Potty Training & April Activities

April was an interesting month!

Mom & Dad left on the 6th for a long vacation. They started by going to Idaho for Megan's graduation from BYU Idaho and continued on from there to Hawaii!

They were gone from the 6th-27th which was an adventure for us for sure. It was interesting to see how we were able to juggle my two kids, substituting, 3 separate bouts of sickness, Evan's schedule of a busy (almost) teenager, potty training Jimmie, and trying to keep up with regular life!

We definitely had some *rough* moments, but all in all, we survived.

Here's a few random shots of Miss Lorelei from around the house. She's a pretty big ham.

Sportin' her pigtails

Playing with a car...like normal

Post - pigtails hair

Mommy & Lorelei all ready for church!

We went to the Pinelands Library for the first time! Jimmie and Lorelei thought it was fabulous.  They loved bringing books home and especially loved the puzzles and toys there.

Jimmie got another much-needed haircut!

During the middle of the month we had some beautiful days outside. It was only in the high sixties, but the sun was out and it was hot! So we broke out the swim suits and the water table + sprinklers. It was a very fun day!!

Jimmie really liked his sprinkler a lot more than he did last year. He's not scared of it anymore! He thought it was so funny to run through the water.

Lorelei loves this little bunny.  She obviously had just woken up here, but still had all smiles!

I can't really handle how big she's gotten! 

I mean...compared to this picture with her bunny...

She's a whole new person! What a difference a year will make.

And she definitely has a personality of her own.  She is very much a rough n' tumble little girl who likes to do whatever her brother is doing and steal all of his toys.

Like his cars that she loves to play with!

She's all over the place

But even though they steal each other's toys, they couldn't be better friends.

It melts my heart.

This was one of those cute moments that you remember. Lorelei and myself were both a little grumpy this morning. She in particular was throwing tantrum after tantrum. When I suggested that she needed to go back to bed Jimmie suggested that maybe she doesn't need to go to sleep... maybe she just needs a hug.  

Thanks for reminding me, buddy. You're a great brother.

Speaking of which, this guy is potty trained! He was pretty excited about his big boy underwear!

I fully anticipated this being a complete disaster but it went very smoothly. I was prepared with M&Ms as rewards and special character underwear and sticker charts...but he didn't want to do them. Just regular stuff was good. This kid cracks me up.

In the last week we've worked on moving from the little potty to going on a "big potty" and he's doing very well. So proud and impressed with him. And he's obviously pretty proud of himself too ;)

General Conference April 2016

Twice a year we have an opportunity to hear from the Prophet and Apostles of the church. I love that we are blessed to live in a period of advanced technology where these words are made so accessible to anyone and everyone who would like to listen. I know that the Lord loves us and knows each of our individual circumstances. I know that these men are inspired to share the words that we all need to hear to teach, direct, inspired, and guide us.  It's always so nice to be able to enjoy a weekend of truth and encouragement.  I thought I'd include some of my favorite quotes that touched me from this most recent conference.

I'm the type of person who listens better when I'm doing something... coloring, crocheting, note taking, doodling... you name it.  I worked on a few different projects during conference but this one was my favorite. SO low key, but I love the way that it turned out. It's just a piece of white cardboard that I wrote on with Sharpie, but sometimes I think simple is the best way.

If you can't read it, it says...

"Hold him a little longer,

Rock him a little more,

Tell him another story,

(You've only told him 4),

Let him sleep on your shoulder,

Rejoice in his happy smile,

He is only a little boy,

For such a little while."

I made this for Jimmie's room. They grow up too fast don't they? I hung it right next to the chair we read in books in...because that line about stories should really say "You've only told him 7-10".  But hey... I'm not complaining that he's a good little bookworm now who likes lots of stories!

Temple Night at the Museum

In the beginning of April we went to the "Temple Night at the Museum" which was a free family night at Drexel's Academy of Natural Sciences. It was a lot of fun to go with friends and family to explore the museum and also take a tour to the site of the Philadelphia Temple that's currently being built. Have I mentioned how excited I am to have a temple SO close, SO soon?!

While the construction fence was still up around the site, it was the first time that the temple was lit up during the night time. The fence has since come down and it's getting closer to being ready every day!!

For those of you who know me pretty well, you probably know how important this is to me. Temples are sacred buildings that are extremely important to me. There will be an open house for the new temple August 10- September 3. The open house is free and open to the public. If you're interested in touring the inside of the temple with me, just let me know! I'd love for you to come with me, see the beautiful work of the temple, and learn about why it is so important.

Here's some pictures from that night of the temple and the museum.

Lorelei is pretty excited about it too!! ;)

Just taking selfies with Evan and a bear.

This made us laugh. (For those of you who don't know, my maiden name is Foulk).

First full dinosaur remains discovered in Haddonfield, NJ.

The Butterfly Exhibit:

This place taught me a few things.  Mainly that I'm actually a little afraid of butterflies..which is about one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever said? Who is afraid of butterflies?

Apparently...I am.

But they're very pretty!

And yet, the tarantula exhibit, didn't phase me a bit! They were so cool to watch!

 The LDS Philadelphia Temple:

I'm so excited to have this beautiful building be open & close to us.

The Loss of a Dear Friend

About a month ago we had to say goodbye to our sweet puppy, Ginny.

We rescued Ginny from a shelter when she was (about) 4 years old, the same age as Evan. I was in high school when we got her. Megan and I had been bombarding Mom & Dad for SO long begging to get a dog.  We would find pictures of puppies online that needed to be adopted and change their computer desktop picture when they weren't looking. 

Eventually they agreed and we brought home the sweetest little pup who could not have fit in any better with our family. She was never really interested in playing with toys.  Throughout her life she liked to sun bathe on the grass, go for walks, try and intimidate the big dogs she'd meet, "cross the plains" by flipping her dog bed on her back and walking across the room like a covered wagon, beg for food from the table, play at Grandma's house, and mostly sleep and snuggle up in her bed.

Extremely low maintenance, Ginny was a little lazy and totally cool with laying around and doing nothing.  That's my kind of dog. 

Here's a few shots from throughout the years

About a week before her passing, I was able to get a stamp of her paw print. I'm glad that I did because I was able to make it into a sweet keepsake to remember her by.

We think she was about 12 years old but with multiple, unrepairable health issues, her quality of life had greatly deteriorated with little to no hope of improving. We were so sad to have her leave us, but ultimately know that she is happier now that she's not in pain. I look forward to seeing her again in heaven some day. 

Until then sweet girl