Chick-fil-A One - GET IT NOW! #CFAOne

 

If you haven't heard about Chick-fil-A One yet, then you are WAY behind! Ok, maybe not way behind, but you are definitely missing out!


This app allows you to place your order and pay for it from your phone, then click a button when you pull in the parking lot to let them know you have arrived.  They will have your order ready for you! Easy peasy, no lines to wait in!  I use this so that I can grab my food and not have to wait in line with my 3 kiddos because who really wants to stand in line with 3 kids??

So go try it out and let me know what you think!  Oh, and don't forget Cow Appreciation Day 2016 is COMING!

Chick-fil-A Upcycle! #ChickfilamomsDIY

So awhile back I posted about being selected for the 2015-16 Chick-fil-a MomPanel, and since then we have had the opportunity to try many different items from CFA!  My family (almost) always gets calendar cards...it's awesome because I get to try things I may not normally try, and this year was even better because I've gotten to try even more items thanks to the MomPanel!


For Mother's Day, I received a very sweet card with some freebies and a challenge!  I was able to try the Southwestern Salad.....but I'm not a huge fan of spicy so I have it to my husband (who assured me it was a great salad!)...I tried the Cobb Salad, which I've never ordered until now.  It was SO good (I've eaten it twice since then!)

 ((This is my husbands Southwestern Salad))

So onto the challenge (my favorite part):

We were challenged to upcycle the salad container into something new.  I had to think on it for awhile, but I came up with a few simple ideas:

1) Reuse it for leftovers - it's even dishwasher safe!

2) Create a succulent garden - it's the perfect size and would make a cute little centerpiece. Check out this one from A  new dawnn.

3) Make a bird feeder - use your imagination and make it blend in with the surroundings. Check out this one from Dazed Jenn!

I just didn't think I wanted to do those things...so I kept thinking. And thinking. And I finally came up with a few practical, but still creative ideas!

1). A berry drain - rinse your berries in the black base  (I had bought a bucket of strawberries from a strawberry festival),  put the lid on tightly and flip container upside down onto some paper towels; there are already 4 small holes in the lid so it will drain and keep your berries from sitting in water!  This will definitely come in handy for blueberries, also!

2). Kid's travel kit - I have 3 daughters and they all LOVE to draw, color, create!  So with my 2nd container I made a travel kit to contain their 'stuff' in the car!  I included coloring pages, colored pencils (crayons are great in the winter, but WILL melt if left in the car during the summer in AL), a ruler, and a board book for drawing ideas.  This keeps the mess contained in the car AND it gives them a hard surface to draw on, WIN!

3). First Aid Kit - because boo boos happen:  we always have band aids, but that's pretty much it.  And with 3 kids we need more...especially during the summer months when we are outside so much. So with my 3rd container (I told you that we love Chick-fil-a right?!) I created a first aid kit to keep in our car!  I included neosporin, many types of band aids, gauze, tape, alcohol swabs, nail clippers, and more....and you know what? We have already had to use it once (on a minor boo boo).

I really hope you enjoy these #ChickfilaMomDIY ideas, and I hope next time you get one of these containers you'll think of what you can do with it!

Thanks again Chick-fil-a and the MomPanel!!

Tantrum Thursday

Well I missed posting last week due to some...um...LOUSY circumstances haha (more on that at a later date). So here are our tantrums for the past 2 weeks...I hope you get a little chuckle from them!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 What tantrums have you seen at your house this week?

*NEW* Join the Chick-fil-A Kids Club!

As I shared in this post I am on the Chick-fil-A Mom Panel for 2015-2016 and I'm super excited - I heard we're getting special welcome packages in the mail!!  My family would eat Chick-fil-A every day if I'd take them....seriously!  

Someone recently asked what I'd do on a date night with my husband and I said we'd go to Chick-fil-A because I can send the kids to the play area while my husband and I talk and eat peacefully.  
Yes, our kids are with us almost 24/7 (with the main exception being Tuesday and Thursday mornings).  Yes, they have grandparents that they see often.  No, I do not regret having kids or spending so much time with them.  No, I'm not judging you for sending your kids off to school or grandma's house.  Just thought I'd get all of those questions out of the way so we can move on to more important things...

Like food. And Chick-fil-A. And Kids activities. Specifically Chick-fil-A's new Kids Club!

