I’ve mentioned that I would be posting about Joy’s faith…Here it finally is~

Many of us (I hope) have heard the story ~ Matthew 19:13-14. Some children came to Jesus but the disciples told them to go as He needed to rest, but Jesus said “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

I always figured I knew just what that means. I’ve had my eyes opened.
We always wonder if we are teaching the girls enough about Jesus and God. They will eventually need to make their own decision on following God or not. However while they are still under our covering we will teach them all we can and pray it touches their hearts. There is no way to really tell if they understand anything we are teaching them or not. Until Joy showed us her unshakable faith. Whenever the girls get hurt we always give them a kiss and say a prayer for no pain. The first time Joy showed me her faith was when I was in the hospital with Olivia in February(her UTI). Joy had joined in saying Amen after anyone prayed for Olivia, however one day I started to have a Migraine due to the dry conditions of the hospital and not drinking enough water. When I came out of the bathroom Joy asked me what was wrong, then she grabbed my hand and prayed for no more head hurt. Melted my heart.

After that she started praying more and more. She loves to say grace before our meals and loves to pray for us when we are hurting. I don’t know if you believe in the Healing power of the Lord, however WE do. Often I’ll pray for my own healing if I’m getting sick, sore etc, however as an adult I find I often question my own prayers. Joy doesn’t do that. If she prays for you, then you are healed! End of story. To her Jesus can do anything. Which He can. We often feel silly praying over little things, but really if we need help why wouldn’t He help us?

One day while leaving Walmart (recently) I was feeling weak (low BP) so had purchased a bottle of water… Well for the life of me I couldn’t get the silly lid off! I got a bit flustered and put the bottle in the cup holder. Joy asked from the back seat “Mommy, what wrong?” I told her I couldn’t open the lid, without hesitation she prayed “Jesus help mommy lid no open. Amen”. I figured I might as well give the lid another shot. It opened without any effort.

Olivia needed to get her 18month shots last month so we parked and went to pay, at the pay station was a mom with her child. She was explaining to her son that the machine was broken and wasn’t taking her money. Joy asked me what was wrong, I explained we would have to use a different machine since this one was broken. “Oh” she said “Jesus no work, help please. Amen” “Oh, it’s working now!” the other mom said to her son. The machine worked just fine for us as well. The other mom hadn’t heard Joy pray but I sure did.

She prayed for our baby before our second ultrasound, and everything is fine. I wish I could just put out the thoughts that make me doubt. Joy doesn’t question, she just believes, trusts and has Faith. Such a pure belief in Jesus. That’s what Jesus was saying, undoubting Faith.

I haven’t blogged in a while and figured I might as well since I have a chance.

I just thought I’d share about all the wonderful fun I’ve been having running my daycare.
Solomon is potty training. Okay, rewind. Running a dayhome I knew at some point I’d have to come to grips with the fact that I’d be helping someone else’s child learn to use the potty. I don’t like accidents (potty accidents). When Joy was potty training we started with keeping her diaper on and just putting her on when she said she needed to go, or every few hours (she can hold her bladder for longer than I can when not pregnant). Once she got used to actually using the potty we removed the diaper. Sure she had a couple times when she was playing and realized a little too late she had to go, but most the accidents were in the bathroom. If she did have an accident she’d come tell me (or cry).

Solomon has been doing great potty training at home (so I’m told). Day 1 here potty training. He asked to go on the potty but didn’t do anything. After 3 attempts I decided he needed to go just wasn’t able to so I put him in a diaper. Come nap time. I decided to let Sol stay up a bit later, while I put Olivia down (maybe 10 minutes). I heard him go into his diaper bag and figured he was looking for his teddy. I was wrong. After I had Olivia tucked in all nice I received a surprise I just never expected.

I walked into the living room. Sol sat in the middle of the carpet wearing his underwear sitting on a clean diaper (I think he was trying to figure out how to put it on). Next to him sat a poop filled diaper with about half a package of wipes inside. Poop smears encircling him and the diaper. He changed himself. Thank goodness we’d just done a toy cleanup or else it could have been worse. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but it’s worse than anything I expected. I stopped and counted in my head so I wouldn’t explode. I picked him up and set him down in the bathroom, I told him not to move a muscle (he didn’t). I told Joy to stay away from the living room and picked up the diaper (tossed it). I then went into the bathroom and cleaned Sol up (poop on shirt, unders and bum). I didn’t exactly know what I should do… I know what I’d do with my own kids, but he’s not mine. So I grabbed out the spot remover and told him he had to sit there and watch me scrub the carpet. He did, and Thank goodness it was ‘fresh’ enough the spot remover worked great!

Day 2 (4days later), again he comes not in a diaper. He has a small pee on the living room carpet. Again I put him in a diaper. He did end up peeing again later on the potty even though he was in a diaper.

