I'm Back!

Hi, there! I know, long time, no see. Summer is FINALLY here!
So, updates: Zephaniah is POTTY TRAINING *insert strained smile*. He's nearly 3 and still not "saving it up" too well. He tends to squirt a tablespoon or so every 25 minutes. This is frustrating, as it's just enough to wet his underpants and leave a small stream down his leg. After 5 pairs of underwear dirtied in this fashion, I just stripped him to what God gave him and sent him outside to play. This is my first boy to have this problem and I don't know how to teach him to hold it! He goes EVERY TIME I put him on the potty (about 2 tablespoons worth) and then has wet drawers 15 minutes later! Suggestions?




The older 3 boys went to their annual Junior Master Gardener Day Camp and had a ball as always. This was the first year that Levi was old enough (well, they're lenient, so he was actually still a year too young but they let him come with his brothers). Zephan had a difficult time without them and cried buckets, just like Levi did last year. Soon enough I'll be taking all 4 out there.





The rest of our time has been filled with growing kiddos and summertime. Rosie's parents had court this morning. I was hoping to go, but a summer cold hit the house and so I missed. The caseworker sent me this message, though:
"Court went well. Judge feels parents are making good progress. We are proceeding with caution, obviously due to history. Hands on parenting classes were discussed. We have been exploring this but I have not been able to find one that starts before September. I shared one of Rosie's adorable photos with the court, everyone loved it! (Rosie's attorney) gave a nice update about Rosie as she just saw her yesterday. The next hearing is set for September 30th at 10am. "
Sooooo.....I guess we'll know more come September.
It was after we found out that her heart is fine that the doctor noticed that she has "blue sclera", meaning the whites of her eyes are a pale blue instead of white. They said this can be a genetic marker for muscular or
connective tissue problems. That coupled with her extremely easy-going nature and a couple of other little things are worrying the docs a bit, so they're planning on running a syndrome check soon. I guess this just means some blood work, not too bad, but hoping everything checks out OK. She continues to be such a good baby and now has 2 little teeth on the bottom.


We got a couple of things done around the house here, including Dad's purchase of a playset from Costco. It
was a pain, but Daddy and our neighbor pounded it out in 2 days! We also got the flower baskets up on the clubhouse (but not the door or steps, yet)
and I got Rosie's Alice in Wonderland pictures framed above her crib. I also found a stencil that says, "Curiouser and curiouser..." to put around the top of her walls. In my spare time. I even found a big pink and purple sign board that says, "We're all mad here!" for above her closet. I just have to find a good white rabbit stuffy for her crib :)



Ooooo! Big news: My hubby finished his first year of Nursing School! He's an LPN now and this time next year, if all goes well, he'll be an RN! We're enjoying some time together this Summer before the harder year (harder than last year, we hear, but HOW? Eeek!) year begins and life without him home resumes. :(

My big guys are enjoying their swimming lessons every Saturday. Nana is so good to take them. Their first week-long camp is in August and there are lots of water activities, however they both have to pass a swim test to be included in those. I was dreading the lessons as I would have to sit and wait with the 3 smalls (hubby works weekends) while the bigs have their lessons, then figure out how to help them shower and change afterward with babies in tow. I would put them all in lessons, but all 3 littles would need to be in the "mommy-and-me" class and I can't hold onto 3! So, Nana saved the day and sacrificed every Saturday morning THE WHOLE SUMMER to take them. Whew! That was going to be a hassle for sure!

Well, I'll get off here now. Sorry for the scanty posts, but they very well may continue as these kids are so very busy! We're looking forward to camp, berry picking, VBS and Zephan's birthday in September!