Our MoDi Twins

The Twins 1st Dance Recital

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sun, 18 May 2014 17:20:00 +0000

So we've come full circle!!! The twins had their very 1st dance recital yesterday! They danced on the "big stage" surrounded by very proud loved ones. The girls did an excellent job and had the absolute best stage presentation up there....yes I was a very proud (former dance teacher) mom :) :) Great smiles, chins up, danced well...YAY! Would also like to say a very special thank you to the girls great grandma, Mema, for being here. It's so wonderful to be able to share these special moments with her.
Thank you for all of the gifts too....that wasn't necessary!! The girls loved their shirt and short set from Auntie K and Uncle Brian, their princess ensables from Noni, and their shirts from Mema! We also celebrated Mother's day with our moms, Tina and Rhonda, and gave them really pretty charms for all of their grandchildren - they looked like little boys and girls with their birthstone color. We had hamburgers and cupcakes after the show! It was such a special day. Thanks to all of our family for being a part of it! OH and last thank you to my amazing Dad for being our photographer he did a great job!! Very special memories! :) Thank you so much Dad!!!

1st place to take dancing - Suzzane's School Of Dance, College Station TX
1st dance teacher - Mrs. Andrea
Recital location - Bryan Civic Auditorium
Recital Theme - "He Is Crowned"
Level/Age - 4, pre-primary
Names of their dances - Peace Like A River, Let All The Children Come To Me
Some of the names of their friends - Kayla, Anna Joy, Kylie, Sydney, Kate
Who Came to watch - Mom, Dad, and Silas, Noni and Kpaw, Mema & Jillian, Auntie K & Uncle Brian & Grey, Nana & PoPo, Aunt Kami & Uncle Keith, Andrew, Ben, & Lucas

I had tears in my eyes the whole time they danced!

Here are a few pictures!

Ms. Pryscilla

Cutie Bug Eden

Check out those smiles!

Pretty point Eden!

Want to know how the twins celebrated their 4th?

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 16:31:00 +0000

Okay so the girls have already had 1 family birthday party. It was a Dragon Tales party. Thanks to NetFlix their favorite show is an early 90's cartoon called Dragon Tales. It turned out great and I'll post pics soon. They have another family birthday party this weekend with Brian's family. So they are excited to have 2 parties. BUT their actual birthday turned out so great all on it's own. Here are some pictures.

Happy Birthday From Little Brother Silas


A surprise birthday lunch with K-Paw at Whataburger (when the girls were just home from the NICU he would come over once a week to check on us and visit and always brought Whataburger)


Ballet class

Passing out birthday candy to their dance friends

Shopping on $20 each (from K-Paw) they had to pick what they wanted!

Present to share

Paying for their present

Playing with their present

One last sweet birthday surprise from Noni arrived in the mail

Perfect!! Blow out your birthday candles


We ended the day at a Preemie Prints Sew & Craft meeting! 4 years after their premature birth the girls are learning about giving back and offering support to preemies & NICU babies. Eden even stuffed a giraffe! It was really special!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRLS! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH! 1 MORE PARTY TO GO THEN I'LL POST ALL OF THEIR PARTY PICS! HERE'S A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.

Happy 4th Birthday To My Girls!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 13:13:00 +0000

I'm sitting here with Eden showing her pictures of identical mo-di twins in the womb. She's very interested! I delivered the girls around 9:30 am today 4 years ago. Wow how time has flown. A few days ago I was talking with my grandpa (pepa) who is now 86 years old!! Go Pepa!! I've noticed that every time we talk he is saying things that I know he wants me to remember now and when he's gone. I can tell this is what he is doing because he puts serious inflection and tone on his words when he says things like, "take your time, take your time". Also, when he says these things they ring so true, especially this last time. The girls are 4 and growing up into sweet, respectful, extremely playful, imaginative, caring, and loving girls. I look over the past 4 years and my children are my greatest accomplishment in life. Sometimes other things seem to take over, but I have to remember my priorities. For the next 14 years I have 3 kiddos to raise and only 1 chance to do it right. So I have to take my time with them, enjoy it, love it, and do it the best that I can. (Pryscilla & Silas have now joined us)

Brian & I are blessed beyond words with these two miracles. Thank you to Dr. Connie Faro for being the best Dr. EVER and delivering our sweet twins. Those first moments of their birth are crystal clear & beautiful and you are very much a part of their birth story. Thank you Thank you!!

