Update

I thought I'd fill in on the move. Thanks to my wonderful brother, we had a smooth move. He drove the moving truck, I drove the girls, Scott and Jake drove the mobile dental clinic, and we made it! Scott and Josh unloaded boxes, we called in Scott's uncle and cousin to help move the piano in, then sent Josh on his way. Thank you for helping us!

We love our house and the community pool and rec center (and the fishing pond). The only bummer is that our landlord has a cat and two dogs. I didn't even think to ask. I am so allergic to cats and that first day was absolutely killer. I thought I might die. I lost my voice and had about 2 seconds between each sneeze for a few hours. It was AWEFUL. Since then, we've washed and vacuumed everything we could, and I am doing much better. A Claritin a day is helping, too.

We survived church yesterday! That's about how I feel every Sunday. I love church, but sometimes it's hard with such little ones. We sat behind "the cousins we've never met" as Jake calls them (Scott's cousins kids). Jake was so happy to have someone his age that understood his obsession with Transformers. There just happened to be another little 4 year old behind us, so the three of them were in little boy heaven.

There was one point that Jake needed to go potty, so Scott went out with him. Alisa decided she really needed to go potty, too, so I went out with babe in arms and Alisa in tow. It was quite tricky getting Alisa's diaper off and putting her on the potty without dipping her dress, then taking her off the pot, putting back on the diaper, and washing hands--all with a babe in arms. We had one minor incidence involving babe's head bumping into the stall wall. Besides that, I felt so successful. It's funny how those seemingly small things are great accomplishments.

I am so grateful for Scott's cousins. It's so nice to already know someone here. His aunt and uncle brought us dinner one night, some brought us brownies last night, and we have a play date today with Jake's new buddy, Cash. Yea for friends. Jake was so sad to leave his new friends at church and go home with just us. I think the upheaval is finally catching up to him. He's been having more meltdowns lately.

Alisa is potting training, unfortunately for us. Well, I know in the end it'll be great, but it is my least favorite part of parenthood. Ever. But, of necessity, we started it. She started pooping and putting her hand down her diaper to feel it, pulling out poopie fingers and then wiping her eyes or whatever itched. She also started taking off her poopie diaper and leaving it wherever it was, coming to us with nasty bum. Ew. So, it starts. She's pooped in the little potty twice and in her underwear twice. It's so gross. She's also had some pee-pee accidents on a chair cushion, the carpet, and the hard floor a few times, as well as her undies. Jake even reverted and peed on the carpet once. I was fuming at that. I actually had a time out for myself. Anyhow, things are okay, as long as we remember to watch her like a hawk and take her little potty to the room we are in.

Brooke has started pooping more regularly, if you wanted to know. She went 5 days without, then another 3 or 4, etc. She has a really hard time and is mostly screaming because of it. When she doesn't have that or gas, she is a sweet and happy baby. I can't wait for these next few weeks to pass, because usually the gas does, too and I will have a happy baby most of the time! She does know night from day, and sleeps usually from 10-3:30 or 4. I am so grateful for that.

Lastly, Jake had a sweet prayer yesterday: Thank you we could be together as a family. Please help us to be happy, thank you that we could eat this delicious food, and please bless us to serve one another.

Awesome. I love those thoughtful prayers. Plus, four different adults told us that he was a great singer yesterday in Primary. He loves to sing. I'm glad he's still uninhibited and so innocent.