Going Private

I think its about time that I actually DO what I said I was going to do a very long time ago. I want to protect my family as much as I can from all the CRAZIES out there, so....if you would like to still view our blog, please leave a comment with your email and I will add you to our "important" viewers! I will be making this change on June 30th!

Day 2: Potty Training Cont'd

Ok, so I posted earlier today when my stress level was at its max! So, now that all the kids have been asleep for nearly 2 hours, I decided it was time to post again and give an update.

I have decided to only start with Saige first. She is the one showing the "most readiness" at this point. Savannah will take off her diaper and want to use the potty, which I think is great. However, after yesterday I am tired of cleaning up double duty. Therefore, Saige has been in underwear all day today. We have had to do about 3 changes because of 3 accidents. But, I am bound and determined to say convincing things to myself that we are SLOWLY making progress.

This morning at about 6 AM...(very unlike Saige to be awake at this hour of the morning--she is my sleeper inner--yup she could sleep until 9 if I let her)...anyway, this morning she woke up searching and calling for me. I found her wandering the hallway and when she first saw me she said, "uggh--oohh!" I asked her if she had an accident and needed to go to the potty, she said, "Yah." So, she went to sit on the potty and only a few seconds later she "finished" her "project." When she was finished, I told her, "Yay you did it!" She gasped, "I did it!" I was so proud of her because, 1) she woke up to let me know, and 2) she was able to stop it so that she could finish it...which means to me that she CAN control it! Ok, so anyway...after she picked her new underwear and her TREAT...yup, I said treat at 6 AM (she chose A pink Starburst), she climbed into our bed and savored every bite of her TREAT.

OK, so now at 11 AM, she has an accident. Blah blah blah! I have now found that she is going every few hours now instead of about a half hour like yesterday. Which again, tells me she is controlling it (have to keep positive--right?)! She had another accident around 2 or so and then again about 5:30 ish. All the while I keep asking her to go try and she absolutely refuses, but I don't want to force her. Every once in a while I can manipulate her into just sitting on the potty, but NOTHING so far. She sat on the potty for about 15 minutes while I had a BABY EINSTEIN movie on. That was good, but nothing.

Time for bed. I somehow got her to sit on the potty again and we read 2 stories...but NOTHING! Might I mention that she hasn't pooped all day, when normally her time for that is in the morning! SO, she is in bed...with a full pooper and bladder and her potty is in her room. I explained to her that if she needs to go, it is there...

Potty Training: Day 2

UUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! This is not good!

SoMeOnE KILL me now! We have had nothing but accidents.......ALL OVER THE HOUSE! I think there are ONLY 2 good things about this whole thing; 1) I don't have to waste diapers and 2) at least they say "Uh-OOh" when they are in the process of going (as the stream is trickling down).

It seems to be a hit and miss trying to get them to TRY. I have a timer and they DO know now that when it goes off, its POTTY TIME...but, nothing...dry as a whistle until about 3 minutes after they say they are done (after sitting on the potty for at least 5 minutes) there is a nice POND creeping in the grout CANYONS of my tile!

I have cleaned up poop and several, SEVERAL puddles.......NO, no PONDS......... today and NOTHING has been delivered into where it is SUPPOSED to be! My sister says this is all about PATIENCE.....is it over yet? Hmph.

Potty Training: Begining of Day ONE!

Alright...time to get the show on the road! So, about 11 AM I told the girls, "No more diapers!" So I put them in their panties. So far, in 4 hours both Saige and Savannah have had one accident each. I am crossing my fingers this is the only accident...but I WILL not hold my breath on that! I have set an ice cream timer and every 15 minutes..................(minor pause)...............................aahhhh, crimeny, Savannah just had an accident! We were soooo close to making it the 15 minutes. Looks like I will be adjusting it to every 12 minutes. Lets see where that takes us.

Family Pictures; 2 yr Pictures; 9 month Pictures

Reagan, 9 Months

One of the RARE times we could get Savannah to SMILE (somewhat)!

I decided to get the twins' pictures taken with their blankets because I just love what they BOTH do with them. Also, I wanted the memory and PROOF for later! They both hold the blanket up to their mouth, make a slicking sound with their tongue on the roof of their mouth, and stroke the blanket between their fingers. It is crazy that BOTH of them do this and it is even crazier that REAGAN is beginning to do the very same thing!

