The babies have discovered a new love this week…stickers!  Thanks to the lady at Kroger for introducing them to their new favorite thing…

I just spent about $15 at our neighbors garage sale.  I got a Fisher Price dollhouse with a tub of people, furniture and accessories.  I got a sprinkler, a kids cd, a huge tub of sidewalk chalk, a fun Egyptian thing for my dad (from Egypt!), an exercise ball (complete with pump), and about 30 minutes of major fun for the twins who though roaming through someone else’s junk was the best thing in the entire world!  

Yesterday, Karen and my mom and I made strawberry freezer jam.  Long, tiring day, but so, so worth it when you’re spreading the jam on your toast in January!

We ran to Meijer this morning.  I have a few more berries to process and needed some things.  More sugar for another batch of jam.  Some pie crusts and jello for fresh strawberry pie.  Yum…

Tomorrow, my brother-in-law is coming to hang out with “us” for a few hours.  “Us” usually means Eric, though he does like to see the babies, too.  I’m pretty sure he just puts up with me as part of the deal!

Sunday is my niece’s birthday party.  She’ll be 5 on the fifteenth.  Should be a fun afternoon.  

And I think that’s all.  Happy Friday!

So we headed to the farm on Friday night.  We stayed until Sunday afternoon.  We were very busy in between.  See?

We got haircuts.

We loved the porch and porch swing (it rained all weekend almost, so this was as far outside as we could go!)

We made funny faces.

And finally, we are practicing the use of utensils when we eat.  It’s going okay so far…

Since we had a very busy weekend, a full-out recap will take too long.  And sadly, our camera is full, and I haven’t figured out how to post videos to Xanga yet.  So you’ll just have to use your imaginations for now…

The Good Things

1. Eric was home Thursday-Monday.  It was lovely!  He got a ton of work done outside (mulching the front beds, trimming bushes, etc).  He felt productive and loved hanging with us.  

2. Our anniversary was Saturday.  We went out together.  Apparently, the 6th anniversary is traditionally the “iron anniversary” – so we bought a metal-framed stroller, a new kitchen knife, and saw Iron Man 2!

3. Last week was full of visits.  My parents were here on Monday and Thursday.  Eric’s mom came on Tuesday and Saturday.  We had a party at my mom’s on Monday.  It was all good.

4. I bought the babies 2 little inflatable baby pools for $1.99 each at Meijer.  They are one ring high and just under 3 feet across.  And they LOVE them.  Oh how I wish I could show you all the video!

5. My son is all-boy.  He is drawn like a magnet to dirt.  He definitely needs a sandbox.  

6. Erin loves riding the tricycles at my mom’s house (we have to push her on them).  Again, I wish I could show you the video because the laughter just warms the heart!

7. There have been a number of thunderstorms around here recently.  I thunderstorms!

8. I actually took the twins to the library yesterday, and we had a great time!  I let them play in the kids area, looking at books and exploring.  We will definitely be doing that again soon!  Oh, and I got books, too.  Also lovely!

The Lesser Things

1. Last night, I gave myself a steam-burn on my finger.   It really hurt.  It’s better today, but seriously, you should all avoid that happening to you, if possible.

2. My summer infestation of sugar ants started this weekend, right after we turned on the A/C.  Seriously, I hate those things.  But so far, I’m ahead of them.  And it’s forcing me to keep my counters clean.  (So maybe that part should go in the top section.)

3. I don’t know if this was true for any of you, but finding a girl name that I like is really, really hard.  If you have any suggestions of names you’ve always loved (whether you used them or not), I am very open to suggestions.  I realize we have 4 months, but we didn’t get the twins names until about 2 weeks before they were born.  And it was Erin’s name that was the final hurdle there.  

4. I’m in “boredom” mode again.  It’s a cycle, I know.  And I know the cure is to start committing myself to finishing, not just starting things.  So, I’m re-reading Jane Eyre (one of my most favorite books) because I know I’ll finish it.  And I’m purposely being better about going places and doing things again.  Hopefully that will really get me moving again.

Okay, it sounds like naps are ending.  And that is the update as I can remember it right now, anyway.  Happy Wednesday!

On Friday, I posted about the results of our ultrasound and some of my initial response.  I appreciate all the comments you offered.  It also come to my attention that what I said was hurtful (a little or a lot) to some people.  And I wanted to respond as best I can to any hurt I caused.  And since I chose to share honestly with you all, I thought it appropriate to share the apology openly as well.  

To those I hurt:

I am truly sorry that my words hurt or offended you.  They were not meant to do so.  They were, truth be told, not comments about you, about my kids (born or unborn), or about kids in general.  They were really comments about me and my fears and lack of confidence in my own parenting ability.  

I never intended to insinuate that I love my daughters less than my son.  Only that I am less confident in my parenting skills with girls.  And I’m sorry that you read my words as any indictment of either of my daughters or of you and yours.

To those of you with only girls:

I am truly sorry if my words suggested for even a second that you are somehow “missing out” because you don’t have a son.  Of course, you are not.  Nor would you think you are, I’m sure.  The joy that comes from boys is not better than that from girls.  It is a very different joy that cannot be compared.  But I did not mean to disparage your girls or your lives “in favor of” boys.  And I’m sorry if you read that in what I said.

To my Daughters:

Some suggested that my words might mean I don’t love you like I love Alex. That I am not thrilled to have you.  That you somehow have to “earn” my love because you weren’t boys.  How it breaks my Momma’s heart to even have to type those sentences out.  I am not sorry that God chose me to be your mommy.  I am beyond thankful.   And I cannot fathom my life without you.  Instead of ever wondering whether I love you, wether you are “good enough” for me, know this: I am your Momma, I love you more than life, and I am trusting God to make into the parent you need and deserve.  I’m gonna make mistakes, but that won’t ever change how much I love you and how much I want you in our family. 

To the rest of you:

I am sorry that my blog today is such a downer.  But I felt I needed to say these things.  I hope you will hang with me…you help and encourage me more than I can say.  You help me learn how to live, love Jesus and my family, and parent better by sharing your life with me, and letting me share mine with you.  Thanks for listening.  

Happy Tuesday.