Potty Training Today!

Well, lots have been going on in the week or so since my last post. First, I've really gotten into cooking - real cooking. I've got a fantastic cookbook called Nourishing Traditions that focuses on healthy ingredients and recipes (I've also added a blog to the blog list that is based on the book - check it out sometime). Stephen and I even bought a whole chicken (first time to ever do that), and we made our very own chicken stock! One whole chicken yields two breasts, two wings, and two legs, and in case you haven't checked prices, it is SO much cheaper to buy the organic whole chicken than it is to buy one package of organic chicken breasts. I don't think I'll ever buy just the breasts again! Anyway, so we've been busy with that and revamping our dinner menu to make things healthier at home.

Stephen and I have also volunteered to be AWANA Puggles leaders together, which we are both so very excited about doing! Mary will be in Puggles this year, so we thought we should do our part to help out the ministry and keep an eye on our little girl at the same time. Now, I know what you're thinking. Over-protective first-time parent, right? Not so fast... we have opted NOT to be leaders in Mary's class. As of right now, they are planning on having two classes of Puggles (all 2 year-olds), so we have asked to teach the class that Mary will not be in. I think I would mother her too much if we were in the same class. She needs a little time away from us anyway, and this way I'm just in the next room if she really needs me (which she probably never will bc Mary is not clingy at all in public - she's asked perfect strangers to pick her up, and she never even looks back when we drop her off for Sunday School each week). The clubs kick off August 15, and Mary is so very excited about starting Puggles! Oh, and if you're in the HSV area, our church really, really needs leaders and helpers in this ministry (right now, we're the only Puggles leaders!), so think about volunteering if you've got some extra time on Sunday nights.

My mom is here today to help us with potty training. We think Mary is ready, so we're going to go for it. Please keep us in your prayers today, and I'll be sure to give updates as I can, hopefully with pictures.

Have a happy, happy week!