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Its been said that 80% of parents co-sleep in some way or form. They just don't admit it out of fear of being ridiculed and/or criticized.Yes, people do say a lot about co-sleeping. Does that matter?
I think not. And here's why.
Monday, August 31, 2009
What They Say on Co-Sleeping
Its been said that 80% of parents co-sleep in some way or form. They just don't admit it out of fear of being ridiculed and/or criticized.Yes, people do say a lot about co-sleeping. Does that matter?
I think not. And here's why.
Friday, August 28, 2009
And So, I Run
I'm on week 3 of the Couch to 5K program and I am feeling great. I can walk up the stairs now without getting out of breathe. I have more energy. My pants are loose. Life is good.
Plus, there's something so peaceful about running in the early morning. I actually look forward to it. Being alone, sans kids, watching the sun come up as I run, feeling the early morning mist on my face...definitely my new favorite way of recharging my batteries.
There are a couple of parks in my area with tracks, but I find that I love to go up to my old high school and run in their football field. The grass gets my feet wet, but it is so peaceful up there on the hill, with the windmill to keep me company. I just had to take some pictures:
So, to all those people who told me how fun and relaxing and great running is, you were so right.
Plus, there's something so peaceful about running in the early morning. I actually look forward to it. Being alone, sans kids, watching the sun come up as I run, feeling the early morning mist on my face...definitely my new favorite way of recharging my batteries.
There are a couple of parks in my area with tracks, but I find that I love to go up to my old high school and run in their football field. The grass gets my feet wet, but it is so peaceful up there on the hill, with the windmill to keep me company. I just had to take some pictures:
So, to all those people who told me how fun and relaxing and great running is, you were so right. And so, I run.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
We Have Tadpoles!
About two weeks ago, the Knight and I took the girls up to my mother's old house that she had moved out of. Her and her boyfriend are fixing the house up and planning on moving back in next month.
We were all out in the yard and decided to inspect the neglected pool. This pool has not been used in two years, and is full of green water. To our surprise, the entire pool was FULL of tadpoles. And two very big frogs.
Now we know what happens when ALL the eggs hatch and survive. With no natural enemies in the pool, there were literally hundreds of tadpoles swimming around. It was very bizarre.
The Knight and I realized a learning opportunity when we saw one so two hours later we had tadpoles on our deck:
The girls love watching them swim around and slowly change into frogs. So far we've had three complete the transformation and the girls helped to release them each time.
We were all out in the yard and decided to inspect the neglected pool. This pool has not been used in two years, and is full of green water. To our surprise, the entire pool was FULL of tadpoles. And two very big frogs.
Now we know what happens when ALL the eggs hatch and survive. With no natural enemies in the pool, there were literally hundreds of tadpoles swimming around. It was very bizarre.
The Knight and I realized a learning opportunity when we saw one so two hours later we had tadpoles on our deck:
The girls love watching them swim around and slowly change into frogs. So far we've had three complete the transformation and the girls helped to release them each time.Just another day of spontaneous learning.
Giveaway: Baby's Bliss Nipple Cream!
The Guppy hasn't nursed in seven days. I'm so happy that our breastfeeding relationship lasted as long as it did, especially when reflecting back on when she was a newborn and her latch was incorrect. My nipples were so sore and literally looked like raw hamburger!
New moms that experience sore nipples will now be able to find relief with Baby's Bliss Nipple Cream for Mommies. Baby's Bliss is well known for their Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, the #1 selling colic remedy in the U.S. Now they are offering mom's a nipple cream that is all natural and free of parabens, petroleum, and animal products. This nipple cream is not only 100% vegan and gluten and soy free, but it is also cruelty-free and non-greasy.
Right now Baby's Bliss is now offering readers 20% off their entire order through Labor Day. Just enter the code0BLOG9, in all capitals, valid through 9/7/09.
Win It!
I have one 1.67 fl. oz tube of Baby's Bliss Nipple Cream for Mommies to give away to one lucky reader.
Here's how to enter:
1. Visit Baby's Bliss and take a look around.
2. Come back here and leave a comment telling me which product you love and why.
For additional entries:
1. Follow my blog (publicly).
2. Subscribe to my blog.
3. Follow me on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway. Just be sure to add @roxanne600 to the tweet or leave me a link. You can do this once a day for an extra entry a day.
