Some Catching Up To Do...And a BIG Announcement...

It certainly has been awhile and long over due! Life has been crazy busy...

I am sure somewhere along the line, I have mentioned that I started a Girl Scout Daisy troop in January. At my very first meeting I had 7 girls, 2 of which were my own. By the end of January I had 18 daisies, need I mind you that daisies are kindergarten and 1st graders??? Oh, but there is more...By the end of March was up to 20 girls! It sure is a lot of fun but A LOT of work too! Thank goodness for amazing co-leaders.

Things started getting even more hectic in our everyday lives early on in February. Tad quit his job... YES, quit his job! Nothing brewing on the back burner, things had just gone way too far with his, at the time, employer. So, he had enough and decided it was time to look for something new.

In search for something close to home (where we are now), we also started searching out of state. Nothing was panning out and of course things started getting very stressful. March 11th Tad headed out on a red-eye flight to Elmira, New York. We were not sure if this would be a permanent thing or something to keep us a float until something else came along. I stayed behind with our 7 kiddos and kept plowing forward with our everyday lives. Things were hectic here and for Tad too. Thank goodness for Skype! That first trip to New York kept him away for just 2 days shy of 5 weeks. 5 WEEKS! It was the longest 5 weeks of my life, and the hardest 5 weeks of his life. The kids were such troopers, but we knew that daddy was doing what he had to do to support his family.

After the almost 5 weeks, Tad returned home for 9 whole days. It was so nice!! And then he departed once again for another 3 weeks. That 3 weeks was not nearly at long or as enduring as the first 5 weeks. However, we knew that this could not be a long term deal. Even though he was away from home he was still doing A LOT of traveling back East and was not happy at all.

During his 9 days home we did some extensive job searching...again! I distinctly remember applying for a job in Missouri with a company by the name of "Delta Companies". I never thought any more of it until one day while Tad was in New York (during the 3 week stretch) and he called me to tell me he had a phone interview with a company out of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. My first response was..."Cape What?!?!"...and this it was "You have got to be kidding me!!!"

The phone interview then led to an on site interview. Tad felt that the interview went GREAT and on his way back to catch his plane out of St. Louis, back to Georgia, he received a phone call from the regional manager. He had informed Tad that the job was his if he was willing to accept it and relocate. Then he proceeded to tell  Tad that Delta Companies would like to fly us BOTH (Tad and I) out to Cape Girardeau for a few days to see if I liked to area and be sure that I would be willing to make that move.

So, Tad flew home on Friday, May 4th. Home from his 3 weeks away. Then on Monday, May 7th we (Tad and I) boarded a plane bound for St. Louis for a 4 day all expense paid trip, This was something major for us. The two of us together had never been away from our kids, except to spend a night or 2 in a hospital to have another (or two :). I was certainly looking forward to this trip, just for the pleasure! Tad, however, had his focus directly on the job.

I am so grateful to my mom who was more than willing to come to Eagle Mountain to stay with all 7 kids and tackle the everyday hustle and bustle of getting the older two to school. Oh, and baseball, T-ball, Dance, Scouts and shuttling us to and from the airport.

The entire 4 days was GREAT! Cape Girardeau was awesome! I loved it! We loved it! GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!! Our first night there we ate "Gator" and "Frog Legs"...REALLY! I did not mind the gator but one bite of the frog legs was good enough for me :)

I might as well get this out of the way right now...

It is official - WE ARE MOVING TO CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI!!!

The job offer seems to good to be true! So we are not going to pass this one up by no means! Tad will leave next Saturday to head to Missouri to start his new job, and the kids and I will stay behind until school is out. Then we will all be Missouri bound...and our family will be TOGETHER!!!! I am very excited about this new chapter in our life!

The stress level for Tad is going to be next to nothing. He will only have 1 quarry, not 3-6 at a time, to manage. Salary is great, and amazing benefits too! Delta Companies a division of Collas Companies, which is the 3rd largest construction company in the world.

We have already found a home that hopefully we will hear back on this coming week. It is quite a bit smaller than what we are used to but it is on 6 acres of land with LOTS, LOTS, LOTS of trees. It will be GREAT!!

There is never a dull moment for the Moats family... and I would not want to trade one day of it either!! 

Another January...

