Well we've been out of our home and living with the Shifflers for a week today. The last couple weeks seem like the hugest whirl wind of events. Adjusting to a new place, a new house, is always more work when it comes to helping kids adjust while being fairly pregnant (and having Bobby gone on business!) But Bobby's mom and sister have been angels with carrying, lifting, changing diapers, etc.

Thanks to my thoughtful and concerned husband, he surprised me with this, which he calls, "the harness", to help support me the remainder months of my pregnancy.

I have to say, I tried it on the first day we moved in, and with all the emotions from the move and then seeing this hilarious contraption on me, I cried. It is the most inconvenient support system in the world, especially when you consider the frequency pregnant women rush to the restroom. But just as time has allowed our family to settle in to our temporary home, this odd but surprisingly comfortable thing has grown on me. (Literally.) All I can say is it is a good thing it goes under your clothing so no one knows the inner workings of 15 different straps--well, except now all of you know.

I'm at a point, being 27.5 weeks along, that my stomach is measuring the size of a 35 week old singleton mother. So the extra weight and discomforts are definitely here to stay. And the babies are around average, size wise: one is under (the less active one on the left) and one above (the crazy kicker on the right!) 2.5 pounds now.

More updates to come on the house search... pray these babies don't come too early!!!!

This has always been my favorite place to just sit in the rocker and watch my children read, play, and be children. There is something about the way the warm sunshine shone in from the window to greet their happy faces bright and early in the morning.

Ahhh... our frustratingly small but wonderful kitchen. Many a nights we stepped on little toes, ran into each other, and barely found counter space to cook with piled dishes at every turn.

Our bedroom, Johanna's first room (for her first 10 months of life, including many months in the walk-in closet), and Bobby's office in the corner. I'll miss the afternoons all piled on the bed, trying to occupy ourselves while we watch and anticipate Bobby's work day complete as he types busily on his computer.

The living room. Where the girls and I lived everyday for 2+ years. This room's decor and arrangement has changed as often as the season's of our family's lives. Too many memories to mention.

This dining room reminds me of all the birthday parties, baby showers, and social events we've had. But my mind smiles upon the chaos, the laughter, and the first prayers of our little children that all took place at family meal times, day in, day out.


This is our last night here. The house is mostly bare. The children asleep, Bobby, falling asleep upstairs on a mattress on the floor. As emotional and difficult as this is to move on, I wouldn't trade the satisfaction filling my heart right now for this life we've had here. I just want to bottle it up tonight, and bury it outside in Caroline and Johanna's "new garden" (just a patch of woods with moss they romp in) to return to often.




The morning of the big moving day, it was actually warm! The girls do what is apparently a tribal "we're moving" dance while Caroline sings praises to her house--"It's such a beautiful home..."

In the midst of preparing to pack up our house this week, this last weekend Bobby and I went on an early 5th anniversary get-away before my pregnancy progresses.

What I learned from Bobby about marriage from the trip:

1. Even when work piles up, business trips wear you out, staying up late to plan a weekend trip with a few surprises for your wife shows that her happiness means more to your husband then catching up on his needed sleep.

2. When your wife is expecting a free hotel night with Hampton Inn points and you surprise her with the coolest modern hotel right in the city of D.C., she knows you wanted something special for her (especially when you get a good deal on it--she's ecstatic!)

3. Although you want to try a new restaurant for variety, you go where your wife's taste buds are leading her (Cheesecake Factory!) and entertain the waiters throughout the meal.

4. Even though it is totally not your style, you embarrassingly let your wife photography every inch of the mod hotel. Hey, we'll only be here once-- I want ideas for a house someday.

5. You are more hilarious to your wife then when she married you. Like when the waiter at breakfast asked you at the buffet counter what you were having, after I passed by you. You said, "a croissant", although the waiter tried again by coming to our table and this time asking me, "What are you having?", to which I quickly responded twin girls.

6. Patience. Stopping at least 5 times on our trip to find a restroom, buying water or a snack, sometimes at airport-like prices (Yikes!). Even following navigation for 30 minutes to find a 7-Eleven to heat up her leftovers (which is all she wants) although they melt anyway in the non-microwaveable container! (Yes, that was my bad idea. Bobby, you were right.)

7. In an attempt to surprise his increasingly self-conscious pregnant wife (who's preparing to gain at least another 30 lbs. in the next 3 months!) with taking her to a nice maternity store. Once there and realizing the "nice" high prices, took me else where to find flattering clothes.

That's not the most meaningful part--it was while I was tearfully trying on piles of clothes with my rapidly changing, painful body, he got down on the floor to help me in my discomfort to try everything on, giving meaningful input and encouragement.


Nothing else this weekend meant more of his love for me than that.


Me trying to get a shot of the tummy.

View from our 16th floor hotel room. Mainly taken to show Caroline later.


The modern hotel! If you can't stand modern design, just scroll down.







Coolest bar stools.

Love the light wall. Couldn't you see that in a kitchen?




The Washington D.C. temple that we visited... revisited from 5 years ago when we were married.

And my two cuties that stayed with my parents. My dad photographed them the morning we were gone and sent us an email (which Bobby checked on his iPhone one of the many times he was waiting for my in the restroom). After seeing them after being away for less than 24 hours, I desperately missed them!