5. Blog about this giveaway. Be sure to come back and link to your post.
This contest is open to U.S residents only. I will randomly choose a winner on Monday, September 14th. The winner will have three days to contact me before I choose another winner. Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you enter.
Good luck!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Angel
The light strikes her hair, and I feel like I'm looking at an angel.For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes For Mom.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Be Still, My Heart
Today she wears my favorite dress. I tell her it has cherries on it, but she insists that they are apples. She puts her hands on her hips as she tells me this, so stubborn and strong with her opinions.She turns three next month. Her hair is long enough to braid. She hasn't nursed in six days.
Last night, she tells me that she doesn't want to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed anymore. She makes herself a comfy bed out of pillows and blankets on the floor. She falls asleep without nanas or constant cuddles, just a kiss on the cheek and a goodnight hug like the big girls do.
It's going way too fast for me.
Halfway through the night she wakes up. Mommy, I don't want to be a big girl anymore. Can I sleep next to you?
I wake up in the morning with her little arm thrown around my neck, her hair smelling like sunshine. She's still my baby, but for how long?
Please don't let this moment end.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Not Me Monday
This week, I did not yell a stream of curses at the computer three four times while the girls were in the room.
I did not forget to feed the cat for three days in a row. (And before you animal lovers start sending me hate mail, The Knight always remembers to pick up my slack and feed the cat. So no, she didn't starve).
I did not take off The Guppy's diaper and let her walk around with a bare heiny because I was too lazy to walk upstairs to get a new diaper. (Trust me, I paid for that one. Twice.)
I did not eat six chocolate chip cookies while at a cookout.
I did not lose a library book and I did not tear the house apart trying to find it. And I did not go to the library without it and I did not glare at the checkout librarian when she cheerfully rattled off my late fees.
I did not skip over The Knight's turn on our Netflix queue because I absolutely cannot wait another day to see this movie.
I did not throw away our tax check. Yeah, that was a big one.
And finally, I did not tell The Mermaid that the sprinkler was broken because I wanted to avoid sitting outside in the heat.
I rock.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Pinch Me
The Mermaid has such long hair. She asks me if we can do "new" hairstyles with it. So, after watching a video on YouTube, I attempt my first french braid:
It's messy. It's too loose. She doesn't care.
She just knows that for the past twenty minutes, we had sat down together and talked and giggled while my fingers massaged her scalp and worked through her hair.
Later, at bedtime, I tell her it is time to take it out. She reluctantly agrees, but only after I pinky promise that I will "practice" braiding her hair again really soon.
Promise, Mommy? It's so much fun! And she eagerly looks at me, her little face peeking out from a mass of wavy long hair. I call her My Rapunzel and repeat my promise.
I am a mother of girls, and I can french braid. Life is good.
It's messy. It's too loose. She doesn't care.She just knows that for the past twenty minutes, we had sat down together and talked and giggled while my fingers massaged her scalp and worked through her hair.
Later, at bedtime, I tell her it is time to take it out. She reluctantly agrees, but only after I pinky promise that I will "practice" braiding her hair again really soon.
Promise, Mommy? It's so much fun! And she eagerly looks at me, her little face peeking out from a mass of wavy long hair. I call her My Rapunzel and repeat my promise.
I am a mother of girls, and I can french braid. Life is good.
The Most Peaceful Sound In The World
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Love.
Mommy, I'm sick she says, and reaches for me.
Does your tummy hurt? No.
Does your throat hurt? No.
Well, what hurts? My heart, and I don't know why.
I understand. Sometimes I feel the same way.
We sit on the couch and cuddle, and I rock her back and forth for a while, like I used to do when she was a tiny baby. Back then she couldn't tell me what was bothering her, and sometimes she still can't.
I give her a kiss and she sits up and smiles. Thanks Mommy, I feel better now and she runs off to play.
Sometimes love is the only medicine you need. And oh, My Mermaid, how I love you.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Breastfeeding In The News.
Lisa over at Peaceful Parenting wrote a great blog post about breastfeeding and cavities: Big Bad Cavities: Breastfeeding Is Not The Cause.
It's Time For More Mothers To Breastfeed, U.S. Officials Say. This article is overdue. The article states:
Breastmilk Component Kills Cancer Cells. From the article:
Breast Milk Contains Stem Cells. From the article:
An excellent post about Lactivism entitled Confessions of a Proud Breastfeeding Zealot. From the post:
And finally, a WONDERFUL video about nursing from birth to 2 years and beyond. The ending is the best part; the Guppy likes to do the same thing to me when she nurses!
