Big 3-0

August has come and gone (and September, I'm catching up, remember?) and I am 30! 3-0. I thought I would feel older- or be sad about turning 3-0. My twenties are gone and my thirties are here. But, I honestly have to say that I am excited.  Sharing life with Michael, Layton and Hadley is the best present ever and I am excited to have the gift from here on out.

 I have the best family and friends and they over did it for our birthday! It isn't weird that I said, 'our' *(I say 'our', as I have shared it with Melissa for-like-ever, duh!) Mels friends threw her a birthday dinner in Dallas and they were so kind to invite me along! I was excited to go to a nice restaurant in Dallas and enjoy their birthday wishes and a yummy dinner. They are so trendy! 

Michael took me to Bob's Steak House- where we have been celebrating my birthday for the past few years. It's right down the road at the Shops of Legacy. Convenient is our middle name these days. We had a babysitter over and we were off for the evening. Dinner was amazing, as usual. Michael had told them it was my 30th, and they brought out a special dessert tray. YUM. 

We left STUFFED and barely able to walk to our car. (we were bad and didn't take a picture!) 

On my actual birthday-Michaels Mom, Denise/Grammie "Am-ee", watched the twins and I was snuck away on a surprise birthday treat. 

My friends are the best! BEST. 

First stop, brunch on the patio. You should have seen the decorations. It was adorable! We ate, they drank mimosas, and we all had a great time. After lunch, the surprise wasn't over. Off to the house to change into our swimsuits. One of the BEST things about having a summer birthday- lake/pool weather!! An adorable sign was made, THANKS, AMANDA! And we all sat in the pool and chit chatted until we all had to head back to real life events/work. Most of my friends are teachers and had the day off, due to it being summer still. 

How cute are they and their decorations?

And that wasn't it! I have the most wonderful, supportive, Momma friends- EVER! 

One of these friends has a Momma with an amazing pool! Caroline, Sharon, Stephanie, and Brittany hosted a pool party, babies and all, to enjoy Chick-fil-A pool side to celebrate. Melissa, Raylyn and Lynley came, too! We all enjoyed splashing, eating and chatting.  

After a fun day with friends, I was off to one LAST birthday dinner. Back to the Shops at Legacy I went. This time to celebrate with another group of girls who I love and adore! I met a bunch of twin Mommas through Bloging/ Instagram. I know, weird, but they truly are wonderful and we have all become great friends (and started our own company together- Multiplicitees) Meredith brought amazing table decorations and we all enjoyed dinner on the patio. Catching up, chatting about life and dreaming of the company that we are so excited to build! When the night came to an end, I was sad to see is come and go. 

Ashley, me, Meri, Meredith, and Erika 

Instagram: Multiplicitees 

All in all, the day, week, month was wonderful! I'm older and it's okay! 

Welcome 30's... I'm happy you are here! 

Baby Talk- 18 Weeks

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Size of Baby: We will find out in two weeks!  

What You’re Doing this week: The girls are in preschool on Monday/ Wednesday! So, I'll be running errands on those days. On Tuesday, Melissa, Mom, Claire & Knox, and the twins and I will be heading to the Perot Museum in Dallas. The rest of the week uneventful! We may head to the Pumpkin Patch on Thursday.  

Cravings: Nothing particular

Sleep: I am sleeping as much as possible :) I think I nap more now then I did when we had newborns. 

New News:  I am feeling baby girl move! It's been interesting, as I don't feel her as much as the twins. She has a lot more room.  

Name: Not settled on, just yet! 

Fetal Movement: I feel her about once/twice a day! 

Mommy and Baby Details: Nothing fun to announce yet! She is growing and so am I! 

Daddy Details: He is settling with the idea of three weddings, three sororities, three cars and three in college. But, I personally think that three little girls are JUST what he needs. 

You Make Me Brave

 Life with toddler twins is busy, busy. (to say the least!)

I'm sure some of you (family & friends who read this blog! Nanny.... I AM BACK.)

have noticed my lack of writing over the last two months. 

While running errands with the twins, I heard a song on the radio.

 You Make Me Brave- By: Amanda Cook 

Why am I just NOW hearing this amazing song? I guess timing is perfect. It is now on the top of my playlist! 

The lyrics have completely touched my heart during this phase of our life as a family. Growing a tiny Tennison, parenting the twins, working on my business with R+F, playing roles as a leader in MOPS and in AMAMOM, church/home group, loving on friendships, and the everyday roles as Mom and Dad can be tough and just feel like a lot at times. Fitting everything in can be hard. As much as I love everything about the list above, life can just seem like a lot. 

In the songs chorus, mentioned above, she says, "Be brave, for You are for us, You are not against us." This is so true.  I'll be honest, there are days when I feel overwhelmed by the todo lists, play dates, chores, cleaning... the list goes on! I know the Lord has me in His hand, but phew, exhaustion can get the best of us. She also says, "You make me brave. You call me out beyond the shore into the waves." I feel called, called to mentor, give of my time, and get the girls out of the house and into relationships with others their age.   

Thanks for the reminder, Miss Amanda Cook! I love your song.  I've got this.  Life isn't easy and sometimes the waves may be intimidating. All in all, my family is worth every second and are what is important.  With the girls in preschool two days a week for a few hours, I am enjoying the time to run errands, laundry and house chores, enjoying a little ME time, and welcoming the girls home with more energy than when I dropped them off. 

Plus, they love it!

With that.... I'm back!  Be watching for more life posts, folks!

{You Make Me Brave- By: Amanda Cook} 

sing it out, and enjoy 

Our Life in Numbers- Take 2

Over the past few years our life in numbers has changed so we figured we needed an update!

Our family grew from 2 to 4

Over a million priceless moments with Layton and Hadley

Loads (isn’t a number) of friendships made and cherished

7 years of marriage celebrated *July 14

2 furry pups that aren’t first on our priority list anymore, but we still love them!

A unknown number of cups of coffee 

(lots of creamer and sugar added)

1 new home

2 precious nieces

30 birthday candles for me (in a few days) and 31 for Michael

Countless late nights and early mornings with the girls

5 years of snapping photos of family and friends with Beautifully Blessed Photography

1 year of loving my job as a consultant with Rodan & Fields Dermatologists

Loads of family members who have been a blessing to our life.

1 amazing God that we couldn't live our life without.

 {and}

1 more tiny Tennison to be added to the mix come February, 2015!

Yup, you read that last one correctly! 

We’re expecting! SURPRISE!

(to you and to us!) 

God has blessed us with another miracle! 

We are beyond excited and thrilled to meet

 Baby T number 3!

This was how Hadley, Layton and I told Michael! 

We had one shocked, Daddy! 

From the fullness of His grace we have received one blessing after another -- John 1:16

Read about Our Life in Numbers- Take 1, here!