Potty Princesses and Carmel Sundaes

            Our three year has shown interest in potty training off and for the past six months, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that she accomplished the amazing feat of her first number two in the potty.  She was promptly rewarded gratuitosly with a gormet sucker. I hate using food as a reward...but I needed something I had easy access to for immediate gratification.  The next day she again repeated her trick, and we quickly upped the ante to a helium filled balloon (from the dollar store). When my kids figure out number two in the potty, I start really getting excited. I know that complete potty training is right around the corner. Yesterday was a first...her first day in panties. Guess what? So far she has initiated going potty whenever she has needed, and has had zero accidents. She is currently earning Chuck E. Cheese tokens for a visit. I have wistfully wondered if she would EVER potty train. It seems like she is the last one in her class who still has a diaper left at the counter during her class. Everyone else is potty-training.  I had always been told that you should wait till they were ready, but at three years and three months old, I thought it'd never happen. My other three were trained long before they turned three. I haven't changed her poopy pants for more than two weeks, and I'm excited to have one less box of diapers to buy.
          Yesterday was another first, Carmel (my hubby's hen) decided to go rogue when I rounded up the chickens to put in the cage at night. She snuck into the tall grass by our fenceline flanked by two poison ivy plants. As I carefully tried to grab her, I felt a burning sensation on my arm akin to the feeling you have when your foot falls asleep. It was my first experience with stinging nettles. Yes, I know chickens will naturally go into their area to roost for the night around dusk, but I was planning on going to a bridal shower and needed to hurry things along. My daughter who handles evening chores had a chance to visit her Nana, and I couldn't say no. The stinging sensation was so annoying that I was tempted to take my revenge by getting out the crock pot and making a Carmel sundae on a bed of fresh rice. I think the girls days of me doing chores for them are numbered.  I can feel a big ol' fat boundary coming.
           We are still figuring out our septic issue. The second opinion could serve to save us a good chunk of change, but only if our buyers accept it. Thanks for your continued prayers. I trust that God is still in control,  and that some good will come of this for us (Rom. 8:28). Until then, I will continue to celebrate that our little girl is growing up, and that my workload has just gotten lighter. The potty princess no longer hollars for me to change her...we've graduated to hollaring for help with wiping.

Moving Limbo

           Well it is almost a week later,  and there is still nothing settled with our septic issues other than the fact that our tank is much cleaner...we are still waiting on our second opinion. Each day I call the office, hopeful that today is the day, the day for good news. The company has been out twice. Will tomorrow be the big day? Will it be good news? I have no idea.
           I do have some really good news about Kansas. We have found a new home where the seller has accepted our offer. The first home's owners  weren't willing to sell their house for what we thought it was worth, so we moved on to our second favorite-a ranch home with two ponds and twenty acres. I think a couple of cows are in the near future. The ranch house is smaller than our current home, but after living in a larger home, I know what is really important to me....ample bedrooms and more than one full bathroom. This house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Hooray!! It has been nicely maintained too. For all of you concerned about twisters in Kansas, yes, it does have a finished walk-out basement with a lovely fireplace...and an attached garage, outbuilding and barn. The little ones are excited to have a swingset again, and I'm excited to have a huge porch/deck...the beautiful rose bushes in the front are a nice touch. As long as inspections go well, we should be moving in a little less than month.
           I feel like we are kind of in limbo right now...just waiting. We're in Illinois, but not for long. We are squeezing in lots of playdates for the older girls, which tonight meant I spent an hour changing out cedar chips, food and water for all fifteen animal. Then there was the coralling of the chickens into their cage...I could have been out there all night except that our three year old and five year old helped me. Our four month old grinned from the stroller and watched me run around like a chicken with my head cut off. Our five year old runs faster than any of the chickens. and caught the two rebel chickens that evaded my coaxing.
            I'm also trying to finish my 24 hours of continuing education to keep my x-ray license while we have a lull in the action. I'm not typically a big procrastinator, but when it comes to reading educational articles about "sinus pericranii", it's a bit challenging to find undistracted time to focus long enough to find the answers. I've completed 10 hours in the past week. (If you want to know about congenital anomalies of the spine that happen during organogenesis, I'm your girl.)
            We are beginning to have a dirrection and a bit of a deadline, which is good. I like to feel we are making progress. It still remains to be seen how exactly we will transport and house our 9 hens a-laying, 1 rooster crowing, 2 ducks a-quacking, 2 cats meowing, 1 dog barking, and 5 young children...I'm sure it'll be memorable!
       

