Remember those little twin girls from a long time ago?

 March 10.... what in the world ... that's how long its been since I blogged last. I literally gasped when I saw the date. I thought it MAY BE possibly 2 or 3 weeks.  If you dont think time doesn't go by in a blink... think again.

But I'll say it again - I really want to get back in the swing of things.  This blog o' mine has so many memories - going back so many years. I cant give up on it - I need to do better at keeping it updated.  

What really made me remember that was when my twin nieces graduated high school last week. A few of my fantastic blog family reached out & commented & messaged me & was talking about how they couldnt believe they were grown up enough to graduate. Why? Because you that have been around for so long, have watched them grow yourself.  The twins have "Blog Aunties" - what I refer to you as. I know I've been a Blog Auntie to some of your children as well!!!! 

These comments were my nudge nudge to remind me - BLOG! Get those memories down! Memories are precious & I want to look back on my blog when I'm old & my memory is fading (next month?)  & see all the pics & thoughts of events in my life.... 

So here I am... again... 

& I'll start with the graduations last week.

Just like their lives, its always been double the fun, double the adventure, (double the trouble? - NAH) .... & of course, their graduations had to be the same way. Double the crazy!

They ended up going to different high schools starting their Junior year - & honestly, I think it was just the best thing for them. Twin life, I'm sure, can be hard when you're always compared to your sister/brother/twin... that they could have more of their own identities - I think it was a wonderful change for them.

Wonderful wasn't the word though when we saw their graduations were just a few hours apart of one another.  One started at 1:00pm - the other at 3:30pm. That's 2nd one, its very limited seating! Families got like 4 tickets a piece. You could get one or two more for certain circumstances - but you needed to be in the gym by 2:30pm to get a seat... & when the first graduation doesnt get out till nearly 3 - there's a problem.

Needless to say - it was a rush of a day!

Madi's graduation was up first.  She had 7 tickets available so Ricky & I were able to make this one.  We had to park nearly a mile away though... & by the time we got in there at 12:30 - it was already packed - but my brother & SIL saved us a seat.... at the VERY TOP of the bleachers.

You know me.... MISS QUEEN OF VERTIGO! ...by the time I got to the top ... I honestly has to stop a second & wait for the world to stop spinning thus I drop down a few hundred steps. Good times.  But then, here they came - what we saw as little kiddos playing dress up in a cap  & gown.

 I'm such a sucker for big milestone events & I was trying to hold back some tears... especially because I didnt want to get dehydrated & get even more dizzy & take a stumble.

Of course, the girls last names start with a W so its the end of the line ... & when we were watching the clock for the next graduation, it felt like it was taking FOREVER!!!!....

But then, our girl made her way across the stage!!!

& look at those shoes!!!! Madi just has the coolest style!!!!

Before we knew it, she turned her tassle & she was officially OUTTA THERE!!!!

As soon as it was over, we gathered our stuff & tried to run down from the top of the world as fast as we could... only to get half way & the gym was like a stand still.  

I wish they would have let the kids out first so the parents didnt find their child in the middle of the gym & want to take pictures right there. It was so claustrophobic! I told my SIL that we should have made a sign to hold up that said, WE NEED TO GET TO FLOYDS GRADUATION ASAP!!!! so hopefully people would have compassion & let us through.

Great ideas always come after the fact.

SIDE NOTE... this is just too cool!

So if you remember anything about my dad, you know the number 444 is associated with him. Always has been. & dad put in a letter we found after he died that every time we see 444, we know he's near. .... On the drive to Madi's graduation, the car in front of us, the license plate was - you guessed it - 444.... I had a chuckle & said to Ricky, "Looks like dad is going to Madi's graduation"......

Tell me how funny it was when we get to the car & head up to Sophia's graduation & the car in front of us - not the same one mind you from previously .....

yep... another 444 license plate!

Ricky was like... mkay - that's just weird now.

Dad wasn't about to miss his girls graduations!.... but isnt that just the most awesome thing?

Sophia's turn.

This was even more nuts than Madi's... there were about 200 more students in this graduation so again, tickets limited on who could get in to watch. Ricky & I went to the overflow section to watch the graduation on their live stream... but I took the opportunity to watch them walk through the halls

... was able to give a high five & give some love & watch her go through the doors to her big day....

