twin birthday's and bonding

December 21st was Gwenyth and Sarah's 6th birthday.

Not the most convenient day for a birthday party.

Much to their dismay we waited and had a party for them January 11.

 That was their actual due date and a much more practical day to be born and expect to have time for a party. 

I'm not that into throwing birthday parties. I figure it's a day for me to party and enjoy life too. 

I birthed them that day for goodness sake.

I'm more  a fan of going out to dinner at their favorite restaurant.

This isn't what kids think is the funnest idea though, so out of the goodness of my heart I throw my kids a friend birthday party every other year.

All 4 of my girls somehow came to earth with the Martha Stewart crafty gene.

They love to make things with their hands. They love to plan and decorate for parties.

I think they get it from their Grammy Caroline.

For their birthday party they planned to wear matching out fits. They are twins who like to be different and separate so this was a rare moment of cooperation and sameness.

I let them help make cupcakes, then we went to Dollar Tree and bought decorations and party favors.

Thank goodness for Dollar Tree.

We played games.

We danced to Taylor Swift and The Black Eyed Peas

We opened presents and that was that.

They thought it was great and it was pretty fun and painless for me too.

I'm growing up.

Something is changing in their heads and hearts.

This morning they were playing UNO together. Whispering and giggling.

Yesterday too, in fact all week they have been best friends 95% of the time.

They have even been planning matching outfits, laying them out on the floor.

Sleeping in the same bed so they can snuggle and talk?....What is up?

It's not that they never get along, it's just normally its 50% best friends and the other 50% worst enemies.

I hope and pray it continues. 

It has been a joy to eavesdrop. 

Silver Compass

Hey there.

I recorded 

Silver Compass.

If you want to hear it or download it for .99 cents go to my reverberation page.

 See the link up there at the top of my blog?

It was a fun and rewarding project.

It sounds a bit different than it did when I sang it live at Summerfest.

I love the new sound. 

My mom and my friend Kaytlin weren't so sure about the new version. 

They said it was really good but then so was the other way. 

I think it kind of morphed over time. When I wrote it I was mad. 

I'm not mad anymore, so singing it I sound more introspective and less "in your face!"

Have I told you of Ryan Miller?

He is the guitarist I have hired to help me record my songs.

I can play the guitar well enough to write but recording them is another story. Plus I am so limited in what I can play that I hear all these great things in my head, on the guitar, but my dear little fingers can't translate and produce the sounds! 

So that's when you hire a guitarist. 

So I did.

With my husband's hard earned cash.

Just kidding.

It's OUR money. 

We both work hard to create this life of ours. 

This Saturday I went to Ryan's studio. It was very fun. We wanted to practice some songs and 

play around with some ideas I've had knocking around in my head for a while now. 

I had to make that sentence bigger because that was the best part.

Can I tell you how satisfying it is to order up on the guitar the sounds and styles and rhythms I want to hear? 

It's very satisfying.

I'm very thankful for Ryan's skill and talent! 

Can I also tell you that I love to sing into a microphone? 

Even though I kept cracking and singing flat......

what is up with my voice?

Weakened from dis-use...... 

The lights and smoke machine were pretty ssssweeeeet.

Happy Valentines 

I love taking pictures of myself.

Even though it makes me wonder if I'm being weird for loving taking pictures of myself,

 and posting them.