pottytraining and nonsense

At 7:30 am yesterday morning we caught our first mouse of the week. Yes, it is fall in central Illinois and we have field mice that scurry to the nearest house to nestle in the warmth of the walls, er, bedrooms.

Anyway--Rachel and I saw that it had been caught so with babies in hand and redheads watching, I pulled the trap out from under the dresser. The mouse was caught by it's feet and Rachel proclaimed that it didn't look like it was dead. We were upstairs in the furthest room from the door in the entire house. I turned around rapidly and made a mad dash for the stairs. Suddenly, my voice turned into someone else's as I panicked and began screaming, "It HAS to be dead, right?? It HAS to bed dead right?" I was carrying the mouse but couldn't bare to look at it to confirm it's death. I was far too devastated at the experience to begin with. By the time I ran down the stairs and out the door, my neighbor Jack came to my rescue. He took the mouse and trap from me as I basically threw it at him (in my nightgown and all)...and he proceeded to smash it.

I was devastated enough and then I turned around to see the redheads standing at the door, watching the whole ordeal.

7:37 am.

We dressed the babies super cute and took all the children to McDonald's to play by 10:30 am.

This was after we allowed Braden to run around the house naked for a couple of hours, in hopes that he would finally poop on the potty. He pees like a charm but pooping is much too frightening for my little guy. I haven't quite figured it out, but he did politely say,

"Put a diaper on me, mom. I have to poop now."

So you see, we are potty training once again. I feel like we JUST got done training Nora. I suppose we basically did. These two are hysterical. Mother Nora and Lion Braden...

We have his potty sitting in the living room for his convenience. At one point yesterday the house was quiet (for a whole 2 minutes) and I hear slopping. You know like the slopping of a dog's tongue drinking water--

or in this case, drinking Braden's pee.

Yes, yes, friends. It's a class act around these parts.

There is some other slopping going on around here too. Only this time, she happens to be super cute and super smart. She's had a big week; eating solid foods for the first time, drinking from a cup, sitting in a high chair among tons of other things. She is changing every day and we are blessed and thankful that she is here with us.

By the time dinner rolled around last night, Braden turned around and ran smack into the corner of a wall. His head swelled up to the size of a golf ball and bruised immediately. Way to top off the day, buddy. Way to top it off.

So you see, nothing much compares to the chaos of my life. Not too many can tell the stories that I tell.

Lots of time laughing.

Lots of time yelling.

Lots of time feeling grateful.

In these little moments, I feel the presence of God so vividly. I am thankful for the sense of joy that each day brings. As we are quickly approaching the holidays and a new year, I can look back and see so many awesome moments over the past months and know that these are some of the best times of my life! This day, right now, I am thankful for friendship and love. God and grace. And where the Lord has brought us.

We are all together and doing the best we can.

That is something to be really proud of.

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served, and to my handsome vet: I love you more than ever!