Being Present For Our Kids

One of my fondest memories growing up is lying in bed at night, chatting with my Mom. It didn't matter if it was a school night and we had to get up early the next day. Or if it was a weekend and I had just returned home from a football game and Shari's.
We almost always talked at night, there was always time for that.

Never an "it's too late tonight, we will talk tomorrow". 

It was always on the table.

I believe that I am as close to my Mom now because of those moments growing up, and especially those moments in high school.

I know my sister agrees with me wholeheartedly, because my Mom did the same with her.

I hear Mom's talk about how when their kids are so young, that's when they need them the most.

I think your kids need you at every stage, but I think it's those 

teenage years that are more crucial. 

Those years when you are grasping onto anything trying to figure out who you are, while dealing with friendships and hefty loads of homework and the opposite sex, and what you want to do with your life.

Pivotal choices are made in these years, and if you haven't established open communication with your kids when they are young, you can lose them here....I saw many of my friends fall into the wrong crowd, make wrong choices that forever have affected their lives.

I always knew I was safe with my parents. I could tell my Mom everything, and I did.

 She mostly listened and let me talk it out only offering something when she felt I needed her to, or when she knew she really should.

It was safe, and she made sure from the time we were young that we knew we were always loved, we could share anything and nothing could change how she felt about us.
She made time and space for us and was present every time we needed her. The same really goes for my Dad and I know as I type this how blessed I am. To have the relationship with both of my parents that I do, I know it's rare.

I dreamt of bedtime cuddles and talks about boys with my daughters, 

but when my three little boys came along I did fear that I wouldn't be able to have those talks. It wouldn't be the same because they are boys. Those talks will be with Dad and that's okay. 

I was wrong.

I started lying in bed with Jack looking at the stars on his ceiling cast by his turtle night-light months ago. 

I would ask him things, and listen. 

We'd snuggle and then I'd say goodnight. 

Now he asks for me to stay and look at the stars.

The other night, our conversation went like this:

"Mommy, stay and look at the stars with me"

"Okay buddy"

"Do you want to talk to me about God?"

"Of course I do....(tears forming in my eyes) He loves you very much, more than I do"

"Do you talk to God"

"Yes. When I'm scared, when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I am excited! I talk to God all day long and you can too"

"You get scared? And then you talk to God?"

"Yep. I tell God I'm afraid and I need Him to fill me with his peace....and guess what?! He does"

*Smiles*

"I love you Mommy"

"I love you too buddy"

And then I left the room and cried. I never thought I would get these moments, and I know that it will change a bit and when he's a 17 year old boy we won't lay in bed and look at the stars, and that he and Trevor will go camping and on runs together and do the "guy talk thing" like they do and like they should.....but I know that what I'm establishing now is that I have time for him, and that I want to talk to him about the important things and listen to what he has to say. And I know that this will carry into those years when he is struggling to find out who he is and he will know that I will always have time for him and that I want to talk to him about this heavy stuff.

I never say no when he asks me to stay. Not if there are loads of laundry, a work-out to be done or I am bone tired. I will always have time for this. Nothing much matters more.

Linking up here today....

Meeting Blogger Friends

When I would read about other bloggers getting to meet blogging friends, I always wondered what it was like.

Was it awkward?

Did you get along and have fun or was it not what you expected?

I always hoped I'd get to meet someone I met through blogging, and there are so many of you that I would love love love to grab coffee with or watch our kiddos run around together.

If you are ever passing through Southern Oregon or visiting nearby, let me know!

Joleen and I met through Multiples and More while we were both pregnant with our twin boys.

She was almost exactly one month behind me and I enjoyed following her story at
Beauty and the Beef
 and encouraging her and giving her a "heads up" for what was next.

I remember sitting in my chair with my newborns, nursing and reading her delivery story. 

When she contacted me to let me know they'd be a within a few hours of our house, and could we meet, I knew it would need to happen!

We drove up to Union Creek and let the boys run around outside and then grabbed ice cream. My lovely Mom came with and seeing all the boys run around together was adorable.

It was a short visit but I am so glad we could do it. 

