tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54809078380783174792024-03-05T05:33:06.435-08:00 Hill Huddle Life, quirk, faith, adoption, and our adorable Ethiopian twinsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-92153973541500070062016-05-13T16:54:00.002-07:002016-05-13T18:19:26.548-07:00Dr Cary Hill: Documenting the celebration, and even the mess<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>A new favorite kind of day:</b> Waking up to a cluttered kitchen of sticky, empty glass beverage dispensers, baskets and dishes covering every surface, the tracks of treasured little ones who tromped through lemonade and dirt across the floors... Who knew these things could fill my heart TO. THE. FULL?! We've been in and out of the fridge eating leftovers all day, but I'm
resisting touching anything else in the kitchen - a monument
to the gathering of our people that brought with
it deep rest.<br />
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Yesterday, in the middle of a 3 hour ceremony, Cary walked across the stage in Cassell Coliseum and was hooded Dr William Cary Hill. Our whole family sat in the bleachers drinking in his moment, and otherwise fanning ourselves with programs, squinting and pointing, and enjoying the entertainment of all the well-behaved kiddos.<br />
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We celebrated Cary's HARD work and faithfulness. For Cary and I, the end of this season was uniquely dry. We have wrestled with questioning, waiting, doubt, and prayers
unanswered. But long ago God's love changed me, changed my husband, and has never stopped being enough. Along with his accomplishments, we celebrated that truth for our family.<br />
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What an example this Daddy is to his two (or three) favorite admirers.</div>
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A most special memory from this day was that God answered every prayer we prayed for the celebration:</div>
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We prayed that our people would be able to come, and they did.</div>
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We prayed for a spirit of fellowship and joy, and it was there.</div>
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We prayed for the weather to accommodate those two things, and watched the radar as places all around us (even here in town) got showers and storms, and despite the forecast, our skies remained clear.</div>
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And so, even though my husband (the doctor) keeps looking at me skeptically, today the mess is welcomed and we rest with the peace that our God is with us and for us and unchanging in His affection for us. Not pictured here are the ugly days and moments of a hard season that Cary and I will always remember even if we are mostly through. I think of His promises in John 15 - how apart from Him we can do nothing. How good it is -for us- to rest in Him... How when we abide in Him, our joy is made full. We are His purposed creations and that He is not done with us. Here's to everything and anything that He has ahead. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-91237455444160270522016-05-05T12:48:00.000-07:002016-05-05T12:48:18.245-07:00March - April 2016, 1 Second Every Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-52087095919829123782016-04-04T10:58:00.001-07:002016-04-04T10:58:40.184-07:00"What Do Daddies Do?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoC9_DN0uc8wsOEkRRzazKhyphenhyphenA_s1lguQ-cm-gve_OkqnxlIisHS3J_xKCJ9qo89Bx9parkxhN4Nt9q_RiUc2bFfTiP6QFCaPqqlRsBx2iim6zgNgNVtlPcOFuN02q-uGtMF0Xso5v_IhY/s1600/IMG_6468.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoC9_DN0uc8wsOEkRRzazKhyphenhyphenA_s1lguQ-cm-gve_OkqnxlIisHS3J_xKCJ9qo89Bx9parkxhN4Nt9q_RiUc2bFfTiP6QFCaPqqlRsBx2iim6zgNgNVtlPcOFuN02q-uGtMF0Xso5v_IhY/s1600/IMG_6468.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoC9_DN0uc8wsOEkRRzazKhyphenhyphenA_s1lguQ-cm-gve_OkqnxlIisHS3J_xKCJ9qo89Bx9parkxhN4Nt9q_RiUc2bFfTiP6QFCaPqqlRsBx2iim6zgNgNVtlPcOFuN02q-uGtMF0Xso5v_IhY/s1600/IMG_6468.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoC9_DN0uc8wsOEkRRzazKhyphenhyphenA_s1lguQ-cm-gve_OkqnxlIisHS3J_xKCJ9qo89Bx9parkxhN4Nt9q_RiUc2bFfTiP6QFCaPqqlRsBx2iim6zgNgNVtlPcOFuN02q-uGtMF0Xso5v_IhY/s400/IMG_6468.jpg" width="300" /></a>Dear Gabe,<br />
<br />
Did you know that adults ask almost as many questions as four year olds like you? They just keep them on the inside and often look for answers of their own. This Mama sure does. Earlier this week, <u>you answered a question</u> I ask a lot, and although you didn't know, God used you to speak so clearly to me. Your Mama worries TOO MUCH about what other people think. I've had to battle this my whole life, but recently I hadn't realized I've been in the foreground of that battle again, and losing... I wonder what everyone thinks - even you and your brother! After losing my temper, I worry, what will my boys think of me? Do they think I'm a mean mom? Will they only remember this side of childhood? Is there any chance they'll forget moments like this? When you're a grown man, remember this: When you ask questions to the wrong people, you get the wrong answers. But all questions are safe with God who listens and answers. And this time, He didn't even wait for me to ask before He intervened.<br />
<br />
It was after dinner when another certain four year old was still finishing the last cold bites of his dinner (we love you, Z!). The rest of us were clearing the table and you, Gabe, a self-appointed helper, declared: "I'm the Daddy!"<br />
<br />
<i>Oh really? What do daddies do?</i> I asked. This was in no way pointed, but more to fill time and slow you down from grabbing the dishes that were at my fingertips. But your response was so precious I grabbed the grocery list off the fridge, flipped it over and wrote as fast as I could everything you were saying. It wasn't until later when I read them again, that I realized God was speaking to me.<br />
<br />
Here's what you had to say, in something like your four year old dialect:<br />
<br />
<i>Oh really? What do daddies do?</i><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Daddies love mommies and daddies love our children.</li>
<li>Daddy love Mommy, and Mommy love Daddy! </li>
<li>Daddy cook sometimes, for a treat.</li>
<li>Go to work...</li>
<li>Daddy make a plan with Mommy, and tell the children.</li>
<li>And put the children in time-out.</li>
</ul>
Cary and I were chuckling. <i>What else do daddies do?</i><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Share the sink...</li>
<li>Daddy love to tickle Mommy</li>
<li>Daddy play guitar to Mommy when I sleeping</li>
</ul>
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<3 <3 <3 Wow, Gabe. These are some of my very favorite things about your Daddy, too. But whoa was I surprised that THESE are the things you remember and your takeaways from your role model Daddy. And as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I felt a stirring in my heart. <i>How critical am I? Of myself, and in my assumption about the perspectives of others... What am I believing about my own identity? </i>It escapes me that I am a child of a Holy God - only through adoption, but don't WE know that when an adoption is done, it is DONE. THAT sonship is the real deal. My all-knowing God tells me that He sees me as righteous - my sins washed away. Why the heck do I keep looking for affirmations of the dirt of my flesh and the fears in my heart? More importantly, when I'm wrestling with these questions apart from God, how much truth and life am I missing! Thanks little helper. This brings me back to Mommy's <i>favorite</i> verse right now, Psalm 116: Here is verse 7...<br />
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"Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-579634251837229772016-01-21T12:02:00.002-08:002016-01-21T12:02:26.457-08:00The twins: Three-and-a-half years old, and 'gettin' 4.'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Wild, Wiley, and Wonderful Twin Boys,</h4>
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Here is Mama's overdue, long thought-about post on what you're up to these days. At age 3 1/2, or more realistically -and as you like to tell your acquaintances most worthy of impressing, leaning in with somber faces to share: <b>"I gettin' 4."</b> It's true - in just two months, you'll turn 4!<br />
<br />
<br />
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*insert gasps of disbelief and all the disgusted phrases about cliches being true and time passing too fast*</div>
<br />
Onward.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Mommy and Daddy could not be more proud of the Mighty Men you are becoming</span>.
