Whine Solution

This almost too simple to share:/

But it has transformed our schooling days... transformed!!

You see we had had a lot of playing, whining, fussing with the teacher and other normal kiddo antics... but I was spending WAY too much time dealing with the infractions!

So I introduced the CHART:) LOL!! Simple, sweet and to the point!!

When we have a whinny (or distracting silly) moment, I warn the child. And then I'll go on with what I was doing. If the whining continues I make a check next to their name:/

If they have to write 10 sentences (which has happened once or twice), the sentence is about correcting the behavior. And I told my Anna (almost 9) that she wouldn't be writing sentences but making her own paragraph about her behavior and how she should correct it! Thankfully we haven't gotten to that point, yet!

It has worked wonders:) So I'm working on making a "permanent" CHART so it doesn't stain the board.

There are other helps for whining, too, like:

• Giving warnings before moving onto the next activity
• Making even mundane tasks fun
• Having expectations (and assigned work) clear and at the child's level
• Having motivations is good too:) Like a special treat, trip to park or visiting with friends after work is complete

Ahhh... definitely a reason for our great week last week:)
Definitely works for me;)

When I Said "Get off the Table"...

I got this look back!

Tears.... Crying.... Boogers...

But I stood firm:)

And finally... he backed down!

Nate is starting to hear "no" and "get down" more and more....

Training has begun!

sort of.... 

we've been correctly really dangerous stuff .... ie, sticking things in the electrical plugs for a while!!

now it's the other stuff... not hitting, not snatching toys and ...

yes, not dancing and playing on the kitchen table :(

Tiny Talk Tuesday

The kids have been cracking me up... and I've been writing their little conversations down but loosing my pieces of paper :(

Anna has been keeping track of everyone's birthdays on her own calendar... I told you she keeps us all straight! She's been delighted that this month... August... is the birthday month of the "oldest member of our family"...

she's been influenced by her Daddy's jokes!!

It is MY birthday this month.... but I am NOT the oldest! Daddy is by almost 5 years!!

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Bringing in the kids from playing outside MOnday evening I was preparing to bathe them. Unfortunately we had some horse play and a squabble as they were trying to figure out who was going to bathe first... and of course there was some pushing and one comes fussing to me as I walked through the door of the house.

And of course all three were guilty!!

So I say," First, we are not to be running through the house. Second, we need to leave one another alone, stop pushing each other..."

Then Lydia pipes up, "Third, you have an ant on your back Mommy!!"

LOL!! TOo funny... no chance to be too serious around here!

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Since VBS my kids (girls especially) have been listening to the VBS songs (I might have put them on their MP3 players!)
In all honesty there are a couple of the songs that I really have enjoyed learning too;)

So when we visited with Grandma and Grandaddy last week the girls HAD to perform their songs for everyone. Grandma and Granddaddy saw the show twice... once for Gran-Grandma & Uncle Larry and once for Uncle Scott & Aunt Bea!

And I recorded it ONCE:) So I'll share it with you (it's the theme song.... not the best song... but one they really like!)

A Mother's Day Challenge

Seems like the last few weeks I've been hit from everywhere about Mother's Day sales - deals- "must haves". Or conversations about what an "ideal" Mother's Day looks like.... ie, pampering, no cooking, paper plates or naps;)

Not that these things are bad.

But my heart wants more...

I don't need more stuff (no, not even high heels!!). And while a relaxing day sounds awesome, my heart yearns for this Mother's Day to have more meaning.

So I'm using this Mother's Day to reflect and pray to grow as a mother:) Because I earnestly desire to be a loving, patient, faithful and godly mother to Anna, Christopher, Lydia and Nathaniel. And I fail soo much, soo often...

