working on it again. It's really just something fun. I have around 5 other shops that sell shirts and mugs and cards, you name it. I have even made some custom t-shirts for friends. It's so cool to know that something that you thought up is going to end up walking around SC, AL, MI or even one time AK. Very neat!

Cool Beanz

2009-05-26T16:07:00.001-04:00

I happened upon this really cute little yogurt bar the other day and
just love it. It's in the Strawbridge Shopping Center close to our
house, and I am going to try to get Adam to go with me to get a little
sweet treat for all of us tonight. We'll see how it goes, and what
the photos look like!

I heart this...

2009-05-05T23:34:00.001-04:00

You never really know how big a dork you are until you find yourself getting excited about fabric prints and aprons...http://makingitfun.blogspot.com/

Well, it's here Virginia...

2009-05-01T06:48:00.001-04:00

Swine Flu has arrived. What should I do to keep my babies from touching everything and then touching their faces? I Purell them so much already that Jaden makes a face when he puts his hand in his mouth to eat. Should we stop going to playdates? The kids there have runny noses and are always sneezing. You only need to see our cars to know most of it is from pollen. My black SUV looks gray because of all the dust on it. I have terrible allergies and that's not ending anytime soon. Get plenty of rest and stay home if you are feeling sick? Are these people talking to the military members, or just the retail associate at the Mall? I wonder how many people on my husband's ship are going to be staying home with, "swiney symptoms"? I don't want to stop being active, but I want to be cautious. Is there a balance?

Save the Ta-Ta's

2009-04-29T20:38:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder with a funny way about it, to rub on yourself once a month, or make it a fun-time activity with your spouse!

A New Week

2009-04-27T07:09:00.001-04:00

So we have a new week beginning today and the twins are already up early and ready to get started. I am less ready, but half a cup of coffee in isn't bad and I think that I will be well on my way by the end of the cup. There are several things that we are looking to do and some are way off in the distance and some right around the corner. For example, we are "healing" our home. I love Apartment Therapy and they have something called the 8 week Home Cure. It started six weeks ago on the site, but I didn't get motivated until last week to do it for our house. It's really a great way to make your home happier and work better for you. Just like not every relationship, friendship or faith can be treated the same way, the way you relate to your home can't be treated the same. It's a nice easy book on how to make your home healthy. We also are planning a housewarming in conjunction with that; dates to be announced. Our fresh fruit and veggies are about to come on home next week. We will be negotiating for orders in May. We won't be leaving for quite a while, but we might know where by next month. Our little family is going to be busy, buying a pass to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens and letting the babies splash and play in the WOW Garden. We also are looking for a retirement care facility to visit and let the babies enjoy the company of some Grandma's and Grandpa's once in a while. I think that at 2 years old, they might be old enough to color with a friend or two for a short visit. I just wanted to start the week with a smile, so that is why you are looking at Adam in all his junior high glory. It makes me smile just thinking about it.

Leftovers? Again?

2009-04-14T11:07:00.001-04:00

It's hard making leftovers exciting, because my entire meal needs to be made in about 20 minutes and incorporate everything I have on hand and was on sale for the week. Shopping on a budget makes you more inventive and resourceful so I found a great site to make more of what we have. Love Food Hate Waste lets you look up ingredients to use up and makes it simple to be green. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle doesn't just apply to our plastic bags and thrift store finds. Most estimates say that we send 25% of our groceries straight into the garbage. That's around $100/month for me, and I don't want to go throwing away what would be a Coach purse or into the trash. Think of it in terms of something you would normally save for as a treat, like a family vacation and it starts to hurt your feelings when you realize that is just going from your wallet into the bin. I looked into the fridge today to plan our the few meals that we will be having here before our Vacation Celebration in North Carolina this weekend and saw at least a few items that could be super-tasty given the right inspiration. I figure that I will be spending around $20 on groceries, including milk before we leave. That's saving me a ton of headache and wallet-ache. BTW, this is what courgettes are....YUMMY!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T20:49:00.001-04:00

This is what Bunny track housing looks like on the wrong side of the tracks!

Buy Local

2009-04-06T09:10:00.002-04:00

Skipper Farms CSA
I think that we are going to try this out. The concept is simple, you pay the farm upfront and they select a bushel of in-season fruits and veggies for you to pick up once a week. I can't imagine finding the time to shop at a farmer's market once a week with the kids. This way, I will get local, fresh produce that uses only minimal chemicals and for about $15/week. That is way better than what it takes to buy our weekly produce at the Commissary. Would any of you consider this as an option?

Amen Brother

2009-04-05T21:58:00.001-04:00

Relevant Magazine: Death to Facebook

What is the point of getting to know people in a virtual world? I blog to send out information to new moms of multiples, friends and family. I talk to people that I already know well...like we have some genetic traits in common or I have stalled out a tractor in their parents field. I hate that people tell me that I "should" be on Facebook or that I "should" Twitter. I don't think that most people care about when and how many diapers I change or when I drop off the Netflix to get new movies sent. The people that do care, I speak to on the phone, where I can tell if they need a friend to listen to them or maybe a funny/disastrous story from my own life. These social networking sites just put out a version of yourself to people. You get to choose your photo from all the best that you have available, unlike what you look like in the morning before coffee. You put out information that makes you seem witty or self-deprecating or altruistic. What if those 25 random things lists included actually revealing things, like what you really think about most of the day. List items that mean something, like "I yelled at my daughter because I was frustrated, not because she was being disobedient", "I have road rage", "I don't like foreign films", "If I am mad at you I will be cold just for spite". These sites don't get information out to people that they could really use to get to know the real you in a timely way. They aren't revealing, they are PR. Everyone, even in real life, projects the best version of themselves at first but as you get to really know a person, you reveal more about yourself through your actions than any Twit or online update could ever do. Relationships are evolutions. The longer and more closely you know someone, the more you will be able to anticipate how they will react to a situation, and how to best support them when they need you. My family, for instance, knows more about why I am who I am and why I react in certain ways than most of my friends. My husband knows more about my everyday, but some of my friends know more about my innermost thoughts. I may not have 112 people that I call, "Friends" and can list them here, but the real friends that I have have been there for me when I needed them, not to show my status in a virtual advertisement for my life. That is the beauty in having relationships. Don't get me wrong, I like being able to keep in touch with my loved ones, and updating them on the intricacies of my military life with twins, but nothing beats hugging someone you really love. That is why I will never replace my time I spend with my real friends, on the phone or face to face with Facebook.

