Potty Problems...

We've got 'em.

My child is 2 1/2, can count to 100, can recognize all the letters of the alphabet, 

but REFUSES to use the potty.

I'm not telling you all of that to brag... (even though I do feel extremely proud of him).

He catches on to most things very quickly.

The potty, however, is something that he just DOES NOT WANT to tackle.  

He has no desire, whatsoever, to use it.  

He always gives me excuses - "It's too sticky."  "It's too wet."  "I already did."

I'm convinced that he's scared of actually getting it "dirty."  

The other day, my husband decided it was time.  He put a pair of "big boy" underwear on Jase, who cried the whole time, since he actually likes wearing diapers.  He didn't want to wear the Elmo undies.  But we forced him.  He got used to the idea... 

UNTIL...

a stream of wetness came gushing down his leg into the den floor.  He just stood there, looking at the horrific sight, and then started screaming bloody murder.  He was so upset... and not to mention, his feelings were hurt.  He thought he had done something terribly wrong, and he wears his feelings on his sleeves.

After bathing him and mentioning that we were going to try again, he would NOT HAVE IT.  So I gave up for the day.  

Now, I know what you're thinking.  You should have put them back on him and let him learn the hard way.  But you see, we were planning to go to Walmart that evening and I WAS NOT about to leave home with him in underwear... DISASTER waiting to happen.

Since then, I've been trying to get him to simply SIT on the potty a couple times a day... and he gets a little surprise for doing that.  He doesn't even have to pee.... just sit.  

But he's totally against it.  He walks right past the potty like it's not even there.

I think I'll just let him wear diapers until he starts kindergarten and let them deal with it.

Breezes...

Our house has been full of them, lately. 

For the past 2 weeks, our air conditioner has been broken.  Considering that we've lived here for almost 6 years, and the house is 15 years old and has the ORIGINAL heating/cooling system, I think we're pretty lucky.  We've never even had it serviced.  It's always run perfectly.

Until now.

Luckily, our real estate policy has a complimentary service to repair broken "things" while our house is on the market.  This is saving us about $1500.  I'm SO THANKFUL for that.  We definitely don't have the money to fix a broken air conditioner... especially this close to Christmas.

I can't wait to see how our power bill reflects our "green-ness" this month.  We've been surviving with open windows and doors.  Thank goodness the weather has cooperated pretty well for the past few weeks.

I can't complain too much... We've been pretty blessed with the whole situation.

But in all honesty, I'll be thankful to have my air back!


UPDATE:

Since I actually wrote this blog, it turned HOT here in Bama with lots of severe weather.
During this time, it became SMOLDERING inside.
Luckily, my uncle came to the rescue and brought us a window unit to run for a few days.  It has been a blessing!

This weekend, it's supposed to turn colder... a lot colder.  So, hopefully we won't freeze to death with no heat.

And by the way, our power bill was 100 DOLLARS less this month.  I'm hoping next month will be the same, since the meter was read in the midst of our air dilemma.

We shall see.

He's famous...

Yep.  That's right.  Jase is a superstar.  

A few months ago, I sent his picture to the Birmingham Botanical Garden's facebook page.  They have a little magazine called Garden Dirt that is published every 2 months.  Each issue's cover features a picture taken at the Gardens.

And what do you know???  

They chose Jase's picture!

We were beyond excited!

A few weekends ago, we went to the Gardens on Saturday to stroll around in the nice, beautiful weather after eating breakfast @ Another Broken Egg.

There was a plant sale going on that day, along with other fun things.  

They had a table set up at the entrance with complimentary copies of the Garden Dirt magazine.

We were so excited to see them laying there!  It was like seeing your name in bright lights.

We picked up several copies and Jase got to sign autographs. :)

 

Here's his fifteen minutes of fame.

I love...

... taking pictures of Jase.

And I do take a LOT of 'em.  I'm sure my facebook friends get tired of me posting pics every couple of days, but I just can't help it.  

And now that the weather is GORGEOUS here in Bama, we are spending lots more time outside.  

Since many of you don't get to see my pictures on facebook, I thought I'd share some of my recent favorites with you...

Enjoy!

The Great...

