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a little random update

Well, hi there.

It has been awhile. So much has been happening around here. And I am so very tired…because of two very awesome but energetic little boys…and a tiny babe that we are getting super excited to meet (only six weeks left!). But I thought it was time for a little update. A very random update. Here are a few things to catch you up on…

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First, the winners of the Minted giveaway are…

Michaela Kruli & Alissa Reynolds

Congrats ladies! You should have an email from me with you $100 credit code sometime today. Yay! I am working on picking photos for the Heart Snapshot Mix Photo Art. I can’t wait to get it!

levigriffin room

There has been some major room rearranging going on around here. Levi’s room (on the left) is turning into the baby’s nursery. And Griffin’s room (on the right) is now the boys’ shared room. Furniture has been moved, crib taken down, bunk beds set up, and some painting is happening today. Thankfully, my pregnancy brain was thinking clearly enough to remember to take pics of Griffin’s nursery before I tore it apart…so some room tours should be coming soon. Nothing like a nursery tour two and a half years late, right?! 😉

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The boys and I took a trip to San Diego to visit my parents. We loved our time with them and had so much fun. I have so many pictures to share from our beach adventures…hopefully soon. And apparently the Cali sun was a little too bright for Levi in this one.

bunkbeds

While we were gone, Joel set up bunk beds for the boys. They were so excited. They have been talking about sharing a room and their new beds for months. I am so grateful they love each other…most of the time. So when we got home we jumped right into the transition of sharing a room. They have actually done pretty well. I am still trying to figure out nap time but they are doing great at night. Yay!

potty training

We decided while we were in the midst of all these transitions why not throw in one more and potty train Griffin. Sounds reasonable, right? Ha, ha. Actually, I was dreading potty training  so much. Griffin carefully selected his Planes undies and was so excited about the whole thing. He always wants to be just like Levi, which sometimes causes a lot of drama but was very helpful in this case. Levi has been such a sweet cheerleader for his brother and Griffin has done awesome! I have used the 3 Day Potty Training method for both my boys and it has worked great for us. Obviously, I haven’t tried anything else…so I have nothing to compare it to…but what I love is that you are pretty much done with diapers and potty training in three days…even at night! Also, just in case you are wondering this is our favorite potty chair. We’ve tried others and this is by far the best. You are welcome. The last night of potty training we took the boys to the rodeo. I almost stayed home with Griffin because I wasn’t sure how he would do, but he loved the rodeo and after visiting the bathroom a million times he managed to even stay dry. So we are diaper free around here…at least for six more weeks!

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The rest of our summer has been filled with lots of time outside, mud, rainy days (so thankful for those!), planting our garden, tractor rides, toads, frogs, worms, more mud, and lots of baths. Between all the mud and potty training my washing machine is running all the time. If you want to see more of our everyday adventures (since I am not so good at blogging these days) you can follow me on Instagram. I am @jessmcclenahan

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What are you doing to stay in the Word this summer? I was already being lazy and making excuses about my quiet time so I was so thankful to start a new Bible study to help keep me accountable. My friend Julie and I are leading a community Bible study in our area again this summer. We started it last summer and it was so encouraging to me! We are doing the second book, The Lamb of God, in Nancy Guthrie’s series, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. We just finished the first chapter and next week we dive into the study of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers in Deuteronomy. I’ve already been so challenged as I’ve started reading through Exodus. Do you want to join me? I’m not doing anything “official” on the blog this year, but if you want to join me order a book today and get started. I’ll probably be referring to this study on my blog and Instagram throughout the summer as we go through one chapter each week…that is if I ever start blogging again! Let me know in the comments if you want to join me…or tell me what you are doing to stay in the Word this summer…I’d love to hear!

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This is Finnley. Isn’t she darling? She is in Griffin’s Sunday School class at church and is the hospital fighting kidney failure due to complications with E. Coli. There was another little girl from our church fighting the same thing and we are so thankful that she has gone home now. Praise God! But we are continuing to pray for Finnley and would love if you would pray too.

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Finn’s sweet and talented aunt, Lori, made this print for her. It is now available for purchase and all the proceeds go to the Finnley Walter Benefit Fund to help pay for medical expenses. Such a cute print for such a great cause!

I think that’s about all. I told you it was going to be random. Thank you so much for all your name suggestions you left in my last post. I knew you could help us out! We still haven’t decided on names for sure but we’ve got a pretty good list going. And we still have six weeks, right??? Somehow we will decide on a name for this sweet babe who will be here before I know it!

Happy Friday!

 

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  • Amanda - So glad you had fun in San Diego! Headed there in a few week. I cannot wait.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Oh yay! Have fun, Amanda!