Weighing in around 35 pounds, and growing so darn tall!! For the first
time, Zeke has shot up at a different pace than Gabe- about 2 inches taller! You're still wearing all the same
clothes and shoe sizes. (Because God is good.) I'm seriously considering
cutting that wonderful wild hair of yours, because, let's be honest. We
can't maintain it like this forever. (In the tub, it takes FOR-EV-ER.)
You've mentioned this once or twice. Plus there are details like your
inability to keep on a hat! Sorry favorite caps, but the 'fro must
grow... So right now, the beloved John Deere caps sit close by, waiting for another day when you might take them up daily, and the parental debate is on: to let Mom trim it again, or to get big-boy cuts. *eeeeek!! Verdict is out.<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Things I love...</span><br />
(Can I say, all of it?) -Excluding, perhaps, the new days of brotherly arguments and using the word "Mommmmmm!" like it is a weapon that will ignite imminent missile destruction. (Though that's almost flattering.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ed4nfMneU2AW3x7gZr1PVT8ktYx7PsnQjubfn5iCLsB1iSEwT4W9EGhvfv3Ap3FM2QA3Q0iCk4IR2LgtTQLwC0CWvEwAaQnO2C0uTnBIdbyCUmvlh9rnubK2cvMgrCiKhptjmxFMAz2t/s1600/IMG_5055.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ed4nfMneU2AW3x7gZr1PVT8ktYx7PsnQjubfn5iCLsB1iSEwT4W9EGhvfv3Ap3FM2QA3Q0iCk4IR2LgtTQLwC0CWvEwAaQnO2C0uTnBIdbyCUmvlh9rnubK2cvMgrCiKhptjmxFMAz2t/s320/IMG_5055.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today, (given- it's the slow Tuesday between Christmas and New Year's, when... what in the world... time basically stops. Do we even track these days??) I have been jotting down adorable phrases that you say:<br />
Gabe: "Hi Momma. I buildin' somethin' with my dad. Wight, Dad?"<br />
Zeke: "Mom! You can play legos with us, chtoo!!!!!!" *gushing enthusiasm and through-the-rafters inflection at the end of that invitation*<br />
Gabe: (While playing with trucks) "Here Zeke, which one do you want? You can pick."<br />
Z: ................ Hmmmn......... .....................<br />
Gabe: "Look, there's 1, 2, 3, 4. Which one do you want Zeke?<br />
Z: ................ *finger to chin* ...................... .......*brows furrowed* .................. *finally chooses one.<br />
G: Ok! (There are a lot of days like this that I am SO proud of the hard life challenges you're taking on daily - like Gabe's sticking with his plan to give Zeke first pick despite a VERY hard toddler wait. Also, watching those precious internal struggles is such great entertainment. I adore you.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Words:</span> They are so powerful. It's such a thrill when Daddy and I look up surprised to hear a new one pop out of your mouths.<br />
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<b><u>"Congrachalations!"</u></b> -Gabe's ALL-time favorite expression right now, which means he frequently uses it inappropriately. ;) Also heard saying, "Hey, Mommy. Mommy, I want you to say to me, 'Congrachalations!' and I say, *makes smug face* 'Thank-you.'" *and he bows.*<br />
<b><u>"Crocogator."</u></b> - Our favorite monster that surfaces regularly around these parts. You boys legit never realized you crossed two species into one. I guess we'll point it out someday. Right now it's cute.<br />
<u><b>"Hey Zeke, I have a deal!"</b></u> (Translation: Hey Zeke, I have an idea!)<br />
<u><b>"Let me try that again, Mama."</b></u> This one is a new one that originated in practice time with Gabe. I LOVE the attitude, and the maturity of the phrase on such tiny little lips!<br />
And last of all, <b>"<u>You my favorite Mommy.</u>"</b> Sometimes followed up by <u><b>"I wanna marry you, Mommy.</b></u><b>" </b><3 <br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Habits:</span><br />
(Mischief) - A few months ago, Zeke figured out that he could reach the lock on the
automatic door in the back of the van with his foot. He waits until Cary
gets out of the van and comes to his door to get him out, then pushes
the lock down. (Cary has to then open up the driver door again and
unlock it manually.) Depending on Daddy's mood, once he hears the
"unlock" button followed by Daddy's door closing, Zeke sometimes dares to push the lock
down again. *cue steam out of Cary's ears.* We cracked down on this behavior because safety, and
obedience... But when I see the idea cross Zeke's mind, and those little
toes scoot over toward the lock as he weighs the decision, I can't help but relish the
mischief.<br />
<br />
(Nap) - It's still happening!!! Nap time is vanishing for mom-friends all around me, and I'm all *blinders on: la-la-la-la-la!* about it. We rock mornings hard, and you're still ABOUT your sleep come 1/2pm. Praise-a-lujah. <br />
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(Movies) - I'm just going to mention that this week (again, we're on holiday...) we borrowed "Cars" for you to watch for the first time, and while it was on, you had me read you 4 books, asked lots of questions since you weren't really tracking, played with toys, and basically waited for it to be over. Another day we watched the new live "Sound of Music" production, and you two were MESMERIZED!! This brings me to another topic:<br />
<br />
(Solfege) - I introduced it with your little Sunday school class to help teach a song, and you've been asking about it ever since. Another musical venture completely led by you... But my heart is exploding as you sing good intervals and make the little Kerwin hand signs! Also, the sweetest little *on pitch* voices!! I am blessed. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Bedtime: </span><br />
(Prayers) - Just a month or two ago, Gabe was always praying about peace and strong muscles. It usually went something like… “And thank you that my Dad can have peace, and strong muscles.” Sometimes, difficult parenting = not laughing when your adorable child is completely sincere. I guess I was praying a lot for Cary to have peace in a stressful season with some uncontrollable outcomes, and Gabe picked right up on it and began praying with me for that one. I can't say I had any part, however, in the strong muscle prayers. ;) That's all Gabe.<br />
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Lately, we have disciplined <i>ourselves </i>not to infringe upon little prayers at bedtime that sometimes go ON and on. They are truly precious, very recently having become more sincere conversations with God and less like opportunities to get away with saying no-no words. ("...thank you that we not say, poopy, or peepee...") Mm-hmmn. In the past month there's been a crazy jump in development and maturity, and tonight Gabe prayed, "Thank You that my mommy can be with us all the days..." "Thank You we can make bad choices and You still love us..." "Thank You that we can have money to buy food. Wight, Dad?" *sniff* Right, Gabe.<br />
<br />
Z: Thank you that we have a beautiful day in our neighborhood. And please, that we have a beautiful day in our neighborhood again. <br />
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(Rituals) - Our bedtime rituals are always changing, but now that you're so big, you boys really steer the last moment rituals before we leave your room. Recently, the routine was that as we walked out of the room (post devotions and singing and 3 rounds of “What we do tomorrow?” with Gabe) we’d hug and kiss each of you, but once we walked to the door Zeke would call, “Wait, Mommy - I need-a kiss-a you!” “Hey Daddy, I need-a kiss-a you!” This has gone on every night for months.<br />
<br />
<i>More </i>recently, since we tend to remember to get kisses from him before we leave the room, *he now adds a big pucker-pop sound to the end of the kiss* a new habit has emerged. It started out of the blue one night, just Zeke to his Daddy:<br />
<br />
“Hey Daddy?! Daddy? How bout tonight I wanna think about you, and you think about me.” *heart melt* He continued to suggest that very thing for the next three nights, until I got my first, “I wanna think about you, and you think about me.” So sweet! Just this week, the boys have also started saying, "When I talk to God in my head, I can pray for you, and you can pray for me?" Love, love, LOVE.<br />
<br />
Darling boys, you have DOUBLED the joy in our lives. I am HUNGRY to taste all of it, to see you continue to come more and more to life just as you were created to, and to experience it all together. Every day we love you more. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks to "Aunt" Kristen Uhler for some of these gorgeous photos of our two favorite people. </div>
<br />
(P.S. Zeke, check out that smile pictured below. You've just about outgrown it, but that slightly horrifying upper lip curl inspired some great laughs while it lasted. Your Aunt Ka-ka went through a phase with that same smile every time someone said 'Cheese!' around your age too. Anyways. ;) We love you handsome boys!) <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-83164897653684549562016-01-05T09:41:00.002-08:002016-01-05T09:42:45.931-08:00A Video of 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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2015: Captured in 1 second a day </h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-79503139136377585042016-01-04T18:27:00.001-08:002016-01-04T18:27:18.120-08:00Hill Family Christmas Card, 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-88615653432095489492015-12-27T15:41:00.001-08:002016-01-04T19:31:40.419-08:00Christmas 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Christmas Eve</h2>
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Christmas Day</h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-13532393030548535222015-11-14T18:37:00.000-08:002015-11-14T18:37:02.325-08:00September - October In A Flash!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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And just like that, fall came, and all too suddenly the air is getting cold... Another batch</div>
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of special days with these two, now just memories. So grateful for every moment!! </div>
