Potty Training Advice

I need some potty training advice. For boys. It seems like Olivia potty trained herself over night so it didn't even take any thought on my end. I had not planned on trying to train Logan until he was showing CLEAR signs of being ready, and I was guessing it wouldn't' be until closer to age 3. However, he is starting to stop and say "oh no!" all while holding his diaper, when he has pottied in his diaper. So we put him on the potty a few times and he just thinks that is too fun! So I am not sure if this is a clear sign or what. I am not in a rush to do this, but I don't want to miss a window either. Please let me know how you potty trained your boys and at what age... Thanks!!

Dear Logan...

Dear Logan,

I love you with every ounce of my being. You have the best smile and give the best hugs. I really enjoy playing trucks with you and watching you play excitedly at the playground. You are such a happy boy and I LOVE to be with you. However, please note, that when you have a two-year-old son of your own. Ask me to remind you (never-mind, I am sure I will remember to tell you) about our shopping trip to Wal-mart today. Just when I think it is "easy" to be out and about with you and sissy, you surprise me and shake things up a bit. (i.e. squirming in the cart, grabbing things off of shelves, trying to open grocery items, throwing your toys or paci to watch mommy pick them up one more time, etc.). Also, thank you for never keeping me guessing as to your emotions. You let EVERYONE know in Wal-mart today, that you were not happy. I love you more than you will ever know.

Mommy

Also, Daddy wants you to be Curious George for Halloween, I think that is very fitting for you, since you do enjoy climbing.

Today's Random Thought

I wish we had a clothes line. Seems like such a waste to put sheets in the dryer on such a beautiful day. I will add that to my list for our next house. Or maybe there is a retractable one I could put in our backyard....

Childhood Emotions

I distinctly remember being very emotional as a child, at times, over little things as well as big things. I imagine that just as I have hard days, trying to figure out my own emotions, our kids much go through the same thing. This morning Olivia decided to let her Elmo balloon (from a birthday party over the weekend) go up to see God. We have done this in the past with other balloons and it has not been a big deal. But this morning, she was playing with Elmo and decided she wanted to do it. SO we all do outside for the balloon-freeing ceremony. I think it is so neat to watch them go. So picture us all standing out there, Tommy trying to get off to work, Logan in his t-shirt and diaper shouting "OH NO! ONEY! (mommy) OH NO!) I am enjoying the beautiful sky with the speck of Elmo flying away and we look down and Olivia is in SERIOUS tears! You know how you can tell when your child is really having a problem, or just being dramatic? This was serious.

Olivia: "He is up there all by himself! I just want him to come back now. There aren't any other ballooons up there for him"

We have been crying about this for an hour now and I just can't get irriated (maybe because yesterday I was irriated enough for a year) I just held her and promised her that Elmo is now up in the sky with all of the other balloons we have sent to see God and they are having a huge party.

Figuring out emotions just doesn't seem to get easier does it?

Playdate with Rachel!

Rachel, Leah and Libby came to play today, first to the park and then home for lunch and playing! Leah and Olivia play so well together! It was cute to watch them. Libby is getting so big, every time I see her I am amazed!

I LOVE getting together with Rachel, seems like we always have so much to talk about and so little time! We just don't get to do it often enough!!! Lets do another night out soon Rach!

McDonald's lunch! Sure hit with the kids! (Logan really didn't drink that pop, he thought he was being sneaky tough!).

Coloring and gluing... all went well until Logan started to eat the glue, seriously!, he doesn't like veggies, but he will eat the glue? I give up!

Olivia had the camera... got the back of Leah's head

Leah had the camera... Olivia pretending to nap.

New Phrase, Thankfully Mis-used

Olivia picked up a new phrase recently, "I'm bored". Thankfully she doesn't quite understand the meaning yet. She just walked in the room with a dress and said:

"I'm bored, guess I better put this dress on!"

Funny Quotes

My dad sent me a forwarded email with these funny sayings... (Thanks for the laughs DAD!)

Police were called to a day care where a 3-yr-old was resisting a rest.

Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.

Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft & I'll show you A-flat miner.

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

One of Those Days

I am having one of those days.

I seriously think it would be easier to throw away everything we own (except the furniture and the kids) and start over! It feels like every room in our home needs serious attention today! But as soon as I get one room done, it is only 5 minutes and it needs attention again! SOOOO today, I am starting in our bedroom, and NOT COMING OUT until it is picked up, vacuumed and put back together, then the living room and the kitchen. We will need an episode of Extreme Home Makeover to tackle Olivia's room, so I won't even attempt that room today.

PLEASE let me know I am not alone!!!

