All is Well that Ends Well.......

Samuel is almost 3 now and he has decided he is ready to use the potty (awesome). But he wants to do it on his own and not let anyone in the bathroom when he goes (no problem). Well, I thought it was no problem because he was doing really well. He would flush the toilet and wash his hands and he was so proud of himself! But you can only let a little boy alone in the bathroom so long. Unfortunately, leaving Samuel alone for only 2 minutes was way too long. He used the potty and flushed it about 5 times so I thought he went #1 but when I went in to check that was not the case. I spent the next hour giving my bathroom that much needed scrub down from top to bottom!! He got so excited the other day when I brought him home some new Hulk and Spiderman underwear. The only thing is that he refuses to wear them correctly. He thinks that the picture of the superhero is supposed to be in the front and not on his bum. So, if I do not let him wear them backwards he will not wear them at all. I guess if it all turns out in the end that he can wear his underwear however he wants.............

Life Happens..........

This past week was one of the the longest weeks I've had in a long time. It started on Tuesday with a series of head aches that would not stop. Taking pain killer only took the edge away not the whole head ache away ( and I am still suffering from them right now). Then on Thursday everything came crashing down (figuratively and literally) when Abby fell off the bunk bed and fractured her elbow!! We spent the entire afternoon at the doctors office and then the Hospital. We did not get home until 11:30 pm and then we had to go back to a specialist doctor on Friday which took the entire afternoon and some of the evening. This whole time my head was hurting. In the end Abby got a PINK cast and is very proud!! All of her siblings keep giving her a lot of attention. Just a side note.........Abby did fall off a bunk bed but don't all at once decide not to get bunk beds or take down ones that you already have............She could have just as easily fallen down the steps or off a swing or gotten hurt while wrestling with her brothers or any number of things we don't think about. Just food for thought. Life Happens! Abigail is doing great and is such a little trooper.

Okeechobee News........

Every year our somewhat small, rural, lake town puts on several fesivals. They run through most of the winter (because it's too hot in the summer) when all of the Northerners come to the Lake to escape the snow. Most of the festivals are the same (at least I think so) except for the so-called themes. We usually don't go 'cause there is nothing for kids to do but this past weekend we decided to go to the "Speckled Perch Festival" in the park (I just learned that the Speckled Perch is a fish).
This year, Okeechobee Christian Academy was asked to participate in the annual Chili Cook-off at this festival. Since Joshua had to be there we all went to hang out with Daddy. The kids found a few booths that had free games and prizes so they had fun and it turned out to be an eventful day. The school entered the chili contest at the last minute and had to compete with 12 total teams, but took home first prize for their chili! It was completely unexpected! It really isn't much but we are really proud of the school and the hard work the volunteers put into it.Joshua and Tom (a friend). Tom also entered the chili cook-off and they were goofing around.

New Family Member............

Yesterday my brother and sister-in-law celebrated the arrival of their second baby. They had a little girl! Her name is Autumn Mae and she is beautiful and healthy. Congratulations to you both on her birth! The kids are excited to have a new cousin!

Don't you wish you were here...........

It is winter all over where we are originally from. Both my parents and Joshua's parents are bundled up, looking out their living room windows at a lot of snow. All of our friends in North Carolina may not have snow but they have broken out the hats and gloves and coats. Truth be told, we miss all of that. We miss having four ACTUAL seasons. But when I talk to my mother or mother-in-law, they always say that they wish they were here. Here! In South Florida! I will admit, though, I do like not having to dress 5 children in coats, hats, gloves, boots and all other winter attire every time they decide they want to go outside. Here, we have two seasons. HOT and HOTTER! We have one wardrobe. Shorts and T-Shirts for everyone, a few pairs of jeans and one or two sweaters or jackets (just in case). So, while family and friends up North are running your heat, this is what we are doing......................................................
And yes, none of the kids are wearing shoes. I think they have forgotten what shoes are for.....