Is it really amost Christmas??!!

I don't want the New Year to get here, and not have blogged one last time....
small goals, yet, still goals.
I just realized it's almost Christmas...yes, I know, it really is ALMOST Christmas! I'm not sure what happened, but I didn't get the memo this year.
We did do all our shopping, don't get me wrong...and I've eaten my fair (or more) share of cookies for the holidays. Baked, not so much this year....(last years 50,000 sugar cookies kinda did me and my family in). Presents wrapped - nope...thinking about it as I sit here...and also doing the dishes, I know multi-tasking! I think it's more like I have ADD or something......only able to focus for small amounts of time w/out getting distracted and bored.
I know for sure the fact that my folks and 1/2 of my siblings (yes, that's 7 siblings) are in TX this year is a bit of my shell shock that Christmas has hit. The other half, thankfully are coming to my house for our own celebration of sorts. Staring new traditions, w/the hope that we will all be together next year! I must admit, it's not set in the fact that for the first time ever I won't see most of my family, and for the first time will have my own Christmas w/just my hubby and boys...weird! I think it will be good, but just a big change.
I do enjoy getting to tell my kids about St. Nick, and Jesus...and the Reason we are celebrating all this fun! Watching my boys faces each A.M., as I plug in the tree, and as I tell them (again) not to touch the tree or ornaments that they so nicely hung (all on one branch). Enjoying the idea of hosting all my hubbies family at our house....I think it will be nice. Easy now that we hosted a mere 40 people of all age groups....I think.
So as I write, I see in my words, that yes, this is a New Year for me at Christmas time!
I think I am in denial that by tomorrow I need to clean my whole house, shop, wrap gifts (didn't do it - again, tonight), and all the last min. things. Oh, and take care of my 3 boys.
As I groggily need to log off (and hope this all makes a tad bit of sense in the AM),
Becky
P. S. tried to upload a pic again....but dial up is too special!

My monthly blogging fun...

You thought I fell of the face of blogging....no, not completely. I just have been on the computer less and less, with life, boys and dial up, it's a bit much to handle.
But I didn't forget about my monthly fun of chatting to myself (and the few of you that have fun reading my thoughts, when of course there is time....I know, not enough it seems to go around a day). Blogging is like my daily life, but instead of talking out loud it's nicely written down for me to laugh at myself, or vent a little, remember memories, I may likely forget w/my lack of memory.
Had a lovely visit from my Texas family for a week. And was blessed to get to host them all, well some of my family....just 9+ of them or so overnights. Though we did have at least 40 people under our roof a few times, and eating yummy food together. Lots of love, food and noise.....Colby's Birthday, Thanksgiving prep (though we took our gang to my aunt's for the meal part), Peyton (one of my little brothers) and his birthday bash, and just fun family time, catching up with each other. (And me learning how to host massive amounts of people - respect my Mom more, now that it was my turn).
Let's just say, now I miss my family more......(not many live close now...so sad).
The past few weeks, after our Thanksgiving slumber party week, were spent recuperating, cutting back on coffee (yes, gasp), but it was backfiring......no longer giving me the pick up I needed to accomplish all I need to do each day (that I never really get done).
Highlight for me (small to some, large to me) was getting my energy back after 3 weeks....yeah! Becoming a nicer person again....and getting our house ready for hosting Christmas gatherings. It'll be smaller numbers like 20 people this time....much easier...really. Though I will miss my TX family during this season! It will be my first Christmas separate from my parents and 1/2 my siblings....weird! But am trying to squeeze into my life a few gift making items to share some love, since we can't be together in person~!
And I am looking forward to some babies that will be here sometime in January.....one of my close (past) roomies.....a cousin's, and very good friend's and another family friend = 4! My thoughts are already there in prayer for this exciting time of birth and life!And praying for a few who want babies!
On a less overviewish sort of way......I came up with a new idea for my own tradition w/my hubby and 3 boys. I want to do a grateful tree. Each year we will write out things we are grateful for, prayers answered, miracles that have happened, etc....then roll them up, tie them w/ a ribbon and hang them on our tree. Each year we will bring out the past years and add to. I am excited to figure out how to keep the focus on Jesus, our Saviour, who became a baby.....for me....and those who choose His great gift! This was one of my simple thoughts while cleaning toilets or peeling carrots.....But my desire is to have fun w/St. Nick and enjoy the Joy of Christmas! I want my boys to know the miracle of Christmas. And it will be fun to see their thoughts on paper as they mature....and grow. A timeline of sorts, too. And like Moses in the Bible, we are supposed to talk of the things God has done w/our children (so we don't forget his Awesomeness), and even have rocks of remembrance......but for now it'll be on paper. That can be another fun summer wall building project.
I know I had one more profound thought....but it has slipped from my grasp....so maybe if it comes back...I'll note it....no, not happening....ok, fine....
Well, with thoughts for our past, futures and living in our present (sometimes chaos)..........hopefully I'm back on a few more times before our new year comes....but we'll see. Life, boys...who are toddlers.....and me figuring out the joy (and confusion at times) of raising little men!
Oh, and just so you know...though I sound peppy on here, and that's my nature to be positive...(I think).....I'm really learning and fumbling to raise 3 little men, who some days feel like triplets! And reign in my own self.....and learn to 'grow up', too! The past week was a super challenge.....the kids missing all the love and quality time they got from my family...and me learning to meet or not be able to meet all their needs! Or listen to their whines....my sweet Kyle baby has taken over Ryan's job. Ryan is now independent of me and happy about it. Colby is back and forth on being 4.
Well, off to put these earlier risers down for naps, clean my house, and get ready to celebrate Jesus...daily.

