So, after hiking 1 mile out of the woods to the car, we were stinky and ready to get home. I scrubbed the kids down and we rested for a couple of hours before we were out the door again for lunch and swimming at Matt's parent's house.
Holy cow! I am just exhausted, just remembering all of the things that we did this weekend. Everyone had fun, though. Everyone is tired. We left the kids at Matt's parent's house to spend the night. Matt and I have to work tomorrow. Back to our "other" jobs. The non-fun part of life. You know Matt is right; he wonders why we work so hard and spend time away from our kids. Really wish we could both find great paying jobs that we loved and never miss time with our kids or each other!
Update of Challenge:
Forgot my whistle over the weekend. A little yelling, but I got to pick up my whistle and work on being slow to anger. Especially after my meltdown last Friday.
I am enjoying a rather, clean house. My kitchen is easily tidyed each night. Usually just takes a few minutes. I am working on cleaning while I go. Washing while I am cooking and NEVER leaving dishes in the sink. The laundry is pretty much always running, but I love the smell of my fabric softener and I am enjoying the smell of "clean cotton" throughout the house (encouragement plug to keep laundry going). The kids are even getting better about helping me keep the house tidy. Matt and I are still reading our Bible reading plan on my Kindle. We are several days behind, but we are still trucking.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Sunday, Day 34
Today the DEVIL got into my head.
Apparently chuch starts at 9am, not 9:30. I would have nice had we realized this before arriving at the doors of the church at 9:32. Matt even asked me yesterday if it started at 9 or 9:30 and I was sure it was 9:30. Now, we have visited many different churches in the past 6 months, but no excuse! I was awful, the Preacher was already preaching and we were too embarrassed to walk in. Keeping in mind that at this church, you have to walk through the worship center, in front of everyone to drop off the kids. There was no way we were walking in 30 minutes late!!
We were dressed up and the boys looked so nice :( We even had the entire day planned. Well, now we had 2 hours to kill before we were going to meet Candice and her family in Salisbury.
Matt was really disappointed, but we made the most of it and changed clothes and went on up to Dan Nicholas Park early. The kids had so much fun. It was only 100 degrees in the sun and the splash park was broken, but we still had fun. Candice and her family got there a little after 1pm. the kids rode the merry-go-round, the train went into the aquatic nature room. They had so much fun, but the day wasn't over yet.
Naps on the way home, stop to pick up some papers and back out to go camping at Crowder's Mtn. NEVER a dull moment at Casa Woods! Kids were rested when we got there and we were off on the 1 mile hike to the camp ground. We set up camp, made a fire, dinner and had marshmallows. That was all the boys could handle before they were asking to got to bed. About 1 hour later, everyone was asleep, with glow sticks in hand. It was an interesting sleeping experience, but we survived and everyone slept (some better than others). We woke up at 6:30 (what's new ?) and made a fire, breakfast and believe it or no the kids were ready to go home. Non-peacefully, but not miserable 1 mile walk back to the car and we were off to the house.
Wait... The day is still not over, but we can talk about Monday on the next days blog.
The only thing that I didn't like about this day was that we weren't able to read the Bible on the Kindle. However, we did get to all sleep in a tent together under the stars that God gave to us. PRICELESS!!
Apparently chuch starts at 9am, not 9:30. I would have nice had we realized this before arriving at the doors of the church at 9:32. Matt even asked me yesterday if it started at 9 or 9:30 and I was sure it was 9:30. Now, we have visited many different churches in the past 6 months, but no excuse! I was awful, the Preacher was already preaching and we were too embarrassed to walk in. Keeping in mind that at this church, you have to walk through the worship center, in front of everyone to drop off the kids. There was no way we were walking in 30 minutes late!!
We were dressed up and the boys looked so nice :( We even had the entire day planned. Well, now we had 2 hours to kill before we were going to meet Candice and her family in Salisbury.
Matt was really disappointed, but we made the most of it and changed clothes and went on up to Dan Nicholas Park early. The kids had so much fun. It was only 100 degrees in the sun and the splash park was broken, but we still had fun. Candice and her family got there a little after 1pm. the kids rode the merry-go-round, the train went into the aquatic nature room. They had so much fun, but the day wasn't over yet.
Naps on the way home, stop to pick up some papers and back out to go camping at Crowder's Mtn. NEVER a dull moment at Casa Woods! Kids were rested when we got there and we were off on the 1 mile hike to the camp ground. We set up camp, made a fire, dinner and had marshmallows. That was all the boys could handle before they were asking to got to bed. About 1 hour later, everyone was asleep, with glow sticks in hand. It was an interesting sleeping experience, but we survived and everyone slept (some better than others). We woke up at 6:30 (what's new ?) and made a fire, breakfast and believe it or no the kids were ready to go home. Non-peacefully, but not miserable 1 mile walk back to the car and we were off to the house.
Wait... The day is still not over, but we can talk about Monday on the next days blog.
The only thing that I didn't like about this day was that we weren't able to read the Bible on the Kindle. However, we did get to all sleep in a tent together under the stars that God gave to us. PRICELESS!!
Saturday, Day 33
So I have decided that the weekends during the summer are going to totally through our family off schedule. As long as I am ok with no schedule and possibly cranky kids we will be alright.
Today, Matt worked 1/2 day. I decided as soon as we got up for the morning that we were going to go yardsaling. I talked the kids into the experience and off we went at 7:30. We weren't really sure where to start, so we just drove around Mt. Holly looking for signs. After about 20 minutes and turning around, we found one. The kids did great! We all walked around and looked at mostly "junk" at the first two places we went. The kids didn't touch much and even fund a few books for Jonathan. I decided after about 45 minutes that I should have called my non-imaginary friend, Jenny. She is a Professional Yardsaler. So, I did and she was on the same page, already in the car with coffee in hand. We met up and had the best time. We eventually just left the kids in the vans watching a movie and each took turns watching kids while the other quickly shopped. I did alright. Got 5 books for the boys, a toy dump truck for outside, 100 piece puzzle and some picture frames for me to re purpose. Only spent $8!! Jenny, she got Halloween outfits, 2 bikes, clothes, candlesticks... She Killed it!! I have a lot to learn, but we had fun bonding over sales and the kids got to watch a movie. Everyone was happy.
