Tuesday, February 9, 2010
SIMPLE MOM giveaways!!
head on over to simplemom.net for some great giveaways in honor of the launching of simple mom media!
rain day
its been crazy weather out here in monterey. we have had on and off rainstorms. then it gets really pretty and blue with warm sunshine. so i decided to get the three kids outdoors for a "trek". we all need some fresh air and a walk. its a bit of a hassle to get cranky kids into boots and raincoats but it is so worth it. blaise had fun picking up treasures. bits of multch, rocks, leaves. it reminds me of the simple things that bring wonder and joy to the little ones. how quickly we get distracted with the bright lights and noise of commercial "fun". i know that blaise was exposed to more of the beautiful creation around us this morning. that is a lovely accomplishment if i get nothing else done today.
our pastor said on sunday that God made the world around us, creation, to have community with us. i love that. simply put this rainy day was a love letter to us.
i hope that you can enjoy the outdoors sometime today and remember how much The Creator loves you.
Friday, February 5, 2010
thrifty books
on wednesday i took kyrie to a doctor's appointment, just she and mama. we took a little stop off at the pacific grove st. vincent de paul's thrift store. she and i found a pile of great books for very decent prices (although i personally think books at thrift stores should be around 50 each - maybe i am just being cheap!) tomorrow is the post-wide yard sale and i am hoping to find another large stash of children's books for our home library. some of our best books have been from a large library sale in honolulu when we were stationed there.
how do you shop for thrifty books for your children?
Monday, February 1, 2010
thank you Lord for ...
today i am thankful for:
sunny california mornings
blue skies
singing, cheerful children
pac n' plays
kleenex
full pantry and frig
menu already planned for the week
time in the word before everyone wakes up
husband kisses
coffee
strong coffee
hot showers
mother-in-laws
my mama
my daddy
my beautiful children
family meals around the dinner table
requests from children to listen to worship music
our neighborhood
that we are going to be living near family next year!
getting back to my bloggin
early bedtimes
walks in the mornings
father-in-laws who volunteer to care for people in haiti
#2 habit "the rule is ..."
we have instituted a new habit around here just this past week (again another practical solution from my dear m.i.l. rebecca). its called "the rule is ..."
with four children under 6 1/2 years we have lots of little voices and opinions when mama tells the kids to do something (b/c you never ask them "do you want to do ___?" they will always say "no," which will become a point of contention.)
the first step: i say "the rule is _______." for example when my oldest, kyrie, says definantly with her arms crossed, "i am not going to do that." i say (making sure she is looking me in the eyes) "the rule is mama is in charge, not kyrie."
the second part of this habit is having the kids repeat the rule: "the rule is mama is in charge, not kyrie." the three oldest are responding well to this habit. but sometimes i have to take more time to get their attention. getting down to their level, (gently but firmly) holding their chins and getting their eye contact.
i have noticed a remarkable positive response from the kids. ransom smiles cheerfully and repeats me. sometimes it takes a few tries. but he feels a part of the process, like he has a responsibility to respond and then obey. of course all this works if i have allowed plenty of time to get from points A to B.
sometimes mama needs to repeat the rule: "the rule is prior proper planning prevents p-ss poor performance." (a little diddy my hubs uses in the navy.)
with four children under 6 1/2 years we have lots of little voices and opinions when mama tells the kids to do something (b/c you never ask them "do you want to do ___?" they will always say "no," which will become a point of contention.)
the first step: i say "the rule is _______." for example when my oldest, kyrie, says definantly with her arms crossed, "i am not going to do that." i say (making sure she is looking me in the eyes) "the rule is mama is in charge, not kyrie."
the second part of this habit is having the kids repeat the rule: "the rule is mama is in charge, not kyrie." the three oldest are responding well to this habit. but sometimes i have to take more time to get their attention. getting down to their level, (gently but firmly) holding their chins and getting their eye contact.
i have noticed a remarkable positive response from the kids. ransom smiles cheerfully and repeats me. sometimes it takes a few tries. but he feels a part of the process, like he has a responsibility to respond and then obey. of course all this works if i have allowed plenty of time to get from points A to B.
sometimes mama needs to repeat the rule: "the rule is prior proper planning prevents p-ss poor performance." (a little diddy my hubs uses in the navy.)
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