Pro-nursery

I was at church by myself today - well, I mean, Gianna was in nursery but Beej went to meet a friend today and didn't go to service with me. So I was in service by myself. I sat in our usual spot (yes, I'm one of those that has a "usual" spot at church!) and there were some people to my left and I had a couple of seats on my right towards the end of the row that were empty. Around half way through praise & worship and woman with a little boy asked if she could sit in the empty seats next me, I said sure! Her son was probably just about a year old, barely walking and saying a few baby words.

And like any baby he didn't want to be held and kept saying "down, down". And his mother would loudly Shhhh him. But it kept building.....he was throwing her keys around, yelling various words in his little vocabulary "mon-tee, tat, Pa-pa, Ninnee, etc" Again, the mother would be twice as loud telling him to be quiet. After about 30 minutes of him being totally disruptive and the people to my left giving him the evil eye (lol!) our nursery director came over and asked if she'd like for her to take him to the nursery. The lady said No way! He will not stay in the nursery. So the director brought him a sippy of juice and some goldfish. Did I mention he kept yelling "Ba-ba. Hun-gwee" and his mom kept saying "We have food at home...." He's a baby, you bring food with you, woman! So he happily drank juice and crackers for about 10 minutes. Then the juice ran out and he threw the goldfish everywhere.

At this point I have NO idea what the pastor is saying even though I'm desperately trying to listen. The couple beside me gave the mom and kid one last glare and left! Lol! The mother said in a super fierce loud whisper "Noah, you stop it right now!" But she continued to sit right there and let him flip out. He's crying and screaming to "GOOOOO!" and she's just pretending it isn't happening. (At this point I gave up on listening and checked my Twitter feed! Haha!)

She finally left about 10 minutes before service ended, smashing gooey goldfish all into the carpet as she went.

Here's my point. Children are not meant to sit quietly through an hour and a half service. Especially when they have nothing to help entertain them - no snacks, nothing to drink, nothing to play with. I kept Gianna in church until she was about a year old. Mainly because when she was really little the church we were at the nursery was run by an inept teenager and there was no way I was going to turn my baby over to her. But we always sat towards the back where I could easily slip out if she got fussy without getting the attention of everyone in service. I packed bottles, sippy cups, snackies, toys, etc. in her bag to help keep her entertained. Once she was a year old we were at a church with a much more organized nursery system and she went to nursery. Yeah, she cried for almost the first year every time we dropped her off. But I knew she would be fine and by the end of service she didn't want to leave. And it helped break that separation anxiety between me and her.

I do not understand people who expect their babies and toddlers to sit through a full length service and not disrupt it for everyone around them. Parents either ignore it or they get up and down, up and down and that's just as disruptive. Once they are 6 or 7 and you want them to learn to participate in church that's fine but even then I don't think that 6 & 7 year old's learn at the same depth that adults do. That's why they have Kid's church - Bible lessons that apply to kids their age in a way they understand.

Nursery is a blessing, people! It allows you time to listen and learn from your pastor while your child is having a good time learning on their level with other kids their age. To me it was important for Gianna to have this time to learn to sit in a sorta classroom setting, to have to listen to someone other then me or her daddy, to learn to interact with other children especially since right now she's an only child. It doesn't make you a bad mom if your baby/child doesn't want to sit quietly for 2 hours!

I'm pr0-nursery, people. And if you insist on keeping your child in service and having them be rude and disruptive don't get mad at people giving you the evil eye! Lol!

Night Out

Yesterday my hubby and I had a much needed night out! My wonderful sister took Gianna for the afternoon/evening/night and let us go. Hooray for great sisters! Gianna has been counting down the days for like a week because she loves hanging out with her Aunt Char-char and Uncle J - they spoil her rotten that's why!

We ran an errand and then had some time to kill before we met up with some friends for dinner so we hit up a "new" Goodwill in the area. They have great stuff but to me they seem a bit pricey for a thrift store. We always find good stuff but end up spending way too much. Beej found a couple of books - we have built quite a collection of Stephen King, Dean Koontz and David Baldacci books just by picking them up at thrift stores here and there. I found Gianna a couple of things and right as I was about to call it a day I spotted these!