An Early Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 13:34:00 +0000

The girls get up so early!!!! Last night was a bad night between not being able to fall asleep myself (what is wrong with me) and the kids sleeping like crap I maybe got 4 good hours.. maybe! I just keep telling myself how fast they grow and that "this too shall pass".

We made whole grain pancakes this morning and now the girls are playing outside. I'm drinking coffee enjoying the nice breeze and cooler temps. Somewhere around 1 or 2 it will probably be in the 100's or at least close.

I love watching the girls play right now. Their imaginations are just taking off and it's so amazing. It's moments like this - where they are playing sweetly in their castle taking care of their babies and reading stories to each other - that melt my heart. Or when they call, "momma come see there's a tiger behind the fence. It's big" all with precious faces of pretend fear.

I want to preserve these moments forever. I cherish them and am so thankful and blessed to be able to witness them growing, changing, and learning. It's the little passing moments that make time freeze for a minute and remind me what life is all about. I savor them.

Raising Healthy Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 13:33:00 +0000

So I have many many issues about the current society we live in. I'm not getting on any kind of a soapbox, but I will say society's moral degradation is making me heavily consider some different options for my kids when it comes to decisions about how we will be raising them. One of the biggest issues, where I feel society has gone terribly wrong and I am even at fault for getting caught up in at one point in life, is the ridiculous pressure put on body image perfection. My girls are only 3.5 and I already think about how I am going to fight a battle to raise them to have a healthy body image this day in age. Society is going to make doing that very hard, but I also know it can be done with effort, prayer, and perseverance.

I came across a blog post this morning that was so refreshing to read. I've read it over twice already in hopes of drilling it into my head. Many points she makes I already do but it was still nice to read someone put into words what I am always thinking. We already talk about being healthy instead of using terms like skinny or fat. I never talk about myself needing to lose weight (even when I am working on it). I try very hard to tell them how smart they are, sweet they are, and kind they are as opposed to constantly telling them how pretty they are (even though they are of course gorgeous in my eyes). I do tell them they are pretty because I feel that it is important in building self confidence, but I DO NOT overdo it. I don't comment on other women's bodies - at all. We do go out to exercise in some way every day, and we talk about how it is making them healthy and strong girls. I tell them often that they are strong. I think strong is a great word to use because it pertains to physical and mental attributes. And I try every single day to teach them about kindness to others, because I know love of others is what this life is all about. If they don't learn another thing except kindness and loving others, I will feel successful.

So many people put too much emphasis on looks, outward beauty, and body size. We're bombarded when it comes to commercials, marketing, reality tv, and tv in general. It's best to just avoid it. I'm all about being healthy and trying to teach that to my girls. I'm still learning it myself, but it really is in an effort to teach good habits and heathy behavior not for them to look a certain way or fit an image of societal perfection. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and I will teach them to look inward not outward.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

The writer of this blog post hits on some things that I haven't done and will start to incorporate one day like... "Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that’s a good thing sometimes." I also haven't learned to cook kale yet but it is on OUR future to do list. That is something we will learn together. I think these things will come in time but it was great to see her put it into beautiful words for my future use.

