Kid Conversations

Kids truly say the craziest, funniest and sweetest things. I want to try and do a regular post, maybe once a month or something, about conversations I have with the kids that I want to remember forever. Here are just a few that have come up recently:

Anytime Jake or I leave there is a huge "script" the girls go through in saying goodbye. If we ever leave before they are finished saying all of it, there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth on their end. It goes as follows:
Girls: "Love you, have a great day, peace out, keep it real, catch you on the flip side, you're my homie, PEACE" (With their cute little fingers holding up a peace sign)
Me: Repeat everything they just said back to them
Girls: "Don't forget a hug and kiss"
Me: Hug and kiss them both
Girls: "And Lincoln too!! And Daddy too!!"
Me: Hug and kiss Lincoln too
Girls: "One more!!"
Me: Another round of hugs and kisses for all
Girls: "Love you, have a great day, peace out, keep it real, catch you on the flip side, you're my homie, be safe, bye, PEACE" (again with the two fingers)
Me: "Love you, bye!"
However, this is often followed by a follow up phone call with a few more farewells added in because they are in tears that they didn't get to add just a few more things before we left.

This one isn't cute or funny, but lately the girls have been saying, "You're not my sister anymore," when they get mad at each other. It breaks my heart. I know they are just mad at the time and they don't mean it or understand it but it still makes me sad. I want them to always be sisters and friends, even when they are frustrated with each other.

Randomly - Marlie: Don't let anyone throw up on you or poke you in the eye. Okay?

Me: What should we get daddy for his birthday?
June: A picture
Me: Of what?
June: You
Me: Ok. What should we get Lincoln?
June: A garbage can
Me: Ok... What should we get you?
June: A car, and a computer

Everything poop and pee related is now HILARIOUS. Just add poop in front of anything you say and you are guaranteed a splurge of giggles from two little girls.

Benefits of Twins

Having twins definitely comes with it's difficulties, but here are just a few reasons why twins are so great:

Since the twins were our first kids, having a single baby afterwards seemed so much easier. Don't get me wrong, having kids is super hard no matter how many you have, but being able to hand off the baby instead of each of us having our own to take care of was a welcomed change.

Built in friendship - This one puts my mind at ease for school, soccer team, dance classes, church, etc. There is always someone there to stand up for you and watch your back. They won't sit alone at the lunch table because they are guaranteed at least one other buddy. Not to mention, they are great at entertaining each other and making each other laugh. Watching them giggle together is probably one of my most favorite things in the world.

More kids to help out around the house. It's like I gained 4 arms to help me carry things, put away dishes and clothes, and grab diapers for Lincoln. They are in the most stellar stage of wanting to help out around the house. Sometimes it triples the time it takes to complete a task, but it's so worth it.

Double the snuggles and cuddles. Walking through the door to two little bodies wrapped around your legs is the greatest! Big bear hugs where your face is buried between two little munchkins - heaven!

They automatically know how to share. Ever since they were in my belly they have had to share, it's not always easy, but I've already noticed that sharing is much more innate for them than it is for Lincoln. My mother-in-law always shares stories about how Jake (my husband) and his twin brother Matt would always grab 2 of everything - one for them self, and one for their twin. My girls have started to do this too and it's so cute! I took June to Macey's with me the other day and when she got a sucker after we were done shopping she asked if she could get one for Marlie. At first I thought it was a trick for her to just get another sucker, but she carried that sucker the whole way home and gave it to Marlie right when we walked through the door.

Learning from each other and pushing each other to do better. Marlie learned how to walk first, but watching her sister walk gave June that extra push that she needed to start walking too. Marlie has a little larger vocabulary than June right now, so June often looks to Marlie if she doesn't know a word and Marlie helps to translate for her then June can add another word to her arsenal. June helps to stretch Marlie in social situations, when Marlie gets really nervous June grabs her hand and introduces her to her new friend. June also gets Marlie to do "scary" things she wouldn't normally do like climbing up the high part in the playground and going down the "big kid" slides.

There are so many benefits to twins but I will just post this adorable video of the girls that I can't stop giggling at and let you see why we love them so very much! They are best friends forever!

Life As We Know It

An update on our family at this point in life... (I'm a list person, so a lot of my posts will likely follow this format)

Jake - 30 (Will be 31 in a month)

• Attending nursing school at Ameritech and KILLING it! It may have taken a little while to figure out that nursing is his jam, but now that he's there he is acing his classes and loving it. He just started his 3rd semester so he's just about half way through. 
• Working as a night janitor and donating plasma to pick up a little cash on the side. 
• Being the most stellar SAHD (Stay At Home Dad) with the kids when he's not at clinicals or in class.
• Current obsession: White Collar - he is re-watching all the episodes once again.
• Continues to be a BYU enthusiast and gives me regular updates on the team. 
• Missing his family now that nearly half of them are on the East Coast, and soon to add 2 more. (Boo Med School!!)
• Always loving our family and sacrificing so much time and effort to keep us happy - it's a full time job by itself. 