Their kids club is supposed to be unlike most other kids clubs.  Here is what they say about it:

"Kids Club puts a unique twist on important values, positively influencing the world’s greatest kids – your kids! Each month, we get together for games, crafts and challenges designed especially for Kids Club members."

 My kids and I are excited to join the kids club.  They will get a welcome packet and they will be able to go to our local Chick-fil-A and participate in fun activities!  Please visit the Kids Club website to register your child(ren) and join in the fun!

Tantrum Thursday

These tantrum posts just make me laugh...toddlers are such quirky little creatures!

 

Ok, so this last one isn't my toddler.  It's my pre-schooler (who can throw a tantrum better than any toddler I've seen when she's mad).  We went outside this week to check on the (little) pumpkin we have been accidentally growing in our yard....only to find that someone had pulled the vine out of the ground and pulled the pumpkin from the vine.  My kids (ages 6, 4, and 1) were all so upset that their pumpkin had been taken! 

 

(Update on the Great Pumpkin coming soon!)

Tantrum Thursday

If you've ever lived with a toddler (or preschooler) then you know that they are capable of throwing some insane tantrums....over CrAzY things that make no sense to a 'normal' person.  As a mom of 3 ((darling)) girls, I know that sometimes you have to laugh at these moments to keep yourself sane.  So from now on I'm taking note of the crazy tantrums in our house and adding them to our weekly 'Tantrum Thursday' blog post.  

I hope you find these as entertaining as I do...oh and feel free to send me your pictures - you mind find them featured on my next Tantrum Thursday post!!!

We're back!

In case you have all been wondering where I have been....well here goes:

I started homeschooling my oldest daughter who is now 6 and my middle daughter (now 4)....AND I had a baby (who is now 15 months)!!  Somehow life got away with me and I found myself with no blogging/reading/cleaning time.  BUT NOW I'M BACK!

We are still homeschooling (another post on all that is coming SOON).  My kids are still wild and crazy.  I still love blogging and reviewing so be prepared - it's coming full force! haha

So what's my current project? Let me tell you now that I'm a little excited about this one....

I was chosen to be on the 2015-2016 Chick-fil-a Mom Panel!  My family LOOOOOVES Chick-fil-a (for many reasons) so I'm super excited to see what's in store for me! I'm just gonna leave you all with this fun video for now...

Meatless Mondays

Note: I am a BzzAgent. I got this item free from BzzAgent (but have previously bought on my own). All of my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Are you looking to save money? Or maybe trying to be a little healthier? Or maybe just looking for something healthy that your kids will eat?

I'm always looking to do ALL of these things!  We try to have at least 1 meatless meal a week. Does that mean we starve for a day? haha No way! Sometimes it is meatless spaghetti, sometimes salad, or sometimes veggie burgers.  Most of the time I make black bean burgers (with a very simple recipe - I hate cooking), but  Morningstar Farms has a super easy alternative!



These burgers stay frozen until you are ready to cook.  Then you can cook them in the microwave! Add sweet potato fries and you have a meal that my kids will even eat without complaining!

Here is the recipe from Happy Herbivore that I use for my burgers:

Ingredients

• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ⅓ cup instant oats
  I actually add a small amount of blackstrap molasses to mine. It helps them stick together and adds a little extra nutrition. 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper and set aside. In a mixing bowl, mash black beans with a fork until mostly pureed but still some half beans and bean parts are left. Stir in condiments and spices until well combined. Then mix in oats. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into thin patties. Bake for 7 minutes, carefully flip over and bake for another 7 minutes, or until crusty on the outside. Slap into a bun with extra condiments and eat!

Jesus Pure & Simple

I recently received "Jesus Pure & Simple" by Wayne Cordeiro from Bethany House Publishing.  While I received the book free, the opinions below are my own. 

Summary from CBD.com:

“Pastoral help for Christ-followers who want to live a life of significance! Offering encouragement, stories, and practical guidelines for God-centered living, Cordeiro helps believers focus directly on drawing near to Jesus. A welcome message for Christians looking for simplicity and peace in their anxious, over-scheduled lives.”

My Review:

When I received “Jesus Pure & Simple” I was really excited to read it! The back of the book asks, “Do you ever feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions?” Why yes, many times I do! I’m sure many people feel that same way these days! There are so many good things to be a part of now that it is hard to know when to say no.  I am learning that there are many projects and ministries that are good, but just aren't for me right now. And that is ok! 

