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After a little over two months we made our first trip back to Elk Grove. As I thought about going back I had a few nerves. Truthfully, I have been purposely avoiding visiting for fear that it would stir up too many emotions about no longer living there. I loved our time living in Elk Grove. I loved the city parks, I loved our friends, our church, our jobs and especially our home. It was the city we started life as Mr. and Mrs., where we added our forever-loyal pup Bailey, where we walked through tough life circumstances with some rock solid community and, my personal favorite, where God brought our precious girls into our lives.

Over the summer when we were approached to accept the role of Adult Ministries pastor at Sunrise Community Church, in a foreign land called "Fair Oaks" I was initially hesitant. I wrestled with God over many factors about moving. A main one leaving behind Elk Grove and all that was tied to that sleepy valley town. Although God had led me to a place of surrender and peace about leaving and starting afresh I was still sad to say goodbye. In fact, many tears were shed driving away on move-out day. It will forever hold a dear place in my heart.

After a super speedy dinner at our favorite local diner, ahem... Chick-fil-a, with our favorite twin friends it was time to hit the road to make it back for bath time. (On a side note, if you are an EG friend and we did not see you: I am sorry! We were literally in town for 45 minutes. Come and see us!) On our drive back to Fair Oaks Greg and I discussed our trip "home". We both agreed that it did not feel like home anymore. It felt familiar and nostalgic, much like visiting your hometown after moving away to college.

God has been beyond good to us in this transition. The community at SCC has gone above and beyond to welcome us and we are deeply grateful. I have been warmly welcomed by many moms and I am starting to build new friendships and a new community. And although Fair Oaks doesn't quite feel as homey as Elk Grove did when we left, there certainly is potential for it to be!

Although the girls sadly won't remember their time in Elk Grove, we certainly will! So, thank you Elk Grove and all my dear loved ones for making our four years there truly unforgettable.

Cheers to new adventures in life!

For fun here are a few pictures from our Elk Grove days:

Twin talk!

Having twins is the greatest. Well, most days that is. And I am pretty sure I could write a novel about my experience with twins and talk "shop" forever with fellow MOM's (mothers of multiples). Having multiples is such a unique experience! Here are some reasons why I love having twins:

1. There are two! I have been stopped SO many times with the twins. In fact, being stopped started when I was pregnant. Everyone thought I was "about to pop", even though I had lots of time left.

I still had a month left in this photo! But there is something mysterious and down right C-U-T-E about doubles of pretty much everything.

2. They have to share! Greg and I have always said that we think it is such a great thing that our girls will have always had the experience of sharing and that life was never all about them. Sharing is and has always been part of their life.

3. They are forever sisters! As the girls grow it is super sweet to see them interact. They play together, hug each other, and get beyond excited to see one another after nap time (for now they nap separate). They learn from each other, challenge one another and giggle like crazy together. I am beyond grateful that they will always have one another in life. Their bond is just beginning!

And for fun here are the not-so-great things about having twins:

1. There are two! And that means two of this:

AT THE SAME TIME.

2. They have to share! Harper had to wear a helmet to help correct the shape of her head because she had to share room in the womb (and there was only so much space in there)! And just because our girls are twins does NOT mean they share well. 

For the record, I do NOT blame Olivia for Harper having to wear a helmet (nor was it a bad experience for Harper at all). Just demonstrating that sharing is not always easy.

3. They are forever sisters! They fight, bite, push and scream. (Why do little girls scream so loud?!). And all these not-so-fun moments started really young. They even pull each others head bands:

With all kidding aside I truly would not trade having twins for anything. There are moments where having a singleton (thats what MOM's call having just one baby at a time) seems nice and even desirable. Yet when I get piled on by two sweet and snuggly babies I know I was meant to have two. At the same time.

"Enjoy every moment"

I LOVE being a mom. I really, truly do. My heart beats for my daughters and I would do anything to keep them safe. There are so many aspects about motherhood that I adore. Moments that I melt over their cuteness. But there is one phrase I hear over and over and over: "Enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast". And here is the truth- that is not my favorite sentiment.

About 90% of the time I hear it from moms that are much further ahead in the mommy-journey than I. Even more commonly it is nostalgically said from moms who are facing a high school graduation, marriage or those who have had the privilege to become grandmothers. 

In reality? I do not enjoy every moment about being a mom. Two newborns crying at 2 am, endless dirty diapers, and (most recently) two tantrum toddlers is not ideal. It is hard! I found myself over the last almost year and a half growing increasingly annoyed with this phrase. Until my girls' first birthday arrived. Even though I had been planning their party since before they were born (I have type-A, over planning issues) it still caught me off guard. I was going through photos of their first year and I was overwhelmed with emotion. Where did my newborns go and how did it go so quickly?! I had the deepest longing for them to be teeny-tiny all over again.

So that is when I realized the phrase "enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast" really means "I can't believe my babies are all grown up. I remember the late night snuggles, the cooing, the endless list of firsts, the joyous sound of baby laughter, and the smell of a freshly bathed babe. What I would give to spend one day back with them being little again. Where did the time go?" 

There are certainly moments where I want time to stand still, to stop in its tracks. I'm not ready to send my twins off to school, to hear about boyfriends, or even drive away from the college drop off. And yet, I know it will be here someday. And when that day arrives I know I will look back with  nostalgia on their little days. The days where it seemed like the hours would never pass until daddy came home. The days where my lap was never big enough. And I am sure I will wish I had a few more moments with my blue eyed, too cute for words, joy-filled toddlers.

For now I will slow down and try to enjoy most moments.