Yeay! Sophia Did The Potty

Around 1:30 this afternoon was officially the first time Sophia went to use the big toilet on her own and did a #1 and #2! Unfortunately, I was the only one around that could sing and so I sang her the big kid potty cheer song: "Hurray, hurrah! Sophia did the potty. Hurray, hurrah! Sophia did the potty. She's a big girl now!". Followed by lots of clapping, jumping, cheering, and such. Oh, and of course a piece of Hershey chocolate.

She's not quite potty trained yet. I just started her on the training diapers late this morning and every 10-15 minutes I'd have her sit on the toilet and nothing. Then when I was putting Steven to nap I heard the pee sound and sure enough, she had gone to the toilet on her own and the party started. :D

It's a great start and hopeful that she'll pick it up completely soon. I'm really not enjoying changing those #2s. Wish her success! -- Thanks.

In Loving Memory

Steven and I went to a beautiful funeral service this morning in memory of Brother C. I met him and his wife at my previous ward and have come to love them. I have fond memories of Brother C. I truly smile thinking about him because I recall his happy countenance, fun wit, and incredible knowledge of the scriptures. He radiated a bright spirit and it was nice to be around him. I want such radiance someday. I love you Brother C. See you later.

Purses And Dinosaurs, Oh My!

I got this really nice Coach purse from my parents and sister for my birthday but it just wasn't my style, plus they got it at a department store for retail so it cost too much. Unless it can whip up a bottle for me on command, then I'd spend that kind of money on a purse! Since it didn't, I asked them to return it and I'd check out the Coach outlet store in Cabazon and pick one I like. Today was the day. I told the kids we'd go see the huge dinosaurs after the mall so that they'd have something to look forward to. My parents had been wanting to go to the outlet stores so they met us there. Anyway, I ended up with two purses! Little did I know that they were having an awesome sale ... 50% off! It was a zoo in there! Tons of people, including men! I had a hard time strolling the kids in there. I would have loved to have browsed some more but we had to get out of there before we got trampled on. That, and I might come out of there with a huge debt! Anyways, while my parents continued to browse the mall, I took the kids to see the dinosaurs. The kids enjoyed going to the gift store inside the belly of one of the dinosaurs and playing in the wind. Took pictures from my cell phone, unfortunately I've been having trouble transferring them out of there so just imagine a couple of toddlers and an infant (to some degree) running, laughing, jumping, giggling, and such. Oh, I did some of those too. :)

OF COURSE, WE HAD TO STOP AT PRACTICALLY ALL THE RIDES:

DINOSAURS IN CABAZON:

Teacher In The House

HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK , BABE!

My Sleeping Beauty

Found her like this just a few minutes ago, covered with Hostess cupcake. I would usually be yelling at this point, but ...

... I added her sunglasses instead.

Steven's First Haircut

Steven's hair has gotten quite long that he could pass for a girl! I couldn't find my hair clipper (buzzer) so I used the hair shears instead. Oh, he was moving like crazy so I had a hard time trying to get it right. I think I'll have to try again another day and clean it up. Oh, I'm happy to report that I didn't nick him. Yeay!! :)


BEFORE AFTER

Date Night And More

It was a nice eventful day. I had a pleasant date night or more like date afternoon with my dear Dave. I dropped off the kids at Monica's then Dave and I met at Red Robin's for lunch. I had the most amazingly yummy burger they call Blackened Bayou Burger. Certainly a burger worth ruining a diet for! My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it! Anyway, then off to California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino to see "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" the musical. It had some funny scenes and overall was alright. I like theatre plays/musicals. I use to go more often during my single years. Unfortunately, it's not Dave's favorite kind of thing to do so I get excited when we get the chance to see one together. Heck, I get excited when we get to do anything together without the kids! Though I get excited when we do family adventures as well ... I suppose it's a different kind of excitement! Moving on, after the show we went to pick up Dave's truck and we went our separate ways. I went to pick up the kids while he went to do an errand or two from his many "things to do" list. By the time the kids and I got home we had only time to freshen up and took off again to church for the first session of stake conference. The plan was to take only Steven with me but when Sophia saw me in the car about to leave, she cried to go with me. So she went. The two did pretty good considering it went for 2hrs. Of course, Sophia was most fidgety but we only missed the last 20 minutes when we stepped out to the foyer. It was a fabulous first session. I truly enjoyed the special treat of being in the presence of a general authority, Elder Mervyn B. Arnold. His sweet and light hearted delivery of his talk was inspirational. One can really tell he loves the Lord and is a wonderful man, much to the thanks of his parents as he describes. Truly sweet to hear.

