Ordinary Expectations

The majority of us almost can't help but take things for granted. We are the lucky ones. The ones that have progressed thus far in life without any major hiccups, losses, and/or trials. We wake up each morning to a house with four walls, food in the pantry, healthy babies with sweet smiles and full bellies....There are so many moments and situations in our every day lives that we should praise God for, but so often, whether it be because of routine, exhaustion, a sense of entitlement, or whatnot, we count them as ordinary and lose sight of just how much God is working for good in our lives.

What are genuine blessings, we view as ordinary expectations.

Someone once told me those with the greatest faiths have faced the greatest trials.

I recently came across a blog entitled Avery's Bucket List which is about a precious child who was born with muscular spinal atrophy and whose parents have been told she will only live for approximately 18 more months. Here is a quote from her blog:

"Imagine you've been diagnosed with an incurable genetic disease and you are told you will not only lose your ability to walk and move your arms, but you will die between now and the next 18 months. What would you do?"

I spent an hour or so reading through her blog, with tear-filled eyes and an aching heart, looking at her sweet pictures, and reviewing her "bucket list" of things to do before she leaves this world.

Did you take time today to thank God for your ability to walk, to use your arms, to hold your children? Did you take time to pray about how thankful you are for the good health of your little ones? For their ability to zip through the grass, to reach out to you with open arms, to feed themselves their food, to give you precious smiles?

So many things in our lives we view as ordinary expectations.

April 27th 2011 was a devasting day for so many familes. The tornadoes that ripped through numerous states caused catastrophic destruction, particulary across the state of Alabama. A total of 208 tornadoes were confirmed that day. I was in Arab visiting my family when a few of the tornadoes touched down in areas in and around Arab. I have never been more fearful in my life. A tornado several years prior had destroyed a home a few down from ours, and flashes of that memory echoed in my mind as we put a mattress in the foyer and knelt together with our twins. Later that day, a family with a set of twins that share the same birthday as ours would lose five family members, including one of their precious twins. Through the grace of God, the other twin survived and went on to make a full recovery. This past Friday, on the anniversary of those tornadoes, I spent a few moments in tears thinking about that particular family, as our twins are the same age as theirs on this date last year (they are a year apart). So many people started that day like any other day, making coffee, grabbing a shower, heading to work...

So many things in our lives we view as ordinary expectations.

Take time to tell your spouse how much you love them today. Give your child an extra kiss and hug. Hold them a little longer before they go to bed. Write the thank-you note you have been meaning to write. Go enjoy ice cream with your family. Put down the computer and turn off the tv and focus on your precious blessings from our Lord.

May we never lose sight of just how much the Lord loves us and has blessed us. May we not take one single day for granted. May we love, cherish, and appreciate those around us in the way God intended us to do so.

Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for my wonderful husband and for my two precious children. Thank you for providing me with a husband that works hard every day to support our family, who sets the alarm clock to get us up on Sunday mornings, who loves me unselfishly and tells me I am beautiful when I haven't had a shower and am in pajamas with no make-up on. Thank you for providing us with two healthy babies that we cherish, love and adore with all our hearts. They are the two biggest blessings of our lives. Please give them long and fruitful lives in your service. Please protect our family and help us to focus on you each and every day. May we always give you the glory. Amen.

Billy IV has always been easy on mommy. I can remember during the pregnancy, Brooklyn would be moving and moving, and he would pitter patter here and there but for the most part just floated around quietly and comfortably. I guess I should say though, in Brooklyn's defense, that she was stuck by a membrane the entire pregnancy and couldn't turn over. Bless her.

I remember one time, after reading a few absolutely terrifying stories about twin pregnancies (stay away from the computer at all costs if you are expecting), I became worrisome because Billy wasn't moving around a lot. So I teared up slightly and put my hand on my tummy ever so softly and told him mommy was worried, so if he could give me a high five or a soccer kick I would be so appreciative. Within seconds I felt a soft nudge right underneath my hand. He captured that much more of my heart in that moment.

When he was born and had to spend some time in the NICU, he would look up at you with the darkest of dark brown eyes and they would absolutely melt your heart. He is our "tough cookie." Even with the wires and the tubes, he rarely fussed. He had moments where he couldn't even keep 1 cc of milk down, and at the time I didn't realize how rough that really was, until I later saw preemies that were much younger keeping much more than that down. And then there was the time when we had to carry him to Vandy a few months after he was born in order to ensure all the bells and whistles were working correctly in his heart. Tough stuff for an mommy, and especially a mommy as sensitive as I am.