Pink vs. Blue

2009-03-30T12:00:00.001-04:00

I have a friend who looks at the chores in the house in two categories. There are, "Pink" jobs and "Blue" jobs. The Pink jobs tend to the female in a traditional sense and the Blue jobs are typically male jobs. Taking out the garbage for instance is BLUE and laundry is PINK. What if you are a woman, like me, who likes the Blue column jobs. Am I now Purple because I like to work on the car and cut the grass in the backyard? I like making things with my hands, whether it's a new table or a scrapbook page. I like cooking a nice meal for my family and friends but it's also nice to have some nights off while the DH gets his hands and my kitchen dirty. It's not that I don't like the idea of assigning tasks to split some of the responsibility, but I just like looking at the work that needs to be done in the house without a color wheel. I like that my husband loads the dishwasher and changes diapers while I can go outside and enjoy the sun and dig up weeds, or get the grill going with a big brisket or rack of ribs. I like to hear a car engine hum and know that I had a part in it's running well. I suppose I am a little different than most women I know. I like to do the majority of the driving on road trips. I like that Adam can relax and man the iPod selection when we hit a boring stretch of the road. I guess what I wanted to see with this is if anyone else likes to do the "other" color jobs, like me?

One year ago, or so....

2009-03-25T19:24:00.005-04:00

My upcoming week

2009-03-23T07:48:00.001-04:00

My cousin will be heading back down here to work for several months so I am over the moon to have even a little piece of home be around the corner. Sometimes, you just need someone who knows all about your family to truly be able to laugh at the irony. The babies and I are going to work on letters and numbers and color-sorting. Not the most exciting stuff for me, but they go bananas for it. I am looking for a night-time babysitter for May 20th, because Adam and I have a date we can't break that day, so I will be interviewing like crazy today on the phone and in person if they are available. I have to order photos for a bit of scrapbooking that I am going to be doing on Friday evening. I love that Beach Scrapbooks has late-night scrapping sessions for those of us who can't get out of the house until after our back-up arrives. We are still working to get the Civic running well, and might just sell it after it's "all better?" as Ava would say. I guess we will just have to see what the week brings us, but at least there are a few things that we have to look forward to.

Family Fun

2009-03-20T12:16:00.002-04:00

We have been busy enjoying the nice weather that has been happening the past few weeks, on and off. Sometimes we get rain, some days are cold without warning, but it's finally nice enough to get out and about without getting windburned in the process. These photos are from a short trip to the park. What you can't see is the two pounds of sand that are in Jaden's hair from the sand volleyball court, or the airplanes (military jets) that he was focused on the entire day. The twins are growing up so fast, it seems like a second ago that we were planning that first plane ride to celebrate turning one. This year will be just as great. It's birthday time in just a couple of weeks and we are taking a little road trip to see Grandma and PaPaw in North Carolina. The current obsession is Nemo, so it's going to be a pool party at an indoor pool in Raleigh. I am very excited to let them swim and play with family all around. That's the good stuff in life. I am also looking forward to the food coma that is sure to come after their first dose of PaPaws biscuits and gravy. What a treat!!

I wanted to share some Mom-tips as well, while I am here with a spare minute before the dryer buzzes and it's back to work for me. A great little time-saver for the 1-2yr old crowd are these Tummy Tickler bottles. They are 100% juice and you can use them over and over. Ava loves her Clifford ones and even sings to him. Jaden, of course, has Tigger and goes bananas making him jump. They don't leak and are a great fix if you lose a sippy or just leave the house without one on accident. Everyone who talks to me knows that I like to keep a back-up pack in my car just in case. I guess it would help to give to contents so that you can add them to your car if you don't want to have to go shopping next time you leave the house without wipes. I like to add my car organizer, anti-bacterial wipes travel pack, pack of regular baby wipes, additional diapers (in ziploc bag), several bags from wal-mart or target to put dirty/wet clothes in, toys and books to rotate out when boredom strikes or they get dropped in the ladies room or a mud puddle, snack size packs of crackers or pretzels (use your imagination) for bribes, and a meal replacement bar for myself. You never know when you may need to take someone into the emergency room during dinnertime and be starving because you are there for 6 hours. I also like to keep a changing pad for quick changes in the back of the car when nice weather permits. I also try to keep a change of clothes for each of them, including a jacket, but that doesn't always happen. At the beginning of the month, I try to clean out the car and re-stock at the same time. The emergency pack has saved me more than once. I know it's a little "Monica", but it's better than being stranded in the middle of nowhere with nothing to eat and dirty, cranky twins. Well, as always, I love to find out about new things to do with the kids, so if you know of any fun learning activities, send them my way. We are working on numbers and letters, and I will share what we are doing soon.

Love is...

2009-03-12T08:08:00.001-04:00

freshly made coffee waiting for you in the morning...
a little boy who keeps his diaper on...
a husband who takes our the trash...
a daughter who insists on at least three kisses to go to sleep....

The little things in life.

Sorry

2009-03-09T07:32:00.001-04:00

I have been slack on posting, but I am going to put some small updates on here this afternoon...as soon as they sleep. I hope that they will sleep!

Trying out Etsy

2009-01-29T22:21:00.001-05:00

So Etsy is a place that you can buy handmade goods and vintage items. It's like a more fun and more green eBay. Many people repurpose items, which I love. I just decided to try it out. I am putting up some items that I made for a craft fair and some other little crafts that I like to do. It would help finance my Michael's runs and scrapbooking habit. Tell me if you like the header, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6843801

Love is in the air...

2009-01-29T22:18:00.001-05:00

at least the smell of chocolate is in the air at every store I seem to step in. The temptation of dark, decadent chocolate is invading every corner of the aisles. Why would they put a display of tasty little truffles in front of the apples? So that my apples, which I was thinking looked pretty tasty, look boring in comparison. I was excited about those apples, and now they look sad. Why would a holiday dedicated to indulgence be put right after everyone make new commitments to be healthier in the New Year? Sabotage. Vegggie Sabotage. Someone should look into that. I wonder if the USDA has a law enforcement branch? Scary what lack of sleep will do to your brain...

A spare minute?

