Potty Training

Well, I've been having a hard time lately with rejection after rejection on the job front. It is really taking its toll, but I have to keep reminding myself that it must be part of the grand plan so I am open when something better comes along. So this past weekend we went to church, and it never fails that it is like the lesson is written exactly for me. Now I'm no super religious fanatic, but our trials over the past year along with a great church that we all love to attend on a regular basis has had quite an impact. So this weekend, Saturday night I break down in bed crying..."I just wish I would learn the lesson already, I don't know if I can take this anymore"..yada yada - you know the break-down. So Sunday we walk in to church and this was what the teaching was based on -

James 1: 2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be complete, not lacking anything.

Chills ran down my spine - I mean, were those words written just for me?! So I've been trying to take a different viewpoint this week and will keep this verse close.

So since I haven't been succeeding in anything else lately - I decided to finally work with Austin on potty training. Aaron was sick last week so I was home a few days, so we started on Thursday, and by today I think he's got it! I feel so proud. Yes Austin is our third child, but really only our first that we can claim all the glory for potty training. With Kenz and Turner Nany was the main person in charge. Tonight Austin went with me to get my hair done and he went, on his own, 5 times while we were out. Even said he pooped one of the times - and it did smell like it although there weren't any skid marks (thank goodness!), so I don't know for sure. And then we went to Walmart and he told me as we were walking through the store that he had to go and held it until we got to the bathroom. I'm so proud of him, and myself. FINALLY, I have succeeded at something!

Getting ready for another interview in North Carolina on Friday. Maybe this will be the one, maybe not. We'll just have to wait and see. But Aaron is getting to come along, so at the least we will get a short vacation away and a chance to see the ocean!
Only 2.5 weeks of work left!!!

so many updates

Gosh I don’t even know where to begin with this.  Ok – 1 thing at a time.

The weekend of June 26^th Aaron and I got out of town for our anniversary celebration.  This was his year to plan so I had no idea where we were going.  We ended up in Tunica, MS.  Of course we had a great time – I mean any time I’m away with my best friend all by ourselves it is a great time!  So nice to have those moments when we just get to be Aaron and Jen, not always mom and dad.  This is one of my favorite things we started in our lives and I’ll look forward to our “anniversary weekend” every single year of my life!

Austin had his half-birthday since my last post.  Didn’t do too much since he doesn’t get it too much yet.  But we did sing to him and he loved that!  He is such a monster these days and wants exactly the opposite of what you are getting ready to do that he just told you he wanted 2 seconds ago, but still just has a smile to melt my heart.  He talks a mile a minute, mimics his big brother in everything he does (uh oh, we could be in trouble here!) and still looks more like his daddy every day.  He is such a daddy’s boy. 

Went to Moberly a few weeks ago to visit the grandparents and give Aaron some quiet time to work on school stuff.  Allen and fam also arrived the same day so it was awesome to see everyone.  A little fishing with Grandpy, dinner out with the family, sitting with Granddad, breakfast with Nannan and sleeping at Grandma’s….it was good for the soul for all of us.

We just got back from Michigan for a little vacation and the Walker family reunion.  Had a great time of course.  Always do with that side of the family.  Stopped by Lake Michigan on our way home and the kids had a blast.  It was overcast that day, but didn’t phase them a bit.  They loved playing in the “ocean”.  It was whirlwind trip.  We had to mix in some business with our pleasure.  I had 2 interviews throughout the trip.  One on our way, one while we were there.  So mentally and physically I had to keep changing my mode of operation from family time, interview, play time, worry about work stuff.  I’m glad that it worked out for me to see the company so I can be confident in my decision, but do regret that it had to take away some of my vacation.  Maybe I’ll just negotiate in an extra week for that! Lol  So I’m still waiting on an offer – and driving myself nuts, but I’m pretty sure one is on the way.  I just hate waiting and running through a hundred different scenarios through my mind.  I want to finally be able to act upon whichever it is.  

Tonight I get to see Ellie.  She is staying at our house with Ann and Branson for the night so they can catch an early flight in the morning.  Can’t wait to see her and have her in my home, around my table, part of my family.  I can’t believe she is already 8.  We are so incredibly blessed and lucky to still have her in our lives.  Open adoption is a beautiful thing.

I need to down load more pics, but here are a few to tie over till then….

 

Wish Upon a Star

Last night I took the kids out on a late night walk.  We’ve been so busy this week between VBS, soccer camp and school that I was missing my babies.  So as we are walking Mackenzie sees the North Star, and it is the only star in the sky, so she suggests we make a wish – GREAT idea sweetheart.  So we all stop,

“I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight” squeeeeeeze our eyes shut and make our wish.  

We start back walking and I say, “guys I think my wish has already come true because I have all of you in my life.”  To which Mackenzie responds that her wish came true a long time ago – to have the very best family in the universe.  Yes sweetheart, I think I can confidently say that both of our dreams have come true.  I love you all so much. 

