Big Girl Potty

Potty training day 1=lots of trying

Potty training day 3=victory (finally)!!!!

 This has been big girl potty week for SJ.  I don't know why I called it that but I just did and she seems to get it.  It has been a long 3 days and we are just at the beginning but it is amazing the sheer excitement that you experience when they finally go in the potty.  There was much rejoicing in our house tonight!

Seasons

We hear this a lot, "it's just the season of life you are in."  It is comforting to hear this when the season is hard and you are hoping it will pass.  Then there are mixed emotions because every season has its hard parts and good parts.  We tend to want the bad ones to hurry on and the good parts to last forever.  Sickness with little ones is one of those hard parts that you want to pass.  Who wants to see their babies in pain or not their usual selves?  The only good part to having sick kids is you have to slow down, you have to stay home and sometimes that is just so good for us.  

For the past few weeks the kids have been sick off and on.  They must think it is fun to keep giving each other the stomach flu:)  For a week Andrew and I have had bad colds.  Not just the usual cold that makes you feel lousy for a day or so but the kind that just knocks you out and all you want to do is lay on the couch.  Well you know how this story goes.  You can't exactly lay on the couch and hope all is well with your 2 and 1 year old.  The Lord definitely had to stretch me this week and He was faithful like always to provide strength for me to serve my 2 kids and Andrew.  We are hoping the worst is behind us and that we can officially start 2013 on a better note.  For now I am thankful for the down time at home and for fun memories with my family like having tea parties with SJ, snuggling with Drew and drinking Nyquil every night with Andrew. 

Merced Christmas

 We like to start off any trip right, at Chickfila of course!

 This was the contraption that made our trip very pleasant.  I never knew headbands could be used to do so much.

 We had a fun time opening gifts and stockings with all the cousins.  I am sure in this picture I am making a really good car sound for Drew to get excited about his gift.  Micah might disagree:)

 Matchy, matchy cousins

SJ and Drew love being with their cousins and that is probably an understatement.  It will be hard to take them away from them today.  We can always look forward to the next family get together!