I snatched them up and looked them over and they didn't even look worn! I glanced inside and realized they were Minnetonka's and decided to get them wether they would fit Gi or not. I figured if they didn't fit her I'd sell them. My favorite thrift store find so far - but got them home and eagerly put them on Gi this morning and they didn't fit! Just barely and I was so bummed!

After that we strolled around downtown for a bit and stepped into a few little shops and enjoyed the fresh air.....

Then we met up with our friends at a cute little Italian place downtown called Mezzaluna. We've been wanting to try it for months because they had said it was really good. I really wanted alfredo with shrimp but they didn't have it on the menu. Beej had been saying all night he wanted mussels so that's what he went with.

And I went with a pepperoni and spinach calzone!

And that was after the super yummy calamari!

We opted out of dessert there and wandered around until we found a quirky little coffee shop with a super great vintage couch and a awesome mosaic coffee table. Generally I have a mocha but I just went with a hot chocolate last night. And it was delish! We sat around and chit chatted for a bit before we said our good bye's and headed home happy and full!

This morning I decided to tackle our cat and his flea situation. A couple of weeks ago we noticed he had sores all over his body and we couldn't figure out what it was. He's never had it before. My hubby thought he saw a flea but we couldn't find anymore and I brushed it off. But it kept getting worse and after consulting a few friends with cats we finally decided he must indeed have fleas. We've NEVER had an issue with fleas. Ever. Until we moved out here into the country. Reason #957 why I HATE the country.

So instead of spending the money to get him shaved ( I didn't want to take him somewhere since he has fleas.) I decided to try and do it myself. (Go ahead and laugh at me right here!)

He was actually much more cooperative then I expected but it was still a disaster!!!!

That's how much hair I removed and I only got about half of him shaved!

HAHA! He looks so embarrassed!

Then my sister brought over flea shampoo and we gave him a bath. He just kept meowing

but it sounded like he was saying "Ow" over and over and finally Gianna goes "Is he saying ow?"! Lol!

We still didn't see alot of fleas....we even used a flea comb and didn't see but one. Then this evening I went and got some flea treatment and put it on him. And now there are fleas crawling everywhere on him! I am so grossed out and itching like crazy......ugh. Guess we'll give him another bath tomorrow and then dust the house down with anti-flea powder.

Oh, I can't wait to move back into a city - thank you, Jesus.

So that's been my weekend!

"K" Love

I wouldn't say I'm a Kardashian fan but I will say that for a celebrity family they are fairly "classy". Doesn't mean they don't have their moments but for the most part they are pretty funny and of course, entertaining.

But the one thing that has hit me the most when I've occasionally caught "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" is that they really, really love each other. I feel like, even though they pick on each other and make fun, they deep down respect each other so much.

And personally I admire that so much. I feel like when they give each other compliments is straight from the heart. I don't feel like any of them are jealous of the other one - they are each confident in who they are and their strengths.

Kourtney -

She's my favorite. I think of all the sisters she is the most steadfast and mature. And I of course relate more with her being a mother, etc. (I can't believe I just said I "relate" with her - haha! Not really, I just like to think I do!). She is, to me, the prettiest of the sisters as well.

Khloe -

I love her as well, she's hilarious! Something about her reminds me of my sister, D. She is kinda fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants. But she loves fiercely and strong and she is protective of her sisters and I think it's so sweet.

Kim -

I know she is the most "popular" by far but Kim is my least favorite. Don't get me wrong, she is beautiful and knows how to market herself well. But she seems a little flighty and petty sometimes. I feel like the whole family caters to her a lot too. But I think in the end Kim would be the first to do anything for her mother.

Like any family they have their dysfunctional moments but I think most of all I love how they enjoy time together and have each other's backs even when they're "fighting"! And most of all I love how much they respect and love each other. You know that family is THE most important thing to them. And that's a special thing to have.

What we do for hair!