2009-01-27T23:19:00.002-05:00

Not hardly one of those today. We were on the go in one form or anther all day today. First we had daycare drop-off (babies) and grocery shopping and errands. Once I was home, there was a full nap boycott. I did get the cold items put away before anyone had to come back downstairs. Shrek the Third was a big hit as the newest addition to the babies DVD library. I spilled brown rice in the fridge and used the vacuum cleaner to clean it up. I never thought I would be doing that particular chore. There were tantrums galore while I was finding that our laundry room was flooded and had to pull the shelves out of it for the maintenance man to get in there. I just now got finished with the restocking and cleaning of the laundry room. I guess it finally got mopped thouroughly. That's my upside. I guess you always have one, especially when you are on the floor looking up.

Perfectly Un-Perfect

2009-01-25T22:04:00.003-05:00

I was very un-perfect today. I had un-perfect hair (styled by Ava), and un-perfect clothes (yoga gear even though there wasn't one downward facing dog move) an un-perfect house (messy taken to a whole new level) and some un-perfect childrearing moment (like telling Avalina "Women like us don't carry on like this even when we are sick here LADY!" and asking Jaden, "Did you poop?" to which he replied by showing me a hand caked with the evidence). I didn't really mind much about being un-perfect today though. I must be growing up.

Who's the Chief really?

2009-01-24T21:45:00.001-05:00

NyQuil vs. Krispy Kreme

2009-01-17T18:52:00.001-05:00

NyQuil makes you drowsy and sluggish. It should carry a warning label that if you take it in the kitchen there is a high likelihood that you will awaken with tile marks on your face in a puddle of your own drool. Krispy Kreme should carry a warning that consumption could lead to compulsive driving at all hours of the night looking for a store with the light on indicating that they are being freshly made and glazed. I think that I am going to have to take my chances with the donuts. It's especially important because I can't take NyQuil and neither can the kiddos. They also couldn't look cuter eating their first Krispy Kreme's. Thanks to my Sugar Angel who delivered them in the freezing cold just to make us all feel a little better. It really did the trick!

Baby Scrap Time

2009-01-16T14:54:00.001-05:00

I have been trying to get in a scrapbook page a week for an online meetup group I joined. I like this page so much, I thought that I would show it to the family that visits us here. I made a pocket that holds scanned photos of my ultrasound images. On the bottom is a tiny picture of a very large me the day before I delivered. I journaled about the music of their heartbeats.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-09T06:41:00.012-05:00

Here is a little mini-movie of our Christmas. We had a very nice day with lots of food, fun, friends and our little family. We read about Christ coming into the world for us from a book that Chris and Cristina gave us before the babies were even born. The babies played all morning in their new little learning center with chalk that they tried to eat (and continue to try to eat) and with the baby-twins. Ava was so cute at one point, with one in the stroller and one in the pack n' play. Just like her mom. Jaden loved that little train and kept asking me to put the trailer on the tow hitch. Just a nice relaxed day. We spent the afternoon and evening with the Sines at their new home. The dinner was amazing and the kids loved the faux reindeer next to the tree. Dinner was so good, Jaden even ate a green bean between bites of ham and turkey. A lovely Christmas and a nice relaxing New Year.

Hilarity

2008-12-21T10:06:00.001-05:00

This is just plain funny. Adam gives great gifts, and I am sure there is not a dust-buster in my future, but this is just plain funny.

http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/video.aspx

Finally a Win!

2008-12-19T10:03:00.001-05:00

Hurray! We finally got called for a win at the Christmas Party. Adam and I have attended several of these and never won anything. I told everyone what I really wanted to get called, even if it was for a Starbucks gift card. I didn't care what we won, just that we didn't have to sit through another boring Christmas Party and not win one of the awesome door prizes.

Last night was finally our night, and Adam was called up. He had the best surprised look on his face that I have ever seen. We won this brand new Blu-ray player. We don't have any Blu-ray's because we don't have a player, because we don't have an HDTV. We don't have an HDTV because before we left for Italy, we bought a new tv and a surround sound system and just loved it. When we were in Italy we didn't really have television service and when we came back I was already pregnant with the double blessings. Priority was on getting cribs and diapers stockpiled, not on a new television. We got rid of the surround sound a while ago once we realized that it was sitting behind the television stand because the kids were trying to chew on the cords that connect the speakers. There isn't really much point to getting a new fancy television when there are curious little fingers all over the one that we have now. The Navy won't even insure the Plasma tv's to ship, because they are so prone to breaking. So now, we have a nice Blu-ray player and no fancy tv to watch it on. I am still very happy to have won it. I was hoping we might be able to return it and get a nice little video camera to record more of the twins "firsts".

Speaking of, "firsts", Ava had one just a minute ago. She climbed out of her crib unassisted. I came into the room and saw her and she looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. I told her, "Get back in your bed and take your nap!", but she couldn't figure out how to get back in by herself. She even told me, "Naughty?".

Some highlights of the Christmas Party include:

during the Invocation prayer included Christ being called "Sir", and nearly omitted the word Christmas
Adam gave me some of his Prime Rib because I got the last slice all full of gristle and fat...that's love because Adam takes his food seriously
The dancing was alternately adorable and horrifying
the dresses and lack there of, were memorable..some memories I would like to forget
the parking was free as was the diet coke
Adam danced with me and made me laugh despite myself
Amber and I did a little salsa
meeting all of Adams co-workers and being able to put a face to a name
and of course OUR NEW BLU-RAY!

In The Land of Giants

2008-12-08T22:19:00.000-05:00

Painting

2008-12-03T11:58:00.001-05:00

I am painting again. It's slow going, but we will see where it heads.
I can only paint for a few minutes at a time, while the babies nap
and after I have cleaned house. It's so relaxing to me, beyond what I
can express. There are some things that there are no words for, and
that is why we have art.

What is my world coming to?

2008-12-01T10:31:00.001-05:00

We are all under the weather and the weather isn't all that great to
begin with so our starting point is low. I am going stir crazy being
cooped up like this. I ran out of coffee today and had to sacrifice
and drink half-caff. What is my world coming to? Jaden won't keep
his diaper on to save his life and the best advice I could find on the
internet was between putting him in a sleeper to nap with it zipped up
backwards or duct tape his diaper on. This is not a joke, duct tape
around and cut it off to save your house from having poop murals.
What is my world coming to? I can't find a babysitter who will charge
me less than $12/hr so that I can go to the dentist. I can't find the
twins birth certificates so I can't even enroll them in the drop-in
care for the base. I can't do that anyway, because the sponsor needs
to be there to sign the paperwork anyway and my husband is never home.
So that is my little bit of crazy. The kids are going down for nap,
so I hope that the day gets significantly more boring from here on
out.

