Daddy's Birthday Cake

Gracie and Bailey LOVE celebrating Birthdays. They were so excited when I told them that today is Daddy's Birthday and that we had to get ready for his party. As a stay at home mom I was also excited that his Birthday provided us with a whole day's worth of activities. We started by making Daddy a special Birthday cake. The twins love to help me cook and I always try to let me be involved even if it does mean a couple of slobbery fingers in the cake batter. Gracie and Bailey stayed busy coloring Birthday cards while the cake baked in the oven. Next it was their favorite part of putting sprinkles on the cake and then they helped me to wrap all of the presents. I really couldn't believe that these things took us literally all day long to complete. If I was just on my own then I am sure they probably would have taken a little less then two hours! The twins were SUPER excited to show Daddy all of their hard work. As soon as he walked in the door they started singing "Happy Birthday" and we had the candles lit and ready. I was so glad that I also had the camera ready as their excitement was too cute. After doing a small party at the house, Preston and I were blessed to be able to drop the kiddos off at his Parents so we could enjoy a nice Birthday Dinner at Provinos. I think Preston had a great Birthday and we are so lucky to celebrate having a husband and Daddy who works so hard for us to be able to have fun each and every day!

Fishies with Aunt Kara

I received a call at 10:30 one night and it was Preston's little sister, Kara. She asked if the twins and I had anything going on the next day and she begged for us to come to the aquarium with her and her boyfriend, Ashley. She explained...it is so much more fun with little kids. I thought to myself "goodness it is 10:30pm and you want us to do this tomorrow?" After thinking about it for a couple minutes I figured that I do stay at home and we really did not have anything going on the next day and so why not be spontaneous and surprise the little ones with a trip to see the "fishies" as they call them. Kara's boyfriend, Ashley received super bonus points on the trip because poor Bailey got car sick on the way to the aquarium. Ashley was in the back and he was so kind to help out my little buddy. After a quick change of clothes for Bailey we were off to see the fishies. The twins loved watching all the fish. Gracie's favorite was the penguins because they loved to chase Aunt Kara's bright red pocketbook. Bailey was amazed by all the big sharks. Gracie's favorite part of the aquarium was the "moving sidewalk."I am so glad we decided to be spontaneous and that Aunt Kara was sweet enough to spend the day with her niece and nephew.

Pajama Day

Today was "Pajama Day" at school and Gracie and Bailey were so excited to wear their favorite pj's to school!

On Call

This past week Preston was a "super Dad" as he always is. I was on call for Hospice for each week night and over the weekend. In order for this to work Preston had to rush home from work each day to be here in case I had a call. Two of the week nights he had to feed and put the twins to bed on his own and I was pretty much gone for the entire day of Saturday. He took Gracie and Bailey to McDonald's all by himself. These things may seem little but doing these things with 2 two year olds is not easy as I find out everyday! I LOVED hearing about the special things that they did together. Some of their outfits that Daddy picked out were a little bit funny but that is ok. I am now on the schedule to cover on call for the second week of each month. It is a blessing for us to be able to earn extra money and not have any overhead child care cost.

Throughout the week alot of my friends and family members would ask about my calls and how I was doing. I would give generic information like that I had to notify a family that their loved one had passed or that I was admitting a younger pt. They would always follow their questions up with a statement about how my job must be awful. I want to share with you all that I absolutely love my job. I feel like each instance is an opportunity to show my love to a different patient or family. I think about how if I was not present in that moment the family could have been cared for by someone who is not as caring or by possibly no one at all. I work with families during the most precious time in life and it is such an awesome reminder that life is a gift and that it is something that should be treasured each and everyday!

Christmas with Cousins

After spending a couple nights in Helen, Ga we headed straight to Callaway gardens to meet the Miller side of the family. We toured the butterfly house, gardens and rode the tram through the Festival of Lights. The twins always LOVE spending time with their cousins. Bailey was so excited about riding the "Christmas train" and looking at all the lights. Throughout the entire ride Gracie would yell "Oh my goodness look at all the lights." We had a wonderful time spending time with family. We headed to Macon from Callaway gardens and thankfully the twins fell asleep and stayed asleep as we transferred them to their beds at Granny's house. The next day we celebrated Christmas in Macon. The twins had lots of help opening their presents. Granny and Grandpa surprised them with sleds and so we are hoping for lots of SNOW! Preston and I were blessed to be able to go out with all three of my sisters and their husbands to celebrate the New Year. Granny and Grandpa volunteered to watch all 7 grand kids! We are looking forward to our family of four having lots of fun in 2012!