Day #53 FRG

The Family Readiness Groupis an Army program that helps with the families of deployed soldiers. It also helps families of soldiers that are away on extended trainings and such.  They are truley awesome. The group is generally run by ladies (not always but it is common).  I have known FRG members that have been able to mow yards (if the hubby is deployed), offer babysitting, put together newborn baskets (of diapers, wipes,etc to new mothers) and of course have outings and fun cookouts. This is a strictly voluntary group and it helps sooo many service members and their families. I'm sure the other military branches have something similar, but this is what we do. :)

Day #52 Hand Sanitizer

When I was in Basic Training for the Army, we were actually ISSUED hand sanitizer. I thought it was silly but then I realized how quickly we all got sick from each other. I used it religiously. It kept me from getting sicker than I got.

 

Being a Momma, I use hand sanitizer a lot, as well.  I have now spread this habit to my son. I put a small dab on his hand and he immediately rubs them together and gets clean.  I didn't teach him that this is how it was used I guess they really do see everything we do. He's fun. He asks for it now.

Day #51 Cranberry

I have found a new love: Cranberry in Coke!! I saw cranberry on the menu at Sonic for an add in flavor.  I love lime in Coke so I figured I would try cranberry. Sure enough, it is DELICIOUS!!! You should try it.  Or try and orange slush with cranberry.

Did you know that cranberry is a great suppliment to take for digestive health? It keeps your urinary tract clear from infections.  If you don't like the taste butwant the benifits, there are capsules you can take that do the same thing. I know from personal experience, of a Urinary Tract Infection, that those little capsules are amazing. :) Too good things about cranberries.

Day #50 Springtime

It's Spring in San Antonio. I love this! The birds come out and sing. I hear crickets at night.  And the best thing is it's overcast and a little drizzly but about 65-70 degrees. :) I love Spring!

 

Day #49 Lady Justice

Today I had to go to court. While there I saw the judge give justice to people.  One lady was almost killed by her spouse and was given a protective order against him. Two families adopted sweet little baby girls! I was granted a divorce. The judge has a hard job, I think. He must be able to weigh the good and bad and pick the best of it all.

This is the fountain in front of the courthouse
Lady Justice

Day #48 Movies

I LOVE movies!! There are such a variety these days. It's nice to have on a cold, boring day to snuggle and watch a movie. Or when you're bored and need something to entertain yourself. They also can help you bond with your family. The struggle with movies is finding appropriate ones and making sure we bond over the right ones.  Some leave you with a bad taste in your mouth or weigh badly on your mind. So consider wisely and find great enjoyment in your movies!

Day #47 Early Bedtime :)

Today, my son fell asleep in the car on the way home from the sitter’s house.  I know I probably should have kept him up but I just laid him in his bed. I did it partially to see if he’d really sleep, since he RARELY falls asleep on the way home.  He did sleep, from 5p- 10p.  He was awake for like 30-40 minutes and was back down for the rest of the night.

Day #46 Easy Dinners

One of the best things in life for a busy mom, easy dinners!! I love to put a frozen something on the stove and warming it to perfection. It's healthy and quick and my son will eat it! I like that. Our favorites are Bortolli's, Stoffers and the Wal-Mart brand ones. :)

Day #45 Baking

Today is Valentine's Day!! And oh my! My work is a diabetics nightmare! I made twix cupcakes. A coworker made a cupcake with strawberry frosting and another made "cake balls." They were pieces of cake with chocolates dripped all over it! Sooo good!! I certainly LOVED all the baking but it did make my stomach upset.

Day #44 Sunshine

Today was the first REAL day of warm Springtime weather.  Since my son was still under the weather, we stayed home from Church.  We had a semi picnic lunch outside with our friend Chrissi. It was sooo nice outside. I love and am so thankful for sunshine!!

Day #43 Medicine

Oh NO!!! My son turned up with a fever of 103.6!!! I was soooo scared that he’d have a seizure. I am so thankful for medicine. I gave him some tylenol and within an hour his fever was going doen.

Not too long ago in our country, there were not common medicines available to help reduce fevers for our children.  Acetaminophen came around in the 1950’s and Ibuprofen was patented in the early 1960’s. Just food for thought.

Day #42 Cleaning House

Something about having a clean kitchen or living room just makes everything else in life just seem calmer! I heard on the radio one morning that if you first clean your sink then it will help to supply you with the motivation to clean the rest of your kitchen and then it spreads to the rest of your house. It's true too. My kitchen got so bad one day that I had to clean the dishes and put them in the dishwasher while i cleaned the rest of them and rinsed them (sidenote: my dishwasher doesn't really CLEAN the dishes haha). After I cleaned all the dishes and had a clean sink, i HAD to clean the counters and so on. It feels good to have a clean house.

Day #41 Family [Part III] Mothers: Bad Dreams

Tonight was the first time my son had a nightmare.  The poor baby was crying in his sleep like he was in pain. I thought he was awake so I pick him up and tried to comfort him.  He just continued to cry.  That’s when I noticed all of his “sleepy but not sleeping” cues weren’t there and he was still asleep. I had to try and wake him up. Poor thing!! But he did wake up and promptly put his little thumb in his mouth and grabbed his little blankie. 