Billy absolutely adores big sister. Neither one of them can get too far without checking on the other one. If she starts to fuss during a diaper change he will bring her sippy cup to her, or if he sees her pacifier lying around he will bring it over. I adore their closeness. I think of moments in our own lives when we feel lonely or insecure, and am so thankful to know that they have been together from the very beginning, nudging each other in the womb, and now smiling, giggling, and playing together each day. They are so lucky.

Billy has been a good sleeper from about the age of six months or so. He loves his crib and typically sleeps so well at night. He is also independent and plays very well by himself. He shares toys exceptionally well and is very easily entertained. He is such a sweet soul. He gets a big grin on his face anytime Billy III gives me a hug or a kiss. If you think your kids aren't affected or influenced by your marriage relationship, think again.

When the twins were much younger and Brooklyn was more needy, he often made it seem as though I had the equivalent of one kiddo when it came to the amount of work involved because he was so easy.

As of a few weeks ago, Billy became much more of a mama's boy. He will often come to me during the day and sit in my lap, and he smiles and gives me sugars if I kneel down for one. Melts. My. Heart.

I can already tell that Billy is going to be the type of individual that thinks before he speaks, makes sure everyone is included, and is soft and gentle with others hearts. He is very much so a typical boy though! He spends most hours of the day throwing, shooting, and chasing basketballs or trying to carefully wrestle with mommy. The twins are, for the most part, night and day when it comes to their favorite toys.

Billy holds such a big piece of my heart. When I think of my greatest and most sincere moments in my mere 26 years, I think of a tiny figure in dinosaur pajamas, red hair and sweet smiles, giggles that turn into hiccups, hearing the word "mama", and precious hugs for no reason at all. You may have your daddy's looks Billy IV, but you have your mama's eyes! I love you so much!

Brooklyn Rose

And thou shalt in thy daughter see,
This picture, once, resembled thee.
~Ambrose Philips

I always make sure I include each twin in my blog posts so I don't feel like I am cheating the other and since I of course adore them the same amount, but I thought I would do this one specifically on Brooklyn (and do one just on Billy IV in the future). For those of you that don't know, she may in fact be the biggest mama's girl on this side of the universe. If you think I'm kidding, come spend a day at our house. It sometimes means a little more "work" (if you could possibly call what I do work) but is incredibly precious to me, and has been so good for my heart and soul.

Every single day, Brooklyn wants to be right with mommy, doing what mommy is doing.

She helps me wipe the counter, she helps me poor milk, she brushes my hair while I blow it dry, she helps me put lids on containers, she brushes her teeth while I brush mine, she tests the water coming out of the faucet for bath time after I do, she sprinkles cheese on casseroles before they go in oven, she starts laughing and/or smiling just because I am doing so.

Often as she drifts off to sleep, she will put one hand on my arm to make sure I am there, and there have been a few occasions when I nearly (and do) tear up thinking about just how much she loves and needs me, as all children need their mommies. That is a fact. I have come to learn that a mother/daughter bond is so special. It's hard to believe that I used to think I only wanted a house full of boys. God knows our needs much better than we do.

While I do want her to have independence, it brings hundreds of smiles to my face each day. Like hundreds of thousands of daughters, Brooklyn wants to be just like mommy. And with that comes some self-reflection, similar to what I wrote about in a blog a few weeks ago. If Brooklyn wants to be just like mommy, do I, in turn, truly want her to be like me? Am I showing her on a daily basis what truly is important?

When a drink spills on the floor after an earlier than expected start to our morning, how do I react? Before meals, do I take time to pray? I see her look at me curiously and inquisitively when I do. What does my expression convey and what do I say first thing in the morning? How often do I give reassuring hugs and kisses? How much time do I spend on her level, playing with dolls, exploring, looking at animal cards, walking her play doggy?

And beyond that....How I do treat friends that are my age? How do I treat family? Do I give to others or do I hold back? Am I a source of encouragement? Do I place emphasis on worldly desires or spirituality?

If you didn't beforehand, I hope you, like me, did (and continually do) a little self-reflection as a parent. May we never stop growing and maturing in our faith!

