On Saturday June 1st, Steve wanted to study most of the day on the final Saturday before his test. I signed up the boys for another Home Depot workshop and took them over to get them out of the house while Steve studied. The boys LOVED going of course. Nyles wants to go month!
Making a "hole in one" at Home Depot.
Showing off their projects.
That evening, Steve's old mission companion Hunter Heaton (who he trained) and his wife Clarissa and their kids came to visit while in town from Arizona. We had a little BBQ outside then roasted some marshmallows to make S'mores. Dave and Joann stopped by for a minutes so Dave could get his shot as well and made a S'more. The kids had a lot of fun playing together.
Making S'mores.
2 beautiful Irises bloomed. On Sunday, we went to Wheaton Park to let the boys ride their bikes.
Carter is just learning to ride so Steve built a handle to help him steer. Steve is so creative!
Carter loves to drive the tractor.
Going over the bumps.
The boys thought the bumps aka corn rows were so fun to ride over.
Yeehaw!
That night we had our monthly family dinner get together, this time at Jeff/Kim's place.
Singing Happy Birthday to June birthdays: Jeff, Olivia and Carter.
Singing Happy Birthday to June birthdays: Jeff, Olivia and Carter.
Carter was so excited to blow out the candles.
Carter was so excited he blew out all 3 candles before anyone else could.
I took Wednesday through Friday off to potty train Carter. Steve also scheduled his SPI Physics exam- Sonography principles and instrumentation. Everyone has to pass this exam before they can get hired into Sonography. Later we learned that Steve's Dr wanted to do his heart surgery the next day, Thursday. We figured why not, since I already had the day off, plus this was the soonest they could get him in. It was also Nyles last week of 1st grade, with Thursday being his last day, which was a half day.
It was definitely stressful for both Steve and I. While he studied on Wednesday upstairs, I worked w/ Carter downstairs to get him potty trained. We basically went cold turkey and said goodbye to diapers since they are "for babies." We gathered up all the diapers in the house, car, and diaper bag, then put them in a bag and put them in the garage to give to another "baby." Carter thought it was a great idea since he's a big boy now and was turning 3 soon. I had a sticker chart for him every time he went in the potty, and also a treat for every time he went in the potty. He really liked the rewards! I also clapped and shouted for him and praised him for going in the potty. I also had plenty of liquids so he could keep trying throughout the day and snacks to keep him energized. It was pretty exhausting to tell the truth, but he started catching on fairly quickly and continued to progress. That afternoon Steve called and said he passed his test!!! What a relief to us both!!! The Lord definitely helped him and we are so grateful!
Carter put the blanket on his eyes to fall asleep that night. He wore underwear to bed and much to my surprise, he woke up dry! Eating popcorn and drinking Powerade to keep the potty training fun going, plus wearing big boy underwear!
Nyles 1st day of 1st grade (August 2018).
Nyles last day of 1st grade (June 2019).
Nyles came home that day and said, "Mom, I'm done with 1st grade, can you believe it?" He's so proud, as are we. He works hard and keeps trying to improve, which is all we can ask for.
6 years old.
Cute Nyles. Nyles and the neighbor Jace had matching outfits and Popsicles. Let Summer begin!
Cute boys eating a Popsicle on the front porch.
On Thursday, Steve went in for his surgery early that morning. Joann was kind enough to take him since I was home potty training. Steve getting ready for surgery.
The surgery took about 2 hours and thankfully went well. After surgery Steve had to lay flat for a few hours so they could monitor him. Then before they sent him home, they had him take a couple laps around the hospital to get him moving. Steve came home around 5pm that night. We were so happy to see him! He then had to lay flat on his back for 24 hours. It was tough, but he did it! Thanks again to all who prayed and fasted on our behalf; we really appreciate it. We could definitely feel your strength during this very stressful week. Thank you!
Steve taking a lap, and Joann taking a little rest as well.
To help out while Steve was recovering and I was still potty training Carter on Friday, Stacie offered to take Nyles for the afternoon. That evening they went to the Scottish Festival. Thank you!
Getting snow cones.
Looking a sword.
Nyles w/ a big sword.
Conor and Nyles w/ swords.
Watching one be built.
On Saturday, June 8th it was Carter's 3rd birthday. Nyles slept over w/ Conor the night before, so we took Carter to the Aquarium for a few minutes all by himself! He thought it was so fun!
Penguins.
Grrr, big shark teeth!
When we got back, Stacie and Phill came over for a little BBQ to celebrate Carter's birthday and to bring Nyles back. Carter got a new book from them. Thanks guys!
Blowing out the candles for his train cupcakes.
The next morning mixing sugar water for the hummingbirds.
On Sunday we had Dave, Joann, LuDean, Diane, Rob, Pauline, Chris, Charlotte and Ezra over to celebrate Carter's birthday as well. We cooked up a ham for dinner, then had cake and ice cream!
Dave chasing the boys on the trampoline and tickling them.
Blowing out the candles again!
Opening presents. Thank you everyone; Carter loves them!
This was definitely one of our most stressful and eventful weeks yet: Steve's test, Steve's heart surgery, potty training Carter, Nyles finishing up 1st grade, Carter's 3rd birthday, and Penny working and trying to keep her cool during it all. There definitely is a sense of relief after getting through it though. Thank you again for all your love, support, help, prayers and fasting on our behalf. We are so blessed to have such wonderful supportive family members. We love you all!
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