Lovebug Lessons

Well, I wasn't really sure what to call this post, but also didn't have time to really give it much thought, or it would never be posted.  "Lovebugs" was the name I gave to my students when I taught 1st grade at Bette Perot Elementary, so I thought it was fitting for this post.  This past week, I was approached with a job opportunity to enter the classroom, once again.  The particular position (K-4 or K-5) would have been at the church where JP and GG attend MDO twice a week.  While I was very honored to be considered, I turned it down.  I do miss so many things about teaching: the relationships with the students, parents, and coworkers, as well as the creativity that goes into it.  The main reason I decided against accepting the position, was my desire to spend as much time investing and teaching my own two children, while I can.  God has blessed us with the opportunity for me to stay home with John Parker and Georgia, and for that blessing, I'm so very grateful.  So, with all that being said, I've decided to try and post at least twice a month, different books that I'm using with JP in his beginning stages of reading.  I decided this as I was reading one of his new favorite books with him.  As I sat there listening to him retell the story, I thought, "Wow, if I were teaching, I could use this book to teach adjectives as well as self-confidence."  So, I then thought, "Why not give some ideas to my mommy friends out there who I know are reading with there kids and "homeschooling" them?"  Because, whether you are officially homeschooling or not, WE as parents should all be "homeschooling" any chance we get.  Now, if I could get someone to "homeschool" me on proper punctuation! 

 

Lovebug Lesson

 

 

Clumsy Crab by Ruth Galloway

 

Great to use when teaching/reviewing the following:

 

Phonics: cl, the 3 sounds of -ed

Grammar: adjectives

Social:  Self-confidence, being content with how God made you

 

Don't forget to use really good expression when reading with your kids!  No one likes a boring reader.

 

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, the excitement, and the mystery of the world we live in." --Rachel Carlson

 

 

 



3 Day Potty Training Camp at the Loveshack

Focus.  Determination. Love.  Lora Jensen, the "3-Day Potty Training Guru" says these three words are key to the entire process.  It's funny, through this potty training experience, I kept thinking about my walk with Christ.  Am I focused on Christ, determined to live and love like Him?  Hey, the Lord will use even potty-training to get your attention! 

Phillipians 3:14 has long been taken out of context, so I want to be careful here when I say that this verse kept coming to my mind.  You see, as I tried to solely "Focus" on John Parker and "Love" him through the training, I started thinking, "What if I was this "Determined" to meet with my Savior every day?"  The Apostle Paul has always been my biblical male hero, and I want to live out what he says in the verse I mentioned - "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

So, as far as the potty-training goes, my "prize" was for JP to tee-tee and poo-poo in the potty.  His prizes have been M&M's, dum-dums, and choosing different Chickfila prizes from my "happy box" I have saved over the years. 

Those of you who know me best may be shocked that I would do anything "by the book", but in this case, I held close to the page.  You will also not be surprised when I tell you that I read the book the night before I began the potty training journey.  Yes, that is how I roll most of the time!  But, I'm happy to say that JP was tee-teeing in the potty by the end of Day 2 and tonight he came to me on his own and told me he needed to "tee-tee, poo-poo".  We are still working on the poo-poo part, but usually when he has an accident, it's because I get sidetracked and busy - just like I do in my walk with the Lord.   

So, here are my tips/suggestions and maybe some "what not to do's".

• If you are going to do the 3-Day Potty training method "by the book", then you should purchase the ebook($24) and actually read it at least a week in advance (if not 2 weeks).  Get the skinny on Lora's method here http://www.3daypottytraining.com/ .  This is not the only 3-day method out there, it's just the one I decided to go with.  After all she's been on the Today Show!  You also get her Mobile App as well as help from Lora if needed. 

• Load your sweetie up on fiber at least several days before you start.  It is common for them to get a little constipated when they begin potty training.  If you're going to be solely focused in on this and inside your home for at least 3 solid days, you want as many teachable moments as you can get.  I did not do this with JP, and only had really one opportunity a day, so if I missed it, then I had to wait until the next day.  Load up on liquids as well.

• Pick a time that would be good to be stuck inside for a few days.  I chose a crazy time in our life to start, but so glad I did.  We had been in our new house for maybe a week when I decided to begin the journey, but the forecast was rain, rain, and more rain, so we really couldn't go anywhere anyway.  I started on a Thursday, and didn't leave the house until the following Monday. 

