Tuesday, March 25, 2008

300th Post - and A Little Give-Away

Who would have thought it? When I began this adventure in June of 2006, I never dreamed this blogging world would become such an important part of my life - that so many of you would become such dear friends. You have cared about me and about my family. You have prayed for so many requests. You have rejoiced in our miracles. You have cried with us in our pain.

We have shared the minutae of our lives, the big things, the funny, the frustrating, the sad. We've taken more pictures than we ever dreamed - everything is a possible future post.

The snow is long gone again. Things are beginning to sprout and turn green. There are a few more flowers.


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The van is in the shop, and will come back home looking as good as new. I will be glad to have it back. I asked for a minivan from the rental company. For some reason they gave me a Ford Explorer instead - at the lower cost of a minivan. Now that may sound like a great deal. Don't get me wrong - it is a wonderful vehicle - drives like a charm, has leather seats, has a sun roof (which thrilled Feisty today when we discovered it). But I don't think my gas budget would cover very many days of driving to work with the mileage it gets. And it is definitely not as convenient for 4 car seats! I am getting so much aerobic exercise just getting everyone in and out of the car!


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Speaking of Feisty -- the poor little thing has been struggling with the potty issue for such a long time. She was doing so well when she suddenly began getting one UTI after another (urinary tract infection for those of you who have not have the privilege of dealing with one!) She has had such a terrible ordeal - and fear has taken over. I decided to try to really work on getting her out of pull-ups once Kristen went back to work and I have her for the afternoon. Kristen has had a bit more on her plate than dealing with potty training. So - I happened to find this little item at the grocery store the other day and decided to give it a try.


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It's sort of like those little advent calendars where you open a little window and get a treat each day. When Feisty succeeds on the potty, she gets to press the little button at the bottom, which gives her a congratulatory message, then opens a window with a little chocolate. Under the chocolate is a colorful picture and she is to find a match somewhere on the package.


She had so much fun with it this afternoon - it brought 4 successes! Unfortunately, it didn't last the rest of the evening, but it is a really good start. I've never seen anybody so excited as she was - she wanted to get on the phone and tell everybody. She's so cute when she's excited. We just have to get rid of those big diapers when we're going through so many little ones!


Kristen is back at work. She was able to do a little post today - if you have time, go on over and visit her. I'm hoping she'll be able to find the time to re-do my look soon - hopefully winter is over! She is my techno expert - I really need to have her teach me how to do these things, but as long as she's willing, I'm perfectly happy to let her make me look good! Go over to Mama's So-Called Life and welcome her back from maternity leave.


Now - to the give-away!! When Kevin was in Africa, I asked him to bring me home a necklace - I had in mind one of those kind of clunky necklaces that has wood-carved zebras, elephants, lions, giraffes. He brought me something that he considered much classier - I will be sharing it on Friday's Show and Tell. But for today I want to show you the earrings that he chose. Unfortunately, I am unable to wear earrings any more. I've tried piercing twice, and don't want to struggle with the allergic reactions any more (I know - solid gold earrings - can't afford them!) . So I'm offering these wonderful carved elephants:


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Let me know in a comment that you would like to have them. Pass the word around! I will draw a winner one week from today. If you don't have a blog addess, please leave me a way to reach you by e-mail, in case I draw your name.
Have a great day!

22 comments:

groovyoldlady said...

Those elephants are SO Groovy! Count me in!

Silly-Head is almost 7, but she still wets at night. She's a tremendously sound sleeper, so we're just using Goodnites and hoping she'll outgrow it once the hormones kick in.

I'm sure Feisty will conquer the potty soon.

Robin said...

Congratulations on 300 posts - that is a reason to celebrate for sure!

I'm staying the weekend with our youth pastors kids - they have twins that are 3 1/2 and in diapers. I thought I might try my hand at potty training - I just think they are more than able. I'll let you know how it goes!

The earrings are adorable - sign me up!

Linda said...

Congratulations Dawn! I, for one, am very glad you began blogging. Your friendship means a great deal to me.
Good for Feisty. I think you have a great idea there. She may just suddenly get the knack and get that thing accomplished in a few days! We had to use bribery for my second son - I thought we would never get him potty trained!
I'm glad spring is beginning to show her pretty face there. Isn't it fun to see those first flowers poke through the ground?
Have a blessed day Dawn.
Oh - the earrings are really special,but I have allergic reactions too. It's a bother.

Deb said...

Hi Dawn!
Don't enter me for the earrings (just let my holes close up for the exact same reason (allergies) - and gold earrings are expensive, especially when you have a habit of losing one out of each pair...)

But I wanted to suggest something about Feisty's potty issues. Since she's had so many UTIs, you might want to suggest that Kristen talk to her doctor (if she hasn't already) about having some tests done - we went through this with Hannah because she was struggling so much with staying dry. There are some conditions which can make it harder for them to stay dry and can cause lots of UTIs... Just wanted to throw that out there! :)

Fresh Girl said...

Congratulations on your big three-oh-oh!!

Poor Fiesty...UTI's are terrible at any age, but I can see why they'd make a little one fearful especially. Hopefully she'll have mastered it soon! I'm filing away that idea for when my nephew Thomas is ready for the potty. ;)

LOVE those earrings! I could see them dangling from my ears...

Got some fun Clay news over on my blog -- come on over when you get the chance. :)

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Good luck with the potty training. I know from experience that some kids potty train themselves, practically, and others it's a battle from start to finish, literally.