My sweet little 4 year old came to me the other day and sat down beside me and I could tell something was on her little mind. So I asked her, "What's wrong?", she sighed and said, "I wish I had long hair like all my friends." I assured her not all her friends had long hair and her's would grow in time (although at this point even I'm starting to wonder if she'll ever have anything besides a little "bob".). But when we got to school the next day I took a peek at all the other little girls in her class and good grief, I swear every one of them has hair down past their shoulder at least, some have it down to their butts! And later that day at dance again I realized almost every little girl had really long hair done up in buns or pigtails or whatever. The only other little girl with short hair is 3 and hers looks like it was cut short not that it won't grow long.

So being a good mom I started hunting down options on how to make Gianna's hair grow. She takes a multivitamin (not as regularly as she should but she does take one) but I can't say it's done a lot. Her hair is also very fine like mine, not super thick like her daddy's. But the other day I was admiring a blogger friend of mine's (Stephanie T.) hair - her hair is GORGEOUS and shiny and long and she mentioned that she uses a product called Doo Gro. Lol! Yeah, the name is anything but hot but she explained it to me and how well it's worked for her and suddenly I was all about trying it especially on my little chickie.

Today I ran down to Wal-Mart but they only had one product by the name brand (it's a whole line of products) so I went down to Sally's Beauty Supply and ta-da! they had it. I figured we might as well go all out and do as much as we could so I got the shampoo & conditioner and a leave in oil....I spent about $16 on all three products, which isn't bad at all. I was expecting ALOT worse price wise.

We started the "treatments" tonight. I washed her hair twice in the shampoo like it said, then we left the conditioner in for several minutes before rinsing. Then I did put a little of the oil in her hair after we towel dried her hair but we won't do it in the morning's when she gets a shower before school because even a little of it made her hair SUPER greasy! I'm going to use it a couple a nights a week after a bath and she can sleep on it and wash it out in the morning. I'm really hoping this helps kick start her hair growth so that we can at least get it down to her shoulders!

We also colored her hair a week or so ago....I know, some of you mothers are probably gasping right about now and shaking your heads at me. But I went to Cosmetology school and I was a licensed stylist for awhile and I think it's just fun! We highlighted it awhile back but she wanted to be blonder so we went with an all over color. Her hair pulls a lot of "red" so the color up above it what she had for a week or so but tonight I put a toner on it to bring it back closer to her natural color because the brassy color was washing her out a bit. She just keeps begging to be a redhead (I guess she gets her love of red from me!) but I told her not until her 10th birthday! She said that's way to far away.....it's not as far as it seems though. *sigh*

But anywho - I'll keep you guys updated on how the products work. I'm hoping for a miracle! Haha!

A Taco Soup Kinda Day

So the past two nights I've cranked up the crock pot to make dinner. Today and yesterday was over cast and on the slightly chilly side so something hot simmering in the crock pot seemed perfect! Tonight I made Taco Soup. It's been a favorite in my family for awhile - I think the first time I had it was when my youngest brother, M, was born. Someone brought us a big pot of it with cornbread and we've been hooked ever since. But I can honestly say I think this is the first time I've actually made it myself! Usually we just go over to Mom's and she makes it but now that they live out of state it's up to me.

Someone asked me to share the recipe so here goes -

1 pound of beef or ground turkey (I used turkey)

1 pack of Ranch dressing mix

1 pack of Taco seasoning

1 reg. can of corn

1 reg. can of kidney beans

1 reg. can of black beans

1 reg. can of pinto beans

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can tomatoes and chiles

1 reg. can white hominy (I didn't have this but normally we add it.)

I used my crock pot and add everything except the meat and seasonings.

Go ahead and let that start simmering.

Brown your meat in a pan, drain off excess moisture and grease.

Add taco seasoning and ranch mix and a 1/2 cup of water and mix it.

Then add it all to the pot!

Simmer for a few hours on low.

I topped mine with a little sour cream and used Fritos to dip it up!

My hubby added sour cream and cheese!

My hubby's only "complaint" and I agree was that it wasn't spicy enough.

I kinda did that on purpose hoping the kiddo would eat it.

But for a little extra kick get the spicy taco seasoning or add a few dashes of cayenne pepper!

It's simple and easy and super yummy, perfect Fall meal.

(I tried to figure up the calories for this and I approximated around 250 calories per cup.)

