10 on Tuesday

1. Can I sneak 10 random thoughts in before the clock strikes 12 and it becomes Wednesday?
2. Potty training boot camp Megan today. We had more success than accidents! Yay Klayton!
3. Next week my parents come for a visit! Pretty sure the grandparents are excited to see Klayton!
4. I had a wonderful Mothers Day and was definitely spoiled!
5. Um....4 minutes until a new day and I'm already at a loss of random thoughts.
6. Made a new cookie recipe today, cookie suicide?! Well, that's one name it's called...three layers: chocolate chip cookies, Oreos and brownie batter! Yummy!
7. Candy Crush Saga anyone? Yep, I'm addicted to the stupid game I said I would never play.
8. Really in the crafting mode. Maybe I can sneak some scrapbooking time in tomorrow.
9. Tried a new conditioner called, Not Your Mothers! Yep, in love with it, leaves my hair super soft!
10. It's a minute till 12 and I'm done! Woohoo!!

Mother's Day

I love being a Mom and I don't really need a special day; but I will take a day to be spoiled and enjoy it!
Klayton made me this card in Sunday School class and his teacher had him give me the flower. Which while yes he gave me the planted flower for maybe 1.5 seconds he then promptly wanted it back!

Mother's day is such a meaningful day to me and I am SO thankful that I can now enjoy this day! Years past it has been bittersweet and I can't help but to think of friends and family that yearn to enjoy this day as a Mom. And I thank God for giving me my "greater yes" in Klayton and may I never take for granted being his mommy!

Socks Question?

Commonly socks are worn on our feet; but Klayton seems to disagree. What do you think, should socks be worn on the feet or the hands?

My Gift from Cabela's

Cabela's is the one stop manly man store. It seems everything that could possibly please a man can be found. Thankfully, they realize that sometimes a man drags his wife into the store and for that there is...

Yummy, chocolate and peanut butter fudge.

I am trying to ration my portions.

Thank you Cabela's for thinking of me in one small way.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Busy is a current understatement. I kept thinking yesterday was Tuesday!
2. Our library is doing a summer reading program and I'm excited that they are going to let Klayton participate! I think it starts Friday...
3. Saturday is a ladies brunch at church. My job is to make a breakfast casserole, any suggestions? I've never made one before.
4. Thursday my Scentsy order should arrive! It always feels like Christmas even though its not for me!
5. I watched the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. Lets just say I really want a juicer of my own now.
6. Am I the only enjoying Happy Hour at Starbucks? The Caramel Ribbon Crunch is my new drink of choice!
7. I think Monday might be a good day to start potty training boot camp!
8. In just a couple of weeks my parents will be here for a visit and then we all get to help my nephew celebrate his first birthday.
9. Klayton was napping and then decided to fall back asleep on my lap. Sweet moments as I listen to the pitter patter of rain.
10. Well, I hope this finds you all having a Happy Tuesday!

Red 40

On my Bucket List for this year I shared I wanted to cut out Red40 from our diet. I thought I would share why and give a progress report.
I am by no means a health nut; but I try to be aware of what is going into our mouths and it seems we eat more junk than we should. I figure the small steps I take add up in my overall health as I realize there is always room for improvement.
Red40 is a dye often put into our foods to help them "look better". Yet if we were to use it outdoors it could be considered a pesticide! It's not a necessary ingredient in the foods we eat. This dye also has a wealth of side effects: infertility, hyperness and migraines just to name a few. In fact most kids who have been labeled with ADHD simply need to eliminate red40 from their diets and most research has shown that after this elimination that medication is no longer necessary.
I am learning that removing Red40 from our diet isn't a huge deal...yes it takes thought and a little work. But, we already eat a lot foods that don't contain the dye. The work comes in when I need to come up with substitutes. For example Klayton loves strawberry milk, one of the ingredients is Red40 and to remedy this situation I now spend an extra 10-15 minutes once a week making our own strawberry syrup. I am also learning that just because a food item is not red that it doesn't nix the idea that there is no red40. Most vanilla ice cream and even some crescent rolls contain Red40. Our main changes thus far are as follows: If we want candy we stick to chocolate. Klayton enjoys fruit snacks so we only buy the Motts brand. We also switched to Tom's toothpaste. Wow, those changes are very overwhelming right?! Just kidding. It's not been a sacrifice and it hasn't been hard. But, I do admit that we have had slip ups...like enjoying that clearance bag of jelly beans. Sigh. But, this journey is about progress!

10 on Tuesday-Pinterest

1. On Saturday I hosted a Scentsy party and made these yummy treats,

Source: dessertnowdinnerlater.blogspot.com via Kendra on Pinterest

They were a hit...gone by Sunday and made a new batch last night. There are a few left...

2. I also made this punch,

Source: froggyandthemouse.com via Kendra on Pinterest

. I wasn't sure about the pineapple and lemonade combo; but it definitely hit the spot and will be seen in future parties I host!

