Day 20

I am staying strong.

20 days (but who is counting? Me!)

 No caffeine. 
.
.
.
No coffee. 
.
.
.
No Pepsi.
.
.
.
No Dr. Pepper.

It is just me and my Crystal Light.

With each passing day it gets easier and easier. It actually has not been very hard at all once I got over the first few days of having a headache.

I am also finding that I am eating out less for lunch so not to be tempted. And since no coffee in the am, not tempted to buy the Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches.  This is really helping the checkbook.

My husband has decided to join the no soda club (although he will have an occasional cup of Joe).  He had a headache too for the first couple days but I think he is over that now.

Of course since I am not buying soda for home, Tyler, our 13 year old, is not drinking it either.

All these great residual effects of me not drinking caffeine.

I got this!



Train Up A Child

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

I have always loved this bible verse and when you keep it always in the back of your mind it can work wonders with raising your children.

It is a simple concept.  Children do and say what they see.

If your home is fraught with anger, your child learns anger.

If your home is full of love and compassion, your child learns love and compassion.

If you love the LORD and live by the word, your child will learn to love the LORD, too.

My three children that are still at home, LOVE the LORD.  I see it daily. 

Although, Kaylyn is still a bit young, she loves going to nursery school at church each Sunday morning and paling around with her friends.  She is so sweet with the younger children in her class. I can't wait until she moves up to the next class this next fall where they start learning bible versus.

Hayden who is 4 just shines when he is at church group and preschool which is church based.  He comes home all the time singing a new song, reciting a new verse, telling me how "He died on the cross for our sins."  And he has so many questions some at times that I feel unqualified to answer, if I am to be honest.

Tyler, our 13 year old, who is at a very impressionable age, has become very compassionate these days.  He is really starting to grasp that not everyone is as blessed as we are.  And that we should be thankful for what we *have* not just in material possessions but spiritually, health, happiness, freedom.  I could go on.  This was clearly apparent on Christmas day night when we were driving home and saw an older homeless gentleman pushing a cart full of cans up the side of the road.  My heart broke.   We turned around and Tyler got out of the car and gave the man $10.00 of his own money.  The man gave him a huge smile and a thank you.  We wished him a Merry Christmas and we continued on our way.  We talked about this all the way home. 

Although, I know he has learned part of being compassionate to others from us, his family, I also know that it takes a *village* to raise up a child and right now part of that *village* is our church youth group.  He has become very involved in our church's youth group and has made many life long friends.  He loves going on their activities week after week.  The youth program we have at our church is PHENOMENAL with some great leaders and fun activities that keep the kids involved.  I know keeping him involved with the church is very important at his age.  Our youth leaders always come up with fun and exciting events to keep them coming back.  And I figure whatever keeps them coming in the door.  They learn life long lessons from the worship that our youth leaders teach them albeit it might not be evident today or tomorrow, but one day it will be crystal clear.  I am certain of that because of my own experiences growing up. 

You see, I have not always known the LORD.  I have been a Christian all my life and baptised when I was middle school age when I was part of a great youth group in Arizona. But again, I have not always KNOWN the LORD nor walked with the LORD. It has only been about the last 15 years or so that I have *learned* what it means to walk with the LORD and have given myself to him.  I know had I not been immersed in the youth group at that impressionable age of 10-13, things could have and most likely would have turned out different for me given the circumstances of my upbringing.  Don't get me wrong, it could have been a lot worse but there are many things I "learned" from my "training" and therefore have had to essentially break the cycle as I have become an adult for both myself and for and with my children.

So, when you think your children are just not getting it. When you repeat yourself a million and one times with no response. When you are seething mad about something that went awfully array.  They get it.  No doubt about it.  It may not seem like it at the time but they do.

Watch them.

Watch their actions.

Watch their interactions.

It might surprise you.

(or not)

Source



Spitting Fire

Seriously...spitting fire.