I remember having nightmares as a child. I would wake up to my mom sitting on the edge of my bed twirling my hair behind my ear. That always made me feel better.  When life gets tough, like having a nightmare, we want our mommies to make us feel better. Though, I wasn’t glad that my babe had a nightmare, I am glad that I could help make him feel better.

Day #40 Shoes

We take a LOT of things for granted in our day! Think of this... do you know how many countries are there where the majority of it's people do NOT have shoes? There are a TON! It's sad to think. So today I am thankful for shoes.

Day #39 Cloth Diapers

I LOVE cloth diapers!!  HOWEVER, my son had a bad reaction to a certain fabric that we tried first. :( So i just kinda stored the diapers for months. Well I finally sold them and with some of the money I bought a new and different kind of diapers.  I only got a couple this time instead of the 30 something I had last time. I decided to do cloth part time (while he is home with me and sposies at the sitter's house). His bum is doing a lot better this time and I think these ones are cuter.

Using cloth diapers is good in many ways: (1.) It's better for the environment.  (2.)You Save money in the long run (It is one big purchase at the beginning compared to buying disposables which are cheaper in small pusrchases but occur more frequently). (3.) Helps children to know when they are wet better and promotes early potty training. (4.) Did I mention it saves money?? (5.) They do not have chemicals in them which make them better for your child's skin. :)

  

These are the two kinds I've used and liked. Bumgenius were the first ones (that My babe was allergic to) and Rumparooz. I like the RaR's better since they have the "2 gentle internal gussets that channel each leg" like a disposable. What a great idea!!!  Make sure to use the appropriate NO additive and NO brightener diaper soap (I make my own).

Here is where you can find info on the Bumgenius.Here

I bought mine from Cotton Babies.



 

Bumgenius

Here is the info for Rumparooz. Here We liked these the most!! So cute! It's cheaper to buy them in bulk.

Shows the inner gussets

Day #38 Vacuums

Anyone that has crunchy grass, like here in Texas, or has a little one that loves snacks knows that the floor is constantly dirty! Vacuums are amazing! I use mine at least 2 or 3 times a week, and a handvac in between. So much easier than picking things up one by one.

Day #37 Friends [Part V] Movies

Last night I dropped off the babe with a coworker and went out for Pho (vietnamese soup) and a movie. We watched "no Strings Attached." It was HILARIOUS!! It might be a little lewd to the more sensitive but I hear worse things at work. haha One good line "you fight like a hamster!!"

Day #36 Beauty Appointments

One of my recent goals in my life is to make myself a better, healthier person.  The first step in that was to get laser eye surgery.  My next and current step is laser hair removal. Yes it hurts a little but it's sooo worth it.  Time to get rid of al that unwated hair and feel prettier overall.  Who would really want to shave forever if they didn't have to? Bye bye hairy legs and pits... and other sensitive areas.

Day #35 GOOD NEWS!!

Today, I am thankful for good news!! We didn't have to go in to work Because of an inch of snow and a layer of freezing rain on the roads.  I know that sounds silly to you who live or have lived in colder places, but here in Texas that is a BIG deal.

San Antonio drivers can barely drive with a few inches of rain!! So ice and a touch of snow is out of the question.

Day #34 Family [Part II] Sister's Birthday

Today is my sister's birthday and man! Am I glad she was born?! We tell each other secrets, teach each other how to do craft projects, get opinions that no one else can give, laugh and cry together. I just really love my sister. :)

Day #33 Consideration

Today is a FREEZING day in San Antonio, TX. It's 20 degrees with windchill it's about 0 (way too cold for Texas).  As I was driving from one military base to the other, I realized that the power was out on the main road that I drive on (it's called Valley Hi). Yikes! This road is usually ridiculous! The traffic is usually backed up all down tot he highway and people are known to run the red light and block the intersection. This is where my road rage comes out a lot.

 

Well this morning with all the power outage, everyone seemed to finally drive safely and considerately. All the intersections became 4 way stops and no one was going without it being their turn.  No one was blocking the intersection. I wish it was like that all the time. :) I've never gotten from one base to the other so quickly... ever.

 

Please everyone, remember to be a little more considerate to others.  Things like this make the world run smoother. :)

Day #32 Talents

Today, I am thankful for talents that other people have.  I have a few friends that are photographers and man are they awesome. Today on my facebook I have decided to promote their stuff (and those that sell things like mary kay, avon, etsy, scentsy, etc).  Here are some of them.

 

Katie Kirkland Photography: Fort Meade, Maryland Area

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Kirkland-Photography/328689672407

 

Jerrica Kristina Photography: San Antonio, Texas Area

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerrica-Kristina-Photography/149976868348090

 

Jessica Yates Photography: San Antonio, Texas Area

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/JessicaYatesPhotography

 

Jenny Hansen Photography: Clovis, New Mexico Area

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Jenny-Hansen-Photography/113063568756466

 

Pretty Little Things (Mostly things for Mommas and babes- all handmade)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/brokenblossoms