Rylan's First Haircut!

Today was the big day for our first-born...losing his baby locks! People had been telling us for months that he needed a haircut. People thought he could have a pony-tail and that he was a girl because of his hair. But it took Mama a while to warm up to the idea of her baby getting his first haircut. Jason needed a haircut, so today became the day!

When we arrived at the quaint barber shop in the middle of town, the lady was ready for us! She and Jason had been talking about the boys for months and she was excited to cut their hair. First she cut Jason's hair and we watched closely. Rylan inspected each tool and scissor very carefully. He was still calm, so it was his turn in the big black chair. Look closely and see his long spiky locks...they are soon to be gone!

Let the cutting begin!
Rylan did so good! He sat calmly and played with the fire truck and his favorite book (Big Red Barn). No tears were shed - from Rylan, Mama or Donna, the barber!
The finished product!!! Doesn't it look fantastic!?!?!
Sweet Rylan and one proud Mama!
Rylan and Daddy by the barber pole out front. They even had a cute "My First Haircut" certificate. I saved a baggie of his hair and it will probably bring tears to my eyes for many years. But overall, I am pleased with today. Rylan looks adorable and our little baby is SLOWLY becoming a little boy.

Friends Always Friends

On Thursday I got to see one of my dearest college friends, Becca. We met the summer of 1994 at the HU Honors Symposium. She was from New Mexico and was a little bit country! We clicked right away and those 3 weeks started a fabulous friendship of silly antics, loud laughter and deep discussions. Our freshman year we were suite-mates and had loads of fun. Our sophomore year, Becca jumped to my club. We had a blast at all the mixers, club socials, and even both won "Cutie Pie Awards" that May. She was in the car on my blind date with Jason... but that is a story for another day.

On a choir trip to Paducah, Kentucky Becca told me some horrible news. She was not going to be able to come back to HU for our junior year. We wept together. You see, our friendship was not just loud laughter and silliness, it was deeply spiritual. We prayed almost as much as we laughed. The night before she left we prayed on the Ad. Aud. steps for a long time and cried our eyes out.

At the time it was terrible to see Becca leave, but her leaving HU led her to meet her wonderful husband Dane. He is a Godly man and the perfect match for Becca. So in June 2000, she was my maid of honor and in December 2000 I was her matron of honor.

She still lives in NM and of course we are in the GREAT state of TX. Many miles separate us, but seeing Becca on Thursday it seemed as if not a moment had passed. We squealed, hugged, laughed, ate Mexican food, doted on Jacob and Rylan, took photos, rubbed her pregnant belly, then cried again as we said good-bye.

Reflecting on the people God places in our lives is overwhelming. As I look back and see how certain people supported me and helped me grow into a better Christian, a huge lump swells in my throat. God is so good to us.

I want to share with you the verse that Becca and I adopted as our own way back in 1995. We still quote it to each other.

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Romans 1:11-12

So here is you challenge for today - call or write a note to an old friend that you have not talked to in a while. I know your day will be brightened and the Lord will bless both of you!

SPT: What's in a Name?

Holly has been participating in SPT for quite some time and I always enjoy reading her deep thoughts. SPT stands for "Self-Portrait Tuesday" and there is always a topic. This week it is how you got the name for your blog... so here is my first attempt to jump on the SPT bandwagon!

The name "Double the Blessings" comes from my thoughts about my sweet twin boys, Rylan and Jacob. To catch you up, it was quite a long road for us to be able to get pregnant and when we found out we were having twins we were beyond overjoyed and felt immeasurably blessed.

When people see us out in public, they always make comments. Sometimes I feel like a circus show! Ha ha! It is still shocking to me how perfect strangers come up and start asking you all kinds of personal questions. And they all have comments about the boys.

Here are some classic examples.
"He's bigger than the other one."
"Were they natural babies?"
"He has longer hair than the other one."
"How do you do it?"
"Do they like each other?"
"When are you having another one?"