I hope I will remember this post and reference it many times as life happens with these two. Cheers to raising healthy girls #healthygirls!

sisters

learning kindness

Pryscillaisms & Unfriendly Water

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 02:20:00 +0000

Pryscilla & Eden stayed with my parents for a few nights... here are some more funny things they said that we don't want to forget!! Also, Silas is about to turn 5 months old. He is rolling over and about to start eating real food. I can't believe it! He's still my main little man. I CANNOT get enough of him :) :)

Conversation with a 3.5 year old ~

KPaw - I'm off to work. One day you will go to work too Pryscilla
P - No I won't
KPaw - Why do you say that?
P - Girls don't go to work, just boys go to work

This is most likely a "Pryscillaism" (term coined by my dad) from our recent conversation that went a little something like this:

One afternoon, the girls were wondering where daddy was. I told them he was at work. They then proceeded to ask me, "mommy you don't work"? I laughed first, then explained, yes of course I work, but I get to do it at home. I take care of you munchkins all day long and believe me that is work!!! Then they laughed at me, and said "nooo that not work". I said, well I do other work too - I do all of that work for the sick babies, you know when you go with me to my meetings. Then I also work on the computer doing art and computer stuff. But yes you're right mommy doesn't go to work, so she can stay home with you! That's my most important job - to take care of you and our family! Who would have thought teaching them about their mommy & daddy's roles at 3.5 would result in an adorable little "pryscillaism" that girls don't work!! Amazing little minds that I'm very blessed to be shaping. She may not have it right BUT there is an underlying value in there I'm happy to build upon. Dad called me to tell me about this tonight and how serious she was when this little convo happened; I told him yeah in this house we're taking it back old school traditional :) Haha.

Here's another...

Eden is swimming at the house with my mom. The jets are making currents in the pool and she is swimming toward the current which is pushing her away. She asks my mom why the water is pushing her away and if it's because "the water don't like me"???? Tooooo precious!!!!

Miss E

Speaking of that work we do for sick babies. If you'd like to support visit the girls team page at the link below!

Check out our team page here! Join us in support of preemie, NICU, & angel babies.

A Few Words From Miss P

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:02:00 +0000

Pryscilla: I'm not a baby anymore. I'm growing up. Really really fast. (with big girl expressions on her face of course)

Mom: I know too fast

Pryscilla: I'm sorry.

Melted my heart!! She's such a sweetie!!

Round 2:

P: Mommy Eden hurt my feelings

M: Why what happened

P: She told me to go away

M: Well that wasn't nice of her was it

P: No...my heart hurts, (proceeds to hug me) and says my hearts not beepn anymore

M: Oh yes it is sweetheart yes it is

:) Didn't want to forget either of those moments with her!

We like getting dirty

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:36:00 +0000

Taking their babies on a walk!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 16:08:00 +0000

Love playing outside!

Love when the girls imagine!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:46:00 +0000

One of my favorite times is when I come around the corner and find the girls quietly playing in their room. Tonight they were reading to their babies before putting them to sleep. They pumped milk to feed them too. So cute!!

Day #2 - swimming

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:29:00 +0000

So today was day #2. Miss Eden made some progress. She managed to get in the "blue thing" with her teacher a few times. The first time on her own and the next few with the help of Ms. Brittany pulling her in. All she wanted to do was get to the "white thing" where she could touch bottom and then she acted like a fish. She doesn't have a fear of water just deep water. :) Pryscilla did great again!

Eden left her class to sit on the bench

We made a quick stop before heading to swimming

She started out in perfect position!

See that grip??

He's Stolen My Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 03:50:00 +0000

So I got very behind on blogging. You May already know our newest addition was surprise a little boy. We named him Silas Michael. (And no not after uncle si on the hit tv show duck dynasty). In fact Silas just turned 3 months old and I watched it for the first time a few nights ago. I will say it was quite funny.

I'm so in love with little guy. Wanted to share his 3 month pics with you.