I’ve decided he can wear a diaper here. I’ll ask him if he needs to use the potty, and he seems okay at telling me when he needs to. I just don’t enjoy potty training. I think I’ll keep him in a diaper until Christmas (I watch him 2-3 times a week), then after the Christmas break (if I get one) he’ll probably be ready to not need a diaper. He’s my first experience in potty training a child that’s not mine. When  I watched Grace they took 2 weeks off on holidays and she came back potty trained (1 accidental pee when playing), Gabe came already potty trained (although I did have to get used to the ‘standing to pee’ thing ~ eww!). I’m also not used to little boys peeing. I know 100% my son will sit to pee at home, because that’s just gross (especially when I have to sit and clean). I hope I can train Sol to always sit while here….

Well that’s my fun Thinking about running a day home? I could talk you out of it, or into it

I did a couple of these when pregnant with Olivia, although apparently my blog has deleted them But here is one for this pregnancy!

How far along? 26 weeks Tomorrow
Total weight gain/loss: Up 5lbs
Maternity clothes? Oh yeah! Have been since around 7weeks!
Stretch marks? No new ones that I know of.
Sleep What’s that? Joking. I actually sleep okay besides the Pelvis pain and the girls waking.
Best moment this week We (think) we’ve finally decided on a name (no we aren’t sharing it)
Movement He’s already trying to dig his little feet between my ribs and skin (oh the joys)
Food cravings Eggnog and Grapes (not together).
Gender Boy
Labor Signs None
Belly Button in or out? Flat. (well still a bit in, but mostly flat)
What I miss Having no pelvis pain, eating sushi and being able to easily lift Joy. (and I’m sure Olivia misses me not dropping her into her crib because I can’t bend that far).
What I am looking forward to My mom coming to my next Dr’s apt and getting to hear our little guys heartbeat.
Milestones I realized just how big I am, can’t see my feet, can’t paint my toe nails, and just feel BIG.

If you don’t know Charlotte, or her story, or even just want to have an update on this precious little girl please read her parent’s blog ~ www.robandallisonamsing.blogspot.com

Please pray with me~

Lord we lift Charlotte up to you. You are our healer and deliverer. We pray for complete healing and restoration in Charlotte’s body, from the top of her head down to the tips of her toes. Your healing to heal all parts in between extending to every limb. We pray that any tumors/cancer to be demolished and everything be restored as You originally designed it to be. You designed us in Your image before we were conceived and there is no room for any sickness or disease. Any toll the disease, medications have taken on her little body we pray to be restored to Your Glory. Praise you Jesus and Thank You for the healing only You can provide. We praise you and believe un-doubting in Your healing and strength. Amen

With all this business with our baby boy I haven’t really blogged much about the girls, so today is about our girls

Joy is “Mommy’s helper”. when I’m having a rougher day, or I just need a break she seems to be able to pick up on that and helps me out without hesitation. The other day I asked her if she could grab a diaper from their bedroom for Olivia’s diaper change, she said “Okay” and went and got one. As soon as I sat on the floor to change Olivia she took off running down the hall, I turned to Joy and asked if she would mind bringing Olivia to me. Sure enough Joy gently guided Olivia down the hallway and within arms reach (Olivia likes to do as her sister wants). Joy is having a bit harder of a time now that Olivia can reach on top of the fish tank and the counter tops (Joy’s hiding spot for toys), and often she gets frustrated with having to share. Olivia follows Joy around because she’d hate to miss out on anything, and I think Joy sometimes misses her private, alone play time. Joy is completely potty trained (although she sleeps in a diaper she rarely uses it). Joy still loves to sing and dance, and spin Olivia too fast so they fall down. She’s really gotten into praying and loves to talk about Jesus (I’ll blog later about that). All in all she’s just growing up too fast!

Olivia has spunk! She is going through what many refer too as the ”terrible two’s”. she’s 18months old but she’s always been a bit strong willed. Now she knows how to talk so she tells us what she thinks. When I say she talks it’s not full sentences but she sure can repeat words and her favorite is “NO”. If she doesn’t want to do what you ask, she’ll reply firmly “No” then the bottom lip extends and her chin tucks in turning into two. It’s really cute, but sassy. She also likes to ‘help’ me however it usually ends up being more work for me. She likes to stand her ground and not give Joy that toy she’s playing with, however if Joy breaks down into tears, Olivia is quick to hand over whatever will make her happy again. Olivia loves to please people. She still loves to snuggle. We are trying to get her off of drinking her bottle at night. We would brush her teeth then give her her bottle (felt like a waste) so we now try to get her to drink her bottle before we brush, and during the night when she wakes we try to get her back to sleep without drinking anything (usually she would just suckle anyway). She is wearing size 2 clothing, which means some of the clothes Joy still remembers wearing as she was just wearing them this past year. It takes a bit of explaining to Joy that she’s to big for the clothes, and after a few tears, she understands.