Back to the book…I started reading it, and was frustrated within a few pages. The author has many good stories and illustrations, but he jumps back and forth constantly.  I kept reading hoping maybe it was just the first chapter, but it wasn’t.  It just didn’t flow easily from subject to subject.  The stories were great and encouraging, but I like books to flow.  I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t love this book since I had such high hopes.  If you like to read short encouraging stories, you might enjoy this book; otherwise, you might want to keep looking for a different ‘simple’ book.

52 Ways to Wow Your Husband

I recently received "52 Ways to Wow Your Husband" by Pam Farrel from Harvest House Publishing.  While I received the book free, the opinions below are my own. 

Summary from CBD.com:

"Add spark to your marriage with best-selling author Farrel's woman-to-woman advice on how to support - and surprise - your spouse! Filled with inspirational stories and godly advice, her creative "wow" assignments, wisdom, and dates are perfect for any wife who wants to deepen her spiritual, emotional, and physical bond with her husband."

My Review:

"52 Ways to Wow Your Husband" is exactly what you would think.  Every week you get an assignment, wisdom, and a date.  The assignments are simple, quick things to do to make you think about your husband.  The wisdom is scripture or stories from other wives to encourage you in your marriage.  The date suggestion-sometimes as simple as spending time together.  The book offers encouragement and ideas to help push your marriage in the right direction. Many of us want to 'wow' our husbands and make them feel appreciated, but many times we just don't know where to start. This book is a good starting point!  This book could be used by the newlywed or the 50 year married couple!  It's a quick and easy way to show your husband he is loved every week of the year!

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer

I recently received "The Captive Heart" by Dale Cramer from Bethany House Publishing.  While I received the book free, the opinions below are my own. 

Summary from CBD.com:

"Bandit troubles intensify as Caleb Bender's family tries to settle into their new life in 1920s Paradise Valley. When El Pantera kidnaps Rachel and leaves her brother, Aaron, for dead, Jake Weaver and the Mexican native Domingo pursue the bandit leader to his mountain stronghold in a hopeless rescue attempt. Jake and Domingo manage to escape with Rachel, with the bandits hot on their trail. In a desperate attempt to avoid recapture, Domingo puts himself squarely in harm's way, giving Jake and Rachel time to get away. This is not the quiet life Caleb Bender envisioned when he led his family out of Ohio. What is a father to make of his daughter's obvious affection for a man outside the fold? And how will a pacifist Amishman like Caleb respond to the events that threaten his family and their way of life?"

My Review:

"The Captive Heart" is book #2 in 'The Daughters of Caleb Bender' series. The first book was "Paradise Valley" (you can read my review for it here).  Dale Cramer is a great writer in my opinion.  This book series drew me in from the beginning.  It is based from a true story, which draws my curiosity automatically.  The story is very detailed, from the bandits and wars to the love stories that seem to blossom all around.  The hardships and sacrifices in this story are amazing. I cannot begin to think of myself in many of the situations that these Amish families face in "The Captive Heart".  I would recommend this series and this author to anyone, but especially those who love Amish fiction.  These books are even suited to a teen and in my opinion would be enjoyable to them as well.

"We Be Big" - Rick & Bubba's Story

Book Description from Booksneeze:

"The story of two unlikely radio hosts and what happened when they followed their faith and instincts.

Rick & Bubba are the most unlikely broadcast stars imaginable, yet hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners start their day with them every morning. Beyond that, they break the biggest no-no rule for secular radio as they openly share their faith in Christ and their common-sense way of looking at the world. Now, in We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How We Became Rick & Bubba, readers learn how this unlikely pairing came about. Alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, this is also the highly personal story of two men who—like most of us—resisted stepping through the doors God opened for them, opting for the easier path when tested. When they finally decided to follow their instincts and their faith, though, not only did they became amazingly successful, but also a truly powerful platform became theirs."

My Thoughts:

Growing up in the south (North Alabama, actually), I know who Rick & Bubba are.  They come up in many conversations, and everyone loves them.  I requested this book from Booksneeze because I thought I would enjoy getting to "know" them a little better.  