Link to Pictures

Here’s a link to the pictures we got taken recently.  I don’t see how anyone could not look through the progression of these pictures and not be smiling – so I hope it starts your day with a smile!  

 

http://www.SearsPhotos.com/ViewSharedAlbum.aspx?ShareID=f0611a8b-cbae-4275-bc78-e774bbb2c12d

 

Memorial Day Weekend

We had such an amazing Memorial Day weekend!  The weekend started off getting the kids pictures taken.  I’ve been meaning to do it for a while now, it has been almost a year since our last session so we were well overdue.  They turned out soooo cute (of course!).  Then we had our garage sale – made a little extra money, could have done better, could have done worse – but at least we had spending money for the weekend.  But more importantly, it also marked a big milestone – Mackenzie’s first Lemonade Stand!  She did it for charity, so sweet.  So after the garage sale, we packed up and headed South for Mo’s baby shower.  Always good to see them, and Mo just looks so darn cute all super prego.  Christian will be here anytime now!  We ended up staying there and hanging out outside for a couple drinks and pitched the tent Saturday night.  Around the time we got the tent set up, we noticed we had a flat tire – great, what a way to start off the long weekend.  So Sunday we got up, packed back up, put on the spare and headed in to town to get it fixed.  Thankfully we didn’t have to buy new tires and we only ended up having to pay $10 for the fix – awesome.  While the tire was getting fixed we walked up to Sonic to get Aaron some breakfast and the rest of us got ice cream.  I gotta say – I like getting ice cream for a mid morning snack.  Sitting out there, giving the kids a treat, feeling the breeze – got is back in to a good mindset for the rest of the day.  Left there and drove down to Johnson Shut-ins.  Drove through the campground and got the only campsite still available…our luck was changing.  So we set up camp and took the kids down to the river.  We had a blast.  Then back to the campground, had a 15 minute downpour to endure – but it cleared up and we kept everything relatively dry, showers, food, and back out to do a “build a volcano” activity at the campsite.  Kids thought it was so cool, and fun getting their hands all dirty.  Yeah we had just had showers, but you can always clean up again, so I just said go for it!  Got back to camp and roasted marshmallows and then we all headed to bed.    

Monday morning woke up and packed up and headed to Tom Sauk Mnt.  We all went up in the observation tower.  I was so proud that the kids were brave enough to go up – always up for an adventure!  It was a beautiful view.  Then we loaded up to make our way back home.  Stopped off at Cracker Barrel for a good lunch and games of checkers.  Mackenzie darn near beat Aaron – they came down to each having a King against each other.  We truly didn’t want to come back home.  I could have stayed out camping for the week.  It is amazing how much it relaxes me and washes away my stress and worries, and re-centers me.  I guess just being out with just the basics and being so happy makes me know that as long as I’ve got my family, I don’t really need much else to be happy.  

Tuesday after work we met up with friends for the first concert of the “Free concert in the park” series.  This is one of mine and the kids favorite activities during the summer.  We pack up a picnic dinner and listen to the music while the kids play on the playground and do the free activities.  Aaron has had softball for the past few summers on Tuesday nights, so he hasn’t been able to join us – but we just love it.  

Not sure what we have up our sleeves for this weekend yet – maybe more camping, church carnival, bike riding…who knows, but I’m sure it is going to be another great weekend.

 

Happy Half-Birthday..and update

I gotta say, I think the celebration of half-birthday’s is one of my favorite traditions I’ve started in our family.  I can see it being passed down for generations to come.  I’m not sure where it came from or why we started, I guess it probably just an excuse for me to get to make a cake and have a party.  The kids look forward to them as much as a real birthday – always loving to add that “half” to telling people how old they are.  We don’t do presents, it is usually just our family, unless the kids happen to have friends over or something, and they just get to decide on their dessert/dinner they want me to make for them.  Then we sing, blow out candles and celebrate!  We usually try to do something fun that day to make it a little more special.  I’m always up for letting my kids now just how special they are to my heart.  If I could have a party every night to celebrate one more day they were a part of my life I would.

So this past Saturday was Turner’s half-birthday.  He is now officially 4 and a HALF!  And so proud to tell you so.  Soccer got cancelled because the fields were too wet, so we didn’t have that.  We hung around the house for the morning and put up our tent in the backyard.  Then went to the store and he picked out his cake (angel food with strawberry icing…yummy).  Then Mackenzie had a gymnastics show that afternoon so we picked up two of her friends and went to that.  When we got home we just let the kids play, ate dinner…just keeping it low key and hanging out.  Then we built a fire in the pit and did smores.  That night I slept in the tent with Turner, Mackenzie, Belle and Abby.  It was PERFECT weather and a perfect idea.  I fell asleep with Turner cuddled up in the nook of my arm, listening to three six year old girls’ explanation and wonderment of the sky and stars, looking up at the stars and drifted to sleep.  It was wonderful.  Turner told me the next day it was one of his best days ever.  The first thing he said in the morning…”Now that’s what I’m talking about!”   Oh and other funny quote out of his mouth this week – so we are leaving church on Sunday (what? Church? Us? – yes we try to make it at least every other week) – and we hear Turner from the back seat say “I’m following God, and you know what God is saying right now...he telling me to do really good in soccer, and baseball, and football!!!’  Ahhh kids views on the world.  He is also the one who went outside last night to play and come running back in yelling…mom mom I just saw a part of Heaven! (the sun was setting behind a cloud and sending out beautiful rays).  So sweet.

