Super Noob [a life as the life] 

My giveaway ended yesterday, and I would be remiss if I didn't post the winners today...so I decided to squeeze that in with my Raw e challenge from Sailor and Company. More on that in a minute...winners first.

The first winner is for Pursenickety and that's #31...Sonora of Twinfinity!

The Second winner is for Bella BeJeweled and that's #47...Julie of The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here.

Congratulations, ladies. All you have to do is be sure that I have your email addresses and I will give them to each sponsor. Then they will be in touch with you regarding the next step.

Thanks to everyone who entered! Each of these sponsors have items that are so reasonably priced, that if you didn't win...you should head over and treat yourself anyway. Why not? Just click the links above and check out their stores. There is some really cool stuff.

Now on to my Raw e entry. I have yet to even come close to winning one of these things, but I'll tell you what...it's still a really fun exercise. Sami at Sailor and Company hosts this each week. The cut off to enter is Friday, so I am just under the wire...I hope. In order to play along, you need to take a picture having to do with the week's theme, and you can not edit it in any way. Not even any cropping. Nothing...Nada! Got it? Good...then play along next week. You'll like it I am sure. This week's theme was crayons, so here goes...

There you have it. Not stellar by any stretch, but good practice for me. Head over to Sami's blog to see the other crayon pictures. I promise there are some much more impressive than this one ;)

Warning: Blog operator's brain on fritz...so don't expect much. This post is a bunch of odds and ends, hence the title.

First and foremost, I am excited to share the fact that I do have a few after pictures to share. Remember this post where I bared my deepest and dirtiest? If you didn't read it, you may want to now. Guaranteed to make you feel better about yourself in five seconds flat however long it takes you to read the post (but read this one first, because it has some cool stuff). So here are the pictures.

My bedroom floor after and before. Big exhale.

Nightstand after and before. Better light in the after!

Here's one that wasn't in the last post because I had already shown so much, that I thought enough was enough. Anyway, this was/is one of my dressers. My room now is one place that no longer causes me extra tension.

Moving on...in doing my cleaning, I came across some books that I have either, never used or used gently. I no longer have a need for them, and would like to know if any of you are interested in any or all of them. If so, please leave me a comment of which book you'd like. I will let them go on a first come, first served basis. ***This is not a giveaway*** Just wanted to see if anyone here wants them before I take them to the used book store. All I ask of those that are interested is that you kindly pay for shipping, you may have the book(s) for free. They are:

The Everything Pregnancy Book, and Dr. Sears Fussy Baby Book.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Baby Wise, and Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs.

This one is Kids Create. Its arts and crafts for 3-9 year olds. We have never used it, and sadly I am just not that crafty. But there looks to be some fun things for kiddos to make with moms and dads.

Last thing I have is a wedding scrapbook. Never used at all. I had already started a different one when I received this as a gift.

Okay, there is one more thing I want to show you all. I mentioned a while back that one of my favorite gifts for Christmas was a fantastic necklace from Lisa Leonard. It is really awesome. It has all three of my kiddos names on it, it's silver (and I'm a silver kinda gal), and it goes with cute dresses or jeans! So awesome.

I may or may not be hosting a giveaway really soon. It may or may not have to do with Lisa Leonard! So stay tuned.

That about wraps it all up.

As parents, we constantly find ourselves saying things that we just can't quite believe came out of our mouths, or misting up over a few scribbles on a page, or finding ourselves in situations that could only be the result of having offspring. So today I present "You know you're a mom (or dad) When-sDAZE." The possibilities of this are really endless...the creativity is all yours. That is part of what I think will be so fun with this...the posts will all still be unique. In order to play along, all you have to do is either post a picture of something crazy, wonderful, endearing, or just plain cute, that your kids have done...explaining how it made you feel or the story behind it. Or, write a little post fashioned after "You might be a redneck if...," but of course it is "You know you're a mom when..." Grab my current button (if you fancy), and next time I hope to have one specifically for this little blog hop. Then come back over and link up. Can't wait to see your posts!!

This week, I'm talkin' poop. Here goes...

You know you're a mom when someone shouting from the other end of the house "I went poop!!!!!!!!!" is not only a common occurrence, but requires some action on your part.

You know you're a mom when it's perfectly normal to hear "look, the green poop matches my undies."