Afterwards Matt came home and we went to my other favorite person, April's house for a cookout. the boys got to play in the kiddy pool and slip-n-slide and we ate the best BBQ! Although we were about to melt, we had fun!
What a PACKED day! No one took a nap, but they went to be early and Matt and I got to spend some much needed alone time together. We were able to catch up on a little Bible reading and even get really confused with the book of Hebrews. It was a fantastic day and everyone was happy!
I need more days like today :)
Today, Matt worked 1/2 day. I decided as soon as we got up for the morning that we were going to go yardsaling. I talked the kids into the experience and off we went at 7:30. We weren't really sure where to start, so we just drove around Mt. Holly looking for signs. After about 20 minutes and turning around, we found one. The kids did great! We all walked around and looked at mostly "junk" at the first two places we went. The kids didn't touch much and even fund a few books for Jonathan. I decided after about 45 minutes that I should have called my non-imaginary friend, Jenny. She is a Professional Yardsaler. So, I did and she was on the same page, already in the car with coffee in hand. We met up and had the best time. We eventually just left the kids in the vans watching a movie and each took turns watching kids while the other quickly shopped. I did alright. Got 5 books for the boys, a toy dump truck for outside, 100 piece puzzle and some picture frames for me to re purpose. Only spent $8!! Jenny, she got Halloween outfits, 2 bikes, clothes, candlesticks... She Killed it!! I have a lot to learn, but we had fun bonding over sales and the kids got to watch a movie. Everyone was happy.
Afterwards Matt came home and we went to my other favorite person, April's house for a cookout. the boys got to play in the kiddy pool and slip-n-slide and we ate the best BBQ! Although we were about to melt, we had fun!
What a PACKED day! No one took a nap, but they went to be early and Matt and I got to spend some much needed alone time together. We were able to catch up on a little Bible reading and even get really confused with the book of Hebrews. It was a fantastic day and everyone was happy!
I need more days like today :)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Friday, Day 32
This 1/2 caffeine in my coffee crap has got to go!!
Everyday, I am waking up with a headache. And if for some miracle I don't wake up with a headache it will come about 11:30ish when 1/2 the caffeine I had a 7:30 wears off. I have tried to drink more, but I don't think it is helping my calorie intake to drink 2or3 x as much since my coffee is actually 2/3 coffee and the rest flavored creamer (the good stuff) and little sugar :) Mmmmm!
Back to important stuff. TODAY SUCKED! It was so bad that when I initially tried to journal today, I just wrote OMG with about ten exclamation points. It was awful!! Here you go with a rundown:
7:25- woke up and made 1/2 caff coffee
7:27- got in slight disagreement with husband seconds before he left for work
7:35- was so upset about slight disagreement that EVERYTHING the kids did annoyed me
8:00- tried the get kids upstairs so I could shower and get ready to leave for MOPS
8:10- yelled at the kids for asking them multiple times to go upstairs
8:15- got in the shower late and tried to rush. Kids insisted on taking bath
8:35- STRONGLY encouraged Jonathan to get out of tub and get dressed for the 4 time
8:45 found two naked children playing in playroom when I finished drying my hair
8:46- BOOM!!! "We are not going to MOPS at the park today!"
8:48- thought maybe I would go and tried to find matching outfit I wanted Ethan to wear and
stuff started falling out of closet onto my head. LOST IT! Threw some clothes and
started to cry.
This was quickly followed by a text and call April explaining why I wouldn't be there
9:00- proceeded to take everything out of Ethan's closet and reorganize and throw some crap
out (crying kids who are upset about not going to park are confined to their rooms)
THIS is why people drink!
By, I don't know 10:30/11am I got a call from Jenny. My always positive, always happy, lift you up, non-imaginary friend to made a really good point. The kids are feeding off of your upset energy. See Matt got me upset and the devil used that moment to ruin my morning, by making me really pissy with a 2 inch fuse. Yes, the kids were pushing and whining, but nothing unusual. But, boy I reacted with fire and rage. Then they just feed off of that behavior and got worse instead of better. Jenny suggested that I leep them in their rooms and tell them to stay for 20 minutes while Mommy had some quite time in her room. I closed my door and turned on the exhaust fan in the bathroom to drown out the intermittent calls from Ethan asking if he could come out of his room. I prayed and talked it out with the Lord. Then I read, randomly from the Bible. I gave all of my pissyness and frustrations with the ENTIRE morning over to Jesus, and came out of my room.
I then went to the kids room and brought them into the playroom. I sat them down and apologized for my "craziness" and promised that we would have a better day. We hugged and started fulfilling that promise. Duck Duck Goose style :)
(doorbell) I open to the door to Jenny bringing me a donut. That crazy girl brought me a donut cheer me up! Definitely need for sanity not weight loss.
From there, the day got better :) I even decided to jog after dinner when Matt was home with the kids. He thought maybe he need to get the kids away from me after such an awful day and I grabbed my i pod and left. Of course I haven't "ran" since oh... 2005?? It was more like jog, walk, jog, walk, walk, jog, walk, walk, walk walk. But I was sweating like a pig and sore by bedtime. Maybe this exercise will help.
On to tomorrow!
Everyday, I am waking up with a headache. And if for some miracle I don't wake up with a headache it will come about 11:30ish when 1/2 the caffeine I had a 7:30 wears off. I have tried to drink more, but I don't think it is helping my calorie intake to drink 2or3 x as much since my coffee is actually 2/3 coffee and the rest flavored creamer (the good stuff) and little sugar :) Mmmmm!
Back to important stuff. TODAY SUCKED! It was so bad that when I initially tried to journal today, I just wrote OMG with about ten exclamation points. It was awful!! Here you go with a rundown:
7:25- woke up and made 1/2 caff coffee
7:27- got in slight disagreement with husband seconds before he left for work
7:35- was so upset about slight disagreement that EVERYTHING the kids did annoyed me
8:00- tried the get kids upstairs so I could shower and get ready to leave for MOPS
8:10- yelled at the kids for asking them multiple times to go upstairs
8:15- got in the shower late and tried to rush. Kids insisted on taking bath
8:35- STRONGLY encouraged Jonathan to get out of tub and get dressed for the 4 time
8:45 found two naked children playing in playroom when I finished drying my hair
8:46- BOOM!!! "We are not going to MOPS at the park today!"
