A job opening, a thankful heart, and weekend play

Over the weekend I found out about a school counseling position that opened up. This is unheard of right now. When I left my job to stay home I realized that it was going to be a God thing to return to work someday because there are so few openings in education. I went through a couple hours of convincing myself to apply. The extra income would take a huge weight off Mike. We need the money. On some level I really miss having a career. What are the odds that there is an opening? It must mean something that I just happen to look and the job had just been posted- on a Saturday! And at the beginning of the school year!

And then my stomach started turning. And I wanted to throw up. If I somehow was selected for the position...who would watch my babies? I would be commuting two hours a day. I would literally be gone from 6-6. The whole day. Away from them. My heart started racing and I put my head down. Please, no. You called my bluff, I don't want this Lord. I prayed my heart would soften to what's right for our family. Thinking about the stress of finances. Thinking about how that stress puts a strain on our marriage. Thinking about medical insurance. Thinking about Mike working weekends. Trying to be brave. And then my phone rang. I told Mike about the job opening. And he reminded me of our plan. That I will go back to work, but right now having me with the kids is what's best for our family. Thank you Lord, my heart whispered. Thank you Mike.

So for every post I've written about how staying at home with twins (or one, or five) is hard...I'll take the hard. I don't regret voicing my complaints  struggles because they're real, and I need to say it to work through it. Maybe other Moms don't find some days long/hard/lonely, but sometimes I do. But that feeling can't even compare to the longing I would feel if I had to leave my kids every morning. To the full time working Moms, I applaud you. To the full time stay at home Moms, cheers. Every family has something that works for them. Today I'm thankful for my husband who chooses to work extra so that I don't have to work full time.

If somewhere down the road I find something part time, we may re evaluate our situation. But for now, I am thankful for these few precious years I am spending with Maxwell and Ella. I'm thankful I get to be there for each little thing, and have the time to blog about it.

 

 

 

 

 

p.s. I know Ella needs a haircut. It's just kind of hard for me to think about cutting it, as she was practically bald until about 14 months :)

My Boys

Bat Boy and Water Girl

It was 98 degrees yesterday. So hot that we didn't venture outside until Mike got home and played with the kids. Hence the little red faces.

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary, Four Years

Mike,
This picture was taken the second month we met, six years ago. We went wine tasting for your Mom’s 60th birthday. I remember this exact moment. You leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I’m going to marry you.” I laughed. I thought it was the wine, puppy love, something sweet to say. But it was real.
Today is our four year anniversary. We have what we wanted, love and our beautiful family. Thank you. For everything.
I love you
~meg

The Best Surprise

Mike and I have been going out on 'date night' the past couple weeks. It's been so fun and I really look forward to it. Gma Judie babysits for us (thank you!) but she was out of town this week. I figured we wouldn't do anything but last night Mike told me to load the kids up because we were going out for pizza. Yay! No cooking or dishes! After dinner he told me he had to meet someone about a job. We pulled up and he told me he'd pick me up in an hour because I had a massage appointment. I KNOW. The best surprise ever! The massage was amazing, but for the first ten minutes all I could think about was how special it was that he planned it for me.
Thank you Mike. It was perfect.

Ella Loves Food

Ella is my eater. Just like her mother, she loves food. She seriously will eat anything if she sees someone else trying it. She loves sausage right off the BBQ and insists on dipping it in the sweet hot mustard like her Dad. Her Uncle Bill gets a kick out of this. Maxwell, not so much. He's too busy to eat. He thinks it's a bother to be strapped into his chair as it really cuts into his playing time. This drives me crazy. I imagine anyone with more than one child tries to do mealtime all at once to be done with it. Sometimes I let him run around with his food just so he'll eat.

Every once in awhile I will forget that the babies kids are old enough/capable enough to do something. Like using a spoon. They are 17 months old and I forgot that they can handle this. They use forks for dinner but I was always dreading spoons with liquidy food because I hate the mess that I already have to clean up. But the other day I started giving them spoons with meals throughout the day and I found they love it. And they can do it. And yes, it's totally messy, but they always are anyway.