... Pumpkin Patch.

Not my favorite place, but one of those places you just kind of HAVE to go.  Since my sister is ALL ABOUT outings, she insisted we go.  And we did have a great time.  

Jase was a little (okay, a LOT) on the whiny side, but we managed to have a good time, despite his occasional meltdown.

As you can see, Grandmommy was THRILLED about having her picture made... probably because I forced her.

Jase's favorite part was the wagon ride... he didn't really care about the actual "pumpkin picking" part... however, the wagon experience was the cause of meltdown #3.  There were several wagons available to ride, but he was sure that they were leaving him behind.  I tried to explain that there was another wagon on its way to pick us up, but trying to "explain" something to a screaming 2 year-old is beyond reasonable.

He had a hard time picking out the perfect pumpkin (and Cissy eventually picked one out for him)... he felt they were all too big.  How's that for ya?  Most little boys would choose the BIGGEST, BADDEST pumpkin around... not Jase.  

We were glad Grandmommy and Pop decided to join us on the wagon ride... and whether they admit it or not, they enjoyed it. :)

Aunt Cissy, Jase and I on the wagon

my angel...

I hate...

Hunting season.  

Not only because I miss my husband, 

but because THIS JUNK takes over my house.

 

This is NOT the purpose my kitchen table is supposed to serve.

 

My closet is lacking in space WITHOUT this in my way!

 

And there's not enough room in the shower for THESE!  

That would mean I would have to compromise a few of my 

20 facewashes and body scrubs

... not gonna happen.

Drives me bananas.

But, I love him.

Decisions, Decisions...

This week, we have to make a big one.  Our house has been on the market for 1 year.  In that year, we have had MAYBE 15 showings and ZERO offers.  Not even any major interest.  

Kind of depressing.

However, I have been praying a LOT about this situation.  I feel as though it's meant to be. 

Yes, we need more space... NO, WE DON'T NEED A BIGGER HOUSE PAYMENT.  

So, it just seems like a no-brainer since our contract is almost up for renewal.

Now, we do have a plan... somewhere to live, land we are interested in, and a builder set up.  But the more I think about it, it would be QUITE difficult to pay more than we are paying now while I stay @ home with Jase.  ESPECIALLY on a month where there are unexpected bills or emergencies.

It would be much easier if we waited until I start working. 

Our only real issue is space... and the fact that I'm ready for a NEW, updated house.

If I'm gonna have to live here for a few more years, I'm already thinking about some of the upgrades and renovations we can do to "spice it up" a little.  

AND... I have a million and one ideas running through my head about how to make more room.... since we'll hopefully be adding another baby into the mix in a year or so.

But then I think... we could buy/build a house with a comparable payment each month that AT LEAST has a basement.  That would help tremendously.  Then, later on, we could build our dream home.

Decisions, decisions...

Heaven help us. 

My Go-To...

If you've been reading my posts recently, you know I'm a makeup junkie.  

I love it... and I'm a tad obsessed.

For the past month or so, I've been wearing pretty much the same thing everyday, though.  I've been trying new products and I've found my "Go-To" look.

I've been trying new foundations for the past few weeks.  I've been doing some research on different brands and types (since I ran out of my Merle Norman Aqua Balance and Long-Lasting).  So, I've been trying to find something comparable in coverage, but cheaper in price.

After reading about Revlon's Colorstay, I decided to try it.  It's been getting a lot of hype from beauty gurus that I follow.  I also bought Maybelline's Superstay.  They both are good.  However, they are a tad heavier in consistency and coverage than I was hoping for.  My skin is pretty clear, and I don't really like a heavy foundation on a daily basis.  

So, after seeing someone compare Maybelline's Mineral Power - Natural Perfecting Foundation - to MAC's Face and Body foundation, I had to try it.  

And I LOVE IT!  

It's very light-weight... almost like a tinted moisturizer.  But it's also build-able in case you need more coverage.  It took me a few tries to get the shade right - the first one I bought came out a little too orange - but I finally found the perfect shade!  I DO wish it were larger, since it's pretty thin, and I can imagine I'll go through it pretty quickly.  But that's my only complaint.

