Is It Friday Already?

Seriously. Where has the week gone? Ladybug and Hubby have been afflicted with colds for the past two weeks. They are finally on the mend, so now it's my turn. Today I am finally feeling a wee bit better. I've been sleeping a lot. Taking naps with Ladybug, and last night I went to bed when she did at 7:30. Can you say TIRED?

In spite of the promise of allergies, I am very ready for spring. My grape hyacinths and daffodils are blooming. I want to grow some vegetables in containers this year, and I have a couple of problem spots in the garden that I want to fix. Now that the days are warmer and longer, I am itching to get started!

Regarding flowers, I have a question for you parents. How do you teach your youngster to NOT pick the flowers in the garden? Two weeks ago, Ladybug picked my one and only grape hyacinth blossom, and today I caught her trying to pick another one. Plus I need to teach her to stay out of the flower beds entirely. Any words of wisdom?

In other randomness, I got over ripe bananas yesterday for 35cents/lb, which is much better than our usual 67cents/lb. I made our favorite Pineapple Banana Muffins yesterday. And today I am going to try regular banana bread in the bread machine. My bread machine has a quick bread setting, and I have never tried it before. I hope it turns out! I'll let you know if it does. UPDATED: The bread machine banana bread is delish! Yum!!

I still need to share with you about the Lazarus Project that our church will be taking on next week. I have a post started and just haven't had time to finish it up. Is that enough of a teaser for you?

Hopefully, I'll have a chance to get caught up on stuff this weekend. In addition to blog posts, I need to clean bathrooms and do laundry, plus figure out what else I can make with my ripe bananas!

And in case you need a Ladybug fix, here's a random picture for you. She was five weeks old, and it was Fourth of July 2007. Hanging out with her Daddy on Grandma and Grandpa's back porch.

Have a good weekend, y'all!

Mardi Gras!

Yesterday was Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)! Our church has a great Mardi Gras party where we rent a (former tobacco) warehouse, decorate, have a band, and eat lots of great food. Getting there last night had too much drama, but once we got there, Ladybug (almost 21 months) had lots of fun!

Our church encourages parishoners to invite friends to come party with us. So many people outside the church think church-goers are stuffy and don't have any fun. Well, if you were there last night, you would know that we know how to have fun!

Hubby plays keyboard in the rock/blues band that was our entertainment, so Ladybug wanted to go up on stage with him. He held her and played one-handed for one song. Then the lead singer Fran, who also sings in our worship team at church, held her for part of another song. Ladybug loves music! Hubby even took a brief break from playing so he could come out on the dance floor to cut a rug with his daughter. (Sorry for the poor quality - the camera on my phone is crappy!)
Other than the music, I think Ladybug's favorite part was the BEADS!! When we first arrived, she sat at the table and wanted all the beads. She had about 15 strands, and would put them, take them off, put them on, take them off. I let her bring two strands home.My favorite part of the evening, other than watching Ladybug have fun, was being social with everyone. I love to work a room! Some folks are content to sit back and watch. Not me! I love to walk around and say hello to everyone. (And chasing LB gave me a good excuse too!) Plus I was able to catch up with a good friend who I don't get to see much.

We had a great Mardi Gras party even though we had to leave early for a little girl's bedtime. Click here for more Wordful Wednesday posts!

Strolling Down Memory Lane

I'm strolling down memory lane with pictures this week. Ladybug is feeling better, but still very clingy, so I don't have much time to write.

This is my favorite picture of newborn Ladybug. We used this on her birth announcements.
And one from the day that we brought her home. We thought she was SO BIG! But looking at these pictures, she looks so tiny!
I still can't believe that she's almost 21 months old. Where has the time gone?

Checking In

Hey y'all! Just wanted to check in and let you know that my schedule has been a little off due to a sick little one. She's not terribly sick. Mainly a cough, a bit of a fever, and maybe some teething thrown in for good measure. She's been very clingy the past few days.

I have some great thoughts (at least I think they're great!) swirling around in my head that I want to share with y'all, but just haven't had time to sit down and type them out. So stay tuned, okay? I haven't even had nap time to myself, as she wants to sleep in my arms. As soon as I put her down, she's coughing and whining again. Oh, the whining. Make it stop! So I've been giving Ladybug lots of extra TLC. Hopefully, we'll be back to normal soon!

