Potty Training Twins? Yeah Right.

Since I couldn't decide whether putting the actual pictures of the twins training was appropriate on the web, I decided that Isaac would have to pull it off for them. He is very interested in this chair.


I have quarantined the twins to a room with the TV and hardwood floors. We are on day 3 and are doing pretty good. Samuel was dry last night and they are both running to the potty to try to go. They can get easily distracted so I have to remind them frequently.

When I potty trained Joseph, my sister in law introduced me to this book on the internet. He potty trained in one day! I definitely recommend it to anyone! The twins are on their way to success and it's the beginning of day 3. Check it out at http://www.3daypottytraining.com . Please make sure to follow the acceptable use policy.

Over the River and Through the Woods...

Tomorrow we will go to be a part of celebrating Grandma Charlotte's life. We will spend Monday night and Tuesday in Georgetown (Danville area), IL. We remember Grandma Charlotte tonight and think about the things she loved. She made great lemonade. She loved doing crafts. We think about the odd little treasures you could find in her house and in the barns. She would recount stories of making meals for the hired hands that worked on the farm. Her house is filled with antiques. She could remember where each one came from and the story about it.

Jason began telling me tonight about how Grandma's farm seemed to be such a place of strength when he was a child. There were new tractors and big well-cared for barns. Reflecting on how through the years things would begin to deteriorate, the tractors were sold and now the loss of Grandma, we are reminded of the brevity of life. If our lives don't count for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, our time on this earth is empty and our strivings are in vain. This challenges me to continually be placing my time, my family and my choices before my Father God for his guidance and his approval.

One last story...when I told Lynnea about Grandma Charlotte, she asked me, "so Mommy, will this weekend just be a sad weekend?" I told her that if she felt sad or if Daddy did, we could talk about it, but not everything had to be sad. She responded, "but Mommy can we have a party or celebration or something?" When I asked what she meant, she said, "Grandma is in heaven now! We should celebrate that!"

Back to School

Well, they are off and running. Both Lynnea and Benjamin had their outfits picked out way in advance. It was very important to Lynnea that her outfit match her new shoes. She is sporting her new Hannah Montana purple backpack. Of course, inside, are 2 folders. One, Sharpay from High School Musical and the other, you guessed it, Hannah Montana.

I told Benjamin that he should choose a nicer shirt on his first day of school. This was a great disappointment to him since his favorite tacky neon-green dinosaur shirt would be much more appropriate to him. Can you tell his favorite color is green?!?! He is very excited about wearing new shoes and being in the same class as Paige Golden (I have to type it that way because that's the way he says is). Life couldn't get any better!

Lord Jesus, I lift up my children to you as they begin another year. I pray that you would protect their hearts. Keep them pure. Allow them to be used of you even at such a young age. Help them to choose friends who pursue you with all their hearts. May this year be a time when we look back and are able to testify "that the Lord is SO good". Amen.

Trip to the Fair

These were some pictures from July that I forgot I wanted to post. We visited the Howard County 4-H Fair. The boys loved the tractors. I wanted them to remember that they could fit in the wheel.



Samuel shows off his muscles!

Finishing Summer with a BANG!

School starts again for the kids on Friday, so we took a much needed family vacation to my favorite "home" spot of Lake Michigan before the fall begins. We were in a lake cottage right on the lake which has its advantages of being in the water almost all day, yet close enough to walk back for a quick lunch and a nap. Lynnea and Benjamin were much more comfortable in the water than 2 years ago. Samuel and Noah were very timid with the water, but loved the sand and sun. Isaac really enjoyed the taste of sand-yuck!We visited a dairy that makes their own ice cream. The kids really loved watching the cows. It was a toss up between whether the cows or the ice cream were more popular! We were sad to see our time come to an end, but thankful for the rest and quiet time together.Good-bye summer.

"I'm 6, but I look like I'm 7!"

These are the words that Benjamin said to Auntie Anna when she called him on his birthday. He got a little confused when we were measuring him on our family growth chart. He measures 2 1/2 inches taller than Lynnea did at 6. He took it to mean that he measures to be 7. Regardless of the details, he is getting so big. We had a family birthday on Monday night. Jason and I gave him "heelys" which he had asked for awhile ago. He was very excited. Grandpa and Grandma Legg came along with Aunt Gwen, Maggie and baby Anna. Friday night we had some friends over for a cookout and games. Here are some pictures from our parties together!