This Just In...

Late Breaking News in the Sheek Household.......

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Just when you don't think you can make it anymore, just when the tears of your children are breaking your heart, just when the situation looks hopeless, the Lord steps in and takes over. We give all the thanks to our Lord who allowed a situation to work out that will allow us to buy a house in MN before we sell in GA. All of this, without over stretching our budget.

Isn't Proverbs 3:5-6 easy to do when you see how your chapter, of the "story" that was causing worry, turns out. Easy to trust when things are looking up. Harder to trust when life is tough. Then again, maybe it is the easiest to trust when you hit rock bottom....when you finally realize that you aren't in control and you really do have to completely give over your life and situations.

I have tried to completely trust God with the whole situation. From our prayers at the start of this whole adventure, that the Lord slam shut the doors that weren't for us.....to our prayers through tears for a home. This isn't to say that I was completely trusting the whole time. That isn't to say that I didn't doubt at times that things would never get better. But I tried and when I got off track, I sought out the Lord the peace and hope. I believe this experience is one that not only I, but the kids will be able to look back on and know that God was in control....always in control. I have always stressed to the kids that God had our best interest in mind and that He would take of us. Thank you Lord Jesus for answering our prayers.

So, where are we in all this. I have contacted our realtor and the kids and I are going driving around the evening to look at some houses....and more importantly the neighborhoods. We want to be in an area with lots of families and kids. I know that God has His hands in the house finding process too!

We Had a Weekend.....

...and how was your weekend?

Ever just "had a weekend"? Our weekend wasn't great, nor did anything catastrophic happen. I guess you could say our weekend just was.

For Maddie, the reality and finality of Minnesota has hit home. I think she finally understands that we aren't going back to GA. The "vacation stage" (you know, the point in a vacation when you think this is nice, but I am ready to go home) is over. She wants to go home, not to this apartment home, to her real home. She wants a bed. Not just any bed (she has been napping in my bed so she doesn't have to sleep on the floor all the time), her bed. She wants her toys, her bike, her soccer ball, grass.....anything that we left behind, yep she wants it. I guess I don't blame her. I understand. I am there with her, feeling her pain. We try to make this a great fun adventure.....but even Dora gets to go home at the end of her adventures. And Maddie, well Maddie is stuck in her adventure. So if you have any time during your prayer time, or even if you don't pray regularly and want to give it a whirl, please pray for my little girl. She needs peace....peace that Mommy and Daddy can't give (though we try REALLY hard)...peace that only God can give her until she has a real home to feel secure in once more.

To help with the Minnesota blues that set in, I took Maddie shopping at the Albertville Outlets on Saturday. We had a really nice "girls only" day. We found a few fall/winter things for the kids and Maddie got to pick out a hair "doo dad" from Gymboree. Here are some pictures of her wearing it on Sunday with her "mostest favoritest dress".

Another highlight of the weekend, we went over to a friends house for dinner on Saturday night. They are a family we met through VBS. We had a great time and the kids loved playing outside in the grass (one of the many things on Maddie's list that she misses from home). Maddie also got to play with sparklers. It was her first time on such a venture and she LOVED it. They do have a magical quality to them, don't they?

Sam, is doing well. Being Sam. He is potty trained except when he is left with Daddy. He went a whole week without a single accident of any kind. That is until Maddie and I left for the day....then he had 2 in a row. Oh well...that's what happens. Good thing I had packed his bag with changes of clothes :)

Here of some pictures of Sam in his big boy underwear and very excited about it!!!

"Dum Dums" what a great bribe for going potty!!! This way Sissy gets to get on the fun as well!!


Finally, I love this picture of my little princess. She was going around with her "wand" turning everything into frogs. Sam was turned into a frog (and actually acted the part). Emma was turned into a frog and managed to barely lift an eye. Mommy was turned into a frog and happy that Maddie was happy hopped the morning away!

Swimming Lessons

Wade was able to leave work a little on the early side Wednesday. He was able to go to swimming lessons and watch the kids. They were so happy to show off for Daddy. Mommy was happy she didn't have to get in the water with Sam!!

Sam still doesn't "love" the water but will tolerate it. He will put his face in and blow bubbles. Every once in a while he will indulge his teacher and jump off the side. He really has a great teacher. She is young, kind, and loves Sam through his "no-ness". Apparently, she thinks he has great eye lashes. Whatever it takes for teachers to love your kids...

Maddie is doing great. She is swimming on her own both on her front and her back. The only problem we are having is keeping her above water long enough to hear instruction from her teacher. Maddie's teacher, Dana, is also her summer camp teacher. Maddie LOVES her. Oh my goodness, she thinks the lady hung the moon. I was hoping for a potential babysitter, but alas Dana is in college and will be returning to the University of Iowa in a couple of weeks.

Three of the Sheeks are goin' South......

............and none too soon!!

