And Two Appointments Later

First was Fritter's. After running a 102 fever last night and most of the morning, I decided I wanted him seen today instead of waiting for his well check tomorrow. So I drove the 30 minutes to his doctor (we really like this doctor) after they graciously double booked us. That meant waiting in a swine flu infested waiting room for another 30 minutes with both kids, but it needed to be done. The diagnosis? Both ears are infected on top of the cold he's managed to catch from me. Our doctor gave me another prescription for Ladybug to be filled if she starts to get the same symptoms in the next week. And I moved both kids well checks to January.

Then home for naps (including a quick one for myself) and we were off again. This time for me. And the winner is....a healthy dose of bronchitis. Just what I've always wanted. *ahem, cough, cough, hack, hack* So then I took our healthy family to the grocery store to have our prescriptions filled. I figured I could find something tasty to buy while we were waiting. But when the pharmacist said it would be an hour before they could get to ours, I decided nothing in the store was that tasty. I left the prescriptions after asking my dear, dear, dear husband to pick them up for me after work. He did. He loves me. *yeah, yeah, yeah*

Alrighty, off to bed I go. If you've read my ramblings, bless you.

Happy 1st Birthday Ladybug!

I'm amazed at how you've grown. I'm amazed you're already 1. Happy birthday girlie!

See, I can help!

Oh! Is this for me?

Let's see what this is all about.

That tastes pretty good, I'll try some more.

Wow! This stuff is messy!

Here Mom, want some?


Silly sisters.

On A Day

...when I should be scouring every inch of my house in preparation for our Thanksgiving feast with my small family, I'm doing every inch of nothing and feeling sorry for my sick self.

On a day when I should be preparing those things that can be prepared today for our Thanksgiving feast, I'm sitting at the computer with blurry eyes contemplating how far away my bed is.

On a day when I should be drinking ten cups of extra strong coffee to keep me going, I'm drinking decaf green tea with honey and counting the hours until bedtime.

On a day like today, I wonder at God's humor. Sick two days before Thanksgiving?

But, He knows my plans. He knows that if I kept to the schedule I've set for myself, I'll be exhausted by Thanksgiving, and less than thankful. He knows that on a day like today, I need to rest. On a day like today, I am thankful for His Fatherly Love. He knows what I need more than I do.

Say Thanks

From our homeschool group:

Greetings!

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL!

If you go to this web site you can pick out a Thank You card and Xerox will print it and send it to a soldier who is currently serving in Iraq.

You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!

It's FREE and it only takes seconds.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This is a wonderful way to say thank you.

Please take the time and then please take the time to pass it on for others to do.

We can never say enough Thank You's!!!

Small Successes

~1~

We started potty training last Monday, the day after Fritter's third birthday. Despite my expectations that we would be completely done by that Friday (don't ask me why I thought this), we weren't. He did very well with the whole peeing thing, and has had very few accidents, but everyday was another day of dirty pants. But yesterday? Yesterday we went to a play group and (nervous as I was) he did great. He even used their potty. And not one accident. That doesn't mean he pooped in the potty though. We just didn't have an accident. I chalk this up to "holding it". This morning, I saw him squat and hurried him in, and again he resisted, and again I despaired. But...wait for it....HE DID IT! And he is sucking on a big sucker right now to prove it.

~2~

After weeks of being off the wagon (or is it on?) I got back on (or off?). Um, with my cleaning schedule that is. ;-) I've detailed the main bathroom, and the playroom, and the kids' rooms are scheduled for tomorrow. Have I mentioned before how I love Zone cleaning?

