Pondering.

I've been thinking about myself a lot... big surprise, eh? But not in incredibly selfish ways (if thinking of yourself can be described as such) -- more of, I've been thinking of the little things I enjoy. For instance, nothing passes the greatness that is napping on my couch on a lazy afternoon. Now, I don't have a very comfy couch... I think that's part of why I love it. It's uncomfortable because it's not long, and well I am. I love curling up with my fuzzy pink blanket and just crashing. I take great naps on my couch.

I also love taking baths. This joy, of course, is probably shared with lots of people. Right now I'm reading "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, and I've read every page so far soaking in the tub. First of all if you haven't read this book, get it now. It's a tender story of a broken woman's journey to the Light and the Truth and the unwavering grace that covers us all. It has caught me more than once just thanking God for His grace, that I have in no way, shape, or form earned. It's mine regardless. His grace is ours -- if we choose to accept it, and cherish it, and honor it, and wear it. It's His gift to us. Amazing.

I really have nothing else to say, except His grace is enough.

"He is jealous for me..."

This song has changed me.

Happy Half-Birthday, Twin!

Today (March 10) officially marks the half-birthday of my birth... which I have to share with my twin since I'm such a nice person. 26 years ago, my mother was less than 3 months pregnant, so I kind of wonder if she was dealing with morning sickness still (if she even had it -- Mom, did you?) -- or if she even knew that she was about to see double. If she knew at this point that there were two of us, I can imagine the trauma was still very raw. Don't worry Mom, we can foot your therapy bills. Except remember the bliss of having us? Your two wonderful daughters who both share a completely wrong sense of humor, often times filling this need for "confession". Thank you for raising such honest & humble spirits.

If any of you are wondering, I got an email from 1-800-Flowers advertising 30 roses for $30. Call me if you would like my address. I'm half-kidding.

Anyway, Happy Half-Birthday today twin, and HAPPY FREAKING ANNIVERSARY tomorrow! And thank you for not getting married on our half-birthday... I would had to hurt you.

"I just ate enough chocolate to kill a small pony."

It's a true story.  I just went Nam on a bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs (CME).  Seriously, I will probably never give up sugar or chocolate for Lent thanks to CME.  They only come out at Easter, though I hear from Sara that there was a special edition out for either Christmas or V-day.  However, I think I only want them around Easter.  I'm just going to throw out the warning now that there will be nothing intelligible in this post.

I have a ton of exciting stuff to update about.  Like as of May 18, I'll be an amazing intern at Heartland.  Yes kids, I got the internship.  I seriously feel completely honored and just blessed to have been selected.  Like God gently rolled the ball in my court, and not only did I notice, but I acted on it.  I remember hearing about LTP last year and thinking about what an amazing opportunity it would be, but I wasn't at a place in my faith journey to do it.  So I didn't.  Then this year it was mentioned, and again I did the "oh gee, that's a great opportunity."  Except this time I prayed about it, talked about it, and felt like I was supposed to at least apply for it.  Turns out I really am going to do it, and I can't wait for summer to get here.

And in closing, I'd like to share my favorite kid quote right now... really it's my favorite until another kid says something hilarious.  So I was babysitting Briggs (almost 2) & Zoe (5) a week or so ago.  Zoe's friend Audrey (6) was over, and they were playing ponies or something like that.  Well, there was one pony that was apparently more magical than the others, and the girls were arguing over it.  So I called them in, and I asked what the problem was.  It went something like this:

Zoe:  Audrey won't let me play with that pony.  She's not taking turns.

Audrey:  Zoe, you get to play with this pony all the time because it's yours.

Zoe:  No I don't!  I never play with it!

Audrey (completely dramatic):  Zoe, I have a life of working.  You have a life of playing.  You should let me play with the pony!

At which point I lost it & made a mental note that children are parrots who WILL repeat everything you say to them.

Mama Cooksey!

My beautiful mother is a ninja. Mama Cooksey broke her leg today while walking across a parking lot in Utah (heroic, I know... it runs in the genes). She had a compound fracture (meaning the bone went through the skin), and she freaking RESET her bones before the paramedics got there. She had surgery this evening, requiring a metal plate for stability, but it went well & she'll be out of the hospital on Friday. Since Mama Cooksey has proven her ninja status, I present 10 Facts About Mama Cooksey:

1. Mama Cooksey can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.
2. If you spell Mama Cooksey in Scrabble, you win. Forever.
3. There are no steroids in baseball. Just players Mama Cooksey has breathed on.
4. Mama Cooksey sheds her skin twice a year.
5. If at first you don't succeed, you're not Mama Cooksey.
6. Most boots are made for walkin'. Mama Cooksey's boots ain't that merciful.
7. Mama Cooksey was what Willis was talkin' about.
8. Mama Cooksey can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
9. It is believed dinosaurs are extinct due to a giant meteor. That's true if you want to call Mama Cooksey a giant meteor.
10. Mama Cooksey uses a night light. Not because Mama Cooksey is afraid of the dark, but the dark is afraid of Mama Cooksey.

Feel better Mom! Love you!

On Sugar Highs & Clumsiness

Today is SUCH a Monday. It's Valentine's Day Week at work which means we have parents bringing sugary treats for their toddlers ALL week. If today was a test run, this week is just going to blow. You know those super delicious, fluffy & soft iced sugar cookies you can get in packs of like 10 at the store? They contain about 987987 grams of sugar in each bite. Anyway, one of the parents brought these for the kids today, so we gave each kid half a cookie for snack. Can I just say that no child should have that much sugar & my childcare responsibilities should be revoked simply because I served the kids these cookies? Cindi & I paid for it hardcore all day. We literally had kids bouncing all over the room not paying the slightest attention to us yelling "Get off the table, Quinn!" or "Briggs, Brady is not a toy, please don't ride him." It was bad. Then our gym time came, and I decided it was time to run the shit out of them. We sprinted down the long hallway to the elevator, then continued our sprint to the gym. We then sprinted all around the gym & down the halls on the way back to our classroom. Despite the fact that Miss Rachel was not quite prepared for a run, they CRASHED during naptime -- which in fact was the only highlight of the day.

So during this glorious naptime I decided to switch out the toys in my room because I figure when I get sick of looking at the same toys the kids have been beyond that point for a while. I decided to dig this caterpillar tunnel thing out of the closet to put in our room. Granted, I think it will be a huge hit. However, it was in pieces & I was at work late putting the bastard together. So, when I was putting the last piece on I decided to give it a good wham with my hand to make sure the little freaking pegs went in the little freaking holes -- which I never thought would happen. Well, I failed to notice a peg sticking out and nailed my hand on it. It sent this like shockwave up my arm, & I just said "damn" and continued on. However, I would like to note that as the course of the evening has played out, my damn hand hurts bad. Like that little plastic bastard has done damage. Yes, I'll probably whine about it tomorrow too. And if you think I'm just being a weinie, here's a picture of what I put together:

I have one more clumsy story to share. This one made me laugh. I was in my kitchen raiding my graham cracker stash for a snack, when I freaking slipped on this clear 1/4 cup measuring cup that was upside down on my kitchen floor. I fell straight on my ass and just laughed. I also laughed when I damn near slid into my sliding glass door 15 minutes ago because I slipped on my work folder. Apparently, I'm not supposed to be upright today.

I LOVE these girls!

These are "the girls" minus Mary Ann and Aubrey. Just a second... Mary Ann, dear. This was your night, your celebration, thus the reason for our gathering. And you're not in the damn picture. Seriously!?

Moving on. My life would not be as beautiful, funny, amazing, tender, and dramatic without these girls.