Forever a Student

This post is a reflection of my heart today...

Life is about learning, and I continue to be a student every day. I learn to prioritize my time, handle grocery shopping, keeping a house (a constant struggle with two nuggets crawling around), which clothes should have been washed in cold water, that second helping of cereal wasn't worth it, and so on and so forth. Some lessons are important, some are trivial. 

Parenting.. ahhhh, parenting. I will admit- I was one of those childless people who claimed to know children and 'how to parent'. My friend Mary and I even joked sometimes that we could write a parenting book though neither of us were parents. I mean, I have a degree in working with children, she's a nurse, and we both grew up babysitting lots of kids. Boy was I wrong! This is a lesson I learn everyday: how clueless I was (and still am!)

Babies, kids they don't come with a manual. It's tough. My easy peasy toaster came with instructions, but kids-- yeah right, no way. I remember being so intimidated by Mac and Paisley when we first brought them home. I cried when my mom left because I was so afraid of being here- solo- with two newborns. Well, they're almost 10 months old, and while I haven't even begun to scratch the surface on being a parent, they have taught me so much! 

Becoming a mother has taught me how little I really knew before Mac and Paisley. I could profess my knowledge all day long, but until I've walked this journey, claiming to know or advise better than my peers is quite silly (and immature on my part). Whether the lesson is about developing a routine, how to dress, even discipline, I have learned to trust those who walk in their own shoes. With eyes on Him, I am humbled by my own unworthiness (of Him, Jesus, even Mac and Paisley).

I was on the outside before, and while I'm still on the outside of others' lives, I'm on the inside of a parental role. I have been blessed to have some amazing women parent alongside me. Women whom I can ask advice or suggestions about anything, and I value their insight. Most have been a parent longer than me, and I respect the experience they have.

Let's pick each other up by our bootstraps, and let's do this! It is my prayer that God's wisdom and grace continue to surround my friends and me as we embark on this incredible journey.

My heart is changed since having Mac and Paisley. I have more compassion for others, and I understand people (especially mothers) better. God has used M and P to enhance my relationship with Him, though He plants seeds everywhere.

If Mac and Paisley have taught me anything, it's how little I really know. I embrace the loving arms of the Heavenly Father who desires to teach me- even through infants. :o)

 Love!
-ashley

All In a Weekend's Work

Yesterday and today were project driven. Jordan's parents gave us one of their old bedroom suits when we first got married, and it has been in our guest bedroom ever since. I was ready for a change, and I was willing to buy new furniture. I started looking around and realized I didn't want to spend the mulah on guest bedroom furniture. So I turned to a huge inspiration: HGTV! I have seen people paint furniture, and it looks really good... I lacked confidence.

My mom is a DIY person, and she encouraged me to make the furniture exactly what I wanted. So she and my dad visited this weekend, and we took on the project! Now it's finished, and I love love love it!!! And I'm so proud of our hard work at a fraction of the cost!

We sanded the finish off the chest, dresser and night stand.

Then we painted, sanded, painted, sanded, and painted a third coat. After the third coat of paint dried, we sanded the edges and dry brushed on a glaze.

We painted the dresser white and the chest a robin's egg blue. The original drawer pulls were spray painted a satin white. We didn't have all of the original knobs so I bought {my new favorite}glass knobs :o)

Between the layers of paint drying, my dad and Jordan worked in our flower beds, and my mom, Lilly and I played with Mac and Paisley.

 Last night Jordan and I went to Dan and Shannon's wedding! We actually didn't make it to the wedding because we were putting Mac and Paisley to bed, but we had a blast at the reception! 

 Here I am with two of my dearest friends, Jill and Ellie.

They had a photo booth with tons of props at the reception. It. was. hilarious! Between Jordan, me, Jack, Jill and Mike (Ellie had left to take Levi and Izzy home), we have almost a photo album of hysterical pictures! What. a. blast!!

This morning we started on the furniture again. I was so ready to have it complete, and we were sore from all day in the sun yesterday. We waddled our way around and got started on our project. The dresser was ready except for the drawer handles and pulls. I went to Home Depot early this morning to get new pulls and the blue paint. 

We painted the chest, distressed the drawers and the chest, and finished up. 

Here's our finished pieces!!!!!

Thank you, Mama and Dad {Nana and Paw Paw} for spending the weekend with us and literally working your butts off! On top of it all, Jordan and I got a date night! Thank you, thank you!! 

This afternoon Paisley crawled to a toy, pulled up, and played! My big girl is getting so big! She was chuckling at herself :o) She was practicing sitting and standing, and of course I got her picture while she was starting to sit.

 That's our weekend wrap up! I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well!

Randomness

We are back in the swing of things... well, sort of. It's tough coming back home after being away for a week. Mac and Paisley did great while we were gone, and I credit that to their confidence in our routine. I know routines aren't for everyone, but with twins, I believe it's crucial. The more I read, the more I am confident in the power of a routine for them. Babies don't come with manuals, after all. 

Mac wanted me to hold him instead of taking his picture. I did both :o)

 Paisley loves her teething biscuits.

Sweet babies

 Hey, buddy!!

 

Last night we got together with our small group. We had dinner and played bocce ball at the park. So fun!

Logan and Maggie were dancing to the music.

 The girls entertained M and P

 Rachael's turn!

Brandon rolls for the guy's team.

 See that green ball closest to the yellow? Yeah, that's mine ;o)

Mac and Paisley were so good! 

 This morning's breakfast- blueberries!

 Paisley did another first... she fell asleep in the high chair.