Life with twins, twice the laundry, half the sleep.

Snow?

2008-11-21T08:29:00.001-05:00

Yes, snow. It's puny, sissy snow but it's out there. The kids have
been watching the backyard like it's an IMAX movie. Very, very cute.

Yes, Please.

2008-11-18T20:47:00.000-05:00

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Lord, may I not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
Because it is in giving that we receive,
in pardoning that we are pardoned. Amen.

Top 5 Things random Likes/Dislikes

2008-11-16T21:19:00.003-05:00

My Top 5's are just a peek into my head. Sometimes, I worry a little about people who want to look, and I pray for most of them.

Top 5 Likes
1. My Crock Pot
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Jaden's curls after a bath.
4. Our President Elect
5. My hair color

Top 5 Dislikes
1. Commercials
2. Critics
3. The Monsoon Season
4. When you wash the laundry and have to recycle the load because one little dishrag smells like feet and now the rest of the wash is gross too!
5. "Washable" Markers

Daily Diary

2008-11-15T20:34:00.002-05:00

I haven't really been too good about posting lately and most of you
that read this, I assume can guess why. I have two growing reasons
why I am less and less at the computer and more and more at the
washing machine. You see, I tell everyone that life with twins is
half the sleep and twice the laundry. I just wanted to take a few
minutes while I can and give some updates. I started meeting with
some friends to try and figure out how to be a better household
manager. You see, the role of a SAHM can sometimes be filled with
jobs that you haven't necessarily been trained for at all. It's a bit
like trying to be Martha Stewart without the minions. My jobs as
Nutritionist, Chef, Social Coordinator, and CFO have been eased by a
couple of women and their tricks and hints. We met at IHOP and all
the secrets of running a home better were laid on the table. I have
been working so hard, but not as smart as I could be. So I found out
how to get free food by using double coupons and knowing the sales. I
finally found a better way to clean my house and keep organized, but
most of all, I was encouraged and relieved to just hear that it takes
time and God's grace.

Ava has had a little bug and she is fighting it tooth and nail. She
was even dancing today. Some of her recent accomplishments include
acquisition of the word, "No" and it's liberal application. She is
not hesitant to use it and nearly abuse it. She is constantly having
new words come up in conversation with me that I understand but to the
public sound like French and Arabic combined. Her facial expressions
are expansive and she can convey pretty much anything she is wanting
you to know with just a glance. She loves going to the ASYMCA
playgroup. She dives right in and starts talking to whomever is in
there. She especially loves coloring and stealing snacks that are
unmonitored. She loves on her baby doll all day long and will,
"Shhh", her to go to sleep and feed her the baby bottles very gently. I did, however need to make a last minute purchase of a baby bottle since she stuffed one in the ball popper in an attempt to see it shoot through and only succeeded in blowing out the fan on the popper.

Jaden is more chatting but in a less obvious way. He likes to sit in
the little rocker and read to himself. If interrupted, he will make
you read the book to him. He loves closing doors and drawers, and
turning the t.v. on and off. When he is caught in the act of turning
the t.v. off, he will turn it back on if you ask him to. He thinks
that your nose is called a Beep thanks to my touching his nose and
beeping it. He loves to give hugs and will give a little dance after
he delivers a kiss to me. He like to have his toes counted in the
fashion of, This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed
home...so much that he will not wear socks in the house. He hates
green beans and will sort them out of any food that they might be
sneaking in.

They both love going to the park that we have here, just a block away.
There are three in-between our house and the one that we frequent,
but none of the others have swings. Ava calls the slide, "Weee?". I
take them in the wagon and they get a snack on the way home. The love
pretzels and call them cookies. They both love the music time that we
have after breakfast but I have learned to be selective on which songs
I allow them to listen to because Jaden took it seriously today when
House of Pain instructed him to, "Jump Around", while he was in an
armchair. They are sometimes crazy, but always fun.

It is a nice life.

Simply Saturday

2008-11-15T13:32:00.001-05:00

We were just hanging out here and letting Ava get over her case of,
"The Punies" and I started to wonder what makes you feel better when
you are sick? What is something that your Mom used to do, or still
does, when you don't feel good? I use room temperature Vernor's and
diluted Gatorade. A full day in pajamas also seems to help quite a
bit.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-12T21:04:00.002-05:00

Images may be offensive to some viewers, well not some, just his Dad.

Halloween Happenings

2008-11-05T14:12:00.008-05:00

We had a great Halloween complete with a Rocker theme and lots of friends. The only trick was all of our hair.

Little Pumpkins

2008-10-27T18:41:00.000-04:00

Different Approach

2008-10-27T18:40:00.000-04:00

They are so much different people. Starting from the point of getting
out of the car, Ava wanted to pick up even the biggest pumpkins and
Jaden just wanted to run and occasionally play the bongos. I'm not
sure what that says about them, but they were so very cute.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-27T14:25:00.001-04:00

Sweet babies picking pumpkins.

Dessert anyone?

2008-10-26T14:04:00.001-04:00

I realize that most of my day is the meat and potatoes part of the
meal. You have to make beds and vacuum and wash dishes. The biggest
parts of the "meal" are things that you have to do, and most of the
time don't mind because most of the time the main dish isn't liver and
onions. Part of the day is the vegetables, where you do the things
that you might not like as much but do because they are good for your
character. Getting up in the middle of the night with a sick child,
or taking out the trash fall into this category. I just can't wait
for the dessert part of the day, when I get to do the things that I
love the most. Sitting down with my husband by my side, even if he
falls asleep two minutes into our movie. It's worth waiting for, just
like Mom told us.

Mercy Me, why don't you grow up and get a real job!

2008-10-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

This was a surprise to me from Adam this past Thursday. We were able
to see Mercy Me and Bebo Norman in concert at The Rock Church here in
Virginia Beach. It was a really great night and we had so much fun.
Adam even managed to keep it a secret up until the time that we pulled
into the parking lot. I am so happy that he asked me out.

The real STARS of our family circa. Sept. 2008

2008-09-21T23:13:00.005-04:00

Moving Stinks!

2008-09-18T10:50:00.002-04:00

I just hate the packing and sorting of everything. I know it will be great in the end. More room, a little fenced yard and a cute little laundry room! I have been working on getting everything organized and am feeling a little Monica about it. It's a nice kind of crazy. I even have the label-maker out today and it is just awesome!

