potty-training

So, I'm pretty sure Will is potty-trained. This is crazy talk to me, as he is only 21-months old. I, being a first-timer (on the training side, not the pottying side) had very little clue about how to proceed. First of all, there are the boy parts. Do I train him to stand up and pee or sit down and pee? Food rewards vs. non-food rewards? Fancy potty chair vs. hole-in-the-ground? Naked training (him, not me) vs. pull-ups. After much research by both myself and Jason, we decided to go nearly cold turkey. Diapers only at nights.

Oye-vay. Not sure I was ready, but we were pretty positive Will was ready. How we knew:

1. He started to consistently use the potty sign we had taught him. Hand in a fist and twist wrist back and forth. He was using this as he pee'd in his diaper and our daycare lady used it everytime she brought him to the potty chair.

2. He was dry after all naps and after 12 hours of sleeping at night.

3. He didn't like being in a wet diaper (but this has been the case for most of his life).

Ok. He was ready, but were we? We decided to give it a go. To be honest, I really was not convinced it would work but was willing since our daycare lady was convinced he was ready.

Here was the plan of attack:

One Month Prior to Memorial Day Weekend:

Diapers 100% of the time. Brought Will to potty chair many times a day. Our daycare lady was awe-some. She brought him to the chair every hour on the hour. We did as well as we could on the weekend but were not nearly as consistent as she was. Daycare lady said, "When you're ready to be trained, Will is ready". Oh, this is about me. I get it. And I found out it really was a lot about training me to be consistent and patient, two things I am not great at.

Memorial Three-Day Weekend:

We planned nothing but potty-training. Stocked up on cute little boy undies (briefs and boxer-briefs, the boy should have options), no pull-ups were ever purchased. Potty chair in the living room, carpet cleaner on hand. Then we stood watch. Whenever he pee'd, we swooped him up and brought him to the potty chair, being pee'd all over along the way. After day 1 I'd say he was starting to connect the potty chair with whatever was happening "down under". Every time he pottied on the chair, he got M&M's. I did find out later (like this weekend) that Jason has been giving him about 15 M&M's whenever he went on the potty. I've been giving him, like, 3. Poor boy ;)

Day 2: same story.

Day 3: same story except by this time he was starting to walk to the potty and sit down and go. Sometimes he made it, sometimes he didn't.

From that point on, he was in undies except during bed. For the past few weeks, Will has been consistently dry after waking up in the morning and has had 1-2 accidents during the day. Two night ago, I decided to go all-the-way, baby! No diapers at night. He's been dry both mornings and has pee'd like a race horse (on the potty) right when he wakes up! He has had one accident in the past three days and continues to use his potty sign to tell us he has to go. I was anxious the first few times he used it while we were driving but he's been able to hold it.

THIS IS CRAZY! He is only 21-months old. What can I say? My boy's a genius.

Just so proud. And, honestly, I'm proud of myself and Jason, too! I can't tell you how mentally exhausting Memorial Day weekend was. I was SO ready for work on Tuesday, let me tell ya! But, I see the horizon. Not sure when I can "officially" say he's potty-trained. All I know is we're so proud....and ready for baby #2! Better get busy!

No wasted sorrows

There are 8 graduations at Shelterwood this week. EIGHT! Whew. God is doing amazing things at this place. Have I told you how much I love it? Basically, they'll have to wheel me out of there. I mean, I am in. I'M. IN. I believe God has positioned me at this place at this time for a reason. I don't know that my faith has ever been stronger. I also don't know if the challenges have ever been greater. It's exhausting work. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically, at times. And day after day I can't wait to go to work.

So, back to the graduations. For those that don't know, Shelterwood is a Christian Therapeutic Boarding School. Kids don't just stay there for a few months. They are there for at least 8 months. At least. That's a long time and a LOT of work happens during that time. You (they) can make surface changes in a few months. You know, the "slap a bandaid on the problem and it will go away" kind of fix. Yea, that doesn't really work for the long term. We call those first-order changes in my world. Those happen all the time in life. Even in my life.

I'm talkin' about real big, life-altering, generation-changing, change. Second-order change. The best kind of all change. The kind that digs below the surface. Below the baggage. Below the stuff (or poop as one of my girls and I refer to it). That kind. God change. During one of the parent's speeches she said, "God doesn't waste our sorrows." I.LOVE.THAT. I'm bringing that with me, tucking it in my pocket, and marinating in it like a big fat Kansas beef steak. MAR-I-NA-TING. SOAKIN' IT IN, BABY! I just left that graduation and have probably repeated it about, oh, a thousand times in my head already. I had to share.

Say it again.