Yes, my hands are full

A while back I posted on comments you hear as a Mom, especially when you're out and about. I have to admit, I love to go out alone....why, then people know these are my boys. Yes, I have twins, no, they are not triplets. Yes, they are close in age. Yes, I have 3 kids 3 and under....but not for long. Soon, I'll have a 4 year old and two 2 year olds. I'm sure people will still think I have triplets, but that's ok. I just love my kids, and it's fun to show off them (and all the hard work I know that goes into them). There are a few times that (when I'm in a hurry), it's hard to get stopped often, but most of the time I enjoy it. I guess I just love talking about my kids. The comments I enjoy, are when I find out others are twins or have twin children. That's fun. And one of my favorites, is when the commentor knows how blessed I am. I agree! I am!
So, even if I have to hear and reply to 1,000 "Wow, your hands are full", in my heart I know it's full of love, too!

Being thankful

If you're anything like me = a human. Then I believe being thankful is an art. One that takes work, not always is it a gift. Though at times, I've been graced w/thanfulness.....mostly I must cultivate it. I am truly grateful for my family....there are some things that don't take lots of work to be thankful and know we are blessed. I find more my struggle is the everyday stuff. Like thankful for a body that works, instead of thinking of how much I 'should' be trying to work out, etc.....I think having kids helps give a better perscpective on self image than our CA overly body aware state.
O.K. back to being thankful.
I just started thinking of things that I love. Can't help but list the beautiful trees that surround my county. I am just amazed at God's awesomeness every day I drive in this county. The colors, the light reflecting off the new changed colors, even the pink coming in my house off the Japanese Maple out my window.
How I love Fall trees, French Press Coffee, Pumpkin scones (lots of them), home made sourdough bread, boys who run, jump and play, boys who want to be hugged (when I'm busy), family who loves me, phone calls, facebook (I know, some think a copout from reality, but I find it's a connection), being healthy, a husband who loves to cuddle (and can fall asleep in less than 30 secs), boys who can't stop talking (don't know who's side they got that from), changing kitty litter (ok, that's more of an extrenal one, my boys think I love it, but really, not so much), a home to live in, a fire to start every day (and keep going), a washing machine (working on being thankful to fold it all), a Country where we are Free, and Freedom in God....well, just a thankful post because I am.
I find it gets fun to list all you're thankful for......we do it w/our kids at night and growing up we did it. Sometimes my list is all I know I should be grateful for (when I'm having a bad attitude)....and usually my heart starts to change when my focus changes.....it's kind of fun to watch the morph......
Hope you're enjoying Fall (you can't tell it's one of my favorite seasons)~!

Baby Cakes and life with Boys

My best intentions to make it to faster internest servcie, a.k.a. My hubby's office....have not been put in place. I have succeeded at actually sleeping through the night.....for those who love sleep or miss it, it's a great feat! Let's just say a week spent near my boys room, and I think we are in for a great blessing = sleep.
I get to make the cake for a baby shower tomorrow, baking today...so hopefully it'll freeze in time to be decorated. And some how in there going to make 2 nursing covers, my specialty gift.
Fall has been beyond lovely! And our new home is set amongst so many beautiful trees. We had to have a family photo shoot, it was just too much beauty to not set in photo....(not just my cute family). Thankful for such a wonderful home and getting to stay with my boys each day and watch and teach them as they grow.
I know I've said this before, but I wish I was a twin...such a special bond.
Colby, Kyle and Ryan have been having a blast playing outside (while it's still nice enough), chasing their new barn kitties around. They are more daring than I, who's a scardy cat of cats. Our winter garden is giving us a little bit already. Thankful for all the squash we had, but am glad for a change of veggie. Let's just say I had to learn some recipes for how to use yellow squash, lots of it, every day!
We've done lots of pumpkin patches and hope to make it to Apple Hill this Fall. Missing my Tx family lots, but thankful to FB for pictures. And the joy of getting to take all 3 boys w/out all their help. (Actually, it's a blessing, I did so much w/my family for fun outings, that it's been good to have to be alone and learn how to go to the store, or many all on the same day. Sounds silly to share, but the ability to shop w/little ones is a fine art, or a fine balance!).
Well, just a lovely Fall hello....off to enjoy my boys, bake a cake, sew, and LIVE!
Lots of love and would love to hear about your Fall.

