Another Simple Moment #14

{my simple moment} – A new ritual. A single photo, maybe two – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, significant, blessed moment. A moment I want to treasure and remember

inspired by SouleMama
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"Cupcake Face"

Toddler Transitions

I wanted to give you a little update on how things are going here at the Simple Significance house with Little Miss' transition to toddler bed hood. You might recall from this post that the first few nights were not at all easy. This Momma is a sucker for tears and I just wanted to make it all better. However, the warm and fuzzy method was not going to work. We had to put on our "battle armor."

On the other side, Little Miss is not stupid and she knows what to say and what buttons to push to make Momma and Daddy jump. I am happy to report that we seem to have made some progress with the fit throwing before bed (knock on wood that I am not jinxing it here).

After paying hard ball for a few nights with her, it seems to have gotten across that Momma and Daddy are in control, we love you dearly, but "night night time is night night time" and you will go to bed. Dealing with this issue gave me flashbacks to the newborn stage when you have all the stress of an inconsolable child and sleep deprivation to top it all off! Totally makes me want to have another one (insert heavy handed sarcasm)! After the initial "breaking in period," we've had less tears as Momma leaves, but she has woken up in the middle of the night a couple of times.

I wholeheartedly acknowledge that this is a confusing time for Little Miss. She is potty training and she is learning to control her body. I think part of her issue might be a little constipation. She has days where she eats great and other days not so much, but it's quite possible the #2 scares her a little bit or upsets her tummy because she hasn't gone. Two words--maybe three: MORE FIBER or PRUNES.

Here's another little fun nugget from this mommy hood adventure. Little Miss prefers to sleep on the floor than her converted crib bed. I'll be honest. I really don't mind much because her room is carpeted and I don't want her to fall. Don't you think the converted crib beds are a little high off the ground? I do. No wonder she is reluctant to sleep on it.

Well to make a long story short, my in laws bought her a little Minnie Mouse toddler bed that worked out great today when she tried it out. We are going to try that here too. I am hoping to hype it up as a "special present" like the one Nanny and Papa got just for you! Do you think she'll go for it? I am hopeful, but we'll see.

Again, totally open to suggestions and words of encouragement here so don't be afraid to throw in your two cents or swap war stories! Until we meet again.....

Another Simple Moment #13

{my simple moment} – A new ritual. A single photo, maybe two – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, significant, blessed moment. A moment I want to treasure and remember

inspired by SouleMama
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"Big Girl Bed"

You know you're a mommy when #5

You know you're a mommy when.......you've done battle with your child (in my case a toddler). I am talking the heart wrenching, lots of tears, high stress kind of battle.

Here I am hiding in my bedroom. It's 10:30 pm and it's night 2 of my kiddo being out of bed refusing to go to sleep. She has figured out how to get out of the crib.

The first night, I thought she might have been sick because she kept saying she had to go to the bathroom. You might recall that we are in the process of potty training and we have recently been having quite a bit of success. It's a fine line between have to go and her using it as an excuse not to go to bed. She's smart and knows we'll respond to a potty call. SMH. I ended up sleeping on the floor with her. I knew it would calm her down and eventually she fell asleep. About 12 am, I snuck back to my bed still worked up from the stress. She was up again at 3:30 am with a poopy diaper and I ended up again on the floor with her.

In the back of my mind. I was worried about this scenario because I do not want her to think I will sleep with her every night. And to top it all off, I ran out of under eye concealer. Yay....no I look extra tired.

Our night tonight started off pretty good and gradually escalated with her wanting me to sleep with her again. My Aunt shared this with me on Facebook as I vented, "Don't do it. Put her mattress on floor and keep walking her back. If that doesn’t work get baby gate and go in every 5 min first night, 10 min second night and 15 third night reassuring her all is o.k. it took Sean 7 nights. The book said 3 but guaranteed I learned my lesson about sleeping with them and Matt and Kate had no problem.” Thanks Aunt Gin! We heard you loud and clear.

