Should be birthday

Today is August 8th and today was the triplets due date-one year ago today. Feels funny to think about adjusted age. Always feels strange when people ask us why they aren't walking!! 11 weeks early. That's why! Their adjusted age is 11 months.

We have come so far!!! I'm a proud momma. Crawling, climbing and a few steps from Riggs. Klaras children's center has gone above and beyond to make sure we are on target ;) so thankful and blessed beyond measure.

Happy due date birthday babies.

Beat your best

At work we've been discussing and planning 2013. A lot of discussion on goals and obstacles and the path to beating our best. Today we defined what that would look like.

Everyone described the perfect scenario. On the way home I couldn't help but to apply this to all of my thoughts. What does beating your best mean? What commitments would that entail?

If we beat our best at work, at home, with our children, in our marriages and in our relationships and friendships... What would that look like? Lol this feels like a Jerry Maguire moment... But it really made me think. It made me realize that doing a really good job requires planning.

Now, being triplet mom, I'm always in plan mode but I've often said its hard to enjoy the good times because of all the planning it took me to get there. But now I am seeing that if I break my plan down and see why something didn't work- I can plan better and enjoy the moments more. This means enjoying life more and living in that moment of good because hard work got you there.

I want to beat my best. They make me want to do my best. I want to be the best mommy, wife and friend and at work- I wanna save more babies. In a nutshell that's what it looks like. It's that simple.

Seasons of change

I remember when they were in the nicu how it felt like the world outside was spinning and ours was standing still. Fathers day came and went, the fourth of July came and went but we focused on our three so intently that seeing transitions and growth was our only sight.

I remember we took them to the zoo when they were four or five months old and how they slept the entire time. It's so funny to me now- they had no clue. I also remember the thousands of walks we took in the winter and spring. I remember bundling them up and making sure their ears were covered. I remember the way our house smelled and what music was playing. I don't want to forget the seasons that changed while they were settling into our lives and we were adjusting to their needs.

Now that everyone is mobile and steps are becoming apparent, I'm excited about what's next. I'm excited about walks that they enjoy, zoo trips that excite them and the smell of our house in the fall. Lately, the summer heat has zapped us of any outdoor activities and the air conditioning is our place of choice.

We have loved the summer but I feel like we are ready for the transition. The fall of leaves, the colors changing and something baking in the oven. I'm ready for more play time, less naps and them understanding me more.

They've started mimicking us. I love it. They think I'm the funniest person in the world-all the time. They want me all the time. I know this won't last forever and for right now- I'm soaking up every last minute.

One baby

Two weeks ago someone asked me if we would ever have another baby. I answered yes, but that whit was content. They laughed. I sort of did too. But whit really is content and to be honest, I am too.

When we got married we had the whole "how many kids do you want" talk. I always said three. Boy, was the man upstairs listening or what?! So when we had the babes, that was it- mission accomplished.

BUT. As I see people with one baby and how their schedules are flexible, they spend hours holding one baby and their lives are more than a scheduled routine of feeding, changing and plans for the next feed and change, I'm a bit green. I would love to hold one of my three without having to stop quickly to tend to another need.

I'm grateful to my core that God believed in my strength. I don't see us doing fertility again and according to several specialist- it would be a miracle if we conceived on our own. So the shepherd triplets will have to take turns getting one on one from this momma. I've gotten really good at this whole multiples thing- if I do say so myself!

That brings me to my HoT moms group. Heart of Texas Moms of multiples. These gals are the greatest. It's a club of strong women, all who have multiples. They are the best at multi-tasking, loving on their big families and reaching out to new Mommas that might lose their minds with the announcement of multiples! They have been a resource to me this past year and they just "get it". They momma so good. I'm thankful to those ladies.

Work is nuts. Whits work is busier than ever but home is happy and healthy. We had a few sick weeks that were not fun.. Including one ER visit. But all is back on track. Vegas with family was enjoyable but I was glad to be home and put those sweet three in their cribs.

Hope everyone is enjoying wrapping up this hot summer. School supplies is out and I hope everyone buys themselves a new pack of crayons- even if you are 34.

Saturday Night Live

When I was nine a weekend highlight was watching SNL in Mema Pat's bed. I would intentionally ask a friend to spend the night on Fridays but not Saturdays so not to miss the weekend ritual. This continued for years and even into my college years a favorite Saturday night was dinner out with Mema and her bed for SNL.

She usually ironed and I usually got set up with a down comforter and some weird food. I remember the care free feeling I had and the grounded feeling I had. I also remember that even back then a schedule was something I loved :)

Last night I went to the movie with some girls after I put the babies down. Becker has had a bug so I wanted to put them all down and make sure all was good before I left. Whit had a night of tv watching planned as he was also recovering from a bug.

After the movie I came home and heard SNL on our tv. It made me smile. Made me think of how we can do something every Saturday and then life changes and we pick up another "habit". I was so tired that I didn't watch one skit... But hearing it in the background was oh so comforting..

I hope when I'm 50 I start watching SNL again. Maybe I'll iron too.

8 is great

Yesterday was a solid reminder of the eight wonderful years Whit and I have shared. It was our anniversary. Yep, we tied the knot on July 10th 2004 and here we are, further down the road and even better, than when we started.

I was reminded of how we met... :) both working at a tanning salon one summer during college. I was reminded of when he asked me to marry him in my favorite house on Athens. It was my great grandmothers house and so many good memories floated around as he got on one knee.

Fast forward 2 years and I remember having the time of my life loving my new husband more and more everyday. We talked about our plans and our babies and how we planned on having three. We traveled and we built our careers.

Fast forward four years and I'm reminded of the tears and heartache that came as we struggled to become parents and how we felt no one knew what we were dealing with. I'm reminded of the ones who were faithful in their love for us. And to the ones who prayed for us.

Fast forward 6 years and I'm reminded of the storm God placed in our hearts to prove he was in control. The blessing and miracle that we would be parents... Of three, all at once.

Fast forward one more year to seven as we spent the night in the Nicu for our training night as parents bringing home preemies.

Then one more to eight years and here we sit. A little winded from the last year but with a strong understanding of who we are in this marriage. Committed. Committed to a Christian, faithful, happy marriage that bends as the wind blows but never breaks.

I'm proud....Proud that I have this sensitive, caring man at the core of my life. I'm in awe of the love these babies explode when he comes in a room and I am in love with the person that he has grown into, as our marriage keeps traveling the path.

Eight is better than great.

I love this land.

The fourth of July. My favorite of all the holidays. Who doesn't love red, white and blue? Who doesn't love parades, watermelon and chocolate chip cookies(ok and deviled eggs too).

We joined the old oaks parade and survived the old miss the morning nap routine. Went off without a hitch! Loves seeing neighbors and lots of cute kiddos. We ate lunch, took a nap and squeezed in a pool visit. I'm off the rest of the week so if the temps stay below 100 we will for sure get out and about!

Our helmets are in full swing. Riggs begins his 4th week Friday and Becker and GG their 3rd. They don't seem to bother them at all! We have been surprised. Pray for continued comfort.

My new job is great. Loving the people I work with, the mission and the challenge of learning a whole new game.

Happy fourth everyone. Hope yours is as sweet as ours.