Shadow

Each night when we tuck BBug in to bed we fight over whether or not we can turn the light off.  She used to be fine with being in the dark - and then we had an "incident" at our house a few months ago that upset her and now she's scared of the dark. 

The "incident" was when a druggie broke in to a local bank, robbed a local restaurant at knife (box cutter) point and then decided to see what he could steal out of our truck to trade for some drugs.  Luckily we didn't interrupt him, but the next morning we all went to load in to the truck and found it covered in blood (he had cut his arm open when he robbed the bank).  The only explanation we could come up with on our toes was that a 'mouse' had died in the truck and that was where the blood came from.  Apparently that wasn't a clever enough answer because we've had problems ever since.   

Back to bedtime though.  So each night we fight about turning the light off.  On the nights that we insist and turn the light off there end up being shadows cast on her wall from her television (yes, she watches t.v. at night - don't lecture, she's going to stay awake no matter what so it is what it is).  Each time that she sees a shadow we have to have a talk with "him" and set the rules for the evening in no uncertain terms.  They usually go something like this...

BBug:  Mommy, make Shadow be good. 
Mommy (while standing with one hand on my hip and the other pointing a finger at "Shadow" on the wall):  Shadow, it's time to go to bed.  Get in bed right now and leave BBug alone.  If you don't I'll spank you.  Do you understand?
BBug:  Yeah, if you don't go to bed you'll get spankins and SweetSweet will bite you in the butt! 

Evidently Shadow is really scared of SweetSweet biting him in the butt, because every night after he receives that talking to he pretty much stays to himself and doesn't mess with BBug! 

Planes, Trains & Automobiles Baby!

This past Sunday we had a baby shower at our house for one of the girls that I work with. K is expecting her second little boy in early March so we wanted to make sure we had the celebration plenty early, just in case!

Baby Boy's (they aren't 100% sure on the name yet, they're 99% but there's still that little question) nursery is done in the 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' theme so that's what we used for the shower too. It was a pretty basic shower, not a lot of decorations or fancy food but she was surrounded by friends, laughter, love and lots of neat baby gifts!

I did make a banner that matched the invitations and cake with planes, trains, helicopters, cars and boats on it that said 'It's a Boy!'. That hung on the mantle behind K while she opened presents.

We had a drawing for everyone that brought a pack of diapers in addition to their gift - their name went in to a basket and one person won a $25 Target gift card. The winner actually ended up giving the gift card to K which I thought was so sweet! The other games that we played were 'count the q-tips in the jar,' 'baby items memory' and 'baby bingo.' For the baby bingo each guest got a Bingo card that I made up to match the theme and as K opened her gifts they marked off the items on their card.

Speaking of gifts, she got so many wonderful gifts! In addition to all of the diapers she received clothes, several homemade blankets (the best kind if you ask me!), a diaper bag, a bathtub, bath and grooming supplies, her stroller and carseat and so much more.

I had so much fun watching K open her gifts, she was so excited about everything! It was such a blessing to me to be able to host this shower for her and now I can't wait to meet Baby Boy!!

Pee Pee on the Potty

"Pee Pee on the Potty - BBug is a Hottie!"

That's what we used to sing when BBug was going through the process of potty training. We figured we wouldn't have to sing that again for a while - thank goodness - since we've always been told that boys are harder to potty train than girls. Plus, BuddyRoe has been on his own schedule on pretty much everything else. And that schedule is that he'll get to it whenever he gets to it. He's going to enjoy life, not rush it!

With that in mind, we hadn't even started introducing the idea of using the potty to him, but the past couple of days we've noticed that he might have decided to introduce us to the idea instead!

He hasn't used the potty yet, but he's started going in to the bathroom, putting the training seat on the potty and trying to climb up. He's also started going in and squatting by the potty whenever he's making a mess in his diaper. Tonight after he went potty by the potty I put him up on it just to see what he thought - and he loved it!


Now don't worry, I don't really think I'm going to manage to have him potty trained by 16 months, but I'm beyond excited that he even realizes what the potty's for at this point! Maybe it won't be too long after all before we're singing Pee Pee on the Potty Buddy is a Hottie!

And just because I can't leave her out...BBug has spent the past two nights dressing up in various outfits that all have a similar theme...

I could be wrong, but I think she's tired of the winter weather and ready for the beach!

Another Prayer Request

I promise one day soon I'll have a post about something happy going on in our lives, but for now I have to ask you for more prayers.

Back in December my older brother's cousin was in a very bad car accident. Her vehicle rolled approximately 9 times before landing upside down, where she was trapped for quite a while before emergency responders could get her out. Her neck, back and hip were all broken and she is now paralyzed from her neck down.

