Helping your grownup kids deal with grownup problems and grownup heartaches really sucks.

I mean....really. sucks.

It makes my heart ache.

Twin Birth

I've been excitedly awaiting my twin birth.  Mama went one week over due and each morning of those last couple of weeks I would wake up and think "Those babies are going to come today!"  But they took their time.

When mama finally went into labor it went so fast and furious that I missed it.  This mom had said all along that she thought we would miss the birth of the first baby. We did in fact miss the birth, of both babies!  I was so sad to have missed it, but happy for the mom who got the birth she had envisioned.  She wanted them to come fast and close together.  The boys were born two minutes apart. They are healthy and adorable!

My First Pinterest Project

It took me a while to figure out that Pinterest thing, but now that I've got the hang of it I'm addicted.  I have found so many recipes, tutorials, wedding ideas, and good quotes.  I do like having a space to save the pages that usually would have clogged up my bookmarks menu.

Here is my first Pinterest project. (And there have been many since this one....I'll share later). I'm very happy with the results and there is still plenty of room on the wall for the new family members coming soon!

Amos and Masyn

Practicing My Cupcake Skills

Chocolate with Peanut Butter filling

Chocolate with Chocolate mint ganache and mint frosting

One of my favorite blogs, Your Cup of Cake, has some of the best cupcake recipes I've ever tried.  One of the things I love is that many of her recipes begin with a store bought cake mix, which means I can easily convert the recipe to gluten free by using a gluten free cake mix. She adds things like sour cream and buttermilk to the mix to make the cake moist and flavorful.  Every recipe I've tried of hers has turned out delicious!

I was raised by
blonde hair, bright eyes
stay-at-home mom in Milwaukie
kind of mom.

Some ocassional "shit" swearing
"clean your room" yelling,
glass breaking
kind of housewife.

Some no sleeping,
trips to Haiti,
new babies
kind of midwife.

Some day and night fighting
"get the hell out of here"
third times the charm remarrying
kind of wife.

Some sunny days swimming
movie watching, random girl days
kind of friend.

Some Christmas traditions
and children's books
loving, caring, generous
unconditional love
"I love you to the moon and back"
kind of mama.

~Emilia Evans

Holiday Photo Essay

 Kamarie wanted to go look at Christmas lights, so we borrowed a friends van and piled the gang in! Spencer wasn't feeling well so he and Savannah followed in their car. He ended up spilling coffee on himself and they headed home.

Masyn was not having a good time in the car.

Crazy car ride.

Bundled up at Peacock Lane.

Samantha and Jordan

Silly family

Samantha pushing Emilia in Masyn's stroller!

Toilet Paper Christmas Trees

Cleo and Koen, so adorable!

Jordan, Nikki, Parker

Chial, Tyler & Calli

Chandler, Koen, Cleo

Kelli & Drea

Savannah, Emilia, Spencer

Lisa likes her eye pillow I made her.

Jordan, Parker & Spencer snuggled in their blankets from Aunt Lisa

Savannah's handpainted shoes from Spencer.

Amos and uncle Kirk taking a Christmas eve nap.

The stocking were hung by the chimney with care.

Mmmm, Candy cane for breakfast.

I didn't take one New Year's Eve picture, so I'm hoping that Cindy will send me some.  We had a great time with friends, Tayler and Aaron came into town to celebrate with us, Savannah and Spencer showed up late in the evening. We missed Emilia who like a proper teenager chose to spend the evening with her friends instead of family. Lisa and papa Don joined us for awhile and Kamarie and Jensen were the last to leave after a post midnight game of Bananagrams. I felt like a true grandma babysitting Masyn all night long. He woke up New Year's morning at 6:30 am! After a long snuggle and some breakfast we both went down for a long nap!

Oh wait.....I did take one picture before our NYE festivities!

Taking a pre-party nap on New Year's eve.

New Year's morning, Masyn saying "Cheese"

Happy New Year!

May 2012 be a year of  blessings!

She has her driver's license.

She passed her driving test with a 95%, but had to take the written test 2x. She is a good driver but I still don't like the fact that she can now take my car all by herself and go anywhere she wants.

I have a new man in my life......

Maysn

With that smile how could you not give this little guy anything he wants?

Thanksgiving 2011