Here are some of the most inspiring and resources that have encouraged me in this desire:

• I LOVE this Super Mom vs Abiding Mom Chart from Confessions of a Homeschooler. I think I've shared it before, but I have it on my desk and I read pieces if not the whole chart daily!
• Pluck!! - I found this in the archives at Holy Experience and can't forget it. When one of the kids ask for something simple and I'm tempted to say "no". I hear "pluck!" in my head:) LOL!!
• The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. I read this last year with my homeschool mom Bible study group... love the book and the amazing women who went through the study with us;)
• Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel - I received this book last year for Mother's Day and I am still reading through it. I just love reading a section and just soaking in the teaching/application and then re-reading it;) Before going to the next.
  

And this sounds so cliche, but applying Scripture is just soo revealing and convicting. While reading through Colossians, I was stopped by this passage to pray for my children

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Col 1: 9b-10

And then the following passage to pray for myself:)


We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Col 1 : 11-14

Even as I write this I feel like such a hypocrite and failure... I've had to correct each of my children today (just one of those days)!! While the corrections were all needed, my attitude during the corrections was wrong.... and exactly one of the things I am praying and working hard to change in my mothering.

In fact while I was reflecting about how I corrected (my tone of voice/attitude) this verse was brought to my mind

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)

ouch...

yes, even my tone of voice, the way I talk to my children, when I have to correct should be for God's glory!!

And the motivation becomes even stronger to use this Mother's Day as a challenge to grow into the mother that God has called me to be in the lives of my precious children (and the godly wife to my great husband) !!!

A Good Ending to my not-Good Parenting

I have never claimed to be the "perfect" parent and I've been humbled enough (plenty of times) to hopefully NEVER make that claim! But I still strive to be a loving and good parent...

and even then I often fail!!

One day I had spent the entire morning doing housework, cleaning, straightening, cooking, and yes, even tackling the kids' playroom!! Finally the afternoon came with naps completed I was determined to enjoy some outside time with the kids before dinner.

Then it happened.... tired of cleaning I stepped into the girls' room to get Nate and I saw another mess!! ANOTHER mess!!

Totally out of frustration, I fussed with the girls and demanded that they clean the messy room (that should have already been done!).

A little voice responded back, "Mom, you are bossy!"

WHAT?!?

Skipping over more "crazy mother" antics - like sending the child to a Dad who had NO clue what was happening - I decided she needed to apologize before she could come to play.

She immediately accepted her "apology task" and got to work writing a letter to me by herself (since I was now outside with the others).

Before I share the note....

I was (attempting to) correct my daughter's sassy attitude towards me. We don't allow our children to speak ugly to us...

BUT we also (try not to) speak harshly, in anger or ugly to our children either. And so while waiting for this "letter" from Anna I was SOOOOO convicted that I was really the one who needed the attitude adjustment and be giving the apologies as well.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice...

Oh... I'm not even going to count how many of those I was guilty of in that ONE moment... I just know I was GUILTY!!

And my sweet (but sometimes sassy) daughter is soo loving and forgiving of me:


**excuse her spelling... she had to sound out the words by herself**

When she brought me the note. I read it with her standing next to me. I barely saw the misspellings, but my heart just broke. I was soo filled with thankfulness over my precious little girl, her willingness to forgive and for her love for me... her wanting-to-be-always-loving and kind mother who often isn't.

I teared up an apology to her and held her close. And thanked her for forgiving me. And giggled over being loved "more than sandwiches"!

...but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Still learning.
Learning to balance obedience and grace, cleanliness and playtime.
Learning to parent with loving firmness and a quiet request.

I've got a LONG way to go!!!

A Season of Training

It seems like every couple of months we go through a "season of training or correction". Either we see things that aren't being done or the kids are becoming "less obedient" or there are things that we want to be done differently.... this "season" is a combo of all of those... LOL!!

It's probably also because we are gearing up for Nathaniel!! Before we had each of our kids we realized that in order to mantain "order" our kids, even though they were little (see the pic!!), were going to have to be obedient and helpful. They have HAD to!!! It's not possible to grocery shop or go to the park when I have a child not obeying, running off, crying when they don't want to leave, etc!!

OK, sooooo we still have to do some work;) But we have time! And these are the things that we are working on:)

*We have tried to teach the kids that "we're a TEAM!!" It's not just us bossing the kids around, but all of us working together! It warms my heart to hear Anna tell one of her siblings that she will help them with a chore/task..... then she goes into the room singing "teamwork, teamwork, what's going to work? teamwork" !!!

