Seeing Double

A few months ago I reconnected with one of my childhood bestfriends.  April and I had EVERYTHING in common growing up...well not everything, but a lot.  I was born and partially raised in Lousiana, she'd lived in Louisiana, we both only had sisters (two for me - four for her), we both found faith early in baptist churches, loved math, had dad's with engineering careers, played clarinet and were the top two "chairs", etc etc.  April and I met in sixth grade at Byrd Middle School here in Tulsa.  We were truly inseperable.  On the weekends we were generally either at my house or hers and my sister Charmaine and I joined her family at their church on Wednesday nights. 

When I made the decision to choose our local magnet program highschool, it was easier because I knew April (and my other besties Regina and Sia) would be there too.  We were family.  Her mom was a second mom to me - Mama Bev.  One of the coolest moms ever - to this day I think so!  She was so good to all of us.  When April's parents separated and later divorced in highschool, my heart hurt.  It was a tough time for everyone and as strong a person as April is and was, for her that was life changing as anyone can imagine. 

When the time came to make a decision for college, I thought April would be heading to OU with me.  She didn't. And for the first time after seven years together we were headed in separate directions.  Over the course of my college-career I only saw April once.  It seemed and still seems unreal to me.  I hate the way time and distance gets in the way of life long bonds...

Late last year I received an email from April.  As it turns out, we live just a few miles apart and once again as things have turned out we still have a great deal in common.  April has three kiddos as well.  She's a fellow MOST (Mom of Single and Twins) except she has three beautiful...or I guess I should say "handsome" boys.  When we got together for the first time, it was truly like old times.  Laughing, giggling, and the occasional stab at old school mates (lol).  We have gotten to hang out together a few times now and have committed to together get involved with our local Mothers of Multiples Club.  I'm excited about that because I'd been wanting to for a while. 

Today, I met them all at the park and snapped a few pics.  I'm so glad to have my sister friend back and I truly hope that we can do right this time and commit to keeping in touch. 

Toothless Wonder

This past Sunday, I got to watch my nieces and nephew for my sister while her and  my brother in law went to lunch for his birthday.

The kids had a great time together.  They are just so easy!!!  NiNa were sleep for the majority of the time, so it was nice to be able to kick back and relax and know that I was dealing with kids old enough to not get into much trouble...

Here is the youngest Rani.  She is currently sporting a toothless grin.  I'm not sure why but my oldest sister's kids and MacKenzie all started losing teeth really early...MacKenzie lost her first tooth at 4!

Hard to believe but Rani is 5 1/2 now.  Man...it doesn't seem right!  

We've been stuck inside for the last several days...so much snow.  I'll have to actually get out and take pics at some point.  I'm so over this weather though :) I've never seen this much snow in my life...

Warning

Considered yourself warned.  If ever you are nice enough to watch the babies for me, consider this post your fair warning.  YOU CAN'T LEAVE THEM ALONE IN THE BATHROOM!  Within the last week they have done the following on separate occasions:

Exhibit A  - Found laundry in a tub of bath water
Exhibit B - Found nearly a whole roll of tissue in the tiniest of pieces ALL over the floor
Exhibit C - Emptied a full bottle of shampoo into their bath water
Exhibit D - Put one of their potty seats in the tub of bath water.

I mean they are USUALLY good girls, but their bathroom etiquette is wearing me out!

You were warned...

Plasma Car

We got the twins one of those plasma cars for Christmas.  Because I figured they were a bit young for it, we got one instead of two.  But the thing is, it was supposed to be for them.  Big Sister had different plans.  She has a blast on that thing riding around the kitchen.  Glad it's something they can all enjoy.  Super fun!

Having sister is so much fun.  Love my girls :)

52 Fridays

As you can probably tell, I have a thing for taking pics.  I'm not a photographer, but I'm loving learning about photography.  It's a great creative outlet and in the process, it will be a future gift for the girls.  This year, I transformed my 365 blog  into a 52 Week Blog for my three.  I feel like I can actually get this done this year.  The 365 was just a bit too overwhelming and I ultimatey failed...

but now...All For Mommy...Something New.  A new project that I'm pretty excited about. And a promise to not create one more blog...geez!

Ten

I love this girl...my first baby. And while I'll never pick a favorite, truth be told, there is something very special about that.  Today she is ten. Suddenly I am not so sure what to do with that. I just want to put life in slow motion a bit because I'd like to hang on to this time just a bit longer...(or forever).

Ten, yep ten years ago I delivered you MacKie. How was I to know then what you'd mean to me today? For so long you were our everything and only thing, yet though it would seem impossible, dividing the love between you and your sisters created even more love. In short, that is the one word I have for you. I love you more than I can describe and/or show.  I love the way you love your sisters. I'm in awe of your work ethic, intellect, beauty, faith, kind and gentle spirit, and humor.  In truth, I want to be like you when I grow up. 

I very much enjoyed getting to spend time with you today.  It reminded me of how easy and simple things were before the girls - going shopping on the whim - so up my alley! You are really so much fun to hang out with it. 

Thank You for being you and for being mine.  Welcome to Double Digits!

here you are on your 10th birthday...at home in the evening and at Krispy Kreme for breakfast in the morning, you insisted :)

i heart faces - best face photo of 2010

So yes, I know and you know ...I've posted this pic a few times. But for me it really was my best face photo in 2010...PLUS..this is my big girls birthday week. She'll be 10 on Saturday! I'm also especially proud because when I entered my first and only Pioneer Woman photography contest -  Favorite Photo, she picked this photo as one of her featured...proud moment for MWAC (mom with a camera). At any rate, here it is AGAIN.

Beginning on Tuesday afternoon, something I heart faces is trying out for the first time - they are  allowing viewer voting.  So if you didn't enter yourself...go find Mack's amongst the several hundred entrants and vote for her...you know...for her birthday and all :)  She is entry #668.

She

1) is Nia Grace
2) is the definition of "something else"
3) is a fighter
4) was born 4 lbs 3oz and at 18 months weighed 22 lbs
6) used to prefer "Mommy" but now is a total "Daddy's Girl"
7) at any given moment is either very quiet or very loud and chatty
8) is quite the dancer and singer, currently loving to groove to anything Barney
9) is doing so well in potty training, primarily only wetting at night.
10) reminds me so much of my sister Charmaine in looks, ways, and mannerism, it's a bit scary
11) is a picky eater but will drink just about anything.
12) looks a lot like my sister, Charmaine, uncle Tim, and Grandma Thadia Mae, but a lot of people also see  
      her big sister, MacKie in her too
13) is constantly looking out for her twin Nala but loves to antagonize her as well
14) retires for the night at 7:00 p.m. and  is the first to rise in the mornings
15) has wonderful manners - quick to "thank you" for anything you give.
16) loves to help pickup and for that has stolen her daddy's heart!
17) sucks her two middle fingers ALL the time...a habit we'd love broken and released.
18) wears clothing size 18 - 24 mos and has a size 5 foot
19) finally has enough hair for little pony tails
20) is pretty fearless
21) answers to her rightful name, "Nia" but when asked, answers her sisters, "Nala" and is nicknamed "Ni-
      Ni", "Little Bit" and affectionally just called "eee-ah" by Nala
22) is nearing "2" much faster than I care to accept
23) was delivered naturally and painfree 16 minutes before her twin, Nala. 
24) is often complimented on her eyebrows
25) is destined to a purposeful life

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours

Singing Makes Her Happy

Nala loves music time.  It makes her happy.  You get lots of giggles and lots of "cheese".