Joleen and her hubby are so sweet and I am so thankful she emailed me!

Joleen's littles are Abraham and Winston and as you can see from pictures, they are identical!

Going to meet friends!

All the boys in one shot...nearly impossible :)

Abraham and his baby blues!

Jack jumping...I think he liked being the big kid

Two sets of twins...Wintston (L) Abraham (R) 18 months and Christian (L) Camden (R) 19 months

Wordless Wednesday (sort of) 19 Month Pics

Impromptu photos with my little men for a  belated 19 month post.

And lest you think life is always happy go lucky (silly you)..........

Legacy Bracelet Giveaway Winner

Thank you for all who entered the Legacy Bracelet Giveaway! I am so excited for our winner!

If you didn't win, you can still purchase a bracelet from Legacy, and make sure you keep their Facebook Page in your feed, sometimes they do random giveaways if you pay attention!

This makes a fabulous gift, so with the holidays approaching, keep this in mind.


Without further ado Rafflecopter randomly selected:

Tami De Mille-Campos

Congratulations!

I will send a confirmation email, if I don't here from you within 24hrs I will have Rafflecopter select a new winner. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miscellany Monday

Today is the last day to enter the Legacy Bracelet Giveaway!! Hurry and go do it, tomorrow I will announce the winner!

This week is the last normal week before a crazy and fun October, I am anxious for it. My husband is the Worship Pastor at our church and this year is his turn for a sabbatical. What's that?

 Let Wikipedia help:

 (Sabbatical or a sabbatical (from Latin sabbaticus, from Greek sabbatikos, from Hebrew shabbat, i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year. The concept of sabbatical has a source in shmita, described several places in the Bible (Leviticus 25, for example, where there is a commandment to desist from working the fields in the seventh year). In the strict sense, therefore, sabbatical lasts a year.)

Well, it isn't a year long, it isn't even two months long, but it is one month! 

I will take it!

He needs it.

He does need to do some things related to work while we're gone, but it's fun stuff like visiting churches and connecting with others and such, so it's not a fully working sabbatical (because what's the point of that!?) but it isn't a sit on his tush the whole month either. 

So we have a few little trips planned, and one bigger trip planned as well!

Happy Autumn! 

It's still in the 80's here, but better than the 90's which is what it was the week before. I am so so ready for the 60's...I love the crisp air, sweatshirts and hot drinks and turning leaves. 

I didn't wait until Autumn to decorate...I did it a few days early. I usually do it September 1st regardless of the heat, but I just couldn't swing it this year with it being 99 degrees. 

I love love love this time of year. 
Do you decorate for fall?

Linkup up with my lovely friend Carissa

*Link-Up* Run Mama Run

Well, if you read this post you will know I am sidelined from running for awhile. Major bummer.
BUT I will keep this linky up and running and have a few posts with tips and cool apps for you to check out!

I didn't do anything from Saturday until Wednesday, letting my body rest. I did some Yoga for the first time Wednesday night. Let me tell you what, that was a workout. I did Denise Austin's Body Burn Yoga on Youtube and then a Livestrong routine after that. Shoot I was dripping sweat.

Thursday morning I walked with the twins for just under 3 miles and had no pain in my leg. Yippee!

Next week I am planning on yoga and walking each day.

How about you? How did you do? Link up your post for the week and let us know! Don't forget to encourage the person who links up before you!

Friday Favorite Things

Taking a long with all 4 of my boys early this morning. It was crisp and sunny and we listened to music. Perfect way to start the day.

Snuggling with my littles before bedtime....I love that they love to go to bed...

Bath x 3...with bath colors. Super fun. Until Christian ate one...........

Starbucks Blonde in my house everyday this week

Coffee with my best friend today

Fitting into a pair of jeans I haven't in a long time

Watching the last season premiere of The Office

Homemade Bread

This Giveaway

Linking up with my friend Rachel 

When things don't quite go as planned

Sometimes, things just don't go as planned. We have it all figured out, and then a curve ball is thrown.

Kinda like when the twins arrived healthy via c-section at 36weeks 4 days and then 3 days later went to the NICU.

