Happy New Year News!

Once upon a Potty

So... Wyndham is a little over 2 1/2 now, and potty-training is beginning in full-force. We weren't sure if we should push it until we moved into our house (which is happening in late January/early February by the way!), but lately, she has been freaking out when she poops in her diaper and wants to sit on the "potty". Mainly, she just likes to read books and pretend to wipe herself and wash her hands because she is "big and strong" now.

She has had some successes thanks to patience, marshmallows, stickers and many many readings of Once Upon a Potty. We started with a potty chair, but I picked up a portable seat that fits over the regular toliet in hopes she might feel like she is in the "big girl's club". It seems to have done the trick and she is requesting to sit on it all day long! She wants to go so often that the little red ringed imprint from the seat doesn't have time to wear off of her buns before she wants to try again!

Just when I thought Wyndham was really beginning to get the "potty picture", I came upon her WEARING her potty seat.... apparently, she likes it better on her head now that she has the hang of sitting on it!

I was so surprised to find her like this after finishing a load of laundry, I said, "Wow Wyn. You are so creative". Wanna know what she said back?...
"It's all in the technique mom".
Does my 2 year old even know what the word TECHNIQUE even means?! :) ;)

Well, they don't really HAVE to be completely trained until Kindergarten, right?

Flat Stanley is comin' to town!

Mrs. Mason's 2nd Grade class from Central Elementary (my beloved music job) recently sent me a letter saying that they had just finished a book called, Flat Stanley. Stanley finds himself squashed, and mailed in an envelope across the country... what a great and cost-effective way to travel! Stanley discovers that being flat has some advantages and begins to relish his new found ticket to ride.

They sent me my own flat Stanley and asked if I could take him on a tour of my new town- Minerva Ohio. Wyndham and I were happy to show Stanley around our new town- but only after we gave him the ultimate Ohio State makeover and made sure he'd survive the arctic temperatures. Here are some pictures of our field trip:


Welcome to Minerva!


Quaint Downtown- They blast Christmas music out of city hall all day long!

The Famous Cheese Factory

Big Bessy

Wyndham, Stanley and Baby Bessy


Grace Chapel Youth Building- We hold main services in the local Middle School


Classic 57- One side is a restaurant, one side is a drive-thru convenience store... Only in Ohio!


Stanley @ Lake Mohawk after a hard day of exploring!

Making Snow Angels

Overall, a fun day... though we did get several weird stares from cars passing by. What? They've never seen a mom and daughter taking pictures of a paper doll on the sidewalk before?

Trick or Treat, Smell my RRROOOOAAAAARRR!!

Halloween came a bit early at Lake Mohawk this year. Luckily, Sunday was the most beautiful day for trick-or-treating, and when you couple that with the fact that Lake Mohawk has gorgeous autumn colors right now, it couldn't have been a more perfect day... did I mention how much I am in love with my daughter...wow...When the sugar-buzz died down and I was able to pry the Lion costume off- it was time for more fun in the fall!

Your music has changed me...

Sara Groves is my all-time favorite musical artist. I truly mean that. Her songs move my soul. Her newest album, "Tell Me What You Know" is coming out this November and I would highly recommend picking it up, along with all of her other albums as well!
Sara recently visited Rawanda on a mission trip of sorts, and most of her new album was written in response to her experiences there and out on the "road". Praise God for His communication through Sara's voice and lyrics.

I Saw What I Saw

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Extreme Homemakeover #2: Holey Moley

Amidst a weekend full of church activities, our shed dormer is finally here in way of a gigantic hole in our roof. I'm so excited, but there is something about cutting a hole in your house that makes you feel a little nauceous-- I don't care HOW excited you are for the final result.

About 15 students and parents joined us at the house for a tear-out party last week... let's just say I pray that no one gets asbestos poisoning anytime soon! Bye-bye carpeting, bye-bye wallpaper- 21st century! Here are a few pics--- more, LIGHTER pictures to come!

A view from the front--- only our neighbors see the real chaos in our backyard!

Extreme Home Makeover Part 1

We are officially homeowners again and are and the verge of tearing some of it down-- kind of-- more like, tearing OFF. We are adding a shed dormer to the attic and are hoping to transform it into a "master suite" complete with closet space, a 3/4 bath, a bedroom and sitting area. This is a big undertaking, but thankfully, we are going to have some help from family, new friends and students from church.

In the meantime, Mom Ross and I are attempting to do other projects to get things rolling during the wait. Both Mom and Dad R. came over to the house one rainy Saturday and helped me to weed and mow down much of the lawn and landscaping. There are some salvageable plants, but mostly, they all went to plant heaven.

The few things we did keep? Some holly bushes, a hydrangea bush, some mums and a lavender bush. Lavender is my favorite flower. I was SO excited to see that this house already had a bush-- it completely sealed the deal for me:)

Here are some before and afters-- Trust me, it might not look like much on film, but it is a major improvement...

Before and after of the front flower bed #1


Before and after of front flower bed #2

Before and after- side of house

I appreciate the fact that our new house has a yard, but I also appreciate the fact that it's not very big:) I will attempt to grow a green thumb this year, but I can't promise anything!