*We are having the kids complete "morning chores" which consists of getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and tidying up their rooms. These are basic I know... but it teaches them responsibility and they are ready for the day; whether it's schooling, going outside or grocery shopping;) And the kids have different jobs depending on their ages.... one nice thing is that Lydia is following the routine and doing more chores than I really had planned just because she sees Anna doing them. NICE!!!

*We are also trying to have the kids help during mealtimes. The kids help us tidy the eating area, set the table, put utensils away, put their plates/utensils/cups in the sink after eating, and clean up the table after the meal. Obviously, all of these tasks require us to "train" them... show them how, teach them how, encourage them to do the task correctly and then expect them to complete them each time we ask.

*Two more fun training opportunities are to play with "one toy at a time" and "putting items away where they were found"!! WOW, these have been a hard for us. The kids understand both, but excitement over the next activity and laziness with cleaning up have been a challenge to overcome. But these are becoming MUCH needed disciplines as I get bigger and clumsier... LOL! But seriously, being sleep-deprived with a newborn on my arms, a toy car or baby left in the middle of the hallway is just asking for trouble!!! (imagine how uncluttered my house could stay if all of us tried to follow these two goals???)

*And we are also going through the "obedience basics"! Those who have read Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp remember the 3 steps to obedience...

1. Obeying All the Way


2. Obeying Right Away


3. Obeying with a Happy Heart

So, if the blog gets a little "quiet" OR I only post pics.... you now know that our "season of training" is in session. And those moms out there know that actually training our kids to do what is right can be time-consuming and energy-consuming!

*** I have a little more that I've been learning and challenged by in my correction/training/disciplining.... I'm hoping to get my thought together soon to share what I have learned in order to encourage:)

Cinderella... um, Cinderfella

It's Wednesday .... so we get to share what is working for us:) You can also click over to We are That Family to see other Works For Me Wednesday ideas!

The topic of discipline has come up more and more in conversations lately. Maybe because I feel like I'm in another "season of training".

We have been using our Penny Jars to encourage good manners and "punish" when manners have been forgotten. While I was saddened that Anna had to have this conversation with her Sunday School teacher, it was a little funny. The teacher asked Anna how I had Christopher sit during school and Anna told her, "Mommy puts three pennies in front of us and if we listen and do a good job we can put them in our jars." LOL... she said it worked like a charm the next Sunday!!

But sometimes pennies aren't enough!! We needed to get creative in our corrections. So in an effort to find a way to serve the family when a stronger correction is needed we've decided to give the kids a washcloth and let them clean the kitchen floor! And unfortunately we've had one who sometimes stays a little busy in the kitchen....

Now introducing our Cinder-fella

Let me share how we do it:)
*Kid given the washcloth - wet of course (but no soap... don't want soap in eyes or anything)
*When they are quietly working (AKA the whining stops), we set a timer for 5 minutes
*After the timer goes off, we talk to them about why they've had this task and how they could have responded to make the situation better
*They return to whatever they were working or supposed to be working on

OK.. I'll admit it isn't perfect! But it gives us another simple option!!

Encouragements and training in the Trenches

Tuesday morning was a doozy... we had everything from stinky underwear at the library, falling on the floor instead of obeying, and a screaming tantrum at Wendys (thankfully most of that was in the parking lot)!! ahhh, the trenches of motherhood:)

Before lunch I was almost in tears myself... then with the screaming tantrum continuing in the car driving from Wendys to my LAST stop (Super Walmart).... I was discouraged!! Funny thing was that I had on a Christian radio station and heard a new song those initial lyrics somewhat related to my day!! LOL..... here are the first few lines

Been a hard one
Been a bad one
Been a tough one
Been a sad one
It's been one of those days
That keeps chipping away at my heart

Most of you probably keep up with music more than me and have heard of Mandisa before. This was my first time hearing her and this song called "Only the World". It's a great songs when you have "one of those days"!!! Here are the rest of the lyrics Mandisa - Only The World lyrics LyricsMode.com... I love the chorus the best. And then here is a recording of the song!