My new favorite RB gourmet burger

The musical

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold Trampoline & water sprinklers ... cool!

Sophia's into swings again

Grandma steals a kissSteven with his Aunt Monica

Birthday Lunch For Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday so my sister and I decided to treat Dad out to BJ's Restaurant this year instead of the usual Hometown Buffet he likes. After I dropped off David to school, the two little ones and I headed over to Rancho Cucamonga to meet my family. We had a good lunch and enjoyed each other's company. Then, I had about a half an hour left before I had to leave to pick up David from school, so we went to Ontario Mills Mall.

I think Dad was a little bummed that all his grand kids were not able to join in the celebration. Next year Dad, we'll kidnap Neil's boys from the Philippines and coordinate better with Joey.

Dad loved the drawing that David made especially for him

The small gang (rest of kids at school/Philippines)
Sophia loves piggyback rides from Grandpa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! WE LOVE YOU!!

The Easter Bunny Came For A Visit

Sophia and Steven have been fighting a stomach flu since Thursday. I didn't want them to miss church on such a special day and seemingly at the end tail of the cycle I took them to church with me, including David. Then, after church we had planned on going to Monica's (sis-in-law) for the annual Easter celebration. Unfortunately, the "runs" didn't let up so I just told Dave to take David there while Sophia and Steven stayed home with me. I thought that was the end of Easter. Wow! What a wonderful surprise. The Easter Bunny came to our house for a visit. David had already seen "him" at Grandma Bertha's (she lives with Monica) and was thrilled to see him again. Sophia on the other hand got scared while mellow Steven looked on. At the time I was on the computer working on compliance modules/exams for work on the Internet and wasn't thrilled to leave when David kept yelling for me to come because the Easter Bunny was here. It didn't quite register but the excitement in his voice was so urgingly sweet. Sure enough the Easter Bunny was on our back porch. I quickly grabbed the camera and took a couple of pictures before returning back to the computer. What a sweet sister-in-law I have! We couldn't come to the Easter Bunny so the Easter Bunny came to us. By the way, the kids didn't know that it was Monica in the costume. David felt special at the opportunity of seeing him twice and thought that the Bunny's next visit would be at his cousin Blake's house. Thanks Mon for your thoughtfulness!

The Infamous Easter BunnyCan you tell that David was excited?Grandma Bertha spoils the kids

David found 6 eggs with dollar bills. Score!!

Christ Is Hope

It’s much easier for me to come up with negative things about myself than positive things. Trying to be humble is one factor but I think the Advisory has really done a number on me. Lately, I feel easily discouraged so that leads me to be sluggish and defeated. But, my faith sustains me. I find hope. I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am reminded that I am extremely blessed. Look, I have a great husband, wonderful children, loving extended family and friends, membership to the true church, an overall good life, etc. Such blessings and much more I am thankful for this Easter day. Yet, particularly in the spirit of Easter I am remembering our Lord Jesus Christ. This day designating a remembrance of the day He arose from the dead. Simply put, His resurrection gives all the opportunity to live again after we die. Moreover, the atonement that preceded His resurrection rounds out the great plan of salvation. Our carnal or sinful ways can't hold us down if we choose to exercise the redeeming sacrifice that Christ paved for us. Redemption comes to play through the repentance process and ultimately prepared the way that we may return to our Heavenly Father again to live in His presence forever. So, when we come to a point in our lives that seem hopeless, bleak, or even a point of no return; let's remember that Christ understands the agony and has paid the price to turn it around for us. There is hope. We sure have an awesome big brother!

Happy Easter everyone!

I'm Finally A Soccer Mom!

... or so I was. Chapter 1 of my Soccer Mom days ended yesterday. It wasn't what I had expected. I hadn't realized that it was more like a "clinic" soccer. Anyway, it was still quite fun and interesting. David certainly enjoyed it and Sophia loved joining in on the warm-ups. I'm sure we'll get a chance to do more next season and seasons after that ... I've got two more kids!! Now, we've got Monday and Wednesday nights free again. Not sure if that's good or bad. Hmmm.

The kids got to name their teams. David named his team, Volcanoes. Others were, Spider Kids, Transformers, and Lightnings. How cute!