Potties and Parties and Playing, Oh My!

**Disclaimer: This post has A LOT of pictures. Like a crazy number of them. I'm attempting to catch up on here so I can really have an excuse to print this is a book at the end of the year.**
Potties:
It's true what they all say. Potty training is a beast. The pacifiers left with the Paci Fairy, and there was not much of an issue. She moved to a big girl bed seamlessly. And then there was the potty. Without going into too much detail but recording enough for future reference, we went hard core with the official "3 Day Potty Training" method starting the Friday before Memorial Day. Her last diaper was taken off, and she went straight to panties. We were positive, focused, determined, and consistent. We had charts and stickers and chocolate chips. And...we didn't see real progress until day 10. Reese didn't leave the house until day 8. I almost lost my mind. And then Wes and I had a heart-to-heart. My perspective and attitude shifted once I realized how much Potty Training was affecting me. It may sound silly, but I believe God was teaching me that He is in control. All the time. Of everything. I can plan all I want, but I don't control Reese or the way and speed of her training. I relaxed, allowed myself to breathe, and then it started clicking. She went twice in the potty during church last week, she kept her panties dry all day at MDO, and she actually hasn't had a day time accident in six days. Naps and night time are still accident-prone, but I'm not too worried about that at this moment. I have bought pull-ups, and I'm not afraid to put them to use if the accidents continue in bed. I'm so, so proud of Reese, and I am accepting that it's a process. We still have work to do in some areas, but we are getting there, and I'm so thankful.

The day before it all went down. Lunch at The Crumpet with Mopsy and Popsy.

Helping Momma pick out some nude pumps for the big beach wedding in a few weeks! woohoo!!! T-18 hours til panties at this point.

Maybe Day 3, Day 5? They all ran together.

I don't like to get too detailed, but she got a cupcake when she got her first #2 in the potty.

I was feeling very victorious at this point.

Day 8. She's leaving the house.

We went to Daddy's work swim party for her first diaper-less outing. She loved it. And I'm sure she peed in the pool.

Parties:
Graham was baptized on Mother's Day, and I've been waiting to write about it until I get pictures back. However, I can't keep it in, and I do have my phone pics. We are so grateful that Graham was baptized into our covenant family, and we promise to raise him in a Godly home teaching him about Jesus and his need for Him. Both sets of grandparents came up for the celebration, and all of Graham's cousins were there, too. We had a beautiful worship service followed by a family lunch at the house. We partied hard and praised God for His grace, mercy, and love. And so much more.

Simple Bachelor Buttons for the celebration. Fresh from the Farmers Market.

My three most favorite people in the world. I'm so glad I get to spend my days and nights with them.

Gran and her boys on Mother's Day. Her Kappa DIL's got her a Pi-Phi shirt. We must love her a lot.

Blessed to spend the day with my own momma.

Ouch. Reese had a very sad fall on the back patio, and she got her second goose egg. Tough little cookie.

One heck of a mom, and one fabulous Sister-in-Law.

Repeat what I just said above. Seriously. I'm so grateful I get to live life beside them. 

Reese didn't leave my side all day after her little accident. It was a sweet way to spend Mother's Day.

Future besties and sweet cousins.

Another party: Last Day of MDO. (before the summer session began two weeks later!)

Party: Liam's 3rd Birthday. These two shared some cute moments.

Playing:
We have been playing a lot around here. I ventured to Conway on my first solo car ride with the kids this week. We played with Uncle Allen, Mopsy, Popsy, and lots of their friends and enjoyed lots of time on the porch and strolls around the neighborhood.
Our weekly trips to the Farmers Market and Pressroom are back. We attempted it last week, but Reese wet her pants about 15 minutes after we got there. It was a low moment for me. So we are back, and it feels good. I can't wait for the day when we can walk the museum trails more often, but Graham's naps get in the way right now. I won't complain though. I like well-rested babies.

Riding horses on the second floor porch. They both would have spent all day right there.

One of our "nature walks"

**Out of order** Playing with cousin Ty at Annie Grace's Birthday

She's a hugger. May be a little too affectionate at times.

Playing out back in the afternoons.

Benton, JB, and kids went camping a few weeks ago, and we went out for a visit.

Playing with old pals. 

SPLASH PARK!!! 

Our smiley baby.

Man, he's handsome.

Just playing out back.

Unprompted reading session. She does this a lot, and it never ceases to melt my little English teacher heart.

Back to Conway...She ended up in bed with me in Conway both nights. If you know how stubborn of a sleeper she is, you would know how amazed I am that I got this picture.

Dancing with Uncle Allen to some old school Whitney Houston.

I told you they love those horses.

I came home to a happy, loving husband...and these flowers.

Pressroom for lunch today.

Dancing to some live music.

Balloon animals and Alice Walton. She's back there checking out some local artists' work. Maybe she will be adding to her Crystal Bridges collection.

Very proud of her pink butterfly.

We went straight to Rooney's first birthday party after the square, and it was the perfect celebration.

Lauren did a great job planning a rainbow party for Rooney. We each wrote her a card with one of God's promises on it. These are some of my favorite people. And this was a really good cake.