Or when my parents planned a Disneyland trip and it was to celebrate their 30th Wedding Anniversary and my Dad's retirement from the NWS and it was a bit different because she was in the middle of chemotherapy for breast cancer that took our family by surprise.

Sort of like picking back up running again, planning to run a race with youR Dad who had a triple bypass in March and then being told you have a stress fracture on your tibia and you are done running for a few months.


Yep. My nagging calf injury that I have dealt with since late winter on and off? The one I thought would go away....is a stress fracture. Not what I wanted to hear.

I was angry.

 I cried, realizing that I would not be crossing the finish line in October with my Dad and sister. I feel sabotaged, knowing this has contributed to my 10.6lb weight loss in the last 3 weeks.

I can't believe it. I just started the new link-up on Saturday, Run Mama Run, and now I can't run.

I can walk. I can do weights. I can try running again, SLOWLY in about 2 months. And then I have to start slower than ever. Increasing run times slower than ever. Not easy for an impatient person like myself.

I had just been talking to Trevor about how I cannot pray or really even think while I run. So many people talk about how it's their "time" to pray and think about things while they run...I can't do it. Nothing goes on in my brain other than FINISH THIS RUN. Honestly, I've tried...it's like a block.

Yet, when I walk I can.....so I am taking this opportunity to walk on the days I would normally run, and using the time to pray and process what God is doing. If I don't treat my walks like part of my training, I won't do them. I have to look at it like a run, that's just how I work.

I will continue the link-up weekly, and be encouraging you all who are running! Run a bit extra for me, will ya?

A Legacy Bracelet *GIVEAWAY*

I am so excited to share this giveaway with you today.  Legacy Bracelets is a Mama started, Mama run and Mama designed business. Amy (owner of Legacy Bracelets) is a fellow boy Mom and I have had so much fun connecting with her, she is a true gem!

I first saw these bracelets featured on Rachel Martin's blog and was in awe at the design and the idea of them, I tried to win one later when Carissa hosted a giveaway and while I missed that boat I am super honored to be wearing one today that Amy made while watching Dr. Who episodes with her boys (I had to throw that in because I love it so much!)

I chose the new Cadence design with pictures of the best days of my life, our wedding, the birth of each of our sons, a family picture and then a picture of each boy that captures him so well.

Pattern facing out

Pictures facing out

Wear the design out, or the pictures out...either way it will go with anything you wear and I promise you will get asked where it came from!

You pick a design (and let me tell you that may be the hardest part because they are all beautiful) and then fill the other side of the tiles (7 in all) with pictures of your loved ones, a scripture or quote maybe and they will always be near to your heart.

Here are a few more styles...photos courtesy of Legacy Bracelets

I've seen bracelets designed for adoptions, weddings, new babies, anniversary's, Mother's Day and more while following their Facebook page. Each bracelet is custom made, cut drilled and sanded specifically for you or a loved one you choose to gift!

These are pieces that will last a lifetime and beyond. 

You must have one, right?!

Here is how you can win a bracelet of your choice for either you or someone you choose to gift it with! (Valued at $64.00) 

Giveaway ends on Tuesday September 25th

Make sure you follow instructions on the Rafflecopter, no comments on this blog post are entered into the giveaway. 
Pictures courtesy of Lacie Lauree Photography

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miscellany Monday

Happy Monday folks!

We took Jack to his first football game on Friday night and had a blast. It was at my Alma Mater and it was a great experience.

I finished Week 5 of running again! Woot-Woot! Did you see my new link-up?? It's for Mama's who run and we link up here every Saturday to encourage one another, don't miss it this weekend.

*Say a little prayer for me? Have a calf injury that I've been running through, thinking it just needed time, but it's getting worse so I'm heading to Doc this week just to make sure.*

Saturday was nice and lazy...we made Star Wars pancakes

I have an AWESOME giveaway tomorrow!! I know I've said that about other giveaways, and they were indeed awesome, but I think this is my favorite so far! Come back tomorrow and check it out. Here is a little hint....

It will run until next Tuesday so keep your eyes open!


Have a great week!