last "Family of Four" photo highlights [Part 2]

You saw Part 1 of our last Family of Four photo session earlier this week. This is Part 2 of our fav shots captured recently by Katelin Carter of Full Pockets Photography.



This is our favorite picture of the two boys from the entire session. They were playing peek-a-boo with "Dadda" and jumping up and down on an old park bench and caught being their playful selves so well in this shot. We're lucky the bench didn't break!



Family of Four (well, six if you count the bumps in Mrs. Blonde's belly visible here to the left of Boatboy).



For what we can recall this is the first hands-on-pregnant-belly shot we have on file. We didn't know Katelin took it until we got the final disc of images. Fitting that such a photo was taken of the last pregnancy we'll ever have (at least we're saying that now...nothing's done until it's done).



The boys



All teeth!



The family portrait classic. Everyone walking away from the camera. Why do we like this so much. Can't see any faces. Can see everyone's cans. Yet, we still like it.

NUTS scare!

About a month ago, our lives changes forever (no, this post isn't twins related) when we learned through a series of increasingly agitated responses that our 2-year-old, Boatboy, is officially allergic to peanuts. We were told by the doctor it wasn't severe but it wasn't mild either. We were to read labels copiously, check at restaurants where we dine regarding the food preparation and carry Benadryl around just-in-case. And, we've been good at it. Boatboy even asks when I'm reading the side of a box, "No nuts?" Up until Monday, we had experienced no reactions to peanuts because we've been very cautious.

Today was not one of those days.

LA, Boatboy and I ran to Target just down the street to pick up diapers and a "special treat." They chose fruit snacks. Typically they want strawberry but this time they ventured out and picked kiwi-watermelon. Sounds delicious right?! Same generic brand. Different flavor. The boys know they don't their snacks until we get to the van. Once we got to the van I ripped open two bags and handed each their bag. I then drove 500 feet across the parking lot to quickly cash a business check. It hadn't been even 60 seconds since his first bite and Boatboy started coughing like he was choking. In a matter of seconds between just thinking he was coughing and handing him his cup, he starting puking all over the van. I quickly said to my familiar bank lady, "My kid is sick! I will be back later!" And, ripped out of the bank.

Scanning the box ... "may contain traces of peanuts and tree nuts" And, no Benadryl in my purse. I had tears in my eyes racing back to the house thinking...

"How is this happening?!"

"How did I not check the box?"

"I always check the box."

"The normal strawberry target brand that we always get do not have any peanuts in them!"

1 minutes later we were back in the driveway. Snatching my vomit-covered son I ran in and dosed him with the medicine. Van still running in the driveway with my almost-4-year-old, LA, still strapped in this prego was ready to race to the ER if necessary. Astonishingly! - The coughing stopped in about 45 secods. Thank God! We went back out the van and sweet LA was so worried. He said right away "I will get the strawberry fruit snacks next time!" So precious!

Lesson learned.

ALWAYS check the box and ALWAYS carry Benadryl. In a peanut butter loving family, this is especially quite a journey we have ahead of us. It was definitely one of the scariest moments I've ever had as a mother.

I'm so thankful to God we were close to home and this happened with me and not when Boatboy was with someone else.

last "Family of Four" photo highlights [Part 1]

I wanted to share some of our last Family of Four photos with you from a recent session with Full Pockets Photography. It was megahot out the morning of these photos. But, thanks to a willing aunt & uncle to assist, the wonders of blowing bubbles and bribery of marshmallows, we had a blast!

It is crazy to imagine there are going to be two more little guys in our next family photo session!

I've broken this up into a couple posts along with some other updates you'll see this week from Blondes, Poop & Mascara. We love you, your photography gifts and your friendship, Katelin!



Love this one!!



We found a trail we'd never been down. So, of course, off the boys went.



LA lovin' on the twins. Not a posed photo. :)



Boatboy carrying a stick bigger than him. Again, not a posed photo.

More to come later this week. Hope you all are well!

Nesting. The 3rd trimester begins!

Is it because my body is really starting to ache?

...or that my head is telling me how big I am really going to be?

...I don't know.

But, I am experiencing pain like I have never felt during pregnancy and I am only 24 weeks. 24 weeks?! That means I'm officially in my third trimester. Wow!

