Here's the group: no one looking at the camera but pleasant mom and me, looking solemn. This is central PA's way to occupy the local farm animals and their farmers during the winter months. You can always expect horrid weather when it is Farm Show time.

The 1,600 pound buffalo we watched leave the arena. I was starting to wonder why any of us were standing close enough to him to get this shot.

Enthusiasm from the group in finally making it into the warm farm show complex after a long cold walk.

This is exactly how I felt 30 minutes into the experience. This was the day of many lessons learned on my part. From cleaning the house all morning for a house showing then walking 2 hours straight at the farm show led to calling the OB Sunday about hours of progressing cramping. Thankfully, after a visit to the Doc the next day, all was well with the babies and the Mommy was reprimanded.


Kimberly petting goats.


And Johanna Cullen, I mean Shiffler, later sporting the powdered look, thanks to her sister.

Here are the profiles of our little babies-- almost 19 weeks old (which is well beyond halfway for twins). I had another routine ultrasound yesterday. Bobby, who was making preparations for an appointment in D.C., didn't get there until, literally, the last 30 seconds of the appointment.

We are excited to announce that these little profiles are the faces of our twin GIRLS! I am so thrilled-- the idea of matching, curly haired, Shiffler girls sounds so exciting. Not to mention they'll be identical little Shiffler girls.

There has been some change in my cervix, though, which means I need to be alert to any abnormalities during the day which could encourage preterm labor. It all seems vague in my mind, but at least I am at the hospital every other week now that they'll be able to keep a close watch on me.

The babies are growing well, which is a blessing since they share the same placenta. They now routinely check the blood flow in each girl's brain (I can't believe they're girls!) to make sure they are equally growing and one isn't receiving more from the placenta.

I honestly feel like a walking time bomb, not knowing how much activity is too much, which of my many doctors I see has a more accurate view of this pregnancy, etc.

My prayer is that they'll make it until they're 34 weeks (mid April). That's the goal for twins, although they could easily be born over the next couple months.


This whole experience has required more faith from Bobby and me. Faith in knowing that the Lord is fully aware of our twins, of my unwell body with the pregnancy, of our unsold house, and the rest of the unknowns that come with this life change. But I do know that the Savior continues to calm my questioning heart and remind me of the pricelessness of these little ones desperate to experience life on earth and be in our particular family.

I've been dying to show off some incredible talents of those close to me. Sarah Clark, before moving with her husband to AZ, made these adorable crocheted farm animals for the girls. They are sturdy, as tested by the destroyer, Johanna. Hopefully she'll start selling these online. (Hint, hint, Sarah.)

The horse is my favorite!

And then there is my sister-in-law, Ayumi. She has totally blown away my family. Check out this felt "play food". I bought the dinner entre for Caroline, but check out her whole menu at her etsy store. She stitches everything by hand! She's extremely talented.

One of her gorgeous cake slices, chocolate shaving and dollop of whipped topping included. If only this were real food for the ravenous mother!

Christmas was all about slowing down for us. After the past months of getting the house on the market, pregnancy, adjusting to the idea of twins, and trying to make big decisions about the future year, the last couple weeks have been heaven just being together and slowing down.

A highlight was having the Mains family over to act out the Nativity with our girls.


This year I did something very different. Before the sickness set in, I carefully planned some special gifts for each girl that I wanted to make for them. I bought the materials well in advance in hopes to finish everything well before Christmas. Needless to say, I enjoyed spending the evenings right before Christmas making painting and sewing into the night.

It was really an experiment to see what it would feel like giving almost everything handmade, and their mother's hands, at that.

I was actually nervous as they opened the gifts to see if they'd be as excited opening a non-electronic, possibly wooden, painted, sewn, or non-descript gift.

This was Caroline's special diaper bag with quilted blanket, pillow and burp cloth that was intended for the water baby I heard Santa might be bringing.

Her reaction was all a mother needed.

Of course, not so excited about a shirt, I made myself feel better by convincing Caroline to wear it that day. Hey, some day she'll appreciate it.

Johanna opened the baby blocks I made her months ago, with a photo of herself to find on each block.

I think this is an excited expression. Too bad she's seen these blocks over and over again the last couple weeks to be totally surprised.


These are some simple little critters I found unfinished and well, finished them. They're perfect for the bag that goes to church.


I just had to put this photo in the line up: not a homemade gift, but the most meaningful gift to Caroline from her father-- another miniature Mercedes Benz. I honestly think she believes that's the only toy car out there, due to her Daddy's indoctrination. He was thrilled by her reaction.



I realize how blessed we are to live close to both families and to spend time with both. There is no greater definition of joy than these relationships. How grateful I am for that every time I think of this new year, this new life we're embarking on, which in a year will grant us two little 7 months-old wee ones to only magnify that joy.



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