Grandpa's 70th Birthday!

My family...Mom, Dad, me & my four brothers


My Dad in the middle, his brother & sister

Dad blowing out seventy candles!!

My little family!

Dad and all his grandchildren :) Except for one...my 1yr old nephew. He wasn't feeling very well. My two boys, three of my brothers' four kids, and my brand new nephew...only a few weeks old!

Back again! I just can't seem to find time to post on my blog lately. Funny, I always grab a few moments to check FB... hmmm...

So we had a GREAT time at my Dad's suprise 70th birthday party! It was awesome. He thought it was a dinner with my brother and his family, but walked in the door to find his sister & brother-in-law, all of his grandkids, all of his kids and some friends. Later his brother & sister-in-law came, and my Mom's twin sister & her husband. It was so cool. That was what I was going for when planning this; I wanted him to just walk in to the room and see his entire family...which doesn't happen very often. Actually, I don't remember the last time my Dad had his entire family in one room. So it worked out great.

We kept it simple with pizza and cake, and had a great time visiting with everyone. I haven't seen my aunts and uncles for a very long, long time so it was wonderful.

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As for new things with the boys.... JD can open doors now, which makes things very fun :) Both David and JD can open the fridge now too...and that makes things interesting. Yesterday I caught them in the fridge and shooed them out, only to find David had an apple. I tried to grab it but he took off running, and while he ran he snagged a bite of the apple. I usually peel and slice apples for them but decided to see how he would do eating a whole one. JD wanted an apple too, so I gave him one. They did very well.... although only ate half their apples. They did choke up alittle on the peel, so I will continue peeling their snack. *****************

They have continued repeating what we say, but now it is actually audible! So exciting!! I had them coloring the other day, and I would name the color of crayon they had. JD repeated me, saying "yellow" !!! He said the word perfectly!! If we try to get them to say words again, they won't do it. But so far the boys say a handful of words with near perfect pronounciation. It is amazing to hear!!

I'm Back

I have been MIA for a couple of weeks. To make up for it, here is a peek at what I've been up to! On Easter Sunday, I celebrated my birthday with my husband, my two boys, and Grandpa & Grandma Surry. We enjoyed a turkey dinner... delicious! And of course birthday cake.

A friend and I took our kids to our local indoor amusement park. Children under 2 & 1/2 get to ride for free, as do their guardians. We had a blast! Us on the carosel, and here we are taking a popcorn break. Yum yum!!! The boys and their little buddy really had a great time.

We travelled to see my husband's mom, a short but nice trip. This is Grandma Cindy, my husband, and grandma's dogs, Suki and Leroy.

David was very attached to his cousin, Taiya. He followed her everywhere; they were buddies. I'm sure when we see her this summer it will be more of the same! David glued to her hip, holding her hand, running around with her.... it was sooooo cute. She has a certain magic with kids. The Christmas before last she had a similar shadow in Julian, another cousin from Grandma Terry's side of the family. Go Taiya! I look forward to this summer at the lake when we will see everyone again.



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So there it is, we've been busy. I also tucked a couple of trips to the park in there somewhere. With the beautiful spring weather, we are getting outside more and more, and the boys love it. The other day we went for a walk around the block...the boys cried and screamed when we brought them inside! They love the outdoors.

We have alot of plans for the spring/summer, and I look forward to sharing more pictures with everyone! Coming up shortly, a trip to see my family, then possibly some fishing with Grandpa Ron, and a camping trip in June. LOve it!!

My Dad, The Jokester

April Fools Day is a great day. This particular one was void of jokes and pranks. But every year I think of my Dad. He loves April Fools Day! While I was growing up, not a year went by without my father playing multiple pranks on all of his children. The most common one (and the one I fell for almost every time) was calling us to the phone, stating that one of our friends had called. Doesn't sound like much, unless you had to run in from the far reaches of the garden!! Or pause on doing your hair, or any task that a young girl would gladly trade for talking on the phone. I chuckle as I write this, for I have very fond memories of running to the phone all excited, only to find no one on the line. Yes, he loves April Fools Day. I wonder if he still plays pranks on my mom... and if they laugh together over it.