...has come and gone! WOW! This year we had A LOT to remember about the January we had last year. Our HUGE, but AMAZING news...January 10th we found out we were expecting twins. Bringing our family of 7 to 9 in just a few short minutes. It was so overwhelming but such wonderful news.

Since we were outgrowing our Excursion, which seated 8, we had to upgrade (not sure if that's the proper term for that one) to a 15 passenger van! Still not too thrilled about it, but it does fit our entire family! CRAZY!!

And this year on January 14th marked 8 years since Tad and I went on our first date! January, every year, will be a memorable month.

So many changes, but such wonderful blessings :)

Looking into the coming months...
I still have to take a double take every morning when I get the twins out of their cribs. I guess just to reasure myself that there really is 2 of them. Everyday is a challenging day, balancing being mommy to so many little ones, a wife, sorta keeping a house all intact, girl scouts, and me time (me time really is non existant)! I wouldn't change it though! Every day my kids teach me something new! My husband teaches me a thing or two, too :)

6 Months

How is it possible that the twins are already 6 months old? Time just goes by WAY TO FAST! Slow them down so I can enjoy them (or maybe I need to slow down, hmmm...)!!!

William is very, very, energetic...he is so hard to keep still....

...and Natalee, she LOVES her toes! Trying to get a picture of her without her toes in her hands was impossible!!

As I look back on the past 6 months since they have blessed our lives, it makes my heart feel full. They have been such a blessing to us and they are so loved! I wouuld not want to give up those sleepless nights for anything and the days when I feel like I have gotten nothing accomplished except for babies fed, lots of diapers changed, endless bottle making and lots of spit up cleaned up (and I smell by the end of the day)...those are the days that I know I am doing my job well.

Nothing says it better than the lyrics of this song...I absolutley love this and listen to it daily (for real :)!!

This fits my life, exactly where my life is right now!!

Lately...

It has been 2-1/2 months since my last post! I tell ya, it seems there is not much time for the computer anymore. Life has been crazy busy. I forgot how much work one baby was then when there is two of them....wowza!! There is no routine, everyday is flying by the seat of my own britches!! It is a blast!

As the Christmas holiday is vastly approaching, I decided it would be an amazing accomplishment if I could read, start to finish, the BOM. I started my challenge on Wednesday, December 14th, which means I need to read atleast 21 pages a day to get it done before January 1st. So Far, So GOOD!!

Thanksgiving came and went...we spent that holiday in Starr Valley, NV at my Brother-in-Law and sisters ranch. It was wonderful. Having all the kids together with thier cousins, being with family. Could not ask for a better holiday!

I am spent pretty much my entire day trying to get my bowtique blog updated. Before I started my BOM challenge I found myself making bows at night....now I have my nose stuck in a book. But, I am planning on doing a give-away on Monday so...the blog REALLY needed to time and attention.

I have to include a few random pics that I LOVE!! I love nearly all of them but these are some favorites and of course I must share...

Where has these 3 months gone to??

Yesterday and today the marks the 3 months since thier arrivals and BOY oh BOY, this has been the quickest 3 months of my life! They are growing, growing, growing and such precious babies. Yep, even William, who is a total Mama's Boy and does not sleep well at night :( We are working on it. One day he might get there! Or not :) Natalee on the other hand...well, she has this sleeping through the night thing DOWN!! Thank Goodness. Not sure how I would function if I had 2 waking in the night at this point.

These babies are so worth every minute that they take up my day...A LOT OF MY DAYS!! They have big brothers and big sisters that love them so much! Our family is complete and I could never ask for any more than what I have - An amazing husband who provides only the best for his family, treats me like I am his  precious jewel, and 7 - Yes...7 amazing children. They are growning so fast!! It hit me today that Tate is 10 and his time left at home is more than half gone already. It is going by oh so fast!!

Dame & A Dish...

All of the recipes on this blog are (SLOWLY) being moved to Dame & A Dish - A blog only for recipes and cooking :) Follow it today...lots of recipes to come!!

Recipe Blog...

I have had the past 5 days kid free, with the exception of the twins. A few weeks ago I decided I wanted to create a new blog with just recipes...BUT...Before I can create that blog, I need a name for it. This week would have been the PERFECT time (being almost kid-less) to get that blog up and going, but I still have no name!! I want something fun and creative, but I just don't have anything...SO - does anyone out there, who follows my blog, care to help me out??? HELP/COMMENTS are MORE THAN WELCOME!! Thank You!!

