Potty Training Blues

I have a couple of stories about Kennedy and potty training! :)

I can laugh now - now that she is accident free and doing AWESOME with no diapers! WHOO HOO!

1) The first story takes place at Dillons Grocery Store in KS. We were in a hurry, trying to get lunch meat for our sub sandwiches. I had a basket full of groceries when Kennedy told me she had to go potty! YAY! we dropped the groceries with mom, and ran for the bathroom! :) No accident! Back in the aisle, finishing up our shopping, I turned around to see Kennedy literally SQUATTING! WHAT? I dropped the groceries, scooped her up and took off running! The whole time I'm saying..."Hold it!", "No accidents!", and then "Squeeze your cheeks together!"....I looked at her face (stricken with fear as I'm running her and shouting orders), and both hands were up on her face squeezing as hard as she could! HAHAHA! Apparently I hadn't shared with her that her behind is also called "cheeks".... :)

2) The second story took place while my sister and I were getting pedicures. We decided to take Kennedy with us for a "girls trip". She got her fingernails painted purple and was having a great time. The manicurist was SO nice and told her that she could sit on my lap, take her shoes off, and stick her toes in the water. How FUN! :)

She was so excited. She took off her shoes and stuck her toes in. It wasn't 2 minutes later when I suddenly felt very warm all over. I looked down to discover that Kennedy had peed ALL OVER me! :) Fun times.

Thankful to report - Kennedy has been accident free since Tuesday! She's doing great!!! :)

Memories

One of my favorite memories of Christmas as a child was meeting up with our church and caroling around Haven. My favorite stop was the house of Mary Bridgeman who always made us popcorn balls. YUMM! I love this time of year...the carols, the smell in the air, the decorations in and out of stores.

We are working hard on starting Christmas traditions with Jaxen and Kennedy. Teaching them first that it's Jesus' Birthday...and because God gave His son Jesus as a gift for US on this day part of the celebration is that we give gifts to them! Kennedy TOTALLY gets it! We are having a party for Jesus complete with hats and cake! :) She might be a TAD bit confused when He doesn't "show up" in the flesh - but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

We're also teaching her about Santa...and what fun that can be....doing Gingerbread houses, looking at Christmas lights, opening Christmas Eve PJ's and leaving Reindeer dust on the sidewalk so that Santa doesn't miss our house! :)

Love my kids, love my family....

Random Ramblings mostly for Grandma! :)

1) Jaxen is walking everywhere...into everything...and thinks he gets to do whatever Kennedy does.  He has a lot to learn.  HA!

2) Sometimes I see my brother Wes in Jaxen.  It's weird...I don't know whether to hug him - or get a curling iron out.  (long story)

3) For my 30th birthday I received 3 little prickly hairs on my chinny chin chin...WHAT THE HECK?  

4) Kennedy held up my bra the other day and said "Mommy wearing boobies today?"...hmmm let me think on that one.

5) My job is going great.  I am learning to lead...it's hard.  It would be EASY if I didn't have people to deal with...oh wait....that's the point! :)

6) Last Sunday we had about 60 kids in Xpressway (Our children's program)....we were missing approx. 18 regulars.  YIKES!  YAAAAY!

7) Working out 6 days a week...feels like another PT job.  I got a trainer - and she likes to see me suffer.  

8) We leave for the beach in just over a week....I can't wait to get away and relax.  

9) God has given me 2 new friends who are AMAZING!!!  It's like He knew EXACTLY what I needed - and brought these 2 women to my life!  Love my "old" friends too!

10) Jaxen is obsessed with pulling Kennedy's hair.  

11) We are BLESSED with a WONDERFUL school for the kids to go to.  They LOVE it - and the teachers are awesome.  I'm excited to see what this year will bring.  They go 2 days a week.  If we stay here - our kids will probably continue their education there through high school.  

12) Not planning on staying here Grandma.  :)  Some exciting things in the works!!!

13) Headed to Vail, CO in 3 weeks with one of my best friends and my 2 sisters!!!!  Can't wait!

14) I no longer drink soda of any kind.  Diet or Regular.  Only Water and Green Tea.  mmm....I feel sooo much better!

15) Jon is and forever will be the love of my life.  He is an amazing creation and gift to me.  (You already know this...but it was worth saying again)  

Step by Step

Well - Jaxen has taken off.  I TOTALLY called it (that it would happen the week after we left Kansas) because that's how these things go! :)

He is toddling around the little play places and from room to room!  Lots of bumps and bruises with all the falls - but he is up to about 15 steps at a time.  Kennedy thinks it's hilarious! She is IN FOR IT when he starts running around.  :)

We are officially home from a great vacation and into our normal routine.  Didn't take too long! We had a great time being away.  It was exactly what we needed...minus the 21 hour drive each way! We are so grateful to everyone who took time out to come and see us - or hang out.  We know everyone is busy and that a lot of trips to Haven - and so forth were made.  THANK YOU for making our trip so WONDERFUL!  

