November 27, 2012

Women Connect '12 - Twin Mom/ Toddler Mom/ SAHM/ Teacher at Heart

Today I'm linking up with Becky for her Women Connect Link-Up.

Becky says, 
What do you do? You write. You write and you open up to us. Tell us who you are. Share a story with us. Tell us why you blog. Something that has been challenging for you in life? Something that has been a major blessing. Anything applies. The goal is that you take the time to actually write and the result would be that other women would find you and your blog and connect. 

So here goes:

 Ever since I was a little girl, all I wanted to be was a mom. If you asked me what job I wanted as a kid, I always said "mom". I had my whole life planned out. I would get married to my Prince Charming, raise 2 children, and live happily ever after. 

Nick and I waited 3 years after we got married to try having a baby. I went off the pill and immediately got pregnant.  We were so excited! Unfortunately that pregnancy ended with a miscarriage at 8 weeks.We had no idea until our first ultrasound (at the 8 week doctor appointment) when she told us that the baby had stopped growing. We scheduled a DNC for the next day. ( I was teaching first grade and this was the last week of school- imagine the stress). It was a very emotional ordeal for me as I was one of the first of my friends to get pregnant, so obviously first one to have a miscarriage. I had no one who really understood what it was like or to give me advice or support. Now I look back at that experience in a more positive light. Since my experience I have had many friends go through miscarriages and I am glad I can be there for them with this support. 

Shortly after the miscarriage we got pregnant again. We were blessed with our little boy Reagan. We were over the moon and so in love with our new addition. 

Fast forward 3 years later and we decided to get pregnant again.At our first appointment we were shocked to find out we were expecting twins. I sobbed. I was scared to death. This was not in my life plan. I only wanted 2 kids total. How were we going to afford 3 kids? How were we going to fit 3 kids and carseats in my Honda CRV? How were we going to have 3 kids in our house? I panicked. 

When we went to my mom's house to pick up Reagan after the appointment, she assumed I had a miscarriage because of the way I was crying. People were shocked when I told them we were expecting twins. (While it seems I know quite a few people expecting twins right now, we were the first at the time.) It took me about 5 months to have it really sink in. I probably cried every day until that point. I didn't do any shopping, didn't pick out any names, etc. I was in denial. I feel guilty admitting that, especially knowing how many people are struggling with infertility, but it's the truth.

Now I know that it was silly of me to have "my plan". 
God had his plan for me from day 1. 

On September 27th we welcomed our twins Harper and Hudson into the world. 
They are 2 months old today and I am so thankful that they are my children. 

Life is definitely crazy at the moment but I am happy to have the blogging world as my outlet to write and meet other people who are going through similar things. I rarely leave the house and spend most days in my sweats. My day consists of feeding and changing babies, pumping breast milk, and doing it all again. Raising 3 little ones under 3 years of age is hard and I'm glad that I can read other mommy blogs who can give me advice, support, and some good laughs.  I love nap time when I can sneak away to the computer and catch up on my Facebook and blogs! 

I had to take a leave of absence from my teaching job (that I love) because the cost of 3 kids in daycare was more each month than my paycheck. (How sad is that? Teacher's salaries are a whole other blog post my friends.) Nick is the only one bringing home a paycheck and it is rough.  My parents have really been amazing and are helping us financially during this time in our lives. Thank goodness. A mortgage in North Scottsdale, paying off credit cards, student loans from my Master's degree, paying for my hospital stay and delivery, and providing a memorable Christmas for 3 kids and a large extended family - geesh. I haven't started looking into a part time/stay at home job to help contribute to the family income yet. I need to think of something because I'm really hating having to ask Nick for money for things. It is the weirdest feeling! But I'm not sure how or when I would fit in a job as well as taking care of our babies. I know I will definitely be back in the classroom teaching again at some point. I have such a passion for it. 
Again, I know God has a plan.

I look forward to meeting other bloggers through this link up! Thanks Becky! 

14 comments:

Amy said...

Thank you for opening up to us, Mandy! I appreciate your honesty! It's hard being a SAHM of one little guy, I can't imagine 3. I'm a planner myself & I just read someone else's blog that there is a book out there called We Plan, God Laughs. How true is that, hey? :) Have you thought about a direct selling company? Thirty-One? Lia Sophia? That way you can make your own hours & set your own schedule. Just a thought! xoxo

Emily said...

I loved this post!! I'm staying at home this year as well because I had a really hard time going back to work. Even though I'm loving staying at home with Carson, I know I'll be back in teaching some day...hopefully next year!

Amanda said...

Loving your blog! I'm your newest follower! I am currently pregnant with my first son and I give you so much credit being a SAHM! Found you through the Women Connect link up :)

Chantal said...

I'd be terrified to have twins too! Especially after having one baby and knowing how hard it can be.

Stopping by from Women Connect!

Chantal @ Scattered Seashells
www.scatteredseashells.com

Unknown said...

I loved reading your post! I am excited to follow along and learn more about you and your family! Your children are adorable!

Unknown said...

I loved reading your story. Thank you for your honesty. I cannot imagine how overwhelming that must have felt to be having twins. I would have done a lot of crying as well:)


www.mommymandymusings.com

Unknown said...

Becky!
I love following your blog. I am not yet a mother or a wife, but I can't wait for the moments to happen! Just like you I know God has a plan and recently it has been a hard thing for me to grasp. I want to be a teacher, but out here in CA we have to take the CSET and I am having a very hard time passing it, which leaves me to take semesters off from school, holding me back from getting my credential. I know that one day I will be in the classroom, loving my job but I have to remember that God has a plan and everything will work out!
Best to your family!

Ashley Quarles said...

Our stories are pretty similar!!! I have an older son and twin girls!!!

Looking forward to reading more about your sweet family!

Ashley

Unknown said...

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Unknown said...

Oops..sorry about that! Just found you through the linkup. Love your story-congratulations on out beautiful twins. I'm so there with you living in sweats, covered in breastmilk and spitup most days. Stop by and say hello!
-Meg
www.asouthernbellefromnj.com

Joanna said...

your kids are so adorable! love your blog & your honesty in your posts

Erica said...

I love your honesty, I am a planner like you so I understand how sometimes it is a struggle to accept God's plan instead of our own!

Megan said...

I cried reading your post!!! I can only imagine what a SHOCK it was to find out you were having twins!! Going from having a miscarriage to finding out years later that you would become a mother of THREE...WOW!!!

I agree with you, I believe G-D really does have a plan for all of us!!

I LOVE your blog and I agree with you, on days where mommyhood is really tough, it is SO nice to connect with other bloggers who are going though similar things in their lives!!

Congrats on your blessings and beautiful, healthy children! Have a great weekend!!

Unknown said...

Oh wow, I had no idea you went through that! I cannot imagine going through that. I identify with always wanting to be a mother and think that will be my greatest accomplishment in life - to be called mommy. My heart just aches for anyone that has to deal with a miscarriage because I have become painstakingly aware that I might have problems conceiving and carrying children to term. BUT thank God that He has a plan for our lives and sees us through the mountains and the valleys. Thank you for posting your story... it helped calm my over-analytic tendencies and remember that God is in control and has our best interest at heart. :)