First Day Of Swim Lessons!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:48:00 +0000

Today the girls started swimming lessons at aerofit and wow did they show off their different personalities. Honestly it's sometime hard to tell the differences since they seem to switch off every few weeks. I'm always very slow to answer peoples repetitive question, "so do they have complete different personalities?" But more and more lately Pryscilla seems to be more adventurous & Eden is a bit more shy. They've never seen an olympic size swimming pool before so when we walked in they BOTH freaked. Crying, holding on to me, and scared. In the midst of all that their teachers introduced themselves and I made big deals about their pretty swimsuits. That seemed to do it for P. She turned the switch off and was ready to go. Unfortunately until the last 5 min of class we couldn't get Eden to go near the pool. I even resorted to bribery and she didn't care. At the end coach Mat got her to get in an area she could stand. She was still very timid but at least she made it in the water, right!! Pryscilla did great she did all of her kicks, blowing bubbles, and floating on her back and front with the teacher. I'm crossing my fingers for tomorrow!! If you have any "tricks" for me leave a comment please!! :)

Eden wasn't going near the pool.

Until the last 5 min this is as close as we could get her

Here's P kicking away

Waiting her turn

Teacher talking with P

Very proud of herself

Eden joined in the last 5 min where she knew she could stand

Here she is kicking (on her own)

My Sister's Maternity Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:26:00 +0000

I had the opportunity to take a few maternity pictures for my sister and brother in law. They are expecting their 1st baby in just a few short weeks. I have such a beautiful sister and am so thankful for her. We are so blessed to be traveling this pregnancy journey together. As it nears an end, I am thankful for the moments we've shared. Pictures, showers, 3D ultrasounds, shopping, nesting, and getting ready for our babies!!

Maternity Pics and Catching Up So I Don't Forget....

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:45:00 +0000

So much has been going on. This blog is so very neglected. I hate that!! I feel like I'm going nonstop with the twins and moving really slow these days because of Baby H! Brian is working so much and actually just returned from a week long managers meeting in Denton Tx. Preemie Prints is still going and growing. My sister is preparing for her bundle of joy to be here very soon as well. Eden and Pryscilla have grown up so much since their birthday and are two amazing little girls who bring us so much joy (except for when they are being lil' monsters LOL)!! :) I just wanted to share a quick list of things Brian and I laugh about and talk about so that I don't forget. I also want to share my maternity pics taken by a really good friend of mine Ashley Siegert. I met her through Preemie Prints. She's a volunteer photographer and just overall an amazing person who I'm blessed to have in my life. Here is a link to our pictures.

http://ashleydsiegertphotography.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/new-baby-collier-part-1-maternity-bryan-college-station-photographer/

Things to remember before our life drastically changes yet again!! :)

Girls are 3 years old!!

That the girls make up their own words for things, know they are incorrect, and still choose to use them! Here is a short list from the Eden & Pryscilla dictionary:

NUM NUM - food, snacks, pretty much anytime they are hungry they will come around the corner saying "mama you making me num num???" :)

BEBE - also known as pacifier, binky, etc. The girls still nap and sleep with these things and I don't care. One day they will decide they don't want them anymore until then it's fine with me.

ZEBA - Eden's toy zebra she sleeps with at night will always be "zeba" to us
(Pryscilla sleeps with pink bear. Every night we must have zeba and pink bear. There have been many nights we are searching for animals. Guess who's we are always looking for... Eden's. We are always looking for zeba!!)

FRILLA - Okay so I know I gave one of my girls a difficult name. It's kind of hard to pronounce and dear God bless her when she has to learn to spell it. HAHA. As long as she can say and spell her name by the time she graduates high school, I'm good! Pryscilla currently introduces herself as "Frilla". I work with her on correct pronunciation and she tells me it's too hard and she's Frilla and that's just it.

There are many more but pregnancy brain is kicking in right now, and I can't remember. I'll add to the list as they come to me.

Names.....Eden calls Pryscilla "Prilla" / Pryscilla calls Eden sissy or Eden.

