Hallelujah!!!

I am happy to share that potty training 101 is underway yet again in our household! I started Saturday and with lots of tears and plenty of fits, we survived the first day. He managed to tee-tee twice. We went to the mall Saturday night and he went in his underwear. He had an accident, but that was to be expected. I'm a believer in going all the way though and don't like pull-ups or a diaper here and there because I think it confuses them. He still wets a lot at night, so he WILL be in a diaper at night though. Sunday after church, I took his diaper off and didn't mention potty. He went on his own here and there. Then this morning I took it off and didn't make a big deal. He came from upstairs to downstairs to get on his potty and poop!!! This is a huge deal! ;) We went to music and he wore underwear. He stayed dry and while eating lunch said he needed to potty and did it!! Yay! This makes me happy after 3 years straight of diapers. I hope I have bought the last box! But at the same time, I no longer have a little baby. Rather 2 toddlers and one will begin to play sports in a few weeks. EEEKKK, can this be true? We all 4 were in the bed last night looking through all of their baby pictures and just reminiscing of the past several years. How many cities? How many homes? Life is a fun experience. You never know where you'll go or when, but as long as you love the ones you journey with you can't go wrong.

I had a childhood friend lose her father this weekend. He had a stroke Thursday and passed away Saturday. I don't know all of the details, but I do know it's a great example of the truth that we aren't promised tomorrow, so live for today. It's hard to believe and so very sad, but I know the family will eventually have peace because they are just that kind of family. Mark and I often think about the future and look at houses we can one day afford and dream about trips. God willing, we will see this all come full circle, but if not, we are living a life that we enjoy. Making memories with these boys that hopefully they will remember and teaching lessons that they can use and pass along one day. Sure there are up and down days, but in the big picture, we have all we need! Once again, I say, God is GOOD and deserves the glory. Please keep the Poindexter family in your prayers this week and throughout the weeks to come.

This is the frog potty. Smacked-dab in the center on the dining room floor!

Our little sport practicing soccer with Daddy!

Love to all!

 Happy Wednesday! The sun is shining here, so it's a great day! The boys are playing or making a mess! I'll look at it as, playing. ;) Thank you all for the sweet Valentine cards and happy's last week. The boys had fun shopping Friday night. They bought Superman lunch boxes on clearance at Old Navy, cookies at the mall, and a few books at Barnes & Noble. They even shared a dollar with Mark and I!

If you would, please keep Mark in your prayers for the next 2 weeks. He has his last big test March 2. This one actually counts and can/will impact what fellowship he gets accepted into in a few years. He still loves what he does and the schedule has been so nice this month. However, next month will change and April will be even tougher. It's hard to believe we've almost been here a year and won't be packing in a few months! So nice to know and will be better on our pocketbook come June!

This year I am challenging myself to give more and forgive those that I need to forgive (for whatever reasons) basically just not hold a grudge. Money is tight when it comes to just handing out cash to others, so I've been trying to make things or cook or volunteer or just pray for others. I feel God has really been blessing me and showing me things to make me rely more on him. I've been going through a rough time personally with different issues. I recently started a new class at the gym and LOVE it! I'm not one to do classes especially by myself, but it's been good for me to make that change and do something for myself for an hour. I've found peace these weeks in knowing that God has our day planned for us and know exactly what we will experience. That alone just amazes me and stops me in my thoughts sometimes. It's comforting to know we are not alone. That being said, we must love ourself before we can move to pleasing and doing for others in hopes that they love us more or like us enough to do ______. We were created beautifully in God's eyes and should accept that!  

Thought I'd share a few new recipes too! Both can be made healthy. The first is creamy chicken for tacos or I even think it would be good on a taco salad. The second is Banana Bread.

Creamy Chicken:
Place chicken breasts in a crockpot. Add a packet of taco seasoning to the top. Mix a cup of salsa with 1 can cream of chicken. Pour this over the top. Once the chicken is done, take it out and shred. Put back in pot and add 1/2 cup sour cream. Mix together and serve in tortillas.

 Low Fat Banana Bread Recipe:

Ingredients: 
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (3-5 bananas)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions: 
In a medium bowl combine eggs, mashed banana, sugar, and applesauce.  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Mix well.  Pour batter into greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes for one 9x5x3 pan or bake 40-45 minutes for two 7 1/2x 3 1/2x 2 inch pans.

Hope you'll try and like as much as we have! Have a fabulous rest of the week! Love to all...

Hmmm...

I never have to wonder what my boys are thinking because most of the time they just share it with me. I've been remembering a few things they've said lately so I could share, but forgot to the other night when I posted.

Me: Anderson, go get me a diaper so I can change you.
Anderson: No thank you!
I guess good manners got him out of that one!

The boys stay in the childcare area while we workout at the gym.
Me: Did y'all have a good time? What did you do?
Bently: Yes, we worked out with the ipad!

Tonight when I parked (mind you it was raining so I wanted the closest spot) Bently asked if I could find them a spot closer.

Hmmm, I was hoping they would grow up with a semi-healthy lifestyle, but I'm not so sure if he works out with an i-pad and wants the first parking spot!!! ;)

They are really in to singing right now. Anderson will sing "Where is Bella? Where is Bella? Here I am"...but the poor girl in his class is "Ella!" I think he may be confused with his cousin! Speaking of cousins, we made them all Valentine treats. Bently said last week, "Since Tag and Bella aren't coming, can I have their chocolate?" Nope, son, I am mailing theirs!

Bently asked the other morning while I was driving to school, "Did you get everything we need?" Hmmm, I've been packing you 2 boys up for some time now and today you are worried if I got everything you need. "Yes, all is covered!"

They make me smile. They make me tired. They make me laugh. They make me scream. But most of all, they make me proud to be their Mom!

Have a "Lovely" Week

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had blogged until someone brought it to my attention (cough, cough Emma!) But it doesn't seem like much has been going on lately. Mark is in clinic this month so he comes home at normal hours which is nice, but then we're not sure what to do in the evenings...kind-of weird! I've subbed the past two Fridays along with my regular days so these weeks have gone by fast. This past Friday, it was in Anderson's class. He kept saying, "Stay with me, Mommy!" He knew I am usually in Bently's class.

We had company come Friday night and they left this morning. The boys were so excited. Thursday and Friday morning, they woke asking if Kylie was coming today. Then when they finally got here Friday night, Bently just smiled and starred as though he was shocked. It was priceless and precious. They had a great time just playing together! Saturday we took them to the circus and then to the riverwalk park for a picnic. Thankfully the weather was warmer and nice. It was hard to let them go this morning. I almost kept Nolan because he fit in so well with the boys. They were gentle for the most part, but wasn't quite sure why he wouldn't talk to them! :) He is one good baby!

Anderson painting while i was in his class Friday!

Just a little male bonding time!

But always plenty of time for sweet nothings!

My big boy saying his pledge at school!

Team work for Daddy's Valentine this year. He has already snooped and found it, but he'll still get it Thursday!

Today the boys helped me make cookies for their Valentine party here at the house Tuesday. However, once they realized that they could eat one, then the help was gone...this appears to be a busy week with something every day except tomorrow and Mark works next weekend, so the boys and I may head to Columbia for some time at Edventure. I hope you all have a "lovely" week!