Embrace the Morning. And the Camera.

This momma is just a little tired. Please forgive my rambling. And grammatical errors (I'm sure there are bound to be plenty). And short, fragmented sentences.

As you all know by now, B-Man is potty training. It's going swell. In fact, it's going so swell that he even woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Twice. The diaper was dry this morning and all is right with the world. Now, I know what you're thinking. That was just one night, Ang. You're not out of the woods yet. And, you're right (you always are). We'll still put a diaper on him tonight, and see how it goes, but I'm optimistic.

Getting up with him in the middle of the night like I did (did I mention it was twice?) sure does take me back to the days when he was a newborn. Get ready to not like me (as if!), but I actually loved waking up with him during those bygone days. It was our time. So special and my heart swells with the fondest of memories when I think back on those nights. Sure, I was tired, but it was so worth it. I remember how he would just sleep in my arms and I would look at him, pray over him, kiss him, smell him. I was in awe. And, while those tender snuggle moments are a thing of the past, I'm still in awe of my little boy. I still sneak in a smooch or a squeeze when I can. This boy will never be able to say his parents never showed him any affection. That makes me happy.

Now, when I wake up with him, I have conversations to remember, not just snuggles. One one of our trips last night, we spotted the moon. It was brilliant and orange and we just stood and looked at it. He had his little arms wrapped around my neck and told me how pretty the moon was. Actually, he said it was lovely. I mentioned how orange it was and he tenderly corrected me. Actually, it's yellow AND woe-wunj. Oh yes, I said, how could I not have noticed? Then, when I put him back in bed, he wanted to look at the moon again. I couldn't resist. I know these times are numbered. So I said we'd look at it "one more time" and carried my little boy back out to look at the moon. I tucked him back in to his bed and covered up his little body and he said, "I want to look at the moon again." I reminded him "Buddy, we've already looked at the moon two times." Then, that smart little boy of mine said, "I want to look at the moon three times." And you know what? I almost caved. Then, the practical side kicked in, I tucked him in, and stumbled back into bed.

Good thing, since he woke up early this morning...wanting to go potty and then play blocks...with mommy. Always happy to oblige.

Did you notice that warm, glowing light? It's the sunrise. God makes some beautiful things, doesn't He?

I love these pictures, despite (or because of?) their imperfections. They capture a moment in time that I hope always to remember. And treasure.

Now, that you've made it through my rambling, head over to this blog and get your embrace on.

Friday's Favorite

It has been a week. I mean a weeeeeeek. As you know, we've been potty training. It really has been going extremely well, with just a minor bump in my laundry. No biggie. I can deal. What's made it rough is being cooped up in the house. all.week.long.

I've been edgy, putting a bunch of pressure on myself to make sure "this is it" when it comes to training. I can't tell you how many times this week I just wanted to throw a diaper on that cute little bum of his and just go somewhere. I didn't. I persevered. With the help of a great husband and a.lot.of.prayer.

Then, last night, after an especially treacherous day in the trenches, a miracle. Brady went #2 in the potty! We had been trying in vain all week to get him to go. He just couldn't. See, he normally "goes" around a corner, in private...standing. So this whole sitting thing was a bit much to grasp. Then, last night, just a bit before his bed time, he got it. And, I tell ya, it couldn't have come at a better time.

Isn't that the way God seems to work? When we're at our lowest and just really needing a boost, wham! Poop in the potty! I never thought I'd be so excited about poop (or say it so many times in a blog post-sorry about that-but not really), but I'll tell you. That icky poo in the pot made my entire week. It literally washed away an entire week's worth of feeling battled and worn down and replaced it with feelings of competency, joy, and just overall euphoria. All that accomplished by poo! Imagine! I was still feeling the high when we went to bed. Talk about perma grin.

And, for the record, yes, I do believe God cares about poo. Why? Because I care about poo. He's a big God, but cares about the smallest of details. All we have to do is ask. In every situation. Including poopy situations.

Now, I know this potty war training is not over. But, after last night's stinky victory, well, I think Mary Tyler Moore's theme song said it best: I'm Gonna Make it After All!

So, with all that said, here's my Friday Favorite. My little stinker, back when he was a toothless wonder.