No More of Him Monday post this week. I might just have to post random cute pictures this week. Yeah! I might do just that!

Grilling Goodness

Thanks to Kim at Beanish and Other Languages I'm Learning, I discovered a new Friday meme/carnival to play along with. (I wasn't very happy with last week's carnival, as not one single new-to-me blogger commented on that post! And bloggers know how we feel about comments!)

Anyway, Tina hosts Grilling Goodness on Fridays. Click on the image to find out more!


1. What is your favorite family activity? Just being together. Ladybug (20 months old) isn't old enough to appreciate family games or anything like. We just like to hang out together.

2. Do you know how to play poker? I know the concepts of playing poker, but I have never played.

3. Have you ever been to a chiropractor? Regularly? I started going to a chiropractor after a car accident in college. With lots of moving, it's difficult to say that I have gone to a chiropractor "regularly" over the years. However, I did start back to a chiropractor the month before I became pregnant with Ladybug, and have had regular adjustments for the past 2+ years.

4. Have you ever slopped pigs or milked cows? I've never slopped pigs, but I have milked cows. Both by hand and by machine. My mom's dad had a dairy farm when we were growing up, and we always loved playing in the barns. The farm hands decided to put all of our youthful energy to work and taught us how to milk the cows.

5. How are you doing with the goals you made for the New Year? One of my goals was to be a better wife and mother, I hope I'm making small strides in that everyday! My "get healthy" goal is also going well - I've lost 12.5 lbs since January 1st!

6. Is there something you dread doing every day? I don't think there is anything is every single day that I dread. There are certain things about parenting that I dread that don't occur on a regular basis: watching my child get shots; trying to be a good mother the day after my child has kept me up part of the night.

7. What room in your home would you most like to buy new furniture for? If Hubby were answering this question, he would say the living room. He has never liked that furniture (it came with me, so he didn't have a choice when we got married!). But I would say the guest room. The old wooden frame on the bed finally bit the dust, so right now the box spring and mattress are on the floor. Still comfy, just a little less presentable as a guest room.

8. If I had a dollar for every _______________, I'd be able to ______________. If I had a dollar for every diaper I've changed, I'd be able to buy a new (new to us) car!

The Poo Stepper

Sheila over at Momfessions is hosting a Diaper Chatter carnival today, and as a mom, of course I have diaper and/or poo stories to share! I didn't realize how much I have shared about that aspect of my life until I started looking back through my archives. I have shared about the first poopy diaper that Hubby had to change. I have shared about my Diaper Nirvana. And I have shared about diaper explosions.

But I haven't shared about the Poo Stepper. I don't remember when the Poo Stepper first made an appearance, but I'm guessing it was early in our diapering career. You know how little ones love to flail and kick when they are placed on their backs for a diaper change. There was more than one occasion when Ladybug (now 20 months) would kick her feet into the poo in the open and exposed diaper. Since I did more diaper changes than Hubby, I learned quickly to fold the diaper back on itself and cover the poo and protect little feet.

Hubby coined this as the Poo Stepper, and it would freak him out. He was trying to juggle enough things as it was: keeping the baby from rolling off the changing table, multiple wipes for cleaning the bum, keeping the clothes out of the poo, and keeping Ladybug's feet out of the poo as well. So the Poo Stepper greatly added to his frustration. Because now he had to clean poo from Ladybug's foot and/or sock and anything else she might have kicked after she stepped in the poo.

I would hear the following cry from the nursery: "Poo Stepper!!!!" And I would know that my assistance was required. Hubby just didn't have enough hands to handle it all.

The Poo Stepper tries to make an occasional reapprearance, but I think we have vanquished it for good. Yeah right. I'm sure the next poopy diaper I have to change will allow the Poo Stepper to try to sneak in once again.

For more great Diaper Chatter, visit Momfessions today. I can't wait to read what everyone has to share. Why is poo so funny to moms?

My Interview

I saw this over on Jenn's blog a while back .She was sent some interview questions from another blogger, and Jenn posted the answers then offered to send questions to any of her readers so they could play along too. Sounds like fun to me!


1. How has blogging changed your life (positive and negative)? In a positive way, blogging is my creative outlet. I found that enjoy writing and sharing my odd sense of humor. Also, I feel that I have gained many new friends through blogging. In a negative way, I spend way too much time on the computer now. But I see blogging as my main hobby, so that's how I justify all the time spent.

