An update on EVERYONE... (not just the twins)

I realized that I have been updating the blog over the past year a lot for the twins, mostly so that, when I get around to starting their baby scrapbooks, I'll have all of their milestones written down somewhere. I have not blogged about Clara at all, though, or about the rest of us. Things that I used to do fairly frequently, like scrapbooking or posting on our blog, have been few and far between since the twins were born, and I'm ok with that. I won't even say that, "I don't have time" because I don't believe in that phrase . . . there are 24 hours in a day now just like there were before I had kids . . . but now, I choose to spend my few free hours that aren't with the kids doing other things: just did a 25 minute workout DVD and gonna sneak in a shower, hopefully, before they all get up. I also strive to spend time in the Word every day (more about that later), read, and, of course, all the endless chores we have to do all the time! Here are a few things happening in the Lebow household in the last month:
1. Clara: This girl is getting so smart and becoming more and more of a little girl all the time! She is able to dress herself almost all by herself now (except for getting my shirt or nightgown off, mama . that's tricky for me), and likes to choose her outfits. She is learning more and more about sounding out 3 and 4 letter words to read, and we like to play little rhyming/phonological awareness games, especially while driving in the car. She also has been listening to Psalty CD's in her room while playing or in the car a lot, so she can sing a TON of those songs, which makes mama proud. She absolutely LOVES her friends, and asks to have them over or go to their houses almost everyday. She's getting better at just staying home, though, and playing by herself in her room. She has the best imagination . . she's CONSTANTLY make believing something. Either a wolf, fox, skunk, or monster is almost always "getting us" and she also likes to play "mommy friends" with me and get her dolls out and pretend to be taking care of them, while I take care of my "real babies." She is a true joy and we are just loving watching her blossom into such a sweet, smart, lively little girl!

2. Don't need to say too many new things about the babies since their 12-month update . . . they keep me moving, that's for sure! Between the two of them, I think that someone falls approximately once every 4.5 seconds, and I'm just waiting for our first trip to the E.R. for some stiches. They have mouths full of teeth, and are getting their back ones, so we are doing orajel before bed every night. They sleep well, though, and eat like champs, too . . . although Emma is getting a little more picky than I'd like her to. Both of them sign milk, more, please, and all done, but aren't really talking yet, much to my dismay. They have taken whining to a whole new level, though, and have made a fine art out of it. Mealtime can get pretty noisy around here. They are very good at going out and about and sit very well in our cadillac stroller . . . Jeremy can't believe how much I take them out, but I really feel sometimes that it's easier to pack them all up and get out than sit here, trying to figure out how to play with three kids ages three and under . . . at least when we go somewhere, the babies are all strapped in and can't run away!

3. Jeremy went to a men's retreat a few weekends ago with our church and came back rejuvenated, which was awesome! We are plugging in more and more to that church and developing some great friendships there. While he was gone, I took the girls to the Apple Blossom youth parade with some friends, and then the next weekend, I took Clara down to the staging area in the early morning for the grand parade and just took pictures with all the royalty, saw the floats, and collected buttons. Brought back some memories of my Queen Cashmere days!

4. We got our coveted swing set about a month ago, and my amazing hubby and dad spent probably about 18 hours all together putting it together! It came in about a million pieces, seriously. It didn't help that it rained two weekends in a row . . . but they finally did it. It's a big hit with the girls, and Clara has mastered the "big girl swing" very quickly. The babies love their swings, too, and we are out there at least once a day, if not more. Definitely a wise purchase for this summer.

5. A few weeks ago, I arranged for Jeremy's aunt and cousin to come stay with the girls for a night so that Jeremy and I could get a much-needed night away. Originally I wasn't going to tell him until the day of, but we were in the middle of the swing set construction, and he was about to call friends to come help him, so I had to tell him that he had plans for that Saturday. He was still very surprised and grateful for the night off. His cousin, aunt and cousin's daughter ended up coming, so the girls got 1:1 attention for 24 hours, which is a treat for them! We went to Leavenworth and ate lots of fun food, walked around, and stayed at a cute little house at Smallwoods. If you haven't heard of it, look it up on their website. Definitely a cute place, and a great deal!