You know you're a mom when you can say with a straight face...every day "yes honey, that is a big poop."

You know you're a mom when the idea of "pooping in peace" is one that you feel will never apply to you again.

Lastly, you know you're a mom when your efforts to stay on schedule can be immediately thwarted by the sound of a mini explosion coming from the wee one's shorts.

Now, how about you? Whatever you've got I'd love to read/see it. You can comment here, or post your own and come back and link up!!

My giveaway for a great nursing cover up ends soon. Please enter if you haven't!

I'm happy to be having another guest this week for a featured recipe. Today Heather from Marine Corps Nomads is sharing a fantastic gluten free recipe. I for one can not wait to try it!

Gluten Free 5 Cheese Quesadillasby Heather at Marine Corps NomadsIngredients:

• 1/4 C Shredded Cheddar
• 1/4 C Shredded Monetary Jack
• 1/4 C Shredded Pepper Jack
• 1/4 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 C Shredded Colby Cheese
• Wraps (I use Sandwich Petals or gf corn tortillas)
• Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Sides: sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, olives, onions, peppers...

1. Combine cheeses to create a cheese blend
2. Spray or brush olive oil on bottom of wrap & sprinkle with garlic powder.
3. Place wrap, oil side down, in pan and sprinkle with shredded cheese mix.
4. Cover with another wrap. Spray or brush top wrap with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic powder.
5. Heat on medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
6. Serve with sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, olives, onions, peppers...

For more gluten free recipes, stop by Marine Corps Nomads.

Thank you, Heather for putting this together for us. Can't wait to try it out. Now, will you all do me a favor and go say hello to Heather... check out some of her other recipes while you're there. Oh, and don't forget to leave her a comment here!!

Contest Update:
It's not too late to win a blog makeover... read about it here. Heidi from 3 to 5 has five points! Mindi of Part of Me has two points, and Elizabeth of Our Journey Through Life has two points. The contest ends January 1st. I can't wait for one of you lucky ones to be able to work with Jenna at Bloggy Blog Designz. Start getting your new blog look ideas together ;)

I wish I could say I am done with my Christmas shopping, alas it is not to be. I still have a couple last things to get, but I am super close. Fortunately I have wrapped as I have gone, so that part is not looming.

We did take our gifts to the family we adopted (through the Salvation Army) on Sunday. I hope they wait until Christmas to open them, and I hope they like what they received. Seeing the look on the eight year old's face made everything worth it. She looked so happy to be toting the gifts into to her house from my car. Before leaving, she gave me the biggest hug and it struck me that she is a complete stranger... that I will, more than likely, never see her again. But I touched her life. What a blessing for me.

Well, just in under the wire. It is still Saturday though, and I still want to post my snapshot, so here goes…

Anyone who knows me also knows that I pretty much live in these bad boys all summer long. In fact, I’d say I live in them eight or nine months out of the year. These puppies, do not however, get to experience sand on even an infrequent basis. I don’t mean desert sand like the kind we have in the wash behind our house. I mean like silky fine beach sand. So this was a moment worth documenting ;)

Oh, and if you’ve never treated your tootsies to a pair of Reefs…you’re missing out. Buy some now. Your feet will thank you if you are a flip flop lover. BUT…they have to be the “Sandy” (no pun intended) make. Yes indeed. Reefs are the only way to flip flop.

This week marked the beginning of Colton's potty training, and the end of diapers during the day.

When he woke Monday morning with a dry diaper, I put him on the potty to pee, like I have done before. Afterward, I decided this time to put him in underwear and just remind him (constantly) to NOT go in his pants. We escaped the day without any accidents. But we did go through three pair of underwear. Good old Skid left his marks in two of them.

Tuesday there were two accidents, and since then we've been accident free. I just knew that when he was ready, he would really be ready. He even wakes from naps with a dry diaper (I put one on him for sleep).

I'm sure my brother, who will be watching them for 6 days in the near future, will thank me profusely for not having to change the poopy diapers of a 3 year old. Because, seriously...it's nasty. It is NOT baby poop anymore. Let's face it...it stopped being baby poop when he started consuming something other than breast milk, and just got worse from there.

So. My little man is out of diapers during the day, and I am now making thirty trips to the toilet with one of the children each day. I have promoted myself from professional butt-wiper to master butt-wiper. Sorta like a master chef.