It's Time For More Mothers To Breastfeed, U.S. Officials Say. This article is overdue. The article states:
With breast-feeding rates still not at the levels health-care providers and policymakers would like, two U.S. health agencies have decided it's time to take action.
Representatives of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office of Women's Health, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, are spending much of Thursday at CDC headquarters in Atlanta listening to breast-feeding experts tell them what needs to be done to get more women to breast-feed.
Then, by the middle of next year, the agencies say, they plan to issue a "Call to Action" -- a federal document that recommends specific policies and activities to address what they refer to as "an urgent public health priority."
Breastmilk Component Kills Cancer Cells. From the article:
A few years ago immunology student, Anders Hakansson1, of Lund University, Sweden, was experimenting by mixing human milk, cancer cells and bacteria. To his surprise the cancer cells were "acting up". Their volume was decreasing and their nuclei shrinking. Hakansson's supervisor, Catharina Svanborg, quickly recognized that the cancer cells were committing suicide. The phenomenon of apoptosis, whereby the body rids itself of old and unnecessary cells was well known, however for this to occur with cancer cells was unknown as their usual pattern is to reproduce in an uncontrolled fashion. Something in the breastmilk caused the cancer cells to self-destruct.
Breast Milk Contains Stem Cells. From the article:
The Perth scientist who made the world-first discovery that human breast milk contains stem cells is confident that within five years scientists will be harvesting them to research treatment for conditions as far-reaching as spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
But what Dr Mark Cregan is excited about right now is the promise that his discovery could be the start of many more exciting revelations about the potency of breast milk.
An excellent post about Lactivism entitled Confessions of a Proud Breastfeeding Zealot. From the post:
The current breastfeeding backlash is a reaction to a certain intensity surrounding the issue of breastfeeding that did indeed gain currency over the past decade or so. But what today's mothers - the ones who are fueling the breastfeeding backlash with their criticisms and complaints - don't appreciate or maybe even realize is that the activism and advocacy they are slamming was actually an important, grassroots women's health movement that managed to fundamentally change the way our culture views and treats breastfeeding within only about ten years (!!!). And any time you have a movement that erupts out of a sense of frustration and oppression, and manages to turn that frustration into the kind of power it takes to create meaningful change on a big issue, that movement is going to have to be both pushy and loud.
And finally, a WONDERFUL video about nursing from birth to 2 years and beyond. The ending is the best part; the Guppy likes to do the same thing to me when she nurses!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Five Years Of Loving Nourishment
When The Mermaid was born, The Knight and I were living out of state from the rest of my family. Although they really weren't so far away, I had never felt so alone in my life. I was a new mom, a mom who did not know much but I knew that I wanted to breastfeed. I didn't know anyone else who had breastfed their baby. I didn't even know anyone else who had a baby; I was the first of my generation in the family and the first of my friends.
Despite my postpartum depression that went undiagnosed for almost A YEAR, I got through that tough time, mostly thanks to the Knight's unfailing love and support and one single phone call to a La Leche Leader whose name I don't remember but who will forever always be an angel in my heart. It also helped when my mother invited us to move in with her, so that I could get more help from my family and so we could start to put our finances back in order.
The Knight took this picture the morning after we moved into my mother's house. I love this picture. It fits our situation so perfectly; a little grey and blurry, and I look a little sad, but I was finally starting to feel better. There was optimism back in my life, and I was finally able to sit and nurse The Mermaid without stress and worry and just let my love for her flow over me.
I remember when The Mermaid was first born, I would sit up at night to nurse her and turn on MTV (this was before I smartened up and learned how to nurse lying down). At two in the morning, they always had the same 12 songs looped together to play over and over again. I don't remember all the songs, but I remember three: One Thing by Finger Eleven, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, and She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5. I remember these songs because for two years afterwards, whenever one of these songs would come on the radio I would have huge letdowns.
I was proud of my body back then. Despite the fact that I had PPD, my breasts were full and nourishing my baby.
When The Guppy was born, things were completely different. We were still living with my mother, surrounded by love and support. I was a more confident mother, and I had had an amazing homebirth. Breastfeeding The Guppy had its bumps in the beginning, but soon we worked them out and it went smoothly.
