The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... we finally got some rain last night!  It was getting really dry.  It's looking to be a beautiful day today.

I am thinking... about my Dad, who turned 79 yesterday.  I can hardly wait to see him-we're going to visit in a couple weeks!

I am thankful... for my new job at the library.  My first couple days went so well--this job is going to be such a blessing.


In the kitchen... fresh mini blueberry muffins for breakfast.  Yum.

I am wearing... my pajamas.  And yes, I dropped my boys off at school today wearing my pajamas.  In my defense, I didn't have to get out of the car.

I am creating... a baby blanket for my friend Jamie.  I need to finish it, since her baby is 3 weeks old now!

I am going... grocery shopping today, and out for Chinese with Dan and Emma for lunch.  I'm looking forward to some California rolls!

I am wondering... if I'll ever be caught up on laundry.  And the answer?  Probably no.

I am reading... A Secret Kept, by Tatiana de Rosnay.  Someone returned it to the library yesterday and I checked it right out.  It's a perk of my job... on the other hand, though, my "to-read" list is HUGE!

I am hoping... the rabbits stay out of our garden.  Ethan's trying to grow a prize winning cabbage for the 3rd grade cabbage contest.

I am looking forward to... a party tonight at our good friends' house.  We always have a good time there.

I am hearing... Emma watching "Little Einsteins."  It's one of her favorites.

Around the house... ants.  'Tis the season, and with our sandy soil, we seem to have tons of ants.  Dan actually sprays outside for them all summer long, otherwise we'd have a huge problem.  I hate ants.

I am pondering... Upcoming story time themes.  I have so many ideas!

One of my favorite things... grocery shopping.  Am I crazy?  I love grocery shopping!  Handing my money over is another thing entirely...

A few plans for the rest of the week:  a quiet weekend.  I have to play organ for church on Sunday, and the boys march in the Memorial Day parade on Monday for scouts.  I'll probably do some cleaning, and I hope to finish that baby blanket.


Here is picture I am sharing...

My Emma, singing her heart out at her preschool program on Tuesday.  She loves to sing!


For more Daybook entries, click here.  Have a simply wonderful weekend.

Oh, those Pastor's kids.

I'm not a big fan of Children's messages at church.  Let me rephrase that:  Since having children, I'm not a big fan of Children's messages at church.  Let me share why:

Scene:  the front of church, during a Children's message.  Characters:  Dan, the pastor, our son, Ethan (around 3 years old), and a few other children.  Ethan sits close to Dan, as he usually does.  I see Ethan fiddling with Dan's cincture (the belt that goes around his vestments), but don't think much of it.  He's behaving, so I'm not going to get worried.  Plus I'm dealing with Zach in the pew beside me, so I don't have much time to think about it.  Dan finishes the message, dismisses the children, and as he stands up, he jerks back down.  He can't get up.  The congregation is giggling, but I don't know why, because I've been busy with Zach.  I look up, and realize that the reason Dan couldn't stand up is because ETHAN TIED HIM TO THE COMMUNION RAIL.    Yes, folks, that's the Pastor's Son!  (Dan had to announce the next hymn and then spend the first verse untying himself.)

Fast forward five years.  The scene is again the front of a church, except now that church is a neighboring one where we live, where I play organ.  It's Mother's Day, and since Dan is on vacation he and the kids are worshipping in the pew while I'm accompanying the service.  The pastor is a great friend of ours, and all three of our kids are up at the Children's message.  They're behaving, thankfully, and then the pastor asks a question.  My dear, sweet Emma, age 3 (what is it about age 3???) raises her hand.  Pastor Ruesch calls on her, and she says, at top volume, "MY DADDY HAS A BB GUN.  HE LIKES TO SHOOT THE DOG WITH THE BB GUN."  Oh.  Mah.  Lord.  I wanted to crawl away.  Yes, folks, that's the Pastor's Daughter! (He doesn't really.  He pretends to shoot the dog, but he never has BBs in it.  And I don't like it when he does that, because, well, obviously kids talk.)

And that's why I don't like Children's messages.  Can you blame me?

Write about a time your child embarrassed you in public.

HE WON HE WON HE WON!

Congrats to Donald Driver for winning Dancing with the Stars last night!!!!!!!!



I LOVE MY GREEN BAY PACKERS!!!!!

Review: GoodNites Bed Mats

It's been no secret here on the blog that potty training Emma has been no easy task.  We're still working on it every day, especially since she gets busy playing and doesn't take the time to run to the potty.  Because of that, we haven't even tried to conquer night time training yet.

So when Jenny Englert contacted me recently about trying GoodNites Bed Mats to try and review here on my blog, I jumped at the chance!  (Well, that and the chance at some sweet swag--Emma and I got a super cool "Confidence Booster Pack" to go along with the Bed Mats!)  Here's some information on the Bed Mats:

The trusted GoodNites brand is launching new GoodNites Bed Mats - a new bedwetting product that gives families a choice to better manage bedwetting and helps provide a good night’s sleep for the entire family. Bed Mats will minimize the dredge of late night bedwetting clean-up sessions, and help the child partake in their bedwetting protection routine – as the Bed Mat is easy enough to have them help place on their bed!

Both parents and children can sleep tight in three steps:

· Place the mat on top of your child’s fitted sheet.

· Peel the adhesive strips off the corners and smooth down.

· Protect the bed with an ultra-absorbent bed mat for a better night for both parent and child.

