I think bedtime with Caedmon is my sweetest time of the day with him.

No, not because it’s the end of the day and he’s going to bed.

It’s because there’s no other time of the day when I get to sit quietly with him and just hang out. There’s nothing else going on. We talk. We sing. We giggle. He generously gives hugs and kisses. His little eyes flutter as he’s trying to pretend to be asleep and answer my whispered questions at the same time. There’s nothing else to interfere and he’s not thinking of the next thing. And I know that won’t always be the case.

At some point, he’ll get big enough that he won’t want me to rock with him or sing whatever weird song he’s into at the moment (The other night it was Pants on the Ground. Again.). He won’t want to sit in the dark and giggle over silly things with his Momma. And I anticipate a day when he’s not so generous with the hugs and kisses – at least when anyone else might find out about them.

I think I may have even been a little selfish with bedtime, because for a long time, I never allowed asked Husband to put Caedmon to bed. But it was such an easy transition when I was nursing. He’d eat, I’d rock, we’d snuggle, and then it was bedtime. And then by the time I quit nursing him, it was just habit.

We went through a phase a few months ago where Caedmon was cool with Daddy putting him to bed. We started being intentional about it and they got to have that time together about once or twice a week. And then something happened – some illness or craziness or something, and we got out of the routine. I went back to putting him to bed every night. So a few nights ago, I asked Husband to put Caedmon to bed. The suggestion was met with much wailing and gnashing of teeth. From Caedmon, not Husband. We finally told him that Daddy would rock with him, then Momma would put him to bed. He didn’t like it, but he handled it.

I’m so conflicted. I don’t want to make bedtime a struggle. And I love spending that time with him. But I don’t want Caedmon to be so dependent upon me being the one to put him to bed that he freaks out when someone else does it.

Maybe it’s just another phase he’s going through. He’s trying to be so independent right now that maybe his two-and-a-half-grown-up-self needs more consistency in a few areas. I don’t know. I guess I can handle it. It’s not like I spend my evenings out clubbing and putting the boy to bed gets in the way of my social calendar.

But if I still have to be the one to tuck him in when he’s in the 8th grade, we might have problems.

Anyone else dealing with bedtime issues?

We all know, I love Pioneer Woman, but her recipe for salsa is so good, and easy, I had to share it with all of you! Here's the final product (sans psychedelic bird dish at my house).



Now, on to the cast of characters you'll need to prep this delicious dish.



Introducing: Whole tomatoes, Rotel, Cumin, Sugar, Salt, Onion, Garlic, Lime, and Cilantro.

Ingredients: 
1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
¼ cups Chopped Onion
1 clove Garlic, Minced
1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
¼ teaspoons Sugar
¼ teaspoons Salt
¼ teaspoons Ground Cumin
½ cups Cilantro (more To Taste!)
½ whole Lime Juice

Preparation Instructions:
After prep, throw all ingredients into the food processor. See, I said it was easy! 
 


Blend until you get the consistency you like. We like it chunky- so just a few churns will do ya, but if you like it smooth- give it a few more churns.

*Photos courtsey of Lee Drummond, Pioneer Woman.

For those who have yet to hear of or experience the recipes of The Pioneer Woman, you are in for a treat! I began following The Pioneer Woman a while back after trying out one of her recipes listed on Bakerella.com. Pioneer Woman also has a website/blog and invites you to her frontier daily with funny stories and recipes sure to please even the toughest cowboy.

Pioneer Woman has a name mind you- it's Ree. Ree loves her Marlboro Man, Chaps, her family, and food. I think she and I could be best friends. She also happens to live a stone's throw away in Pawhuska, OK. On a ranch. With her man. And her 4 kids.

In her spare time she wrote a cook book, The Pioneer Woman Cooks- Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl. I bought it last weekend and fell in love! She took her own pictures which are wonderful and the recipes all appear divine. However, what I love best is her attention to detail on each recipe and the number of photos you get with each dish- from start to finish- there's a photo to walk you along each step of the way. For example, her recipe for Pico De Gallo - 8 photos; recipe for PW's Potato Skins - 14 photos!



