Another year has come and gone. It is truly amazing how quickly the past 7 years have come and gone. It was on this day 7 years ago that I said “I do” to the love of my life. The one who completes me. When I said those two words that day I imagined how wonderful our marriage would be and God continues to amaze me because it is so much better than I imagined.

The other day I was telling a neighbor that our anniversary was today and that we have been married 7 years, her response was “you have been busy.” This is so true. In 7 years we have moved four times, have three children, one dog, one fish and one cat. The biggest blessing is that each year gets sweeter and sweeter or gooder and gooder depending on where you live.

Jim, you are my best encourager. You know me so well yet you love me anyway. Thanks for making family such a priority in our lives. Thank you for how you cherish me like I am the greatest gift God’s ever given you. I love you! I respect you! I need you!
Happy Anniversary!

Here we are 7 years ago today:

I know this post is a little late.

This year we decided to do something fun in our house to welcome Fall. Since I don’t like Fall, merely for the fact that Winter follows, I knew that I needed to have a positive approach and at least do some fun activities with my children.

This year we carved a pumpkin. Can you believe that my husband has NEVER carved a pumpkin in his whole life? I thought it was quite humorous when he told me that small fact.

This year our church Fall Festival was on October 25.

Jake wanted to be a monkey this year. He used Judd’s outfit from last year. Judd decided to be a Georgia Football player this year. Last but not least. Baby girl was a Princess with Pigtails. The boys enjoyed to the festival. Anna Kate was really high maintenance. Jim and I were TIRED when we got home. She didn’t want to stay in the stroller and she didn’t want to walk WITH us when she was out. Needless to say, we were wiped.

Last Friday night we were invited to have dinner with a family that manages the ranch at the Double B Boys Ranch in Millington. It is a great ministry for that is “designed to build strong Christian character in youth from troubled family backgrounds.” Our church partners with them in various ways through out the year.

Our kids and family thoroughly enjoyed our time on the ranch. We were able to tour the ranch and enjoy dinner with some of the boys. It is a great place.

Here are a few pictures from our time on the Boys Ranch.

This morning Anna Kate woke up said “potty” and we sat on the potty and she WENT! No screaming, no crying! It was about 30 minutes later she said “potty” so I took her back and she went number 2. No screaming, no crying! All smiles and clapping hands!

As of Thursday night she has only had one accident today! I am counting it as a SUCCESS! We are almost there. Just a few more days!

Tuesday she woke up this morning with a wet diaper. I took her straight to the potty so that she could tinkle. No such luck…well here we go again.

1 full cup of milk+1 full cup of juice+fours hours of waiting+many trips to the potty=a crying baby tinkling on the potty.

When she woke up from her nap she went tinkle and number 2 without any problems. Way to Go Anna Kate.

I had some gals come over to help me decorate my dining room and within 15 minutes of them being here I have poop ALL over my playroom floor and she wet her pants. Dumb me to think I could get something done during the potty training boot camp.Friends over two mistakes in 15 minutes….

Wednesday was the hardest day. She would scream and holler the when I put her on the potty and she had to actually GO. Right before lunch she sat on the potty and screamed for at least 10 minutes and finally her body won and she had to eliminate the waste. It was not an enjoyable time for anyone in this house.

She also decided that she wasn’t going to take a nap today. She was miserable. I finally went and got her out of her bed and she was so sad. She started telling me that her ear was hurting. Long story short, I took the boys to a friends house and took Anna Kate to the doctor. The poor baby has a severe ear infection. I think maybe that is why she has been an ill pill this week. Hopefully, with some Motrin and Augmentin we will be doing better tomorrow.

She turned 19 months old today so we started potty training. Of course, I am using the 7 days and $75 method once again.

“The general idea is parents stay at home with the child for several days and allow the child to walk around the house naked all day long. The potty is put out so it is constantly available to the child. Parents regularly remind the child to use the potty when necessary. Rosemond argues that children won’t tolerate urine and feces running down their legs, and will quickly learn to go to the potty to avoid accidents. The $75 is for carpet cleaning.”

She woke up this morning with a dirty diaper and we let her run free with her pajamas on. Her first trip to the potty she didn’t go but she enjoyed sitting on the potty and reading books. I set the timer on the microwave for 20 minutes. When it beeped we ran to the bathroom. She sat and was not happy about staying on the potty again. Set the timer again…she went in her pants….timer beeped. Set timer….she wet all over the floor! She wet four time before her 2:00 nap time. However, she woke up dry from her nap. As soon as she woke up, I sat her on the potty and she tinkled. BUT she screamed the whole time. She wanted NO part of going on the potty. She then held her tinkle for 2 hours and THEN after much persuasion and a marshmallow she WENT!

This has been a very interesting day. I thought potty training girls was supposed to be easier. Yet, this has been so bizarre that she does not even want to go tinkle in the potty.

Lights are out and I am going to bed. I have to wake up and do this all over again.