Chicklet Chicklet

So sweet...

And so dramatic...

Chicklet has been a hard one to potty train. Nothing has worked. Until Monday. I've been trying to get her potty trained since she was about 18 months old. I knew she was ready earlier, around 1 year old, but I ignored the signs and waited too long and she went and got stubborn. Impossibly stubborn and set in her ways, refusing to be trained. I've tried everything. Really.
So Monday I went to get her up from nap and found her blankets and clothes on the floor beside the bed, covered with the contents of her diaper. On the bed she lay, wiping her bottom with her bath towel, the emptied diaper at her feet. YUCKY!!!!! And this Mama had had ENOUGH. I said if I'm going to be scrubbing poop out of the floors and furniture it had better be for a GOOD reason: NO MORE DIAPERS. Ever. That was 2:00 in the afternoon. She begged me for a diaper all day and I would not let her have one. I told her if she's smart enough to change her own diapers then she's plenty smart enough to go in the potty. And lo and behold, at bedtime, she informed us she was going to pee on the potty and she sat down and did just that. She has had very few accidents since then.
Today, Wednesday, I told her she'd better quit holding in her poo and do that on the potty too. Sometime in the middle of the afternoon she informed me she would be going poop on the potty now, and she did. And then she pranced over to where I keep the jar of potty training treats (chocolate chips) and...

"Choc'lit PLEEZE!" Sugar and spice, that's for sure! :)

How to ruin Mama's favorite marker... in 8 easy steps.

How to Ruin Mama's Favorite Sharpie... and Not Only Live To Tell The Tale, but Make Mama Feel Guilty for Ruining Your Fun Too.
by Mr. Bug

Step 1... Pretend you're chowing down on a cup full of dry cheerios so Mama will get busy and distracted. Make sure to drool cheerio goo all over for good measure.
Step 2... Sneak in under the desk chair and snag the marker before anyone notices.
Step 3... Hide behind the couch and uncap the marker.
Step 4... Color your right hand...

Step 5... Color your left hand thoroughly, including wrist... 

Step 6... Decorate your outfit with polka-dots.
Step 7... Taste test until Mama sees you and freaks out, taking the pen away and worrying over how much toxic ink you just swallowed.
Step 8... Start crying and then just give Mama the teary-eyed pathetic look as only a baby boy can...

...then she'll feel guilty for taking the marker away even though it defies logic.

The Heart of CHRISTmas ♥ #2

Focus:
It's almost Collection Week! But there is still time... For a wonderful way to get the kids involved in giving this Christmas season, check out this post;
http://ontheoldpath.blogspot.com/2009/10/only-8-weeks-till-christmas.html
I'm afraid mine would not be as interesting this year due to my oldest being only 3. My kids wouldn't really be able to get into it because they won't understand what is going on. Next year when my daughter is 4 though I think she will really enjoy helping with Operation Christmas Child! She's a giver at heart - loves to give gifts. :)

Gift:
I am afraid this week's gifty project is under wraps (hehe) due to the possibility of the family member it's FOR reading this blog and spoiling the surprize. *wink* Rest assured I will take pics and save them to show you after Christmas.

Something handy:
We have a SuperyardXT which we got years ago when Chicklet was crawling. It fits around a Christmas tree so perfectly to keep the babies out of the gifts and tree water. They can still somehow always find a way to reach the ornaments though. *sigh* I'm all for teaching the kids not to touch the tree and not to open the gifts before Christmas, but this makes it a little (okay a LOT) easier because you can open it up for those character training lessons when everyone is in the same room, and then when you have other things to do and can't supervise as closely you can close it so they can't get in there. Very nice. I've been repeatedly impressed by the durability of this product too.

What helps the Christmas season to go smoothly at YOUR house?

~*~*~*~*~

If you want to share how you're keeping the heart of CHRISTmas where it belongs this year, please click the button at the top of this post to see how you can link up! :)

Mom with a mission blog award

Mom with a mission blog award!

This award is presented to a Mommy blogger who is on a mission! ;) So tell us, why do you blog and what do you love about it? And then pick a few other mom's with a mission to pass this award on to.

