SHE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know. Two posts in one day. I just had to share our great success. I have always said that homeschooling Ella would be a challenge until I found out how she learns. Annie is easy. See it or hear it and got it. Ella is apparently "sink or swim". Well, today we learned how to "swim" (i.e. potty). HOOOOOORRRRRRAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! She did it before the new brother and before her next traumatic VCUG which will be several months after the baby is born (because he will need one too). I could dance and sing. Truth be know there has been quite a lot of that going on here since yesterday. Thank goodness for bathroom stall doors. The people at dance yesterday would have committed me if they had seen the "dance" I was performing with my ginormous belly just to get my daughter to SIT on the big potty. Enough potty talk for now (hopefully until #3 begins this wonderful journey). Just had to share our answered prayer!!!

Easter Pictures

As I said, Easter Sunday was wonderful!!! We had such a fun time with the girls and our friends. The first picture is of them making a sun catcher craft they got in their Easter baskets. They are never dressed "normally" at the same time. :)

Cold Turkey

Okay. I should have known years ago that potty training a living being was not my forte'. When it took months and tears to train the dog to do his business outside I should have had an inkling. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Annie was difficult to say the least to train but that was of my own making. I was determined to have her trained before Ella's homecoming - not a good idea since you can't physically make someone do that particular activity if they are dead set against it. She finally trained around 3 years old when it was absolutely her decision. Ella has been a whole other story. More strong-willed + loud screamer + multiple catheterizations due to kidney reflux + traumatic experiences watching sister deal with potty "issues" = one very hard to train little lady.

Today we went cold turkey. Panties were worn at all times even while out in public. I'm sure Ella will hear, "Are you staying dry?" in her sleep tonight.

Side note: The girls and I were looking at a baby name book today and seeing what each of our names mean. They are as follows:

Annie - gracious; pure
Deidre - sorrowful; wanderer ( what is that about?)
Mark - manly warrior
and the best by far
Ella - elfin; beautiful fairy woman

So the final news on the potty front is that Ella did successfully go this evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She got stickers, money and a peep. (Great parenting. Honestly, we would have sprung for a car at this point if she had only known to ask.)

Easter Sunday

We had such a wonderful Easter Sunday. The church service was so worshipful (is that a word?). We had lunch with several families in our class and the kids had a blast. It is so great to get together with others who don't have family around during the holidays because it reminds us that we are in the family of God and where other Christians are there is always family. There was much food of which I availed myself of to the point of not being able to stand up straight. Pitiful. Between baby boy and copious amounts of mac-n-cheese (thank you Dorminy's) I was out of room for another bite the rest of the day. Kristy, I need that recipe!

Anyway, it was a wonderful day and we enjoyed every minute. I'll post more pictures later, but for now - this one's for you Kristy.

Pictures as promised (finally)

Annie and Ella in Aunt Mel's yard wearing their new dresses MawMaw made.

Enjoying PawPaw so much!!

Just thought this was too sweet!

Annie has on Mark's jersey from childhood. Dale Murphy was his favorite player.
This was at the Braves Museum.

All the girls dying Easter Eggs.

Another Annie-ism and other Anderson happenings

That girl!!! Her little brain is always working overtime. Yesterday, she was coloring at the kitchen table while I cleaned house like a mad woman for company. Apparently, she was pondering how her life is about to change with the addition of a baby brother. She said, "Mom, when the baby gets here you will have 3 children!" I said, "Yes, I will." She replied, "You're going to have to work really hard to feed all of us."

Is she worried there won't be enough food to go around? As PawPaw has seen this weekend, we have no trouble getting these girls to eat. They are true southern gals with healthy appetites and the mindset of always planning the next meal while eating the current one.

As I mentioned, PawPaw has been here this weekend. We have so enjoyed his visit. The girls and Mark took him to a Braves game tonight and all had a great time despite the cold weather. We wish he could stay longer and will hate to say goodbye to him on Sunday. I'll post pictures when I have a spare minute.

Tomorrow morning is the Easter Egg hunt with our Sunday School class in a local trailer park where we have been ministering to the residents. We pray that children will come have a great time and most of all learn about our risen Savior!! I'm so glad the girls are getting to see missions in action!

Leading by example

It is no secret that I LOVE Diet Coke. I mean, if given the choice between water and Diet Coke, I'm probably always going to take the latter. I didn't know it was that evident to my girls until today. On the way to school, I decided to do a little safety teaching with Annie. Fire safety, stop-drop-and roll, 911, if Mommy can't talk and is lying on the floor, stranger safety, etc. We discussed, for example, if an adult comes up to you on the playground and says, "Hi, I've got lots of candy in my car. Would you like some?" She gave the appropriate response and then nailed me in the process. "Mom, what if a kid came up to you and said "I've got lots of Diet Coke in my car. Would you like some?" What could I say? I should be leading by example. :)