Seriously, isn't it more difficult for everyone to control urine than bowels?

We're trying to potty train Jo again (2nd attempt). She seems a lot more excited about the prospect of never wearing another diaper this time. She also checks herself out in those new panties quite often. So I think we're off to a good start. I've asked for potty training advice before. But listen carefully to my dilemma and see if you know what I could do. She gets her poop in the toilet every time. In fact, every time I put her on the toilet she at least passes gas. So I know she fully understands that aspect of using the porcelain throne. What she lacks is any anticipation for when the urine will flow. I can have her sit for 5 minutes on the potty, not producing any waste. Then 2 minutes later she'll yell to me that her panties are getting wet. So I pick her up and run as fast as I can to the bathroom, hoping to get her seated in time for a little success. She was so thoughtful the last time we did this, "But Mama, (as I'm running down the hall holding her) you're getting all wet!" Yes, Jo. I did get all wet. But it's all for the cause. And I will sacrifice these pants if it means your pee will get in that potty for you to see! So how do you teach a Jo to anticipate her urine? I tried filling her with juice, giving her yet another juice on the potty, and pouring a cup of water into the toilet so she could see what it looks like to have a liquid land in the john. Any thoughts?

Seriously, all inanimate objects eventually rebel

and my shoe lace finally did. Ryan loves his Legos. He sometimes gets out of bed at night, pulls a flashlight from under the bed, crawls to his container of Lego man and strokes them. I know this because I hear him, "The Precious! I wants more Precious!" These moments don't last long and he's back in bed with me. He loves Legos. You know this. A few months ago he spent quite a long time building an AMAZING castle. It stood about 3 feet high and just looked cool- I mean REALLY cool. Soon after Ryan cleared a spot in our storage room to leave it and warned me a number of times to be careful the kids didn't get to it. And I have been. Very careful. We've had a few close calls. But for the most part we have protected that castle and Ryan's honor with our lives. 3 days ago I went to pull a game from a higher shelf in that storage room. I admired the castle once more and carefully stepped around it as I reached with my tippy toes. Then, as I swiftly turned to exit the room, I felt a very slight tug on the shoelace of my boot. And with that tug came THEE MOST HORRENDOUS SOUND. My shoelace had caught on a jagged edge of the castle and about 5000 Lego pieces came crashing to the ground. I couldn't even look. I ran to Ryan saying "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" over and over again, trying to hold back tears. He had heard the noise too and just smiled and hugged me. The most tragic part of this loss is that we never took a picture of the masterpiece while it stood, strong and free. This is the rubble that remains (although the picture does not do justice to our great loss). Please send Ryan your condolences at jackquimby@yahoo.com.

Seriously- I caught it twice.

Throw up. That's what I caught. 2x. In my bare hands. The love of a mother. Especially while I'm so gifted with this superhuman smelling ability. Therefore, you might want to consider avoiding us. A flu was going around Ryan's family about two or three weeks ago. We stayed clear until symptoms had ceased for at least 72 hours. But my little man threw up on Thursday and Jo just now at dinner. Both have only thrown up once so far. Other symptoms include a slight fever, stomach ach for several days, not eating. What you'd expect. So it's up to you. Unless we've already infected you. Then it's up to the virus which is currently swimming your system looking for the coziest spot to settle down. Elena and Lily, I dearly dearly hope your immune systems played the "Just Say No" card. And I'm sorry if instead you were dealt a "pass go."

Seriously Irreverent

Today we had stake conference. I know we're supposed to keep the habit of attending our meetings while we have halflings in the family. But Jo and Atticus (mostly Atticus) make staying in sacrament meeting VERY difficult. Each week we go well equipt. Animal books, lots of treats, sippy cup of milk, 3 cars, 2 dinosaurs, and Jo's "church bag" of wonderfulness. After all of these efforts (and after apologizing to our neighbor who just received a dinosaur blow to her frontalobe) we remove our offspring from the premise. That's approximately 15 minutes into our meeting. This means a 2 hour stake conference isn't really going to happen. It would make for good exercise but little Sabbath day worship. SO. Ryan, in a moment of true brilliance, beelined straight for the primary room where we set up camp. And we had a FABULOUS stake conference. The kids ran from corner to corner eating their fruit snacks, while Ryan and I enjoyed not moving much at all. We intervened when blood was drawn, but mostly sat back and listened.

Until... 30 minutes from the end... Jo. See she's really really good at coming up with names for her babies and others. So we started taking down a list. Now I know your not going to find this as hilarious as we did. But here it is.

