Our little girl is growing up!

So we've been wondering when Emily will "want" to be potty trained. Well, Thursday she told me that she's going to sit on the potty so she can get a potty treat. So I expected her to sit on it for a short bit then automatically ask for a potty treat. It was nice to be wrong. She sat on the potty for about an hour, got up a few times, got books, and returned to her potty. While I was chatting with my little sister I heard "I went Potty". What a nice suprise to actually have her go potty. I do realize it was a procastination technique on my daughter's part. 

Great news Emily has spent  today in Panties! She only had one accident. I guess I'm the one to blame for that. We have two potties the only difference is one is pink and the other is red. Because she will only use the Pink potty, and I left it upstairs after I emptied it. She tried to get upstairs in time to use it, but didn't make it. 

She's been very good at peeing a little bit at a time then peeing more after I emptied it. Sad to say I did find it very annoying that she did it that way. With about 76 days left of being pregnant I don't like the frequent trips to the bathroom to empty the potty. I'm glad that she's doing it I just want her to pee more at a time. About a 1/2 hour ago I had just barely emptied the potty when she got up and told me that she pooped in the potty. I was very happy with the news. Emily kept telling Ben to come upstairs and look at it for over 20 minutes. Great Job Emily!

I know that I'm about to pop another baby out, but I don't want my little girl to grow up. James and her are already too grown up. I was looking at their baby pictures and WOW how they have grown. I love my kids and hubby! 

Funny things kids say.

An acquaintance of mine who is a physician told this story about her then-four-year-old daughter. On the way to preschool, the doctor had left her stethoscope on the car seat, and her little girl picked it up and began playing with it. 'Be still, my heart,' thought my friend, 'my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!' Then the child spoke into the instrument: "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?" 

A little boy opened the big and old family Bible with fascination, he looked at the old pages as he turned them. Then something fell out of the Bible and he picked up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that had been pressed in between pages. "Momma, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked. With astonishment in the young boy's voice he answered: "It's Adam's suit!!" 

Statements Made in Sacrament Meeting & Ward Newsletters

Our opening song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High"

Don't let worry kill you -- let the church help.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Homemaking this week will meet at 7 p.m. The topic is weight management. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.

Sister Jones will be leading the weight management Homemaking Wednesday nights. She's used the program herself and has been growing like crazy!

This morning we are happy to announce the birth of David Alan Smith, the sin of Brother and Sister Julius Smith.

This afternoon there will be baptisms in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.

On a fast Sunday the opening song was listed as "Because We Have Been Given Mush.”

Anyone wishing to donate money to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet should come forward and do so.

The Relief Society has cast off clothing of every kind. They can be seen in the church basement Saturday.

Eight new choir dresses are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

At the fireside tonight, the topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

During the absence of our bishop, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good talk when Bro. Adams supplied our pulpit.

Bishop Smith spoke briefly, much to the delight of his audience.

Some of the youth are in the high school presentation Shakespeare's Hamlet Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

The 1991 Girls Camp will be hell the week of May 10.

Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child.

Why do my kids cause trouble when Daddy's in charge?

That is the question that I want answered. Ben and I stayed up kind of late, but then with being pregnant I wasn't able to actually get to sleep until 2am. So this morning was not one I was looking forward to. Ben took care of the kids so I could get an extra hour of sleep. I slept better during that hour than during the night.

I noticed that the kids were in their rooms, but didn't know why? So I asked Ben if they were in trouble. "Oh, yeah!" was his reply. He went to Emily's room first to show me her. I asked if they got into my stuff? For once the answer was no. I was relieved for a short bit. He would not let me see Emily until she had taken off her clothes to show me. So I was starting to panic, I thought they must have cut off her hair. I was relieved again I saw her head. Then I looked at her body. Her body was covered with something brownish, so my mom brain thinks Poop, Ben then had James answer my question "what was it?". Finger paint was the last thing on my mind.