Brooklyn Rose,
From the moment I first saw you, I knew that I would be your mother first, but that secondly, we would be dear friends. You have brought so many smiles to my face and caused so many giggles in my voice. You have tugged at my heart and soul and have made me feel so loved and fulfilled. I can still remember talking to you when you were three months old, when you were crying as sweet babies sometimes do, and letting you know that mommy would always be right here for you, and it was as though you clearly understood me, and from that point on, you have been an absolute mommy's girl. Like when I was a little girl, you adore kittys, books, and babydolls. It is so precious to see you rock your babies and pat them softly on the back. Since you look so much like mommy, I can't help but sometimes feel like I am in a time-warp, watching myself at your age many years ago. Thank you for the way you say mommy, for how often you run to me with outstreched arms, for helping me with daily tasks, for the books you bring me to read to you during the day...I pray for you and brother every single night. I pray that God will help daddy and me show you His wonderful love, that He will give you a long and fruitful life in His service, that you will one day find a spouse that will help you in your Christian walk...May you always know that little brother and you are my world and that I love you both so dearly!

Easter 2012

On Sunday, the Helton Four enjoyed Easter by attending church and then going to Netty and Big Daddy's house for a yummy lunch. Netty made a delicious meal including chicken and rice casserole, ham, homemade mac and cheese, green beans, baked beans, corn on the cob, fried okra, rolls, and my favorite, grape salad. I probably missed a few menu times. I am always so in awe of her! I certainly over-ate and was miserable for a few hours. :) The twins wore their matching green smocked Easter bunny outfits. It is so much fun having twins and getting to put them in matching outfits (while they will still let me, lol). After lunch, it was already an hour past the twins nap time so we headed on home and they are going to hunt Easter eggs tonight. Might as well keep the holiday going! :)

I was laughing today looking around at all the twins toys around the house. The living room has literally been taken over by toys. Not to mention the kitchen area and their room. It won't be long before we'll have to join in with someone having a yard sale and sell some of their toys to upgrade to the next ones. Now that they are both walking well they are ready for tall/more advanced toys. I'm looking forward to hopefully getting them a tent, tunnel, sand and water station, and mini pool so we can spend some time outdoors when it warms up again. They LOVE the outdoors. They have been scared of grass until recently, but now they love it! Billy is as cool as a cucumber but Brooklyn will start squirming and moving back and forth if I try to get her up to take her inside. She is a free spirit and loves to roam in wide open spaces. (And has a tiny temper and is a little rotten ;))

Billy IV still spends several hours during the day shooting basketballs in his basketball goal and throwing/chasing balls all over the house. He is most definitely going to be a baseball or basketball player. He just has a genuine love for it. He is just like his daddy as a little boy. :) To be honest, they are each our mirror image when we were that age. Brooklyn loves books, kittys, and babies and those were the three things I was crazy about as a toddler/child. It is so funny to see how similar they are to each of us. All while we haven't encouraged one thing or the other.

Brooklyn has started getting really good with her words, animal sounds, and needs/gestures. She has been meowing like a kitty all week and now tells me if she has had a poo-poo. haha She said the word car for the first time today. Billy now brings me his cups/bowls if he wants something more to drink or grapes and he gives me such a look of adoration when I get him this or that and he sees that I know what he wants. It is the sweetest thing. It must be so nice to feel so understand after trying to learn to communicate over the past year and a half. :) He is such a sweet soul. I showed the twins a picture of my mom and dad a few days ago and he got the kindest look in his eyes and on his face. He gives his cousin Gracie sweet grins and sugars. I think the twins would continually shower Gracie with sugars if I let them. Bless her. lol

Last Thursday night we had the twins and Gracie by ourselves for the first time and they all did so well. I was a little nervous about Brooklyn becoming jealous because she is quite the mama's girl, but it was as though she understood little Gracie needed to be taken care of. She sat at my feet while I rocked Gracie and then held my hand while we walked her back to the crib for a little snooze. It is rewarding to see your children growing and learning in these ways. Billy IV stayed close to Gracie during her visit and made sure she had plenty to do and was taken care of. I can tell he is going to be so sweet and protective of her. Gracie played and played and was so good during her visit. She was a breeze! Looks like we could have handled triplets. Umm let's not get ahead of ourselves!!! JUST kidding!!!

The twins are in a bit of a separation anxiety phase right now. Brooklyn has been in one for a few months but Billy recently joined the ranks. They both immediately start crying when we enter their Bible class room at church on Wednesdays/Sundays. Bless them. I know it will pass. So thankful that they have such good teachers! A shout-out to Jennette, Emily, Mindy, and Shelly!

