Potty Trained!

Dawson is officially potty trained! Given-today for 2 hours he wanted a diaper because he was TERRIFIED to go to the doctor's office. He was screaming and kept saying, "Doctor hurt me. No doctor." He repeated this over and over while we were there. So given... I completely understand why he wanted a diaper. BUT the rest of the day he wore his sweet boxer briefs that he loves!

Why now....well, thanks to Aunt Jori, Dawson decided he finally would give it a go. He has understood the concept for a long time now, but he he would always just ask for a diaper. He mentally didn't want to transition yet. Aunt Jori showed Dawson how much fun it was to try and hit cereal in the potty. Carson actually showed him, but Jori got Dawson involved. Then Dawson wanted to try it himself. So he aimed and hit the cereal! Then, Aunt Jori gave Dawson some 'Cars' stickers. She explained that he gets to pick one out every time he goes potty like a big boy. Today he didn't even tell me that he had to go potty and actually when 'stinkies' in the potty twice! He loves picking out his stickers afterward!

Sitting on his 'Cars' potty with his 'Cars' stickers! He's so excited!

He got 2 stickers because he went stinkies and potty! He is so proud of himself! So is mom and dad! Good job buddy! He's wearing his 'Cars' boxer briefs (they are a little big...but those are the ones he wanted...I had no other choice but to get those. haha!)

I recently re-did a $5.00 dresser (that J.D. said was disgusting and there was no hope). I did it because I wanted Dawson to be able to reach his clothes, and especially his 'big boys.' It turned out amazing and he loves that he can get himself dressed without help. He's becoming so independent. Here's the dresser-

The spray paint was a stone texture. It really feels like stone too! We love it!

When we went to get the knobs for the dresser, Dawson was on cloud 9 again...which means he got to be a cowboy for the day and see all the cool antique real cowboy stuff. (We went to an antique depot). It is my all time favorite place! We got each knob for only 80 cents a piece! Online it would cost $4.00 per knob at any other store.

Another Mr. Independent story is the cereal story. One morning I was SO tired! I told Dawson I needed more sleep and to just go play for a little bit. He sweetly gave me a kiss on my cheek and said, "K Good night mom." He left the room and shut the door. The next thing I know, Dawson is waking me up and telling me his hands are went. I asked him what was wet? He said, "My cereal on my hands." I got up, went to the kitchen, and there it was.....milk all over the counter, his mini 4-wheeler, and the floor. His cereal was in a bowl and had milk filled to the rim of the bowl.

Dawson uses his mini 4-wheeler as a step stool all the time. He just drives it into the kitchen and away he goes. Well, this time he decided he was hungry. He poor the perfect amount of cereal into a kids bowl. Then got the milk (there was at least a half gallon left) and tried to poor his milk. He did such a good job trying to do this on his own! He's so smart! He helped me clean up and and then ate a new bowl of cereal! I just love this little boy so much!

He is growing up so much! We are so excited to see the kind of boy he's growing into!
Side note: the doctor's visit was to check out his throwing up issue...we came up with a couple different options and we are starting more process of elimination now that he's older. We've eliminated quite a bit, but the things we are looking at start out small. I think that he has a something that is common with first born males with the emptying part of their stomach being to small. This is just my instinct, and I want to write it down just to see if I'm right. I thought it had something to do with a breathing problem...but after research, I think it's this other thing..can't remember the name. I will figure it out and then post it later. :-)

Aubri's Birthday Party

Dawson was invited to a birthday party for his friend Aubri! It was a Mickey Mouse themed partied, therefore, everyone wore mouse ears!

Side note- Dawson has to have his glasses and a hat this summer. It's been so funny! He'll say, "I need my hat. I need my glasses! The sun's going to get me!"