"We Be Big" definitely helps you see into Rick & Bubba's world of radio and faith.  I enjoyed reading more about them and their "mostly" true story.  I did find the book a bit hard to read, though I am used to reading fiction or self-help type books and this is neither.  If you have no idea who Rick and Bubba are, then you most likely wouldn't really enjoy this book, but if you know who they are or have heard them on the radio, then you may enjoy reading a little more about their adventure.  There is plenty of humor, some heartbreak and a lot of stories in the book to help keep you entertained.

*I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review.*

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

Description of 'The Harvest of Grace' from CBD:

"When Sylvia Fischer turned down her beau's offer of marriage, she expected him to give her the time and space she'd requested, believing they would eventually wed. Instead he married her sister. When she learns that his betrayal was her father's idea--a proposition made to save the farm--she knows she'll never trust another man.

Despite the secrets hiding in Aaron Blank's youth, he thinks he's ready to face his future. As he sets out to make up for the wrongs he's done to his family, he meets Sylvia, the new farmhand from a nearby district. She doesn't want him around, seems to have his father's heart in the palm of her hand--and what she knows could ruin his future."

I love Cindy Woodsmall's "Ada's House" series.  They are wonderful books!  'The Harvest of Grace' is the 3rd book in the series ('The Bridge of Peace' was #2, see my review here).  These books are very well-written with love stories, drama, conflict, and pretty much everything you'd expect in a real-life story, but these things are all packed into Cndy Woodsmall's novels.  

In 'The Harvest of Grace' Sylvia wants to be able to run the farm that she loves, but can't do that because of her gender.  In the beginning of the book, her boyfriend asks her to marry him and she asks him to wait.  He marries her sister, which crushes her completely.  She lives on the same farm with them trying to be the best she can but one day something happens between them and she knows she has to leave her family farm.  Many things happen after this, many conflicts and many resolutions.  

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read fiction.  I loved it!



*I received an e-copy of 'The Harvest of Grace" from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.*

Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Description of 'Heartless' from CBD:
"Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon be married. She dreams of a handsome and charming prince, but when the first suitor arrives, she finds him stodgy and boring. Prince Aethelbald from the mysterious land of Farthestshore has traveled far to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be approaching Parumvir. Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his warnings. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir, and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in grave danger. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil."

Description of 'Veiled Rose' from CBD:
"Rose Red trusts no one with her secret. She hides in the forest, her face veiled in rags, shunning the company of all save her old father and her nanny goat. Her life is bleak and lonely.

Until she meets a privileged young man sent to spend his summer in the mountains. Leo, a lonely lad, befriends Rose Red, and together they begin hunting for the Mountain Monster which, rumor says, stalks these lands.But the hunt which began as a game holds greater risk than Leo supposes."

Decription of 'Moonblood' from CBD:

"Desperate to regain the trust of his kingdom, Prince Lionheart reluctantly banishes his faithful servant and only friend, Rose Red. Now she is lost in the hidden realm of Arpiar, held captive by her evil goblin father, King Vahe.

Vowing to redeem himself, Lionheart plunges into the mysterious Goldstone Wood, seeking Rose Red. In strange other worlds, Lionheart must face a lyrical yet lethal tiger, a fallen unicorn, and a goblin horde on his quest to rescue the girl he betrayed.

With the Night of Moonblood fast approaching, when King Vahe seeks to wake the Dragon's sleeping children, Lionheart must discover whether or not his heart contains courage before it's too late for Rose Red... and all those he loves."

Decription of 'Starflower' from CBD:

"When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission... and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.

But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?"

My Thoughts:

I recently finished Books 1-4 in the "Tales of Goldstone Wood" Series by Anne Elisabeth Stengl.  These books are not my "normal" reading material.  I normally shy away from the fantasy fiction books; however these caught my attention for some reason.  Once I started reading, the books were so strange I kept wanting to toss them out, but at the same time they were so strange I just had to keep reading.  Once I finished the first one I decided I needed to go ahead and read the next one.  The more I read, the more sense they began to make to me.  I describe the books as a mix between Narnia and Lord of the Rings (which is still a far-fetched description). These books include goblins, dragons, queens, and many other fantasy aspects.  If you enjoy fantasy books, then you will likely enjoy these. They are very well-written, just not exactly my style of reading.  I would recommend reading them all in order so that they make more sense.

