So long, froggy!

Our sermon on Sunday was about how we are commanded to be thankful in everything. It wasn't anything I hadn't heard before, but it's always a good reminder as we are so prone to complain. I can't say that I have been been two successful the past few days because of a wide variety of unpleasant or disappointing circumstances including a fever (I've had one off and on now for 9 days), sore throat, potty training problems, the Steelers playing horribly on Sunday, no one telling me that ladies Bible study was cancelled this morning (so we showed up as others were arriving for a funeral), I didn't know any of the songs we sang on Sunday except for "It is Well" (and thus felt rather awkward standing on the platform), etc. In that sermon we were challenged to write at least 5 things a day that we are thankful for over the next 3 weeks. So instead of doing a "Thankful Thursday" post each week, I am going to try to include my 5 things in each day's post. Since I missed the last two days, I am going to try to include 15 things in my list today, if I can manage to stay

awake (I've been going to bed around 8pm many days over the past week due to this bug I've had).

1. It was so kind of Paul's parents to drive up to our house and babysit Oliver and also spend time with Nadia and Ian. It had been three months since Paul's mom had been to our house, which made the visit extra special.

2. It was a treat to take Nadia and Ian to see Charlotte's Web yesterday.

3. The weather was mild (60's) yesterday and today. Today we took advantage of that and spent some time at a playground without wearing jackets!

4. Saturday morning Paul took Nadia and Ian to Lowe's to build a science kit. They are getting much better at hammering nails!

5. While they were at Lowe's, I was at JCPenney shopping with Oliver. I paid $21.92 for 8 articles of clothing (2 tops for me, 2 pants for Ian, 2 shorts for Ian to wear in the future, and 2

Frozen t-shirts that will be Christmas gifts for Nadia). The original prices came to $150. Normally if I get things for 90% off it's because I am using a coupon plus shopping from the clearance racks, but this time only the shorts were from a clearance rack so I was more impressed with being able to save 86%. I also got some great bargains at CVS later that day. I bought 6 boxes of cereal (Frosted Mini Wheats, Raisin Bran, etc.) and 3 boxes of Pop Tarts and paid less than $7 for all nine items. I love JCP and CVS!

6. On Friday evening we had a lovely time celebrating Paul's mom's 70th birthday at their house. The next morning Ian kept going on and on about how "awesome" and "amazing" her birthday party was. That boy loves his grandparents, loves pizza and chocolate cake, and loves playing with Paul's Star Wars toys that are at his parent's house. Praying that next week's chemo treatment goes well, and we're looking forward to seeing them in the middle of December!

7. Thursday night Nadia and Ian helped Paul paint twelve 3 inch Styrofoam balls that he used in his chemistry lecture yesterday morning to demonstrate a concept. It was nice to work together as a family!

8. We had a great time at the Terrific Turkey program last Thursday. It lasted about two hours and included the naturalist reading a book, showing the kids a turkey egg, turkey pelts, turkey feet, etc., playing a very lively game (I was assigned the role of a cougar!), and doing a turkey collage. There were about 20 kids there compared to last month when there were only four (including my three). Almost all the moms there are homeschooling their kids.

9. I really enjoyed singing "It is well" on Sunday. It's one of my favorite hymns!

10. We've read some great books from the library recently. Nadia read aloud Cornstalks and Cannonballs, which was about an event in Delaware during the Revolutionary War that I don't remember learning about before, and I read Tolivar's Secret to the kids, which was another excellent book that I don't think I had read before.

11. We've also been enjoying learning about the Nutcracker ballet recently. We listened to a CD of music from the ballet, read many books about the story, and today the kids started watching a VHS tape from the library of the ballet. All three kids were dancing around the family room while they were watching it. Sometimes when they are playing I have heard them taking on the roles of the mouse king, nutcracker, etc.

12. Nadia had her Upward basketball evaluation this evening. I am grateful she can participate in this program again at our previous church.

13. On Friday and Saturday I visited two different consignment shops and got some good bargains on clothes for the kids at both (had a 50% off coupon for the one store and a 40% off coupon for the other).

14. I have been able to apply for more jobs for Paul. I have completed 17 and know where number 18 will be going. Fifteen of those eighteen applications were for either physical or computational chemistry! The past two years most of the applications were for teaching general chemistry or chemistry for non-majors. All eighteen went to four year schools. Please pray that Paul will start getting interviews!

15. I saved the best for last. As of today Oliver has been wearing underwear for eight weeks. He had two accidents at McDonald's yesterday with Paul's parents (one #1 accident and one #2 accident that I cleaned up when they got home). He hadn't had a #2 accident in more than 3 weeks. It hit me that Oliver wasn't trained to go #2 on the potty, but rather I was Oliver trained. I know what to look for and what his habits are in that regard. Last week I had planned to put away the froggy potty, but he had a fever and such last Monday so I didn't push it. Today ended up being the day we said good bye after eight long weeks. Drum roll please.... TODAY he peed on the regular potty for the first time in his life, and he did it three times! He woke up dry this morning, and Paul put him on the froggy while I was showering, but the rest of the day he used the regular toilet, except he had two #2 accidents as I've decided he needs to start telling me when he needs to go so that he won't have accidents when other people are taking care of him. I know he's capable of doing this, but for now I will celebrate the fact that he FINALLY peed on a regular toilet and I can stop carrying that froggy potty everywhere. That thing is NOT coming to church with us any more. WOOHOO! Hallelujah!