We headed into the auditorium & watched the live feed - which was interesting... but glad to see it this way better than nothing...

... except when she got her diploma, again, there were only like 5 people after her - we got up to beat the crowd leaving the auditorium & only then did I see, there was a clear shot from the back of the gym that I could have stood at & took pictures through!!!! Especially because Sophia was in the back row! Geez! ... kicking myself.

At least I was able to snag these two pics at the end.

It was a mad house after wards & I never did find the girls or my brother & SIL... I went ahead & hiked the mile back to my car when my brother text me where we were going to eat at.... AHHH - reinforcements. A dinner of celebration... & finally, a little bit to get off our feet & just relax ...together!

They did it.... Into the big world - with lots of opportunities ahead - roads they dont even know they're going to go down.  Adventures all waiting for them to tackle.  & I'll be their proud aunt cheering them on every step of the way!

Its bittersweet to me too because this is like the last graduation I think I'll see for awhile....but then I just remembered - our oldest grandson graduates in 4 years.... Now THAT? CAN YOU BELIEVE???

Love you girls... Know you're going to do great & amazing things!!!!

The weekend we made it through a COVID Christmas

 We made it!  We survived Christmas!!  I know it was a strange one for us, but honestly, I put my mindset in it from the get-go & it really did end up being a really good one. Could it have been better? of course... but there were moments that wouldnt otherwise have happened had it not been a COVID Christmas, so I was about finding those silver linings & they were shining everywhere.  

I'll try & keep things brief because I stepped out of blog world last week & had a 5 day weekend so lots to talk about.... let's try & crunch it together.

When I signed off work Tuesday, I actually had to go get a COVID test.  My first.  I had just been feeling bad for a few days & over last weekend, I felt just rotten.  Turns out, the COVID test was negative - thank God... but the doctor said, "its a good thing you came in"... she said that all she could see were bubbles everywhere & there was so much fluid on my ears & told me "So.... you're ears could be on the verge of rupturing any day now"... WHAT?  WHATTT???   She told me that when there's too much fluid on the ears, it causes the eardrums to rupture - but not to panic, because it will actually bring relief of the pain... BUT, to get back the doctor ASAP to get on antibiotics so it doesn't cause permanent damage.  Geez. Great. Merry Christmas to me.

I ended up leaving with a nasal spray I have to use twice a day to try & dry out the nasal cavity & told to take allergy medicine - which I can't because any sort of antihistamine will knock me on my back for days on end.  I have zero tolerance for any sort of medicine.. that might as well be called "COMA IN A PILL" to me.  My poor ears.

I woke up on Thursday & had to fight morning work traffic to go see my cardiologists. I've been having some heart issues lately & went to see my doctor that has been my heart man since I was 15 years old.  Yep, I've needed him for all those years.  Let me tell you - the man must have drank some vampire blood or something in all these years because he looks exactly the same.  His hair, a little lighter - but still looks in shape, no wrinkles... I honestly need to know his secret.

He sent me to the hospital for some blood work - because that's what I need, more blood taken out of me (maybe there is something about that vampire blood theory?) - & scheduled me for some more tests & sent me home with a holter monitor on.

OK... see previously where I say he was my doctor since I was 15... so that's mid 80's.  I remember the holter's of those days.  The kinds that had wires everywhere & they'd tape them together & tape to your skin so you could always feel the pull on your skin if you twisted or moved too much.  You had to wear a cassette player around you on a strap - carrying crossbag style... that was the biggest pain.  You had to sleep with all that stuff on you too!  This new thing?  I had to wear 48 hours & I said, so no bath? & she said, Oh yeah, these were made to swim in! WHAT??? & honestly - it was 3 little wires that didnt go around my body & that little black thing was the biggest part of it. You just clicked that button in the middle when you felt an episode happening.  Amazing.  I honestly forgot I had it on the entire time.... 

... until Ernie kept sniffing it - he didnt like it on me one bit....

I had the rest of the morning & afternoon to myself so I tried to so some shopping in places I found that weren't busy ... & got The Hubs a pecan pie from his favorite place for his birthday the next day.  

I had it setting out so he would see it on Christmas Eve as he was leaving for work.... FUN FACT - you can eat pecan pie for breakfast on your birthday apparently.