After they all ate Ben watched tv for about 10 minutes which was long enough for the kids to cause trouble. The kids opened some finger paint and proceeded to get it over everything. I had a basket of clean clothes near by which were covered with the paint. So most of the paint went all over my clean laundry. Ben put the clean kids in their rooms then started a load of laundry. He was trying to take care of the mess before I got up, but the washing machine will only wash a certain amount of laundry at a time. He threw away all of that finger paint, and we're going to make the kids throw away the rest themselves. I know that they wont like that but they made their choice.

Right now he's going up to make them help him finish cleaning up their mess. So my question to you is... If these was your kids what would you do to punish them? 

Been there, done that

Here is how it works, cut and paste to your blog and bold (or color) the things you have done. Mine are in blue.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (only to my kids)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (by my kids)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person

101. Learned to play an instrument

I tag anyone who is living.

Your Other Names!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Angel Caliber

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream and favorite cookie) Hokey-Pokey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) Kdow

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Lime Green Octopus

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Lucille Provo

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Dowka

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Red Lemonade

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Virgal Kent

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) DKNY Twix

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Lucille David

I tag anyone with a name!

Naughty Daddy

Our lovely home has a light carpet in the front room. So the rule is "No food or drink in the front room". I've occasionally have let the family have pretzels and sippy cups in the front room. Usually Ben and I will bring a drink or something in the front room after the kids are asleep.
This morning Ben got caught not once, not twice but three times! We had some munchies last night. I thought the unspoken rule was that you are responsible to remove your own evidence before you go to bed so you don't get caught in the morning by the kids. This morning Emily went straight to Daddy's mini candy bar wrappers and gave them to him. Then James asked "who's cup is this?" and then asked "who ate cookies out here?" which led to the kids asking if they could eat them. Daddy quickly removed those items and the unseen ice cream bowl.
This wasn't the first time or the last time that he was caught. We'll see how often it will happen.

Top 10 dvds watched in your home TAG.

My reason for doing this tag is because of my loving sil Corinne. She lovingly gave us the the #1 dvd. I'm still looking for the perfect dvd to give to her kids. If anyone has any suggestions PLEASE send them my way. We really want to return the favor to Corinne! :)

10. Thumblina
9. Over the Hedge
8. Robin Hood
7. Shrek 2
6. Scooby Doo
5. Cars
4. A Little Mermaid
3. Peter Pan
2. Cinderella
1. Rescure Heros - if I could I would lovingly give this to someone else. James always has to know where the dvd is.

I usually buy a new dvd when the kids are sick so I don't have to have the same old dvds on the whole time, but they do love these.

I lovingly tag the following people: Corinne, Becky, Jocelynn, Tori, Lanna, and Jenny. Just list the Top 10 dvds that are on a regular basis in your home.

4th Folder 4th Picture

I'm it, but not for long. So here is my 4th folder 4th picture. It was taken on October 4, 2008. Becky and I were scrapbooking. James wanted to get into the fun. So he found a pair of children's scissors.



I tag Jenny, Becky, Lanna and Jocelynn. Go to your pictures, choose the 4th folder, the 4th picture and see what wonderful picture is waiting for you to share.

Mysterious creatures and bites.

Yesterday we had an infestion of mysterious creatures. They kept attacking Ben. We had to take pictures to proof that our home was infested. What was I supposed to do with my kids being eatin by creatures with only their faces left to see.

I brought home some costumes from Grandma Sabin's. The kids spent all of yesterday as creatures. The Dinosaur was in denial, it thought it was a crocodile. The crocodile kept going "tick tock, tick tock". The giraffe bug liked to snuggle with her barbie. The caterpiller "James bug" kept going after Ben.

For those who know me this should not suprise them. I had a wonderful idea. I emailed my mother-in-law saying "Ben got some bites earlier today. I was wondering if you could tell me what creature did it. I'm attaching pictures of the attacks and the creatures." Then I had Ben call his mom and tell her just enough to get her to check her email. She was busy and needed to leave soon so she didn't know when she'll be able to call us back. Within five minutes we hear the phone ring, it was Grandma Dowdle. Big suprise, it wasn't what she thought. She loved seeing adorable pictures of her grandchildren.