Prolactin Junkie

              I've had several people mention that I appear to be doing pretty well considering everything happening in my life in the past year. We moved last July and are preparing to move again. (Here's that story.) We've also added a fifth child to our crew in January. Our son has been a huge blessing to me. He is a daily reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment, like watching him discover his toes, our dog's floppy ears, and even his deep belly laugh.
           One of the things that I struggle with is my negative thought patterns and from time to time, depression. Plugging into church, spending daily time meditating on God's word, hanging out with other ladies, and eating properly makes a big impact on how I deal with it all. There however is another blessing that I've had from our recent suprise baby boy. Some of you may know that while breastfeeding a baby your body releases this wonderful hormone called prolactin. It is what allows your milk to "let-down", and helps you actually feel really calm and happy. It also helps you feel loving toward and bonded to that little one you are nursing (that lovely euphoric feeling is part of what got me through my very painful experience with nursing the first time around). I get cranky and irritable when I wean a baby...I don't realize what a prolactin junkie I am till it's time to quit. I definitely felt the effect during our last trip/vacation.
            One of the great things about moving to our next location is that my brother and his family live in the area. Our kids have always wanted to live closer to their four cousins and now they will. When we went house-hunting a few weeks ago, we decided to make it more of a vacation by spending a little time with all of them. The hardest thing about that vacation was the drive out. The baby was fussy for the last few hours of the trip due to the time of day we traveled (which was even later than planned because I had forgotten my charger and had to turn around) We stopped at least 5 times on what would have taken 6 hours and 7 minutes (had we driven straight through...which NEVER happens with five kids). My fuse was getting short each time we chose to stop; but thankfully, prolactin saved the day and my sanity. Each time we stopped, I had a little natural dose from nursing the baby. We did eventually arrive with our sanity intact.
            I have given up on perfect vacations, but I'm thankful to God who knew exactly what this stage in my life would be...and what I would need. He knew how much the prolactin would help me. He also knew that I would totally lose my case of the grumpies when I saw our handsome baby boy break into his ear to ear grin (It works on my occasionally grumpy, hormonal preteen as well). He knew I would need an excuse to sit down quietly during this craziness and rock. He knew...and he knows what's ahead.

 What's the hardest part about vacations for you?

Today I'm joining others in blogging about "No More Perfect Vacations". Click here to read more blogs participating in the Third Thursday Blog Hop for Hearts at Home.

