Five years ago today, Brandon and I were married and so our story only begins. It was the most fun wedding weekend and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! I wanted to put photos on here, but well, I don't know where they are and I don't have time b/c we need to get out the door soon. This will be the first time we have actually been together on the day of our anniversary in a while too b/c he's usually studying all night or taking a major test or on call, so I'm pretty excited. Of course we aren't doing anything, but still! We took our trip together and tonight we are heading back to Montgomery where it all started. We were hoping to make it to the Biscuits game tomorrow night for the fireworks to celebrate, but the game starts about 30 minutes before bedtime so we know it won't be worth it. We had our rehearsal dinner at the stadium and they happened to have fireworks that night after the game, which couldn't have been more perfect b/c I always wanted fireworks at my wedding, but knew that would cost as much as the wedding! (I'm not stupid or spoiled, so please don't think I'm a bratty "daddy's girl") I better run b/c Sophie's hungry and I need to pack a lunch for the little man. Boy! I never thought 5 years ago that I'd be here, but I could not be happier!!!!! I LOVE YOU BRANDON AND WOULD MARRY YOU ALL OVER AGAIN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!! : )

Yesterday was a wonderful day for us. I had my last MOPS meeting of the year and was looking forward to the fun that was planned for us. I was planning on getting there early and pick up some food along the way, but since my back was still glowing red from our day at the beach (too windy to use spray on sunscreen by myself - lesson learned too late!), I could only wear my strapless bra. I had done most of the laundry, but it wasn't put away yet and I literally tore it all up trying to find it. 45 minutes later I did and we just had to get there without picking up any food. But that was fine b/c there was plenty. We had a great time visiting and laughing with each other and it was sad to say goodbye to those who are moving or "graduating" from the group. They announced what the theme for next year would be and who was on the new steering team and I was so excited to be a part of it. (I'm in charge of Craft Activities) We made our final craft, hot pink koozie (sp?) with the MOPS logo on it and we added black rhinestones and a boa at the bottom. So fun! I picked up the kids and Sophie fell asleep on the way home (12:30). I put her to bed and Christopher and I had lunch then he went down for his nap too. I pulled out the ironing board and went to town. I got everything iron while the kiddos napped until almost 4:00!!!! It was awesome!!!! When they woke up we made Daddy's favorite supper and chocolate cookies and took some cookies to "Miss Tiff" too to congratulate her on finshing her year as MOPS craft leader. (We don't need all of that yummy dough in our house either!) Then after baths we started to sort through the mess of laundry when all of a sudden we heard a whistle and realized daddy was already home! We were so excited b/c we haven't seen much of him in a week and a half. We had a wonderful dinner and finished with cookies then played on the floor until it was time for bed. It was a fabulous day and I'm hoping we have more of them this week!

Let's see... I was really hoping to have the four of us spend the day together, but Brandon was still at the hospital at 9:30 this morning and when I talked to him then he was so exhausted he could barely speak. Never sat down all night. (Don't you love weekend call???) So, I decided to call my friend Melissa, who's husband was on call today (they always seem to have call the same weekend) and asked if we could join them at the beach. We were both planning to go this morning, but not together. She didn't mind, so we threw on our suits and grabbed our towels and headed out the door. Christopher was really upset that Daddy couldn't join us, and I was too, but I wasn't going to let it get me down. He needed the sleep and if we stayed home he wouldn't get any. We had so much fun digging in the sand and playing in the water and even saw dophins too! I tried all day to get Christopher to say "Happy Mother's Day!", but he refused to do it. We were sitting at the water and he finally caved, but said this, "Happy Mother's Day, whale!" Not something a Mom wants to hear from her child while she's wearing a bathing suit on the beach, but at least he said it. I knew he was talking about the dolphins anyway. Brandon finally got home around 11:00 and as far as I know went straight to bed. He's never pulled a shift this long before and hate that it happened today. Our friend, Tiffany, called me on the way to the beach to see if we wanted to come over for burgers and let the kids swim in the new pool William was getting and have a sort of Mother's Day cookout. I told her we'd be there. So, my day isn't filled with flowers and cards and presents and meals in bed, but I don't have one single complaint about how my weekend has turned out. I've been able to have the most amazing and fun quality time with my kids. I love being a mom!

