Day 11: makes me happy

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”

Day 9 & 10

Day 9: Front Door

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 10: Self Portrait.
This was taken on my phone on 11-7-11. The morning Kevin came home from Iraq. I had just finished getting ready and sent this picture to Kevin :) It wasn't until a few hours later that we saw each other even though we were now in the same state!

Day 7 & 8

Day 7:  Button

Day 8: Sun
After several cloudy days and freezing temperatures, I had to get a little creative with this one and now I'm behind! I promise that I will catch up this weekend! 

Days 5 & 6.

Day 5: 10am
Snack time !!

Day 6: Dinner fried potatoes and onions.  You can't go wrong! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4: Stranger

It's strange, it's daunting, it's a little bit scary..it's the POTTY CHAIR!!  And after 3 days of toddler/parent hell..it was a big fat FAIL. 
I thought after day one and a few tinkles it was going to just continue to get better and better, but Lauren seemed to regress on Day 2 & 3. 
We thought Lauren was ready, we thought we were ready.  Clearly neither parties were fully aware of what was in store. 
We expected accidents and  we had a few but after day one and a few accidents, Lauren decided that she didn't like the feeling of an accident in her big girl underwear and instead of going on the potty she would hold it.  I'm not talking just for a little bit, I'm talking, ALL. DAY. LONG.  Poop & Pee, she held it in.  She had to go so bad and she would be grabbing at herself and running to the potty and sit on it for about 10 seconds and probably when it was about time to go, she'd clinch up and jump off until her next trip about 2-5 minutes later.  Several times throughout the day she'd beg and cry for a diaper and we just kept bribing and putting her on the potty.  Occasionally she'd get excited and say she peed and when we'd check it out, there was about a quarter size little teeny tiny puddle of pee.  We'd still reward her and get excited but it still didn't change things.  Day 3 we started and we tried again, but she seemed to be regressing and begged for a diaper even more.  After jumping out of the bath tub 3 times to go to the potty and no luck and her whining to no end, we walked into her room and before I turned around with her diaper, she was already laying on the floor with her legs up in the air and saying "Diaper!"  I put it on and in less than 2 minutes she had filled it with a days worth of poop and pee.  Oh dear. 
We knew at that point we were putting away the potty for a few more months, most likely until after our move in June. 
She just doesn't quite react to rewards so that doesn't work, bribes don't work, and quite frankly, she may shows 98% of the signs of being ready to potty train but the other 2% she's not and that 2% is a big deal.  She needs to be really 100% ready and so do we.  I'm praying that this failed attempt doesn't make her regress even more.  I think that is why we are going to wait until closer to 3 yrs old, until maybe she gets a better understanding of what's going on. 
I sometimes forget that she is a baby.  She had to grow up so fast because of Kaelin coming along.  She is a baby but my baby talks in full sentences and knows her full alphabet and can count to 20 and loves to draw circles and has a wild imagination and is such a big sister that I completely forget that she is still so young. 
If anything, I'm learning what to do and NOT to do when it comes time to potty train Kaelin.  Afterall, parenthood is a learning experience..right?  Why does it feel like a race & competition?  By far this is the most challenging stage we have had to deal with.  I'm sure we'll look back on it some day and laugh but right now...holy freaking cow!  Phew! 

Illinois Photo Update

You may remember a few weeks back I wrote about our trip to IL but did not have the photos to go with it.  They are up now if anyone is interested!  Just go HERE!  HAPPY FRIDAY!

Day 3: Hands

It's "craps time" again! :)

Day 2: Words

 

I walked around the house this morning looking at various pictures, signs, decor, calendars.  Wondering what I was going to do for Day 2: Words.  I turned the corner to the living room and my eyes caught these wooden blocks.  These wooden blocks are our family.  We are a proud Army Family. 

