Saying Goodbye...

...to 2011 and hello to a brand new year.  Tonight as we take down our Christmas tree and put it away for another year, I can't help but reflect on 2011 and the many changes it has brought about for our little family.  Certainly, for us, a year to go down in the books.  Chock-full of blessings, but also some quite difficult times.  How awesome it is to be able to look back at the many things for which we have prayed this year, and to read through and see precisely where, when, and how the Lord responded to those requests.
This time last year we had just discovered we were expecting again.  We started 2011 off with a bang on January 5...our first doctor appointment where we discovered we would be having twins.  A day that I am sure to never forget...I still cannot recall ever being so shocked by anything in all my life.  In early March we learned we were expecting two little boys, we lost my Grandpa, and we also began construction on our new home.  Also in March Billy was hospitalized for burns and required surgery.  In late April our battle with pre-term labor began.  We were terrified...going into the hospital on a weekend at midnight, 23 weeks pregnant and in labor, and being told babies are not viable until 24 weeks.  We began praying for the boys and their health, along with many other friends and family, some of whom we had never even met.  In the blink of an eye I stopped working and moved into the hospital for what turned into a 7-week-long stay.  In late May Joe moved us into our new home.  June 13 I came home from the hospital, still on strict bed rest.  Exactly one month later on July 13, Matthew and John arrived, perfect and healthy.  In early September my second nephew, Joshua, was born...sooner than expected, but perfectly healthy nonetheless.  In the time since the twins were born in July I have been adjusting to being a full-time stay-at-home mom in addition to many other changes in our life as a family.
Yes, this was quite an eventful year.  But how blessed we are.  We are so much stronger as a family and have learned (and are still learning!) to rely solely on the Lord's strength and not our own, whether in good times or bad.  Excited about the new year and what God has in store.  Signing off 2011 with a great devotional I read for the day and a solid verse:

"I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend.  Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you.  The busier you become, the more you need of this time apart with Me.  So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford.  As a result, they live and work in their own strength--until that becomes depleted.  Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness.
How much better it is to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more.  Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age.  Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness.  Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world."
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."  Psalm 105:4

And More Celebrating...

We have been very busy and having such a great time this past Christmas week.  It is hard to believe Christmas has already come and gone as I'm sitting here writing this.  We have much to be thankful for this Christmas, but most of all the precious, precious gift of Jesus.  Kate has been learning about Bethlehem and the manger and baby Jesus this year.  She got her very own nativity set to play with and learned to sing "Away in a Manger."  Being mom to such small children I find myself trying to relate to what Mary and Joseph must have felt as parents to Baby Jesus.  How precious and bittersweet those moments must have been when rocking him to sleep as a baby and watching him play as a toddler.  This precious song is one of my Christmas favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgcGmgrNuLM&feature=related

This past Thursday night we took Kate to Lights of the South along with Kelly, Billy, and Will.  The weather was perfect and the kids really enjoyed the hayride through the woods and seeing all the Christmas lights.

Kelly, Will, & Billy just before hayride

The joys of venturing out with two 2-yr-olds

Just before getting on the hayride

One of the fun things we've been doing lately is having wake up parties in Kate's bed.  The boys are staying up a little bit longer these days.  Up until now they have been already back down for their naps by the time we get Kate up in the morning.  She loves having her brothers come in to wake her up.

No, Kate does not normally wear green dinosaur pajamas to bed.  She had been over at Will's house the night before and had a bath but didn't have any of her pj's.  So she had to borrow a pair of Will's.  Guess these were the girliest they could find :)  

"Rise and shine, Sissy!"

Julee and Parker got these precious towels for the boys for Christmas.

This face is soooo Matthew.  So feisty ;)

Nana has been enjoying some time off from work during the holidays.  She came over to make cookies with Kate one afternoon.

Some of their handiwork

Enjoying the fruits of their labor ;)

Matthew wanted in on some of the holiday fun ;)

We got together over at Kelly and Billy's Christmas Eve morning for brunch and gift opening.

Our 3 best presents :)

BFF

Gift opening mad-ness

Nana and Papa with the twins...Matthew was not into napping this morning

Christmas Eve everyone came over to our house for dinner.