We went to the park today! We walked with our friends Mary and Emory, and Mac, Paisley and I had a picnic lunch after the walk. It's been nice around here the past few days so we are taking advantage of this beautiful weather!

This picture was made at home. I didn't get a picture at the park because I didn't have an extra set of hands. Notice Paisley's pose. She is always on the move....

 ... So Mac is easier to capture than P.

On the way home from the park I heard a siren so I looked in my rear view mirror and started to pull over... But no, it was just the squeals from the back seat. They fooled me. I did get a kick out of it, though. 

I ironed some of Paisley's clothes today. That's a huge deal around here. In these parts, if it needs ironed, it gets thrown in the dryer with a wet washcloth. As "domesticated" as I can be, ironing isn't a priority... unless I can't tie a bow on the outfit or the collar won't lay-- and Jordan nor I have many clothes with bows or ruffled collars ;o)

You know what tomorrow is!?! Woo hoo!! Weekend, here we come!!

Great, Great Grandma Hester

On our way back from the mountains, we stopped to visit my Great Grandma Hester. Mac and Paisley are her great, great grandchildren! Lilly was her first great, great grandchild, and M and P are her second and third. :o) Don't worry, we have pictures.

Grandma Hester was excited to visit with us. Mac was very interested in her. The last time they saw her was in November so they had changed quite a bit.

It was time to eat, and no high chairs equals improv. This is what we did all week without high chairs; Mac and Paisley sat on the table while we fed them. It was much easier to feed M this way than it was P... she's all over the place. Here she's interested in what Paw Paw Midge is saying so she's still.

 Cheese!

Group shot!! We have FIVE generations in this picture :o) 

Bottom row from left: Mac, Paw Paw, Grandma Hester, myself, Paisley, Uncle Jeff

Top row from left: Paw Paw Midge, Jordan, Lilly, Granmom, and Nana.

We heart family and are so blessed to have one another. Great memories shared that day. 

Pigeon Forge Summer Vacation!

We returned from our family vacation yesterday, and I so miss it already! We had such a great time with family and friends! We went to Dollywood 5 times, Jordan and I went to the Titanic museum, we shopped at the Tanger Outlet Malls, ate at The Old Mill, Mr. Gatti's Pizza and Flapjack's Pancake Cabin and made wonderful family memories. 

I didn't carry my phone at first because we didn't get hardly a lick of service. I was able to post two blogs one day from a hot spot, but internet access was extremely limited. It was pretty nice to get away. We played games, sat in the cabin's sauna, and relaxed in the hot tub on one of the back decks. Ahhhh, I miss it :o)

Here's our vacation in pictures! 

Click here to read about our visit with my grandparents on our way to the cabin. The other post I was able to get online was "Sunday Funday." Click here to read that post.

Jordan got this picture from the race that he and my dad did the Saturday we left for vacation. This race was halfway to our vacation spot so they left early Saturday morning to run in the Knoxville Expo 10K. 

More Saturday highlights!

Our cabin!!!!

Sunday, May 27

Riding the tram to Dollywood for the first time!! :-D

We LOVE rollercoasters!!! This was the Mystery Mine ride- awesome thrill!

 Lilly, Brittney, and Colton on the ferris wheel.

After our Dollywood filled day, we had a cookout and s'mores with Matt, Rachel, Brittney, and Colton (and Brittney's "friend" CJ)

Monday, May 28: Go Carts, Putt Putt and Dollywood! 

Jordan, Jeff, and Paw Paw took Lilly to play putt putt and ride golf carts before we went to Dollywood. Lilly got her first hole in one!

Paisley was not a fan of her sunglasses... Mac not so much either- he took them off right after this pic.

Hydrating the thirsty ones! They actually do better with bottled water than sippy cups.

 Family!! 

 Tuesday, May 29: Dollywood. of course!

By the time Wednesday rolled around, I was kind of burnt out... and exhausted! Jeff went with Matt and Rachel's crew to float down the river, and Jordan and I went on a date to the Titanic Museum and lunch. I was only allowed to get pics of the outside, but I couldn't do the artifacts justice if I could have taken pictures. If this story interests you at all, I highly recommend going to this museum!

 Here are our passenger cards we received when we "boarded" the Titanic. These are actual passengers and their information. At the end of the museum, we looked on a memorial wall to see if our passenger survived. `

 

Jordan's passenger (Alfred) did not survive, but my passenger (Manca) lived! 

Thursday, May 31

Vegetarians beware!!!

Look at this!! I've never seen bbq like this! 

My grandparents met us at... guess where?? Dollywood! Haha! (Thank goodness for season passes!) We went to a couple of shows (Granmom's favorite), had a picnic, and enjoyed the park. 

 Mac was very interested in the music on stage :o)

 Time to ride the rides!! 

 ... and win (ridiculously sized) stuffed animals playing games!

 Everyone was happy doing what they love :o)

After a fun filled day, we went to The Old Mill for a wonderful southern, family style dinner!

 Paisley was so exhausted, and Uncle Jeff didn't mind humming and holding her. Sweet.

Friday we went to the outlet malls, and I only snapped one picture while everyone was getting ready to leave.

We had such a great time!! Paisley started pulling up and saying "Na Na" and Mac learned to gulp from a water bottle and eat table foods as a meal. I think the older M and P get, the faster they grow up. This is bittersweet for me. 

I learned that Pigeon Forge is was underrated as a great vacation spot, the 28 degree water that Titanic passengers were swimming in is painfully cold, and no matter how many times I ride a coaster, I still get incredibly nervous when it's time to buckle in! 

Happy Monday! (Although today's recovery from vacation has been pretty rough for M and P)