Solo 3:4 for my anniversary

When I met him I was working as an interpreter in an elementary school and he was a parent of a student. We were easy acquaintances and the conversation was effortless. He was married, I was in a relationship and time marched on. 

When I met him again he was a single man. He looked different and it felt different. He pursued and wooed. He showed up and shored up.

When we were dating Trey would show up at my house in the morning before work and wake me with a Starbucks drink-o-the-day. This happened on the reg. When we went out on dates he opened my car door, pulled out my chair and treated me like a queen. (He still does this. Chivalry is not dead...usually)

When he proposed on that stage in that foreign country I knew I had hit the jackpot. We have the best time together and everything was exactly as it should be. The faster we both ran toward God the easier the relationship became. In our ultimate decision to "elope" before the actual wedding we were blessed. We were blessed by taking an obedient step and went on to have an amazing wedding. 

I'm an optimist- never needed a fairy tale- but this prince of mine landed right in my lap when I least expected it. 

When biology, science, genetics and hormones came into play last year- I almost died. I was too sick to admire the incredible bouquet that my husband had sent for our 2 year anniversary. I made it once to the living room to admire them. I sat down and wept. I wasn't sure if I would see our 3 year anniversary. I didn't know what was happening at the time- but I knew it wasn't good. Still he found time in the middle of our chaos to bless me, honor me, cherish me and pray over me. 

When people told me I would fall more in love with him seeing him be a daddy, I balked. No way I could fall more in love with him. He's my person, my lobster, all the other sickening things that can't be taken apart, that's us. HOLY FLIPPIN WOW. You people were right. Seeing him be a daddy is the best gift that God gives me on the daily. I fall more in love with him every day and I see his sweet spirit in my children and that makes me love them even more- which is barely possible. 

When you have twins people are full of stories- about half horror. I walk in positivity and light and my feet are led by Jesus so it didn't affect me much. I got a lot of warnings and advice and more advice and warnings. What I didn't hear was how amazing it is being a twin mom because of the extra time spent with the hubs. Any decent twin dad isn't going to sit back and let the mom do double the work if he's available to help. Trey has come up beside me and gotten his hands dirty time and time again. I am honored to parent with him- not only to #dembabies but also to Sam and Max. 

Life has been so good to me. I have a wonderful family and I married the man that was made for me. Together we are unstoppable. We love each other so fiercely that our cups are so full and overflowing that it affects everyone we meet- and that's awesome. #alsoJesus

Happy Anniversary Trey.

Lovingly: Bombay

Bad behavingly: Terry

Not listeningly: Taylor

Inappropriately: Tory

Recently: Sugar

I love you the whole much.

We're No. 1! We're No. 1!

Snaps to all my peeps for a great party for #dembabies numero uno. *snapping* The attendance was on point, the laughs were in abundance and the sweets were everywhere! My two Scalf-mates were in a great mood and loved digging into their "1" cakes made by their Cookie. While they couldn't have cared less about gifts, every single one was thoughtful and wonderful and saved Trey and I thousands of dollars in possible toy purchases. If we ever go to the store they won't be able to ask for toys, they already have it all.

Today is one of those beloved heavenly days when we have our nanny. We don't have her full time anymore because the babies are pretty much a breeze- but we entertain and have other family and errands to run- etc so it's nice to have her here a couple days a week to help wherever needed. I mean, whereEVER needed. This angel cleans my children's playroom meticulously. She keeps them fed and changed and clean and happy and I could not have done this past year without her. She has blessed my family in so many ways I can't even begin to list it all here..Her family named her Evelyn, but to us- she's Tia. Dru tries really hard to say her name, he's already pronouncing the "t".  Reminds me of how easy it was to teach babies that I was around all the time to call me Tata. #suckas Roxanne has started in on the "s". I think she wants to say "Sossy". Welcome back from that rabbit hole. So you see what Tia has had to deal with over the last year. I'm not the easiest person to get along with, but I'm close. Tia is a strong contender. She came home and loved on my babies when I was fighting for my life in the hospital.
My best friend contacted me from my home where she was one of many (my mom, Cookie, Jerri) taking care of my babies on Tia's first day of work.
**Me: How's she doing? Gigi: You run a tight ship, she's keeping up.
That. was. everything. I was barely a mom and already running a tight ship!?!? Y E S!!
So that's how Jesus completely poured favor all over my family in the name of a nanny called Tia.

I know a lot of moms feel like the first year is a blur. It went by quickly, but I was sure to slow down and remember. Write memories on my heart, take in the moment, revel in the beauty of being a mom. There were days when I was busier than a cat covered in poop on a tin roof (thanks daddy) but then there was Jesus, and for me? He makes everything alright. Every little thing is going to be alright. Jesus is MY Bob Marley. Profound- I know.

So it's Fall and starting to get lovely outside. I'm trying not to mourn for the last year (like I really want to as a Mom) because I don't want to miss this part! Last year when sweatshirt season started I was weak. I could barely get up the stairs (not that anyone would let me) to get my babies' clothes brought down. This year the trick or treating and the leaves and the fires and the hoodies-it's so different. And I want to enjoy every bit of it with my sweet family.


**A summation. One could never share an exact replica of a conversation between myself and Jennifer Dooley.

1 Year photos coming next week....

Small dish 4 U

I desperately long for something meaningful to share with my people, but I am at a block. 

There is a season upon this house that is...thick.

Trey and I are digging in and being relationally more intentional with our friends and making time for our family-small last minute memories-while time slips painfully through our fingers. It takes with it happiness and fear and relief, but we are opened up for more experiences as parents, as friends, as husband and wife. That's just how time is, I guess. 

The Lord was relentless on our hearts about leading a bible study in our home. Looking back this was a decision we should have made long ago. But.... Jesus is patient and we now have a great group that we are just getting to do life with as it relates to our feelings and thoughts and prayers. Loving that. 

Our long to adventure is mixed with a deep love for our home-and the people in it. When we are gone as a family we enjoy every exposure to the new and remain grateful for our opportunity and for the beauty that God has hidden all over. When we are in Colorado his mountains scream with His favor. Driving home through middle America-ish where the hills carry out the grass to the sky and the oil rigs look like postcard pictures. I am so enjoying this life with my family. I am loving giving the twins exposure to the world, but I especially love being able to guard them from the bad stuff (ohhhhh but when they get older...#jesustakethewheel). 

Zooming out, there are many in our lives who hurt and we hurt with them. There are many in our lives who rejoice and we follow suit. Still so many to find peace, so we just pray. 

Zooming in. My babies. Almost a year. Not many things I would do over if I had it do all over again. I bet I'm super lucky just to be able to say that. 

I'm sure a very momming, bragging, emo sesh is on its way, but for now- we rest. 

Loving you all the times.