Potty Training...

Oh the joys!

Disclaimer: this is probably too much information, so read on if you dare.

This week the kids are at Jessie's because I am taking a class at WOU. We've been going to Monmouth as a family and the kids and I will drop Ryan off at work and then I'll take the kids to Jessie's before going to my class. Jessie has been working with Amelia on potty training and I am just thrilled. I've been working with her at home to, but up until today she wouldn't go at home. Here is how the week has evolved.

Monday: I put Amelia on the potty first thing in the morning... nothing. She goes 3 times at Jessie's, only has one accident and stays dry through her nap. We come home and I put her on the potty... nothing. Not one minute later she comes back wet and says she needs to go potty.

Tuesday: I put her on the potty first thing... nothing. She goes 5 times at Jessie's, one accident and dry through her nap! We pick Ryan up at work and she says she needs to go (Micah just went, so I think she didn't want to be left out). Reluctantly, we put the potty in the back of the van and wait... 15 minutes!... nothing. Get home (still dry, whew!) and put her on the potty again...45 more minutes before she actually goes. Hooray! I knew she had to have something in there since she hadn't gone since 4:15 and it was now 6:30! She ate her dinner on the potty too! We were gonna keep her there until something came out.

Here's a picture of her eating her mac 'n cheese on the potty! Oh, the joys!

pictures

I realized that I hadn't posted pictures in quite some time. So here are a few:


Micah with the helmet and Amelia on the bike...
Amelia and cousin Jenny
Micah in the hot tub at the club.
After posting these I figured out the reason I haven't posted many pictures. I haven't taken any! I've got to get busy.

Quote of the week

Micah: Mom, when we marry, me and Bailey. When we both get married, I think Bailey's going to do the folding because I really don't know how to fold, but she does. She can fold blankets!

wow

This post has nothing to do with my kids... so hang on to your britches because I don't usually post about these kinds of things. I'll try to keep it simple.

I just finished an incredible book called The Shack by William P. Young. It is a whole new look at God and how he relates to people. It would be a great book for someone struggling with the whole concept of God and his "judgement" and how he can allow evil things to happen. It really challenged me to look differently at my beliefs.

A little background: Over the past couple of years I have come to realize that my relationship with God is a little twisted. I have these "superstitions" that keep me from fully surrendering myself and allowing him to use me to his fullest. For example, I won't pray, "Do whatever you need to do so that I can know you better," because in my mind I am giving permission for him to let something awful happen. Maybe he's going to take Ryan so that I will have to learn how to totally depend on him. Well, yesterday as I was reading my book, a part of it stood out to me and was so incredibly freeing to read. Here is part of the book I want to share.

At this point in the story, "Mack" is talking with God about why things happen and why his daughter had to die.

Mack: "Is that what this is about? Did she have to die so you could change me?"
God: "Whoa there, Mack. That's not how I do things."
Mack: "But if she hadn't died, I wouldn't be here now..."
God: "Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors. She was not your sacrifice, Mack. She is and will always be your joy. That's enough purpose for her."

Wow. Please read it.
www.theshackbook.com

Blueberry Birds

This morning we took a trip to Target and on the way had a sweet little conversation that I had to write down on the back of a receipt so I could blog the accurate words.

Micah: Look! There's a blueberry bird!
Me: Oh yeah! I see a blue bird.
Micah: Its called a blueberry bird.
Me: (avoiding the I'm always right tone) I think its called a blue bird.
Micah: No, Mom. Its a blueberry bird because it's blue. I know everything, but you don't know a few things.
Ryan and I gave each other a well, then look and tried to keep from laughing.

Amelia

Tonight the kids were out in the little wading pool on the deck cleaning up after eating fudge-cicles. (Amelia looked like she had been attacked by one.) They were in the pool and arguing over the floatie-tube thing. Amelia had been using it and then she let Micah have a turn and now she wanted it back.
A: I had it first!
M: Its my turn. I'm playing with it!
A: You know what the Bible says...
Ryan: What does the Bible say, Amelia?
A: I don't know?
Micah: Do all things without complaining or arguing.

Explanation: A couple of weeks ago we were all in the car listening to K103 and Ryan and I noticed that they both knew all the words to one of the songs. It wasn't a bad song, but it reminded me of what sponges they are. I started playing the "Hide 'em in your Heart" cds in the car. They are CDs of bible verses put to songs. In the song for "Do all things without complaining or arguing," there is a section in the middle where the kids are arguing and a little girl jumps in with, "Hey, guys! You know what the Bible says..." Amelia loves this part in the song and apparently knew how to put it into the context of real conversation.

Now, don't think my kids are angels because they know a bible verse. Amelia can talk the talk, but has some trouble walking the walk. Specifically... walking. She much prefers to have me carry her... especially when my arms are full of things. Yesterday she didn't get to go swimming because of the fits she threw as I was insisting on her walking. Today she was a piece of work. Maybe I'll remember to bring that verse up next time she has an episode.

temperature?

We've been having fun swimming at the club. Whenever we need to change I take the kids into the women's locker room and micah does a "blind walk" (I lead him through as he closes his eyes) through until we get to the back corner of the lockers where we change. Yesterday Amelia was being a cranky pants and cried the whole time in the locker room. I must have said something about losing my temper, because after a while Micah said, "Mom, did you lose your temperature?"