As soon as we got our kit in the mail, we got started.  Here's what the Bed Mat looked like before we placed it on Emma's bed:

Notice the peel off sticky squares:

They're very easy to peel off.  The squares are nice and sticky, and stay in place really well on the bed:

What I love about this product is the fact that if Emma does have an accident in the night, I don't have to grope around with sleepy eyes trying to change her bed.  You just peel off the Bed Mat, and place another one on.  Easy peasy!  The pads are very absorbent, and really help with that night time training.  I plan on bringing them with when we go camping this summer--that way we don't have to worry about finding a laundromat for a wet and stinky sleeping bag!

Now I know you're jealous that I've been so lucky to be able to try these awesome Bed Mats.  Well, you're in luck!  GoodNites Bed Mats has given me the opportunity to give YOU, my wonderful readers, a package of Bed Mats for you to try!  I've got a handy dandy Rafflecopter entry form at the bottom of this post to help you enter.  To start, just comment on what's been the hardest thing for you while potty training your kids.

And in the meantime, if you just can't wait, there's a fabulous coupon at Target for GoodNites Bed Mats!  Click here to print it.  Nothing better than saving some money, right?

Oh, and one more thing:

  “GoodNites® provided me with a pack of GoodNites® Bed Mats and a Confidence Booster Kit to conduct a reader giveaway. However, my opinions on the product are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive sentiments towards GoodNites® or their products.” 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Messy Monday

Last week, thanks to Pam, I started reading a new blog, written by a fellow pastor's wife: Weak and Loved.  She does a feature every Monday called "Messy Monday."  Since my house is ALWAYS messy, I thought it would be fun to join in!

Here's my messes from this past week:  (well, some of them anyway...)

Emma's bedroom floor:

I swear, we get Emma's room all straightened up, and she goes right in and destroys it.  EVERY TIME.  She's a maniac!

Mommy's "pile:"

I know, it's a mess.  But believe it or not, I know what's in this pile.  I wish there was a way to keep those charger cords under control, though.

The living room:

I had a Norwex party yesterday, and my little godson Luke came with his Mama.  I realized that my house is so not baby proof anymore.  He sure did like those Pokemon cards, though!

Every mommy has messes.  I think it's important to remember that even though the messes may drive us crazy, it's a sign that our children are happy, healthy, and active.  We need to learn to embrace our messes!  For more Monday Messes, click here.    And I'd love to know if you share your own!

Bring on summer!

The weather is getting warmer.  After a long winter, even though it wasn't that cold this year, it is still nice to bust out the summer clothes.  And let's face it, I'm looking forward to having my kids home from school, to having a different routine.

I love the change of seasons, because it's like I'm discovering a new wardrobe.  In the fall I love breaking out my long sleeved shirts, jeans and wool socks.  But now, this time of year, I'm breaking out my favorite summer gear.  Here's some of my favorites:

• I've written before of my love of the Target T-shirt.  But for the summer time, a great, light weight t-shirt is a must-have.  I wear them with everything.  I mean EVERYTHING.  From church to around the house, I love my t-shirts.

                              

Womens Plus-Size Mossimo Supply Co. Short-Sleeve... : Target

• Capris.  I'm a tall girl, and most shorts just don't work on me.  I'm definitely not wearing the short Daisy Dukes that are in style right now, and I'm not overly crazy about knee length shorts.  But I have a ton of capris.  I love this pair of Riders Capris that I got from Fleet Farm.  (I know!  Fleet Farm!) The best part is they have a little bit of tummy control.  And they look super cute with t-shirts.

                      

Women's Classic Fit Capris By Riders - Mills Fleet Farm

• Skirts.  I love to wear skirts in the summertime.  They are perfect for any occasion.  I have casual skirts for wearing around the house or out shopping, and I have dressier skirts for wearing to church.  They pair well with a tank or a t-shirt.  They're cool, and easy to wear.  Not a long skirt, mind you, but a nice knee length skirt.  It's a fun way to add to your wardrobe.  I love these skirts- the top one I own, and LOVE, and the bottom one is on my wish list.

                  

Old Navy skirt

                 

Old navy

• Tank tops.  I like warm weather.  Not hot weather.  Add to it some old fashioned humidity, and it can be miserable.  But with a great tank top, I keep cool all summer long.  Once again, I turn to Target.  I love that these are a little longer than the average tank.  I'm not only tall, but I have a long trunk section too. Most shirts get cut off  right at or above my waist.  These are great.  

                   

Target

• Dresses.  The past few summer I've added some really cute dresses to my summer wardrobe.  I love both knee length and maxi dresses--with a tank underneath it's a great look for anytime.  And it's a great way to stay cool in hot weather, too!  These are two of my favorites from my closet:

                    

dresses

                              

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Esther on Pinterest

• Finally, I love to pair any of these looks with a great pair of flip flops.  I know, they're terrible for your feet.  But they're comfortable, cool, and easy to throw on when you're running out the door.  My favorites are actually from the dollar store!  But I love this pair too.  (It will be no surprise to you.)

                                         

Green Bay Packers Contoured Flip Flops - Green-Black

Gotta have some Packer flip flops to go with my Packer t-shirts, you know!  So these are my favorite summer staples--the things I make sure I have every season.  Did I miss anything?  What's your favorite summer staple?  Click here to join in the conversation over at BlogHer's Life Well Lived.  And be sure to click here to enter the sweepstakes--you could win an iPod Touch!