Don't tell daddy, but Billy has recently turned into a tad bit of a mama's boy. I think it has been since our Arab trip two weekends ago when he spent lots of extra time with mommy. Sporadically during the day, he will suddenly come to me and put his arms around me for a few minutes, and then will give me sugars. I. eat. it. up. He has always been more independent (which I am appreciative of since Brookie is a little more dependent), but it is nice to seeing him loving on mommy so much. They have started fighting over sitting in my lap at certain times during the day and both were reaching for/whining for me at the same time during church yesterday morning. Bliss.

I love my two little ones so much! So thankful to be with them and to see all their little changes day by day!

16 month check-up!

Today was shot day for the Helton twins. I always get a little anxious before these visits, because while Billy IV handles them pretty well, Brooklyn does not. The last two shot visits, she has cried and cried and been so upset. :( Bless her. Billy IV is my tough little man and Brooklyn is our diva gal. :)

The doctor was very pleased with how the twins are growing. Billy weighed 20 lbs 5 oz and was 31 inches tall. Brooklyn weighed 21 lbs 6 oz and was 30.5 inches tall. I am very proud that their tummies are finally starting to "hang over" their pants a tad. :)

Billy IV was talking up a storm and smiling while the doctor visited with us. I love his level of independence and how easily he entertains himself. Brooklyn sat firmly in mommy's lap with her arms around me. Ha. Gotta love a genuine mommy's girl. There are true blessings to both scenerios. :)

Surprising (and thankfully), the twins handled their shots really well! They each only cried for a minute or two. I was SO relieved. It absolutely breaks my heart for them to have to get them but I know it is entirely necessary.

After their check-up, we treated them to the donut shop. The owner was so sweet and as we got ready to leave with our sweets in hand, she gave them each a donut hole to enjoy on the car trip home. They had glaze smeared all over their faces and little hands when we got home. It was precious.

We spent the day playing with toys, talking to our kitty, going on a long walk in our jogging stroller (LOVING this weather and being able to get out and about- I could see each of the twins dancing their little feet back and forth while we were strolling along), eating popsicles, and watching cartoons. I could tell the twins were a little uncomfortable tonight and were ready to turn it in for the night a little earlier than normal.

They are now sleeping soundly. :) All in all, I consider it a good day despite the shots! Tonight I was thinking about all our blessings and how thankful I am to have two healthy, happy one year olds. Thank you Lord for watching over our family! I don't take a single bit of it for granted!

Adoration

I can't help but absolutely adore my two little ones...I absolutely eat up every single moment I have with them.

From Billy's sly grin when he climbs up on top of a toy for the tenth time (which he knows it is a no-no), to Brooklyn patting my back while giving me a hug.

From Billy's loud giggles as he barrels down the hallway chasing after a ball, to Brooklyn's sweet grin as she says kitty-kitty while looking out the front door.

From Brooklyn following me from room to room and sticking her fingers under the door while I'm in the bathroom, to Billy dancing up and down when one of his favorite Bubble Guppies episodes come on.

From Brooklyn wanting mommy, and only mommy at certain times, to Billy suddenly having the sweetest expression across his face and surprising me with a sugar.

Even when Brooklyn is kicking and huffing because she doesn't want to sit still in the church pew, or Billy gets his feelings hurt because he isn't allowed to climb to the highest point in the room, I love them so incredibly much.

These are the days.

Is it possible to adore your children too much? I think not.

Even when they are acting like little Indians and I have to discipline them, I love them that much more.

They are constantly filling my heart with so much tenderness, my actions with so much affection, my soul with so much fulfillment, my prayers with so much fervor.

I have never felt more loved or more counted on than I do now.

The stage the twins are in gets more and more fun each day. I am endlessly thrilled by each new word I hear and each new reaction I see as they explore the world around them. Children have a way of allowing us to break apart our busy lives into small segments, and they teach us to appreciate the smallest of things. Brooklyn got the biggest satisfaction out of carrying around an empty KFC box today. Billy adored the fact that he got to carry around a capri-sun drink.

With each new day, my eyes open a little more and I see just how much they are watching Billy and I, and sweetly, just how much they want to be like us and do the things we do. It gives way to a little self-examination. Exactly what am I showing them is important? How do I react when the going gets tough? What are the expressions I give? What am I showing them regarding how a husband/wife relationship should be? How often do I tell them about our Lord and His love for them? It is never too early to set a good example. Especially in the world we live in today.

