Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie Rachel Visit!

My Sweet Charlotte & Emily

You girls are growing so quickly! I can't believe you're already five months old. Guess who came to visit us this month? Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie and Rachel! 

It was there first time meeting you so everyone was super excited to have them here. Rebekah really loved spending time with Auntie Rachel and Grandpa. Look at all those cute cuddles! 

Rebekah giving Grandpa cuddles as they watch daddy play his video game. 

Grandma and Grandpa brought out some Easter goodies for us all to enjoy. They even planned a little Easter Egg Hunt for Rebekah too do, which was a tradition growing up in the Kerstetter house. I hate to admit that I was horrible at the hunts, especially as I got older. The eggs were always right in front of my face & I never saw them, and mom and dad recorded the hunts. Blackmail much? Haha. 

Luckily, Rebekah was a lot better at the Egg Hunt than me. But that doesn't mean I still can't use the videos as blackmail, right? 

Rebekah was even more excited once she realized the Easter Eggs has candy hidden inside. She is such a chocoholic...I guess she gets that from me. ;)

Grandma and Grandpa brought her some other Easter goodies, since we weren't able to spend the holiday together. I'm sure we'll live closer soon. :)

Naturally, Rebekah went straight for the chocolate. She tired eating the chocolate bunny whole, silly girl! 

The Easter goodies Grandma and Grandpa brought for us and the twinners. 

We got to spend more time with Amber's boyfriend Brandon, while my parents were up here. They seem really sweet together and are a really happy couple. 

Amber, Rachel and I made skirts while my mom was out here. I think it's going to be a "new baby" tradition for me.  I made a skirt with my mom when Rebekah was born too.

Four months already?

Charlotte & Emily

How is it possible that you gorgeous baby girls are already four months!? Where has the time gone? You both have grown so much within the past month. You have had your first try of baby cereal. Emily you were really excited to have the cereal, but Charlotte was a little hesitant at first.

Emily you now weigh 11 pounds and are 24 inches long. Charlotte you now weigh 11.5 pounds and are 25 inches long. Charlotte and Emily you both are a little more interactive with big sister Rebekah and each other. She loves being around both of you and holding you girls every chance she gets.

Valentine's Day Crafts!

This year I decided to knock off a few if my Pinterest DIY projects and ended up with these adorable Valentine's Day creations. 

Rebekah had a lot of fun helping me out with the painting. She loved making little pink handprints. 

We also made some super cute Valentine's Day cards for the grandparents. 

And, I finally made the 52 reasons I love you craft for Andrew that I've been neglecting. 

Birthday Shenanigans!

This year for Andrew's birthday my little sister was nice enough to babysit the girls so we could have a night away to ourselves.

We went to the Museum of Idaho to see the hatching the past exhibit, which is amazing. It's so much fun to see how big dinosaur eggs were and how the babies grew.

While we were in Idaho Falls we also stopped by Barnes & Nobles to get some new books. We got this cool book about castles in the UK. 

We went to Olive Garden for Andrew's birthday and it was so scrumpcious! We got this yummy desert for free! 

Twins at Three Months!

Charlotte & Emily

Can you guess who is who? Baby girls, I know you're identical twins, but could you look anymore alike? Mommy would never be able to tell you girls apart if it wasn't for your dummy holders...or the fact that we paint Charlotte's toenails.

It's been so much fun watching you girls develop your personalities; you both are so much fun to be around.

Love, Mommy

New Year, New Me.

 I've never been one to make and keep New Year's resolutions; excuses, junk food, and a lack of energy always seem to get in the way. However, this year will be different. See in the past my goals just focused on bettering myself, which is a fantastic goal, but I never had enough drive to actually make the change. 

So this year my New Year's resolutions focus around my family, and how the choices I make will make my family healthier, stronger and closer to God. 

• This year I resolve to eat healthier and exercise more. I know, I know this should have been a goal from the getco and I really wish I had started this habit sooner, but I didn't. This year I'm going to make changes to my daily diet (cut back on sweets, add more veggies & fruits, and exercise lots) because I want to set a good example for my three beautiful children and wonderful husband. I want to make it easy for us to enjoy great food, without having to worry about all of the calories we're eating. So I plan on consulting Pinterest and finding low-calorie meals and snacks for us to try. 

•  This year I resolve to loose my pre-pre-baby weight. Yes, I'm talking about the weight I've racked on from the twin's and Rebekah's birth. Before I got pregnant with Rebekah I wore a size 9 in jeans, and I'm ashamed to admit I've gone up a few sizes since then and gained quite a few pounds. By no means do I think I'm fat, but I know I'm extremely unhealthy and because of that I want to make some changes. 

• This year I resolve to read my scriptures more. I've never been good at reading the scriptures, but I've spend hours pouring my heart and soul into countless YA fiction books. Reading is great, and there's nothing wrong with reading for enjoyment. However, if I can make time to keep up on the latest, trending YA books I certainly can make time to read my scriptures and try  to understand what they're saying. 

•  This year I resolve to make time for family night. Andrew and I have always been good at spending time together. We love watching movies together or playing board games/video games together. But I really want to set aside time every day that we each have some one on one time with the girls. We could read them a book, play a game with them, anything really as long as we're spending quality time with them. Although, I don't just want our family nights to be fun & games; I want them to mean a little but more. So each Monday I want to set aside an hour after dinner to learn more about our Savior Jesus Christ and what we can do to become more like him. 

• I want to resolve to finish writing The Missing Piece and send it a publishing agency. I've been working on this book for the last five years, and I'm scared to let go of it. I'm scared of reject. I'm scared that it won't get publish. I'm scared that people will laugh in my face. But how am I to know what will happen if I never try? I need to take a leap of faith, finish my book, and hope for the best. Maybe my book will never get published, maybe no one outside of family will ever read it, and you know what that is okay. Because at least I will have finished it and taken that leap of faith.

• I want to resolve to write more. This goes along with the goal to finish my book. I'm no longer in school, so I don't have deadlines telling me when my next story is due. I don't have teachers handing out writing assignments that guarantee I'll get some writing in each day. So, if I'm serious about being a YA author—and I am because I love writing more than anything in the world—I need to stop playing around and start taking writing seriously. I need to take the time to write every day; whether it's blogging, working on my book, writing in my journal or catching up on letters. Any form of writing will help improve my skills and bring me closer to my goal of becoming a YA author. 

• I want to resolve to read more. I love reading, but sometimes I get so pulled into my TV shows that I forfeit a good book. However, recently I've been reading nonstop. Amber told me about Overdrive (an app that access ebooks through your library) and since I've downloaded I've read at least 10 books in the past month. I've been reading as I feed the twins during the day & night, I've been reading as I wait at the doctors. I've been reading any chance that I get. And, I want to stick to it after the twins' midnight feedings stop. I want my children to have a love for reading, and seeing me read and having me read to them, will help that love develop.  

I have quite a few goals for this upcoming year, it's not going to be easy, but I know I can do it. I want to make this changes in my life. I want to better myself and draw closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior. I want to lead a healthier lifestyle. I want to become a better mom and wife. And, I know I can reach every one of my goals as I learn to rely on my Heavenly Father more fully and seek His guidance and help. 

So. what life changing goals do you have for 2016? What challenges are you ready to tackle? I wish you the best in your endeavors and know you'll be satisfied if you stick to it. Keep your chin up, look towards the future, and don't let anything keep you down.