GOD DOESN'T WASTE OUR SORROWS.

All the crap that the world offers, all the struggles in our lives, all the heart ache. They are for a purpose. I know, like many, I can quote Jeremiah 29:11. God has plans for us, plans for hope, a future, not to harm us. I believe that. It's my favorite verse. But to be reminded that God doesn't waste the crap that we experience is kind of life altering for me. I kind of feel like, well, like I have graduated. Like I'm going to close one chapter of my life and move on. Moving away from friends I've had for almost a decade has been hard to say the least. I have felt lost without them. I have been sorrowful at times. Guess what I'm going to say next. Yep. God doesn't waste our sorrows.

I'm not really sure what else to say. I guess I'm ready to let some of the past go. Some of the crap that I've held onto. The mistakes I've made. God is using them right now. I don't have to be held captive to mistakes I've made or that others have made against me. I am free and it feels good, baby!

randomness

So, in Laura-fashion, I thought I'd do a random blog. They are always my favorite to read! So, here I go:

1. I am loving my job!! Honestly, there was a part of me that thought I'd only stay here until we had a second baby and then find somewhere closer to Johnson County. And, much to my dismay, I love it too much to do that. I've transformed my office into a space that I want to be in. I need a little more art on the walls and my diplomas but other than that I'm GOLDEN! Feeling very blessed to be surrounded by so many authentic Christians.

2. Our old computer died and we really didn't have money for a new one. We decided that IF we get tax money back we would spend whatever amount of money we got on a computer. We weren't expecting any tax return but ended up with enough for a huge (and I mean HUGE) Apple computer. 27 inches of (only slightly) impulse spending :) I cannot WAIT to start doing some photo editing on this baby! Oh, and I should probably admit something. Last night, which was it's first night out of the box (it being the computer of course :), I almost spilled chocolate milk all over it. I'm pretty sure that's God's way of saying I shouldn't be drinking chocolate milk every night.

3. Speaking of chocolate milk, I have GOT to get back on the eating healthy wagon. It's so hard when my day is so packed full! Eating quick processed meals is so much easier! Actually, that's a cop out. It's really not. Eating healthy just takes prep time which I don't do. So, this weekend when I go shopping it will be veggies and lean, healthy meats. It's ON. And, I'm going to look into Zumba classes. We don't really have money for it but I know that dancing is an exercise I don't really get tired of. Boy, how I wish Tiffany would start teaching dance classes again. That was the BEST!!

4. Book Club. So, my friend Kellie invited me to her book club. Here's what I know for sure after leaving it: 1. I'm old (which was confirmed by all the waiters and waitresses at the restaurant). That's a long story I will tell if you'd like. 2. You can't have too much Glace Artisan Ice Cream. and 3. Mi lika the pina colada 4. We don't really talk about books :)

5. Excited about Easter Weekend! Going to have family pics taken. Pretty sure last time that happened I was in diapers. Or close :)

6. I like to use smiley faces too much :) :) :)

7. So, I watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution the other night. Has anyone else watched that? It's REALLY disturbing!! Truly. I learned how ground beef is processed (outside of my uncle's farms). I can't eat it anymore. Nope. Won't do it. I guess that will help aid #3 above.

8. For years I have been buying boot leg jeans cause I will NOT wear those skinny leg jeans. That would not be pretty. The lady at Lane Bryant told me I should try the "simply straight" jeans. She was oh-so-cute and very fashionable. Kind of like a plus-size version of Tiffany now that I think about it. So, I gave in and tried them. Can you say "I'll take one in every color"? I LOVE them!!! I'll be wearing them to the next KGR weekend so watch out ladies!!

9. I really need a vacation. I'm planning a trip to Wichita at the end of May but I'm pretty sure (as fun as it will be to see everyone) that will not be the vacation I need. I need relax, no cell phones, no computers, no clients kind of vacation. Maybe for our 11-year anniversary in October since we never had our 10-year anniversary vacation to Italy that we always talked about!

10. Oh, OUR HOUSE SOLD! Did you all know that? It's a pretty big deal to have that extra cash to put aside every month for a new house. Unfortunately, the little equity we had in the house is going to pay off debt but that's also very exciting! We will be in the red. Or black. Or white. Wherever we are supposed to be, that's where we are! YAY!

11. Living with Sandy is going really well. She and Will are really growing close which I LOVE. So happy that this is all working out.

