Mama of 2 P's in a Pod

We had one of those moments that as a parent, rock your entire core last night. Long story short, little P got forgotten, no that's not the right word. Mommy and Daddy were distracted as was big P and we all went into the house without little P. Now, the temperature outside was 5 degrees above zero! Little P was out there by herself for 10 minutes. I can not describe to you the panic, the disappointment and the fear I feel inside knowing that I was the one who should've doubled checked. Thank you God for keeping my sweet little P safe and for sending your angels to help her get out of my Pilot and to the front door! Never again do I want to feel this way. I have been very hard on myself today about this. A co-worker friend of mine said sometimes God sends little moments to keep us as parents in check. Not necessarily to punish but to remind us to pay attention to the little things that make the big things matter. Another friend of mine says all she needs to know is she's...

This is my family, the loves of my life all in one picture. I'm so grateful for each day I get to spend as his wife and their mama. My Christmas wish? Another year of love, happiness, health and joy together!

The P's are so much fun to be around during the holidays. (ok during other times too!) But watching the simple things about this time of year through their eyes is such a joy. I love hearing the ooh's and ahh's from the back seat when we drive through a neighborhood full of lights. I also love hearing them talk about the true meaning of Christmas and why its not about the toys they get from Santa but that its all because a baby boy was born. And of course Big P loves knowing her birthday is just a week before Jesus'. I hope everyone has a chance to find something to enjoy about the season. I know there is so much hardship for a lot of people right now, I can't even imagine some of the pain others feel, but I hope that there is a glimmer of hope for them somewhere, and what better time to find it?

Our big P turns 5 next month, FIVE! Where has the time gone? I mean it seems just like yesterday we found out we were pregnant with her! And not too long after that she said mama for the first time. Then her first steps, her first pony ride, her first haircut! Now, this sweet person who I love so dearly is gonna be a "whole handful!". I keep telling her she's BEEN a handful. Of course I mean that lovingly. There have been some moments where she and I have clashed, I truly think that's because we are so much alike, very strong-willed and very dramatic. I remember life before out biggest P and it wasn't complete until she and her little sister came into our lives. While I may have many more days of drama with her, I pray that I have that opportunity no matter what. She is smart, funny, beautiful, sweet and one of the strongest people I've ever met! Thank you sweet P, for being truly one of my best friends!

Awhile back, I can't remember when exactly, I was pondering the meaning of life, mine in particular. I think it was around the time I felt life, my life, was slipping out of my hands. I felt that I needed to be "something" or do "something" that was worthy, that there had to be a job my husband and others could feel good saying I did. I thought at one point that job was a nurse. Not just any nurse, but an OB nurse. I thought that after the wonderful experiences I had having the P's, that it would only be natural to jump into that field. I thought about this, dreamt about this job for a long time. But reality set in, and after some careful thought, I realized I'm too emotionally attached to people to be a nurse. So I kept searching and kept wondering what my purpose was. I mean, apparently it wasn't as a Sports Anchor like I had dreamt of in high school and my first few years in college. I spent 10 years in television only to decide it wasn't my p...

This is the face of our oldest P. In a month and a half, she will be 5-years-old and a "whole handful" she reminds me. And of course, I remind her that she's been a "handful" her entire life, which makes me laugh, but leaves her with a puzzled look. She is going through a stage lately that makes me incredibly sad. Big P, is such a sweet girl, she truly is. She is smart, funny, beautiful inside and out and a relatively good kid. However, when it comes to our relationship, she is in the phase where mommy doesn't know anything, and she feels the need to remind me of this. No, she hasn't come out and called me stupid, but she is quick to talk back to me and quick to shoot me looks of anger. I don't think she knows the power of those looks, they break my heart. I've heard from friends with little girls the same age who say they're experiencing the same thing with their daughters. But it doesn't make the hurt any less. When did my sweet little ...

fire·proof [fahyuhr-proof] –adjective 1. resistant to destruction by fire. 2. totally or almost totally unburnable. –verb (used with object) 3. to make fireproof. I like to think of this term when it comes to my life now, particularly my marriage. Kris and I went to see Fireproof the movie last weekend and it has changed my outlook on how I treat my husband and who my husband is supposed to be to me. It sounds a bit cheesy to some to have a movie become a tool to keeping a marriage on track, but as my pastor says, God uses whatever he can to get through to us, and that indeed includes a movie. I won't go into detail or hash out how life has been for us for the past few years, but I will say this. Life is changing and for the better for our family. Its a bit scary, but so exciting and so rewarding. There is a promise in our house that hasn't been there for a long time. So go out and see this movie and maybe it'll speak to you in a way you never imagined. http://www.firepro...

