It's been a long time!

It's been a long time since my last post..5 months!

Some exciting things have been happening around here:
1.)  My sister is MARRIED! 

2.) We are expecting in October! And I've been sick the past 8 weeks...so no blogging or computer for me, just chilling on the couch :)

 

Hopefully I'll get some more things on here!

Politics and Religion

I know, I know..both very sensitive topics.  And I know that if you follow me on Facebook, that you have probably already read this...but if not?

After the election, I was upset and a bit distraught. Now, before you stop reading, it wasn’t about who was elected (although that didn’t help much), it was the judgment of others on how I parent my children.

Let me be very clear here. I am a great mother. I know that I am not perfect. I know that sometimes I let my kids stay up too late, have an extra piece of candy or watch an extra show ...

on tv. I know that I yell more often than I should. I’ve even spanked my kids ::gasp:: but I am still a great mother.

My children know who God is. They know who Jesus Christ is. They KNOW about love and service and being kind to others. They know that human life and being here on earth is a big deal. They know the Bible. They know the Book of Mormon. They have high standards. They know that watching shows/movies that aren’t good for their Spirits. Their teacher’s are impressed with them as well. At Parent/Teacher Conferences their teachers had nothing but positive things to say: Your child is such a joy to have in class, your child is always willing to help, your child is a friend to others, works well in groups, show some wonderful leadership skills…should I go on?

Their They know these things. How do you think they know them? Because we taught them that. WE TAUGHT THEM.

The point is: I am a mother. I do not say this to boast or be prideful. I say it to let naysayers know that I am not only doing the best I can, but I am reaching further and trying to make MY CHILDREN the best person they can be.

If this means that I teach them my values and principles, then so be it. They are good kids.

After reading your comments this past Wednesday, I did some serious soul searching. I thought that you were right, that I wasn’t the parent I should be. But after much thought (hours and days now). I think you are wrong.

After my daughter (almost 9) got home from school, I sat her down and here is the conversation we had:
M: Livi, I am sorry that I only told you to “vote” for Mitt Romney. That was wrong of mommy to do. What I should have done was to tell you about the different candidates and let you make your own decision. You see Livi, this is what they believe:

Mitt Romney doesn’t believe in abortion (other than in cases of rape, incest, etc-that went over her head;) or gay marriage. He believes that when you have a baby in your tummy, it is a baby and something that is a gift from God. Others want to make it ok to kill those babies.
He aslo doesn’t believe in Gay Marriage. Do you remember what being gay means? A man loves a man and a woman loves a woman. That is nice that they love each other, but just like we believe and God tuaght, that marriage is between a man and a woman, Mitt Romney also believes that.

Livi: (After thinking about it for a few minutes) I understand mom. I agree with Mitt Romney.

Me: remember, you make the choice.

You see? Yes, I only explained some social issues vs. the debt or the Benghazi attacks or the comments Obama made to Russia. I didn’t even explain that the United States would be BURRIED in debt and she would have to help take care of that. I taught her about it. About what we believe. She made the decision.

I am a good Mother. My children understand the most important things: Heavenly Father is God. Jesus Christ is the Savior. All human life is sacred. Be kind and love others. Be of service. Be. Do. What more do YOU want me to do?

Sidewalk Paint

I don’t claim to be the world’s most creative mom.  I wasn’t programmed that way.  But I can say that having Pinterest has been a GREAT thing in our family (or a bad thing, depending on who you ask )

A few days ago I decided to be a better mom and we made some sidewalk paint.  It was SO FUN and SO easy!  The clean up was minimal and the cost of making it was $0, since I had all of the ingredients.

Cornstarch
Food coloring
Water

The colors turned out SO pretty. 

Note of advice:  I put 2 TB of cornstarch in to each part.  Then I added the food coloring in to each one.  I brought everything OUTSIDE and THEN added the water.  A lot less me!  :K)

21 Day Update

I don't have any pictures to show for my time, but it is what it is.  Below I have marked off what was done recently.

Join the Challenge (at any time)

Day 1 - Junk Drawer (DONE)

Day 2 - Computer Desk (DONE)

Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet (This is still clean from the last time!  Yay!)