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September-October: 1 Second Every Day</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-50126823163265421492015-10-08T17:36:00.000-07:002015-10-08T17:36:09.302-07:00Pumpkins Picking Pumpkins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I got to accompany my little "punkins" on their first field trip today. (All the feels!!! But I'll try to minimize the sap.) We arrived and gathered for the first group photo which would have made for a great time-lapse video: kids in, kids out, standing, sitting, random hand-raising, kids moving... We're so thankful for their sweetest teachers.</div>
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Next we took a hayride to the pumpkin patch! Gabe later said this was his favorite part. He watched the tractor pulling us the whole time. </div>
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We didn't have to hunt very hard to find round, plump, orange pumpkins! Gabe picked up the first one he saw and declared true love. Then he proceeded to fall in love with every pumpkin he encountered. Choosing only two was hard. Zeke was not as concerned with the pumpkins as with the incline we were on. (There were quite a few run-away pumpkins!) But in the end he agreed with Gabe's pumpkin selections. </div>
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After we left the pumpkin patch, we saw one of our friends from church! She told the class about all the different kinds of pumpkins.</div>
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Mommy's favorite moments: watching the boys stand close to their buddies, or the random brotherly holding of hands on trips here or there... </div>
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We headed to the barn for a visit with the animals, and then to the straw maze where preschoolers mostly want to walk on the hay bales, or roll around on them.</div>
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I LOVE this one, which would make a very nice album cover:</div>
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And finally, we snacked and adjourned our official trip. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day to spend outside, or for a sweeter group of kids, families, and teachers.</div>
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It's hard not to look at these tots, personalities budding, and wonder what God has in store for them. For example... </div>
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One of my favorites from today. Just look at that little finger in the air!! Natural leader. We love and expect great
things from that little girl someday, and I appreciate the help I might get keeping
my boys in line in the meantime. <3</div>
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And when we can't make the day any better than it's already been, we "bring it in" for the group hug.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-36593823097055924102015-09-27T15:00:00.001-07:002015-09-27T17:33:51.560-07:00Pre-Preschool<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pre-Preschool</h2>
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A documentation of what Z and G are learning <i>before </i>they start school.</h3>
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THIS is my organization center. A year ago I felt I had too many ideas to keep up with, to communicate to Cary in the evenings, and to be consistent on. For Christmas, I asked for this chalk board, dolled it up a bit, and voila! This visual keeps the adult team on the same page, and the boys look forward to checking off practice days, changing our letter/number of the week, etc.<br />
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Here's an update of our board just before school started:<br />
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BIBLE VERSES<br />
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At breakfast (and whenever the boys choose), we work on our memory verses:<br />
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John 8:12<br />
"Then Jesus said to them, 'I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life!'" <br />
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Deuteronomy 6:5<br />
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your might."<br />
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Romans 5:8<br />
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."<br />
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1 John 4:7<br />
"Dear friends, love one another, for love comes from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." <br />
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Luke 2:12<br />
"And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."<br />
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1 John 4:19 <br />
"We love because He first loved us."<br />
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Psalm 136:1<br />
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."<br />
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EXTRACURRICULARS<br />
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And just in case you're starting to think all we do is sit around quoting scripture, check out Cary's latest teaching accomplishment... (Their first bar joke.) Zeke is his Mama's son - he starts with the punchline. Gabe's about got it down, but he likes to contribute endings more consistent with toddler humor - it's all about knowing your audience, I guess.<br />
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MUSIC<br />
The boys have been taking lessons on the instruments of their choice for about a year now. In the past, when parents asked me when they should start their children on music lessons, the earliest I've ever recommended was age five. However, the boys started indicating at age two that they wanted -- really wanted -- to play the cello and the guitar. (We're talking, outside in the yard, picking up sticks and pretending it's a cello bow. Turning regular toddler toys into pretend guitars and asking Mommy and Daddy for a pick.) Cary and I desperately want them to have every opportunity to pursue the callings God has placed on their hearts, so... (after 6+ months of them asking), we began lessons. We have great teachers who are giving the boys enough material to practice every day, and this has meant a lot of discipline... for Mommy!! (Who herself was never an A+ practicer. Sorry, Mama.) Thank the Lord that these children remain motivated to practice every day. Another perk is that as the boys get older, practicing with them gets easier as they become more and more independent, developing new abilities almost every week! Here's a look into our practice routine, formerly mornings, but now that preschool and Bible study have started, immediately following their naps.<br />
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Here, Gabe is at the end of his practice... He's obviously tired and his attention span is about shot, but I love that he finishes it out.<br />
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Meanwhile, Zeke practices writing in his pre-writing notebook, and then colors.<br />
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Zeke's turn to practice! (Mom forgot to take video.)</div>
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Gabe's turn to practice writing and color - this is one of my favorite pages he's ever colored.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3hBy9TvxK-nqVlOugRAV8RzEmdNSxd_WxNeYeMw-DxOT8uVUqDBVcl0pR_YWWV1YHkKMBHDF40NUNhBc1WUadmlbDDPrkdHMCqqcYEg4uFU1I9N5Ssyay9wcny14qGCBPE8jSPOxzLNE/s640/IMG_3007.jpg" width="480" /><br />
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LEARNING IS EVERYWHERE<br />
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The boys take the learning everywhere - recently I got this new free screensaver (love it!) but it has been the best number practice for the boys! They walk into my room and yell, "Mommy!!! Mommy! 11! That's 12!"<br />
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And with all of God's glory right at our fingertips, what's not to love about being outside? <br />
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GARDENING<br />
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EXPLORING<br />
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ON THE FARM</div>
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READING<br />
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Zeke and Gabe, God has blessed you with sharp minds and big hearts, and I'm so glad to get to be a part of your discovery of His awesome creation! Looking forward to so much more, my big preschoolers. Love you so much,</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-67192369075154303692015-09-10T19:48:00.002-07:002015-09-10T19:48:29.940-07:00This House Our Home: 1 Year Later<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This House Our Home</h2>
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Signs of fall have begun to appear outside, so we've started making the transition around the house.<br />
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As I was digging through the attic for last year's wreath, I realized we've now called this place home for a full year, since we moved in late last summer. (That's a gift for these former nomads.) And THEN I remembered a project my better, more-ambitious-self began way back then: A stop motion video of the transformation of our living room - the smallest, darkest, space to conquer as we moved in. SO I FINISHED IT! #whaaaaa #finishedit #markthisday #onlytookme1yr </div>
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So there you have it: One more stop-motion video for the Hill Family Archives.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-7430535353595423422015-09-07T15:06:00.001-07:002015-09-07T15:06:54.738-07:00So Long, Summer!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Summer 2015 was a winner. Spending time outside EVERY day, family walks, the neighborhood pool, and more time for projects like baking homeade breads! (Though this thwarted some of Mommy and Daddy's other summertime goals.)</div>
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We kicked off the summer with a Hill family trip to Hiltonhead!</div>
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There were some rare special days, like rainy afternoons worth remembering, and days when one twin woke up from his nap early for some one-on-one time with Mommy.</div>
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It appears Mommy and Daddy took a total of TWO date nights over the summer. (Must work on that total next season.) Steakhouse dinner one night, Jurassic World the other.<br />
