{Potty Time}

For the past month Ryley has be using the toilet almost perfectly. He never pees on the new carpet! He is still having an "issue" with one thing (which, if you've potty trained it's usually the second step), but I will wait if I must.

At first he went through a phase where he wouldn't wear underwear, but now he will and everybody is thrilled. Now our guests won't be offended! He does hate to be asked to go so we keep the nagging to a minimum.

It is still a challenge to go places. One dreary rainy day we were passing by Burger King and Maisey convinced me (I still don't know how) to take them into get a drink. Let me add we had just come from Out of This World where Ryley held it for 3 hours!!! After paying I turn around to see a VERY busy lunch line (it's 12:30), and Ryley standing in a BIG puddle. It was one of those moments when (once the shock and embarrassment has worn off), you have to chuckle- a little.

Hopefully he will work out all the kink's soon!

{heroes}

Has anyone ever called you a "Hero?" Well, I will humbly say two very sweet women have called me a hero in my lifetime. The reason they called me their hero was because of my work with DHS Child Welfare, namely when I removed children with CPS.

On many, many, occasions I have had people say,"I don't know how you do it, it would be so hard." I usually try to withhold my internal joy because I do not want to come across as callous, when really I couldn't feel more pride for saving a vulnerable child.

But this post however is not about my love for Child Protective Services. I am writing this post to share my respect and love for a wonderful, loving, foster home I have had the privilege to get to know. I made many great friends when I began working for child welfare and a few of them happened to be foster families. These families are loving, accepting, and all together precious. These families collectively defined my view of a hero.

This afternoon this beautiful little 29 month old girl above will go to live with her mother who has been incarcerated for her daughters entire life, and then some, in a women's shelter. My heart aches because I can not imagine the strength and courage it would take to love and raise these little babies, while knowing they would most like leave some day. My dear friends who are 28 like me, have loved, and nurtured many little children (including three babies at once), only to have to deal with loss in the end.
On a good note, they have been enjoying all 6 of their foster children right now. And, they finally get to keep at least one of them (although they would take them all)! The process has been started and they are adopting the little boy in the middle (below). Flashback of the babies. Now they are 26, 27, and 29 months!

I am so thankful there are loving families out there who open there hearts and homes up to innocent children when they have no family to turn to. I will miss this little girl, her sweet little spirit, her high pitched voice, her hilarious and congenial personality, and all her sweet ways. I know she has had an amazing family and life till now, and I pray for her safety and happiness, as well as the family who has to let her go, for now anyway. The crew.

{New Years Eve Videos}

Here is a clip of Ry "Cutting a rug."

He totally reminds me of some future SNL actor. He is a tad bit spasy!!!

Here is a clip of a band who kicked off the reception.

{New Years Eve}

We spent New Years in Eugene this year attending my cousin's wedding. Maisey was so excited when Ari and Shawn asked her to be one of the flower girls over a year and a half ago upon their engagement.

She loves the role! With that being said, there is talk she and the other flower girl, Peyton (my second cousins daughter) will have the chance to walk the aisle together again in another wedding. Can you say, "Flower girls for rent!" They are both experienced by now at the ages of 7 1/2 and 10.

The bride was stunning and I am just sorry my camera is SO crummy because it doesn't do anyone justice!
Ari and her mother Cindy (My great Aunt). Maisey and Peyton had so much fun together!
Thanks to Peyton's mom and dad, they got to shop for matching outfits at "Justice" (Maisey's favorite store, my least), and they swam till wee hours of the night at the Hilton during a sleepover. Maisey still has memories from over a year ago when they were in Eugene for a visit and I don't doubt these memories will go into the archive! They were VERY entertaining on the dance floor where they spent much of their time!Sweet little girls. The decorations were lovely for a Winter wedding celebration!Happy New Years from The Guenther's

{Christmas Part-2}

Santa brought Maisey a vanity and she couldn't have been more excited. She was also thrilled to have a "Science Christmas." Maisey has never enjoyed toys much (although she's had everything) she never likes to play alone. She has moved from cooking, to crafts, and now onto science! She loves experiments. Ry got a train table and we love it as much as he does because he does play alone!Another highlight were farm animals. Toddlers are so easy to please.

He couldn't get them out quickly enough!

{Teeny Bopper}

A more trendy cut for Maise!

{Christmas Part 1- Eugene}

A few days before Christmas we went to Eugene to visit my family. We celebrated the usual Clark tradition on Christmas Eve and then drove home and arrived about midnight- just in the "Nick" of time!

Ryley "I would like a garbage truck."
Maisey's decorated cookies at Great Grandma Clark's. Traditional Christmas decorations at my Grandma's.2/3 of her villages.To keep the kids entertained we made a trip to the arcade.

Maisey hitting the Jackpot at Chuck E Cheese's. My siblings Erin (17 1/2) and Chase (19 1/2).

We had a great, and relaxing time! We got VERY spoiled and I still feel guilty 3 days later!!!

{Christmas Part 3- Hood River}

On Christmas day we went to Hood River to celebrate with Chad's family. We had a great time (as we always do), and I regret the fact I didn't get hardly any pics because I was too occupied.
Ruby (13), Maisey (7 1/2), and Peyton (9 1/2)Playing dress up.

Uncle Adam and Ryley trying to catch up on sleep.

{"Wii" Kids Christmas Party}

At the last Halloween party the girls didn't get nearly enough dancing time in (it was my filler and I booked everything so well we only had about 10 minutes to use the Wii). So, we decided to have a Wii dance party. All the girls had so much fun dancing off the sugar from the night. Here were to super cute centerpieces Maisey and I made (before they were eaten of course)! We took the big leftover one to church the next morning so the kids could have a seasonal treat when they raided the Bishop's office for Jolly Ranchers. What do kids like best to eat aside from Pizza (which was too traditional)? Pb&J of course. I also made 13 cute green Ramekins of Mac & Cheese but I didn't get a pic. I very well could have since there was tons untouched. What is it with kids and "real" food? My kids would seriously rather have the kind from a box. I even used a new recipe for Maise and I think I got her approval. The other adorable sweeties, well, I told them, "Eat what'cha like, the belly aches on you- :) !" So after cocoa, marshmellow overload, and new mango cider, the girls were a bit full of liquid and less interested in eating. My little sidekick colored these stamps in for the reindeer food. Ornamental party favors (thanks Lisa for making these at craft group so I could copy you)! Craft warehouse still had all the supplies and I'm making lots more next year- and cuter too. I had a limited amount of time to whip 13 of these out!
Cupcakes- And believe it or not, I did not "whip" these out! Thanks Fred Meyer, I was too busy since I decided to make sugar cookies for the party. 130 of them. A new recipe to me and it was a great one. You can find it here. Bake them less for chewy, or longer for frosting durability.
Let the decorating begin!Lots of finger licking...And of course I had to make some too.Their masterpieces. Dancing off some energy. For this night each girl was given a glittery gingerbread man with a number. This was the PERFECT way to randomly select dancing teams.
We had a great night and thank all the mommy's and daddy's who were able to get their kidlets their in spite of other holiday obligations. In the end 10 made for a nice crowd and it was actually relaxing momentarily!