Parenthood comes with some serious responsibilities.

It still amazes me to think about how far we have come over the last sixteen months. All the sleepless nights and fussy spells and sickness. It's hard to believe Brooklyn will sleep for ten hours at night and Billy gobbles up his food so well at mealtime.

I pray every night that God will give them long and fruitful lives in His Service.

Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for the two biggest blessings and accomplishments of my life. Everything I did prior to November 18th 2010 carries so little comparison and meaning to the day my precious twins entered this world and became my life's work. Please be with Billy and I and give us the knowledge, patience, and know-how to lead them to You through our consistency, our gentleness, our love. I take time everyday to kiss Billy's short, chubby feet and to hold Brooklyn's small hand. I pray that one day they will meet strong Christian mates and that they will grow together in Christ and will have a happy, Christ-centered home. May we always remember James 1:17 and always give You the glory. Amen.

St Louis Trip and updates on the twins!

The twins are getting bigger and bigger these days! I still refer to them as babies, but I guess when Billy IV starts walking full-time I will have to own up and refer to them as toddlers. He is up to sixteen steps so far. He does things on his own time. He carries around his basketballs on the back of his legs and will crawl everywhere with them. It is quite the skill. And he is mad fast at crawling, so I suppose he sees no need to walk. Secretly, I think he knows it will be hard on mommy for Brooklyn and he to not offically be "babies" anymore so he is being kind and crawling for my benefit. ;)

A little over a week ago Netty and Big Daddy kept the twins Thursday night through Sunday night so Billy and I could go on a anniversary/Halloween convention trip. Ah yes, Halloween. My husband is obsessed. Every year in March, there is a huge Halloween convention in St Louis, MO. I think this year was it's 17th year running (my husband will correct me if I am wrong). They have hundreds of vendors there. Billy was literally like a kid in a candystore. When we got out of the car, I literally had to hold his hand tightly to keep him from sprinting off to it. For once in my life, I held the credit cards. :) There were so many scary creatures there! Apparently I must look sweet and innocent, because all the owners of the vendors would see me coming and as we passed by they would suddenly push a button and BOOM! Some scary creature would jump out. I could seriously feel them watching me as I strolled along and got closer. They would be in the middle of ringing up a purchase and ta-da! A mechanical dog would jump out of it's cage or a monster would come storming out of a coffin. I tried to contain myself but jumped at least twice. Several people thought it was funny. :)


(The B&B we stayed at- I LOVE homes like this!)

Billy got several good ideas during the trip. He wants to have a haunted house/trail a few years from now. I definitely think it is something he can and will achieve. Every year he purchases a few props and builds several of his own. He is great with money and has some great plans so I am looking forward to scaring the people of Lawrenceburg and surrounding communities one day. :)

While we were in St Louis, we also enjoyed some amazing meals and I did a little shopping. I had been deathly sick the week before, and some of the sickness was still lingering but I made it through. It was nice to relax and to take it easy.

I definitely missed the twins though! When we got back to Biff and Penny's house to pick them up, I was out of the car in a flash and had them in my arms smothering them with kisses. Sorry kids. :) Billy and Brooklyn are my WORLD. Everything I do revolves around them. I am so thankful to have to a wonderful set of second parents like Biff and Penny. I don't even refer to or think of them as in-laws. They genuinely treat Adam and I like we are one of their own. That is a rarity and such a blessing. They have done so much for us, and we will have some huge shoes to fill one day when it comes our turn. And I will absolutely ensure we do the same. :)

It was nice for Billy and I to have some time to ourselves and to have the opportunity to "miss" the twins. I am of course with them 24/7 and I will admit that on those rare occasions, I do get a little exhausted and need a little time for mommy. I think the twins enjoyed having time with Netty and Big Daddy as well. When we all got home and I was helping Brooklyn get to sleep, she put her little hand on my face as she drifted off and I absolutely knew that I am right where I am supposed to be at this point in my life. I have never felt more loved or needed than I do right now. And it is such a blessing. Billy IV will often give me a big ole grin and start laughing and I can tell in his dark brown eyes how much he loves mommy. It melts my heart. :)

The twins are playing so well during the day and are saying more and more words. I am so proud of them. Brooklyn walks here, there and everywhere and I can tell she thinks she is at least 16. Billy climbs this, that, and everything. :) He is like his daddy! So thankful for these two little ones!