Fishy Rewards . . . . . . .

So, I have been potty training Ava for about 9 1/2 years. Wait, that's not right, but it has been a long time. She has COMPLETELY understood it and gotten the concept forever, she just didn't care AT ALL! No punishments were bad enough and no rewards were good enough. It was getting beyond frustrating, but I was bound and determined to have her completely potty trained by May. Well, I am here to tell all of those moms out there that think it can't be done . . . that it CAN! It's like a light switch turned on in Ava's head and she ran with it. (Or - she was finally like, "Fine, if you want me to do this SOOO bad, I will. Chill out mom.") Anyway, as of last Wednesday night, over a week ago, Ava has had a total of 3 accidents. That's it! Not only is she completely out of pullups, she isn't even wearing them at night. Now, don't worry, I don't think I'm completely out of the woods yet, but, I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel. Because she completely filled up her potty chart with stickers, she got a special mommy-daughter date to the aquarium last Monday. Go Ava!

"Snowman-biling"

According to Ava, that's what we all did this weekend. :) My dad was great enough to take all of us up to the cabin for a day of snowmobiling. It was such a circus to get 9 people outfitted and ready to go snowmobiling, especially considering we actually have to snowmobile a couple miles into the cabin after driving for over an hour to get there, plus pack up all of the food and clothing. I know every time we do this my parents are thinking, "Really? Is this worth it?" I'll tell you what. It is SOOOOOO worth it! We had a blast and didn't want to leave when the day was over! With 4 snowmobiles there are enough to keep everybody sledding happily throughout the day. :) Everybody had a great time. I even had fun and I was only allowed the ride in and out to the cabin! LOL. (Honestly, I didn't think it would make a difference being pregnant, but after the bumpy ride in, I was content to hang out at the cabin - and eat. :) The day was so much fun, even after we lost Oodie (the family dog), and hit a deer on the way home. Yep - my dad hit a massive deer with his truck. We were right behind it and the dumb animal ran right in front of the huge black truck pulling the trailer. They hit him dead center. The deer HAD to have been suicidal to plan it that perfectly. Kindof scary, but besides the truck, and of course the poor deer, no harm was done. Anyway, here are some fun pictures of the day. Thanks mom and dad! You guys are the BEST!






Jessica and Robert. (I promise that's Robert, even though it looks like there's nobody inside all of the layers)

Me and Randy

Sam and Alecia

Ava with Grandma Annie and Papa!


By the way - we did find Oodie! Thank goodness!

I just have to say . . . . . . . .

That it is a good thing I like cleaning up potty messes or this whole potty training thing would be such a chore. :) *wink * wink*

Green Day . . . . . .

Yes - the band. I heard "When I Come Around" on the radio a couple of days ago and *BAM*, I was flooded with a million high school memories! It was so funny. Just had to give a shoutout to any high school friends that have a special place in their heart for Green Day or anybody else of that 90's era! :)

It's Going to be a GREAT Year!

I can feel it! Ever since the new year (yesterday), I have really been contemplating my life. I know, 2 whole days of deep thinking? Where did that come from? Anyway, I have just been thinking about how blessed we are. We took a chance on moving to this area and ended up in an amazing neighborhood and ward. We've met some great friends and acquaintances and it's going to make 2009 so fun! Also, Randy started a new job in September, which he liked, but didn't love. 2 weeks after that he got a NEW job that has been SUCH an amazing blessing. (Figures. You search and search for a job and when you get an offer, you end up getting TWO!) He likes it, which makes him happy, which makes me happy, which makes ALL of us happy! He has had some great success because he is such a hard worker and I really see him starting a rewarding career. Or at least it will be a stepping stone to a rewarding career. You never know with my risk taking husband. :) In 2009 my baby girl will turn 3. THREE! I CANNOT believe it! I've heard my mom say that it's the "Terrible Twos and the Trusting Threes." I don't know exactly what that means, but "Trusting" sounds a heck of a lot better than "Terrible." Here's to hoping! Ava is SUCH a sweetheart and I love her so much. She tries my patience (See Resolutions below), but with her attitude and stubbornness comes intelligence, perseverance, and kindness. Lastly, in 2009 we will have our second child! I am SO excited and SO nervous to have two kids. Some days I look at Ava and think, "She will absolutely adore her little brother." Other days I get terrified about dealing with my "persistent" 2 year old and a newborn. I know what you're all thinking, people do it every day. That really doesn't make me any less nervous, but I am beyond excited to meet our little man. So, as New Years goes, I have come up with a few resolutions:

1- Gain Weight - Ha Ha. That one's pretty much a given.
2- Get a 3 month Supply of Food Storage. (Of course, after I figure out exactly WHAT a 3 month supply of Food Storage is).
3- Be more patient. All the way around. With my daughter, my husband, everybody. My favorite saying is that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. I SO believe it.
4- Do something fun with our master bedroom. We lived in our townhome for 3 years and I NEVER got around to decorating our master bedroom. When we moved here a year ago I said that the master bedroom was NOT going to be the last room that I take care of. Well, I've painted nearly every room in the house, but our room remains a clean slate. *sigh* (Of course, this can only happen after I do the nursery, which LITERALLY makes our room the last room to get attention) Anyway . . . . .
5- My last, but most important, resolution is to focus on my testimony. This includes scripture reading, being absolutely, completely 100% prepared to teach Gospel Doctrine every other Sunday, praying, and teaching my daughter. I am so surprised at how quickly Ava took everything in around the Holidays involving Jesus. He is, by far, her very favorite person to pick out in pictures or on tv. My goal is to become like Ava in this sense, or like a little child. :)

What are your resolutions?