So Christmas Eve, I was going to run out & get some final things while The Hubs was working... but man... these ears.  The world was spinning.  Hard & fast & enough to make me so nauseated.  Plus, that nasal spray was making me sick too... so I ended up just staying at home & ended up getting some baking done.  Good thing I didnt fall into the oven with my luck & dizzy balance.

I ran over to see my momma for a little bit & give her some gifts.  She was doing much better.  She got a new tablet & was excited to play around with it when I left.

The Hubs & I were having a hard time trying to figure out how to do Christmas with everyone with COVID this year.  Ricky's family had canceled because its a pretty big gang all together so we agreed it was the best decision.  Then, for Christmas with my brother,  we were going to sit outside around a campfire but who knew the frigid Tundra was coming down... it ended up getting in the teens & SNOWED!!!!  So everyone put on masks so we could run gifts over.  Made the twins get together real quick so I could document this weird Holiday.

Look at that doggie in between them!!!

Look at my brother's trees!  He decorated them.  I swear, its such a shame he didnt pursue a job in interior design or something that showcases his artistic talents.

We got home & watched our church's Christmas Eve service online..... & watched the snow coming down. It was really a nice Christmas Eve night.

Time to get in some Christmas jammies & get ready for the big day...... I live for Christmas jammies!

I woke up at 5:00am on Christmas morning & excited to do my tradition of sitting by the Christmas tree with my coffee & just enjoying the stillness. It was even more beautiful waking up to see it was truly a White Christmas.  

I was surprised when The Hubs woke up super early too & came to join me.  I ended up making some cinnamon rolls & we turned on Mulan & watched it at 6am.  ... I LOVED the movie.  We both did.  

Look at the snow.... perfect Christmas weather.

The Hubs & I pulled out our gifts to one another & we just had the best time.  The dog were all about being in the middle of things too... curious little creatures.

We just enjoyed the slowness of the morning & just had fun opening gifts & little surprises for each other.  It really is the little things that bring such joy!

The Hubs said his favorite gift was probably that Cobra Kai shirt - HAHA. See - it is the fun surprises that makes the Holidays.  I'm so glad he loved it.  We both love that corny show.

We were playing with our new toys & got the call that our twin grandkiddos were ready for a visit & we rode over to see them.  Yep, 2 of our girls were in town & staying with their mom & stepdad & everyone was being very cautious with COVID.  We had some talks on how to best handle the situation & with some health issues for various people & of course, the two littles, no one wants to risk anything - so we just agreed to go over & put gifts on the porch for them to open later & then just stay in the yard to visit.

Honestly - its better than nothing, right?  So glad to see everyone. One family came from West Virginia & the other from Minnesota so it was just good to see their faces, even if covered a little bit... & of course, so happy to see those cute little boys. Yes, I wanted to run up & kiss those little faces, but its OK.  I'm just glad to see them at all.  I can't believe they'll be 2 in just a few months.  Where does the time go?

It was 18 degrees so I was proud that we made it outside for about 30 minutes... but we didnt want those little tiny twin noses to freeze off & they apparently dozed right off to naps when we left.  Glad to have gotten a picture of everyone & we all agreed this isnt how we wanted to do Christmas, but its what is needed to keep everyone safe.  & we're hopeful of getting together in the summer when everyone is vaccinated.

Yep... you can tell the one in Shorts is from Minnesota - haha! Cold dont bother them

The Hubs & I got in the car & thawed out with the heat on full blast & then drove over to Louisville to see my Mother in Law ... & again, we kept a social distance in her home & kept masks on... & we were so excited to see her new Christmas gift - A PUPPY!!!!

It's super fun kissing a puppy with a mask on - lol... that little baby is SO TINYYYYY.  & such a puppy.  Biting my new boots & getting those laces all broke in for me.  This did not help our puppy fever one bit.

We got home around 3pm & we just stayed in the living room the rest of the evening, staying warm, watching movies & playing games.  The Hubs got me a new chess set because I'm about the Queen's Gambit - & it came with a Chinese Checkers set.  My grandmother played that with me days on end.  I still remember her pattern of getting her men out - & it had me as a MAJOR champion.  She'd be so proud of me.