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We celebrated the 4th of July on the lake with Grandad!</div>
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And spent a magical summer weekend with Grandma Ritt</div>
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There was a beautiful weekend in the mountains with the fam'! </div>
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One of the most memorable nights of the summer was spent watching my husband up on that ladder hanging my birthday present. After the boys' bedtime and dinner cleanup, I stood pointing and smiling while my man hung those beautiful lights, adding some whimsy to our backyard space. And then, of course, we invited all of our people over for a movie night on the lawn, to enjoy it!<br />
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And ordinary summer days are always made better by time with family... <br />
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...until it's time for them to go...<br />
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It's been great - The only reason we'll let you slip by, Summer 2015, is because good things lie ahead... </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-64218186276311705852015-07-23T12:18:00.000-07:002015-09-07T17:36:06.433-07:00Apps that Simplify My Life? Yes, Please + First Six Months of 2015 Video<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I struggle to keep up with the documentation of so many things about this life I love. </div>
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Chat Books - Sorry fellow-instagrammers. I don't really instagram so much with you in mind, (although I'm delighted when you are also interested in my posts) so much as to store the photos that will make up my next Chat Book - perhaps the closest thing to a family photo album I will have until my kids leave for college. It's so easy - every 60 instagram photos go automatically into your next chatbook album, shipped to your door without any interaction from you, for $6.99. This is my speed. (So those times you sense I'm an OVER-SHARER who could not possibly have traveled to so many places and done so many things with my family today? Sorry to flood your feed. I'm actually just filling the last 8 photos in my chat book with photos I forgot to upload over the past 3 months so that our family album will ship to my door in three days.)</div>
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1 Second Everyday - I cannot believe how watching a literal second from one day brings the whole thing back. A tiny blip of my boy rolling down the driveway on his balance bike, and I remember the whole scene - the helmet he thanked me for not clipping his chin in, 100 rounds of running beside him on the street in front of our house, the sidewalk chalk hop-scotch fail, and then my surprise at looking up and seeing him start independently at the top of the driveway, and succeed in coasting all the way down for the first time! ALL FROM A 1 SECOND CLIP!!! So it's worth the mental effort to take a video instead of a photo each day. Speaking of worth it... I love this compilation of all the seconds I caught in our first 6 months in 2015. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-19140153862234892702015-06-12T19:45:00.000-07:002015-06-12T19:45:47.582-07:00It's A Date<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Sometimes, life might best be expressed through hashtags.</b> Ok, this <strike>truth</strike> statement only applies to... me? But tonight it really does. I kind of have two share settings: succinct enough to not complete a sentence (hashtagged), or lengthy enough to capture all the thoughts and feels (which is LENGTHY). This evening belongs in the archives, but must also continue with folded laundry, fun recital cards for nieces, and cuddle time with the husband<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">, so</span> </span>tonight I'm choosing the hashtag version. You might even thank me.</div>
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<b><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">itsadate</span> <span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">happyheart</span> </b></div>
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Bedtime last night was the sweetest. Absent photos...<b> </b>Gabe said to me, "Last time, you go a date with Daddy, 'omorrow, you go date with me?" I accepted. <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/itsadate?source=feed_text&story_id=10103548081867353"><span class="_58cl"></span></a></div>
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<span class="_58cl"><b>#theplan #awalk #icecream #chocolatewithsugaronit #tractorstruckskeys</b></span></div>
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<span class="_58cl"> <b>#wewalked #wehadchocolateicecreamwithsugarinit #wetalkedabouttrucksandtractorsandkeys</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="_58cl"> #takepictureame?</span></b></div>
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<span class="_58cl"><b> #youwatchme #isofast #followmemommy #adventuresindodginggoosepoop</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="_58cl"> #alltheprettylittlehorses #wherezeke #ilovemybrother</span></b> </div>
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<b><span class="_58cl">#ihappywithyoudaddy #hestopstalkingonlytosip #twohappyguys</span></b></div>
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<span class="_58cl"><b>#zekeanddaddycomin? #textingdaddy</b></span></div>
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<span class="_58cl"><b>#alltogether #datenight #thehillfamily </b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-72213999110890623282015-05-10T20:01:00.001-07:002015-05-10T20:01:57.280-07:00What Mamas Really Want: Mother's Day 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some of the highlights of my day were seeing my Mama friends loved on. From morning coffee deliveries to handmade cards, facebook post accolades or on our evening walk the sight of an early teen out in the driveway diligently washing his Mama's car... I loved it all. It's not flowers, breakfasts, gifts, or even homemade crafts we moms want, just the message that we are loved and appreciated, and we'll take it in any form. <br />
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Last night after my boys were tucked into bed and I was getting started on the plans I had for my evening, I heard, "Mama... Mama, I have a dream." (This, because the first time I asked Gabe if he had a nightmare, I said, 'Did you have a dream?' And he laughed, because his association with that phrase is from the song in the movie "Tangled," which he then started singing...) Awake from a nightmare 10 minutes after lights out? No way. "Mama, I scared." Also no chance this was the case, but a good effort at getting "Mama" into that room; a bait I was obliged to take. My extroverted, clown of a three year old beckoned me over to his bed, asked me to kiss his cheeks, and then took my hand and began stroking his head the way I sometimes do. I melted, and as I stroked his head and watched those precious eyelids get heavy, I thanked Jesus for a special opportunity to drink in all that being "Mama" really is. Being wanted, called on, appreciated. What a gift.<br />
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This morning the sweet twins that woke me up as they crawled in bed with us later kicked me in the eye, fought in the bath tub, and displayed my least-favorite behaviors during lunch. But I know them. I get them. I have seen them conquer physical delays, learn amazing new things, I have seen their souls swell with understanding and compassion, and when they need soothing or help they call for me. They are mine. Independent of their recognition of what I do for them (and independent of my husband's affirmation of these things), the joy that is mine is knowing our Creator entrusted them to me. When my heart explodes at hearing them give unprompted "thank-yous," or my eyes get all teary from watching their handsome little faces when they don't know I'm looking, I share those moments with Jesus. That's as deep and true as it gets. While I appreciate a day to remind us to step back and think about it, no one else has to affirm it or convince me: being a mom is a joy. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-67596257288415138552015-03-25T21:30:00.001-07:002015-03-25T21:30:18.472-07:00Lessons in Threes (and Lent.)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the last book before naptime, Mom falls asleep and wakes up
to twins' photographic evidence. Mom says she's just relieved they were busy taking
pictures on her phone the whole time.</td></tr>
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<br />
Lent
is trending this year - right? I'm not a high order kind of person; my
perception of our faith is basic and free, but darn if we
non-denominational freebirds can't get in on some high order traditions
that start with MAGNIFICENT ideas that will pierce your heart. (Like
taking 40 days to repent and prepare to perceive the reality of what
Christ did for us leading up to the celebration of His resurrection.)<br />
<br />
I've been participating in this easy to follow Lent study at <a href="http://shereadstruth.com/" target="_blank">She Reads Truth</a>,
and it has been timely for my soul. There have been a lot of changes up
in the Hill huddle, with Daddy getting ready to exit grad school, a
plot-twist of a job search, and with these new-found three-year-old
identities. Actually, they've been hard for Mommy lately. Lots more "I
do it," and
"I WANT to!" around these parts, and while I'm battling that seemingly
ever-present attitude up-in-my-face all day, much bigger questions about
what God is doing on the job front and where we'll settle are
constantly in the back of my mind.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the
'tude: I'll just tell you, my boys, the new "I know better" attitude
around here is killing me - admittedly, a little bit
because this Mommy craves control. But these days, it's like your
sense that I know what's best, and I <i>want </i>what's best for you, is waning. You second guess me. You suppose I might even be keeping the good stuff <i>from </i>you.