Can you see the difference in this picture? I'm smiling. There's so much love in this picture, it is definitely a favorite of mine.
I can't wait.
Despite my postpartum depression that went undiagnosed for almost A YEAR, I got through that tough time, mostly thanks to the Knight's unfailing love and support and one single phone call to a La Leche Leader whose name I don't remember but who will forever always be an angel in my heart. It also helped when my mother invited us to move in with her, so that I could get more help from my family and so we could start to put our finances back in order.
The Knight took this picture the morning after we moved into my mother's house. I love this picture. It fits our situation so perfectly; a little grey and blurry, and I look a little sad, but I was finally starting to feel better. There was optimism back in my life, and I was finally able to sit and nurse The Mermaid without stress and worry and just let my love for her flow over me.I remember when The Mermaid was first born, I would sit up at night to nurse her and turn on MTV (this was before I smartened up and learned how to nurse lying down). At two in the morning, they always had the same 12 songs looped together to play over and over again. I don't remember all the songs, but I remember three: One Thing by Finger Eleven, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, and She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5. I remember these songs because for two years afterwards, whenever one of these songs would come on the radio I would have huge letdowns.
I was proud of my body back then. Despite the fact that I had PPD, my breasts were full and nourishing my baby.
When The Guppy was born, things were completely different. We were still living with my mother, surrounded by love and support. I was a more confident mother, and I had had an amazing homebirth. Breastfeeding The Guppy had its bumps in the beginning, but soon we worked them out and it went smoothly.
Can you see the difference in this picture? I'm smiling. There's so much love in this picture, it is definitely a favorite of mine.
Time has passed quickly again and The Guppy is weaning. In fact, for two weeks she did wean before changing her mind, and she hasn't nursed at all the past two days. My breasts are no longer full; I no longer feel any letdowns. It is such a completely different feeling from when I had to be careful about which radio station I chose to listen to, to avoid hearing one of those three songs that would result in a soaking wet shirt.
At first, this made me terribly sad. But now, I feel pride. I'm proud of my body, and how it nourished and grew babies for over five years straight. And since The Knight and I want to have one more, I'm excited that I'm going to be able to witness those miracles again.
I can't wait.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Homeschool Update
This summer we've been a bit lazy in terms of homeschooling.
Rather than sit down and focus on our curriculum, we've been spending a lot of time playing outside and visiting friends. We've got a pretty basic schedule worked out, although it frequently changes. Mondays and Thursdays we either stay at home or visit friends. Tuesdays we go to a La Leche League meeting where the girls socialize and then hit a park or go home and play outside. Wednesdays we head over to the EcoTarium for their preschool program, followed by dance class. And Fridays, we usually go to the library and then grocery shopping, where the girls help me add up the costs of items to stay within our budget, count how many things we need on the list, etc.
We've also been playing a lot of games, like Candyland, Sorry!, and card games like GoldFish and Memory.
I've noticed that The Guppy and The Mermaid tend to have different learning styles. The Guppy likes to just observe; for a while, when she wouldn't participate hands on in our projects, I was slightly worried that she wasn't "learning" anything. But later, I would overhear her "teaching" her dolls whatever we've been learning, so I know she is picking things up just by observing.
The Mermaid, however, is very hands on. She picks things up really quickly, and is a "greedy" learner. She wants to learn the next thing, and she wants to learn it NOW. Lately she's been begging me to teach her how to read, and I've been thinking of finally going through Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons with her.
My girls are young and I am new at homeschooling, but we love it. I feel so blessed to be able to be my girls teacher, and to be able to learn from them as well. I can't wait to see what comes up next in our homeschooling journey!
Rather than sit down and focus on our curriculum, we've been spending a lot of time playing outside and visiting friends. We've got a pretty basic schedule worked out, although it frequently changes. Mondays and Thursdays we either stay at home or visit friends. Tuesdays we go to a La Leche League meeting where the girls socialize and then hit a park or go home and play outside. Wednesdays we head over to the EcoTarium for their preschool program, followed by dance class. And Fridays, we usually go to the library and then grocery shopping, where the girls help me add up the costs of items to stay within our budget, count how many things we need on the list, etc.
We've also been playing a lot of games, like Candyland, Sorry!, and card games like GoldFish and Memory.