Our First Christmas

Maggie meeting Matthew for the first time...so good to have her home from Paris for the holidays

Joe and I had such a good time getting ready for Santa before going to bed...I have never seen Joe do so much rearranging, just to be sure all was organized just right ;)  When we got up Christmas morning the boys were a little "Scrooge-y" so they went on down for their naps just as we were getting Kate up.  Yes, even on Christmas morning we have to wake up this little one.  She sure loves her sleep!

"A kitchen!"

Playing with the dollhouse

Helping the boys with their choo-choo train

The weather on Christmas Day was not so pleasant so we stayed indoors and enjoyed playing with our new toys all day before heading over to Grandmama's for dinner Christmas night.

I must add I had a really special day/Christmas present this year.  I woke up early Friday morning with plans to feed the boys then head out early to the grocery store to try to beat the crowds.  As we were getting ready to get the boys up and going, Joe told me he had "other plans for me today," and asked me if I was ready to hear what I would be doing...hmmm.  He went on to tell me he had arranged for me to have a massage that morning, then I would be heading over to spend the afternoon with Grandmama (kid-free!) learning how to make her dressing ---something I have been wanting to do for a long time.  Kathryn was coming over to help with the kids and Joe would be taking Kate for lunch.  Now, I had not had a massage in well over two years.  I stumbled out of there looking like I had just had too much to drink.  It was AH-mazing.  And it was so wonderful hanging out over at Grandmama and Grandaddy's...no kids in tow (much as I love 'em!), no reasons to hurry, really nowhere else to be at all...and just enjoying quiet conversation and cooking for a few hours.  Ahhh.....  BIG thanks to Joe for arranging that fabulous day.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Next American Idol?

Kate could not decide if she wanted to sing "Away in a Manger" or "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."  So she combined them into one song :)

Celebrating the Season

This past weekend all the Todd's graciously convened here at our house to celebrate Christmas this year.  We were excited to have Grammy and Grandpa as well as Julee and Parker all here with us.  Grammy came over early in the week to help with the kiddos as Joe headed out of town for work for a few days, then everyone else joined us Thursday and Friday.  We had a busy, fun week making cookies, cooking, playing outside, opening gifts, and just enjoying being with family.  

Grammy & Kate decorating cookies

Grammy & Kate eating cookies :)

Yay!!  Juju & Parker are here!! :)

Just a-swangin' w/ Juju :)

Opening gifts...

Not sure about the big fishy at first...

...but quickly changed her mind!

Pretty new pj's

New book from Juju & Parker

Hot Sauce!

Pink camo & Grandpa

Casey wanted in on the picture-taking

Joe, Grammy, Kate, & Julee

The boys ready for huntin'...want a successful hunting trip? take these little guys...it's a sure thing.

Love that little tummy peeking out from underneath the camo shirt...looks like we picked him up at 

Wal-mart!

John was not feelin' this one...

Kate, Julee, & Parker

Love how the boys just blend into Grandpa's shirt...

Family shot

Julee got brave and decided to try a rice cereal feeding...she did great!

Thanks to Grammy & Grandpa and Julee & Parker for coming to us this year!  We enjoyed the weekend so much!  

What else have we been up to?  The kids have all three been a little under the weather the past few days. It started with Kate running a fever, then went to Matthew, and today ended with John.  We had a long night Friday night with Matthew...he woke up about 1am with a 102F fever and very fussy :(   I'm thinking it's viral, seeing as it has played out the same in all 3 kids.  They've all had fevers and these strange tiny red spots on their faces that appear and last about a day then fade.  We've been keeping fevers down with Tylenol/Motrin, but fending off the 'fussies' has been another story.  And in the middle of all this we are pretty sure the boys are teething.  Each morning I get up and pray that those 2 little teeth will have pushed through!  They just seem like they are hurting so bad :(  The days are long and busy but we are making it!  

