YUMMommy

Blog

  • Thankful Thursday

    Happy 4th of July!!  The weather here was all over the place today.  One minute it’s sunny out and the next storm clouds have moved in and it’s raining.  Thankfully, we got two really good windows of sunshine to get outside, get on the grill and let the kids run around for a bit.  And speaking of getting outside, my neighbor’s husband across from us was nice enough to cut our grass with his riding lawn mower.
    It’s renting into our lease that lawn care will be taken care of by the landlord.  However, our yard has been looking like a mini forest for a week and some change.  The bees have taken over.  And playing dodge the bees is not fun y’all.  I’m so over this rental but since we want to stay on the outskirts of the city because it’s closer to the Mr’s job we’re limited in moving options.  Nobody in this area rents and hardly anybody is selling.  Most properties in this area are family owned and passed down generation to generation.
    I love that.  But at the same time it’s a bit of a stumbling block for outsiders like us trying to move into these family owned neighborhoods.  I’m praying that something will come available within our budget in this area and with enough space.  
    It’s been almost a week since the Mr’s surgery and I’m thankful that he’s healing well.  I can’t tell you all how relieved I was when I heard that his surgery had went well.  It’s scary knowing that your loved one is going under the knife.  The nurse and doctors had to talk to me about everything they were going to do before he went back.  And hearing words like breathing tubes just made me nervous.
    I’m also thankful for everyone who kept us in prayer and sent me words of encouragement.  It’s always nice to know that when I’m going through something, there are people in my corner and my family’s corner.  Seriously, raising kids isn’t the only thing that takes a village.  You all have become my cyber family and friends. 
    How has your Independence Day been?

  • Summertime Fun With Kool-Aid Kool Creations And Big Time Rush

    Every household has the one product that they us a lot of on a regular basis-toilet paper, soap, lotion.  For my family Kool-Aid is that product.  We roughly go through a one and a half to two pitchers a day (and our pitcher is big).  So, any given week I’m spending well over $6 on Kool-Aid drink mix alone.  And of course, you can’t make my family’s favorite beverage without sugar.  We use a lot of that too.

    I’m not complaining though because all that Kool-Aid consumption has paid off this week.  You see last year my niece introduced Moo to Big Time Rush via their show on Nick and she’s been a fan ever since.  Thanks to me being such a big spender on Kool-Aid at Walmart, I got a discount code for a BTR Family Four-Pack for just $50!  Now I know that I’m not the only mom with a BTR fan or two in the house.  So, you all can kick up the summertime fun by getting in on this Family Four-Pack deal too.

    Just download the Shoparoo app to your phone.  Then go pick up at least $6 in Kool-Aid products from Walmart (includes Kool-Aid Jammers too).  You upload your receipt to Shoparoo and within 48 hours your discount code is sent to the email you registered with.  Very simple process.
    Can you tell what we’re about to make?
    You all know the Mr had surgery on Friday.  So, I needed something fun to keep the kids busy while he rested.  We decided to make popsicles!  All you need is a pitcher of Kool-Aid or Kool-Aid Jammers, popsicle molds and a half cup of fruit (fresh or canned).  Fill your molds half way with Kool-Aid and then add in as much fruit as your molds can hold.  Freeze for 30 mins to a hour and you’ll have a healthy and yummy treat for the whole family!
    Moo nicknamed our Kool Creation Strawberry Delicious Surprise
    And as if scoring four Big Time Rush tickets for $50 wasn’t enough, Walmart and Kool-Aid are hosting a contest for a chance to win meet & greet passes & tickets.  All I had to do to enter was upload a picture of our Kool Creation here.  Your Kool-Aid Kool Creation doesn’t have to be food like ours was.  Other families have made playdough, paint and more using Kool-Aid products.  
    Thanks to Kool-Aid and Walmart, the amount of summertime fun our families can have are endless!  So get to shopping and creating with the kids!
    What would your family’s Kool Creation be?