Unless you are a Military Family, you might not understand the pride that comes along with being a part of this "club".  As a spouse, I didn't know that when I married my amazing husband that me and the girls would be a part of his sacrifice.  I suppose I should say I didn't understand fully the greatness of our sacrifice.  I didn't know that the military life would be so difficult, so painful, so joyful and most definitely meaningful. 
We don't wear medals , we don't get the glory and we don't hold rank.  We hold down the fort and we stay strong and stay by our soldiers side. 
It was often said to me and still is.  " I don't know how you do it".  I never knew what to say except maybe a small shrug of my shoulders and a response of "I just do."  Sounds simple and honestly supporting the man that I love, the father of my children, the soldier really is simple.  He has his mission and I have mine. 
Have you ever read the Army Code of Conduct?  I hadn't either until this last week.  I have been reading a book titled "1001 things to love about Military Life"  In it, it broke down the 6 articles of the Army Code of Conduct.  After reading, I gained a greater respect not only for my husband, but for all military persons serving our country.  Seeing the extent of what my husband and others VOLUNTARILY sacrifice for our country makes me nothing but PROUD. 

Military Code Of Conduct The Code of Conduct is a six-article code that provides general guidelines for the daily conduct of all United States military personnel. It is especially applicable at times of war or imprisonment.

(1) I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense  (2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist (3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. (4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way (5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give only my name, rank, service number, and date of birth.  I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability.  I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to  their cause. (6) I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Day One: Your view today.

My view yesterday morning was that of paint.  Lauren's favorite time of the day is crafts.  She can't quite say crafts and says "Mommy, I want to do craps!"  We have tried correcting her many times but "craps time" it is.  Haha.  I made the joke yesterday that I wish "craps time" was when she was actually crapping in the toilet and not in her diaper.  Someday! We'll work on that more in the future. In the meantime, "craps time" will have to do!  I love her excitement and joy over little things like paint and crayons and even sometimes just plain water to paint on a chalkboard.  Does anyone else have any fun creative ideas for crafts with kids?  I'm running out of things to do with her and don't want her to get bored.

February Photography Challenge

 I have decided to participate in the February "Photo a day" Photography Challenge.  I needed a little inspiration for my blogging lately.  I hope I don't bore you all to death.  I suppose any post is better than no post at all.  I will also be posting the pictures in an album on Facebook.  I think this challenge looks like a lot of fun.  Anyone else in?  Let me know and I can check out your photos too!
P.S.  You don't have to be a professional photographer or know all of the crazy terms for this challenge.  It's just a way to have fun.  Use your phone, your point and shoot, or your dslr.  Just have fun and share with us all a little part of your day! 

Girls will be girls...

A few months back, our landlord gave the girls these tutus that she made. They are super cute and fun for dress up!  Lauren had a blast dressing up.  Kaelin, wasn't having too much of it, that is why I have only one picture of her, and clearly her expression shows enthusiasm. Haha! 
I just love playing with these little girls.  Love them to pieces!

Lauren's "first" Haircut

After many mornings and evenings of tears and "say sorry mommy" and refusals to let me brush her hair..we (Kevin, Lauren and I) made the decision to get her hair cut.  Back in November we took her to get her very first haircut and it resulted in us chickening out and only cutting 1/4inch off ..if that!  So this time was a big deal and we chopped it off. 7 whole inches!  I almost had a minor heart attack with the first cut.  Standing there as it fell to the floor, I was thinking to myself that I made the wrong decision.  Once it was all said and done, I know it was the best decision.  She looks absolutely adorable!  It is super easy to maintain, no more tangles and most of all, no more tears. 

Vacation Part 3: Minnesota

After nearly 2 months of procrastinating and avoiding blogging.  I am going to finish up with our 3rd stop on our month long trip at Christmas time.  After our trip to Illinois, we left and headed north.  We drove about 7 hours the first day (which we have found is LONG enough with the two girls in tow), and stopped for the night in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  We met up with Kevin's Uncle Mike & Aunt Mandy and their 4 kids.  The girls warmed up very quick to them.  We had supper at the hotel, went swimming and hit the hay because we still had another 5-6 hours on the road the next day!  After a quick breakfast and loading the car back up we were on the road again and heading to northern Minnesota.  We arrived early afternoon and we began a week of fun, laughter, game playing and love.  The girls loved playing with all of their cousins.  After nearly a week there, we finally got some snow and the girls were able to play.  Lauren loved it and wanted to play for hours.  Kaelin didn't like it so much.