I blog because it's fun? Hehe. Plus I'm opinionated and don't have any IRL friends whom I actually hang out with. The only other adult I ever see in person is my husband. I blog because I believe that if a person claims to believe in something, or believe that a thing is wrong, and they don't defend their position, then they don't really believe it at all. If you believe that lying is a sin, and someone tells you that it's not, then I think you should tell them why you know it's a sin. Not to be argumentative, and you should definately pray about using Christlike words, but because if you don't ever tell people and don't stand up for what you believe in then what is the point of 'believing in' anything at all? Even the Bible says that salvation is attained by believing and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. It doesn't just stop at believing, it says you have to make it known that you believe. So my blog is my witness. A place to show my humanity, and show how God is working on me, and to tell people what I believe and why. And to keep a record of all the cute things the kids do of course. That was my main reason for starting to blog. Plus I'm not so eloquent talking one on one anyway... I stutter and freeze up and wind up saying a whole lot of nothing. I'm really super shy in person. What I love about it is that it's a good creative outlet and I get to socialize with likeminded women; kindred spirits and good mentors are very hard to come by.

To pass this award on to, I pick...
Nicki at 400 Things
Tami at A Godly Homemaker
Tiana at God Made, Home Grown
Kimberly at Raising Olives

Blog Awards!

A big "Thank You!" to Monica at Pixel Perfect, and to Cheryl at On The Old Path for giving me this award!
The Rules are....
1. Answer the survey below using only 1 word answers.
2. Pass this along to 3 of your fav. bloggers
3. Alert them you gave them this award
4. Have fun


SuRvEY
1. Where is your cellphone? nonexistant
2. Your hair? frizzing
3. Your mom? motivated
4. Your dad? smart
5. Your fav. food: pizza
6. Your dream last night: grasshoppers
7. Your fav. drink: Dr. Pepper (oops not really one word... hehe)
8. Your dream/goal: accomplished!
9. What room are you in: living room
10. Your hobby? crochet
11. Your fear? alone
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? quiverfull hehe...
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something you aren't? socialite
15. Muffins? Costco
16 Wish item? computer
17. Where did you grow up? farm
18. Last thing you did? supper
19. What are you wearing? pajamas!
20. Your TV? hated
21. Your pets? Nailah
22. Your friends? online
23. Your life? sweet
24. Your mood? sad
25. Missing someone? Yes
26. Vehicle? Civic
27. Something your not wearing? makeup
28. Your fav. store? Carter's
29. Your fav. color? today?
30.Last time you laughed? idk
31. Last time you cried? idk
32. Your best friend? Jesus
33. Fav. place to eat? buffet
34. One person who Emails me regularly? Dad
35. Place I go over and over? WalMart


Three Blog Friends I choose to give this award to:
Aww man can't I pick more than 3? *pouts* Okay I pick...

Connie at Smockity Frocks
Stefany at I Thode You So
Amy at Buffaloes and Butterfly Wings

Morning Snuggles

~Mommy Moments Monday~
Lessons learned and memories made.

Do you have a Mommy Moment you would like to share?
I consider a Mommy Moment to be anything that speaks of what IS Motherhood. The good and the bad. The tough moments, sweet moments, bonding moments, oops moments, ah-ha moments, silly moments...
To join the fun, put a link to this post in your Mommy Moments post, and then come back here and MckLinky up your post to this one. :) I do mine on Mondays but you can do yours on a different day and then link it up next Monday if you'd prefer. All linkups must have a link back to my blog to qualify. This is so that anyone reading your Mommy Moments post knows where to come to read more Mommy Moments and join in if they wish.

Forgive me...

I had plans for several meaty posts today but I have overextended my elbow somehow and it hurts really bad. I'm going to take it easy on it today, including less than usual typing. ;) If it feels better this evening I might start a draft for one of those meaty posts I had planned. Maybe I can get one out tomorrow instead. :) Have a great Monday!

Nov. 1 Featured Bloggy Friend!

Last week I announced I'll be featuring a fellow blogger every so often. Well it's a new week and a new featured blogger! This week I'm featuring Tiana from God Made, Home Grown. Click the button to visit her blog!

She has a wonderful challenge going on in her October 28 post entitled "Spoiled! (and something you can do about it)" that you should definately check out when you visit her blog. Another good one is "How doing something 'good' can keep you from obeying."

Tiana, What was your main reason for beginning to blog? What is your greatest inspiration for what you write? What is one thing you know alot about? Do you have any hobbies other than blogging? If you get a chance to answer in the comments we'd love to learn more about you! :)

Would you like to be my featured friend someday? Remember that I prefer to feature blogger friends who
-follow me
-have commented recently on my blog
-update their blog frequently
-blog things that are inspirational/relevant to me personally
-do not endorse things on their blog that I'm strongly against.

Awesome Giveaways!