I've noticed that The Guppy and The Mermaid tend to have different learning styles. The Guppy likes to just observe; for a while, when she wouldn't participate hands on in our projects, I was slightly worried that she wasn't "learning" anything. But later, I would overhear her "teaching" her dolls whatever we've been learning, so I know she is picking things up just by observing.
The Mermaid, however, is very hands on. She picks things up really quickly, and is a "greedy" learner. She wants to learn the next thing, and she wants to learn it NOW. Lately she's been begging me to teach her how to read, and I've been thinking of finally going through Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons with her.
My girls are young and I am new at homeschooling, but we love it. I feel so blessed to be able to be my girls teacher, and to be able to learn from them as well. I can't wait to see what comes up next in our homeschooling journey!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Saving Even More Money
This post is sponsored by Kmart. All opinions are mine.
Since the Knight and I started Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, saving money has been a huge goal for us. We work at sticking to our budget, and if we decide that we need to buy something, we wait until it goes on sale.
Now, Kmart is making our goal much easier to reach with their Kmart Bluelight specials. In fact, Kmart is having a Bluelight Specials sale this Saturday only, where you can get great deals on everything from patio furniture, to grills, to jewelry!
Not only is Kmart offering awesome deals on over forty items in their stores, there will also be great sale offers on kmart.com, but only during this one-day sale!
Here are just some examples of the great offers that will be available this Saturday, August 15th:
* Kids Backpacks (Athletech, Route 66 and Licensed) reg. $19.99 – Bluelight $8!
* American Fare Vita-Water 2 for $1
* All Patio Furniture 70% off! (+ an extra 20% off during bluelight!)
* 70 count Notebooks – Buy 2 Get 1 Free
* Diamond Jewelry extra 10% (Diamonds are already 70% off this week!)
I know I will be definitely hitting the stores to take advantage of the great deals on backpacks and notebooks!
Remember, this Bluelight Specials sale is this Saturday only! And for updates on future sales, be sure to follow Kmart on Twitter.
Since the Knight and I started Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, saving money has been a huge goal for us. We work at sticking to our budget, and if we decide that we need to buy something, we wait until it goes on sale.
Now, Kmart is making our goal much easier to reach with their Kmart Bluelight specials. In fact, Kmart is having a Bluelight Specials sale this Saturday only, where you can get great deals on everything from patio furniture, to grills, to jewelry!
Not only is Kmart offering awesome deals on over forty items in their stores, there will also be great sale offers on kmart.com, but only during this one-day sale!
Here are just some examples of the great offers that will be available this Saturday, August 15th:
* Kids Backpacks (Athletech, Route 66 and Licensed) reg. $19.99 – Bluelight $8!
* American Fare Vita-Water 2 for $1
* All Patio Furniture 70% off! (+ an extra 20% off during bluelight!)
* 70 count Notebooks – Buy 2 Get 1 Free
* Diamond Jewelry extra 10% (Diamonds are already 70% off this week!)
I know I will be definitely hitting the stores to take advantage of the great deals on backpacks and notebooks!
Remember, this Bluelight Specials sale is this Saturday only! And for updates on future sales, be sure to follow Kmart on Twitter.
Prince Charming Really Is A Manwhore.
Photo by Val School BlogLately the girls have been very much into movies that revolve around Princesses and Prince Charming: Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Shrek, you get the picture. It made me realize how much of a manwhore Prince Charming is. How many princesses can he possibly marry?
Anyways, it was just a fleeting thought that I didn't think about again until it personally touched our family.
The other day, I heard The Mermaid and The Guppy giggling an awful lot in their room. I headed upstairs to find them decked out in their dress up princess dresses, including all the appropriate accessories (princess shoes, crowns, necklaces, you get the idea). When I asked The Mermaid what they were doing, she informed me (quite haughtily, I might add) that they were getting ready for their wedding to Prince Charming.
Damn it, that manwhore had stolen my daughters' hearts.
I smiled at their innocent play and went on my day. About 20 minutes later, however, I heard both The Mermaid and The Guppy "play crying" in their rooms. When I walked in, The Mermaid was holding a receipt from the library and, with dramatic play crying and grieving, was waving it around in the air like it was covered in poop.
"What in the world is wrong?" I asked, and The Mermaid said "The Prince is not here, and he left us a note!"
Uh oh. That's never a good sign.
