More MM

Israel loves PeeWee the teacup chawawa that our close neighbors the Hollingsworth's adopted last month. There is a lot a squeeling and running around in circles when these two play together. Potty treats and book reading only worked so long for Israel. Now he's watching Dora movies while sitting on the Dora potty. No more fighting to sit on the potty, but he's also not telling us when he has to go yet. We hope that will come soon. We've been going strong for a week and a half though- that's something! Eliza has two teeth now- both bottom teeth are in. She's such a doll. Here's a picture of her in her Sunday outfit. We tried to get a picture on both of them before church, but Israel is into blocking out Eliza at the moment. Last week was the end of normalicy. We turned in all our notices at work and this week is the end of work for us- AND our time to pack pack pack. We're setting aside what we're living on for the next month and packing up everything else. We're going to be hating our clothes:) We found an endanged bird on Sat. on our trip to Ovett, MS. Israel loved using the binoculars- and looking at Dad's bird book. We'll make a birder out of him yet. After seeing the red cockaded woodpecker we picked gallons of blueberries in Sandhill, MS. Stan tried to tell our friend, whose farm we were on about our bird siting. It went something like this Stan: (said with great excitement) Have you ever heard of a red cockaded woodpecker?! Friend: Ya'll can call them whatever you want, we call them red headed woodpeckers. So about this corn I'm . . . Stan: (weak attempt while farmer explaining the poor dry soil)Well actually, the red cockaded woodpecker doesn't have much red on it. pause. Well, thanks for letting us pick you blueberries. Friend: Glad to have you. We don't pick much anymore and otherwise they just go to waste. Say, our cucumbers . . . End of conversation blip So far we've had blueberry cobbler, blueberry pancakes, and blueberry buckle. We've barely made a dent. We'll have lots to consume in this one week:) We're excited to soon be seeing all our family over the next month as we travel to our new home. Oh, if anyone knows how to remove crayon from beige carpet I'd love to know. Israel was a super artist this week. More next time . .

Mommy Mumbles Again

This past week has included many new experiences. For the first time ever I contacted my Senator regarding an issue- and asked them to vote for the marriage amendment. I just sent an email, and to both MS senators (I'm not sure which one is mine). It felt good to do.



Our most exciting family news is in regards to Israel. On Monday we decided we'd had enough of this anti-potty training. So, we took a trip to where else but Toys R Us for the perfect potty for Israel. He adores Dora (Dorda) and so we finally picked, after assembling 2 of training potties, a padded seat that fits onto you toilet that is Red and covered with Dora, Boots, Backpack, and Map. Our courage was a little low, so our efforts at home didn't start until Friday for a big weekend push. With a bit of resistance I got Israel onto his potty seat and read him a book until he peed in the potty. Then of course we had a big celebration- high fives, and a treat. We didn't have any candy except mini toppings for yogurt, so I gave him some of those and called Stan to pick up treats on the way home. He got mini snickers. Much nicer than I would have gotten. They work like a charm. Israel can now pee on demand for those little suckers. He's always loved to flush the toilet and today I couldn't get him to get off. We're very excited, taking him about every hour and a half. Stan and I are walking around so proud like we finally figured out the trick (Dora) and giving ourselves a lot of credit. It's not that Israel's finally ready or anything that he's doing or that we've been praying for potty training to work- those couldn't be the reasons:) Now we just have to keep it up.

In getting the house ready to sell and for viewings Israel was a big helper- especially with the sweeping!

That precious little outfit is 0-3, from Grandma Aschraft, and it still fits!

This Sunday our stake put on a huge production "Let the Morning Come" about the restoration of the gospel and a celebration of Joseph Smith. We've been practicing for 2 months, chior, orchestra, speaking parts etc. The audiance filled both gyms in our stake center- mostly members, but also curious people from the community, family friends, and investigators. We advertised in the newspaper. Anyhow, I sang 1st alto and had the speaking part of Lucy Mack Smith- mother of the beloved prophet. I only had to memorize and say 4 lines, but boy was I nervous! The cast fasted (we ate before the production) that we'd be able to convey the Spirit, to remember our lines, and appropriately convey our love of the Prophet. (We hadn't been able to run straight through in our dress rehearsal Sat. evening) It was so powerful-everyone remembered their lines, we sang with strength and my testimony was deepened as was the audience. I've been reading Lucy Mack's biography of Joseph- excellent read.

We also have a new tooth in the family. Eliza, at 8 months has finally cut her first tooth- bottom right. Bottom left will probably cut this week too.

How we love our children!

Love to all!
More Mommy Mumblings coming up next week!