Along with her delicious recipes, you'll also enjoy several photos of life on the ranch. Pick up your copy today, you'll be glad you did. Warning: It's only fair I tell you the recipes in this book are not low-cal; they're just the way grandma used to make them. Enjoy.

Here they are, your Thursday three!

Tip: 
3 uses for Vodka
- Remove bandages with ease. Saturate the edges of the bandage with vodka, the solvent will dissolve the adhesive.
- Clean mold and mildew in the shower. Spray onto affected areas, let sit for 5 minutes, then wash clean.
- Using a cotton ball, apply to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores (don't forget the moisturizer!)

Thought: 
Divine Delay
Zoe Elmore
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

My schedule was tight and I was out of make-up, so I planned to pick up my favorite foundation at the local mall, leaving room to still arrive on time for my friend's annual Christmas tea. As I prepared to leave, the Lord whispered to my heart, Don't go to the mall; go to the make-up store near your home.

But Lord, I argued, I have my friend's Christmas tea and the mall is on the way. What You're asking me to do isn't convenient. I will have to go out of my way and I will be late for the tea. And You know how important punctuality is to me!

After more mental arguing, I reluctantly obeyed and went into the corner make-up store.

I knew the young woman working. She's not only pleasant, but quick and efficient with her customers. Lord, maybe this inconvenience won't interrupt my schedule too much after all.

As I entered the store, the familiar woman greeted me and offered to help with my purchase. I told her what I needed and added that I was in quite a hurry to be on time for my Christmas tea. Quickly and efficiently she found the needed product and walked me to the register to check out.

This was easier than I thought, I said to myself as she handed me my purchase. Then it happened, the reason I had been led to go out of my way.

"I know you're in a hurry, and I will only keep you one more moment." The young woman shared. "I'd like to ask that you pray for me and my struggling marriage as you drive to your Christmas tea. I don't think my marriage can be saved."

In that moment I sensed the Lord, This is why I wanted to interrupt your busy schedule.

I placed my purchase on the counter, held her hands and prayed. As the Lord guided my words, the young woman began to sob, her tears landing softly on my hands. When I said "Amen," she hugged me tightly and whispered, "Of all the people I've asked to pray for me, you're the first one to stop and do so. Thank you. I've been very discouraged, and had thought no one would ever respond to my request. In fact, I had given up all hope that God even heard my cries for help."

I reminded her of Psalm 145:18-19, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them" (NIV).

She thanked me for my time, adding that she would begin to dig into God's Word for more strength and encouragement. The store began to fill with customers. There was one more hug and an exchange of phone numbers as I left for the tea.

Since that day we have talked and prayed together on several occasions and we plan to continue into the New Year. Each time she and I talk, it's a reminder that when I listen and obey the Lord's promptings, I experience the joy of His presence in a powerful way.

God's divine delay taught me that being used by the Lord for His glory in the life of others far outweighs arriving on time.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me enough to use me for Your purposes and glory. Teach me to listen and obey without reservation or hesitation. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Related Resources:
Visit Zoe's blog - Called by a New Name

Tidbit: 
'Twas the Night, Theatre Squared's new holiday play, kicks off tomorrow night on the Fayetteville suqare! Don't miss this instant classic for all ages! Tickets start at just $22. More details HERE.

Oh candy, oh Christmas! How we love those sugary sweets. We've found some delicious candy recipes to share this holiday season. You'll find 22 recipes, such as:

- Marshmallow truffles
- Old time fudge
- Mocha truffles
- White cranberry cashew truffles
- Candy cane bark

There are so many more delicious recipes to devour (thanks BHG!). Be sure to check them out and share your favorite candy recipes with us. Email to contact@gomommanwa.com or post them below in comments.

Also, don't forget, although candy will last 2-3 weeks, you can freeze chocolates. Keep them in their gift boxes then place those boxes in airtight freezer bags. When you're ready for a little indulgence, just pop them out off the freezer about 2-3 hours before you need them so they have adequate time to thaw.