Swim Ministry Week Part 2...

 This is Jeremiah's 2nd week of Swim Ministry lessons.  He has improved much in this second week.  He conquered his fear of going under water and now is a little fishie.  He is learning to swim on his back and float and use long arms in the water- still with floaties though.  Now- he just needs to conquer his fear of jumping in the water. :)  Lydie, Josiah and I well, we just hang out at the kiddie pool.

 On another note- my Gladiolas were blooming and they make me think of the song- "He has made me glad, He has made me glad.  I will rejoice because He has made me glad!"

Potty training...

 We are still in the throws of potty training Lydia but cowie gets to be potty trained too.  I think we are on week #5 since we began.  It has been a long road.  But somewhere around week #3 or 4- Lydie seems to be getting it.  She actually goes on the potty when I sit her there and is having fewer accidents in her pants.  She is great about going on the potty in public places while Jeremiah was scared for a while and she loves to take her animals to the potty as well.  I am so thankful that I stuck with it and for the moms that gave me advice to persevere.  As in anything in life- it helps to have friends that remind you of the long-term perspective.  As a mom, it is so easy to get caught up in the little moments and forget the "big picture"- shepherding and training these little hearts that they might love and treasure the Greatness of God! 

Katy...

 Remember the little girl we use to watch for a year and a half?  She came to visit with her parents a few weeks ago! :)  It was so fun to see the sweet little girl she has become! :)  Her dad now teaches Old Testament at Columbia International University in SC.  It was so fun to see her again!

 

Nothing like...

A sleeping babe- love how these little ones sleep- so cute all spread out. 

 

A Monday update from the littlest members of the Lyons' family:

 

Josiah says he is learning to roll on his side and loves to talk, smile and giggle.  He just went for his 4 month check-up with all his shots and he is 12lb. at 4 months.

He says his siblings are crazy but he loves to watch them all day long.  He just started sitting in his little bouncy exersaucer- the doc says his head is a little flat. :) 

 

Lydia says "I made it!"  Her newest words as she learning how to go on the potty.  At week #4- our tireless efforts at potty training are finally starting to stick! :)  Praise the Lord!  Just this weekend- she went in the church potty twice and is finally going quickly when I stick her on the potty.  Yes, she has lots of accidents still but I feel hopeful!  Love her scream and enthusiasm when she does go and says "I made it!"  And she loves putting stickers on her chart and getting 2 M & Ms when she goes.  And Jeremiah cheers her long.  Last week, we had lots of thunder storms and Lydie hates storms.  She screamed a few times at night but quickly says- It's ok- it's just Mom-mom- referring to the Thunder.  At the beach she thought my mom out on the porch was a monster outside her room- but now she says- "It's ok- it's just Mom-mom."  So funny!  Lydia is having lots of practice learning to obey and not whine in this season of 2s. 

 

Jeremiah says "Mom, let's play swim ministry- after his lessons last week."  Jeremiah is doing better without his blanket- still wants us to pray for him before bed.  With the death of the naps is the death of the naptime for him.  It was bound to come sometime.  So Josiah sleeps in his car seat in the all while Lydia is in our room and Jeremiah has "quiet time" listening to audio books on tape in his room.  For now- it works.  Jeremiah is really growing right now in his prayer life- he loves to pray!  I just love watching him mainly model his Daddy in praying.  He has such great prayers and wants to pray every night at dinner and for anyone who is in need so if you need some prayer- ask the little man.  For the most part- he takes good care of his siblings.  His latest thing he loves is baseball- we got a foam bat and ball that he can play in the house and he loves doing that with Daddy.  Of course, wrestling is a must too! 

 

Love these little Lyons!  A Monday update from the Lyons' den!

 

 

Can I get a mooo????

 Here are the wild and crazy kids dressing like a herd of cows for Chick-fil-A Dress Like A Cow night.  And yes, Josiah has a bow headband on top of his head.  It was a wild and crazy night- complete with a visit from the big cow himself which Lydia loved!  She kept yelling- Cowie!!!

Swim Ministry Week...

 This is what we get to do a lot this week- Swim Ministry Week for Jeremiah- meaning swim lessons every day at 11am by a great church that has a Christ centered focus!  We are loving being at the pool with friends this week every morning!

4th of July Pics...

 Jeremiah and I made a flag cake for the 4th of July.  He loved seeing the fireworks going off everywhere but Lydia- she said she no like fireworks.  They were a little too loud for this sensitive girl.

Potty training...

So our excitement for our big changes this week has led to tears all the way around for Mommy and kids.  Jeremiah is doing well at night but has cried himself to sleep the past couple nights.  The first night Daddy rubbed his back and he asked Daddy to pray for him as being brave was very hard.  By Wednesday morning Mommy was in tears from 2 full days of boot camp potty training and much failure.  I was struggling to see any success and my perspective was going downhill fast.  I woke up Wed. morning and thought I can't do another day of this boot camp- staying in these 4 walls all day and not seeing any signs of improvement.  I prayed that morning that God would give me help and he did through some sweet friends willing to come alongside in my weakness.  My cracks were definitely visible- my friend and mentor Becky walked into my home as things were strewn across the floor and the kids were running amuck and I was crying and sobbing and couldn't pull myself together.  She hugged me and we went for a walk to get out.  I then later called other friends which gave me some practical tips and advice on where to go from here.  So all that said- it has been a ROUGH week!  There are days or weeks like this where we must remember that we are but "clay"-earthen vessels, jars, pots that break and crack!  We need the great Potter to be our strength and help.  And we need friends- other moms, the Body of Christ because parenting is hard work and sometimes it is not fun and we feel weak and tired and exhausted!  So thankful yesterday for these sisters that helped pull me up and set my hope in Christ again and the long term perspective when tunnel vision gets me down. 

So- Lydie is going some on the potty but has had a ton of accidents.  So I am going to persevere this week- take a step back and not put too much pressure on her and see what happens.  As my friend said, she may have a ton  of accidents but she is learning with each accident.  We will see what the rest of the week holds- cracks and all. :)