"Way Back When-esday"

November 30, 2010
One year old

The occasion- Twin Love

and a little strife!

"Gonna get you, sister!"

"You better not, I'll tell Mama!"

"Gonnnna get youuuu!"

"Just kidding, I wuv you!"
and then the little bugger bit Emma!

"Maaammma!!!"

"I sorry,'Ma"

 "It's OK, B.!"

The story of our lives.
One minute Ben and Emma are playing happily,
the next minute,
tears and crying from one or both of them!!

A little Twin Love and Strife!

Poor Grandma...

After almost 40 years of being a Mom and Grandma....

Grandma Peck still can't go to the bathroom by herself!!

Ben and Emma sure love their Grandma!

Thanksgiving Tidbits

Thanksgiving has come and gone and was wonderful!

For the second year in a row, I made dinner for our little family but this year we also had Grandma and Grandpa and Uncles Bryan and David join us.  It was nice to have them in our home and share the night with them.

Today, we had dinner with our extended family.  Crazy as usual!  Tons of kids running around, basketball going on in the gym while some still ate, dodging the flying balls!

The best part was Ben trying to join the big boys in a game of basketball.  They let him play for a bit and it was sweet to watch!

Emma, of course, would not leave our side.  She discovered that she really likes jellied cranberry sauce.  She kept stealing it from my plate!

I have so much to be grateful for this year.

Patrice~ my rock.

Ben and Emma~ my precious angels

My parents and siblings and their families.  My family who loves me in spite of me!  :)

Nieces and nephews who I adore!

 A warm but small and always cluttered home.

The simple fact that although we may not have alot, we always seem to have enough, 

with just a little sacrifice!

I'm grateful for the big things but the little things are what bring me the most joy~

*leg hugs!

*2 lttle voices calling me "Mama"

*warm new clothes for my children

*the kindness of strangers

*the perfect Autumn weather that we are enjoying

*a husband that kisses me often throughout the day

*curling up with my kiddo's under a blanket to read 

*Ben saying a new word~ "horse"

*Emma saying "hippopotamus"!

Last of all, and this is another big one.  I'm grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which brings me happiness and peace in my life.  I'm grateful my Savior and His love.  I'm grateful for the scriptures which though written so long ago, speaks to me so clearly today.  I'm grateful to know my prayers are heard and answered by a very loving Heavenly Father.  I'm grateful for temples which provide a sanctuary from the world.  I'm grateful for forever families.

Most of all, I'm grateful to have a husband that loves me so much that he wants to be with me forever.  On January 10, 2012, our third anniversary, Patrice is taking our little family to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple where we will be sealed as a forever family.  

My dream finally come true. 

And for that, I am the most grateful!

They are 2!!

Sooo...when did my babies go from these sweet cuddly little ones

Benjamin, about 6 hours old

 Emma, about an hour old,

to these sweet, cuddly, fun and crazy TODDLERS??

 Happy 2nd Birthday, my angels!
Mama and Papa love you more every day and can't wait to see
the adventures that await in your third year!!

P.S.  Father Time, could you slow down just a little? 
This Mama can't stand to see her babies growing up so fast!

Mama Loves: My Daily Top Three

 One thing I truly struggle with is keeping up with the dishes, the laundry, vacuuming, sweeping and mopping, etc. in my home.  Hmmph!  Who would choose to do dishes over racing cars with your boy or coloring pretty pictures with your girl??  When I complain about my inadequacies as a homemaker my husband always reminds me that we have 2 toddlers who keep me uber busy all day long.  

As if I could forget! :)  

He hates it when I remind him that I am not the only Twin Mama 

out there and no one else seems to struggle with this as much as I do.

ANYWAY, that is where my Mama Loves for this week comes in.

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.
Maybe you've found: 

• a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
• gear you just can't live without
• a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
• a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
• an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
• an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
• or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!

I love Laura at http://orgjunkie.com/

She has this program called 52 Weeks.  Here is a quick rundown of her program-

"I’d like to challenge you to create a list of 52 organizing projects or habits that need to be done or developed around your home…dressers, drawers, closet, toys, paper, you name it. Let’s do it! Having a plan is a great first step!  

Tackle one a week or more....

Try breaking it down into manageable bite size steps instead, listing them all separately. One shelf, drawer, closet, surface space at a time (unless of course you are feeling really motivated than by all means fly at it!).   After all, organizing isn’t a means to an end, it’s an ongoing process that involves all sorts of habits, disciplines and maintenance. It can also be extremely rewarding and addicting."

Every Friday, Laura gives some helpful hints and tips to help organize your home and keep it that way!

I have just started but found Week #43 to be the most helpful for me right now.

http://orgjunkie.com/2011/10/52-weeks-43-prioritize-your-daily-top-3-to-dos.html

It is all about looking at that long list of  things you need to do and picking the 3 that are most important to get done that day.  

3 things!  

Even with my crazy little Ben and Emma 

I can accomplish 3 little things!  

I know I can't be the only Mama that struggles with keeping your homes clean and organized and the Daily Top 3 program is really helping me to get things done!

Hope it helps you,too! 

 Hope you link up at http://pontificationsofatwinmom.blogspot.com/ and share what you are loving this week!

Hear! Hear!!