Piston Cups

We have been working on potty training the last few days a bit more seriously. Logan is wearing pull-ups, and I have been setting the timer for every 30 minutes. If he goes potty without having gotten "Lightning McQueen" wet, he gets a piece of candy. He has been really really good about going each time, and not throwing a fit about it. When the timer goes off, I tell him it's time to go potty, and we go. I have to pull his pants down for him because for some reason he becomes Mr. Can't Do It Himself when we get in the bathroom. Anyway...tonight at the dinner table I said something about going potty (I know...nice dinner conversation) and he got really excited all of a sudden. He climbed down from his chair and went to the bathroom, shut the door and locked it, and told me to go away. I stood outside the door to listen. I heard him working on taking his pants and pull-up off, and then the next thing I heard was him going potty, then the toilet flushed and out he came! I was so proud of him, I was laughing and cheering and clapping and so was Tony. It made him so excited that he started jumping up and down and then proceeded to start running laps around the house (all this with no pants on since he hasn't learned how to put them back on). One big success on the long journey ahead, but so far I am proud of my little buddy. I can't believe how big he is getting. It's so fun to see the person he is becoming. Now if anyone has any tips or tricks for getting him to go #2 in the potty, send them my way!

A funny thing.... The pull-ups have Lightning McQueen on them. There are little piston cups that disappear when they get wet. At first I was calling them trophy's, and telling Logan not to get the trophy's wet. Then I remembered they were called Piston Cups, so I said "Don't go pee pee on the piston cups" and for some reason had to laugh. I wonder if the people who designed these pull-ups were thinking they were so funny making the piston cups the things that indicate if they had been pee'd on. Since I mentioned them, now Logan is always asking about the piston cups. It is funny.

So, I learned another piece of the missing cozy coupe puzzle. I talked to my neighbor and she said that she saw it in the next cul-de-sac over. When she realized it was the same car, she loaded it up in her car and brought it back for Logan. So that's how it returned, but still no clue how it got to the next street.

Now I have to throw in a blurb about Avery. It looks like she is trying to roll over. I just sat by her on the floor and watched her trying to roll over so she could see herself better in the mirror on her playmat. DoI have a little narcissist in my future? She has also become very fascinated to her hands. She will just lay there and stare at her hand, and move her fingers, and turn it around and around. It is so cute to watch her. She is 12 weeks old today! How the time flies!

Things I Love

This might be an ongoing post, because I am sure I will be continually thinking of things to add.

Today was a rainy day. Lately I have been paranoid and frightened of stormy days because of the possibility of tornados. Today I actually enjoyed it. I used to love thunder storms and rainy days, so it was nice to feel that sense of enjoyment today. I did have some friends and their kids over today, so perhaps I enjoyed it more because of the company and the socialization. After having a house full of kids (8 of them) and friends for about 5 hours, the three of us had some peace and quiet. It was 3 p.m. by this point and I didn't want to bother with putting Logan down for a nap, so I just let him sit on the couch to watch tv. After I fed Avery, I layed her down on her playmat on the floor and I was doing some other things. I had given Logan a blanket, and a little while later, I looked over and he was sound asleep. Avery was just content on the floor, and pretty soon, I noticed she had fallen asleep. So, I sat here in my living room watching my two kids sleeping peacefully while the rain was falling outside. For some reason it was the most wonderful moment, and I wished I could have bottled it up! My heart was so full of joy and love and gratitude. It made me feel very content and happy. I love my children so much! They are so sweet.

After Tony got home, I went to get the mail. My mailbox is halfway up the street, so it isn't just a quick trip to the curb to the mailbox. It was raining lightly at this point, and I just felt such happiness and peace breathing in the fresh air, and feeling the raindrops as I walked. If I would have been dressed a bit better, I might have kept walking, it was so pleasant. When I got back to my driveway, I had a sudden urge to go splashing in the puddles. Of course, I felt a bit silly, seeing that I will be 30 in a week, so I just slipped my flipflop off and stuck my foot in the water. It was cold, but it felt good. It made me happy.