He didn't always leave the pranks for April Fools Day. I remember a birthday of mine (I think it was my 12th), early EARLY in the morning my Dad picked me up out of bed and carried me out the front door, setting me on the porch. I was half asleep still and had no clue what was going on.... then a minute later someone snapped a picture of me! Yup, my parents have a picture of me on my birthday, sitting on the porch in my pj's with a seriously confuzed look on my face. I love it!! It's one of my favorite snapshots.

I miss my family so much, and can't wait until next month when I get to see them. We are having a birthday party for my Dad and maybe, just maybe someone will play a prank on him. I know he will love it!
I love you, Dad :)

Boys Will Be Boys...?

Today this handsome boy brought his dresser down, with him under it. Luckily I am faster than I look and raced up the stairs in record time. He didn't get hurt, though I'm sure he was pretty scared. Scared enough to stop climbing on his dresser? We will see. My thoughts are....probably not. The ironic thing is I had just finished reorganizing their furniture to (hopefully) make it safer in their room. Not even 5 minutes later...

The other day they managed to work the pin (or bolt, whatever it is) out of their lowest door hinge. Today they (no doubt both boys were involved, even though JD was the only one 'caught' in the act) drop their drawers, so to speak... what will it be next time? Should I be scared? I say, Bring It On Boys!! Mom always wins. I woke up today deciding to leave the defeated attitude alone. And by golly, I will!

Real Life

The past few days have been...interesting, I guess you could say. That is putting a positive spin on it, the days have been long and stressful. The kind of day that leaves you feeling completely inadequate, clueless, and unsure if you even have the will to carry on..... does this ring any bells, women of the world? I say women instead of mothers because I don't want to imply that only mothers have rough days. Everyone has days now and then that cut them off at the knees, bringing them down to the very edge of their sanity.



The last few days haven't been quite THAT bad, but near it. The boys test and test me; they test me to the point of breaking. Just when I feel I might shatter into a million pieces, they do something cute or funny and I laugh my head off, hugging them to bits. That is the thing about children, they have the ability to revive us in an instant. Which is a pretty great ability, after they have taken everything I have to give! :)



Even with this said, I must also say how exciting these days are. It is so amazing to watch my babies develop their personalities and preferences. I still, as I have said before, find it fascinating to watch them interact. Sometimes they share, sometimes whatever possession they currently have is of too high a value to give away. When they want to wear their shoes, often one will bring the others' shoes to him. I find them so often giving and considerate of eachother, and equally as often I find them bickering and possessive. I love to watch them together and learn with them. And when they have pushed me to my limits, and then beyond to outer limits I wasn't even aware I had, they come to me for a snuggle and I remember how rewarding this job is. Nothing ventured, nothing gained; nothing worthwhile ever came easy, and all that..... I'm living it. Living and loving it. :)

Love and Prayers

David in a squeeze with Grandma Cindy, one year ago. Easter was in March last year, and our family took a trip with Grandma Cindy to visit Great-Grandma Wilma in Oklahoma City.

JD just laying around. A year ago these two were still babies! Now they are little boys, tearing up the place. :)

I wanted to put these pictures up because last Easter was a great trip, a wonderful time I will hold in my memory forever. I have been thinking about my mother-in-law and all the wonderful memories we have with her. The other day we found out she has a tough battle ahead of her with cancer. I am having a hard time writing about this; I have read other blogs that openly report sickness and plead for prayers.... I just can't help but feel that posting on this would be a breach of privacy. Another reason I have hesitated (and still hesitate) writing on this is because it sort of feels like once I get it out there, it would mean there is no hope. That I have given up hope. But I assure you, I haven't. There have been many advances in medicine over the years and we have not given up.

Our trip last year was great, and I pray that we have many, many more wonderful times with Grandma Cindy.

Big Boys!

Today is the second day of big-boy beds, and it is very exciting. I am trying really hard to not let the stress get to me! The boys didn't take a nap yesterday because they were playing around; we went in over and over to put them back in bed. But last night, because of the lack of nap, they went to bed after only one intervention. We did hear a 'THUMP' last night around 10 pm, and Daddy went up. Sure enough, JD was on the floor, still mostly asleep, and he just looked up at Dad. Daddy put him back in bed, and JD fell right back to sleep, no crying or anything. Luckily we had blankets and their crib-surround padding on the floor!
Today they managed to settle down eventually and had a small nap, and now..... well I haven't heard anything yet, so either they are being very, very quiet or they are asleep. Woo Hoo!!! I am so excited for my little guys to be in real beds. Even if it is only the front rail of their cribs taken off to make a 'day bed'. It's still a big-boy bed!
They will use the day-beds until they are too big, then we will transform the cribs again into full-size beds. I know we have a long road ahead of us before they go to bed and stay in bed, a loooooooonnnggg road. But it's still exciting just the same.

