Captured Cuteness!

I just had to post some recent pictures because I am in awe at how quickly my sweet peas are becoming little ladies. Here are a few pictures of my beautiful year and a half year olds! They have developed such precious personalities and are so perfectly unique. Karis is still content to fill a lap, while Kelsie is constantly on the move! They love giving kisses, waving bye-bye, saying "Howdy", being outside, swinging, going down the slide, rearranging things, reading books, playing "hand off", wearing hats, brushing their teeth, climbing into & on top of things, Elmo, the Backyardigans, stickers, bubbles and much, much more! I'm soaking it all up and giving thanks!

Swinging!

Kelsie's perplexed look

Karis's furrowed brow

Identically precious

Climbing "Nana's Park"

Sharing a juice box in our skinny jeans

riding the see-saw

Eating Cake

Mmmmm...and ice cream

Playing with toys & friends

"Hello, Brown Eyes!"

Being tossed & caught by Daddy

Thank you for the blessings you bestow, Lord!! You are good!

On the job!

I have always wanted to be a Mom. My Mother will testify to that being what I've wanted since I was 8 years old. It is what I love and up until this past month, I was resolved to reply with a resounding "No" to anyone that would approach me with a job offer.

I was contacted by my old employer (C.C.Creations) about 3 months ago with a job offer. Though very grateful to be considered, I declined, due to the fact that I'm not willing to give up valuable time of being with & raising my girls. I was contacted by them again about a month ago with another job offer for a different position. Naturally, I felt very flattered to be thought of, but declined that offer as well. To my surprise, I heard back a third time, and this time Ian and I thought it more than just coincidence that this would come up time & time again. So after prayerful consideration and watching the Lord orchestrate every detail, we decided to accept a part time offer.

This week was my first time back at CCCreations! I am their Tuesday/Thursday receptionist. I work from 11am-5:30pm (13 hours a week) only for October & November. Ian and I have discussed putting the girls into the Kingdom Kids program at Grace, but the soonest that could possibly happen is Sept.2012, and only then would I consider going back to work again part time. I am very thankful to the Lord for this opportunity, however brief! It is a nice change of pace being in the work environment again. I am also SO grateful for my loving husband and amazing family & friends who are willing to watch the girls while I am away!! Without them, this wouldn't have been possible. 

This is what Tuesdays & Thursdays look like: I wake up with the girls at 8:30, feed them breakfast, get them ready for the day, and am with them until 10:30. Ian then wakes up, feeds them lunch, lays them down for nap, and is with them until he needs to go to work at 3pm. The girls are then in the care of Nana or another loved one until I get home at 5:45. Throw a little vehicle swapping in the mix and it's worked out pretty well! This is a challenging adjustment, but Ian and I really believe this is what the Lord was asking us to do temporarily, so we're making it work. We know that God will use this opportunity to challenge us in areas where we need growth. 

Pray for me, if you will. This is the longest period of time that I've been away from my girls on a weekly basis, and it's a constant struggle for me to rely on others to look after and care for them, when I feel like it's always been solely my job. But then again, I see the harm in that thinking as well. True that I am the best one to be caretaker, but I should not be the only one that is able to do so. I am not a very trusting person and it is difficult for me to leave them with anyone, knowing that my eyes aren't upon them. I'm constantly afraid that I will miss something that should've been around to see. That's why this is a good adjustment. I need to learn to leave them in the Lord's care and trust that all will be well. 

Thank you for your continued prayers!
They are always needed & much appreciated!

Growing up!

I can't believe my girls are almost a year and a half old! I feel so blessed to be in the company of the Lord's precious little angels!