I don't know a lot of details - my brother calls every so often with quick updates - but he had said she was making promising strides lately. She was feeling some pain in her lower body - the fact that she feels anything is a good sign - and she could make very slight, yet controlled movements in her hand. And we praise God for all of those strides, no matter how "small!"

However, I just got word that she has developed pneumonia and is now in the ICU. So, if you would please remember Courtney and her family in your prayers it would be so appreciated.

Asking for Prayers

Just a quick post to ask for prayers - a friend of my mother's, Terry, just found out that she has cancer. She has 2 masses in her lungs, lesions on her brain and a lump in her arm. She has been admitted to their local hospital (which is in a large city and very good) and started chemo therapy this morning.

Any and all prayers would be appreciated!

A MUST Read

Two posts in one day, say it ain't so!

Seriously, there is something that I have to share with pretty much anyone who will listen. It's about a "must" read! I've already told my family and friends around the house, everyone on Facebook and pretty much anyone else I've been able to pin down so far. And now I want to tell all of you (again, for the three of you that read this!).

I am a reader. I would read all day long if I could. I l-o-v-e to read! And anyone who knows my family knows that I get it honestly. My momma and daddy have always been big readers. We literally had thousands, yes I said thousands of books around our house growing up. Fiction, non-fiction, romance, science fiction, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Babysitters Club, you name it we had it!

Hubby on the otherhand is not so much a reader. Not that he can't by any means, he just doesn't usually. He's a big fan of 'A Land Remembered' (if you're from Florida, more specifically South Florida, you'll know what I'm talking about), and the A Look at Life from a Deer Stand series. But otherwise he's just not that in to it.

So imagine my surprise when in early November he told me that for Christmas he wanted two books that he had heard about on the local Christian radio station. I was shocked to say the least, but shoot if it was a solid gift idea then I was all for it! So, I went out and bought both of the books for him. They were 'Same Kind of Different As Me' and 'What Difference Do It Make' by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (both men authored both books together).

He started 'Same Kind of Different As Me' a couple days after the new year and was done within 3 days!! I would call him during his lunch break and he would say that he reading the book. On his way home from work he would pull over just to read a couple of pages before going on his way. And in the evenings and mornings every spare minute was spent with that book. I was amazed! I've never seen him so in to a book! And not only that, but he made several comments that made me turn my head. This book was truly changing my husband! In a wonderful way!

When he was done he told me I had to read it. So I did. In 24 hours! Yes, it is that good. It left me in tears, and wanting to be a better more godly person.

I haven't read 'What Difference Do It Make' yet, and I don't want to give away anything about the first book but if you're looking for an awesome book to read in the new year...I HIGHLY recommend 'Same Kind of Different As Me.' And if you do read it, do me a favor and come back to let me know what you think!

A New Year, A New Me?

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is starting the new year's 'Show Us How You Live' series with New Year's Resolutions and Goals.

I don't usually set New Year's resolutions, mainly because I never seem to keep them. But this year, I decided I was going to. And maybe, just maybe if I put them out here for all the world (or the three people who read this) to see I'll be more likely to stick to them.

The first and most important is to be a better Christian. I want to be more active in my faith and in my relationship with God. I want to read my Bible more - the kids and Hubby got me a 'Busy Mom's Study Bible' for Christmas and so far I've done really well about reading it and doing some of the 5 and 10 minute studies that go with it. I want to spend more time in prayer. And most importantly I want to live a day-to-day life that I believe will be more pleasing to God.

My second resolution/goal is to be a better wife. I like to think that I'm a pretty good mom. I spend a lot of good, quality time with my kids, I take care of their needs, ensure that they are loved and know it and do my best to raise them right. I'm by no means a perfect mom, but I'm pretty proud of the job I've done so far. As a wife however, I'll be the first to admit that I have some shortcomings. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and I'm pretty sure that he knows it - Hubby, in case you don't know it...I love you! - and I've never cheated on him or anything like that. But, I don't necessarily devote the time and energy to him and our relationship that I should. When there are 10 people or things that need my attention, he usually ends up getting put at number 10 just because I know I can. Not that I should, but I can. This year I want to make it a priority to put him at a higher place on my list. I haven't perfected it so far, but I'm trying and I'm going to keep trying.

And my third resolution/goal is to get in better shape. I know that most people - hi NahNah - would say that I don't need to lose any weight, and so for the sake of peace I'll say that I agree with that...but I do need to make my health and fitness a higher priority. If not to lose weight, then to be healthier, feel better about myself mentally, and just to have more energy!

So, while there are a ton of things that I can and hopefully will change in my life in the year 2010 - these are just three of the main things that I hope to focus on. Wish me luck! And to all of you with your own resolutions/goals for the year...good luck and God bless!!