  • Bible 365: Week 26

    I did it y’all!  I made it to the halfway mark of this Bible 365 Challenge.  I’m so proud of myself for not throwing in the towel.  I really feel like I’ve grown in my faith.  On a daily basis, I find myself just doing simple things that are making me a better person.  For example, I’m taking more deep breaths when I get frustrated with the kids or the Mr.  I don’t just fly off the handle all the time.
    I even find myself speaking and smiling more at strangers when I’m out and about.  You never know what people are going through.  That little smile or hello could be the first good thing that’s happened to them in months, weeks or days besides waking up each morning.  Now without further ado, here are the seven things I learned in Week 26 below.
    1-  “Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.” (Proverbs 17:1)  The Mr and I hit on this subject the other night.  We talked about how you have to be careful of who you let in your house.  Some times having a house full of people of all the time means you stay knee deep in drama.  Like the saying goes sometimes less is more.
    2-  “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.” (Proverbs 18:1)  I know people say that all we need is Jesus and I agree that ultimately that is true.  However, I often wonder if the reason the person saying it is saying it because they have a hard time getting along with others?  You see being a good Christian is all about being good with and to others.  You can’t learn wisdom if you’re never around wise people because you always want everything YOUR way.
    3-  “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.” (Proverbs 19:18)  Let’s face it, all parents aren’t good parents.  Yeah, I said it.  I’ve been around some ratchetness that were of the mindset that was ‘my child is bad and he/she ain’t never gonna be nothing.’  That kind of parenting just burns me up.  I want to shake that person and ask him/her why they didn’t just give their child up for adoption? Kids don’t come out knowing right from wrong.  We have to teach them and encourage them and help them when they stumble.
    4-  “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)  I’m not knocking anybody who drinks because I sip a few times a year.  However, I just want to say that everybody doesn’t have to be in the club or at home getting tipsy.  Ain’t nothing cute about that.  It turns me off when I see person always posting on FB or Twitter about how tipsy or ‘turnt up’ they get.  Like why is that something to brag about?  I’m proud to say that I’ve never been drunk or hung over!
    5-  “He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21)  Being around goody two shoes isn’t always a bad thing!
    6-  “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” (Proverbs 22:24-25)  Let go of those friends who are always behaving like an enemy in disguise.  I apply this to some family members too.  You can never be too careful of the company you keep.
    7-  “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22)  Remember in Genesis, God said that it was not good for man to be alone.  So thankful that my husband found me and now has added favor in the sight of God!
    Week 27 Readings
    7/1: Proverbs 24
    7/2: Proverbs 25
    7/3: Proverbs 26
    7/4: Proverbs 27
    7/5: Proverbs 28
    7/6: Proverbs 29
    7/7: Proverbs 30

  • Thankful Thursday

    Happy Thankful Thursday!  I just want to say that I know that I have been talking about the Mr’s surgery on here for a while.  And I am just truly thankful for everyone who took the time to send me words of reassurance.  This might be 2013 but when it comes to going under knife anything can happen.  So, we are beyond thankful for all of you who continue to pray for my husband having a safe and successful surgery.  Your prayers and most definitely appreciated.
    I’m thankful for all this rain we have been getting.  At one point I was going to complain but I remembered the year we had a drought here and everyone got put on water restriction.  It was nuts y’all!  Not the case this summer.
    I’m thankful that Moo’s excitement about starting school is showing through.  I think she’s most excited about getting to play and go to the library.  I’m JJ will be the same when he starts in a few years.  
    Overall, I am just thankful that this has been a good week.
    What are you thankful for this week?

