FL Keys

A few weekends ago, a dear friend of our was visiting, and we took a drive down to the Keys. Mind you, this was our first time going, and we were so thankful for our friend having the desire to go (I think it would have taken us a while to make the trip happen had it not been for him.).

The drive is breath-taking! Hallelujah!

We experienced so much refreshment as we drove through one island after another island and over one bridge and then another.

I liken the drive like this: The Florida Keys are to Miami as Duluth is to Minneapolis. The only difference, is of course, going south instead of north. As I keep that perspective in mind, I will be much more encouraged to just hop in the car for a day trip, as I once did while living in Minnesota.

Hallelujah!

Potty Training

Hallelujah for potty training...

Training, period, deserves recognition. An uphill climb, yet much worth the effort (no matter how long it takes!).

For my son (and future children), we were gifted with his potty chair: Safety 1st Comfy Cushy, 3-in-1 Potty. It was purchased from Target, though, I believe it can be purchased from Babies R Us as well. I like the feature of it being a step stool, as well as a potty chair, as well as having a removable insert to apply to a regular toilet. One difficulty with it (for us due to Isaiah having the tendency to put everything in his mouth - teething! - a whole topic I have yet to begin discussing) is the cushion portion being made of a chewable material - the point of it potentially not lasting through the years (whether it is from his mouth or simply being banged around by all of the uses and the lid coming down over it). Other than that, he enjoys dismantling it after he has used it (a way for him to engage his engineering mine) and it is easy to rinse out after each use.

Some things that I have chosen to do with Isaiah as a way of encouraging him in his process of learning: 1. Congratulating him every time he pees or poos in his chair (or at least makes it into the bathroom to do his business) by clapping (which he loves joining in!) and/or singing a spontaneous song about his achievement and/or speaking out "Good Job!" and/or giving him a big hug and/or letting others (when appropriate) know of his accomplishment so that they can join in with the celebration. 2. Reassuring him, when he goes pee or poo in his pants or on the floor, by saying that he is still doing a good job, only that, he needs to do his business in the potty. 3. Praying for God to give him the desire to use the potty chair and to give him the understanding of how to use his bladder/bowel.

Challenging Opportunity

It's a new day, with new opportunities and challenges to behold and face.

Hallelujah!

My son, Isaiah, has been potty training for about a month, now, and I have to say that it is more discipline on my part than his. He is fourteen months old and has been slowly progressing with his understanding of what the "potty chair" is and what "pee pee" and "poo poo" are. Every week, he adds at least one or two more "poo's" or "pee's" to his daily routine. Of course, that excites and encourages me to keep going (very important for us mommy's to be uplifted in our daily endeavors, especially when they can become difficult and overwhelming).

What has been the hardest thing about beginning potty training with a thirteen month year old? For me it was the "me" in the equation. It has never been Isaiah because, as a baby, he is naturally in a training and developing mode (always soaking in new things and trying new things - we, as parents or guardians, are the ones that put limitations, positive or negative, upon their lives). I needed to just, simply, begin the process. I needed to believe that I could do it - that I could be disciplined enough to instruct Isaiah in a new way of life. Also, I needed to allow myself the grace to grow and develop with Isaiah (because it is a team effort). As he learns and understands his bladder and how to communicate with me his needs, I need to help him learn what his body is doing (when his pants end up wet or the carpet beneath him ends up wet or there are poop drops coming from his bottom, I need to stop what I am doing and bring him to his potty chair - tracking the time is very important as well - when the last time was that he went pee or poo - simply getting him to the potty chair every half hour or hour helps him understand, through consistency, that the potty chair is where he needs to go for his needs instead of his diaper).

Second Pregnancy is Underway!

We are officially 24 weeks along in our pregnancy!

We were finally blessed to visit a doctor, have a pregnancy test taken (needed for insurance purposes, as funny as it was to have to do), and have the doctor confirm how far along we are. That sets us to expect Keziah Esther (we believe that the little one is a girl) to arrive on May 16, 2013.

As wonderful as it was to have the doctor's visit, it was equally hard to have it. The reason being: we were at the mercy of the health system instead of having priority within the health system. Back in Minnesota, we were covered by my husband's insurance through work, now, we do not have that perk due to our economic positioning. We are thus experiencing what many experience, daily: humility in being at the mercy of other people's time and desires. Money does buy comfort; it is no lie. It could be concluded, then, that money also shelters individuals from the harsh realities of life, thus making people unaware and numb to truth - in the long run, numb to the TRUTH - meaning the Way, the Truth, and the Life - Jesus Christ.

Happy New Year!

Happy, Blessed New Year!

Me and my family were on the beach an hour before we changed over from 2012 to 2013! The beach, yes, the beach! I have never experienced breaking in the new year, outdoors for one, let alone on a beach in 70 degree weather!

All except one or two of my new year celebrations were spent in Minnesota - in the snow, in the cold, inside. There is something definitely different for this Minnesotan moving to Miami! And I am sure there are more celebrations like that one around the corner.

Even on that note of weather: I have never taken more walks in the winter time, dressed only in flip flops and shorts!