I (mostly Mr. Blonde carrying out my motives) have been trying to get the big boys' room ready, the nursery organized, blinds for our massive picture window in the living area, prepping for a garage sale purge, finding a large dining room table (for SIX!) and putting together a new playroom (office conversion). Along with much more. Nesting they call it.


In addition to preparing our home for two more adorable little boys, I'm preparing in practical ways like getting a rocking recliner instead of a rocking chair to nurse two babies at once instead of just one. Since we're talking nursing, the right gear is also crucial. Like this Peek-a-boo nursing shirt. The Peek-a-boo maternity and nursing collection enables us nursing mommas to breastfeed without exposing ourselves and still looking quite stylish. The side stitching really flatters my belly. I feel good while wearing this shirt! It's practical and comfortable yet stylish. Nobody would ever know it's a nursing shirt! There is also a cute little duck illustration situated on the inside of my tank that is only revealed while feeding. It gives the baby something to look at and provides us Mommas of a little reminder of what side we last fed on. Brilliant!

This is a practical tank that I enjoy now in my 24th week and will continue to enjoy through my nursing days with the twins!

Thanks Peek-a-boo for allowing me to review the cap sleeve tank in exchange for this review. Be sure to check out the entire collection!

maternal comfort

Comfort, simplicity and bump style. My twins boys are causing me to really find more quality simple pieces that are comfortable as I get humongous!!

This is my 3rd pregnancy and I can't believe I just recently discovered the amazing Bellaband. I am always looking to stretch a dollar and find more comfy clothes while I am preggo. Ingrid & Isabel have it all figured out. They carry only staple items. I love it! So practical and so comfy. The first product that I was thoroughly impressed with is the Bellaband. Some people use it when their maternity pants are too big. But, I love it for support and comfort. I look forward to using it post pregnancy as well.

You also have to check out the Ruched tank. It is my favorite tank!! Last week I wore it 3 days in a row and that includes through the night. That is how very comfortable it is. It looks so cute with a skirt or a cami over it. It is a seamless tank that can expand even more...thank goodness because I look 7 months now and have a long way yet!

Another staple piece is their everyday cami. Again just pure comfort. It is longer than my other preggo cami, seamless and quality. It has been washed and washed and washed and looks brand new each time out of the washer.

I have been very impressed with Ingrid & Isabel. The simplicity of their site and their collection is just brilliant. I love the three pieces I was able to review in exchange for writing my thoughts on this blog. Thanks Ingrid & Isabel. I love love your products!

Wordless Wednesday

i. hate. laundry.

I am completely horrible at laundry. I don't enjoy doing it. It's not a priority during my day. And, I have 25 pair of underwear so I have never need to do that often! BUT, it can't be this way. My husband likes clean clothes in his drawers and not in a basket. I have 2 boys who stain clothes. And I am expecting two more boys!

You know what I love about laundry? When it's done. I really need to work on doing a load everyday to keep up. It was much easier when I was just doing my own laundry. But, that was 7 years ago! It is definitley something I need to improve on. So I kind of laughed when MomSelect contacted me to review a laundry detergent. But I do love detergent that really works and fits our budget.

I was sent some new all Ox-Active Laundry Detergent. I was very excited to give this 2-in-1 advanced cleaning powder a chance. I usually just buy whatever is on sale. But I have been noticing how hard it is to get grass stains out. I have really noticed a difference in the way this new Oxi Active gets out stains. And it doesn't break the budget!! With 2 active boys and an active hubby I need a GOOD and TOUGH laundry detergent!

Oxi-Active delivers cleaning powder that keep whites vibrant and colored clothes extemely bright. It is safe for both traditional and high-efficency washing machines. Ours is "traditional." It is the most powerful all product on the market.

I know I need a laundry detergent that is going to fight stains the first time for a reasonable price. I have almost finished the bottle provided to be and I am loving it! Though it has not changed my motivation to do laundry, I have found a new detergent that really works!

Guess who else gets to try some? You or any other reader that enters to win. I have two bottles to give away! What Mom doesn't want a free bottle of laundry detergent that fights grass stains, blood, wine, grape juice, coffee, formula and chocolate!?

Buy a bottle: $4.49 for a 28 load bottle at most all mass merchandisers and food stores.

