Where we're at

In the potty training department, I thought Id give a little update. It is very encouraging! Justus is doing so well. He can go quite a long time without going pee and he doesnt have pee accidents. We went out to lunch today and I took him to restroom about 10 min before we left and he didnt go again until we got home about an hour later. Very impressive in my book! However, he still has poop accidents on occasion. But Im told this is normal, so Im encouraged.

Lies

God has truly been teaching me about honesty. Of course I know that when someone asks you a question you answer truthfully and you should never deceive someone by pretending to be what youre not. That is easy. But what I apparently didnt know, is that deception looks differently than the text book description sometimes. Recently I had been feeling a little frustrated and I just held it in cause I didnt think it was a big deal. Well, yeah right. By not being honest with my feelings, I was lying. Something I would never do if it looked like it was lying, do you know what I mean? But at the time, it didnt look like a lie. Then another instance was I had been hurt by a friend but instead of being honest with my feelings to the friend, I kept it in. Well, that is no good. And I realized that I was lying. So of course I came clean in both situations and it is all good. But I never would have labeled my actions as lies. God stirred my heart and told me I was lying. A great lesson in Honesty. Thank you God!

Cant live without it

Addiction is a strong word. I dont take it lightly. Whatever its called that is the level before addiction - thats where Im at! Chocolate. It must be the thorn in my side.

Front Yard Fun - video clip

Here is Justus showing us how fun it is to play in the Front Yard.

Front Yard Fun

We like to go outside in the front yard and let the kids play. Justus is really good and only goes where he knows he is allowed. Since Haven started walking, Ive been taking her outside also. Before, Neil would just take Justus. They love to dig in the dirt and run around. Haven is doing really good transitioning from grass to cement to dirt. Great workout for her! But tonight what made me laugh the most was how sweaty my kids were. My goodness, they both were dripping. Now granted it was a hot day, but wow - they were icky. I hope the pics can show it for what it was. Pretty gross - but oh, how fun!

Grizzlies Game

Wednesday night was Faith and Family night at the Grizzlies Game and a bunch of people from our church went. Neil also went and took Justus. This was Justus' first sports game. Well, not quite, maybe I should say this was his first major sports game. He has been to a few Fresno Christian games. But like I said, Neil took him. I was not there. This was major cause it was Justus' first long-time outing since potty training. Neil is so great. I dont think I would have wanted to do this (hence I wasnt there) (actually I had planned on spending time with my long-time friend Renee who now lives out of state, since she was in-town). So anyways - Justus did great. Neil said he only took him potty twice, which was incredibly risky in my opinion. And apparently Justus was more interested in the breezeway and concessions area than in the actual game. Also, I was told the Grizzlies mascot snubbed Justus. Oh well - Im sure Justus didnt care, even if Neil did :). But hey we got some cute pics via cell phone. Oh, and Justus got to sample lots of the concession food via our friends - thanks guys!

Walking and Streaking

Here is a clip of Haven walking and Justus streaking in his underwear making his Mario Kart noises while almost knocking Haven over. Gotta love it!

Success Update

Well - we have been successful on both fronts. I managed my week without chocolate well - umm, more like ok - But I made it! Ersilia didnt get my text so she messed up and had fudge Sunday night. But still - much props Ersilia!! I think I might be up for another restart on Wednesday. Im having a dessert party full of chocolate on Tues night so cant start before then! Justus has been doing well also - we still have accidents but I can tell he is "getting" (those quotes are for you Whitney ;)) it! We even went out to lunch today and he was perfect. We went to my fav spot Eddies! Yummy! I cant live without eating there at least once a week - they know me there! But Justus went potty on their potty without missing a beat. The loud flush was a new experience for him tho. But knowing that I can go places is priceless. I was thinking of this concept and what I boiled it down to is predictability = freedom. If I know what will happen, then it frees me to make good, reliable decisions. Like going to lunch. I only want to go if I can predict that Justus will not have an accident. Now, I know that they are always possible - but most likely it is not probable. Oh, Freedom!

Impressed

Well, today marks the end of the 5 day week. I am so impressed with Justus! Today, he had only one accident! And when he did he came out saying "Potty, Mom!" He also has had dry pull-ups for the last two naps and a dry pull-up last night. Ive been having him drink like crazy so Im sure when we go back to the normal routine it will just be easier. Im so proud of him!