8:48- thought maybe I would go and tried to find matching outfit I wanted Ethan to wear and
stuff started falling out of closet onto my head. LOST IT! Threw some clothes and
started to cry.
This was quickly followed by a text and call April explaining why I wouldn't be there
9:00- proceeded to take everything out of Ethan's closet and reorganize and throw some crap
out (crying kids who are upset about not going to park are confined to their rooms)
THIS is why people drink!
By, I don't know 10:30/11am I got a call from Jenny. My always positive, always happy, lift you up, non-imaginary friend to made a really good point. The kids are feeding off of your upset energy. See Matt got me upset and the devil used that moment to ruin my morning, by making me really pissy with a 2 inch fuse. Yes, the kids were pushing and whining, but nothing unusual. But, boy I reacted with fire and rage. Then they just feed off of that behavior and got worse instead of better. Jenny suggested that I leep them in their rooms and tell them to stay for 20 minutes while Mommy had some quite time in her room. I closed my door and turned on the exhaust fan in the bathroom to drown out the intermittent calls from Ethan asking if he could come out of his room. I prayed and talked it out with the Lord. Then I read, randomly from the Bible. I gave all of my pissyness and frustrations with the ENTIRE morning over to Jesus, and came out of my room.
I then went to the kids room and brought them into the playroom. I sat them down and apologized for my "craziness" and promised that we would have a better day. We hugged and started fulfilling that promise. Duck Duck Goose style :)
(doorbell) I open to the door to Jenny bringing me a donut. That crazy girl brought me a donut cheer me up! Definitely need for sanity not weight loss.
From there, the day got better :) I even decided to jog after dinner when Matt was home with the kids. He thought maybe he need to get the kids away from me after such an awful day and I grabbed my i pod and left. Of course I haven't "ran" since oh... 2005?? It was more like jog, walk, jog, walk, walk, jog, walk, walk, walk walk. But I was sweating like a pig and sore by bedtime. Maybe this exercise will help.
On to tomorrow!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, Day 31
Today was full of interesting things.
I took the boys to Plaza Fiesta with a couple other MOPS moms and their kids. They had lots of fun and it was cute to watch them play with their friends.
Plus, we met a really nice woman named Kelly, who told us about her MOPS group in Huntersville. I think Kim, Jenny and I learned some new ideas for next year. It really opened my eyes to some things that can improve and make it even better for next year.
I got really pumped! So I spent the entire nap time researching on the MOPS website. I was full of ideas when Matt got home. We had a nice little dinner and I was off to Jenny's house.
I really enjoyed all 4 hours of wine and girl talk therapy. We talked about some leadership boosting, ideas for Steering next year, homeschooling thoughts and our Order Challenge. Every time I talk to my Challenge Buddy, I feel lifted up. Plus, she has a way of convincing you to do just about anything. Somehow she talked me into being the Coordinator for MOPS next year. then she encouraged me to strengthen my relationship with Christ through prayer and reading the Bible. She motivated me to want to be a better wife, mother and daughter of Christ starting with this Challenge. She almost convinced me that I could actually home school my kids last night. She is so grounded in her relationship with Christ. She is a spiritual leader, a great mother and a wonderful friend. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
I was lifted up after my recent motivational meeting with Jenny. Maybe that will carry me and encourage me to stay strong with this challenge.
I took the boys to Plaza Fiesta with a couple other MOPS moms and their kids. They had lots of fun and it was cute to watch them play with their friends.
Plus, we met a really nice woman named Kelly, who told us about her MOPS group in Huntersville. I think Kim, Jenny and I learned some new ideas for next year. It really opened my eyes to some things that can improve and make it even better for next year.
I got really pumped! So I spent the entire nap time researching on the MOPS website. I was full of ideas when Matt got home. We had a nice little dinner and I was off to Jenny's house.
I really enjoyed all 4 hours of wine and girl talk therapy. We talked about some leadership boosting, ideas for Steering next year, homeschooling thoughts and our Order Challenge. Every time I talk to my Challenge Buddy, I feel lifted up. Plus, she has a way of convincing you to do just about anything. Somehow she talked me into being the Coordinator for MOPS next year. then she encouraged me to strengthen my relationship with Christ through prayer and reading the Bible. She motivated me to want to be a better wife, mother and daughter of Christ starting with this Challenge. She almost convinced me that I could actually home school my kids last night. She is so grounded in her relationship with Christ. She is a spiritual leader, a great mother and a wonderful friend. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
I was lifted up after my recent motivational meeting with Jenny. Maybe that will carry me and encourage me to stay strong with this challenge.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, Day 30
Today started with 1/2 caffeine coffee. This was Matt's idea. I guess that means I needed to drink twice as much :) I had a headache by 11:30, but nothing some Ibuprofen couldn't fix.
I was at the hospital working today. That sucked, but when I came home and my kids were rested and happy for me to be home, I realized it was worth it.
Plus, when Matt got home we ate dinner together and went to the pool. The kids always enjoy the pool and it wears them out. I am trying really hard to follow rule #10 and not yell at my kids. I have done a great job, until today. I started wearing a whistle my dad sent me. I mentioned one time that I felt like a referee and the next thing I know I have whistle in the mail. Well, it is coming in really handy. I haven't yelled per say in a week. The whistle is a warning; "Hello I am talking and you are not listening" warning. I even wore it to the pool. Some annoying kids asked me if I was the lifeguard, and I told her it was my "you are about to get in trouble warning whistle".
Sidebar: the two kids a the pool that commented on my whistle were the most disrespectful girls I have seen in a while. They wouldn't listen the man (father, uncle, or grandfather) who was with them at the pool. They blatenly ignored everything he said. They even talked about not listening to him when they were far enough away from him. Matt and I witnessed every disrespectful moment. Obviously he wasn't their dad or "timeout" punishment at home weren't working, because those girls were walking all over him. I would have been seen as beating my children in public if they were my kids.
OK, back to the whistle. So, when we got home, somehow I forgot my whistle and the devil took over my emotions and I was not quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. So I broke my rule, but I am off of that donkey and the whistle is still on. Let's try that again...
Matt and I are about 3 days behind on our Bible reading plan. I am trying to keep up, but I am so exhausted at the end of the day, which is the only time both of us can read together uninterrupted. I can only read on days worth of reading per night, because I am so tired I don't fully absorb anything more than that. I am going to have to catch up. It is a Bible in a year plan, not a Bible in 1.287 year plan.
