My Life

New Blog!

2011-01-03T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, I have a new blog!!

I will no longer be updating this one so make sure and update to the new one at:

http://erpbyalyson.com/blog/

My personal and business blog will be together but you can see the personal posts under the personal category!!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T15:05:00.001-08:00

I pray God richly blesses you this Christmas season!! I'm not sure if the same people read my blog as last year, but I want to share again a life changing realization about Christmas. You can read it here.

Painting

2010-12-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

30 Minutes of pure enjoyment painting ornaments before I hear giggling and turn around to see them painting eachother!! Way more fun!!!

My babies make me smile :)

2010-12-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

Blue Ridge Parkway

2010-11-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

Pat and I got to go away a few weeks back for a long weekend and it was perfect. I got to spend the weekend with my best friend, in beautiful scenery, with gorgeous fall color and no schedule. We had so much fun and came back refreshed and ready to jump back into our crazy lives :) We missed the girls but were glad to have amazing families that we didn't have to worry a bit. I am so thankful for them!!

Some of the highlights were finding the perfect point to stop our first night and see the sun set over one valley and the moon rising over the other. I have to give Pat credit on that one ;), hiking to gorgeous waterfalls, picnic lunches, cool fall air, the beauty of God's creation as far as the eye could see, seeing a buck, the delicious apples, our date night at the Alamo Draft House (such a cool place!! Pat got to try some new beers he'd never had while I enjoyed a delicious piece of Cheesecake while watching a movie), got to have dinner with my aunt and uncle I don't see nearly enough. Overall it was perfect. We were happy to get home and love on our babies, but man was it good to get away!!

Prayer Journal ~ 2 Years ago ~ Today

2010-09-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

I love looking back at old prayer journal entries on specific special dates. So this is part of my entry for September 13, 2008

"As I finished the chapter on patience today in my devotion I know this is something I am going to need a lot of help with over the next four weeks. I am so big and uncomfortable and I truly wonder how these babies can get any bigger & how I'll be able to move if they do!!" - well obviously they couldn't because they came about 12 hours after I wrote this!!

"When I realize these are our last few weeks as Aly & Pat, that you've blessed us with for 10 years...I don't want to lose that. Help us, especially with the birth of our girls to always protect and preserve the joy and love of our marriage and relationship. That our passion, respect and enjoyment of each other will continue to increase and be the firm foundation of our family. Thank you for the amazing relationship you blessed us with and help it to always bring honor to you. I love and praise you in Jesus name."

~ May this always be my prayer. Thank you Lord for continuing to answer this prayer.

2 Years of Blessing

2010-09-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

I sit here writing this, seriously not believing my babies are 2. I mean, are they even babies anymore? I am going to go ahead and post today because tomorrow is going to be a fun family day filled with a cinnamon roll breakfast, our first zoo trip and cupcakes and a few presents when we get home. I don't want to be on the computer at all tomorrow, so I thought I'd go ahead and share today.

When I look back over the last 2 years there is one thing that resonates in my heart. Blessed. Simply for 730 days to look into those blue eyes, hear childish giggles, snuggle sleeping babies, laugh, cry, smile and just soak up all life has to offer. Enjoy these gifts. They are gifts. They are not my own, but Christ's children he has entrusted to Pat & I to have the joy and opportunity to raise. Praise God for Children!! I am reminded of what God showed me when the girls were dedicated ~ post here And today I want to thank God for giving me 2 years to love, teach and nurture them. I hope for many more.

Happy Birthday Savanah and Payton!!! You are loved more than words can describe. Thank you for the joy you bring to our lives!!!

(also a thanks to my amazing sister for getting up at 8 this morning on her first off day in forever to help me take these shots of the girls :) You are the best!!)

New Beginnings

2010-09-01T07:33:00.001-07:00

Today the girls started to preschool!! They will be going for 2 full days a week this year instead of 2 half days. I am so excited!!! They did great this morning dropping them off, not a tear :) I snapped some pictures before they left and was about to put them up and thought I'd grab the first day of last year and I can't believe how big they are!!! I mean, I know they change every day, but wow!! They were so little and this year they look like little girls!! Last year ~ They couldn't walk yet, wore size 2 & 3 shoes (now 6's), had a decent, but still one word vocabulary, didn't have enough hair for hairbows...and now they are so big!! Talking in full sentences, singing songs, telling me about their day, making prayer requests...so big!! So here's a little look at today and one year ago!!

Summer Fun!

2010-08-16T21:15:00.001-07:00

Oh sweet summertime. A crazy time of year for a mother of toddler twins and a wedding photographer!! But we've been having fun. Before the hundred degree days we were taking daily walks at the park (hopefully starting that up again soon), taking trips to the new splash pad, Huntsville stars games, family reunions, 4th of July fun, held our first sparklers, hated fireworks. We've also playing at the park, loving on our sweet new neice, playing with new photo props, visiting with friends, wearing big girl panties, stopped wearing big girl panties ;) , wore makeup, went on vacation, read a million books, learned to swim, got big girl beds, tried to sleep together, fought for our beds, have started praying and can sing Jesus Loves me. Wow what a summer!! Here's a few pics to show our summer fun!!

Hope you enjoyed our update :) If anyone still reads this :)

Happy Birthday Pat!!!

2010-06-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of my very best friend. He's not only perfect for me, but he's also an amazing daddy. We Love you!!! Thanks for all you do :)

We also had a really big surprise~~ Some of our family and friends threw us a joint surprise party on Friday!!! (I think Emily did most of the planning and my parents did the amazing meal!!!) It was so much fun and we were shocked!! I mean, who gets a surprise party for their 27th and 29th birthdays!! So it was great time to spend with friends we love so much!! Thanks guys for everything~~~

Here's one of all of us and a web album of the pictures:

Family Fun

2010-06-03T17:16:00.001-07:00

We've also gotten to spend a lot of time with my brother and sister in law over the last month and that's been so fun!! The girls absolutely love their Uncle Gohn and Aunt Wala and their dog Barley or as the girls say BA-lay!!

We also spent the weekend with our family in Gatlinburg at the Wilderness Lodge and had a great time. I didn't take any pictures that weekend but on the way home the girls were getting fussy and we were singing songs with them. We were singing that silly song where you take their name and say Payton Payton bo bayton banana fanna fo fayton me my... You get it. Well we started doing their names and ours etc. and then I would say "who next" John... Laura... John... Laura... John.... Laura... and so it went for 20 minutes. I would sing about Mommy and daddy and then they would just yell John or Laura till we did theirs again!!

So here's some shots of the girls with Gohn and Wala when they came to stay with us for the weekend!!

Aquarium

2010-06-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to catch up the blog!! Pat took an extra long Memorial Day weekend and we went to Georgia to stay with his grandparents and take the girls to the Chattanooga Aquarium. We had sooo much fun!! Pat's MawMaw and cousin Mallory went with us and were a huge help. You'd never think it would take 4 people to control 2 toddlers!! Pat and I already loved doing things like this, so getting to take the girls made it even better. They loved it!! Their favorite parts were the butterflies, turtles and happy feet ;) Savanah would just stand and stare at the fish and penguins while Payton was running circles screaming "happy feet" It was such a fun day and fun trip.

Just a little update on the girls: They are talking up a storm, putting together sentences and really understanding so much. Some of our favorite things is if you say "guess what" they say "I LOVE YOU" it melts my heart. They have learned to pray and they talk to Jesus. In fact, the girls were with me in a public bathroom and Payton just started bowing her head and saying "Jesus... jasdfjasdlkf... Jesus... AMEN!!" It was hilarious. Savanah still loves to "tolor" and they both love to be naked!! We are having so much fun and couldn't imagine if we didn't have a pair.

Between the pictures

2010-04-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

I love romantic comedies and love the line is Just Married about the picture album. "You never see the hard days in a photo album, but those are the ones that get you from one happy snap shot to the next." Well I have always said I like the in between days. Crazy hair, messy clothes, imperfection at it's finest. I think when I started my business I was better at this than I am now. So I am going to try to do even better at capturing the real life in all its imperfect beauty.

The photographer in me has a hard time with bad lighting or out of focus images and I have to resist the urge to move past them to the great shots. Last night I tried to get some shots of the girls in the blue bonnet wild flowers...Dreams of beautiful sweet pictures of them hugging and running barefoot through the grass.. HAHA that wasn't what happened. They were ill, didn't want to stand in the grass, Bella wanted to help, all they wanted to do was get out of the field, drink their juice and swing... So I was getting ill at their sweet daddy for not being funny enough and when I got over myself we just had fun.

When I first went through the pictures I said... Well we didn't get anything...

I was so wrong!! We got funny faces, pouty lips, sweet smiles, some good daddy lovin and a little taste of real life. We were trying for one last shot and we had them run across the field to get into a tent with daddy (his idea) and I'm not in love with the running ones, I love the ones in the tent with daddy :) They make me smile :) They make me happy about imperfect pictures and I hope not to forget this again :)

A little glimpse into our time in the wildflowers

Family Pictures

2010-04-16T05:39:00.000-07:00

So I have to tell something funny on myself. My sister did our family pictures this fall and I loved them so much, but the girls were not happy during the session and we couldn't get a single happy picture of them. So since I loved the outfits so much I had decided to do an individual session of them in the field again to "go with" the family session. So then the holidays came, then the rain, cold and snow and I just kept putting it off. Well in March I finally had time to do it and was like "well the girls don't look that different than they did in the fall, they'll go together fine." Until I got home with the new pictures!! They have changed soooo much!! So now I just have 2 cute sessions with the same outfits on, that totally don't go together :) But oh well, they all make me happy!! Enjoy, my very overdue post!!

This last shot was my attempt at a shot of them together! See why we had a redo!!

So much going on!!

2010-04-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

I know I have been terrible with posting lately but we've been so busy! I don't have time to post now, but I had to share something to make you smile as I was going through pictures tonight...

What Payton does when you say "SMILE" ~ so beautiful!!

hehe

And our family in front of the cross at church

He is Risen!!

2010-04-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry for the delay in posting!! It's so pretty outside and I've been shooting a ton, so not much personal computer time!! But I can't let this amazing time of year pass without a post about my heart. I love Easter. For many reasons. First, it's the foundation of my faith and life, I serve a risen Lord and I praise God for that! Second, I love time with my family. Third, this was my first Easter as an Aunt!! Fourth, I love spring and flowers. So much to be thankful for.

I have to share something from my devotion today. I've been doing a bible study on "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy DeMoss and it has been such a blessing (and challenge) to me. Today was talking about surrendering our rights to God and this pledge by a late Bible teacher named Russell Kelfer. I wanted to share as this is a time of year for renewal, what better way to start than relinquishing to God what is His...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Having been born into the kingdom of God, I do hereby acknowledge that God's purchase of my life included all the rights and control of that life for all eternity.

I do further acknowledge that He has not guaranteed me to be free from pain or to have success or prosperity. He has not guaranteed me perfect health. He has not guaranteed me perfect parents. He has not guaranteed me perfect children. He has not guaranteed me the absence of pressures, trials, misunderstandings, or persecution.

What He has promised me is eternal life. What He has promised me is abundant life. What He has promised me is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, meekness, and self-control. He has given me all of Himself in exchange for the rights to my life.

