Victory.

There are two things I find the most challenging as a mother: #1-Being woken up in the middle of the night (not good with that) #2-POTTY TRAINING. I hate potty training. I already have my own issues with sitting on toliets, and I don't like messes- especially those containing pee or poop- therefore it really is not a good combo for me. Potty training was a complete disaster with Keia- I did it all wrong- yes we got her potty trained at 2, but it brought out my worst side as a mother. Mattix basically trained himself and was going to a preschool full-time- so a lot of the training was done there. So when it came to Ms. Kalli- I prepped myself by starting her at 1, learning to tell me if she had poo poo in her diaper. I felt it would help for her to recognize that something was in there, eventually she would tell me on her own. Then at 18 months I started getting books from the library about the "potty" and would ask her (usually right before a tub when she was naked) if she wanted to sit on the potty- totally up to her if she wanted to. Okay- so we set the foundation... I told myself to be patient and that I would be nice if she had an accident... we achieved Victory folks- Kalli was potty trained in 3 days and has only had 4 accidents total. She is going poo and pee in the big potty. It was not a fun week of staying home and running to every call for the potty or complete stress in the car when she insisted on wearing her "undies", just prepping myself that she was going to pee in her seat and that it would be okay (luckily she never did). I feel so free knowing this is the last time I will ever have to potty train again!! Way to go Kalli, you are lucky to be getting the nicer, calmer version of me (sorry Keia).

Bud

Mattix is officially 5 (last week). Matt took him mini-golfing and to the movies on his birthday. Things I am loving about this kid is his love for reading, he loves to play games (any game, right now UNO is his favorite), and he loves sports. He is probably my most quiet child and for the most part really easy-going. When he isn't mellow- he is the complete opposite: super hyper and SILLY. He thinks everything is funny (unless in a mood), and he has a great sense of humor. I am happy to see him wrestle with his friends and be a boy, he was so shy for so long, he has really come out of his shell. However, he still has his "ticks"- the current ones are smelling everything and licking his fingers (gross I know!), or you can hear him making a Mmmm sounds every couple of minutes. At this point, I feel grateful that other kids don't recognize it yet, but that day will come. I love this kid and sometimes he blows my mind at how thoughtful and sensitive he is to my feelings- way more than my girls! Happiest Birthday Bud- and of course I am posting this a week late because you are my middle child- sorry!!

Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays...

When all three of your kids have birthdays within 3 weeks of each other- there are many parties going on. I have to say, when my kids BEGGED for a Chuck-e-cheese party, I tried hard to convince them to do something else. I am not the biggest fan of Chuckey, it is loud and dirty and money just goes towards winning tickets that earn you a plastic toy to go into our landfills. Whoa- a little passionate there, anywho- I have to apologize to Chuckey, because it was a great party! Everything was very organized, the kids were highly entertained, and it wasn't as expensive as I thought it would have been. Keia and Mattix had an awesome time- especially being able to go into the ticket blaster! Good times!!

DA GIRLS

DA BOYS

Thanks Chuckey =) Onto Ms. Kalli's Big 2nd Birthday!!!

We decided to get her ears pierced for our "big" two-year-old, who has definitely taken on the role of being 2!!! Before

After

We didn't waste any time with training Kalli- today was her first official day potty training- couple of pee pee accidents, but did go poop on the potty!! She loves wearing her "undies"- I'll keep you posted on our progress.

**I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I literally got to see my kids grow another year.. I feel fortunate for this blessing. I LOVE celebrating the day my kids came to me. LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Happiest Birthday (7,5, and 2- we are getting older)

What we've been up to...

It is a boy thing...

I have to say that I have felt pretty happy that Mattix isn't your usual boy. He is actually quite sensitive, but now that he is almost 5, it is starting to come out more and more. I use to hear all these horror stories about trips to the hospital with boys with broken bones, collecting gross bugs, or getting into fights. I am proud to say that we had our first "boy" incident and it wasn't even that big of a deal. I was signing Mattix in for preschool and right away his two best friends started chasing him around the room trying to tackle him to the ground. I was just about to tell him to stop running (being a former preschool teacher, I know the rules!)- when his friend knocked him into the corner of a table. There was a lot of blood and tears, but overall he handled it really well. I debated even taking him to Urgent Care, but the doctor said it was a good that I did, so that they could clean it well and not get an infection. Since it is hidden on his head the doc said that he was going to glue it shut instead of dealing with stitches. Mattix was so brave and didn't shed one tear for the doctor, I on the other hand was getting nauseous, I am such a wuss when it comes to blood and doctors. Anywho- way to go bud!!