Brandon was on call today, so the kids and I went to see Disney on Ice with our friends, the Newells. It was in Pensacola, so I was a little nervous about doing this alone, knowing I'd have to go find a place I've never been to in a city I've never been in and have to deal with parking, watching two children at the top of stadium seating and deal with lunch and naps alone. Not my first choice on how to spend a day, but knowing how looooonnnnnggggggg a Saturday call can be I was up for the challenge. We hit the road about 9:30 and it was super easy to find (yeah!), but like I'd predicted, we had to park in the farthest parking lot and it was also the one that wasn't free b/c it was a buisness one. But I didn't care, I was excited about my fun day with the kids. I paid the $5 and toted the kids two blocks and up 4 ramps, but we made it into the building just as the show was starting. I had to practically drag Christopher up to our seats b/c Mater had just come out onto the ice. Next was The Little Mermaid, The Lion King then intermission and they came back with Tinkerbell.

(The kids sitting on the steps having a snack. Only time they sat this still. You can see Sophie is already planning her next move.)

(Our attempt at a group photo, which Christopher never wants to take, and I'm literally holding Sophie down with all I've got. I really wanted this photo taken.)

After the show, we all headed to the mall to eat at Red Robin and Christopher unexpectedly passed out within 10 minutes of getting in the car. I thought we'd never find a parking place there either and we had to park in the second farthest parking lot. I woke him up, put him in the stroller b/c he was so tired and carried Sophie. I know everyone around me had to wonder what I was thinking. You know what I hate about parking lots? How stinkn' H-O-T they are!!!! I was sweating so bad by the time we got inside I was thrilled they had already gotten a table and I ordered a coke which came just as quickly as I'd hoped. I was determined to keep having fun and forget that my undergarments AND my outer garments were almost soaked with sweat. Thankfully I had on clothes that wouldn't show it, but I couldn't wait to get home and shower. We ate and then we all decided to walk around the mall. I'm not sure if it's always like this, but you would have thought it was Christmas it was so crazy! The kids and I should have just left b/c they were starting to get tired, but I knew they'd wake up when we got home without having a full nap, so I figured it'd be better to just get home later and deal with the tiredness now.

(The kids enjoying to "ride" in the ice cream truck at the mall. I didn't need to shop so I didn't mind them playing on it one bit.)

When we left the mall we had to go across the street to Michael's to get some sequins for the craft at MOPS next week. By this point we were all exhausted, but I'd promised Tiffany I'd get these for her to save her a 2 hour trip for a silly box of sequins. I didn't mind one bit b/c I wanted to get a few things myself. Sophie didn't have shoes on by this point and I couldn't carry her anymore, so I set her down to walk with me. She wandered off to an aisle I wasn't on and a lady who worked there started to say something about her leaving me and the woman she was helping said, "She doesn't have any shoes on," with that tone that every mother hates with all of her being. I wanted to snap at her and tell her to shut up (I know, harsh) but I started to just say "I don't care," and ended up saying sharply, "She lost them!" If she had looked at how sweaty I was I think she would have seen that I didn't care my Southern child was barefoot in a Southern state, even if we were in a store. (Isn't that what we do? It's not like she walked into a gas station bathroom barefoot!) We hit the potty once more (why I didn't have a cart to begin with for Sophie to ride in) before heading to "Chick-A-Flay" for milkshakes for everyone. They were so good!!!! Sophie didn't even make it across the street to get her milk shake and Christopher passed out after a couple sips of his. We made it back in time to see Brandon at the hospital and then came home to bathe, have a quick dinner, put on pj's and go to bed. It was just the day I was wanting with my kids. They were so sweet and so patient and I love them so much! Now I am off to take my shower and crash in the bed to dream of our morning at the beach for Mother's Day.