  • Wednesday Randoms

    I’m in the process of polishing YUMMommy’s look.  Did you notice that I changed the background to all white and did away with the tab colors?  I also cleaned up my sidebar a little bit.  Thinking about changing the header, but I’m not sure how I want it to look yet.
    The Mr’s surgery is this Friday.  I’m not nervous or overly worried like before.  I think the thing I’m most concerned about is getting him from the car and into the house safely.  Ripped stitches are no fun.  So, Thursday I will fluff up the pillows and make sure the remote is next to the bed to help him be more comfortable.  However, he’ll mostly like be sleeping on and off for a few days due to his meds.
    Moo has been begging me about going camping in the backyard.  I wouldn’t mind this idea but our backyard is not fenced in.  I don’t need somebody’s dog or cat trying to claw their way into our tent.  Not to mention a black bear has been spotted in the next over from us.  Maybe, we can camp out in the living room instead?
    JJ is refusing to us his words to communicate.  He prefers the scream and point method.  I’m slightly worried because it seemed like we were making progress in terms of his vocabulary.  We’ll see what the pediatrician says first before I start googling things like autism. I hear kids can go through these stages.  Meanwhile, we’ll be doing some flash cards to help stimulate him more.
    I’m ready to get my feet wet with some vlogging and podcasting.  However, I haven’t a clue what my first vlog or podcast should be about.  I’m think an introduction of some sort.  Those who vlog and/or podcast what did you talk about in your first vlog/podcast?
    We went to see Man of Steel last week.  It was awesome. It also gave the Mr the itch to write his own screen play.  He’s written me poetry before and it was amazingly good.  Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything different from a former AP and Honors English student.  Most us tend to be good with words and writing.
    I’ve been thinking about taking on another 365 project.  Not sure what it should be though.  Maybe, a family photo project?  I definitely want it to be something that involves the kids and the Mr. It can serve as a project to boost family bonding.
    Stuff got real on OWN this past Sunday with Oprah’s show Next Chapter and the documentary Dark Girls. It’s saddening just how bad colorism affects the Black community regardless of class.  I did shed some tears watching Dark Girls because I remember being a victim of colorism growing up.  I was teased by other Black kids for being the only Black kid in my honors and AP classes.  They would say things like I wished I was white but I was too dark.  Not going to lie their words bothered me but they only made me work harder at staying focused on my education.
    Why isn’t there any place here in the Queen City that delivers 24/7?  Seriously, I’m going to have to write to my people at McDonald’s.  I heard Burger King is testing out delivery at some restaurants.  So, I think McDonald’s needs to look into this too since they already stay open 24/7.
    The Trayvon Martin case and Paula Deen scandal have me seeing red.  I just can’t even understand what’s going on with that defense attorney of Zimmerman’s. That guy is rude and cold.  And Paula has me heartbroken.  Some people say they’re not shocked, but I was.  I don’t believe that all white people from the South are racist.  I come from a mixed family and know that to be a myth.  Not to mention, if anybody knows anything about the Underground Railroad, there were white southerners who risked their lives helping free slaves.  It just sucks to see that Paula’s heart isn’t as lovable and sweet as it appeared to be.
    What’s your random tidbit for today?

  • Bible 365: Week 25

    I’m still chugging along with my Bible 365 Challenge.   I’m very proud of myself for making it this far.  And to those who have taken this journey with me, I’m proud of you too!  It’s been nice to have to have the support.  Moving on, I’m sharing 7 things I learned below in Week 25.

    1- “A wise makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1)  Remember, when your parents warned you about hanging out with the wrong crowd?

    2- “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4)  Next time you fix your mouth to complain about not having enough or not living your dream, ask yourself if you’re being diligent enough in your efforts to obtain it?

    3- “He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” (Proverbs 10:9)  Bloggers, we definitely know a thing or two about integrity, especially in this age of sponsored posts and reviews.  Don’t sell out for a quick buck!

    4- “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” (Proverbs 10:12)  Don’t waste your life hating those who wronged you when you could be spreading love.

    5- “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)  Listen first, think, and then speak.  Words hurt just like a hit and can’t be taken back!  Trust me I know from experience.