Often. And it's frustrating. Sometimes, it's even hurtful, but not
because you are doing anything outside of the perfect natural order of
new three-year-olds... The sting is that once again, you've pointed me to my own heart - to
my place as daughter of The Creator King, and shown me how very
three-year-old <i>I</i> can still be. You've made me stand on the other side of my own questioning, balking, <i>not trusting... </i>The
Lord I love most endures this so frequently from me right now, and,
(poetically?) I'm walking out how
difficult it is, as you, little loves, are asserting your own will, to
not just snap at you
because I KNOW BETTER! So at the beginning, middle, or end of each day,
(or days like yesterday, ALL THREE), I try to get my stuff together.
I'll briefly pray about keeping my cool, having patience that's beyond
me - shoot, more often than that I've been trying to make realistic
lists that will empower me to refrain from any reactions that don't make
my pre-approved list! Guess what... NOT WORKING.<br />
<br />
Lately,
I can't escape the reality of my own failure. Praying as I get up,
losing it at breakfast. Making a list before lunch, straying from said
list before nap time. But beautifully, seeing the reality of my sin has
helped me see the truth of my salvation. <br />
<br />
Take this little instance from today... In real life, filtering nothing, here's what happened:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
During nap time, I was processing an event from earlier in the day, saying something like... <i>Self? Why don't THEY (whoever they is) just ask those of us who clearly KNOW to speak out on the topic </i>(which was ironically related to parenting)<i>... </i>I
started imagining my dream "Today Show" interview, where my look was
modest and fresh, my words were wise and smooth all of which was going
splendidly until I was rudely interrupted by my toddlers in the next
room who were getting up from their beds at naptime after specifically
being told not to for the THIRD time, which is when I stormed in there
and yelled so loud it hurt my voice.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*hangs head*</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
walked out of there a little shocked at myself, and after cooling down
and feeling pretty mortified at such an eruption, I went in to
apologize, and had to do it to one sleeping toddler, who'd fallen asleep
within five minutes, to the memory of his Mama LOSING HER COOL all over
him. Heartbreaking. I had to whisper my apologies and truths to his
little sleeping self, hope he could feel the sincere Mama kisses on his
cheeks, and trust the Lord to make his dreams peaceful ones, despite
me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
still felt sick until he woke up and we could talk about it. The talk
was good, and it made me feel better, but my words were not erased, and
the damage was not undone.</div>
<br />
And so it comes back
to this: We just can't. WE JUST CANNOT be as good as we want to believe
we can. I've been reading lots of the cries of the Israelites and other
followers of the Lord, and they sound just like mine- Lord, if You just
deliver us in <i>this </i>way, if You <i>just </i>help us with this one
thing... (and so quickly the end of the plea becomes) ...Then WE! WE
can. WE will! But ya'll... WE WON'T! We don't!! It's tragic and painful,
and... it's true. Through all of history. Through my friggin morning.
Despite man's best efforts, WE JUST CANNOT STAY GOOD. We need help. And
more than each other. We need the divine. We need a Savior.<br />
<br />
And
He came. I recommend to the highest of highs spending time looking at
the days leading up to Jesus' choice to die on the cross. I challenge
you. Who could dream up this Savior? Divinity that walks in our shoes,
has mercy on us, even offers Himself in our place. And what other way
could there be for <i>us</i> to be connected to the Holy of Holies? What
could better fulfill the longing in my heart, than to know and be known
by such a Savior? I'm looking forward in a new way to celebrating and sharing in the fact that after laying down His life in my place, Jesus lives, and He has made a place for me. <br />
<br />
Until then, I'll be busy trying to curb the three-year-old in my <i>own</i> nature, and to stay awake at least <i>until</i> the twins' naptime. If you have other advice for navigating the waters of THREES, I'll be happy to hear from you in the comments...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-26894224158521560722015-03-15T19:41:00.001-07:002015-03-18T13:22:59.531-07:00The Start of Spring, and My Newly Three Mighty Men<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Beautiful days. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
"Mommy, I love donuts. You love donuts?" <i>Yes. </i>"Daddy love donuts?" <i>Yes. </i>"Zeke love donuts?" <i>Yes.</i><br />
<i> </i>"All the Hill family love donuts!" </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There are so many things about my newly THREE-year-old boys that are FUN. Your new fixation on family and names. Asking and answering intentional questions at dinner and telling stories... Zeke's new character "Baby" and the never-ending pretend game you two pop in and out of. <br />
<br />
My new favorite Gabe sentence is, "I will, Mama." It comes so unexpectedly every time, and sounds so seasoned and confident. <i>Gabe, pick up your shoes before someone coming in the door trips over them. </i>"I will, Mama." <i>Hey boys, we're going to hurry up and clean up our project so we can go take lunch to Daddy. </i>"I will, Mama!" (That's my boy!) My favorite Zeke development these days is all physical. Who ever could have guessed that the child who refused to roll over, to crawl, we worried might <i>never </i>walk, would run exactly 64 laps around our living room coffee table this week, or run beside the stroller at a light Mommy pace for 3/4 mile? Daddy and I also love that Zeke is always wanting to share beyond what is "fair." Frequently, after hearing a brother told that it is <i>not </i>his turn, Zeke is heard saying, "Gabe, yes! Gabe, yes!" and extending what he has to brother bear. A sweet and generous heart.<i> </i>Gabe, your love of the Bible softens my heart so often when I am in a hurry, and trying to cut corners (like Bible time) to keep to our schedule, but it IS childlike faith, and I love to see how much you just sincerely want to learn about God, to the exclusion of everything else.</div>
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This last photo is my favorite from our almost-spring walk. Gabe, you took Zeke's hand, and asked, <b> </b></div>
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<b>"How a' you today, Zeke?"</b> All the conversation and hand-in-hand trail exploring that followed had my heart exploding.</div>
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What makes Mommy and Daddy happier
than watching you two do life together? Not much. You're growing in
every way, stepping more confidently away from our little nest every
day, and wowing us all the way. XO Mighty Men. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are and will always be so loved. ~Mommy and Daddy</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-27407515117661806592015-02-26T18:24:00.001-08:002015-11-14T18:27:13.850-08:00January in a flash (One Second Every Day)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello February-<br />
<br />
Your arrival was a bit unexpected, and yet we welcome you always with your "Love" emphasis and four family birthdays and all... I know you're the short month, but could you...? Would you? Slow down a teency bit?<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Amy <br />
<br />
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January, In a Flash</div>
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(One Second Every Day)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-91507307373285226262015-02-23T06:22:00.002-08:002015-02-23T06:23:20.740-08:00A Very THREE Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Zeke and Gabe, <br />
<br />
