Micah is finally potty training. He has been peeing in the potty all by himself for about a week and in that time there have been no pee pee accidents. Not. A. Single. One! The pooping is another story altogether, but we are working on it and I am hoping that before long he will be pooping in the potty instead of his underwear.
Potty training is such an adventure. Every child is different. This morning Micah was holding the front of his underwear with one hand while fidgeting. My first thought was that he had stuffed his used chewing gum down there again (trust me that was not a pleasant day!) but then I remembered that my other boys used to "hold it" when they had to go to the bathroom but did not want to stop playing long enough to take a potty break. So, I asked him some questions...
Me: Micah do yo have to go potty?
Micah: No 'Mam.
Me: Then why are you holding your pee-pee?
Micah: I not holdin' it, I ticklin' it!
Someday I will learn not to ask the questions unless I really am prepared to hear the answers.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Evangelizing
Noah is concerned about the state of his brother's soul. He is constantly telling Jonah how to be saved and explaining the importance of it to him. Joe and I have told Noah that God will work in Jonah's heart when he is old enough to understand, but Noah is a bit impatient. I overheard his newest tactic just last week...
Jonah don't you want to give your heart to Jesus? That way when you die you will get to go live in heaven with Jesus and Granny Faye. And pretty soon Mommy and Daddy are going to be living there too!I had to intervene at that point. I am glad that Noah has a burdened heart, but I see no need in rushing things!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
2012
This year I resolve...
...to not yell at my children.
...to remember that not everyone is comfortable with me nursing in public.
...to make school more fun.
...to put my husband's needs above my own.
...to exercise every day.
...to work on that filter between my brain and my mouth.
...to do better at keeping in touch with extended family.
...to stop procrastinating.
...to keep up with my blog, this includes updating the events I have missed.
...to be nice, even when people provoke me to be naughty.
...to stop using so many ellipses in my writing.
...to thank God more and take for granted less.
...to keep up with the laundry in my house.
...to not stress over muddy footprints on a clean kitchen floor.
Check back soon to see how I am doing with all of this... (<--- oops)
...to not yell at my children.
...to remember that not everyone is comfortable with me nursing in public.
...to make school more fun.
...to put my husband's needs above my own.
...to exercise every day.
...to work on that filter between my brain and my mouth.
...to do better at keeping in touch with extended family.
...to stop procrastinating.
...to keep up with my blog, this includes updating the events I have missed.
...to be nice, even when people provoke me to be naughty.
...to stop using so many ellipses in my writing.
...to thank God more and take for granted less.
...to keep up with the laundry in my house.
...to not stress over muddy footprints on a clean kitchen floor.
Check back soon to see how I am doing with all of this... (<--- oops)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Givens Christmas
C is for children. We believe that children are a blessing from God and He added another blessing this year. On November 16th, we welcomed Ezrah Ceal Givens into our family. He came here weighing 9 pounds 4 ounces and measuring 20 ¼ inches long. He has strawberry blonde hair and his daddy’s toes. He also already has us all wrapped around his little finger!
H is for home school. Yes we are doing that again this year. Noah is in the second grade, Jonah is in 3 year old preschool and Micah loves art (especially drawing on my walls).
R is for ranch…or maybe farm…or maybe just a backyard full of animals. At the time of the writing of this letter we are the caretakers of four turkeys, nine chickens, three rabbits, and one dog. The mix changes quite frequently, but the number of animals seems to keep going up and never down.
I is for independence. This year Noah attended his first summer camp, Jonah learned to ride a big boy bike, Micah mastered the “I can do it by myself” attitude, and even little Ezrah at less than a month old is already starting to support his own head. Each day they need a little less of us and grow closer to becoming the men we have been commissioned into raising them to be.
S is for sorrow. On April 27th our lovely Granny Faye left this earth for her heavenly home. We miss her every day but are so grateful for the times that we had with her. Most children don’t get to make such wonderful memories with a great grandparent and our boys are blessed that they knew her.
T is for train. For Noah’s birthday, he and I took a trip to DC. We boarded the train in Yemassee and rode up to DC spending two days exploring as many sights as we could pack into our short trip.
M is for monkeys. Jonah’s birthday trip was a weekend camping trip for the entire family, taking in Boo at the Zoo and a birthday party at Riverbanks Zoo. It was a perfect time to show off our family Halloween costume. We did a family theme of three little monkeys jumping on the bed. My mom made monkey costumes and Joe created a bed out of the kid’s wagon. I think it was the most fun our family has ever had with a Halloween costume.
A is for adjustment. We have had lots of adjusting to do this year, from losing a loved one to gaining a family member, but our family has grown closer with each adjustment we have had to make.
S is for our Savior. Everywhere I look I see blessings that I need to thank Him for. This Christmas season, I pray that you too will be able to look around and thank Him for the blessings in your life.
H is for home school. Yes we are doing that again this year. Noah is in the second grade, Jonah is in 3 year old preschool and Micah loves art (especially drawing on my walls).