Day 4 - Linen Closet -this one is scary.  Need to redo it soon.

Day 5 - Under kitchen sink (Still clean!)

Day 6 - Dresser Drawers (Still clean!)

Day 7 - The Pantry (I got a label maker for my bday.  Slightly obsessed. Not 100% but still good!)

Day 8 - Coat Closet (Need to redo)

Day 9 - Toy organization (Going great!  I have thrown away, boxed up and organized.  Still not done, but getting there)

Day 10 - Laundry Room (Did this a few months ago, but need to upkeep)

Day 11 - The Freezer (still need...

Day 12 - Spice Cabinet (looks great.  haven't needed to do anything here)

Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet (This one is also the linen closet.)

Day 14 - Under bathroom sink (Clean)

Day 15 - Medicine/Vitamin Storage (See #13)

Day 16 - The Fridge (ick)

Day 17 - The Mail (daily process..going fine)

Day 18 - Keepsakes (

Day 19 - Master Closet (redone over and over monthly)

Day 20 - Photos (right.....)

Day 21 - You pick!

The Potty Train

Wow.  It has been a few long days around here.  Not extremely difficult, just long.  I think that is how most moms feel when their child is potty training.  I will say that the method I used worked.  It was very similar to the one I did with Livi (although she got it in about a day..with 100% by day #3). 

We are on day #4 and Mac has done awesome.  He is basically done.  He still mostly goes in the portable potty, but we are working on the bigger toilet too. 

I will say that that first night he woke up 100% dry.  It was a miracle!  The next night we gave him watermelon after dinner...and that was a big no-no!  Our kids don't hold watermelon in very well.  Mac wet twice that night. 

This morning he woke up after 12 hours and had just wet, but I blame that mostly on me, since I should have woken him up instead of relaxing on the couch.  I won't make that mistake tomorrow.

What did I do?  There is an eBook written by Lora Jensen.  You potty train your child in 3 days.  It really does work.  ( http://www.3daypottytraining.com/)

Let me know if you need help or suggestions. 

This is something I would LOVE to eventually invest in for my boys:

Summer Bucket List

Summer is right around the corner. Do you have a "summer bucket list"? Here is a list of some fun things to add to your summer fun. **Thanks Kiera**

Picking and choosing from that list above will add to what we already have:

-family reunion in South Carolina
-swim lessons
-Amish Country
-temple trip
-Zoo
-Library Reading Program
-Lake Farm Park
-Memphis Kiddie Park
-Preston’s HOPE Park
-Huntington Beach
-Westside Market
-Minor League Baseball Game

It’s going to be a fun (and probably HOT) summer!

21 Day Organization Challenge

Wow.  I started the 21 Day Challenge back in OCTOBER!  I got to #9 which scared the daylights out of me, (see post here or how about here?) and did one more challenge...and then stopped.  quit.  I had, had enough!

Then a few weeks ago, I started feeling like I need to clean out our freezer...and fast forward to today.  Freezer still not finished!  So, as I am currently doing #9 (and I will finish it this time!!), #11 will have to wait for a bit.  But it will get done.  And now that I have officially posted all the daily challenges, it's there and I need to follow through.  Even if it takes me a bit longer than a day. 

Take a peak at it, go to the site and see what sort of spring cleaning you can accomplish! 

21 DAY ORGANIZING CHALLENGE

• Join the Challenge (at any time)
• Day 1 - Junk Drawer
• Day 2 - Computer Desk
• Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet
• Day 4 - Linen Closet
• Day 5 - Under kitchen sink
• Day 6 - Dresser Drawers
• Day 7 - The Pantry
• Day 8 - Coat Closet
• Day 9 - Toy organization
• Day 10 - Laundry Room
• Day 11 - The Freezer
• Day 12 - Spice Cabinet
• Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet
• Day 14 - Under bathroom sink
• Day 15 - Medicine/Vitamin Storage
• Day 16 - The Fridge
• Day 17 - The Mail
• Day 18 - Keepsakes
• Day 19 - Master Closet
• Day 20 - Photos
• Day 21 - You pick!