I must first start at the beginning and work up to why I am spitting fire right now (or a little while ago...I have calmed down at this point).

Our garbage disposal decided to go kaput this past Thursday right before the Christmas weekend.  And because it was a holiday and so much going on we put off fixing it for a few days.  It is still not fixed today.  Luckily we have a mother in law quarters type home so we actually have two kitchens.  With that being said it wasn't an immediate need to fix since we have another set of sinks although no dishwasher.  Therefore we have been hand washing dishes in the interim and using the other kitchen for the most part.

Tonight while I was cooking dinner, I decided to take a few pictures of the dinner I was cooking so I could post it at a later time.  Left the camera on the counter, not in plain site, but not up high, on the counter behind the sugar container. 

Went around the corner into the other kitchen to put some dishes in the sink and grab a wet wash cloth to wipe down counters and table.  Literally in there for maybe a min or so and noticed that Hayden was no where near me.  Walked back into the other kitchen and he was holding the camera.  Went to get it away from him and noticed that it was dripping with gravy.  Gravy that was in the crock pot from our dinner last night that I hadn't dumped out and cleaned  yet.  Not even sure why or how it got in the crock pot since the lid had been on it when I was in there previously.  But never the less, somehow it made its way into the crock pot. 

CAMERA.COMPLETELY.RUINED.

You might remember this was our NEW camera that we bought as our Christmas present.  We have had the camera less than a month. 

I am, or was, spitting fire.  I know it can be replaced but so frustrating.  I am sure I spit out a few choice words which I am none to proud of but I am sure you can understand.  This is two cameras now that have been ruined courtesy of Hayden. 

I love my son. I love my son. I love my son.  (I really do but man.....to the moon!)   He is 4 so he is old enough to know and understand what he did but I know as the adult I should have put it up which I usually do just not this time. 

Your kids ever do anything that is so maddening?



Source



Scale Disclaimer

Something to consider as 2011 ends and the New Year begins.  Many of us, including me, will most likely make some type of New Years resolution to lose weight.  When you get on that scale remember the following:

Source

And remember, if at first you don't succeed try and try again.  (I know a bit cliche).  Tomorrow is a new day.

Black Friday Survival 101

Can you believe it?  It’s already Christmas! 

I know, I know maybe I am getting just a tad bit ahead of myself.  Maybe we should get past Thanksgiving first. 

A few more days and we will be in full on shopping mode.  Tis the season, right? 

What!  You’re not going shopping?  You are not one of the millions of brave souls that will be partaking in the Black Friday madness?  MEEE neither!

Open, Open, Open….at the crack of dawn...for….a few bucks?  I guess you can argue to say that sometimes depending on what you are after that it is more than a few bucks but even so.   How much is your time worth?

I’ll be honest this will only be the second year, in many years past, that I will not be one of those crazy people.  And I am not making fun of them by any means because as I just noted, I “was” one of those crazy people.  And then I put it all in perspective. 

A couple years ago I was after a coveted item, if I remember right it was a digital frame that was on sale at Target for  $59 or something like that.  I literally waited in line for well over an hour before I decided that I really didn’t want it and left it in between the toothpaste and mouthwash.  I proceeded to wait another hour or so, line zig-zagging, aisle to aisle, feet and back aching, bladder about ready to burst, to purchase my other items that were by no means hot sellers however they were on sale.  But in the end when I looked at my receipt (failed to do the math as I was standing in line) I literally only saved like $15.00.  And for what, 2 hours of my time and items that I could have waited to purchase later that day or the next week for that matter.

With that being said I threw in the shopping bag so to speak last year and didn’t do the Black Friday sales.  I gave my daughter a list of a few items, the cash and let her lose.  Short of shopping on line, this my friends was the easiest shopping that I had ever done. I am not sure why I hadn’t thought about doing it this way before.  I got the deals, steals AND slept in my warm comfy bed past 4am.  LOL.  I think I rolled out of bed blurry eyed, hair in disarray when I heard the front door open and the bags rustling.  How awesome is that?  

