Potty Training - the third time

I know that Owen is now 3 (has been since October) and that I should probably get on this whole potty training thing but I just don't want to. (say that with a big whine & you've got how I'm saying it LOL).

Morgan was a dream to potty train. It took her 3-7 days and she was done, day & night. She had just turned 2 years old and it was GREAT.

Drew, well, he has been another story. He was SO hard to potty train and it was such a huge ordeal for all of us. He was about 5-6 months past his 3rd birthday. We had been trying for a while before that but he just didn't care. Add to it that he used to hold his poop for 2-3 days and we had some issues. It wasn't an easy process, still isn't at times and he is now 5 years old.

So, I think I'm still wary after potty training Drew and I honestly just don't want to go there with Owen yet. I keep getting "the look" from people when I drop Owen off and tell them that he's not potty trained. You know "the look"??? The one that says, "I can't believe you haven't potty trained your THREE YEAR OLD, what kind of mom are you??"

Well, I'll answer that.

I am a mom who is still traumatized over potty training her 2nd child and, honestly, if Owen is still in diapers when he goes to Kindergarten, I'll HOMESCHOOL.

Together we can make it

In my early years as a believer I heard people equate Christians and their walk with the Lord, most importantly their prayer life & time spent in the Word, as the gas that makes them go. When the tank is empty, well, the car stops.

If I were to be honest, my tank has been on empty for quite a while now, stalled out in the biggest, darkest, most frustrating valleys I've ever been in. How'd this all come about? A big, huge part of it is my laziness to contribute anything to my relationship with my Savior. It is, after all, an actual relationship and those don't work when it's one sided. I got so busy doing that I forgot to stop and refill. I got by for a while and then Christmas came and honestly, I just hit the wall. I was done, couldn't do it anymore. Then came the apathy and feeling downright depressed. Shoot, I even went and got put on meds for that. Not sure I actually need them as much as I need to get it right with God.

Tonight, in the midst of my huge frustration I reluctantly picked up a devotional book called "Jesus Calling." and read today's entry. Read along:

I am leading you along the high road, but there are descents as well as ascents. In the distance you see snow-covered peaks glistening in brilliant sunlight. Your longing to reach those peaks is good, but you must not take shortcuts. Your assignment is to follow Me, allowing Me to direct your path. Let the heights beckon you onward, but stay close to me.

Learn to trust Me when things go "wrong." Disruptions to your routine highlihgt your dependence on Me. Trusting acceptance of trials brings blessings that far outweight them ll I have lovingly planned every inch of the way. Trust does not falter when the path becomes rocky and step. breathe deep draughts of My Presence, and hold tightly to My hand. Together we can make it!


That was JUST what I needed to read today, especially the last line.

Girl Scout Cookie Time!

This year Morgan decided to join the Girl Scouts and is loving it! She gets to be in the same troop as a new friend she's made from her class & school, Blair. Well, being apart of Girl Scouts also mean that she will be selling GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!! Yumm-o!

We are taking pre-orders right now thru January 25th. They will be available after that time at booths and thru each troop but you will definitely want to get your order in early.

Here's the selection that they have this year (you'll recognize most):

Thin Mints (A thin wafer covered with a smooth chocolaty coating. Made with natural peppermint).

Tagalongs (Tasty cookies topped with creamy peanut butter and covered with a chocolate coating)

Samoas (Tender vanilla cookies, covered with caramel, rolled in toasted coconut and striped with a rich, chocolaty coating)

Do-Si-Dos (Crisp and crunchy oatmeal cookies with creamy peanut butter filling.)

Trefoils (Delicate-tasting shortbread that is simple and satisfying)

Sugar Free Chocolate Chips (A classic favorite with real chocolate chips - no sugar free!)

NEW! Lemon Chalet Cremes (Uniquely designed to feature Our Chalet, this delicious vanilla sandwich has a hing of cinnamon-ginger spice and a refreshing zesty lemon creme filling)

NEW! Dulce De Leche (Inspired by the classic confections of Latin America, these sweet, indulgent cookies are rich with milk caramel chips and stripes)


Cookies are $3.50 per box and you will need to pay in advance. Our troop isn't taking checks but if you are a friend or family member, you can make the check out to me and I will write one check to the troop. Let us know if you're interested!!

