The Perils of Potty Training

My sweet Emma has been performing rather well at her potty-training task. She wears panties 24/7 and rarely has an accident. However, today has been quite challenging for her...she has a tummy bug. She has been running to the potty all day it seems.

At one point this afternoon, I went to check on her in the bathroom. While sitting atop her throne, Emma informed me: "Mommy, I'm tired of pooping. I've been pooping all day. I QUIT!"

Oh my word, that made me laugh so hard. Poor thing, I understand. Would be nice if we could just up and quit, huh?

Thank You Thank You Thank You!

Yes, I've been Amandanized! :-) She is utterly amazing and so, so talented. Thank you, Amanda, for this incredible design.

Could It Be???

That my obstinate little 3 1/2 year old is finally going to potty train for her mommy? It looks that way..... Yesterday morning, we ran out of pullups. And you know what, this momma wasn't about to drive to the store to get any. Nope, nuh-uh, no way! I told Emma flat out, "Baby, we just don't have any more." So she put on panties. And when it came time for bed, I still didn't have any pullups. So she kept her panties on. She even woke herself up at about 12:30am to go potty! Now what in the world is that all about?

I've tried the whole "we're out of pullups" game before...and then pulled one out at bedtime and lost the game. But this time, it was no game. And it looks like it's paying off!

Now, let's all bow in prayer and ask our gracious Lord to please have mercy on this very tired momma, and let her Emma truly be potty trained! Thank You Jesus!

Tagged!

So, my friend Jenny and the Jets (heh heh) tagged me. I'm supposed to put up pictures of me from the old days. So don't laugh, cause I'm so much stinkin' older than any of you other people participating! :-) Anyway, I don't have a lot to choose from, just some of the ones we had scanned in for our adoption scrapbooks. Here goes...


So this is me at about 6 months...nice 'doo huh? My mom made this dress as she did most of my clothes. She's an amazing seamstress! It's red velvet with a white collar. I still have it! And I have a sweet little locket on too. Have no idea where that is.



Okay, I think I'm about 4 in this picture. Again, nice hair; and nice bug eyes too. This was taken at the trailer house we lived in off and on for the first 8 years of my life. Amazing aluminum Christmas tree in the background. Those are so high dollar now. :-) We also had one of those color wheels that spinned around and the tree always looked different colors...obviously I was born in the 60's right? That's my little brother in the background.


Are you feeling the love yet? :-) Okay, I'm about 6 here I think. I always did want to be a cheerleader or a majorette. Nice looong hair now. And lovely outfit made by my momma. This picture was taken at my Grandma Shelton's house (the one I recently took my children too...another post a comin'). That's my cousin Doug in the background. He's a farmer like his daddy. Love the wooden door and the old door knobs. I love that house generally speaking.



So fast forward a few years, and here I am in 9th grade. Feathered bangs were all the rage. I think I'd been through the Captain and Tennille and Dorothy Hamill haircuts before that. Aw yeah, I was stylin'. Have sweet mercy. Those goofy little ties were hot too. Don't get that at all. I thought I was so cool because I had one of those ties on. I had on blue eye shadow too, can you tell?



Not a lot of pictures I had already scanned...so we'll go on to my 20's. I think I was like 22 in this picture? No, it was more like 25. I was home from Liberty for Christmas. This is at my mom's house, with her sharpei. I can't remember his name...surprised right? :-) Anyway, that's all I have. Good times.


Thanks for the fun girls! Can't wait to see more of you!

Cribbed

We were on our way out of the church parking lot tonight, when we passed a sweet family who is about to adopt a little boy. I mentioned to my kids that it would only be a few more weeks until their new baby brother would be here. Sam, my oldest, said, "Oh, he's coming out of their mom's tummy?" I said that he already came out of his birthmom's tummy and would be adopted, just like Sam came out of his own birthmom's tummy and was adopted. I also told him this little boy most likely would come from an orphanage in another country. "Oh, I know what that is." Sam went on to explain that the birthmom's put their baby's in baby clothes (after cleaning them off), and put them in a crib in an orphanage...."they get cribbed, mom." Then the parents come in and "pick out the baby that he or she wants."

Well, that's a new term. Cribbed. Oh. my. word.

I love teaching my children about all the many different types of adoption. How their own adoptions are similar or different. We also love pointing out women in our circle of friends who have babies growing in their tummies. They are so good to let my kids rub their bellies and ask questions, and feel the kicks. I want them to know about it all.

Because you know, it's all miracles. All of it.

Can I Getta Wha Wha?

That's right! I'm going to see Kirk Franklin for my birthday in May! AW YEAH! Last year it was Harry Connick Jr., a little class, a little jazz. This year, a little soul for my soul...you know what I'm sayin'?

I CANNOT WAIT! (Thanks, honey, for the awesome birthday present!)

Play Ball!

Today marked the beginning of the Spring Season for Sam's t-ball team. It was "Opening Day." Wow - it's a big deal to them. They had a huge parade from McAulliffe Elementary to the ballpark, with festivities on the field. Pictures at 2:00pm and a game at 3:00pm. It was a full day to say the least. This is Sam's second season playing for the Red Sox, and he really enjoys it. He's a good head taller than the other boys on his team. I just look at him and wonder how quickly the rest of his "school years" will pass. It all whirls by me.

A few days ago, Sam and I had a date night at Starbucks. He had a hot chocolate and I had an Awake tea. We shared pumpkin loaf. Yum. I love these special dates with Sam. He tends to open up his heart in the most innocent ways, and share his thoughts with me. One little insight he shared was this: "You know mommy, Jesus has about this much of my heart." (He moves his hand over about 3/4 of the area of his heart.) "But the devil still has this much." (He motions over the remaining bit). I truly do forget what I said or what he said directly after this. I was moved. The battle for our children's hearts, minds, souls, attentions and affections is ferocious. Oh Lord, walk with him. I am so blessed to be the mommy of this precious, tenderhearted boy.