If you are going to brave the masses on Friday to save a few bucks let me share with you a few tips that I have learned through the years:

1)      The first store you want to go to is the store that has the “most” coveted item and the biggest dollar savings.

2)      Always wear comfy shoes.  You will be standing for long periods of time.  Tennis shoes are preferable since they grip the linoleum better.  And you will need to dash and grab so the faster you are the better.

3)      Coffee is your friend however DON’T drink too much because then you will need to go to the bathroom AND it will be at the most inopportune time.

4)      DO NOT USE A CART unless the items are to big to carry.  Might I suggest a laundry basket, one you bring yourself or one you can get from the store you are shopping at and then buy it.   

5)      Take CASH.  This will help you stay on budget AND speed up your check out process so you can move onto the next store faster.

6)      Take a snack in your purse.  This is going to be a long day and there is no time for sit down eating.  Fiber is best.  It will fill you up, plug you up from the coffee and give you a bit of energy.

7)       Make friends with the people in front of you and behind you, it will make your several hours in line much more tolerable AND they might just save your spot if you do have to go to the bathroom.

8)  Elbows can be classified as deadly weapons so when you see one coming at you, duck and cover.  No item is worth a black eye or bruised ribs.

9)  Make sure your cell phone and/or iPad is fully charged so if you need to call for back up, you can.  Also, many stores have Wi Fi so playing games or hanging out on Facebook are also good ways to pass the time in line

10)And last but not least, have fun.  This is only one day, you have many more days to shop and I am certain that there will be more sales before than.  If you don't get that ONE item, it is not the end of the world.  Really, I promise.

Happy Black Friday!

What's on your must have list this year?

http://www.cute-wallpaper.com/

Sweet Anaya ~Flying With The Angels

You may have seen the button on my left sidebar for a few weeks.  This was in honor of Anaya, a 2 year old little girl who had Infantile Krabbe Leukodystrophy.  Although I never met her or her family, I started following their story when they broke down in Salem, Oregon as they were headed south to California from BC.

On their journey down south they were trying to spread awareness about infant screening for this disease.  Currently only two states are required to screen for this disease.  Although, nobody knows what could have been for sweet Anaya had she been screened, at least there may have been a glimmer of hope.  Most children die within the first year after being diagnosed.

Unfortunately, getting to the sunshine was not in God's plan.  

She passed away yesterday surrounded by her family who so obviously loved and adored her.

Her life may have been cut short but she has truly impacted many.  I personally hope that her family continues to crusade in her honor so that other families will not have to go through what they did. 



To read more about her story go to Healing Anaya.

R.I.P Anaya.  May she be flying freely, seeing, hearing, and dancing in heaven under a rainbow of colors.

You have touched the lives of so many.  May your memory continue to live on.

I Am Number 20

In case you didn’t hear, which is probably highly unlikely being is was splashed all over the internet and TV the last couple days, The Duggar Family will soon be 19 20 and counting. 

Number 20 is in the womb.

Michelle Duggar is pregnant again and is due this spring.

I have actually revised this post a few different times because the words, they just weren't flowing right.  I am feeling a bit torn on this topic to be perfectly honest because there is a swaying dance between my beliefs on the subject.  And I feel that they might be viewed as somewhat contradictory but I guess that is ok.


Work with me here.


I believe that nobody should determine whether or not someone should or should not use birth control, how many children is the right number for them/their family or whether they should have children at all.  I believe that ALL children are a GIFT from GOD and should be celebrated no matter what birth order number they are.  However I also think there does or should come a time when a decision is made that a family is complete. 


In The Duggar families case, I have read that they do not use contraceptives and they have said time and time again that they will have as many children that GOD allows them to have.


