Mimi's visit!!

After Mom and Dad finished up their European adventure, Mom took a quick week to tie up loose ends before coming to join me for two weeks!  I considered Mom's arrival to be my finish line of sorts with the deployment because I knew that from here on out I had a safety net!  As soon as Mom laid eyes on me at the airport (which was a good football field away in distance I might add), she motioned to me not to walk any closer, that she was coming to me. :-P  She was giggling as she validated all of the tales I had told her about my giant belly.  To her, this is such a special walk down memory lane; and I am so excited that we get to swap twin pregnancy stories. :)

From the moment she got to the car, she refused to let me lift a finger.  She chased Sissy, prepared meals, watched the girls while I went to a handful of doctor's appointments, stayed home with Sissy so that Emmy and I could have a couple of shopping trips, did every household chore from laundry to dishes, sterilized my entire house, pruned, weeded and refreshed my planters outside, sprayed for the nasty bugs feasting on my roses, she helped me check so many things off my to do list in sprucing up the house and readying the nursery, and ensured that I never had an empty water glass.  She even noticed my dry skin and rubbed lotion all over my feet...Incredible.  Beyond all else, just getting to live life with her again was such a beautiful thing.  Her being here provided so much comfort, peace and joy and was the most incredible gift.

A week into the trip, Kris and the kiddos arrived for some fun!  As soon as they walked in the door, my Emmy and Hannah were off playing with their cousins.  Emmy has reached a phase where she gets completely engrossed in fantasy play, so having Clairey to help her weave her fantastic tales was more than a treat to all of us!  Hannah and Jakie adore one another, and it didn't take long to see who wears the pants in that relationship...Hannah would take from Jakie and flaunt his things in his face while he so kindly shared everything with her.  It was so fun to be able to laugh with Mom and Kris over Sissy's antics.  They played outside on Nick's masterfully built swing set from the moment the dewy grass was dry until dinner was ready each day, all under Kris' tireless supervision.  Mom and Kris would carry chairs down to the shade so that I could sit and be with everyone while the kids played, ensuring that I always had a giant cup ice water in my hand (once I had two cups because Mom and Kris were both thinking alike.)  I was so spoiled and felt so cared for, and so very appreciative.

I had a high risk ultrasound scheduled for one of the days that Mom was visiting, and was tickled to be able to bring her. :)  My trusty sitter watched the girls so that Mom and I could spend the day in Nashville, it's such a rarity for us to spend time together without the children.  It was so fun to be able to share the ultrasound with her (and laugh about James' huge size!)  We went to lunch at a restaurant that had cloth napkins and no kids, and loved every leisurely bite of our delicious meals!  We then did some shopping, and were supremely productive without the girls' distraction and limited stamina! I am so grateful to have had that day together.

Andy is the best sport to play Cinderella with the girls.

My new favorite picture of Emmy...It's hard to get a genuine smile out of her when the camera comes out. :)

BFFs

Mimi did much of her work with Sissy on her hip.  I could be sitting on the couch with an episode of Caillou on and Sissy would still run to Mimi and insist that she be held.

Mimi was always within Sissy's reach.

Celebrating Mimi's birthday!

Watching Emmy's very favorite movie, the classic, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!"  Mimi and Papa gifted her a copy so that she doesn't have to wait for it to be on the shelf at the library anymore!  Emmy thanked God for it twice during prayers that night! haha!