I was at the hospital working today. That sucked, but when I came home and my kids were rested and happy for me to be home, I realized it was worth it.
Plus, when Matt got home we ate dinner together and went to the pool. The kids always enjoy the pool and it wears them out. I am trying really hard to follow rule #10 and not yell at my kids. I have done a great job, until today. I started wearing a whistle my dad sent me. I mentioned one time that I felt like a referee and the next thing I know I have whistle in the mail. Well, it is coming in really handy. I haven't yelled per say in a week. The whistle is a warning; "Hello I am talking and you are not listening" warning. I even wore it to the pool. Some annoying kids asked me if I was the lifeguard, and I told her it was my "you are about to get in trouble warning whistle".
Sidebar: the two kids a the pool that commented on my whistle were the most disrespectful girls I have seen in a while. They wouldn't listen the man (father, uncle, or grandfather) who was with them at the pool. They blatenly ignored everything he said. They even talked about not listening to him when they were far enough away from him. Matt and I witnessed every disrespectful moment. Obviously he wasn't their dad or "timeout" punishment at home weren't working, because those girls were walking all over him. I would have been seen as beating my children in public if they were my kids.
OK, back to the whistle. So, when we got home, somehow I forgot my whistle and the devil took over my emotions and I was not quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. So I broke my rule, but I am off of that donkey and the whistle is still on. Let's try that again...
Matt and I are about 3 days behind on our Bible reading plan. I am trying to keep up, but I am so exhausted at the end of the day, which is the only time both of us can read together uninterrupted. I can only read on days worth of reading per night, because I am so tired I don't fully absorb anything more than that. I am going to have to catch up. It is a Bible in a year plan, not a Bible in 1.287 year plan.
Tuesday, Day 29
Somehow I got the funk today. You know the "can't get the blah attitude" off your face, funk today.
Maybe it was because Ethan woke up at 5:45 not feeling well and proceeded to try and vomit as well as flop around for 4 hours. He definitely wasn't himself. He actually fell asleep in the middle of the living room floor at 8:15 am while Jonathan was playing in the same room. NOT NORMAL. It wasn't till he almost puked that we realized that maybe he had some sort of stomach bug. After nap he was up and going full speed. Not sure what all that was about, but thankfully it pasted without much effort. Just a lot of laying around and watching cartoons. Thankfully Matt was home and he played with Jonathan and kept him company while I played nurse for Ethan.
I was productive with cleaning today too. I guess since I needed to put away the new glasses I got from Matt's Grandmother's house, I got the CLEANING FRENZY BUG. Watch out! I washed the glasses, then proceeded to clean the cabinet where the glasses would be placed too. I mean take everything out and wipe down the bottom of the cabinet clean! Then I moved on the the cabinet with kids dishes.
Don't know where that came from, but at least two of my cabinets are really clean now. Somehow my floors in the kitchen only got swept and not mopped. Actually, I had a great reason. It seems counter productive to sweep and mop when the kids are outside the door waiting to run in on my clean floors! Eventually it will be done, but not now.
Somehow my cleaning frenzy continued all day. I could not stop. I vacuumed the entire house, did 4.5 loads of laundry and put all the clothes away. Emptied and loaded dishwasher, organized the kids toys downstairs and up. Including rearranging the playroom downstairs. The kids stay entertained with toys and naps while I washed two of the windows in the living room. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??
Needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day and my house looked nice. Matt even took Jonathan with him to the store for groceries while Ethan was asleep. We got so much accomplished today. It wasn't a fun family day, but a productive one. Fun day will be on Thursday :)
Maybe it was because Ethan woke up at 5:45 not feeling well and proceeded to try and vomit as well as flop around for 4 hours. He definitely wasn't himself. He actually fell asleep in the middle of the living room floor at 8:15 am while Jonathan was playing in the same room. NOT NORMAL. It wasn't till he almost puked that we realized that maybe he had some sort of stomach bug. After nap he was up and going full speed. Not sure what all that was about, but thankfully it pasted without much effort. Just a lot of laying around and watching cartoons. Thankfully Matt was home and he played with Jonathan and kept him company while I played nurse for Ethan.
I was productive with cleaning today too. I guess since I needed to put away the new glasses I got from Matt's Grandmother's house, I got the CLEANING FRENZY BUG. Watch out! I washed the glasses, then proceeded to clean the cabinet where the glasses would be placed too. I mean take everything out and wipe down the bottom of the cabinet clean! Then I moved on the the cabinet with kids dishes.
Don't know where that came from, but at least two of my cabinets are really clean now. Somehow my floors in the kitchen only got swept and not mopped. Actually, I had a great reason. It seems counter productive to sweep and mop when the kids are outside the door waiting to run in on my clean floors! Eventually it will be done, but not now.
Somehow my cleaning frenzy continued all day. I could not stop. I vacuumed the entire house, did 4.5 loads of laundry and put all the clothes away. Emptied and loaded dishwasher, organized the kids toys downstairs and up. Including rearranging the playroom downstairs. The kids stay entertained with toys and naps while I washed two of the windows in the living room. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??
Needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day and my house looked nice. Matt even took Jonathan with him to the store for groceries while Ethan was asleep. We got so much accomplished today. It wasn't a fun family day, but a productive one. Fun day will be on Thursday :)
Monday, Day 28
Today was a "other" job day. I am really starting to think that God wants me to be a Mom only and quit this nursing thing. I am feeling more fulfilled at home with my primary job and more frustrated at my "other" job trying to be useful and make a difference. My morning prayer when I leave the house to go to the hospital is to feel like I am making a difference. Unfortunately, more often than not I am not feeling like it even matters if I show up or not. Obviously, we need the money and that part of going to the hospital makes a difference, but when I am there...I am not feeling it. The question is: Has my job changed or am I just feeling more fulfilled at home? If my primary job and the duties that I am missing while I am away are making me not enjoy my time away at the hospital. So many women who worked before they had kids look at returning to work as an opportunity to escape the house and have adult conversations. I thought that way on some level too. But, now since I don't feel useful at the hospital, I feel like I am missing valuable time with my kids, losing time that I could have cleaning the kitchen floor. I have been meaning to clean it for the past several days, but when I get home things are so crazy and rushed. Plus, I don't feel like cleaning, I haven't seen my kids all day. Personally, if I am going to miss the time with my kids and end up with more cleaning a the end of the day, I would rather have gone somewhere and had FUN while I was gone.
