Potty Training Blackmail!!!

I love how she is hiding here! LOL

Just had to share these pictures. Hailey is doing so good and working so hard. She has only had a few accidents and we are so proud of her. She is even refusing to wear pull ups at night. She stayed dry the last two nights. I am tired tonight though So I am sure she will wet. I am so proud of her and I am loving I won't have to buy diapers anymore. Keep praying for us that the progress will continue well!

MIA>>>>>>

I just realized I haven't posted in a week. I am slacking off. However we have been spending all our time in the picture above! LOL We are trying to make Hailey be potty trained. Knock on wood she is doing so good. Today we even went out to run errands and I let her wear underware. She kept it dry. I am so proud of her. Here's hoping we can continue doing good!

Just thought I'd leave you a quick picture of Hailey modeling her new swimsuit. Too bad she wasn't very cooperative! Love you hailey!

Eat your words momma!!!

I know I have blogged about this before but here goes yet another tangent. I am not a huge fan of character stuff as you all know. I always have said my kids won't have it. They can have pj's and that is it. Well Eat my words today. Hailey's feet have been growing like weeds and she needed new shoes. Payless is having their famous Buy one Get one Half off sale so I figured we'd check it out. I decided I'd get a pair of play sandals and a pair of nice ones for church. We get to Payless and I find a super cute pair of play sandals. I try them on her they fit great. Then I find a darling pair for church. They too fit nicely. Then Guess what Hailey finds.....yes thats right princess shoes that light up...so of course Haliey puts them on and wont' take them off. Thanks Grandma Lems for ever giving her the idea of having princess shoes! Needless to say Mom is a sucker and I bought her the stupid shoes. And of course she wore them all day....it was pretty cold for sandals too. She won't take them off tonight and is in love with them. Please everyone pray for me that her feet will continue to grow a lot and they will be too small sooN! In the meantime don't laugh toooo hard at me when she is wearing princess shoes! LOL

...and the Dr Said..

It's yet another Sinus Infection. I can't believe how often I get sinus infections. Anyone want to come take all my sinuses out and solve all my problems. Several prescriptions later I was sent on my way. Here's to hoping it clears up fast....

Dollar Tree ROCKS!!

Today we had such a fun outing to go up to see my Dad and go out to lunch with him. My sister and I really enjoy the opportunity of getting to go out to lunch and to try to visit with him. Most the time the kids are extra crazy but its still fun to get out. After lunch Grandpa often offeres to take the kids to teh Dollar Store. This is the HIGHLIGHT of our whole visit. The kids think they have died and gone to heaven. Jennie and I always get a good laugh out of these trips. So today we pulled up to Dollar Tree and the kids coudln't contain themselves. They wanted out. As soon as we get out you hear them screaming, "Yeah the dollar store!" Jennie and I of course laugh our heads off! Gotta love the dollar store. We head in and immediately the kids are freaking out over all kinds of JUNK. Grandpa is super nice and lets the kids each pick out a few items. Hailey picked a silly star pillow, a fun little purse, and a disney coloring book. She was set and in heaven. I got some Shampoo and Conditioner as well as a new comb to part Hailey's hair with cause we really needed some. Then I also found some hair clips I thought I'd try! (Note to self the first one I opened broke....we will see how long the others last in Hailey's hair!!!) While we were waiting in line we realize Hailey's purse is already broken. Trying not to laugh too hard we get her a new one. ...We get up the checkout and of course Grandpa helps each kid get their items in a bag and their faces are priceless. The best thing ever happened to them and they are so proud of their treasures. They can't wait to get to the car and open the "GOODS" Jennie and I were pretty proud of our good finds too and she scored a ton of little kleenex packets for only a dollar! What great times we have at the dollar store. Thanks Grandpa for such a fun lunch and visit to The Dollar Tree. We enjoy getting to come visit you and of couse the kids won't ever forget those awesome trips to the Dollar Tree!!!!

"I'm a REAL princess..."

So this afternoon I was talking on the phone to my sister when all of the suddent Cinderella appeared. She was so happy and kept telling me, "I'm a Real PRINCESS!" Then Daddy gave her a wand and she made Mommy a Princess and cast a spell on Daddy to be a princess. He said he didn't want to be a princess. She then told him I will make you a king! Then later she told Daddy that since he was a King he coudl marry a Princess! Hailey was too cute playing dress up. One of her good nursery friends gave her this dress up for her birthday and she just can't get enough of it. She even had to wear it on our ride tonight. We sure do love our CINDERELLA!!!!

Happy Birthday JARED!!

Happy Birthday to the worlds best Husband, Father and friend. We love you Jared. Happy Birthday. We hope you have a great birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to Christian!!

One of Hailey's Best friends Christian turned 3 today. We were lucky enough to get to go to Discovery Gateway (The Children's Museum) with him. WE had so much fun and were so glad that he invited us. Thanks for the fun outing. We really appreciated it! Happy Birthday Christian! Here's the pics...I don't know why I try to take pictures because these kids just don't hold still but at least you get the idea!

My Husband is the best...

I have come down with the worst cold ever. I feel so miserable. My throat kills and my head hurts I have so much congestion in me, my ears hurt, I am achy, pretty much you name it I feel it. So I feel bad I haven't been the best mom or wife this week but I am glad that Jared is so sweet and understanding ... And after being up miserable all night he went to the store at 5 am this morning to get me all sorts of medicine. I don't know what I'd do with you out. I love you Jared. Thanks so much for being so kind to me while i have been so sick.

The Joy of Nurturing Children

I am so grateful that I decided to pick up the April Ensign and read it tonight. I had a stack of magazines that I have been wanted to read. Tonight I finally had a chance to relax and read. I was going to read an entertainment magazine then at the last minuete I decided to read the Ensign instead. I was so touched by the spirit as I read about the new First Presidency and how the church is instructed to name the next propher when one passes. I was thinking to myself how neat it was that I took the time to read that right before conference. Knowing a little background about the speakers helps me relate more to their talks.

Needless to say I kept thumbing through the Ensign and I was so impressed by this article I had to share.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=00c77e6832ce8110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

This article is about what a great joy it is to be a parent or to nuture a child in some way. I think about how grateful I am to have Hailey in my life. It was a struggle to bring her here and we endured many trials before she came. I constanely am grateful to the Lord for the blessing that she is to my family and what joy she brings to us. It wasn't until I read this article tongiht that I really realized what a neat opportunity I have been given as a Mother to lead her and bring her up to be a great "parent" too someday. Every thing I do instills in her what she will want her future children to know and learn. Even things that don't seem fun or when she is on my nerves I need to endure and remeber that some day she will do that for her Child because of the example I set for her. I know it isn't easy but tonight Hailey was talking up a storm and basically making Jared and I crazy. I feel bad now for not just spending more time talking and listening to her. It is my goal to be more aware of her needs and how everyday experiences will affect her life and what becomes of it. I regret some of the mistakes I have made in the past but this article opened a whole new perspective for me on being a parent and not only nuturing her but also those children around us. I have already seen joy that comes for this and I look forward to now really "finding and recognizing" that joy that comes in nuturing a child.

If you have not read this article I encourage you to do so. Sorry my thoughts are all over the place and problem make no sense ... I alwasy post when I am tired and it is getting late. I wanted to share some of my feelings though about how much we can be inspired and blessed by living and doing what the Lord expects of us..

Alright enough of my soap box. READ the article. It's worth your time!