Tantrum & Sucking: Hand in Hand?

For Jayden, yes.  For others, I don't know.  However, it is one thing I've learned that plays a huge part in our everyday life.

Anyone who has read my blog, knows Jayden's struggle with his pacifier.  Since we left Poland we've been very strict with it that he only has it when he is in his bed for nap or bed time.  However, what he has been doing (which I haven't really noticed until yesterday) is when he gets very upset or misbehaves he goes into his room and calms himself down with a pacifier.  But when I open the door to go talk to him about his behavior, he hides it.  So to me, I have been thinking he has been doing a great job with his emotions and calming himself down until he is ready to talk about it.  Wrong!

Long story short, yesterday we had a playdate with one of my best Mommy friends and her little girl who will be 3 in November.  Jayden was not on his best behavior; not sharing very well, not using soft and kind words and complaining that he was hungry, then thirsty, then hungry (which I knew he wasn't because he had just had breakfast).  I had had it with his behavior and the meltdown began.  Fast forward 40 minutes and as he was sitting on the stairs, in timeout, trying to calm himself down he had asked me to get the playing cards he had brought with him from home.  I gave him 1 playing card and he began to suck on it almost like a pacifier.  I was shocked.  He had sucked on it so hard the corner had come off.  I have come to the conclusion that Jayden has a VERY, VERY hard time calming himself down without sucking on something.  He works himself up so much that he can't get down without sucking.

Jayden hasn't had a tantrum in months.  He has probably only had 4 tantrums since we left Poland and everything they've been over is something silly; wanting his pacifier, not wanting to wash his hair in the bath, wanting to stay at the gym while Daddy is working out and lastly, wanting to finish the movie "Air Buddies" instead of going home.  Silly, eh?  But from this day forward, actually since yesterday, I will NOT give in to Jayden's pacifier.  I think it is a valuable lesson and important for him to learn how to calm himself down naturally and on his own.  I'll let you know how it goes if another tantrum comes up (which I hope it does not)!

Morning Sign-In: J-A-Y-D-E-N

For 2 weeks now, Jayden has been going to Ja'Duke preschool.  He went last year around the same time a couple days a week before we headed to Poland.  As our busy summer has finally ended, Adam and I both decided it was best for Jayden to go back to preschool at Ja'Duke until we figure out Adam's next move.  Jayden absolutely loves it there and we are happy with our decision.

And hear comes the sad part.

Adam and I trade mornings driving Jayden to school.  I tend to just put his stuff away, say good-bye and leave (I am not one of those Mom's who hang around for 30 minutes).  On Friday, Adam and I were dropping him off and I heard the teacher tell Jayden he needed to "sign-in on the morning board."  I looked at Adam and was mortified because I know he can't write his name.  He certainly knows how to spell it as he screams it perfectly at the top of his lungs when anyone asks but I haven't worked on his writing all summer (bad Mother, I know).  So I sat back and watched.  He tried so hard to make letters, which he thought spelt Jayden but looked more like six circle-things.  I was literally almost in tears.  He is in the 4 to 5 year old classroom so he is the youngest one in his class but still.  So needless to say, I am determined to help Jayden learn how to write his name sooner than later.  In 2 days,  he has learned the J - A - and Y.  I am hoping by the end of the week he'll be a pro!

What do YOU think is an appropriate age for a child to learn to write their name?

My Favorite Items: Baking Soda

Who would've thought baking soda has become one of my favorite products?

Confession: I have awful skin.  And I mean awful.  I believe I wrote a similar post about my skin and my current treatments (however, I can't find it) but after visiting numerous dermatologists, using a handful of different medications daily and becoming so sensitive to sun that it hurt to be outside for more than an hour I threw in the towel.  I literally threw away every medication I owned and broke a few frustration tears at the same time.  It was then when I decide to go for a more alternative route; baking soda.  

For about 5 weeks now I have been showering was baking soda.  I make a thick paste and use it all over my body.  Until this past week it has worked wonders.  I have never been so happy to go for a more alternative and natural route in my life.  Besides, .48 cents for a carton it is great on the wallet!  Hopefully I can give you another update in about 3 more weeks telling you I've made more progress!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Andrus!

The wedding season has finally come to an end (thank goodness)!  Our dear friends Matt and Kasia finally tied the knot this weekend and we are so happy for them.  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Andrus!