March 29th 2012

This day will go down in history for the Huffman House for two reasons:

Number One:

MIss Keia turned 7 years old today! It blows my mind- and yes I will probably be saying that every birthday from here on out, but it is soo crazy how much older she seems to me. We started her celebrations with my family at Balboa Park. Keia requested "nerd" cupcakes. Then for her birthday today she got to pick a "sugary" cereal for breakfast- Lucky Charms =(, I can deal with once a year. Then I picked up Keia and her best friend Kylie and took them to the movies. I am so proud of this girl and even though we have our battles, I know she is someone who will always stand up for herself and hopefully for what is right. Happiest Birthday baby girl- my special firstborn.




Okay now for Number 2:


A really good friend of mine (Ms. Cristina) recommended a book to me: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I started checking it out on Wednesday evening, decided to get the book, and now we are almost half-way done. So we took a bold step today and cut up all our credit cards and the Huffman House is working towards being DEBT-FREE!


Here we go...I'll keep you posted!

Huffman Update

Wow, a lot has happened in the Huffman House. First things first- this is boo and I in Las Vegas- the one and only picture we took the entire weekend. Matt's mom got us a hotel room in Vegas and watched our kids for our 10 year anniversary/Valentine's day weekend. So nice right?? It was the best weekend ever!!! Everyone at my work was making fun of me for being Mormon and going to Vegas for the weekend- but Matt and I had a great time spending time just us and shopping!!! That is how you know you have married the right one- when you still get excited to go on a date together or have any time alone together and not feel like you have to do anything.

Okay, second exciting thing- I QUIT MY JOB!!! It has been 7 months at Sports Authority and now I am resigning my red shirt. I liked my job and everyone I worked with, but I HATED working and running a household. I am super excited to be home again full time and do homework with Keia, not rush to cook a 15 minute dinner before going to work, and not get home at 10:30pm and wonder where the day went... Why am I staying home you ask... well, Matt is leaving the Insurance career after 3 1/2 years of building his business, to pursue a passion of his (renewable energy). We are starting a new adventure (again). I really thought we were done changing jobs, but Matt has always worked for the money- not caring too much about what the job was that made the money, but for the first time he is going to take a job that he is super excited to do. Wish us luck!

The kiddies are great- we are loving soccer and just keeping ourselves busy. I will update about the kiddies next time!!

Anyway

My best friend gave me this quote years ago- but it is still my favorite of all time!

*People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

*If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

*If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

*If you are honest and forthright, they may cheat you;
Be honest anyway

*What you spend years building, they may destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

*IF you find happiness and serenity, they may be jealous and scorn;
Be joyous anyway.

*The good you do today, they will often forget tomorrow:
Do good anyway

*Give the world the best you have, and it will never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

*YOU SEE, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IT IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD:
IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM, ANYWAY.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Okay everybody, here we go in another year! I love what President Monson had to say: *Have a positive attitude *Believe in yourself and *Face challenges with courage... to have the abundant life this year. Sometimes I like to make my resolutions around things that feel stressful in my life. For example- the hour before I leave for work and Matt gets home, is very stressful. I am trying to make dinner, get ready for work, and deal with a tired baby. Therefore I made some solutions to help make this a less stressful time in my day- (prepare dinner earlier, get ready before I pick up Keia from school etc). I also like to make resolutions that balance my life: a spiritual goal, a health goal, a family goal, work goal- you get the idea!!

Anywho- Happiest New Year everyone and lets make this one the best!

10

Ten years ago (yesterday), I decided to marry this guy, and honestly it only keeps getting better. Thanks boo for choosing me as your partner to journey this life with- may we have many more laughs to come!

My babies...

Merriest Christmas

Once again my super talented friend Sara Featherstone, took these amazing photos of the fam. There will be more to come...

Happiest Holidays,
Love the Huffman House