Hmm... I guess I am going to have to figure out how to get paid for my job at the house. Then I realize, this is exactly how Matt feels everyday X 100%. Maybe I should complain. I only work outside of the home 2 days a week. It could be worse!
Needless to say, I was at the hospital from 6:50-3:15. Then I left for a staff meeting at another hospital at 7 and didn't get home until 9:30. Watch out! I got to spend a whopping 3 hours with my kids and 20 minutes with my husband today!
I have felt very productive as a mother today... (enter sarcastic laugh) Better luck tomorrow!
Hmm... I guess I am going to have to figure out how to get paid for my job at the house. Then I realize, this is exactly how Matt feels everyday X 100%. Maybe I should complain. I only work outside of the home 2 days a week. It could be worse!
Needless to say, I was at the hospital from 6:50-3:15. Then I left for a staff meeting at another hospital at 7 and didn't get home until 9:30. Watch out! I got to spend a whopping 3 hours with my kids and 20 minutes with my husband today!
I have felt very productive as a mother today... (enter sarcastic laugh) Better luck tomorrow!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Sunday, Day 27
Today we are in Tennessee visiting Matt's Grandmother Woods and his Aunts and Uncles. We had an oppertunity to go through his Grandmother Gray's house and pick so things for us to keep. Although it was sad to walk though that quiet, empty house, it was so precious to hear Jonathan say, "I miss her so much and wish she could watch my fireworks and give me a hug". The kids were entertained with all the little nicknaks which were now on their level and Matt and I were able to pick some pieces in her house that held some sweet memories.
When we got home it was a mad dash to empty the car, empty the bags, put stuff away and get the kids in their jammies before it was time for my "girl movie night" with April. It was her birthday and we went to see What to Expect When you are Expecting. So funny!! I think April and I laughed harder and more often than any of the other 10 people in the theatre. Great little release of laughter to make me smile, with a great friend, who is a great blessing in my life.
I got home late, but Matt had done his part and put away almost everything. The kitchen was almost spotless and it was a relief to just put my keys away and get into bed. I was too tired to read, plus, I have to get up at 5:45!!
Ooops!
When we got home it was a mad dash to empty the car, empty the bags, put stuff away and get the kids in their jammies before it was time for my "girl movie night" with April. It was her birthday and we went to see What to Expect When you are Expecting. So funny!! I think April and I laughed harder and more often than any of the other 10 people in the theatre. Great little release of laughter to make me smile, with a great friend, who is a great blessing in my life.
I got home late, but Matt had done his part and put away almost everything. The kitchen was almost spotless and it was a relief to just put my keys away and get into bed. I was too tired to read, plus, I have to get up at 5:45!!
Ooops!
Friday-Saturday, Days 25-26
So this idea of keeping up with my journal time isn't really working. Maybe I should have made it a suggestion instead of a rule. I am breaking this rule on a daily bases.
It is Tuesday and I can't even begin to remember what happened on Friday.
Hmm... let me think.
Oh yeah, Jonathan had his 4 year check up. I dropped Ethan off at Linda's house to play with his cousins and Jonathan and I headed off to Matthews. He was so sweet during his check up and did really well. He was 34.6 pounds and 40.5 inches tall. He is getting so big! After his appointment, I had an appointment to redraw bloodwork for my physical. It was cute when he held my hand and looked worried when she stuck the needle in my arm. He told me I was good and we deserved a milkshake. That's my boy :)
We left Friday night to go to Tennessee to visit Matt's family. Of course this changed the everyday schedule and kids were a little off for a couple of days, but we managed and it was worth it.
We were not able to read our Bible reading plan on the Kindle over the weekend, so that was missing and caused me to break rule 1a. (reading the Bible everyday).
Got to get better with this...
It is Tuesday and I can't even begin to remember what happened on Friday.
Hmm... let me think.
Oh yeah, Jonathan had his 4 year check up. I dropped Ethan off at Linda's house to play with his cousins and Jonathan and I headed off to Matthews. He was so sweet during his check up and did really well. He was 34.6 pounds and 40.5 inches tall. He is getting so big! After his appointment, I had an appointment to redraw bloodwork for my physical. It was cute when he held my hand and looked worried when she stuck the needle in my arm. He told me I was good and we deserved a milkshake. That's my boy :)
We left Friday night to go to Tennessee to visit Matt's family. Of course this changed the everyday schedule and kids were a little off for a couple of days, but we managed and it was worth it.
We were not able to read our Bible reading plan on the Kindle over the weekend, so that was missing and caused me to break rule 1a. (reading the Bible everyday).
Got to get better with this...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thursday, day 24
I am totally crapping out on my rule about journaling on time. I hate to jouranl at night after the kids go to bed, because that is usually the first moment of quiet time I have with Matt all day. So my partner in the challenge, Jenny, suggested that I blog during naptime about the day so far and then finish tomorrow. Wow, that is a good idea. Thank goodness, I don't have an imaginary friend :)
So this is today, so far:
Drank 2 cups of coffee, before they got cold! Victory #1
House is relatively clean, I even emptied and filled dishwasher before leaving to go to the
Pool with friends and bunches of kids. Since no one drowned... Victory #2
Kids are down for their nap. Victory #3
Time to recharge...
So this is today, so far:
Drank 2 cups of coffee, before they got cold! Victory #1
House is relatively clean, I even emptied and filled dishwasher before leaving to go to the
Pool with friends and bunches of kids. Since no one drowned... Victory #2
Kids are down for their nap. Victory #3
Time to recharge...
Wednesday, Day 23
So I might not be able to journal ontime (rule #9), but I haven't yelled at my kids today!!
It helped that I wasn't around them for 9 hours of the day, but it still counts :) They were sweet as can be when I picked them up from my mother-in-laws house. They usually are when they have spent the night, they miss me!! We played outside when we got home and squirted each other with waterguns. Jonathan gave up quickly. He said that he didn't have his rabbit legs on today and he couldn't chase me fast enough. That was his excuse to get me to run slower and he could squirt me!!
Overall, this day wasn't too bad. Good dinner, late walk around the block and kids in bed by 9.
