I was out wrangling my crew at Mama Mecca the other day (aka Target) when a seasoned mama, with grey in her hair and wrinkles around her eyes, stopped me. She talked to the girls and fawned over Jude, and then she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, “You have a beautiful family. Don’t blink, it really goes too quickly.”

I’ve heard this sentiment a thousand times, and every time it strikes a note in this weary mama’s heart.

She gently squeezed my arm, and then left me in my un-showered, dry shampooed, no make-up, hot-mess-whirlwind feeling like I had won the lottery to get to just BE in that moment. And I was truly so thankful.

Truth be told, 30 minutes prior I was yelling at my children to HURRY UP, GET IN THE CAR, WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES, DON’T PICK YOUR BROTHER’S NOSE, AND WHY DO YOU HAVE TO PEE NOW THAT YOU’RE BUCKLED IN???? We Salmons aren’t great at transitions I’m learning. Fuses are short, children are children, and this mama is always on the go… hurry hurry hurry.

But that sweet seasoned mama, with grandbabies of her own, really blessed me by helping me remember to slow down & enjoy these chaotic days. The days truly pass by so slowly, and yet so quickly.

The twins turned four a few weeks ago and my mama heart can't take it. I told someone the other day that I’m pretty sure I’m not going to survive motherhood. I’m already weepy about the small milestones like birthdays (it's 4, they're not turning 13 for heaven's sake! And I canNOT even start thinking about 16 #JesusTakeTheWheel #literally). They're running around still all cuddly and I'm all HOW AM I GOING TO SEND THEM TO COLLEGE????!!!!

YALL, I’m gonna have to get a grip or that Ben Salmon is going to have quite the time reminding me that they’re simply arrows in our quiver. They were made to fly and never mine to begin with.

And boy do those girls know how to fly.

(Someone hold me.)

Well my independent sassy girls wanted a Dory/Nemo themed bday party so a week prior Ben and I looked at each other and said, “OH SHOOT, it’s the twins' bday next week!!” So we texted our friends (no invites bc BLESS #hotmess) and off we went to the Dollar Store.

I wanted to blog these photos because so many of them capture the epitome of who the girls are during this season. It was truly such a fun day celebrating their vibrant little lives. So without further adieu, the girls’ 4th bday… (And for those of you who still can't tell them apart, Felicity is in the Blue swim top, Noel is in the Pink).

And just like that... they're 4. And 20% of their time with us is gone... That sweet grandmama was right, it just goes by too quickly.

Much love,

Twinsies Turn 4