Looking forward...

Next week we are heading to Kansas to see my family.  I can't tell you how excited I am to go home! :)  I always look forward to this time.  It gives me a calming sense of peace as I see the water tower and make the turn onto Haven/Buhler Road.  It's like suddenly - everything is "OK"....life is not hard anymore.  

It's always a hard time for Jon and I.  I go through this incredible roller coaster of emotions.  I always start dreaming of moving back and living near my family.  I start searching for IT jobs - and brainstorming how we can make it work...making contacts with several people who can "hook us up" with work.  Even though I know this is where God has us now - it is still so hard to live far away.  I dream of going on walks with my mom, shopping with my sister, coffee with my brother, and lunches with my grandparents.  I have 2 of the closest friends ever that still live there - and still to this day - no one can make me laugh like those 2! :)  

It has nothing to do with hating where we are at - we love it here....but it has everything to do with the overwhelming sense of sadness as we pull away, knowing we won't see them for many months.  I always tell myself not to cry...and then the lump comes.  It's so big I can't swallow - and tears pour like rain.  I'm already trying to prepare myself for this bitter sweet visit.  (I'm sure Jon is too!)  :)  

Can't wait to see you guys!  

Helping me mother

Kennedy is into helping with EVERYTHING.  She loves to tell Jaxen "no-no" - and to be a Good boy and OBEY...ha!  At least we are getting through to her right?!  

Well - I am constantly saying - "Let me be the mommy"....

so today - Jaxen was hitting his toy on the TV...and Kennedy said "HURRY MOM...Hit his hand!"...

HA!  Perhaps we need to have a clarification between hitting and spanking....  :)

"Ted"

Lately we've been praying that we would have eyes like Jesus. That we would be able to see people for WHO they are...not how they are dressed - or how they act - or what they do....but for the creatures that God created them to be. This has given us an ENTIRE new outlook on people...it's been an insane ride. 
It's so easy as humans to make friends that are so much LIKE us - everyone wants to be a part of the "in" crowd - and be invited to things - and feel accepted....but that doesn't always happen! The problem with this is that Jesus didn't model that for us in any way, shape or form. Instead of staying close to his disciples and being surrounded by them 24/7 - He would break away from them and go out to meet others. The disciples would have never reached out to the ones that Jesus did...and in fact questioned Him on several occasions! THIS is the model that we are supposed to follow! Christ didn't see these people as sinners - or poor - or the ones who weren't dressed properly...he didn't look to be friends with the guy who was the funny one - or the girl who had all the talent. Instead he found the individuals whom no one else would befriend - and loved on them. This is the mindset that Jon and I are TRYING to adopt. In and through that goal - we have been able to find friendships in the strangest places! People who we would have never dreamed we would befriend - or people that are easily over looked. In return - we've been sooo blessed by meeting some of the neatest people and developing relationships that are growing! 

Today - Jon came home from work and told me that he took time out today to talk to this guy at work. He's kind of the "dork" of the office - and whenever he talks - people usually snicker and roll their eyes. First of all - that breaks my heart in a million pieces. Jon asked him if he had kids today...and the guy proceeded to tell him that he had 2 boys about 16 months apart. Immediately Jon could relate to him b/c of how close in age our kids are. (You have no idea how many relationships this has helped us find common ground in) Jon was telling him that our kids are at the age where they are so needy and they've started "fighting" (which we won't allow) over toys and things. 
"Ted" told Jon that he didn't have to worry about fighting with his 2 kids. Jon was a little excited by this and was hoping the guy would say that "In a year - they'd be best friends". Instead this guy (who has been ignored by ALL in the office) proceeded to tell Jon that his son had almost drowned a year ago. He went on to say that his son was unable to take care of himself in any way. He's unable to even move his head or raise his eyebrow. This guy - (who has been ignored by ALL in the office) has been carrying around this heavy burden. It has just been a year ago that this happened. See - this guy just moved his family here from Oklahoma, has no friends, just started a new job, and leaves his wife every day with one special needs child and one "normal-functioning" child - to fight traffic and sit behind a desk...only to be laughed at and made fun of. Gosh - I don't know about you - but I can't stand the thought. My eyes fill up with tears and my heart breaks for this man. 
All it took was Jon taking his eyes off of himself and his problems - and his every day stress - and taking time to listen to this guy. Jon was able to stop what He was doing - stop trying to get ahead - and just STOP and listen. He was able to share some scripture with him - and did so without being apologetic. "Ted" was completely moved by these actions...and perhaps - if only for today - he can go home FULL...and be able to serve his wife and kids - even if only for today. 
I hope that we ALL take these precious opportunities....I hope that God puts people in your path that you can just stop and listen too....that you can take time to get to know....that you can GET OUT of your comfort zone and be a little uncomfortable with! It makes me shudder to think about how many opportunities I've missed out on...just because I was too busy and too selfish to notice.