Happy 2nd Birthday Super Tots!

It is hard to believe that 2 years ago Nicholas and Lauren were welcomed into this family - I really thought the first 2 years would be the toughest, and if I could just make it through the first two, the rest would be, well, much easier. I think I have it backwards! And I know God has many plans for us, some we are prepared for, others He is definately still molding and shaping us for. I think the first 2 years are, and were probably the easiest - not that these two precious little ones are not the most loveable, fun loving, creative, and special individuals we have ever known, but because this parenting thing doesn't end after the first 2 years. I think my next goal is to make it through the next 16 years, which I will need lots of help for - divine help that only He can give me.

For those that don't know - twins were a total surprise for us at my 8 week appointment, and a "game changer" for whatever plans we thought we had for our life. It took me almost the whole pregnancy to wrap my head around carrying two babies, and then birthing two babies. Unbelievable, still not sure how I did it, or how Nick managed to support me throughout. He did so much during those 9 months that I couldn't, he was, at times, the mom and the dad to Kyndra - he was awesome. But, that was just the beginning, because shortly after Nicholas and Lauren were born, after a healthy pregnancy, we were told Nicholas had Down Syndrome. So not only were we opening a new chapter of life with multiples, we were also opening a chapter of life with a child with special needs. But at the end of it all, a true blessing all the way around. It's hard to explain, but the best I can is that it IS God's plan for our life. And I will never forget when Kyndra , 2 and a half years old, walked into the hospital room to meet her new brother and sister for the first time, and the first words out of her mouth were - "Where my Super Babies?"

Our prayer has been, and will continue to be, that God puts the right people in our path at exactly the right time. And He has - each and every step of the way. A prayer that a friend of mine, who also has a child with DS, told me she prayed along her journey. I am so grateful for her advice, and wisdom in this particular area. I think I would drive myself crazy otherwise...so back to the 2nd birthday - Happy Birthday Nicholas! Happy Birthday Lauren! We love you and are so glad that we didn't know what God's plan was for our life 2 years ago, but are so happy to know that we are forever changed because you are with us!

Roaring like a lion!

(Chorus)
My God is not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
This is the chorus from the Newsboys song "God's Not Dead"...Kyndra and I were listening to this song yesterday at the house on klove.com, and debated whether the verse is "Roaring like a lion", or "Rolling like a lion"...my guess was roaring, her guess was rolling...Mommy was right - it is roaring - so this song has become a favorite of ours, sort of like our anthem as we are driving to and from our daily routines and activities.
But the greatest part about this story - after we put the kids to bed tonight, we went back upstairs to hear Kyndra singing this chorus, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, over and over again. God is so good - I am so moved and surrounded by God's loving grace when I hear their little voices singing, chanting, and loving God through praise, worship, and best of all - through song! I really hope she keeps these words in her heart always, and these really positive thoughts in her mind forever, no matter what circumstances she faces - may she always be reminded that she is brave through Christ who gives her strength - living on the inside roaring like a lion!
Moments like these make all the challenges of our day melt away in an instant - thank you Lord! You are so good!!!

***if I could figure out how to que "God's Not Dead" by the Newsboys as your background noise while you read this post I would, but I'm not quite that good at this blogging stuff yet :) Check it out on ITunes, or klove.com!

Family Pics from October 2011

He uses a spoon!

We are so excited, and beside ourselves! Nicholas is using a spoon! And rather appropriately! This is a huge step! We are so excited, but it is really messy! So far, chili has been the messiest. The applesauce we can handle, but chili just about took us to our breaking point! We need to insert "feeding shirt" so that the mess is totally OK!! He seems to eat more, if he can feed himself, so I am also loving this new independence he has, and so is he! He gets the biggest, goofiest, proudest grin on his face when he scoops the food, inserts it into his mouth, and then goes again. Of course he could be grinning because we are breaking out in applause just about every time he does it, but that is beside the point! What isn't beside the point is this - what a hot mess - literally and figuratively! Both him and his space when he is done! Look out world, here we come!!! What's next...

To drink soda, or not to drink soda...

that is the question...and after much stubborness and unwillingness to give it up for some crazy reason, I was forced into giving it up by a stomach bug the 1st of January...and I have to say, after the first few days, it wasn't so hard to resist it. And now I am glad that I did, because I have lost 10 pounds in 45 days, and kept it off. Everything fits better, and I actually feel better. Caffine is addictive though, and I know this, most people know this, but we still choose to drink it anyway. Not sure there are any real health benefits to it, we know it makes you hyperactive, it dehydrates you, it's full of sugar that just sticks to your body like a bad glue, and curbs your appetite to make you hungrier. But it does taste so good. Oh well, so long for now, for the second time in my life! I made the conscious decision 9 years ago to give it up while training for a half marathon, and saw really great results then too, but went back to it about a year after the race was over. But my will power is back! Soda, you won't get the best of me, not yet, and not right now!