Brothers will always be boys.

This morning James went downstairs and told Ben "Emily's not being nice to him or to mommy". I heard the whole thing, but when he came back up I talked with him about it. He eventually admitted that he just wanted to get Emily into trouble. I had him go back to Ben and tell him that he was trying to get Emily into trouble. Either Ben didn't hear him or James didn't tell him it right.
We asked James to finish the little bit of Emily's yogurt. Since James' plan to get Emily into trouble didn't work he decided on something else. Next thing I hear is Emily crying. She came into the living room with yogurt on her face and in her eye. James threw yogurt at her because he was upset that she didn't get into trouble.
While Ben and I were talking to James about his choice, Ben was having trouble with not laughing. Yes, I know that Ben is a brother and that he thought it kind of funny how determined James was to do something to his sister. I sent Ben upstairs to get the hair items so I could do Emily's hair. It was easier with him out of the room to talk to James. For some reason I don't find it as funny as Ben. It must be because I've been on the receiving end of my brothers attention.

I can't go through doors like Casper.

There is no point in giving others dirty looks for YOUR own parking job. I have had too many times where I've had to squeeze into my car. Remember I'm 6 1/2 months pregnant so it's not an easy job. I usually have to buckle my kids into their car seats.

Yesterday the kids and I went to Southcentre and ate dinner with Grandma Sabin. When I had parked, I made sure I left enough space on both sides of my car so the other drivers would have no problem getting in or out of their cars. I have a Dodge Caliber so it doesn't take up as much space as others. So what right does a SUV or any other driver have that they get to park really close to my car that I have to squeeze my pregnant body into car. I know that the other drivers don't know that I'm pregnant but that should not matter at all.

I was at superstore with Becky before Halloween. When returning to my car we noticed that the suv next to me was parked really close to the driver's side. I was not thrilled about this, but I squeezed myself in. The whole time I was squeezing myself into my car, the passenger who was waiting in the suv was giving me dirty looks. I didn't even touch the suv with my body or my door. So why do I deserve the dirty look? I was parked there before the suv was.

The point I'm trying to make is please be considerate of others not just when your driving put when your parking. If you haven't noticed parking bothers me the same if not more than idiot drivers.


This was taken October 13. I stick out from the very beginning.

This is for you, Shorty!

I got tagged. So, here goes:

1. Link to the person that tagged you: Lanna
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagged peeps know once your entry is UP.

My Non-Important Things...Habits...Quirks...

1. I take any chance I can to travel. I love to travel.

2. drivers that park too close to other cars get me more upset than bad drivers.

3. I use any excuse to take pictures. Especially of my family while they're sleeping.

4. Every Fall I buy Candy Corn. I love them. The candy pumpkins are better, but can't usually find them up here.

5. I love Veggie Tales. Especially the silly songs. I can sing a lot by heart.

6. For some odd reason I can't stand dead skin. If my kids, Ben or Mum have their feet by me then I pick it off them. It probably comes from having Mum and brothers making me do it when I was younger.

Well, I tag the following people: Anyone who has a birthday in January through December.

New Pledge of Allegiance

WRITTEN BY A 15 yr. OLD SCHOOL KID IN ARIZONA



New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME) !

Since the Pledge of Allegiance and
The Lord's Prayer
Are not allowed in most
Public schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is mentioned....
A kid in Arizona wrote the attached

NEW School prayer :

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks..
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this,
Please pass this on.
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'


Not ashamed. Pass this on.

Skittles

I don't remember where or when James first asked me "why is that kids skin black?" I think the first time I think I put off the answering him. I was asked again, but the second time was just after I told the kids they couldn't have any skittles. I was expecting to be asked again for more skittles, so I was ready to snap "NO!" at them, but was blown away. My first thought was "how was I going to explain to my 4 year old why that kid's skin is black?" I know that I heard that still small voice whisper to me "skittles". I thought about it for awhile then I understood "Skittles". I told James that "Heavenly Father made that person with that skin color, but there is nothing wrong with it. There is not a skin color which is better than another. Just like skittles, there is not one skittle color which is better." I believe James understood that. It doesn't matter what color he gets, he just wants more skittles.
Since then James might say "that black kid is my friend". He doesn't say it to be mean. It's said to tell me who he is talking about.

