nO MorE diAperS!

*sigh*

The three year old is FINALLY toilet trained. "I'm a big guy now" he reports. All this mother can say is Praise the Lord!! I honestly was praying about it. Son one trained rather easily and fairly fast. Son two has been a very different story. 

And if you were thinking of asking me for my potty training advice, don't bother. I don't have any. None of the advice I received this time around worked for me. So I just waited until he was ready. 

I feel a need to celebrate. We are now diaper free for the first time in 10 years and 10 days. Wahooo!! I think we'll have banana splits. Care to join us?

A tea for girls

So, in between supervising two girls making bread (8 loaves total), chatting online with my sister in Alaska, answering the phone, downloading pictures, chasing three younger children to the great outdoors to play. . . I'm blogging. 

One of the dear ladies from church invited the girls and me for tea. She also invited Carol and Becky Kauffman. Becky is just a year older than Emelyne and a good friend to all the girls.

Brenda was our hostess. She created a tea with several courses. We began with chilled strawberry soup and crispy dainties she'd make from bread and flour tortillas. Then we moved on to wee sandwiches and veggies and layered jello salad. The meal finished off with 4 different kinds of scones, Devonshire cream, strawberry and lemon curd, shortbread and of course, tea. Choices for tea were Mint Medley or Constant Comment. 

When we arrived Brenda had the girls draw numbers. Whoever chose #1  got first pick of Brenda's hats to wear for tea. 

We had a lovely time!! 

Sophia clowning around after tea

Elsa took her own hat, one Esther wore in a cousin's wedding several years ago. 

Brenda serving Sophia. . .

Emelyne loves to pose for pictures!!

The other Carol.  And yes, it was highly confusing to have two Carols there! 

Second course goodies!!

Becky with a hat to match her dress.

Somehow, girls and tea just go together. 

a story for your heart. . . "99 balloons"

Three-year-old "isms"

Tristen is three. And three year olds say the funniest things. 

Here are several of my favorite quotes from the last week. . . 

"Mama, can we talk?" This was asked as we sat at the supper table surrounded by many other Hobb(it)s. As I'm sure you can imagine, mealtime with 5 children is not often quiet. I think that amidst the hubbub of conversation Tristen was wanting to make sure he didn't get left out of anything important that needed to be said. Or heard. 

The other "ism" was heard as we were discussing where Papa was (visiting someone from church) and when he would be home (in time for supper). Tristen was laying on the floor with his camouflage pillow and puppy blanket. "Mama, Papa's so wonderful!" Couldn't have said it better myself! :o) 

Another thing Tristen says rather often is "I'm thirsty for. . . " He hasn't learned the difference between hunger and thirst yet, so he's thirsty for M&Ms, thirsty for candy, thirsty of supper, thirsty for hot dogs, thirsty for yogurt (although when he says it, it sounds more like mogurt), and one time he even said he was thirsty for Walmart. Hmm. 

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness, for they shall be filled." Jesus

The picture of Tristen was taken recently when we were in Ohio. Also in the picture is my cousin Seth Showalter. Tristen looks remarkably like Seth did when he was much younger. Seth, along with his parents and 3 brothers, leave next week for a two year assignment in North Africa. 

P.S. Daniel did some adjustments on Rosie's shifter and everything is back to normal. No more adventurous shifting. 

Don't try this at home. Unless you're up for adventure.

About a month ago we purchased a Subaru wagon on eBay. Rosie Cotton (Yes, we are one of those strange families who actually name their vehicles. And yes, there is a reason her name is Rosie. She's a beautiful dark red color. I added the Cotton because, well, if you're a fan of LOTR, you'll understand.) Rosie needed a new clutch, but now she's ready to drive. I love to drive a tight little 5 speed, and Rosie fits the bill. 

So, Wednesday afternoon the girls and I were off to Walmart and a few other stops. After one stop I went to shift into reverse in the parking lot and viola, the whole gear shifter came off in my hand. 

First, let me tell you what I did not do. I did not cry. I did not curse. I did not pray. I did not call my husband. I think maybe I should have prayed, but I wasn't worried about anything. And Jesus knew where I was anyway. 

Here is what I saw:

Hmm. 

And here is what I did: I decided I would see if I could actually shift the car while I was still in the parking lot. I figured if it worked, I could just finish my shopping and drive home. If it didn't work, I could always call my darling husband and yell for help. 

It worked. I was thrilled. :o) 

It was kinda fun. 

Don't try this unless you like adventure. 

Oh, and for those of you who are wondering what choice names we have for our other vehicles, I'll tell you. Our green Suburban is called Big Daddy. And Daniel's little Mazda pickup that blows clouds of blue smoke on start up (when there's really nothing in the world wrong with his engine), well, he's called Little Smokie. Little Smokie's up for sale now that we have Rosie Cotton. Any takers?