7 years and counting

So today is Tad and mine 7 year wedding anniversay. I cannot believe it has been 7 years...they have gone by sooo fast!! Sure there are has been some rough spells, but they have all been well worth it!! Tad is one amazing man, an incredible dad, and the hardest working man that I have ever known!!

Last year I made this post... "Mr. and Mrs. Moats....Our Wedding Day". Well, the ending is in some need of being updated. Since that post we have moved 2 times. March 2010 we made our move to Elko, NV to a small 900 sqft house with only 3 bedrooms (and 5 children) and literally had a bathroom floor that was falling in. And the heater...oh the heater that was HUGE and in the middle of the kitchen floor. That was an adventure. Then in October 2010 we made our move to Eagle Mountain, UT. The move here was a very good decision. We have room for our family, thank goodness...since it increased from last years post by 2 :) So, incase you are keeping track...that is 2 moves in 6 months.

I no longer have that Ford Excursion...nope (and I miss it dearly)! Now it is a 15 passanger Ford Van. CRAZY....I still have to take a double look when I see it sitting in our drive way!! Also, last year when I made that post we were a cozy family of 7...NOW we are a even cozier family of 9! What Great Blessings have been brought upon us :)

Our Wedding Bands

We still have our $20 and $10 wedding bands, although mine needed to be retired this year...it was wearing VERY thin!! Tad's was retired a couple years ago, when he discovered it was cutting off circulation and his finger was turning purple. Too much good cooking :)

And YES...This is our Wedding Picture :)

Long Over Due...

Major case of the PUFFY feet 5 days
before our precious arrivals :)

WOW...it has been an entire month since I have updated this blog and SO much has been happening and summer is already coming to an end. Hard to believe school is right around the corner. Tate has been gone the entire summer and will return home mid August. I don't like that he has been gone so long. I cannot wait for him to come home!

I would have to say that the "BIGGEST" news of our summer thus far has been the birth of the twins, William and Natalee. What a HUGE relief and a wonderful blessing :) They have brought so much joy to our family...even if mama is lacking in a little bit of sleep.
 

I finally went into labor all by myself on Wednesday, June 29th. I was never so happy to not be pregnant anymore. WOW...I have always loved being pregnant, but this go around was so much harder those last few months and weeks. I used to always say "I cannot imagine having more than one baby". That has now changed. I now cannot imagine having more than 2 and 4 other kiddos at home (Tate not included since he is not, and has not been here since they have been born). It is definitely a balancing act. Trying to get out the door is a chore too.

The last two weeks of my pregnancy both babies were head down but somewhere along the line Miss Natalee decided to go breech in there. Not sure how in the world that happened. Who knew there would be enough room in there to do anything but BAKE. But, so managed it. Luckily the doctor did a quick ultrasound before breaking my water to make sure both babies were head down. So, the next step was to decide how we were going to deliver these babies. With that being said...I immediately opted for an epidural because no matter what it was going to be more painful than any other pregnancy...Trying to get her turned in the womb was no easy process and it did not work so she was delivered breech. My doctor was awesome!! See, I had an epidural with Tate, 10+ years ago, and since then every other one of my children have bee completely natural...even my almost 10 pounder. Then to have an epidural with these two made things such a breeze...Why did I not have one with Shaelee, Emilee, TJ, or Kaylee...NOT SURE!!!

William Joseph arrived at 11:52 pm on Wednesday, June 29th and wieghed 6.9 pounds and 18.5 inches long. Natalee Marie finally came along, after about 12 minutes of trying to get her turned (which did not work)13 minutes later making her arriving at 12:05 am Thursday, June 30th. How are we going to explain those birthday's?? So, Natalee weighed 6.3 pounds and 18 inches long. They both were perfect in every way :) Our hospital stayh was short and we could not wait to get home.



Heading Home!!



Once we got home we were welcomed by my sister Tammy, my niece McKenli, my nephew Dallin, Shaelee, Emilee, TJ and Kaylee. What a home coming it was!! Having my sister her for a few days was so wonderful and we all, myself and kids, cried the day she left! We were quite bummed out. And I was a bit overwhelmed with the thought of flying solo with all these little kiddos. It has been an expierence like non other. Just to get an idea how crazy it has been...this is only the 2nd time in a month that I have made it on to the computer.