We don't need more to be thankful for. We need to be more thankful.

There is a "Church of Christ" which is located next to our LDS Stake Center. We walk past it every time we walk to and from church. On it's billboard it says "We don't need more to be thankful for. We need to be more thankful."

I've always been grateful for the gifts which I've been given. There is no way that I can thank everyone who has given me something. Like all the soliders who have fought for freedom. I know that not all of them died, but those who survived were never the same. To those and their families "Thank you very much without your gift my life would not be the way it is".

By the time I arrived for enrichment it was almost over. There was a lesson being given and quilts being tied. The part of the night that affected me the most was after it was all over. I talked with a sister who lived in Germany during the war, it was very interesting hearing stories from her. She mentioned that she finally wrote down her life story. She kept putting it off, but finally did it last year. She mentioned that since she wrote it down it has been easier for her to think or talk about it. I'm grateful for hearing those stories. It makes the war more real to me. I've actually never met someone who lived in Germany or even fought in the war, so I was intranced in her stories. I know that I will never fully understand what it was like during those times, but I want to hear the stories. It makes it real to me. It doesn't seem like a nightmare in history. I know the stories are not fairy tales, but it is real life history.
She told me about the first time she saw an airplane. It was low enough that her and the two girls walking with her to school were able to see the pilot. They waved to the pilot, then he started shooting at them. She was in the middle of the three. One girl lost her leg and the other was shot in the eye.

To those who share your stories thank you. I know it is difficult to relive and share those personal stories. Thank you!

With these stories it puts a new view with how much my older brother sacreficed. I know that Jesus Christ suffered and died for me. I know that he died not just for me but for everyone.

One Word

So I decided to tag myself. {what can I say I love these things} The rules are that you can only answer each question with one word - not a simple as it sounds. Here goes...
1. Where is your cell phone? Mum's
2. Your significant other? downstairs
3. Your hair? boring
4. Your mother? inspiring
5. Your father? dead
6. Your favorite thing? loves
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? lemonade
9. Your dream/goal? travel
10. The room you're in? front
11. Your fear? kidnapping
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? secure
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? aggressive
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. One of your wish list items? house
17. Where did you grow up? Orem
18. The last thing you did? blog
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Your TV? distracting
21. Your pet? none
22. Your computer? addicting
23. Your life? eventful
24. Your mood? calm
25. Missing someone? family
26. Your car? Caliber
27. Something you're not wearing? money
28. Favorite Store? Dollarama
29. Your summer? hot
30. Your favorite color? green
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? questionable
33. Who will/would re-post this? EVERYONE
34. FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER:
a) Crazy b) Church c) Grandma's d) doctors
35. FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME:
a) Becky b) Jocelyn c) Ben d) facebookers
36. FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:
a) enchiladas b) pasta c) chocolate d) chicken
37. FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW? a) Utah b) Ireland c) Scotland d) Corinne's

I tag Becky, Jenny, Corinne, anyone

Off to Never Never Land

Halloween was filled with a lot to do. We drove out to Strathmore to have my cousin take our family pictures. She even took some pictures of James and Emily in their Halloween costumes. James was dressed up as Peter Pan and Emily was of course Tinkerbell. At first the kids didn't want to have their pictures taken. It didn't take long for them to realize that they're the center of attention.
I'll add some of those pictures after I get them.

The kids tried to wait patiently while we waited for Aunt Becky to get off work. We Tricked & Treated at a few houses. We left to pick up her up while she was still on her way home. We expected to pick her up and leave right away. Wrong! We waited there for over a 1/2 hour because she was stuck in traffic. James and Emily sorry I mean Peter Pan and Tinkerbell ran around the house and kept Becky's roommates entertained while we waited.



Tinkerbell, Peter Pan, Wendy (yes, I know that Wendy in the movie isn't pregnant) and a lost girl.