We were the quintessential newly married couple who decided to get a dog.  Unbeknownst to me, that dog would prepare us for our kids.  It is actually funny to see the parallels.

My first indication was when we got our cute little pup and could not agree on a name.  It actually took consulting dog name websites to finally find one we agreed on, Kiah, with an obscure African meaning. This translated to scouring the name books and long discussions when it came to naming our kids.  It resulted in both of our kids having multiple names to compromise.

For some reason, whenever I turned my vacuum, our labrador retriever would run and hide.  All hopes of him being a good hunting dissipated at that moment.  Now, whenever I run the vacuum my children run and hide.  From the time Jack was little he was scared of the vacuum too and Emma does it just to follow what her brother does.  I am not sure what that says about their futures as hunters.

Our pup also loved eating whatever she could find, especially off the floor.  I received a note home a few months ago about my son eating bits of paper off the floor.  Enough said.

On the eating front, it seemed like every time we turned around Kiah was eating us out of house and home.  I thought we would hit that with the kids at sixteen.  Not so much.  At three and five, their favorite words are, "I'm hungry."  They eat circles around us and I don't know where it all goes.

We could also talk about potty training...but you can make your own conclusions about that.

I don't usually do this but I have to tell you all about a product I found that I love.  It has saved me time, money, and sanity!

To start off, I have to say that there is an apology that must be given.  My husband told me to get this one but I did not listen.  He was right.  Yes, honey.  Write it down for the record books.  You were right.

I used to have a all in one mops and though I loved the job it did, I did not love the cost of having to replace pads and solution.  I was so excited when I saw that companies were coming out with a similar style of mop that offered the added advantage of refillable solution and washable pads.

I eyed one specific one for a long time.  I even found a manufactures coupon and a store coupon and bought it on sale! I was giddy.  Unfortunately, the excitement wore off after the first try.

The spray radius was so small that I felt like I was constantly having to pump to get any liquid on the floor.  But, I did still like it.  Then, I hit the spot.  You know the one.  That nasty leftover from two nights ago spot that needs some kicking in the butt.  Well, I went over it with the regular pad and even used the added scrubber and that sucker wouldn't come up.  I was beginning to waver in my love for my new mop.

Then, I did a refill on the solution and went again another day, hoping my waning love was just a figment of my imagination.  After the first pump, it stuck.  It would only squirt every 10th pump.  Though I was grateful for the arms of steel workout it would give me, I was not as excited about the tiny pittance of solution that was coming out.

My husband was filled in on the deteriorating love when he arrived home and gave me that look that said, "I told you we should have bought the one I said."

So off to the store we trotted and home with a new brand.  I am now in love again and this time for good.  The squirting and distribution radius is awesome and the scrub pad rocks!  Then, my humble and wonderful husband said, "Hey, look, it's even made in the USA".  Yep, its love.

I'm putting it out there.  I am absolutely terrified.  I am considering some new changes in my life and it is scary.  After being a stay at home mom for almost 6 years, my life is shifting again.  Emma will be old enough for preschool and I have begun to think about my future.  What am I going to do?  What do I truly love?  What is my purpose?

In the midst of all the internal debating, it has come to the realization that schooling is again in my future.  Unfortunately, there are some hoops to jump through in order to begin working on my masters. I must first enter the world of Gen. Ed. classes.

I am excited to get my brain working again.  However, the reality of my ability hit me hard.  I was an average student in high school and did pretty well.  College was harder and I struggled.  I didn't fail but I didn't get all A's and B's which is what they need for qualification to graduate school.  Therefore, I must return to the dredges.

It is encouraging to know that quite a few of my friends and family have done the same thing.  Now it's just working out the details of how and where and most of all how are we going to afford this.

So, I will be school shopping for myself soon so watch out #2 pencils because I am stocking up.

Jack has always been pure boy.  He runs on overdrive and has the heart of an explorer.  It has always been an adventure trying to keep up with his antics.  Kevin has affectionately given him the nickname Zippy.

He is also very emotional and his meltdowns at times have left us worn.
One of our biggest times of struggle was of course Sunday during church.  It seemed as if every Sunday there would be some kind of melt down over seemingly nothing.

We had been working to make sure he was getting sleep, had been watching both is sugar and red dye intake, and began to deal with seasonal allergy issues.  Even with all of this he was still struggling.  It came to the point where I was on my knees, crying out for God to help me know what I could do to help him.