Adam was honored to be part of their wedding and of course looked fabulous as usual!

Clean Drinking Water

Who ever thought we would live in a world where there are hundreds of thousands of people without clean drinking water.  I am not going to go into too much detail but I will introduce you to two people who will provide you with details; Maria Wegner-Johnson and Joel Houston.

Maria has been training to run a half marathon in November and has decided to dedicate her run to Living Water International.  As a part of that, she is raising money for them.  If you would like to help Maria reach her goal and help Living Water International, please donate here.

Joel Houston is a friend of Adam's and the lead singer of Hillsong United.  On behave of his 30th birthday, he has also set up a fund that will give 100% of your donations to help bring clean drinking water to people in Central African Republic.  Again, any donation will help.  If you would like to help, please donate here.

I ask you today, to give thanks to God as you sit back and drink, shower, wash dishes and do laundry in clean water.  Be thankful.

Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

It has been at least 3 months since I sat down and wrote a weekly menu and then went to the food store to get what we needed. It felt great this morning to sit down with the flyers, clip coupons and make our weekly menu. I have to share with you our meal for tonight because it was one Adam's favorites and possibly the easiest recipe, ever.

Broccoli Casserole

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

2 Cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 1/2 Cup Instant Rice

2 Packages of Frozen Chopped Broccoli

8 to 12 oz Valveeta Cheese

1/2 Cup of Milk

Pinch of Salt and Pepper

1 Stick of Butter

1 Sleeve of Ritz Crackers

Directions

1. Thaw the chopped broccoli in microwave

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together soup, instant rice (uncooked), broccoli, cubed valveeta cheese, milk, salt and pepper.

3. Pour into 2 qt casserole dish (baking dish)

4. Melt a stick of butter over the stove and mix in a sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers and pour over the top of casserole.

5. Cook for about 40 minutes or until edges are a light golden brown.

(Note: I opt out of the stick of butter and salt because I try to make this dish as healthy as possible).

Say but Don't Do

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who say they are going to do something and don't do it. If you can't do it, just tell me, we will find another way. If you ran out of time, not a big deal just say so. However, when I meet someone who says they are Christian and love Jesus, it urks me to watch them be hypocrites to what they claim believe in. I know it is out of my control and I really shouldn't even let it get to me but it does.

In Isaiah 29:13 the Bible reads,

The Lord says:

"These people come near to me with their mouth

and honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

Their worship of me

is made up only of rules taught by men."

There are people who may talk about their love for Jesus but do not follow His word. I believe that God knows whose hearts are close to Him and His teachings. You must be faithful and take a strong stand in what we believe in no matter what other people around you believe in. Being a Christian and loving Jesus is not a trend; it's not going to be cool one weekend and not the next. The Lord is omnipotent; He can do anything that pleases Him, but his actions will always be in accord with the rest of His character (Jeremiah 32:17). Stay true to your character and yourself.

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Harrington

I can't believe we are finally married!

Any time we meet a new couple it is certain that we swap our "How We Met" stories. Well... our story isn't your typical, "We had a class in college together..." and so on. In fact, I believe I was 13 years old when Adam was off to college. It all started one summer when my mom sent myself and a few of my close friends to basketball camp. I loved basketball when I was younger. I was always the tallest girl out there and could hang with all the boys. Adam, his brother, couple best friends and high school basketball coach were the counselors. As soon as Adam was introduced I had a totally crush on him (yes, at 12 years old you can think boys are cute)! And to be honest, he was totally flirting with me! At the end of the second day, all the counselors picked their "pretend wives!" It was so funny and believe it or not, Adam said told everyone that I was going to be his pretend wife for the week. I remember to this day how gitty I was! Skip a few days and at the end of the week I had broken my wrist (Adam had scared me while I was running backwards and I fell) and on Friday he had signed my cast, "My Future Wife! Best wishes and good luck, Adam Harrington." He was 18 years old at the time and I was 12. I still have the cast to prove it.

Fast forward a little less and 10 years and bam! we have an adorable son and just tied the knot. I can't even begin to describe how blessed I am to have Adam as my husband. I can promise you that God put us on this earth to be together. There is no doubt in my mind. I am forever grateful for September 4, 2010!

(The photographer took 1200 photos so it may be a while until we get them back to share with everyone)!