Going to bed/Waking Up

Pryscilla has a harder time going to sleep at night. She has more anxiety overall about bedtime than Eden. She also is my early riser....daybreak to be exact. As soon as the sun comes up I hear her calling me. I come to her door and she points to the window and says, "Mama it's no dark outside, it's morning time!" She says it with such a cute and bright smile that I usually say okay baby lets go make breakfast.

Eden is a slow riser. She lays in bed and then slowly moves to the couch with zeba and her bebe. She usually asks me to cover her up and she'll watch something on TV until she's ready to eat. That routine is usually how it goes unless Brian steals her from her bed before she gets up to cuddle with him. She's his cuddle bug, our little Eden bear the cuddler.

Potty training

We're 95% there!! YAY. They go all by themselves, they make it through the night on a regular basis, they haven't had any accidents in the car (I take our potty with us now just in case), they get candy or a sticker when they go. I'm so happy that I won't have 3 girls in diapers.

Playtime

They love to cook in their kitchen and always make me num num to eat. They feed their babies and their animals. They play puppy all the time. Pryscilla is usually directing the situation and telling puppy Eden what to do (although puppy Eden does not always listen)! They love to play with our dogs Lola and Roxy. They love to dance and play with their babies putting them to sleep, giving them baths, feeding them. They work on their numbers and letters and like to play school. They love to color (P is really good at coloring!! She usually stays in the lines). They love to help me clean. Eden loves her barbee. They like to play farm and read books. They love to play outside!!! They are wild girls...balls of energy!!!!!!! Keeping me busy every day! They have lots of friends too!

The girls are so excited for their sister to come. I'm praying it's a great transition with no regression. They have grown up so much and are such lil' helpers that I really think that is what they are going to be doing. Helping me a lot and taking care of their babies along with me. We are looking very forward to growing our family. I'm pretty much miserable at this point, but I know in just a few short weeks it will all be worth it when I look into my little baby's eyes. I can't wait for that moment in time. It's one that stops time just for a minute. I remember my dad telling me at one point in time that life is a series of so many events many and most of which you won't remember years later. It's those extremely special moments that take your breath away, that freeze time, those moments are the ones you will remember. Those are the moments that create your life. I can't wait because I have one coming up in 6 weeks!

Christmas dinner party and another visit from Santa!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 17:42:00 +0000

This past Friday we had our family over for a Christmas dinner party. The girls helped to get ready for it all day and were so excited to share their spirit with Noni, KPaw, Auntie K, & Brinan. Early in the day they helped me prepare the fish, green beans almondine, our Olive Garden salad, appetizers, and make the fudge. They also helped to set the table and clean their room. It was a special day getting ready. Everyone arrived around 6:00. Soon after, we were all blessed by a visit from Santa Clause. This would be the girls second personal visit this season. Pretty special I'd say!! After Santa came we all sang Christmas carols, took some pictures, and then Santa handed out presents. Once he left us, we enjoyed a great dinner followed by the movie Elf. Mom brought banana pudding and an old fashioned yule log. It was a very cozy night spent with family. Every Christmas season I am reminded about how special family is and how blessed we are to have such an amazing one. The love for the girls shines through from our family and friends so beautifully we are so thankful for everyone! Merry Christmas from the Colliers!

adding ornaments to the tree

Here comes Santa Clause...

Naughty or Nice list?

after party

Christmas 2012 Kick Off

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:53:00 +0000

To kick off Christmas 2012 our family headed out to Tim's Trees in Wheelock Tx to pick out our Christmas tree. The girls had so much fun helping us pick the tree and watching their daddy cut it down. After some shaking & wrapping it was ready to go! That evening we went over to my sister and brother in law's house for "Christmas in Porter" and had a wonderful night. Hanging out with family & friends is what this season is all about second of course to celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!!! We have a nativity scene in our house and every morning the girls go and tell baby Jesus good morning & Happy Birthday. It's pretty special! Before dinner the girls had a special visit from Santa Clause. It was Pryscilla's first time to work up the courage to join Eden on his lap. That was a proud parent moment. You could see in her eyes how proud she was of herself too. Dinner at her house was amazing followed by our yearly tradition of watching my all time favorite movie Christmas Vacation. That movie brings so much joy every year!! Here are a few pictures from our two kick off events. Enjoy!

