Monday, April 30, 2012

So who's been on pins and needles?

I used my new memofolia note paper to write all the qualifying names down....
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and then I folded them up in my hand
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and my handsome husband who didn't want to be photographed drew out the lucky winner.
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So... the winner is.....


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Thanks to all of you for entering, and maybe one of you can win the next time I do one of these! Dayspring is kind enough to let me do a review and giveaway once every 3 months, so keep your eyes peeled around July.

Laura, if you could email me at livin4jesus9982@hotmail.com   I'll get you the information you need :)


Friday, April 27, 2012

Why sleep eludes me. AKA my cry for help from you other mamas.

*I want to make this clear from the beginning, this is not meant to spark a debate, it is one mama asking other mamas for some advice.

We're having a MAJOR sleep issue at our house.   Ok in the grande scheme of things it may not be so major, but right now, for this tired mama, it's pretty major.

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This little dude, who is now four, and who can sleep in his carseat like no other. (and NO that is not typically how he's buckled in, he has a 5 pt harness in our car.)

*sigh*  He HAS to be near someone to sleep at night. We've pretty much tackled the bedtime routine. They go to bed most nights without a fight and are asleep pretty quickly, however its the waking in the middle of the night that is a problem. 

Add in a 13 month old that just hit a growth spurt and thinks he should nurse like a newborn again, and things get pretty tricky.

Asher has his own bed, and he sleeps in there most of the night, and Elijah has his own bed, and we always put him to bed there, but it doesn't last long.

Two nights ago, my night went something like this :

8pm  Derek puts kids to bed.

9pm Asher is asleep and I lay him down

10pm Derek and I go to bed

12 am Elijah wakes up whining that he wants to sleep with mommy.

12:30am  Mommy is tired of telling him to get back in bed, so I get up and put him on the couch and sit with him, he's asleep within about 30 seconds of me sitting next to him

12:35am Asher wakes up so mommy goes back to bed and puts Asher in bed with her to nurse.

12:45am Asher is asleep but squirming, but Elijah has now realized mommy is not there and is whining for mommy.

1 am I go sit with Elijah AGAIN. Asleep within 30 seconds, no kidding.

1:05  Asher's up again, most likely from Elijah's commotion and me getting up and down.

1:15am  I get Asher to sleep and Elijah wakes up a third time.

1:20am  Lay down with Elijah after repeatedly trying to get him to lay down on his own.

1:25 leave Elijah on the couch and return to bed to sleep with my husband, who is oblivious to most of this up until this point.

between 1:30 and 2:30 this happens in this order about 3 more times AT LEAST.

2:30am daddy finally gives in and goes and sleeps on the couch with Elijah. They both sleep peacefully the rest of the night and Asher slept/nursed on and off until we got up at 7:30.

The kid says he's scared of EVERYTHING. Which at this point, either something has seriously scarred him, or he's stalling.  We've got a light on in their room, we have put all of his favorite stuffed animals with him (some of which now have 'scarey eyes' according to him), he shares a room with Kyley so he's not alone as it is, we even leave the hall light on so he can see Derek and I in bed if he gets up at night.   We've prayed, we've sang, we've encouraged him to stay. I've even tried to bribe, but that doesn't even work with him.  We've put glow in the dark stars on the wall, and even perry the platypus (who apparently can kill all the monsters?)  stickers by his bed.  The kid just wants one of us to sleep with him.


SO.... my plea is this.... PLEASE help me find a way to get him to sleep alone. There isn't enough room in our bed for all of us to sleep, (not to mention there are still some nights he will wet the bed but that is getting less and less often thankfully). But I cannot lay with him all night because Asher needs me too. And I don't want him to get used to sleeping with any of us anyhow.

So any ideas will be great.   I also need to say this though. We want bedtime to be a relaxing time, and we don't want him to associate it with punishment, so I don't want to spank when he gets out of bed unless it's an absolute last resort.

Thanks in advance!


Thursday, April 26, 2012

Slobbery kisses

Just a sweet moment with my boys I thought I'd share.  Oh how I love them!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Reedeemed Collection Review & Giveaway!


Redeemed:
1. To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.
2. To pay off (a promissory note, for example).
3. To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange.
4. To fulfill (a pledge, for example).
5. To convert into cash: redeem stocks.
6. To set free; rescue or ransom.
7. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences. See Synonyms at save1.
8. To make up for: The low price of the clothes dryer redeems its lack of special features.
9. To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of: You botched the last job but can redeem yourself on this one.
 I don't know about ya'll but that is GOOD news.  I am Redeemed.   I may be a sinner at heart, but I am Redeemed. 






   
*In the interest of full disclosure I was given these items for the purpose of reviewing, but the opinions stated herein are my own*

I absolutely LOVE Dayspring.  I have not seen a single item on their site that I haven't loved. 
I got a chance to review some of the Inspired Deals and I think these are so fun!
 
