Free Dunkin' Donuts Coffee

Dunkin' Donuts is giving out a free sample of two different blends of coffee.  Click here to try one for yourself:  https://dunkinathome.safeprocessing.com/

A small step for Max, a giant leap for ME!

This was a very busy week at our house! I am trying to finish up all my Spring cleaning before Maya's Spring break at school next week. In the middle of this craziness, I stumbled upon a little surprise that has just been waiting for me to find. News Flash - Maxwell James is ready, willing, and able to help around the house! Let's see...what would be the word to describe my reaction to this newfound phenomenon? Ecstatic! (Does that one word convey the excitement I feel right now??) :) I also want to make clear that I am VERY proud of my little boy for stepping up, volunteering, and following through. I have really been selling him short!

One problem that almost all parents face is the transition from a helpless, completely dependent child to a child who can *almost* take care of himself. No, I'm not suggesting that you leave your little one at home while you make a quick run to the grocery. I do, however, think that our kids are capable of more than we think. They can do more than feed themselves, pick up toys, and get dressed...We just have to give them the chance to learn for themselves!

Too many times I find myself doing things for my kids, rather than allowing them to finish on their own. Sometimes it is because I'm in a hurry, but most often it's because I've grown so accustomed to 'helping' that I automatically take over at the first sign of distress. No more! Maxwell James showed me that not only is he capable of doing much more than I assumed, but he is a very happy helper. In the past few days, he has helped me clean the bathrooms (yes - toilets and all!), fold laundry, vacuum, dust, make all the beds, and feed/water the dog. He always helps me make the beds, helps Seth with the garbage, and he or Maya usually take care of Louie, but I had never thought of asking him to help me with some of these other chores. As I was working, he was bored and volunteered to help. I gave him the tools he needed, and he didn't complain once. In fact, he was so proud of himself for helping! I think that was reward enough, but I took him to McDonald's for a happy meal as well. That's what he wanted!

What can we learn from this? It's simple. Do you want your kids to stop acting like babies? Then stop treating them like babies! Stop doing everything for them, and let them learn to do it on their own. Max still comes to the breakfast table with his pants on backward sometimes, or spills his drink, or makes a mess when trying to eat his spaghetti - but that is a small price to pay for my sanity.

Now on to teaching Maya to iron... :)

Free Baby Formula!

Hey all you parents out there...Just wanted to pass along an offer for free Parent's Choice Infant Formula. Just follow this link, and fill in your information.

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid66928.aspx

Even for those of you who nurse, this is always good to keep on hand in case of illness, or when you will be away from the baby during feeeding time.

Enjoy!

10 Items or Less

I have thought today about a few of the things we have in our house, and how much our family uses these things. As Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, said in John chapter 17, we "are in the world" but "not of the world," and He has given us the choice to take advantage of what this world has to offer.  There are definitely some things my family "needs" on a daily basis.  So, I've made a list of then of those things, and I wonder if any of you feel the same way.  Here goes (in a very particular order):

10. Skype/Facebook/YouTube/etc. - These are so useful to us!  We use at least one of these daily to keep my extended family updated on what's going on in our lives (i.e. Maya losing a tooth, Maxwell playing with Robert, Nina waving bye.).  I honestly don't know what we did without it.  It is so much better than talking on the phone!

9. Chocolate - This had to be on the list somewhere!  Seth and Maya Jo are scrounging through every cabinet and drawer looking for chocolate after supper every night.  I think they would pick this over just about every other thing on the list!

8. Cetaphil - If you have dry skin and haven't tried Cetaphil, you have no idea what you're missing. It's amazing stuff!  I use it daily, and my skin thanks me for it.

7. ExerSaucer - Max used this only a couple of months when he was a baby, but Nina has had it since she was about 4 months old, and she absolutely LOVES it!  She's either chewing on a toy, playing with the spinning wheel, or jumping in it...we're all thankful for this one!  :)

6. Henry Brown Diaper Bag - This has got to be the most indestructible diaper bag I've ever used. (After going through diaper bags with three kids, that should mean a lot!)  Not only does it hold all of Nina's accessories (toys, diapers, food, etc.), but my purse and as random toys for the older kids all fit with room to spare.  Those handles must be steel covered with canvas!  Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the AWESOME monogram Seth and my Momma picked out for it.  LoVe It!

5. Tempur-Pedic - We've been Tempur-Pedic users for 6+ years now, and I still love my pillow! Yes, I admit it was a little hard getting used to, but it is the most comfortable thing you will ever lay your head on!  I take mine everywhere I go (and have had it shipped back home on occasion.)   Maya Jo and Maxwell now have their own pillows, and I'm trying to convince Seth to get the matress to help his back problems.  We'll see how that goes.

4. Van - I love our van!  It was hard admitting life was officially over, and taking the plunge to buy it, but things are so much more convenient now.  It can carry 8 people, plus plenty of room for luggage in the back...are you kidding me?  We have a DVD player with wireless headphones, all-weather floor mats, a secret compartment, seat warmers, something like 12 cup holders, climate control, AND push-button door openers.  Can a mom of 3 ask for more?  

3. Digital Camera - It is amazing how many thousands of pictures are on our computers.  Our whole lives are well documented, and can be reprinted on demand.  We are the first generation with that luxury, and I hope you guys appreciate this as much as I do!

2. Tivo - Yes, number 2 is Tivo.  We are going to try life without Tivo next month for the first time in 7 years.  I'm not sure how this will go.  Since I am married to the most electronically savvy man ever, we have two dual-tuner Tivos that are available on both televisions.  This means we can be watching/recording four things at the same time!  We have one full of movies and kid shows, and the other full of mine and Seth's fav shows...mostly Raymond, Seinfeld, Frasier, Frontline, and The Office.  I don't know how other DVRs work, but you just tell Tivo what actor you like, and it records everything that comes on with him in it...or you can say you want all Disney movies, and it records every one that comes on.  This has made us extremely spoiled...the kids think everyone should be able to "watch that again!"

And...drumroll please...

 

Number 1 goes to...

 

COMPUTERS!  (Was there ever any doubt?)  I counted, and there are 8 working computers in our house.  One is just for the kids, one is the laptop, and the rest are Seth's.  :)  I don’t mind...he makes his living using these great machines, and our documents and folders are so well organized that I can find anything in about 5 clicks.  Our network disappears at times, but I can deal with that.

There are a few honorable mentions, including the iPhone, the iPod, and text messaging, but there just wasn't room for these items on my list.  What things can't your family live without?  Do any of you agree with mine?  Let's hear what changes you would make (if any)!

Have a great weekend, and enjoy your luxuries!

SHE LOVES ME!!!

Yes, ladies and gents, love abounds once again!  :)  While looking through Maya's papers in Monday's folder, I found the answer I had been anticipating: