Hydrogen Peroxide: Miracle Stain Fighter

 

This is my adorable little boy. He is 19 months old.

I am a girly girl, my friends were girls growing up, and I never really was close to any boys my age. When my husband and I found out we were expecting a little boy two years ago, we were overjoyed. Because I know nothing about the male population, raising a little boy has definitely been a learning curve for me. I had heard rumors about stinky boy feet and how gross they are, but I was sure it would be years before we needed to tackle the problem. I mean really how gross can a toddler get? 

If only I had known.....

Because of the warm weather, we bought our little boy sandals. For a while, they were the only shoes he would keep on his feet. After a week this is what they looked like. A.Week.

   

 I put baking soda in them to combat the smell, but they still looked lnasty. How could his shoes get this nasty? We bathe him daily, I vacuum the carpets every other day and I sweep and mop the other floors weekly. However, I have found a solution! (via Pinterest)
Find an empty spray bottle and add 1 T of Dawn (I just used the generic grapefruit scented dish soap we already had) and Hydrogen Peroxide. Spray the shoe and scrub with a brush I had a used an old toothbrush because of the small shoe.

Before: Nasty stinky shoe

After: Looks brand new!

 Where has this trick been all my life? You can use this spray on clothing, furniture, upholstery... I think I might be obsessed.

Relationship Goals: Unrealistic Expectations

I saw this in my news feed on Facebook. I was posted by a girl I grew up with, who is unmarried and not in a relationship. It honestly made me outraged that this is a goal she has for a relationship? I see similar picture with the caption, "Relationship Goals".
These should not be your goals for a relationship if you want a lasting one. Flowers and lavish gifts are nice, and of course always appreciated, but there are more important things in a relationship. Why are lavish gifts, cutesie pictures, and perfect dates your relationship goals? I have only been married 2 years as of March, but I have been through my share or relationships, and none of them ended well. All of these "relationship goals" seem one sided to me. Like the girl is treated like a queen, getting everything she wants, while he is not getting anything in return.
In a relationship, both people need to be equal. I am not saying you have to be broke for your relationship to work, but things like mutual respect, shared values, shared interests etc. are more important.
My husband still surprises me with flowers on his way home from work occasionally, just because he wanted to. Even though we have boys, toddler and another one due to make his appearance next month. He no longer has to try to win me over, but he still surprises me. Our marriage works, because our marriage isn't one sided. He'll wake up with the toddler on Saturday morning and let me sleep in. I make Apple Brown Sugar Pork Chops for dinner one weeknight  even though it takes more work to cook, just because I know it's his favorite meal. Him listening to me vent and giving me a hug after a frustrating day no mater how menial the problem sounds, it means more than a trunk full of expensive gifts. 
People seem to just expect to receive in a relationship, but what are YOU doing? The only way to build a lasting relationship is to stop focusing on what they are doing or not doing for you and start treating them the way you would like to be treated. Everyone likes to feel loved, respected, and appreciated. If  your Significant Other is not "measuring up" to your standards, try evaluating yourself. Are you showing them appreciate them? How often do you say positive or encouraging words to them?  Try being the person you want your Significant Other to be. Try doing the dishes for her one night so she doesn't have to. Make him his favorite breakfast before he goes to work, just because.

To the Military Spouses and Spouses of Civil Servants

 

This past Saturday, we celebrated Independence Day as a Nation. Everywhere you went, was covered in Red, White, and Blue, bands playing patriotic music, barbeques and beer and the fireworks.

My husband and I took our toddler to the zoo to watch the firework show. Like many other places, the city Orchestra played music until dusk. During their concert, they played the U.S. Military Medley. They had service men and women stand when they herd their branch's song. On Sunday at church, they had a special July 4th program (even though it was the 5th). They played the same song and like at the zoo, all former and current service men and women were asked to stand when they heard their branch's song. This recognition was also extended to civil servants as well.

With all of the celebration and Military recognition they forgot to recognize one group of people. I am fairly certain that this group of people was not recognized at all on the 4th, nor are they celebrated any other 4th of July ever. The husbands and wives of those in uniform.
I am not taking away from the huge sacrifice that the men and women in uniform make or have made by serving our country, but why doesn't anyone think about their spouses? While families across the nation are having barbeques and lighting off and watching fireworks, drinking an ice cold beer (sometimes one too many) in celebration of our nation's freedom, their wives are alone.
Their wives get up and try to make holidays special for their children alone. The family photo is missing a face. They raise children like a single parent even though they are married. The big moments happen without their spouse next to them. Every waking moment they worry for the safety of the love of their life from behind a smile. They witness milestones in their child's life wishing daddy could be there too. Every night the crawl into an empty bed, arm too far away to be held by.
The Military Spouses make just as big of a sacrifice. They never get recognition. So to you who have a spouse serving or have served, THANK YOU! Thank you for giving up the love of your life and putting your family second, so that my family can sleep safe and free in our beds.