Potty Training is an Adventure

About 3 weeks ago, I decided it was a good time to start potty training Jayden. He was curious about where it was going, about sitting on the potty and he even would tell us when his diaper was wet or he went #2. So all the signs pointed in the right direction.

The first day was overwhelming. I was constantly washing 6 pairs of underwear, I couldn't do any other chores around the house, it was just awful, but I didn't give up. We had more accidents than I can count and I prayed more than I have in the parenting department thus far.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 2--you do what you gotta do to keep him on the toilet. lol

I think by the 3rd or 4th day, he really started grasping the fact that he needed to go tee tee in the potty. Each time he went tee tee, I would let him pick out 1 sticker to put in the box. If he went poop, he would get 2 (more on that later). Every time he peed, we made a HUGE deal out of it! In fact, he still makes a big deal out of it!

Day 4 came around and he was really getting the hang of it. 

By day 5, he was so close to filling up his first box. {Once he filled up his first box, he got his first surprise}

Day 6! Look at the sweet smile!

The more he filled up boxes, the more excited he got! He would tell us when he had to go tee tee and he would climb up onto his potty and go, therefore giving him another sticker, filling up another box and getting another surprise!

Day 8

Day 8 earned him another surprise! 

By July 7th, Jayden filled his entire posterboard full of stickers and received 6 prizes. All for peeing on the potty and telling us when he needed to go! He's got that part down 98%, pooping will take a little longer. In fact, yesterday he said "I get another surprise." I had to remind him that he's received all of his surprises for going tee tee. I said "if you go poop on the potty, you'll get a surprise." His response "I don't go poop on potty, I go in underwear." (he had just lost the battle to holding it in until we climbed on the potty. lol)

And everyone clapped because both mom, dad & Jayden made it through another parenting phase alive!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

4 years ago today I married my best friend. These past 4 years haven't been easy, but they have been worth it. To have a man who is supportive, helps me chase my dreams, drives me crazy and loves me all at the same time...why wouldn't anyone want that? lol We have been blessed. You're the only one I would want to do our life with. There have been many hardships on both of our parts, but you know what is amazing? We asked God to handle it with us. Thank you love for being my rock and loving me even though I thought I was worthless. I tell you everyday and every chance that I love you, but I don't feel it's enough.

Happy 4th anniversary! I love you and I can't wait to spend the next 40 with you! 

It's been awhile...

Sorry it's been awhile, but you're in luck tonight because I have A LOT on my mind.

Earlier this morning while it was pouring down rain and Jayden was sleeping I thought about how it's been about 2 months since I had to rush him to the doctor. I was afraid his oxygen level was low (again) because his breathing treatments didn't seem to be helping. While there, his doctor gave him another treatment, took X-rays, wrote him an Rx and suggested I get him some Zyrtec. He said that if I give it to him every day then it should help his breathing when it's nasty out. Since then, I have given it to him almost every day (because I forget sometimes) & with all this rain & pollen we've been having,  it has seemed to help tremendously & he hasn't had a treatment since that day!! So thank you Dr. Henry!

On another note, I'm planning his 3rd birthday party! Like, seriously? Why does it go by so fast? Anyway, it's Firetruck theme! All things Firetrucks, Firefighters & Dalmatians! It is going to be soooo fun!!!!

Our little Firefighter!

 For about 2 months, ok maybe it was just a month and a half my family & I kept a secret from our Marine! All this time he thought he was just going to hang out with his mom (my Sis) when she flew out to see him (today-Monday). Well....he got an AWESOME surprise when he opened the trunk of their rental car....only to find that not only was Mom going to be there, but his Dad too!!!! I watched the video about 5 times and I still bawled!!! I am so excited for them! I hope they enjoy their time together! Shout out to Grandma (my mom) for watching all of her other grandchildren while they're on vacay!

Just 3 of the 10 in their family!

Last, but definitely not least. Tonight as we told Jayden it was time to go to bed, he got so frustrated that he bonked his arm on something. His sweet daddy went to give him kisses, Jayden reached for a "van truck" <--- yes that's what he calls it---> and Brady scooped him right up into his arms. The love that my boys have for each other is fascinating. I love watching them play, have conversations and just love. I didn't get that snapshot tonight, but I'll add a little #TBT (throwback thursday) picture.

My boys asleep when Jayden was almost 2 months old!

And with all of that off my mind & onto this blog, I can now sleep in peace. Have a blessed evening/morning.

God Bless!

Can't Sleep (Part 2)

And here we are again....I'm typing and you're reading it. It is currently 5:58am. Figured I'd get up, catch up on my devotionals & finish my jamicure (I'll explain later).

