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!

Merry Christmas 2011!

I have to say this was the most exciting Christmas that we have ever had as Gracie and Bailey were fully aware that Santa Clause was going to leave surprises. We have the tradition of having Preston's parents over to watch the twins open their presents and to join us for Christmas breakfast and mimosas. The twins ran down the stairs and immediately say the gifts that Santa had left. They were so excited about their new toys. Gracie got a doll house and "real" tea party set and Bailey had a new tricycle and truck that talks. They honestly would have been happy with only one present as all they wanted to do was play with each present they unwrapped. We had to talk them into opening more presents as they were so into each one that they opened. They loved helping Daddy put together their new stroller for their Bitty Baby twins that Grammy and Daddy Bob gave them. One of their favorite toys has been their Mr. and Mrs. Potato heads. My sister, Mary Ellen invited us to Christmas dinner at their house and the twins were so excited to visit with their cousins Lauren and Andy and to see what Santa had left for them. We had a blessed day watching our little miracles enjoy the festivities of celebrating Christmas!

The Night Before Christmas

We celebrated Christmas Eve by first attending a 9am church service. Gracie and Bailey had fun in Waumba Land learning all about the Birthday of Jesus while Preston and I enjoyed the service. We came home to put the twins down for a nap but Bailey was too excited to nap. I was trying to get done a million things and it was not the time for him to refuse his nap and so I turned off the monitor so I couldn't hear him playing in bed. When I turned back on the monitor I could hear him singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus." I found it hard to continue to be upset with my little guy for being so excited. We then headed to Preston's parents home to celebrate with his family. We have the tradition of retelling the Christmas scripture, opening presents and then enjoying a yummy dinner. The twins were absolutely spoiled by their Grammy and Daddy Bob and they opened about a million presents. They had fun helping to be Santa clause and handing out all the presents. It was fun to see all the cousins interacting as this was their cousin, Baby Mary Elizabeth's very first Christmas. After the fun Christmas Eve night we headed home to leave out cookies for Santa and his reindeer.

Pancakes!

This morning I asked the twins what they wanted for breakfast and my Bailey said "Pancakes, Mom please, Pancakes!" I couldn't say no to my sweet boy and so pancakes it was for breakfast. I pulled up two chairs to the counter for my little helpers. Gracie and Bailey loved helping out with the process and it made a sweet memory that I will always think of whenever I eat pancakes.