Birthdays and Perspective

Well, another Birthday passed. Ok, I'm making it sound like I don't care. Really, I LOVE birthdays.....they are fun, you celebrate life, gift giving (one of my love languages), words of affirmation (another love language), coffee of course and good laughs. But one of the best gifts and greatest things I learned this birthday, besides feeling a bit more wise and just plain grateful, was.....perspective and a THANKFUL heart. (Need to check my boys helping me put away clean laundry....it's getting put in the bathroom, I'm scared....brb.)
Ok, I'm back. And folded 2 loads of laundry, initiated by my boys wanting to help. Thanks, Boys!
I put my heart in an expectant position for the day (my birthday last week).....no matter what joy I was experiencing....coffee out w/girl friends at the park and lots of chatting or cleaning up a potty tip over....I found I had joy. I realized that instead of a large overwhelming must-do-to-do-don't really-do list......I set stuff aside, did some chores (a Mom has to you know.....or it just get crazier). My outlook and heart were set to be grateful....so when the usual hard stuff comes....5 pm low blood sugar potty's spilling all over....clean up emergency...well, I just said, " This is my birthday, not gonna let this ruin it". Amazingly, I had energy still, didn't feel so tired (as is proned to this phase of the day) and kept looking forward to the rest of the day (what was left). I began to think that I need to have this outlook and heart position each day! I had energy, I was super happy, I was expectant of good, I took the things that are hard for me and just kept going, it was a good day. That same life lesson, or should we say personal revelation....has been something I've been pondering and thinking on in my heart this past week or so. I wanted to share it so it will solidify, and hopefully keep growing in my heart and attitude.
I often feel tired throughout my day, overwhelmed, and just lethargic. I don't like feeling like this. My birthday was a revelation to my heart and mind, to change how I view things and handle life as it comes. Potty chairs and all!
How do you cultivate a thankful heart....I make my kids smile at me if they are pouting....it changes their heart and attitude. I don't think we are that much more complicated than kids, are we? Just more stubborn sometimes. I start thanking God for things, good things, great things, hard things, even bad things (mostly I've seen Him use them for good for me because He loves me), and like David in the Psalms, I command my soul to praise Him! It works wonders on a bad attitude or a dejected heart. When I'm truly going through something hard, I do the same, and often I dance and worship, something about moving around making myself and my body worship, changes my heart and my outlook and sometimes I even feel my situations shift. Practical application: Dinner time, crazy time for us all, I make dinner, taking breaks w/the worship music to dance.....and lift up praise = a better Mom = a better home and kids! Of course, I forget this great tool and position of heart, and those days/evenings are harder....but I'm sharing so I can keep it in the forefront of my heart/mind.
So grateful for a new perspective, what a great gift on a birthday.
To add to what I'm sharing....I recently read a post by a friend on FB telling us to get over our weather hating selves.....she said it comically but truthfully....if it's hot, quit complaining, go swim, drink ice tea, have fun! If it's cold, get cozy and put on a scarf, something hot and yummy to drink! (I have changed it a bit to my own but the heart of her comment was good). It's weather she said and it's always changes, so get over it! Loved it! We are so fickle and quick to complain.....hey, we are lucky to have A/c or swamp coolers in the summer, others don't have (my Mom always reminded us of the fact that we always have/had a lot) and we have heaters/woodstoves/blankets/family to cuddle with....and there are those who don't! Ooops, not trying to sound like my Mom, but I guess as I'm raising my boys, my heart is surfacing and I'm dealing w/all that is in it. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
To end on a lighter note....we are taking one of these last hot days....(a sudden heat wave of sorts, meaning hot for this cold summer) and going swimming w/Grandma!
Thanks for listening...and I would love to hear how you get perspective on life!
P.S. I'm experimenting w/a picture up loading option, so maybe pictures will appear in the near future...we'll see. As you can see above....I found a way.....the twins at the 2nd birthday party w/cousins eating popsicles! Pretty EXCITING.

My good friends yummy blog

My good friend's yummy and helpful blog

Really, you should check it out. She references a very helpful site and she mentored me in cooking and baking for myself and my oldest when he was off of dairy and gluten! What a help she was.
Enjoy!
P.S. Her pictures make me wish I'd driven a few hours for that meal!