Potty traning, 1 down 2 to go

I almost forgot to post this, NOAH IS POTTY TRAINED. He literally started going to the potty one afternoon last week and we have only had a couple of accidents since then. He even did great on our 5 hour drive to my parents this weekend. Now, if we could just convince Seth to use the potty we might just have everyone out of diapers by Christmas!!!!

Weekend update

I don't have pictures to post from this weekend ( I forgot to take my camera), but we had a nice Father's Day in Ft. Thomas with my parents and grandmother. Jared took Friday off so we were able to leave early and get to mom and dad's before supper. After dinner my parents watched the kids while Jared and I went to spend some time at the local ItalianFest. Mostly, we went so that I could catch up with a couple of friends from high school. I had not seen either Tim and Jen since our reunion a couple of years ago, but it was great spending a little bit of time with then just talking and catching up on the last few years.

Saturday we went to pick cherries, I know it sounds fun doesn't it. Actually, you would be surprised how many cherries 4 adults and 1 very ambitious 3 year old can pick in an hour. We were all surprised by the amount of cherries Noah picked on his own, he picked a gallon bucket full of cherries all by himself. Seth picked and ate almost everything he picked, but he had a good time. Riley just hung out and enjoyed climbing the ladder. Dinner that night was great as we enjoyed a homemade cherry cobbler from our morning of picking and pitting.

Sunday we celebrated Father's Day with my dad. Jared was a bit cheated out of Father's day as I ran out of time to get his present before we left town, but I think he would agree that his present was worth waiting an extra day. He was presented yesterday when he got home from work with a new hammock for the backyard, something he has wanted for a couple of years. We also took him out to lunch and he received a back massage last night.

I love that we take the time once each year to celebrate these special people in our lives. Fathers provide security, fun, love, and leadership, at least in our families they do. I try to appreciate my father, father-in-law, and Jared daily, but I'm not always great at showing that. I grew up with a fantastic father and was truly blessed by God in this way. He was strict, but not horrible. He worked hard and tried to teach us even when we did not want to listen. No matter what, we knew that he loved us and would do anything he could for us. I could not have asked for a better father. I'm also happy to see many of these same attributes in Jared and I pray that one day our kids will feel the same way about him. God has given us an unbelievable example of a Father's Love and I pray that our children will see this reflected in their father's and grandfather's lives and learn these same lessons.

New lungs for Emily!!

Today was a great day for the Mulkey family. Emily Mulkey, the sister-in-law of our friends Christie and Brandon received 2 new lungs today. Emily has Cystic Fibrosis and after the birth of her beautiful daughter and a couple of collapsed lungs, she was placed on the transplant list.

I am happy to report that today she had double lung transplant and at this time is going great. If you would like to read more about Emily, Jason, and their daughter Faith, visit their blog at www.themulkeys-mulkeys.blogspot.com.

Please keep this great family in your prayers.

Hot weather

The days are getting hotter with more hot weather promised to come. It is early June and we are already in the 90's, I know some of you live in even hotter areas and have already seen these temperatures this year. While I love warm weather, there is a limit on how hot I like it to be. I thought a couple of pictures of the boys enjoying the sprinkler last week might help us all feel a little bit cooler today.

For those of you wondering about Riley, she ran to the other side of the yard when the water started spraying.

Free Ice Cream

I know I'm a couple of weeks late, but I thought you might enjoy seeing the family enjoying the free ice cream for Dippin' Dots on May 20th. The kids loved the ice cream and we had a great evening enjoying the weather and the company.

Bathroom Finished....For Now

Several months ago I posted a partial list of projects I wanted to get done around the house now that I finally graduated from college. One of the items on that list was painting the bathroom. I am happy to report that the bathroom painting has been accomplished. I actually finished that back in March, but did not want to take pictures until I had a new shower curtain and rug. I am now excited to show you the finished (?) bathroom. I'm very happy with the finished results, but as usually happens around here, the project has grown beyond it's original borders. Now, within the next few months we are planning on redoing the bathroom floor, from linoleum to time, and getting a new vanity and mirror. No the wall color will not be changing nor will any of the accessories, but I will post now pictures once everything is finished.

For those of you wondering about the "different" artwork in the bathroom, this is an original piece that I was able to get while visiting Cuba a few years ago. He is a world renowned artist and I've not had a place to display this unique piece until now.

1st Ever Childless Weekend

For the 1st time since Noah was born, almost 4 years ago, Jared and I went away for the weekend. We had a great time. My parents and grandmother came down to watch the kids for us while we enjoyed a weekend in Chattanooga, TN. While I did miss them very much, it was great to get away for a couple of days. We woke up when we wanted to, did what we wanted to, ate what we wanted to, it was fantastic. We hit the hot spots, such as Rock City, Ruby Falls, the Incline Railway, and Lookout Mountain, and then spent the rest of the time downtown. We walked for miles and did not have to push a stroller or carry anyone for 2 entire days.

I'm happy to say that we are back now and I have more patience and energy now that I have had a couple of days off. I don't want to do that very often, but a couple of times a year will be a great way to recharge and appreciate my kids all the more. It is also a great time for Jared and myself to reconnect and to have conversations that are not all centered around the kids, it was great to spend some quality uninterrupted time with my best friend.


I'll post some pictures once Jared downloads them from his camera.