Playing along, I asked, "Well, what does it say?"
My precious four year old spun around, and giving me a look that made me absolutely sure that at that moment, she thought I was the biggest idiot ever, yelled: I DON'T KNOW, I CAN'T READ!!!
Ah. So, not only was she being left at the altar by Prince Manwhore, but she can't even read his parting words. Being four must be the hardest. thing. ever.
Well, at least she now has strong motivation to learn to read. She's been asking me to teach her ever since.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: How Is It Possible..
..that she was ever this small? The Guppy, one hour old.
For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes For Mom.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Telling A 4 Year Old She Will Burn In Hell Does Not Earn You Brownie Points With God.
The other day, I was folding laundry in the master bedroom while the girls were playing in the backyard. The doorbell rang and when I answered it, there stood two very nicely dressed, nice looking girls. These girls were young, they could not have been older than 15 years old.
They were Jehovah's Witnesses.
Now, I get that part of their religion calls for them to try to "recruit" people, so I really did not mind too much that they knocked on my door. I politely told them I wasn't interested. One girl said, "Ok, have a nice day" but the other girl got really pushy until I finally got curt and said again that I wasn't interested and that I was busy and had to go. Then I shut the door and went back upstairs to fold laundry.
I was putting some folded towels away in the bathroom when I heard the Mermaid say something that I couldn't make out through the bathroom window. Then I heard a girl's voice say frantically, "Come on Kristy, we're not supposed to be doing this!" Of course that got my attention, and I went to the window and looked down to see one of the girls, the one who had just spoken, standing at the edge of my yard and looking around nervously.
The "pushy" girl was IN my backyard. Talking to my four year old.
And I heard her say, "Don't you know that if you don't find the right church you will burn in hell?"
To my four. year. old.
Of course I ran down the stairs and out the front door, fury all over my face. I must have looked like a mother bear coming to protect her cubs, because as soon as I hit the door the girls turned and RAN.
But then, as I am chasing this girl out of my yard, she has the nerve to spin around as she is running and WHIP TWO BROCHURES AT ME!!
For the next two nights the Mermaid had nightmares that our house was on fire, and she was burning. She doesn't understand the concept of Hell yet, and this was not how I had planned for her to learn.
When did sharing your religion cross over into scaring 4 year old little girls? Into trespassing on someone's property? Into not respecting someone's wish for you to leave them alone?
I'm curious is anyone else has had this type of experience.
They were Jehovah's Witnesses.
Now, I get that part of their religion calls for them to try to "recruit" people, so I really did not mind too much that they knocked on my door. I politely told them I wasn't interested. One girl said, "Ok, have a nice day" but the other girl got really pushy until I finally got curt and said again that I wasn't interested and that I was busy and had to go. Then I shut the door and went back upstairs to fold laundry.
I was putting some folded towels away in the bathroom when I heard the Mermaid say something that I couldn't make out through the bathroom window. Then I heard a girl's voice say frantically, "Come on Kristy, we're not supposed to be doing this!" Of course that got my attention, and I went to the window and looked down to see one of the girls, the one who had just spoken, standing at the edge of my yard and looking around nervously.
The "pushy" girl was IN my backyard. Talking to my four year old.
And I heard her say, "Don't you know that if you don't find the right church you will burn in hell?"
To my four. year. old.
Of course I ran down the stairs and out the front door, fury all over my face. I must have looked like a mother bear coming to protect her cubs, because as soon as I hit the door the girls turned and RAN.
But then, as I am chasing this girl out of my yard, she has the nerve to spin around as she is running and WHIP TWO BROCHURES AT ME!!
For the next two nights the Mermaid had nightmares that our house was on fire, and she was burning. She doesn't understand the concept of Hell yet, and this was not how I had planned for her to learn.
When did sharing your religion cross over into scaring 4 year old little girls? Into trespassing on someone's property? Into not respecting someone's wish for you to leave them alone?
I'm curious is anyone else has had this type of experience.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Winner of The Floral Twin Bed Tent From All Children's Furniture!!!
And the winner of the Floral Twin Bed Tent from All Children's Furniture is......Jennifer from A Day In The Life Of A Stay At Home Mommy!
Congrats Jenn! I will be emailing you today, and please remember that you have three days to respond before I pick another winner.
I'd also like to throw in another Thank You to All Children's Furniture for sponsoring this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered!!
