He Did It!!

Lord, I don’t think I thought this out completely.  How did I forget this part of raising a toddler boy?

I’m not sure if any of you have begun potty training a 2 year old boy, after your oldest is 4 months shy of turning 15 and your middle child is halfway to turning 13. Well I have!!

Can I tell you I didn’t think I would make it! This boy child was/is stubborn.  Thank God for my village; which included his daycare teachers, 2 stationary potties, a portable potty, a child training toilet seat that came connected to our toilet seat and a whole bunch of made up, yet personalized potty training songs.  Yes, it took all that.

However, I’m glad to announce that my child is potty trained and I feel like I’ve hit somebody’s jackpot.  No more Huggies pampers and Pampers wipes (well I’ve kind of grown fond of the wipes the 3rd time around,  lol.  I may keep them around just until he’s 5).  I have fallen in love with underwear shopping for my toddler.  To think I’m getting 10 pair of reusable, character underwear for less than the price of a week/month of pampers.  I’m winning!!

Nevertheless, he still likes to use his pottys, I’m guessing because they are easy to access and he can be independent all at the same time.  We have his Summer Infant My Size Potty in the bathroom, his Arm and Hammer 3 in 1 Potty in the living room and his favorite character Mickey Mouse portable potty in his bookbag.  Life is good and my toddler is potty trained.  However, since we have blown potty training out the water, I am really contemplating getting him the potty where he can stand and learn to aim.

Does anyone have this —>?

If so please tell me your thoughts?

It’s Such An Honor

This post is long overdue.  I’ve been anticipating writing this one for the longest.  However, life got in the way.  Of course that still will not downplay my excitement when I think about the day that I received what I call the most prestigious honor, thus far in my life.  I say thus far, because I anticipate even greater, later!

Let me give you some background on the community work that I do on a daily basis, before I bestow upon you why I am still excited.  I work with and mentor youth in my community, as well as youth at my church.  The youth that I mentor in the community are from what people would consider downtrodden, gang infested neighborhoods in Chicago; as well as youth that live in areas with very few resources, to inspire hope in them to succeed.  I am also the Baptist Youth Fellowship Director at my Church.  It is a group between the ages of 12 – 18.  We do everything together; study the bible, go on fun outings, teach and show leadership, provide character building and create opportunities to show teamwork.  To let all the youth know that together we can.

As I have always stated, I love kids and I feel they need hope, encouragement, genuine love and support to make it in this world; along with a firm foundation in which to build from.  I constantly try to lead by example, in letting them know that without consistent effort, the work doesn’t mean as much.  However, when you see the work you’ve put into something, the rewards and joy is greater.

Imagine my surprise when I received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for my community efforts.  I mean, an award from the White House!!  Can I tell you, the joy!!  I am beyond grateful and humbled!!!  However, the work is nowhere near done.  There is even more work to do.  As I said, I’m from Chicago and until every child is reached, helped and hopeful and capable of launching their lives from a stable and firm foundation.  My work is yet to be done.  “When you have failed the youth, you have failed the world!”  ~LaKisha Renee Brown