Each day in my devo, she shares a scripture, a story & a prayer. I'll share my favorite verses for the week just because I can. Maybe it will inspire you. I will also share which book this is in just a bit!

"I will praise you as long as I live" Psalm 63:4

"God does not show favoritism" Acts 10:34

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

I have not been one to continue through a devo, in fact, I have the hardest time keeping that commitment. 1. I may be a morning person, but I like to use my time on me. 2. I dislike reading. I only read it, if it's interesting. I do have to say on the evening of March 22nd, I was convicted by the Lord. He told me that if I wanted to get my act together, then I needed to first start with my devo every morning. I'm going on a month strong now & I know that I couldn't have done that without my Lord & Savior! Now I know you're wondering what book I read, well you're in luck because if you follow this link, you will find it! Encouraging Words for Mothers

As far as not finishing my jamicure, I did my right hand, but I never got to my left hand, life happened!

Shaved Ice

Have a blessed day! Remember that God made you YOU, don't compare yourself to others, because you're beautiful just as you are in God's eyes!

Can't Sleep

I was a complete idiot tonight. I drank 2 cups of coffee around 8:30/9 pm...now I am wide awake at midnight while my boys sleep... and you might wonder what I am doing, well if anyone knows me, they know I am a crafter, so that is what I'm doing. Crafting.

I have about 3 different projects going on right now...which is fairly normal...My craft area looks like a complete mess and I clean it up at least once a month. Right now it is covered in fabric scraps and hot glue with a mix of my Jamberry goodies (because I did my nails today). I am almost done with 2 of the 3 projects and my brain is turning trying to come up with something new to do! My Pinterest is getting full with all kinds of crafts for babies to crafts with my MOPS group. You would think I would know what to do, BUT I don't. I'm stuck...I need a revelation! Hopefully whenever I go to sleep, I'll have a dream about what craft I'm going to do once these are done! {Hopefully}

Hopefully this means goodnight, since I'm done...since I have no idea what else to type (lol)....

Glass Slippers, Pretty Dresses & Prince Charming

I had the privilege of going to see Cinderella with my mom yesterday. Much needed girls time and I enjoyed it!  I loved Cinderella the cartoon by Disney and every one of the movies made after, but this one was AMAZING!! 

It's every little girls dream to wear glass slippers, pretty dresses and to marry Prince Charming (at least it was mine growing up).

Real World Facts about being a SAHM: I don't wear glass slippers, in fact I don't get dresses up very often. I have maybe 2 pretty dresses, that's it. My wardrobe usually consists of lounge clothes and flip flops (if we're leaving) or barefoot (if we're staying home). My hair isn't pretty, but I do fix it, because that would be embarrassing to me to leave with a frizz ball (lol)!! I do however have my Prince Charming. He didn't come riding on a horse, but man oh man, he did sweep me off my feet! He doesn't rule a kingdom, but he does rule my heart. I have 1 little helper who loves to help clean and I am the servant of Jesus Christ.

My reality may be nothing like Cinderella, but it is pretty darn close. ;)

*I also am officially back to Blogger, I guess I'm just used to it, because the other site wasn't my cup of tea.*

God Bless Each of you!! 

A Little Piece of Heaven

How do you respond upon waking up from a dream that you just had knowing that you just had a little piece of heaven in your dream?

Well that happened to me this morning. I woke up from a dream, not too uncommon, but definitely not typical to have the dream I had. Although it didn't feel like a dream, it felt very real!!

My Papa, Mema, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Andy, Uncle Dennis, Grandmother, Grandfather, Uncle James, Jaron, Baby Salinas & my daddy were all in this dream. Oh and my adopted grandpa, Ray was there too! We sat around a table eating a really yummy breakfast. We talked, they all asked about everyone in the family. They said they can see us, but when something bad happens, they turn away.

My Grandma told me that she is really proud of my mom, "punkin & baby punkin". I told my Grandpa that I missed his Tugboat spaghetti & him helping me peel my shrimp! I couldn't talk to everyone, but I gave Jaron & Baby Salinas a kiss and a hug and told them mommy misses them & Aunt Bo too. My daddy gave me a grin, tilted his head back and chuckled. He said that Jayden is so big and he's a handful! He hugged me super tight, just the kind of comfort I needed and that's when I woke up.

It was a Little Piece of Heaven in the most perfect time.  I may not have the most perfect life, but it's the perfect life for me. Even when life gets you down, God picks you and your pieces up and reminds you while you're still here. I don't call those types of dreams a coincidence, but rather that God wanted, needed me to see that!!!

I miss my family terribly, but I know that that's apart of my sinful nature, I also know that I'm going to be surrounded by my family again one day in Heaven and until then, I have to keep spreading the news of Jesus Christ. 

God Bless each of you!