Here we are in October, one of my most favorite times of the year. There have been so many Octobers where I let life just pass me by. I can't even recall some of the Octobers of my life, I was too wrapped up in whatever. This October is different for so many reasons. I've come to realize what life is truly about. Its not about filling your life with empty, materialistic joys. Its not about keeping up with a neighbor, a friend or a family member. Sure, they may look like they have it all, but deep down, they're fighting their own battle. And its certainly not about focusing on how bad you messed up the past. Its about realizing what you have right there with you, whether it be a healthy child, a supportive parent, an amazing friend or the love of your life. What you have at this moment, is what you're meant to live for. You may not have that chance later in life, so enjoy the now, plan for the future yes, but enjoy those moments you let slip by too often. So that focus h...

Wendy sent me this saying I've been tagged and had to answer these items on my blog, so now all of you who read my words get to put up with this! Enjoy! 10 years ago I was : 1. Dealing with a scary health issue. 2. Getting ready to meet the man I would marry. 3. Enjoying life as a student, and working two jobs! 4. Thinking my intern job at a TV station would lead me to ESPN! 5. Just beginning to understand life as a woman. 5 things on today’s to do list: 1. Try to focus on my To-Do list at work. 2. Run some errands during my lunch hour. 3. Make a list of things to focus on for my new life focus...(sounds weird but its a good thing) 4. Come up with something to make for the bonfire tomorrow night 5. Pick up the P's from daycare and enjoy the Lazy Friday night with them! 5 snacks I enjoy: 1. Cheese 2. Fruit of any kind 3. A few oreos dunked in milk courtesy of the P's 4. My mama's chocolate cake straight out of the oven sans frosting 5 . All of a sudden I'm hungry for...

......a day makes. I was so wrapped up in sadness and fear yesterday. Today, I have hope, for myself, for the P's and for whatever our future may hold. Today, I saw my uncle, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, possibly an agressive cancer, out for his 5-mile run. The man runs 5-miles a day, even with the possiblity of chemo, radiation and all that comes with his diagnosis. So if he can run, so can I, so to speak. I have an amazing life, not just the P's, but life in general. It took hearing from an old friend, that I need to be happy in a whole sense, not just the mommy-sense, for me to realize what I have before me. Yes, things are uncertain right now, but aren't they always? It takes that FAITH to wake up each morning, to go on each day and to make the most of life. I'm ready to do that, either on my own or with him. We'll see what life has in store.

Sometimes the statement "have faith" is so much easier said than done. What happens if you can't? I mean I can, but there are moments where the sadness consumes me and the faith seems so far out of reach. I know I have a lot to be grateful for, but there are so many things that have been just out of reach for such a long time that it hurts. Now, things are changing, probably for the better, most of the time I feel that way, but what if they're not? What if giving up is the wrong option?! How do I know what is? Nothing in life is ever easy, and that sucks. I could make it sound pretty and metaphorical but that is the plain and simple truth. How can I just stop being what I've known for 7 years? How can I stop taking my concerns back from God once I give them to him? And why does the hurt have to magnify with each decision?!

I'm so glad its fall. This is truly one of my most favorite times of year, that and the holidays of course. The girls are really getting into the fall feel as well. Piper is ready to go to the pumpkin patch and Parker is ready to be Tinkerbell for Halloween. Thankfully, we'll have our first true taste of fall this weekend. The girls and I have a have a bonfire to go tonight for my work and then our church has it's annual Fall Festival at a local corn maize Sunday night. I'm looking forward to making some great fall memories as a family.

We were supposed to be in Colorado Springs as a family right now, but the economy has nixed that idea. SO it's just the P's and I hoping to fill our days with as much fun in our town as possible, while daddy is a state away. I'm looking forward to some with the P's, as well as time with each of them one on one while the other is in preschool. Although, I have to admit, I'm a little sad that the girls and I aren't with Kris to enjoy the scenery. We'll just have to enjoy the scenery we have here at home!

Have you ever been touched by someone else's life or story, someone you've never met and probably never will? I've been following Jenny Scott's blog ( http://mamaonaplaydate.blogspot.com/ ) for a few years now, after seeing her story on a pregnancy weekly post. Her daughter Allie, was born just one day before our Piper entered the world. Sadly, Jenny only got to know her daughter for 9 months, she lost her sweet little life to Leukemia. I have cried many tears, both of sadness and joy while reading Allie's story and Jenny's journey since then. Her life and her ability to be as strong as she has for her youngest daughter, gives me a great sense of strength and hope for others as well. It is on Jenny's blog that I was introduced to Crys' blog ( http://meandmyzacks.blogspot.com/ ) . Her story has hit my heart too, in such a way that it has literally taken my breath away. She just lost her angel Alexa this summer, just 2 1/2 months ago, this sweet 4 year old...