  • Meggie - Loved this update! Thanks for sharing what y’all have been up to. =) I think the biggest, most intentional thing I’ve done this summer to stay in the Word is to make it my primary reading. I’m finishing up one other book right now, but that’s it. I’ve become so busy (and tired!) with my 3 little guys that it has been HARD getting up and ready before them with time to read my Bible and have a few minutes of quiet. And earlier this summer I felt convicted about “reading for pleasure” every now and then but neglecting my Bible. I’ve loved reading through the Gospel of John. Not sure what I’ll do next but I’m really enjoying just reading my Bible for pleasure.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Hi Meggie. Thanks so much for sharing that. I know there are so many things that I tend to pick up in the few spare moments I have between the craziness besides God’s Word too. It is such a discipline to learn to put God and His Word first. But a huge blessing when I do. I love how you are reading the Bible for pleasure. So great.

    • Jess - Hi Meggie. Thanks so much for sharing that. I know there are so many things that I tend to pick up in the few spare moments I have between the craziness besides God’s Word too. It is such a discipline to learn to put God and His Word first. But a huge blessing when I do. I love how you are reading the Bible for pleasure. So great.ReplyCancel

  • kim - Thanks for the update! I am going to buy the book and try to follow along with you guys 🙂 hopefully that will help me have my daily time in the Word.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Hi Kim. So glad you are going to join us as we go through the Nancy Guthrie study. It has been so encouraging to me so far…praying it is an encouragement to you this summer too!

    • Jess - Hi Kim. So glad you are going to join us as we go through the Nancy Guthrie study. It has been so encouraging to me so far…praying it is an encouragement to you this summer too!ReplyCancel

  • Lea - What an enjoyable update! Love the nursery, and love the bunk beds. So glad you had some time with your parents. And, the Bible Study sounds great. I’m reading through the New Testament and will continue that this summer. Blessings to you as “the time” draws near.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Thanks Lea! So neat how you are reading through the New Testament. Thanks for sharing and for your encouragement!

    • Jess - Thanks Lea! So neat how you are reading through the New Testament. Thanks for sharing and for your encouragement!ReplyCancel

  • Alyssa - Love the update! We are potty training too…almost there thank goodness! Glad you have that done before baby gets here!! Love their rooms, cant wait to see more, always love what you do!
    Cant wait to meet your new little guy/gal! So exciting!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Hi Alyssa. Yay for almost being done with potty training. Griffin is doing so great but we have definitely had our moments! We are getting so excited about meeting this babe of ours. Thanks for being excited along with us!

    • Jess - Hi Alyssa. Yay for almost being done with potty training. Griffin is doing so great but we have definitely had our moments! We are getting so excited about meeting this babe of ours. Thanks for being excited along with us!ReplyCancel

  • Debby Graber - I was just thinking about you yesterday! Was Joel as pumped as Al about the community life thing? So thankful for His leading in this and anxious to see what happens!
    Did you know that there were actually 9 kiddos who ended up with the e.coli from church? 3 ended up in the hospital with 2 of them developing into HUS. What a difficult time this has been and still continues to be. I can see the enemy attack through this – yet, I have seen the Lord triumph in many ways – in the relationships of the girls with eachother and also with the Lord. How that walk has deepend in the storm!!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Hi Debby! Yes, we are so excited about the community life thing too. Can’t wait to see what God does. I didn’t realize there were quite so many kids sick. That is a lot! This has been a difficult time for sure. So thankful for the Lord’s healing and the ability to see His hand through the hard things.

    • Jess - Hi Debby! Yes, we are so excited about the community life thing too. Can’t wait to see what God does. I didn’t realize there were quite so many kids sick. That is a lot! This has been a difficult time for sure. So thankful for the Lord’s healing and the ability to see His hand through the hard things.ReplyCancel

  • Diane taylor - Hey Jess – sorry I have not commented in awhile either. And I have no excuse!!! It is really hard to find the time for my Bible reading but lately I have made time whenever I can. Early morning, late at nite….whenever I can. I love my Jesus Calling calendar – reading it feels like a true conversation with Jesus. I got my parents one for Christmas (in large print of course!) and my mom says they read the day’s passage aloud together. That makes me smile 🙂 A gift they use every day. The next book I want to read is Love Does…..have you read it? I am so happy for you with your third baby coming. I include your family in my daily prayers. Yesterday was such a hard day for my son Jonathan’s dad – but he made it thru, we are missing Jonathan more as time goes by.

    Take care of yourself and enjoy these summer days!

    xxoo – DianeReplyCancel

  • Sarah D. - Haaaaa…. guess what book I started a few weeks ago!? Isn’t it so good!? Wish I were there to do it with you guys!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Yay!! Yes, soooo good. Wish we could do the study together too. Miss you!

    • Jess - Yay!! Yes, soooo good. Wish we could do the study together too. Miss you!ReplyCancel

  • Adrienne - Love your metal bunk beds! Please share where you got such a cute set! ThanksReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    IKEA!

  • Leiah - So you figure the $27 is a good investment for the potty training book? Or can you find the method else where?ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    I’m not sure if you can find the method anywhere else?? I think it would be worth the investment. It worked for me…but like I said I haven’t tried anything else so I am nothing to compare it to. 🙂

    • Jess - I’m not sure if you can find the method anywhere else?? I think it would be worth the investment. It worked for me…but like I said I haven’t tried anything else so I am nothing to compare it to. 🙂ReplyCancel