Another reason for me to be impressed is Haven. She is doing so well with her walking. She walked all the way down the hallway today. She also has been walking all over the living room taking many steps. Even when she falls, she just stands right back up and goes at it. I tell you, that girl is determined.

On the chocolate front, I wont lie, I really wanted to call it off today. But Im still holding true. Havent had any chocolate. Cant wait for Monday to come :)

New on my Bookshelf

Like I have time to read - Im taking Justus to the potty every 10-15 mins! But really - this caught my eye and Im intending to read it:

John Piper writes, "I will tell you what tragedy is. I will show you how to waste you life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest: A couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the NE five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, FL, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...' Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look , Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy.

Draining

Of all the days I need chocolate it is this week! What poor timing on my behalf. Oh well. Justus is still doing very well - it is just so draining, never knowing when an accident is going to occur, not being able to leave my house. Leaving my house is what keeps me sane! So tonight, tho very pleased with Justus' progress, Im just worn out! Ha Ha on me tho cause how many more days will this last? It kinda reminds me of when the kids were brand new babies and you knew in the back of your mind eventually they will sleep thru the night - but you just didnt know WHEN! So, I havent had any chocolate, but I did eat 4 Otter Pops - one of which I didnt even like the flavor. Happy Week! ;)

Progress

Im so proud of Justus! He only had one accident this morning and even when he did, he told me about it. Yesterday, he just left me to notice that his underwear were wet or stinky. What a great encouragement!

I checked in with Ersilia and she also has been doing well in the chocolate department. Yesterday she passed up fudge, oreos and M&Ms at her work ice cream social. Much props!

Update #2

End of the first day. I had to call my sister for encouragement in the potty training department. Justus poopied two more times not in the potty and peed twice. I was getting a little discouraged. But she reminded me it will take awhile and that was normal. So I felt better. He did really good tonight. Neil joined right in and took him to the potty once he was home. I did have to go to the store tho cause I only had 6 pairs of underwear. For whatever reason I thought that would be enough. No, No. Not quite. Justus went through all 6 today plus a pull up and a fresh washed pair - that is 8 changes. So I took a pick of all his new undies.

On the Chocolate side of life - Im doing good - however, I did go to Sonic and got a small peanut butter milkshake. Usually I get a large and of course usually I get chocolate too. Not today. Just a small PB. So, I really shouldnt have had that at all - but it turned out to be a rough day.

Also, Im currently taking all free advice, tips, encouragement in the potty training area - so please leave me a comment if you have anything that would help. Thanks and Blessings!!

Update #1

Well, Justus is napping sweetly in his pull-ups and I have completed my first morning. So far I have one poopy pair of underwear and 3 pairs of pee-pee underwear to clean up. Not to bad - Frustrating but not discouraging! Justus did go many times in the potty - sweet victory!

All this and I havent even felt the need for my chocolate covered pretzels that I have stashed away! :)

Potty Training & Chocolate Fast

POTTY TRAINING - Ive decided that tomorrow is the official day! Justus and I have been talking about it for a week now. Ive been encouraging him, telling him how soon it will be time to go potty in the big boy potty and that he will get to wear his big boy underwear. Last week he would scream whenever I attempted to put him on the potty - but since all of our conversations, he now will sit on the toilet without issue. So my strategy is to just start the day with big boy underwear and every 20-30 min put him on the potty. Hopefully he will get it quickly!

CHOCOLATE FAST - Tomorrow also is the day that I start my chocolate fast. Maybe that is poor timing! But it needs to be done. Ive been going crazy lately and my waist and wallet can no long accept such behavior. So tomorrow it is! No more Ben and Jerry, no more 8pm brownies, no more Sonic peanut butter chocolate milkshakes, no more Fosters twisters with chocolate ice cream and Reeses, no more Reeses, no more Eddies cookies, no more homemade cookies, no more eating all of my in-laws peanut M&Ms. Ive got to go cold turkey. Ive also enlisted my friend Ersillia to come along too. So she and I will be doing this together. Our goal is one week and hopefully we will continue.

