Toddler training!

Well, it has been way to long. I feel like I have been in a warp zone the past couple months and just slowing down again. Even though I couldn't really tell you what I have truly been busy with other then the basics of life.  We have been loving Savannah and the church we are serving at. We have made some great friends here and continue to build relationships with people in the community. God has blessed us so much in our lives and we are truly thankful.

What's going on lately?

Well last tuesday I decided it was time to potty train Micah. He has been mildly interested in it and could care less if his pants are full of that (You know)...... Anyway I gave it a good go for the entire week. Everyday we got up and slipped on some of Kenan's transformers of army undies and set the 20min timer. We had luck by thursday he went on the toilet for the first time....;) since then it has been an upward battle.

Many people have asked me if it is harder with the second Kid. I think for me and Ryan it has been easier. Partly because we know what to expect. Plus when we had kenan NONE of our friends had kids except my older sister's. So we were learning together. Thankfully I have 2 laid back boys! That does help in the matter.

As of now we are loving life and we are super thankful for what God is doing in us and through us.
If you have a minute please pray for our house to sell in Wichita!

And if you are wanting to potty train or know someone who is.

All ya need is:

Timer
undies
toilet ring
step stool.
And be patient. Worked 2 times for me.:)

Our House In Michigan

Don't Hit!

Tonight I got a text from a friend asking me how I got my boys to stop hitting. And I have to say that as much as I would like to blame it on the fact that my boys rough house a little to much. I do believe that Hitting is a Phase that most Toddlers go through. Sometimes you got to do the best you can do and wait it out.

 Micah just hit to hit! He didn't care if the kid was bigger or smaller. That kid would lay one on any poor kid just for being there to play.<I'm not saying that Micah has not had his fare share of being bullied. Micah has an older brother and a daddy who like to mess with him all the time.

I grew up in a good ole spanking kind of family. We all lined up for a good whoopin when no one would come out with the truth. So I have been known to take a hand to the butt a few times. But for this particular situation I had to get smart about how I was going to discipline.

When Micah would hit other kids while playing, I would walk over to him and take him by both arms. Sit his butt down on the floor and look him in the eyes. I would say Micah "We do not Hit"< If he was not looking I would make him.< I know it sounds mean but how can you spank your kid for hitting. It just seemed weird to me and I never felt like I was going to get my point across, hitting for hitting? Nahhh     If that didn't work and he kept hitting. I would take him from the area he was at and tell him that he needed to "play something else or take a time out". I would also say "if we hit we can't play".<One other thing I find myself saying to my boys all the time is "If you can't share your toys then you can't play with them". Imagine a play date without toys...... No fun for me or them.

^I am not going to say that this worked every time. Our kids are naturally not going to pick the right thing to do. We have to know that we are in charge of their lives and we do know what is best for them in this time. It is up to us how much social time our kids have with other kids. If we are the only people spending time with our kids then more then likely our kids are not going to know how to act around other kids or even people.   Instead of constantly trying to protect our kids from every little situation. Try to make it a teachable moment.    ^One other thing that I have tried to teach my boys is: When you hit someone it hurts them. <I usually have to tell Micah "That hurts" No no and or say "ouch". But for kenan, He is older. He usually does not try to hurt people but sometimes he does. Ryan and I have been trying to teach them the importance of not hurting someone. Kenan it is with our words. Micah it is more physical.

Kenan is 5 now and sometimes kids will say things to hurt one another. Like "I play real sports" or "this is my toy and you can't play with it". Maybe even saying something about another kids looks. <It's interesting when you have a kid with a smart mind. Kenan is EXTREMELY practical. He will say that a kid is lying on a movie. Every time he watches it.< Drives me crazy. But I have to roll with it or I'll be in trouble with things he might say to someone. So we try our best to stay on top of every topic kenan decides to bring up and tell him the good and bad of it.  And in some cases we have to redirect conversations with him because he just won't get it quite yet.

The thing that blows me away about Kenan is that he is so encouraging to All of us. He will say nice things to Ryan and me and also praise Micah. It is a strong quality that he has and always has had. I love that about him. (Encourager).

Micah loves to make people laugh. He is not afraid to sing a song or pray with 10 people at the table and you better hold hands or he will say something. He has been wanting to pray over every meal and pray at nap time and also before bed. He loves to be the one to say the prayer. He also asked to pray with kenan. I know that God has really been doing something in his little heart. Even though he is so young. I love that about him.  (Loves to pray)