Christopher enjoying his milkshake...
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while Sophie's passed out in her seat.

*** Please don't get onto me for skipping church tomorrow. The morning is the best time to spend with the kids and I don't want them to spend it with someone else's Mommy. I want to have my family together enjoying God's incredibly beautiful creation and each other. We need this quality time more than the sermon series they are teaching right now. ***

Good night!!! : )

Ever since Christopher and I had our little discussion about pooping in his underwear and he had his first poopy clean up, I have some good news to share. He has been pooping in the potty! I know about when he's going to go in the morning and yesterday I could tell he was "thinking" and so I asked him if he needed to go. He said nope, but I knew he just didn't want to admit it. I reminded him that if he goes in his pants HE has to clean it up. He immediately said, "I want to go poo poo on the potty Mommy!" Again, the same thing this morning. I'm so excited! Of course I don't want to get too excited and have it backfire, but I know that this is a huge step. I'm going to go ahead and admit it here in words for all to see... I, Brittny, have no problem with any kind of "trick" that may involve getting my child to do what needs to be done. I don't think you should always lie to your child (excludes Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, etc. - please, don't give me your opinions about those things, I'm not changing my mind.) but just fib a little sometimes to save your own sanity. Because, well, we all know that if we can't stay sane, our child just might disappear!

Christopher always seems to start out really well every time we attempt to potty train him. You are probably going, "every time? what does that mean?" Well, we are on our third time right now and this one is going to stick. I'm determined. The first time I think was just b/c it was a new idea, but we'd just had Sophie and about to move, so I knew it wouldn't stick and didn't go along with it.

The second time was several months ago and he initiated it. He was doing fabulous for weeks and then all of a sudden he wouldn't tell me when he had to go poo poo and started going in his underwear. At first I thought it was just accidents, but then I quickly realized he did know better, just didn't care. I started getting onto him and he'd get in trouble if he had any accidents that I know could have been prevented. This backfired in a HORRIBLE way. He started pooping all day long, meaning tons of washed underwear and then started peeing in his pants again. The last straw was one night when he pooped and I cleaned him up then when I came out of the bathroom he was peeing - on purpose - onto the carpet. He looked at me and laughed with an evil laugh and I wanted to tear up his cute little back end. Don't worry, I didn't. I think I must have blacked out b/c I didn't even put him in time out or anything, I honestly don't remember what I did other than yell, "THAT'S IT! YOU'RE GOING BACK TO DIAPERS!" He could have cared less.

Well, over Easter he decided to try going potty again. We thought this was going to be it b/c we waited until he decided everything on his own. (We thought he had done that before too.) Again, it started out great, then a few weeks into it he started pooping in his underwear again. I told myself to not yell at him or get mad at him b/c I knew where that got me last time. Until today. I knew I needed a new "trick", so I decided to just try talking to him about it (again). Here's how that conversation went...

Me: "Why do you go poop in your underwear?"

C: (in a silly voice) "It's my paaannnties!"

Me: "Does it feel good or yucky to go in your underwear?"

C: (still in silly voice) "It's my paaaaanties!!!! Poopy panty potty!"

Me: (realizing I'm not getting anywhere so just get to the point) "Do you poop in your panties b/c you know Mommy will clean it up?"

C: "YUP!!!"

Me: "Well, not anymore. If you want that cleaned up you'll have to do it yourself."

C: "But I don't know how?"

Me: "Well, you'll have to figure it out."

For the next 10-15 minutes he walked around with dirty pants and every now and then he'd say, "You need to change me, Mommy," or "But I don't know how to clean it." to which I kept replying, "You'll just have to figure it out b/c Mommy doesn't clean poopy underwear anymore." All of a sudden I hear him yelling with excitement from the bathroom, "I DID IT!!!" I ran in there expecting a huge mess and he had done it without anything to wipe but his cute hiney. He had even pulled out a couple wipes to use. So, it worked once. We'll just see if it works again. I sure hope so!!