Win a bottle: Two Blondes, Poop & Mascara readers will each win a bottle of all Oxi-Active detergent. Leave me a comment about a major stain you have faced.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Hey! @mrsblonde1 is giving away All Oxi-Active laundry detergent (all-laundry.com) Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/27v6z7y Please RT"
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.
7. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
8. Friend / Fan all detergent on Facebook.

Thank you once again MomSelect and all for allowing me to review a pair of shoes in exchange for my honest review!

sandal season by Eleven

Once again I'm thrilled to tell you I received a pair of quality shoes from Eleven! This time it's LA's casual sandals from the new Spring/Summer Collection. I absolutely love their vintage styles with classic designs. They are always so playful and modern.

From this collection I chose a very classic brown leather sandal called Rolando. LA loves wearing them. The sole is so durable yet comfortable with amazing traction. It really is like a gym shoe. The top part of the shoe is leather and the inside has a cushioned insole and padded collar for extra comfort. My favorite part is the adjustable velcro! LA wears them running, jumping, climbing and they still look BRAND NEW.


And wow the girls collection is something to see too! Even though there are no girls in our testosterone filled home, I love to check out their feminine collection. Look at these Chloe Berry and Astrid White. So cute and unique.

Buy a pair: Get a classic must-have shoe for your child from Eleven Collection

Win a pair: Eleven is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader a pair of shoes. Your choice. Leave me a comment on which pair you like most and for whom.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Hey! @mrsblonde1 is giving away a pair of @ElevenShoes to all those who enter here: http://tinyurl.com/26d2t5n Please RT"
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.
7. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
8. Follow @ElevenShoes on Twitter.
9. Join Eleven's mailing list.

Thank you once again Eleven for allowing me to review a pair of shoes in exchange for my honest review!

Top 10 Responses to our having two more boys...

As you likely know, on this pregnant-with-twins journey, we found out last Friday that we're expecting TWO MORE BOYS! We couldn't be more excited! We can't appropriately thank the mass number of people that have congratulated us. Our favorite responses are outlined below...

10) "Congratulations!" - several

9) "That's the last thing I expected!" - Jenni (@jennik80)

8) "I wanted girls!" & "You have to try again." - several

7) "Just one more and you'll have a basketball team!" - several

6) "You're stealing all the boys. I want one!" - Sly

5) "Have mercy on your grocery bill in 15 years!" - Emily (@designhermomma)

4) "God must need u 2 to raise some strong men! Just pad a room in the house now!" - Chris (@chrreed)

3) "You've saved approximately $2.4 million in wedding costs by going this route." - Nate

2) / Mrs. Blonde's smile in the ultrasound room /

1) "I'm going to have three brothers!...I love that!" - LA, our oldest son (3.5-yr-old)

have a seat, if you can find one

When we were redoing our kitchen a few years back, we could not find bar stools to sit at a bistro table anywhere. I think Mr.Blonde and I went in and out of every furniture store that we could find.

I have recently been introduced to AllBarStools.com. A bar stool online store that has every bar stool you could ever need for your home or patio. This Hillsdale bar stool pictured to the left would have been perfect for our modern kitchen. It is a great price and they offer free shipping. AllBarStools.com allows you to find any bar stool for a price in any range while shopping from the comfort of your home instead of the hassle of all those retail in's and out's.

For those of you have outside sitting areas they offer beautiful bar stools and super cute tables like the Caravan Iron Patio set.

Check out AllBarStools.com for the unquie variety of stools and tables they have to offer to meet your needs.

And, look for my upcoming reveiw on Boatboy's sweet new ride for his 2nd birthday!

New shoes for LA: Pediped

Once again (1st review: 3/09 | 2nd review: 8/09) Pediped has graciously sent me another pair of fabulous shoes for LA (3.5-year-old boy) to try out. I am always excited to receive new shoes in the mail even when they aren't for me. Because I LOVE hip shoes for my 2 little guys. And, if you haven't heard...we will be adding TWO MORE little guys to our family sometime in September.

Pediped has come out with their new 2010 Spring/Summer collection and introduced a new technology that blows me away. This Spring/Summer it is all about washable and keeping the feet dry and odor free! Say goodbye to dirty and smelly shoes in our home (Can you imagine what it's going to smell like after basketball games with four boys in the house?!)! DRYZ is a specially-formulated, odor resistant insole that controls both moisture and temperature. A version of these insoles sell online for $15.99 but are included free in this pair-a great deal, but is included in the Spring/Summer collection!

