Mom

Dear Mom,
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Today is your birthday. On this day I'm sure you could think of a hundred more calm and relaxing places than right here right now. You might not find a place that needs you more than here, but calm? Relaxing? Not so much.
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Have I told you a time or two how we couldn't be making it without you and Dad? We couldn't have made it just doing our normal life back in the 'Ville, much less the past 3 moving days. I would have had a major meltdown by now if you weren't here, I'm sure.
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I will definitely never forget our 8-hour road trip on Saturday. Thank you for being willing to drive with me and the children so that we could get to Illinois at a decent hour. Thank you for climbing back and forth from Silas to the babes so that everyone stayed happy. Thank you for laughing with me through our never-ending stop at Subway. Thank you for being strong and making me feel strong and brave when I wasn't sure I could press forward.
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Mom, you have loved my children grandly while you've been here. You have rocked babies, fetched blankets, changed diapers, put pacis in, and let me sleep. You have given up what you might want to do so that we are well taken care of. And you've done it with joy.
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I am about to feed the babies again for a late-night meal. The rest of the house is quiet. Silence is rare around here these days. Seven people and two dogs do not make for a soothing environment most of the time, especially when we've all just moved into a new house and have boxes everywhere. You and Dad have graciously entered into the chaos with us. And we are so glad you did.
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So happy birthday, Mom. I'm so sorry today was not filled with celebrating. And I'm sorry I don't have it together enough to have a gift ready. Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I offer you: our deepest thanks. We can never repay what you have given to our family in this season. You have allowed us to do what the Lord is calling us to do (parent twins, move, join a new church family and begin a new ministry). As we were chatting about the other day, I do sense the Lord's favor on our lives. That you are here now is part of His Hand on us.
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I love you, Mom. We all do.

Evidences of God's Grace

I really should be going to bed. If I am not going to do something productive for our move, I really should be sleeping while the babies sleep. But I'm blogging instead. I feel the need for an outlet, to reflect on our life for a moment. And I feel the need to let our God shine.

Shane was telling me over the weekend that during staff meetings at Harvest, they share evidences of God's grace. You know me, I love words that sound just right. And I couldn't help but think that our lives have been one evidence of God's grace after another recently.

Well.

I just deleted the rest of this post accidentally.

Perhaps it is time for bed.

So because I don't have the energy to re-write, just know that...

We are moving this weekend. We miraculously have a place to live. Simeon and Lieren went to church last Sunday with us at Harvest and I was reminded that God's promise is as true for them as for anyone: All who call upon His Name will be saved. We do not deserve the love and blessings already poured out on us by our new church family. It is not all sibling love in this household. I am not having to pack anything; movers are doing that for me. We are saying goodbye to dear friends. We are excited to move into what God has next.

Lots going on around here. Lots to decide and figure out. And lots of little ones who need lots of attention. Couple that with not lots of sleep. Not lots of time. Not lots of energy. And I am left with an awareness that we are walking testimonies around here, living evidences of God's grace. Couldn't do it otherwise.

Sibling Love

Sibling Love from Brittany Drury on Vimeo.

Lest You Think I am Superwoman

When Shane got back from his trip to Illinois this week he thought the babies looked bigger. They still seem so small to me, but last night they both had on pajamas that actually fit. For the most part, all of their clothes are entirely too big. But that their jammies are starting to look right on them tells me that our tiny ones are not so tiny any more.

Last night Shane came in late from walking the dogs. I was sitting in bed holding both babies, a head on each shoulder. "Are you in heaven?" Shane asked. I smiled. Absolutely. Two of the sweetest babies on earth live in our home. I get the chance to mother them and their big brother.

I am in heaven.

But lest you think I am superwoman, mothering a 2-year-old and twin babies while preparing to move to another state, let me put your mind to rest. I am not doing much except mothering. I haven't cooked a meal since I got home with the babies, haven't been to out to buy groceries, only vacuumed once that I can remember, and am doing well to get my own laundry folded.

Shane and my parents are keeping life running around here. Shane has done everything to get our house ready to sell, sold, and ready for closing. He is beginning a new ministry from long-distance all while getting us ready to move. My mom is cooking (sometimes three meals a day!) all my favorites. We were laughing at her tonight because she announced she was out of ideas and that we were going to have to go get something to bring home to eat. We've hardly eaten out since she's been in charge of the kitchen so I think it was about time she got a break! And my dad is doing all the grocery shopping and cleaning. I don't think that guest bath has ever been cleaner.

Could a person be more blessed to just get to be home and take care of babies without having to worry about all the other stuff? Like I said, it's heaven.