•  Have all errands taken care of before your start day and a kitchen fully stocked with everything you will need for the next few days.  You may want to have some casseroles on hand and easy go-to snacks/meals.  Make sure you are caught up on laundry or have someone on hand who can help around the house.

• Supplies we used and continue to use include: "big-boy" undies, flushable toddler wipes, M&M's and dum-dum suckers for incentives.  I also use the Ultimate Crib sheet that we used in his crib, as a protector for his bed.  This is a diaper and PullUp free method, so get ready to save some money!

• If your child attends daycare, church, MDO, or has any other caregiver besides you and your spouse, they need to be on the same page as you.  Be very explicit on what you are doing with your child.  Just sending extra clothes with three pair of extra undies, but failing to mention that your child does not wear PullUps, is not explicit enough.  Tell them, write it on your child's forehead, whatever it takes!  Just kidding, but seriously, be explicit!  I was so worried about JP going to MDO and how they would respond to the "no PullUps" rule, but was excited when his new teacher was very supportive in my decision and also agrees that PullUps are a "glorified diaper".

• I keep a change of clothes in JP's backpack, including socks, as well as three pair of undies.  I also have a portable potty in the back of the van, just in case.  JP refused to sit on it inside the house, so I just decided to designate it as the "on the road" potty. 

• The potty that has worked well for us is the Baby Bjorn Toilet Trainer and the Baby Bjorn step stool.  I love this particular seat, because it easily adjusts to fit your toilet, and can be moved from room to room. 

•  If your child will be expected to be diaper-free next school year for MDO, I would suggest starting ASAP, so you don't spend your Summer dealing with potty training.

•  If you have someone who can help you with siblings, let them!  It is difficult to totally focus on the child potty training, when you have another to care for.  The times JP had accidents, were times when I wasn't totally focused on him.  If you choose this method, it becomes your obsession, at least for a few days.

•  If you have a friend who has been successful with this method, let them know you are starting with your child so they can be prepared to offer you support.  My friend, Jenn Fisher, was a great encourager through this process.  I remember calling her and asking, "How do I teach him to wipe?"  Haha!  

I hope this helps if you are about to embark on the potty training journey!  I'm by far not an expert, and welcome advice from others.  I would love to hear from those of you that have used this same method or any other, for that matter.  Give me a shout! 

**iTunes has a Potty Time with Elmo App.  Just found it and planning on purchasing.

   

Homesick

Yeah, I know some of you are thinking, "Wow, two blog posts in the same week?  What in the world?"  Don't get used to it, though!  I am way to busy chasing my two and Stormie to be a "hyper-blogger. 

Today was a day full of unpacking and nesting, endless phone calls, tears, and energy spent keeping our little daredevil, Georgia off the new stairs.  So what brought the tears, you may ask?  One phone call, that's all.  Today, I decided I needed to go ahead and call one of the local churches to inquire about their preschool program for John Parker.  This particular church is one that Greg has actually toured with his job, and he has assured me that it is very nice.  After speaking with the sweet program director, I repeated what she had told me about the available spots for both JP and GG, and the tears started streaming!  I started thinking about how JP loved the program at First Keller and how great his teachers were, and my heart just hurt.  Then, I began thinking about how much I miss my friends already.  Keep in mind, I have barely left this house since Wednesday.  Greg let me have my cry and comforted me by telling me everything will be fine and how we will travel out to DFW several times a year.  I got myself together and continued unpacking and attempting to organize. 

Later during the day, the doorbell rings.  Neither of us wanted to answer, due to how we were dressed.  You don't even want to know!  However, Greg did answer and what a blessing it was!  Cindy, our new neighbor, came over to introduce herself, along with a carrot cake and cupcakes for the kiddos.  I did not meet her, but Greg said she told him she had been praying that a couple "like us" would move in next door.  She told him some of her story and mentioned that she and her son have a golden retriever, "Cowboy", who would love to play with Stormie.  She even offered to do our grocery shopping or anything else we needed! 

As I continue to have my bouts of homesickness, I will continue to rely on God's strength during this transition.  Thank you to all my friends for praying for us.  We appreciate them more than you know!   