Therefore I acknowledge this day the relinquishment of all my rights and expectations, and humbly ask Him by His grace to replace these with a grateful spirit, for whatever in His wisdom He deems to allow for my life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow, what a challenge. I pray you will be blessed by this and have an amazing year... not in circumstance but in perspective ~ having gratitude in all things (my prayer also for myself)

Love in Christ,

Alyson

Pigtails

2010-03-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

First pigtails :) hehe this makes me smile

Our New Baby :)

2010-03-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

So we did it... We got a new dog!! After losing our sweet lab Bailey right before the girls arrived we've been missing our canine companion. I know that seems crazy with two toddlers running around, but we are dog people and they just add something special to your life. So I will be taking on the task of Potty Training 3 this spring!! (And it is amazing how much she reminds me of Bailey, I feel like I kindof got her back)

Meet Bella :)

Kylee will be here soon!!!

2010-03-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun this weekend celebrating the "soon to be" arrival of Miss Kylee Reese :) Pat's sister, Ashton, is due mid April and we just can't wait for Kylee to get here. We had her shower this weekend at our house and she was richly blessed by family and friends. She was so overwhelmed by all of the gifts and there is not doubt that Kylee is going to just look adorable in all those clothes! We can't wait to hold you Kylee!! (oh and a cute thing, the girls know where Kylee is, they'll point to Ashton's tummy and say "Kywee :)" Precious. Can't wait to have my first Niece!!!

Payton the gift paci theif!! haha!

Here's all the pictures:

Snow Day

2010-02-22T07:53:00.001-08:00

So I know we've had a lot of snow this year, but I haven't been taking the girls out to play in it. I know it's terrible but I just kept finding reasons not to take the 20 minutes to bundle up, get outside for 2, come back in, change ... you know!! But I knew it was terrible so I took them out finally!! They didn't really like it too much. Savanah's eyes were watering the second we got out and she definitely thought it was over rated :) Payton was okay with it but was running back to the door in about 2 minutes. It's the first time she's EVER begged to go INSIDE!! But we did it!!

Our Valentine

2010-02-22T07:46:00.000-08:00

So the girls and I share a very special Valentine. I couldn't be happier to be married to such an amazing man and father. While he does kindof stink at the romantic suprise aspect of Valentines (he got our cards while we were with him at Walmart) ... at least he's great the rest of the time, so I guess that makes up for it ;) I think I'll keep him :) Happy Valentines!!

Finger Painting

2010-02-22T07:02:00.000-08:00

As I previewed with the last picture, we finger painted for daddy's valentine. This was the first time I've done this with them and it was really fun!! Here's some more of their art project for daddy!!

And here's the girls in Action :)

Hard at Work

2010-02-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

To make Daddy a Valentine!!!

Family Fun

2010-02-08T10:12:00.001-08:00

During the last month we had a lot of fun with visits from family. My cousin Morgan came down form Maryland to spend a week, My aunt Leslie also came down for a week, and Pat's family from Georgia were in all this weekend. So needless to say, the girls have been pretty spoiled with lots of family love...and a new gift. My aunt Leslie got them a slide for Christmas (the perfect combo with their birthday ball pit) and it has been the highlight of the girls days since. Right when they wake up they yell "slide!!" So here's a few snapshots of our sliding adventures and family fun:)

Life Lately

2010-02-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

So we've had a little bit of a rough month with sick babies non stop... so we haven't done much but play around the house in our pajamas all day!! What better things to do on cold winter days!!

So here's a little daddy love :)

And here's some shots of our little stinker getting into everything!! Last week she climbed into the bathtub, up into the suburban, onto the kitchen table and into my camera bag!! I can't let her out of my site for a second!!!

Animal sounds

2010-01-07T13:41:00.001-08:00

We've been working on the girls animal sounds and I got them on video this morning. Pretty cute I think :)

Scared to death...

2010-01-07T12:49:00.001-08:00

So the girls are opening their stockings at Pat's parents...having fun pulling out hairbows and socks...and then they get to their puffer fish... Payton likes it... watch how much Savanah likes it!!

Here's proof she conquered her fear a few HOURS later!!

12 Days of Christmas

2010-01-07T08:58:00.001-08:00

Well the 12 days of Christmas definitely have a new meaning. I think Christmas from start to finish for us was 9 days and such a blessing. We had so much fun going to all the get togethers with family, church for the girls first Communion, our Birthday party for Jesus, serving at Give Thanks... It was such an amazing time to share with our families. I also have a video of Savanah I'll post soon :) be ready!

Here's what we've been up to!

Here's the links to the full albums for family to download if you want!

December2009

McFee Family Christmas

Clemons Family Christmas

Christmas Card

2009-12-23T08:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks Emily for taking the pictures for our card this year!!

Does this Mean...

2009-12-22T15:12:00.000-08:00

We're on the Naughty List...

Looks like it to me :)

Fun Videos

2009-12-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

I have finally figured out how to get all the videos onto my mac! Yeah! So here's 2 cute ones I found and one this morning:

Christmas Traditions- Share Yours!!

2009-12-09T06:13:00.000-08:00

As I said in a previous post, we had a lot of really fun Christmas traditions at our house. I truly looked forward to this time of year and enjoyed it as a child and still as an adult. There are some new traditions I'm hoping to start with the girls such as the Birthday Party for Jesus and the Jesse Tree Advent ornaments (haven't found any yet). So I have only about 6 friends that ever comment on my blog and I am hoping the reason is I never open a question to comment about... So I am asking everyone to share one of their favorite or most unusual Christmas traditions.

The most unusual we ever did was blowing up our Christmas tree on New Years. I grew up out in the country (until Jr. High) and since we always had the "perfect" real tree. On New Years we laced it with hundreds of firecrackers, gasoline and lit it up at midnight!! Fun stuff!! Since I try to always to leave at least one picture, here's my little girls fresh out of the bath, in footed pajamas, enjoying the tree in their rocking chairs (can life really get better than this!!)~notice how bare the bottom of the tree is from ornaments (all the shatterproof ones were down there and have secretly been pulled off one by one and are hidden throughout the house!!)

Please share your favorite Christmas tradition!!

Roll Tide!!!

2009-12-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

Roll Tide!!! on a snowy morning in Alabama!!!

Happy Birthday Jesus

2009-12-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

I was seriously considering skipping my bible study last night and meeting up for dinner with my college friends in Birmingham. It's been forever since I've seen them and miss them, but really felt I should keep my priorities straight and go to bible study...and I'm so glad I did.

This Christmas I have been thinking a lot about what really matters. Maybe it's because all around me I see Christ slipping more and more out of the "holiday season" with the "holiday trees" etc. It makes me sad and it also has made me so much more aware of the need for Christians to really celebrate Christmas for what it is...

With that said. When I was in bible study last night, that I considered skipping, the topic of Christmas traditions was raised and one of my friends said she and her kids bake a cake to celebrate Jesus' birthday. They blow out the candles and everything. I thought this was such a fun idea and shared it with Pat and we laughed about how you could get 2000 candles on a cake or whether there should be any since you are celebrating his zero birthday... Anyways I went to sleep last night thinking that would be a fun thing to add to our Christmas.

I woke up this morning with an entirely different perspective. I was again thinking about the candles and Jesus' birth and I realized I've missed a huge truth in the celebration of Christmas. I was raised in an amazing Christian home and mom and dad did a wonderful job teaching us the true meaning of Christmas. We always shopped for an angel child, served at Give Thanks, read the story of Jesus' birth and went to Holy Communion on Christmas Eve. All things I hope to continue. But what I realized is that I think one reason some of the true power of Christ has been lost in our celebration is that we are treating this as a time to celebrate the baby Jesus. Now don't get me wrong, I totally believe that his humble beginnings show the true power of God to use anyone or any situation for his glory... but what I really want to be celebrating is the life and death of Christ. His sacrifice which gave the ultimate gift of salvation and eternity to spend with Him.

My grandmomma died in the spring of 2008. She was one of my favorite people in the whole world and I miss her so much. Anyone who ever knew her, loved her. When her birthday came this August, I wasn't thinking about my grandmothers birth (I really know nothing of that) ~ I was thinking of (and celebrating) her life. The impact she had on me and on my life. How many people she blessed with her smiles and joy. That's what Birthday celebrations are about...celebrating the LIFE of the one you love!

I think what I've been missing is using Christmas time to celebrate the life of Jesus and all that he did for me. Yes, baby Jesus is important... But Jesus as my risen Savior means more.

It's a time to celebrate our freedom from sin and God's power in our lives. So this year we are going to have a birthday party for Jesus to celebrate all he has done and his ultimate gift of salvation.

In seeking to find ways to make Christmas more meaningful for my girls, God instead taught me.

Some verses of encouragement and truth:

John 3:16 ¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

John 1:12 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Romans 10:13 "for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""

Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Romans 8:1-2 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

Praise God for freedom in Christ. Celebrate Christ this Christmas.

I Don't Want to Raise Successful Children

2009-11-19T09:03:00.001-08:00

I read this devotion this morning and it really spoke to my heart. I am an over achiever at heart...I really can't help it... I get made fun of by my family :) So this line of thinking really goes against everything in me... but yet it makes perfect sense for me. It doesn't mean that success is wrong, it just means God might have a different plan.

In my bible study we are doing "The Frazzled Female" I believe it's a perfect study for a stay-at-home, working mother of toddler twins!! This weeks study was about slowing down and enjoying God's best. Taking God with us everywhere we go. It referred to the story of Mary and Martha. That while Martha opened her home to Christ, she is busy serving Him through cooking and cleaning, while Mary is at His feet. When Martha complains asking Jesus to get Mary to help her Jesus tells her "Mary has chosen the One thing, the Best Thing"

That is my desire. To choose the One thing, the Best Thing and let the rest go!!

I hope you are as encouraged as I was by this devotional I got today from Proverbs 31 Ministries

I Don't Want to Raise Successful Children

19 Nov 2009

Lysa TerKeurst

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

I don't want to raise successful children. That's a shocking thing to read, and a shocking thing for a mother to type. So, let me clarify.

I used to define success according to my child's report card. Good grades and academic achievement would surely equal a good child with great potential in this world. But then several of my children wound up being average students with average grades. Though we carted them off to tutors and spent many a late night at the kitchen table helping them, they remained average. And I remained concerned and frustrated.

One report card day I found myself facedown in the fibers of my carpet crying and wonderi ng, "Where have I gone wrong as a mom?"

I dug into Scriptures. I begged God for wisdom and discernment. I prayed for God's perspective with each of my kids. Finally, one day it dawned on me - what if I simply chose to embrace the natural bent of each of my kids as God's way to protect them and keep them on the path toward His best plans for their lives?

What if my A student needs academic success to prepare her for God's plans while my average to below-average student needs to be steered away from a more academic future? What if my sports star kid needs that athletic excellence for his future assignments by God, but my benchwarmer kid is being protected from getting off course by her lack in this area?

And that's when it finally dawned on me. My job isn't to push success for my kids. My job as a parent is to recognize the unique way God created each child and point them to Jesus at every turn along their journey toward adulthood. Yes, I wan t my kids to learn and thrive and grow up educated, but it's not a flaw in me or them if they don't have straight A report cards and trophy cases full of sports medals.

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (NIV).

I am challenged to ponder these words, "… in the way he should go." Are we training our kids that the "way he should go" is to chase worldly achievement or to chase God? Whatever they learn to chase as a child, they will chase as adults. Therefore, we must be challenged to honestly assess the way we are pointing them to go.

