Coming Home Day

Three years ago today we brought home two tiny beautiful miracle babies.

Today we celebrated with our annual tradition - eating dirt cake as a family. I made it the first year because it was something I thought the kids would like and now it's tradition!!!

We also made some time to play outside - today was a gorgeous sunny day much like it was 3 years ago. That day and the week after, God had our purple wildflowers in full bloom. They encouraged me as I spent long hours trying to feed the kids. At least I had something beautiful to look at outside our living room windows to remind me of God's special care for us. So I wanted to get some pictures of Addyson and Braden playing in the few wildflowers we have blooming (I think we lost a bunch of them last year to the hot, dry summer). So here is my best attempt. 

My heart has been overflowing today. I am so thankful that God gave us his best for what we thought was better. Twins!!! I pleaded with Him for a baby and he answered me in a way I didn't expect and wasn't sure I was ready for. I'm so thankful that God blessed us with Addyson and Braden. We totally don't deserve them. They bring so much joy to our lives and God has taught us more than I could ever imagine about Him and about life through the experience of being their parents. He also shows us daily that there is no way we can do any of this without Him. I'm so glad I get to play with them and snuggle with them. God knew I needed a bubbly, stubborn, tiny little girl and a snuggly, loving, husky little farm boy. I still melt every time I hear them say they love me and am thankful for the mandatory kisses and hugs before naps, bedtime, or ever leaving them. So glad for the way God chooses to love us and teach us. He is to be praised.

Looking back at pictures and blog entries from when we brought them home from the hospital overwhelms me. There were parents who never got to bring their babies home, and we had been told so many times that Addyson just couldn't be that tiny for no reason. I'm certain there was a reason, but regardless they are here - home with us. Oh the things we take for granted. And oh how much we have learned in three years - and I'm sure there is more to come. But it is great to have another day to look back at and be reminded about God's faithfulness. To stop and really remember all He's done for us. And renew my hope that our story didn't end there but that God is continuing to direct our lives and He cares about each detail just as He did then. When there aren't daily charts or weights or feedings or much progress it seems harder to trace His fingerprints then it did in those days, but they are still there. And someday we will be able to look back at this period in our lives and see all He is doing too.

I'm glad we have this Coming Home Day to celebrate with Addyson and Braden, and I hope for the day we are able to celebrate the day our next little boy gets to come home forever too. Glad that each child in our family will have a Coming Home Day to remind us of God's continued faithfulness to our family.

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

Around here . . .

we like to swing . . .

Braden wants to go "in the sky" high always. My shoulders and arms get a work out for sure.

Addyson wants to go "not too fast" but fast. It's a hard job to find the perfect speed, but we're trying :) Thankfully my left arm gets a little less of a workout.

We have a love/hate relationship with the dogs. Love to pet and hug them but hate for them to get excited and love us too much.

We like to play hide and seek. Can you find our black lab, Chloe???

We like to climb and slide

And give hugs, even if they're not wanted. Oh my goodness, how many times do I have to hear "Braden's touching me." I fear it has only begun.

We wear protection for our ears  . .  .

 maybe because a certain sister talks a lot. She asked me the other day, "Mommy, why I talk so much?" Because you're a girl, sweety. :)

We smile (???) and make sure to take a picture of her first nightgown.

and answer a lot of "why" questions!!!

 We practice hunting easter eggs. It is so hard to not peek while mommy hides them!

Oh by the way do you know what color Braden's pants are in the picture above??? Cracky. According to Addyson. She's trying to say khaki, but then again, she's got a point . . . because most of Braden's pants are a little "cracky" since certain little butt cheeks like to peek out the top of his pants. :)

Which reminds me of another funny story. Ryan had been busy working bulls a few weeks ago . . . among other things they were removing certain boy parts - if you know what I mean. We spent some time watching the guys work. A few days later Braden decided his herd at home needed to be worked as well. So he assembled the required tools - a chute, pens, cattle, and Addyson's pink pretend hair straightener. At first I thought he was trimming their tails so I asked what he was doing. To which he responded, "I getting their hot dogs out! They need their hot dogs out!" Funny boy. Sure hope he doesn't think that's what he's eating when we grill hot dogs :)

Let's see, we also try to make lots of fashion statements.

Lots of mowing - can you believe things are actually green??? Hardly had to mow last summer.

We made a trip to the brand new Cabela's. Braden stared at everything and sat perfectly still in the cart. Mesmerized. And then he saw the guy dressed up as a deer and was TERRIFIED. And to this day asks me about it to make sure he's now showing up at our house. And asks if he can shoot it. 

Poor guy saw the person dressed up as a cow as we drove by Chick-fil-a and was even more confused.

And pray for lots and lots of patience. Three year olds can be demanding and whiney and this mama is working hard to be patient and loving and teach them how to love and obey. While I learn how to love and obey too. Kids sure make you realize how much you have to learn yourself and some of the nastiness in your own heart that God needs to help you get rid of too!

And that's what we're doing around here.

Easter

Easter 2012 was a new experience for us. We got to be part of a brand new church!!! Grace Hillsboro was born (first church plant for Grace Community Church in Newton where we attend). Our family gets to be part of the hospitality team. Addyson and Braden even helped some . . . and a big accomplishment was they successfully sat through an entire church service!! So the morning was a little early around here, and rushed, and then we were all pretty done by lunch time. So the normal cute dressy Easter pictures didn't happen, but we got a few snapshots throughout the day!

Braden was up bright and early with daddy who needed to chore. Miss Addyson rolled out of bed a little later (note the crazy morning hair and half-asleep expression). We made resurrection rolls and read the Easter story out of their Jesus Storybook Bible which we LOVE. I know they don't understand a lot of it yet but this was a good tool to teach them some! When the rolls come out of the oven, the "tomb" is empty. Great tradition that we hope to continue!!! It was one of my favorite parts of the day before the craziness began - focusing on what really mattered as the sun rose.

helping daddy with water at the hopsitality table

The rest of the day was spent at the Hiebert's with Ryan's side of the family eating, hunting eggs, celebrating some birthdays, and enjoying the beautiful day God gave us! Oh, and maybe a little napping for 3 of the 4 of us.

Thankful for a God willing to send his only Son to earth just for us. Amazed that Jesus endured over 30 years here to finish what He started. And still in awe of just how much He loves us. Praying you had a wonderful Easter celebration too.