Nice Note?

2008-09-17T19:29:00.003-04:00

Well, I had to write a little note and leave it on a car tonight for my neighbor. I don't know which neighbor it is, so I couldn't just run over and chat them up about it. It reads...

Hi there cute little car owner~ (it's a very nice white scion)

I would like to ask you to please not park here on Wed. nights because the trash man can't always get to my bin and it has about 150 dirty diapers in it every week and I really don't want them another week! Tks~ The Multiples Mom

I hope it is taken with a wink and nobody becomes irate. Have any of you left a note for someone as an FYI?

I'm a liar

2008-09-11T22:30:00.002-04:00

I tricked Adam into believing that we were going to a play in order to get him to be surprised and excited about going out to dinner for his birthday. I let him believe that we were going to see, "The Vajayjay Monologues" at the new performing arts center down the street from us. I made a huge deal about my friend bailing on me and even set it up a week ago so that he would know how much I was looking forward to going. He fell for the, "poor me", routine and said that he would go with me, even though it looked like he was getting ready to go to get a root canal.

I let him believe it right up until we were walking out of the parking garage before I pulled a card with a bunch of little tickets on it and had the explanation written on the inside of the card. Then we went to Cheesecake Factory and had a lovely dinner. I even got them to sing to him and it was a good thing that the lights were down low so that I was the only one that could see that he was blushing and embarrassed. I hope that he had a nice fake birthday. You see it's not until next week that he turns 31, but he will be floating then, so we had to wish him older earlier this year.

Fun at home

2008-09-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

Fwd: Pat-a-Cake

2008-09-10T22:10:00.000-04:00

Grief

2008-08-28T10:03:00.003-04:00

grief

Noun

1. deep or intense sorrow

2. come to grief to have an unfortunate or unsuccessful end or outcome

My Dad died. I am so sad. Please pray for me and my family. I will be back once I find my center again.

I loved him so much.

Vacation Fun 2008

2008-08-02T16:06:00.001-04:00

Vacation Fun 2008

2008-08-02T16:04:00.001-04:00

Vacation 2008

2008-08-02T16:00:00.001-04:00

Counting Crows and Maroon 5

2008-08-02T15:59:00.002-04:00

At Home Vacation

2008-07-18T10:54:00.004-04:00

So we are feeling the crunch like most of America and right in the middle of our vacation time frame. When gas costs as much as milk, there's a problem. Let's not let this get in the way of creating memories that will last beyond the concerns of the present. We are doing a stay-at-home vacation. We happen to live in Virginia Beach. It's a place that many come to, to get away from it all. So we are being tourists at home. We have already have plans in the works for fun vacation ideas and have been to a couple of fun places.

We will be going to see...

Thriving Ivory at the Norva
Counting Crows at the VBWC
and Dave Matthews Band at the VBWC

We are also going to the beach and taking the babies for the first time in the water. We have already been to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, and played in the interactive children's fountain and we are planning to go to see Rembrant's Etchings at the Chrysler Museum. There are countless activities that you can do, from grilling at a park to just seeing an act at the State Fair.

What can you do close to home?

Babytimin'

2008-07-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

Home is where the Heart is...

2008-07-12T10:08:00.002-04:00

I would like to thank everyone who prayed for us, and Stephanie, who so graciously volunteered to come and help me and take these lovely photos.

Positve Post Tuesday

2008-07-08T22:03:00.004-04:00

Brody did this lovely post about being discouraged with the day he was experiencing and using the small things in his day to make the positive impact. The smile of a child or a silly moment can be what you focus on to let your day shine instead of appear dull and listless.

I have difficulties, with family and friends, less than ideal situations are presented every day. When you are shown upsetting circumstance, there is a moment that you can either take the emotion of the moment and run with it, or be still for a moment. In that still moment, after prayer, you can actually hear your own voice without the clouding effects of such strong emotion.

I would like to focus my Positive Post Tuesday on those people in my life, that help me hold still in that moment. A friend's advice, support or encouragement is invaluable. Invaluable is a word that has been made cheap with overuse in infomercials and on sitcoms, but it's true meaning alludes to something that cannot be replaced. There is no price that can be put on such a thing because the value is so high. My help know who they are. They have put aside their dinners, missed their favorite shows or even time with their families...to be a friend to me. It's something that I hope to pass on to many people and aspire to everyday. In small ways, like joking with other frustrated line standers or helping a neighbor bring groceries in their house. They are sometimes small acts but can be invaluable. Sometimes, a day can take a wrong turn and in the next moment right itself, just with a strangers smile.

Sadness and Loss

2008-07-07T12:05:00.003-04:00

It looks like I will have to go back to work. Bills keep piling up and it looks like the only option left for the welfare of my babies. I am so upset. I hate the idea of someone else seeing them grow and change and become the little people that they will be in the world.

Some of you know that I was in the Navy before I became a photographer. I worked in a building with no windows, and dreaded going to work some days. It was so stressful that my doctor suggested that I seek alternate employment because the stress of the job was giving me migraines and more severe asthma. The only up side of the job that I did, is that it is very well compensated in the civilian sector.

I am just a wreck thinking of someone else caring for Ava and Jaden for 8-10 hours a day. I see the questions coming now.

Why don't you just earn some extra money with the photography? Well people are not really hiring photographers for much right now, since some can't afford to buy milk. Even if I go back to work full-time, I wouldn't be able to pay for day care for two infants with the money I would make, if I could build the client base. Relatives helping out isn't exactly an option either, due to our duty station being so far from family. I thought that I would be able to book a few weddings, but they fell through this summer and I couldn't have afforded the childcare either.
Why don't you go back to work part-time? Part-time would only cover the cost of child-care. I have to pay for hourly care at $10/hr for drop-off part-time care, where there is an opening for two infants. It is very hard to find, and inflexible. Part-time work requires a flexible schedule.
Why don't you just tighten the purse strings? That doesn't seem to be an option. I clip coupons and shop the sales better than anyone I know, but unexpected expenses seem to keep coming up every week.

I just ask for prayer that I will be able to find some way to still stay with them and not have to let someone else be their caregiver for all their waking hours. It hurts so much to think that I might have to miss them growing up, while I am at a job that I hate. I know it's a thankless job, but I really don't want to leave it. I can't have any more babies, and I don't want leave the ones that I have before they are ready to go to school.

Count down...