Cookies can be pre-ordered thru Jan. 25th and we'll start delivering them around Feb. 4th.

Happy 5th Birthday Drew!!!

Well, today my first born son (second born child) turned FIVE YEARS OLD! It does not even seem possible that five years have gone by. We moved to TN when he was 2.5 months shy of his 3rd birthday (it doesn't seem possible that we've been here that long).

We try to celebrate his birthday earlier in the month because of the holidays so Drew's party was last weekend. We had fun today though with more presents to open (thank you Mom-Mom & Uncle Scott/Aunt Heather!).

You can click HERE to read Drew's birth story that I posted last year.

Tardy

Morgan was late to school today - again. It's not her fault really, she relies on Eric & I to wake her up on time and get her ready. You'd think that after 1.5 years of having to have our daughter to school no later than 7:30, that we'd have it down. Well, we don't, at least not this past month.

Eric NEVER hears his alarm. It can go off ALL DAY, right by his ear and the guy won't hear it. He has the ability to sleep like no one else I've seen. It is a good thing most of the time but it frustrates the heck out of me in the morning. You see, regardless of when he sets his alarm, he won't ever get up before 7-7:30 unless I push him out of bed. When his alarm goes off (it's usually set 30-60 minutes PRIOR to when he actually has to get out of bed grrrrr), I hear it, hit Eric (a couple of times), and he pushes snooze. Five minutes later we repeat the process unless he actually turns it off. The only exception to this is when he has an early meeting and then, amazingly, he hears his alarm the first time it goes off and *gasp* gets up by himself.

The problem occurs when he turns it off after I hit him and I go back to sleep, like today. I have a to-do list a mile long and ended up staying up rather late after I got done working last night. I was tired and well, I didn't wake up when his alarm went off, I woke up at 7:16 am.

There was NO WAY we were going to get Morgan to school on time. We both jumped out of bed, he ran for the shower, I ran to get Morgan up. She was already up and looking for PJ's to wear to school as it's PJ day in her class. We brushed her hair really quick, I got dressed & somewhat ready, we ran downstairs grabbed a pop-tart, made a quick lunch (Cheerios in a bowl, I had nothing else super quick), and out the door we went.

We got to school at 7:33 - THREE MINUTES LATE!!!!! Late is late and so she has another tardy.

I think we're buying Morgan an alarm clock so she can wake us up!

And, if Morgan has detention or something for being tardy so often, one of her parents will be sitting in it as it's our fault, no hers.

The week "IT WASN'T ME" came to stay at our house

Last week Eric's brother brought his family to visit for Thanksgiving. The kids were so excited about it as that meant 5 days of playing with their cousins (Brittany, Bethany & Brett). Brett and Drew are about 5 months apart in age and CRAZY when they are together. Add Owen as a tag-along, and well, it made for some fun times. Over & over when questioned about what was going on or who did something we heard, "it wasn't me". I started thinking there was another little guy in our house with that name that we just hadn't met yet.

On Saturday night my sister-in-law, April, and I asked Drew & Brett to go upstairs and get changed into their PJ's and Owen to bring me his PJ's. Well, they didn't come down right away and we thought that they were playing nicely. A short time later April went upstairs and imagine her surprise when she sees all three boys, naked as the day they were born, come out of the boys' room with a test tube in their hand full of yellow liquid. Yes, I did say YELLOW LIQUID.

First thought - they got naked and pee'd in a test tube.

A little explanation on the test tube. Earlier in the day Eric had bought a Jr. Science Kit for Drew's birthday and put it under our bed. Drew likes magic & experiments so he thought this would be perfect.

Apparently "It Wasn't Me" found the box under the bed, pulled the tape back, opened the box, got out the test tube and opened a container of vegetable oil. Yes, the yellow liquid wasn't urine, it was vegetable oil and thankfully they didn't spill it anywhere.

Three spankings later (one for each kid) the kiddos learned the finer points of why we do not open boxes that aren't theirs, a message I am sure they relayed immediately to "It Wasn't Me".

So I'm a little behind...

Okay, so I've been tagged twice and it's been about 2 weeks since I've posted, you think I'm a bit behind????