Welcome Home!!

So...With all that being said...we are just truely blessed to have to VERY healthy babies!! Our family will feel quite complete when Tate comes home. And I just have to say...7 kids still seems UNREAL!!!



 



One Month Old
July 29, 2011

25 Days Old
July 25, 2011

Upper Case Living Vinyl Signs...

I have added a few Upper Case Living Vinyl Signs to my "Bowtique" blog. All are for sale if interested...Take a look! LOW PRICES!!!

http://sweetbeebowtique.blogspot.com/2011/06/upper-case-living-vinyl-signs.html

These are just a few...there are several more :)

New Accessories for My Girls...

 With 3 little girls in my house and another on the way, it is time (way over due) to make some new hair accessories for my girls...FINALLY!! Well, deciding to close my shop and taking a 6 week break from school has allowed me to do just that! So here is what I have done in the last few days...

I have a 5 year old that will only wear streamers, a 4 year old who LOVES bows (she's momma's girl), and a 15 month old who tries to pull everything out of her hair. And one of our twins on the way is a girl..SO...bows, streamers, and flowers are always welcome in our home :)

34 + Weeks and Counting...

Today we are 34 weeks and 2 days!! Yep, we made it to the mark in which my doctor said I must make it to...34 Weeks :) Now that I have reached that mark, labor will not be stopped when ever these babies decide to come. That is a HUGE relief...especially concidering that my belly is measuring 44 weeks. I knew my belly was getting rather large but not quite that large. But concidering 98% of my materninty clothes are no longer fitting me... the next few days to weeks I am going to be lounging in my husbands 2XL t-shirts... hopefully those will fit. His solution is a TOGA! He is so sweet :)

After the news that I recieved from the doctor on Friday, being 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced already, I became quite certain that I am not quite as ready for these babies, or family, as I thought I was. So, with the boys gone to Northern Nevada to spend time with family and take part in all the yearly branding, the girls and I decided we were going to clean, clean, clean. That is how we spent our Saturday, while my husband worked a 15 hour shift, the girls and I worked our tails off, and I thanked them with a trip to Sonic...which is a big deal since it literally takes 20 + minutes to get to it.  Needless to say, once I was winding down last night around 9:30 or so, I was feeling the like I was 44 weeks preganant!! SO SORE!!! This morning...I felt like a freight train and done me in and then some...OUCH!!

Today we ventured out into Provo Canyon since the weather was so beautiful. We took a few walks in a few different parks, took some roads we did not know existed, and enjoyed lunch and the beautiful scenery...

34 Weeks and 2 Days....Looking 44 Weeks!!

Just The Girls!

It was a great day, and the only way it could have been any better would have been to have our boys with us. But we know that they are having a great time :)

So, as we continue to prepare for these babies...even though I am not sure how much more we can prepare for...I would love for them to make it to 36 weeks in the womb, but not sure that is going to happen. That would most likely require me keeping my feet up and not doing a whole lot in the next 12 days...Not sure that is possible. I do have another ultrasound scheduled for this coming Friday, but my doctor does not seem to think I will make it to that one...I would not mind seeing them on the screen one more time :)

First Girl with Stitches...

It has happened...Emilee is our first girl with stitches. 12 to be exact!! Of course it is bound to happen, but when you combind Big Brother Tate, Miss Emilee, and a Baseball Bat...it can't be pretty! Of course it was an accident and after it was all said and done, he (Tate) felt terrible and all Emilee could say was, "It's ok Tate, it was just an accident." Talk about a tear jerker moment for a very hormonal mom. Emilee was quick to tell the doctor at the IntaCare that her brother would be making her bed for a VERY long time :) Such a Cutie...

Emilee was such a trooper, so of course Daddy had to get her a special treat after we were all done. Hopefully this is the last set of stitches that we have to deal with, for our girls at least, for a VERY long time!!

Family Pictures...