2008-07-06T19:56:00.002-04:00

So the time is nearly here that Adam will be back leaving his clothes laying around and I will be telling him that it's his turn to change the stinky diapers. I have been working to try and make the house extra nice and find some little comfort items to have on hand for him to let him know that we have really missed him. I was wondering what any of you do to welcome home a loved one from an absence. A special meal you cook? A favorite movie you watch together? What does your WELCOME HOME look like?

IT"S OFFICIAL!

2008-07-04T09:47:00.001-04:00

Jessica is a full-fledged RN. I checked just after 7 this morning and
her license is active! Congrats Jessi, you did a wonderful job and I
look forward to seeing the impact that you will have with the kids at
Duke!

Around the Corner...

2008-07-02T23:52:00.007-04:00

Is something wonderful. I bought milk that has an expiration date later than the date of my sweethearts return. That is how I know that God is good to me. I am the one about to be spoiled, the milk, not so much!

We were lucky to have Jessica and Jason here for a day. There were so many funny and fun times packed into less than 24 hours that it's hard to recount them all so I will just hit some high points.

kicked out of my house and shopped for indulgent cosmetics and new sunglasses
lovely crab legs
baby ninja training
ava's mood swings erupted while alone with Jessi, from screaming in her face to giving kisses in less than 1 minute.
Jaden's little eye boo boo
lots and lots of love
ant infestation
asthma
101 funny faces
new baby-chase game invented

Top 5 Money Savers

2008-06-30T12:10:00.000-04:00

I have a few little tips to help you save money since there never seems enough to go around. I have been trying to be more eco-friendly and live via the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle.

Buy microfiber dust cloths in the auto section of the department store. A huge bag usually is usually under $10. You can use them without soap or with simple bar soap. Bar soap and a microfiber cloth is what I use to clean our bathrooms. You don't have to use paper towels, dusters or even the cloths that fit on the bottom of the Clorox-ready-mop.
Try Craigslist for moving furniture and household goods out and getting new-ish items. You can bless someone and in turn be blessed. I found a bookcase that is all wood, vintage and perfectly sized for only $15. I also found a perfect condition pack-n-play (retail $55) for $25.
Buy fresh veggies and fruit from a farmer's market. Only buy what you can use in a less than a week.
Check some of my favorite double use websites and cheap skate places.
Remove anything that is weighing down your car and sucking your good gas mileage. Also keep old supercenter bags in there to pick up crummies and scummies.

So those are some of my Top 5 money savers. What does your family do to keep a handle on the budget?

Quoted

2008-06-28T22:24:00.001-04:00

"If you live to be 100, I want to live to be 100 minus one day, so I
never have to live without you." ~ Winnie the Pooh

Homebound

2008-06-28T10:50:00.002-04:00

I have been stuck in this house forever it seems like. The smoke from
the fire in the Great Dismal Swamp is making my life dismal and
really, really boring. I can't breathe outside so I have to stay in
with the air on and the windows closed. I suppose I should get some
movies happening and order pizza!

I'm so bummed...

2008-06-27T22:10:00.001-04:00

Technology is a blessing and a curse. When Adam was deployed to a
submarine, I never expected a phone call or e-mail until he was 24
hours out before flying home, and now I have the roller coaster of
emotion of being stood up for chat-dates and phone-dates because of
unreliable technology. It's a real bummer! Satellite connections and
solar flares dictate my connection to my husband. Stupid sun and poor
line of sight is messing with my dating life! Rawr!

Weird Confessions

2008-06-24T23:05:00.003-04:00

i like watching series of shows over and over. its comforting. i
like some of my faults so much that i will never change them, because
they are too much a part of me. i hate to be late. i love to see
people fall down. even people i love, it's still funny. i plot how
to make the ordinary hilarious. i think that some of my friends
aren't as smart as they think they are, and i tune them out. i catch
myself being just as dumb. that's why we're friends. i sometimes
can't turn off my brain, and don't want to. some small confessions.

It's a wonderful life...(of a star)

2008-06-18T23:51:00.005-04:00

So I had the tv on the other day and saw a snippet of, "It's a Wonderful Life". I am not sure why but it has been rolling around in my head. I was struck about how interconnected we all are. Marketing tells us that we are individual and separate, but we are really all one heartbeat. So little ole George didn't think that his life was worth too much. He saved his brother from falling through the ice when they were kids and that brother went on to save many men and win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

When I was a kid, not more than 13 or so, my brother had a serious accident. He was found unresponsive in his room and had been for several minutes. I called the ambulance, a volunteer firefighter who lived nearby and my Mom who was at a food co-op meeting in another town. This was done after performing CPR on my little brother for at least 15 mins and he began breathing on his own. Gabe was 12 then. He had lots of surgeries, including chest tubes and a lengthy time on a heart-lung machine (ECMO). Now he has a little girl, Selena, who will soon be 4 years old. I haven't seen her in quite a while, but I know that she is here in part, because I took CPR class in the 6th grade.

Do you have a George Bailey moment?

Multiples Mommie

2008-06-16T11:07:00.006-04:00

My Babies are funny as evidenced by:

Ava likes to hold food in each hand while eating. If I offer her more items than she has hands available, she will attempt to hold it under her chin like a cell phone.
Jaden shrieks at the radio in a falsetto in order to approximate singing. I think that he may be tone deaf.
They play tag and when caught fall down to be hugged out.
Ava-Wava dances during the commercials with the funny acoustic credit report guys.
Jaden talks to a stuffed gorilla when he thinks nobody is watching.
They like my singing and won't go to sleep without hearing the, "Time to sleep" song that I made up for them. It's one of the reasons that I don't have many people who put them to bed, because then I would have to sing it for them to approximate my singing...and that's just wrong.

SSS

2008-06-15T21:02:00.004-04:00

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Frank. He used to tell me that I was his favorite daughter. I am his only daughter. In that same tact, he is my favorite Dad. He was sometimes a maniac and sometimes the voice of reason in my own head. I love him for what he is. I see a lot of posts out here in cyberspace about what great men their Dad's were. My Dad was like a rollercoaster. Sometimes he was wonderful and sometimes just scary. I just want my friends and family to know that whether you have the type of Dad who could win Father of the Year or not, he was made just for you. He made up so much of what makes you the person you are, you should thank him for that. Thank him on a day that isn't Father's Day so it doesn't feel like a put up job.
Never go to Walmart on the day before Father's Day. It's a scary sea of people all buying steaks and charcoal. I was the only person with a cart chock full of pampers and veggies.
Happy Father's Day to Adam. He is a wonderful Daddy and the kids just love him so much. It's his second. I imagine this will be one of the harder ones. The babies won't remember but he will. Pray for him.
I heart eating ribs. Thanks to my neighbors...you know who you are!
I wish I could go to the pool. The ratio of people who can swim to infants needs to be much higher for that to happen.
Forest Fires stink!