Quick side note:  Joe and I got interested in the Duggar Family when we found out we were having twins.  We are fascinated by how smoothly this family seems to function despite there being 19 children.  They just recently announced that she miscarried her 20th baby.  Prayers going up for this sweet family as they cope with their loss.  I would suggest going to their website and listening to the audio recording she posted of a letter she wrote to their precious little girl.  A wonderful perspective for parents of small children.  Last night I was up with a fussy John about 3am.  He had a slight fever and was in need of some TLC and Tylenol.  I must admit, I heard him crying on the monitor and thought to myself, "Ugh...here we go again."  I stumbled out of bed and trudged my way down the hall to the boys' room.  I leaned over John's crib and picked him up and rocked him a moment before laying him on the changing table.  When he looked up at me, he had the biggest, brightest smile, and his legs were just a-kickin' away; like he had never been so happy to see anybody.  Sometimes I can get so mired down in the day.  On a 'bad' day, all I can think about is how tired I am or how many diapers I've changed.  I must confess I can be such a complainer and so self-absorbed.  Even on my hardest, most exhausting days, I pray that I can always step back and see the BIG picture.   I am so grateful for my 3 precious children and for the wonderful opportunity to be their mama.  

Cry Babies

For those that don't already know, our boys certainly do their share of crying/fussing :)  They are precious, sweet boys; but oh, how they love to be held.  If not being held, they are more than likely fussing.  And, yes, this includes in the car.  Another reason why we just don't get out much!  My sister told me the other day I need to record them crying / take some pics of them crying so that I will be able to show them what they put us through share them with them when they are older.  It may seem strange to photograph your baby while he's crying, but these shots actually turned out quite funny :)

We were attempting to eat lunch with Kate here...stress attempting.  Joe's face says it all:  "Well, they're at it again!"

John as he was losing it

Matthew looking at John as he was losing it.  Maybe John just didn't like Matthew's monkey bib??  He was not loving what he was looking at.

Matthew watching John fuss...he himself was getting close to breaking down.  Possibly because he is mad that John was crying first, thus John will more than likely be the first one picked up.  

"You're on your own, buddy"

And yes, I know you're not supposed to place your baby in the Bumbo seat on a raised surface.  Believe me, they did not last here long, and we were right with them the entire time :)

Just Lately...

Not much is new around here these days other than getting ready for Christmas and teething.  That is not a nice word.  The boys are having a really tough time with it!  Kate pretty well breezed right on through cutting her teeth but Matthew and John are sure having a much more difficult time.  :(  Poor little guys.  

Posting today just some random shots of things we've been up to lately.

John sitting up like a big boy

Cooking with Kate

There is a story to this photo.  Joe had just prior shown her how to turn the mixer on/off by using the switch on the side.  I turned my head for a split second about a minute after this photo was taken (mixer in upright position) and Kate decided to try out that switch again.  Result:  pumpkin cheesecake batter all over our kitchen...and Kate.  That's ok, though.  Sweet memories :)

This past Sunday evening the Wallace crew all got together over here at our house to celebrate the holidays together for the very first time since losing Grandpa.  We prepared all Grandma's best holiday dishes and played White Elephant.  Such a good time w/ these folks.  I feel sure Grandma and Grandpa were smiling down :)

Dad and his bros

Brittany brought these chocolate covered pretzels...Kate sure enjoyed those!

White Elephant Gift Swap

Wouldn't be Wallace white elephant w/out the ghost boxers :)  Chad was the lucky guy this year!

Brittany I fully expect this to be displayed on your mantel

Kristin and a very festive Phillip

Making s'mores

Like I said above the boys have been having a tough time with teething.  If you look closely you can see where their two little bottom teeth are just under the skin.  They are constantly drooling, chewing on fingers and hands, and just fussing.  They want to be held 24-7.  Yes, both of them.  Good times!

John doing one of his favorite pastimes...staring at the elephant pictures over the changing table...

...and gnawing on fingers.

Silly Matthew

Getting big!  5 months old in a couple days

"Pay no attention to the man with the fingers in his mouth!"

Grandmama and Grandaddy stopped by to visit and brought us dinner one evening.  

 

Love my Great-grandaddy...

...and Great-grandmama.

My, how they had fun playing!

We have also started rice cereal each morning.  Messy stuff!

Matthew- "What?  Is something on my face?"

John- "This stuff's kinda good!"

And last, but not least:

Our mantel looks a little different this year :)