Flair

I got a funny piece of flair on Facebook today:

"I am afraid that when I meet God, he will sneeze, and I won't know what to say"

Bouncer Town

Dotty and I took the kids to Bouncer Town today! Olivia LOVED it, going up and down the big slides over and over! Logan was a little hesitant but had fun!

Surprise Haircut

I was gone tonight and Daddy gave Olivia a haircut!!!! I love it!!! You are so precious Sis!

Where oh where....

At first I thought we may have a theft problem in our home. Turns out it is just the kids. Apparently they like to take things that I need and use daily and play with/hide them. Currently I am missing my favorite brush. HOWEVER, I have FOUND the TV remote and have hidden it myself, I will OUTSMART the little people!!!

Living the Christian Life...

At church last night our pastor had a really neat quote that I wrote down and wanted to share:

"As Christians we need to live in a way that people are drawn to how we do life."

I love the last part, 'that people are drawn to how we do life'. I think that pretty much sums up our mission as Christians! What a ministry, outreach and mission we have in everyday life.

More from Olivia

I know I have been posting alot about Olivia lately, but I really want to document her thoughts! Here is one from today...

Olivia: "I don't want to be anything when I grow up, I just want to be a mom"

My thoughts on this: I am excited at the idea of grandchildren, but not so excited that she thinks my job as a mom is "nothing". (smile)

Further into the conversation:

Me: "What do you think the best part will be when you are a mom?"
Olivia: "Going swimming"

Interesting...

Loving the 3-year-old Mind

Olivia: "Is the sun God's flashlight?"

Painting - by Olivia

Olivia: "This is Jesus, God's baby"

Face Painting?

Logan, Olivia, Daddy and my eyeliner: Another reminder

that Tommy is just a big kid!

Hungry Girl

This is the cutest website! www.hungrygirl.com Lots of good ideas, recipes, etc... Thanks mom!!!

Escalator

Olivia and I went shopping at the mall today. She LOVES the mall, but especially loves the escalators! Today we rode the one in Von Maur 3 times! (when Logan is with us, in the stroller, we can't ride them) It was the highlight of her day. I remember being little and thinking escalators were so fun! The BEST part is they are free! I am sure when she turns 13 she won't be satisfied, at the mall, with JUST riding the escalator. :)

Number 1: Learn to Sew

I must briefly expand on this one...

I was given the mission to purchase fabric for curtains for the 1's and 2's room at church. Simple task, one would think, right? WRONG! I go to two different Wal-marts, the first has NO selection, the other has alot to choose from. HOWEVER, the sales lady (older, grandma-type, which to me means should be sweet) clearly thought I had been living under a rock when it comes to sewing. (I did have to keep a squirmy Logan occupied and I had multiple phone conversation with Christie and Michelle, regading the curtains during this process but as I said, I know NOTHING about buying fabric.) The sales-lady didn't seem to have the patience for me as I tried to figure all of this out. SOOOO in an effort to be a well-rounded person and in the event I am ever in this situation again, I would like to learn to sew. Just the basics, I won't be making wedding dresses or anything, but making curtains sounds nice.

Things to do in this life...

I love Kim's idea of listing the things I want to do in this life. I think it is so neat to document things like this and really make an effort to remember them as goals to pursue! SO I am making at list on the right-hand side of the blog, and as I think of things I want to do/accomplish I will add them. Wonder if my first one should be... make it through an entire day without collapsing from exhaustion... no too lofty.

Good Book

I must have been on a reading hiatus because I haven't read much this summer! But I just got a cute book at the library The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, looks cute!

Kim, I read on your profile that you like David Baldacci! I think I have read ALL of his books and love them!!! He has a new one coming out this fall, another "Camel Club adventure". I am excited!

You May Go To Target Too Often When....

Today we were driving toward our Target store, and as we approached it, Logan starts yelling "ocorn!" "ocorn!" (for the popcorn we get at the cafe, he eats while we shop). We didn't go stop at Target today and he cried long after we passed the store! Does that mean he is addicted too?

How Do I Put This?

Olivia and I were taking a walk today and she saw a worm on the sidewalk. Since we haven't had rain in a lot of days, it was pretty obvious that the worm was no longer with us. Not sure why, but I found myself trying to delicately talk around the death of the worm. I know we have talked about death at length, but I still wonder where she is in her mind about it...

Olivia: "Mommy, look at that worm!"
Me: "Hmmm, he must be sunbathing" ..... "Or taking a nap"
Olivia: "Or he is dead!"

Guess she is ok with it for now! :-)

Mexican Chicken Pot Pie in Crescent Bowls

I found this recipe on Pillsbury.com. Yummy!