R is for ranch…or maybe farm…or maybe just a backyard full of animals. At the time of the writing of this letter we are the caretakers of four turkeys, nine chickens, three rabbits, and one dog. The mix changes quite frequently, but the number of animals seems to keep going up and never down.
I is for independence. This year Noah attended his first summer camp, Jonah learned to ride a big boy bike, Micah mastered the “I can do it by myself” attitude, and even little Ezrah at less than a month old is already starting to support his own head. Each day they need a little less of us and grow closer to becoming the men we have been commissioned into raising them to be.
S is for sorrow. On April 27th our lovely Granny Faye left this earth for her heavenly home. We miss her every day but are so grateful for the times that we had with her. Most children don’t get to make such wonderful memories with a great grandparent and our boys are blessed that they knew her.
T is for train. For Noah’s birthday, he and I took a trip to DC. We boarded the train in Yemassee and rode up to DC spending two days exploring as many sights as we could pack into our short trip.
M is for monkeys. Jonah’s birthday trip was a weekend camping trip for the entire family, taking in Boo at the Zoo and a birthday party at Riverbanks Zoo. It was a perfect time to show off our family Halloween costume. We did a family theme of three little monkeys jumping on the bed. My mom made monkey costumes and Joe created a bed out of the kid’s wagon. I think it was the most fun our family has ever had with a Halloween costume.
A is for adjustment. We have had lots of adjusting to do this year, from losing a loved one to gaining a family member, but our family has grown closer with each adjustment we have had to make.
S is for our Savior. Everywhere I look I see blessings that I need to thank Him for. This Christmas season, I pray that you too will be able to look around and thank Him for the blessings in your life.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Introducing...
Our number four
Ezrah Ceal Givens
9lbs. 4oz. of absolute perfection
Born 11-16-11 at 8:44am
And melting our hearts already!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ezrah Ceal Givens
Dear Ezrah,
I can't believe that in just about 24 hours the time will come to meet you. It feels like we have waited so long and at the same time it feels like the time has flown by since that first day I knew for sure that I was carrying you.
I knew before the test came back positive that you were growing inside me, and I loved you even then. I remember taking a test every morning just waiting for the one that would show me some proof so that your father would believe me. I'll never forget the morning of March 12th when I saw just the faintest of a second pink line. I was thrilled and could not wait for your Daddy to get home from work. Of course when he came in he went straight to the turkey and chicken pens to care for the animals. Just to show you how excited I was, I ventured out there too so that I did not have to wait any longer to show him evidence of your pending arrival. You will discover soon enough just how big that is for me. (Your Mom is not a bird person!) So yes, I announced you to your father while surrounded by chickens and turkeys.
After that, we told your Granny Faye that we were expecting you. She was staying with us at the time and we knew it would be nearly impossible to keep it from her. She was so excited to get to know you (even though she was sure you were a girl) but it was not to be. God had other plans in the making and He took her home to be with Him just a few weeks after learning about you. I grieved when we lost her, so much so that I was afraid that my grief was going to harm you. I grieved for myself, but also for you too. I so wanted you to experience your Great Grandmother, for she was a soul like no other. It took me a while but I finally realized that you will still know her, just through my memories instead of your own.
As you grew inside me, I had aches and pains, but also moments of pure joy. As I watched my body change to accommodate you and felt you thriving inside of me, my love for you grew. Although I could do without you tap dancing on my bladder, I know that I am going to miss those little nudges that remind me that you are growing. So tomorrow, after nine months of waiting...I get to see your face. I get to look into your eyes and count your fingers. I get to breathe in your sweet newborn smell and feel the weight of you in my arms. I get to check out and see if you have the Godley nose and the Givens toes. I get to finally meet you, and introduce you to this world that has been waiting for you.
The first person I'll introduce you to is your Daddy. He may be more subdued with it, but his love for you is just as strong as mine. You already know his voice from his early morning chats with you. While I am sure you can't understand the words he uses, I know that you can hear the love in them. In no time at all, he will have you riding off to work with him just like all of your older brothers.
Speaking of your older brothers, you will get to meet them too. Your oldest brother Noah is the one who has been watching to make sure that I am eating right, reminding me to take my vitamins, and is constantly amazed at your little kicks and punches. He sits patiently with his head on my tummy just waiting for a kick from you.
Your second oldest brother is Jonah. You will know him by his incessant whistling. He just turned four and is excited to teach you all the tricks he has learned in his extensive four years here on earth. He plans to have you riding a bike by next week.
Micah is the brother that is closest to your age. You will be taking his place as the baby, but I think he is ready to move on. Micah is the one that has been jumping and climbing all over you for these past nine months. You will have to give him a little time to get used to you because he has no experience being a big brother. However, with the two great role models he has, I am sure he will catch on in no time.
So that is the family that you will be coming home with. I sure hope you like us. There are others as well...amazing grandparents, doting aunts, fun uncles, and playful cousins...but there will be plenty of time to meet them later. You have a lot of love just waiting on you to get here.