My daughter, Hope, is one of my average students. She has also warmed many a bench in the sports she's tried, and can always be found hiding on the back row of the stage during school concerts. Using the world's benchmarks for achievement, Hope wouldn't be seen as a child positioned for success. But God…

This past January, my 15 year old Hope, shocked me when she announced she wanted to go to Ethiopia with some missionary friends of ours and live in the remote African bush for the summer. Yes, she may not have trophies and straight A report cards but she does have a heart of gold. And because she's not entrenched in sports and academic pursuits that could have created obligations for her summer, she was free to go to Africa.Free to chase God in a really big way.

One of the first e-mails she sent me from Ethiopia read, "Mom, I've fallen in love with the AIDS orphanage children. They rushed at me when I held my arms out and I tried with all my might to hold all 30 of them at once. I love it here."

Now, don't get me wrong. I do expect Hope to return to her studies this fall, give 100% effort, and finish her high school career having done her very best. She will most likely then go to college. But she probably won't be delivering the valedictorian address or wearing the honors cords and medals. She'll be the on e with a vision of a dying AIDS orphan pressing against her heart ready to chase God's plans to the ends of the earth.

So back to my original statement, I don't want to raise successful children. It's true, I don't. Though Hope's sister coming behind her is an A student and can always be found on the front row of school performances - we don't chase after success for her either. I trust God that she needs those things in her life for the plans He's unfolding in her life. We train with that bent in mind. But, we don't chase it. Just like Hope, we point her in the direction of God at every turn and pray like crazy.

I stand by what I said and I'll say it again, I don't want to raise successful children. Because--- raising God-honoring adults who will set the world on fire for Christ is just so much more rewarding.

Dear Lord, being a mom is a really tough job. Please help me, teach me and show me how to define success for my kids. In J esus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to watch a video of Hope's trip to Ethiopia

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst

The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst

Application Steps:
Spend some time specifically praying for your kids today and ask the Lord how you can train them according to the way He created them.

Reflections:
What worries about my kids do I need to ask the Lord for His perspective?

How should I define success for my kids?

Power Verses:
2 John 1:4, "It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us." (NIV)

Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" (NIV)

Desk Fun

2009-11-04T06:56:00.000-08:00

Life never gets dull around here. Last night I was trying to wrap up some work and had them in my office. They are always really interested when I get things out of my desk so I thought I'd put some random things in a drawer that they could play with. Well I see them start pulling things out, like always, and I get busy working...until I here a squeal... Savanah is in the drawer and Payton has crawled in on top of her!!! They stayed sitting like this just laughing for like 10 minutes!! Funny girls!!

Tate Farms

2009-11-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late on this post, as always, but we had such a great time at Tate Farms a few weeks ago. Pat took off a half day so we wouldn't have to fight crowds and it was a perfect day. Beautiful weather, great friends and a whole lot of fun. I absolutely love having twins, but it hasn't always been easy going places. Double stroller, two sets of bottles, snacks, not to mention two babies... But we love it. But saying that, going places has always been fun mixed with a little headache. This was the first day we have taken the girls somewhere that has been all fun all day!!! A huge deal!!! They were perfect!! No fits, no cries, just 2 happy babies!!! YEAH!!! So here are some shots of our oh so fun day!!!!

Our sweet friends we went with

The girls LOVED the corn crib!! They only tried to eat kernals a few times.

All the kids!!

Sheer JOY!!

I love my man :)

Picking out the perfect pumkin/ playing in the dirt!!

Finishing up a with a hay ride. I love great days!!!

Of course there were tons more pictures:

Lazy Days

2009-10-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

The girls are finally well again. You don't realize how much you appreciate health until it's gone. They have been sooo happy this week and I've had so much fun with them. Here's our pajama party on the deck on one of the last warmer days. Probably not a lot of barefoot days left for this year. It has been amazing how much they are learning lately. We've been working on sharing and saying please (or signing) and they are doing good...sometimes... It's funny because they tease eachother with stuff the other one wants acting like they are going to hand it over and then running/crawling off. I thought that sharing would be more natural for twins since they have to do it all day everyday, but it is definitely a learned behavior that we are working on!!

So today we had our first real accident. The girls have both fallen and bumped their heads, Payton's had tons of bruises...but today we had blood... The girls and I met Pat for lunch at Chick-fil-a and we had a few minutes before Pat had to be back at work and thought we'd let them see the play area. They love watching older kids play and call them all babies... They had a little toddler wall with a steering wheel and sounds toys etc. and the girls were having fun. Then Payton climbed one of the steps up the tower and when she came down the other side it was a little tall and she fell hard on her face. She came up with her mouth pouring blood. We really didn't know what to do. She was screaming and I couldn't see her front teeth and thought they were gone. Thankfully it was just a badly busted lip and she's fine. Pat and I were both a little shaken up... It's funny how it was so scary even though we knew she was really okay, you just don't want them to hurt. So I know this will hardly be the last time for this...but today was the first.

Halloween sneak peek

2009-10-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

So the girls Halloween costumes came in Friday and I just had to try them on them...then I HAD to take some pictures because they looked so cute!!! Meet our Fairies :) (A big thanks to my aunts in Maryland for the gift card for their birthdays that got them some super cute fall clothes and these costumes!!!)

Life Lately

2009-10-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

From 13 months

So my sweet sister in law told me I NEED TO BLOG!! So here's a quick one about this last week. The girls are just growing up so fast!! Since I blogged last the girls have started going to Mothers Day out 2 days a week and it's been great. They are doing good with it, mostly only crying when I leave them. I think it's been great for me and them!! Here's a picture before they went to meet the teacher (look they wear shoes now!!)and what we do when they get home!! (When I signed them up for four hours, I had no idea I'd really get 6-7 hours because they come home and crash for 2-3 hours!!)

From 13 months

after their first day of Mothers Day Out...so tired!

From 13 months

Here's a little about Payton lately: she's walking/running everywhere, she tries to carry all the toys with her, She learned to say Uh-oh and says it all the time in different pitches (very funny) and she's finally giving kisses! Savanah's been giving us sloppy kisses for a while so we are excited about this!

From 13 months

Savanah: still not walking, but crawling and cruising everywhere, standing up in her crib, and she's gotten very attached to me and wants to be held all day!! I'm not sure that she's been feeling great lately, she's been a lot fussier than her normal self, so I am hoping to get my Sweet Savanah back soon, yesterday was a better day!

From 13 months

Both of them love their toys from the birthday and are getting a bigger vocabulary. If you tell them to LOVE something, they hug it really tight and rock it side to side, so cute!! They can tell me when want their milk and they can go get you a specific toy you ask for. And of course neither of them like for mommy to work for long and here's now they tell me... would you want to work (or blog) either???

From 13 months

Our Girls are One!!!

2009-09-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

I really can't believe a year has passed since I first held my tiny babies. They were hooked up to IV's weighing 4-13 and 4-15~ so tiny they fit in daddy's hands...

Wow we've come a long way!!! I really can't even describe the joy they bring to our lives everyday!!! I praise God for entrusting them to us to raise and love. We had a really fun birthday celebration with family and a few close friends and it was wonderful. Pat and the Clemons guys cooked an amazing meal of a shrimp boil, with shrimp, sausage, crawfish, potatoes, green beans and corn. My mom and Pat's mom made homeade sourdough rolls, macaroni and cheese and hashbrown casserole. And I contributed the sweets table!! It was delicious!!! The girls had so much fun playing with their toys and eating... no devouring...their cakes!! I praise God for a great year and pray for many more to come!!! Here's some pictures of the party and their one year pictures. Links to more at the bottom :)

What an amazing year it's been!!!

Party Pics
One Year Pics

Promotion!!!

2009-08-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Many of you know my assistant for most of my weddings is my sister and she does an amazing job! Though she is fantastic with a camera, God has truly gifted her in cosmetology. So in light of her new job at Twisted Scissors Salon, and to congratulate and support her I am offering a promotion!! I know I have the best clients ever so I want her to have them too!!!

Any of my clients (or really anyone who would like THE PRIZE~ meaning a friend, grandparent or guest at any of my events) ~ who book an appointment with Emily in 2009 will get 3 of their favorite image files for FREE!! (that's a $100 value not to mention a great haircut!!) Just for having an appointment with Emily. I have no doubt if she does your hair once, you'll go back, because she is seriously AWESOME at what she does!!! Not only will she give you a great cut, but she's great at seeing what will look good on you and helping you to style it etc.

She does it all: haircuts, styles, color, highlights, up dos, waxing, manicures, pedicures ~ as long as your appointment is in 2009 and your purchase is over $30 you qualify!! Just let Emily know when you go and she'll get your email address for me to follow up and send your files.

Also FYI for new brides... she will still be shooting weddings with me (YEAH!!) so not only do you get her as an amazing second shooter, but you have an onsite cosmetologist for the day! I can't tell you how many times she has put in veils, fixed the brides curls or makeup. She is also available for appointments on-site on the wedding day for hair/makeup for any of the wedding party, bride or family!!

Here's Emily (with her sweet, full-grown 3lb. poodle Sophie) and one of her beautiful wedding day up do's!!

Payton's first steps

2009-08-21T09:26:00.001-07:00

We went to dinner with our friends Rick and Coleen and their kids on Friday the 11th, right before the girls 11 month birthday... (their last un-birthday before the real thing!!!) and after dinner we were playing in the grass and Payton took her first step, and Coleen got it on camera!! Go Coleen!!! Since then she's taken up to about 5 steps but only when she wants to... the rest of the time she drops right down. I think that she was jealous that Levi was walking around and decided to show out!!)

She has also learned to climb steps (both grandparents had to get baby gates this week) Up not Down :) Working on that one. So here's some cute shot's Coleen got!! (so seriously Coleen and I look like we coordinated on purpose...we didn't :)

Daddy Don't Go

2009-08-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

So it's happened...

The girls REALLY don't want Pat to go to work anymore. Sadly, my part-time photography income can definitely not support the family, so he must go...but they don't like it.

Since they were very little Pat has been the one to get them up in the morning. He goes to get them and I make bottles. He absolutely hates it on the rare occasion they sleep past him leaving for work and he doesn't get to spend a few minutes with them. So when they wake up the yell "DADADAHHH DADAHHHH!!! (they try it during naptime but daddy's not there to rescue them:)

Starting last week they get really whiny when he says bye to them in the morning. And now they crawl over and hang on his legs, staring up with those sweet big blue eyes. So we thought we'd walk daddy out to the truck to make it better. So he carried them both and I grabbed his lunch and Diet Sunkist.

Well when it was time to go I literally pried them from his arms and they cried as he headed down the driveway. We love you daddy and can't wait for you to get home!!!

10 Months so far

2009-08-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

So far this has been a really fun month. Savanah is crawling!!! We are so excited for her because now she can get where she wants to go, but as you can probably imagine life around here has gotten a bit crazy... so I had to buy a CAGE!! :) Actually it's a fence and it's really big, but it was the only way I could get any work done!! The girls like to pull cords out of the computer, bang on the CPU and hang on my legs... They aren't in it much but I have proof they don't mind it (my video)!! I had a new desk built (that I am in the process of painting) that will enclose all my computer and work stuff and the girls can have the rest of the room...but until it's ready it's THE CAGE :)

This video absolutely makes my day!! This is the first time the girls have really played together to the point of belly laughing just by entertaining themselves. Usually it's Pat or I getting them to laugh by tickling or singing. But I was just sitting here working and start hearing all this laughter behind me!!

