Sunscreen HELP ?!?

I burned my baby.

Ok, I didn't really burn her, but I let her get sunburned and I think I feel just as guilty as I would had I done it myself.

I actually remembered to put baby sunblock on her tiny cheeks and nose... I just somehow neglected her sweet chubby dimpled arms. And now they're mighty pink. (*Sob!*)

Truth?

I'm terrible about remembering to put sunscreen on my kids. I try- I do!- but so often our jaunts outside end up being spontaneous. We don't spend hours outdoors every single day, so it's always seemed foolish to me to put it on them every single morning. Plus, we're all up and dressed by about 7 am, so will that protection really still be in place when we need it?

I don't know. Obviously, I'm a failure in the "sun protection" department.

What works for me? No clue.

That's why, this week, I'm begging for your wisdom and tips. What can this sunscreen-challenged mama do to do better? What's your best advice for keeping the littles sunburn-free? Please, please, help a mama out...

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.

Image credit.

Small-Town Carnival

My husband arrived home from work yesterday afternoon, kissed me, took the baby, and asked if I wanted to take the kids to a carnival in a tiny neighboring town. He had seen a sign on his drive home.

Sounded good to me!

We ate our supper and headed out the door.

Was it cheap? Um, not really. Those ride tickets can add up quickly and, yes, they're pretty much a rip-off. On the surface, shelling out four dollars to ride the ferris wheel makes me cringe...

But then I watch my daughter's face as we climb way up, up, up high as the trees...

And my husband laughs as their eyes get huge when the kiddie train takes off with them in front...

And the baby giggles and holds tight to me as we ride together on the merry-go-round...

And, as I nurse my exhausted littlest one to sleep, I hear my son in the room across the hall, whispering to his beloved Mr. Penguin...

"And then I went on this HUGE slide called the Fun Slide TWO times! It was SO fast, Mr. Penguin. And Daddy and I rode the big ferris wheel. And then I got to..."

And I realize.

We're making memories here.

And that's priceless.

What seemingly "rip-off" things have you realized were worth every penny?

This post is linked to Finer Things Friday.

Legal Abortion = Respect For Women?

Food for thought...

²² "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. ²³ But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Exodus: 22-25

Pro-choicers will have you believe the lie that making abortion legal is good for women, that it supports women, that it- somehow- empowers women.

But what does the Bible say?

Well, for starters, the Bible is clear that the "fetus" is (surprise, surprise) a life. A life every bit as precious and worthy as the "already-born" man who could harm him. Does it matter in God's eyes that the baby is currently living inside his mother? Not a bit. That child is one of His children.

But what about the mother? Is the Bible thus limiting her rights and demeaning her importance by (clearly) saying killing babies is wrong?

No.

Not even close.

In fact, I believe these verses reflect how honored, revered, and protected a woman with child should be. Consider that a LAW was written in to protect her and the precious life she sustains. How different this is from our current, man-made laws that did not hold a gunman who shot a teller and killed her unborn twins accountable for murder. Robbery? Oh yes, we can charge him with that. But murder? Well... they weren't viable, after all...

Who really thinks women are better off with these laws our politicians concoct? Who believes that allowing abortion shows respect and reverence for women?

It's just something I'm thinking about.

How I Do School...

...We had to determine which educational platform would best support our children’s needs and family’s beliefs. Sometime during the 2 1/2 to 3 year old range, my husband and I sat down and looked at the different school options available and discussed each child and his or her needs. We had to consider those specific needs and the personality of that particular child in order to ensure we made the best decision.

I'm guest posting over at Life as MOM today, sharing why our family chose public school for our children. Head on over to see what I have to say and read the great comments! While you're there, be sure to answer my question...

How does your state’s school performance (or lack thereof) affect your choice in how to educate them?

Should I Have More Children?

Image credit.

(It's a rhetorical question, but feel free to offer up your opinion on the matter in the comments.)

Here's what got me thinking...

I made a quick run to CVS today with my three kids in tow- ages 5, 4, and 1. We headed through the sliding entrance doors and, though keeping well to the right (as taught), my two holding-hands preschoolers wound up in the path of a middle-aged Middle Eastern gentleman making his way out of the store. My son pulled his sister with him out of the way, looked the man in the eye, and said:

"Excuse us, Sir."

The (previously rather cranky-looking) gentleman raised his eyebrows, bowed slightly toward me, and said:

"Your have very well-mannered children. Well-behaved."