Thank You So Much Nonni!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Just wanted to say thank you to Nonni on behalf of E&P! They got a wonderful surprise in the mail on Saturday and it's been keeping them entertained ever since. :)

The gilrs enjoy playing lots of things, but their newset love is "painiting faces" aka putting on play-makeup. They've got a little collection of play make up but didn't have anything big enough that zipped to put it all in. Mom came down one day and we set out to look for play-makeup sets. It was so much harder than I would have thought. We went to Wal Mart and Toys R Us and ended up finding 1 set at ToyRUS. Everything else was real makeup, and I was seriously trying to avoid anything sticky or real. We ended up finding 1 really cute set but it needed a case. So Nonni took care of that and sent them these adorable little zebra (they both are in love with zebras) cases filled with brushes, empty bottles, and more play-makeup. They loved the cases and all of the goodies, so thank you so much mom!! Great idea!!

The girls are also growing up. Since there's a new baby on the way I'm trying to "finish" up the baby stages with them. I've got a few things on my check list that have to be accomplished well before this baby gets here. Honestly, I baby my girls and have been in no rush for them to become "little girls" as opposed to my babies. That is until I found out about our newset addition, now I'm in a mad rush so that I can have a lil' "break" before lil' baby C arrives.

Here's our checklist.

1. Be COMPLETELY potty trained - I don't know if it's just me but PT is no joke. Ahhh I'll be glad when this is over.
2. Sleep well in their new big girl beds (last night was successful night #1)
3. Be able to put on their own shoes, load up in their car seats, and buckle in. All I want to have to do is check that they are buckled properly.

That's about it on the must do, have to do, asap list.

They've got their 3 year old birthday coming up on Nov. 21st. I'm trying to plan what I want to do for them and hope to be celebrating the completion of this list. I'm getting my butt to work!!

Guess What!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 14:55:00 +0000

This was a moment filled with high anxiety!!! :)

Guess what! The girls are going to have a baby brother or sister!! Our family is expanding from 4 to 5, and we are so excited!! It took a while to get use to the idea but the reality has settled. Late night cravings and those feel bad pregnancy days have made me realize that Yes the Lord's unexpected plan is indeed true. I think for a while there was a subconscious worry that there may be two bundles of joy again; however, with our recent ultrasound we were given the exciting news that we only have 1 baby on the way. I'm thrilled that my "1" is coming after my 2 girls! I am experienced and am ready for this little peanut to be a breeze. :)

If you read the t-shirts in the pic above you noticed the very exciting news that there are 2 babies on the way! My sister is thankfully carrying the other baby though. :) We are due within a few weeks of each other, I'm at the beginning of March she's at the end. It's exciting to be traveling this journey with her and I am so very happy for both my sister and brother in law to welcome baby #1.

I'm a little over 14 weeks and feeling okay. I have great days and not so great but that's the norm. Just the fact that at this point anyway we are not considered high-risk and it is a normal pregnancy gives me a sense of peace that I did not have with the girls. Brian the girls, and Preemie Prints are keeping me really busy! This blog has been suffering. I'll try to start posting some new pictures and stories. Eden & Pryscilla have grown so much it is incredible. We are still working on potty training and of course learning new things every day. They are loads of fun talking non stop, and, along with their new sibling, are our greatest joy in life.

Hope all is well with you guys! Love, Amber

Trip To Houston

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:41:00 +0000

I took the girls on "vacation" to Auntie K's house. We had a wonderful time with everyone! It was very special in more ways than one! We started out by meeting mom, mema, and Jillian for lunch at Skeeters. The girls had a great time, but ended up playing in the gameroom most of lunch.

The next stop was the candy & toy store!