    6- “The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” (Proverbs 11:17)  Don’t get so caught up worrying about if others are living right that you forget to check yourself.

    7- “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)  We often use the excuse that everybody else is doing it to justify our wrongs, especially when it comes to lying, cheating and being rude but disguising it as ‘keeping it real.’

    What life dos and don’ts do you live by?


    Week 26 Readings
    6/24: Proverbs 17
    6/25:  Proverbs 18
    6/26:  Proverbs 19
    6/27:  Proverbs 20
    6/28:  Proverbs 21
    6/29:  Proverbs 22
    6/30:  Proverbs 23

  • Thankful Thursday

    Happy Thankful Thursday!  Can’t believe the weekend is almost here again.  I think that because the Mr’s surgery is coming up in a few days, time is going by faster in my mind than it really is.  I’m thankful though that I’m not as nervous or worried about it anymore.  My family has been praying for us and I’ve turned my worrying over to God.
    The other day we went over what was to be expected after surgery as far as what I would need to do to keep him comfortable and make sure he has a healthy recovery.  He’s very bummed that he’ll have to be on a jello diet for almost two weeks.  I’m going to see if he can have broth and popsicles too because I know he’s going to get tired of jello quick and I don’t need him losing too much weight or getting sick because he’s not eating enough to keep up his energy or immune system.  I’m thankful that he seems to be more comfortable with the fact that he’s going under the knife.  The last surgery he had was when he was a baby.
    I’m also thankful that my baby brother is enjoying his new job.  I can’t begin to say how proud I am of him.  He’s so independent and such a gentleman.  Truly, he’s been such a rock in my life and a major voice of reason.  Did I mention he’s the best uncle in the world?  The kiddies absolutely adore him!
    Well, JJ decided to revisit his dare devil stage and took a dive off of our bed.  Our bed sits pretty high off the ground too.  Thankfully, though he wasn’t hurt.  He cried for about two minutes and was back to playing like nothing happened.  However, I’ve been keeping an extra close eye on him because he does like to sneak into our room and climb on things to get on to the bed so he can play.  His newest trick is pretending to be asleep.  He’s got his fake snore down and everything y’all.
    All in all in this week has been peaceful and wonderful. I don’t have much to complain about and I love that.  Looking forward to the weekend.
    What are you giving thanks for this week?