The early afternoon was MUCH better.... maybe they realized that I wasn't going to give in! We have our summer cut out for us as one of my MAIN schooling goals is to MAKE time for "training in obedience"... including the 3 ways to obey(immediately, completely and joyfully), sitting still, responding to one another and adults, table manners, etc! I've also pulled back out the penny jars.... a lot of practice makes a habit!

My kids aren't BAD!!! But I really think I have slacked on the training part of obedience and have required and expected just the obedience. They usually obey with one or two warnings, but we're starting to see more protesting, falling on the floor fussing tantrums and subtle disrespect from looks or comments muttered.

So hopefully with some of the training and talking about obedience will get us all knowing the "expectations" and working together to show manners and respect to one another! And enjoy one another's company even more:)

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We played hide-n-seek last night before our bedtime reading .... what a hoot;) During one "hide" Anna and Lydia went together. When we went to find them, we found Lydia hiding alone in Christopher's room... she answered when Brian called out to her:) LOL

But Anna!!! We had to search the whole house to find her. Finally we jokingly said, "Oh, we lost Anna." And Christopher started to get worried so Anna popped out of a closet:) She confessed that she hid Lydia and realized she wouldn't have had enough room to hide with her... she heard us almost done counting so she hid in the closet really quick.... LOL

Fun memories:) Sweet times:) Even in the trenches of motherhood;)

Love on Them

Maybe I am the only one guilty of this. But it seems like when our kids are little we snuggle with them constantly. My babies were NEVER lacking in being hugged, kissed and snuggled!!!

But as they get older.... they get wiggly, busy and mouthy...LOL! Even my little Christopher has often told me, "I don't like Mommy kisses." And sure it makes me a little sad when he says it, but I know it's his way of "growing up" and that I'm someone he runs to when he is sad, scared or hurt! But snuggles and random kisses seems harder when they are older, for me.

I was listening to an online sermon today and was reminded of the verse that says God disciplines who He loves. The speaker said that disciplining our children needs to come out of our love for them. Our kids need to see that we LOVE them enough to discipline them. They need to feel LOVED!!

We've been going through a new stage with Anna. She's always been an obedient little girl, but we've noticed an "attitude" that isn't loving and sweet. Or an unjoyful heart when "helping". Anyway, it seems like there has been more heart corrections lately with her.

The sermon reminded me of the need to be sure to demonstrate LOVE to Anna. Even though she is older now and doesn't needed lots of snuggles like a baby, she still needs to feel the closeness and love of her parents! She needs to be corrected for her wrong attitudes and still needs some snuggles, she really needs to be told of the unconditional love she always has because of she is OUR daughter. Which then leads to the unconditional love that God has for her!!

And I've mentioned this resource before... but I've been soo challenged in my parenting and relating to members in my family by the Duggar House Guidelines... i know you're sick of hearing about them... but they've been soo encouraging to me!

Wordless Wednesday

"Righting a Wrong"

Yes, she did write with markers on the wall.... this one is sweet, cuddly and cute... but she can be just as distructive as her brother, sometimes more.

Andrea just posted about some of our fun yesterday including pics and a video of Taite and Lydia that is super cute (at least from a momma'e perspective)... go see.

First time Obedience

PLEASE... let me start this conversation with the confessions that I need to train, correct, discipline and guide my children more and better. I am learning and always striving to be a better MOM!!

From a lot of different resources, books and professors I've been confronted with the idea of "first time obedience". Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp has one of the easiest, memorable definitions of obedience

"Without Challenge

Without Excuse

Without Delay" (pg 138)

Or like we like to say at our house, "We need to obey: right away, all the way and with a happy heart." My two oldest can repeat it to you. And when we discipline we usually include how their actions or attitudes were not the "correct way to obey Mommy and Daddy".