INGREDIENTS
1can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations™ refrigerated flaky dough sheet
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup chicken broth
1 package (6 oz) refrigerated cooked Southwest-flavor chicken breast strips, coarsely chopped
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed
3 tablespoons Old El Paso® canned chopped green chiles, drained
1 cup Green Giant® Niblets® frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar-Jack with jalapeño peppers cheese blend (2 oz)
1/2 cup Old El Paso® Thick ‘n Chunky salsa

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Place four 6-oz custard cups upside down on cookie sheet with sides. Spray cups with cooking spray.
2.Unroll dough on work surface; press into 12x8-inch rectangle. Cut into 4 squares. Place 1 dough square over each custard cup, stretching to fit bowl.
3.Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from custard cups. Place on cooling rack.
4.Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add flour, salt and pepper; stir until well blended. Gradually stir in broth, cook until bubbly and thickened. Stir in chicken, black beans, green chiles and corn. Simmer about 5 minutes or until hot.
5.Spoon about 3/4 cup chicken mixture into each crescent bowl. Top with cheese and salsa.

Jeremy Riddle Concert

Our church is hosting a Costa Rica Benefit Concert featuring Jeremy Riddle (popular christian artist) September 14th. Tickets are $10 per person and $20 per family!

Parents of Teenagers...

Working as a co-coordinator in the nursery-two's area at church grants me the wonderful opportunity to really get to know my volunteers (25 or so each Sunday). I spoke with some parents/volunteers this weekend about the differences between the toddler stage and the teen stage. Most of the differences are quite obvious, but one of the differences just stinks.


Right now Logan and Olivia need and WANT their mommy. Selfishly, I really want it to stay this way (the wanting part, I am really hoping Logan will be potty-trained someday (smile). Realistically, I know it may change. We are going to start praying now that God gives us the wisdom, as parents, to nourish a healthy but always SUPER-CLOSE relationship with our kids. I have read about the difference between a 4th grader and 5th grader. In 4th grade, your parents still know everything. In 5th grade you don't think your parents know anything. So while we really don't care if they think we know everything, we want to always have a really close - but we can give them the distance they need - relationship.

The verse that really gives me peace about all of this is (and I can't remember where it is, Isaiah I think?)

"Great is my children's peace, for they are taught of You (God)."

The Taste Was So Fun!!!

We had a ball at the Taste! It was so well-run, I was just amazed! Tons of food vendors, 3 wonderful bands, a classic car show display, wine tours... it was all so fun! The kids had fun walking around and playing, then home with Gigi, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dan. Brad, Kerri and the kids came too and Tom, Dotty, Laura and Jim! So we had lots of fun visiting, eating and sampling wine!


Dotty, Laura and Tom
Olivia kissing Silas (just had to throw that one in, so cute Sis!)

Isabel, Nolan and poor Logan, stuck in the stroller!

Thank you Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dan for coming to help with the kids!
Not sure what was so interesting...
I can't wait until next year!

"Ommy"

Logan steals my heart everyday! Either by a special hug, or kiss, or just a smile directed right to me. But last night was extra special. Logan doesn't call me by name very often (I am always here for one thing, and if he wants either Tommy or I, he comes and takes our hands), but last night I came home from running and he ran into the kitchen saying "Ommy, Ommy!" and jumped into my arms, BIG HUG and sloppy kiss, LOVE IT!

Thought Provoking Questions

Riding in the car (coming home from meeting Susie and Deanna for breakfast, fun seeing you girls!) Olivia raised some interesting 3-year-old questions about Jesus...

Olivia: "Look mom, a cross on that church, Jesus died on the cross."

Me: "You are right!"

Olivia: "Was he on the back of the cross, or the front?"

Me: "I think the front"

Olivia: "Did his brothers do it?" (I think she is thinking of Joseph here)

Me: "Nope"

Olivia: "Did he just die?"

Me: "Yes, for our sins"

Olivia: "what?"

Me: another long-winded explanation of forgiveness, etc. followed by a pretty blank stare...

Sometimes I feels SOOO unprepared to answer questions that seem so simple but to a 3-year-old are so complicated! I know she has heard this answer over and over, but I can't imagine trying to process it in her little mind! Praise God He reveals Himself in ways we can each understand. For instance, I told Olivia, one day, that even though we can't see God He speaks to us all the time, like when the trees are blowing in the wind, He is saying "Hi Olivia, I love you". Now when we see the trees moving in the wind she says "Hi God, love you too!".

Food Map Container

This is so cool! I found this in Metropolitan Home Magazine (from Dotty) It is a Food Map garden container on wheels! Made of 100% post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene, with a curvilinear base designed to let water drain quickly. AND since it is on wheels, it can be wheeled inside during a freeze! The price is $245, I will have to save up, maybe for next summer!