I am naturally a reader and decided to try and get my hands on as much information as possible to try and figure out what kinds of things impact behavior and emotions.  I had already been reading up on nutrition and it's impact on our bodies.  I started to come across information about gluten and it's impact on some children's behavior.

As I began to evaluate Jack's diet I realized that the days surrounding his melt downs he consumed a high amount of gluten.  His pediatrician did a blood test for celiacs but it came back negative.  However, I just could not let go of the idea of trying to go gluten free.

During his spring break we decided to embark on a gluten free experiment with him.  Mom and Dad were up visiting and Mom was begin a gluten free diet as well, so the timing was perfect.  Dairy had already been eliminated per instructions from his allergist.  So, we stocked up on the essential G-Free items and embarked.

I have to say first of all he has been a trooper.  He does get bummed at times when he can't have something but for the most part I have been able to have other choices for him.  He even has been to a few birthday parties where he can't have the cake and has handled it fine.

It has been amazing to see the difference since we have started.  He is not perfect and does still have times where he is wiry or throws fits, but the intensity and amount has been reduced drastically.  The times it does happen have also been very high allergen days or some other very explainable reason.

The amount of gluten free items in the average grocery story has definitely increased and that has also made it much easier a transition.  We had also been changing our diet and had eliminated carbohydrates and focused on fresh fruits and vegetables.  These factors really helped make a difference in the transition.

I am firmly convinced we have made the right choice.  His teacher has confirmed the changes in behavior and I have seen first hand it's impact at home.  He is great about knowing that he cannot have gluten and has been willing to try new things.  We have also tried to keep some staples on hand like g-free sandwich bread so he can still have PB&J.


I am not a doctor, a nutritionist, or a scientist.  I am a Mom who really tries to understand and help her kids.  I do not say this is for everyone.  I am just saying it worked for us.  To me, it was worth trying for a few weeks to see if it made any difference and the difference I saw made it all worth it.

An added benefit still yet to come may be a return of his hair.  There have been a few cases of those with  Alopecia Areata going gluten free and seeing their hair return.  I am not trying to get my hopes too high but I do see some hair coming in.  It will be exciting to see if it will help.  Again, it is worth trying if it will help!

So, we are just at the beginning of the process.  It has been almost 8 weeks and we have had a few "oh no, that has gluten in it" moments but for the most part I am glad we did it.  It takes more planning and creativity but I am proud of my son and the way he has handled it!

I have to admit that my husband gave me the idea for this blog post.  You see, we have been bum deep in potty training.  Everyone has said that training a girl is easier.  However, my daughter is her mama's girl with a mind of her own.

Our first inclination of this was when she decided to walk.  One day when she was around 15 months,  she stood up, ran across the living room twice and sat back down.  She then refused to do it again.  Even with us holding her hands.  She had decided it wasn't all it was cracked up to be and liked crawling better.  It took her a good 2 1/2 weeks to decide she wanted to try it again.

I should have taken that as an indication for how potty training was going to go with her.  Alas, hindsight is well, hindsight.  Kevin had been wanting to get going on the whole potty training thing because he cringed every time we had to buy a box of diapers.  So, armed with potty treats, new panties, and Elmo potty time, we threw a potty party.  She loved the treats and Elmo but she could take or leave the whole potty thing.  That was about 6 months ago.

Finally, I brought in the big guns, Nana.  She was up here visiting and she took her to potty boot camp. We also talked about how we were giving the rest of her diapers to a baby girl who is friends of ours.  Nana promises of princess panties and Papa's cheers when she went helped.  But, finally, she just decided she was done with diapers.

Now she had found it is fun to use the potty.  Especially when we are out and about.  She has started this game where she has to go "really bad" whenever we go to a new store.  She then admires the potty, discusses whether it is a self flush or not (which she doesn't like because it robs her of the flushy fun) and if she can reach the soap and paper towels.  She squeezes out a bit at each spot to make it legitimate.  Yep, she's that good.

I even tried to curb this new adventure with a in car potty, thinking it would not be so exciting.  Wrong again.  Silly mommy, any potty novelty is going to make a fun game.  She has also decided that the training potty is too "yiddle" and must go to afore mentioned baby.  She hovers pretty well too but I am waiting for the day when the inevitable slip happens.

So, needless to say, diapers are gone from our house.  It feels good.  Sheets are getting washed more often and sometimes we have a multiple outfit day.  But, for the most part, I think we finally can let the fat lady sing.