Here are a few shots of them getting into and "in" everything and just being fun!!

The girls have been really good eaters all along and have been trying more and more table food over the last few months. But now that's all they want!! They want what we are having and puffs are no longer a substitute. So meal times have gotten more fun and definitely more messy. Here's some shots of Savanah enjoying pancakes and eggs. They figured out that sometimes there is food left in and under the highchairs... scavengers!!

So I think that I mentioned in the last post that daddy is their hero...can you tell?? We've started doing family worship together in the evenings and the girls love it. Pat plays guitar and we sing (not good, but a joyful noise nonetheless). I hope this will really become a special family time as the girls get older. The other picture is Payton "helping" daddy hang frames.

My brother John and sister in law Laura came last Sunday and it was so good to see them!! The girls had changed so much since they'd seen them last so they had to show them all their new tricks!! We love our Aunt Laura!!

The rest of 9 Months old

2009-08-07T06:26:00.000-07:00

For many new moms, bath time is a favorite time used every day as wind down family time. Well this has previously not been the case in our house. With two babies to wash, both of which while loving the water, hate to get out... Bath time was anything but relaxing. So my poor girls got a bath when I had time or they absolutely needed one!! But this month, that changed. Since they can both sit up in the tub now bath time is so fun!! They splash and play together and love it!! While getting out still upsets them, running around naked is super fun and gets them happy again.

When we built the house we decided to not finish in the upstairs but instead turn what would be a second garage, into a "MAN ROOM" This makes me laugh because Pat has the highest expectations for a super manly room, but with 2 girls...we'll see :) In the meantime it is a big, completely empty room, that echoes very loudly. Well when the girls were younger Pat would take them to Echo room to yell and they loved it. So now when you start heading down the hallway toward echo room the girls start yelling. It is so funny!! So that's what started this day, but it soon became screaming, running, chicken fighting and it was hilarious!!

Our sweet friends came over for the day and we had so much fun. Rick and Coleens girls ran and played outside, Rick helped Pat work on the deck and Coleen and I juggled babies!! The girls had so much fun playing with Levi!!

If you have multiples, you completely understand how hard it is to take them anywhere!! My mom and I took the girls with us to Costco the other day, and we got stopped at least 40 times (NO exaggeration!!) You can imagine it's hard enough shopping with them if I wasn't getting stopped!! But I try to be sweet, smile, tell them... It's 2 girls, no they aren't identical, they are 9 months old etc. etc. Pat is another example entirely~ He doesn't make eye contact with anyone and most people don't stop him :) To bad for him now the girls wave and smile anyways and he still has to stop!!

Well it's bad enough with our 2 so you can only imagine what it was like when we took our 2 and Pat's cousins twin girls to dinner. Thankfully they sat us at the back of the restaurant!! Here's all the girls together.

So Payton started standing up in her crib this month. It's crazy coming in no longer to a sweet, swaddled baby but a bouncing, smiling baby girl!! Here's Savanah before her sister woke her up (nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby)!!

Who needs toys when you have lids, boxes, doors and socks

So I want to leave you with one of my favorite things...

July 4th

2009-08-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

We had a great time this 4th of July going to Pat's family reunion in Georgia. His MaMa was very excited to have the girls there to show off :) and we had fun hanging out with family and eating delicious food!!

Callie is 2!

2009-08-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

June 29, 2009

We had a great time at Callie's 2 year birthday party and hanging out the weekend after. I really can't believe she is already 2!! We've been friends with Kirk and McKenzie for years so it was really fun for us when they had Callie. She was the first of many baby friends in my life now!! Here are some shots I've taken of her growing up!!

Here's the girls with Callie at her party and some swimming pictures. So we got a super fun camera this summer that is a point and shoot but can go underwater. It's the Olympus Stylus Tough... When I first was telling Pat about it he said I already have too many cameras, which I do, so the only way we could get it was if it was HIS... So I have to "borrow" Pat's camera anytime I want it! :) At least he is willing to share it!!

Savanah's first dunk

Payton's first dunk

Paci Love

2009-08-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Paci's really are a wonderful thing. I know the time will soon come to wean, but in the mean time it is so nice to be able to give it to a tired or fussy baby and just have them instantly calm. Now the girls usually only have theirs in their beds and their car seats but if it was up to Payton she would have one ALL THE TIME. If she ever finds one laying around it's in her mouth asap and if she finds another one she'll carry it around too!! So lately she figured out there would be one hooked to the car seat so she crawls over and sits, still hooked to the car seat, and sucks away!!

See, one in the mouth and a backup ready!!

Happy Savanah

2009-08-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

July 2009

So it was obvious from very early on that Savanah was going to be laid back. She has been my "easy" baby, who has in the last 6 months been a very happy baby. You just look at Savanah and she starts smiling huge!! She really can light up my day in a second. Everyone who holds her falls instantly in love and just wants to keep the smiling, laughing baby for their own... but I don't let them have her!! :)

I love my singing dog!!!

I'm trying so hard to crawl!!!

The funny thing is though, as happy and laid back as she is...she has a temper!! She's the one who will scream and fuss if you take a toy from her (or things that aren't toys that she shouldn't have). She will stiffen up, shake her hands and scream!!! And if you've ever heard Savanah scream you know it is ear piercing!! Then you can usually distract her with something else and she's all smiles again!!

We love Duh Duh

2009-08-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

So his name started out as Gus. And then it became Gus Gus (from Cinderella). Then somewhere along the way he became Duh Duh. Well Duh Duh is one of the girls absolute favorite toys... What's better than a toy that barks, chases you and covers you with slobber!!!

Here is a little video of them playing with Duh Duh

Mobility

2009-08-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

So I've decided I am going to play catch up on my blog. Since I plan to print this as my baby book, I don't want to lump everything together just because I am late getting to it. So I'll date the post from when it happened and maybe I'll do better from here on out!!

June 28, 2009

Payton's Moving ~ Everywhere

Well when we got home from the beach and Payton saw how much fun Levi and Kinley were having crawling everywhere she decided to give it a try... and when she started she started full speed!! She's spent the last month exploring and getting into everything. She's been showing me what needs to be moved so we could get the house ready for Savanah!! Isn't she a great help!!

Since the beach Payton has also become a true "Daddy's Girl" She wakes up every morning standing in her crib yelling Dadadada until he comes to get her. She only wants him if he is home. Clinging to his legs and crying for him to hold her. Of course he just loves it!!

Here's some pictures of her first adventures:

Yanking the computer cords and banging on the CPU are some of her favorite things to do until she gets caught!!

The drapes are SO FUN for peek-a-boo

See ya later Sister!

Daddy come back in and play with me!!!

The Beach!!

2009-07-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

We had the amazing opportunity to go to the beach with friends the last week of June. Now I'm not going to lie, we were pretty much dreading it because there were so many people going (and staying in one house), we didn't know how the girls would do traveling and sleeping in their pack-in-plays etc... But it was amazing!!! There were 20 kids, 14 adults and NO DRAMA...amazing I know!!

So if I had to sum up the girls first beach trip in 2 words it would be "EATING SAND" not tasting, consuming!! They literally ate it by the handful!!! But we had an amazing vacation!!!

Here's a slideshow of more of the pictures!!

5 Year Anniversary!!!

2009-07-01T16:07:00.001-07:00

Friday the 19th was our five year anniversary!!!!! And it has been the best years of my life. I am so blessed to have found Pat at 15 years old...can you believe that!! We've been together for 11 years and it just keeps getting better. I thank God everday for such an amazing husband to share my life with!!!! I was looking through old pictures and found the slideshow pictures we used at our wedding, so I added a few wedding pictures and have included it for your "entertainment".

Our First Picture~ October 1998

Our Wedding Picture~ June 19, 2004

Our Five Year Anniversary

Where Have I Been!!!

2009-06-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

What a busy month!! I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged, I have so much to catch up on!! We spent the last week at the beach (which was amazing and hopefully I will post pictures of very soon)... before that we've just been enjoying the warm weather!! The girls are getting so big!! Payton has started crawling everywhere and pulling up so it's been a little crazy! Thankfully Savanah is still staying put so right now I am only chasing one!! I know it won't be long. So here are a few pictures of whats been going on lately!!

From 8 Months old

My friend Lauren (http://www.jlaurenphotography.com/) came and did pictures the for our family and I love them sooooo much!!!! (there are TONS more but I need to put them all to a slideshow!! ) She has a baby boy due in September that I can't wait to photograph!!!

Here's a slideshow of all the other recent pics!!

Best Mothers Day Gift

2009-05-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

The girls gave me the best Mothers Day gift ever!! They started saying MaMa last week!!

Aren't they adorable!! It makes me sooo happy every time I hear it!!! They actually say it alot better now but these were the first few times. Mother's Day was wonderful!! My amazing mom kept the girls on Saturday night so Pat and I had a fun night at his brothers wedding and slept all night while mom and dad had the girls. Pat went and picked them up early Sunday morning so I could sleep in. Then we played with the girls all day. It was perfect.

You'll have to bear with me on the video...I'm still trying to figure out the best way to share them!!

Loving the Back Porch

2009-05-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

Since it has warmed up I've moved the girls high chairs outside and it has been so nice!! We have a beautiful view of sky and trees, its covered so we can still go out in the rain and it has ceiling fans for when it's warmer...it's perfect!! So here's a few shots of our fun on the back porch!! I got the water idea from my friend April and as you can see they loved it!!!

Swinging and Strawberries

2009-04-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things... warm weather, being outside, parks, swings, and strawberries...combine this with the company of my sweet girls and amazing husband and it just doesn't get much better :)

Getting so Big!!

2009-04-23T09:42:00.001-07:00

The girls are just getting so big!! They can both sit up (Payton's got it a little better than Savanah right now) and hold their sippy cups (Savanah's got this one down) and they are rolling all over the place!! They have figured out they like the toy their sister is playing with better than the one they have at all times... so they take it, swap and then one of them steals it back. It's so funny watching them try to figure eachother out and they smile at eachother all the time!! They've now tried mashed potatoes, crackers, french fries and my mom's amazing sour dough bread...all of which they loved!!! So here's some shots from this week :)

Riding along while mom pulls us sure is hard work!!!!

6 Months Old...I know 7 months tomorrow!!!

2009-04-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been a great blogger this month, but I have been taking pictures!! So here's an update on all that's been going on!!!

Easter Sunday

2009-04-13T10:14:00.001-07:00

We had a great day on Easter spending time with our family and enjoying our girls for their first Easter. Here's some fun pictures of the girls opening their baskets and dying Easter eggs!!!

And here are some with our families!! ~~ We were so excited to have John and Laura come into town and our family from Maryland!!! We had a great week!!!!

My Redeemer Lives

2009-04-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

Everytime I see this video I cry. It might be the song. It might be that the verse is one of my favorites, also shared by my grandmom whom I miss so much. It might be that I watched my dad run marathons and triathalons growing up and know that the father in this video is ultimately sacrificing to give his son the joy of the race. It might be that I now understand better than ever what a parent will do to offer fullness of life for their child no matter the circumstances. It might be the smile of victory that crosses his sons face because of the sacrifice of his father. It might be that it blows me away when I think of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and of God sending his son to die a terrible death so that I can live in peace and freedom from sin. Whatever the reason I wanted to share this with you as we leave Easter weekend...that we never forget His sacrifice and take it for granted by not living in the freedom of forgiveness he made possible. I praise God that My Redeemer Lives!!!