Four.

Four has been a fairly intimidating age for me.

Even when I was a teen and helped out in the nurseries at church I was good with babies and

enjoyed working with the 2's & 3's but 4's & 5's scared me!

They are wild, bossy, stubborn, they ask SO many questions, they have epic meltdown's, etc.

And I'm sorta their with Gianna.

I think that school has been a God send because to be honest I'd probably be out of my mind

trying to deal with her 24/7.

Not that I'm putting her off on someone else, not at all, it's just we need time apart to

appreciate each other and have patience with each other.

Don't get me wrong, compared to a lot of kids her age Gianna is a sweet, well behaved little girl. But she's just at that age where she is pushing my limits (and her daddy's) constantly. I feel like she is in complete hyper mode constantly. She tears around the house crashing into things, getting into things she's not supposed to, making huge messes and then giving me smack when I ask her to clean up. Getting her to pay attention and listen to anything I say is like pulling teeth. And it's exhausting.

I hate feeling constantly frustrated with her, I want to enjoy her because I know how fast she is growing up. I feel like I spend the bulk of our time correcting over and over and over again.

Telling her the same things over and over.

A little TMI but she keeps having little accidents in her pants and I KNOW she knows better.

But sometimes I feel like she just doesn't stop and pay attention enough to know when she needs to go to the bathroom until it's too late. I'm cleaning up after her like she's a little baby and she's not.

She is smart and funny and witty but right now four is trying my patience and strength.

As much as I hate to admit it, some days I just feel relieved that it's bedtime!

And I really hate that, I want to really enjoy being with her and I know this stage will pass but for now it's a little frustrating.

Repeating myself gets tiring.

But I know that being faithful to holding her accountable for her actions will pay off. People who just expect their kids to "grow out" of certain stages with no correction or discipline are in for a rude awakening later on. Children have to be taught and that's why I pray daily that I have the patience and strength to guide and correct Gianna is the right way so that she learns and doesn't just feel like she's being punished constantly.

Finding the balance between correction and punishment is hard.......but I'm trying.

Fall Festival

Last night was the Fall Festival at Gianna's school. Honestly I went to support the school and

because I knew they had really talked it up at school and Gianna was excited about it.

I hate fighting the crowds of people to ride on crappy rides and eat crappy food and pay for it all on top of it!

But like I said I know it still means something to Gianna.

It was cute to walk around and watch Gianna and her friends from class greet each other.

It's usually a squealed "Gianna!" or "Abbie!", etc. as parents drag them off through the crowds!

It's kinda hard because they are still at that age where a parent has to be with them all the

time and I don't know any of the parents so I don't want to just go hang out with them so that

our kids can ride a couple of dinky rides together.

We stood in line to ride a couple of rides....

It started getting just the tiniest bit nippy as the sun started going down.

We got there a little "late" - the festival started at 4pm and went to 8pm but we wanted to wait

and go once Beej got home from work so we didn't get over there till around 6:30. We let Gi

ride a few rides and then went to the cafeteria to get dinner. They were serving cheeseburgers,

hot dogs, pizza and fries. When we got up to "order" they didn't have cheese for the burgers (I paid $2.50 for a burger patty on a flat bun with ketchup. I could have bought two McDoubles for that! Lol!) and they were out of fries. So we paid $7 for 3 hot dogs, 1 plain burger and two small cups of soda. Whatever, we supported the school, right?!

After "dinner" we bought Gianna a giant bag of pink cotton candy. She was really upset

that it didn't come on a little paper cone like you see in the movies! But she ended

up being ok with it!

I thought about buying a candy apple but for $2 I realized I didn't really want it.

I still really really want a caramel apple. I'm thinking about buying stuff and making some

myself. I never have but it would be a fun project for me and Gi!

After that we called it a night and headed home.

On the way out Gianna said I wish I could have gotten a balloon.....

Then we came around the corner and a lady was handing out balloons to the kids.

She saw Gi and asked if she wanted a balloon and Gi said yes and the lady

said "Well you can have them all!" and handed her 5 balloons!

Gianna was so excited and it totally rounded out her evening.