I was watching American Idol tonight, and listening to all the performances and realizing (I really already knew this) that music makes me happy. I love it! I listened to Carrie Underwood sing "I'll Stand By You", and Josh Groban sing "You Raise me Up" and I felt so happy! I love how music makes me feel. I can always change my mood by listening to music. If I could, I would have music playing all the time at full blast, and sing along at the top of my lungs, because that makes me happy. I don't know if it would make anyone else happy though, so I will have to refrain from that. But I really love music.

I also love dance. I love dancing myself, and I love to watch people dancing. I love watching "Dancing with the Stars" for a few different reasons. I love watching the professional dancers and how good they are. I know how much hard work goes into perfecting something like that, so I appreciate what they do. It makes me miss dancing soooo much. I loved performing, and rehearsing. I loved just dancing for the stress relief it was for me. It was such an escape, and I believe that helped me to deal with stress so well in High School and college. It was my outlet and my escape. Not to mention that it kept me in shape! And it was how I met my husband, so of course it is meaningful to me! I also love watching the people who are on the show who have never danced before and have to dedicate themselves to learning something so foreign to them. It is awesome to see them grow to appreciate it, and to become good at something they had never done before. It just reaffirms that anyone can accomplish something if they put their mind to it, and work at it. I know there are people out there who believe that they aren't "dancers" or they aren't this, or that, but you can do anything you put your mind to and work at. You just have to give it a try, and believe in yourself. You may not become perfect, but anyone can develop skills and talents. You will never know if you can or can't do something if you don't try. Plus I love watching people grow to love dance, like I do. I really wish I could find an adult dance class to take. That has been my lifelong passion, and I don't feel 100% like myself because I don't do it anymore. It has been 6 years since I have taken a dance class, or performed. I had been dancing since I was 3,basically non-stop and it has been hard to re-define myself without that in my "description".

That's all for tonight. I love sleep, and don't get enough of it, so I better go attempt to get some! Feel free to comment on some things that you love. Or better yet...start your own blog post about the things you love.

The Case of the Disappearing Car

We happen to live in a cul-de-sac with several other children who range in ages from almost 3 months to 6 years. Out of 10 kids, all are boys except 3. Avery( 11 weeks today), Reece (10 months?) and Gracie (6 yrs.) are the only girls, and obviously the two babies don't play outside. Well, we didn't have any outside toys for Logan and the neighbors felt bad for him, so our one neighbor gave him the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. You know the one...they are in abundance everywhere. The little red/orange and yellow car that you drive with your feet like the Flintstones. (see above picture) It was her niece's who had outgrown it and they were wanting to get rid of it anyway. It was very nice of her, and Logan loves it. We kept it in the basement for Logan to ride during the winter, and now he gets to play outside.

The other night (Monday to be exact) we left the car outside on the front lawn. When I was heading up to bed around 11 p.m. or so, I walked past the front window and happened to look outside and see the car on the lawn. I wondered if I should go put it in the garage, but in the end decided it would be ok. The neighbor kids leave toys out all the time, and we live in a pretty nice neighborhood. Well, the next morning when I came downstairs, I looked out and noticed the car was gone. I just assumed Tony had put the car in the garage when he left for work. This was probably around 7 or 7:30 a.m. Well, later on in the day I realized that the car wasn't in the garage after all. Tony said he didn't notice it that morning when he left for work. I was thinking that one of the neighbors probably saw it and put it in their garage for the night. The kids toys are always getting passed around from house to house. Wednesday night I had a meeting, so when i left with the baby, Tony was outside playing with Logan, so I told him to ask the neighbors if they happened to get the car. They didn't have it. They were really surprised to hear that it got stolen, since their kids leave toys out all the time. Anyway...it was a mystery. The neighbor lady who had given it to us in the first place said she would get Logan another one. Her mom had like 4 of them for her grandkids who were all too big. She is a very nice neighbor.