  • Getting Imaginative At ImaginOn

    Due to our hot one minute and rainy the next weather here in the Queen  City, the kiddies and I haven’t been able to get out of the house much.  However, the Mr came up with a great idea for me to take the kiddies Uptown last Saturday.  The goal was to stay out of house for 8 whole hours.  Yes, you read correct.  
    At first, I thought it was going to be tough having the kids out of house for that long.  I wondered if JJ would get cranky around nap time and Moo can be handful when she wants to do.  She’s trying to be more assertive and test her independence so to speak.  And that doesn’t always make for good outings.  I’m not one to back down from a challenge and really missed being Uptown.
    We decided to let Moo and JJ enjoy the day at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center.  This place is awesome!  Seriously, I wish I would have had access to something like this in my hometown growing up.  It’s a partnership of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.  And there’s all sorts of things for kids as young as infants all the way up to teens to do.
    The first thing Moo wanted to do was check out the Arthur’s World exhibit.  She absolutely loves Arthur.  And you would have thought she had seen President Obama the way she was hopping around shouting “Mommy, can we go see Arthur?  Can we go?”  I’m not one to say no when it comes to exploring educational things.  So, off we went to enjoy the exhibit before it got crowded.
    Arthur’s kitchen
    Now there were two day camps there, but ImaginOn had it set to where from 10-Noon, no groups or organizations could tour the exhibit.  It was strictly open to families only during those hours.  I appreciated that because there’s nothing like trying to keep up with your two kids without hovering over them in a crowded area.  Moo and JJ got to cook in the kitchen with Arthur and DW until their hearts were content.  Also in the exhibit was a library, a green screen where you could be in your own episode of Arthur, a classroom complete with desks and a chalkboard, a camping section and a felt board
    Another one of Moo’s favorites at ImaginOn were the touch screen computers.  She’s used to the touch screens thanks to having used the iPad and my iPhone.  A lot of the other kids her age were confused at first because they couldn’t find a mouse, but not my little darling.  She’s quite the opposite.  She will have no clue what to do with a computer mouse because the Mr and I both have laptops and we’re looking into getting a family desktop that will be touch screen as well.
    She got to work on her alphabet, cook with Dora and more.  Oh, while we’re talking about touch screens, they had iPads setup throughout the ImaginOn that kids could play with.  They were stocked with games that  were perfect for teaching math, spotting differences and more.  JJ wasn’t a fan of the computers or the iPads.
    Of course, JJ had a meltdown around noon and we headed off to the BB&T Center to have lunch our favorite fast food restaurant, McDonald’s!  I forgot that I should have walked around and entered through the parking garage to take the elevator since I had the double stroller, but we made it up the two sections of stairs without any accidents.  They had set up a farmer’s market outside.  Moo is crazy about fresh fruit.  So, I got her a peach and this fruit that looks like a plum on steroids.  I forgot the name of it but it was good.
    We walked around a bit and took in the sites.  I talked to Moo about my college days of living Uptown in my dorm.  Then we headed back to ImaginOn to continue exploring.  We got to check out an interactive fossil class and dig for shark teeth and shell fossils in fossil dirt from the ocean!
    I spotted the really cool lamp above and I’m now obsessed with finding one to place in the living room.  All in all it was a great day.  I’m really proud of myself and the kids.  I didn’t know if we could go a whole 8 hours away from our comforts of home, but we made it.  Most of all, I love that the kids got to get creative and imaginative.  They got to escape to different worlds for a few hours and I got to watch.  It was amazing and magical!

  • Bible 365: Week 24

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  With the Mr’s surgery getting closer and closer, I am definitely putting ALL my trust in Him when it comes to how well things will go.  I’m not afraid to admit that my thoughts have been a bit tortured thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong.  But because I’m putting my trust in God, I know that everything is going to be okay.  And even more comforting is that fact that my family, friends and you all are praying with us that all goes well and that nothing happens to my husband until he has his surgery.
    We were talking the other day and he shared with me that while his condition isn’t too serious, the doctor did warn him that lifting the wrong thing or moving the wrong way could land him in some serious trouble.  I think he waited to tell me because he knew I’d worry even more if I knew earlier.  But again I trust God to keep him safe.  Also, this week I’ve been practicing Proverbs 3:27.  It commands us “Do not withhold good from those to who it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”
    You see while this economy is rebuilding and getting better, there are still those in our communities who need help and support.  And to do my part in helping those families and persons out, I’ve been donating a lot of stuff over the past week to a local charity.  Some of the things were hard to part with like a few of JJ’s first outfits and some of my maternity clothes.  They have great sentimental value for me, especially since my kiddies are no longer babies.  However, to hold on to all of those things when I know another family could benefit from them is a bit selfish and not practical considering we’re pretty much out of space in our current rental.
    I just made up my mind that once I placed something in the go pile, it stayed there.  And surprisingly when I went to drop off more stuff on Father’s Day, I felt detached from it.  I felt happy that I was being a blessing to others.  I even took the kids with me.  Moo asked if we were giving the stuff to charity and I said yes.  “To help little kids like me and JJ?” she asked.  All I could do was nod and smile because she sounded so thrilled and excited at the thought of her being helpful to other kids her and her brother’s age.
    I’m so proud to know that I’m raising compassionate and caring children.  On a different note, I just want to say in closing be careful of the situations and people you allow and put into your life, especially your marriages and relationships.  Proverbs 6:27-28 says “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared?”   I’ve said this before but when you let any- and every- thing into your life, you will reap what you sow.  So make sure you’re sowing good seeds!
    Week 25 Readings
    6/17: Proverbs 10
    6/18: Proverbs 11
    6/19: Proverbs 12
    6/20: Proverbs 13
    6/21: Proverbs 14
    6/22: Proverbs 15
    6/23: Proverbs 16

  • Summer Learning With Kidobi

    This post is sponsored by Kidobi.  All opinions are 100% our own (me & Moo)!