Goodnight Cowtown

When JP's Auntie Annie and Uncle Rudy gave him the book, "Goodnight Cowtown" for his birthday, it was sure to be an instant hit with our family.  You see, the Love Family called Fort Worth 'home' for the past six years.  It was easy to fall in love.  After all, Fort Worth is where the West begins.  It's the city of culture and the cowboy. 

As I reflect on Greg's calling to seminary, I remember saying during our conversation, "I don't care
'what' or 'who' may be at Southwestern Seminary, I don't feel like we are being called to move to Texas."  Well, look at us now - six years later.  I am SO grateful for the short time I had to call myself a Texan.

Along our family's journey, we've encountered various experiences and emotions.  For one, I've given birth to all three of my children in Texas - each of them little miracles.  Interestingly, when we transplanted our family to Texas from Alabama, I was seven months pregnant with Joshua - our firstborn.  The backstory is that during an early second trimester appointment, we discovered our precious baby had multiple lethal anamolies.  The prognosis was our little bundle had little chance of survival outside the womb.  Today, Joshua is buried just down the road from Southwestern Seminary. 

I'll never forget following the affirmation we were to move to Texas.  Scared is the appropriate adjective.  Greg and I left the security of two stable incomes and a community where "everybody knows your name" to move to a foreign land without any of the aforementioned comforts.  I was scared that I wouldn't find a compassionate doctor willing to work with a complicated case.  But, here's the deal - GOD WAS AND IS STILL IN CONTROL OF EVERY SITUATION.  At the end of the day, God worked all things out for His glory.  We were blessed beyond measure with jobs, friends, and a physician - Dr. Steven Seligman of Omega OB/GYN - that cared for us in big ways.  God heard and answered our prayers.

Now, as I face the transition to another "foreign land" in the Tennessee Valley of Alabama, several questions pepper my mind each day. Who will my new friends be?  Who will take care of me like Dr. Seligman?  Who will be a pediatrician like Dr. Martin?  The answer lies in a simple faith definition I learned through mentoring.  "Faith is choosing to believe the Bible is true, regardless of your emotions, circumstances, and/or cultural trends."  Here's the deal - ALL of my anxieties about moving are in the Lord's hands.  The same God who was Jehovah Jireh (The Lord our Provider) in Texas, will be the same to us as we transition to Alabama.  It reminds me of an old hymn chorus - 'Have faith in God, He's on the throne...Have faith in God, He watches over his own.'  Can you hear it?  Let's not worry about today when God is in control of tomorrow.


Goodnight Cowtown!
www.goodnightcowtown.com

Coming soon: Fort Worth Favorites

Pics photographed at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary by Ben Peacock
www.benpeacockphotography.com

We Are One in the Bond of Love

Since early last week, my home church, First Baptist Butler, has been heavily on my mind and heart.  Since early last week, they have been praying.  Praying and believing that God would heal one of their youngest church members.  Landon Rolison, son of Wade and Tonia, suffered a severe head injury, causing him to be in a coma for nearly a week.  Family, friends, church members, friends of friends all petitioned and pleaded with God to heal little Landon.  While it was not God's plan to heal him to live here on Earth, he did grant him ultimate healing.  I didn't know Landon, but I've known his mother, Tonia for quite a while, and it was told to me that Landon was just as sweet as his mom.  He was recently a little angel in the Judgement House production at First Baptist and was baptized alongside his dad, Wade in October. 

Tomorrow, the Butler community will celebrate the life of Landon at First Baptist Butler.  The church I was "born" in.  The church that I learned to worship the Lord.  The church where I publicly announced that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.  The church where I was married.  The church where my husband was ordained as a minister of the Gospel.  The church whose members wrapped themselves around me and my husband when we discovered we would not get to keep our first born child.

My heart hurts for the Rolison family and the people of Butler, but I am so thankful that my home church is a church that truly takes care of each other, especially in times like this.  It makes me think of the old hym, We Are One in the Bond of Love.  The words are so true.  First Baptist, I love you and am praying for you during this difficult time. 

We Are One in the Bond of Love

 

We are one in the bond of love
We are one in the bond of love
We have joined our spirit
With the Spirit of God
We are one in the bond of love

Let us sing now everyone
Let us feel His love begun
Let us join our hands
That the world may know
We are one in the bond of love

 

Summer Lovin'-Happened Way Too Fast!!!

