Patience

I've decided in the last little while that patience is a virtue that I don't possess. Looking back at some of the adventures I've gone through in this life, I believe that I was given some trials just to help me learn patience. However, I wonder if they did any good. I'm sure they did but I find myself impatient with unimportant things...like I don't have the patience to finish a quilt (or any sewing project for that matter!), to drive behind a slow driver, and to think through a really tough problem to find a solution. Tyler on the other hand is a VERY patient person and sometimes I wonder if I drive him crazy. I watch him and realize I need to relax and take a breath, to stop worrying over problems I can't control, and to follow through with my projects, even if they do take forever. I noticed on my run on Saturday that when I first started I really just wanted it to end so I would go faster and run feeling anxious and sick. When I finally calmed down and just took it minute by minute and started looking around me I enjoyed myself more. The running was easier and I really enjoyed my alone time. Since this little epiphany, I have tried to remind myself to just relax and take life as it comes and I've found that I'm happier. I'm not normally a stressed out person but lately I've felt that way and I think that patience has had a lot to do with it. I'm so lucky to be married to Tyler...he's a great balance for me and also a wonderful, patient example.
Does anyone have any great therapies they use to help themselves when they feel out of control for no real reason? I'm learning, but sometimes I'm not a very good student.

Candy, Candy, and then more candy

Easter was very "eggciting" this year (according to Trevor and Cambria). The Easter Bunny did arrive (thank-goodness!) bringing lots of sugar and some fun new toys. At our house, the Easter Bunny comes on Saturday morning instead of Sunday morning and this year he tried to be tricky; he hid the Easter baskets. Trevor thought that was pretty clever but it didn't take him long to find the hiding spots for ALL the baskets.


After enjoying the generosity of the Easter Bunny, we were off to an egg hunt at the Kemble's house for the primary. Trevor was sure he was going to win (I'm not sure what he wanted to win, but whatever) and Cambria gave up the hunt after about 10 eggs and decided that the slide would be more fun. (Thanks to my friend Camille for the pictures. Due to my pregnancy brain from 3 kids, I forgot my camera.)



After our fun primary egg hunt we went over to Nana and Papa's (G & G Kent) and had another egg hunt while Nana took pictures.
To end the day, Ethan threw-up four times because I think he had a few too many M&M's and jelly beans.
Yes, Easter was fun, but I think we've had our fill of egg hunts until next year (and it might just take us that long to finish off all our candy).

No More Training Wheels!

Triumph!

On his way!

It's an exciting day for Trevor...he can now ride his bike without training wheels! Awhile ago, Trevor decided that he wanted to try riding his bike without training wheels because all of his friends in the neighborhood ride their bikes without training wheels. He was nervous but determined that he could do it. I talked to him about how it was okay if he fell off, crashed, or couldn't do it right away while Tyler took off the training wheels. I didn't want him to get frustrated, but it turns out I was all worried for nothing. The FIRST time Tyler let go of the bike Trevor did it! I stood there with my mouth open, watching our very coordinated 4 year old just start riding his bike. (Tyler couldn't believe it either.) I was all prepared for tears, scrapes, frustration, but Trevor didn't fall...at all! It's a good thing I got it on video tape because I can go back and know I didn't imagine it. Trevor is amazing...good job, Kid!

One of Those Days

Today we are all home-bound because Ethan is sick (running a fever, coughing, throwing up, etc), Cambria acts like she is coming down with it and it's raining outside. Lucky for Trevor a friend of ours invited him to come play at the NW Kid's Club with her kids. We probably won't be leaving home for a few days. :) Since I'm home I decided that I may as well get a few things done. So far the laundry is almost done, the bathroom has been cleaned, and I've gone through some piles that have been driving me crazy. A reason to be positive...right?

