Encouraging Words...for us!!

Olivia was out with Daddy today! They had some errands to run, which included a trip to the Landscape Nursery. So...I guess while they were there, Olivia ran into another little boy and his dog (named Toby). Shawn told me the little boy was showing off a bit with his dog and trying to get her attention, but she kept rolling her eyes and pretended to be disinterested, while saying, "Ya, ya..I see you!" Anyway, when it was time to leave...Shawn said, "Okay Olivia...it's time to go! Say good-bye to Toby and and his friend!" Olivia looked at Shawn and again rolled her eyes and said, "Dad...I'm not really interested in a boy friend."

Phew! What a relief for us! Hopefully we can maintain that attitude for a few years!! LOL

Potty Training!!!

Potty training is NOT my forte! It's not that I can't do it...I just dread it ...and pretty much wait for signs that my kids are completely ready before I even try. Anyway...it's been getting down the crunch with Braden now...so it's been on my mind a lot lately. I've attempted a few times...but he just hasn't seemed to be ready, so I didn't push it. The odd morning he will wake up and tell me he has to go on the potty...but in all of our attempts...we've never had a success yet.

This morning...was another one of those mornings. I was sleeping downstairs in the spare bedroom since I was up coughing in the night and didn't want to disturb the rest of the family. I was also exhausted after a long, but good youth night last night. Anyway...as usual...my children came and found me around 8am and once again, I heard, "Mommy...I have to go on the potty!" I was so tired that I had no ambition to respond to yet another "false alarm"...so I didn't. But Braden persisted that he had to go and Olivia was more than willing to take him, so I sent the two of them upstairs for the "potty mission". After about 15minutes...they returned....with HUGE smiles on their faces, Braden with a naked bum and Olivia with a fresh diaper, wipes and powder in her hand. Apparently...this was not a false alarm...and both Shawn and I missed the main event!!! Olivia had taken on the mission and was back to give me all the details. With great excitement, they informed me that Braden pee-ed on the potty (well, a little on the floor), but that she cleaned it up!! So...although unplanned...today became the day for starting this whole journey of potty training with Braden.

I quickly ran out to the store for some motivational treats (which happen to be "hotwheels" cars...the only thing that seems to work for him...ha!). And...as of this moment....we've had about 4 successes and no accidents! So...big props to Olivia...she has accompanied Braden to the bathroom most of the time and is his biggest cheerleader!! Here I was....asking for other peoples' advice on the whole issue....all the while, the "potty nanny" was living right in my own home!! Too funny...I LOVE my kids!!!!

Tell'em What He's Won "Huggie"!!

Braden and Olivia were playing together so nicely today (which always brings a smile to my face). They were pretending that Braden was in a race and when he crossed the finish line...Olivia was congratulating him and then says in her "announcer-like" voice..."Tell them what he's won, Huggie!" Then in her other voice (I'm assuming this was Huggie speaking), she says, "Congratulations...you don't have to eat supper ever again! No parents, no pets, just treats!!"

First of all...this is funny to me because Olivia has obviously picked up on the fact that Braden is not a great "meal-eater". We are always on him about finishing his supper! Secondly...I think the second half of the "prize"...speaks more of her heart. Obviously we are a big obstacle to her desire for "treats" all the time!!

I learn so much about me and them...when I hear them playing together! Sometimes it's funny...and sometimes...it's rather scary!

(And apparently..."Huggie" is a character from the show "Wordgirl"....which I wasn't aware of)

Doesn't he look so familiar?

Olivia has been learning about the death and ressurection of Jesus in her class at church....and since it's been fresh in her mind, it has come up in a lot of conversations lately...as well as her artwork. She loves to draw pictures....and if I do say so myself...I think she is a pretty good artist when it comes to her freehand drawings (but, of course, I am biased)! Anyway...the other day, she was drawing a picture of the cross and then the tomb with Jesus all wrapped up inside. When she finished her picture, she held it up for me to see and said, "Look mom, doesn't he just look so familiar?"

The "Ruler" of the Church

Well...it's been a while since I've blogged anything on here, but let me assure you that it's not for lack of material...LOL! It seems that both Olivia and Braden are saying and doing things....daily....that make us laugh so hard, but sometimes....it's hard to know how to reproduce those situations in written form. Anyway....here's another one that I think is "reproducable".

Yesterday...the kids were playing air hockey in the foyer at our church, while I was having a worship practice with our band for the night. Our lead pastor (Jeff) and his wife and 2 boys showed up for a while and joined the kids in playing as well. I guess Jeff started setting some rules to keep the game running fairly for everyone, but Olivia was obviously not comfortable with someone else making up the rules. I wasn't there at that moment, but from the story that was related to me....I think it went something like this,

With a big frown on her face and hands on her hips....Olivia walked up to Pastor Jeff and said, "Hey, you can't make up the rules! The church makes the rules and I am the ruler of the church!!"

So...after hearing what happened....I brought up the situation once we got home that night. Here's how it went:

Me: So, Olivia....did you have fun with Micah & Ethan tonight? (Pastor Jeff's boys)
Olivia: Yeah
Me: Was Pastor Jeff not playing by the rules?
Olivia: Well, mom....God made ME the ruler of the church!
Me: How do you know that God made you the ruler?
Olivia: I don't really know....I just feel something inside. I can't see it or taste it, but I just feel something inside that shouldn't be there!

Well...I'm not sure where this "thinking" has come from....I certainly hope she hasn't picked up this whole idea from us!! Unfortunately....she just spoke truthfully about the view that a lot of church people hold subconciously.

Ahhh....lessons from a child.