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

From CBD's product description:

"When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona.

Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk."

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading "Love in Disguise" by Carol Cox.  It was a very entertaining book.  I love a good mystery novel, and while this wasn't the most on-the-edge-of-your-seat book, it was very entertaining.  I loved the light humor in the book between the characters and the easy flow of the story.  Carol Cox did a great job writing this book.  The characters were all very unique and seemingly true to the "wild west" that I have always imagined.  The idea that a young girl could successfully pull off a private investigation is a nice change and definitely shows that girls can be strong and successful.  The love story in the book wasn't too "mushy" for me (I hate lovey-dovey books haha).  It was a more subdued love story in which even I was rooting for love to win out in the end!  The ending was a bit too clean for me though, because I didn't see that ending ever happening in real-life, but who knows?  The story would have needed several more chapters for what I'd consider a real-life ending ;)

*I received "Love in Disguise" by Carol Cox in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.

Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman

I recently received "Almost Amish" by Kathryn Cushman from Bethany House Publishing Group to review.  I never thought I would enjoy reading Amish fiction, but the more I read the more I get drawn in!  Apparently I love reading about the "simple" lifestyle.

From CBD's produt description:
"Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She's overwhelmed and burned out, and in today's unrelenting society, her kids are, too. When her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series promoting simple living, and needs another family to join her, it seems like the perfect opportunity.

The location is an idyllic farm outside an Amish community in Tennessee. Julie, with her two children, joins Susan and her teenage daughter for a summer adventure. Susan needs to succeed in order to become self-sufficient after an ugly divorce, Julie needs to slow down long enough to remember what her priorities are and regain a sense of purpose and meaning. It becomes clear from the start that "living simple" is no simple matter. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. With each new challenge, their season of "going Amish" gets more and more complicated, as each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family."

First off, I will say that I absolutely loved this book.  I completely identified with everything Julie was going through.  Having 2 young kids and never having enough time to do everything exactly as I want leaves me exhausted more often than I'd like to admit.  There were many things in this book that actually helped me feel like less of a failure.  This was more of an entertaining "self--help" book than a fictional novel.  Kathryn Cushman is an amazing writer, and I can't wait to read more of her books.  The problems and solutions in this book were very true to real-life problems and solutions even though it has a reality t.v. setting.  If you are having trouble identifying what your true gift is and just need some encouragement, I'd recommend this book.   There were several thought-provoking statements made in this book, and I feel like a better person for having read it....which says a LOT for a fictional novel!!

God Gave Us You

I received "God Gave Us You" by Lisa Tawn Bergren to review from WaterBrook Press through the Blogging for Books program. 

We own a few of the "God Gave Us" book, and we love everyone of them!  These books are great tools to teach your child that God made them special no matter what.  I love our new "God Gave Us You" book because it is small enough to take along with us and read anytime.  The art by Laura J. Bryant is beautiful, as always!  My daughter loves the pictures of the polar bears.  "God Gave Us You" is an easy-to-understand book that teaches kids that are each treasured gifts from the Lord.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone I know with kids! This would be a great book for new parents!




*I received a copy of "God Gave Us You" in exchange for my review.*

A Good and Perfect Gift

I recently received "A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny" by Amy Julia Becker from Bethany House Publishing.  While I received the book free, the opinions below are my own. 

Summary from CBD.com:

“Things don't always go as planned--especially when it comes to our children. When her first baby, Penny, is given a frightening diagnosis, Amy Julia's world comes crashing down. Could she continue to trust God's goodness through what felt like personal tragedy? But challenging surprises often lead to unforeseen joy, and disappointments can turn into blessings. This wise and beautiful book is more than a courageous story of raising a child against the odds--it is a journey through the unexpected ups and downs of life and the discoveries that come along the way.”

My Review:

I love reading stories about parents who were forever changed (for the positive) by their children.  It amazes me how much we can learn from such tiny beings!  I really enjoyed Amy Julia’s story about her daughter Penny.  Shortly after giving birth to her daughter, the doctors told her that they thought Penny had Down syndrome.  Amy Julia talks openly about her feelings and questions, her concerns and frustrations.  They learn to trust that God will always be there.  While reading this book, there were times where I would wonder how I would feel if I had been faced with this situation or any similar situation.  I think I would have gone through many of the same questions and emotions that Amy Julia Becker talks about in this book.  I especially loved the last paragraph in the book.