2. What is the biggest lesson you have learned in life? Not to take myself so seriously, although I need to have refresher courses in that lesson all the time.

3. If you could go anywhere in the world, and money was no object, where would you go and who would you take with you? Australia and New Zealand - I've always been fascinated with the Land Down Under. And of course, I would take my Hubby and Ladybug. And now that my mom is retiring, I'd love to take her with us as well!

4. What, if anything, would you change about yourself and why? I wish I wasn't so reliant on others for my self-worth. I seek praise and affirmation from others far too much.

5. What is the biggest lesson you want to pass on to your daughter? My prayer for Ladybug is that she love the Lord with all of her heart, mind, soul, and strength. If she loves Him that much, her desire will be to live for Him and not for people. That doesn't promise her an easy life, but if she seeks God with all her heart, I know she'll make the right decisions in all areas of her life.


Would any of my wonderful readers like to have some interview questions to answer on their blog? (This is great if you need some blog fodder!) Leave me a comment here, make sure I have your e-mail address, and I'll send you a few interview questions!

My Favorite Baby Gear Buys

My Sister is expecting a baby girl in May. She is starting to get registered for the things that she'll need for her little one. I remember being a bit overwhelmed with the myriad choices in baby gear. What would I REALLY need? I know a lot of that depends on your parenting style, and you may not realize what that style is until your bundle of joy arrives on the scene.

I have made two purchases that are absolutely worth their weight in gold. They were not all that expensive, and I can't imagine parenting without them! At the time of their purchase, I could not have told you how invaluable they would be to us. These two items fit very well into our semi-attachment parenting style.

First, my ring sling! I bought it for $35 from another mom at our La Leche League meeting, even before Ladybug was born. I knew that I wanted a sling, but I did not realize how much I would rely on it. I have used the sling almost daily since Ladybug was born. When she was an infant, I would carry her in the sling at home, just so I could get a few things done while she slept. She always loved being held while she slept! I use it at church, while Hubby and I lead worship. I have used it at the beach, while shopping, and so many other places.

The second item is a bed rail. Since we started co-sleeping, we needed to find a way to keep Ladybug safe in the bed if we were not there with her. We bought a bed rail for one side of the bed, then use pillows on the open side of the bed so she won't roll off. We also take the bed rail with us when we travel, so that Ladybug can sleep in a double bed with me. (Unfortunately, there isn't enough room in a double for all three of us!) The bed rail cost $30, and I ordered it through that big box store that I don't really like. They have free shipping if you have it shipped to the store.

So, for $65, we have two pieces of "baby gear" that have been invaluable to our family and have supported our parenting style. What have been your favorite and most useful baby gear items?

More of Him Monday - Church

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This is a weekly carnival in which we can share encouragement with fellow Christian bloggers. Please read here for participation guidelines.

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A few weeks ago, our sermon at church was from 1 Corinthians. As I listened to the sermon, my mind wandered (yes, I admit it) a bit to what "church" was like in the 1st Century. The church to whom Paul was writing.

I love that Paul refers to all the Christians in Corinth as "the Church." The Christians met in homes; there were no church buildings at that point in history. And since they met in homes, I would guess that there was not just one home where they met. There were most likely many house churches in the city of Corinth. Yet, even though they met in different places, they were all still "the Church."

That made me think about the Church today. We know churches by their title, their denomination, their pastor. There are many churches in the city where we worship. Yet, none of them, together or separately, is known as "the Church of Conway." We are all the Church. (When I use a capital "C," I am referring to the Church universal - all Christians everywhere belong to the Church.)

What would it look like if, even if we worship in different buildings, we were known as The Church? If there were no denominational barriers, no racial barriers, no socio-economic barriers among Christians?

It would be like, well, like heaven. Because realistically, we live in a world with divisions and strife, and we too often allow our differences to be bigger than our similarities. But in heaven, there will be no more barriers that keep Christians apart. We will all be together, worshiping the one True and Living God. I look forward to that day, not only to be in the Lord's presence, but also because there won't be anything to keep His people divided anymore!

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Your turn. Where have you seen More of Him in your life? If you have a MOH post to share, please leave your link in the comments, and please link back here! Thanks!

