I'm happy to report

....nope, not pregnant.  Almost as exciting though.   I think Bren is...dare I say it.....potty traned!!!!!! (slight pause for marching band and fireworks show here). 

OK here we go with all the potty talk.  Read at your own risk.

Bren has been telling me when she needs to go and not having any accidents in her panties, poo or pee.  So what finally made it click for her?  Letting go of the control and just letting nature take it's course.  I had gotten her used to being clean by making her go at certain intervals so she wouldn't have any accidents, but if I forgot, she most certainly would go in her pants and she hated that feeling.  So when I just stopped making her go and letting her experience that, she caught on quickly.  I had tried that method when we first started training right after she turned two, but it didn't seem to bother her to be wet at that time.  I think having the experience of being clean all the time made it really difficult for her to go back to being wet.

Poos were sooo much harder to tackle.  First she couldn't figure out how to let them go in the potty, then she figured it out, but still preferred to use her panties and then tell me when she was done.  It wasn't until I caught her in the act and made her finish on the potty that it finally started clicking with her.  Sooooo glad to not have to clean dirty underwear anymore!  No diapers, no dirty panties, get's on and off the potty by herself, wipes herself (well wipes pees, not poos yet), pulls down her pants and pulls them up with minimal assistance. Yep, I'd say that's trained!

And the best part, for the past 3 days she has even woken up dry.  I knew it would come on its own eventually, but I thought it may be awhile yet.  Maybe it's a fluke, I'm not taking my brand new box of pullups back just yet, but I'm hoping to soon if we keep going at this rate.  Way to go Bren!  You just made this Mama very proud and happy. 

Saying goodbye to a part of me for now.

Today I made a decision that was a little tough.  I decided to sell my fish tank.  This is going to seem a little weird to some of you, but if you know me well enough you will understand why.  My entire life I have been fascinated by life in the water.  In fact, for a good seven years of my life I wanted to be a marine biologist until my parents discouraged me from doing so pointing out that I lived no where close to an ocean.  I remember my very first fish tank and how excited I was to get it.  My father bought it for me.  It was a 5 gallon tank.  Eventually I moved up to a 10 gallon tank.  My grandfather brought it home from his office.  Again, I was thrilled.  I kept that tank all the way through highschool and was known to spend all of my allowance on fish. 

In college I downsized to a 3 gallon tank.  I was busy and didn't have much time for a tank at that time.  Shortly after we moved into our first house I took the big plunge and bought the biggest tank I had ever owned.  It was the tank of my dreams.  A 55 gallon tank!  I had always wanted a big tank and told myself someday when I was an adult I would have one.  I have had this tank for 8 years and have loved it.  It is relatively easy to maintain.  I simply hook a hose up to my sink faucet and drain and empty it with just the flip of a switch.  I spent many nights just watching the fish and listening to the serene bubbles.  I've been amused by the behaviors and personalities of each and every fish I have owned.  They recognize me and follow me around.  They have been a great source of entertainment for the my children and the children I watch.  Yes, my tank has been a great joy in my life.

So why am I saying goodbye to something that has always been part of my life?  Two reasons.  First of all, all of my decorations are shot and needing replaced.  The cover to my tank is broken and covered in lime deposits; our water is EXTREMELY hard.  It needs replaced.  The heater needs to be replaced.  After 8 years, it is certainly showing it's wear.  The tank itself even has a spot or two that may need to be recaulked.  It's almost starting to become a liability in it's condition.  In order to get it up and running the way it needs to be, I would probably have to dump 200 dollars into it.  Rather than dump more money into it, I'd rather spend that money on a new tank all together, but honestly, I'd rather wait to do that until the kids are older and I have more time to enjoy it.  Even though it is an easy keep, it is still another responsiblity on my plate. 

Funny thing, when I got my first inquiry after posting an ad on craig's list.  My heart dropped.  I started having second thoughts as I saw my little fish happily swimming around.  It was that same pang of sadness I felt when we found a new home for Brutus. It will be weird not seeing the life it brings to our room anymore. The pretty bright colors of the plants and rocks and fish that brighten up our room.  I will miss the gentle hum of the air pump and the little popping of bubbles.  Silly isn't it?  Thank goodness we still have Kadyn's beta, Asia. LOL.  She is a spunky little fish.  I enjoy her too.

I have to admit though, it will be nice having the extra space in our room.  It will be nice not having to spend 15 dollars on new filters every couple months.  It will be nice not having to find people to feed the fish when we are out of town.  It will be nice not having to clean the tank every couple of weeks.  Yes, this will be a welcome break.  However, it isn't the end of fish in my life.  Nope.  Not at all.  Someday when my kids are much older, and money isn't quite as tight, I will once again take up my hobby.  It makes me happy.  It will be fun!  I can't wait.

So goodbye old friends....for now.

Why I married your Dad

Last Sunday our pastor said to write our children a letter to tell them why we married our spouse.  I decided to blog it instead.  I hope to print off my blog someday.  So here I go.

