A Rare Occasion

It is not everyday you get to see your grandmother get married! But I got this very rare privilege. My Papa died about 10 years ago and my grandmother never thought she would be getting married again. Don't get me wrong, she had many men who were lined up wanting to date her, but she was happy being on her own. She is very active and has a busy schedule so it was a big surprise to all of us when she started to date Clarence. They have been seeing each other for close to two years and last week they tied the knot! Clarence is 80 and my grandmother will be turning 80 later in the year. I am thrilled that I was able to be a part of such a beautiful occasion. Here are some pics from the weekend...

 Her new sister-in-law Milly :)

 The ring

 Bridal Luncheon

 How cute is she?!?

 And look at him... Awesome.

Family Beach Pics

A little late but I wanted to post the pictures from the beach that Clay's sister Jennifer took for us (www.jenniferkempphotography.com). Here are just a few...

 Charles

 Miller

 The boys not cooperating...

The whole family...

(Thanks Deven for helping get this one!)

First Day of Preschool!

Yes, I know my boys are only about to be two years old. Yes, I know that it is more like organized play than "school". BUT, I am so excited that the boys are getting to do this. Of course as a mom to twin two year old boys I am going to enjoy the few hours they are at school, but I really am excited that they will have time away from me and that they will be with other children out of our house for a few hours a week. The boys learn a lot when they are with other children and so I am excited to see them blossom in their vocabulary and other things. Their teacher says they will be doing lots of arts and crafts as well as other little lessons and I am thrilled to have them there. I need a little break and they honestly need a little break from me too! They will be going Monday and Wednesdays from 9-1. Should be fun!

Yesterday we went to Meet the Teacher Day and today was their first official day of school! It was so cute. No, I didn't cry. And neither did they. It is only a few hours so it is hard to be that sad about them going but by time they go to kindergarten, it will be a different story. That is when they will really won't be babies anymore...

For now they are still little babes and here is what they looked like on their first day of pre-school...

 Charlie was a little rough on the hug so Mills

got a little upset.

 Charles individual shot...

 and Miller's individual shot.

 With Daddy...

 and Mommy! 

(yikes, dont look at the Momma)

Mrs. Darlene said they were excellent so hopefully that is how it will be the rest of the school year!

Update on the "Old" Habit

Last night, Miller stayed at his bedroom door crying for a LONG time. When I finally heard the crying stop, I headed up to put him in his crib. The poor little guy was sweaty and worn out! I laid him down, gave him his bear and he never moved again... Here is a pic.

Tonight went great. Put them down without the paci and neither of them ever cried. They did "talk" for a good long time but that is fine by me! Success... I hope!

Breaking Old Habits

Well, as I speak, Clay is upstairs trying to get Miller to sleep... BECAUSE... tonight we are stopping pacifiers!

It hasn't been easy so far. Ha. Miller is having a harder time with it then Charles. We let them know before we left the room what was happening because we didn't want them to think we had forgot the part of the bed time routine where we give them their pacis. We simply explained "no pacis" tonight. Miller's face was priceless. He knew EXACTLY what we were saying, it just screamed, BUT WHY???

A lot of parents don't want their babies to ever have pacis. I get it, I do, but for us, we really appreciated what they did for us :) The boys have always been really good sleepers and I can only think of one time ever that they cried about going to sleep. Usually they are super excited about going to bed and getting their paci (because bed time is the only time we "try" to give them...).  I think of the paci like I thought of the swaddle. The benefits of great sleep for a long long time out weigh the couple days it takes to break them of it.

Since the boys are going to pre-school two days a week for just a few hours, I thought this is a good time to take pacis away. Plus, they could have a new baby in the house any time now so it is time they give them up!

 Here are a few pics from this monumental event...

 This is about the third time in... had to turn on light to really explain

to him he needed to go to bed without his paci.

 Clay telling him from the door it was time to go to sleep.

 This is after he got out his crib again. Crying his little peepers out

and Daddy trying to comfort him. Charles just listening in on the 

pep talk.

 Embracing for a LONG time to get him calmed down. 

Charles is over it. He is going to sleep.

Still embracing.

Seconds after Clay left, right before he gets out again 

and he high tails it for the door. Sad.

No baby in his bed. STILL as we speak just crying at the door...

Barely crying now, he is getting tired out...

Will keep you posted on nights to come :)

Adoption News

This is REALLY old news but since I have yet to blog about it, I will catch ya' up...

So, Clay and I are still adopting... just not from Uganda. We had many weeks of prayer, research, thinking, and discussion, at the end of which,  we felt God moving us in a different direction. It was scary at first, knowing we were changing our plans (and starting over virtually), but we believe this is His plan for us and our future babe.

There are many reasons that led us to switch out of the the Ugandan program (any of which I am wiling to share privately with anyone who has questions) and switch into domestic African American/Biracial adoption. There is a need for adoptive parents here for these babies and we feel led to help fill that need. We are so excited and with our home study updated and our birth mom profile book done, we are eagerly awaiting the newest member of the Kimsey crew. It could be tomorrow or it could be in a year, you just don't know... that is the "fun" difference between international adoption and domestic! So keep us in your prayers and we are trusting the Lord to bring this little baby to us in His perfect timing!

Here are just a few really random pics I have of the boys around the house...

 Boys in new $8 jackets and $7 shoes...

Trying to get them to smile on the porch for me...