Savannah, 2 Years

Saige and Savannah, 2 years

Saige, 2 Years

My adorable little family!

At the GATEWAY

Saige, Savannah, Reagan, and I went to go pick up Daddy from work. While we were waiting, we stopped at the splash pad. I brought the girls an extra change of clothes in case they were all drenched, but I didn't need the extras after all.

The girls looking at all the people like they are crazy! Not completely sure what to think about it or what to do!

So I took the liberty and walked them in myself. Well, it just so happens that there were some bigger kids and they knew how to get other people wet, they were covering a fountain with their foot which made it spray. Savannah got the brunt of it because she was walking in with me and I carried Saige in, my pants weren't soaked but they took a while to dry. It was fun and refreshing! Here is Savannah, not to happy of the event that just took place.

Saige, our little adventurer! She is was off in so many directions it was crazy! Up, down, around, and anywhere!

After a while, Saige started to get a little more daring. She kept watching all the kids and finally decided that she could do it too! She never got drenched, but she like to walk by when the fountain would spit, then splash her (a little)!

Reagan, enjoying herself as she gets to stay nice and dry and safe in her stroller!

Sharing the LOVE!

I love these little DARL'NS! They just crack me up. One minute they are worst enemies, the next they are the bestest of buds! Not 2 seconds before I snapped these pictures, they were pretty much beating each other up! I love how it is a LOVe/HATe relationship!

Look Who's Crawling!!!!!

Yep-O, Reagan has finally decided she is going to crawl. We are in the beginning stages, but its okay with me that she takes as much time as she needs! Trying to keep up with 2 toddlers is quite enough for now...but it is also exciting to watch Reagan develop! She is doing so well. She loves to clap, smile, and she definitely loves her MOMMY! Reagan is such a bundle of joy and I have said it time and time again and your going to hear it more....SHE IS SUCH A GOOD BABY! I am very lucky!

Brooklyn's Baptism

Saturday, June 5, 2010, Brooklyn got baptized! It was short and great! We are so proud of her decision to become one of the newest members of our church! We wish the best for her!

After her baptism, Michele (Bryce's sister) and Justin had a BBQ at their house to celebrate Brooklyn's birthday that was on May 24th. She got shanked on her b-day because of all the graduations in our family!

WE LOVE YOU BROOKLYN!

All the Venable side grandkids

(Left to Right: Hailee, Connor, Reagan, Brooklyn, Savannah, Braxton, Jaxon, and Saige)

(Saige and Uncle Scott)

Got to make sure she gets her "Cott" time before he leaves on his mission!

More grandkid photos

Aunt Michele graced my children with CANDY! Savannah is enjoying every minute of it. I couldn't resist NOT taking these pictures...notice how she is double handing her intake?

The bestest Uncle J in the world!

(Reagan and Uncle Justin)

The Difference

One of my amazing 5th grade classes gave me an awesome story about a boy who made a difference. I wanted to share it with you because all of us makes a difference, somewhere, some how, some way!

The Difference

A man was jogging down the beach after a major storm had just come through the area. He was dismayed by the huge number of starfish that the storm had washed up on the beach. He thought that was nothing he could do because of the immense numbers. As he continued down the beach he saw a young boy throw
something into the water. As he got closer, he saw the young boy walk a little farther down the beach, bend over, pick up a starfish and throw it back into the water. As the jogger approached, the young boy stopped again, bent over, picked up another starfish and was about to throw it into the water.

The jogger stopped and asked, "Why are you doing that? There are thousands of starfish on the beach. You can't possibly make a difference." The young boy looked at the starfish, threw it back into the water, then replied, "I made a difference to that one!"

At the end of this note from the 5th grade class they wrote: "Thanks for making a difference in our class this year!"

To MY 5th grade class (and ALL my classes), THANK YOU for being the difference you have made in ME!


It has been so rewarding to be a school counselor. I have the privilege of working with such wonderful people, building relationships, and inheriting 950 kids! I would take them all home if I could! Now that I am leaving Buffalo Point Elementary and venturing back to Doxey Elementary, it will be a new adventure! I am truly blessed and I love what I do!

Thanks to my BPE family, you have helped me in so many different ways it is impossible to mention them all!
I feel like I am indespensable to you, because of you!