Kadyn and Brennan,

I wanted you to know why I married your Dad.  My hope for you is that someday you can find a man that makes you as happy as your Dad makes me.  He is an extraordinary man and I am very, very blessed that God chose him to be my soul mate.  When I met him, these qualities attracted me to him and made him the most amazing man in my life:

-he's compassionate
-he's supportive
-he makes me feel beautiful
-he is ambitious
-he is a provider
-he's funny and goofy with me
-he's handsome
-he's a dreams with me and sets goals with me
-he loves children and is SOOOOO good with them
-he's helpful
-he's great with people and words
-he won't let me go to bed angry, we always work it out
-he's a thoughtful gift giver
-he's self sacrificial
-he's loving
-he wants me to be happy
-he will cook for me
-he's very smart
-he gives 110%

-he loves exploring places and documenting it in pictures
-he loves music as an art and appreciates it
-he's an amazing friend


I pray with you girls daily for your spouses, because I know that who you end up with can make or break your happiness as an adult.  I pray that someday you can write one of these letters to your own children.  May God bless you richly in the man he choses to be your spouse and may you find the happiness and contentment in your marriage that I have been able to find in mine. 

Love you girls!

Mama

Brenny Mommy Day

Since I had scheduled a day off on Monday because of our camping trip, and we ended up coming back early, I decided to take Monday and make it a special day for Brennan and I.  I have taken Kadyn out to do some special things before, but I had never had a special day for Brennan.  Monday turned out to be a perfect day for it.  We started at the dinosaur museum, went to McDonalds to pick up a happy meal, and took it to the the park for some play time.  Later we headed off to the grocery store.  Awww, shopping with only one kid on a weekday was glorious!  Wish I could do that every week.  Anyhoo...here's a little of our day:

The life sized dinos where cool!

T-Rex was Bren's favorite.

There were dino puzzles at the end.

And dino computer games and...

a fossil dig and...

a dino bouncy house and...

a big dino head for pics and...

a fun video game to pretend to play.

Happy meal at the park...yes please!

I love slipper slides and they love me!

Starting to get over my fear of the swing...almost.

Camping trip 2011

Last weekend we went on what I think is becoming an annual Bilberry/Roach camping trip.  This time we even got to add a new couple, the Vidottos.  It was a short trip for us.  We had planned on showing up Saturday afternoon and staying until Monday morning.  However, Jeff recieved word a week before about a meeting he had to be back for on Monday so we were only able to stay one night.  We left on Sunday afternoon.

Even though the trip was short, we had a great time.  The kids really enjoyed playing with other kids their own.  They also enjoyed being able to explore the great outdoors.  By the time we left Kadyn and I put together a bag of nature goodies to take to her next show and tell which included: pine needles, pine cones, clam shells, acorns, and a mud daubber nest (a type of wasp).  We are already looking forward to doing it all over again next year!

Getting the tent ready.

Brrrr.....it was a cold night.

Collecting firewood.  Keenan's little helpers.

Gotta test out the mega bed (aka two air mattress stacked on top of each other)

Yes!!!!!We found another stake to dig out of the ground just like last year!

Ooooo fires!  How much stuff can we throw in it?

Say cheese?  O.K. that means big goofy grin and squinty eyes....everytime!

There was a cute baby to pass around.

Did I mention he was cute?

Food was superb!

A little T-Ball on the side please.

Catcher extraordinaire.

Mom says these are clam shells.  See?

Fish don't bite so well when kids are chucking rocks in the water.

Look kids, this is what is inside a clam shell.  A slimy creature that looks like a big booger.

Proof that Jeff was actually there.

Weird

      With the start of my college course week, the reality of my future is really hitting me.  I'm super excited and nervous.  I have REALLY enjoyed getting back into student mode.  It is like a little piece of me has come back.  It just feels so good to work my noggin again.  At least work it with something beyond ABCs and 123s.  I got my assignment Monday. By Tuesday I had read through all the assigned text and by Wednesday I had posted my 4 page assignment (the first in my class I might add ;)  Anyhoo....all this has gotten me very excited for what my future holds.

     However, on the flip side of things, this has also made me very nervous about some of the changes that could transpire should I REALLY go back to work in two years.  Amoung those fears is how I will balance caring for my home, cooking meals for my family, and where in the world to put Bren for her last year before school.  The later is weighing heavily on me this week.  I would regret my decision to go back to work if she was somewhere I didn't feel comfortable with.  I want this to be an easy transition, not a difficult one.  I know she will be fine and enjoy it as long as it is a good place for her.


      Therefore, I have begun to make calls and send emails inquiring what the best daycare/preschool facilities are.  Nothing but the best for my baby.  After all, my standards are pretty high, sometimes unobtainable high, which partially why I chose to stay home in the first place.  I figured if the place is good, it's bound to have a waiting list and I need to be on it.  I have heard of places having 2 year waiting lists, I am 2 years out from possibly needing a spot. I figure if I don't get the job, I will just stay at home with Bren for her last year before real school.  At least the guilt of leaving her her last year would be gone.  How can you regret staying at home to raise your kids the entire time anyways?  If that happens, I will know it's God's will, so I'll be fine with it. I may be a little bummed about the job, but no regrets staying with my baby, that's for sure.  And taking a kid off a waiting list is more preferable than not getting on one in time, should I need the spot.

     Anyways, all of this is to say I just feel a little weird.  Here I am staying at home with my cutie, offering a service to other mothers, all the while searching for that same service two years down the road for a job that may or may not happen.  Weird, just weird.  Wish I had a crystal ball.

Sweet

Just when I was beginning to think Kadyn didn't desire to play with girls, this came home with a note from the teacher.  I think the teacher was impressed that Kadyn could write these words and make a sentence with them.  She was writing these words long before she started school though, so that didn't surprise me much. I was however, very impressed with how sweet the picture and words were towards her friend.  What an angel! The girls used to swing on the swings together; the drawing is of both of them and two swings.  Since this was only drawn two days ago, I'm guessing Kadyn misses playing with her friend Kaylee.