This morning I was pulling out of the garage and I saw the little car on our doorstep. I thought that the neighbor had brought over the new one for Logan, so I went to go put it in the garage before I left. Lo and behold...it was the same car! The one we had originally! Where on earth did it go? How did it come back? It's a mystery! The reason I know it is the same one, is because it says Summer on the back. That was the previous owners name I guess. I am very confused. My neighbor wasn't home today for me to ask her about it, so I can't wait to see what she says. Anyway...I am glad Logan has his car back. He was walking around the garage the other day going "Car...where are you?" And he told me all sad like "I"m so sorry. I drived that car everyday." That just broke my heart! What a sweet little guy.

When we were able to go play tonight, he drove his car down the driveway and when he went over the bump at the bottom, he yelled "ka-chow!" I think he is happy to have his car back.

P.S. No matter what I do, I cannot get this post to have a space between the paragraphs, or even indent. Sorry!

Friends

I have been thinking a lot lately about friends. Since I have recently moved, I have had to get acquainted with new people, and try to establish good relationships. I haven't felt like it has been too difficult. The girls in my ward at church have all been really friendly and nice. I have felt welcome, which is nice. There is always the period of adjustment, where you get a bit more settled and comfortable and then you can really get a feel for who everyone is, and what they are like. I like to observe people, and after a while I feel like I understand their personalities. It is at this point that you tend to decide who you mesh the best with, and then establish your close circle of friends. I am not implying being cliquey (is that how it is spelled?), but I am sure you all know what I mean. There are certain people that everyone feels more of a bond with, more comfortable with,have more in common with, etc. In each new place that I go, I often wonder who will become my close circle of friends.

Maybe I am too much like Anne (Anne of Green Gables) when I think about finding a kindred spirit. I know that I have wonderful friends, and enjoy doing things with them, but have I ever really found a kindred spirit? I want to find a friend who I enjoy being with, talking to, and doing things with. I would love to find a friend who enjoys doing the same things I do, so I have someone to do them with. I can think of friends in the past places I have lived that fit the bill pretty darn close. I miss those friends, but am glad that I can keep in touch with them. There are friends I have had that I have lost touch with, and that makes me sad. Friends are very important to me.

I have a friend I would have to say is my closest friend. We have known each other since we were about 1 year old.We have been through a lot together, and have been around for each other for a lot of momentous occasions. I love her dearly, and am so glad we have stayed friends for this long. I don't know what I would do if we ever lost touch. I can't see it happening ever, and I am glad about that. We can talk to each other about anything and everything,and be completely honest with each other. When we talk, it's almost as if no time has passed since we have talked last. I love that I can be totally myself with her, and know that she won't judge me, or change her opinion of me if I am behaving poorly. We can cry on each other's shoulder and rejoice together in our successes. The bad thing is we don't live near each other! I get to see her maybe once a year if I am lucky. I wish we could be closer. The funny thing is how different we are. Honestly, I don't really know what we have in common besides our memories. She was always the outgoing, bubbly one when we were growing up, and I was the shy, self-conscious one. She would talk to boys for me because I was too scared. I was the dancer, she was the pianist. We both enjoyed singing, and had quite a run of performing together for all kinds of events in High School. She sang soprano, and I sang alto. It's funny that I sing soprano now. She is 5'2" and I am 5'6". She went to Ricks (now known as BYU-Idaho) then the Universtiy of Utah, while I went to Brigham Young University. We actually did both end up getting similar degrees. We dated the same people even on a few occassions. And she ended up marrying one of them!

I am not sure why I am writing about this. I have just been thinking a lot about my friends (most of who don't live near me) and wondering how my friendships will develop in my new area. I wish I could take all my closest friends from over the years, and put them all together in the same place as me, and I would be sooo happy! I hope that I have been as good of a friend to them as they have been to me.

The journey has begun...

...or the adventure perhaps? We are officially embarking down the potty training road. I have been working with Logan for almost a year off and on. Back in Indiana I bought him a little potty seat. I would sit him on it every now and then. He was actually really good about it, and would go when I put him on it. I decided not to pursue it too much until after we moved so we could be settled in our new house first. Then, I was pregnant and never felt very motivated to crack down and get serious about it. I really wanted to have him trained before the baby was born,but that didn't happen. Here we are, one month away from Logan's third birthday, and I have to buckle down and get this kid trained!

