I Found God in San Marcos

We have the pleasure of having our own family minister! My father in law, Dr. Mark Henry Miller (or Grandpa Mark as he prefers to be called now) is a minister who has served with the United Church of Christ for over 30 years. He has also served for over ten years as a Conference Minister in the South Central Conference of the UCC in Austin and as Transitional Interim Conference Minister in the Pacific Northwest Conference of the UCC.

Recently he became the Interim Senior Minister for the First Christian Church of San Marcos so we've had the pleasure of watching him in action.

September 20th was the first time we attended church as a family w/ our sons. They have a LOVELY nursery for children of all different ages. The room that J&A go play in is for 12 month olds-2 year olds. We've never left the kids under the care of a stranger before so we weren't sure how they were going to handle it if we up and left. Well, they were too busy having a great time, they didn't even notice!

Our first week, there is a part in service where they ask the children of the church to help collect the donated food item and bring them up to the front of the church and then they have a short lesson for the children. Aiden has always been a great grocery helper so he bounced out of the pew, grabbed a BIG bag of canned goods and started (literally) dragging it up the aisle and up the steps to hand it to Grandpa Mark. It was one of the cutest things I've ever seen and many of the members of the church awed in unison.

We felt so welcomed and loved there that we went back this past Sunday as well. At both services, I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or if Grandpa Mark always starts out with this line, but he said, "It is important to know that God does NOT keep track of all of our mistakes." I don't know why that simple sentence speaks VOLUMES to me, but it does. Each of the services we've been to have also dealt with children and how they fit into our lives and what it all means. Both times, I have found myself weeping over the truly BEAUTIFUL things that were being said.

This week a member of the church got up to speak about what that church meant to HER. She talked about how her church wasn't just walls and pews. It's not just a building. It's all the wonderful people in it that give her hope and drive to go on. She said, "Seeing little children struggle down the aisles with bags of food gives me hope." MY mother in law looked at me and gave me a knowing smile as if saying, "You know, she's talking about MY grandbabies." (She loves the grandmother ownership and we love her for it) It was at that moment, the waterworks started again. Did I just hear that correctly? Did a complete stranger just tell me that MY children gave HER hope? I've always known that my children are extra special...I mean, just look at 'em. But to hear those words from a complete stranger just made it all crystal clear. I am home. I am where I need to be. And it feels wonderful.

I know, I know.

It's been FOREVER!

I've been trying to start my own little at home business and that is taking up ALL of my extra spare time. I NEVER have time for emails or blogging anymore so I decided I'd get up at 5:30am today so that I could try and get some blogging in.

Today is the LAST DAY that Jason will be a 20-something year old husband/dad/guy. Tomorrow Jason turns the big 3-0!

For his birthday, Jason wants to go "toobing" down the San Marcos River and then tomorrow on his actual birthday, we are going to be going to Sea World! We've got an action packed weekend for the 30 year old. We'll see if he can keep up! hahaha

The boys are just growing up more and more every single day. Their vocabulary has blossomed lately. They are saying 3 and 4 word sentences, which is a VAST improvement from just a month ago. You can tell they are also becoming FRIENDS, not just brothers that HAVE to share. When Aiden sees that Jackson is upset over not having a particular toy, Aiden will try to make Jackson feel better by finding a toy and trying to pawn it off on Jackson. When it's quiet time at the house and they are laying down, watching a few minutes of TV, we've caught them hugging and holding hands quite a bit.

Happy Birthday to ME!

I took the boys on a glass bottom boat ride for my birthday at Aquarena Springs. I now know a lot about the San Marcos river and the water/springs that feed it. Feel free to ask me questions! Haha. It was a 30 minute boat ride that was actually very informative. We had a BLAST!

Another Video!

Mama's little jumping beans



We were trying out a local pizza place in downtown San Marcos called Valentino's. Most of the downtown area is old buildings and this place is no exception. It's got an eclectic feel and it seems very popular among the college kids.

Anyway, the floors were old beautiful hardwood floors and Jackson and Aiden LOVE making noise by stomping and jumping. The pizza took a while so Jackson and Aiden got a little rowdy, jumping around and around and around.

Here's a video for you

We had to take something back to Target so here's Jackson, Aiden and me waiting outside for Jason to get the slushie maker (terrible product!!).

Check THIS out!!

We had to go to the grocery store to do our weekly Saturday morning shopping and for some reason Aiden was in one of his moods.

When Aiden is in one of his moods, which is not often, it's not something you want to be around. We're usually pretty good at dealing with Jackson's attitude (probably because it happens more often) but Aiden's rare outbursts are shocking, annoying, painful and surprising.

He was reverting to his one year old self and screeching at the top of his lungs, causing everyone to turn and stare at the spoiled brat on aisle 4. We don't take too kindly to this sort of behavior because once one of them them starts, then the other one starts and before you know it, we have two kids having an all out melt down. It's not pretty.

So Aiden started his screaming and Jason told him to stop. He didn't listen so Jason told him it was time to sit in time out. In the middle of the produce department. So there Aiden sat, under the cherries and apricots and Jason stood next to him. Jackson and I went on about our business of picking out vegetables, bread, ect. while waiting on Aiden's time out to be over with.

I looked over and saw Jason talking to Aiden. He told Aiden why he was in time out and then asked Aiden if he was sorry and would he give Jason a hug. Aiden shook his head no so Jason said, "Oooookay. Another 2 minutes in time out, I guess," and back Aiden went, under the cherries and apricots. After sitting in time out for two minutes Jason went to talk to Aiden again which was when Aiden reached over and hit Jason on the leg while Jason was talking. Back under the produce table for another 2 minutes. When time out was up THIS TIME, Jason asked Aiden if he was ready to give Jason a hug. Aiden shook his head no and then hugged the leg of the produce table.

That's when I intervened and told Jason to MOVE OUT OF EVERY ONES WAY! Aiden would have been happy to sit under the produce table ALL DAY. Jason did get an appreciative smile from a Grandma which made him feel a lil better. I admire Jason's strong will. Obviously I see where Aiden gets it from. ;o)

Aiden=Attitude

Zilker Park!

Here's a little brotherly love caught on camera before we left for our play date at Zilker park.



Aiden, Jackson and Addyson (who's 13 months old) playing on the Zilker firetruck.

J&A even got Addyson in on the rock/bucket fun.

On our train ride.

Here we are riding on the Zilker train. They LOVED it.

Bath Time!!

This is my first attempt at making the "pirate" diaper cover. It's more of a Skull diaper cover, but still! Not too bad.

Here are the kids playing with Grandpa early Sunday morning.

We were out doing a little birthday party shopping and the perfect photo opportunity showed itself to me!
Eating a Memorial Day lunch out in the back yard.



Washable crayons are the newest thing for Jackson and Aiden. They both would play in the bath for hours if you let them. Rub a dub-dub, two stink pots in the tub.

I've got a confession!

I hate to jinx myself but I'd say the last week with Jackson and Aiden has been utterly BLISSFUL. Yes, we still have some tantrums and melt downs, but overall...they have been on their best behavior. Since becoming big boys that eat in booster seats, they are more content to sit at the dinner table for longer periods of time before DEMANDING to get down.

Yes, they demand. We're working so hard on getting them to verbalize their wants and needs so right now, as long as they ask, they receive. Spoiled? Maybe...

They love to fight over toys still but when I tell that we'll "take turns" and they will get to play with it in a few minutes, they generally trust us. In the mornings, I'll give them their milk in their beds while I run around doing last minute things before letting them loose, so to speak. When they are done drinking their milk, they'll throw their cups to the ground and let it be known that they are "all done" and want to get "down!" When I tell them, "just a minute! I'll be RIGHT THERE" they calm down and trust that I will in fact be right there.

In the last few days, Jackson's got real good at telling us no. He more likes to shake his head no at you...but nonetheless, the point is made. Loud and clear. I think Jackson more than Aiden hates being interrupted.

Jason and I can tell that lately J&A have joined alliances. They are more like buddies now than competition. Don't get me wrong...there is STILL competition but they seem kinder to each other. They like "twin talking" to one another.

Some of their newer words are, "gape" aka grape, "fow-wur" aka flower, "be-be beer" aka baby bear (which is ALL bears), "be-be" aka baby, "bee" for the actual bee, "bee" when pointing to a huge truck means Big Truck, "socks", "feesh" aka fish, "biiike" which can be ANY kind of bike. A unicycle (yes, we've seen a few), bicycles, and motorcycles.

They still don't like to actually use the word "car". They much prefer to make the noise, "VROOOOM, VROOOM!" Haha. Go figure that one out.

Aiden HATES being dirty. He can not STAND to have anything on his fingers like catchup and is always "asking" to have his hands cleaned. Jackson only seems to care when he notices that his brother is getting extra attention due to have messy hands...and THEN he'll want to have his hands cleaned.

They actually like holding my hands now! They don't try to squirm away. We've been able to get them to hold hands a few times but as of the past few days, Jackson refuses. This is something he will shake his head at and then hide his hand under his armpit. (look, we have PROOF they have held hands at least once!)


Which reminds me, I taught them how to scratch their arm pits and scream like lil monkeys. They LOVE it.

I've joined a playgroup focused in Kyle/Buda and I think we'll be going to our first play date on Thursday. I'm really excited to get out there and make some lasting friendships both for our family and for the boys.

I'm sure I'm leaving a lot out...but it's getting really late and I could sit here and type all night.

But before I leave you, my confession is this:
I would be perfectly content with being a mom to just boys. They are THAT much fun.

*everything in red are words they use

Happy Mother's Day!!!

My second Mother's Day couldn't have been better. I woke up on Sunday morning and had DIAMONDS for breakfast!!



Then the family took me to my favorite sammich shop, Schlotzskys, for lunch.

Jackson and Aiden were on their BEST behavior for me all day long. They were such a pleasure to be around.

Oh! I almost forgot! I shared my delicious chocolate covered strawberries with the best husband in the WORLD!

Another gift I got for Mother's Day is a computerized Brother sewing machine! For the first time in my life I figured out how to sew using a sewing machine. Woot!! Custom cloth diapers and diaper covers, HERE WE COME!

The peace sign is for my 2nd Mother's Day. I'm also trying to teach them to hold up two fingers when people ask them how old they are.

I wish everyday could be as awesome as yesterday.

LOTS of new photos!

I'm sorry for the recent lack of new blogs.

As you can see, we're recently said "bye bye" to the ole high chairs! That's been pretty big news around here. We've got two Big Boys now who sit in booster seats for all their meals. They do quite well, too.

Jason and I decided one week ago that we were going to get serious about getting healthy. We (I) joined Weight Watchers online and since we've started eating healthier. Jason's been going to work and running a few miles a day. I've been doing more yoga.

In the first week I lost 8 lbs.
Jason lost almost 5 lbs.

We've cut out regular soda and just drink diet now. We are trying to stop drinking soda all together but we also want to take baby steps as not to get burnt. We don't want to do this just to lose weight, we want to make a healthy lifestyle change. It feels really good, too.

Tomorrow I'm planning on taking the family to our local San Marcos Farmer's Market so get some local organically grown fruits and veggies. They also sell plants so we might pick up some herbs for our herb garden. We are learning that rather than just adding salt and butter, we can add other spices and it taste just as good, but not as salty and better for you.

And now with the Swine Flu, I highly doubt we'll be visiting Sea World San Antonio anytime in the near future. Boo.

Let Me Explain...

Over time my other blog, Ramblings of a Twin Mama has somewhat turned into an advice blog for other Mommies that have come to be asking for advice one one thing or another. It's has opened opportunities for me that I never imagined. I never thought that one day I'd be able to write and have so many people want to read the things I say. I never thought that my opinion would REALLY matter to so many people. I have people asking to send me products for us to try out and review. Seriously. To know that people out there really want to know how I feel about something makes my heart soar.

That being said, I still want there to be a blog that focuses more on us as a family and not so much products we buy and review or other advice on child-rearing. The reason I originally started blogging was for friends and family who can't always be around and I still love sharing our lives with you all. This blog will be more personal. More like how the old blog once was.

I hope asking you to follow this blog isn't too much. I'm sorry for the change, I just think that if there is a way I can somehow make money off of my opinions and advice, I should at least try, right?

And I will leave you all with some brotherly love. HAHA!!!!