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!