My Prayer Journal...From IT to THEM

2009-03-25T05:53:00.001-07:00

March 27, 2008
WOW!!!! That is how I feel!!!!!! While I even doubted that I was pregnant and just hoping I was... when I went to the Dr. Monday I never expected them to say TWINS!! OH MY GOODNESS!! I've spent the last four days moving from shock, fear and excitement one second to the next. I know You would not give us more than we can handle and I really do trust You on that...but help me to believe in myself. I was always scared I wouldn't know how to be a mom or raise one child right and now I will have 2 at the same time... I do feel so blessed and thank You for Pat and all his excitement. From the moment they said it he has been so positive, supportive and excited and has really helped me to feel confident.

I must admit You've already taught me a lot of lessons about Your control in my life and to let go and trust You. It makes me laugh at all my attempts to plan this pregnancy perfectly...to not have to cancel weddings etc. And of course none of my attempts mattered because You have another plan for me and our family.

Wow Lord now that I know there are 2 babies growing in me I'd be devastated without them both, so please Lord protect them, help them to grow like they shouold, nourish them, keep me healthy and just help them to grow bigger and stronger everday. Please help me to give to You my fears and uncertainties and to trust in You completely. I love You and praise You for this blessing!! In Jesus Name. ~ Amen

I praise God for answered prayers!!!!!!

For a Moment of Peace

2009-03-11T08:05:00.001-07:00

While I am very blessed with pretty good nappers, it's not everyday that they decide to nap at the same time for the same length of time. So my time to get things done is often limited and sometimes I get desperate.

This is Baby Faith... my girls absolutely love it and will sit for a minimum of 28 minutes and smile and coo and I can get things done!!

I know that they say not to let your children watch tv but in my defense I don't do it often and sometimes I have to if they want clean clothes and bottles:) or I want a shower!!

2009-03-11T08:02:00.001-07:00

There's two to wash, two to dry;

There's two who argue, two who cry....

There's two to kiss, two to hug;

And best of all, there's two to love!

~Author Unknown

A beautiful Day calls for pedicures!!!

2009-03-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

Get those feet ready for summer!!

Since Saturday was so pretty we got to play with the girls outside!! It was so nice and made me soooo happy. Ashton and I gave the girls their first pedicures :) so now they have sparkly pink toes to go with all their cute summer clothes I can't wait for them to wear!!! Here are some of my favorites :) (thanks Laura for their monogrammed onesies!!!)

I'm getting my pedicure on Thursday and can't wait!!!!!! I had my last one when my ankles were twice the size they were now and had a huge belly that really limited my view of my toes :)

This brings us to our newest problem....sibling abuse!! They are now finding a way to always end up kicking and pinching eachother... I know THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING :)

Eating Food

2009-03-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

The girls have recently started eating food and it's been fun. They love squash, sweet potatoes and all fruit... kind of like green beans and peas and hate carrots. They make a huge mess by blowing in the spoon and getting their hands in their mouths before we can catch them!! But it's been fun!!

So tired after all that eating!!

Singing with daddy

2009-03-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

On the snow day we were being lazy and the girls got fussy. Pat had tried playing guitar for them when they were younger and they didn't even notice, but we thought we'd try again. So Pat started playing praise songs and we started singing (we sing terrible but the girls didn't seem to notice :) but they loved it!! They laid there for like 30 minutes just smiling and watching their daddy play!!

My sweet girls are infecting the world with STOMACH FLU!!!

2009-03-04T13:25:00.001-08:00

Okay this is just crazy!!!! Pat got sick last Monday with the stomach bug so I quarantined him into one side of the house and would not let him anywhere near the girls... Well thankfully we didn't catch it... (Side note: I have never had the stomach flu in my life.......I know I'm blessed) So by Friday the girls and I are still healthy so my mom and dad kept the girls on Friday afternoon and my mom and I went to visit my grandparents on Saturday. On Sunday mom and dad get sick...Monday my grandparents... We hang out with Pats family and a bunch of their friends on Sunday night... EVERYONE that held the girls got sick!!!!!!!! All of this didn't come together until last night when everyone was healthy enough to catch up with friends and find out they had it too.... I think the total is up to 16 PEOPLE (and climbing with every phone call)!!! and The girls and I have still not gotten it!!! I guess they have the same immunity I have to it (thankfully I am breastfeeding!!) But I feel terrible!!!!!!!! We had know idea until last night that it had to be the girls... So I am not leaving my house until we are SURE we are no longer infecting the world. If we made you sick I AM SO SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow Day!!!

2009-03-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

So maybe it was only a little bit but it was the girls first snow so we took them out for about 12 seconds!!! It was really cold!!!!

Me and my favorite man!!! :)
Our first snow in our new house!! Winter Wonderland in March :)

We both slept ALL NIGHT!!!!

2009-02-26T07:30:00.000-08:00

I know a baby sleeping through the night is monumental for every mom, but as a mother of twins I seriously wondered if it would ever happen for both of them on the same night!!!! Payton has been sleeping through the night for about a month and last night was Savanah's first!! Yeah!!! Hopefully there will be more nights like this to follow~

When we stopped feeding them during the night in January we started some bad habits with Savanah to get her to make it through....like giving her a paci when she cried and letting her sleep with her daddy. Well it had gotten much worse with her waking 3-4 times a night and not settling until she was in our bed so I decided yesterday it had to stop. I told her all day how much I loved her but that I was going to let her cry tonight...that she had to learn to sleep in her own bed and that it would be better... So I was all geared up to play the tough guy and let her cry until she went to sleep... and then she never woke up!!! It was great!!! So tonight I might have to be tough guy but last night was a wonderful surprise!! (By the way I LOVE Babywise... Payton is sleeping 11 hours straight and last night Savanah slept 10 ~ and they nap 4-5 hours a day!!!)

The have also started eating vegetables on Monday! They've tried sweet potatoes (gave them gas), carrotts and peas. That's probably why Savanah is sleeping longer because she needed more food :) They are doing pretty good with it, but it's a lot harder for me to feed them than the bottle. I'm sure we'll all get better at it with time!!

Here's some pictures of what's been going on over the last few weeks!!

Here's the rest of their 5 months portraits with me!!

Happy Valentines

2009-02-20T09:42:00.001-08:00

We are well again!!! Nothing makes you more thankful for health than going a little while without it!! But the girls and I are all feeling better and they are so much fun. A few new things... Savanah has started sucking her thumb and Payton will mimic you sticking out your tongue and blowing bubbles. They have also started holding hands when they lay beside each other... It's so cute!! They are smiling and laughing all the time and are such a joy. Payton has gotten extremely attached to me while being sick and won't let anyone but me and daddy hold her when she's tired...not a good thing when I count on my family for help alot!! While it's sweet she's so attached to me, I am hoping this phase doesn't last so people won't mind watching her for me :) I have tons of pictures to update but just a few favorites from their 5 month pictures I took this week!!

Two sick babies and One set of Arms...

2009-02-02T08:41:00.001-08:00

Nothing sadder....

I am thankful that they are almost five months old before getting sick but it sooo sad. I really don't think I've ever seen anythign sadder than a baby choking and coughing and not knowing why and there's nothing I can do to make it better...Payton started coughing on Thursday and didn't really get bad until Friday night so Pat has been able to help all weekend. But he left for work this morning and it's me and two sick babies. :( Savanah isn't as bad as Payton but she doesn't know that and wants to be held just as bad... so I'm just putting them in my bed and alternating holding them as they need it... I think its going to be a long day... Please Pray for my sweet girls to feel better...

The Many Faces of Savanah

2009-01-29T05:44:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has held Savanah for more than a minute has had to laugh at her funny faces...so here is a collection of some of my favorite terrible faces :)

We are seeing fewer and fewer of these funny faces as they've been replaced by a beautiful smile and a melt your heart giggle and laugh!!!

The Cuddle Cure

2009-01-20T05:39:00.000-08:00

I am so glad that there are a lot of people in this world smarter than me. I am also glad there are professionals that do research and write books to share this knowledge with the rest of us! Today I am thankful in particular to one such author and book that have made a dramatic change in our lives. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp. A friend of mines mom let me borrow the book after seeing Payton go into one of her screaming fits. I was a very colicky baby and for the longest have not wanted to admit that Payton had colic. I just said, she's fussy, volatile a pistol etc. But after reading the symptoms of colic, she has them ALL :) The cool part about this book is that it really explains colic and the likely causes. While some babies have serious tummy issues and reflux that can cause it, most cases are actually a very sensitive baby. The cause of the fit might be gas, hunger pain or dirty diaper but after a minute or two they are just mad about it (not actually in any pain). For example, last night I was feeding her and Pat was sitting by us on the couch feeding Savanah. Pat sneezed and Payton went crazy. Obviously Pat sneezing didn't hurt her, it just scared her. But that's all it took to set her off!!

So I am writing this to help every mother and mother to be with a fussy baby... You have to try this method because it has been a miracle worker for us!!! Since learning the cuddle cure none of Payton's fits have lasted more than 5 minutes. (and when she would scream for hours that's huge!!!) Now I have to say, I love reading good books, but I really pick and choose the advice I use. This authors methods for dealing with sleep habits and having a baby are entirely different than my own but for this one thing...the inconsolable baby...it's amazing. (We vote BabyWise for sleep habits!!)

The 5 S's used together...together and correctly is the key...
Swaddling
Side/Stomach
SHHHHH (loud/harsh)
Swinging (jiggling) ~ intense
Sucking

What you are doing for the baby is replicating the womb and turning on a calming reflex. It truly is amazing!!! If you have a fussy/colicky baby I suggest you read the book since it explains exactly how to do it. It's taken me about 2 weeks to get it down perfect for her but it's been life changing. If you need help with this give me a call or email and I can explain what's worked for us. I just had to share this in case there are any tired moms of fussy babies this can help!! I wish I'd learned it 4 months ago!!!

Here's a few cute shots my sister got of me and the girls!!

!!! 4 Months Old and ALL night without a Bottle!!!!

2009-01-15T06:48:00.000-08:00

If you can tell I am extremely excited about last night!! The girls have been slowly getting longer every night but I decided to try and hold them off to see if they just needed a little comfort to go back to sleep in the middle of the night or actually needed to eat. I have stopped pumping in the middle of the night so that when they were ready I would be too!! I didn't want them to be hungry but I also want them to sleep through the night!! So I had to go in twice for Savanah and give Payton her paci once and we made it from 8:30 to 7 this morning!!!! YEAH!!

Some other big things that have happened... the girls have found eachother!! They are finally looking at and smiling at eachother and it is so cute. It's like they try to figure out what the other one is. The other night after we fed them in the middle of the night they laid in the bassinet and talked to eachother for like an hour!! It was so funny!! Like Pat said you just can't get mad at them for being up when they act so cute!!!

