My girls

Lily: She was crying BIG crocodile tears as the garbage truck was picking up our garbage. She thought it was going to take our garbage can and not bring it back. Later on, "I hope the garbage can doesn't take our truck." Took all I had not to laugh!

Graceanne: She is SO, SO very close to crawling. In fact, it is making it more difficult for her to go down for her naps. It took her 40 minutes to fall asleep and then only slept for 25 mins. I kept checking on her and found her in too many different positions to count. At one point, she was playing with the slats on her crib. Less than two minutes later, she had her legs stuck in the slats and coundn't get turned around.

I am thankful that I don't have to leave my girls in the care of someone else everyday. I realize that there are many capable people, but I am thanking God in advance for providing for our every need until Steve is done with school. I am sure he will continue to provide after that as well. : )

God give me the peace, wisdom, and dare I ask for it (patience) to mother these beautiful blessings. 116 days until Steve graduates.

The Battle is His

I am weary. I am tired. I don't know how to do my life anymore. I have made a point to stay off the computer more lately. I tend to get depressed when I feel like I am wasting my time. I woke up this morning about 4. Not been sleeping well. Thought it was better, but not really.

Graceanne is discombobulated (is that even a word?). Lily is more defiant than ever. Is their behavior a result of mine? No - I don't believe it is. Satan let up on us for awhile, but I believe his is back - not that he ever really went away. Kept at bay by your prayers?

Steve is about to start what will probably be the worst month of his entire program. I don't know if the sleeplessness is from the Zoloft or the uncontrolled anxiety. It has been nearly two weeks.

I asked God if I could check my email and felt like he said it was okay. I then checked a couple of blogs. "The Battle is His." Two in particular were helpful. I am really indecisive. I need clarity - who doesn't? Just pray - please.

I sat down to just type simply - PRAY! But . . . these words came out.

Stealin' a minute

I really haven't had a minute to spare to be on this blog or hardly even to check e-mail or FB. The girls are keeping me busy and my brother and his "fam" are in town.

The girls are great. Graceanne can nearly sit up without support. She looks like she is about to take off and crawl when you put her on her tummy. Her gums are bulging (or at least I think they are). We might have teeth before too long.

Lily is still Lily and has ever more witty things to say. She is LOVE, LOVE, LOVIN' having her cousins in town. Although it is busy, I really am enjoying her play with Chris and Kim's kids. My parents have been the official photographers for me, so you'll just have to wait on pics.

Steve has one more week working at the hospital in South Boston before he moves on to C-ville. He will be home tonight - though not until after Lily is in bed. In another week, we will be through 7 of 11 clinical rotations! Please be in pray that God will make it VERY clear where we are to be. We don't really have any idea where we are going to be and I think Steve is getting a little nervous.

Me - well - I've been better to be honest. I started back on some meds to help manage the stress and anxiety. I don't hide it, because I know it is very real and hopefully, what I say and experience will encourage someone else. I have been on it now for a week and have had only one major side effect, but it is a DOOZY! Insomnia is just not fun when you have a 4 yr old and a 5 mth old. Please keep me in your prayers. It should start easing up in the next week, but it is a VICIOUS cycle. Lack of sleep breeds anxiety and anxiety breeds lack of sleep!

Jesus and Lily

Lily,

I hope that you remember this past Monday for the rest of your life. I must be honest that I have put you off on this topic for awhile. I was (and still am to some degree) afraid that you would be plagued with doubts about whether you really had meant what you prayed (like me).

You have been talking about Jesus being your best friend for quite some time. Over the last couple weeks you have only wanted to read about Jesus when you pulled your Bible out. You have known for a long time that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so that we could go to heaven.

On Monday, July 21, 2010, you very simply and sweetly asked Jesus to come live in your heart at breakfast. You point blank told me that you wanted to ask Jesus to live in your heart. I couldn't put it off any longer.

May you grow in your relationship with Him always. I know that we often don't see eye-to-eye and "lock horns" at times. Know that I love you more than I can say. More than anything else I pray that you will trust Him always even when I fail you.

I love you so much it hurts!

"I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." Munch

Love,

Mommy

July Lilyisms

"Against these things there is no more law" Galatians under 4:6 (really 5:23)

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I was getting ready for a date with Stephen.: “Mommy, You look fabulous!”

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Wish I can be a cell phone, then I can fit in your backpack

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Lily heard a noise that sounded a little like the front door opening when we were in the kitchen. She called out, "Daddy?" I said no, he'll be home tomorrow. I couldn't decide whether to cry or smile.

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I took an ate some of the cookie.

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"Save one for Daddy. He likes Snucklebritches too. " Talking about Snickerdoodles. Grandpa Robey called her Snucklebritches.

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"That boy has funny hair. It’s kinda like a porcupine." Very fortunate that we were far enough away that he couldn’t hear her as the boy’s mom walked up just then and she had a Mohawk too!

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Will you please stop getting in my room? I’m just dressing my hair.

Graceanne

I realized that I have tried to write down and post some of what Lily says and does, but haven't done much of that with Graceanne, so here's a quick update!

She is nearing 13 lbs - maybe over that a little. She can roll over back to front and front to back. She is trying her best to get her bottom two teeth: Drool, gnawing on EVERYTHING, cranky (very unusual for her), not sleeping or eating like she used to. She's getting close to being able to sit unsupported.

We started her on solids about a month ago and it gave her TONS of gas, so we stopped for awhile. We are going about it slower this time. I was giving her too much, too quickly. She ate it like a champ, no coaxing or mess (much like her Daddy!). Hopefully, we will have more success this time!

Her favorite things right now are her floor gym, exersaucer, and Lily. Boy does she LOVE her sister. Not sure that will continue, but it is great for now!

June 2010 Pics

Here you go for more pics on Facebook. I am nearly caught up. Maybe by the end of the month I can post the pics as we take them? I don't know though. Between Lily and I, we have at total of 9 appointments this week. Starting to run ragged!