Breaking Bad

Let me just say that I LOVE my daughter…with all of my heart.  The past couple of days have been so trying with her though.  She is quickly approaching the 18 month mark and already we are dealing with extreme boundary testing…she doesn't have to wait for two…she is already there.

I almost had a breakdown myself this morning after the 4th time-out for the same reason, all within 10 minutes time.  I couldn't help feeling like a failure as a parent.  I know what the "professionals" say about disciplining your child, how to cope with tantrums, etc., but when you are doing those things and your precious and obedient daughter has seemingly transformed into one that thrives on trouble, its incredibly discouraging.

Luckily, after praying, I did what every parent in this situation does…poured myself a shot of whiskey called my older sister for guidance.  Thankfully, she picked up the call, and gave me encouragement, reminding me to hold firm to the boundaries we've established and continue to reinforce them.  She reminded me to stay stoic during discipline because any kind of emotional reaction on my part will reinforce the behavior, and lastly, she reminded me that this too shall pass.

I took a deep breath and decided she was right.  Then I put Zion down for her nap, began my daily reading of blogs I follow and came across this post here, which led me to read this blog.  Immediate perspective gained.  As I sat, crying my eyes out, I realized how small these troubles of mine actually are.  I realized that tantrums or not, I am blessed to have this day with my daughter.

God is so faithful to show up and remind me, during the difficulties of every day life, that things could be worse and my focus should always be on the blessing each day brings, with very little time focused on the momentary troubles.





Linking up here today:






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Weekly Wrap Up

This past week started on a high note, with brunch, a little shopping and some fro-yo…but quickly downgraded from awesome to exhausting with an unlimited supply of boogie-sucks, 2am coughing-crying fits and a lot of help from chamomile tea and Vicks babyrub…thankfully, Zion is on the mend and Jerry and I seem to be keeping the "ickie-sickies" at bay.  We finished our week with good news (still building suspense here peeps), a pumpkin carving and today, as I post this, our first snow of the season, which is already piling up over an inch.

 My handsomey handsome

 I am obsessed with burgers

 Got Milk?

Fall in "the Heights"

 Bundled up sick baby

 Cookies make everything better

 Smiles for daddy

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee

 Sleeping - record amounts

 Hubs looking sharp at work

 More pigtails…I can't resist

Jerry's first ever pumpkin carving

 Success! Pretty good for a first time!

 First snow of the season! In October…in NYC!

Funny faces with Daddy

I'm linking up with all these fantastic peeps today!

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Sick Days

Zion picked up a nasty cold virus and has been feeling quite down in the dumps for the past several days. I just want my happy little girl back.  Instead this is what every day has looked like this week:

And Elmo has been her constant companion through it all.  My poor baby, get well soon, please!


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Wordless Wednesday & Paper Mama Photo Challenge

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Chronic. Sleep. Deprivation.

I'm staring at this page, willing to write, yet my brain is running on reserve power.  Therefore, I'm throwing in the towel and hoping to resume after a good nights rest.

Here is what we have been up to:

I finished my fall yarn wreath and quite satisfied with the results.  :)

I cut out cardboard letters, Z-I-O-N, to finally make a sign for Zion's door, planning on using yarn for this as well.  I've yet to actually wrap a single letter, or figure out how I want to finish it.

I'm knitting again…and lately wondering if I have post-partum-arthritis, I had no idea that this actually exists, but my joints have not been the same since I had Zion, and I am starting to wonder if I should get them checked out.  (Stay tuned for more on my current knitting projects.)

Baking, baking and more baking.  I just did a dozen or so each: M&M Sugar Cookies & Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Zion is great at stirring, and quite territorial about it as well.  Future baking plans…definitely want to do more cupcakes, for starters these and then definitely these as well!

FAIL notice…remember this post here?  Yeah, well, I totally nailed the starter, but I couldn't find a good/easy enough recipe to start out with…and so, well, the starter went right into the trash.  Boo!

While I'm admitting FAILures, I might as well update you on this journey here.  Yeah, remember that running thing I was talking about?  I haven't. Not even once. Ran. Double boo!

I'm blessed to be working my tail feathers off to coordinate sending Christmas care packages to the MacDella Cooper Foundation Academy in Liberia, Africa…if you are interested in participating…send me an email.  60 boys and girls, orphaned by violent civil war will be receiving backpacks filled with goodies to ring in the holiday.

The winds of change are blowing in our family, if that sounds vague, it is intentional, and you'll have to stay tuned for details.  Don't you love cliffhangers?

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Weekly Wrap Up! :)

Family nature walks in the crisp Fall weather

Making chalk drawings for Daddy on the last dry, sunny days before Winter!

Too much fun with Photobooth (clearly too much downtime)

 Beautiful fall colors and scenes in our neighborhood

 The last bits of my herb garden: parsley, basil & sage

Pumpkin Carrot Spice Cupcakes w/Cream Cheese Frosting & Cinnamon-Sugar Sprinkles (adapted from this recipe here!)

Playdate & Fall Wreath Craft with a dear friend (My first Pinspired Creation!)

P.S.  Remember this photo?  I came in 4th in the photo challenge!







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