After the 4th, we went to another one of Dawson's friends birthday parties for Addison! He truly loved this party- he was smoozing all over Addi! Addi went to get a drink and Dawson wrapped his arms around her from behind and tried to help her. He took her 'play' shopping while she held the baby. They swam for FOREVER! It was so much fun! I loved it even more because I got to catch up with my 2nd family, the Esplins! It was good to spend so much time with you guys! I sure miss you and love you lots!

Happy Independence Day!

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We spent Sunday night in St. George. My dad and brother Matt drove all the way from Colorado, so we had an AMAZING BBQ! It was so nice to finally see them- it's been way too long! After the BBQ we watched Knight and Day, then had our own firework show. The pics tell it all!

This is Jori and Carson!

Here's Dawson and me!

Carson and Dawson would cheer after every firework! It was hilarious!

YAAA!!!

Jessi, Carson, & the 'wowed' Dawson!

My hottie husband! To this day I feel like I am way out of my league marrying this hunk!

Dawson and Jessi

Another YAAAA!!! These two loved the fireworks!

The sparklers were Dawson's favorite because he got to hold it himself.

The next morning we headed to Kanab! I love their parades- short, sweet, no advertising, and LOTS of candy and fire trucks spraying you down.

Here's my niece Lyndee lou- cheerleader in the parade (she's driving)

Dawson didn't get a ton of candy, but he was so proud of what he did get! He didn't even finish the parade, he just wanted to go sit with dad and eat his candy. :-)

After the parade, everyone heads to the park and plays...and plays...and plays!

and plays....

After the parade we were able to go eat with my dad and brother one of the most amazing restaurants. Dawson loved being around all the cowboys- it was cloud 9 for him. He kept saying, "Mom! is that a cowboy?" He was mezmerized!
That night we saw the most amazing fire work show. J.D. took Dawson swimming at the city pool (which is right next to the park). Then Dawson played his little heart out. We ate, and cuddled during the fireworks. It was a great day!

Phone Man

It's funny to hear that kids mimic us and learn to love electronics sooner that we could ever imagine....but to actually see it is hilarious! These are the phone shots I got of Dawson. He is talking to his cousin Carson and Aunt Jori. I was in the kitchen, Dawson came and asked if he could talk to 'my Jori.' I dialed the number and gave the phone to him. Next thing I know, he's running into the living room to talk by himself. I figured, what the heck, I've got to study, so whatever.

Then we find Dawson like this...sick of holding the phone, so he presses it against the couch and continues picking at his toe nails... (sound familiar)Still pressed against the couch, unhappy about what's being talked about, and in a way awkward position

Turning the body again to get comfy while still talking..

This is the spot... does that look familiar?

Then I find him like this... hold the phone with your shoulder, no hands (we've all done this)Talking, but multi-tasking by watching his stomach roll...any of you done this?

Sick of the phone to my ear..I'll just look at it and yell...

This big hit- crossing my legs, totally into the conversation! (I've done this)

And he finally notices the camera... so here's his 'CHEESE!' I'm not sure what's up with his side ways cheeser, but it's cute!

Total phone time.... 37 MINUTES and 46 seconds! I'm glad they had plenty to say to each other! :-)

Cute Little Cowboy

We all know Dawson loves cowboy stuff, but he REALLY likes daddy's cowboy stuff! Dawson is under the impression that dad's stuff is real, and his is not.... either way, he's a cute little cowboy!

Tote Swimming

It's been extremely hot here in Cedar City, and we were in dire need of swimming. I didn't want to go to the aquatic center because we wanted to wait for J.D. to be able to go with us. SO.... I pulled out a tote, emptied it, and filled it with water!

This is Dawson and Andi (Dawson's gf)! They have so much fun together! It was so stinkin' cute to watch these 2 try and swim in this tote! I didn't have to worry about them drowning...so I laid back and tried to tan my legs while they slowly emptied the tote by splashing each other.

I had a hard time getting them to 'cheese' at the same time...lol! stinkers!

They are the cutest best friends!