We were able to review the super cute and sporty Adrian in Chocolate Brown and Tan from the flex line. These shoes are MACHINE WASHABLE!! And if you are like me I have tried to machine wash other shoes before that don't claim to be machine washable and they turn out awful. These shoes are made with clarino, a wash and wear fabric that tolerates a rough wash and tumble. I threw LA's in the washing machine after a day full of mud and let them air dry. They result was perfectly clean shoes without shape or fit problems. There weren't even any hanging threads. Thank goodness because these shoes have to be passed down to 3 other brothers!

Pediped has always offered their exceptionally soft, flexible soles and uppers to help provide healthy foot development. Ultra flexible flex zones provide maximum flexibility and support natural foot motion. Shock absorbing cushions on each heel protect against impact and distribute pressure through-out the foot. Each pair comes with an additional 2mm insole to customize the fit so it's just right for each child. LA loves his shoes. As soon as I opened the package he got really excited and put them on himself right away! The downside was that his little brother (Boatboy, 23-month-old) immediately said "Want some too!" I felt so bad! But, I told him he would get these too. Luckily, that worked!

Go check out Pediped's amazing new Spring/Summer Collection. Follow them on Twitter too @pedipedfootwear. Let me know what you think.

Thank you once again Pediped for allowing me to review a pair of shoes in exchange for my honest review.

my wife is making me cheat

I mean, that's what it is, right? Circumventing one of the biggest surprises you can get in life is cheating. It just is. To me anyway. If you think I'm crazy or old-fashioned or just plain wrong, I think you're wrong. But, I might be wrong.

We've never done this before. We've never found out the gender of a child prior to birth.

Sparing you the details, I saw my oldest son's head for over two hours and didn't know he was a he until the final push. That two hours for me was otherworldly. It was as intense a situation I've ever been in. We were SO excited. So joyful. So scared. And, Mrs. Blonde was in serious pain (the typical kind of pain though...meaning no major trauma was taking place that God didn't design her to handle). After he was born, I was the one that got to walk out into the lobby and declare my son's name (LA here in blogville) to our closest family (August 2006). It was a defining moment for all of us. I think especially for me. When a new father gets to declare his firstborn son publically a pride from deep within emerges that he didn't even know needed to emerge to begin with. Think of that Lion King scene.

Then, we got to do it ALL OVER AGAIN when Boatboy was born in May 2008. I only got to see his head for like 7 minutes before we knew he was a he. But, still just as authenticating of an experience.

Two years-ish later (January 26)...

Mrs. Blonde: "We are so finding out this time!"

Mr. Blonde: "No we're not. It's cheating. We are NOT finding out!"

/ time lapses /

Banter back and forth. Often of the playful sort.

/ time lapses /

March 1 (excerpt from "discovery" post)...

A few ticks over 30 days since we found out. Ultrasound day! By 10:30amET we got the news we so desired...a happy-perfectly-growing-170bpm-heart-of-a-peanut growing inside Mrs. Blonde's belly! Life! Baby little nubs and baby little swimming...

Then...it happened....

A moment that will work to define the rest of our lives as a family. It...our little peanut...has a neighbor. The same size. The same movements. The same size little sac home as its little friend. We have two already. And, we're getting two more. By October 2nd or sooner we're doubling down.

It wasn't before we left the doctor's office I made two concrete decisions...

1) I'm getting a vasectomy for Christmas

2) You (Mrs. Blonde) can "find out."

Tomorrow: we "find out." Mrs. Blonde is out of her mind excited. I am too. But, I still feel like it's cheating.

***********************************************************************

For those of you (and there are SEVERAL) that just can't wait to hear from us, I am going to attempt to remember to tweet the news which should be around 2pET. Make sure you're following our tweetroll over @blonde1s

a hostage situation

We were good this year with our tax preparations. On top of it. Probably more so than any year since Mrs. Blonde started her own company - Beauty by Crystal. I bribed my friend with food scheduled a meeting with our accountant before folks were even singing carols in 2009. Like I said...ON IT!

