bedtime routine and toddler prayers

We seem to have settled into quite a routine around here when it comes to bedtime. Around eight pm Sadie heads to our room to watch an episode of one of her favorite cartoons. Most of the time she insists on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, which is crazy because her fascination with MM seems to be innate. She has loved the show since she was about 6 months old! Other times Doc McStuffins, Jungle Junction, Oso, Handy Manny...pretty much anything Disney Junior, is acceptable. She has even begun to request Dora the Explorer.
Some nights she will ask one of us to come in and watch with her. Other nights we take the time to watch one of our own prime time shows.
When the time comes we do a diaper change, give medication, jump in the jammas and brush teeth. We pick a book from our library stack and she settles into her crib and I onto the floor. Sadie has gotten to the point now that after the book is through she begin listing people/things that she'd like to pray for. She always begins with the ritual "ama" "papa" and "huck" but lately have included Daddy, Mommy, "leg"-my foot because I sprained my ankle, and has even mentioned Boom (our cat) puppies (in general lol) and herself.
When she is done with her list she reaches her tiny hand through the rungs of her crib seeking mine to hold and I begin praying. Throughout my prayer she continues to speak of those she is thinking of, mostly her grandparents and uncle, and will not let me say "Amen" until I have mentioned each person or item.There is no way for me to know how much about praying she really understands, but it makes my heart feel so warm and happy that she seems to really put thought into who she includes in her prayers at night. I want her to go to sleep wishing well for others and remembering everything she is thankful for and trusting God to listen to her deepest thoughts and concerns.
I so love being a Mommy and seeing this gift that God has given me start to form the base for a relationship with He who has already carried her through so much. What a blessing she truly is!
After this prayer she seems so content. She lays her head on her pillow although she makes sure to voice that she'd rather me stay. I tell her I love her and stand up to leave. I take one last look behind me so thankful that I have been given one more day to see my angel grow and each day more and more proud of her. Thank you Jesus!
 

The Many Uses of Ivory

Did you know that you can use Ivory soap as laundry detergent?! How about carving your soap into different shapes? There are so many things you can do with this soap!!
When I received a complimentary bar of the soap from influenster as a part of the mom voxbox, I was very surprised because this is far from a new product! My family is a loyal consumer of Ivory soap and has been for as long as I can remember. Most of us prefer Ivory soap over the liquid pump soap that my mother also offers at her bathroom sink. The smell is so iconic; simple and clean. You can't help but feel refreshed after every use!
During this trial run with ivory soap, my daughter was experiencing a horrible diaper rash. I hadn't thought about washing her bottom with it, but after my mother's recommendation, I tried it and surprisingly it seemed to sooth her! There are still traces of her unrelenting rash, but Ivory soap in a bath seems to be a very calming relief for her!
There are many uses for Ivory soap, but the one that I appreciate most is that it is a non-threatening cleanser that was safe to use on my daughter bottom! I also love the value of the product! One bar is very inexpensive and lasts such a long time!!
I would love to try some of the different uses for this product like creating a soap craft!

Influenster Venus & Olay Razor Review

So I got a chance to try out the new Venus & Olay Gillette razor. I must admit, my legs take a break from shaving during the winter...oh hush! I know I'm not the only one!! Anyways the weather has been super nice, so it was wonderful to receive this complimentary trial product.
Opening the handle was normal enough, as well as popping in the razor cartridge. Then the fun started! I hopped in the shower and went to work on the crazy winter legs. The Olay moisture bars allowed me to do the whole job with out the use of an extra shaving cream and the 5 razors were able to shave super close to remove hair easily without nick or scratch!
Usually my legs get rediculously irritated after a shave, however with this product I didn't have that reaction, which is really nice. I hate getting those little red bumps!
With the razor also comes a hook thingy to use in order to store your razor in the shower. It has suction cups to stick to the shower wall to keep your razor right in reach.
The product was just released into drug stores and cost between 9 and 11 dollars for one handle, shower hook thingy and razor cartridge. Refill cartridges cost between 15 and 20 dollars for a 3 pack. These prices may seem steep, however when you think about the fact that you won't have to be purchasing shaving cream or band aids for cuts as much any longer.
Check out their website at www.gillettevenus.com

          I've got a lot going on right now. Tax season is upon us, which is motivating my husband and I to set some plans in wet cement. We know that all ideas are open to alterations as the Lord sees fit, and we wouldn't have it any other way. He knows what is best for us, better than we do. 

          We plan on catching up on rent for sure, then paying down a couple bills, buying new tires for the truck and finally starting to save up for a down payment on a house. Unfortunately we will have to sign a new 12 month lease this month....ugh! Our land lord has been very gracious with us, considering all the hard times we've been through, but I was really hoping he'd let us sign a 6 month. Who wants to move in Dec. or Jan.? 

          But we did just find out that Sadie will be having surgery at the end of March. This will put us in adjustments for 10 weeks and set us up for her second surgery. Maybe its a good thing that we don't have a bunch of pressure to try to move out around the same time. 

         Then there's my cousin's wedding which will be in September. The location is several states away, so I'm hoping that we will be able to afford it.

         So then there's the idea that we might want to take Sadie to Disney World. We weren't even considering it until a couple nights ago when we randomly decided to check prices. She'd just be turning 2 so we still wouldn't have to really pay for her which would be nice. I've kind of himmed and hawed around the thought that maybe she's to young, however if we don't go this year, I fear we won't go for another 3 years...and I don't  know if I could wait that long!! Ha! We are thinking about trying for another baby and I wouldn't want to go while pregnant or with a newborn or toddler under 2. So I guess you could say it is something we are highly considering.

        Unfortunately we just got some very difficult news last night. My husband's mother was just diagnosed with cancer. She's been sick since May with a sore throat and her Dr.s just kept giving her antibiotics. Finally she went in to the hospital in December and they started running tests on her. After about a month, last night we all got the call. I'm happy that they have a diagnoses and that they can now start a treatment plan, but I must admit that I'm a little aggravated with her original Dr.s that just kept medicating her without looking into her real illness. Doctors...ugh!!!

        Well that's an idea of all the craziness surrounding my brain right now! Tata for now