My Shops

2008-06-13T20:11:00.003-04:00

Some of you don't know that I make t-shirts and other funny stuff on the side. Here are my shops so that you can see some of the hilarity that I pass along. I will also work up ideas for people as long as they order from my shop without a fee for the design. It helps to bring in a little extra for the family and it's just fun for me! You can also search "starlite" on cafepress and you should come up with more of my designs. I try to tag them all with my name to make it easier to find. ENJOY!

http://www.cafepress.com/multiplesmommie
http://www.cafepress.com/navy_brats

Tips and Tricks

2008-06-12T22:49:00.004-04:00

I know lots of new mom's and women who would like to be mom's if they weren't so scared, so I thought that I could use this blogging vehicle to post some more tips and tricks.

Dust baby powder on the floor before you feed a hungry little monkey once they are old enough to be throwing and mashing everything in sight. My monkeys drop almost as much as makes it in their mouths. The baby powder will stick to the offending matter trying to attach to your tile or linolium. The cornstarch is really what sticks, but it makes everything easier to sweep up and smells nice too. It does make dust, so if you have an asmatic please make sure that this isn't something that will cause more harm than good. I have asthma, but it doesn't bother me in the least.
Sprinkle carpet freshener/deoderizer in the bottom of the diaper pail and trash can. This has baking powder in it which absorbes the odor and a nice smell. Bonus that the nasty sticky stuff in the bottom of the trash can just turns into a cake. Please do not eat this type of cake.
Keep extra bags from your favorite super center in the diaper bag and the door of the car. They come in handy for holding nasty clothes, bits of graham cracker bribes while in the grocery store and offending diapers prior to disposal.
Buy lunchbox cooler ice packs and a portable cooler to use as a diaper bag. I generally dislike the diaper supplies touching the food items so I separate them by using large ziploc bags for each.

So these are a few of what I use everyday. I will post more since I seem to get more questions all the time. Let me know if there is any situation in particular that you are dealing with and I will be more than happy to share a tip or trick if I have one!

One Hour

2008-06-12T19:21:00.003-04:00

These babies have been chatting for one hour now. What do you think that they are discussing? The merits of the lavender baby lotion as opposed to the regular baby powder scent? Are they arguing whether the zebra puppet or the monkey puppet is funnier? Are they just talking about what they would like for dinner tomorrow?

The strange thing is that one will talk, the other listens and they both crack up laughing about the conversation. What in the world? It's like there is a slumber party at our house every night. Maybe its more like a sitcom than a new channel talk show but it's entertaining none the less. They are determined to be awake until the sun goes down, whether they can see it happen or not.

What would you talk about with your best friend if you were only one?

Ava Reads

2008-06-11T21:37:00.003-04:00

I know that this isn't really possible at 13 months, but she gets her books and sits on her couch and reads her books to me, so what is the harm in letting her think that she is really reading them?

Positive Post Tuesday

2008-06-10T20:35:00.002-04:00

So, I wasn't even going to post this Tuesday because it's almost Wednesday anyway here. I suppose I can make it short, and just say that I really appreciate having my sister Jessi. I have 6 brothers, and always asked my parents for a sister, but I know now, that God was waiting on giving me a sister-in-law instead. She is just great because, unlike a real sister, I never fought with her growing up, we didn't have to share clothes or makeup and she never made fun of my boyfriends. Despite never sharing the same household, I don't believe I could love another sister any more than I love her. She never lies to me, even when it might make me feel better. Instead of saying, "I know how you feel, or It will get better." she instead says, "Wow, that really sucks. I don't have anything inspirational or anything but I'll pray for you". It's wonderful to know that someone will really pray for you, even if they think that you are a maniac. It's almost like being reunited with a sister that you never knew you had. This is one that God prepared for me in North Carolina, while I was just wishing for one all that time in Michigan. I probably wouldn't have liked sharing my shoes anyway.

Top 50 for those over 20

2008-06-07T22:10:00.001-04:00

50 questions for the people who are a little older....

1.What bill do you hate paying the most?
I really dislike paying for the cell phone. In Italy you just put time on with a prepaid card and didn't pay for incoming calls. It was aces.
2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
Adam and I went to Bonefish Grill the week that he left. The service was terrible, the restaurant was out of most everything but water but the company was amazing.
3. Do you regret losing your virginity to who you lost it to?
No.
4. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be ?
I would have reconciled with my mother sooner.
5.What do you want to be doing right now?
Talking to Adam, but a close second would be running away to a spa for a few hours.
6. If you had a choice of either living with very little money with a person you
truly love, or being alone for the rest of your life with $100 million, which would you choose, love or money?
Oh, I thought that I made that choice already when I married a sailor!
7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An artist.
8. How many colleges did you attend?
4 if you count the one that I attended in High School.
9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
It's something not stained by baby food or bleached from cleaning baby goo, and it's the right size. It's one of three shirts that fit into that catagory.
10. What are you thoughts on gas prices?
It hurts my feelings to fill the tank but then I think of those who are barely getting by and I feel terrible for a single mom who can't afford to drive to pick up her kids from after school programs.
11. If you could move anywhere and take anyone with you where would it be?
I would move to San Antonio and I would take the Sines with me and make them live next door.
12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
Wow, that alarm sounds a lot like babies saying "Mama"
13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Do I have the bag packed for tomorrow? Did I take out the trash? I wonder what Adam is doing? ect....and then I said my prayers.
14. Do you miss being a child?
No.
15. What is your favorite Adam Sandler movie?
Mr. Deeds
16. What errand/chore do you despise?
I hate dishes that I have to wash by hand.
17. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
Oh, I did that already in Italy and I would do it again.
18. Get up early or sleep in?
Totally sleep in, if I could
19. What is your favorite cartoon character?
I am a big fan of Wonder Woman. Awesome accessories, bangin' outfit and the best mode of transportation. Way cooler than the Batmobile and can never get a parking ticket.
20. Favorite thing to do at night with a girl?
Read goofy fashion magazines and make fun of the articles over margaritas.
21. Have you found real love yet?
Yes, three times.
22. When did you first start feeling old?
The first time I had to hear my high school music played on the classic hits station.
23. Do you vote?
Yes.
24. Your favorite lunch meat?
Prosciutto
25. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
Almost always something baby related, like milk or wipes.
26. Beach or lake?
I love the ocean. It makes you feel your real size.
27.Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No.
28. Do you own property?
Nope.
29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
Non-Fat No Whip Cafe Mocha from Starbucks. I pretend it's not quite as bad because it's all those nons, but I know its a lie.
30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
Dirty Dancing. My best friend and I used to watch it when I was 12 and I still love to watch it and remember her and the fun that we had.
31. What's your drink?
Water with lemon.
32. Do you own a grill?
Yes. It was here when we moved in, so maybe it's like a leased grill. It works, but it's nothing fancy. I do have about 80lbs. of charcoal in the shed though.
34. Who from high school would you like to run in to?
I would love to see Angela Tupica again.
35. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
88.5 The Current
36. Norm or Cliff?
Norm! Of course.
37.Grey's or 'The Office?
I tivo Grey's and when I was on vacation and the tivo didn't get it, I watched it online.
38. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
I would have spent more time visiting my Grandma.
39. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work?
No one sits across from me, since I work for myself. I do have photos up of the twins, Adam and my family...so that is who I look at all day.
40. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Obama
41. Indoors or Outdoors?
Outdoors, but it's rough lately because those babies are too fair and very wiley.
42. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
Once or 12 times.
43. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
No, but I have used them to crush big bugs under the sink.
44. Last book you read?
Love and Respect, by Dr. Eggerichs
45. Do you have a teddy bear?
Any that I had from childhood are now being loved by the babies.
46. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
Diego Garcia at the Yacht Club
47. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
Sequoia National Park
48. Do you go to church?
Yes. I really do try.
49. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
New career.
50. How old are you?
30
Thanks to Jeni Light for sending this to me. I learned a lot about you and I hope that people will post and I can learn about them in turn.