Left to Right
Mom, Gibson Family, Moats Family, Myers Family



In April (yes, I know that was a few months ago) we headed to Northern Nevada to my neices baptism and to spend Easter. My husband actually took off Friday, Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday. HUGE rarity!! This has been the first time in at least 3+ years that my brother and his family, my sister and her family, and our Moats clan have all been together. With that being said, my sister thought it would be a great time to take a family picture, which was a great idea...I admit...HOWEVER...there is a reason we have never gotten a family picture done of just our family...TOO MUCH WORK with SO MANY small kiddos. I have to say...all in all, they turned out well. These pictures are all courtesy of a friend of my sisters who takes great pictures :) Huge Thanks to Sara for putting up with us! It may take another 3 years or more to do this again!!



Moats Clan



My Mom with her Kids...
Gus, Tammy and I



Ophir, UT - AND...30 + weeks and counting (and then some)...

So it has been a while for pics...but it seems that even though I am not currently taking any classes, I am still staying very busy. Trying to get some scrap booking in before the babies come, along with trying to get everything washed for babies...plus stay on top of my daily "Martha" chores. The days may seem longer outside but my energy level cannot keep up.

Last Sunday after church we took a drive to Ophir, UT. My husband had already been up in there and explored around a little bit, and figured it would be a nice Sunday drive. It was really nice and fun. Neat Old, Little Mining town. Due to all the flooding, we were only able to go up so far before the road was closed. We had a fun time exploring and checking out all the cool buildings.

This was the little furry creature we had seen when we were loading up to leave. This little badger was, at the most, 15 feet from the van. The kids were going CRAZY!!!

This is 30 weeks and 2 days. At this stage, my husband is very paranoid about me doing ANYTHING and is insisting that I use a walking stick when we are out on adventures.

The next day was my doctor's appointment...30 weeks and 3 days. It was an ultrasound appointment which are always my favorites. Something about seeing two babies and and two very healthy heart beats, really makes my day!! At this appointment Twin "A" weighed approximately 3-1/2 pounds and Twin "B" weighed just a little over 3 pounds. They are both growing VERY well and both have great heart beats.

30 Weeks and 3 Days

30 Weeks and 3 Days...and GROWING!!!

I am to the point where nearly all of my maternity clothes are getting VERY snug. I have to wear layers to keep from showing any skin ;) Fun Times!! So, I am VERY round and keep getting larger as the days go on. Today I am 31 weeks and 1 day. I am on the count down to the arrival of our babies. I am now on to my weekly doctor appointments. I cannot believe how quickly time is going by!!

I still have A LOT to do to be ready for them, but I am working on it day by day. Preparing for twins, plus trying to get as much mama time in with the other 5 kiddos, and taking care of the home....It is no easy task. Not to mention that my wonderful husband has been traveling A LOT for business...makes me kinda worried as time draws closer.

As the end of the school year draws near, Tate is planning on making a trip to Northern Nevada to spend time with our family there before departing to Pahrump, NV for about 6 weeks of his summer. Oh yes...he came to me tonight and told me that he has a brochure and a map due this coming Monday about a county in Utah that he has to have done. I tell ya... He has no research done on it, knows nothing and has no idea where to begin...so, tomorrow after church guess what we (Tate and I) will be doing! Not my idea of how I would like to spend my Sunday....BOYS!!!!

Shaelee tells us nearly every day that she cannot believe that she is almost in the 1st grade. Actually, I cannot believe that she is going to be in 1st grade. Last week she was working on her home work. She was supposed to write a sentence about that she is excited about this summer. I was coming up with ideas like - being excited for a new brother and sister, looking forward to being moms helper with the babies...She was quick to reply "no, I think I am excited to pick flowers". WHAT!!! She will be happy to know that she is going to be helping :)

Emilee and TJ are now sharing a bedroom, in hopes that they will some day learn to get a long. Emilee loves her bed but does not like the idea of TJ wanting to sleep with her everynight. I am looking for some sort of reward idea to bribe him to get him to sleep in his own bed. Something has to work....right?

Kaylee will be moving in with Shaelee within the next month or so. I really am not ready to move her up stairs...I like having her close by. She is growing up so fast. Kaylee will be in going into nursery next month...just in time for the arrival her baby brother and sister. As I have been busy washing clothes, bedding, carseats, and so much more, Kaylee has begun to realize that all of the "stuff" is for the babies. So...when I am putting stuff away, she runs the carseats and says "bebe". It is so Cute!!!

So, as I said, I am on the count down....but really would like to slow down time. I just need time to get so much more done before they come.