12. All in all, I'm doing good and loving life right now. Need to get a few things on track but if life was perfect, I'd be in Heaven

Love y'all,

the waiting game

Well, since the last time I posted I have had a second interview at Shelterwood, the Christian Therapeutic Boarding School where I am interested in working. This place is pretty incredible. They are flexible in their treatment approaches, meeting the teenagers where they are. They do missions outside of the facility, volunteering, trips to other countries, etc. I'm really excited about the possibility but am completely at ease knowing that it is in God's hands. Feels good not to worry. I told them that, too, that as much as I want to work there that I trust that they will listen to and be guided by God when deciding. Ahhh.

The downside of this job, the only one I have found, is that employees are required to live within 30 minutes of their facility, making Johnson County out of the question. Again, God's hands.

In the meantime, I'm still having fun with Will at home! I've been cooking a lot of really great meals at home, finding games to play with him that will challenge his little ever-growing mind, and lots of snuggle time. I love how empathetic he is! He's really understanding when someone is sad or in pain and is so loving and gentle with them. I'm surprised that he's able to do this already. Not sure if that is advanced or not but I like to think so!

That's all for now. I should hear back from Shelterwood in the next week or so! Things will move fast from there. OH! Another fantastic thing about Shelterwood...you can wear jeans every day. Oh. Yea. OH YEA!! :)

job interview!

Well, well, well. Guess who has an interview? Yep, you're looking at her! ME! Shelterwood. It is a Christian Therapeutic Boarding School. I'm really excited about it. Prayers would be MUCH appreciated. Anywho, that's all on the job front.

Jason and I are getting ready for the big church hunt. I'm not a fan of looking for a new church. Jason and I have some pretty different likes/dislikes about churches. More prayers? Yes? Yes!

So, what else? How about I just end it there...with some cute pics of snow-play that Will and I had outside last week. Love ya!

A change will do you good?

We've all heard those lyrics "a change will do you good". Well, Sheryl, I hope you're right. The last time this big of a change happened (moving from city to city), I went through a very dark time in my life. Part of my anxiety about moving has been fear that what happened last time will repeat itself. I kept telling myself, as did Jason, I am different now, I am changed. Nevertheless, I worried. And I worried. And I got sick. And more worried. And, here I am. I am happy. I'M HAPPY! I can't believe it. I desperately miss my Wichita friends and cannot WAIT to reconnect with them soon but I'm truly happy within myself, by myself. So maybe Sheryl was right.

So, now what? Right now I'm just looking for the right job. I am truly giving it a valient effort. Applying everywhere I know of, talking to people in the area, networking. But, I'll be honest. I'm LOVING this gig.



LOVING IT. Now, only having one car will be interesting but this week we have been snowed in. This kid is pretty freakin' awesome. He's still on his normal 6:30-7:30 sleeping schedule, eats like a champ, and is SO ticklish that it makes momma so happy :) Love that boy.

So, next on the agenda is to reconnect with my KC friends and I'm so excited about the ease of doing that now. Already have a KG brunch/road trip planned next weekend sans kids which will be what the doctor ordered. Actually, I don't have a doctor. I should get on that :)

That's all for now, friends. Back to tickle my boy. The "armit tickle monster" is the WORST according to Will. He will be stopped! Bwahahahahahahaha...oh, this life is pretty freakin' awesome. And, I don't have ANY paperwork. Ahhhh....

twelve months, twelve things

I can't believe how fast the past year has gone. Exactly one year ago today, I was in the middle of the most difficult, joyful, exciting, anxiety-provoking, life-changing, mind-altering experience of my life. Can't even begin to express in words the joy this little man has brought into life.



one: he has the cutest little crawl he does. when he doesn't feel like he's going fast enough, he brings one leg out to the side and does a sort of crab crawl.

two: loves all foods including, to my demise, celery YUCK! So happy he's a good eater

three: consistently sleeping through the night

four: he's such a ladies man...tween girls cannot get enough of this little handsome man

five: has a new way to say he's hungry. opens his mouth and smacks his lips together and makes a little mwah mwah noise

six: took his first steps a few days ago but still prefers crawling/cruising...if he's anything like his uncle, he will skip walking and head straight for running. God, help us!

seven: loves the sounds of his voice, especially his screaming voice. Cracks him up.

eight: prefers being outside to inside

nine: had a fantastic birthday party. We haven't really let him have much sugar but he did get his own cupcake and wasn't sure what to think of it. He very delicately separated the frosted top from the bottom, took a few bites very gently and then realized he loved it and started slamming it in his mouth. Yes, we have it on video. :)

ten: thinks everything is a phone and puts it up to his ear and makes a sound of "hello"

eleven: is starting to bite and thinks it's hilarious...not so much for mommy or daddy (or anyone else being bitten for that matter!).

twelve: is the love his mommy's, daddy's, grandma's, grandpa's, uncle's, aunt's, etc, etc...life