It's Beginning to Look Alot Like....

...well, Potty Training Time if you come to our house. We're not exactly ready for it, but ready or not...Ashlyn sure is.

She's really good about bringing me stuff she doesn't like and not just spitting or throwing it out on the floor. A couple weeks ago she came to hand me a piece of chocolate she'd put in her mouth. It looked like a milk dud which surprised me 'cause as far as I knew, we didn't have any of those around. Sure enough.....it wasn't a milk dud - it wasn't even chocolate. Her diaper was full of them....So gross!!! You're going to think twice about ever eating a milk dud again, eh?

Since then, I've causally been having Ashlyn sit on the potty when she wakes up and before going to bed. The other night, she'd had a bath and already sat on the potty - then ran off before I could get her dressed. I wasn't in the mood to chase after her so thought I'd wait it out a couple minutes. Apparently she'd gone back in the bathroom. When I came around the corner, she was coming out squealing and holding her hands up - they were nasty with stuff mushed all over. I grabbed her to wash her hands and all over the bathroom floor was a poopy mess. We don't know whether she went in her little potty and then dumped it out, or just squatted right there in the middle of the bathroom. Either way it was disgusting and we're officially beginning potty training after the holidays!

On another note, we've been trying to get in the Christmas spirit but it's been really hard for us this year not having snow around. Walking around in t-shirts with palm trees & 70 degree weather doesn't exactly ring out "Dashing Through the Snow" - 'course we can keep dreaming of a "White Christmas". We went to the Mesa Temple lights display. Ashlyn met Santa (she calls him "ho, ho, ho") at the Pro Bash Shop where they have a Santa's workshop set up. That was fun, free, & she loved it. Had no problem sitting on his lap - just kept pointing out the stuffed reindeer thinking they were the best thing ever.

Last weekend we went to the Zoo Lights display at the Phoenix Zoo. It was alright. The main pathways are all lit up with different displays, but you don't see any real animals. I guess the thing that bothered me most about the zoo was that there was nothing reflecting the Savior at all. It is Christmas after all.

I want to express how truly grateful I am for this time of year that we have to reflect upon the Savior and his humble birth. He is what it all should be about and I hope that we can all feel His love in our lives this holiday season and always...

Love,

Derek, Ra'Shelle, & Ashlyn