Buried Treasure

             I love our house. I referred to it as our Promised Land, but right now it doesn't feel like it because we are in the middle of negotiating after inspections. We may have a septic issue that wasn't found on our inspection ten months ago, which is frustrating and tempts me to wail, "Gloom, despair and agony on me..."  We will know more after our "second opinion" tomorrow. (I debated with titling this post "House of Dreams or House of Poo?")
             There have been plenty of challenges in my life, and I have loved watching God work through them...I believe this too will be one of them. A couple years ago, my hubby left one easy, unfulfilling job for a challenging one with a company just starting up. Initially, there was a substantial pay-cut to deal with (pay would have increased as the business grew). To make a long story short, that job didn't work out...but my hubby ended up being offered an outstanding job just six months after leaving the unfulfilling one. One of the things that came out of that time with learning to live with less was my love for making jewelry. I got creative instead of bemoaning the fact that our income had changed and my resources for giving gifts were different. Although I apologize to the owner of my first creation (a dear teaching friend of mine), I eventually got better. I began looking at jewelry people were wearing and copied what I liked. Below is a picture of my favorite peice that I made last spring.
             I'm reading a book called "Respectable Sins", and one line really speaks to me at this time. It says, "If I complain about the difficult circumstances in my life, I impugn the sovereignty and goodness of God and tempt my listener to do the same." Although,  I wish sometimes life was easier...I'm learning that the bigger the challenge,  the greater the opportunity for God to come through.
          Have you heard the story about two twin boys? One was the eternal optimist and the other was constantly negative. Scientist conducted an experiment and placed the pessimistic twin in a room filled with cars, trains, and toys to boggle the mind. They placed the optimist in a room of manure. Twenty minutes later, they checked in on them. The negative boy was crying amid the room of toys because none of the cars were his favorite color. However, the optimist was covered in manure and happily digging around in it.  When the scientists conducting the experiment questioned why he was so happy, he exclaimed, "With all this poop, there's bound to be a horse in here somewhere! "
          I'm not sure why we are going through this septic issue, but I'm going to keep digging till I find my horse. God is big enough to bring something good out of this stinky issue, and He is big enough to bring something good out of yours too.

Dear Hubby

Dear Hubby,
       You are an amazing man! I think you tend to focus on the negative things about yourself (like I do about myself); so this Father's Day, I wanted to tell you what I admire about you as a Father.
       I loved my dad, and thought he was amazing too. I knew he was aware that I messed up from time to time, but I ALWAYS was convinced of his love for me. This is one of the things that I think you really excell at. The girls know you love them. I see the same happy look in our girl's eyes that I had when they find that you always watch their crazy ride down the hill on their big wheel or their flip onto the couch. I see the delight in their smile when you take them to the store with you and bring them back with candy (for my dad, he almost always took me for a Blizzard).
       The way you take them on regular dates fill my heart with happiness because I know how much that relationship investment means to them now (and will mean to them in the future). There is something priceless about having someone look at you with unconditional love...they don't know how lucky they are. It still makes me miss my dad a little when I see your relationship with them, but that's ok. I often bemoan the fact that my dad is gone; but when I talk to friends,  I realize how many of them are still lacking that sense of their father's love or approval. It makes me grateful that I at least had it for a good portion of my childhood. I'm thrilled that our girls will have that for the rest of your life.
        I love that you always take time to listen to them whenever they feel like talking...really listen to them.
        I'm glad that when I asked the girls who they think your favorite is they unanimously said it was me. I'm glad they are growing up in a home that they see you putting our relationship as a priority.
        I think it is seriously manly of you that you are quick to apologize to them if you are wrong. When I hear others speak of their fathers never admitting that they are ever wrong, it makes me sad. We are all human, duh!
       I want you and the world to know how awesome you are! You have not followed in your father's footsteps, and that's a great thing!! You are a real man!

I'm proud of you, and I love you so much!
                            Your Adventure Partner,
                             Adventure Girl                                    

All Locked Up

           Our youngest is four month old and unintentionally pulls hair when he is excited to play with you. I quickly defend him to his sisters that "he's just a baby"and doesn't know what he's doing, while untangling his fingers from their hair. It doesn't hurt any less, but at least it doesn't feel malicious. There always comes a day of reckoning when you realize they ARE fully aware of what they are doing. I think this past week the was a real eye opener for me concerning the former baby of the family.
           We had a playdate with a couple of friends, and at one point in the evening I felt compelled to go check on the five year olds while letting Harley out one last time. As he strolled along to his usual haunts, I walked toward the barn and heard some yelling. The chicken wire cage was being vigorously jerked back and forth.  Finally,  when I was a few feet away, I could make out what they were saying. "_____ locked us in here. HELP! Let us out!!"  My three year old had locked in my five year old daughter and her friend in the chicken coop! When I went inside the house and questioned the three year old, she grinned sheepishly and said she'd locked them up so they didn't follow her!?!  This past week my mom also called me on some behavior I was allowing her to get away with. I'm glad to have a little wake-up call especially when it is by someone I know truly loves us...and when no one has been hurt.
            Honestly, parenting is overwhelming at times for me...especially when I long to really say something to a good friend without being interrupted 50 times. However, this is the job I chose and I am not alone. God has given me a wonderful hubby (and this separation is only temporary) and wonderful friends that are offering to help left and right. For right now, the help I need is a little grace from you while I try different strategies to sort this out.  My lil' tyrant needs some boundaries concerning rude behavior, and occasionally a little more attention when possible. Yes, I know that this too shall pass. Eventually,  she too will learn to stand quietly like the rest while I chat for a few minutes. I'm guessing she may continue with some of her other mischief for a while though,  so you may want to stay away from the chicken coop.