Peas

I was VERY pleasantly surprised when Olivia asked for peas for lunch! After I picked my jaw up off of the floor, I said "Sure!". When I make lunch and dinner for the kids, I include something I KNOW they like and then add some fruits or vegetables that are questionable. They may or may not eat them (most of the time not) but at least I feel better, as a mom, that I am putting it in front of them. So, needless to say, this nutritionist-mommy was pleased.

Taste of Downtown - Tomorrow!

Taste of Downtown 2008The fifth annual Taste of Downtown event will be held the afternoon of Saturday, August 9, 2008 from 4-10PM. Featuring a lot of food from your favorite local restaurants and great wines from Easley Winery. Bands are: Tastes Like Chicken, (hold on to your hat because Heather Ramsey does a Joplin song that will take you back to Woodstock '69), Toy Factory, and The Tides.

Flower Girl

Olivia dressed up as a flower girl this morning. A skirt on her head and two around her shoulders. Then she told us a flower story.

(I love that we can put videos on the blog!)

Breast Cancer 3-Day

My dear friend, Jamie, is participating in the Breast Cancer 3-day walk this weekend in Chicago. She is doing this in support of her loved ones who were/are affected by this disease. As you read this post, lets cover Jamie and all of the participants in prayer as they walk for this great cause.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Jamie and her dedication to her loved ones affected by this disease. Thank you for events like this that bring women together in a very strong way. Please provide Jamie and each participant extra energy, endurance and joy throughout this journey. Thank you for watching over them as they participate in this walk.

Amen

Love you Jamie!!!

Toys

Anne posted the other day about toys and I have to share this. I recently boxed up some toys that the kids NEVER play with and took them to the garage to put away or donate or garage sale, etc. Olivia and I were playing outside today and she found the toys...

Pampers Deal!

My addiction to Target finally paid off! (Ha! Just kidding)

I never buy Pampers brand diapers because I find Sam's or Target brand to be cheaper. BUT today our Target had boxes of size 6 diapers (92 count) on sale for $19.58! (Marked down from $27.99). Couple that with the coupon that I am SURE is in the stack of coupons I keep meaning to go through, and you have quite a deal! This once-organized-but-not-anymore mommy didn't have the coupon ready but I will look today and go back for more!

Happy Deals to You!

Ponderings of Olivia 8/5

Riding in the car, it was raining...
Olivia: "I wonder if all of the bugs are coming into our house now. Worms, snails, caterpillars, snails. They don't want to get wet."


Yesterday at church she accidentally closed the doors to the bathroom in between the nursery and 2's room. She was very upset, the light was off and she has a major aversion to being in a room by herself without an adult. When traumatic things happen, we talk about them OVER AND OVER. She brought it up again today in the car...
Olivia: "When the door shut, my eyes were black, my arms were black, my shirt was black and my legs were black. I couldn't see anything!"
Me: "But you were not alone, who was with you?"
Olivia: "Mommy"
Me: "and who else is ALWAYS with you"
Olivia: "God"
Me: "RIGHT! So you don't need to worry, there is an adult with you all the time! and God is too!"
Olivia: " I just don't want to go back to church"

We will continue to talk about this one, I can sense that. AND I imagine she will now be using the bathroom at church with the door WIDE open! But hey, whatever works!

Stop in your Tracks!!!

Stop in your tracks! Take in God's miracle-wonders! Do you have any idea how God does it all, how he makes bright lightning from dark storms, How he piles up the cumulus clouds— Job 37:14 (Message)

In Central Indiana, we awoke to storms. I couldn't go running so I sat in our living room, while the rest of the house was asleep, and enjoyed the storms. They never get old to me, and God always seems so close during a storm - funny, as I wrote that I realized that is just how it is in life. When we go through storms we can lean on Him even more and He feels so close.

Niece and Nephews

Recent pics of my niece and nephews!!!


Isabel! Love you, love you, love yo

Quote of the Day August 4, 2008

Olivia:  "I wish I was 4"

Me:  "Why"

Olivia:  "It's hard to be 3"

hmmmm....

Pam's Wedding

Pam's wedding was so beautiful! Olivia did great! Susie's poem to Pam and Jay was so good! It was good to see you Susie! Sorry it was a short night! (Olivia pooped out before the dancing began).

Olivia's First Wedding

We have a wedding to go to tonight (Susie's sister, Pam). We are taking Olivia with us! It is her first wedding and she is SOOO excited. To get her ready, Tommy and I sat down with her to watch our wedding video. Explaining the part where you can't talk, etc.

It is always so fun to watch how our marriage began. It seems like our lives have been on fast-foward as we watched it. We have 2 kiddos now! I am so thankful for our marriage, I just can't believe how much I love you Tommy!

Stay tuned for pictures from the wedding!!!!