So, this morning I decided to try a new approach. I had been having him sit to go, so I thought we would see if he could try standing up. I said "Logan, do you want to go shoot in the potty like daddy?" That got his attention and he was actually excited about it. So he stood on the stool, and I told him to shoot in the potty. Sure enough he did it! he was really excited about this new way, and so was I. I gave him the choice of wearing a diaper or his underpants, and he chose the underpants. I then took him to go shoot in the potty about every 20 minutes or so, and he was willing and excited to go every time. We gave high-fives, and I gave him some candy a few times after he went. I was good enough to get him there in time each time, and he didn't have any accidents. When it was nap time, I put him in a diaper, and gave him a break for a while. We started up again after he woke up and he wanted to show daddy how he could shoot in the potty. Again he chose to wear his underwear instead of a diaper. We played outside for a while and came in once to go shoot in the potty, and then when we came back inside, we went to go potty and then got a diaper on for bedtime. He was even starting to try and put his own pants on by himself which he hasn't done before. I hope this feeling of being a big boy lasts.

There is one thing we need to work on though. Before you read any further, I am warning you all that this may be TMI (too much info), so stop reading if you don't want to know. Now that I have peaked your curiosity, I will preface this by saying that I am recording this for posterity's sake. I am sure one day down the road, Logan will want to know what kinds of things he did when he was little, and this way I will be able to tell him.As well as his future wife. It may not be anything too shocking for any other potty training mom out there. Let me know if I am not alone. When he dribbled a bit down his leg, he stuck his finger in it and then.....guess what he did? He put it in his mouth! Sicko sick sick sick! No matter how much I kept telling him that we don't eat our pee pee, he kept doing it. I am so disgusted. This is definitely a fun adventure. I hope it is over soon!

I apologize for the disgusting-ness. Moms don't have a lot of other things to talk about except diapers, poop, snot, spit-up, etc. Oh the lives we lead.

I want a makeover

I really really want a makeover. I want to have someone (who is really cool) give me a new hairdo, new makeup regime, and pick me out some new clothes. I want to look really cute and stylish. I don't feel like I know how to look good anymore. I am in a mommy rut. Big time! I look back at pictures of me pre-children, and like what I see. I don't like what I see now. It's very depressing. I know the grass is always greener, but I feel like I would just feel better about myself if I felt more confident. Of course there is a lot I need to do to make this all happen, and that's why it is so depressing. I can do it myself, but it will take a lot of hard work, and discipline. How badly do I want it? Really really badly.

I will be turning 30 in just a few weeks (May 4th) and I don't want to enter my 30's as a big blob. So, my goal for my 30th year is to get out of my mommy rut, and get a makeover. By myself, yes, but nonetheless, a transformation of some kind.

I went walking this morning with our new walking group and now have a pedometer. My ankles and shins feel sore already! I am way out of shape! I just need to keep it up, and get into a habit of walking. It's so good for you in so many ways. And it's easy and free.

Holy cow! I was just re-reading this post and it hit me that I will be 30! I am speechless. I don't even know what to say. 30. Hmmm.....

And on a different note, April is Autism Awareness month. My friend Christy has a son with Autism, and she talks about it on her blog. Go check it out, leave a comment about how you heard about her blog (from me of course) and maybe you can win a prize!

Up till 1:30 a.m.!

Nope, it wasn't because of the kids! I was up late working on this beauty! It is an altered altoid tin and mini accordian album to fit inside! Isn't it sooo pickin cute? I had to make this sample to take to my Relief Society enrichment planning meeting tonight to show as a possible project for our Super Saturday. This might be a bit more elaborate with all the embellishments, but I got a bit carried away. I can tone it down for a Super Saturday project if we decide to do it. Now I need to figure out what pictures to put in it. I kinda like it all by itself though. I just like to look at it over and over. I get so pleased with myself when I finish a project like this and see how cute it turned out. You can see more photos in my SCS gallery. I never would have imagined I could make something like this 5 years ago! I didn't even know how to make cards! Now look at how far I have come. I am even a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! It's amazing what you can accomplish if you just work at it. I don't ever like to hear people say they aren't crafty, because they can be if they try. Trust me...I know!