They have now both laughed out loud and it's so cute and very different from eachother. They also have started playing in their jumping seat and are loving that. They are getting easier and more fun with each day. I feel so blessed and couldn't imagine how different my life would have been with only one of them!! It truly is double trouble and double blessing :)

So I saw this on another blog and since I plan on using the blog for their "baby book" I wanted to tell you a little bit about each of my girls and show you how different they both are!! So here's a little summary of the first 4 months:

Savanah Claire Clemons

That is my outfit I wore when I came home from the hospital (Mom teared up when she pulled it out for the picture, we were so little)
I was born first (by 3 minutes) and was smaller (by 2 ounces)
I wasn't smaller for long...I decided I love to eat and have passed Payton by about 2 pounds
Everyone said Payton pushed me out and I would have stayed in longer
When I first came home I was so quiet and then when I was about 6 weeks old I found my voice and learned to cry (a very high pitched cry/shriek) ~ Our cries are so different mom and dad can hear us whimper and know which one it is
I am a very happy baby and only cry when I am hungry, you take my bottle before I'm done or am not tired and you put me to bed
Everyone says I am just like my daddy: I look like him, I am laid back like him and I only get mad when I'm hungry like him :)
My nicknames are/have been: little bird (when they were in the nicu and mom and dad would come in we would open our mouths like little birds~then we learned to scream for it), munchkin, chunky monkey, Mini Pat, Clemons head (that one is from my Pappy (Pat's dad) since they think I look just like a Clemons) and Big Bit ~ I know we'll have to lay off the chunky names when she's older but it's so cute now!!!

Payton Elizabeth Clemons

I was born second and pushed my sister out. I weighed 2 ounces more and came out talking
My mom and dad picked out our names before we were born but daddy named us. He named me Payton Elizabeth because my moms middle name was Elizabeth and he thought I looked like her (and now they say I act like her too)
When I was born my hair was strawberry blond and while it is still changing, they think I might be a red head
I am Very Expressive!! That comes in many forms: I love to smile, laugh, scream, whine, fuss and then smile/cry (when I can't decide if I'm happy or sad) ~ I am a handful for my mom and dad, but they love me!
I have 2 dimples
I love to have my diaper changed now (hated it when I was little), but now when I am screaming mom and dad just put me on the changing table and I start talking and smiling ~ I love bath time but HATE to get out and tell mom for the next 30 minutes that I didn't like it
My nicknames: little bird, Pay Pay (aunt Ashton), Munchkin, Mini Aly and Little Bit

It's amazing that I could have 2 babies at the same time that are so incredibly different in looks and personality. They bring more joy to our lives than we could ever explain. Praise God that he knows us better than we know ourselves and knew what we needed in our lives.

Sorry for such a long post but I had a lot to share today!! Here's the rest of the recent shots!!

My Favorite Gift

2009-01-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

Now I have to preface this by saying the best gifts in my life are people, my daughters, husband and family... But this is about a physical gift. If you've ever read the 5 love languages, mine is gift-giving... For me it is NEVER about monetary value, but instead about thoughtfulness and meaning. I love gifts that I can tell someone thought of me. Well this Christmas I didn't get anyone a meaningful gift. I only went shopping 2 days (yes I took the girls to the mall by myself!! once ;) and so everyone pretty much got giftcards this year...Not to thoughtful but about all I could manage this year. Now I have to say my mom is an amazing gift giver. She always finds "the gift" that you will LOVE and a ton of others that you will say "I've always wanted that" and they are so thoughtful. But this year I was given a gift I will always treasure and that actually made me cry (I'm not really a cryer)

My sister in law, Laura, came into Christmas and said she had made me my gift this year. Well Laura is very crafty, but most of her projects entail defacing propery ;) in her home and building it back better!! She is very creative but I was stumped as to what she would have made me... So after the great stockings we opened, Laura brings out my gift (of course tied to protests that I might not like it and don't have to hang it..etc.)

My Angels:

From First Christmas

Is this not amazing!!!! I absolutely love it and smile everytime I look at it. Laura thank you for a gift that says so much and means the world to me. She painted this!!!! I didn't even know she could paint!!! So this was my favorite gift this Christmas and maybe of all time...

3 Months Old

2009-01-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

2 Posts in a row!!! My cousin Morgan has been staying with me all week and Pat has been off for 2 weeks so it has been wonderful!! I have been so spoiled with all the help and I'm not going to know what to do on Monday... but while Morgan was here we did pictures for the girls and I think they turned out sooo cute!! These were all made on my couch :)

And here's more pictures of this last month!!

Girls 1st Christmas

2009-01-03T09:58:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!! I am a little behind, as always getting this up, but we had a great first Christmas with our girls. Of course they didn't really have much to do with it this year, but next year should be really fun. This year we were just thankful to have them!! They've started smiling this month so that was the best present ever!! They have brought so much joy to our lives this year!!!

Christmas Morning:

Christmas at Nanny's:

Big Week!!

2008-12-01T11:00:00.001-08:00

First of all I have to say ROLL TIDE!!! It was so fun to finally win again!!! I have only been an Alabama fan for about 8 years so needless to say, I haven't gotten to enjoy to many victories :)

So last night was a big night. The girls slept in their nursery for the first time last night and they slept in separate beds for the first time too!!!! They did great. They took a bottle at 9:00 and didnt wake up again until 3 & 4. It was amazing!!! Their cries dont wake eachother up but they are getting too big to share the bassinet and can hit eachother with their arms and bounce the whole thing by kicking the bottom with their feet. It was time. It was a little sad (the nursery is all the way on the other side of the house) but it was good too. (Here's some new cute shots of them)

I had gotten really lazy with the girls schedule since we moved into the house and hadn't been sticking with Baby Wise like I'd been doing since they were born.... so they've been pretty fussy and we kept thinking it was belly aches or just fussiness but I realized I was letting them get sleep deprived. I hadn't been putting them down for naps, I was just letting them fall asleep in the boppy or swing etc and on no particular schedule. Well I'm back on and last night and today have been amazing. The girls are taking their 4th nap of the day right now and have been soooo happy when they've been awake!!! I'm mad at myself for letting them get so worn out but at least we are fixing it now!! Now hopefully we are close to sleeping through the night!!

We had a great Thanksgiving!! We went to Nashville to visit my grandparents and my cousins from Maryland came down for the whole weekend. It was so great hanging out and having so much help with the girls!!! I miss them already. Morgan is getting to come down for another week in December so that will be great!! Rick, Coleen and their kids came over for the game on Saturday and we had a great time catching up. Levi is a month older than the girls so I know it will be so fun as they get older.

Such a Tiny Offering

2008-11-23T10:15:00.000-08:00

So last Sunday was an exciting day in the lives of our daughters and our family. The girls were dedicated at our church. It was really special to have so much of our families and friends there to support us and the girls. Though we are Methodists (again :) and most Methodists do an infant baptism, it was important to us that they were dedicated instead, so when they are ready they can make their own commitments to God. While we were there I couldn't help thinking about the years to come and how I can't wait to see them come to an understanding of the sacrifice of Christ and God's plan for their lives. I am praying Pat and I can do everything in our power to raise them to serve Him. It is so exciting and scary at the same time. God has entrusted these 2 precious gifts to us, to raise for Him. So that's why I titled the post this... After their dedication we were singing a popular song I will always think of differently...

...Such a Tiny Offering

Compared to Calvary

But nevertheless, I lay it at your feet...

That's what we were doing... giving the girls back to Him... and while that seems like the world it is so small in comparison to Him giving his Son to die for us... I still get to have my girls, just do my best to raise them for Him. So be praying for us as we are starting the journey of parenthood, that we would honor God and bring Him glory!!!

Since my last blog we've had so much going on!! Of course their dedication, we moved into our house !!YEAH!! I have internet again !!YEAH!! We took the girls on thier first roadtrip to see their great grandparents in Nashville, they can sit up in a Bumbo seat, play with toys (a little), go through a few less diapers :) and have added more joy to our lives than I could ever explain.

They are going up to five hours between their first night time bottle now so I am getting a little more sleep and that has been great!! Daddy actually did the middle of the night feeding all by himself last night and let me sleep!!! It was the second time since they were born I have slept longer than a 4 hour increment!!!!! Hopefully they will start sleeping longer and through the night soon!

So overall life is great and I have so much to be thankful for this year! I have an amazing husband, healthly daughters, and wonderful family. Praise God!!

Here's a link to more pictures of what we've been up to. Enjoy!!

Happy Belated Halloween!!!!

2008-11-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

I know its been forever and I have so much to update everyone on but not tonight!! I only have time for the one picture but hopefully by the end of the week I'll get everything else up!! Life's great, the girls are getting so big and we are in our house!! YEAH!!! My mom fixed up the girls costume so they could "share" it, didn't she do great!!!

Who earns the Sweet Girl Outfit :)

2008-10-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

So a lot of the outfits I have for the girls say a word on them like "sweetie" or "adorable" or "precious"... So on Saturday we were dressing the girls and I asked Pat who was adorable and who was sweetie... Well Payton has had lots of tummy aches and hasn't been the happiest baby lately and has cried a lot, so Pat said she would have to be adorable because she hadn't been a sweetie...

So last night Payton was upset and I gave her to Pat so I could finish up with Savanah, and as soon as Pat got her she went to sleep on his chest. He looked over at me and said, "she can wear the sweetie outfit tomorrow"

So today on their one month birthday, Payton earned the sweetie outfit!! Happy Birthday to us!!!

Loving Life

2008-10-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

Wow, what an amazing 3 weeks it's been. The girls will have been home for three weeks tomorrow and it has gone by so fast!! They are doing so good and are still on a good schedule letting me get some rest (of course in 2 hour increments :) but rest nonetheless!! Thankfully we have amazing families that have been able to help me so much. Next week will be the first week I'll be on my own, so be praying for me!!! I compiled some of my favorite pictures from so far and the ones from the girls first portrait session :) and just finished their slideshow!!!! You can click below to view it!!

Since I've last blogged the girls have been on their first walk, visited their nursery (which still doesnt have carpet :) Enjoyed their first Alabama games and already learned the fight song!! Roll Tide!!

Click Here to see our Newest Pictures!!

We got to Go Home!!!

2008-09-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

Friday was an absolutely great day!! I got to the hospital and 8 for their morning feeding and they told me they could go home!! We had at first thought it would be sometime next week and then they said maybe by Saturday so Friday was a wonderful surprise. Pat immediately left work (he'd gone back until the girls were home so he could stay home the first week they were here) and we had them home by 2 and had an amazing day!! It was so great to get to hold them and cuddle not in the NICU with gowns and wires... We got to give them their first baths and relax with them. It has been wonderful!!! They are on a great schedule thanks to the NICU and eat every 4 hours and sleep a ton. They are so peaceful. I have been blown away for the amount of love you can have for a child and feel so incredibly blessed to have two healthy girls and an amazing husband to raise them with. Our families have been a huge help and have been taking care of everything and just letting us enjoy the girls. The girls had their first pediatrician appointment today and he said "They are Perfect" (we think so too :) Savanah now weighs 4 pounds 6 ounces and Payton weighs 4 pounds 10 ounces so hopefully we will be gaining a lot from here... they are so tiny now!! Here's some of my favorite pictures and of course a link to more!!

Coming Home!!!!

Mom thought that newborn would "fit" and this is what it looked like on them!!

Cuddling with their daddy after their first bath :)

Click Here to see some pictures of the girls since we've been home!!

Smiling because we are doing so good!!!!

2008-09-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

The girls are doing great!! They both got their IV's out and are not being limited on their food any more. And they are so happy. As soon as we get them up they just sit there with their mouths open ready to eat!! I don't think weight gain is going to be a problem with these 2! They were moved to open cribs today and as long as they do well we might be able to bring them home by Saturday!! We are so excited and so ready to bring them home! Please keep praying for them!!!

Click Here to see some pictures of the girls with our families.

They're Here!!!!