This beautiful memofolia is PERFECT.  I love having sticky notes around, and this is in the cutest little book that holds them all in one place.
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And this teacup. Oh this teacup.  I adore this. It's one of my favorite scriptures first of all, and secondly, oh isn't it adorable?
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The artwork on this line is beautiful. I love the colors, and patterns, it's just so fun and cheery!
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Another shot of this cool memofolia. Seriously, awesome stuff!
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This is what the front cover looks like up close.
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And this gift bag is awesome. I am looking for the perfect opportunity to gift this to one of my girl friends.
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And the coffee mug.  Who doesn't love waking up and drinking from a cute mug like this with an awesome message?
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The other side.
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A few more shots of the teacup.
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I've never drank hot tea, but I think I may start. Just so I can use this for its intended purpose.    
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Are these not some of the coolest 'Christian' items you've seen? 
I'm telling you there is so much more to find and love at Dayspring. You will be amazed.

And on that note, I have the privilege of giving away one of these awesome wallets.  (and if you win and don't want it, you can always ship it to me, because I am so jealous I don't get to win this!)

Redeemed - Truly Treasured - Wallet
Seriously, the cutest wallet ever. Who wants to win it??? All you have to do is

 a. follow my blog, and...

 b. leave me a comment here telling me what the 'redeemed' message means to you!


 I will leave this giveaway open until April 29th at 12 pm(my hubby's birthday!) And to celebrate, I will draw a winner that evening. Enjoy and good luck!


*affiliate links are used in this post.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A Daddy's Gift (GUEST POST!)

Please enjoy this guest post by my awesome husband.   I've wanted to blog about this for a while, but thought it would be more fitting to hear it from his perspective. Enjoy!


A Father's Gift To His Daughter (Blurb)



I am not sure I will ever be able to figure out the woman's appeal to shiny objects.  I say this, knowing my wife does not really have this appeal.. to be honest, I think it has more to do with her allergies than her not wanting it. 

The 'experience' I have had in this area is very, very limited .. growing up - I had three girlfriends (including my wife), two kissing friends, and many crushes.  The experience is lacking, but not because of what I haven't had in the past - because of what I DO have in the past.  I learned what these other girls liked.. and not what my wife liked.. The only woman I ever needed to 'learn' was and is my wife - I know this because after being with her.. I began to understand I needed to UNLEARN what my past mistakes taught me.

Why is this important when I am suppose to be talking about my daughter?


   
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Because all of this experience .. still .. is not helpful.  Kyley is her own person, with her own loves and thoughts and dreams.  I enjoy every bit of what she does JUST BECAUSE SHE DOES!  

She is 100% girl - with a side of tough! She loves dresses, dancing, and ... shiny objects.  



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Most of the time I cannot justify the paying for something that is nice, when it is entirely possible it will end up lost and gone forever in the hands of a six year old (her age when I found the opportunity). 

What came across my email inbox, but a froobi deal I could not pass up:


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Fact One : Kyley Loves the Shiny and had NO pearls

Fact Two : When you have allergies (which Kyley does not, but better safe then sorry) stainless is the way to go

Fact Three : One of my favorite stories about a father and a daughter.. that also pertains to God.. used a pearl necklace as it's focal point

Fact Four : Kyley MUST have a pair of these earrings


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I sent Mel a message and let her know my interest in them - as well I needed a second opinion to be SURE Kyley would like them.  Mel confirmed and they were ordered.  I was ecstatic in my anticipation for Kyley getting them!

From the moment I saw the chance to get them I saw this as a great example given in the story with the pearls.  I believe soon I will tell that story to my daughter.. either that or teach her by doing the same thing.  


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The example is there is that God really does have better things for us.  I can see God in heaven.. looking over the 'internet' of the world and seeing the things He wants to give us.  Maybe not pearl earrings.. or necklaces, but maybe a loving relationship.. or just a smile from someone brightening your day. 

Maybe if we can be open to the idea God ALWAYS has something amazing in store for us -  we will be motivated to BE something amazing for someone else.  I know Kyley enjoyed the earrings, but I hope - and pray - ultimately it teaches something greater.. for her future. 


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~dErK~
http://derkopenedeyes.blogspot.com/

Proverbs 1:7 & Psalm 32:9 

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Smores!

I found this awesome idea on Pinterest a few weeks back. I have wanted to make them for a few weeks now, and I finally got around to trying them last night. I made a pretty small batch to test this out before really digging in. I'll probably let the kids help me next time.

What you need:

Graham Crackers (we used cinnamon ones)
Chocolate Almond Bark
And the goodness that is known as Mallow Bits (they taste JUST like the marshmallows from Lucky Charms)


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I melted my almond bark in the microwave. You can do it on the stove as well.   Assemble your parts and then get to work.   Dip each stick into the chocolate then sprinkle or place mallow bits on top.   Lay to dry on wax paper. You can throw them in the freezer for a minute or two if you want them to set more quickly.
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Elijah's Birthday Fun!

Here are a few pictures from Elijah's party.
And then a few pics from later in the week when we went to ride the carousel for his birthday as well. 
   
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