Here's the final product of our project we did a few weekends ago. I told you we had to lift up one side b/c it was crooked and Brandon went to get more stones b/c 2 wasn't enough. I know they aren't pretty, but the entire project only cost us $10 and that was for the dirt. Everything else was free, wood, mulch, 4 plants you can barely see (why they were free) and the stones. So, you won't see this in any home magazine, but if you could see our yard it is a HUGE improvement. You can kind of see it, yup, that's sandy dirt. Pretty isn't it?

I thought this was funny and just had to get a photo for you all to see. This is the label on the back of a bottle of bubbles we got the other day. Can you see what it says on the second line? Yup, apparently bubbles are very complicated liquids so only "competent adults" are capable of using them. I wonder if they arrest you for letting your 3 year old be in charge of blowing them?

Ok, here are the sad photos I have to prove we went on vacation without kids. We stopped to see a street show at Epcot and Brandon got pulled in. I have video, but wasn't going to put that on here. It was a pretty funny show though!

Here we are waiting for the light show at Magic Kingdom. We were getting bored and I realized we hadn't taken any photos yet, so here's the first. Reminds you on when you are on your honeymoon and you have pics of your new spouse sitting at a table alone with a big grin on his/her face while waiting for your meal.

Here's some fireworks. Oooooooooooohhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Here we are at Universal waiting for a show. I needed a break from flipping around on rides and this helped tremendously! Wasn't the most interesting thing we've seen before, but I felt better after sitting still for 40 minutes.

As we were pulling away from the house Christopher yelled at us, "I want a blue articulating dump truck!!!!" I died out laughing b/c I didn't know Brandon had asked him if he wanted us to bring him something back with us. It was still cute! This was as close as I could find to one and couldn't believe I found it! Not a dump truck, but he still loves it and carries it with him wherever we go.

He's been asking for a pair of flip flops like mommy and daddy's so I got him a pair of those too. He loves them so much he even took a nap in them the next day. I knew he was awake b/c I heard him flip-flopping down the hall.

I've been away from here for a week or so b/c Brandon and I went away together, no kids, to Orlando to celebrate our 5th anniversary early. My parents came down on Tuesday and kept the kids for us and we were really looking forward to 3 nights away together. We left Wednesday morning and a friend of ours let us take his convertible BMW, which was so fun to ride in! Except the radio quit working the day before we left. Which was fine, but my man loves his music so I knew it was going to be a long ride for us. (Don't worry, we love talking to each other, but we talk a lot, so we didn't have that much to catch up on and 6 hours is a long time.) That night we decided to head to Epcot to see the laser show. It was fabulous! Our kids are worthless by evening at Disney, so we never get to see the light shows. The next day we had our little "time share" meeting to go to and were kind of dreading it, but kept telling ourselves we had a free place to stay and free tickets to Universal b/c we agreed to it, so we went with the best attitude we could. It actually was a lot of fun and pretty interesting until we got to the money part. Then it got annoying. After finally convincing the man that we don't make big decisions like that in 2 hours, (we spend more time than that deciding on how to spend $50) we got our tickets and headed back to Disney (we have season passes) and walked around Epcot, rode a few rides and had a nice lunch together before heading to Magic Kingdom for it's night show. The next morning we grabbed breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and rushed over to Universal to start our two-park, one-day hopper. Let's just say DD probably wasn't the best way to start a day of roller coaster riding. Nobody got sick, but walking as fast as you can to get on a roller coaster that flips you like crazy after having donuts and a coke doesn't leave you feeling like you want to do it again. But we did. For several more hours. It was lots of fun and thankfully Brandon didn't mind taking a break to let me recover before going again. We hit both parks, picked up UNO's deep dish pizza (oh, so yummy!!!) on the way home and crashed on the couch until we crawled to bed to pass out. The next day we couldn't wait to get home and were so glad to see the kids again. They had a great time with Grammie and Pop and we couldn't thank them enough for allowing us to do this. I didn't take too many photos, but I'll post them soon. There are some great ones of Brandon getting pulled into a street show at Epcot! It was hilarious!!!