Come mid-February, as expected, we found out we were getting a serious sum of money back from the Feds. I really need to rearrange my withholdings! Of course, two kids doesn't hurt either. And, there will be FOUR for our 2010 taxes. Can you say FO-THOUSAND DOLLA! I digress. Serious sum within this context equates to just under 10% of my annual income. That's serious if you ask me. Thanks to the IRS's fancy website there's a nice little Where's My Refund feature. A few days after we filed April 6 became a very important day. And, not just because it was right on the tail of our 6 year anniversary.

Jump from mid-Feb to April 5 (ONE DAY before we're getting our money back): IRS notification comes in via snail mail.

Hello Mr. & Mrs. Blonde...blah blah blah...confusing mumbo jumbo...blah blah blah...Form ROYGBIV8329...blah blah blah...delayed...blah blah..

WAIT!

WHAT?!

DELAYED?!

What?!

(sighing / obscure profanity / disbelief / Why does God hate me? / etc)

Numerous phone calls and emails to my accountant and the IRS reveal that we filed everything 100% accurately but there seems to be a missing signature. Amidst the next phone call into the IRS:

"Well, that's interesting. It seems that particular form doesn't require a signature. You see, sir.," the agent continues, "The forms go through our mail room before they arrive to where they're supposed to go."

"Uh huh."

"Sometimes sections of returns can be misplaced."

"Alright. So how do we fix this," I inquire trying not to absolutely freak out on this chick.

"Complete the notification sent to you and you should have your refund within a couple weeks."

I step by step then walked through the notification with her to ensure I was doing exactly what they wanted.

"Mam, the form here says this could delay the refund 6 to 8 weeks instead of 2 as you mentioned."

She replies, "You should rely on what the notification says, sir."

"...ok..."

"Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

"No, mam"

In summary: The Federal government is holding on to our money a while longer because the IRS's dog ate my homework. Let's not forget, I'm (along with you) paying their salaries to make these sorts of errors. Oh, and, they're making interest on it while I wait (think they'll pay me that interest back?) AND, I never even got an apology! Not to sound quite so cynical I'm extremely thankful for the U.S. government and the freedoms we have. Public schools, transportation, roads, voting...all of it. But, how is it that I can get better customer service buying a pack of diapers at Target, ordering something through Etsy or winning an auction on eBay than I can from my own government?

-Mr. Blonde

how are things going?

"How are things going?" everyone asks.

I finally feel like myself again. After hearing Mr. Blonde tell me, he felt like he was "on a island." I thought, "Wow! I was totally out of it." (Mr. Blonde Editor's Note: To be fair I did say that, but it was within the context of having received a very kind supportive text message from Mrs. Blonde with regard to some difficult circumstances. I responded thanking her profusely for the note and that it was clear I wasn't feeling as alone as I had been without her support.) I don't think I have ever felt so tired and not present in my life. I no longer puking or feeling nauseous! Yeah! Crazy to think what in the world my hormones were doing during that time. It was hard not to be able to even talk to my husband because I was so nauseous and couldn't keep my eyes open. I cannot even begin to explain how I felt during those weeks. I am not about to tell you it was easy, but I can tell you that I was still able to find joy throughout the day.

I feel so blessed for the union that I have with my husband! He chooses to pursue me and love me in a ways I cannot explain. And, LA and Boatboy loved me SO well during those weeks. They were extra cuddly and loving with kisses and saying things like, "Momma, you are so pretty!" It's incredible even in my worst days they still view me as pretty and fun and want to take care of me. How can a mother of a 3.5-yr-old and Almost-2-yr-old ask for more? That innocent love of a child is something I desire in my own life. It's awesome what I can learn from God through my little guys.

I have been able to walk almost every day with the boys. And, dance! I am enjoying my growing bump. Embracing this will be my last pregnancy...I think! I am not allowing all the fears I could have invade my life like I was in the beginning. I am more thankful everyday for the life God has given me. God is strengthening my faith daily. That is my biggest prayer request for all you who are praying for me.

"...I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow; not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." -Romans 8:38 (NLT)

With the help of God I am not worrying about tomorrow. I'm trusting that God has each day planned and growing increasingly comfortable with having nothing figured out myself. It is so funny to me when I talk about nursing, delivering, sleeping, eating, schedules with the first two pregnancies...I kind of have things figured out and now thinking of having the twins...I am clueless. I am finding joy in trusting God with all of my worries (especially finances) and my unknowns. I so look forward to the ride that is ahead of us.