It helped that I wasn't around them for 9 hours of the day, but it still counts :) They were sweet as can be when I picked them up from my mother-in-laws house. They usually are when they have spent the night, they miss me!! We played outside when we got home and squirted each other with waterguns. Jonathan gave up quickly. He said that he didn't have his rabbit legs on today and he couldn't chase me fast enough. That was his excuse to get me to run slower and he could squirt me!!
Overall, this day wasn't too bad. Good dinner, late walk around the block and kids in bed by 9.
Tuesday, day 22
Today was kind of blah!
Had to fast for routine blood work and was starving before I even made it to a meeting at my other job.
I missed a lot of time with my family on our 'family day". The kids were really good for Matt all day and after naps we took them to Matt's parent's house so they could spend the night. Then, Matt and I went on a date night! Thai food and a chick flick brightened my day! Love my husband :)
As far as keeping order in this home today...Matt pitched in and cleaned the shed. He pulled the big trash can over and CLEANED up. He even swept. He is picking up on my clean house thing.
I even shared my new rules. He was less than supportive with rule #10; quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. His response was, "good luck". I will have you know, so far, so good. I have faith. Faith that I will fall, but He will help me!!
HaHa, take that!
Had to fast for routine blood work and was starving before I even made it to a meeting at my other job.
I missed a lot of time with my family on our 'family day". The kids were really good for Matt all day and after naps we took them to Matt's parent's house so they could spend the night. Then, Matt and I went on a date night! Thai food and a chick flick brightened my day! Love my husband :)
As far as keeping order in this home today...Matt pitched in and cleaned the shed. He pulled the big trash can over and CLEANED up. He even swept. He is picking up on my clean house thing.
I even shared my new rules. He was less than supportive with rule #10; quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. His response was, "good luck". I will have you know, so far, so good. I have faith. Faith that I will fall, but He will help me!!
HaHa, take that!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Today, Monday Day 21
If only I had this epiphany yesterday, my day would have been brighter.
I realized in the shower this morning that I was pouting yesterday for no reason. I was feeling sorry for myself yesterday evening, because it was raining and my day was blah. I didn't get something big or fancy for Mother's Day. I didn't got to a fancy restaurant for brunch or lunch or dinner. I didn't get a pampered day all about me. I did get some sweet homemade gifts that are priceless and precious, but something inside of me wanted more. I did 2 loads of laundry, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, vacuumed; I guess I was a mother on Mother's Day.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?
This holiday is totally made up by the government to stimulate the economy. I should feel loved and appreciated everyday, not just one day a year. I shouldn't need a card or a gift certificate for a massage to make me feel affirmed in my job as a mother. They (people on TV, marketing people) made me feel like I wasn't appreciated yesterday because I didn't get flowers and a dinner at a nice place. The devil made me feel less loved because I didn't get some fancy gift. How dare he!!! I do feel loved. I don't need anything. We have plenty. When you can't think of somewhere to go out to eat, because you are sick of eating at the same places; you probably go out to eat too much! The nicest thought of the day wasn't the big breakfast and the finger paint magnets, it was when Matt came out of the grocery store and handed me a coke, without being asked! That is love and appreciation!
Try and un-affirm that, devil!!
It is amazing the thoughts that go through my brain at 5:45am in the shower. It is quiet. God really spoke to me this morning and I feel like I didn't really enjoy or really take in all of yesterday, when I should be thankful that I have children to have given me a Mother's Day to celebrate in the first place.
Thank you God for making me a mother and giving me these great kids!
Now, on to the rest of the day.
Went my other job this morning and now I am home to a quiet house. The kids are napping and I can think. Think about what God is doing in my life for a second. I feel like God wants some more changes in my life, in regards to my mothering skills.
Rule #10 Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry
The anger of a parent confronted with a child's poor choice shifts the focus from the child's bad behavior to the parent's angry response. Responding to disobedience with empathy rather than anger is difficult, but the reward is great.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20
THEREFORE...
No more yelling at my kids. They are yelling back at me and each other. My bad habit is becoming their bad behavior. This is going to stop NOW!!! (I said this quietly, but with emphasis)
I realized in the shower this morning that I was pouting yesterday for no reason. I was feeling sorry for myself yesterday evening, because it was raining and my day was blah. I didn't get something big or fancy for Mother's Day. I didn't got to a fancy restaurant for brunch or lunch or dinner. I didn't get a pampered day all about me. I did get some sweet homemade gifts that are priceless and precious, but something inside of me wanted more. I did 2 loads of laundry, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, vacuumed; I guess I was a mother on Mother's Day.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?
This holiday is totally made up by the government to stimulate the economy. I should feel loved and appreciated everyday, not just one day a year. I shouldn't need a card or a gift certificate for a massage to make me feel affirmed in my job as a mother. They (people on TV, marketing people) made me feel like I wasn't appreciated yesterday because I didn't get flowers and a dinner at a nice place. The devil made me feel less loved because I didn't get some fancy gift. How dare he!!! I do feel loved. I don't need anything. We have plenty. When you can't think of somewhere to go out to eat, because you are sick of eating at the same places; you probably go out to eat too much! The nicest thought of the day wasn't the big breakfast and the finger paint magnets, it was when Matt came out of the grocery store and handed me a coke, without being asked! That is love and appreciation!
Try and un-affirm that, devil!!
It is amazing the thoughts that go through my brain at 5:45am in the shower. It is quiet. God really spoke to me this morning and I feel like I didn't really enjoy or really take in all of yesterday, when I should be thankful that I have children to have given me a Mother's Day to celebrate in the first place.
Thank you God for making me a mother and giving me these great kids!
Now, on to the rest of the day.
Went my other job this morning and now I am home to a quiet house. The kids are napping and I can think. Think about what God is doing in my life for a second. I feel like God wants some more changes in my life, in regards to my mothering skills.
Rule #10 Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry
The anger of a parent confronted with a child's poor choice shifts the focus from the child's bad behavior to the parent's angry response. Responding to disobedience with empathy rather than anger is difficult, but the reward is great.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20
THEREFORE...
No more yelling at my kids. They are yelling back at me and each other. My bad habit is becoming their bad behavior. This is going to stop NOW!!! (I said this quietly, but with emphasis)
Sunday, Day 20
Today is Mother's Day. I got to sleep until 7am and then I laid in bed for over an hour trying to go back to sleep, but the kids were not actually quiet. when I went downstairs Matt had made me this wonderful breakfast. Eggs, sausage, biscuits and COFFEE! Yummy :) The kids decorated these cute little magnets with finger paint and made me a sweet card with their hand prints. It was a great morning!
