Brady

If you know anything about our Brayden, seeing Ellie sitting up on a shelf can't be good.  Our youngest little one has been going through some changes lately, one of which involves potty training.  He will be three in May, so I am pretty anxious to get him out of diapers.  This past week, Brayden and I began intentional potty training.  He has been pretty good about it.  One day he had a lot of accidents and that is when I resorted to his lovey, Ellie.  I told him that he needed to learn not to go pee or poo in his britches and until he started trying more, he couldn't have Ellie back.  This was on Saturday.  It was only a little over an hour later and after a pee in a public restroom, Ellie was in his possession.  You've never seen a sweeter smile and look of satisfaction.  So, when he poops his diaper or underwear, Ellie is mine until he can prove to me he is working on this.  

Here's Brady licking the pancake batter Saturday morning.

Brayden and Kalen paling around.  These two are quite a duo.

The above picture was taken weeks ago.  This was when Brayden would take a nap during the day and be up till 9  or 9:30 at night.  He would always go into Maddie's room.  She would just love on him and totally cater to his every want or need.  I caught them all tucked in together several nights.  One night I saw Madelyn putting hair clips in his hair.  :)  You can tell he is proud in this photo and not at all sleepy.

I have pretty much decided to let Brayden drop his nap.  Yes folks, that means NO NAPPERS!!  I am trying not to think about it too much.  My goodness, for almost nine years, I have had a sleeping child in the morning and/or afternoon.  Without his nap, Brayden is cranky around supper time and totally zonked by 7:15 or 7:30 pm.  This has been nice for the past few days.  I am sure there will be days that he may nap, but it won't be the norm anymore.

Last night at 7:45pm

Tonight at 7:30 pm, Brayden was sound asleep as Scott carried on his nightly reading with the kids on the couch.  

LEGO-palooza

Our family had such a great day.  Our day was full of some of our favorite things, like pancakes, outside time, Playmobil, Weaver Street Market, vegan chocolate cake, garden shopping, and lots of family time.  One of the cool things we did was go to the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill.  An organization called NCLUG (North Carolina LEGO Users) were displaying lots of LEGO exhibits at LEGO-palooza.  We were packed like sardines in a big ballroom full of people and LEGOS.  I am trying to see how many times I can type up LEGO in this post.  :)

We have so many LEGO lovers within our home.  I am sure most of you will enjoy looking at some of these displays.  

After viewing the exhibits, we let the kids run around in the Coker Arboretum, right there on Carolina's campus by the Planetarium.  What a beautiful place.  We plan to revisit in the spring.

Uniqueness

These are the bright shining faces that greet me each morning.  I am so thankful for each of my children and how they are so unique.  It amazes me sometimes how different children can be.  I think it is so neat how God made us.  Today, I celebrate my children's uniqueness.  

Madelyn is my little dove of peace that flutters about the house filling the air with concern, love and laughter.  She loves caring for her brothers.  She enjoys writing and art.

Julian is my little protector.  With a tender heart, each day he seeks justice.  Nature is never far from his mind.  He loves to occupy his time by reading good books and building things.  Skateboarding is a new hobby for Jules.

Kalen is my lively little teddy bear.  He is a big heart walking around.  His laugh and humor can bring a smile to all the faces in our home.  With enthusiastic diligence he rocks on through each day.  He enjoys nature, cooking, math, and playing games.

Brayden is my little buddy.  Always close by my side, he yearns to be nurtured and cuddled.  He is a passionate little one, capable of knowing what he wants in life.  He enjoys music and art.  He loves books, sports, and animals.

What a blessing it is to live each day with these four beauties.  They are so pure, upbeat, resilient, and fun loving.  

Lord, give me the wisdom to listen.  

Help me to hear their passions and follow intently.  May I enter into their worlds with true interest and involvement.  Help me to connect and cater to their interests.  God you know them.  Continue to spur them on to great things.  May I embrace motherhood knowing that your strength is there to give them all they need and want in life.  Thank you for an amazing husband that desires to be involved in his children's lives.  Thank you for the gift of marriage and family life.  Help us to love one another through our differences.  May we celebrate the uniqueness that you have given each one of us.  Amen.

A Burger

I just had the most fascinating conversation with Brayden.  Let me replay it for you . . .

(during a dreaded stinky diaper change)

Brayden~ Yesterday, I saw a burger.

Mommy~ (remembering he says burger instead of booger) A booger?

Brayden~ Yes.

Mommy~  Oh.  Well, where did you see it?

Brayden~ On my bed.

Mommy~  Ew, on your bed?

Brayden~ Yes.

Mommy~ Yuck, Brady.  How did it get there?

Brayden~  I don't know.  

Mommy~  Well, what should we do?

Brayden~  Um.  I don't know.

Mommy~  Should we put it somewhere else?

Brayden~  Yes, up there.  

Mommy~  Where?

Brayden~  On the seeing (ceiling).  (giggle giggle)

Mommy~  No silly, we shouldn't put it up there.

(done with diaper change)

Brayden~  I show you, Momma. (pulls my hand to follow him to his bed)

Mommy~  Okay.

Brayden~  Um.  Uh.  It here somewhere.  EWW, MOMMA!  Here!

Mommy~  Oh gross, Brady.  This doesn't go here.  (giggle giggle)

Brayden~  Oh okay, Momma.  (okay with life, he walks away)

Mommy cleans up the burger.  