Happy Birthday!

2008-06-07T08:22:00.000-04:00

It's a good look for you!

Fabulous Friday

2008-06-06T10:30:00.004-04:00

While not quite as fabulous from the outside as they used to be, I still love Fridays. It used to mean the end of the workweek, going out and having fun with friends and the excitement of the weekend.

Now, I wake up at the same time every day, since my alarm clock is a baby monitor. The workweek never ends, I just put on my camera on the weekends and am PHOTOGRAPHER STAR for a few hours instead of MOMMY STAR. My big weekend event is making the trip to church on Sunday without incident and my excitement involves the heart palpitations that I get when Ava jumps on the couch when I am not looking. I tell her that I am always looking but she seems to know more than you would expect.

I love Friday's because my family finally has time to talk. I get to put on the headset and chat with sisters and Aunt's, cousins and brothers. There isn't anything good on TV so I catch up on everything Tivo'd. I make myself stop working at 8p.m. and just try to enjoy my life. We also do a couple of extra fun things on Fridays. Messy foods are a must! Popsicles, spaghetti, pudding, you get the idea...because Friday is always a bath night. So the sticky, messy crust gets tickled out in the tub. Friday's are still great because you have a chance to give yourself a break. I still feel that liberation of being headed for the weekend. We also try to get out and do something fun on Friday's. Sometimes it's just a trip to Taco Bell, but it's something.

I hope you can find something fabulous about your Friday.

Positive Post Tuesday

2008-06-03T20:14:00.004-04:00

I almost forgot to write something for Positive Post Tuesday. I have to put something down on Tuesday's since my other posting day that has a direction is Wordless Wednesday and anyone who knows me, knows that Wordless is a non-starter with me. I just wanted to put out there that any small thing that you do can yield huge gains to another person. I prayed for a neighbor who I found was struggling against drug and alcohol addiction. He has been clean for a month and a half. Praise God! Every time I see his car, I take a second and say a prayer for him. It's nothing fancy, but then God knows me and knows that I am nothing fancy either.

I have been praying for a friend to find work and it came to her in heaps today. The job that she had been laid off from recalled her and asked her husband to come in to work as well. He was fired yesterday for calling in late because he was ill. I ordered business cards for her when I was ordering my own and have been passing them out. She now has interviews to work with two new clients. Altogether, it was about 30 mins of work for me but seems to be making the difference for her. Even now, she called for advice about attire and was encouraged by just having someone talk to her. What an amazing use of time usually spent listening to my iPod while I wash dishes.

A couple guys that live next door helped move some furniture that I couldn't manage for me. I moved it into the back yard, but that was as far as I could get it. It ended up making it look like a landfill back there. It only took them about 15 minutes but it was a huge help to me. It would have taken me days of breaking everything down and then weeks of physical therapy to repair the damage of lifting things I am not supposed to. A small gift of time made my whole life seem brighter.

My point to all of this is not to show how NICE I am, but to encourage you to just do something for someone else. A sincere prayer doesn't cost anything and can change a persons life. If you don't see returns on your investment in prayer, be assured that God is working in his own time and is orchestrating everything according to His will. You don't have to like it, but thems the facts..as my Dad would say.

So, really my positive post is directed at anyone who reads this. Don't underestimate anything that you give to another person. Whether you give your time, consideration, effort or even just a smile, know that it might mean the difference between darkness and light in someone's day.

Poached Egg and other things

2008-06-03T19:36:00.003-04:00

Today I poached my first egg. I made a salad tonight for dinner and poached an egg to put on top and give some protein to the meal. Inspired by Top Chef, I didn't settle for Top Ramen. We did the usual stuff today. I realized that I am making little kids jealous and parents annoyed by taking the Radio Flyer to the grocery store. The kiddies always want, "THAT CART" and the parents then have to explain that we brought it from home. I am earning cool points with the kids before they can even understand what cool points are. I have been able to help a friend find some part time work cleaning houses. It's not much, but I feel like making a difference in someones life, no matter how small, is meaningful. I also received an unexpected gift from my landlord. I referred a friend to him who was selling her house. It finally sold after about two months and my landlord dropped off some great smelling hand soap and lotion from Restoration Hardware. It's so nice that I am pretty sure his wife picked it out. The rest of the day was taken up with the usual laundry, dishes, feeding and cleaning. Ava and Jaden did have a great time in the tub and it must have worn them out because they are fast asleep. Let's all hope that they stay that way!