6. I also got to go to a Girls' Retreat for one whole Saturday with women from my church. I probably wouldn't have gone, except that they asked me to lead worship . . . and I'm really glad they did! I got to know a few new fellow mamas to young kids, and it was just great to be in fellowship for the day. In addition to that, Jeremy treated my mom and I to a Spa package for our mother's Day present (yes, I KNOW how blessed I am to have the greatest husband ever!) and so this last Saturday, we got to have a facial and a massage, and then we're going back later this week for pedicures. AND, I got to spend a day/night with my mom and sister Sara who came over this last weekend for Memorial Day, and we all went shopping, out to lunch, and just talked, talked, talked, in the hot tub and at my mom's house. I have felt very spoiled lately for sure by my compassionate husband, and it is so nice to get some little breaks from the girls, knowing that he is more than capable of not only "holding down the fort" at home, but doing it better than I do sometimes! Such good Daddy-daughter time!

7. A few weeks ago, I took a 2-day class on Early Childhood Reading for my Teaching Certificate Clock Hours. I went to tally up my hours, thinking I had the 150 required to turn in by June of this year when my certificate expires . . . and realized that 20 of the clock hours are technically from BEFORE my last certificate was issued. I had a few days of moral deliberation, as I was considering lying on the dates of those classes and just turning them in anyway. In the end, I decided that I would just be honest and take another 20 hour class, costing me $170. So, technically right now, I should be spending this time reading my online class content on ADHD, as I need to get it done within 2-3 weeks or so, so that I can turn in the hours before the end of June. Sigh.

8. I found an online book club/Bible study group that I have now joined, and am really excited about it. I read a verse or two each morning that are provided for me, write about my observations/applications for that verse, and then share my answers with an online Facebook group. I also am reading through, "The Ministry of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson with this group . . one chapter/week, and answering study questions online, too. So far, I am in love with the book, and I really appreciate having the schedule to keep up with and a group to keep me accountable to read and be in the Word. Summer can be a difficult time for those of us with little kiddos, becuase our weekly "mommy breaks" go away until next September, like the Mom's Bible study group I was in all fall, and now I just have the wide open, nothing regularly scheduled, summer months. So, this was a good solution for that.

9. Things we are looking forward to for the next few weeks/summer months:

*Clara decided that the swing set looks like a pirate ship, which inspired me to let her throw a little "school is out, summer is here, we got a new swing set, and we need to throw a pirate party" party. We have been getting little things ready, and it is this Friday morning.

*My mom and I are having a yard sale this Saturday. Hoping to use some of the proceeds to fund a few fun things to do this summer

*I have committed to leading music at our church's VBS at the end of June, which I am so excited about. Fun motions, fun songs, fun kids, and all about Jesus. Does it get any better than that?

*After VBS is done, I have also initiated a little preschool dance class that I'm going to teach at our class, once a week, for the rest of the summer. There is a story behind this . . . I went to see one of my friend's girls dance in a dance recital about a month ago, and was a little disappointed at the songs/movements/outfits that mostly the older girls, but some of the little ones, had. Clara really wants to do dance . . . but mostly she wants to A) wear a tutu and twirl around, and B) Be on stage and have people clap for her. :) So, I thought, why not let her do that, with a few of her little friends, and be glorifying to God at the same time? Thus, my "Little Praisers" idea was born. I am not, in ANY sense of the word, a dancer. But, I think I can pick 4-5 upbeat, fun, Christian songs and make up some easy movements/motions to them and teach them to a handful of 3-5 year old girls. So, starting the first week of July, that's where Clara and I will be on Friday mornings, while a friend stays here with the twins. I'm really excited to see how it goes! (Pray for me, please...)

Alright, I guess that's about it. we are also really praying about how to bring in some income next fall, but we are always praying about that. We know God will provide, and He will show us what His will is for us. A few ideas on the prayer list: youth work at our church, me teaching piano lessons, or taking a .5FTE job with the school district. I'll keep ya posted...