The Family Potty Seat

There is a law, irrevocably decreed (in the Hoskins' house-that is), that one must become potty trained upon reaching the milestone age of two. I don't know if that stems from the fact that by the time any of our kids have turned two, we have already been doing double diaper duty for six months, or what. But I do know that it is our law that no diapers can be bought for any of our children once they turn two. So, since Emma recently had her second birthday, we have been knee deep in toilet training the last few days. On day one and day two, Emma refused to go potty on the toilet a single time. Day one was mostly just cleaning up accidents and explaining how it all worked. Day two, Emma discovered she knew when she needed to go potty, and could tell us she needed to go, but she refused to actually go on the toilet. She would shout--"I'm peeing," or "I'm pooping," (She initially spoke in present tense even though she meant she needed to go) and then we would hurry and sit her on the potty. Once on the toilet, she would squirm and cry, but absolutely not let herself go. And of course, the minute you took her off, she would go right on the bathroom floor. It was quite frustrating. So, on the evening of the second day, Nick simply refused to let her off the potty. She cried for 45 minutes, and then finally could not hold it any more, so she went. And after going once, the light turned on, the fear disappeared, and it was smooth sailin' from there. In fact, it was probably a blessing that this is the way she learned, because now we know she can hold it for quite some time! And can I just say--we are done with double diapers for the rest of our lives! Three down, one to go!

Way to go Emma love!



Oh, and for some comic relief, I have included a photo of our newest potty training devise--the family potty seat. I saw it in a magazine a few years back, and decided it was worth the investment to not have a little potty or a floating potty seat hanging out in our bathroom. Instead, we have this fabulous new seat with the potty seat built right in. We love it--only, we wish it weren't quite so, well, wooden. Yikes!

Gospel Scholar in the Making

I had to post this cute picture Nick took of Emma and I the other day! Even though Mason takes up much of my time these days, Emmie still gets her "mommy time" in, however she can! And that's Hyrum Andrus' Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price we're reading--just in case you were curious! I think Emma was really enjoying the section on The Spiritual Creation of the Earth.

My "Thing"

So, the other day I was visiting a number of people's blogs, and it got me to thinking. Everyone has posts on their blog about their "thing". Maybe their "thing" is cooking and they use their blog for sharing recipes, pictures of their yummy creations, etc. Maybe their "thing" is sewing, singing, dancing, or photography. Maybe it's paper crafting, organization, or simply being able to throw a great party. Sometimes people market their "thing" at craft fairs or simply give it as gifts to others. Sometimes people sell their "thing" as a service--like taking pictures for someone's wedding. Sometimes people teach their "thing" in workshops or motivational speeches, or perform their "thing" in shows or recitals. Whatever it is, and however it is used, everyone seems to have their "thing". So, the thing I got to thinking about, of course, is what my "thing" is. I can do many things. I have quilted and scrap booked, sang and danced, cooked and cleaned. I have thrown a party or two, taken a few great pictures, and given a nice talk in church. But really, I don't think I have a "thing". There isn't one thing I am outstandingly good at, focused on, or producing. Recently, I have even begun to realize that there are lots of "things" I do that I don't even really enjoy doing. For instance, making birthday cakes. They kind of make me crazy! Yet, I still feel obligated to do them at my children's birthdays. Or sewing and quilting. I have made cradle bedding, crib bedding, toddler bed bedding, and now bedding and accessories (i.e. dust ruffles, curtains, basket covers) for both of my older children's twin beds and rooms; however, as I put the last stitch in Spencer's log cabin quilt I told my husband that he had better brace himself, because I was retiring from sewing. I sewed all of those things to save us some money, and because I thought there would be some great sentimental value to them because I had made them, but I really don't like doing it that much. And my time has gotten more valuable to me than the pennies we might save. These recent discoveries, as well as my blog surfing, have honestly made me feel a little bit depressed. I don't know what my "thing" is. Perhaps the closest thing to being my "thing" is summarized in the word "Scholarship". I do love to read and write about a variety of topics, particularly religious topics. I love to really study my scriptures. I am fairly opinionated, and I think I have a gift for evaluating and critiquing theories and ideas. But really, can preparing my gospel doctrine lessons be considered a hobby, considered my "thing"? I don't think so. At least not with the time investment I am making right now, anyway. So I am left again drawing a blank. What is my "thing"? Unless, that is, if my "thing" can instead be a living and breathing and running "thing"--like a child. Or four children. I suppose that is what my thing really is: My children. They consume me entirely. They are my hobby, my talent, my creation, my art subject, and the audience for my rare and stunning "performances". With four children ages 5, 3 1/2, 2 and 4 months--they are truly my whole life. And I have to say, I think I am okay with that. Maybe my other "things" can wait a few years, because I just can't be the super woman who can juggle a "thing" and my kids like so many women I know. Yes, I think that's it. My "thing" is my children. And I am done apologizing for it. If I can't make some money selling bows and bracelets, or save some money making bibs and blankies, if I can't give adorable birthday cards to everyone I know, or go to lunch with the girls while their kids are in school and preschool, if I can't work out at the gym, or even get make-up on most days, then that is just the way it will have to be. The day for those "things" will come. Today, on the other hand, is the day for my little "things". So, even though the doctor says to put my kids to bed awake--I won't. I want to hold them and rock them and sing them to sleep. Even though he says to put them in their own beds, I won't. I want to cuddle up next to them, keep them warm, and be there when that eye peeks open or arm reaches out for the touch of skin. Even when I am running on no sleep, and the household chores are piling up, and the temptation to let my little one lay in bed and cry it out is so strong, I won't. I have to take that extra minute to pat her, or smile at him and roll him onto his side, and be there until they are ready to do it on their own. I have to talk about the "two witches" (Maddi's name for the Musical Wicked) when I'd rather be quiet. I have to play cars, when I'd rather "accomplish" something. I have to clean up again and again and again because kids need to play and "that's just what mom's do." And somewhere in the midst of all the have to's, I realize that it's really want to's, and get to's and I wouldn't trade it for the worlds. So, as I embark on another crazy adventure--the great homeschooling adventure, I have only one answer for the host of "whys" that seem to inevitably creep in. And the answer is, "Why Not?" Why not play a little longer with my little ones? Why not keep them close, keep them together, keep them safe? Why not learn biology on the back lawn, and geography on a road trip? Why not go on our field trips as a family instead? Why not have those first precious words read to me, and those first little stories written for me? Why not? After all, they are my "thing".