But under the circumstances of her last pregnancy, I think that might have been a sign?  I don’t know if you remember, her last pregnancy, could have resulted in much worse circumstances.  As it is their little girl, Josie, was born premature, had months in the NICU and Michelle herself ended up having health issues herself during this time.  The little girl seems to have come out of everything unscathed and will be turning 2 here shortly but still. 

Maybe 19 was their magic number.


I know that some might say that if it wasn't "meant" to be then she would not be pregnant again, and again, I can see this side of the story too BUT even so. 

At what point, does one say enough is enough?

I just can't imagine what their household is like with so many children?  How can "they" care for so many children?  I think the answer is clear, they really can't which is why a lot of the older children "help out".  Which begs to question, who is "really" parenting the children?  Who is "really" taking care of the children?  I know they home school therefore they are physically with the children most of the time but are they really "with" them?


As an older sister to several brothers when I was growing up and around my younger brothers, not that I didn't love my brothers by any means, but I was still a kid myself and wanted to be a kid, not take care of my parents children.  With that in mind, as a mother with two older children and two younger children, I rarely ask them for help with the littles.  It is not their responsibility.  Not that they wouldn't help if asked and not that they don't love their siblings whole heartily.  But rather they are kids and need to be kids.  The Duggar family says that by having the older ones help them it is teaching them responsibility which I agree but it is also most likely creating some underlying resentment too that although may not be apparent now; it will probably likely manifest as they get older. 

I know some might say that as long as they can support them let them be.  And again to a point, I agree, yet even if you have the means, with each additional child you bring into a family, the costs increase drastically.  At what point does the well run dry?

I don't know... but in light of her last pregnancy issues, I think they are pushing it. 

Although in the end who am I to judge?


What do you think?

Words

Words.

So eloquent.

On paper or screen.

They paint a picture.

They tell a story.

They share an emotion.

They console.

They hurt.

They linger in the back of your mind sometimes forever.

Words.

They create memories.

Good.

Bad.

Indifferent.

Words.

They sometimes are more damaging than you think.

Words.

They can not be taken back.

THINK before you speak.



Do You...

Do you ever walk into a room, forget what you came in for, walk back out and remember?

Do you ever put your ipod on shuffle only to skip the song it selects for another one?

Do you ever forget that  your computer still works even if the Internet doesn't?

Do you ever frantically look for something, can't find it at the time, but it magically appears when you no longer need it?

Do you ever ask what the ulterior motive is when someone compliments you?

I didn't think so.  Me neither, I was just wondering.

Happy Friday everyone!  T.G.I.F.

I am out the door on my way to Lincoln City for a Women's Retreat.  No kids, no husband, no chores, no cooking.  Ahh, glorious!!! (Can you tell I am just a little bit excited ?). 

Enjoy your weekend and see you on Monday!




**Thank you pinterest for these intriguing I Can Relate questions.

You Know You...

Live in a house with several males when...

• You randomly find underwear, boxers, briefs, in odd places.

• They think it is the *norm* to drink out of the milk carton (I caught Hayden trying to do that just yesterday).

• They make it known, loud & clear, that they lifted the seat when they went to the bathroom (yet often times don't flush)

• There is toothpaste gunk in the bathroom sinks on most days (why is it so hard to spit, then rinse?)

• We have air fresheners strategically placed throughout our house.

• Utensils those are for special occasions.  (LOL)

• Bed head is how they roll (who needs a comb or brush).

And last but not least....

•  If it is football, basketball or baseball season (so pretty much 365 days /year) and the tv is on, it is on a game.

I hope Kaylyn learns to love sports as much as her dad and brothers otherwise, she is going to be odd women out.  I think our oldest daughter needs to move back home.  We need less testosterone and more estrogen in this house. 

Bring on HGTV!  Or better yet, how about a Lifetime movie?



Out Of The Mouth Of Babes

As I am changing Kaylyn's dirty diaper Hayden pipes up:

Mommy, when you are old I will change your diaper.