We are determined to not give in. Thank God for the Hubs because he is the stronger parent. I am the one who wants to cave in. I need him for these moments. We put her mattress on the floor and ended up taping her light down because she kept turning it on. I am looking into video monitors and deciding whether or not to convert the crib or buy a toddler bed.

As I conclude this post, she seems to have quieted. We'll see how the rest of the night goes and if there are any early morning wake ups for this momma.

Any suggestions for me? Please share your sage parenting advice.

Easter Reflections 2014

I hope that you had a family filled, blessed, and Christ centered Easter (or Resurrection Day)! We here at the Simple Significance house had a great time with our friends and family this year.

There were some first for me this year:

1. I cooked my first prime rib roast. Prime rib was pretty intimidating in my head, but it is really as simple as seasoning it and putting it in the over to cook and then letting it rest. The hubs did the carving!

Looks delicious, right? My hubby was carving it while I was taking pictures. He said I was making him nervous so hurry up before he lost a finger!

2. I ate parsnips for the first time.

I came across this carrot and parsnips recipe on Pinterest and I thought, "wow! That looks amazing---I must try it." Well, I didn't have all the ingredients that the recipe called for, but I figured a simple oven roast would do and boy it was!

3. I decorated for spring for the first time. Trust me it wasn't much, but I'll do better next year.

Overall, it was a lovely weekend! I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family! They are the best. Here are some pictures pictures from our festivities like our family picnic and Easter egg hunt.

I love the pure excitement and joy in this one.

Do you see that wad of candy she is packing away in her cheek?

 May we keep the true reason for Easter ever present in our hearts and minds.God bless.

The Sacrifice of Easter

As the Easter festivities begin, this weekend please remember the true reason for holiday and time of remembrance.

  “The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.” 
— Robert Flatt

The Hubs Hit A Deer

If you know me personally or follow me on Instagram, you know last week my hubby got in an accident. Thank God that no one was hurt! We are truly blessed because this could have been a lot worse. When I got the call and he told me what happened it was a little surreal.

The culprit behind this accident was a buck running across the road. The road just so happened to be a busy highway. Why was the hubby out and about? He was getting me my Sunday morning coupons. I do not blame the coupons. After he hit the deer, it stumbled into the other lane and actually popped an older couples van tire. Do you know what the Hubs did? He helped them change it while waiting for the highway patrol. Yea, that's the kind of guy he is.

And in case you are wondering...no we did not keep the deer. A redneck did pull over and take it away so someone out there has a freezer full of venison.

Lucky for us, the Hubs has great parents that let us borrow one of their vehicles until we got ourselves figured out. We've toyed around with the idea about getting a newer truck---but it was just talk. The accident, however, forced our hand and our wallet. Thank the Lord for emergency funds and good credit.

Things were tense and frustrating around the Simple Significance household. As days passed by, we researched and talked to car dealers and insurance adjusters. The price of used trucks is quite frankly outrageous inflated ridiculous. The first place we went to wanted over $10K for a truck that had 195,000 miles on it! You've got to be smoking some good stuff if you think that's a reasonable price.

I felt for my man....he loved his truck. He put a lot of time and energy into and it ran like a champ. He's had it since high school and in fact, it was the truck he took me on our first date on (insert sappy romantic awh)!

Four days after the accident, we attempted our new truck search again. Honestly, neither he nor I were very hopeful. I mean, the Hubs is usually a glass half empty guy as it is, but you got to give him a little break---he was in mourning.

I don't know what it was about today, but we actually did find a new truck. (It was the first place we stopped at!) Can you believe it? Hallelujah!  It was what we were looking for, but most importantly it was in our price range (winner, winner) This truck was not posted on their website and the sales rep didn't know it was there right off the bat, but there she he it was just sitting there all "pretty."

The Hubs inspected this truck up and down--top to bottom. I got to give him credit he definitely knows his stuff and I trust his judgement completely. We both felt right about the purchase.

The dealership was great. They answered all our questions, they weren't pushy, and they were courteous. A+ service. Plus, we did manage to talk them down a little on the price. It never hurts to haggle right?