2008-09-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

Savanah Claire and Payton Elizabeth were born Sunday, September 14th at 4:21 and 4:24a.m. They surprised us and came early (they were almost 34 weeks when they were born) and we are so happy they are here!!! Savanah looks and acts just like her daddy and weighed 4lbs. 13 oz. and Payton looks and acts like me and weighed 4 lbs. 15 oz. They are both doing great but are in the NICU at Huntsville hospital until they can be sure they can stay warm and gain weight. We are hoping to be able to bring them home by the beginning of next week!!! They're delivery and everything to do with them arriving has been a testimony to how great our God is and how much he loves us and takes care of us!!! Praise God for the miracle of Life!!!!

Daddy with his girls!!

Savanah Claire an only child for 3 minutes

Payton Elizabeth

Click Here to See More of the Girls!!

Expecting Joy

2008-09-05T13:41:00.000-07:00

I imagine this will be my last post before the girls arrive as things have been crazy busy!! and I haven't had time to blog about anything. But I just wanted to share some pictures and thoughts about what's been going on.

I titled this "Expecting Joy" because that is the title of a devotional I've been doing over the last few months that has been such a blessing to me. It has helped me to stay constantly reminded that while there are a million things going on that maybe aren't great... I have SO much to be thankful for...and I am carrying 2 miracles!!! Praise God!! So no matter how big I get, how little I can move (or how much it hurts when I do) It is all worth it and a cause to praise Him. So be praying for us as we near the end. I am almost 33 weeks and the babies will be born by 37 at the latest so we are close!!

My sister took my maternity pictures for me about a month ago and I couldn't be happier with them. She is not only an amazing photographer but a best friend I love so much!! Here's one image but click the link to see the slideshow:

My Maternity Pictures Click Here

Ok...so I might have been 7 months pregnant with twins...but I still had to get on the ground for some good shots :)

I know Emily is sad we are taking off for a while...but hitting the bar at a wedding?? Just kidding, she was loading up on water :)

Ok...so I had trouble getting up from this one and was laughed at by everyone!! The shot I got was gorgeous this was Emily making fun of me

It's coming along! (it's more done than this now but I haven't taken a new one) But it probably won't be done until about 2-3 weeks after the babies arrive, so we'll be moving with 2 newborns!! At least I don't have to think about moving now!!!

My college friends threw me my first baby shower! It was so fun and they gave me amazing gifts!! Including the double stroller!!!

See More Shower Pics Here

By the way this is the way I'll be doing all future blog posts...linking to my Picasa web albums...much faster and more likely to get done!!

I was very excited about the stroller!!!

Pat put it together as soon as I got it home!!

How Cute is He!!!

Mom's Birthday Cake!!

Miss Kinley Emerson Charles...isn't she precious... We're waiting on Levi to be born!!

He's Here!! He had to stay in NICU for a week for breathing but he is home now and doing great!!

Recovering...

Pat and I kept the girls for 2 days while they where in the hospital... Pat on the couch with the 3 girls playing Mario Kart Wii!! It was fun!!

My first time to see Levi!!!

He and his mommy

A few quick shots I got to take while he was still in NICU

My grandparents got to come down for my Hartselle baby shower and it was so exciting because my grandad has had a rough road this year. So I was sooo glad they were there!!!

Yes they are fanning me and feeding me grapes :) I got hot!!

I was so blessed by all the family and friends that were able to come to the baby shower and were all so generous in gifts to the girls. We are so thankful for everyone in our lives that has helped make this time so special for us!!!

See More Shower Pics Here

All my sisters :)

Ella was amazed there were 2 babies in there and her mom said she's been walking around carrying 2 babies and talking about her 2 babies!! How sweet!

Me at 31 weeks pregnant!!

The great grandmothers

The grandmommas

Well until next time... Be praying everything goes well with the remainder of the pregnancy!!

Sad Times and Happy Times

2008-07-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

I've always heard the saying "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all" I guess I always thought of it as talking about romantic love but now I think it applies to anything you love deeply. Pat and I got Bailey (our black lab) my freshman year of college (I gave her to Pat for our 3 year anniversary dating) and have in the last 7 years fallen in love with her. She has been a part of so much of our lives. Two weeks ago she was hit by a car and killed and we are just devastated. This was the first animal Pat or I have ever been close to... she slept in our room, watched movies on the couch and was pretty much a spoiled rotten, huge part of our lives. She could do so many cool tricks... If you said "Would your rather be a Auburn fan or a dead dog" she would play dead, if you said "Roll Tide" she barked, you could point to a door and tell her to shut it and she would... We really loved her... So as we are heading into a new exciting part of our lives and adding 2 people to our family...we lost one we loved very much. So as incredibly hard it is to let go, I am so glad we had 7 great years with her... So the first few are some of my favorite pictures of Bailey.

Preparing for the babies... 9 months to get ready...wow and it is really flying by. We only have 9 weeks from Friday before they will be here!!! That is so soon!!! We are so excited and can't wait to finally meet them. I can feel them moving like crazy and I absolutely love it. I had no idea how incredible it would be to have life inside me. (and 2 lives at that!!) I really do love them already so much I can't even imagine what it will be like when they get here!! They say our house should be ready in about 7 weeks...that's right...best case scenario we've got 2 weeks to move in :) We'll see!! Either way it will be fine... the babies won't know the difference and from what I hear about the first month they are home...WE won't either!!

So anyone who knows me knows I am NOT a morning person. I work for myself...sleep till I wake up and try to never schedule an appointment before 10... With that said I have been waking up (wide awake) at 3:00-4:00 in the morning a lot lately and I can't go back to sleep! I'm not in pain, hot or anything...just awake. One of my friends said this is God's way of preparing me for motherhood... So I have been trying to enjoy it and have watched more sunrises this month than I probably have my entire life :) And man are they beautiful. So I've had some great "additional" time to spend in prayer and thinking about the year to come... Pat really likes the "morning Alyson" as he calls me, because I fix him breakfast and hang out with him before work. It's still rare but I imagine it might be more frequent in the upcoming months:)

So here's some pictures of what's been going on in our lives lately.

A favorite picture of Bailey

This was the night we got her.

Her "I'm Daddys dog" t-shirt...she was a fatty so she didn't get to many more clothes after this one.

In College on Game Day

Our Birthday goodies made my Ashton

Birthday Pictures

We are 25 and 27 this year!!

My 2 sisters (one to-be in May)

My last picture of Bailey at our birthday party

Since our birthdays are one day apart, we shared our cake :)

Callie's already One!!

One of the Sun Rises I have seen this summer (a beautiful view from our rental cabin)

Flowers from Brittany :) I love flowers!!

My friend Cara's new baby Casen!!

Rick and Coleen on 4th of July

Bellies!!

We are living in a space ship...Don't you like silver houses??

25 weeks pregnant

Coleens maternity pictures :)

Isn't that the sweetest

HaHa

Newest ultrasound pics...Thank you Ashton... She's sucking her thumb.

She's waving to us!!

This is the one on top and she sat with her legs stretched completely out the whole ultrasound while her poor sister is scrunched on the bottom!!! Seeing personalities already!!

Girls night in Birmingham

Okay so we decided silver is out and went with brick :) Brick and sheetrock are almost done... on to paint and floors :)

Happy Anniversary to Me!!! :)

2008-06-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

Thursday was my four year anniversary!!! It crazy how fast time has flown by. I have to take the special opportunity to just say that I am so blessed by having an amazing husband and an amazing marriage!!! It makes me so happy to be able to honestly say I love him more everyday and can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the years to come!!! We've been together since we were 15 and 17 and it just keeps getting better :) We are in Austin TX this year for 2 weeks... Pat had to come for training so I came along :) It's been a great break from shooting everyday and a chance to rest a little and try to get caught up on editing and album design. We've been having a great time. Here's a little update on what's been going on!!!

Before Dinner on our Anniversary

A sweet gift from one of my amazing brides!!

These are some of my great friends I made when I used to work at Wells Fargo!!

House Progress as of 5/18

In our Master Bedroom Windows

This is the view from our amazing rental Cottage :) We feel like we are on vacation!!!

Theres our little cabin :)

The roofs going up!! (5/23)

That's our crew!! Pat's uncle Rickey Coffey (owner of Coffey construction), his son Clint, Pat's brother Travis and Denny... they've been working hard!!

That's Granddaddy, He's out working almost everyday...as you can see by his tan :)

Me and Kelsey out for her 6th birthday!! I can't believe she's 6!! Growing up way to fast.

My college girls came to Huntsville for a girls night!!

Me and Pat at 20 weeks with the girls!! :)

This is the view of the house coming down the very long driveway... (you can't see the house from the road) (6/9)

6/12 shingles are going on and my front doors in!! (this is the last look till we get back from Austin)

Living room looking back at the front door.... :)

Ok so my front door makes me sooooo excited!! It will be dark wood and I don't know if you can tell but it has antique glass... I love it!!!!!

Me at 22 weeks... 5 1/2 months down!!!

Pat and I at our FAVORITE restaraunt in Austin... Fogo de Chao... Brazilian Steakhouse...We ate it in MN and have missed it!! It was wonderful!!!

State Capitol in Austin, TX

Me and my big belly :)

This amazing restaraunt built on the side of a bluff with a gorgeous view of the lake and the sunset.

:)
Beautiful Sunset...

At the Alamo...

The Riverwalk in San Antonio...I love it here...but we walked sooooooo much.... and it was 100 degrees....not a great combo for a pregnant woman :)

On the Riverwalk cruise boat... relaxing...

The "Tower of America" in San Antonio

VERY much enjoying an Icee after a long day!!! Until next time....

It's Two Girls!!

2008-06-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Again this post is very past due!!! We actually found out a while ago they were 2 girls but I am so behind on blogging!!! We are so excited and are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of Payton Elizabeth and Savanah Claire!!! YEAH!!! These pictures are so past due that not only do I have a much bigger belly :) but our house is already getting the shingles put on and windows in!! We are so excited but are running around like crazy. I'll update soon with new pictures of the house progress, belly, our awesome cabin we're renting and other fun things!! Until then...

She's sucking her thumb!!

Pat and I trying to catch a lizard...very funny...

Cleaning the house to put it on the market

The footing was poured
Our pretty land!! I can't wait to live on it!!

Me shooting Brittany's wedding

My sister the super assistant... She does hair, veils, attaches boutineerre (i know i butchered the spelling but i have no idea how to spell it) and shoots :)

Me and the beautiful Bride!!
The college roomies.

The beautiful Eden Victoria. I stayed with her and her sweet mom Kristen when I went to Brittany's wedding. Kristen moved to Tuscaloosa so I was excited to have a chance to visit and of course take a few pictures of Eden!!

Me at 15 weeks

My sweet hubby whose so excited about our little girls!!

Whose Belly is the biggest?? (mine is now!!)

Me and Coleen at 4 and 6 months

Fishing Trip to the pond across the street from where we are building.

Working on the house...

Our Family on our future back porch!!

Fixing up things to Sell Them....

2008-05-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

Such an interesting thought...we fix things up just so other people can enjoy them properly once they are sold!! I have lived with this my whole life. While my dad finally did fix the windows on my car that literally popped out horizontally in my high school car...that's about it... Until they were ready to sell.