Isn't that a bit presumptious?  Who said I was going to wear diapers when I get older?  Where did this kid get this? He has been watching too much tv.  It must be those Kardashians.  Kris Jenner has a leaking problem lately so she is now a spokesperson for Poise.

Ok, so I probably will wear diapers again one day so I guess it is best that we got this cleared up now when he is 4. I must admit that it has been in the back of my mind ever since I turned 30 (lol). 

They always say be nice to your children because one day they will be taking care of you.  I better get on that; that being nice thing.

I can now rest assured that I will at least have a clean bum when I am senile and drooling in a retirement facility.  (Sorry that might come off as a bit insensitive; not all *older* people are senile and drool).


Have a great day!


Have any funnys that your kids have said to you recently?

Image Courtesy of http://www.depends.com/



Co Sleeping

You either agree with it OR you don't.

This seems to be a *hot* topic of debate from time to time that does not have a grey area. It is black or white.

I see both sides of the coin.  I was a non co sleeping parent for my first two children.  I was *super* young when I had our oldest daughter and so everything was by the book.  Sleep in the crib, on side, no heavy blankets in crib, no stuffed animals in crib...You get the picture. 

When the second child came along a few years later I relaxed a little bit but he was a good sleeper and slept well in his crib so I never messed with a good thing.  He had a comforter and I even think we propped up a few cute stuffed animals at the foot of his crib.

And then I had the 3rd & 4th child.  This is where co sleeping entered our life.

It started off casually and innocent enough.  First with Hayden starting back in June 2007. Second with Kaylyn starting back in May 2010. 

I would *obviously* be up several times in the middle of the night feeding the baby.  Instead of putting them back in their bassinet where they seemed to "not sleep like a baby" I would snuggle with them in our bed.  They slept so much more sound when right next to me, skin to skin.  They could hear my heartbeat. They could feel my warm breath on their cool little bald heads. I could feel them breath.  Often times we both slept pretty sound and for longer increments.   It was all good.  I didn't think twice about it.  It became a habit.  This was part of our special times, just snuggling and drifting off to sleep. 

It is now July 2011. 

Hayden gradually graduated to his bed at around age 1 1/2-2, not that he never slept in his crib/bed prior to that but often times he would start out there and end up in with us. Half the time, I wouldn't even know he was in with us until I woke up in the morning, that is how *dog* tired I was.  Thankfully, he now sleeps in his bed, starts out in his bed and most days wakes up in his bed.  I would say 3 out of the 7 days I find myself with a sliver of the bed and a leg or arm intertwined with mine.

Kaylyn, is 14 months.  We have this beautiful crib that she has never *really* slept in. Seriously.  She has been in it a few times when I need her confined for short periods but mostly she sleeps with us, still.  And combine her now with on occasion Hayden in with us, does not make for a good night sleep.  We only have a queen size bed so you can only imagine how packed in like sardines we are.  No wonder why my neck and back ache daily.

I know we *should* get her into her crib because the longer we do this dance the harder it will be to break her from it but I *love* co sleeping.  I *love* that special bonding time. I *love* that she still likes to snuggle up under my chin, lays her head on my chest and falls fast to sleep.  Heck, half of the time I am not too far behind. I *love* softly stroking her little head as she gazes up at me.  I *love* the smell of my little girl.  I just *love* the closeness. 

I know everyone has their opinions about co sleeping and maybe we are still co sleeping for my own selfish reasons (I have analyzed this for a while now).  But I am not ready.  She might be.  I don't know.  She is our last baby so I think I am going to milk it as long as I can (or until my husband says enough is enough which I think he likes the snuggle time too so it may be awhile).

Good Night!  I am off to co sleep with my baby!

Do you co sleep now or have you in the past?  What were your reasons for co sleeping? Was it hard to *wean* the child?  At what point did you *wean* the child from co sleeping?

Image Courtesy of http://www.tessstimson.com/

(Found this cute picture however not a true depiction of our family since we only have 4 kids and 1 has recently moved out...but you get the picture.)