I am so thankful for the family and friends who REALLY know us and are on this journey with us. I don't know what I would do without each of you! Even through the hardest physical and emotional days I love the adventure God has me on and I embrace the beauty of our life. What a joy it is to share my heart with you as God paves my way.

We find out what we are having next Friday! I can't even wait to find out what these critters are!!!

The joys of my boys. Boatboy playing beautiful music and LA organizing Daddas wire nuts and anchors.

if jpegs scratched and sniffed...

...you could smell how amazing Boatboy's hair smelled tonight after bathtime while we were letting Chloe out to potty. It's like fruit candy but more natural and delicious! Wanna win some all natural scent for your little one? You could win a Zippity Doo's Hair kit by entering now.



"Cheese!"

a Good Friday for fishing

We've already talked about how last Friday was an extra special Friday for us here at Blondes, Poop & Mascara but we had some additional fun that morning during our first fishing outing of the year with Papa and Nana!



Mr. Blonde and Boatboy rockin' their boat shoes on the way to the lake.



How can 3-year-old, LA, look like such a pro at such a tender age?!



Mrs. Blonde sneaking a squeeze while the little guy is trying to get down.



He LOVES it! (this pic is Mr. Blonde's current desktop wallpaper at the office)



Boatboy and Papa at the wheel.



LA telling a fish story.



Boatboy showing Nana how it's done.



...and, he's ready for a nap!

Zippity Doo Kids hair products review and giveaway

It is finally Spring! We are loving every minute! What I didn't know about Spring is that it is prime season for head lice. Yuck!! I so remember getting lice as a child and I had hair down to my bottom. It hurt so bad when my Mom had to comb my hair and wash it to get all the bugs out. Blah! I think about my boys and all the places we could get those little gnasties...bounce houses, hats, dress up clothes at the nature center, the children's musesum, gym mats, etc. I also didn't know there was a way to prevent your child from head lice.

Zippity Doo actually prevents your child from getting lice instead of treating the head lice. I have never seen or heard of a product like this. And it is ALL natural. It smells so fresh and amazing. I want to find a scent similar for myself.

There are 5 products in the line. Shampoo, conditioner, detangler, syling gel and shielding spray. All of which I have used on the boys blonde heads. We don't use the conditioner much though.
But I am sure I would on a little girl! Maybe we'll get one of those!? I LOVE the styling gel. I use it everyday. It works really well and allows their hair to stay soft, smell great and prevents head lice. What more could a mom ask for? And I get to give away an entire set!

Buy: The products start at $10.99 at select online retailers

Win: Zippity Doo and BSM Media allowed me to review an entire set valued at $57. I have a set for one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Leave me a comment on why you must have these products and who will be using them.

Extra Enrtries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Googles easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Yeah! @mrsblonde1 of Blondes, Poop & Mascara is giving away a $60 @zippitydooshair all natural kids hair kit http://tinyurl.com/yb7dlq8"
5. Blog about this contest and leave the post link in your comment.
6. Tell 4 friends about this giveaway via email, provide a direct link and cc me.
7. Follow Zippity Doo on twitter @zippitydooshair

Thanks for entering! I will select a winner on April 14. And thanks to Zippity Doo and BSM Media for allowing to review these amazing products in exchange of this review.

a magnolia & promises

We have this amazing magnolia that bursts with pinks and purples the first week of April every year without fail. Funny thing is that when we bought our house (April Fool's Day 2004) we didn't know it...



...until we got married two days later celebrated in Costa Rica for a full week and then came home. We turned onto our street for the first time together as husband and wife and this tree sang to us! "Welcome home! Get started on your life as one now would you?!" I get chills thinking of that moment.

The Magnolia to us is everything us.

It brings an unspeakable joy to see it blossom each year. It's a glorious tangible reminder of a covenant we took 6 years ago tomorrow.

A symbol of a relationship.

A romance.

A choice made to put the other first at all times.

A promise authored by God and made before wonderful friends and family.

And, for what we can recall, this is the first year it's come on Easter weekend which makes it extra precious.

Tonight we celebrate 6 years of our marriage union on a surprise date!

