Josie is being Potty Trained!

Josie has literally been begging me to potty train her.  She has been taking  her wet diapers off for a couple months now, and whenever she has a poopy, she comes to me and says, "Mom, change me.  I'm poopy!"  She also detests wearing a diaper and always complains about it being to tight, too high, too close to her belly button or whatever else she can complain about it.  It's obvious she is sick of that big thick padding.  I am a mother who doesn't like to play around with potty training, so I put it off until I absolutely have to.  Mason ended up doing it on his own, and I think that is just what Josie is up to also.  Oh, could we be so blessed? 

This morning, I told Josie that if she wanted to wear her panties she could, and if she went potty in the toilet, then we would all get a gummy bear to celebrate!  She has stayed dry all day and has earned several gummy bears.  This evening, she went running to the potty and said she had to go poop...this was my only concern with her.  She climbed onto the toilet and pooped before I could follow her into the bathroom.  Pardon me, Josie calls it a "restroom."  She is a very formal little child.  Anyway, she wiped her bum, hopped down, washed her hands and received 3 gummy bears for doing so well!

Let's hope tomorrow and every day there-after will prove as successful as today!  Cross your fingers!

Cute little saggy panties.  We need to get some meat on that little bottom!

Grateful...for My Kitchen Sink

Lately, I have been listening to my kids say things like, "I don't like that!......That's not enough...I want more!...She got more than me!....Why don't I get any?...That's not fair!"  My thoughts usually go right to thinking, "these un-grateful children!

Where have I gone wrong in failing to teach them gratitude?" 

Well, I have recently discovered that I am the main source for their un-gratefulness, because I hear my self saying those same phrases that come from their mouths...quite often.  So, I believe that in order to teach my children gratitude,

I must first learn to be grateful myself...

As I was thinking about where to start, in the daily cleaning category, I decided to take a refresher course from the FLY lady.  She suggests to start by scrubbing your kitchen sink and making it shine.  Well, that was something I figured I could do, without too much effort...and the rewards were heavenly! 

Look at the beautiful sink sparkle!

As I was scrubbing the sink, I realized that I am very grateful to have a kitchen sink.  I am grateful that it produces water instantly into my kitchen.  Clean, fresh water none-the-less.  I really am grateful to have a sink to hold that instant water.  I have no idea how difficult it must be for those who have to carry water in jugs, on their heads, for possibly far distances to get it into their homes.  I feel grateful that I have a sink with hot water coming right out of the tap, to wash my dirty dishes in.  Because I feel grateful, I am going to use my sink more often to rinse those dirty dishes, quickly and without delay.  My sink is going to shine...because that is what is was made to do!  I will put my dirty dishes in the dishwasher because it was made to be a "dirty dish holder" and not a clean dish holder...that's what the cupboards are used for.  It all makes sense to me now that I understand the worth of my beautiful sink! 

Shine!  Shine!  Shine! 

(Now everyone, please go to bed and stay out of the kitchen!)

Rio Rancho Stake Center Open House

When we first moved to Rio Rancho, we were part of the Albuquerque Stake.  After about a year, we were blessed to take part in the organization of the Rio Rancho Stake.  Now over 2 years later, we have our own building that was recently dedicated and the following pictures are the invitation to the Open House for the new building.  Unfortunately we were not able to make it because we were at a family reunion in Heber, Arizona with the Kear Family.  We do feel blessed to have a building so close and so beautiful.  We are still attending the Rivers Edge Ward at the Bernalillo Building (30 minutes away) but maybe someday the boundaries will be re-organized and we will get to attend the new building. 

Happy Father's Day Continued

Here is the cute present Carter made in 2nd grade for Father's Day.  I believe it is a a pocket with all the trimmings.  Carter sure loved making this special gift for his dad.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Matt!

Here is a little tid bit of information I thought was interesting...

The History of Father’s Day

Every year certain holidays come around. Most of us know where the big ones came from such as Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc. But some of the less commercialized holidays have more humble beginnings. Father’s Day came about because of the efforts of a daughter who wanted to honor her dad.

Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington was inspired to create the holiday after hearing a sermon at church about the newly instituted Mother’s Day. Her father had raised his family alone after his wife died giving birth to his 6th child. In 1909 Sonora enlisted the help of the Spokane Ministerial Association and arranged for a celebration of fatherhood in her hometown. On June 19, 1910, young members of the YMCA went to church wearing roses: a red rose to honor a living father, and a white rose to honor a deceased one. Sonora rode through town in a horse-drawn carriage, carrying gifts to shut-in fathers.

It took several years to make the holiday official. While Mother’s Day was lauded with praise, Father’s Day was often met with laughter. After several attempts through Congress, it was President Lyndon Johnson who issued the first proclamation honoring fathers. And in 1972 President Richard Nixon signed a bill finally making Father’s Day an official holiday. Father’s Day is celebrated in 55 countries and in many different ways in those countries.

In the United States we honor our fathers on the third Sunday in June. But we should honor them everyday. The love and care of parents is special. And there is another father we should remember on this special day as well, our Heavenly Father. He is there to listen to our joys and our grief. He is infinitely patient with our mortal stumbles. He loves us with out qualification. So this year in addition to celebrating your earthly father, take a moment to honor your Heavenly Father and thank Him for all your blessings. Give Him the gift of recommitting yourself to doing all you can to come back to Him.

Thanks for being a great father to our children!  They love and adore you!  You are a great man!  We all love you.

Breakfast Parfaits

This summer, the kids and I have had fun making special little snacks and meals.  One morning for breakfast, we made parfaits with homemade granola, fresh strawberries and vanilla yogurt.  Wow, they were delicious and my tongue is starting to salivate right now just looking at the pictures!

Homemade Dresses

I have officially taken a leap into making the girls homemade dresses.  I have a friend who has been making them and she has inspired me, so here is my first attempt.  I must say, I was pretty pleased with how cute they turned out. 

Since, I don't have much experience sewing clothes, other than a little Dorothy dress I made for Chloe to wear Halloween 2005 (thanks Krystal for the help!) I wanted to start simple.  The pattern was extremely easy and seemed like I was quilting!  I love to quilt and I am pretty good at sewing quilt tops...although no where near perfect!  Since it was my first attempt, I didn't want to spend any money on fabric in case my sewing turned out pretty hideous, so I pulled out some old fabric, of course left over from quilting! 

Once the few pieces of fabric were put together, I purchased elastic for the bodice (I hope that's what it is called) and a big flower for the center front.  I spent a total of $5 for both dresses.  Oops...did I just admit that I was frugal?  Reflecting on my frugal post, I want to be frugal...I just don't want to "look" frugal!  Is there a difference?  I believe so!

Hollywood, here comes Josie!

Sweet Chloe put the dress on twice, but considering the fact she cried both times, I now understand she doesn't like the dresses because they look little girlish...and she is a little young lady!  Thank you Chloe for at least putting it on long enough for a picture. 

I guess this is a first and last time for the girls to wear matching dresses.