Quiltastic

Quilts, Blankets and more!

These girls are all smiles because Aunt Kathy sent them new quilts!

As you can see the girls sleep with every single blankie and quilt Aunt Kathy has made them... its a cozy warm bed they sleep on.

Signe top, Linne bottom

Linnea top, Signe bottom

No one but the girls lays out all the blankets/quilts and its a nightly ordeal! Every night they find each one, lay them out just so and wiggle under the covers! And of course they love their paperdoll print pillow cases that Kathy made as well.. usually 'quiet time' these days is the girls telling the dolls stories.

Sweet dreams!

Sledding

A sledding we will go,

A sledding we will go,

HI HO watch out,

Here WE COME!

In the pictures, Linnea is pictured in PINK and Signe is in PURPLE... towards the end there are a couple of L and then a couple of S.

The girls LOVE sledding! And boy oh boy are they troopers! UP and DOWN, UP and DOWN, pulling the sled, trying to pull each other, helping push, taking turns being in front, eating snow (YUCK), and having fun! These 2 snow storms we've had recently have produced a TON of fun for the girls. And we've had a blast with them.

What a joy it is to have fun and be silly with your kids!

Licensed Truths!

I have not had chocolate since October 25th!

If you know me, you know this is rather amazing. And if you've read my last post about eating healthy and what not, then you know I've stuck with it. AND not only have I stuck with it but I've lost somewhere around 14lbs. Before saying 'goodbye' to chocolate and 'hello' to eating healthier, I never thought it possible to give up eating chocolate. Not to beat a dead horse about it, but every year for many years, we would come close to lent and I'd feel like it was maybe time to give it up. Because I knew it wasn't so healthy for me and just maybe I could do it. BUT I NEVER DID. So finally, one fed up day in October, fed up with my terrible eating habits and my lackluster approach to my health, I got it right.

On a silly note, I have FINALLY reached the weight that I lied about on my drivers license for years. Only now, my license has the weight I really WAS because last time I renewed my license I felt like I should be honest with myself. GRR!

I beat the habit. Kicked the chocolate that had been a crutch for me. In times of stress, sadness, upset, turmoil, happiness, bliss, excitement, parties or for no reason at all, chocolate was my crutch. NOW, I am becoming a much healthier stronger version of Caitlyn. So let's call me Caitlyn 2.0.

In the time since giving up my addiction (and I don't use that word lightly), my faith life has BECOME by life. There are times my faith spills over abundantly into my daily life and I am so thankful, grateful, blessed and more enriched by this. Prayer is my lifeline. No longer chocolate. I don't need to hide praying, as I did my chocolate. A new goal is to be the parent that God knew I could be, which is why he blessed me with the children I have. So I'm finding my truths in the Lord now. This girl is going to make the bible her best friend! It'll take time, but I'll get there. I am a better wife. I've gained some self control that I'd lost.

Here are some truths...

"We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are." Romans 3:22

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" Psalm 55:22

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Off to Heaven

Today my Mormor passed away. But it seems like she's been leaving us for a while now, as she gradually left Bethany Beach for a retirement center, then a memory care unit. Now she's at home in heaven.

My sister had the best image to describe my Mormor's morning...

"When Mormor entered Heaven this morning I'm pretty sure Papa J was playing "Amazing Grace" on the banjo!"

Anyone that knew Papa J had heard him on his banjo. That or you've had his hardtack. I could often be found skipping the beach for an afternoon with my Papa J, his banjo and his Model A car. The very best memory I have of being with Papa J is a trip he and I took in the maintenance yellow truck, with a moped that needed fixing. He told me about Jesus the whole trip. Made me want Jesus to be my best friend and its a memory I go back too often.

Mormor was the sweetest. She encouraged me often, especially on my trips to see her during my college years. And she's the one that had me going to sing in the Sunday Volunteer choir each week. Last time I sang up there she was in the crowd. My summers and time with her were so special. She always had a hug to give. And popsicles in the freezer. I have many memories of trips that included a Wendy's frosty.

So today, I celebrate my Mormor. I'll miss her and remember her always. But my heart is happy she's with Papa J again. And home with the Lord.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

*2011 was a great year for our family

- so much has changed!

The girls turned 3 in the beginning of 2011, I went back to work part-time, hubs hours changed and was placed on an area team, I was asked to lead our MOPS group and have been hugely blessed by that role, the twins began PRESCHOOL, we celebrated my dear friends wedding, friends have had new beautiful babies, and so much more! We have been so richly blessed this year by a church that has helped our marriage grow stronger, friends and family that support and love us... and we can not WAIT TO SEE WHAT 2012 brings!

**My sister will have a new baby boy

in these first weeks of 2012.

And in just 7 weeks our girls will

turn 4 years old! Bring it on!