Reese & Grady's 15 month check-up

Last Tuesday we went to Reese and Grady's 15 month (they were really 16 months) check-up.  I used to be that mom who wouldn't put her child down or let them touch a thing at the doctor office, but that has definitely changed since I am now out numbered.  In the waiting room they played with the toys and I was cringing the entire time...YUCK!  They kept fighting Jacy and I to get down, so what do you do??  Needless to say, Grady is now running fever, and the only place it could be from is there..ugh!  We then make our way back to the room and now they are running around in their diapers, sitting on the floor, playing with books, toys, and anything else eye level in the room.  Jacy and I kept laughing, because if you would have asked us 5 years ago where we would be, we never would have guessed sitting in a doctor's office, with two little people, running around half naked :o)

We are so thankful and so blessed the Lord has chosen us to parent our three beautiful, healthy little blessings.  He has great confidence in us, that we sometimes question, but thank Him everyday for drawing us closer to Him.  If I can say one thing, our lives have definitely been crazy, but looking back, we are all closer to our Jesus, because of it, and in the end, that is what I pray, that the Lord will draw us closer to Him and each other.

Well, Reese has finally over taken Grady weight wise.  Poor thing, she is shorter, fatter, and has a huge head...LOL!  She is 30 inches tall (18%), 21 pounds 10 ounces (49%), and her head is 18 1/2 inches (79%).  Grady is 30 3/4 inches tall (19%), 21 pounds 8 ounces (24%), and his head circumference is 18.5 inches (49%).

A prayer I have been praying for my children from the current book I am reading.  I know it is long, so sorry for the novel, but think it is so very powerful!

Lord,
I pray that You will pour out Your Spirit upon Reese, Landon and Grady, this day and anoint them for all that You've called them to be and do.  Lord, You have said, "Let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called" (1 Corinthians 7:24).  May it be for these children according to Your Word, that they never stray from what You have called them to be and do, or try to be something they are not.  Deliver them from any evil plan of the devil to rob them of their life, to steal away their uniqueness and giftedness, to compromise the path you've called them to walk, or destroy the person you created them to be.  May they not be a follower of anyone but You, but may they be a leader of people into Your kingdom.  Help them to grow into a complete understanding of their authority in you Jesus, while retaining a submissive and humble spirit.  May the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control grow in them each and every day (Galations 5:22).  May they find their identity in You, view themselves as Your instrument, and know that they are complete in You!  May they be convinced that Your thoughts toward them are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give them a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  Teach them to look to You as their hope for the future.  May they understand it is You "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our words, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (2 Timothy 1:9).  May their commitment to being who You created them to be enable them to grow daily in confidence and Holy Spirit boldness!
In Your name Father,
Amen
 

BOYZZZ

Car jams!

Reese and Landon doing a little dancing!

Reese and Grady's 1st birthday

I would like to start off by sharing this song I heard on a blog I follow, which I absolutely have fallen in love with.  I am so glad Whitney shared it, because I can relate with my own story.  I am so thankful the Lord is constant, because the last year of our lives has been everything but that.



It's been a while since we celebrated Reese and Grady's 1st birthday, but looking back, I can't even believe we made it through.  Sadly, I must admit I don't know that I could do it again, but thankful to be where I am today.

The babies will be 16 months in a few days, and I am absolutely enjoying them right now.  They are both walking amazingly well, Reese pretty much running, and Grady right behind her.  The 3 of them are beginning to play together so well, and of course "mommy" likes it because it frees up a little more of her time!  Jacy and I both find ourselves laughing or snickering at something one of the three of them do, literally every single day.  There is nowhere, and I mean nowhere we go that we don't draw attention to ourselves, but we are beginning to just accept it, smile, and move on.

I have started taking the babies places more that we enjoy together, because it is SO much easier with them both walking now.  A few weeks ago, we went to library story time and they loved it.  Then a few days ago I took them to chick-fil-A for a lunch date, just the 3 of us.  I don't know who enjoyed it more, me or them!  Me, because they were so good, and the babies, because they were so distracted watching everyone who came up to talk/play with them, they couldn't even finish their meal.