“We weren’t a perfect family, and we never would be, at least not by the standards I would have set out for us years earlier. But we were coming closer to our telos, our true perfection, because we were learning what it meant to be human, what it meant to be whole.” 

Parenting Questions! Help!

I keep thinking I'm going to get back into the swing of things with So Mommy, but things keep "happening" and it keeps getting pushed to the back!  I'm hoping to start writing my reviews after the kids go to bed so that it will be easier to have them posted for you all!  I have some good ones to share!

We have recently started "homeschool" with my 2 1/2 year old.  Nothing major, just having her sit down with me for about 10 minutes 3 days a week.  We work on various things like drawing shapes, cutting paper, reading - mostly things to help her learn to sit still for longer periods of time.  It's giving me an idea of what homeschooling will really be like with 2 kids!

While I have you reading, I have some questions for you all! I'm in need of advice from you all!

(1) My 2 1/2 year old daughter is potty training.  She rarely has accidents (#1), and has been in big girl panties for awhile now.  Every now and then she has an accident, but no biggie.  However, she still refuses to do #2 in the potty. 
         We've tried:
-Prizes - she has 3 large prizes she gets if she does it and could care less
-Putting her on the potty when we see her going - she stops and won't go at all and ends up constipated
-Apple juice (to make it easier) - she still stops if we site her on the potty
-Putting her potty chair in front of the t.v. to get her distracted while she goes - she gets too distracted

I'm out of ideas!  She asks for a diaper to poop in, so I've resorted to putting a diaper on her and encouraging her to poop (in the diaper) in the bathroom.  I'm hoping I'll eventually be able to get her to poop in the diaper on the toilet, then without the diaper, but who knows if that will work haha.  Any ideas are appreciated!!

(2) My 2 1/2 year old is having nightmares.  She has always been a very good sleeper until recently.  She screams when you mention bedtime - terrified screams, not just crying.  She finally told us that the animals come out when we close the door (sometimes they play soccer on her wall and sometimes it's football). 
-She won't go to sleep with a nightlight or with the door open. 
-She won't let us sleep in her room with her, she just wants us to sit at the end of her bed and sing "Jesus Loves Me" forever. 
-I finally got her to lay with me on the couch and sleep (she goes to sleep in under 5 minutes) and then I go lay her down. 
-We let her watch VeggieTales "Where's God when I'm Scared" and we assure her that her room is safe, but it hasn't seemed to help much. 

Any ideas for getting rid of nightmares?

Lilies in the Moonlight - Book Review

I received "Lilies in the Moonlight" by Allison Pittman as part of Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program.  If you like to read and review books, you should check them out!

Publisher's Description (from cbd.com)

He’d lost his zest for life. She was just lost. Will they find the healing and love they long for?

After a roaring night on the town, fun-loving flapper Lilly Margolis, dazed and disoriented, twists her ankle and falls into the backyard of a wealthy family where the effects of the Great War—over for more than half a decade—are still endured. Inside the walls of the Burnside mansion, Cullen Burnside, a disillusioned and disfigured veteran, and his widowed mother, Betty Ruth, who daily slips a little further into dementia, lead a lonely existence … until Lilly. Whimsical, lighthearted, and beautiful, she rejuvenates their sad, disconnected lives and blossoms in the light of their attention.

But Lilly, like Cullen, is hiding from a painful past. And when Cullen insists on returning her to her faraway home, their budding attraction seems destined to die on the vine. The resulting road trip becomes a journey of self-discovery—but what will Cullen and Lilly find at journey’s end?

Author Bio (from cbd.com)

Allison Pittman is the author of Stealing Home, The Bridegrooms, the Crossroads of Grace series, and Saturdays with Stella. A former high school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. Allison makes her home in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Learn more about the author at http://www.allisonpittman.com/.

 

My Review

I have decided that I'm not really a romantic novel type person.  The book was very well-written and enjoyable, but it just isn't my kind of book.  The plot was a nice change from boy-meets-girl-gets-married.  It definitely had a unique twist on the normal love story novels, which I liked.   The first few chapters kept me reading, but the middle got a little slow for me.  If you like romantic novels, you would probably enjoy this book...I'm just more of a mystery girl!