Here's a little potty training up-date: there is no change. Cambria is very sweetly refusing to go potty on her own and until she decides she wants to, my hands are tied. I thought my will would win over hers but after 8 days with no improvements I give in (at least for now and until everyone is better again). AND, she WANTS to wear diapers! I don't understand... I just have to keep telling myself that see is not going to start Kindergarten in diapers. Eventually she will go to the bathroom on her own. {sigh}

Even though things are on the down hill right now, we had a really fun weekend. We were able to drive down to Medford for Katie's (my cousin) baby blessing. We have lots of family down there and it was great to see everyone. Grace Elizabeth is an adorable baby and Ethan was a horrible traveler. Life contiues on and the kids continue to grow...funny how that works!

Potty Training...Yuck!

I've decided that it's time to get Cambria potty trained and it's so not going well. I thought after Trevor that the others would seem easy...so NOT true! She is as bad as he was! I'm starting to think that it's me...that I'm not taking the right approach. But seriously! How hard can it be to get a kid to pee in the pot! For the last few days we've been talking up going potty like a big girl and watching movies about it and reading books about it. She was all excited especially because I told her when she puts pee-pee in the potty she gets jelly bellies (her favorite candy in the whole world). We started Monday...zero success and I was cleaning the carpets where she had her accidents. I was expecting that. Then yesterday, we practiced ALOT and after I had her sit on the potty reading books and singing songs for almost 45 minutes, she got up ready to be done and peed on the floor less than five minuts later about 5 feet from the potty! We haven't had one success and I'm wondering if maybe she WON'T go in the potty. Not that she can't...that she won't for whatever reason. I think I'm going to try for a few more days and if she still won't then I'm going to wait for a few more months. {sigh} I think potty training is on the very bottom of the what I like to do list. Does anyone have any miracle ideas that worked for your kids? I'm VERY open to suggestions!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Hard to believe that it's already here...Ethan is 1 year old! He is a tough little guy who knows how to make his unhappiness or displeasure known by screaming at the top of his lungs and it is LOUD! Here are a few things about him at 1:
- He doesn't crawl...he scoots on his bum everywhere he goes.
- He can pull himself up and stand as long as he has something to hold on to (couch, chair, etc).
- He loves music and will stop and listen whenever something or someone is playing.
- Loves his blue, soft, blankie and will not sleep without it.
- Won't let a stranger hold him willingly...he's a mama's boy!
- Hates baby food but doesn't have a single tooth yet (he gags on every bite of baby food).
- Follows Trevor and Cambria around the house, hoping they will let him play too. (Usually they don't)
- Is Healthy, Happy, a good sleeper, and we are so glad he's a part of our family!

Here are some pictures of our party we had for him:


He didn't love his birthday cake...in fact he didn't like it at all! He didn't like the way it felt on his hands and he didn't know how to get it off so he just kept grunting and growling. He did let me feed him though... He didn't get as messy as I thought he would.

Happy Birthday buddy!

Blessings

On our way home from church today I was asking Trevor and Cambria about what they learned and what they did in their classes. Cambria kept saying "Do As I'm Doing"...that's what she learned and what she did. Trevor said, "We talked about putting your hands on my head when I'm sick for a blessing. It's so my head will remember to NOT get sick." I laughed quietly to myself all the way home.
Trevor, Cambria, and Ethan are three of the greatest blessings I have (since we're on the topic of blessings...). They are so pure, innnocent, and teachable at this age and sometimes I worry that I don't take advantage of that enough. Every day I laugh at something funny one of them does or says and I wonder why it's so easy for me to forget t that this is precious time that will be gone before I know it. Sure they require much of my attention, and yes they make messes that I have to clean up and it's my job to dress, feed, clean, and groom them, but hey! Soon enough they won't want to sit on my lap anymore or spend time with me because I'm "embarrassing" them (hopefully it won't be that bad). So my motto for right now and the near future is ENJOY THE MOMENT--it won't last forever. Littles are lots of work, but just maybe the rewards will be much more than we think!