99% of the time people are very sweet and complimentary about Rylan and Jacob. And 99% of the time I don't mind the small talk. But the comment that drives me crazy is when the stranger jokingly says,"Oh, they are double trouble." It drives me crazy!!! They are not trouble at all. They are a blessing from God!

We feel so blessed that the Lord gave us two children at once to raise to become servants for him. Sure nursing two babies was complicated, but not trouble. Sure they scheme to make a mess, but it is not trouble. Sure making two plates of food and changing two diapers all day long is a task, but it is not a trouble.

Every moment with our children is a blessing and we feel doubly blessed to get to see two smiles at once. Hear two giggles from across the room. Have 4 arms around your neck for a hug at the same time. Read a book and 4 ears are listening. Watch two faces light up when you walk into a room. See two fingers pointing and saying "Bible" every morning after breakfast ready to have our morning family devo. Four blue eyes, four dimples, four little feet scurrying across the room. Each moment is a blessing, never a trouble.

So the name "Double the Blessings" seemed perfect for our little family. What's the story behind your blog's name?

A Little About Me

My sweet friend Heather started this survey and I'm joining in the madness! So here is a little bit about me! :)

Two names you go by:
1. Mama
2. Kimberley (usually just by Granny)

Two things you are wearing right now
1. pajamas - purple plaid
2. mary jane slippers from Target - black with a sequin heart

Two of your favorite things to do
1 . Be with my family
2. Work on crafty things - cards, scrapbooks, etc

Two things you want very badly at the moment
1. to be debt -free
2. to follow through on my good intentions

Two favorite pets you have/had
1. Sam - our white mutt from childhood
2. Tippy - our black shih tzu/terrier from my teenage years - he was the "free dog" that had to go to the groomer once a month!

Two people who will fill this out
1. Whitney
2. Janell

Two things you ate today
1. church potluck - enough said!
2. did I mention we had a church potluck?!?!?

Two people you last talked to
1. Jacob - as I tucked him in bed
2. Jason

Two things you're doing tomorrow
1. Praising the Lord while cleaning my house
2. Hopefully seeing my college friend/club sister Becca who is coming in from NM

Two longest car rides
1. Houston to Boulder, CO for Justin's college football game over Thanksgiving
2. Houston to El Paso - could the land be any more flat?

Two favorite holidays
1. Thanksgiving (and it is usually close to my BD)
2. Mother's Day

Two favorite beverages
1. Dr. Pepper
2. sweet tea - especially from Cracker Barrel

Two favorite TV shows
1. Friday Night Lights
2. Food Network - too many to name
3. CSI - we are junkies - it's sad really.

I'm tagging all the Cutie Pies who read this - you know who you are! :)

The Half

The journey began in July... Jason committed to train and run the Half Marathon. That's right, 13.1 miles! He began training with a fabulous local group and built up his endurance each week. Training consisted of 3-4 week day runs and a long run every Saturday morning at about 5am. Jason got the fancy shoes, watch, a fuel belt and even learned that GU is not for him. A million bottles of Gatorade later the big day was here and we were all so excited.

Saturday he tried on his race outfit and we took a few pics with the boys. The boys gave him pins for his shoes - one R, one J and one K. That way when he was running he could look down at his feet and get a little boost from his loving family.
Sunday morning we left our house at 4:45am to meet with the caravan to downtown. There were literally thousands of runners and spectators already there when we arrived at 5:45am. Jason got with his group and did all of his stretches, a team cheer (which was really cute) and then I gave him a good luck kiss. I met with with Scott, Annelise, Taylor and Trevor to go watch our runner family members. We stood near the back at the starting line...it was a sea of faces!

Then we drove to mile 8 - the turnaround for the half marathoners. We got to see Holly, Heather, Darren and Catherine. Jason is in the middle of this photo waving at us. Seeing our friends running was SUCH a thrill! I screamed so loud that I scared the teens that were with us! I bet they think I'm crazy..they are probably right! haha
More of Jason running...

After we saw everyone at the 8 mile marker we drove back to the finish line. Unfortunately we missed seeing Jason cross by about 2 minutes. But, it was thrilling to see Heather cross right after we arrived.