How fabulous that you are such tall 40-inch, 34 and 32 lb boys, on to the adventures, mischief, and joys of being three. Mommy has accepted that the baby stage is behind us, although I'm still holding on to little glimpses of my once-babes, like the way that Gabe still bounces vertically, walking or running, on his way from room to room, and how Zeke still delays his answer to ANY question (an imitation of Mom's infamous deliberation about everything) with, "Ummmm, hmmmmmmn...." even when you've already decided what you will say. But I also welcome the new habits. As you are taking in so many new things -and understanding them- Zeke's way of processing is to say, "Mommy! Mommy!" and then to point out or explain out loud what he sees. Gabe is always saying, "What happened, Mama?" and then phrasing in a question the observation he has made. I love it. (We can have full conversations about EVERYTHING now!)<br />
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Everyone has been out of school this week due to the loads of snow we got! We celebrated Daddy's birthday on Tuesday night after Mommy finished teaching. We all went over to Grandmarmy's house for a wonderful Greek dinner and good times all around. After cake, playtime, and long goodbyes, we began the trek *haha* home. Half way up the driveway, Daddy asked me to give him back the key. (That's when Mommy remembered laying the keys down in the house on her quick errand before locking up to run back across the street.) It was really cold, so straight back into Grandmarmy's house we went, with pitiful *locked out* faces, and after Daddy decided our locked house is impenetrable, Grandmarmy fixed us up on her futons and we had a very fun sleepover at her house. (A birthday Daddy will never forget.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l2CButHrrYBZESJFGlCxsVICfItkDMsI4IemTXASXNcUbmJvynktoOeKWbGfm_z6npHGGZ0NmoEtYPIrFS3Y9-VdEFybcSiRIBGqhuMAuTnRnRC6pXuP2HcFsnhCWgjokc4CmJNL6Nh1/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l2CButHrrYBZESJFGlCxsVICfItkDMsI4IemTXASXNcUbmJvynktoOeKWbGfm_z6npHGGZ0NmoEtYPIrFS3Y9-VdEFybcSiRIBGqhuMAuTnRnRC6pXuP2HcFsnhCWgjokc4CmJNL6Nh1/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT_BPvnxU-jnb2iY8bwHeVM8CbYp1vLC74pW1gviDnZAAoY41y5KNDQXygLyHtCgxQahOqJhke8jePsOn8UFedFTbyNTDa9qagjZAYDC0g32kLKGSLN1YrBOHwBGALgqGzokwADCkwB9-/s1600/IMG_9178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT_BPvnxU-jnb2iY8bwHeVM8CbYp1vLC74pW1gviDnZAAoY41y5KNDQXygLyHtCgxQahOqJhke8jePsOn8UFedFTbyNTDa9qagjZAYDC0g32kLKGSLN1YrBOHwBGALgqGzokwADCkwB9-/s1600/IMG_9178.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a> On Thursday, the forecast was high of 9 deg, low of -7. You both walked into our room whispering, "Me, birthday?" It absolutely was, and Mommy and Daddy were ready! Gabe spotted the new book we'd hidden behind our headboard before we could attempt a reveal, so we snuggled in and read what used to be one of your favorite library books, "Hickory Dickory Dock." Then we went downstairs and had Daddy's smoothies while Mommy made you funfetti pancakes, which you loved. After breakfast your gifts magically appeared in front of the fireplace: bright red balance bikes, and a tee-ball set! The rest of the morning was spent on those bikes. It was a blast. After your nap, Katherine and Cam, Grandpoppy, Grandmarmy, Addie, and Eli came over for your birthday dinner, and we ate, laughed, played, and enjoyed several twin performances. <br />
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We had big plans for a birthday party on Saturday, but more snow shut down the possibility of out-of-towners making it in. For awhile, we thought the icy forecast might mean no one could come, but our across-the-street crew and Pete and Astleigh were not going to miss it, so the party went on, and we had a lovely relaxed party-day together.<br />
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One of my favorite moments of the week was right before family arrived
that morning. After making peace with the fact that we had not cleaned
for a party (since the forecast indicated all humans might hibernate
that day) and that our local family would soon arrived to a non-picked
up house, the weather also delayed said family members, at which time
Mommy flew into a frenzy to clean it all up. Daddy was cleaning the
kitchen, and you boys were riding your new bikes. Then Gabe spotted his
Bible, opened up to the page where Jesus is on the cross, Zeke came over
and you both asked Daddy to tell you about it. So Daddy stopped what he
was doing and sat down on the kitchen floor with you, and together you
poured over every page of the gospel message, so many great questions,
so many beautiful answers. Stopping to watch it was way better than the
last minute cover-up mission Mom had been on. I don't have any photos of it - just the mental picture that will never leave me.<br />
<br />
Here's to a great year of new explorations, and deeper understandings of SO MANY THINGS! Daddy and I love you so much, always!<br />
-Mommy</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-15506826049106385522015-02-14T16:29:00.000-08:002015-09-07T17:37:39.564-07:00My Valentine...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(Disclaimer: It's Valentine's Day, so I reserve the right to max out the sweet and sappy lingo I might otherwise curb.) <br />
<br />
Baby Z, Baby G, and Daddy-O, you are the best valentines a Mama could wish for. I woke up at 9:15 this morning. THE END. I woke up at 9:15 - an hour I haven't seen from my bed in a very long time. I was served chocolate-chip pancakes, "YOU, Mommy!" and told it was my morning to stay in my room reading or pinning or blogging, and since have enjoyed the sounds of twin giggles and 100% Daddy effort in the background the whole time. All of my favorite things. Thank you boys for knowing and loving your Mommy so well.<br />
<br />
So here's my Valentine to you... One more page of our little treasure that I hope will bring you much joy in coming years. I try to tuck away words or pictures or videos here on our little family corner of cyberspace that will someday bring back the feelings and smells and WONDER that are your childhood. My goodness, these years are my favorite. So for today... I'm sharing some of Mommy's favorite videos right off of my phone. How I love you.<br />
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Cookies for You!</div>
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We love that you boys are so eager to help these days. Passing things out is a special privilege - check out Gabe's charm in process, and especially his reaction to realizing my camera is out.</div>
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Practice Time</div>
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You guys are still hanging with wonderful practice habits. Last week, Zeke had one of his best lessons yet. One item in Zeke's new routine is role reversal - he loves to be the teacher! And you'll note, he's pretty strict.</div>
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Pasta Salad for Daddy</div>
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This was an attempt at a video message alerting Daddy to the tasty pasta salad the boys helped make for him.</div>
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Pretend Comes to the Table</div>
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The boys are just a week away from turning three, and we see it in the way they are talking, and the new games they are playing. Gabe in particular takes the pretend wherever he goes. Broccoli, unfinished pieces of clementine... all fair subjects.</div>
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Raise 'Em Right</div>
