Wordless Wednesday: Carousel

Mommyful Moment: Worth It

All the hard work of being a parent, the doing-it-all, the sleepless nights worrying, "are we going to get through this?", the working hard at bringing home the bread, then coming home to work some more, the food stains on the carpet, the getting along with The Ex and his side of the family (and his girlfriend)...all of that is worth all the heart that I have to give it in the end. But it is especially illuminating and humbling last night as I was doing something in the kitchen, and DD says to me out of the blue, "I love you, mom. Thank you for all that you do. And thank you for being my mom."

Have You Had the Birds and the Bees Talk with your Child Yet?

When DD asked me about how babies were made, she seemed satisfied with my very general answer.  Thankfully, she didn't ask for details, but I've been trying to figure out how to explain the rest of it when she does. So, I poked around the Interwebs and found this gem of a book. Find it under the jump. (WARNING: THE LINK IS NOT SAFE FOR WORK OR FOR KIDS.)

Super Grateful Sunday

This meme was created with the belief that good things come to us when we are thankful. Reflect on the past 7 days, and every Sunday, list at least 7 things for which you are grateful.

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - EPICTETUS

1. Surprise from my little girl this morning--she made breakfast!
2. A full, fun Saturday at the museum, piano lessons, and movie night
3. Trust and loyalty
4. A quiet but productive (hopefully) Sunday
5. My little girl being taught how to solder by her grandpa. They made a doll out of copper wire the other day!
6. Cooler weather (relative) after 7 days of full on sunshine. Rain has come and will continue to come in the next 3 days.
7. Wonton noodles--the best comfort food ever
8. Dinnertime conversations with my girl
9. Audiobooks--for those of us who have no time to read a book. Great for when you are waiting at the pickup line at school (or any line for that matter), play it in your car while driving or commuting, or upload it to your iPhone and listen to it while doing chores.
10. REST.

Your turn!

Mommyful Moment: It's Hard to Give a Serious Mom Speech When You Have a Booger Hanging Out of Your Nose

So last night, I told DD to get a head start on our bedtime routine so we would have plenty of time to watch a movie. I reminded her three times until finally, I had to use the "Mom Voice" and give her the "Mom Look" and the "Mom Speech" to get the point across. As I was talking to her, the corners of her lips turned up in a slight smile that I could tell she was trying to hold back.

Finally, she blurted out, "MOMMY, YOU HAVE A BOOGER IN YOUR NOSE."

Trying to maintain a straight, serious face, I said something to the effect of "focus(ing) on my message and not on my booger." Oi, I know.

So finally, at the end of the "Mom Speech", trying so hard not to laugh, she jumped down from the stool she was standing on and said, "IT WAS GOING IN AND OUT WHILE YOU WERE TALKING, MOM!" And she ran into the bedroom to start her bedtime routine.

Or maybe she ran in there to laugh her butt off like I did after she left. I couldn't stand straight, I was laughing so hard (silently!).

Note to Self:
Wipe nose before giving the Mom Talk.

Super Grateful Sunday

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
-Brian Tracy

This meme was created with the belief that we get more of what we are thankful for. Reflect on the past 7 days, and every Sunday, list at least 7 things for which you are grateful.

Here's mine:

1. Lazy weekends
2. Best friends
3. Being able to dog-sit a friend's miniature Schnauzer
4. Having just enough of what we need
5. The internet! It's connected me to new people and reconnected me to old friends.
6. Have I mentioned how much I love my job? No? I'm thankful for it every. Single. Day.
7. DIY instructables/tutorials.
8. The kindness of strangers
9. The walks that the Schnauz takes me and my daughter out on
10. The peacefulness of late nights after everyone has gone to bed

Your turn!

Individual Development Accounts can help break cycle of poverty - latimes.com

This is about IDA's or Individual Development Accounts, but I am posting this because of the inspirational single mom who is using it to turn her life around.

Individual Development Accounts can help break cycle of poverty - latimes.com

Organic Coupons!

No Registration Necessary:

Weleda
$2.00 OFF Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash
$3.00 OFF 2.5 oz. Skin Food Body Cream

Wholly Guacamole
$1.00 OFF. Download PDF coupon and print!

Earth’s Best
Diapers, Baby Food, Formula, Cereal, Baby Snacks. No registration required!

LARABAR
For online purchases of their 4 new flavors. Use the code LARNEW10 at chackout and get 15% OFF.

Registration Required:

Organic Valley
$0.75 OFF on dairy products and eggs. (You have to fill out a form before you can print your coupons.)

Horizon
Dairy Products (You have to register for a free account to get them.) 

7th Generation
$1.00-$2.00 OFF (You have to register – free – to receive them.)

Cascadian Farms
Sign up to receive coupons.

Stoneyfield
Registration required.

Honest
Makers of my kids’ drink, HonestKids. Other products include: HonestAde and Honest Tea. Registration required.

Super Grateful Sunday

This meme was created with the belief that we get more of what we are thankful for. Reflect on the past 7 days, and every Sunday, list at least 7 things for which you are grateful.

Here's mine:

1. Quiet, rainy weekends
2. Compassion-filled friendship
3. Movie and pizza nights
4. Kisses from the little one
5. The Greatest Mom in the World's birthday
6. Weekend outings with friends
7. Harvesting our own herbs from our tiny patio garden
8. My growing spring onions
9. The quiet faith that everything will be okay
10. The tranquility of early mornings

Your turn!