Here are the 2 big feet that had just completed 13.1 miles - plantar ficitias and all!!!!!
After the race Jason got his bling and a cool tech shirt. I cannot put into words how proud I am of my sweet husband. I must confess, I was not completely "on board" with the running lifestyle at first, but as the months went on I started warming up to it all. Now, I am fully committed to it. Jason ran at all times of the day and night to prepare. He changed the way he ate and rested. I am so proud of him making a commitment and sticking it through to the end. We are both looking forward to more races and hopefully doing one together one day.
WAY TO GO DADDY!!!! We are sooooooooo proud of you!!!!!!!
And yes, these are only a fraction of all the port-a-cans that we saw at the race! Thought you would all like to be as grossed out as we were!!! HAHA

As Slow as Molasses

If you were a fly on the wall at our house this Sunday morning, this is what you would have witnessed...

8:12am - Kim pushes the snooze for the millionth time in an hour, lifts her head and realizes that they have to leave for church in 33 minutes. She throws back the covers, shakes Jason to get up and heads for the shower saying, "Go wake up the boys and start breakfast. I'll finish dressing them when you get cleaned up."

8:13-8:34 am Kim takes a shower, washes and dries her hair, gets on church clothes, paints her face with make-up and quickly makes the bed.
Jason has gotten both of the boys into the high chairs and is STILL making two little, tiny bowls of oatmeal.

8:35 - 8:52 am Kim feeds both boys, changes both boys into churchclothes (button-up shirt, vest and pants) AND shoes, loads both boys into thier car seats, loads 3 bags into the car, grabs a granola bar and water for Jason and Kim.

8:53 am Kim yells, "I've got the boys loaded. Hurry! I've got to teach class this morning!!!!" Jason responds," I'm still putting on my shoes."

8:56am We speed out of the driveway and speed down Main Street to church looking everywhere for the dreaded cop - who thankfully we never saw.

9:05 am Only 5 minutes late to class and my precious co-teacher has the students playing our memory verse games.

Now here is my question - Why do people say that women take forever to get ready when clearly men are the ones who are as slow as molasses?!?!?!

Love you sweetheart! :)

Ringing in 2008

New Year's Eve has never been a big celebration for us. This year Mom and Dad came over and we watched the Disney Channel countdown (including High School Musical 2) and Ryan Seacrest in NYC as the famous ball dropped. Mom and I were working on card sets and the guys were relaxing on the couch. I took pics of everyone with the clock at midnight and these were by far the two cutest members of our family. Rylan with his hinny in the air...And Jacob flat on his belly!
We hope that you had fun ringing in the new year. May 2008 bring many joyful moments to your home!

The end of our Christmas 2007

OK - I took WAY too many pictures on Christmas. It is a sick obsession. One of my new years goals is to take less photos and make them more meaningful. We'll see how successful I can be at that goal! haha

We were trying to get the perfect shot again of the boys in front of the tree. I guess a shot when they are not screaming will have to be my new definition of the perfect shot.

Opening lots and lots of gifts... We open most of the gifts on Christmas Eve and Santa leaves gifts to be opened on Christmas morning.

Santa was very good to Jacob and Rylan this year. They love the baby basketball goal!
Dad pulled off the ultimate gift surprise for Mom. She is a "Fan-ilow." That's right - a "Fan-ilow, " a die-hard fan of Barry Manilow. Barry is having a concert in Dallas in February and Dad got tickets for him and Mom! She was SO shocked and started crying. We are very serious about our obsessions in these parts! :)
Then the cooking extravaganza began!!! Jacob was a great helper in the kitchen. He helped Granny and I stir the dressing.
I've taken a zillion pics of the table with all the food and decided to try something new this year... after the feast of turkey, dressing, fruit salad, sweet potatoes, homemade yeast rolls from Edna, and cranberry sauce.

Even though it is a few weeks late, we hope that your Christmas was as fun as ours was. May your new year be very blessed!