Seven Quick Takes

1. I have been looking for a blog carnival in which to participate on Fridays - looks like I found one! I usually try to reserve Friday's post for the "whatever" category, but sometimes a blogger needs a little inspiration and a little help, especially when pressed for time. So this is my first time playing along with 7 Quick Takes Friday at Conversation Diary.

2. I mentioned in yesterday's post how much I am enjoying the spring-like weather we're having. We spent a lot of time outside today enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and 70 degree temps. This morning, Ladybug (20 months) and I ran a few errands. Then after her nap, we went for a 30 minute walk. Then she went outside again with Hubby. And we also spent time outside playing when my nieces arrived after school. Lots of fresh air and exercise!

3. I can totally understand why our parents' generation often started potty training children before their second birthdays. I hate wrestling with a squirmy toddler who doesn't want to lay down, especially when there is poop involved! However, I don't think Ladybug is quite ready for potty training.

4. We've all be a bit under the weather this week. Ladybug started with a cold last weekend, and it peaked Sunday night/Monday morning with an undesired 2:30 am wake up call. Poor dear couldn't breath well through her stuff nose. Her sleep schedule has been all out of whack this week. I would like to get back to normal soon!

5. My wonderful Sister and my brother-in-law bought us Pajamagrams for Christmas. They had ordered a 4T for Ladybug, but the pant legs were just too skinny for my chunk monkey. So I called the company, had a conversation with a wonderful customer service rep, and decided to send back the 4Ts in exchange for a girls' 6. They arrived last week, and although the legs and arms are a bit long, they look adorable. Here's the family in our matching pajamas. Aren't we cute?

6. Hubby and I have been scheduling a weekly movie night. Usually on Friday night after Ladybug goes to bed. It's been great to turn off the computers and snuggle on the couch!

7. Don't forget to check out my latest post over at Blissfully Domestic on the Wedded Bliss channel.

And also check out more 7 Quick Takes over at Conversation Diary.

Thankful Thursday

I realize that a lot of my readers may live in areas that will truly have six more weeks of winter (thanks to Punxsutawny Phil!), but we are experiencing a bit of early spring here in South Carolina. And I love it!

Spring is my absolute favorite season: flowers with new blooms, trees beginning to bud, good weather for playing outside. And more sunshine. And flip flops, open-toed shoes, and NO SOCKS! I do not like to wear socks!

Not only does the spring-like weather have wonderful benefits physically, it serves as a wonderful reminder of the new life that we have in Jesus Christ. Yes, I am thankful for the signs of spring that I see around me. But I am MORE thankful for the gift of new life that Jesus has freely offered me in Him!

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17

For more thankful hearts, please visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Wordful Wednesday

Last week, I wanted to share pictures of our family getting ready to watch the Super Bowl. However, my week sort of fell apart and my original blogging plans went by the wayside.

So here are belated pictures of our Steeler family. Needless to say, we were ECSTATIC about the Steelers victory! Actually, I am the big Steelers fan in the family, but Hubby chooses to cheer for them with me. And Ladybug, well, she doesn't have a choice yet! Some of my earliest memories are of watching football with my dad and asking him to explain things about the game. I love football, and mostly, I love my Pittsburgh Steelers!

My handsome Hubby (sporting a beard, for now):Me wearing my t-shirt from the previous Super Bowl victory:Our Steeler family:And Ladybug sleeping while Mama is enjoying the game:

Wordful Wednesday
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More of Him Monday & Tiny Talk Tuesday

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This is a weekly carnival in which we can share encouragement with fellow Christian bloggers. Please read here for participation guidelines.

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Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16-17

Last night as we were going through our bedtime routine with Ladybug (20 months), she kept saying a word that Hubby and I didn't understand. She was using that toddler tone; the frustrated, why-don't-you-understand-me tone. Parents, you know the one.

Finally, I realized that she was saying, "Pray!" We had already said our bedtime prayers, but she wanted to pray again. So we said another prayer. And Ladybug said it again, so we prayed again.

It warms this Mama's heart to hear my child ask to pray. It is the prayer of my heart that Ladybug be so in love with God that she seeks Him all of her days.

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Your turn. Where have you seen More of Him in your life?

If you would like to share a post along the themes of More of Him Monday (either Scripture Speaks or Him in My Life), please share your link in the comments. I am looking for more bloggers would like to participate in this weekly carnival. I can post a Mr. Linky in the future if there is more interest and participation. Thanks!

And don't forget to visit Mary, our host for Tiny Talk Tuesday!

