Recent Discoveries

I've had a couple of recent discoveries (or re-discoveries) in the last few weeks that I thought were worth sharing.

Music:

1) "One Day" by Matisyahu. My friend Emily noted this piece of music on her blog, and after seeing the video on YouTube, I downloaded the song and have been listening to it ever since. Emily gives a few brief details about the artist; click the blog link above to learn more.

2) "How Can I Keep From Singing" by Eva Cassidy. This traditional song is one of my all-time favorites; Eva's rendition is unique and fantastic. You can hear it here. Another favorite rendition of mine was recorded by the BYU University Singers in the mid-1990s. (Oh, and Enya did one, too.)

Movie:

My parents have been fans of Barbara Streisand forever, and as a teenager I saw Yentl several times. Back then, I loved it. But as time went by, I forgot about the movie.

A few nights ago, with the kids in bed and Brian out of town, I was folding laundry and flipping through TV channels. Yentl was on, and I was hooked, again. It is one of a handful of movies whose story and message resonate for a long time after viewing it.

The movie/musical was made in 1983 and is considered to be the pinnacle of Streisand's career. It is a classic, through and through. I won't go into details of the story here, but I will say that what makes the movie phenomenal is in large part due to the music. Simply put, the music is stunning. And the plot is no less compelling. Two days after seeing the movie, I was still thinking about it--and singing the music. Yesterday I ordered the DVD and the soundtrack.

If you haven't seen it, give it a whirl. I will add this disclaimer: This movie is a drama, it has some very--um--serious scenes, and it borders on "chick flick." Forgive me in advance if you (or more importantly, your husband) don't like it.

25 Mental Images

At eighteen months, Madeline and Isaac are the epitome of adorable.

ADORABLE, I say.

I don't want to forget this stage, so with that in mind,

here are 25 mental images of my little duo from the last week alone:

1) The twins, wearing their matching green outfits (adorable, I tell you!), holding hands and running down the hallway at church, both giggling delightedly. (Running away from Mommy, no less--holding hands--and laughing all the while.)

2) Madeline, standing at our backyard fence and wailing, and Isaac standing next to her, patting her back.

3) Isaac, bringing Madeline her shoes before we leave the house.

4) Madeline, bringing Isaac his lovey after she locates hers.

5) Madeline, perched proudly on the top of a bunk bed, and Isaac, attempting to climb the ladder to meet her.

6) Me, saying, "No, babies!" over and over again.

7) Madeline, shoving Isaac, followed by Isaac wailing, and then by Madeline laying her head on his shoulder to "say sorry and give him a hug," after Mommy admonishes her.

8) The morning sounds of two babies awake in their opposing cribs, waiting to be sprung, laughing at each other's antics.

9) Madeline, waking up earlier than normal and--after a while--realizing that the little guy isn't with her. While Mommy is getting dressed, she goes to her room, pushes the door open, and stands beside Isaac's crib, sucking her thumb and patting his head, waiting for him to awake.

10) Isaac, pushing Madeline in a swing.

11) Madeline, twirling as she dances to music.

12) Isaac, bobbing up and down--very intently I might add--as he dances to music.

13) Madeline, with hair flying everywhere, perpetually carrying a handled container of some sort (purse, bag, lunch box, tupperware--you name it), while draping herself with dress up jewelry and hats or scarves of all varieties.

14) Isaac, pushing trains on the floor and saying "choo choo" a thousand times over.

15) Madeline, finding a baby doll, covering it with a blanket, and carrying it everywhere.

16) Mommy, asking "Where's Madeline?" and watching as Isaac points his finger her direction and promptly goes in search of her.

17) Number 16, with Madeline searching for Isaac.

18) Two toddlers, racing their strollers around the house.

19) Two toddlers, sitting atop the kitchen table.

20) Two toddlers, climbing inside the empty fridge as I am scrubbing it down.

21) Two toddlers, playing delightedly in the clean laundry.

22) Two toddlers, stealing food off of each other's trays.

23) Two toddlers, climbing in the dishwasher and proudly "helping" Mommy to unload it.

24) Two toddlers, fighting over everything. (Seriously, it's hilarious.)

25) Two toddlers and their incessant undecipherable commentary, with the occasional "real word" thrown in. Madeline, saying "ere-go" (i.e., "here you go") as she hands me things, with Isaac, who is always chattering, saying "DOW" (i.e., "down") every time he goes down stairs, or "ank--oo" (i.e., "thank you") to everything.

In conclusion, I am discovering daily that having twins is way more fun than having a singleton. More work, for sure, but the fun is exponential.

Women's Four-Miler

I ran the four-miler for the third time last Saturday.

For the record, I am not a runner. I just really love being a part of this event.

But this year was a little different. Two of my favorite people joined me.

Here we are before the race:

In the picture below I am with my neighbor, Lexie. I still can't believe she ran the thing in thirty-two minutes! You go, girl!

And with Emma.

I was absolutely amazed by how well she did. She ran the whole way, putting all of her effort into it. She got an excellent time for a nine-year-old--and more importantly, she had fun.

This is the only picture Brian got of me as I ran past. It gives the impression that I am speeding by. But I was only trotting.

Lexie, Emma, and me, nice and sweaty after finishing.

It was definitely an event for the memory book!

Perspective

In my world as mommy, there are a lot of hard days. Days I don't blog about. Days I don't want to repeat. Days that force me to look inward and turn upward.

But then, there are summer mornings when I wake up a bit later than normal.

Sometimes on such mornings, I find pictures like these tucked under my door, greeting me and my day ahead.

On those mornings, I am reminded again why I am doing what I am doing. I am reminded that the things that are most difficult are the things most worth having. I am reminded that the simplest rewards are the most profound.

I am reminded...again...all of it.

How I need those reminders.

First Day of School

School started two weeks ago; here are pictures at last.

My girls. I am so proud of the young ladies they are.

Nathan was sad to see his sisters go. His first day of school (pre-K) is tomorrow.

We have two darling kindergarteners at our bus stop. Emma & Clara have been watching out for them.

Onward & upward! Here comes a great year.