I Heart Kendra!! @kendrajd Blog Angels Reveal

Blog Angels has come to a close - which means today is the BIG REVEAL!  So, who did I help out this month?  And does she know it was me?  

I was a Blog Angel for the Lovely:

Kendra!!

What did I do for Kendra this month?  Well - I gave her one of my top ad spots for free.  (That may have given it away completely - but I hope not!!)

Included with the ad space - she received twitter shouts:

pins to pinterest - like this amazing Key Lime Chicken Recipe:

Source: bkdarr.blogspot.com via Courtney on Pinterest

a solo feature with the option to give-away an item - check it out:

Today is the last chance to enter her sweet giveaway!

Enter to win here!

I also was able to connect Kendra to Shaylee Ann just in time for her to become a regular host of the weekly Link & Mingle party:

Still time to link up to this week's partay!

Lastly, I had the chance to chat with Kendra via email and hopefully encourage her with a few tips on how to engage her audience.

From when she started to now - her readership has at least doubled and nearly tripled! I can't take credit for that however; she is proving to be quite the networker and has been building her blog like crazy!

Kendra <3 Hope you felt I helped in some way!  I enjoyed getting to know you - and I'm so happy that you bought ad space on BaxtronLife for next month!  Guess what!  I'm giving you that "Lovely" space for 2 months! <3  Looking forward to getting to know you more!!

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Enter the Giveaway!

{ReadingList}

I've decided to make a concerted effort to get more reading time in.  

Instead of my usual technology cut-off time at 10pm, 

I'm attempting to push it back to 9pm, 

giving me a full hour of reading before I get in bed.  

(I try to be in bed by 10pm most nights…

you don't want to mess with the sleep-deprived version of me!)  

Here are the next 10 books in my reading list:

Borrowed this from a friend late last year and started it but haven't finished it.  

I loved the movie, I'm a HUGE Rachel McAdams fan.

Also started, but not finished.

This book has actually helped me in ALL of my relationships.

Not even finished and highly recommend it!

Recently bought the Kindle edition of this book.

I'm extremely nervous to delve into this one, so not sure when I'll start it.

I will be doing a few workbooks alongside it.

Jerry and I are almost finished with this.

We also have the companion workbooks.

When we don't have time to do a full "Love Talk" exercise, 

we turn to this wonderful devotional.

We are always amazed by the profound wisdom expressed in these short 2 page devotions.

We've read through the Five Love Languages for Singles & Couples.

Looking forward to reading this and starting to identify Zion's love languages.

I watched the movie Fireproof and wanted to read "The Love Dare"

but believe that I should probably read this one first.

I haven't read this yet, its sitting on my stack,

mostly because I know I'll get sucked in and have to read the entire series.

This is an amazing devotional for moms.

It is funny, light-hearted yet poignant.  

I started it, but couldn't keep my focus so it is shelved for now.

I've only had the pleasure of reading one other Beth Moore book,

however; I know this lady goes deep in her writing.

I'm really looking forward to getting into this one!

What books are you reading?

Anything you simply cannot put down!?

{Immediately} Improve Communication with your Toddler

The challenges and privileges involved in raising a child through the toddler years can seem endless.  On top of power struggles and picky eating, the most obvious challenge is communicating in a way that your toddler will listen.  

In the book, "The Happiest Toddler on the Block," Dr. Harvey Karp shares practical advice and tips to transform day-to-day life from a constant battle of wills, to an opportunity for learning and practicing better communication.  .  If you've never heard of him, I'd like to kindly nudge you to take a moment and glance at his bio.

 Today, on Green Eggs & Moms I am sharing two fantastic tips from the book, that will help you (immediately) improve communication with your toddler.

19 Months + VLog + January Ad Space Giveaway!

I have been meaning to do this for a while now… I apologize for the quality, I've not spent much time venturing into iPhone-cinematography.  This is part 1 of a very adorable two part video of Zion speaking out of her current vocabulary.


And now for a 19 Month Update!

Little lady…you are barely a babe anymore.  I watched as you carried on with your daddy today, I couldn't believe how you actually participated in placing the little candy eyes and buttons with care.  How did you get so smart and so advanced so quickly!?  
Things you love right now:  "Super Why!", Oatmeal, iPad/iPhone, Dancing, Singing (especially songs with hand motions), Turning Lights Off/On, Pretending with Elmo, String Cheese, Counting to 10, The ABC's, and any trips outside to watch people.
Your first memorable holiday experiences have you charmed for: the Christmas Tree, Presents, Christmas Carols, Hot Cocoa, Egg Nog, Apple Cider and fun holiday treats.
As I sit here writing this, you and your daddy have headed out for a movie date to see "The Muppets."  We have no idea if you will like it, be able to sit still with it, or even enjoy it, but we thought we'd test it out, since your daddy and I love going to see movies.
Happy 19 Months little lady,Love Mama Mommy
I enjoyed my little milestone raffle so much last month, that I thought I'd do it again.  So enter below for your chance to win the featured ad space on the upper right corner along with an exclusive post!!  Two runners up will get large ads and be included in my shared intro post!
a Rafflecopter giveaway






 

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:






Let's Connect!

       

{17} Months

I don't want to start with the usual…"OMG where has the time gone?"…line.  Nope, not going to reflect right now on how fast the last 17 months have zipped by.  I don't want to think about how in just a month you will be 1 & 1/2 or how just 6 months ago you devoured your first cupcake as family and friends celebrated your very first birthday, nope, not going to think on those things.  Instead, I just want to thank you, Zion, for teaching me how to live each moment in the present.

Here you are, my precious, beautiful, funny little girl, making each day more bright, more joyous and more adventurous than I could have ever imagined possible.  There are so many things that you have both Mama & Dada in awe about you: your ever increasing vocabulary, your depth, your spirited nature, your infectious giggle, your determination and will…I can go on and on, and I do.  You are just simply a wonder of creation, in our eyes and in your heavenly Father's eyes as well. 

We are blessed to have been chosen by God to be stewards over your young life, you are our little cupcake treasure.  

Love,

Mama

Let's Connect!

       

Our Little Chatterbox

Zion, our sweet little girl.  You have discovered your voice.  And we could not be happier.  We are so thoroughly impressed by your level of understanding and your ambition in developing your vocabulary.  Each day we are surprised by your many new concepts and words grasped.  We know you are a gifted young lady, already surpassing our highest expectations of your brilliance.  Keep doing your thing little girl, Mama and Dada are so very proud!

As of today (only 16 months old!) you can say the following words (*and signs):

Amen

Apple

Banana

Baby*

Backpack

Ball*

Bath
Belly Button
Boat

Book

Bike

Bye-Bye*

Boo-Boo

Bible

Car
Choo-Choo

Coffee (Okay, so you still say Ca-Ca but I think it counts)
Cookie

Dada

Dog

Duck

Down*

God

Happy
Hi*

Help*

Icky (Which sounds like "y tu?")

Key

Love (which is more like Vah)

Mama

Map
Me

Meow
Mine

Moo

More*

Milk*

Nana

No (Which I have to stop encouraging, but you say it SOOOO cute while scrunching your little nose, lol.)

Oh
One

Owie
Pig

Poo-poo

Please

Pray*

Pretty

Shoes

Socks

Thank you
Three
Truck
Train

Turtle
Two

Up*

Violet

Water

Word

World

Woah!

Wow

You also count to 3!!

We are incredibly impressed and feel so blessed to be your Mommy & Daddy.  God has richly blessed you, daughter, both inside and out!  We love you!

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