When Pigs Fly

Tuesday, January 20th was an historic day. No, I'm not talking about the inauguration of our first African-American President. It snowed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But not for long.

Then, this Wednesday, February 4th, it snowed again. And it actually stuck on the ground. A long time resident informed me that the last time it snowed was 1989, and it snowed more than a foot that time.

I didn't get any pictures of the snow on January 20th. Like I said, it wasn't really impressive. But this week I got pictures. Here is the view out our front door:
Then the view out our back door:
Ladybug and I had to run a few errands as the snow was stopping. And I saw the strangest sight on the way home. A large pig, a very large pig (over 100 lbs) was running parallel to the road in a field. I knew the pigs were there, but I had never see a pig THIS BIG run LIKE THAT! I told Ladybug to look out the window at the pig.

Then it hit me. It snowed in Myrtle Beach. People often use the phrase, "When pigs fly" to describe the impossibility of something like that happening. Maybe this pig was trying to fly!

(Okay, maybe you had to be there. I thought it was funny!)

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for God's Word! It is alive and relevant and speaks to me every day. I've been spending some time in Galatians recently.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:4-5)

A great reminder to me that I need to worry more about myself and what I think, than to seek the approval of others. If the work that I am doing satisfies God and me, that it doesn't have to measure up to anyone else.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)

It's so easy to get discouraged! But keeping my eyes fixed on the Lord and what He has called me to encourages me to keep going, even in the small, mundane tasks of daily life.

I'm so thankful for the way that God has spoken to me through His Word this week! What are you thankful for today?


For more thankful hearts, please visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Wordful Wednesday

Ladybug (20 months) has discovered the joy of sitting in baskets. I remember that I loved to sit in boxes when I was a kid. What is it that makes kids want to climb into a box or basket that is so enticing?

Anyway, here is Ladybug reclining in the laundry basket.

Oh! And guess who joined her in the basket? Her duckies! She loves her duckies!Unfortunately, one of her duckies went missing on our trip in January, so I never was able to get a duckie family portrait. However, I foresee many duckies in her future!

Wordful Wednesday
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Tiny Talk Tuesday

My apologies to my regular readers for neglecting to post a More of Him Monday post yesterday. I have a post started, plus have some spiritual reflections from the Super Bowl to share (YAY STEELERS!!!!!!). But I am on day 3 of the same headache, there are toys and laundry everywhere, and the trash and recycling overfloweth. And when I sit down to type, I am interrupted every 5 seconds by either a toddler with a poopy diaper or a feline who wants to throw up on my carpet.

Okay, enough whining from me. On to Tiny Talk Tuesday!

A few weeks ago, I shared about Ladybug's signing plus all of the words that she uses on a regular basis. I love seeing how she is combining the two!

We are trying to teach Ladybug (2o months) to help clean up her toys. She has to do this at Mom's Morning Out, so we are trying to do the same at home. The other day, I was working in the kitchen and looked into the living room to seeing Ladybug putting some toys in their bucket. I asked her, "What are you doing?" She signed AND said, "CLEAN!" Love it!

Ladybug is also getting quite good at identifying pictures in books as we read. I haven't really prompted her to do this, so I was a bit surprised when she would say or sign the words (or both). She loves to point to and say (or sign) these words while we're reading: toes, airplane, moo (for cow), dog, kitty, bee, flower, baa (for sheep), pig, rain, and a lot more that I'm forgetting!

Ladybug is also starting to say her numbers, although not in order. We have a wooden number puzzle that I say the numbers as she puts the pieces in place. Her favorite numbers to look at and say are: eight, zero, and two.

She's learning new words everyday and talking up a storm! I love it!

Cashua Coffee Giveaway Winners

Oops! I can't believe I forgot to post the winners for the Cashua coffee giveaway. Thanks so much to everyone who entered. If you were not lucky enough to be one of the three winners, I hope you'll consider ordering coffee from them. I love supporting small, family-owned businesses.

I had Mr. Random Number Generator choose three numbers out of the 141 entries. Congratulations to Caranam, Karla, and ailad!

I will be sending an e-mail to the winners, and they have until Wednesday to contact me with their mailing information. If one of the winners does not get back with me before Wednesday, I'll choose another winner. (Although I am very tempted to keep the coffee for myself! It is sitting on my kitchen counter smelling wonderful!)