I wondered how she was doing with her UTI's. I've been meaning to ask you about it.

xoxoxo

Diane

Mimi said...

congratulations on 300 posts...wow..you are quite a talker aren't you (just kidding)
enter me in the drawing...I would love something from Kenya...
I guess we are beyond the fancy cars...now we want something with enough room for all the grand kids...and uses absolutely NO gas...
{{Hugs}}
Mimi

Maine Mom said...

300 posts and counting! It's fun to see your flowers. No flowers here yet.

Good luck getting Feisty potty trained again. She has been through a lot with those UTI's. The potty training rewards activity looks like a fun motivator! Yay for the progress made so far! Patience and persistence.

It was fun to hear from Kristen. Hopefully she'll get a chance here and there to "chat".

Those earrings are so nice! Sign me up, please. :-)

Needled Mom said...

I love elephants. Please count me in too.

Glad that the winter seems behind you now and so glad to see the lovely crocus popping their heads skyward.

Potty training is the pits! My DIL got this fabulous potty chair that plays music with success. It is just the best idea and had her kids trained in a day (8 of them). There was the occasional accident but no big deal. I thought it was the best invention ever. Good luck.

Kristen said...

Well, you can sign me up, but I'm afraid if I win some people will call foul!

WRT the tests that were suggested in a comment up above: we have taken her to Children's Hospital for a battery of tests which all came back negative. Her doc recently suggested taking her to a pediatric urologist--in Denver. I suppose we're going to have to look at that option soon. If we could just get the constipation problem under control, then I think the UTIs would go away, too. They think the two issues are related. It's a vicious cycle.

Thanks for the concern for my sweet Feisty!

nancygrayce said...

Bless her little heart! I have had many UTIs and I know how awful they are. I'll be praying for her!

And Congratulations! 300! I love reading your blog!

Tammy said...

I so understand the whole potty training issues and fears...poor little Feisty! Our girls haven't had to deal with UTI but we has a similar issue relating in some bathroom qualms...but so glad that cute reward system started things back on track for her!

Congratulations on 300 posts, Dawn! :D So glad I "met" you!

Nadine said...

Wow 300 posts...how cool is that!

Feisty will get the hang of it. Sometimes many days of success may encourage her. She'll get the hang of it...I'll prayer sooner than later.

Those earrings are so cute. Wooden elephants from Africa - I'll like to enter the drawing.

Diane Viere said...

Congratulations and how lucky are we.....to celebrate 300 posts with you! You have blessed us in each and every one...and I personally, look forward to hundreds and hundreds more!

Where is this stuff stored? Anyone know? Thousands of blogs, millions of words, countless photos.....who keeps this stuff for us?

Back to you....sorry-I had a brain squeeze going there for a second!

I can't believe how blogging has become such an important part of our lives. You are so right....there is community behind these keyboard clicks! Real--community that blesses in unexpected and unprecedented ways! What fun! What a blessing!

Enjoy your little celebration Dawn!

And darn those UTI's. I have been told by doctors...that UTI's do prohibit potty training....or undo what has already been learned...or however you want to say it. Good thing I'm not a doctor--my patients wouldn't be able to understand me! I think it's because I've been reading Shakespearean literature for 20 hours now. I'm not sure what words are in what century any longer! Elizabethean literature! Who was Elizabeth! And why couldn't she speak more plainly! For crying out loud!

There I go again!

Maybe I'll just keep ranting so you will have the longest comment to your 300th post ever recorded in the history of blog-dom!

Yeah--Elizabeth had her own king-dom, why can't we!?!?

O.K., enough stalling, I have to go back to the Shakespearean analysis. Here's an analysis for ya: don't read Shakespeare!

Alas, my professor wouldst protest!

Congrats!

Diane

Simply Heart And Home said...

Congratulations on your 300 posts! That is quite an achievement!

What a delightful little potty book. Feisty will get back to her normal potty routine in no time!

BLessings,

Gina

Susan said...

Congratulations on 300 posts!!!!! I concur with all your comments about blogland and what it means to our lives.

Please put my name in the hat on the drawing.
Susan.

Mary said...

Dawn,

I wish you much success with the potty training. It may be more difficult now that the girlies are around, but do encourage and she will get it. Potty training is a time consuming past time.

Kristen has a lot on her plate with the children and being back to work. I wish her all the best.

Congratulations on your 300th post. That is a real milestone.

Blessings,
Mary

JEWELGIRL said...

I want to totally forget those
potty training years. I was so
lucky that they made night-time
pull-ups, it saved many a wash
load. My daughter would love these,
earrings so I would love them to give to her. Jewelgirl

Chrissie said...

Hi, Dawn! Congratulations on 300 posts! You are a very good writer - I love checking in on you - but I've haven't stopped by in a while! and now you even have Crocuses coming up - wonderful! Mine have all come up and are now dying already - things happen fast around here! That's why we need to get our spring things done early, or we'll miss out!
What lovely jewelry! The elephants are precious! I'd be delighted to win such a special prize! I especially love the history behind the earrings and necklaces - so wonderful!
Hope you have a glorious day! I'm going to have family over tomorrow, and will be posting late in the day our activities. See you later!
God bless you!
Chrissie

Anonymous said...

Dawn,

Congrats on 300 posts! That's quite an accomplishment.

Count me in on the drawing

Congrats again!

Truth said...

Wow, those are so cute and a neat way to remind us of Africa. Count me in too!

Barb said...

Congratulations of 300 posts, Dawn. And this is a lovely giveaway, but don't enter me. I'll be honest with you and tell you I never remove the diamond studs Rob gave me for Christmas four years ago so these awesome earrings should go to someone who will wear them.

We're going to approach the potting training issue in a couple of months. Cameron will be three in June and we can all tell, it's time. Besides, Krissy is quickly finding out having two in diapers is a bit much. LOL