Jo- Chasea
Atticus- Gorpha
Jo's Baby- Carfa
Mom's Baby- Turfa
Dad's Baby- Foo-Ra
Dad- Picklief
Mom- Peelief
Bag of Pezels- Porphas

Once she named me Peeleif I lost it and couldn't stop crying. Of course Ryan made sure I spelled it PEEleif and not PEAleif. He loved that I got the name with urine all over it. He also made sure to address Gorpha and me as often as possible the rest of the hour. We were totally irreverent! Our one chance at hearing the meeting and instead we ENCOURAGED Jo. We traded what we wanted most for what we wanted in the moment! Darn it. Jo thought I was all kinds of sad. She kept trying to wipe away my tears, "Doan be sad Mama. Doan be sad. Be happy." How can I be happy with the name Peeleif? Would you?

Seriously leave me alone

It just so happens that creating blogs is more fun than writing on them. But third times the charm guys! This blog is going to rock in a way you've never seen! You'll be like checking it all the time hoping Ryan or I have left some UNBELIEVABLY fabulous piece of our strong experiences for you to drink up (or choke down... depending...). Scout's honor. This is my last blog. And you've been invited.

Seriously Apartment Hunting

Ryan and I have started looking for a new apartment as we will have to move by April 1st. Not an April Fools joke (we double checked). Usually I find this process extremely invigorating... kind of like yard saleing. It's another way to make that dollar stretch and feel pretty smart in getting more for less. This time around has not been invigorating, however. I'm just not finding someone who wants to house us for free. What is up with this economy??? I mean, COME ON. Free is the name of the game. I think the tricky thing about finding a dwelling that's free in 2010 might have something to do with a new attitude I've developed. I am now unwilling to participate in any hint of extra work: mowing the lawn- no, vacuuming- no, managing other apartments- no, cooking meals for others- no, creating a loving/feel good atmosphere- no. I want free with no strings attached. Just free. Zero obligations, zero moneys. Me, my honey, 2 kids, free:) And I haven't found it yet. Any suggestions? Pass along leads if you get one.

Since free hasn't come along YET I've started to look for cheap. I found what appeared to be an incredibly sweet deal 2 days ago. Get this- 3 bedrooms, washer/dryer hook-ups, fenced yard, abt 1000 sq feet, all utilities included in the rent, month to month contract, all for just $500! I read the description approximately 5 times before calling to make a walk through appointment. These people may not be all about free, but still a freaking good deal, right? "Lily" said the door would be open and we could go through on our own. Number one bad sign. People who leave an empty apartment open don't really care about the apartment. It kind of says, "This hole cannot become more of a hole. I don't care what you do to it."

The apartment was... scary. It was exactly what a horror movie director tries to recreate on his set. You knew all kinds of drugs had been on the premise (which I found very funny since the ad said "Absolutely no smoking or pets of any kind!" - but I'll leave it open in case a few drug addicts need to entertain.) Holes in the walls and stairs, open venting in place of baseboards, water heater and other large machine on either side of you as you enter the living room. One ginormous spider in a bedroom. Here's the thing. That large of a spider was around on January 20th. Exactly how many spider legs and of what size will be running around the apartment on August 1st? I may be working on my phobia. But not like that. The whole thing was just strange and dark. The mirror in the bathroom had been stolen. The washer/dryer hook-ups were situated in a place where only one appliance would be able to fit. Unless you could stack them I guess. I should have been prepared when the only pictures accompanying the ad had been of the backyard grass and the kitchen sink. I'm not sure how many times I said no in the apartment last night. Maybe 8... or 27. One of those. Am I becoming all ritzy, high maintenance, I have to have the latest greatest of everything? I'm always about the good deal. But I just couldn't bear to think of taking my children in there for 5 minutes let alone 6+ months.

So we passed.

We also saw that our old/first apartment/small hole is available again. You remember it, don't you? The bathroom door didn't close so when company came over, well, awkward. I know it's been improved since we left though. Apparently it now has 2 bedrooms??? I'm not sure if they are now using the living room or the hallway as the 2nd bedroom. But either way, SPACIOUS.

Let us know if you happen to run into a decent deal (no longer a cheap one).

Seriously Mr. Strong,

Be prepared for the chance of a life time. Be prepared for sensational news. I started the blog! You thought I wouldn't do it but I did! That's what happens when you're gone the entire day for a week. I do things you may not want me to do. But, we are seriously so strong. And this blog is going to be seriously SO strong. It's going to rock the world. Rock your socks, really. Thanks for making me strong (quite literally, actually).

Forcefully,
Mrs. Strong