Karlie - 26

• Working for a home health and hospice agency that relocated to Springville instead of Draper. Woot woot!! I'm the only one in the office most days so it gets a little lonely, but I really love my job.
• Having a huge itch to do all Christmas shopping right now but really resisting. Kids are too fun, I want to buy them all the things! 
• Loving all of the family time together on quick weekend getaways.
• Serving as the nursery leader at church (with Jake) and grateful we have 3 kids instead of 15. 
• Current obsession: Bachelor in Paradise - I know it's trash but sometimes it's all I get besides Disney movies. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney, but sometimes I need a little more.
• In complete awe of our family of 5 - how is there 5 of us!?!? The kids are growing so fast! I am really loving this stage; rough parts included.

June - 2 (Will be 3 in 21 days)

• My mini me in regard to looks - blonde hair, great big blue eyes - looks just like me as a kid.
• The Wild Child - she can go from 0-60 and back in .25 seconds. She gets mad quick and throws a top notch tantrum, but is also quick to forgive/forget. 
• Our social butterfly - always asking kids "What's your name?" 
• So incredibly active and always on the go. Constantly running, jumping, spinning, dancing, climbing, etc. She has a very athletic build and I think it's because she doesn't stop moving. 
• Has a phenomenal memory - if I promised her a sucker 2 weeks ago, you better believe she will remind me until she gets that sucker. 
• Sweet little tenderhearted June. She feels all the emotions so strong. Just the other day Lincoln scratched up his toes (at no fault of June) and Junie was crying for him and kept telling him, "I so sorry, I love you. It's okay baby brother."
• Little dare devil and show off. If it gets a reaction, she's bound to do it 50 more times.
• Current Obsessions: Little mermaid, computers, makeup and her birthday.

Marlie - 2 (Will be 3 in 21 days)

• Curly brown hair, and gorgeous blue eyes. All the kids lucked out with their dad's pretty eyes. 
• Our chatty child - this girl has talked full sentences since she was almost 2. She has such a large vocabulary and loves to use it. Some of my favorite times with her are right after she wakes up, she just wants to chat while she has me all to herself.
• So very logical in everything she does. She loves to reason with me and try to convince me of the ways he sees it. She is such a smart girl! Loves her puzzles too. 
• My little snuggle bug. Always asking me to turn on a show while she drinks her milk, rubs her  blankie with the tag, and pulls me close to "schnuggle" with her.  
• The shy one. It takes her a while to warm up to other people and she's not the first to initiate contact by any means. She doesn't like to leave mine or Jake's side until she's good and ready. 
• The entertainer - but only when she's comfortable in her atmosphere. When she gets a laugh from you she knows she's doing something right. She's got the craziest dance moves and pulls the silliest faces. 
• Cares so deeply for her family and watches out for everyone. When daddy is teasing June she always says, "Be nice to my sister!"
• Current Obsessions: Little mermaid, computers, makeup and popsicles.

Lincoln - Will be 1 in 27 days (We have 4 birthdays in 2 weeks - it's about the get crazy up in here!!

• Blonde hair, blue eyes and chubby cheeks - my favorite kind of cheeks.
• Our little buddy - he wants to hang out with everyone all the time. He always needs be involved and included. This usually means climbing up legs, crawling over bellies, pulling on clothing/hair, etc. anything to get right in on the action.
• I'm new to this whole boy thing, but I think he's a boy through and through. Loves anything involving a ball, wheels, and dirt. 
• This kid is a freaking garbage disposal - he can put away any food (or non-food item) we put in front of him. Surprisingly, he isn't all that pudgy considering how much he eats. 
• Loves to be on the move. He crawls so fast! He pulls himself up and stands for quite a while but still has yet to take any steps. 
• Wants to be a big kid so bad. He tries so hard to play with the girls and gets frustrated when he can't do what they can. 
• Loves to grunt and growl - people are constantly commenting on his deep raspy voice. He says, Mama, Dada and Uh-oh so far. 

That's us - the Mitchell's! 

I Want to Blog

My life needs a journal outlet and at this point in my life this is it for me. I have been reading
SO MANY blogs over the past few months and couldn't help but feel the need to contribute my two cents to the internet once again. I have changed so much since I was blogging before and I'm ready to start again with a new outlook on what I post. I may not write regularly or about anything of interest to others, but...

I want to write.
I want to record my family history in more than just instagram posts - I want words, detail, emotion, and feelings that will take me back when I start to miss the little kid phase that we are neck deep in right now.
I want to voice my opinion and share my thoughts even if there's no one that really wants to read it.
I want to remember the the life I'm living and who my kids are becoming.
I want documented memories of the silly things the kids do and say every day.
I want to hold myself accountable for goals I set by sharing it with others.
I want to have a space to update family and friends that live so far away.
I want to share positive vibes, stories and encouragement for anyone that stops to read along.
I want to show the real life that we live - not just flowers and sunshine but the tears and tantrums too. (not just from the kids)
I want proof of my sentimental moments that show my husband and children how deeply I love them.
I want a way to reflect on my day to day life.

So here we go again...