Our Year with TWO.

August 31, 2015: "...I pray that you won't be afraid, but will find instant comfort when we hold you close for the first time. That you will know the love that we have for you and that you will be strong. Strong like the Lord has told me you will be. I love you sweet baby and I am so excited to be your Mom and for you to have the best Dad and big sister in the world."

One year ago today, I wrote those words to my sweet boy. I was feeling so pregnant. My feet were swelling and I literally felt like my lower half was going to explode because of all the pressure our baby was putting on me. I had no idea who he would be, or that he would 9 pounds 8 ounces,  but I knew that he was already so loved. As we approach the big 1st birthday, I have all sorts of emotions running through me. One of them being, excitement. We did it! We survived the first year of being parents to two little blessings. I feel like the word survived implies some sort of negative spin. I don't mean it to, but I'm going to be honest and say, some days we were just going for survival. Can I get an amen?!

I swear they love us!

Sweet cheeks and Soybean are without a doubt our greatest blessings and on the days that it feels like I am getting every detail wrong, I work hard at reminding myself that I was chosen to be their Mom. That we were chosen to be their parents, to love them and raise them the best we can. With that, I am so thankful, that when I can't hear that truth through life's noise, I have friends and FRamily to run to for support. People that have been my rock on the hard days, so as I am celebrating this past year of highs and lows, I have to celebrate those who have been there for us. Who have been part of my village and supported me through being a Mom, the best and hardest gift I have ever received.

Having these two littles have made me want to slow down. To work on focusing on what is truly important. To make little memories, like watching the same movies over and over, running/crawling in circles around the couch, seeing our big sister share a sweet embrace or kiss with her baby brother when she thinks no one is watching. I'm living in, "the days,"and I don't ever want to take that for granted. These truly are the best days. 

God gave me these babies as a game changer. Having them has made us work harder, pray harder and strive with even more tenacity to not only be the best Mom and Dad, but the best person, the best Christian we can be. Have we failed at times, sure thing, but nothing has made me want to keep pushing forward more than the 4 eyes we have watching us. 

The thing is, I know ultimately the greatest gift I've received, and will ever receive, is the salvation I've been given through Christ's death and resurrection on the cross. There is no doubt about that. BUT I would be a crazy if I didn't see my kids as a gift God gave me to make me love Him more, to serve Him better and that my friends has been what, "Our Year with TWO," has been all about. Refining who we are in Christ and adventuring through this thing we call life together, one perfectly messy moment to the next. 

Summer, SLOW DOWN!

I can hardly believe it's August. Better yet, that it is August 3rd, which means in exactly ONE month I will have TWO toddlers. I really want August to slow down, so I can savor these last 30 days of infancy. So hear me August, I want to enjoy your long days, late nights, family pool parties, and quality time just the 4 of us as much as possible, so lets make it happen.

Last month literally flew by. We started off the month by welcoming the newest addition to our family, our sweet niece, and things just kept rolling. The Hubs was gone for over half the month, which made for some pretty tough days for this Momma. With that being said, I was super excited when he offered to fly me to PORTUGAL for a weekend getaway, just the two of us, midway through his three weeks of travel. I guess what I should say is I was super excited once I got there. I had so much anxiety about leaving the kids and being able to pump enough while I was gone (Happy World Breastfeeding Week) so that I could continue to nurse when I got home, that fear almost kept me from making the flight. However, with prayer and encouragement from family and friends, I jumped on the plane and let me tell you, it was amazing and so worth it!

Shortly after I got back from Europe, the Hubs was back home and we were all off on a family vacation to the Outer Banks. It was perfect wind down time for all of us and I loved that we got to share it with my family. Our kids are so loved by their Granny, Papa, Aunties and Uncles and being able to make memories with them is something that I treasure.

Now that we're up to speed on the craziness that was July, let me catch you up on our Bean. He is a mover and a shaker! A waving, high-5 giving, wants to be in everything 11 month old that has completely stolen our hearts. He still doesn't sleep great a night, although the time he had with Granny while I was a way did help tremendously in that department, but he takes great naps! He eats everything and loves his Momma and his "personal milk supply" as his Daddy would say. I love watching him, watch his sister and it's so fun to watch him play independently while I'm getting things done around the house. He loves the water and as we learned this week, he loves sand too. He does great in the car and for the most part is the chillest dude I know, although he doesn't like getting new teeth which is now has 9 of! He has learned to climb up stairs, which he may or may not have taken a tumble down, and he is just starting to cruise on furniture. However, I'd be happy if he held off on walking, since I have a feeling he is going to have us running in all sorts of directions. His best friend is his sister and he loves snuggling with his blanket. He's our little man and we love him so.

So, here's to long August days that lead to peaceful August nights. To family time and embracing the mess that is life with our two crazy kiddos. To slowing down and savoring all life's precious moments.

Happy August, Y'all!