~3~

Speaking of the home front, I never mentioned our big mess that I alluded to before. While my husband was away, I noticed the floor in our master bathroom always seemed to be wet. Then I noticed that it was getting worse and one of the tiles actually squished when stepped on. But right after my hubby got home, we had guests and Fritter's birthday, and it just wasn't the right time to tackle the project. However, the thought of a leak somewhere in our house drove us both crazy, and so my dear husband decided to find where it was coming from. Long story short, our master bathroom is now unusable, and a plumber had to come in to find the leak. Two holes in my dining room wall and a hole in my living room wall later, and the leak was fixed. But my house still had holes in it and the bathroom was still unusable. So my husband fixed the holes and they look fantastic. And now, we have moved painting up on our list. So the success? Ahhh...the anticipation. We picked out our paint colors and will start this weekend. Go us! ;-)

His Irish Wit and Wisdom

Three classic episodes of Bishop Fulton Sheen's series Life is Worth Living are included in the video, His Irish Wit and Wisdom. In the first episode, the psychology of the Irish is examined. He talks about their fighting spirit and their imaginations and lore. Even while he cracks a few jokes, his audience gains a greater appreciation for those that dream of leprechauns.

In The Divine Sense of Humor, Bishop Sheen explores the humor of God. He debunks the popular idea that puns are the lowest form of humor by stating that God himself spoke in puns. An example he gives is when Christ names Simon "The Rock" and then later tells him that he is the rock upon which he will build his Church. The audience learns not only about God's humor, but more about God's Word as well, in classic Sheen tradition.

Bishop Fulton Sheen examines why people laugh in the aptly named, Why Do People Laugh? He explains that people are the only ones in the animal kingdom that have the ability to laugh and then goes on to explain why that is. A viewer will gain a keener appreciation for humanity and the humor associated with it.

While these three episodes are not the best of Bishop Sheen's work, they are certainly worth watching. Anyone wishing to enjoy some of Bishop Sheen's humor will appreciate this compilation.

You can purchase this DVD here.

I wrote this review of Bishop Sheen's Irish Wit and Wisdom for the Tiber River Blogger Review program, created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods. For more information and to purchase, please visit Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.

Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases.

*I recieved a free copy of this video in exchange for an honest review.*

Tracking Virtue, Conquering Vice: A Guide for Spiritual Survival

This is a must have book for anyone new to the idea of virtue and vice. The seven deadly sins are broken down into bite-sized pieces and are coupled with the virtue to remedy them. There is practical advice on how to exercise each virtue, and an explanation of how each vice can manifest itself.

Besides the easy to read format, Fr. Classen includes several of his hunting and fishing stories. Even if you are not an avid hunter, the stories will still interest you. I can imagine that most of us can recognize ourselves in a few of the stories. For example, one of the stories he tells is when he and friend were deer hunting. His friend got the first deer, which meant that Fr. Classen had to help his friend before he could continue hunting himself. He shares in the book his unbidden thoughts that shocked him. He was experiencing greed, and only after exercising the virtue of charity, was he able to break free from the green-eyed monster.

Another great thing about this book, is that although it was written by a Catholic priest, it really can (and possibly should) be read by just about anyone. I would highly recommend this book.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Tracking Virtue, Conquering Vice.

*I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Seriously...

I'm tired of the spammers. I get excited when I see in my email inbox that someone has left a comment on my blog. The very same blog where I post pictures and stories about my family and my children. So when I open the email to read that that comment is not so innocent, (buy this performance enhancing product) well I get mad. So, for awhile at least, I am enabling comment moderation.

Potty Training Day 5

This was supposed to be our last day of potty training. Things have really gone pretty well, with a couple of minor issues and one great big (stinky) issue.

1. Fritter will pee in the potty anytime I tell him to go. Otherwise, if I just ask him, he tells me he doesn't need to go. Even if it's been a couple of hours and I know he needs to.

2. We've had very few accidents, but I think this is due to him really being able to "hold it". Once was while I was tickling him yesterday (and really, that was my fault).

3. I've yet to get him to go #2 in the potty. Generally this happens while he is in independent play, so yesterday I sat quietly in the room with him while he was playing, so I could catch him "in action" and put him on the toilet. I think if I could just get him to go once in there, he'd go every time. But, (even after two cups of apple juice and some raisins as a snack) he decided he didn't need to go at all. And this morning, while I was temporarily distracted, he went in his pants, and came and got me after the fact. Thankfully, cleaning up isn't such a big deal, especially since I can just dump the underwear in the toilet and throw them in the diaper pail. But really, he should go in the toilet.

