It's "THAT" Time.... I Think?

Oh, this precious child of mine!

Potty training is going to be a real challenge for sure. Today, we went through a period where he would run to the bathroom several times a minute (no exaggeration). He would sit down and do NOTHING..... except unroll the toilet paper that is!

I sat on the couch and tried reading with Carter. Ryder continued to sprint barefoot back and forth down the hall with no undies or pull-up (he wouldn't keep them on) and yell, "Mom!" It has never taken Carter so long to read 4 pages. He was majorly distracted. I think we may have to take some "potty training holidays."

I came up with a brilliant idea. I asked Ryder to help me set the kitchen timer and told him when the bell went off he could try to sit on the potty. I told him he had to keep on his pull-up until then.

1st 20 min was a success, but no pee pee.

He helped me set the timer again. "Yes, this idea may just work," I thought.

While waiting for the timer to go off a 2nd time, he walked down to the basement, took off his pull-up, and peed on the CARPET!

Ohhhhhh!!!! SIGH!!!!

Later, in Grammar, Ty had to read a sentence and find the verb, tell what kind of verb it was, and then tell whether there was a direct object, a predicate nominative, or a predicate adjective. This was the sentence - "God's children are patient and kind." Patient?! Really?! I must exercise patience? Another big, heavy SIGH!!!!

I guess we'll try again another day.

O Christmas Tree

Our desire was to go to a Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our tree. We wanted the whole experience - sleigh rides, snow, bon fires, hot chocolate, carols, etc.... But, unfortunately, none of the farms opened until after Thanksgiving and because we are headed home for the holidays, we wanted to get the decor done so we could enjoy it. We found this artificial off of Craigs List. I think we got a steal of a deal and if you have to settle for fake at least try to go cheap, right?!

Justin grew up with colored lights and so did I. Although, the whites sure are pretty, we stick to tradition. Plus, the children love the colors. It's fun!

Each year growing up, both of us were given an ornament for Christmas. This tradition also continues, but includes the grandkids now, of course! We have:

SPORTS

OLDIES BUT GOODIES! (Ryder saw this and said, "Me!" It's actually Justin.

BABY FIRSTS

HOMEMADE ORNAMENTS (Ryder thought this was Ty)

SUPERHEROES

FAVORITE TOYS

REMINDERS of our beloved beach back home

MOVIES

DANCING DAYS

MUSIC

HALLMARKS

And, FLORIDA GATORS, the best of all!

What goes on top depends on the height of the tree. No traditions there. This year, it was a bow.

I guess you can say our tree is a Memory Tree! A special tree! The best kind of tree! A picture of us.

O Christmas Tree! O Memory Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!

Come back for more pictures of our decked out home!

A Poem for You!

I quickly wrote this poem for your enjoyment.



There is a mouse in my house;
I don't like it one bit.

It caused me to fly high;
I threw a complete fit.

My neighbors are now deaf;
And, my kids are distressed.

I stood on the counter,
Wondering which plan was best.

My heart slowed its beat;
We dodged for the door.

But, our extremities went numb;
We could bare the cold no more.

So, locked in the bedroom
Is where we stayed,

"Please Lord protect us,
And vanish the pest," I prayed!

The courage to venture out cautiously,
Eventually came.

My hero will be here tomorrow;
Black Widow Exterminator is his name.

Until then, I will sleep with one eye wide;
And, I will try to not jump at each and every sound.

I am now grateful for the FL Roach;
It's way better than the CO critter I just found.

God recently gave me an opportunity to love and care for a dear childhood friend. It was a JOY to serve her and help her. I'm glad I got to spend time with her even though it was under such sad circumstances. Thank you, Lord, for bringing us to Colorado. This is another clear indicator that you have us right where you want us. Please continue to use me for your kingdom!

Please pray for the Orgill family as baby Chase continues to recover. I think he is doing much better and is happy now, but it is a challenge for Mom to keep sweet, crawling baby off his arm. Here is the story...

My friend, Holly, lives in UT. Thursday, she was flying to FL to visit family and had a layover in Denver. Fifteen minutes after takeoff, she started to nurse her fussy baby. The man next to her put down the arm rest and it severely damaged Chase's finger! This was a true emergency in mid air as Holly tried to hold his finger together. Rescue was waiting at DIA and rushed them to Denver Children's Hospital. Holly's Mom from FL called and asked that I meet them there. The tendon was cut, the bone was broke and displaced, the blood vessel was damaged, and the condition of the nerve was not known. Chase had successful surgery Friday complete with pins and a cast up to his arm pit. It is thought that the finger will heal completely. Praise be to God that he didn't lose it completely. They stayed with us Fri night and flew back to UT Saturday.

Let me say here - I was only able to serve Holly because my church family served me. Several people from church made themselves available to watch my children so I could be at the hospital. I am grateful.

Here is a pic of the Orgill's. Daddy was able to fly in for the surgery.

Now for an update on Carter. We went to Hematology yesterday. His blood was ok with the exception of an elevated MCV which was really no surprise. MCV tells the size of red blood cells. It is thought that Carter may not have a blood disease, but rather a metabolic syndrome. There are a few metabolic syndromes that can cause an elevated MCV. Usually, large rbc's are an indicator of a folic acid or B12 deficiency which Carter does not have. But, they can also be from your body not using the folic acid and B12 properly. Tests were done long ago for some of these syndromes, but things can become more apparent and new symptoms may present themselves as you age. I wonder if this is why we are now seeing GI issues? A DNA test was sent off yesterday and will take 6 weeks to get back. In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with GI doctor. Antibiotics are done and stools are continuing, but are improved. It is possible we will do more stool studies in a week. Carter is now taking a zinc supplement, a multivitamin, and a probiotic.

Thanks for reading and for praying.

Happy Halloween!!

We made Snake Pizza for dinner! Man, letting the kids cook really tests my patience! I miss back home when I could just let them cook with the grandmas.

Then Tick or Treat!

These are our sweet neighbors!

Ty was a football player. Carter was G.I. Joe (using my 21 yr old brothers old jumpsuit). Ryder was our pumpkin! We go cheap on the costumes :)

The brother of the person who lives in this house grew this gigantic pumpkin in his garden!

My favorite pumpkin carving all night!

I can reach it with no help.

The kids had fun! Now, what to do with all this candy? Make rules.... that's what!

FOOTBALL

Here is a pic of us all bundled up for the Nevada vs Air Force game 10/26. It was COLD! We look about 50lbs heavier than we really are. That's what 10 layers of clothing will do to you. Look at Uncle Brad in the front! LOL! It was so fun to spend time with family. Maybe one reason the Lord brings the cold is to strengthen relationships. When else are you going to sit practically on top of the person next to you? Can you say, "Bonding time?"

And, this is a picture of Tyler's team after their last game Sat and their only victory.

I'm going to refrain from mentioning my thoughts on the Florida Gators :(

F-I-G-H-T!

We picked Uncle Brad up from the airport, went to chick-fil-a for lunch, and then came home and had a snow ball fight.

SNEAK attack!