Happy Birthday, Ava and Alex!

THREE years ago today my life was forever changed. My 'babies' came into this world making me a proud Twin Momma! And now, they are THREE! No longer are they babies. I have molded them into little independent people with tiny, vibrant personalities and big big lives ahead of them. I'm never in a rush to see them grow, but I often have visions of my Ava running a race with me as a teen and calling me daily from her busy grown up life. I imagine Alex will come home from college on the weekends and raid the fridge and make me laugh... much like he already does... just in different ways. I see Ava as student council president and Alex as the class clown. I have so many visions for my babies. They are so different from each other yet they share the bond of twins - Best friends and birthday buddies.
These past 3 years have flown by so quickly. I'm so proud of who they are and who they have become. At three they are everything I hoped they would be and I am one proud mom!

Happy Birthday Ava Lou!
Happy Birthday Alex, too!

Mommy loves you very much!

Beauty at the Beach

I am a lucky woman. As part of my Christmas gift this year, my dear dear hubby bought me a plane ticket to San Diego so I could visit my best friend. The trip has come and gone. It was hard for me to leave my kiddies. I missed them so much and actually spent a few hours in the very early morning of my first day in tears - just missing them so much it hurt. I knew they were fine. I knew their daddy was taking perfect care of them. The days went on and the more wine I drank, the easier it was to deal. :)
My visit actually passed rather quickly. I had the most amazing time with my friends. We laughed and shed tears. And drank wine. Lots of wine. (which may have accounted for some of the tears)
During the trip, I saw so many beautiful things... beaches, sunsets, vineyards. I couldn't help but think my dad was with me. I found a penny on the bathroom floor at the airport in Chicago. Dad sends me coins. And maybe I'll blog about that next week.
On the way home, our luggage missed the transfer to our second plane in Chicago. Thirty-six hours later, it appeared on my doorstep with the remnants of a snow storm. I opened it almost immediately and there was a quarter was sitting right on top of my nicely folded (but dirty) pjs. Dad was there. He is here. Can you just see him in the picture?