My guys are growing up!! hehehe

Weight Update

The boys had an appointment today, just a checkup with the doctor. They are doing really well, the doc said we have two very healthy boys. JD weighs 30 lbs, 10 oz., and David weighs 25 lbs, 12 oz. These two have always had a five pound difference, enough for people to comment when they stop us. "They're twins? But one is bigger than the other!!"

David has a thing about elevators. He cries every time we are in one! On the ride up (and then down) to the Dr. office, he cried and cried. I'm not sure what it is; perhaps the confined space, or maybe the movement. Or both.


Today the boys tried mango for the first time. David liked it; he ate piece after piece. JD ate a few pieces, but I think he could take it or leave it. They also had celery for the first time (raw, not chopped and cooked). It was interesting... David liked it, he chewed it up. JD tried it, but didn't like the hardness of it (or maybe saw how long David had to chew it) and decided to ditch the celery.


I am on my second assignment for my course, and liking it ALOT!! I love writing and this course is great. It teaches not only researching pieces, plotting stories, etc., but also how to approach editors and publishers, how to sell the work.


The boys are hanging out with Dad, now that he is on days off. They love having him around! Of course I still can't wait for spring (today was so warm!) when the whole family can go on outings to the park, zoo, etc.

~ Family ~

Today my thoughts are with far-away family. One province over ~ might as well be a light-year away ~ and wishing I could be with them.



If I could say anything, face to face, this is what I would lovingly impart :


~to my dear M.I.L. - Don't worry, try to be as calm and relaxed as possible...hard as that will be; know that we are all thinking and praying for you!! Fingers and toes are crossed, as well as prayers, that this is nothing serious and the other can be delt with swiftly and permanently.



Big Hugs to everyone over there!!! I miss you all! It would be just fantastic if travel was FREE and even quicker than it is now. If it was free, I would surely be there with you, lending my support and enjoying your company.



It really would be awesome if there was this, I don't know, tube or something. The attendant would strap people in, and then WHOOSH!! Down the tube you'd go, at an incredible rate of speed, slowing seconds before the destination of choice. Of course it would be free, and anyone could see their loved ones any time, easy as pie!!

More of My Sweet Life

These are more pictures from the other day.


David is trying hard to grab the camera!

These two were walking toward me and I was trying to coax a smile from JD before they got too close. Finally I had to snap the picture with no smile, because they were almost on me (I am actually backed into a corner). It was all very Children of the Corn.

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The boys and I are sick! It's all sore throats, coughs, sneezes and chills with us. Today is worse than yesterday, which leads me to be hopeful that tomorrow will be better than today. While I want nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep this off, David and JD are the same boys as always. They just have a level or two less of usual energy, which is still about a hundred levels more than my current energy.

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My sweeties are really into books now, specifically being read to, and request the same books over and over and over. I am going slowly crazy! I can't read these books anymore! I am tempted to put them up on a high shelf when the boys aren't looking, just to give myself a break. Not for good....only for the afternoon! I really love that they enjoy reading. It feels wonderful to have that closeness while they sit on my lap as I read. I just hold them, smell their hair and kiss their heads (and of course, read). It really recharges me for when they yet AGAIN pull all the frying pans and cookie sheets out of the bottom drawer of the oven. Or when they decide to evacuate every one of my glass mixing bowls out of the cupboard and onto the floor, producing a racket that would annoy a saint.

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It also recharges me for when it's time to put the boys to bed. JD and David are starting to really protest bedtime. I didn't realize how many ways there are for a toddler to twist and contort their body, all in the name of getting out of diaper change/pj time. They are escape artists! I try hard to see the funny side of it all, the cute side, and not get taken over by my temper. It's like their icing on the cake; at the end of a busy, crazy day, their last hurrah is to drain every drop of any remaining energy in Mom.

But I love it all.