Swimming Lessons and Potty Training

Somehow that just seems to be the theme of my summer thus far. Let me report though that Sam has been consistantly dry now for over 2 weeks. It looks like we have made it. He seems to be very pleased with himself and that has led into him doing other independant things like putting his own clothes on (usually backwards) we are just so amazed at how grown up he has become. He told us a few nights ago when we were reading scripture stories that "Jesus likes it when I'm dry." Yes we are sure that is very true, Mommy and Daddy really like it too.

As for swimming lessons let me bring you back a couple months ago to Saturday May 1st Sam's very first swimming lesson. He hung white knuckled to the edge of the pool screaming his lungs out for 30 minutes for us to get him out of the water. It was a very hard 1/2 hour for Mommy and Daddy. In fact the instructor invited us not to attend the next lesson because kids seem to do better if their parents are't right there. I had just signed him up for swimming lessons all through June at the Mesa Public pools and I will have to tell you I was scared. I was going to be doing Toddler swim with Brodi and I just had this image in my mind of how awful this situation might turn out. To our great delight Sam and Brodi did awesome. Sam stayed with his class the entire time while I was with Brodi and seemed to really enjoy himself. Two months and I've lost count of how many swimming lessons later we went to the same pool that he had his first lesson at and I was amazed with Sam. He would purposely and for fun mind you drop pool toys to the bottom of the pool and then submerge his entire head in the water to retrieve them. I know this might seem small but this is absolutely huge for him. He LOVES swimming now and Brodi as always follows right behind Sam trying to do everything he is doing. She has yet to stick her own head in the water however in her mind that is just crazy. We are so proud of them they have come so far this summer. Thank you swimming lessons!

BJ's birthday

Here is Sam sporting an ice cream cake goatee.

Brodi also really enjoyed the ice cream cake.

Sam and Uncle Ty with matching goatees. Sorry Ty you will have to work on yours.

Sam and his best buddy cousin Sadie.

BJ's birthday was last sunday. As usual he wanted to keep things low key and simple. We went to his parents house to have dinner that night. He is pretty excited to be entering his mid thirties right now, 33, I don't think that is really midthirties, but whatever, he started telling me that I was in my midthirties after 31.

I am so lucky to have a BJ as my husband. He is greatest man. One of the first things I ever noticed about him was his goodnes and integrety. He has failed to disapoint me.In the 6 years that we have been together now he has remained the same way. Girls, I really won out when I married BJ. After nearly 6 years of marriage we have never had a fight, discussions of course but we just never fight. He has been so supportive of me throughout the trials that we have faced in our marriage. I am so greatful to have him and hope he had a wonderful birthday. He will be so embarassed that I am writing this on our blog but that's what he gets for being so incredible.

Welcome Baby Leah

This morning my sister Megan gave birth to her daughter Leah Marie Badger, and the best part of all was that I got to be there!! It was so amazing. Look at my sister's face. That is the face of a champ! She delivered a 9lb 2oz baby after being in labor for 26 hours without an epidural. Watching her made me just a little glad that IF I were ever to become pregnant doctors have already told me that natural child birth is not an option.

It was such an amazing experience. I am so glad that I got to be a part of it. My mom and sister Kish and of course her husband James were also there. Kish is a labor and delivery nurse so she was the expert. Megan was such an amazing pusher that Kish could have delivered the baby before the doctor got there. Welcome to the world Leah!!

Sam's haircut

Sam had been asking for days to get a haircut. He told me that his hair was just getting too big. Heaven forbid we bring back some 80s hair style so I obliged Sam and we went to go get a haircut at Great Clips. When a child actually asks for a haircut you just have to go (and his hair was starting to get too "big"). He is so good and sits so still. The woman cutting his hair said that he did better than most older kids. I have a suspicious feeling that he might like haircuts because he knows that he gets a sucker at the end. Brodi got her bangs trimmed and also sat so still. What our kids won't do for candy.