LIVY DID IT!!!!!

Livy and her purple blanket, finally reunited!

As most of you may know, we have been potty training Livy since May of last year. We have been successful with the pee pee, but not once, has she gone poop in the potty. Micah and I have tried everything from bribing toys, treats, and parties to spankings, cold showers, taking away prize possessions and not letting her have any treats. Months and months of this and NO SUCCESS! The past few weeks she even has been regressing to the point where she wouldn't go pee pee on the potty at all. We were at our wits end and decided not to try anymore!! She has been in and out of pull ups and diapers for months now. Every time I would look for guidance from our Pediatrician or the internet, the overall sensus was to just leave it alone and not be mad when she poops or pees in her pants.
I decided the other day to have a "sit down" with her and tell her that "I want you to pee and poop on potty, but if you don't, I promise that dad and I WILL NOT get mad anymore." I reasured her that we love her and that its okay, we won't get mad anymore. I think she was really happy to hear that and since then has gone back to peeing on the potty. Last night I again pulled her aside and showed her a princess activity kit that I had for her, (I thought I would give bribery one last shot) I told her that if she pooped in the potty she could have it.
This morning while I was on the treadmill, she went potty and kept calling for me, when I went in the bathroom she shouted, "I POOPED!" You might as well told me that I won the lottery. I couldn't be more happy. I shouted and cheered and made the biggest fool of myself, but I didn't care. Then of course, she asked me for the princess toy, which I gave to her along with her purple blanket,(which was one of the prize possessions we took from her in the beginning) and a couple of cookies. She had finally done it. I have rolled out the red carpet all day and I am still making a big deal about it. I only hope that she does it again. I will keep you posted.

Inaugaration Day

With all that was going on today, I thought it was best if I write down a few of my thoughts. It was quite amazing today to view the whole inaugaration ( did I spell it right?) I was impressed to see so many people with such hope and admiration for Barack. He is just a man, right? My thoughts were that this guy has a lot to live up to. I couldn't believe the expectations that people have given him. Don't get me wrong, I really understand and appreciate the magnitude of such an event, but it seems that people are getting carried away and he hasn't (in my eyes) proved that he has earned it yet. I too am hopeful that things will improve and I have enjoyed watching people really stepping up and wanting to serve and make this country better. I hope people carry through with their intentions.

Elsa watched a little bit of the inaugaration today at school on TV and when she came home, we talked about why it was such an important event. She doesn't really understand that alot of it has to do with the fact that he is African American. Which I really appreciate about her and her age. She doesn't see color. I hope that this new President will really keep that hope in all americans and inspire them to change for the better.

I didn't mean to get on a soap box today, but this is the closest I get to personal journaling. I am greatful for this country and the sacrifices that have been made for my family and I today.

After a LONG labor and eventual C-section. My niece, Camry Beth McNeal was born. Micah and I drove up to Logan to see this cutie, and it was worth it. She weighted in at 8 lbs 11 oz! She is a CHUNK. It never gets old or mundane. Newborns are the sweetest thing. It was surreal to see my baby brother Ian step into the dad role so effortlessly. I still think of him as this little boy that I would dress up and make him do stuff for me. We are all growing up.

We took the girls sledding over the weekend. They had so much fun.

Livy's first day in Primary!


I was pleasantly surpirsed when the Bishop called me into his office this last weekend to tell me that I have been released from Gospel Doctrine. Whew. That was a real challenging calling that I know I learned alot from. Little did I know that it was actually to prepare me for my new calling, first counselor of the Relief Society Pres. What! I couldn't beleive it. I have been a little shell shocked, but after talking with a few of the previous pres. members, I don't think it will be as scary as I think it will be. We will see. This ward certainly won't let me sit on the sidelines.
We had a bunch of friends over for the Utes game on Friday night. It was alot of fun. I am not a football fan, so the extra company certainly helped. I hate to say it, but I was surprised that we won. Go UTES!
Micah starts a new semester next week and I start a new work schedule. It will be tough, but we will just have to make due and just keep in mind that it won't be much longer, right?


Here is a Pic of my very pregnant sis-in-law, Raylynn