3. My hair has been SO dry as of late and in desperate need of moisture therapy. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to try this

Source: howdoesshe.com via Kendra on Pinterest

. My hair was left super soft and this routine is going to be a regular routine!

4. My complexion has seen much improvement as of late; but my pores seem humongo-yes that is word! I found this pin,

Source: shwinandshwin.blogspot.com via Kendra on Pinterest

and I am loving it. I can actually feel it working! I used real lemons and so I keep it in the fridge and in the heat we have been experiencing lately it feels quite refreshing!

5. I am 31 now and they say as you age its even more important to be moisturizing. So...I'm using this

Source: mycrazyblessedlife.com via Kendra on Pinterest

and my skin is feeling super soft!

6. I love having my nails painted; but I am horrible at maintaining my paint job. I am experimenting with this

Source: keepingupwithkatiek.tumblr.com via Kendra on Pinterest

and really hoping it works. Once I see the results after a few days I will move it over to my, I Pinned It and Did It board!

7. This is a recipe that I use A LOT! So thought I would share again!

Source: cookingclassy.com via Kendra on Pinterest

8. Puzzles are SO expensive. And this is why I will be putting this pin to use this week!

Source: therigneys.wordpress.com via Kendra on Pinterest

9. Um, I don't know if my eyes looked this good; but I tried doing this and loved the look!

Source: trophywives.tumblr.com via Kendra on Pinterest

10. I love Pinterest and find myself pinning a lot of things I never do. So, I am purposing to not pin anymore until I put a notch in my current pins! Happy experimenting to me!

Book 2 of 12

Bucket List 2013-Read 12 books I have never read before.

31 Days of Forgiveness: through the eyes of grace. Written by, Tracie Stier-Johnson

This book is meant as a daily devotion and it has tons of scripture. But, since it doesn't use the King James Bible I didn't use it as a devotional, I just read it as if it were a regular book.

It did have some good truths; but I'm iffy on giving a good recommendation. However, here are a few quotes that I really liked.

Those who have served God for a long time have been kept from gross sins have a great deal to be humbly thankful for, but nothing to proudly boast about.

Matthew Henry

If sin continually remains in our lives and we don't repent and turn from that sin, God may require His divine discipline. If He didn't, He wouldn't be a loving and concerned Father.

Forgiveness does not mean excusing.

Just because we've decided to forgive someone doesn't mean we allow the behavior to continue. In fact, it's very important we do all we can to help the person stop his/her destructive behavior.

Are you sorry you got caught? Or are you sorry for what you've done?

Ultimately, forgiveness is a choice. A choice to live bound. Or a choice to live free.

Things I Don't Want to Forget-2 1/2 Years

*Klayton has a "pet rock"! While I was gone at the ladies retreat a couple weeks ago, he found a rock, tucked it in his pocket and brought it to play with!

*When Klayton knows he is about to get into trouble he can sometimes be found 'hiding' behind his hands!
*A couple weeks ago we had a church dinner, shortly after dinner was over he, on his own accord, started taking plates and throwing them away for people! What a helper I have!

*I am beginning to discover more and more of how aware Klayton is of me and my feelings. He is so tender hearted...if I am crying it really bothers him and he has an urgency to be with me. He will also randomly come and give me hugs and kisses. Definitely moments I will always cherish.
*At church Klayton loves to shake hands and do fist pumps!
*Whenever we do face time with my mom, Klayton always gives her a kiss goodbye-you would never know that a screen separates them.
*Recently Klayton has developed a desire to walk around the house shirtless. As soon as we get in he is quick to start trying to take his shirt off! And sometimes he can be found sleeping in just his diaper-yes he starts off in bed fully clothed!

I love my little guy and I am so thankful that I get the privilege of being called his mama!

10 on Tuesday

1. Since yesterday morning I have been in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri with our final destination being Kansas this evening.
2. Joseph has not been feeling 100% but seems to be doing a little better today.
3. My sister Kayla is in need of prayers. She has been in the hospital since Sunday and doctors are still searching for answers to why her body is swollen and covered in lumps and red dots.
4. My brother Caleb had surgery this morning. Praying for a quick recovery for him.
5. Wow, health issues have found its way to our family.
6. Also, just pray for God to lead, guide and direct in some decisions that will be made concerning our family.
7. This past month I've cut my caffeine intake considerably. It's been easier than I thought, I really didn't suffer any headaches. And I've only had a few caffeinated beverages here and there.
8. Do you realize we all have a past? It seems easy to remember and it seems many people like to remind us of our pasts. I'm thankful for a God who forgives and doesn't hold my past over my head as a constant reminder.
9. Someone asked us if we garden...we don't. But it's something I would actually like to try my hand at someday. What is your favorite thing to plant?
10. I know this hasn't been the most exciting post; but never fear I have a Klayton post ready for tomorrow or Thursday! Happy Tuesday!