Snow Day

I was never able to post the pictures from our snow day last Tuesday.  Since we do not get snow often, I felt it important to share the sweet moments we were able to enjoy this winter bliss.  

This is Brayden just before breakfast, enjoying his view of the falling snow just out the window.

I mean, does it get much cuter than this?

This is Brady just after going out for the first time.  He wasn't sure if he was into it or not.  

Scott stayed home for the day.  The kids loved having Daddy home to romp in the snow with.

This is Brayden warming his tootsies.

My Cup Is Full

I had an amazing time away at the Whole Heart Conference.  What a treat to travel with my sweet friend, Lisa.  I enjoyed our long chats, stopping for some lunch and an uninterrupted adult conversation.  :)   

Upon arriving, I saw a very familiar face entering the church.  One of my best buddies, Amanda, was stepping in for a weekend of encouragement as well.  I thought she may be going, but wasn't sure.  She was so surprised to see me.  She had a friend, Karin, with her that Lisa and I were able to get to know.  Sweet fellowship!

We listened to Sarah Clarkson, Sally Clarkson, Zan Tyler, Sandra Maddox and Racheal Carman. Each of them had a life giving lesson for each of us.  They mentioned: 

faith

ideals

joy

smiling

grace

fear

embracing

loving

surrendering

holiness

beauty

serving

reading

shaping

trust

offering

forgiveness

compassion

subdue

heart

bitterness

ministry

mundane

holy

encourage

significance

perseverance

guilt

perfection

stories

expectations

refinement

guardians

nurturing

As you can see, I have a lot to process and be sharpened by.  The whole conference and company I was in, blessed my socks off.  I am extremely thankful for the Clarkson family's passion for encouraging and uplifting mothers and family.  I am on a "mommy high" right now.  I have been surrounded by 200 other moms this weekend and fed encouragement, life giving messages, scripture, prayer, humor, lots of chats, coffee and good food.  

I am grateful for my family that continued on here at home and seemingly didn't miss me.  No, just kidding.  I was getting Brayden out of the tub tonight and told him that I missed him while I was away.  He said, "I luz you come home."  That is Brayden for I love you and glad you are home.  This is where I belong.  Home is where my heart is.   

Karin, Amanda, Sally Clarkson, myself, and Lisa

This is Lisa.  She has a family that she knows in Charlotte.  That sweet and accomodating family allowed Lisa and I to stay with them.  We had a great time together; eating, talking, laughing, eating some more, and talking some more.  I am so delighted to have this homeschooling mommy friend to confide in, relate to, be weak and strong with.  What an amazing friend.

Here I am with Amanda, always such a treat.

Amanda and Karin

Bag Is Packed

In 45 minutes I will be leaving for 2 days away.  I am attending a Whole Heart Conference in Charlotte with my friend, Lisa.  This is a little about the conference from their website:

A two-day church retreat designed especially for Christian mothers, now in its 11th year of ministering to moms. In this time of faith-challenging uncertainty, Sally's heart is to give moms the ability to "smile at the future" like the Proverbs 31 mother. You’ll be strengthened and encouraged for the life of trust and faith to which God has called you in raising wholehearted children at home. The retreat also includes inspiring guest speakers, practical workshops, inspirational worship, a light boxed lunch, book tables, and more.  

Needless to say, I am excited and hopeful.  I have read several of Sally Clarkson's books.  If you are a mom that doesn't know about her, check her blog and books out.

I must say though, packing for one instead of six is a little strange.  I love being with my family.  I prefer being home.  Conferences like the one I am attending are not necessary, but indeed a treat.  When I told Scott about this conference, he was like, "why haven't you signed up yet?"  He knows I dig Sally Clarkson.  He'll be holding down the fort while I am gone.  What a gift to have a husband that enjoys being with his kids and knows how to give to his wife.  

A Load of Crap

(I reeled you in with the title of this post, didn't I?) 

After our gardening friends left Sunday, Scott and I began chatting about some things we could do to enhance our growing area outside.  You know you have good friends when they inspire you to do better and think bigger.  Well, I totally left my comfort zone and called up a horse ranch in our area and asked if we could come take some of their manure.  Are you giggling yet?

Scott took the afternoon off on Monday and we headed out to Carefree Ranch in Chapel Hill.  The kids and I crammed in the Subaru after we emptied out the back of our van to make room for buckets full of poo.  Why do we want it?  Because horse manure is super rich for the garden soil.  

We arrived at the ranch and were totally blown away by the beauty surrounding us.  Not only were the animals breathtakingly gorgeous, but the land was so well kept and pretty.   Robbie, the caretaker of the horses, met us at the barn and was super helpful and nice.  She showed us around a bit and I soon realized that not only were we getting manure for our garden, but we were on an unplanned field trip (those are the best).

The kids and I walked around with Robbie to see some horses and Scott began shoveling.  :)  I did pick up a shovel at one point.  (Hee hee.)  After a bit, Robbie took us to the pasture and we were able to see more horses.  Robbie, Scott, and later Julian shoveled manure from the pasture the horses were in.  

We'll definitely be returning to Carefree Ranch.  For now, there is a huge mound of horse crap in our garden.  It has to sit for weeks (to compost) before we can use it.  Ahh . . . the richness of life!

Those are blue eyes you see.  Gorgeous, isn't he?

Waco, the ranch dog.  The kids loved him.

Here's Scott showing the kids some of the manure.  Since our kids don't know that much about horse poo, he showed them how well you can tell what they eat.  It was pretty clear to them why that would be helpful for our garden.