Quack This Way

           We got a pair of mallard ducks at the same time that we got chickens,  and I honestly think my two oldest loved them more than any other animal we have. They spent hours holding them, letting them preen their fuzzy jackets, and cleaning out the water that they swam in (In case you aren't aware of it, ducks poop a LOT!). They even took them for walks around the yard while they waited for their feathers to come in fully.  At first, they used leashes. Eventually,  they realized that all they had to do was quack and walk in front of them...and the ducks would follow them anywhere.
          This week we have been in a holding pattern as we are using a little strategy suggested by our realtor on one house and finishing up inspections on our current house. While we wait, I've been trying to focus the girls on how wonderful it will be to all be together again. They miss being with Daddy, and it is easy for them to get in a negative mindset ("Why does he have to go to work?") vs. a positive mindset ("I can't wait to see him again in a few days"). I feel a bit like the mama duck  because they mirror a lot of what I say. When I express delight over the house we will have, they smile and talk happily about it too. He drove home last weekend, and he is again driving home today.  I'm excited to see him...and the girls are too! Today, we went shopping for his Father's Day present; and the three year old can barely contain her excitement...she already blurted out on the phone what she got him.
           This past week we had the opportunity to go to my mom's house and pick strawberries (and make fresh jam). Sometimes, I get grumpy while I pack up for a trip; but this time I was intentional about the words I said. Instead of focusing on the work of getting things ready, I focused on how nice it would be to see my mom again. I know this could be one of the last times I am there for berry picking, and so I chose to speak positively about it. Guess what? They followed suit and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  When they were tired and hot from picking berries,  they threw on their swimsuits and sprayed each other with the hose when I suggested it (I had to include a picture of all the berries).
            As the ducks have gotten older and have been released to swim on our pond, they have become more and more wild. They no longer come into our barn at night to sleep, although they still allow one of my daughters to pick them up and hang out by them. They are increasingly dependant on each other and squawk loudly if one has flown off and left them behind.  Initially,  my daughter had decided to catch one when we move in an effort to force the other to be caught as well, but they are beginning to resist even that (she has tried catching one at night, but the other now flies away squawking, not allowing itself to be caught). They are no longer so attached to our home or my girls, but are more attached to each other.
          That is the lesson I am trying to focus on this week...not focusing on our attachment to our current home, but our attachment to each other. Try it and you may be suprised how quickly your ducks follow you when you "quack" and lead the way.