The Last Four Weeks

After Kanab, we came home and I started school at SUU. This was a spur of the moment decision, but so worth it. I had 2 years left at WGU. With our future secret plans, this was just not going to work. So I called up SUU, activated my admittance, and I graduate in May with a 4 year degree in Family Life and Human Development, Education, and Psychology. I'm so excited to see an end to my schooling. There's a lot more to it, but I will have a degree and be able to be a mom, FINALLY! So there is the revealing of just one of our 'plans.'

My really good friend Jessica has been doing craft night once a month. I'm LOVING it!! It is a win win situation, because I get to talk with some way fun girls, some I've never met, and create an amazingly cute craft to put in my house! THANK YOU JESSICA AND JESS'S MOM! The first craft was in an earlier post, this is the 2nd and 3rd.

This is my first and only 4th of July decoration! :-) And here's my family sign! You can't really see, but the sign comes out from the wall quite a ways, so it looks even better in real life! I LOVE IT!

Dawson is a #1 fan of 'mantis chicken!' Dawson calls it mantis chicken, my brother chad's family calls it Panda Bear Express Chicken, and we had this for our wedding day luncheon. I've learned to make it at home because my son's cravings were getting expensive. :-) BUT, he loves it more home-made! We buy the Panda Express sauce at the store, but everything else is home-made.

Here is Dawson saying, "I love MANTIS CHICKEN!" with his mouth full of it! And a pepsi on the side I might add... lol! He's got Shelley blood that's for sure!

After three weeks of J.D. being gone, we were really needing him to come visit. He came home for four days! He completely suprised us! We went to St. George for a day and once again Dawson stripped. This little guy loves to be naked! He just takes everything off and when he has to go pee he just runs outside on the grass...sounds gross, but whatever!

I came in to find him naked at my mom's while in St. George... I asked, " Dawson, what the heck?"
His reply, a mischevious grin and a "PEACE" sign! lol!

The naked story continued...well Dawson has learned to unlock, and unbolt doors... he does this, runs outside to pee, and comes running in to me saying, "Mom! I went potty!" He cracks me up! We haven't had any cops or neighbors catching him, so I'm still good until we get a lock up high on the door. He still isn't potty trained, but it's not that he doesn't know how... he just doesn't want to. I really don't want to force him if he isn't mentally ready to go big boy all the way. So he decides on different days when he wants his 'big boys' or a diaper.

While J.D. was home we went fishing, swimming, to the movies, on lots of walks, made cookies, had a small bonfire with just us three, and spent lots of time together.
Here we are fishing at the new lake in Cedar city! Dawson scared all the fish away because he was so excited and loud! haha! But we had fun!

He really had a blast! It was so fun to just see him try and fish.

J.D. left for another three weeks, but we got to see him after 2 at the Stevens' family reunion. I didn't get any pics, but there was a huge bouncy slide for everyone, lots of food, and lots of people! Dawson cried and cried when he had to say goodbye to J.D. It was so hard to explain to Dawson that dad wouldn't be coming home with us. Dawson officially hates mom and dad going to school, but he wants to go to Dawson's school.... lol!

BUT........J.D. is officially home again! We couldn't be happier to be together again. We have lots of new exciting things that we hope to work out the way we want, but sometimes it's not what the Lord has in store for you...so we will just update as things start to fall into place. :-)

Dawson is growing up so much! He is talking and becoming quite witty and clever! He catches us off guard all the time! He still loves horses, driving, all animals, dinosaurs, his sleep, SWIMMING, mantis chicken, and working with dad. He is starting to help out with cleaning up his room on his own. I just say, "Go clean your room." and off he goes. He tries to make his bed too! He still has a way with horses... J.D. went to clip his dad's horses feet and he didn't have to chase them down. Dawson was right there and the horses walked right up to him in the truck.
J.D. and I are doing good too! We have been so blessed while he's been gone to have a peace of mind about all of the changes. Until next time....