In the meantime, I'm going through photos to get some printed for a project I'm doing and I came across this pic of my parents from an ice cream place called The Purple Cow in PA. I just couldn't help but share it!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!

Morgan's 7th Birthday

Morgan had her 7th birthday party last Friday night and it was fun. She had 5 friends over for a Spa Sleepover - Blair, Sarah, Bailey, Mary and Judith. What a crew.

After opening presents, Eric took the boys out to a movie so the girls could have a little "girl time." We had set up 3 stations - fabulous fingernails, princess pedicures and fantastic facials (I think).

My friend Shea and her son, Dillon, handled the facial station. We called Dillon "Larry" because he was in charge of putting the cucumbers on the girl's eyes (get it - Larry the Cucumber - Veggie Tales???). Hindsight being what it is, I should have gotten a different facial mask as this one was clear and hard to get off but it was still fun. What was hilarious is that we were telling the girls that the facial masks were making them look younger and several ran to the mirror and insisted that they now looked like they were 4 years old! TOO FUNNY.

Two of my girls from our Wed. night 10th grade small group stayed the night and helped with the Fabulous Fingernails section. Kaitlin gave the girls hand massages and Lindsey painted their fingernails. THANKS girls for your help - you rock!

I handled the pedicure station. We had gotten a foot spa that had warm water w/bubbles for them to soak their feet in first as there was NO WAY I was going to be touching dirty, smelling toes!! ;) We then painted their toenails.

Later in the evening the girls made their own lip balm which they LOVED. Thanks Jennifer for he idea, I stole it from what you did from Jordan's party. :)

We had cake a little bit late as I wanted Eric & Drew to be there and my good friend, and Morgan's small group leader, Suzanne, came to enjoy it with us.

After cake the girls went upstairs to watch Kit Kittredge - An American Girl. About 11:40 pm all the girls fell asleep. They woke up again about 7 am and enjoyed the chocolate chip pancakes that Eric made for them.

It was a FUN night!

Why Barack Obama?

Before I get to what I want to talk about, please know that while I did not vote for Obama, the purpose of this post is not a pity party, dread the next 4 years rant. Am I disappointed with the results? Sure, lots of people are but that's okay. The beauty of the American system is that the people, all the people, get a chance to make their voice heard and elect the person they want to represent them. Someone is not going to be happy in that as there will be a winner and there will be losers, it's the way it is. I am glad that we have the freedom to choose our leaders, it's part of what makes the US great.

That said, I have had one main frustration over the past several weeks. When I've asked (or seen others ask) someone why they are voting for Obama I consistently have gotten (or heard) the following responses:

1. Race
2. He's an eloquent speaker.
3. He appears very presidential (seriously - this was a reason)
4. He's very charismatic

Did we really elect a president because he could speak well and looks like a President? I'm hoping not.

So.... Obama supporters, I seriously want to know why you voted for him. What were the issues that you supported him on? Why did you think he would make a good president beyond the responses above?

I'm not asking to give you a hard time nor do I want anyone who did not vote for Obama to reply as this is not a debate. I sincerely want to know what it was that made you vote for him.

Community Bible Study - YOU SHOULD JOIN!

I wanted to let you know about a FANTASTIC opportunity to study God's word and fellowship with a group of fabulous ladies starting January 13th.

I'm not sure if you're aware of a national ministry called Community Bible Study . It is a wonderful organization that helps facilitate weekly bible studies for adults and children around the nation. There is a group of dedicated women who are in the process of getting one started in the Smyrna/LaVergne area. They have met this past summer and again this fall as they studied Nehemiah. The group hopes to be an official CBS group after they attend training this spring but they will be modeling their meetings after CBS and using their materials until they are official.

I joined this group in September and have really, really enjoyed it. I found it refreshing to meet with ladies from all walks of life and study the Word together. Their children's area is much more than just babysitting, the kids go through their own lessons that follow along with what we are study in the adult section. You start your time out in small groups to review your homework from the week and discuss the lesson and then we move to a large group for a short study time together.

The Smyrna/LaVergne CBS will be on Tuesdays at 9:30 - 11 am. The cost is $15 for the semester and $10 for childcare for the semester. They meet at Miracle Baptist in LaVergne (just into LaVergne off of M'boro Road).