Now...if only my wife would get home from her NCAA event we could go eat!!

Check out some posts of our anniversary's from year's past...

pre-2010
2009a
2009b
2008
2007
2006 & 2005 anniversaries were P.B. - pre blog

bedtime storytime

long hard week & a joyous ending

Wow! What a week it has been. Monday night I attended my first multiples group! It was so great! Thanks to my new twin Mom friend through the blog world I had a face to greet me. She was great and introduced me to other Moms who had singleton pregnancies prior to their multiple pregnancies. I look forward to building relationships with those Moms. We broke into a support group environment with pregnant moms, mommas of multiples under 9 months and some experienced mommys to multiples. We went round the horn and shared our stories/scenarios and each got to ask a question.

When I said, "...I have a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old at home..."

one of the experienced Moms said, "I am so sorry. You are going to have your hands full."

I thought what....you are sorry!! Nice to meet you too! Ha!

...then she proceeded to say ..."Wow!" I was kind of laughing inside. People are funny! Good thing I wasn't emotional and didn't start crying like I would have two weeks ago!

But then another Mom chimed in immediately and said, "Yes, it IS going to be lots of work, but it is so much fun!" She said optimistically, "I nursed twins and had another one at home and it was a blast." She was amazing.

It was so great to meet 7 other expectant Moms. I look forward to being on this journey with them. I'm very excited to be a part of the group and very thankful it even exists!!

I have been preparing for a tooth extraction now since about the time we found out I was pregnant for the third time. Stupid infected tooth is so infected it's a risk to me and the unborn(s). So, THE day arrived on Wednesday. No being knocked out. No good pain meds. Don't need drunk unborn babies on our hands. Local anesthetic only.

And it was just as awful as I thought it was going to be. Upside: An amazing dentist/oral surgeon to feel confident in. Getting a tooth pulled while you are wide awake and can hear every little crack and twist and pop is just NOT fun! It took about 2 hours to get the awful molar monster out. Then, I was on my way. What a relief!! Or, so I thought...let's just say Tylenol just does not take away THIS type and level of pain. Enter multiple nights of little/bad sleep, lots of prayer, ice packs, etc. Today has been a better day. The pain has gone from complete insane to very achy. I'm hopeful it's on its way GONE sometime very soon.

Our 13-week appointment was today. We were so excited to hear the twins heartbeats. I just needed to know they were growing and moving around in there. Mr. Blonde met me there while my sweet aunt watched the boys. Even though my tooth was still pulsating out of my head the entire appointment was full of laughing and smiling and pure joy. My doctor is amazing. He is so excited for us and he answered all my questions for today. I will have more!! I am getting so incredibly excited to find out what these little babies are.

To be honest...I think a boy/girl combo would be great. I would love just one girl. More than one scares me. But if it is two, God will give me the wisdom and peace of mind! Adding more boys just doesn't scare me because I already have 2 and I can do it. There isn't all the emotions and sassy stuff happening around here. So to me...boys would just be easy.

But don't get me wrong, I would love to dress up a little girl EVERYDAY. Get ready for dances. Do her make-up. Watch her snuggle with Mr. Blonde. He would be just as amazing a father to a girl as he is to the boys. But it would be different. I think the world of my Dad and would love for him to have a granddaughter! And, in my experience, girls stick around more. I talk to my Momma more than once a day and see her multiple times a week. And, I steal borrow her clothes. When I want free food, I bring the whole family with me! HA! Love you Momma and Dad. You guys are the best! I say this over and over again but I can only hope to be as selfless to my kids as you are to yours.

This whole twin thing is becoming more real as my stomach really grows, I attend a multiples class, talk with friends about my 3rd AND 4th child and dream of nursing both of my precious babies at one time. Wow, I am really having twins and thinking so often of what a family of 6 is going to look like. I get more excited about raising these children with my amazing husband. The joy. The tears. We'll share it all together! I couldn't of asked for a more amazing man to be along with on this journey.

I still have my fearful moments about finances and selling our house. But, I know this was God's plan for us and I embrace that each day. Slowly all those fears are dwindling away as I hear 2 little heartbeats pitter pattering away in my tummy...I marvel at how good God is! I truly LOVE any encouragement, support or prayers. They mean so much to me!