Okay, so really, I don't have a good excuse for not blogging for so long. Just procrastination, and not putting it at the top of my priorities. But, I know I need to, because I'd love for this site, to be kinda like a journal of our lives, for all the boys to read one day. For that reason mainly, I've gotta be more dedicated to it. Life flies by with three little ones, and I don't want to forget any of the little things. It's so easy to. Let me see....what's the latest??
Jacob is still thriving in Kindergarten, doing wonderfully. Yes, we have our squigly faces every now and then, and even several in a week at times, but overall he's doing great! You ask, what are squigly faces? Well, it's the rating system they use in his Kindergarten class, to rank the kids behavior daily. A smiley face is great, squigly face is not so good, and a sad face is not good at all. Each child has 2 sticks in their pocket every morning, and if they do something they shouldn't, they have to pull a stick-- 1 stick- squigly....2 sticks- sad face. Thankfully, no sad faces all year, just several squiglys. Most are for pretty minor reasons, but a few for 'what were you thinking, Jacob?!' reasons. I guess boys will be boys, even if they are normally sweet little things. So, we don't fret too much over them, but usually discipline by taking away a favorite toy for a day, or if it's a really bad week, no t.v. plus a favorite toy taken away. Seems to work alright. On a lighter note, Jacob is such a sweet big brother to Nathan. He loves talking to him, and last night he told me, 'Mommy, Nathan is the cutest little baby. I wanna keep him forever.' I told him, 'well, we will keep him forever!' He said, 'no, I know....I mean I want him to stay this small forever!' Can't help but agree with him there!
Ethan hit a milestone a few weeks ago. He's now potty-trained!!!! Hallelujah!!!! What a nice surprise, and relief!!! He's made it SO easy, pretty much training himself. After all the issues we went through with Jacob in this area, having one train so easily and so much younger, is so nice! He has very few accidents, and is even staying dry most nights. I thought we would be in 'big boy' underwear at night too. But after changing sheets 2 times in one week, I decided we'd do a pull-up at night, until we have a few weeks of consistent dry nights! Of course, since I started back on pull-ups, he's stayed dry! I'm so proud of him!!! But......oh, my bathrooms!!!!! Lets just say two boys, 5 and under, both pottying.......yuck!!! I'll take it, though, next to diapers!!! My bathrooms can stay clean in, oh lets say, 18 years! :) Ethan, too, is thriving in his little preschool, two-day-a-week program. He loves it, and does so well. It amazes me how fast they learn so much at this age! He's obsessed with colors right now, and knows most of them. And, of course, he's at that question age, where he asks A MILLION questions every day! So curious about everything! I just have to laugh, grin, and bear it, because I'm so proud of how much he's talking. I know not to take that for granted! Now, granted, I have to interpret a lot of his words for others, but other than that, he talks really well for his age! Right now, as a matter of fact, he's sitting next to me saying, 'but why, Mommy.....why????!!!' about who knows what!!! And, just like Jacob did, you can't answer him with an 'uh-huh' or 'okay'......you have to give him a clear answer or, repeat back what he tells you, to make sure you really heard him. Clever little thing!
Nathan is growing like a weed! He will be 5 months old on Thursday......I can't believe it! He's such a rolly-pollie, getting so fat! It's no wonder since he still eats ALL THE TIME!!!! But, even though it takes a lot of dedication on my part, I still thank God, since I so wanted nursing to work this time. He's an expert at it, for sure! Not so fond of baby food and cereal yet, but he's eating a tad here and there. I'm in no rush with his age, just offering it every now and then. He's a very happy baby, as long as he's not in a car seat! Still HATES that! He'll ride all of 10 minutes usually, before he decides he's 'done' with it! We're broken in, though, since Jake and Ethan were the same way. He's smiling all the time, and starting to blow strawberries. So cute! Several say he's looking like me, but I'm not for sure yet. He definitely favors Jacob more than Ethan, though, so I guess he may look more like a 'Helton' the older he gets. I love this age, really, and besides the STILL NOT SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT part, I'm in no rush for him to get any older! Cherishing the baby days, as I know how fast they go by!!! :(
Ronnie and I are doing great. Ronnie is still in search of a job. We are learning patience, and our faith is growing, to say the least. It's hard, but we know God has a plan, and we have to trust Him and wait for His timing, as opposed to ours. Several possibilities have presented themselves, but nothing is 'for sure' yet. Still waiting to hear. Please continue keeping us in your prayers! I am the worrier, between the two of us. And, really, I have complete peace most of the time. I just know in my heart, God will continue to provide, as He always has. And, I'm just so proud of Ronnie and how hard he's working to find a job. I know God will reward, when the timing is right.
We all enjoyed our first camping trip of the year, a few weeks ago. It was Nathan's very first trip, and the first for the rest of us, in a very long time. We went to south Georgia, Heltonville as Dad likes to call it. I was hesitant, not knowing how cool it would be, but the weather turned out to be perfect. Cold enough for campfires at night, but warming up quickly during the day for 4-wheeling! It was great, and a much-needed get-a-way for all of us. Mom and Dad were already down there, and it was nice to be with them....not to mention how much help they were with the boys, so Ronnie and I could 'play' a little. The last time we camped, I was pregnant, so I could only putt-putt on the 4-wheelers. It was fun to 'really ride' this time, and to ride with the boys! Neither Jacob or Ethan is timid when they ride with us, both wanting to go faster faster! They love it there, and we hope to spend a lot more time down there this year. After all, Jacob asked Nanny if we could just live there! It's a little boy's dreamland, to say the least! I know Granny Lois and Grand-daddy are smiling down at us, watching us enjoy it so much!
This past Sunday, Mom and I threw Heidi a diaper shower at my house. We had a great turn out, and she really stocked up. And, not only on diapers. Many of the guests gave her clothes. It was so much fun, looking at all of the sweet little dresses she unwrapped. Guess everyone is so excited to be able to finally buy girly things again. After all, it's been 15 years since our family has had this opportunity. I laugh, because even my sister-n-law, Tanya(Ronnie's sister), had to get in on all the fun, buying the baby several outfits as well! She adores our boys, but I know longs for a little niece to priss up. Sorry, Tanya, you're out of luck! But, you can let Heidi's baby girl be your adopted niece! :) So, we anticipate the arrival of baby girl Foster! I'm guessing she'll be a February baby for sure! We pray God brings her here safely, keeping she and her Mommy safe, in a few weeks! Can't wait!
That's all for now! HAPPY VALENTINE'S THIS WEEK!!!