I am sending this out well in advance because they are trying to have people sign up early so they know how much materials they need, how many leaders they need and how to prepare for the children's program.

Please let me know if you'd like an application.

Thanks for considering this awesome opportunity.

Well there's some food for thought...

Saw these quote on facebook from a relative of Eric's and thought I'd pass them along:

The Guvanator: McCain served longer in a prison camp than Obama has served in the Senate. Vote McCain!

Thomas Jefferson: "Most bad government has grown out of too much government."

Thomas Jefferson: "I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive."

Thomas Jefferson: "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

With the election just days away...

I don't know about you but I am MORE than ready for this election to be over. I am tired of the emails, news stories, and media crap about all of it - let's just get on with it!

I remember the first election that I got to vote in - I was in college and it was Bush v. Clinton, Clinton won. I went to a small Christian college and all the talk was how Clinton just had to be the anti-Christ and there was wailing at the thought of him making it into office. People were so dramatic over it and I just thought it was silly. That's not to say I was happy that Clinton won, I wasn't, I am a Republican and have yet to meet a Democratic candidate that I'd be willing to vote for, this year included.

Yesterday I got another email, this time saying that Barak was the anti-Christ and trying to scare all that read it. I was reminded of a GREAT post that my friend made a while back regarding the election. I've thought of it several times as I've reflected on the thought that the candidate I don't want to win might actually get elected.

Here it is (hope it's okay if I post this Todd!):

I'm a member of the Republican Party, but I'm not hugely sold on John McCain. And the longer I live and the more I fellowship with persecuted Christians the less I expect our government to "fix" my problems or reflect my beliefs. There are Christians who seem to believe that if the "wrong" candidate wins the election God will be kept from working in our nation for the next four years. My brothers in China and Egypt and other nations have a hard time imagining that belief: their governments are opposed—even violently opposed—to God's work, but He keeps on working. In fact, His family in those nations is growing FASTER than it is here, with our religious freedom and our Christian president.

3 year old + Xyron = 10 feet of craziness

Only a scrapbooker can truly understand my "joy" at finding my 3 year old putting paper into my Xyron 510 sticker maker and using up at least 10 feet of the 18 feet that the cartridge came with.

Serenity now!

My baby girl is SEVEN today!

Today is Morgan's 7th birthday. It is sort of surreal to even type that - where did my baby girl go?? Now she's a fun-loving 1st grader who loves hanging out with her friends and playing with her American Girl doll. She is in Brownies and enjoys going to church. I love seeing her grow up.

Last year I posted her birth story, you can check it out HERE (click "HERE" for link) if you want to.

I love you Morgan!!! Happy 7th Birthday.

My little ladies man

My second born, Drew, is quite enamoured by the ladies it seems. There have been several young (and older) ladies that have drawn his attention in the past several months, and this at the ripe old age of 4.5 years old! We are in SOOOO much trouble!!!

Aside from his Momma, of course, the first young lady that Drew thought was pretty was a girl named Emma who helped out during his VBS this summer, I believe she's in 9th grade now. He came home and gave me a sweet smile, blushed, and acted a little shy when he told me that he thought Emma was pretty and he liked her. I mentioned to her that Drew had a little crush on her (not in front of him, of course, he would have been mortified, he was embarrassed when I mentioned it to his father) and she thought it was cute.

This morning Drew informs me that he's going to marry Madalyn (don't worry Rachel, it's not his cousin Madalyn LOL!). He tells me that she is in his class. When I asked her why he was going to marry her, he got really shy and then told me that he thought she was pretty and that she wasn't a family member, we had a talk a while back about how you don't really marry anyone in your family. He gave me another one of those embarrassed, shy smiles and started laughing (I'd say giggling but isn't that a term to use for girls laughter?). When I picked him up from school today I asked him who Madalyn was and he pointed her out, giving me another shy smile. His teacher noticed and realized immediately why, I'm guessing because she's noticed his crush too.

Tonight he tells me that now he has 2 girlfriends - Madalyn and my neighbors daughter, Maya. Maya is only ONE YEAR OLD!

It seems that my little Drew, with the big brown eyes and handsome smile, is going to be quite the ladies man. I don't remember even noticing the opposite sex in this way until I was much older.

I better always be his best girl!

