Thursday, June 14, 2007

The twinkies

Happy Birthday Ashley and Amber!

My girls will be turning 16 on Saturday! I think I'm in shock. Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was laying on an ultrasound chair laughing and crying at the same time as I was told I have two (2) babies in my tummy - unbelievable.



I remember thinking "What have I done to deserve this?????" but that selfish, scary thought only lasted a minute as I realized "Wow, God must really have faith in me to trust me with two babies at one time!" (on top of a two year old at home). It didn't take long for me to know what a blessing and a miracle this was.



These girls have always brought me so much joy!

I know these High School years are going to be fun, but they are good girls and I'm so thankful for them!


Here is a glimpse into my world with twins for the last 16 years:






This is how it all started. Could I have been any bigger????



Then they kept growing!!!!!!!!!!






And here we are today. Even though they look alike they are very different.



Ashley is so sweet and caring. She has such a nurturing heart, is very sensitive and a little driven by her emotions.

Amber is strong. She is not so emotional and thinks things through. We call her the family attorney.

They are both goofy and fun. I love our "girls only" road trips!

Now that you know them a little better, I ask for prayer. While they are excited about turning 16 they are also very sad. We are having a party (with 60 of their closest friends - yikes) on Saturday. Their Daddy was planning a huge "sweet 16 party" and now we have scaled it down to fit Grandma's back yard. They are not sad about this but they are not feeling much like celebrating with out their DAD.

They miss him very much and it's times like this, that him not being here hurts the most. He was our "party person". He loved a big celebration!! I am trying to make it as fun as possible but I don't know how to fill that gaping hole in their hearts. Father's Day on Sunday doesn't help. Please pray for a fun and healing weekend. I know God will sustain us - it's just the worst feeling in the world to see your kids hurting and not be able to heal them, only God can - over time.

6 comments:

Lisa Leonard said...

We'll be praying that the girls feel loved and celebrated! xoxo

Unknown said...

Mmmmmm...sweet pictures, brought tears to my eyes. It's so crazy how the years fly by, and how our lives change. I will be praying for a fun and meaningful weekend. I know Dad will be missed.

lindsey said...

love all the pictures! i remember so clearly first meeting them when they were only four! its been fun to see them grow up into such amazing, and different, young women. you and john both played such a huge role in their transformations, especially through the last couple years. john will always be missed, but his legacy of fun loving, family loving and god loving will live on through your girls. you are blessed!

Heather said...

Oh my goodness-you are so good at this! I love you post. Those girls are so amazing and I am so proud of them, and you! You are an awesome mommy and role model and the twins are reflection of your love and spirit. I love you all with all my heart. You all have been and will continue to be in my prayers-God is faithful and good, even in the midst of hard times. He's molding and shaping those girls to be able to be amazing women of God-think of the stories they'll have and the love they'll be able to share. Keep hangin' in there....Love you all!

Joyful Weddings and Events said...

Wow- it is so neat to look back at the pictures and to see how they, and my love for them, have grown. What a blessing they are to all of us- they remind me to be light-hearted, to have fun, to always "miss" things (aka remember things), to treasure the small things and above all to love. Their hugs full my heart & they make me feel cool still :)
You have been such an amazing mom to these girls & to Drew & Mandy, Shan. You have set an example for me of how to love your kids unconditionally and to give them all you have. You are so strong & these girls are going to go into the world as amazing women, thanks to the Lord and you. I love them & you with all of my heart.

I think John would have been happy with our party last night :) I definitely missed him, you could feel it just wasn't the same without his child-like party-time glee, but I know he was smiling down on us.

Cathi Hamen said...

Shan, you made the party so incredible and I know the girls fely soo loved and special that ngiht. Everyone there could see the glow in their smiles and they lit us the room! You have and continue to be an amazing example for them that they too ill be amazing moms! Well Amber an awesome Attorney!
I am so glad Jeff & I can be apart of their lives and their sweet 16 party!!
love you tons!