A Step in the Right Direction?

Well, we are still living in Potty Training Land. This is not a land I like or want to be in. However, I guess since I am a mother, I have to visit. Like I have mentioned before, I didn't think we had tickets to visit this land until early this coming Summer. My little man changed that, and here we are.

In addition to the steep learning curve I have been forced to climb (what with all the new equipment and such), we have now entered into yet another messy situation. My little man has figured out how to take off all clothing and diapers and sit himself on the potty.

Some might say that this is a step in the right direction. I would say, it is a step into a big mess. That is what happens when a little boy, who doesn't know how to tuck important parts, decides he is going to do this potty thing all by himself.

When he told me excitedly yesterday that he had used the potty, I was surprised. I had no idea that he had even gone into the bathroom, let alone used the potty. When I looked into the potty chair and only saw about 5 drops, my eyes went immediately to the floor. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), I had almost made a step in the wrong direction.

He did earn a jelly bean, but we (Scott and I) had to have a little talk with him about using the potty alone. It just shouldn't happen. This was tough, we were proud of the little man, but totally horrified at the idea of what lie ahead.

I am having nightmares now of my once nice, clean, fresh bathrooms becoming...well...not nice, fresh, or clean. Worse yet, not knowing if my bathroom is nice, fresh, and clean and sending someone (or myself) unsuspectingly into a war zone. I have a feeling there may be a bunch of wet socks in our house for a while.

Would it be weird if I just kept him in diapers for a few more years?

Good Run...Good Song

I like to take advantage of my running time. I love to blast my iPod with worship music and praise my Father. There are all kinds of things I like to praise Him for. His character, answered prayer, stuff I am going through...all kinds of things. Praise. That's it, just praise. It makes me happy, and full of joy to think about all of the things God is and isn't and what He can do. On most days, it's also a really good attitude adjustment. There really is nothing better than taking the focus off of myself and praising my Father.

Two Sunday's ago, we started a new series at church called Why. Through out the series we looking at different Christian practices and asking the question, Why? Why do we do the things we do as Christians? The first lesson was on prayer. Our pastor introduced something new to me. Something I had never considered. Ask God to tell you how much He loves you, and then sit and wait quietly.

Of course the Bible tells me that I am His beloved child, but I have never thought to ask Him to tell me exactly how He felt. I guess, even though it goes against what I have learned, I was kind of scared. What if it wasn't all I had hoped for?

Well, last week, I tried it during a run. I waited...and got side tracked. Tried again...and got side tracked. I went back to praising. I really wanted to stay focused. Today, I tried it again, but instead of getting side tracked, I went on to praise Him for loving me despite all I do, think, and feel.

Then, with my iPod set on shuffle, it came on. "I've Always Loved You" by Third Day. In case you are unfamiliar, here are the lyrics (emphasis mine):

I don't know how to explain it
But I know that words will hardly do
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for me to prove to you

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will

Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything
And that's what I'm gonna do for you

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will

I had to hit repeat just to let it sink in. Amazing. Each song there after, had reminders through out about how much the God of the universe loves me. I can't wrap my brain around it sometimes.

He feels the same way about you!

This was an attitude adjustment, alright! Just what I needed.

Saddle Up Cow Folks!

Today the fam put on their chaps and boots and moseyed on over the National Western Stock Show. Rest assured, Scott and I dressed in our normal gear, but the kids did dress the part, and they were cute as can be!

We did not see a rodeo, but we did get to see plenty of cows, horses, sheep, goats, roosters, chickens, llama's, and a whole bunch of other types of animals. The kids really had a fun time, as did we, watching them learn and discover new things. Here are some of my favorite moments as well as some pictures:

1. When we first walked into the building, my very olfactory sensitive child, noticed the smell. We weren't even with any animals yet, but she was already bothered by the smell. We were in for a LONG day. She was shocked when I told her that the smell she was smelling, right at that moment, was actually fresh air compared to what we were going to be getting into. She looked at me with a slack jaw and wide eyes.

2. When we went to use the bathroom, the same child announced to all who were using the restroom/washing hands/waiting in line, that this bathroom smelled worse than the cows. Pride...that's what I was feeling...

3. Paxton in his cowboy hat. It was the cutest thing I have seen in a while. I wished he had boots to go along with his get up. He never let go of his hat while it was on his head. I had to pry his little hands off of it when we were putting him in his car seat and while we took his coat on and off.

4. While looking at the cows, one of the cows standing VERY close to us (not even behind a fence) decided it was time to relieve herself. I am not sure what was more funny, Scott jumping like he was scared for his life, or Delanie standing, slack jawed, again, and with wide eyes. Then announcing to all that would hear, "WOW! I have never seen a cow poop before!" That's a lotta poop!"

5. Once we cleared out of that area, we entered an area with sheep. Some were sheared right there on tables in front of us. Delanie again, wide eyed, exclaims "Mommy, I know that that sheep is a boy!"

All very proud moments. I had no idea we were going to get such an education today.

Here are the pics:

Delanie and Pax riding a very large rocking horse:

The kids at the petting zoo feeding some animals:

Delanie's favorite animal of the day:

Checking in on the calves:

My Little Cowboy:

Cowgirl extraordinaire:

Getting Someone's Attention

It's no secret that when Scott and I were coming up with names before our children were born, we often would say the first, middle, and last name along with some sort of demanding/punishing like voice. For example: "Delanie Lynn Wright, you come over here right this instant." Then we would sit back and try to decide whether or not it sounded OK.