This brings me to another topic on craftiness. I grew up with a wonderful mom who could sew anything for us...from dance costumes, to Halloween costumes, to Christmas stockings, Easter baskets, Quiet books, church tote bags, blankets, etc. She tried so hard to teach me to sew, and she did help me make a dress, a skirt, and a few tied quilts for boys I was dating. I just couldn't ever catch the desire to really learn though. Fast forward to November 2006. Just 5 months ago, I all of a sudden had an intense desire to purchase a sewing machine and start making things. Baby things to be exact. Blankets and burp cloths to be exact. Those are pretty much straight lines. I also wanted to make a quiet book. A little more complex. I managed to make my first baby blanket and burp cloth for a gift for my friend Gigi who was due a week before me with a little girl.

While I know this was far from perfect, I was proud of myself for making it. It was such an accomplishment for me! I never did make one for my own baby, but I will.

So, the other day I get a package in the mail. Or rather Avery did. It was a baby gift from Gigi.

It is a darling rag quilt! Now I feel a bit embarrassed by my horendous sewing job, but nevertheless, I am inspired now to learn to make a rag quilt. I used to have the mind set that this was way too hard for me to do, but now I am thinking it can be done! Also, a while back I boxed up about a million old t-shirts from High School and college and other things that I coulodn't bear to throw away, but obviously don't wear anymore. I came up with the brilliant idea of turning them into a t-shirt quilt! Now how clever am I? Apparently not very, because someone else came up with the idea first. I just hadn't heard of one before. So, now that I am feeling like my domestic goddess has been unleashed, I want to make a t-shirt quilt as well. I found some info online with directions.

And, last but not least. My very next project I want to attempt is a baby sling. I had been looking at this website to possibly order one, but now feel inspired to make my own. We shall see!

Well, that's my crafting desire for the future anyhow. May the craftiness be with you!

Easter!

My sister sent Avery an Easter dress to match her little girl Brynn. Brynn is 3. She is just 4 months older than Logan. I wish we could have actually been together for Easter. I had my sister email me a picture of Brynn in her dress so I could post the matching cousins on my blog! They are so cute! Avery loves wearing dresses. She holds the skirt like she is a princess. I think she knows she is pretty in a dress. The only thing I have discovered about cute dresses on babies is that it makes them slippery. It's so hard to hold them!

We had a nice Easter. Tony's family didn't really celebrate Easter with the Easter bunny. Mine did. So it is hard to get Tony excited about that aspect of the holiday. It makes it hard for me to be the only one to prepare and impart the excitement to Logan. I know Easter is more about the Savior and the Atonement and Resurrection, but I think you can teach the true meaning of Easter, and still enjoy the secular aspect of it. We do it at Christmas, why not be able to seperate it now as well? I have made it a point for the Easter Bunny to include some church related items in the Easter baskets to help us remember. This year I received this book in my basket. We also got The Testaments DVD. Logan got The Scripture Scouts and the picture version of The Book of Mormon. We listened to The Scripture Scouts when we were little and we loved them! I hope he does too. Of course there were also plastic eggs full of candy and some other little toys for Logan. All in all, I think he was happy with his Easter.

For dinner I made the usual ham. I made it in the crockpot again,and I am totally sold on this method. It is soooo easy, and the ham is sooo yummy. It is really tender, and just falls apart. I had a 4 or 5 pound half ham with no bone. I just plopped it in the crockpot and turned it on low for 8-10 hours. You don't need to add anything else to it. Really, you should all try it. You will love it this way.

I also made red potatoes with a lemon dill butter, roasted asparagus, and glazed carrots. It was a pretty simple meal, but so good. I was happy. I will share the recipes for the carrots and asparagus.

Glazed Carrots

1 bag baby carrots

2 Tbls. butter

2 Tbls. brown sugar

2 Tbls. orange juice

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, orange juice, salt, ginger, and cinnamon. Add the carrots; cover and cook for 20-25 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.