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We all look forward to the one night a week that Addie and Eli come spend with us. Last week when we got out of the car, everyone had Shai Linne's "Taste and See" stuck in our heads, which resulted in this kid dance party. That's the way we like it.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-33320046891846260462015-01-26T21:17:00.001-08:002015-01-26T21:17:11.496-08:00Dear 2 1/2 year olds... What things do you love?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The answers you get from kids when you ask good questions never cease to be splendid. As I was cleaning up my room today I came across the transcription of this gem of a convo the boys and I once had over lunch. Since the conversation dates back to *ahem* August, draw whatever conclusions you want about the state of my room. So glad that I stopped that day to scribble our conversation out on a post-it. And now, saved forever on my personal cyberspace, I can never lose it!<br />
<br />
M: Boys, what things do you love?<br />
Z: Jesus!<br />
M: Awww, really?<br />
(Z just nods and keeps chewing.) :)<br />
M: Gabe, what things do you love?<br />
G: Jesus, Light o' World!<br />
M: :) What else?<br />
G: <i>Don't bonk 'a head! Don't bonk 'a head...</i> (This is an original Z and G song they sing a lot.)<br />
M: So you guys love Jesus, and your song. What else do you love?<br />
G: Blocks. G-Pop blocks, a' G-Ma's house.<br />
M: I know. Playing at G-Pop and G-Ma's house is fun. What else?<br />
G: Outside. Outside a' eat!<br />
M: Aw, I love our lunches on the porch, too. Anything else?<br />
Z: Jesus!<br />
G: Swim.<br />
Z: Swim!<br />
G: 'a you, poot!<br />
M: Yes, the funniest joke of all. Is that all?<br />
Z: Shhhh (he pretends to whisper in someone's ear which is a game we play, pretending to tell the boys a secret and then zerberting them instead.)<br />
M: What things do you love, Zeke?<br />
Z: Play and Ni-night.<br />
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And there you have it. The great conclusions about life from my toddlers. (Funny how a few sentences can take you back to days that were so different just a few months ago!) These are some special two-year-olds I get to raise.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-55132592551546751882015-01-14T22:57:00.000-08:002015-01-14T22:57:46.339-08:00Snowed in with my faves.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3jURBS8D5p_rzw-3aZg7FLHwIsq2BdC2k5qIW8QRg81eRIfLtqKXX-TFiDfEkxU4vHqEhwq2RQuVkxcVmqVuQfeZSbuJ-BVYnHACNjKOt3BsOzLpe-cBTKwKsJwvaYV-v-gIGVzfk3Bv/s1600/IMG_6985.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3jURBS8D5p_rzw-3aZg7FLHwIsq2BdC2k5qIW8QRg81eRIfLtqKXX-TFiDfEkxU4vHqEhwq2RQuVkxcVmqVuQfeZSbuJ-BVYnHACNjKOt3BsOzLpe-cBTKwKsJwvaYV-v-gIGVzfk3Bv/s1600/IMG_6985.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>The magic of a snowy morning: cancelled alarms, wintery white light coming through the window, little feet plodding toward your room. I woke up making room in bed for Gabe's stuffed hippo who he'd rolled into a taco (that's a Hill family practice - rolling babes into "tacos"), followed by Elmo, Giraffe, and then Gabe. Before he was ready to snuggle, Zeke started his morning with a fashion show of Mommy's shoes. (That is also a thing around here these days.) And then, there were two parents, two boys, two extra blankets, some shoes, animals, and toys, all snuggled under the winter morning light.<br />
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Snow days = time to choose what I want to do with the time that was previously scheduled somewhere else, and today I want to stop and take note of my blessings; I'm so aware that they are abundant. (Be forewarned, this is a Mommy post.)<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><u>Here's a little piece of the millions of things I wish I could capture forever... Just listen to all the things that make my heart want to explode around here:</u></span><br />
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-<span style="color: #6aa84f;">The boys are recognizing letters</span> - all of a sudden they see them everywhere: "Mama, A!!!" (And they're right!) "D for Daddy!" Zeke is often heard saying, "G for Gabe! Where's a me?" There is a definite shortage of Z's in the world. I'm sure a p.c. group will take up this cause before he's reached adulthood though. <br />
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-Cary built us an armoire. (It's beautiful.) We have been waiting to put the doors on until we find the perfect strap hinges to complete the aesthetic (and function), but in the meantime, it's completely set up in our room, minus the doors. The boys have found the floor of it to be the perfect perch for reading, coloring, playing... <span style="color: #cc0000;">It feels so classical to see them creating their own magical little spaces. </span>Takes me back to my "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," days. <br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">-Language Explosion:</span> Little echoes of everything I've ever said... This morning when the yogurt spoon flipped out of my hand, Gabe got the word "Whoopsie!!" out of his mouth before I could. (And that's exactly what would have come out of mine.) But even crazier than that, is hearing the boys construct brand NEW sentences all day long. We're weeks past Cary and I looking at each other with the *did you know they knew that word?* faces. All words are fair game, and it's so much fun to hear these two express themselves so well.<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">-I'm not always the targeted audience anymore.</span> Sometimes, when I am not engaged, the twins still do stunts or funny faces or tell stories that Gabe explains afterwards were "funny," cuing laughter and applause, and even egg each other on with ridiculous giggling or the dramatic clapping of hands or thigh slapping. *does someone else in this house do that?* I don't know how I feel about this. I hadn't realized the egocentric role they let me play for so long - all stories, impressions, and stunts were previously for my benefit.<br />
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-Inversely, a new phrase entered the household about a week ago, and I'm afraid it's here to stay. <span style="color: #351c75;">"He did it."</span> That's right- just what you're thinking. (Mom turns around to get a towel and hears a <i>splash</i> in the potty. M: "Gabe, did you just drop that in the potty?!" G: No, Zeke did it. M: Zeke, did you drop that in the potty?!" Z: No, Gabe did it. *blink, blink*) What's a mom to do?! (We have known all along these were <a href="http://hillhuddle.blogspot.com/2013/02/mmm-silent-m-is-for-mischievous.html" target="_blank">Mischievous Mighty Men</a>.) :)<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">-Good and Evil is characterized by "the mean giant."</span> I posted at Halloween about our Light the Night encounter with Goliath. He dropped in for a game of *here kid, you be David and after I make burly giant noises you can throw a stone at me, and I will fall over for old times' sake.* The boys were <strike>terrified</strike> <strike>mystified</strike> <strike>panicked</strike> entranced.... Needless to say, we've been talking about David and "the mean giant" ever since. The boys seem to recognize the same evil across the board (in every movie villain, storybook, pretend play, and even negative kid interactions. It all boils down to this: "the mean giant."<br /><b><br /></b><br />
<b>The list goes on and on...</b><br />
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-They brush their own teeth! <b><br /></b><br />
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-Gabe loves to go to the top of the stairs quickly so he can turn around and help the people coming up behind him.<br />
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-Zeke spends quite a bit of free time rehearsing his favorite musical numbers (namely the "Ice" song from "Frozen"), or taking orders and cooking muffins and chicken nuggets in his imaginary kitchen.<br />
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-Both boys are spending 20 minutes of meaningful practice on their instruments every day. It astounds me. </div>