So you may have caught on to me saying Mackenzie and gymnastics….yes, we finally got her signed back up.  We pulled her out last fall when they had their fall break, and just never got back.  But it has been killing me.  She just loves it and it is so good for her, and she is really good.  I’d love to have those skills, so I’m all for it.  So about a month ago we found a gym a little closer than the other one, and signed her back up.  She is loving it and so are we.  I think after the summer I might sign Turner up also.  It will help in any sport to learn to take total control over all the muscles in his body…just no spandex! Lol

Austin is a total HAM these days.  Man the kid cracks me up.  He is all about giving us kisses right now, and a kiss that doesn’t hit exactly, smack on the lips doesn’t count – so don’t even try to get by with a quick peck on the cheek.  But I’m glad, it is almost like time slows down watching him near closer and closer with his lips all puckered up trying to gauge the location just right.  He has also become a kid of opposites – meaning he usually really wants exactly the OPPOSITE as he tells you the first time.  This can get in to a pretty tricky game for mommy, knowing that if I really want him to want something, I know it has to be the second choice.  Then there are times like the other day leaving a soccer game when he wanted to ride with daddy, NO with mommy, NO with daddy (repeat for about 3 minutes), and finally making the choice for him to go with mommy and hearing him scream the whole way home how he wanted to go with daddy!  Ughh, yeah – he was tired that day. 

Oh on the tired thing – this cracked me up the other day.  So when Mackenzie had her two friends over we hit a few of “3s a crowd” moments.  So the next morning Belle is talking to Aaron and she says…..”ughh yeah, sometimes Mackenzie gets a little….umm…..cranky?!”  Aaron just laughed.  I told him he should have told her that when Mackenzie gets like that to ask her if she is tired or wants a snack…..ahhh true to my own heart, my blood definitely runs through her! LOL

Oh another big event about a week ago – all three kids now sleep in their own beds!  We took down the bunk beds so they are on opposite sides of the boys room.  It was just getting too crowded with all three in Mackenzie’s bed, and they kept keeping each other awake, and bed time was getting very frustrating.  Amazingly it has gone off super easy!  Turner still cries every night when we say it is time to go to bed, but then falls asleep within a few minutes.  Him and Austin both have their flashlights that they sleep with.  You can often hear Austin in there yelling “Turner, you awake? Turner wake up” but then he is usually out within a few minutes too!  Mackenzie was not excited about the idea when we started it, but is the most fine with it now.  She sleeps so much better without Turner waking her up because she went to sleep first and he is scared, or Austin kicking all night long.  So it has been a wonderful decision for us.

And lastly – yesterday was the last day of school.  I can’t believe Mackenzie is going to be going in to first grade already!  She already informed me yesterday that she misses school already.  When we asked what she would miss she said all the people because “friends make school fun.  But at least Abby is still her neighbor.”  I’m sure we will be seeing a lot of Abby and Belle this summer which is fine by me…the more the merrier!

We are planning a big weekend with garage sale, baby shower, BBQ with friends, camping, exploring, swimming, more camping….can’t wait!

Graduations

We've had a few graduations in the past week. First started with Aaron and I walking for our Masters degrees. Mine an MBA, Aaron a Masters in Education. Now we haven't actually graduated, but we got to walk in the ceremony. We had all of our family show up. It was a wonderful night, a late night, but a good one. It was so important for me for our kids to watch us walk. Mackenzie was as excited as we were about it. I love this picture of us with the kids. They had gotten home before us and started getting ready for bed, but just to see us with our 3 kids, and standing there with our hoods, an awesome feeling. Kind of made it real, like we really did do this. We couldn't have done it without lots of support, from the beginning with Cameron agreeing to babysit for us, to others that have helped with our crazy schedule. So thank you to everyone for your support through our journey. It has been a sacrifice for all of us, with time away from the kids to attend class and even at home having to write papers or be studying, being a single parent at least one night a week...the memories of me already up early on a Saturday morning working on my paper as Cameron and Caitlyn came walking in from the night before...the multiple times I've stressed over Aaron cutting HIS timelines short...I actually think his school has been more stressful for me than my own! It has been a journey for sure. We are so ready to be done with school....for now!! lol

The next graduation was just as important. Mackenzie had her Kindergarten graduation. I can't believe she is going to be in 1st grade next year. Just crazy how fast it is all going. She has done such an amazing job this year. it amazes me how much she has learned. Exiting Kindergarten, she can now read just about anything, of her favorite books is her bible, and her chapter books about dogs. She can do math, writes by sound, writes stories.... She makes me sooooo proud!!