My Big Boy

So when Luke woke up from nap yesterday he was DRY! I was completely shocked! At bed time we went pee a few times just to make sure he was all empty, but we still had an accident in the middle of the night. However, this morning he woke up about 6:15 and he was dry and had even gone to the bathroom before he came and woke me up! HUGE success!!! We have only had 3 small accidents, but we have caught them in time to run to the bathroom. I am so shocked at how fat this has worked and really feel blessed. I know that I havent been doing this all by myself and I know that Heavenly Father has heard my prayers and there are angels watching over us. I feel their spirits and am so grateful for the help I have been given. Lets hope this keeps up!

This is Luke showing off his "big boy" undies and his muscles. LOL

Day Two Of Potty Training

So after lots of great advice, I decided to try the 3 Day Potty Training that was suggested to me by a few different people. After reading it I was a little nervous about spending my waking hours with Luke by my side at all times. But I was hopeful.
This morning got off to a rough start. But its now 2:30 in the afternoon and we have had much success. He pooped in the toilet, peed several times in the toilet (he likes peeing standing up) and when we went outside to play, I taught him how to pee outside. He thoroughly enjoys that!
He's napping right now, so we will see how he does when he wakes up. I wouldnt be surprised if he pees his bead.
I have managed to stay cool and positive through this whole thing and I love seeing results. I have been playing games with Luke and coloring with Luke and even playing outside in the water with him. I have come to find out that he is very smart (he's really good at the Memory game) and that I just love spending time with him. He is silly, hyper, active and very curious.
Two more days and he is supposed to be able to get going pee and poop in the toilet all on his own.

Potty Trainer Needed

I am over this fighting and screaming and fit throwing. I am looking for a potty trainer to come and train Luke to pee on the toilet. Otherwise I may let Luke be in diapers the rest of his life. I am over this crap!
I researched and talked to friends about what worked and didnt work and got lots of great advice. I was so excited to start this morning and said a prayer last night. When it came time to actually GO to the potty, Luke started throwing a fit and screaming. I had explained to him earlier that he would get a star on his chart and a treat for every time he went potty and didnt go in his big boy pants. NOPE. Didnt work. In fact, I tried being calm and talking instead of yelling, and that didnt work either. The kid just doesnt want to go potty in the toilet. I had a small potty on the ground that he can go in or the big boy potty, but NOPE, didnt want anything to do with either one. I seriously dont know what to do! ADVICE PLEASE!!!!

Hawaii Trip

I feel like I just woke up from a dream and I am trying so hard not to forget it. Hawaii was so beautiful and such a blast! I went out there to shoot my step sisters wedding (pictures of that will come later). We arrived Thursday night and left Hawaii last night and arrived in Bellingham this morning at 6:30. Neither Rhett or myself slept on the plane and have been up for over 24 hours. We are so tired but we are excited to share our trip with you all.

The six hour flight was the longest flight I have ever taken, so we made sure we would have plenty stuff to do. We watched the Harry Potter And The Sorcerers Stone. I even learned a new game one my phone called Plants Vs. Zombies (my new addiction). When we got to the airport it was late, but we were all hungry so we ate at a place called Zippies. I wasnt a fan, but thats what you get at a 24 hour restaurant.

The next morning we woke up to this beautiful scene. We stayed at the Lotus Hotel near Diamond Head. We ate breakfast at the Hau Tree Restaurant right next to our hotel (there was even a rainbow awaiting us there!). My eggs benedict was the best I ever had! So delicious! I had realized I hadnt packed my memory cards for my camera, so I had to run by a rental place and get some for the weekend. The Lord was watching out for me on that one.

We took a beautiful drive along the coast from the South side of Honolulu to the North side of Honolulu. I have pictures of that but its on my other camera so I will post them later.

Saturday was the Wedding and Sunday we snorkeled (or tried before I got freaked out), enjoyed the sun and caught some waves. We even survived the waves at Sandy Beach. If you know anything about Sandy Beach, its that you cant just go there and expect to get out without getting hurt or dying. My mom and I watched the HUGE waves crash over people and we loved hearing the Life Guard make fun of people and yell at people over the intercom. I think my favorite was "Your boyfriend should have never let you come here!"

What I found most odd about Honolulu (Waikiki Beach area) was how it was so much like Vegas. Overcrowded. Lots of high end stores. Expensive. I loved the beautiful water color and all the Polynesian culture. I definitely want to go back in the next couple years.

My mom and step dad gave us leis when we got in. They smelled ah-mazing!

The rainbow on the first day. Tropical rain is crazy!

the art work on the wall looked like a smiley face.

Our view from the front of the hotel

our view from the back of our hotel

another view from the back of our hotel

The only good thing about coming home on a red eye flight is seeing your beautiful city in the morning dew with sun rays shining through the clouds. Absolutely breathtaking!

Speaking out

This may come as a shock to some of you, but parenting is probably my lifes greatest challenge. I dont enjoy it and really struggle to be a good mom. I have two kids who I know were given to me for a reason... to drive me crazy, but also to strengthen me and humble me.
Its easy to dish out advice on how to be a good parent. When I was just married, and even before that, I had in my head the type of parent I was going to be. I thought I was pretty realistic, too... That is, until I had two kids. I see mothers all around me having 3, 4, 5, and even 6 kids. I ask my self "how do they do it and stay sane?!" I think I would drive myself off a cliff! I know I was blessed with many gifts and talents from God, but patients is not one of them.
This may be my "depression" talking, but I find it hard to have joy in your life when your kids are fighting at 6 in the morning, or when you are trying to make a special date and go out for ice cream just for the kids to act up and misbehave, or when you think you are going to have some nice family time and read a book just to have your kids scream at each other on who gets to snuggle with mom or talk over you while you read. Is it just my kids that argue with me nonstop, all day every day, 24/7?! I tell them we are going to drive to the post office and they freak out and start throwing themselves on the floor like they didnt know any better.
I've tried taking "mommy time-outs" in the car, but the kids seem to just follow me. I cant even take a shower without the kids coming in and screaming that Luke hit Kylee or Kylee hit Luke. I hate to say it, but I cant wait for school to start again!
I know some of you may judge me, but I am writing this for those who may be struggling as well. I want to speak out for moms and let them know that they cant vent and that they dont have to be a "perfect" mom all the time.
Moms, its time to speak out!

4th of July 2011

This year was a little hectic and didn't turn out so great at first. There were a lot of tantrums and throwing fits and fighting and crying, so the morning half we didn't do anything fun. However, we had a wonderful BBQ with our fantastic neighbors and then headed out to the driveway to light fireworks. Later, Kylee and I went to sit in the back of Rhetts truck (which we had parked the night before so that we could get a good spot) at Boulevard Park to watch the BIG fireworks. It was super late and getting cold, so we brought blankets and some toys for Kylee to play with while we waited. Kylee is loving music (mostly stuff sung by Glee) and started singing a Lady Gaga song. The car next to us heard Kylee and started playing the song so she could sing with it. Then she started singing another song and they played that one as well. Kylee got the biggest kick out of them playing every song she sang. She said "I think they like my singing!"

I love this dog! This is our neighbors dog and his name is Wyatt. He's smart and funny and curious. One of my favorite things is that he will drop this ball (which is gross and slimy) and then growl and stare at it until you pick it up and throw it to him.

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