LANES

We're just embracing the crazy around here.

And by "I" I mean Tyke. This little man is officially POTTY TRAINED! We still haven't finished unpacking, and I couldn't find the potty seat, so we went with the backwards method. I tend to do everything in my life very spur of the moment- so when I was ready we needed to improvise. Backwards on the potty, with a little light reading... See the jar on the window? It's the bag of M&M's I bought (potty candies) at the beginning of said training. He couldn't really care less. He's happy to potty and be on his way. Watev little dude.

This kid was the easiest one yet. I don't think I ever cheered, or jumped up and down, or made a ridiculous fool of myself, or sang the potty song (COME ON DINGY! DO YOUR THINGY! - Oh yes, Crew got the song on a regular basis) I think I probably enforced my will on the other 3 weather they were ready or not- but Tyke must have been ready. I think I will still put a diaper on him when he goes to the babysitter (one day a week, for a couple hours) because I don't completely trust him to tell her that he needs to go. I've put him in a diaper 3 different times over the last 2 weeks, and he kept it dry. It doesn't seem to confuse him. It's a little strange. He's my last babe, and I couldn't be more at piece with that... but I will miss the cute little baby dingy stage of my boys lives. It's all downhill from here. Or not.

Happy potty training all.

Feel free to use the potty song. You're welcome.

I'm having flashbacks to 6th grade. She even wears ties, and vests, and tule skirts, and fingerless fishnet gloves. Ahhhh, I remember it well...

Found a dresser at a garage sale for $5. (real wood!) We needed a desk... so Dale and I tuned it into one. I drew it out on paper, and he/we built it. I'm pretty hardcore with a nail gun.

VOILA! I am pretty happy with it. I will probably make some changes... but overal, I like it. It's makes for a great homework spot. Dale keeps telling me that someday we will be able to buy REAL furniture... but for now, I'm glad he's handy.

Ahhh... the bathroom. Nothing more generic than a pre fab bathroom.

Much better. I was able to use things that I already had...

So the total cost was $20 for the molding around the mirror.

This is the kids/guest bathroom, and you never know what you're going to get with kids (or guests!)

So I made some friendly reminders.

HOLY MOLY. I was seriously mis informed about the Podiatry profession. I was under the impression that it would be sorta easy. I. WAS. WRONG. Yikes. The last year and 3 months have been KILLER. I was not aware that one person could be so busy. Dale was given a new calling at church... actually all 4 of the podiatry residents in our ward were given the same calling- ward missionary. They told us that it's their hope that between the 4 of them combined, they will add up to one person. It's true. I do however, LOVE IT. Never thought I would like it to be so busy... but I do. Mostly. We feel so blessed that Dale is receiving such amazing training. It gets a little ugly- but it's strangely empowering to know that I am capable of handling it all while being positive. Cuz, let's face it, I'm not a positive person by nature. 4 kids, resident wife, and my own pretty time intensive JOB. Yep... feeling pretty empowered.

Not too many pictures to show for our summer. Haven't figured out how to add my camera into the busy equation. Here's what we've been up too... kinda. A baby bird appeared on our porch...

Crew and Tyke were fascinated.

More dance team sleep overs... love these girls, but they don't value their sleep (or mine!)

We played in our backyard... some of us were less naked than others. Loving the Texas HEAT and RAIN.

Tyke got cuter... and SO much naughtier.

I bought a bed from Ikea, and as part of my new found empowerment, put it together myself.

Tyke discovered his love of peanut butter.

He entertained himself in the trampoline net.

Elle beautified our flour bed.