I'd love ideas or thoughts on this. In other words, HELP! ;-)

I'm A Little Teapot

There is nothing much cuter than a singing three year old, so here's another video.

ABC's and a Bonus Walk

Fritter singing his ABC's. Watch for Ladybug dancing and walking in the background.

It's Potty Time! (Round Two)

If you don't care about the details of a first time potty trainer, I'm sure there is something interesting at the Discovery Channel. If you do care, well, read on!

Since Fritter turned three on Sunday, we decided that now was a good time to start potty training. Again. But this time there will be no going back. So I cleared our week of everything, and started yesterday.

In the morning, I immediately dressed him in his training pants. What is cuter than a three year old in underwear? He even said they were "cozy". I can imagine they must be compared to a diaper.

Because he is a very tall three year old, I decided to use the top of the potty chair on the toilet seat instead of just the chair. I also thought it would help him get more excited about using it. I used Ladybug's doll to show him how to use it, and sat him on it right after. It was very hard getting him to sit still long enough to actually go.

Right after breakfast, we had our first accident. (Which happened, by the way, while the plumbers were here. That's another story.) We had one more accident that morning, and I'm thinking that I have a very long, stressful day ahead of me. But right before his nap, I had an epiphany and had him stand up. It was only a couple of minutes before he went, and I think he might have been a little shocked. ;-) Now I just need to teach him how to aim.

He stayed dry for his whole nap yesterday, and although we never had a #2, we also didn't have another accident. For bedtime, I put a plastic cover over his training pants (I wake up enough during the night, I didn't want to change sheets too) but it really wasn't needed, because he stayed dry all night.

This morning has been a little different ball game. We've had three accidents so far, including a yucky one, but also a few successes. I think he's uncomfortable going #2 on the toilet, even with the potty seat on it, so we're working on that. I'm going to try the potty chair, and maybe he'll be more comfortable that way.

Patience wise, I've really been praying. Right before his nap, I was very frustrated, because I could see that he needed to go, but he was being stubborn. I'm thinking a rosary and a nap may be in order. For me. Not him. He's already sleeping.

I have to remember that this is a process, much like learning to walk, and when he falls, I can't get angry or frustrated, I have to help him learn from his mistakes.

One cute story, yesterday before doing his deed, he blessed himself, folded his little hands and prayed, "Bless us oh Lord and these thy gifts..." I'm sure God knew what he meant. ;-)

Happy Birthday Fritter!

We had Fritter's birthday party yesterday at the park, and it really turned out good. I was nervous, because I have never thrown a party myself before. But I think everyone had a nice time. Especially with the pinata. ;-)

Fritter thought he was in heaven, because my dear husband bought some "booloons" to decorate the pavilion with. We let Fritter pick out a "wed booloon" and tied it to his wrist. So even though the park was crowded it was easy to spot him.


Fritter trying to blow out the candles. He still isn't quite sure how to blow (he tries to blow through his teeth) so an older boy helped him. I think he'll still get his wish.

Fritter going for the pinata.

Afterwards, we were exhausted but happy. It is a nice feeling to be surrounded by so many good friends.

Happy 3rd birthday Fritter! We love you.

Melissa & Doug Giveaway

Head on over to Melissa & Doug to see the adorable play kitchen they are giving away and enter to win there. If you've never seen Melissa & Doug toys, you are totally missing out. Seriously, they are that good. So what are you waiting for? Go! Enter!

*Picture from the Melissa & Doug website.*

My Little Saints

Last night we went to our first All Saints Day Party. It was so much fun and so cute to see all the little saints. I was amazed at how many St. George's there were to sword fight each other. ;-)

St. Francis

Mary Queen of Heaven

The Litany of Saints

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There was also a catacombs made out of refrigerator boxes and a jumpy house. Which was great, because after all the candy Fritter had eaten, he needed to get that energy out.

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It was nice to meet other families in our area, and I was amazed at how many little kids there were. It was a madhouse, and it was so much fun. ;-)