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2009/11/awesome-giveaways.html
Scroll to bottom to link your giveaway!
Awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be moving the ones that are over to the bottom (and crossing them out as soon as the winners are announced) and adding new giveaway links almost daily! [Click the red end date to go to each giveaway directly.] Green NEW! - added yesterday, Blue NEW! - added today.

•• Penelope's Oasis is giving away a $40 gift card to The Homestead Company, a mommy company with natural body products made in the USA! ENDS NOV. 30th!
•• Luvs Jurn3 is giving away a bottle of ColicCalm gripe water! ENDS NOV. 30th!
•• Penelope's Oasis is giving away a sweet pair of Beibi Baby Shoes! ENDS DEC. 14th!


••Other blogs' Linky lists of giveaways:
-Ice Fairy's Treasure Chest (Ongoing)
-(Sunday) Take Time To Smell The Rose and A Giveaway Everyday
-(Tuesday) Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House
-Piece of ME (Thursday)


Ended giveaways:
Straight A Savings Glade prize pack ended 11/1
The Girly Gallivanter souvenirs from Canada ended 11/1
Win a Zhu Zhu Pet on Penelope's Oasis ended 11/2
Piece of Me one item from The Studio by Danielson Designs ended 11/3
Minnesota Mama's Must Haves accessory from Pretend Play Kitchens ended 11/4
Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House Nature Valley prize pack ended 11/4
Piece of Me $50 to Alice.com ended 11/4
Minnesota Mama's Must Haves Baby Signs Starter Kit ended 11/5
I Thode You So Beibi shoes ended 11/6
Minnesota Mama's Must Haves baby outfit from SnugFits ended 11/6
Minnesota Mama's Must Haves PopATot ended 11/7
Minnesota Mama's Must Haves $20 to M.A.H. Creations ended 11/7
Coupon Geek Silk Milk and pedometer ended 11/8
I Thode You So autographed Five For Fighting CD ended 11/8
Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House Li'l Inspirations baby blanket ended 11/9
Piece of Me Prima Princessa Presents The Nutcracker ballet DVD ended 11/10
Lavender soap, lipgloss, cucumber mask on my review blog ended 11/11
Piece of Me monogrammed necklace from Lauren Nicole Gifts ended 11/12
Piece of Me scarves from Admiral Road Designs ended 11/13
Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House LaborKit.com ended 11/13
Take Time To Smell The Rose North Star Toys ended 11/14
Leslie Loves Veggies CakeCup from Cupcakes In Jars! ended 11/16
Minnesota Mama's Must Haves cooling mug Brugo ended 11/16
A Giveaway Everyday TummyTub Bathed With Love ended 11/17
A Giveaway Everyday Mommy's Morning Makeover Kit Southern Magnolia Minerals ended 11/17
A Giveaway Everyday Jeep Booster Seat/bag ended 11/19
A Giveaway Everyday $439 12-18month clothing lot Bei Bambini ended 11/19
Piece of Me Smart Potty BabyBjörn ended 11/19
Piece of Me hooded baby towel ended 11/21
Something to Talk About Holliday Treat Kit ended 11/21
The Bewitchin' Kitchen is giving away a Thai Kitchen cooking kit ended 11/22
The Bewitchin' Kitchen $60 gift code toPaperspring ended 11/22
The Garden Gate recipe dishtowel ended 11/22
Minnesota Mama's Must-Haves personalized Olive Kids growth chart ended 11/23
Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House Step2 LifeStyle Grand Walk-In toy Kitchen ended 11/25
Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House Dremel 4000 Rotary Tool ended 11/25
A Giveaway Everyday WeeSqueak child's shoes ended 11/26
•• Minnesota Mama's Must-Haves YoBaby Meals Prize Pack ended 11/28


(I am kind of bummed I have not won a single giveaway this month. How about you? I don't usually win stuff though so I should not be surprised! :p )


Your turn! :) MckLinky up! You can still link your giveaways even if I have already highlighted them above. ;)
In the space that says Link Title, use this format: YourBlogName - Giveaway Title [End date]. Link to the giveaway post specifically, not just to your blog in general. You may make a new MckLinky entry for each giveaway. Giveaways MUST be open to residents of the USA.
PLEASE make sure you follow this format so it is easy for me to maintain and easy for people to view and use. Entries will stay on the list until they expire (until the giveaway ends). I will try to delete expired giveaways daily to keep this list fresh and easy to view.
I will create a new list each month. This MckLinky list will run Nov. 1st-31st. Check back Dec. 1st for a new list.