Then some time at home....

Thursday we met dad at The Aquarium Restaurant in downtown Houston! The girls went when they were really little so it was fun taking them when they could interact more. Here are a few pictures...

We finished up our trip at The Children's Museum in downtown Houston. The girls had so much fun!

We had a great time & look forward to the next visit! Thanks Mom, Dad, Mema, Kendl, Brian, Erin, & Jillian for making our trip a fun and special one!

Donkeys From K-Paws

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:56:00 +0000

Funny Video Of Eden

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Remembering Uncle Jerry

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:47:00 +0000

My Uncle Jerry passed away last night. I feel comforted that he passed peacefully, but I am going to miss this man so much. His kindness, love, and fun filled spirit will always be an inspiration to me. He was a brother to my great Aunt Mary ("Nanny") who I was also very close to. When I would visit with Uncle Jerry, I could always feel Nanny's spirit with us. They were very much alike and now they are together again. Uncle Jerry taught me so much about life and the way I want to live it. He loved The Lord, his family, music, parties, and enjoying every moment. He was a gentle soul, a free spirit, very funny, kind, confident, smart, moral, loyal, musically inclined, a veteran, an amazing listener, and just all around had that "cool" vibe going that's hard to put into words. He was a patriot. He told me many stories about the war and fighting for this country's freedom. The last few times I visited with him he played the piano amazingly (he use to be in a band and has always been a musician). I got many videos that are priceless to me. The 1st thanksgiving, when the girls were still in the NICU, his music brought so much joy to me, I thanked him over and over again for sharing his gift with me. I knew sitting there in that moment right by his side that I only had that fleeting moment to enjoy his music--that one day he would be gone from here and I wouldn't be able to hear it again. I'm so blessed he got to meet the twins -- that is very special to me -- and now he can tell Nanny (his sister & my great aunt) all about them. I loved his pink rose colored glasses. He always wore them, and I always told him I loved them. I will get a pair!! I'll miss you Uncle Jerry. My life will never quite be the same - a piece will always be missing. Another very special person in my life is gone which for me is a reminder that this life is very temporary, there is something much better awaiting those who choose a Spirit led path, and my faith is refreshed as I turn to the Lord for comfort. As I get older, I realize daily that life changes, good things happen, painful things happen, people come & go, death is difficult, birth is beautiful, and all any of us have is this very moment to live.

Zebra Come Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:50:00 +0000

The girls stayed at Noni & Kpaws for a few days recently. Eden has a favorite animal she sleeps with at night named Zebra. Well Zebra got left behind. On the way home Eden had a meltdown about Zebra, so I called mom and asked if she'd overnight Zebra back to us. Eden made it fine one night without Zebra she just hugged "blue bear" a little tighter. This whole incident reminded my mom & I about when I left "Ally" my green alligator in Hawaii. I didn't have any meltdown (since I was quite a bit older than Eden), but mom still called the hotel and Ally ended up coming home. It's neat to still have Ally for my girls to play with!

Here are a few pictures and a video of when Zebra came home...

Swimming Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:30:00 +0000

The girls have started their swimming lessons. They've had 3 lessons now. Here is a short video and a couple of pictures. Between the lessons, the bathtub, our backyard pool, Cozumel, and my parents' pool they are really progressing. Holding their breath underwater for a few seconds, kicking, jumping, and just overall getting more comfortable in the water. We're really working on the back float right now and trying to get them to calm down and just lay there "like a pancake". Even with me they don't love to do it! Megan (their teacher) said it's just all about giving up the control and for 2.5 thats tough to do. It's so amazing to see them growing up. I know all parents feel this way, I'm no different. It's probably boring to read BUT I'm going to say it anyway! This is their 1st teacher experience and they are doing so well. Just the fact that they are learning to listen to someone else is totally cool. They don't even mind me sitting and watching. They just look back at me every now and then & smile like they are so proud of themselves. I love that my girls are little fish!