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-And, perhaps the best for last: the unexpected, "Mommy, I love you." "Hug Mommy!" The wet, mushy, or otherwise well-loved object being held up to me as a gift, "Mommy, yoo-oou!!" Or the seventh goodbye plus the sign for "I love you" before leaving to go to the store with Daddy, or on an imaginary journey... Those may still be the best. Could anyone love their people more? Thankful for a magical day *stuck* at home to enjoy it. <3<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-88393612401460719352015-01-11T21:55:00.004-08:002015-01-11T21:55:47.280-08:00Goodbye December, and Onward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cheers! Here's to a beautiful 2015. In the spirit of fresh starts and moving forward, I'm letting go of countless painfully unfinished and unnamed posts that have filled this Mama's heart for the past 6 months. While those precious memories haven't been preserved here the way I'd like, something tells me this rich season is one that will stick with me.<br />
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The end of 2014 was full. While Cary pushes to see those three magic letters in his robe and hood, we are both spending more hours than we'd like on work so that we can, ya know, afford to eat and live in our house at the same time. At the end of 2014, twin milestones were abundant, personal sacrifices were made, our family of four grew tighter, work was fruitful, exhausted parents burned out, new dreams flickered, and all the while, God was near.<br />
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A friend introduced me to the app "1 Second Everyday." Over the month of December it captured one second of our life each day. At a time when I couldn't give more than one second to documenting our life, I'm thankful for the teeny picture of this season the compilation turned out to be.<br />
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And now, to being present and refusing to be bogged down by photos not posted and tasks not done, to seeing more of what is lasting in each moment, and trusting the Lord from whom all good things flow... Bring on the new year!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-48507899330296538522014-12-25T21:15:00.001-08:002014-12-25T21:15:55.589-08:00Favorite Christmas Photos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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They don't come often - in fact, for us it may be the only night of this year, but some nights are for sitting around, indulging sentiment, and being thankful. After laughing over most of our Christmas photos, I chose to (peruse <i>over</i> the family photo bloopers and unbelievable Christmas morning aftermath and...) pick out the ones that reflect the beauty that the gift of Christ has inspired in me tonight. *Note, I found 6 photos out of approx. 300. **Also note: This is real life, and sometimes that's the proportion of beauty to mess.**</div>
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Thank you, Lord, for the depth and beauty found only in and because of You. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216572083974669116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5480907838078317479.post-36290486257285269912014-10-23T10:45:00.000-07:002014-10-23T10:45:32.245-07:00TBT: A special wedding weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Throw back Thursday! Remember that time when... </div>
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Our friends Adam and Becca got married! We do - and always will! Cary and Adam grew up together. Adam was a groomsman in our wedding, and he's a near-famous rocket scientist now. Cary was delighted to be at his side in the wedding and to be a part of his big weekend. I was happy for them to have an excuse for guy-time and reminiscing, and left blinking and befuddled when all of a sudden my other half disappeared for 48 hours on a very exciting weekend.... Just Mom and <strike>her</strike> 2/3 of her boys! </div>
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48 hours of Mom and Boys, including get-ready-for-wedding time. WE DID IT! </div>
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Spiffed up: head to TOE</div>
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*Things no one tells you*</div>
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I have no pictures of the actual wedding event. Turns out, this is a pattern in my adventures in parenting/photography. I ALWAYS miss the main event! (Kids are so darn distracting; when you add wedding attire, bouquets and adoring bridesmaids to the mix, what's a Mom to do?! Not to mention the fact that they fill your photographer arms, unless they are not in your arms in which case they need your undivided attention, and they're just so cute, you have to snap photos.) *Read on to find out how I missed most of the ceremony* Maybe this is how wedding photography first came about... Luckily, there was a super photography team there, and tons of beautiful photos of our friends to enjoy later. Now... on to MY photos of the day.</div>
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Smelling the roses </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6drJFo3Ch-1-ii4IUha6Lf60s6JxNYUefdw9v9xzs0dtfReYODm9Iwu9QSv9PxqIEfC4GsT5hMpOTr0jmddQ3y1Me5-rt8hlJTW4SrMk98hrRmvqPPnipT94jW0utTO-4cGYrcH2tv5rH/s1600/IMG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6drJFo3Ch-1-ii4IUha6Lf60s6JxNYUefdw9v9xzs0dtfReYODm9Iwu9QSv9PxqIEfC4GsT5hMpOTr0jmddQ3y1Me5-rt8hlJTW4SrMk98hrRmvqPPnipT94jW0utTO-4cGYrcH2tv5rH/s1600/IMG_2456.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Cute little cabbie</div>
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*We spotted Daddy!*</div>
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Sweet Daddy moment: After a long wedding weekend, we were all missing Daddy. During the ceremony, the boys lit up when they saw their Daddy walk out behind the groom. They tapped everyone beside them to point him out - so very proud of their celebri-dad. A few minutes later after the entrance of the bride, everyone was engrossed in the ceremony -except for Gabe who was looking around for someone he could point out Cary to. "Daddy!" <i>Yes! </i>I nodded. The serious nature of his face made me nervous, and that's when I caught the slightest quiver in his cheek. He was overwhelmed with emotion at seeing his spiffy Daddy up front, but not being able to get to him, and the emotion appeared to be growing. An unsuspecting Uncle Pete was holding him, and I leaned in close: <i>Gabe, it's ok! It's ok! </i>No use. He was sucking air, so I clamped my hand over his mouth and mouthed to Pete, <i>Run!</i> Poor little Gabe went off like a siren as we cleared the sanctuary doors. I explained to him we'd be with Daddy very soon. He put on a brave face and I wiped his tears, but when I asked him if we could go back into the sanctuary where he could see Daddy without him crying, each time he'd shake his head, no. *Precious thing!* And so, we waited outside for the rest of the ceremony, and when the twins finally spotted Cary they went running. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScIxdra-X2-DVz6hyphenhyphenLHamSp6Wwjmu54tHknhQm4XxN2kcpf43deNRrW3NIWSp_CdF5vpTxtHcWSbTRFshn-CIiU4KK6shCgXk2_2SjpJ_yRlZczAynk6MwW3MfnrYC7b0sLF9Euvg_fOP/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScIxdra-X2-DVz6hyphenhyphenLHamSp6Wwjmu54tHknhQm4XxN2kcpf43deNRrW3NIWSp_CdF5vpTxtHcWSbTRFshn-CIiU4KK6shCgXk2_2SjpJ_yRlZczAynk6MwW3MfnrYC7b0sLF9Euvg_fOP/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Special Mommy moment: Watching my son watch the father-daughter, and mother-son dances, I thought of how many times I've been warned of just how fast the rest of his life would fly by. I believed that all too
soon I'd be looking into that precious face, a full grown man on <i>his</i> wedding day. (Would I be remembering
this moment? Could I ever love him more than right now?) I bawled.</div>
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Time to lighten up, Mom. Photo spree!</div>
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It was a fun day to celebrate Adam and Becca, and a special day with each of my boys:</div>
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*Highest of Gabe compliments to the cupcake chef*</div>
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Happy Thursday!</div>
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