So in my house now my bathtub faucet has leaked for over a year. Now the shower people of the world might never notice but I like to take a bath most days and a leaky faucet really takes a lot of enjoyment out of it... Now to give Pat some credit he did try to fix it about a year ago, but when it didn't fix it, it didn't get done until the week before the house went on the market :) On that note... We put our house on the market a week ago today, it has been shown 4 times and we already have 2 offers!! One which we will sign tonight! Praise God!!! Now I can't say we only fix things up to sell them because the following pictures will show what the house looks like now...and what it looked like when we bought it... All I can say is we must have vision and God definetely has a plan. When we bought this house it was the only house we looked at (and we obviously didn't look to hard) But we moved in next door to our best friends Rick, Coleen and the girls and I can't imagine what life would be like if we hadn't!!! So I am thankful!!! So here's the shots to show how God can blind us to reality to work out his plan :)

(This post has been partially written so long we have already moved and closed on the house!! Less than a month from when it was put on the market!!!) My next post will be much more fun!!)

From here down is what it looked like when we bought it!!

I know it's been FOREVER!!

2008-04-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

Wow!! I know it has been forever and my last 2 months has been absoltely crazy!! Besides shooting just about everyday I've had a lot of personal stuff going on!! First we found out we were pregnant!! YEAH!! So fun!! Then we found out it's TWINS!!! WHOA!!! That one was a COMPLETE shock!! But we are so excited and are now planning for the arrival of 2 little ones on October 6th!! So life is good. I also had a very sad thing happen this month... my grandmomma died. I know the typical responses and they are true, she is definetely in a better place, hugging my grandad she has missed for the last 10 years, but I am very sad... She was one of my best friends in the world and I am going to miss her so much. Just a year ago she and I were in Vegas together... just shows us to embrace every day! and she did!! So God has definetely taught me a lot over the last few months about trusting him and that there are LOTS of things that I can't control (try rationalizing that as a control freak:) But I get the message and I'm working on giving it up to Him. So here are a whole lot of pictures of what's been going on in my life!! (My server just changed over so it looks like it will be 24 hours before the blog works properly...feel free to check back!!

Helping Pat's sister build her fence.

My first attempt at "sucking the head" of a crawfish at CrawMommas

I love Alaskan King Crab Legs--the wallet (not so much)

My favorite Man!!

I love to get flowers!! So much!! Maybe more than most girls...I move them to whatever room I'm in :)

I made these for Valentines...strawberries...not really in season yet, but the chocolate makes all the difference.
Snow!!!

Then on to the beach for Valentines. We went with some of our best friends from Hartselle~ Kirk, McKenzie and Callie Ann

Isn't she precious!! I know I took lots of pictures of her :) My poor children!!

<
We're Pregnant!!!

Isn't Coleen the sweetest!! She sent me flowers when we found out!!
This is how we told the grandparents...They are so excited!!

Me and Madison had a girls day out for her birthday!!

My sisters precious poodle

All the pregnant women at Amanda's shower

Me and my favorite sister!!

One of the sweet girls from church riding the John Deere

Football work day...They look really excited to be here!!

Since I take beautiful picutres of the girls all the time I had to capture what they look like when they play outside.

Me and Ashton at football.

How Cute is he!!

Amanda...Ready for Micah to get here

My first baby gifts!!!

My brides are having babies!! How fun!!

The girls came over and practiced for the dance studio pics...Practice for me not them :)

This was the collage I made for the sample to take to the studio.

Me and Lauren in Vegas for the Photography convention. This guy took this picture and jumped while it was exposing... much harder than it looked when he did it!! I can't do it at all!!!!

Did I mention I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries :)

We stayed at Bally's

The beautiful Bellagio fountains.

My best friend from high school had a beautiful baby girl, Mary Claire. Who is now home from the hospital and more beautiful than ever. She was a week old here.

Visiting my brother and sister in law!! OK..so this has a funny story. One of Laura's best friends found out a few months back that she was having twins and Laura freaked out "you have to have 2 of everything!!" So right when we were leaving John and Laura's (our first ultrasound was this afternoon) she said "if it's twins don't call me for comfort" and we all started laughing... So a few hours later the phone call from me started "well I'm not calling for comfort but it's TWINS"

The first time we went to the Dr. was when we were 9 weeks pregnant and had been confirmed by only one pregnancy test... which seemed sufficient until about the week before the ultrasound....Then I got worried...actually I was in complete denial. I thought I wasn't pregnant. (Haven't been sick~praise God!) I was so scared I was going to go in and they'd just say "Sorry you were never pregnant...must have been a false pregnancy test"...

So when they said TWINS I was completely shocked!!!! COMPLETELY!!! Pat was amazing and immediately excited...it took me a little longer :) You know I mentioned I'm a little of a control freak and a lot a planner...didn't plan this one :) But within a few minutes I had the emotions under control and got to be very excited!! Now I can't wait for them to get here!!

It's a BOY!!!! After 3 girls they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their little man Levi Weston at the end of August!!!
Chattanooga for a weekend getaway!!

Rick pulled out his back wrestling with faith...needless to say he's not feeling to hot right here.

My favorite exhibit at the aquarium

Baby Micah in the Hospital..isn't he a beautiful baby!!

This is my friend Miranda, and these 2 pictures are to signify about 3 weeks of my life!! I did the Steps of Faith Dance studio pictures. It was so much fun and sooo much work!!

My girls in their costumes!!

My friend Cara from highschool (and one of my brides) is having a baby!! Casen should be born in the next few weeks!!

Shooting a wedding at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham.

I got to do the engagement pictures for one of my great friends Jenny Blevins. I was supposed to photograph her wedding but the babies kindof changed our plans!! But here's her save the date and another of my favorite pictures!!

So this is my right arm...I know it looks like a person :) Actually this is my sister and my amazing assistant!! She shoots almost every wedding with me and I am soooo thankful for her. Not only does she take amazing picutres, but now due to my pregnancy she carries everything (my bag weighs about 75 pounds) and doesn't complain at all.. She also makes sure I eat, don't fall, and stay hydrated etc!! She's great!! She is in cosmetology school and I don't know what I'll do if she gets out and leaves me :(

Micah's newborn pictures! They aren't edited yet so these are just 2 I loved!

So I mentioned at the top about my grandmomma...Well my dad found this link to their high school and the above is an article my granddaddy was in...(he's the fourth one from the right). My grandparents married right after highschool and in the year book my grandmom was "John McFee's biggest fan) How sweet is that!! We also found out they had a secret wedding before their real one!! I love them so much and will miss them terribly!!

This is the beautiful Maycie Grace...She is one of the newborns on the site!! She's growing up so fast!!

These are pictures from our 13 week ultrasound!! Pat's sister does sonography so she scanned me and it was so much fun. I was amazed at how much they moved around!!! I had never actually seen anything but ultrasound pics and I love them so much already!!! They wave, kick their feet, jump up and down and they kick each other!! I can't wait to meet them!!

I already have a BELLY!!! (no dad I'm not pushing it out :) ~ those of you who know me know I've always had an amazing talent of being able to look pregnant... This is the real thing!!

Project 365~ Needs a new name!!

2008-02-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

Right before the new year I heard about a really cool thing called Project 365. It was reflecting on the year past and saying how we mainly only remember the big things... the trips, holidays, special occasions... but what about all the other days. The little things that happen. So the idea is to take a picture every day of something in your life. I love it!! Only problem, I've already missed 2 days :( so I need a new name. Considering the fact that I will probably continue to miss a few days here and there, I need to call it something else.. Any ideas??? So here's the beginning of 2008!!!!

Starting the new year with a kiss from my favorite man :)

Painting Ashton's room in her new house. I got paint all over me!!!!

I love to be pampered!!!! Thanks Pat for my wonderful Christmas present!!

A visit from Kristen and Eden (they moved to Tuscaloosa) and lunch with Debbie
Looking for new shooting spots... I love this old barn!!

I had a great shooting with Pat's cousins and their friends. We were all over Huntsville.

Pat and I went to the movies with mom and dad. (Dad was upset he wasn't in the picture)

XBox Live..oh yeah a headset :)

Going to dinner at Surin...so good!

I love Crappie!! ~ one of my many acquired tastes from being a part of the Clemons family

I went to Maryland to visit my grandmom and my cousins~they're so grown up!

Grandmomma has had a rough road since Thanksgiving but she is doing much better. Still along way to go but closer every day.

Those stairs were a major feat...She was tired but did great!

Dad surprised her and flew up the last day I was there

Out my plane window...All I did this day was fly home and wait for Pat to get home Friday!

We're home!! And we don't have to be apart for a long time!!!

I took Faith out for a Ladies Day~ a very belated birthday lunch.

The newest "grand-dog" in the family..Gus Gus...it's actually just Gus but because of Cinderella it just has to be Gus Gus

A gift from one of my aunts one Christmas and I love it.

Pat got a new DVD case to hold ALL of his dvds...I won't reveal exactly how many he has but it's ALOT!!

Girls night in Birmingham with my college roomies!! I don't get to see them often but love it when I do...and I also LOVE chocolate fondue :)

Coleen and I being the most amazing wives ever!!! It was REALLY cold but we helped with the football evaluation for the church men's league football

Xbox..lazy evening

My consultation room~ Lazy week, I'm having to get creative

Our family :)

Two of our best friends.. Rick and Coleen (she's having another baby!!)~ we think it's definetely a boy as one of her 3 daughters pointed out "it has to be a boy because you must be all out of girls in there" :)

Three beautiful children I did a session for on Saturday...they've all been adopted and the youngest one's adoption was finalized right before Christmas!!

The Davis Family~ I replaced her as the Clemons female :)
Didn't do much yesterday so I thought I would get a picture of mine and Pat's wedding rings.

~~I hope you've enjoyed the first set of pictures. I will try to get them up about weekly, I was waiting on my new blog to be done... Please send comments if you have any ideas as to what I should call this!! Have a Blessed Day!! ~ Aly

My Life

New Blog!

Merry Christmas

Painting

My babies make me smile :)

Blue Ridge Parkway

Prayer Journal ~ 2 Years ago ~ Today

2 Years of Blessing

New Beginnings

Summer Fun!

Happy Birthday Pat!!!

Family Fun

Aquarium

Between the pictures

Family Pictures

So much going on!!

He is Risen!!

Pigtails

Our New Baby :)

Kylee will be here soon!!!

Snow Day

Our Valentine

Finger Painting

Hard at Work

Family Fun

Life Lately

Animal sounds

Scared to death...

12 Days of Christmas

Christmas Card

Does this Mean...

Fun Videos

Christmas Traditions- Share Yours!!

Roll Tide!!!

Happy Birthday Jesus

John 3:16 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

John 1:12 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Romans 10:13 "for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""

Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Romans 8:1-2 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

I Don't Want to Raise Successful Children

I Don't Want to Raise Successful Children

19 Nov 2009

Desk Fun

Tate Farms

Lazy Days

Halloween sneak peek

Life Lately

Our Girls are One!!!

Promotion!!!

Payton's first steps

Daddy Don't Go

10 Months so far

The rest of 9 Months old

July 4th

Callie is 2!

Paci Love

Happy Savanah

We love Duh Duh

Mobility

The Beach!!

5 Year Anniversary!!!

Where Have I Been!!!

Best Mothers Day Gift

Loving the Back Porch

Swinging and Strawberries

Getting so Big!!

6 Months Old...I know 7 months tomorrow!!!

Easter Sunday

My Redeemer Lives

My Prayer Journal...From IT to THEM

For a Moment of Peace

A beautiful Day calls for pedicures!!!

Eating Food

Singing with daddy

John 3:16 ¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."