So a busy week in store for me. :)

Pictures

We took a little family trip to the park. Took some pics. Justus got a new hat from Papa and GiGi. Took some pics. Cute Kids - Fun times!

Wonderful People

Neil and I are so blessed to have wonderful people in our lives. Today I got to experience such a wonderful person. Renaee invited the kids and me over for lunch to her beautiful house. And when I say beautiful home, that is an understatement. Its one of those homes that is picture perfect - decorated perfectly and perfectly kept. Her husband built it for her and it is amazing. She made us lunch, rearranged her furniture so Haven could play safely, got out all her toys so the kids could play, waited on me and did everything for us. Was patient during our conversation if I had to give instruction to Justus or pull Haven out of trouble - all without missing a beat. It was great - such a relaxing time. Yesterday she even came over and watched Haven for a few hours while I took Justus over to my sisters to swim. Renaee is one of those beautiful people that you feel so blessed to have in your life and I do feel so blessed!

Prego!

Not me. PTL! But so many women I know! I just saw two on Tues that are due this month - both with their 3rd. My sis-in-law also prego with her 3rd! Im in awe of people with more than 2 kids. You guys rock! Just found out another friend is prego with her second but is only 5 weeks. More friends that are prego with their 1st. That is fun, cause you know, the first pregnancy everything is new and fun. And they have no idea of whats in store! For good or bad ;) Anyways, as much as Im not a fan of pregnancy or brand new baby stage, it is such a miracle and gift from God. Children are blessings! My all time favorite verse is Psalm 139 (ok, fav chapter). Heres an excerpt: For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mothers womb. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. vs. 13,15 & 16.

Stir in my heart

As I was laying in bed (Haven woke up crying, but good thing nothing was wrong, and she went back to sleep without event) my heart was stirring over a conversation I had with a lady. This lady is the mom of a tweener. Her daughter is about to be 11. (she also has a son that is 9). So the minute I found out she has a son and daughter I started asking her what it was like when they were young and how they played together and WHEN did they start being able to be with each other and play. In the course of all this, we start talking about her daughter and how she is at the beginning of the blossoming years. We talked of how she knows she needs to have "the talk" but is not sure how. Of course some of her stories were funny and some were awkward, but what hit me most was a comment she made. She said that she didnt know what she would do if her daughter one day at 16 came and asked to be put on birth control. She was like, I dont want to be a grandma then, but I also dont want my child choosing that path. I was just floored cause in my mind birth control is not an option. I want my kids to be educated in Satan's schemes and the consequence to them. I claim my children in Jesus name that they will know the tools they can use to fight their temptations. And maybe she was just in the midst of the issue and was talking it out. And maybe I was to busy looking for advice and not encouraging my sister-in-Christ like I should have been. But my goodness, May God always make me aware and always talking and informing my children that they may know how to use the Sword of the Spirit and the Shield of Faith. May they use their Helmet of Salvation - knowing to whom they belong. May they put on the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness and shod their Feet with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace. And Dear God, if they are so in the throws of battle and they have not the strength to fight, may Neil and I stand in the gap praying for them, holding up their Swords and Shields for them! My heart is stirred. Lord, help me to be the best mom to my children. Help me to teach my children of your word. Thank you for Ephesians 6. You are a good God and I notice all that You have done for me. Thanks you! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Valley of the Shadow....

Ive been doing Beth Moore's The Patriarchs bible study and of course it is phenomenal! I read something today that she wrote that touched my mommy heart and I wanted to share it, but first here is the background: Im studying Jacob, now Israel, and Rachel his wife just died giving birth to Benjamin. Beth says "I remember the words my own mother said to me after my firstborn's birth turned into an emergency delivery. 'A mother walks through the valley of the shadow of death for her baby.'" Of course for us today, modern medicine is great and super useful. But it wasnt that long ago that mothers died to give birth way to often. And even now, childbirth still hurts! I had an epidural with Haven but I still had plenty of pain. We wont even mention the pain I had with Justus via natural. And I know that with children comes the long hours of intercessory prayer. Neil and I pray every night (almost) together for our children, interceding for their salvation, their spouses and their children among other things. So that Valley, I do feel like I walk it - even if it is not in the literal sense. And as I would assume all mothers, I will continue to walk it bravely to keep my little ones from harm!