We had high hopes for our unborn children.

It is also no secret that we actually do, in fact, use all three names when want the kids to know that we mean business. There is something about hearing your full name, and not a nickname, that says, "Something serious is about to happen". Apparently, we use this tactic A LOT.

Today, I came home from Delanie's conference at school to find her downstairs playing alone. Scott and Pax were in the shower. Scott had apparently forgotten to bring the towels over by the shower, and they were now "stuck" in the shower with no way of escaping without freezing to death and dripping water all over the bedroom/bathroom while trying to obtain the towels. So, there they were taking an extended shower, while Scott was desperately trying to get Delanie's attention as she played Barbie's downstairs in the toy room.

As I walk in the door:
Scott: DELANIE....
nothing
Scott: DEEELLLLAAANNNIEEEE come up stairs, honey
me: Delanie, is Daddy calling you?
Delanie: (pausing what she is doing to see if she can hear her dad) OH Ya! My Daddy needs me!

Delanie and I run up the stairs in time to see Pax and Scott running for the towels.

Pax: (with is hands on his hips and a slight scowl on his face) DELANIE SCOTT WRIGHT! I trying to call you! You listen me next time!

I can assure you we did not settle on Scott as her middle name. Someone else in our family might or might not have his father's name as his middle name though. A someone who may or may not have been hearing his full name quite a few times this past week.

Help Me!

Seriously, I think I need a class. A class that will help me contain the mess, and will help me prevent future messes. I am having serious problems with the potty chair and Pax's wild pee. It's everywhere, people. And I am not OK with this. I may have to cancel potty training.

In my defense, this is my first experience with this type of thing. I have no brothers, and I wasn't around when my sister potty trained her boy. My Aunt's son pretty much potty trained himself, so no schooling happened there either. Yes, I am getting pointers from Scott, but they are not working.

We sit on the potty chair, which has a splash guard in place, tuck all important parts, and then....we get messy. Even if it isn't coming up over the top of the splash guard, somehow, it is still not making it into the bowl, and is collecting on the floor under the potty chair.

I told Scott tonight that I thought we should just get rid of the chair and let Pax just go in the same spot on the floor. At least I would expect that I would have a mess to clean up, unlike actually sitting on a chair that is supposed to keep that kind of stuff off of the floor.

I think I whole-heartedly agree with Laney when she said that she was so glad she didn't have to worry about tucking or aiming anything. You see, hers is so short it just fits right into the potty....I never thought of it that way.

Tomorrow, I am skipping the potty chair and trying for the "big people potty", as the little people in our home like to call it. Oh yea, and I might be installing a paper towel dispenser upstairs next to the toilet paper.

Sleep

This post will be all about my little man. We share a common gene, he and I. We both LOVE to sleep and love anything sleep related (see my post about new sheets).

I love that about him.

I love (even though it can be a pain) that he never wants to get out of his jammies. He asks every morning when I am changing his diaper, "Maybe I could keep my jammies on, Momma?" Many times after we come home from running about, he will ask if he can put them back on again. It makes me happy to see him love his jammies and love being cozy and comfy.

He loves to play "Go to sleep"...could there be a better game? I think not. He is always grabbing blankets and pillows and snuggling in. Then he closes his eyes and belts out a fake snore for all to hear. Of course he has to wake up, but he goes right back to sleep again...over and over.

At nap and night time, you know when it's actually time to go to sleep for real, he gets so excited to see his baboo (his beloved blankie), and his Elmo doll. He actually squeals when he first gets in bed and snuggles them close. Then he settles down and spreads out and asks to be tucked just right. Then he will exclaim, "Aaaahhhh, that's parfect", and it's off to snooze land.

His latest bed game happens first thing in the morning. When you go in to get him, (at 8:30...my kind of boy, I tell you) if he is actually awake already, (I'm telling you...this kid can put away the hours in the land of nod) he will quickly hide under his blanket and then giggle wildly. If you play along with him, the laughing will only get more hysterical. Until, finally he pops out from under the covers, grinning from ear to ear, and trying to convince you he's really there, he isn't lost. It takes all I have not to jump into the crib with him and join him for a game of hide the mommy, and then a little snuggle time.

Of course there is a weight limit on the crib, that I most definitely exceed, and it would be kind of uncomfortable with both of us in the crib. I mean, someone is liable to get hurt, and then all the cozy feelings would surley go away.

Maybe when he has a big boy bed?

Praise

For those that didn't already know from either my whining, my incessant phone calls out of boredom, or my begging pleas for dinner dates, Scott was out of town for the past seven days. I am so thankful he is back, and this isn't our normal routine.

We always seem to make it through the week, and we usually have a good time. We get to eat all the food Scott doesn't like, go to places he would rather pass on, and have our own agendas (OK, we get to live by MY agenda). It did occur to me while I was running today, that these times, when we are on our own, don't just run smoothly because of anything that I have done. I have a Father, that is watching over us, who is providing all perfect and good things.

Not only does He provide safety for Scott while away, and good health to everyone, but He also provides me with a level of patience and gentleness that I don't normally have. He gives me grace for the times I fall short. He is my shelter and strong tower. My rock. He meets me right where I am, and takes care of all my needs.

Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
Psalm 113:5-6

I am so thankful.