We went to church and the pastor read from Ephesians 4. He spoke about actually living the gospel and remembering that you have already been given the gift of salvation by grace. That you can't earn any gold stars for being a better Christian, but you can live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Also reminding me to be completely humble and gentle;be patient, bearing with one another with love. Then the pastor backed up into Ephesians 2:4-10. I love this and it really speaks to everything that has happened in the last week.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I really need to hear this today. Last week was so difficult as a true believer and follower of Christ. To hear people say that I don't love others like God loves me. God just affirmed what I already knew today. AMEN!
Although, the message was full of light, the sky was not! It rained all over my Mother's Day, but my children were sweet and my house was cleaned. My husband was home and we were able to have a family day at home.
We went to church and the pastor read from Ephesians 4. He spoke about actually living the gospel and remembering that you have already been given the gift of salvation by grace. That you can't earn any gold stars for being a better Christian, but you can live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Also reminding me to be completely humble and gentle;be patient, bearing with one another with love. Then the pastor backed up into Ephesians 2:4-10. I love this and it really speaks to everything that has happened in the last week.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I really need to hear this today. Last week was so difficult as a true believer and follower of Christ. To hear people say that I don't love others like God loves me. God just affirmed what I already knew today. AMEN!
Although, the message was full of light, the sky was not! It rained all over my Mother's Day, but my children were sweet and my house was cleaned. My husband was home and we were able to have a family day at home.
Saturday, Day19
Skip this day, I have no idea what happened.
Matt worked 1/2 day, kids took nap, house was clean and we took Matt's mom out for Mother's day. Oh yea, then we took boys to play putt-putt. that was fun!
Caught up on 2 days of my reading plan of my Bible with Matt. Going on vacation really messed up my schedule.
Matt worked 1/2 day, kids took nap, house was clean and we took Matt's mom out for Mother's day. Oh yea, then we took boys to play putt-putt. that was fun!
Caught up on 2 days of my reading plan of my Bible with Matt. Going on vacation really messed up my schedule.
Friday, Day 18
Thank the Lord for my MOPS friends!!
Jenny is my challenge partner. April is my best friend and one who is listens to all of my nonsense. These women keep me sane and help to make me a better wife and mother. They also encourage me throughout this challenge.
I am sticking to the rules of this challenge, but new rules need to be made. I am going to have to journal everyday, not 5 posts about past days at once. This should be rule #9: Journal Everyday
Let's see when that one kicks in...considering I am writing about Friday and it is Monday!
Jenny is my challenge partner. April is my best friend and one who is listens to all of my nonsense. These women keep me sane and help to make me a better wife and mother. They also encourage me throughout this challenge.
I am sticking to the rules of this challenge, but new rules need to be made. I am going to have to journal everyday, not 5 posts about past days at once. This should be rule #9: Journal Everyday
Let's see when that one kicks in...considering I am writing about Friday and it is Monday!
Thursday, Day 17
Sometimes it is the little things that make being a mommy great. I took the kids to the park today with some friends and then met Matt at his office for a picnic at his office. The kids love to visit Daddy at the office and have a picnic outside in the grass. This led to late naps, but naps just the same.
I am trying to relax during naps and plan for dinner and maybe even fold clothes or pick up a little. Things are going well the last couple of days with this challenge. I am having a hard time actually journaling on the actual day. I try to remember the thoughts and activities of the day, but not as fruitful as it could be. I am about 5 days behind, but I will work harder at carving out time sometime during the day.
On to tomorrow...
I am trying to relax during naps and plan for dinner and maybe even fold clothes or pick up a little. Things are going well the last couple of days with this challenge. I am having a hard time actually journaling on the actual day. I try to remember the thoughts and activities of the day, but not as fruitful as it could be. I am about 5 days behind, but I will work harder at carving out time sometime during the day.
On to tomorrow...
Friday, May 11, 2012
Wednesday, Day 16
Today was an awful day at my "other"job, but coming home to a quiet house and sitting on my couch alone for an hour was MUCH needed!
But it got better when my sweet little boys woke with huge smiles and said "I missed you mommy!" I love being a mom!! Why sometimes do I take for granted all the snuggles, "I love you"s, kissing boo boos, reading books to them and pushing them on the swing. Why do I ever say, hang on...
Because being a mom is hard and not always fun! But no matter how hard my day has been, when I lay down in my bed at night and all is quiet, I usually remember the highlights of the day as being positive overall. Sometimes, I even walk into Jonathan's room (not Ethan's room, his door is closed and squeaky) after he is asleep and he looks so sweet. I kiss him and thank God for him. He is so sweet when he is sleeping. He is not pushing his brother, he isn't fighting, he isn't asking why, he isn't not listening to me. He is so quiet and peaceful. It is all I can do not to crawl into his bed and snuggle him, wake him up and tell him how much I love him. This is my moment during the day, when God shows me so clearly why I should be thankful for all of the other things that come with being a mom. You can't have these wonderful moments without having the crummy ones too!
I am going to really make an effort to cherish every moment of each day. At the end of each day, even if it has been awful, you can't re-do that day. I just look to Jesus and thank him for giving me a day with my boys and my husband.
Hopefully, this challenge will not just strengthen my relationship with God, organize and clean my house, it will make me a better mother and really THANKFUL and proud of what I do, EVERYDAY!
But it got better when my sweet little boys woke with huge smiles and said "I missed you mommy!" I love being a mom!! Why sometimes do I take for granted all the snuggles, "I love you"s, kissing boo boos, reading books to them and pushing them on the swing. Why do I ever say, hang on...
Because being a mom is hard and not always fun! But no matter how hard my day has been, when I lay down in my bed at night and all is quiet, I usually remember the highlights of the day as being positive overall. Sometimes, I even walk into Jonathan's room (not Ethan's room, his door is closed and squeaky) after he is asleep and he looks so sweet. I kiss him and thank God for him. He is so sweet when he is sleeping. He is not pushing his brother, he isn't fighting, he isn't asking why, he isn't not listening to me. He is so quiet and peaceful. It is all I can do not to crawl into his bed and snuggle him, wake him up and tell him how much I love him. This is my moment during the day, when God shows me so clearly why I should be thankful for all of the other things that come with being a mom. You can't have these wonderful moments without having the crummy ones too!