 

This is some yummy applesauce

 

I just pulled my bib off for the fifth time because I like having it in my hair, under my chin, and on my PJ's.

 

Uh-uh, I'm not done ! Can't you see there's still a smudge left for me to smear around!

See, told you.

Front Teeth Are Over Rated

My friend Crystal (LOVE YOU) and her family were camping so we took our boat out for the afternoon. We had such a fun time! Except for...

The bottle of beer + toddler on my lap =
Chipped front tooth. It actually looks a lot worse in person. I have a dentist appointment today but I was considering leaving it until after Halloween.

Rockabye

The rocker Maxwell is sitting in was mine from when I was a girl. I LOVE that my Mom saved these special things. We found the other chair on craigslist and I plan to paint them white. You should see them really get going on them. Maxwell has already taken a header, but he climbed right back on.

Mommy paranoia

Now that I'm a mom, my situational awareness is out of control. I have always been a very trusting person. I've left my car and home unlocked. I greet most strangers with a smile. I assume the best in people. But now I'm slightly paranoid. Sometimes I'll lie in bed at night and think about what I'd do if I were alone and a fire started. How quickly could I grab both babies and anything important? If someone were to break into our home how could I hide the kids and pretend it was only me there? I know, so dumb.

The other day I opened the door to a charming young man. He was going door to door selling children's books and encyclopedias. He was adorable. I'm guessing 21 years old, traveling from the Czech Republic with a super cute accent. It was over 90 degrees and he asked for 'five minutes of my time' to show me and the kids the material he was selling. I invited him in. Whatever, he was harmless. But as soon as he walked in my mind started racing and all I could think about was the hot guy with the accent on the movie Taken. Oh my gosh! This is the same thing! Cute, friendly guy luring me in and here I am falling for the trap and next thing I know a band of Albanian kidnappers are going to burst through our door to drag me off to a life of sex slavery and my children will be sold- BUT WAIT. It's actually just a kid traveling abroad selling books to stay at home moms.

I listened to his pitch and politely declined. All the while Max and Ella were climbing all over him. Ella kept putting her finger up her nose and then rubbing his arm. Max thought it was hilarious to put his blanket on top of the guy's head. I could tell he was trying to act like it didn't bother him but I'm sure he was thanking god for the birth control he used last night. Anyway, my point is that sometimes I create these ridiculous scenarios in my head. And it really wasn't like this before. I've just got this mama bear thing going on where I've got to protect my babies. Anyone else become slightly paranoid after becoming a mom?

p.s. Don't worry, my kids won't grow up in fear. I don't let them know we are about to be abducted, it's just the stuff that runs through my head. I'll teach them to use discernment and trust their gut, but to also look for the good in people. Even so, I will tell them to lock the car and house.

Little People

We know some pretty cute little people.

Drew and Kaden came over to play in the water. And more importantly, to eat Popsicles.

Landrie invited us to swim in her grandparents pool. Landrie says Ella's name and it is the cutest thing EVER. She says, 'Lella.' 

The black bug on Ella's tummy is kind of gross. But Landrie's face is too sweet in this picture.

The Zoo

I love the weekends. I used to love the weekends for relaxing and fun parties. Now I love them because Mike is home. Although he usually works Saturday or Sunday, sometimes both, it's a treat when he's home. I get to do fun things with the kids all week long, but it is soooo much funner/easier/better when Mike is with us and we get to do things as a family. This weekend we took the kids to the Santa Barbara zoo, then to visit Nana and Papa, Maxwell and Ella's great grandparents. On the way home we stopped in Santa Maria for a quick visit with my parents. Let me tell you, these babies get the most amazing welcome wherever they show up.

This post title implies you will see pictures of animals. But as always, it's really just about Maxwell and Ella.

It's hard to see, but the kids got to feed the giraffe.