All in all everything worked out when it was all said and done. We are still waiting to hear from the insurance adjuster about their assessment. Who knows what they'll say. Those things are tricky. Anywho....thanks for going along with us on this journey. As I am finishing up this post, I realize there are no pictures of the lovely leather interior (yes I am kinda rubbing that in) so I will do an update post as soon as I can. If the Hubs will let me near his new "man toy."

Life Snap Shot 2

Inspired by a post from Pip. Here is a little life snap shot of yours truly. Play along. Answer a few in the comments or leave a link if you post.

Making : This blog post while my family sleeps.
Cooking : pancakes for breakfast
Drinking : Coffee with Irish creamer and one Splenda.
Reading: The Elite (book 2 of a series) by Kiera Cass
Wanting: To create a My Simple Significance Facebook page
Looking: We are going to look at trucks today for the Hubs.
Playing: Not right now, but I introduced Little Miss to Fruit Ninja
Wishing: I had more time to learn photo editing software.
Enjoying: The quiet and accomplishing the simple fact I can get some blogging done in the morning.
Waiting: For Little Miss to wake up, but enjoying the quiet "alone" time while I can
Liking: taking pictures. I love my new camera and my captured moments.
Wondering: If we are going to find a truck today at the right price (see reference to looking)
Loving: Morning cuddle time on the couch with Little Miss watching cartoons.
Hoping: To have a great long weekend with my family for the Easter holiday.
Marveling: God is good. All the itme
Needing: Food soon--it's almost 7 am. I think I will make pancakes
Smelling: My coffee
Wearing: My PJs. No details will be provided :) Ok maybe one....I am wearing socks.
Following: The Pioneer Woman---LOVE her!! I want to try more of her recipes soon.
Noticing: The sun rising through the front door
Thinking: About getting a new hair cut....I will probably go short again.
Knowing: Little Miss can be potty trained with consistency. We've been doing well lately
Focusing: On the days tasks and what I need to do before our company this weekend.
Bookmarking: My Amazon wishlist.
Opening: My new blog series post "Three Favorite Snacks" which launched today.
Giggling: it's too early to giggle.
Feeling: Hopeful overall. 

My Three Snacks

{My Three} A simple list of three things — a different topic — every week, just for fun.

Play along if you like (please do). Leave your list or a link in the comments. Inspired by Little Miss Momma

1) Cheese sticks- I really like cheese. Yup. I do. All kinds of cheeses. When I am at a party or get together and there is a cheese tray I am all over it. It's not so good for the constipation in large quantities, but sometimes it's worth it.

2) Watermelon- I love a good watermelon (preferably seedless). The combo of sweet and cool is just right. When I was pregnant with Little Miss through those hot summer months here in Florida, I swear we went through a watermelon a week.

3)  Caramel Rice Cakes- if I am going to eat a healthy snack option that resembles cardboard it better taste good...you know what I mean? And hat it what I get with caramel rice cakes. I even keep some in my class to give to the occasional "starving" teenager who isn't going to make it to lunch without eating their book.

Well dear readers, I shared my three now what are yours? You can leave your list or a link in the comments!

Another Simple Moment #12

{my simple moment} – A new ritual. A single photo, maybe two – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, significant, blessed moment. A moment I want to treasure and remember

inspired by SouleMama
________________________

"Mommy Love You"

Learning To Watermark

I learned something new today! Yes, I am giddy with excitement and nerdiness! Don't judge. For my new photography hobby, I've been wanting to learn a little bit about photo editing. My frugal side was hesitant about spending money on Photoshop so I decided I would practice with the GIMP program. It's FREE! Yea, you heard me....FREE!

As you might recall, last weekend in a moment of spontaneity I decided to purchase a custom made water mark and logo via Etsy. Well, my order came in! Happy dance.  Here it is:

What do you think? The seller also made copies in different file versions and colors (like solid black and white). I am happy with it. Plus, I got it for $9.00!

Okay, back to the watermark. Now, that I have a pretty logo to add to my photos my next step was to learn. Like any normal person, I googled it. Yup, that's all it took for me to be directed to a Youtube Tutorial.