As I said earlier this week.... it's been a tough couple of weeks as we get into a "schooling schedule" and continue to shape our children's hearts!! But after a situation from this last weekend, I had even more motivation to continue our struggle to train, discipline and guide our children!!

This was my motivation:

I walk to the PO with my two older kiddies on their bikes and my little Lydia in the stroller. I can push the stroller and guide the older ones along the sidewalks but when we're walking on the shoulder of the highway.... I've had to train them to walk on one side of me, between the curb and the stroller! They have had to mind me.....

Two weeks ago on our walk I called out to Chris, who had gotten further than I liked. I shouted "stop!" to him but he was determined to go as faast as he could and he didn't listen.... even heading into the road without me NEXT to him..... ohhhhh... thank goodness our town is pretty quiet on the side streets before lunch!!

Well last week I had all three kids at the PO and we were getting back on our bikes. Christopher loves the handicap ramp and so he will often ride up and down while he waits for me...and usually there are no cars around and PLENTY of room:) But on this afternoon, there were a couple of cars parked in front and driving around.

I saw Christopher getting ready to go down the ramp and a car coming to us about to pull into the spot that Christopher would be turning into....

He must have heard the urgency in my voice.... but I immediately called out "stop, chris!" And he did. He immediately braked (his bike) and stayed completely still only turning his body to see me. But by then I had my hands on his bike!!!

I don't even want to imagine what could have happened, had he not obeyed, according to the obedience definition (right away, all the way and with a happy heart)!!

So "first time obedience" is important for safety and it allows our kids to demonstrate that they are willing to obey (displays their hearts).

But it's also for sanity.... how many times are you going to ask your child to stop yelling before you are yelling at them or you loose your patience? I think it helps me correct and discipline without getting frustrated or angry and disciplining wrongly!! And oohhhh... that is my heart's desire... to lovingly correct my children's wrong behavior (like the Lord does for us), guide them to make good choices, and keep them safe!!

OK???? Are my kids doing this consistently..... NO!! I wish they would obey the first time I asked ALL the time.... but that is the "season of training" that my family is in right now!!

Lord, help me everyday to be the mother that You desire me to be. Thank You for my three sweet little blessings. Help me to correct them and guide them correctly! Give me the strength and perservance even in the toughest days knowing that training now can protect them, help us to have a healthy, loving family and encourage their little hearts for serving You!!

** In reading through this... there's soo much a want to add. But let me add a quick word from the resources that I've read (and heard from my mom for years). "Pick your battles!!" Or don't ask for obedience if you're not really wanting it and don't ask for obedience on non-issues; for example, one of my hardest non-issues is when I want a pic of them:) (although that could be an issue for some)

Discipline,Training and the Rewards

We're in one of those seasons again.... you know... when it feels like all your attempts at disciplining have gone out the window. It hasn't been awful but it's been pretty draining on the parents:)

We were trying to encourage one another in this task called parenting the other day. And the conversation came to the point where we both agreed that we are in a "season of training" with our children right now.... and it's tough. At home it can feel like it's constant correction and refereeing, time outs, "pops" and fussing.

I notice my choices of reading material during these times are titles like To TrainUp a Child , Peacemaking for Families or Bringing Up Boys... hahaha.

Finally after "school time" and in the midst of bickering I decided to retreat outside... they all find their own things to do; usually (some time-outs were served outside as well). And I opened my Bible and found this in Proverbs for today (the 29th):

15 To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you happiness and peace of
mind. (NLT)

ahhhh... sounds good.... but I know it's going to take many "seasons of training" and times of discipline and correction! Which means HARD WORK!!

Before you think that we can't see rewards now.....

Christopher used the potty and was given a pack of Smarties with 3 in it. He received his "encouragement" and immediately torn into it and offered one to Anna and one to Lydia leaving one for himself. The girls were thankful by his gift and he was tickled for the praise he received for sharing.

I have another story to share tomorrow about the importance of "first time obedience"!