{I replied, "Thank you."}

"You should have more."

And, with that, he departed.

I have to confess- I laughed. It's just not something you typically hear!

Of course, then it got me thinking...

What should dictate when we decide to stop having children...

Whether we want them?

Or whether we can handle them?

(This question is asked with the assumption that we are deciding to limit our family size for personal reasons... it obviously does not apply to those who choose to base their family size on however many children the Lord blesses them with. I'm not judging either method... just clarifying.)

The man who spoke to me doesn't know me. He obviously has no idea what my personal "ideal" family size might be. For all he knows, I may have wanted to stop at two and feel like I got "stuck" with my third (I did NOT, for the record). He doesn't know my financial situation or my marital situation. He doesn't know my religious beliefs.

What does he know?

In a nutshell, he knows I can handle my kids (at least mostly). They listen to me. They've been taught to be polite and respectful. In his mind, I guess, I'm the kind of mom who should bring more kids into this world... more "well-mannered, well-behaved" children.

Should that be a requirement?

I'm not sure. I do know I've heard plenty of people mutter, "She's pregnant again? She can barely handle the ones she's got!" So, clearly, we feel entitled to judge other people's childcare limits. Oh, and please know that I'm in no way picking on large families here... I know at least as many moms of one or two children who seem overwhelmed as I do moms of many.

I guess it just got me wondering... would the world perhaps be better off if some of those families choosing to limit their family size for reasons of responsibility (financial, environmental, or otherwise) would instead choose to have more children... more well-trained and, yes, well-loved children?

I don't have any answers for you, but it sure got me thinking.

How about you? What do you think? Do you ever see families who seem like they can't handle the kids they have? Have you ever seen an awesome family and thought they would be doing right in having more children? Oh, and should I have more kids? ;)

Can You Hear It?

I'm 34 now...

and I can hear it.

I credit it with my avoidance of rock concerts, factories, and mowing the lawn- hah!

Can you hear it? (And how old are you?- if you're willing to share.)

Menu Plan: 6/20- Happy Birthday...er, Father's Day!

Yesterday was Father's Day... with both my father and the father of my children there. Fun! It also happened to be MY birthday. Lots of celebrating happening in the Parenting Miracles house! (Random bit of trivia about yours truly... I was actually BORN on Father's Day too. That happens about every six years. The last time it happened, my husband was not yet a father. We now have three kids. :))

B-Cereal, Applesauce, Milk

L-Chocolate Chip Pancakes w/ Whipped Cream & Strawberries (Did I mention that it's my birthday???)

D-Sunday Supper at Bama & Papa's house - Kebabs on the grill... yum! And those of you in Twitterville with me? Remember when I looked for dessert suggestions? I decided on Death By Chocolate with Peppermint Patties.

Monday:

B-Smoothies, Toast

L-Grilled Cheese, Applesauce, Milk

D-Hot & Sour Peanut Rice w/ Chicken & Broccoli (this is a variation of my Hot & Sour Peanut Noodle recipe... let me know if you'd like details!)

Tuesday:

B-Oatmeal, Yogurt, Juice
L-Peanut Rice, Applesauce, Milk
D-Spaghetti w/ Meatballs, Green Beans

Wednesday:

B-Cinnamon Sugar Toast, Apples, Milk

L-Noodles, Green Beans, Yogurt, Juice

D-Beans & Franks, Tater Tots

Thursday:

B-Cereal, Yogurt, Juice

L-Hot Dogs on Bread, Apple Slices, Water

D-Whole Wheat Penne w/ Homemade Queso Sauce (waayyyy better than "Mac 'n Cheese" in my opinion!)

Friday:

B-PB Toast, Apples, Milk

L-Rice & Beans, Juice

D-Pepperoni & Mushroom Pizza

Saturday:

B-Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Bagel Sandwiches
L-En route to Massachusetts... we plan to try to time it so we can go out to lunch at the restaurant we got take-out from the night we got engaged. Aw! ;)

D-*We'll be out of town visiting dear friends in Massachusetts... G's godparents!*

I realized that, since we'll be out of town all weekend, I won't be able to do my usual "every 4 week" Aldi trip. As a result, next week's menu plan will be strictly "eating out of the pantry". Since my pantry is not exactly stuffed right now, it could get interesting. Be sure to come back to see what I come up with!

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.