My babies started school last week!  They ride the bus, and they are gone all day long!!  They are 4 1/2 and have started the full-day Universal pre-Kindergarten program.  I can't believe it.  I am so very proud of them (and kudos to all those who homeschool - I admire you, but it is just not for me!). 

Here are my kiddos, all excited about their first day!

Today holds a special place in my heart, and it always will.  Five years ago today, I got my very first positive pregnancy test!  Some may wonder why that holds such significance, or why I would celebrate such a seemingly "everyday" occurance.  Why do I remember the exact day??  I remember a lot of days from that year.  And the preceding few years.  We had been trying (or "not NOT trying" LOL) to conceive almost from the time we got married (in 1999).  We did not have any success on our own.  I went to many doctors who told me we were still young, the depo provera shot was going to take time to leave my system (I was on it for three months before we got married and three months afterwards), there wasn't anything "wrong" with me, blah blah blah.  I finally found a doctor who LISTENED to me.  She was in the exam room with me for five minutes before telling me "I know what is wrong, and I believe we can fix this!"  She diagnosed me with PCOS, and we began the process of testing, charting, more testing.  I was put on Pro Vera for a few months to regulate my cycle.  Then I was put on Clomid.  For three months, it did nothing.  She doubled my dose.  For two months, my levels went up (to indicate ovulation) but not high enough.  So she tripled my dose.  We then endured the month from HELL.  Mood swings, hot flashes, migraines, irrational behavior -- I was a crazy woman!  When my tests (the third week of April 2004) showed that I had not ovulated, we decided that we were done with this process.  No more Clomid.  No more "trying."  We would look into other avenues to have children.  I was tired from this journey.

On May 6, 2004, I woke up in the morning and had the urge to take a pregnancy test.  I had one in my bathroom cupboard, just taunting me.  Even though I'd been told I absolutely had not ovulated, I took the test.  I was home alone at the time -- hubby had been working an overnight shift.  I peed on the stick (lol), then placed it on the sink and turned to start my shower.  I refused to look at that stick for three minutes.  When I turned to look, I saw nothing -- I had placed it upside down!!!  My heart was pounding as I turned it over...there were two lines.  TWO LINES!!!!  I never thought I would see that sight.  I was instantly hysterical, crying and laughing, and praying and begging God to let this be real, to let me have a healthy baby.  I managed to finish my shower, get ready for work, and leave a note for hubby along with a keychain that said "#1 Daddy" and the positive test.  I got to work and could barely contain myself...I waited until my dr's office opened then called to tell them.  They said if I could get there right away, they would draw blood and I'd be able to get the results by the end of the day.  I flew out of there, and called hubby at home on my way.  He was just walking through the door, so I was on the phone with him as he read my note and found the test.  We spent a looooooooooooong day waiting for the results of the test.  Finally at 4:00, the nurse called to tell me that I was, indeed, pregnant.  They scheduled more bloodwork for me (since I had had a difficult time getting pregnant, they wanted to monitor my progress closely).  

We told his parents and his sister and bro-in-law in person that night (we lived in the same town as them at the time).  They were all speechless, to say the least, but thrilled.  We were hanging out at his sister's house that night to watch the final episode of Friends.  I called my parents from there, and my mom said she "just knew" that's why I was calling, LOL.  She had also been watching Friends, and the part where Chandler and Monica found out the birth mom was having twins had just aired.  My mom made some off-the-wall comment about me having twins like that.  I laughed at her.  Little did I know!!!

So five years ago, I found out that I was going to be a mom.  It is a day I will never, ever forget.  Did I even imagine that five years later here I would be  - a mom of FOUR?!!?  All twins?!  Never.  But I am so very, very thankful that I was given these blessings.   

Trey and Lindy turned 4 on December 23 (2008).

I cannot believe my babies are four!!!!  We had their birthday party on Sunday, December 21 after church.  All of their church friends were able to be there (except their future spouses, LOL, a brother and sister named Jack and Kaylah, who were unable to attend because we were having a pretty massive snowstorm that day) and we had a lovely time.

They chose a prince and princess theme (this is the first year we did a theme).  I was actually chosen by cafemom (www.cafemom.com/TwinMomma122304) and Betty Crocker to be a product tester.  They sent me coupons for free cake mix and frosting, plus a $50 gift card to buy decorations.  I found a princess theme on the Betty Crocker website (http://www.bettycrocker.com/entertaining/birthday-parties/kid-birthdays/Magical-Princess-Castle-Party.htm) and adapted it to include both my kids.  I made full size castle cakes for each of them (that was a LOT of cake!!).  I also made a tutu for Lindy so she could be a beautiful princess!  I had bought her a princess crown, but it turned out to be broken so she wore one of the paper ones I had picked up for the other kids (which ended up being all boys LOL).  I couldn't find prince crowns anywhere, so I sent hubby to Burger King to get some of their paper crowns!!!  All the little boys at the party loved them.

The kiddos, of course, got spoiled!  The big hit was "real" digital cameras that take real photos.  Trey is absolutely in love with his!!  He also got Lego sets and other "boy" things.  Lindy got princess dress-up costumes and dolls and lots to color on and write with (her favorite thing to do).

They are so smart and sweet, and they amaze me every day.  They're sloooooooowly getting over the whiney, disobedient, annoying stage...=)  They are good kids, and I am so thankful that they are...and that they are healthy and happy!