Thursday, August 06, 2009
I Want.
Today I was over at I Should Be Folding Laundry and was looking at the absolutely gorgeous pictures she takes. I want a nice camera. I'm so sick of having a crappy camera, I want a nice one that takes stunning photos.
Folding Laundry also had a post about skirts and I happened to love skirts. If I had the choice, I would wear skirts every single day, but right now I only have two. I was planning on sewing a bunch of skirts but frankly I think my talent and my time fall a little short of my ambitions.
So there I was, sitting there thinking about how much I want a camera and how much I want skirts and generally feeling moody and a bit sorry for myself.
We've been on Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover for so long and we've been making soo much progress but right now my bratty inner child is coming out and annoying me with "I wants." Generally I get along well with my inner child but sometimes it can be really, really bratty and then the whole family is caught up in the bad moods that come out as a result.
I can't wait until the day we are debt free, and I can give my bratty inner child a little wiggle room. But for now, she'll have to go to her room and think about all the blessings we do have and be thankful.
Because we have many, many blessings. And I am so, so thankful.
Folding Laundry also had a post about skirts and I happened to love skirts. If I had the choice, I would wear skirts every single day, but right now I only have two. I was planning on sewing a bunch of skirts but frankly I think my talent and my time fall a little short of my ambitions.
So there I was, sitting there thinking about how much I want a camera and how much I want skirts and generally feeling moody and a bit sorry for myself.
We've been on Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover for so long and we've been making soo much progress but right now my bratty inner child is coming out and annoying me with "I wants." Generally I get along well with my inner child but sometimes it can be really, really bratty and then the whole family is caught up in the bad moods that come out as a result.
I can't wait until the day we are debt free, and I can give my bratty inner child a little wiggle room. But for now, she'll have to go to her room and think about all the blessings we do have and be thankful.
Because we have many, many blessings. And I am so, so thankful.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Tackle It Tuesday: What Happened to My Clean House?
I haven't really been feeling well lately and the housework suffered. I am far from being a clean freak but I at least try to keep the house 15 minutes away from guest ready, mostly by following the FlyLady system.
Anyways, I was feeling better and decided to tackle a couple of areas that were really getting out of hand. I plan on tackling the rest later this week.
First, the kitchen:
The kitchen wasn't terribly messy, but since I spend most of my time in this room it drives me nuts when it isn't clean. This one didn't take me long:
Then I decided to tackle the girls room. Here's the before pic:
This one took me alllll day. It was really bad, and I threw out a lot of toys because the girls' birthdays are coming up anyway. After:
And that's my tackle for Tackle It Tuesday. For more tackles, visit 5 Minutes For Mom.
Anyways, I was feeling better and decided to tackle a couple of areas that were really getting out of hand. I plan on tackling the rest later this week.
First, the kitchen:
The kitchen wasn't terribly messy, but since I spend most of my time in this room it drives me nuts when it isn't clean. This one didn't take me long:
Then I decided to tackle the girls room. Here's the before pic: This one took me alllll day. It was really bad, and I threw out a lot of toys because the girls' birthdays are coming up anyway. After:And that's my tackle for Tackle It Tuesday. For more tackles, visit 5 Minutes For Mom.
Monday, August 03, 2009
The Best In The Whole Wide World.
I'm downstairs, unloading the dishwasher and cleaning up the kitchen. The girls have been up for a while now, the Mermaid having officially greeted the sleepy Guppy with a cheery good morning and picked out her clothes and helped her get dressed.
There's something about helping the Guppy get ready in the morning that brings the Mermaid such joy. I don't pretend to understand it but I am so glad that the girls are such close friends.
I'm putting the last of the dishes away when I hear their laughter and the sound of jumping. I know that they are jumping on the bed and head up the stairs to make them get off. I'm almost to the top when I hear the Guppy say, "Mermaid, you are THE BEST in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!" My heart instantly melts.
Not the best sister, not the best friend, not the best person. Just the best. How awesome is that to be the best to a sweet little 2 year old, the best everything! And even though I can't see their faces, I know that the Guppy is giving the Mermaid that look, the one that is full of love and gratitude and joy. I know that look because she gives it to me as well. And suddenly, I so get why the Mermaid loves to help her little sister get ready in the morning.
I can hear them laughing while they play together. And I think, this life? It's the best.
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