The Horse and The Rider

           One of the things that I think about in the middle of the night is the legacy that I will leave behind. There's a book that my hubby encouraged me to read called "When The Game Is Over, It All Goes Back In The Box". It talks about what actually matters in life, and one of my biggest takeaways from the book was that investing time in your family will always payoff. Your money does you no good when you die and neither does your house. Your children are what carry on your legacy, your traditions, and even your stories. I guess that's one of the reasons I'm glad to have a larger family. That is something that will truly last.
           Father's Day is coming up next weekend, and I was thinking about my own dad who died over 20 years ago. My dad was a guitar playing pastor who sang lots of songs straight from the Bible. I loved going to church in a large meeting room of the YWCA, sitting in a circle of folding chairs, and singing my heart out with thirty or forty other people. I loved sitting next to my dad and holding his hand while he led us in prayer (sitting next to my brother and holding hand was not a good idea...he'd squeeze my fingers so tightly during prayer that l'd cry out loud, warrenting a look that could kill from my mom). One of my most cherished treasures is my dad's Bible that has all the songs we used to sing high-lighted.
            My four month old loves to be sung to, so the other day I began singing songs to him that my dad taught me. This is an easy way to help him memorize scripture while also creating a memory. When a memory of a song we used to sing is triggered in my head, I am not only encouraged by the words I sing; but I am also reminded of my dad. Someday, I want him to read the Bible and hear the song play in his mind when he stumbles upon a scripture that I used to sing to him.
             One of my favorite scripture songs is called "The Horse and The Rider", and it comes from Exodus 15:1-2. Moses and the children of Israel were rejoicing over escaping from the Egyptians by God parting the Red Sea for the Israelites and then closing it back onto their enemies. The verses we used to sing say, “I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him." I have sung this over amd over to my son in the past month, and it has encouraged me to no end. It reminds me of how powerful God is...and that He can definitely handle my circumstances.
          On this past Friday, a dear friend sent me a text of the verse, " NOW unto the KING immortal, eternal, invisible. The ONLY wise god be glory and honor forever and ever amen." This triggered the memory of the hymn, "Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise" that I hummed for the rest of the morning...encouraged by God's power. (I went to a Baptist school where I learned all the great hymns as a child) Yesterday,  I was brought to tears by the first stanza of the hymn we sang in church. It felt like a personal message of hope straight to my heart.
            I don't know what you are facing today, but I would encourage you to sing a song of scripture or a favorite hymn you love...even to your own child. It'll lift your spirits and leave a treasure for your child to remember both you and God's word by.
            What is your favorite song? I'd love to hear your comments!

Bird-brained

            We went house hunting this past weekend. We found several possible homes, and we are currently in negotiations over one of our favorites. The house is nice, big, in a good location (school-wise), and it does have a pond and outbuilding. The thing that is hard is that we haven't found a home that is "better" than our current one. There is a temptation for me to complain about the things our current house has that we are unable to find anywhere else. That's really not fair. You can't justly compare apples to bananas...they're both fruit, but wonderfully different.
          My hubby used to say that gratitude is the healthiest of all emotions, which used to irritate me to no end...he'd always say it when I felt like a sourpuss and needed to be reminded to be grateful. He's right! Recently, my eldest daughter went to spend a week with the Grandmas, so I helped out with the chickens. The chickens crack me up because they totally live in the moment. It doesn't matter if there is a huge pile of chicken feed right in front of them. They will still walk over to eat the same food from your hand if they see you crouching down a foot away. I think they're thinking it's somehow better. (Our rooster pecks our hands instead of the food, I believe, to try to get us to drop the whole handful.) After a couple of bites, it's as if they've completely forgotten about the other pile. They are just blissfully enjoying the food and the fact that they got to it before the other hens spotted it. They also insist on digging through the kitty litter box in the barn...as if somehow this time they will find anything other than cat poop. Either they're stupid/simple-minded or really optimistic.
           I know "bird-brained" is not usually a compliment; but in the regard of living in the moment, I think I'd like to be a little bird-brained. I want to enjoy today at our current home, and enjoy the next home regardless of how it compares. I want to say "thank you" to God for all the good things that happened today...for putting together a puzzle with my three year old, for tasting the best scones ever (homemade by a friend of mine), for hearing a tree frog's sweet noise (that doesn't sound at all like ribbit), for finding out that a baby bird had not drowned in the pond when it's nest fell in (It flew!), for spending time with a neice and hearing all about her woes and (eventual) triumph in math this past school year, for realizing that today is the one year anniversary of this blog.
           This chick is looking for the next delicious adventure to devour, and thankful for the past year of blessings that I've gotten to recount. Thanks for sharing the journey!