May your pot be filled with whatever brings you joy today. As for me, well, I'm hopin' for more poo.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Mike and I have a cup of coffee every morning and always drink out of "our" cups. They are Starbucks mugs, found at a garage sale. Mine is orange on the inside and his is blue on the inside. The funny thing is, despite using them every day, Mike will occasionally get them mixed up and try to give me the blue. OK, maybe it's not that funny to you, but we always get a chuckle out of it.
   
2. We seldom have candy at our house. It's just not something we buy. (Chocolate, however? Yum!) Which may be one (of the many) reasons Brady loves his Uncle Lance. For Christmas, Lance got everyone candy for stocking stuffers and the majority of it ended up being left at our house. Ever since, Brady has asked for a piece of "Uncle Lance's candy". Every day. His favorite so far has been Jelly Bellys. Incidentally, it bears noting that if we ever have Gatorade in our house it is always "Uncle Lance's Gatorade" and it is always requested, as in, "I want to drink some Uncle Lance's Gatorade", and (when prompted for manners), "pleeeeeaase".
   
3. We were playing the "tickle game" the other day when Brady bit my arm. It wasn't a hard bite, and I think he just got caught up in the excitement and didn't really mean it maliciously. When I had him apologize, he saw my bruise and, on his own, prayed for it. It was sweet, sincere, and delicate and I couldn't have been more of a puddle. Then, ever so gently, he bent down and kissed it. As if that weren't sweet enough, he then prayed for my knee (yes, it still hurts). I love moments like that.
   
4. It's official. Mike has turned into a reader. I'm not just talking willy-nilly-read-occasionally reader. Nope, he is a full-blown-read-every-spare-second-kind-of-reader. And I love it. We have stopped watching TV at night (except for the occasional show/movies on Friday nights) and we read together. Yes, we may very well be 80 year olds disguised as 30-somethings. I love moments like that.
   
5. Speaking of being 30-something, I got ma'am-ed the other day. We were at Bed Bath and Beyond when it happened. I rounded a corner and ran smack dab into a 20-something (she very well could've been a teenager, but I'm trying to make myself feel a little better) and she said it. The dreaded words. "Oh! Excuse me.....maaaaa'aaaammm". Now, it could just be my imagination, but it surely felt like it was drawn out, in slow motion, and amplified. I've mentioned it before that being 30 doesn't bother me. Being called ma'am however? Um, yeah. Don't love that.
   
6. That same day, my mood was lifted and feelings soothed (a little) with the help of Target. Specifically, the dollar bins right when you walk in the store. I scored two little planting pots that had seeds to plant. I can't wait to plant them with Brady (remember the peppers?) and watch them grow. We got a strawberry plant and some Forget-Me-Nots. I'll keep you posted on their progress.
   
7. Brady likes to listen to certain songs over and over (and over and over and over). Needless to say, Mike and I learn the words. Pretty fast. Occasionally we'll sing along. Lately, however, Brady has started saying "want you to stop singing". Ouch.
   
8. Next Monday, my son will be exactly two and a half. I can barely type the words. How did that happen?
   
9. Because next Monday my son will be exactly two and a half, we have begun the process of potty training. I've done a lot of research (meaning: I've read a lot of blogs) and found that this was the most recommended age to try. Yesterday was our first day and, at the end of it, I'm feeling optimistic. Without sharing the icky details, we managed a couple small successes. Not bad for day one. Nevertheless, prayers are appreciated!
   
10. Have you ever heard of Ebates? It's the coolest site ever-if you're an online shopper. Basically, you sign up for a free account with Ebates then, anytime you're going to do any online shopping, go to their web page and find the store you want to shop (like Old Navy, Gap, Gymboree, Sears...the list goes on). Here's the amazing part-you get cash back! I just got a check for $7.57 from them. How cool is that? Plus, if you sign up, you can get a free $10 gift card to a choice of places. I picked Home Depot. I'm going to be getting some paint! Anyway, click here if you're interested. I get $5 in referral if you sign up with my link, as opposed to singing up on your own. Then, once you sign up, you can get your friends to sign up and get free money. Free money is a wonderful thing.