Going Home (alternately titled: As If Having Twins Were Not Enough...)

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WE'RE MOVING!
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Several weeks ago Silas and I were going through our bedtime routine on a night when Shane was not home. We had the TV on and this guy was on singing...

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Silas watched for a bit then said, "Daddy singing." I laughed so hard and could not wait for Shane to get home so I could tell him...

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You might remember Chris Daughtry from an American Idol of years past. He also sang what became the familiar parting song when contestants were voted off during another season, "Home". Shane is self-admittedly not a musician. But while he may not be singing it, thoughts of "I'm going home, to the place where I belong..." are resonating through him right now.

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Yep, we are very soon going to be moving to the Peoria, Illinois area where Shane grew up. We could never have predicted this move nor could we have ever pinpointed this timing (remember we have newborn twins?). But the Lord had all this in the works long before He let us in on His plan. We have been blessed and humbled to walk behind our God as He unfolded this path before us.

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Shane is joining the staff of Harvest Bible Chapel Peoria as High School Director. We have already been overwhelmed at how the staff at Harvest has welcomed us. And we are looking forward to joining with them, ministering together, and building community with our new church family.

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Shane is actually in Peoria this weekend to begin working with Harvest. We have sold our house (that is a whole story in itself that points to God's provision, timing, and purpose) and will be moving at the end of this month. Until then, Shane will spend some time here and some time there. The rest of us (me, the children and my parents) will not travel until the move.

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I feel ready for this transition. We are ready to feel settled somewhere after the "temporary" feeling of seminary. We are ready to be so close to family. And ready to be part of such an exciting time for such a dynamic and growing church. In our praying through this decision, we couldn't help but keep saying to each other how much this church, these people, and this area fits us. We never thought the Lord would take us right back to Shane's hometown. But we are so grateful.

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So I will leave you with Daughtry's song in honor of Shane's first weekend back home. That's super cheesy, I know, but I do really like this song...

The Twin Thing

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After we had Silas I remember telling Shane that I hoped we had a girl next. My entire pregnancy and birth experience with Silas was so special that I wanted the next one to be just as unique and special as the first. Little did I know that the Lord had more than a little girl in mind for us next time...He was planning twins!
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Simeon and Lieren are as different as two babies could be already. He loves his paci...she acts like she is going to gag sometimes when you put it in her mouth. She is as calm as can be...he starts hollering about anything and everything. He is an excellent sleeper...she would rather snuggle.
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Life with twin newborns doesn't really take much more work than having one, in my opinion. It does take more coordinating, though! Our babies eat at the same time, so if one wakes ready to eat, I wake the other to nurse too. When one diaper needs changing, or it's bathtime, it doesn't take double the time to do two. But it does take some figuring out to get both settled for awake times in swings or bouncies, burped (especially when the other wants to keep eating), up and down the stairs, or sleeping contently. I consistently do not have enough arms and am constantly running back up or down the stairs to get something I need.
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The babies and I do life in a nice 3-hour routine. It works great for all of us and I love having some idea what to expect from each day. Right now feeding times take about 45 minutes to get both twins fed and diapers changed. Not bad! And they do well at night, falling right back to sleep so I can do the same. Speaking of middle of the night stuff, did you know that at 4 in the morning HGTV puts up a screen that says Good Night then switches to paid programming? I have to turn the TV on for that latest night/earliest morning feeding to get myself awake. I've seen that HGTV screen more in the past 2 weeks than I wanted!
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But making it all work is worth life with these two. The twin thing is so sweet. They really do love to be together...

Look Who Turned Two!

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Friday was Silas' birthday. For 10 days we had 3 children under the age of two in our family. Now we have a 2 year-old and newborns. I can hardly believe either one: that our Silas is really 2 or that we have twins!
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Silas' day began with a trip to get his hair cut with Daddy...

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Then after his nap he was surprised with balloons, decorations, and lots of presents. He had to wait till after we ate to open the gifts and did so well being patient. He did keep checking them out, though...

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I'm TWO...

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We didn't want to risk having people over with the babies still being so small. So we just celebrated with my parents and sister, who has been here to visit this week...

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The littlest party-goers...

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Due to the aforementioned 10-day-old babies in the house, I didn't have it together to make a cake myself this year. So we went with a Sesame Street theme and Shane found these cute, big cupcakes at the store. I was so happy that Silas loved them. He probably loved them more than anything I could have made!

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Getting ready to open presents. He was SO excited...

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I have been so blessed to have my family with us to help us both survive and celebrate!

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Silas, we are so proud of how you are growing up. Our lives are full to overflowing every day because of you. We wouldn't want your little brother and sister to follow after anyone else but you!