babyproof

With Barnes on the go, we've been busy baby-proofing our house. I get the basics--plug covers, cabinets, sharp corners. But there is one danger we can't quite figure out how to address...how do we babyproof Frances from Barnes?

easter in pictures

We had such a wonderful Easter! Andrew's parents and sister came to visit, and the babies had a wonderful time celebrating this special weekend.

dying eggs for the first time

B hanging out with Aunt E

lounging at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens

they were very interested in their baskets

happy Frances

happy Barnes

first wagon ride

we love our new ride

looking out at life together

official easter family pic

life abundant

I have a confession. Since the twins were born, lots of things have been falling by the wayside in my life. Things that were once priorities are now lucky to get accomplished every few weeks. Shocking, I know, but such is my life right now. For the most part I don't feel that bad about it--if the laundry lays in a pile for a little longer or the dust in the guestroom gets a little thicker than normal, the world will go on. One casualty of my current insanity, though, is often my time with God. Too many days, I find myself crawling onto my pillow having spent no time digging through the Word or even engaging in meaningful prayer. I am not holy. Luckily for me, this past week, this blessed day, and this beautiful season is. It is holy. And it is here again to remind me of the promises of the Holy One.

Easter is about life. Life renewed, life resurrected. Our Lord lived, died, and was buried...but He rose! He was not to be found among the dead. He lived then, and He lives today. And because of His life, we may have life eternal.

These are deep truths, mysteries that are impossible to fully understand. With twins in tow this year, I've had little time to ponder these beautiful mysteries this lent. On Friday, however, Andrew gave me a generous gift. A chance to go to Good Friday services....alone. Normally I believe church should be a family affair, but the chance to focus on our crucified Lord without feeding/burping/changing a baby was too good to pass up. So I went. And I stared at the wood of the cross. And I prayed with our dying King. And I realized that God has been speaking His truth to me for weeks now--the truth of life renewed. I just haven't slowed down enough to realize.

I've been privileged to watch two loving couples enter into holy matrimony. A dear friend and my sister have sweet little ones on the way. Two people joined the church where their spouse is already a member, uniting their families in one church home. And two of my precious friends who dealt with infertility now have new life growing inside. This is Easter. This is God becoming man and bringing life to His people.

Happy Easter!

guess who we met...

really becoming a mom

There is one task each year that fills all women I know with a sense of dread, one annual trip that most women would prefer to skip. Swimsuit shopping. The fluorescent lights, the pale winter skin, and the evidence of holiday eating all combine for a less than enjoyable experience. While navigating the land of tiny lycra "outfits" is always uncomfortable, this year I faced a new wrinkle. I wasn't just swimsuit shopping...I was mom-swimsuit shopping.

Being firmly under 30, I've never questioned my place in the swimsuit world. I have always opted for a two-piece, or what some would call a bikini. Not a triangle top with ties on the hips little number, but a tasteful garment, often in the bandeau top family. This year, however, I found myself lost. Where do I fit now? What is young-mom-of-twins appropriate? Am I forever relegated to the land of one-pieces, despite their awkward fit on my torso? Is it time to employ the skirted bottom, despite its unstylishness?

I considered my age. I considered my options. I considered which suit Barnes would have the most trouble publicly disrobing me in. And I went with the most cliche choice of all....the tankini. The fit was decent, the top had a removable strap to avoid tanlines (one of my arch enemies), and the design was simple but not something a grandmother would wear. In a lesser of potential evils situation, this choice seemed the most innocuous.

So if you see me in the water this summer, chances are you'll see me sporting my not so trendy tankini. But no promises. I worked hard to get my after baby body back in shape, and I'm not guaranteeing that my tasteful black two-piece won't make an appearance here and there. After all, even moms need a good summer tan, right?