And They are 17. . .

Friday October 21st was my twins, Sarah & Susan's 17th birthday! They started the day with their weekly science class with friends but then had the afternoon to look forward to. They had off work and had 2 of their friends over to hang out and carve pumpkins.

They Keep on Growing Up!

Recently I shared how my firstborn just turned 16 yrs old! Since we left shortly after their birthdays for vacation, we weren't able to get their permits.

Well today, we took the plunge!

After spending over an hour simply waiting, they were each called back to take their test. I would've taken photos but I knew they'd have a cow! Ha!

Sweet 16!

I can hardly believe it but I am officially the parent of TWO 16 year olds! Yes, today is my twins 16th birthday. I just don't know where the time has gone.

For those that don't know, I didn't even know I was having twins until I was 36 weeks pregnant! Shocking I know! I am a small gal and was only measuring big enough for one baby most of my pregnancy. It wasn't until 36wks when my midwife was palpating my belly to feel the position of the baby when she became confused. She kept feeling a head & butt in 2 different places. She said either something is wrong or you have more than one baby in there. So off I went for an ultrasound that showed us we were having twins!

Of course because I was already 36wks, they told me I could have them at any time. HA! In those last few weeks, I popped out immensely (to the point I couldn't fit into maternity clothes) and became SO uncomfortable! Nope, those 2 stinkers were not coming out on their own so right at 40wks I was finally induced! (presenting baby was head down which meant I could have them naturally). Unfortunately, I don't have many photos of me when pregnant with them (and the few I have, I need to dig for). This was before the era of the internet & Pinterest with all the "cool" maternity photo ideas.

About 2 hours into labor, they did an ultrasound to check on the babies and didn't my presenting twin somehow turn herself breech which resulted in me having a c-section. (*ahem* thanks Sarah! lol)

We didn't know what we were having so we were pleasantly surprised to hear "it's a girl" twice! For only gaining 25lbs and not knowing I was having twins, they were a great weight. Sarah was 5lb 6oz and Susan was 6lb 2oz, both 19". We called them our little monkeys because of the full heads of dark hair they had.

They shared a bassinet (look at that HAIR!)

About a week old and me enjoying walking them slowly around the block.

Their 1st birthday!

Their 3rd birthday!

Their 4th birthday!

Fall 2005, they were 6yrs old

Our first cruise in 2008, they were 9yrs old

The girls 11th birthday

Their 13th birthday surrounded by their close friends!

Officially employed at 14 1/2!

Headed off to work June 2015

While these photos are just a brief glimpse of the last 16 years, it's been an amazing journey thus far. God has blessed me with some AMAZING children! Sarah & Susan are my oldest and often what I tell them, my "experiment". I am far from perfect and mess up quite often as a parent and have to go to them and ask forgiveness. Not many people jump into parenting with 2 children right from the start so that has added it's own set of challenges, learning to balance 2 children an identical age but 2 different personalities.

What I can tell you is that these young women are some of the most sweetest, caring gals you could be blessed to have in your life. They go out of their way to be there for their friends, they are both huge helpers with their siblings and they seek to follow Jesus with their whole hearts.

I can hardly believe we have already reached this milestone as it feels like yesterday they were just born (and it seems like *I* was just 16 myself!)

Happy 16th Birthday Sarah & Susan! We can't wait to see where God continues to guide you both in life!

Happy 14th Birthday!!

How in the WORLD is it possible my oldest children are now 14?! I mean, I remember my 14th birthday like it was yesterday (I mean, it was just recently, right??)

(look at the hair on my girls! I called them my little monkey's due to their headful of dark hair!)

*sigh*

Momma's, it is SO true, our babies grow up in a flash!!! The days may seem long but the years are short!

(those burgundy dresses & yellow/orange outfits have been worn by all 5 of my girls!)

For those that don't know, I didn't know I was having twins until I was 36 weeks pregnant! Yes you read that right! I was barely 100lbs when I got pregnant and was only measuring big enough for one baby during most of my pregnancy. I was extremely sick at the beginning (like couldn't eat for many weeks except, bananas, mashed potatoes & canned vanilla pudding). But I didn't know any different as they were my 1st. I was planning on a homebirth and all had been going well.

Until 33 weeks and I was measuring a little bit ahead but the midwife just said it's extra amniotic fluid. At 36 weeks during a checkup, she couldn't figure out the position of the baby. She said either something was wrong or there was more than one.

(yes we wore those bunny costumes for many years for Easter egg hunts!)

Lo & behold at 36 weeks during an ultrasound we discovered we were being blessed with TWO babies! They warned us they would be born any day so we scrambled for extra names (didn't know the gender) as well as extra baby supplies as I had already had a baby shower before finding this out & didn't get the doubles of things I needed.

But of course they decided to keep me on my toes and weren't born early & instead had to be induced at 40 weeks, late for twins!!! Despite only gaining 25lbs & not having twin prenatal care, they were born weighing 

5lbs 6oz

&

6lbs 2 oz

both 19".

And healthy as could be!

They threw me into motherhood full force! Those early days are such a blur but they taught me so much! Being a mom of twins has been such a joy. Learning to parent 2 kids of the same age can be a challenge. They are the same developmentally but still such different personalities. I've had to learn to balance this. I am thankful that though I've failed at times, they continue thrive & forgive my mistakes.

I am thankful for the beautiful young women they are growing into. They are amazing big sisters to all their siblings! They are selfless and willing to go above and beyond what I ask of them. They have such big hearts and are willing to help others without asking.

They have gone through so much in their young lives, more than most kids ever experience. 

Yet their love for Jesus, their family & friends continue to remain foremost in their lives. They are both smart, funny, compassionate, loving and down-to-earth.

I am SO very proud of my girls!

 Sarah & Susan, I love you both so very much! I am so incredibly thankful to have been blessed to be your mom. To walk with you in this journey called life, to help guide you and watch you grow into the amazing young women you are becoming! Continue to follow Jesus and His calling for your life. I look forward to seeing where God directs you in the years to come. I will always be here for both of you, no matter what!!!

Thank you for all you both do!!

I love you Sarah & Susan!

-Mom