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Picture Joy Christmas

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TUMMY FUN!

They found their tummies! It's been a constant Mardi Gras around here the past few days! HA!)

IT'LL NEVER BE LIKE THIS AGAIN

Playing instruments at Grammy's house!



I was talking to my dad on the phone on Sunday and we were discussing Thanksgiving. We said how it was a great time and nice we were all together even though things are not quite relaxing (Okay, who are we kidding? It's not relaxing at all!) with all the kids around at this baby/toddler stage. I never said anything and didn't complain. (Even though yes, it is hard to be at other people's houses when they aren't baby-proofed because it's constant running around watching their every move making sure they aren't sticking their fingers into outlets, falling down the stairs, or tossing breakables onto the floor.) So, my dad must have sensed how I was feeling and he told me that when Nick and I have a singleton baby it will be easier because we'll have the twins to help out. Just like how my nieces Ava and Cora help out so much with the baby sister, Emma. He had a good point. Just as he always does...

Then he said, "It'll never be like this again."

That comment really hit me. It pulled at my heartstrings and made me take a step back and really think about these moments that pass by so quickly. He is totally right. I'm sure he didn't know that that simple sentence would have such an impact on me. But that's how my dad works. He's the wisest man I've ever known. And I love him with all my heart.

I've been thinking about that sentence a lot the past couple days. That comment makes me happy and sad, all at the same time. It makes me happy to know that the current hard days with all the different difficult aspects of having multiples will be over or at least easier/different. But it makes me sad because I'll never be able to experience these wonderful times exactly like this again. We'll never be able to get these precious moments back. Therefore, I am choosing to focus on that through all the busy-ness and craziness of each day.

Because...it'll never be like this again...

SLEEPY ELIJAH

Elijah couldn't quite make it through lunch this afternoon. Tired boy!



Snoring and all...

14 MONTHS OLD!

Elijah says,

"We are 14 months old! Can you believe it? Time keeps on flying by and we just keep growing and growing. Mommy still calls us babies, but Grandma Cox insists that we are toddlers. Whatever that means anyway!? I now weigh 21 pounds 5 ounces!"

Will says,

"And I now weigh 21 pounds 1 ounce! I usually weigh more than Eli, but I was sick and didn't eat as much as I normally do. So he had his chance and he passed me up! I need to eat some more so I can again be the "BIG little brother!"

Eli and Will say,
"Here are some photos of us goofing around. Mommy said she couldn't decide which one was the cutest so she put them all on here. We love to dance and be silly. And our favorite thing to do is play peek-a-boo with each other!"

VOTE!

Get out there and exercise your freedom and the right to vote!!

Let's not take for granted the freedoms we enjoy. Remember the price that was paid so we can enjoy these rights. And think about the fact that so many people in the world aren't given an opportunity to vote and voice their opinion.

Also remember that our children are our future. Be proactive to make change for our children and future generations to come. Many citizens today want the benefits of society but do not do their part in making good things happen. Life is about giving, not taking. So make yourself part of the solution, not the problem.

We all have a responsibility to make the world a better place, so educate yourself, and go VOTE now!

Eli and Will voted for the first time today. Okay, well, they did a great job helping mommy vote anyway! Here you can see them proudly wearing their "I VOTED" stickers!


This photo captures a lot of what happens in daily life. At least once a day, I see Elijah looking over at Will with that look on his face as if he's asking, "Will, WHAT are you doing?"

BLESSINGS

I heard this touching song yesterday at a wedding and it brought tears to my eyes. I googled it and found this man and woman singing a cover of the song. Absolutely beautiful! The lyrics are amazing. I hope it touches your heart as it did mine...



Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe


'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise