Lilli's 3rd Birthday, Re-enlistment, 4th of July, Auntie Paula visits

Lilli, Matthew, and Josiah (Josiah's dad, Greg, pushing all three  of them)

Ben's sister, Paula, came out to visit us over the 4th of July weekend

I know I know I know!  I have got to stop waiting so long to post.  There's so much to post about along with some pics.  

I'll start with Lilli's birthday.  I can't believe she's 3!  My baby is no longer a baby!  It seems that as soon as she turned three she just got more and more sassy.  I thought she was sassy before...............she's even more so now!  It gets under my skin sometimes, but other times I laugh (inside) at some of the things she says.  She sounds so much like Ben and I it's scary!  Anyway, we had a little swimming party here and invited a few family friends.  Then we had Bratz and hot dogs, fruit, and chips.  We did cake and had presents.  I have pictures from the party but they're on the other camera and I haven't take the time to download them yet.  Ben's parents got Lilli a swing set that's just right for our small backyard.  Lilli loves it!  She's goes outside all the time to play on it (when it isn't too hot).  Thanks Grammy and Grandpa!  I asked Lilli what she wanted her cake to be and all she wanted was "a pink cake with pink frosting and pink sprinkles."  So that's what she got.  I was so relieved.  I asked her if she wanted a Dora cake, or a princess cake but she said no and insisted on an all pink cake.  It was a lot of fun and we were so exhausted.  I think later that day we went to our good friends' the Gernat's and went swimming in their pool.  I guess we just needed more fun for the day!

On June 29th, Ben re-enlisted for another 5 years in the Air Force.  We're very excited and are looking forward to a fun filled journey.  We feel blessed to be in Air Force.  They've taken really good care of us so far, and it's nice knowing we have a job for the next 6 years (we still have one year left in THIS enlistment).  We're not sure what's in store for the next 6 years, but we're very excited and have so many opportunities coming our way!

Over the 4th of July weekend, Ben's sister Paula came out to visit us.  It was so fun having her here.  She and Lilli became fast friends and every time Lilli talked to Paula, she had to say her name.  Every time!  "Hey Paula!"  "Yes Paula"  "No Paula."  It was funny!  It was fun having "table talk" and staying up late with her.  She came in late Thursday night, around midnight.  Then we got up Friday and chilled for a bit and then went shopping for some clothes for our trip in August.  We're getting family pics taken by my sister.  Saturday was the big celebration.  We went to the Gernats' again and had a blast!  Get it....blast!  4th of July!  Fireworks!  ANYWAY, there was a ton of food and we went swimming again.  There was volleyball and catching up to do as well!  Then later that night we watched (from a distance) the fireworks from Patriots Park.  Lilli wasn't really interested.  She and Matthew just ran around with glow sticks.  The boys were asleep so they didn't get to enjoy the beautiful fireworks.  It was so fun and we had such a great Fourth!  I love this holiday and all it represents.  It really puts things into perspective being in the military and knowing what sacrifices were and are continuing to be made (not that those of you who AREN'T in the military don't appreciate the sacrifices, I know you do).

Well, I think I'm all caught up now.  

The boys are getting so big!  They just had their 6 month appnts on the 1st.  Alex weighed 15 pounds and was 25 inches.  Aidan weighed 13 pounds and was 25.5 inches.  So Alex is still the hefty one or is juicy, as one of Ben's co-workers likes to say.  They're now eating table food and baby food.  Aidan isn't really a fan of baby food but he will eat regular table food.  Alex will pretty much eat anything you put in his mouth.  Aidan likes to spit the baby food out.  Though I have to say, he's getting better at eating it now.  It just took him a little longer.  Alex has 2 teeth coming in now and more are coming.  Aidan still doesn't have teeth but I know they're coming too.  Both of them were so grumpy today and had fevers and swollen gums.  Sad!  Alex is rolling everywhere.  I think he'll be crawling here soon.  It's kind of frustrating because at nights he rolls on his stomach and then won't roll back to his back, so he just sits and cries and cries and cries.  I've been trying to roll up blankets to stop him from rolling over but that makes him even more frustrated.  I don't know.  It's frustrating!  And little Aidan is just scooting everywhere.  They both are moving around and are little chatter boxes.  I love it!

Ben is still running!  He's running 6 miles tomorrow!  Crazy!  But he's losing so much weight!  Not that he didn't look hot before, but now he looks super oober hot!  I'm glad he's enjoying it though.  We found out today that he will NOT be deploying anytime before January.  That's a relief I have to say!  It will give us some more time to spend together and going on vacations and stuff.  

My brother Brady just got back from his mission in Latvia TODAY!!  My sister Kandyce called me when they first saw him.  I cried like a baby!  It's times like these where I wish we lived closer to family!  He sounds great though!  I can't wait to see him in August.  We'll be heading out to SLC for my sister's wedding.  We're very excited about it!

That's all the happenings here in Georgia!  We have a lot of things coming up: Kandyce and Clay's wedding, Disney World, Half Marathon.  Okay, maybe not a lot but just really BIG events.  Looking forward to it all!

New Van, New Job, New Ambition, Growing Up *Warning: Picture Overload*

Ben finishing his 5K

The kids squeezed in the back of the car

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I last did a post!  We've had a lot going on!  We bought us a van.  I posted a picture for my mom to see.  We were pretty stoked (to say the least)!  We've been having to squeeze 3 car seats in the back of our car, not to mention driving without AC.  Its so nice now, to have plenty of room and drive in this hot weather in a cool van.  Every day we thank Heavenly Father for "2 cars that run, specifically a nice big cool van."  Seriously!  Now I actually ENJOY going out!  It really was a blessing we were able to buy one so soon!  The Lord was definitely looking out for us!

Ben is now working another job.  He's working in what they call the Orderly Room and is the Physical Fitness Dude/Guy (not sure the "correct" term).  Basically he makes sure that ALL airman coming in and out of the squadron are up-to-date on the Physical Fitness tests and he also runs PT sessions.  There are other duties that go along with it, but that's basically what he does.  It's nice to have him on a consistent day job and regular days off.  He can take leave whenever he wants and if needs be, can leave work to help with dr's visits and other stuff a lot easier.  He's also training for the Air Force Half Marathon in September.  He's been doing a lot of running and is really enjoying it.  Last Saturday he ran a 5K and did pretty good.  He sprained his ankle at the 2K marker, but kept on going.  He's running another 5K this Saturday and another one next Saturday.  I'm very proud of him.  We're still in the process of volunteering for OSF stuff (the airborne job).  It's happening a lot quicker than we thought.  He's already gotten the results from his flight physical (he passed so he's okay to fly).  He's going in for the Physio Chamber next Tuesday (they do different pressures to see if your body can handle the different altitudes and what not).  He also has a survival class in July.  As soon as that's done and we have all results in, it's just a waiting game.  Then we'll find out when he deploys.  We thought it would be sometime at the first of next year, but its looking like it could be a lot sooner.  I don't think I'll ever be prepared, whether its sooner or later.

Lilli is turning 3 this Saturday!  I can't believe it!  She's getting so big and says some of the darndest things.  She's hilarious!  We've been swimming in the pool a lot this summer, at least once a day.  She's starting to put her face in the water.  She thinks she's a little fish.  She's also becoming quite the expert on her bike.  She loves it!  She just learned to ride in the beginning of May and now can pedal so fast.  She's a great big sister to the boys.  She loves to help out and gives a lot of kisses.  I think I'm going to put her in to a preschool program this coming school year.  She's so smart and social and I really think she would love it.  I know I'll love it!

Alex and Aidan are getting so big!  They're scooting every where and are such happy babies.  Alex just recently rolled from his back onto his stomach.  They just turned 6 months old!  Aidan is my really smily guy.  Anytime I go in to get him out of the crib, he ALWAYS gives me the biggest smile and spazzes out.  It doesn't take much to make him laugh!  Alex is more serious, but even he is all smiles.  It takes a bit more to make him laugh but when you do, you can't help but laugh.  Yesterday I was giving Aidan raspberries on his neck and Alex was laughing so hard and totally anticipating when I would do it.  And it wasn't even to him!!  it was so funny!  Everyone keeps asking us if we're going to have more kids.  Not right now.  Give us time to just enjoy the ones we've got!  They are such a joy and you can't help but love on them (except right now Alex is screaming because he doesn't want to lay down for a nap, Stinker!).  They're both teething which is hard.  Today they've both been really cranky and whiny.  I wish their teeth would just come in already!  They really are so fun!  Its been hard, but so rewarding!

As for me, I'm just trying to get through life one day at a time.  Some days are harder than others, but I've got so much to be grateful for.  I feel more confident about going places with three kids.  We actually go out quite often.  Or have the last week or two.  People ask me how I go out.  I put one baby in the bjiorn, the other one in the car seat hooked to the cart, and Lilli in the cart.  Or, if I only need to pick up a thing or two, I put the babies in the double stroller and Lilli holds on.  I read lots and lots of books to know how to do things with twins.  I'm still struggling with nursing.  It's so hard!  I want to quit, but I'm starting the boys on solids so I won't be nursing as much here soon.  I think my body has finally had it.  It takes a lot out of it.  I've been really light headed lately and I'm not sure if it has something do with nursing.  I've never experienced this before.  Anyway, things are going pretty good though.  We're still just truckin' along and loving life!

College Buddies

Emily, Rachel, and me (normally I wouldn't post such a close-up but its the only one I had of all three of us)

Alice and Lilli on some of the rides at the Latin Fest

Me with Aidan

Alice and Lilli at the strawberry fields

Alex (my friend Emily took this pic)

At the end of April (WOW!  I'm totally behind), two of my bestest college friends came out to visit me.  I love how, even though we have our separate lives, we can still pick up right where we left off, as if no time has passed.  Well, except for the fact that two of us are married, two of us have children, and we're not in college anymore.  All except for that.  Anyway, it was so good to see Emily and Rachel.  Rachel's daughter, Alice, and Lilli became fast friends.  After a while they both started to get some major attitude with us (their parents), but they had a blast playing together and were so sad to leave each other.  We really didn't do much while they were here, just got caught up on our lives.  One day we went and picked strawberries.  We took the little girls' to the Latin Fest on post (where they rode a lot of cheesy rides but loved it).  One night, we were able to go out for a girls' night, without kids.  It was so fun.  We gorged ourselves with yummy food at Rhinehart's, then went to the movie "17 Again."  We got home late, but it was so worth it.  After they left, I had to catch up on some much needed sleep, but again, so worth it.  I think we're going to make this an every other year thing, or every year thing.  I love them and had so much seeing them again.  

Find Joy in the Journey

So yesterday we had an awesome lesson on President Monson's talk, "Finding Joy in the Journey."  Dresden did an amazing job and all of the comments given were directed to me.  The Lord definitely knew I needed to hear that lesson.

Lately I feel like I've been on auto-pilot.  I do the chores, spend some time with each kid, cook dinner, feed the family, change stinky bums, give husband a kiss when he gets home, etc.  Doing the things I'm supposed to, but not feeling anything.  I guess just feeling empty.  There have been a few days where I haven't wanted to get out of bed.  I'm exhausted.  Fighting with a 2 (almost 3) year-old is no fun.  I swear its battle of the wills with Lilli!  Just the other day I fought with her for OVER AN HOUR to get her to take a nap.  Did she end up taking the nap???  NOPE!  Then I told her to stay in her room (hey, I need a break SOME TIME).  Did she stay in her room???  NOPE!  All this was after multiple spankings (Yes I spank my child, so sue m), and constantly going up to her room to tell her to get back in bed.  I definitely got my exercise in that day!

Trying to take care of 2 babies on top of the crazy 2 year-old is exhausting.  The constant worry of how much milk I'm going to have today, or are they even going to take naps today, or will it take 2 hours to get them to bed tonight, or how many times are they going to get up tonight.  Someone asked me yesterday what I do when both babies are screaming and I told her that I have to set them down and leave the room.  Somedays I have the patience to spend 2 hours comforting them and some days I just can't take it.  Rarely do they sleep at the same time during the day.  I've got 3 small bags (shopping bags) full of stinky diapers.  I have to do laundry ATLEAST once a day to keep up.  I've been pooped on, peed on, puked on, boogied on.  You name any bodily fluid and I can almost guarantee you its been on me.   

Saturday was my first attempt at taking all 3 kids out, by myself.  It would have been fine, but Lilli was whining and crying THE WHOLE TIME!!  How did I do it??  I put Alex in the baby bjiorn, Aidan was in his car seat, and I put Lilli in the cart (or buggy to you southerners).  Yes I got constant stares, and I overheard one couple say, "Wow!  She's got her hands full!"  Thanks people!!!  Needless to say, we just went to Target and then I was done.  I packed the kids back in the car (our car has NO AC) and headed back home (in 94 degree weather).  Will I do that again?  Not anytime soon, and definitely NOT during nap time (or when Lilli's SUPPOSED to take a nap).  Boy do we need a van!

I feel like I'm always cleaning the house.  I spend a day cleaning and it takes a second for it to be dirty again.  I feel like a single parent all day, every day.  Ben works nights so he's gone all night and then he sleeps during the day.  Sometimes he has extra duties at work, so he doesn't come home until noon, and then he has to sleep.  Many of my friends' husbands have crazier shifts and I don't envy them at all, but it's still hard.  We've been doing this for 4 months and I hate it. 

There!  Now that I got that off my chest, back to the whole point of this blog (besides venting).  Even though things are hard right now, I have to think that they could always be worse.  Not only do I need to find joy in my family, be grateful my husband has a stable job and that we have the means to take care of ourselves, but I need to say, "Find joy in the journey."  The house can wait, but my family won't.  They need me.  I want to create fun memories that they'll have for forever.  I need to remember the things that bring me joy, and know that no matter what, the Lord is aware of me and my trials.  He loves me.  He knows I'm trying my best.  As long as I'm doing my part, He'll do the rest.  How grateful I am to be a member of the Church and to have wonderful, inspiring talks, and lessons (like yesterdays) that give me the motivation to keep on keepin' on!

The things that bring me joy!

Roly Poly

Not to brag, but I think she's so beautiful!

Aidan

Alex

It's official!  Today both my boys rolled over from their backs to their bellies, both ways!  What a proud moment!

Some Alone Time

This what happens when you leave a 2 year old in the back yard with some potting soil.  She was NOT supposed to play with that dirt, but did anyway.  This was the result!

Tummy Time

The boys are getting so big.  We took them to the doctor's and Alex's stats were: 22 inches, 12lbs 5 oz.  Aidan's stats were: 24 inches, 10lbs 11 oz.  These are pictures of them doing tummy time.  Aidan can lift up no problem, but Alex has some difficulty because of his big head!  The whole time he was on his belly he would not lift his head.  He would just lay there.  It was funny!