The last few months, I am pretty sure I can officially say I had several mental breakdowns.  I didn't know where to turn.  Looking back I can totally hear the Lord whispering in my ear, "Melissa, I am here, all you have to do is seek me first".  I was an emotional basket case, frustrated, upset, angry, ungrateful, ticked-off all the time, and woke up with zero patients.  My poor mother was the one who got to "get an ear" full of all my tears, but thankfully I have gotten myself together.  I am so happy the weather has finally changed around here, because I get to take the kids outside, and we do that every single day.  Between the kids not walking, and the whether way too cold, I was definitely standing at the edge of the bridge ready to jump (not literally)!  I have also started reading the book, The Power of a Praying Parent, by Stormie Omartian.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book.  I cannot say enough wonderful things.  I pray for my children daily, but this book has taken it to the next level for me.  It gives very specific versus to pray for your children, and I just love it.  A few of my favorite versus are (1) "Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.  Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children"  Lamentations 2:19 (2) "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" James 5:16 (3) "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.  In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone" Psalm 112:7.  I could go on and on, but those are a few that really touched my heart.

I want to leave you with this adorable video of the babies.  I guess this is what they call "twin" talk!

Landon's first day of PreK-3

This year we decided to enroll Landon into Rosehill Christian School!  We are so excited what the Lord has planned for Landon this year!  He goes to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-3:00 and so far seems to love it.  Although he doesn't look too happy in his first day pictures, it is because he is nervous, I think.  He kept telling me and Jacy that he was going to be a big boy and not cry, because yeah, that's my kid- the crier.  If he said it once, he said it 20 times.  I'm pretty sure he was psyching himself up...HA!  As Grady, Reese and I walked him to class on the first day, I was talking with his teacher about all the details, and in the meantime, Landon had time to scope out the room and realize he wasn't quite sure about it all.  SO...he then started crying, but I have to blame myself, because I "hung out" for too long.  Way to go me...  Hasn't cried since, so we are doing good!

Landon's 3rd birthday!!

I can't believe that our little boy has turned 3, WOW!!  It is so fun to interact with him and for him to understand us, but at the same time, I just want to cry.  Like everyday I think to myself...is this really my life, do I really have 3 children?!  The babies will be one in 4 weeks, and between that, me turning 29 yesterday and Landon turning 3, I just can't believe I am this old!! LOL!  But I do have to say I love it!

So, back to the birthday :o)  We had Landon's birthday at a place called Cypress Academy Gymnastics.  He LOVED it!  I got a few short videos, but missed the hilarious moment of him running so fast, he almost did a face plant on the long tramp, and then diving for his life into the foam pit.  Everyone around was laughing SO hard!  The theme of the party was Toy Story so he had on this adorable shirt that was Buzz Lightyear, and on the back was a cape that said batteries not included.  It was perfect for when he ran, because his cape flew!  So many of our wonderful friends and, Landon's friends too of course were able to come.  It was a wonderful time and lots of fun for all the kiddos!

10 month check-up

As I dug deep in my purse I found the babies 10 month check-up sticker stats, so I figured I better write it down before they get lost!  Of course they are now 11 months now, but ya know...  Reese was 26 1/4in long and weighed 15 pounds 10 ounces.  Grady was 27in long and weighed 15 pounds 12 1/2 ounces.  They have been doing great, crawling like crazy, eating "real people" food and I've have also started them on whole milk one bottle a day.  Not a fan of whole milk yet, but they better get there so we can cut down this formula bill :o)  Here are some pics from the fourth, and that was also a few days before they turned 10 months.

HaHa! Let the fun begin

2nd annual Canyon Lake camping trip!

This was the first camping trip for Reese and Grady.  We stayed at Potter's Creek on Canyon Lake for our second year in a row.  We had a blast and actually took all 3 out on the boat.  We set up the babies' pack-n-play and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would end up.  It was a lot of work, but I am glad we took it on, because it was enjoyable!  

Landon on grandpa's new boat!!

Babies on board!!  Yes, this is how they took one of their boat rides..HA!

Karen, Pen Pen, Mr. Greg, Mr. Ken, CiCi and Landon! Love these guys!

Reese and Miss Elie

I love this pic of my mom!  Had so much fun with her! I love you!

Hangin' in our pack-n-play on the boat while mommy and daddy were swimming!  

I know!  Bad habits...

After dinner at the Gristmill

Had some company join us.  You were brave Craig and Juli to sleep in our camper...lol