We spent what was technically the "last weekend of Summer" busy as a family, which was so nice. The girls have been asking for a puppy for as long as I can remember, but here lately, daddy has joined the push. While I know this means more work for me, since I am primarily the one home most of the time with the girls, I can't help but think of the joy getting a puppy will give to my family. So, I caved and on Saturday we drove the 3 hours to Omaha to get Daisy . She is such a sweet girl! But she is definitely a puppy, potty-training is a constant job with her and she nips more than she should. But she is also a little snuggler and its so nice to have the girls around her. She likes to help wake them up in the mornings before school and daycare and I think they are really enjoying her. Piper got down on the floor and played with Daisy last night, I am so proud of her. She was a little anxious around her at first but each day she gets a little braver and takes it on. Parker...

Both P's are now in school. Parker just finished up her first morning and didn't quite understand why she didn't get to take her school supplies back home. Piper finished up her first day of Pre-K yesterday, a little chatty but so very excited! We are blessed with two smart little girls and I'm so grateful they have a chance to start the learning process NOW! I can't believe they are so grown up already, time has truly flown by as a mommy. Kris and I are truly so blessed to be their mama and daddy! Thank you girls for bringing such joy to our lives!

She's been waiting ALL summer, and kept up her end of the deal by getting potty-trained....tomorrow Parker starts preschool. Piper will join her pre-K class on Wednesday. I can't believe both of our babies will be in school, there is no going back is there?! I am so excited for both of them, they are great little people who seem to just soak the world up, one story, one giggle, one look at a time. I knew this day was coming but wow did it get here fast?! Kris just commented last night that Parker seems to have stayed "littler" longer, I think part of that is because Piper got bumped out of the baby spot when baby sister arrived...but yea, she has been "littler" longer and now we have see her grow up. I'm gonna be a mess tomorrow.

Sometimes we let life boil over until it becomes something ugly, something that used to bring us joy turns into something that brings us nothing but sorrow and heartache. Yesterday, I let life and the emotions of what's been wrong make things even more unsettling. Today, I breathe a small sigh of relief but at the same time, wonder where life will take us now. We all make mistakes, some we can get through on our own, some we need a friend to guide us through and some we need God to guide us through.

1. Snow (the quiet kind at night that makes you want to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate) 2. A really good, edge of your seat game (think Jayhawks Championship game...the kind that literally makes your heart stop) 3. Giggles from the back seat (from two little P's!) 4. A really good hug (the kind Kris gives) 5. Summer nights (sitting in a lawn chair doing nothing but sippin' tea or lemonade and watching the kids play) 6. Plane Contrails (I always wonder who's on the plane and where they're going) 7. Time with family and friends 8. Christmas (everything it stands for and the excitement surrounding it) 9. Baby lotion 10. Laughter through tears

This has by far been one of the best summers we've had as a family. We may not have traveled far and wide, but we've learned to enjoy each other and we are truly blessed. We have a trip together to look forward to next month and though gas prices may hinder a little on what our options are, it will damper our fun! Here are some pictures from our summer so far!

It's been almost 3 years since we met Parker. She was a surprise baby to us, one we hadn't planned for but one that has changed our lives in ways we never imagined. She has always seem to have this knowledge of her presence in our lives, as a blessing more than anything else. She is our little calmer, she has this uncanny way of coming up to me when I'm at my worst and putting her sweet hand on my face and helping bring a sudden calm over me. Now don't get me wrong, she is a BUSY, BUSY little girl. From the moment she wakes up to the moment she finally gives in to sleep at night, that little girl has things to do. Whether it's dressed up in high heels and carrying a purse or finding a way to drive her big sister crazy, Parker is always up for a challenge. I can't believe our baby is already turning 3! She kept her end of the deal this summer, we told her if she could potty-train, we'd send her to sister's pre-school. Well guess who's potty-trained...

Did I ever mention what sweet little girls we have?! Parker was pretty sleepy this morning on the way to daycare, so Piper and I had a chance to chat it up a bit. She's into Knock-Knock jokes right now, thanks to her friends Camrie and Caden. Only they're all too young to understand the jist of them so they kind of just say " knock-knock " " who's there?" " banana" banana who ?" " banana peel " (PAUSE) "haha that's so funny mommy!" SO of course I have to laugh too for so many reasons. One, their innocence, I need to cherish it while I can. Two, it's a great sound to hear, your child's laughter. And three, how can I not laugh when our daughter is trying to entertain me! So we had several knock-knock jokes that really went no where joke-wise but took Piper and I a few steps further on our mother-daughter journey. I did finally get one through to her that she may repeat, so if she asks you knock-knock, just g...