Yes, another post about potty training.

Becca’s doing so well with potty training except in two areas.   Going poop in the potty and going potty somewhere other than home without her potty insert thingy.   There’s also the thing of reading a book to her while we are in the bathroom, sometimes over and over, but it’s a small price to pay for diaper freedom!

Today after lunch I could see the glazed over look of impending poop in Becca’s eyes.  I asked her if she needed to go in and use the bathroom and she of course answered “NO!”.   I then bribed her with a piece of candy, to which she asked for chocolate (a girl after her mommy’s heart).  As we walked into the bathroom I told her she could only have it after she poops.  

Three books read later, the deed was done, the chocolate was ate and now I’m going to carry chocolate around in my purse for those times when we aren’t at home.  

Who knew it would work?

I tend to think of those unhappy moments in parenting.   You know, the pain of child birth, although mine was more the pain after having my stomach cut open.   The tired sleepless nights, those I’ve kind of forgotten.   The crying of Becca’s colic.   Being the human pacifier for Benjamin.    Those little memories fade from everyday thought and it’s only when I really think about it does it come up.  

We are in the middle of one of those memories that I hope we will soon forget – potty training!    For this reason alone we are not having any more children.   (I kid, it’s really that Walter doesn’t want me phsyco hormonal anymore).   Today I’ve really took away the pull ups and made her wear big girl panties, except for nap and bed.   We’ve had accidents – three in a row, but that’s ok, hopefully it won’t take that many more to sink in.   She was the one that really wanted to do this and the thought of being done with diapers is an exciting thought.   But really potty training is hard work, it’s something that I totally have to think about, to be aware of.

I was thinking of talking to Walter about going to Reno or Redding on Saturday, but then the thought of a day potty training on the go, or just putting on diapers/pull ups kind of makes me want to put that idea on hold.    I guess we’ll see how she does tomorrow.   It will be her and daddy.   I need to work.  Hopefully he will be sucessful and things will click.    Until then I just keep reminding myself that soon this will be a distant memory – like how much it hurt coming out of my c-section with Ben and how I kept pushing the pain medication pump too many times and had to keep calling the nurse to give me more because I hurt so much.   Yeah a distant memory like that.

My parents got me a gift card to Joann’s fabric.   When I was told about it I immediately thought of all the wonderful fabric I could buy.  I had dreams of yards and yards of beautiful fabric.   Then I took a look at my huge container of fabric and decided that’s not quite right.    I need to sew all the fabric I have into projects and then restock.  I searched the web for a quilted advent calendar, but couldn’t find one that I liked.   So I headed over to Joann.com and found some really cute projects that will keep me busy and make decorating for Christmas more fun.

I just think this wall hanging will be so cute to use not only in December but into January also.  

I’ve been looking for an advent calendar and I thought this is just perfect for our family.   It will help focus us on the “reason for the season”.

And these are the cutest little Mary Engelbreit ornaments.   The kids and Walter got me two ornaments this year and my mom has gotten me several over the years.   I told Walter that soon I can have my own Mary Engelbreit tree!

Today we had a wonderful day celebrating Christmas.   The kids got us up at 6:30.  I kicked Walter out of bed  Walter lovingly got up and built a fire while the kids and I cuddled in bed.  I asked Ben if he thought Santa had came and he jumped out of bend and ran into the living room.   His sister wasn’t far behind.  Santa brought Ben a new drum set and Becca a “house”.   They both where so excited and it was wonderful watching it through their eyes.   After serving everyone their morning beverage of choice (hot tea for Walter, coffee for me, chocolate milk for the kids) we sat down to do some serious present opening.   The kids got so much wonderful stuff and really enjoyed each moment of the morning.  

Christmas takes on a totally different meaning when you have kids.   It changed me spiritually but it also changes how I look and feel about the things that I receive.   I totally used to be all about the presents.   The more the better.   Now it’s about the wonder that my son picked out a pretty sweater for me or that my mom took the time to make Becca and I matching aprons.   It’s about the thought and not at all about the monetary or quanity amount of the presents.   For my stocking Walter went and bought me 6 books, he had told me he went to Mama’s Thrift Store for something.   My first, selfish, thought was “What possibly could he buy at Mama’s?”  But it was a wonderful treat to know that it not only didn’t cost that much it went for a good cause (crisis pregnancy center). 

We hung out in our jammies all day, all enjoyed a good nap and most importanty, we enjoyed being together as a family.   The kids enjoyed Becca’s “house” and Ben’s “music machine” while Becca sang and Ben beat on his drums.   We had lots of laughs and many hugs.  

As we sat around the table tonight during dinner, Walter asked the questions ”What would you thank Jesus for”   Ben’s answer was that he was born.   Becca’s was sending baby Jesus.   Mine was that every good gift comes from Him.  Walter’s answer was Jesus’ forgiveness of our sin.   As I looked around the table, at my wonderful husband and beautiful children.   I knew I had been blessed and that they are all the gifts I will ever need.

It’s hard to believe Christmas is just 5 days away, 5 sleeps as we say in our family.   The presents are all bought and sent, the food bought, candies made.   The house needs to be cleaned and the pajamas need to be sewed, but really, our family is ready for Christmas.   Ben just had his last day of school before vacation and of course had a huge Christmas party.   While he learned a lot about snowmen, elves, Santa, reindeer and getting presents, he didn’t learn about the real reason we are celebrating.   The things he learned are the fun things, but it’s Walter and my job to teach him what this season is really about. 

This morning Ben and I where cuddling in the recliner and I thought back to my first Christmas as a mom, just five years ago.   Ben was 5 months old, still breastfeeding and at that time, my whole world.   I sat looking at our Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music and thinking.   It was the first time that the Nativity story took on profound meaning.   I was a 30 year old woman, in our cozy warm apartment, having delivered my baby in a hospital, had family and community support.   But my mind and heart went to the young girl Mary, who was just a teenager, traveling on a donkey, not knowing where she was going to deliver the baby, without her mother, just this man – one she hadn’t even been intimate with yet as her midwife.   She was an outcast, no one really believed that she conceived this child by Holy means.   I sat holding my beautiful boy, who had just fallen asleep on my breast and wondered what that young girl felt like.    Did she know what was in store for her child?   Did she know how special those feet would be, or that one day they would be nailed to the cross?   If she really understood what this babe of hers would do, would she go through the joy and pain?  

The song “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant always takes me back to our little apartment, rocking Benjamin and marveling at God’s plan when He sent His son into the world.   It makes me remember the sacrifice that God gave us.   His plan wasn’t to send this babe and make him a mighty warrior to conquer Rome and save His people that way.   His plan the whole time was Calvary and Easter Sunday.  I can’t help think that there must have been a better way, one less painful for Mary and her mother’s heart.   Yet it wasn’t about that, was it?   It was about this unassuming child being born.  It’s about the events that His life would set in motion.  It’s about His death and most importantly it’s about His Resurrection!

Breath of Heaven 

I have traveled, many moonless night
Cold and Weary, With a babe inside
And I wonder, What I’ve done
Holy Father, You have come
Chosen me now, To carry your son