Well, my favorite time of year (Fall, that is) is "in the air" and I'm loving it!  But, where did Summer go?  The Love family was very much "on the go", leaving very little time for blogging.  So here we are, playing catch-up. 

We have been so excited about our new swagger-wagon,  we decided we should break her in back in June by taking a 16 hour road trip to Destin, Florida.  Greg and I would go every year when we lived in Alabama and haven't been to a beach since moving to Texas, six years ago.  We left our house around 10:00pm and arrived in Destin the following day around 4:00pm, right on time for check-in.  Thank goodness for DVD players!  If you're reading this and you've been to Destin, you know why we went.  It was just as we had remembered---beautiful!  We were met by the cool, ocean breeze, emerald coastline, and white, sandy beaches.  JP loved swimming in the ocean as well as the pool, but was not much a fan of the sand.   We visited Greg's old football teammate, Carey Nick down at Nick's on the Beach (great seafood) and drove down to the lovely Seaside, which is straight out of the world of Norman Rockwell.  It was definitely hard to leave this beautiful place, especially knowing that another 16 hour road-trip with 2 young kiddos in-tow, was inevitable.




By the end of June, we were back on the road again, but this time to Alabama for Tony and Kalyn's wedding.  This sweet couple were highschool sweethearts from Greg's old youth group, and he was very honored to pronounce them man and wife.  While in Butler, we were able to spend time with our family and some of our friends.  Georgia met several family members for the first time.  We enjoyed eating some "home-grown" food, including MawMaw's pound cake (can I get an Amen?).  Uncle JK and Aunt Polly took us to the Fish Camp, where Georgia discovered sweet tea for the first time.  JP had a great time swimming in Mrs. Carolyn's pool as well as Mrs. Laverne's.  If I could give my hometown a one-word descriptor, it would be "hospitable". 


In July, Greg, GG, and I flew to Albuqurque for a quick weekend trip.  Greg had the pleasure of preaching at West Albuqurque Baptist Church and GG and I begged to tag along.  JP wanted to stay behind and play at Mr. Dale's and Mrs. Cindy's house.  He also got to play an entire day over at his buddy Parker's house.  I had never been this far West, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to go.  I felt like I was in the movie Cars every time we drove Route 66.  We took in everything we could in a short weekend, including Sandia Mountain Tramway and Old Town.  Our favorite place to eat was The Frontier Cafe, which is directly across the street from U of New Mexico, making it a fave among the college students, as well. 

August brought a big change to our family, but an exciting one.  Greg accepted a job with Guidestone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.  He now travels to Dallas every morning until we find a home in the Birmingham area--that's right, we will be moving back to Alabama by the end of the year.  This move is definitely bittersweet for us, but I will talk more about that in another post.

The Zoo and JP turns 2!

I absolutely love the month of April because I get to celebrate the birth of an incredible little boy who has stolen my heart, John Parker Love.  This year, we celebrated with a Bubble Guppy birthday party at Johnson Road Park, JP’s favorite.  The wind was crazy the day of the party, but we had such a great time with JP’s friends and their families. There are so many things I could tell you about JP, but I will narrow it down to just 10. 

1. JP likes to start his day by dancing with Mommy and Daddy to “Hold Me” by Jamie Grace and Toby Mac as well as “Good Morning” by Madisa.
2. He loves to say “Hi” and “Bye” to all he sees, even strangers.
3. His favorite thing to watch on television is Toy Story.
4. John Parker knows his letters as well as numbers to 10 and likes to “read” license plates.
5. He loves playing with his friends at church and with Stormie and GG at home.
6. His favorite snacks are grapes and “quarters” (crackers) and would love for me to let him eat them breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
7. He thinks that the name of his favorite place to dine, Chikfila, is actually “eat”.
8. JP loves his “Froddy” (froggy lovie) and wants everyone else to do the same.
9. He is very affectionate, especially to his little sister.
10. He listens quietly as we pray over him at night, and then says “Amen” at the end in the cutest way ever.

JP and GG also had their first trip to the Ft Worth Zoo.  We packed a lunch and headed out to meet "Aunt Sarah" and Caroline.  JP loved seeing the baby monkey swinging from the tree, but was not too excited about the MOLA exhibit, which houses the snakes, along with other reptiles and amphibians.