My father and my son. For so long I looked to my dad for guidance, reassurance, support, a firm hand and a loving heart. I still do actually. Now, along with my husband, I aim to provide all of these things to my own children. To this little man in my dad’s arms.

I pray that together my husband and I are able to help him become the kind of man anyone would be proud to know. A man like my dad. A man like my husband’s dad. Strong, patient, intelligent, wise, loving, and a bit salty. Hard worker, a dedicated family man, and supportive husband. Then one day, a father. A father willing to sacrifice for the good of his own children. Willing to put his dreams on hold in order to put his little ones’ first.

Yes…that is exactly the sort of man I hope he becomes one day. Fortunately he has some amazing examples before him.

My father in law, my husband and Colton. What a threesome. Looking at Andy’s dad’s silly face in this photo brings a huge smile to my face. This picture says so much. It reminds me of one more very important aspect of a person’s character…and that is humor. This man has amazing humor! I adore him, and feel so very lucky that my children have been blessed with two very fine grandfathers.

I thought it would be fun to do a photo post on Saturdays. I don’t plan on these particular photos to be award winning art, so therefore, I deem them snapshots. This isn’t a meme, though you can feel free to do the same if you like!

My husband has a major pet peeve about the shutters and our kids playing with them. I understand why it bothers him…but it just doesn’t bother me. So, shamefully, I don’t do the best job at reinforcing this rule while he is away at work. Enter exhibit A…

Perhaps this is the reason my dear, sweet husband has such a difficult time getting them to cease and desist with this behavior. Eh. Ah well…he needs a challenge.

In my former life, I was a sales manager for Cintas Corporation. Part of my duties was to perform field rides with my sales reps. One fine day, I was out with “A",” one of my better reps, and we were meeting a potential client at the Hard Rock Cafe in Phoenix.

“A” and I sat at our table and informed the waiter we were waiting on someone who was running late. He took our drink order and left the table. Meanwhile, in all my newly engaged infinite wisdom, I removed my ring and began to apply lotion to my hands. Our drinks were brought over, and “A’s” phone rang. It was the prospect telling us he was later than expected, and would prefer to meet us closer to his office.

So, feeling guilty about having only ordered a diet coke, I tipped the waiter $7.00 on a $4.00 tab. We left.

Half way to the new rendezvous I realized my ring was not on my finger. Instant and breath taking panic. “Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God," was all that I could get out of my mouth. “A” asked what was wrong, and I told him. Immediately he turned his car around, and told me we would tear that place apart looking for it.

I called the Hard Rock, and spoke with some nit wit who went to check our table. Nope…not there. However, she kindly asked for my phone number and let me know she would call me if she found it. WHAT!!!???!?!??!?!??! Yeah, freaking RIGHT!!!!!!!!!! I told her I would be there in 5 minutes, and I wanted to speak with the manager.

The manager came on the line, I explained, he put me on hold to go ask the waiter if he noticed it. Came back on the line, and said “no…he didn’t see it.”

Upon arrival, I was a frantic mess, ready to storm the place and beat every last person to a bloody pulp if that’s what it would take to get the ring back. The manager greeted me and said “I think you better sit down.” Again…yeah right! He then informed me that the waiter did find the ring. I cried. He realized his attempt at humor (you better sit down for this news sort of humor), was a grave mistake.

Anyway, I think the waiter had it all along, but then found his conscience and decided to give it back. I also believe that had I not tipped him so much on a measly little check, that I wouldn’t have my ring today. That was one of the scariest experiences…EVER!

Thanks, Melis for inspiring me to tell my tale. :)

"You Know You’re a Mom When-sDAZE" is a great way for us, as parents, to make light of our trials and tribulations. Our day to day run-ins with the crazy little people in our lives we call children. The very people we simply couldn’t live without. Just share what has you knowing you're a mom (or dad) today, and then come link up. It can be anything...a picture, story, or a bunch of "you know you're a mom whens..."

You know you’re a mom when…

…you can take five stacks of folded laundry to their respective rooms without dropping a single article of clothing.

…you call yourself a genius because in an attempt to get a little more protein into the little people, you mix plain Greek yogurt into their mac n’ cheese and they are none the wiser.

…you consider yourself an accomplished cook, yet consistently manage to burn the food you make for yourself.

Come on over and share what has you knowing you're a mom today!