Roasted Asparagus

1-2 ibs. asparagus, washed and ends trimmed

2 Tbls. olive oil

1-2 Tbls. soy sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Mix oil and soy sauce and pour onto baking sheet with edges. Roll asparagus in the oil mixture to coat. sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

* I actually have another recipe that is similar. Instead of soy sauce it uses balsamic vinegar. It also has 1 tsp. minced garlic. This one says to cook at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. I used the soy sauce for Easter dinner, but still included the garlic. It is sooo good, and I will always cook asparagus this way from now on.Yummy!

So, that was my yummy Easter dinner. Too bad Logan didn't eat any of it. He had a banana. Poor kid. he doesn't know what he is missing!

Here is a picture of Logan and Avery together Sunday afternoon. Avery was not in her dress anymore, and Logan wouldn't smile normal for the camera, so this is the best I could get of my two kids together on Easter.

I am on a mission

I have to collect all of these Happy Meal toys! My mom called me the other day all excited about them and told me I had to go get Avery a Happy Meal. She kept going on and on about how cute they are. And since I do live in Kansas, I just must have them. So far I have four of the 8. I have the lion, the tin man, the wicked witch of the west and the wicked witch of the east. I still need Dorothy, the scarecrow, Glinda the good witch, and someone named Daisy. Do you remember Daisy in the Wizard of Oz? Was she a munchkin? I have no clue, but I still need her! Anyway...I am terrified I won't get them all before they are gone. I learned that you can buy the Happy Meal toy for like $1 or something without having to get the actual happy meal. So, if anyone happens to get any of the ones I am missing, let me know! I might need you to go get extras for me! The good thing is there are McDonald's on like every corner where I live. But I was in Wal-Mart last night and the McD's inside said they were all sold out! Yikes!

I think we will be eating a lot of Happy Meals!

*** Update!!! I just got two more! I now have the scarecrow and Daisy Munchkin. I just need Dorothy and Glinda and I am good to go!

My Playlist

I have become addicted to this playlist thing! It is soooo much fun finding songs. My playlist is soooo random, but every song brings back a memory of a different time in my life. You will have to push play yourself to start it. I hope you all find a song that takes you back as well! Enjoy! And leave me a comment on any of the songs on here...I would love to know if we share any of the same memories!

Logan, oh Logan...you crack me up!

So, I unfortunately didn't get much out of General Conference today. Logan was possessed by the "scream at the top of your lungs" bug. Everything he needed to say required being said at top volume. It was insane. Besides that, he seemed really, really hyper. Between being annoyed with him for being so crazy, we also had to laugh at him because he was so pickin funny!

He decided to put on several performances while standing on the fireplace. "I am a Child of God" was one of the favorites. " Lead me guide me....Teach me all that ho must do " He also performed "Pabbacake, pabbacake, baker's man". That was funny. Pabbacake!

After he had stripped himself of his clothing,he informed me that he had a tummy button.

The other day, Tony had gone upstairs and Logan was not happy with that. He went running after him yelling"Daddy, come back! I want to play with you, cause you are my pet!"

Even though I barely heard a word of conference, I have felt an extreme amount of love and pride in my children. I have just been marveling at Logan's personality, and how he is developing. It's so fun to watch him grow, and learn, and see how he understands things. And Avery of course is growing like weed! She is already 8 weeks old! She is so sweet, and such a good baby. I love to just sit and talk to her, and hear her goo and coo and smile so big! I was doing this last night, and Logan decided to talk to her too. In the process, Avery started to drool a bit down her chin. Logan said "uh oh, mommy she's dripping."

Children are such a blessing. Even though there are times that don't seem like it, I know that my children have definitely brightened my life. I laugh every day because of them, and smile all the time. Who couldn't be happy when tiny arms wrap around your neck and little juicy kisses are planted on your cheek? And when you say " I love you" and you hear "I wuv you" back. It's so sweet!

I love my family, and I am grateful for them each and every day. It is such a comfort to me to know that families are forever, and we can be together with our loved ones for eternity. At this Easter time of year, it is nice to reflect on the Savior's Atonement, and the blessings it brings to our lives.