Always "Up To" Something New

Here is my 18-month old .....going on teenager!!! Honestly, I have had soo much fussing from her the last few weeks every time I pick up the phone, the camera or my keys because she wants them. She's even started to say "key" and "hone" (AKA phone). Our kitchen phone has broken so we've been letting her play with it... a "real" phone...and she has only put it down to eat and swim in the baby pool:)

She's also getting to be pretty experienced with putting her own shoes on...she even gets them on the correct feet sometimes:) And she'll say "shoos". I remember this stage with Anna and it's cute. Although I know I'm going to have start being more firm with the fussing:(



And this is what happens when your a little boy is stuck between two very girlie sisters. Christopher has been told that he can't paint his nails and it's sad that he can't join in the "fun". So I got him some clear polish and did his toenails as the girls and I were painting ours PINK.

And what does my 150% boy do when I finished his toenails, he snatched up the bottle and started painting his fingernails:) He is going to be a very good husband......just think when his wife is huge with pregnancy, he'll gladly paint her toenails for her!!!!


And now to my oldest.... she has been wanting to wear Pull-Ups to bed, so we decided that if she woke up dry we'd get her some. Well she's been waking up dry in diapers for days now to get Pull-ups. Then I got to thinking why in the world would I get Pull-ups so she can pee-pee in them at night.

SO last night we came up with a different plan.... 5 Days of wearing big girl pants through the night and she could get a "prize" at the store! And we'd let her pick out the prize... seriously, one pack of Pull-ups is $15 (and that price might be the Walmart brand), I think Anna could get a nice "prize" for at least $15. Right now she's wishing for Princess PJs or a new Little Einstein DVD.....motivation:)

Here she is trying on a hat from Grammie's collection at VBS last week:) My mom would let the preschoolers wear hats during the missions video...and don't you know the kids couldn't wait to get into Missions to wear their hat and watch the video everyday!Too funny and cute!!!

Disciplining Challenges

Man, we've had a challenging morning. I'm not sure why.... but this week (starting on Sunday) has been soo challenging. Sunday evening Christopher wouldn't even walk into the front doors of the church..... Brian had to take him back out before we even got IN!!

It's hard to really desire a loving, gracious, and peaceful home and then listen to the whining and arguing that occurs on a regular basis. And what I find even more draining is that some days I find myself constantly having to discipline, correct and referee.

My comfort has been these few verses:

"If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don't love him; for if you love him you will be prompt to punish him." Prov 13:24 (Living Bible)

"Discipline your son while there is hope" Prov 19:18

"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right." Prov 23:15

My theme with the kids this week has been "Being Peacemakers"! I've already heard Anna telling Christopher, "That's not nice, you're not being a peacemaker!" So, they're listening and hopefully starting to understand how and why as we talk about it throughout the week.

The Difference in Just ONE Day

I've been deciding how to share about my day with Christopher YESTERDAY.....I didn't want to complain, but share the challenges of motherhood!!! Yes, challenge was the "word of the day" yesterday.

We'd had pretty normal morning, minus a little stubborness on Christopher's part. While I was packing lunch I let Christopher and Anna play in the kitchen with their "peas" and some "beads". Anyway, Christopher started to scatter them and I got his attention and remined that he'd be cleaning up any messes he had made (which is reseasonable for him right now....cleaning up one thing at a time).


When the time to clean up the mess came he wasn't a happy camper..... he had to be corrected MANY, MANY times.... I even helped him by sweeping the peas near him and then helping him put some in the bowl (call it re-focusing). When I wasn't looking he'd DUMP the bowl, so they would be scattered all over the floor again. Anyway, when I stepped out of the situation for the second I was able to calm down, take a picture, call my friends to say I'd be running late to the park and decide to "win" the battle.

Before getting out of the van I reminded the kids about how to play nicely (ie "be sweet", "don't throw sand or mulch"). They played well but after lunch Christopher started throwing sand at one of the younger babies. When saw it, I quickly told him to come to me so I could handle it in another place away from the other families...... did he come immediately??? Nope, he ran around the picnic area causing a scene. He ended up needing "some" help getting to the private place and was screaming before I even got to him. Once he and I finished he came out, apologized and then ran back to playing like normal.