We usually go to the movies & for Chinese/Japanese on a usual/ordinary Christmas Day.  So what did we do this year?  We settled in for the new Wonder Woman movie that came out on HBO Max & I made some Chinese for us at home.  It was really the perfect evening.... all except the movie. Oh my gosh - so bad. SOOOO bad.  I really thought it was one of the worst super hero movies I've ever seen.  Oh well - cant win them all.

The rest of the weekend?  Just a lot of resting, relaxing, movie watching, reading, nothing exciting at all....

I did end up back at the Little Clinic on Sunday morning because my ears  were in such dire pain, I thought for sure something horrible was happening.   They said that there was even more fluid on them & they were so red & inflamed.  So they gave me some steroids to try & take down the inflammation & upped the nasal spray (UGH! - if you need me, I'll be puking in the bathroom).

So there we have it... Christmas 2020 - the strangest one in the history of Christmas's... but what a memory we all have & a story we'll talk about years down the road.  How much more will we appreciate future holidays where we can get together & hug & laugh together & play games & eat together? & see everyone's face below their eyes? 

We still have 2 more Christmas's to go & I'm not sure how they will work... but one thing I learned - I'm not going to worry about it - if it happens in the yard, or in the summer, its OK.  Because small things dont matter as much as the big things of my family & loved ones being healthy. 

How was your Holiday?

Did you have some social distance / masked up gatherings?

Did you watch Wonder Woman?  Tell me your thoughts.

Do you have ear issues?

Whose ready for 2021????

16 x 2 ... when Boys II Men give a Motownphilly birthday blessing

 Sweet 16.

What a fun age that is. 
The time you get driving on the brain... where you feel grown up because you can get a job - to obviously pay for the car where you have driving on the brain.  It's sort of the first age that sets you up to launch closer to "adulthood"

... I think I may get sick.

Because the time goes way too fast.

First Birthday

2nd Birthday

I remember being at the hospital waiting in the waiting room with everyone to hear the news that 2 little girls were born... & here we are 16 years later.  

Dont think that 16 year olds make it any easier to get a picture... the struggle is always real with these two

I dont know where they get it... I mean, I'm on the other side of the camera making faces back at them.

How cute is this cake?  Gotta love a good October birthday to have a good reason to get a cute Halloween cake!!!

The big event of the day... what happens when you turn 16?  Oprah appears & says  YOU GET A CAR ... & YOU GET A CAR...not really - but kinda.
Instead, my brother's friend pulled up in the drive way with this car for the girls.... 

Hello Land Rover.... please keep our girls safe please.

It was so funny watching them sit inside of the car & see all the new things that make those first cars so special. Like how the steering wheel feels in your hands.  How the buttons on the radio push in & the sound the of the volume fills your body. & every little nook & cranny is amazing & the best car ever. How the feel of YOUR OWN key feels in the palm of your hand as you carry it around eveywhere.

I can still remember loving my first car & it was so old & faded & beat down... but to me, it was a chariot straight from road to heaven.
I saw that same look in the girls eyes.

There was talk about how they were going to share this car so there are rules on how to keep it clean & how to take care of it.  My brother & SIL were laughing so hard at that saying they were getting food & drinks & spilling it all in their back seat & kicking the doors with dirty feet.... time for some payback. The girls didnt find one bit of humor in it.  ... the circle of life can be a little funny, can it not?

Having a super long driveway - I would guess is a half mile long, it's the perfect space to let them practice driving it.  ... & off we went.

That's Madi... freaked me out because I looked back  & at first glance, thought it was Sophia

They laughed at me that I put on my seat belt... I was taking no chances here.

I'm happy to say the first song on the radio as it was pumped up was Motownphilly by Boys II Men... doing a little east coast fling... It has been blessed with 80's music.

So now, the girls are on a mission to get that OFFICIAL drivers license. They never really had any motivation before... but now? They've had the taste of pedals under their feet & leather steering wheels in their hands & the shift of gears under they body.... They'll be on the move soon enough...

& I'm going to be praying even harder... whew... I'm a nervous aunt - what can I say.

To end this - I'm just going to let you see the view from my brother's front porch.... is anything more beautiful than this country living in the fall?

...& because here's my dad with the girls on their firsr birthday...

He would be the most excited for them to have a car ... he'd make them his official chauffer