Dusted with my new favorite powder, Revlon PhotoReady, it's a great combination.

And lastly, I found an eyeshadow quad by Revlon months ago called Colorstay Sandstorm.  

I. LOVE. IT. 

I love shimmery shadows, and this is definitely that.  But, it's not overboard.  It's light, but enough color to make your eyes pop.  

It's a great everyday look for me!

Fall is in the Air...

and I'm LOVIN' IT!  

Jase is, too, by the way.  It has been so long since we've been able to play outside - considering we had 3 months worth of 90+ degree weather here in Bama.  When Mickey Ferguson said we had cooler temps coming our way, we were thrilled!  

Now, I am not typically an "outdoors" person, but I'm learning to adjust.  Having a boy, I realize that he needs to be out there getting dirty.  Sometimes, my anxiety overcomes me (just thinking about all the sand, dirt, and grass that will be tracked over my freshly mopped kitchen floor), but I know this is what little boys do... 

and I might as well get used to it!

Today was one of those days we just couldn't wait to enjoy outside!  It was absolute perfection.  Blue skies, a slight breeze, and plenty of sunshine.  Before I knew it, time had gotten away from me... 2 hours spent laying on a beach towel, watching my angel play, 

turned into the best day I've had in a 

LONG TIME!

Here are some photos I've taken outside over the past week... 

and we're hoping this perfect weather continues!!!

I'm Hooked...

on Yankee Candles.  I have been for a while now.  And since I receive GREAT coupons from them, I just can't help myself.  I understand that they are kind of pricey - considering you can get candles at Wally-World for half the price - but these just "out do" all other candles, in my opinion.

This past weekend, I headed to the mall.  It JUST SO HAPPENED that I had several coupons for YC.  

Buy One Get One Free - Large Jar Candles

Buy One Get One Free - Medium Jar Candles

Buy One Get One Free - Reed Diffusers

I just couldn't pass that up!!!  And they actually let me use the Large Jar coupon twice, since they were out of medium-sized candles in the fragrance I wanted!  It was only a 3 dollar difference and SO worth it!

I got $150.00 worth of candles for $75.00!!!  I call that a deal!

I thought I'd share my favorite scents... and a few new ones I tried this time!

These are my all time favorites... 

my "go to" smells:

Beach Walk is a clean, fresh smelling candle... with a hint of the beach.  It's hard to explain, but it's WONDERFUL!  Probably my all time favorite.

Clean Cotton

This is another great choice if you like clean, fresh scents... it really does smell like clean cotton! This one is also great to keep in your car (they make car fresheners).

Tahitian Tiare Flower

Now, I'm not usually real big on "flowery" scents - I'm allergic to most things - but this one is AMAZING!!!  When I light this candle, it takes me to Hawaii... now, seeing that I've never been there, I just have to imagine this is what it smells like!!!  EVERYTIME I light this candle, I get compliments on how good my house smells.  

*Warning - It is rather strong, so I can only light it for a short period of time.

This time, since my coupon included Diffusers, I bought 2 in this scent... and it is much less powerful than the candle.  I put it in my bathroom and it's just right!

I usually only burn "food" type candles in my kitchen.  I decided to try a new one this time, and I chose Vanilla Cupcake.  It smells exactly like it's name.  I haven't actually burned it yet, but I just open the jar and take a whiff every now and then... it's a great pick-me-up but will DEFINITELY make you hungry!

Strawberry Buttercream

This will be my next purchase!  I had a hard time choosing between the Vanilla Cupcake and this.  If you like Buttercream, you'll LOVE this!  It's got a slight strawberry smell, but not overpowering.  It smelled heavenly!

Blueberry Scone

OH MY GOODNESS!  This is a new one for me, also.  I opened this one to smell it and could NOT put it down.  I don't really care for blueberries - I'm allergic, actually - but I can NOT tell you how good this smells.  Just like blueberry muffins in the oven - but, times 10!  I have had it burning EVERYDAY since I brought it home... yummy!!!

So there's a few of my favorites... I hope you enjoyed and will go try them if you get a chance!  Also, you can sign up online and in the store to receive coupons... and the more you buy, the better the coupons are!

My "Roll Tide" Baby...