I just get so tired of having to constantly discipline the kids, especially when it's about things that we've been through already!!! And it's hard to discipline when they even buck the discipline.....
And I know I have a little boy on my hands, but they still have to be civil and they can be soo sweet...... they can obey and often do :)

But I was reminded of the verses that say...... (rough paraphrases)

*The Father loves whom He disciplines
*Spare the rod, hate the child
*NO discipline is pleasant at the time

But I remind myself that this is the time to teach, train and discipline them!!! SO that is what i need to do

We had a good evening with our friends last night. Andrea posted some fun pictures from our evening.

But today was totally different. Sure I had to correct Christopher a couple of times...but he listened up and obeyed the FIRST time. As I was dressed him for bed, we realized that he didn't need any extra measures!! And he beamed when Brian and I thanked him for such a good day:)

Here is the kids at the table as we did a little work this morning:)

Time-Out Mischief

While Brian and I tried to practice the music that we'd be singing for service in the morning, Christopher was whining, so he was put into time-out. Either on his way to time-out or given to him in time-out (by Lydia).... he acquired a marker in which he found plenty of use for while in time-out to pass the time away.....I was about floored when I found this.......





But I questioned whether I had taught him NOT to write on the wall.....so I had some mercy on him and made him scrub most of the marker off with a washcloth and water. And then he had to sit by me while I cleaned the rest of the marker off....to my delight ALL of the marker is off and without any hints of the incident. (YAY!!) And he was given a very stern warning....NEVER to write on the walls again with the consequences clearly laid out for him.

Something else....totally unrelated that was funny. This morning after riding his bike for at least 30 minutes straight, Christopher got off his bike and played for a minute. When it was time to clean up he decided to carry his red tricycle to the garage instead of just riding it. I asked him why he didn't just ride it because he was struggling a little to carry it. He quickly answered back to me matter-of-factly, "I can't ride, I have a stinky." And BOY did he!!!

Computer Sharing, Warding off Sickness, and Other Randomness

Yes, we are still HERE!! Everyone is well right now.....although Daddy is starting to wonder if he's coming down with something.....ohhhh, I hope NOT!!! He's been extra busy these last two weeks ministering to families who are in the hospital or family members who have lost their loved ones, so maybe he's just TIRED (who wouldn't be)!!!

Sooo, I've been having to use my husband's computer the last two weeks. But it's been a hassel....sort of. First let me THANK him for letting me use his computer......it's his workstation for all of his MANY, many tasks!! So, thank you, Sweetie!! Anyway, it's not quite as easy as sharing the car ;) Part of it is that it IS his work space, our schedules for computing don't match up and I'm totally learning a new computer:) I know whinning.... So maybe by the weekend I'll have a decision made and we'll see what happens:)

The kids are fine:) We took them to a visitation this evening....the kids did pretty well considering they are young children and this is a "quiet place" and we had a long line to stand in. But the family also had a couple of children and so while Daddy was getting some details for the service arranged....the kids and I hung out in an extra room and were joined by other younger children.

Well, they couldn't just run around and climb on the pretty nice furniture and stuff, ao I was corrected them quietly and quickly.....anyway, after a few "corrections" I heard another parent say to his spouse, "Honey, we were dong something wrong. Did you see how the responded and obeyed? If we would have asked our kids to do that they would have looked at us and laughed..."

I feel their pain. I wonder daily how I can better discipline so that my kids obey better, treat eachother sweeter and not have ugly attitudes. So the comment tonight was a little encouraging, maybe I'm doing a little bit right. And it was great to praise the kids when we got to the car about how well they obeyed when I had to correct them:)

BTW.....I'm starting to believe that little Lydia is my least "strong-willed child." She will already come when I call her....and start to come on my first call. When she has something she knows we want she'll immediately put it behind her back. But this afternoon she hid Brian's pen behind her back when he reached for it. But she quickly gave it to him when he asked for it and put out his hand!!!! I'm going to have to praise her for quickly obeying and maybe training for "first-time obedience" won't be as difficult with her as it has been for the other two :)