Update

Our family has been working really hard lately.

Chris is working hard at losing weight (16 pounds so far) improving his situp/pushup count and still studying for certain upcoming tests, while also looking for a career.

Laura is trying to keep the house clean, the clothes washed, and the boys happy. She has also lost about 6 pounds and a couple of inches around the waist allowing her to wear some of her "skinny" clothes. In her spare time she is playing with puzzles and putting pictures together from our time in Italy.

Landon took a week and a half off school to play in the snow and on the Wii, but is now back to painting, cutting, writing and playing with the other kids in his class. His reading skills are improving everyday and he loves to read every word he comes across. (today we got out of the car and he read the large words on Chris' bike - MONGOOSE - he got the word right without our help!)

Sam has spent the last three days in underwear. We decided to go cold turkey on the diaper front, meaning he hasn't worn a diaper in almost 36 hours now. He's doing really well. Monday he kept his underwear dry for several hours at a time, and though we put him on the toilet every hour he "held it" until he just couldn't hold it anymore. So he wet through four pairs in a period of two hours, but was dry the rest of the time. Tuesday, he woke up dry but let a little out while on the way to the bathroom. WE sat with him for over an hour while he squirmed and begged to get off but then finally peed into the toilet. We continued to put him on the potty every other hour all day and he continued to keep himself dry. This morning he was again a little damp when he got out of bed but promptly used the toilet and has been dry eversince. Two hours later he informed me that he needed to go "poop". Since he made it to the toilet on time for that one he got doughnuts as a treat, and McDonalds for lunch. We are very proud of our little Sam!!


In Other News:

Chris's legs were hurting him yesterday, in hopes of relieving some the soreness and to have some fun with the boys, we all got into our swimsuits and into the backyard hot tub. When we'd had enough, I climbed out of the hot tub, picked up Sam and proceeded to "carefully" walk down the wooden steps that lead down from the hot tub and into the house. I wasn't careful enough. I ended up slicing the heel of my right foot on some ice(I think) causing me to react hastily and thus falling/sliding down the three steps on my left leg. Chris was afraid I had broken something, I was just glad that Sam didn't get hurt.





These pictures don't really do it justice. I bruised all the bones in my toes so my foot looks very blue. Chris has been taking excellent care of me. I feel spoiled!

So while I wait to heal I'm going to be sitting with my foot elevated a lot (because that's where it feels the best) with an ice pack and a comfortable pair of shorts. This accident helped us to realize how poorly we are stocked with certain equipment, so this morning we bought some supplies for a first aid kit. It's very nice to have the right size of bandaids for my knee scrapes!