Oh, there is One more that I can't wait to introduce you to; but then again He knows everything about you already. He is the One who has given me the privilege of carrying you these past nine months and is giving me the extreme honor of raising you. For I know that you as well as your brothers are just on loan from Him. Our Heavenly Father has already entrusted me with the raising of three of his precious children and is now entrusting me with the care of another one. How awesome is that? I promise to do my best not to fail Him and to show you all the love that He has shown to me.
I'm so excited to meet you my precious little Ezrah. Tomorrow can't get here soon enough.
Love,
Your Mommy
I can't believe that in just about 24 hours the time will come to meet you. It feels like we have waited so long and at the same time it feels like the time has flown by since that first day I knew for sure that I was carrying you.
I knew before the test came back positive that you were growing inside me, and I loved you even then. I remember taking a test every morning just waiting for the one that would show me some proof so that your father would believe me. I'll never forget the morning of March 12th when I saw just the faintest of a second pink line. I was thrilled and could not wait for your Daddy to get home from work. Of course when he came in he went straight to the turkey and chicken pens to care for the animals. Just to show you how excited I was, I ventured out there too so that I did not have to wait any longer to show him evidence of your pending arrival. You will discover soon enough just how big that is for me. (Your Mom is not a bird person!) So yes, I announced you to your father while surrounded by chickens and turkeys.
After that, we told your Granny Faye that we were expecting you. She was staying with us at the time and we knew it would be nearly impossible to keep it from her. She was so excited to get to know you (even though she was sure you were a girl) but it was not to be. God had other plans in the making and He took her home to be with Him just a few weeks after learning about you. I grieved when we lost her, so much so that I was afraid that my grief was going to harm you. I grieved for myself, but also for you too. I so wanted you to experience your Great Grandmother, for she was a soul like no other. It took me a while but I finally realized that you will still know her, just through my memories instead of your own.
As you grew inside me, I had aches and pains, but also moments of pure joy. As I watched my body change to accommodate you and felt you thriving inside of me, my love for you grew. Although I could do without you tap dancing on my bladder, I know that I am going to miss those little nudges that remind me that you are growing. So tomorrow, after nine months of waiting...I get to see your face. I get to look into your eyes and count your fingers. I get to breathe in your sweet newborn smell and feel the weight of you in my arms. I get to check out and see if you have the Godley nose and the Givens toes. I get to finally meet you, and introduce you to this world that has been waiting for you.
The first person I'll introduce you to is your Daddy. He may be more subdued with it, but his love for you is just as strong as mine. You already know his voice from his early morning chats with you. While I am sure you can't understand the words he uses, I know that you can hear the love in them. In no time at all, he will have you riding off to work with him just like all of your older brothers.
Speaking of your older brothers, you will get to meet them too. Your oldest brother Noah is the one who has been watching to make sure that I am eating right, reminding me to take my vitamins, and is constantly amazed at your little kicks and punches. He sits patiently with his head on my tummy just waiting for a kick from you.
Your second oldest brother is Jonah. You will know him by his incessant whistling. He just turned four and is excited to teach you all the tricks he has learned in his extensive four years here on earth. He plans to have you riding a bike by next week.
Micah is the brother that is closest to your age. You will be taking his place as the baby, but I think he is ready to move on. Micah is the one that has been jumping and climbing all over you for these past nine months. You will have to give him a little time to get used to you because he has no experience being a big brother. However, with the two great role models he has, I am sure he will catch on in no time.
So that is the family that you will be coming home with. I sure hope you like us. There are others as well...amazing grandparents, doting aunts, fun uncles, and playful cousins...but there will be plenty of time to meet them later. You have a lot of love just waiting on you to get here.
Oh, there is One more that I can't wait to introduce you to; but then again He knows everything about you already. He is the One who has given me the privilege of carrying you these past nine months and is giving me the extreme honor of raising you. For I know that you as well as your brothers are just on loan from Him. Our Heavenly Father has already entrusted me with the raising of three of his precious children and is now entrusting me with the care of another one. How awesome is that? I promise to do my best not to fail Him and to show you all the love that He has shown to me.
I'm so excited to meet you my precious little Ezrah. Tomorrow can't get here soon enough.
Love,
Your Mommy
Friday, November 11, 2011
Milestones
Yes it is an important day in the Givens household. Finally after four years, a monumental event has happened. I'll tell you about it in Jonah's own words...
Now if we could only get Micah to attempt the potty. Then we get to start all over with Ezrah. Oh well, one step at a time I guess, and today we celebrate the small victory of Jonah wiping his own butt.
Guess what? I can wipe my own butt now!Keep in mind that he is very proud of this accomplishment and tells everyone he sees (even the UPS driver) about his new found independence.
Now if we could only get Micah to attempt the potty. Then we get to start all over with Ezrah. Oh well, one step at a time I guess, and today we celebrate the small victory of Jonah wiping his own butt.
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