The kids and I are flying (via Chicago) to NC on August 6th and will not return to the "Artic Circle" until August 19th. We are so excited and very thankful for this surprise. While we are very sad that Wade will not join us on this adventure (as I am sure anything involving my kids, an airplane, and changing flights is bound to be), we can't wait all the same. We are going to visit family on both sides in NC and go to the beach in SC for a week with Ga-Ga, Granddaddy, and Uncle Nate (yes, Maddie we are going to the REAL beach). Again, very excited. The kids are excited and ready to go. They wanted to go yesterday, today, and tomorrow!!

I met the neighbors in a way I have never wanted this morning. I had gotten both kids dressed early, as we were going to the dollar movie this morning, and had jumped in the shower when Maddie came bustin' in. Since this is a normal occurrence in my life (another reason why I LOVE LifeTime Fitness....showering in peace) I didn't react to it. It wasn't until Maddie threw open the shower curtain and threatened to jump in fully clothed to get my attention, that I stuck my head out to see what was going on. "Mommy, Sam scaped," Maddie said through tears. I knew that Wade had securely locked the door on his way out this morning, since Sam had "scaped" before. So, I calmly asked Maddie to explain how Sam "scaped". "Him opened the lock and door and runned" was her answer. Well, I guess that would qualify as an escape....opening the deadbolt lock, door, and running out....yeppers that's an escape.

I proceeded to throw open the shower curtain grab a towel and go for a look myself. I panicked when I saw Sam's beloved "ba-ba" and "Pooh" laying suspiciously in front of the door. I raced out the apartment (clothed in my towel) with suds from my hair flying behind me. I had to run all the way down the hall to find Sam waiting for the elevator. He had actually pressed the "down" button. After a stern talking to about never ever ever ever leave the apartment without Mommy or Daddy, I asked Sam where he thought he was going. He looked up at me and innocently said, "Doe home, Orgia" (go home to Georgia). Sam was apparently tired of waiting for us to take him home and was leaving himself.

I can't decide if I am amazed that he could open the deadbolt and the door by himself, astonished that he knew to go to the elevator and press down to get out of the building, or just plain scared silly at what may have happened if he had gotten on the elevator alone......then again embarrassment is at the top of the list too. When we were walking back to the apartment, I casually rubbed a blob of suds into the carpet while hoping no one was peaking through the peep holes in their doors. I can't wait to be on the elevator and over hear what people say about this one.....

Post de Sam

Hello all- Sorry I have been MIA for awhile. You could have found me sitting with Sam near a potty all weekend. Well, not all weekend...most of the weekend. On Saturday, I was able to go to the bridal shower of my high school friend, Denise Dixon, that happens to live here. What a kinky dinky for sure.

We are currently on day 3 of "no accident" watch. Not quite as exciting as "solar eclipse" watch or "countdown to Olympics" watch, but exciting to us nonetheless (have you noticed I really like that word. It flows well and is fun to say). I may try real underwear tomorrow (insert movie danger music here). I don't know if Mommy is ready for that yet or not.

Here are some pictures of Sam from this weekend. Daddy and Maddie ran some errands and Sam wanted to stay for some Mommy time. He is eating a "Dum-Dum" in most of them. Those were his "surprise" of using the potty this weekend. You will notice that he would eat the stem faster than the actual sucker. It made for some interesting looking "Dum-Dums".

Here is a video of Sam talking. He is his normal "No" self. Just in case you were worried that MN had changed him :)

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Visit to the Nature Center

I know that I have said it before.....but Minnesota does parks really well. Today we went with Kim and her boys to the Nature Center. It is part of the Three Rivers Park System. Therefore it is free. There were lots of trails and ponds that we couldn't explore because of the rain. The kids really enjoyed the hands-on indoor part.

Maddie at the nature center.

Maddie in front of the bee hive. This allows you to look inside a bee hive. There is a tube that allows the bees to come and go freely.

Maddie dressing up as a Muskrat. Real ones aren't nearly as cute as Maddie.


Sam LOVED the rat snake. Apparently the snake loved him too!



Sam playing in the puppet center. Of course, Nemo was his fav.

Colin in the puppet show.

Maddie in the puppet show. She kept looking for "Cubbie".....but settled for a cute baby bunny.

Oo, Sam found a huge bee to play with.

Maddie playing the matching game. You choose a card and then try to find that animal in the murals on the wall. It is really neat and even Sam enjoyed it.

Sam, dressed up as the Muskrat.

And....that's all folk!!

Blast From the Past....

I was looking through pictures tonight and came up some I thought I would share. I hope you enjoy my walk through memory lane as much as I have.....

Maddie with the UNC onesie and NCSTATE towel. Notice the cords...that is from her Apnea monitor. Funny....I never noticed them before.

Sam, when we first moved into our "new" house in GA. He was just 4 months old. I don't recommend selling and moving with a infant if you can help it.

My two babies

Daddy kissing Maddie goodnight. She was 3 months old. Again, notice the cords. They were such a part of her life and our memories.

