Potty Train All Aboard!

Yes, Moriah is potty trained, more appropriately put Moriah trained her potty. If any of you have potty trained a child before it is a very humbling experience. I tried to potty train her at 21 months- HAHA! It was a joke. I did, successfully do it until Hannah arrived and then she resorted back into making puddles all around our home. Do we have a puppy now? So after waking up morning after morning very irritated we put her in pull ups and life became so much easier. The only problem, FOR ME, was that I felt like I failed. I know it may sound so insane, but I put a lot of effort into my children and potty training was one of them.

Jay was "p.t'd" at 37 months, Austen at 26 months ( completely I might add, meaning no accidents ever- amazing child that he is), and then there is Moriah. I had someone pose a question, what are your tips. I wish I had some. To be honest, all those potty training books out there, I am beginning to realize are just lovely references to what a perfect world would look like if we could cookie cutter our children into them.

How did Moriah finally get it? She had diarrhea the entire previous week and turned around, figured out what the sensation was to "go" and started running to the bathroom and doing her business on her own. Isn't that what potty trained really is? I mean, for them to know the sensation and just go not us always reminding them or pumping them full of juice? Yes, I have finally figured it out- just like airline ticket prices, there is no pattern to potty training with each child- To each his own, and to their mama, well it's better to buy pull ups longer and have a peaceful environment with a child that is not quite ready than to force an agenda that will come in its own time. Wow, took me 3.5 years to figure that out- yes, 3 children potty trained in 3.5 years...good, GOOD times.

Lipgloss Has Many Functions

Are your cheek feeling chapped or raw from the wind, does your neck need some much needed moisture? Are your hands craving that smooth, slippery, raw fish feeling, does your skin need a much needed boost- then please, by all means, go out and buy an all in one lip gloss- not only will your skin feel smooth, "glossy", shiny and sticky but you will cure many common skin ailments at one time. Enjoy! I know my daughter did while in her carseat and her youthful glow convinced me that, yes this is the one cure all.

2 am dances

I am so excited for today! Moriah begins her first dance class and she is thrilled! This girl has spirit. Every day, I have to hold her face in my hands, stare into her eyes and tell her- You are a gracious daughter of God, He loves you, He will give you a gentle spirit because there are days, when I am just not feeling it. She is an amazing bundle of energy that kangaroo jumps from one side of hte house to the other, repeatedly. She looks at you with her beautiful, blue almond shaped eyes only to start throwing her doll Beulah and screaming for the simple fact that she cannot remove her 5th outfit of the day! I am learning a lot of patience and unconditional love right now for my little Moriah whose name means " Jehovah is your instructor"- Why, yes, yes He is :)

Anyways, the other night, I hear this rustling out in front of our bedroom door. Having Ben next to me, nothing really freaks me out in the middle of the night anymore so I go and open the door. There, standing there with a grass skirt, no shirt, head wrap and tap shoes on is my little Miss Moriah at 2 am! ALL the lights in the living room and kitchen are on, ALL of the times in Ben's nightstand are out and being tampered with. As I come out I realize that she was " tap, tap, tapping" her way around our home for goodness knows how long. I follow her into her bedroom, stumbling and blurry eyed as I went from deep sleep to "you must now function" mode in about 2 seconds. Her bedroom light and hallway light are on, her fan is off, her books and toys are strewn every where and the girl is still tapping like it is the middle of the day!

Moriah, you must remove your tap shoes, turn your fan on, all the lights off and get back into bed. How do you explain time to a two year old? They get up when it's dark so what is the difference between 2 am and 6 am? For me, a huge difference, for her- not so much. After tucking her back in, closing the door, I couldn't help smile to myself. Her excitement and charisma for life never ends, it begins and flows fluidly through her every waking moment. Oh, Moriah- Bless You Child.

Moriah was so sweet yesterday. She was helping me and calling herself " mamacita" . An enduring name we call her often. She is definitely two and she most definitely gets into many, many things. Yesterday, I just woke up with the idea to have her be with me everywhere and constantly helping me. So, she helped me put on my make up....and then put on her own mascara which strangely enough came out to be quite good on her little lashes of hers :) We then washed it off as I wasn't ready to see her all dolled up yet.

She helped me with the laundry, with Hannah, setting the table. I asked her to count out 5 forks and she did! Then, she decided we need spoons to so she counted out spoons :) I prayed yesterday in the car, just asking for Godly insight and I felt that this is a little bit of what I felt God told me,

" Do you not think that I see and feel your frustration that I know your tears by name. I have called Moriah to greatness, I have called her to fruition. She is my daughter and I love her. The plans I have for her our mighty. Stay faithful to my calling to you, oh daughter. Do not measure success based upon how the world views success. You will never measure up. Your fulfillment will be kingdom fulfillment. Stay faithful and do not lose heart. I am in this with you. "

How the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit is always the best encouragement to affirm and encourage. Thank you Jesus for my Moriah, her spirit, joy, her bounce everywhere she goes. Her sweet, tender kisses, her strong willful voice. Thank you, thank you for my precious Moriah with beautiful blue eyes and long, blonde wavy hair.