    It’s officially summer vacation.  Let the sleeping in, pool parties, video gaming and tv watching begin!!  Wait, wait, not so fast.  Parents I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how easy it is for kids to lose a lot of what they learned in school over summer break.  As a former teacher and parent, I’ve found this to be especially true in younger children ages 4-10.
    Once you get them hooked on learning, you really have to keep the momentum up. Their little minds work a 1,000 miles a minute.  And if you’re not making sure enough educational stuff is going into their brains, then it’s pretty much a wrap.  However, the trouble can be trying not to bombard them.  After all it is summer break.
    That’s where Kidobi comes in.  As much as I hate to admit it, Moo and JJ are at the ages where nothing is more important than their precious tv/screen time.  I mean Moo will have a fit if she can’t watch five minutes of her beloved Power Rangers.  Don’t even get me started on the number tantrums that JJ has thrown down because an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has gotten cut short.

    At the end of day, their so-called need for sitting in front of the tv or iPad screen doesn’t have to be a bad thing.  In fact, Kidobi is an online video content provider for children ages 2 to 6.  And here are a few things that I like about it:
    • Simple Registration:  I don’t know about you but I don’t like sites that make me jump through hoops just to sign-up for their services.  I just don’t have time for 101 questions.  With Kidobi, you have the option of registering using your Facebook page or by using your email address.  Both ways are quick easy and simple.  I’m talking under 10 minutes.
    • Customization:   You get to use an avatar for your child, which I love because it’s a great safety feature.  You can also create a nickname for your child’s profile.  So, when Moo logs in, she actually sees her name on her profile.  In terms of content, during the registration phase you get to enter in a list of your children’s likes as well as a list of topics to avoid to help customize your child’s playlist.  Speaking of playlists, you and your child can create and save their favorite videos to different playlists.
    •  Educational:  Remember that list of likes you entered?  Well, that’s what your child will be learning about.  For example, one of the likes I entered for Moo was “singable songs about letters” and so her playlists are full of videos with fun ways to sing about the alphabet.  She gets to have fun watching cartoons while still learning.  And this gives me piece of mind because I know her tv watching isn’t in vain.
    • On The Go:  Y’all know that I stay on the go a lot.  Most parents do.  Therefore, I like the fact that Kidobi has an app that I can download to iPad and iPhone.  So, Moo can keep the learning party going even while we’re in the car, at the doctor’s office or down visiting with my mom.
    • Plan Options:  Just like the registration, Kidobi keeps it simple by offering two plan options.  Parents can either subscribe to their Free Videos package or their Premium Videos package ($8/month).  I really love that they offer a Free Videos package because it just goes to show you how committed they are to providing  meaningful video content to our kids.
    What does Moo like about Kidobi?  
    • Fun:  “I like watching videos!”  That she does.  It’s “fun” as she told went on to tell me.  See parents, learning can be fun.  And one of the reasons, I think it’s so fun is because she gets to watch educational video clips from shows she already knows like Pocoyo.
    • Technology:  Moo is too thrilled that she can do Kidobi on the iPad.  It makes her feel like a ‘Big Girl.’  And I love the exposure she’s getting to working computers and tablets.
    All in all, we both give Kidobi a thumbs up! It’s definitely worth trying out if your child enjoys television.   It’s also a great way to know that your children are watching things that are wholesome and suitable for their innocent eyes.  Seriously, give it a whirl for yourself.  Also, be sure to follow Kidobi on Twitter and Facebook!