Daddy holding Sam at 3 months.D I have a better picture of this, but not here....it's in GA.....sad

Guess which kid!

Maddie was a great big sister from day one. Then again, who wouldn't want a sister that wore such cool boots?

Serious Sam

My first bald baby.

My sweet little boy

A little this, a little that....

Today we had a play date with a friend of Maddie's from VBS. Maddie was so excited to have a little girl to play with. Of course, little girls' houses come with wonderful things like dress up and dolls. Maddie actually cried when we left, afraid that she was going to loose another friend. Doesn't that just break your heart. I explained that this friend lived here in MN, not in GA....therefore we could see her more.

In other news......I was afraid to write this since I don't want to jinx myself (no, we didn't sell the house and no, we don't have an offer on it...I wish) but Sam only had 1 accident today. (Insert wild applause here) I am so excited, so pumped. Only 1 messy/wet Pull Up to change. Whoo Hoo!!! Funny how simple things excite me. He actually told me during swimming lessons that he needed to go. I am extremely proud of him. Proud, but not disillusioned. He is, by no means, potty trained. He could regress at any second....but at this moment, he is on his way to be potty trained.

Points we have learned potty training a boy.......

1. There is a reason for the "splash guard" on a boys potty seat. Maddie and I experienced the "hose" effect early on. For a while she was scared (and for good reason) to go into the bathroom when he was on the potty.

2. Apparently a fear of Sam's is to "loose" a part of him in the process. (see blog below for that conversation)

3. Mommy's potty dance (which will never been seen outside my bathroom) is a great motivator.

4. Boys had rather play trucks while on the potty than read books.

5. Boys can sit for hours (unproductively) on the potty if playing trucks.

6. Playing trucks on the potty will result in Mommy "fishing" for a truck at least once.

7. It is okay to wipe your feet, legs, nose, and bottom with the same piece of toilet paper (in the order I might add...no other order)......

8. It is politically correct and encouraged by Daddies, for boys to not use toilet paper...a fact that Mommy is having a hard time grasping and had to be told.

We hope that everyone in the sunny south and else where are having a wonderful week!!! We miss all our friends and family!!!
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Thought I would leave you with yet another "Sam on the Potty" conversation.....

Mommy: Listen, Sam, do you hear pee-pee (yes I realize that I say the same thing over and over to Sam on the potty)

(very quiet with Sam straining to listen....Sam then passes gas..for lack of better words )

Sam: (laughing) Me's doe pop

Mommy: (trying not to laugh) you did what?

Sam: (said as if I didn't understand English) Meee's dooe pop. Me's doe pop...yike baboon (translation, I went pop. I went pop like a balloon)

Mommy: (snickering out loud) Oh, good boy.

Sam: Mommy doe pop'ance? (translation: Mommy do a "pop" dance- since I do other potty dances)

Mommy: (having all sorts of visions of dances that would equal a "pop" dance) Oh, no buddy...I don't dance for pops!

Well at least not yet....who knows what all Mommy will dance for to get her son to go potty

Splash Pad

Yesterday we went to the "Splash Pad" at St. Louis Park. St. Louis Park is another Suburb of Minneapolis. We were able to go with our friends Kim and her two boys. It is always great to get out and about with other moms and kids.

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So, are you wondering how our potty parties are going? Let's just say we are surviving. Sam has more accidents than not, still....but he always let me know as soon as he pees on "Mingo" (he thinks that Wingo is one of the CARS on his pull-up).

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I am going to include a very funny conversation heard at our house about potty training. If you don't like potty training humor, please don't read on.....

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Sam was on the potty.....

Mommy: Listen Sam can you hear the pee-pee?

(a few seconds go by and peeing is heard)

Sam: (with hand up to ear) Yes, uh-huh I hear pee.

(a "splash" is heard)

Mommy: Yeah Sam! You went poopy....what a good boy.

Sam: (with a frantic look) uh-oh, oh-no..Me's broke

(Sam starts to whimper)

Mommy: (very confused) What? You aren't broke you went Poopy what a good boy.

Sam: No, Me's broke...meeeeeee's brooooooooke (wailing)

(A few seconds past while I ponder this....hum, how does he think he is broke....he went poopy and it made a splash and......oh, I get it he thinks something fell off him to make the splash)

Mommy: No, no buddy your not broke nothing fell off you into the potty it was just poopy...See, here are your 2 arms, and 2 Legs and your bottom. Why don't you look in the potty to see the poopy.

Sam (off the potty and intently staring down into the water sans underwear) Nope, no, uh-uh no poopy....rock.

(Enter Maddie who apparently only caught Sam's last comment)

Maddie (joining Sam to intently stare into potty and said with all the authority of someone potty trained for over 2 years) No, Sam...it's poopy not a rock.

Sam: No, Rock.

Maddie (sternly) No, Poopy......

(and this continues while Mommy walks over, flushes, and walks out of the room)

There you have it folks.....yes my kids actually argued over whether poopy was poopy or a rock.