Great Aunt Cara Lee

Today (Tuesday), the Mueller family said an unexpected good-bye to a strong, faithful, beautiful woman of God. Eric's Great Aunt CaraLee passed away this afternoon leaving behind a husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a huge extended family that loved her so much.

I first met CaraLee about 12 years ago when I came to work for Bartlesville Wesleyan College, now Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She was very active in the church and part of a HUGE family - the Mueller clan. Little did I know that at some point in the near future I was going to be a part of that same family.

During Eric's first year in Bartlesville, he lived with his Aunt CaraLee and Uncle Duane. They were instrumental in his life during a big turning point for him.

During our wedding CaraLee & her sister-in-law, Charlotte, helped prepare our rehearsal dinner, putting together a wonderful meal that all those in town to celebrate with us could attend. I have many pictures of them working so hard to make that night special for us.

Over the years we have been blessed to spend time with Duane and CaraLee. I remember the times that they helped by providing a place to stay, helping us with house purchases (Duane is a builder), and giving lots of Godly advice. I enjoyed hanging out at CaraLee's house, watching her quilt, as we talked.

Duane & CaraLee have been incredible witnesses for the cause of Christ, not only in our lives, but in the lives of countless others. CaraLee was steadfast in her pursuit of Christ and eager to share His love with words and through practical service. I can and have learned much through her example.

She will be missed greatly.

Owen is THREE!

My baby turned THREE today!!! I am not sure where 3 years has gone. We are visiting my family this week and it was special to get to celebrate Owen's birthday, on his actual birthday, with my family. Here's one picture from the day.




Also, last year I posted Owen's Birth Story - you can check it out HERE if you want to read it.

$12,000 in 48 hours...

I know that many of you know Alison & Brad Bynum and their adorable daughter, Norah. God has really blessed them with that little girl and they are preparing to welcome her brother or sister to their family.

They are trusting God to help them raise the $12,000 they need in about 48 hours to aid in the adoption of this new baby.

CAN YOU HELP??????

Please consider it - check out Alison's blog at www.ADOPTIONPHOTOBLOG.com

Pray, pray, pray for this family!

Pray for a new friend

Okay, I wouldn't normally share this particular information on my blog but it is in the context of how I met my new friend today who needs your prayers.

So - today was my "big" day. Thanks to good genes (I love you Mom & Nan-Nan), I have been blessed with some issues of the female variety that have caused me some real problems this past year. After 2 ultrasounds, my Dr wanted me to get a mammogram at Baptist Hospital that would check out one particular area of concern and give the dr. a baseline mammogram to use for the future. I can't say that I was terribly excited about going but it had to be done. I got to the Breast Center at Baptist and was shocked to see a waiting room of over 30 people at 8:30 am. I finally get brought back only to be in another waiting room with another group of women.

Now, I was already nervous and hearing these ladies talk about their experiences with breast cancer wasn't making my anxiety any less. A few of them got called back and it was just me & a few others. One lady in particular looked very anxious and close to tears. She then started crying as she told us that she had just gotten diagnosed with breast cancer and that today was the day of her surgery. She was overwelmed, scared, and very upset.

I was thankful that God gave me a peace at that moment and I was able to talk to Cathy a little longer. Before she went back we were able to pray together for her surgery.

I have been so focused on my own issues lately that I haven't really stopped to think that there are others, often times right around us, that need a hug from Jesus too. I'm glad that He reminded me of that today.

So - please pray for Cathy from Sparta. Pray that the dr. (also my dr) got all the cancer out today and that it hasn't spread. Pray also that she is encouraged and that God gives her peace.

THANKS!!!

PS - after 4 hours & 4 extra pictures just to make sure I was clear (can you say OUCH!), I was given the "all clear"!! What a relief. God is good.

Check it out!

You may have seen my previous post showing you how I enhanced my guest bathroom using Uppercase Living products and I am so excited about my latest project that I have to post it.

SEE:::::::::



It was SUPER easy. I just bought a canvas, painted it, put the monogram on (one solid piece, easy!) and then attached the ribbon. That's it! It looks wonderful on the wall in my dining room.

I'm finally having my Uppercase Living party on Tuesday, Sept. 30th (the previous one was cancelled b/c of kidney stone surgery). If you are interested in coming, please let me know!