I watched it twice and practiced on a couple of photos and I think I go the jist. It's like a fancy copy and paste. Thank You Ashley Bowen for this great tutorial by the way! I will probably be back to your YouTube channel soon! This was great---simple directions and easy to follow.

Here are two of my practice photos. And yes, they are of Little Miss picking at her belly button!

I think my next photo fun project in GIMP might be a new signature for the bloggy-blog! I think I will go an download some new fonts! Until next time......

Newbie Photographer Wishlist Update

About three weeks ago, I shared my "wishlist" of things I would like for my photography hobby. A girl can dream. right? Yes. A girl can splurge, right? Absolutely! Did I? Maybe a little.

Here is the original list:

1. A new lens up to 250-300 mm for distance and eventually maybe a macro lens
2. Lens Brush for cleaning 
3. Clear filter cap for lens
4. Kelly Moore camera bag (or a large Michael Kors bag)
5. Photoshop elements or lightroom
6. Take a class or have time to learn editing in above programs  
7. A personalized or decorative camera strap from Etsy. 

Do you notice anything different? So as you  can tell not a whole lot has changed on this list. I bought the cheapest thing I could. The story of the lens brush is this....I went to Wal-Mart in hopes that I could find a decent brush on the cheap. Do you know how much they wanted for just a brush? $10.00! No way, Jose! For $10.00, I could order a DSLR cleaning kit (like this one here) with free shipping because I am an Amazon Prime member. And by golly that's what I did! Check that one off my list. 

My next purchase wasn't even on the original list. Any guesses on what I got? I'll give you a moment......

I purchased a custom made photography watermark on Etsy. I am really excited about this purchase and I am not sure why. I am not planning on starting a photography business, but I think it will be nice to have it for my blog's photos. I don't have it yet. As soon as I do,  I will share. I hope that it's pretty easy to do.

Well, that's all for now. Until we meet again dear readers, keep life simple, but significant.

Me vs The Potty

It's a battle of wills here at the simple significance house and I feel like I am loosing. An overwhelming rush of defeat hits me hard as I stare into the red faced, crocodile filled eyes of my two year old. We are locked in the bathroom. The lines have been drawn and I am at a loss.

Questions fill my head like, "what did I do wrong? Is this my fault? Why is this so hard? What changed? (She used to like trying the potty and sitting and reading her books.) Am I giving in too easily? What can I do different? Where do I go from here?"

Logically and realistically I know that I am not the first mommy or the last to do battle wth a kiddo about the potty. Part of the problem is that I know there is a gap in consistency because my Hubs and I work full time and Little Miss spends most of the day with her Paw-Paw. What can I do in the mean time? It's a few months until summer vacation when I am off full time with her.

Fast forward to the next day.....

Paw-Paw says Little Miss went to the potty by herself a couple times today. She cried and fussed, but she did have to go. My inner mommy voice does a victory dance because at least I know it's not just me she battles. My spirits lift a little.

When we get home, we do our usual routine of a quick snack and some cartoons. Little Miss downed a good sized sippy cup and I waited for my next opportunity. In my defeat in despair last night, I did some reading on potty training. I've read this before, but I've got to admit I needed the refresher.

One of my "take aways" was a potty chart and reward system. I haven't put together or printed a potty chart yet, but it is on my list of things to do. I did try the reward system today with my thin mint girl scout cookies. I don't want to say I bribed my kid to go potty with a cookie, but I did. It worked. Twice. My psychology teacher in me says, "you call it bribery, but I call it reinforcement." #skinner #operantconditioning I am also going to buy "big girl panties" to have on hand for this journey as well.

No one said parenthood was easy is a little cliche, but true. We'll get this. I know we will. It will take time and patience and probably some tears from the both of us. Does anyone want to come help me? LOL Better yet, what potty training advice can you offer this first time mommy?

Psychology Mondays

Good Morning and Happy Monday. The psychology teacher in me couldn't help but pass this little psych giggle along to brighten your morning!

Do something today to make someone's day a little better like a random act of kindness! Remember dear reader, keep it simple, but significant!