Currently both the girls (and myself) are fighting off colds, which means our gentle princess Joy becomes more violent. She’ll smack Olivia if she gets in her way, it’s weird to see her hitting like that (she spanked Olivia the other day for climbing onto her chair!). Olivia becomes more whinny, which is really not like her either. She usually will tell you what she thinks then run away shouting “No” (then circles back for a snuggle) but now she just tosses herself onto the floor crying (very dramatic). I find we let Olivia get away with a lot more ‘drama’ then we ever let Joy get away with, but I hear each child gets away with more and more. We are trying to deal with the screaming run Olivia does but that all takes time (and age understanding). Joy went through this phase as well, however she was never as strong willed as Olivia.

Well that’s the just of it

If you have followed my blog for some time you know about my ‘little secret’. The one that I’m not a good housekeeper. It’s my personal struggle, personal stress when people are coming over.

Well It’s not a stress in my life anymore. Not so long as I stick to my ‘plan’. I write a list, every morning. I actually get the entire list done, if not that day (due to unforeseen circumstances) then I do my best to at least get it all done that week (I keep the list to a minimal, and have a master list of ‘bigger’ projects). Before when Orlund would ask me to do something I’d reply “it’s on the list”, chances were it was. However if that list ever had any hope of being completed was the bigger question, often he would re-ask me over and over until I did do it. NOT anymore, now when I tell him “it’s on the list”, it means it’ll be done as soon as I can get too it (or on the particular day I’ve scheduled it). I think this relieves Orlund’s stress as well as my own.

Every day of the week I do the exact same things, plus anything else needing to be done. (this is again all thanks to Flylady who helped me establish routines and stick too them, she’ s also my personal cheerleader).
Monday; Home blessing~
Girls laundry (sheets included).  De-cat hair furniture (Vac). Empty Trash from all rooms. Vacuum all rooms. Clean Mirrors + doors. Mop Kitchen + Bath.
Tuesday; Towel laundry. Scoop Kitty Litter. Water + fertilize plants. 15 Min current zone.
Wednesday; Mom + dad laundry. Clean fridge. Menu plan + grocery list for next week. Remainder weekly cleaning. Write thank you cards. Write letters + cards.
Thursday; Errand day (switch to whichever day I can go).
Bedding Laundry. Menu’s planned before shopping. Double check list + take. Grocery Day Buy + put away.
Friday; Date night!
Any Extra laundry. File papers. Mend Clothes + polish shoes. Clean out car + check fluids. Move food to fridge freezer for week. Clean out purse. Clean fish tank. Clean laundry room.

I do that every week no matter what. I keep the list on my fridge in a clear sheet protector and with a dry erase pen I check off the items as I go, if I miss an item I do it the next day. I have to admit I’m still not so good at doing Friday’s jobs.
Flylady also has a ‘Zone’ we do every week. This week had 1 day from last month and the rest from this month (resulting in 2 zones this week). These are the jobs I do~
Monday~ Detail dust living room
Tuesday ~ Porch, entry, Dining room, put out hot spots (clean up piles of junk)
Wednesday ~ Walls/ Windows in Dining room (finger prints etc)
Thursday ~ Entry pick up jackets/shoes etc and put away.
Friday ~ Dining/Entry dust window sills/ light/ fans etc.

Also the Monthly goal to learn to do is Menu Plan. I’m bad at menu planning, especially since Orlund does most the cooking (for dinner). Although I do plan to try to do it for next week as since I’m only working 1-2 days a week I figure I can pitch in and do more cooking.

Doing these as well as the ‘do it now’ principal have really helped me out. Everyday there are the usual chores of cleaning the kitchen, picking up toys and just picking up after ourselves. However if I stick to my list and the picking up after myself (which for someone like me is difficult) the house is always 15minutes away from company ready. This got put to the test on Saturday. I was out at a girlfriends baby shower with Joy. Orlund was staying home with Olivia as it was her nap time. I’d left some dishes to be done, and he had agreed to do them. Well I guess his parents called, they were in the neighborhood and wanted to stop in. I came home to find them here, they left shortly after I arrived to continue their day. I asked Orlund “so, how was it getting ready for your parents to come over”. (now before Flylady he would have 1~ told them not to come or 2~ he wouldn’t know where to begin to clean so wouldn’t have done anything.. which would lead to major embarrassment for me!). “it wasn’t bad” he said. After we talked about it, I guess it only took him 15minutes to get ready, and that’s including getting Olivia up from her nap and finishing the dishes!! Of course I would have quickly run the vacuum through, but really it’d been vacuumed 2 days before. It made me SO happy that he had time to get the house tidied up and had the coffee made for when his parents got here. Sure the house isn’t perfect, but heck, we LIVE here!

Of course our dryer stopped working last week, found out it mysteriously got unplugged. We can’t reach the plug in so are trying a bunch of different things to get it plugged in. This has made me skip a few loads of laundry, but since I do it regularly it wont be hard to catch up on. I’m also feeling under the weather. So other than the kitchen and picking up after myself I’ve put the rest on hold (other than things that have to be done ~ like water the plants). I figure if my house is 15minutes from company ready then it wont take me long to catch up.