I am going to really make an effort to cherish every moment of each day. At the end of each day, even if it has been awful, you can't re-do that day. I just look to Jesus and thank him for giving me a day with my boys and my husband.
Hopefully, this challenge will not just strengthen my relationship with God, organize and clean my house, it will make me a better mother and really THANKFUL and proud of what I do, EVERYDAY!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, Day 15
Life back at home is good!
Even though it started off by getting caught by three Jehovah's Witnesses in my driveway at 9:30 am. Before shower, still in my jammies with my bedhead! I answered their questions, nicely, and preached the gospel! AMEN!
My kids are happy to play with their toys. They enjoyed the normal trip to Walmart, we VOTED and we were able to eat scheduled meals. They even napped for 4.5 hrs! I guess they love their beds like I do!!
Caught up on two days of my Bible reading plan and went to bed a happy mommy and wife!
Good day!
Even though it started off by getting caught by three Jehovah's Witnesses in my driveway at 9:30 am. Before shower, still in my jammies with my bedhead! I answered their questions, nicely, and preached the gospel! AMEN!
My kids are happy to play with their toys. They enjoyed the normal trip to Walmart, we VOTED and we were able to eat scheduled meals. They even napped for 4.5 hrs! I guess they love their beds like I do!!
Caught up on two days of my Bible reading plan and went to bed a happy mommy and wife!
Good day!
Day 14, Monday May 7th
Surprisingly, this day wasn't too bad.
It started off in a hotel in Alabama. The boys had slept really well and didn't get up until after 7am. This was a HUGE improvement from their 5:45 wake up all weekend. No big hurry to get up and get started this morning until I realized that the coworker that was covering my shift at the hospital didn't show up. 5 texts and 2 phone calls later, wide awake and no one at work for me :) Oh well, I did all I could from Anniston, Al. I still have a 6 hr ride home.
Thankfully, the kids were awesome in the car!! We decided to make a detour in Athens and toured the kids around downtown. More for Matt and I, but nice for everyone to take 2 hr break out of the car and walk around for a while.
Since the kids were so great both ways in the car and since Matt can't drive past a firework place without buying anything, we stopped 30 minutes from the house to get fireworks...
Finally after travelling all day...we got home. We walked in to a clean home. Clean kitchen. NO laundry (we did most at my parents before we left), no dishes. All we had to do was unpack the car and unpack bags. We finished quickly and went to the pool! We enjoyed what time we had left with Matt before he was back at work for 4 days.
I was going to end my night with a well deserved glass of wine, but instead I downloaded pictures to my family, read my bible and was asleep before I knew it!
Back to the real world and my challenge at home!
It started off in a hotel in Alabama. The boys had slept really well and didn't get up until after 7am. This was a HUGE improvement from their 5:45 wake up all weekend. No big hurry to get up and get started this morning until I realized that the coworker that was covering my shift at the hospital didn't show up. 5 texts and 2 phone calls later, wide awake and no one at work for me :) Oh well, I did all I could from Anniston, Al. I still have a 6 hr ride home.
Thankfully, the kids were awesome in the car!! We decided to make a detour in Athens and toured the kids around downtown. More for Matt and I, but nice for everyone to take 2 hr break out of the car and walk around for a while.
Since the kids were so great both ways in the car and since Matt can't drive past a firework place without buying anything, we stopped 30 minutes from the house to get fireworks...
Finally after travelling all day...we got home. We walked in to a clean home. Clean kitchen. NO laundry (we did most at my parents before we left), no dishes. All we had to do was unpack the car and unpack bags. We finished quickly and went to the pool! We enjoyed what time we had left with Matt before he was back at work for 4 days.
I was going to end my night with a well deserved glass of wine, but instead I downloaded pictures to my family, read my bible and was asleep before I knew it!
Back to the real world and my challenge at home!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Days 11-13
Although we had a blast visiting my family and surprising my brother for his graduation, getting the kids off of the non-schedule that I have proved to be a problem.
I was driving in the car between two different hospital as part of my "other job" last Wednesday and heard an interview on a Christian radio station that caught my attention. I missed the first part of the interview and I didn't even know who they were interviewing, but it was like they stole Jenny's ideas and wrote a book and had it published already. It was all about having order in your home and keeping your children to a schedule. She said that kids love and thrive on schedules. Children know what to expect next if they are on a schedule and not constantly in a disorderly chaos. Hello!! Did she read Jenny's blog before writing her book? I had to wait until I got to a stop light and text Jenny and tell her to listen. Of course that was the end of the interview, but we did catch the name of the book. 10 Habits of Happy Mothers by Meg Meeker MD. Next of my list of to do, get this book and adapt it to my challenge.
Reason for mentioning this now? The lack of schedule for my kids on this try caused cranky kids and pissy parents. Overall, my mom said they were good, but I have to disagree. The travel was a piece of cake. Between movies, coloring books, small toys, books and splitting the trip into 4 hrs one night and 6 hrs the next day, we survived! But after that, naps were absent for Jonathan for the first two days and 1 day for Ethan. They were overly tired and therefore got CRAZY and in trouble. Plus, it was only a couple degrees above HELL in Mississippi so they were melting outside. All the activities were outside; fishing, slip-n-slide, etc. They got bored in the house and whiny outside, so it was challenging. Plus, extra relatives and activities that were not child-centered, like graduation.
So my point to saying all of this is: I followed this challenge as best as I could during this trip. Some nights I didn't have internet, therefore didn't read the Bible on my Kindle. I didn't have regular quiet time, and I didn't really have to clean the kitchen, it wasn't mine to clean.
I wasn't really on my donkey the last 3 days, just my horse was on vacation!
I was driving in the car between two different hospital as part of my "other job" last Wednesday and heard an interview on a Christian radio station that caught my attention. I missed the first part of the interview and I didn't even know who they were interviewing, but it was like they stole Jenny's ideas and wrote a book and had it published already. It was all about having order in your home and keeping your children to a schedule. She said that kids love and thrive on schedules. Children know what to expect next if they are on a schedule and not constantly in a disorderly chaos. Hello!! Did she read Jenny's blog before writing her book? I had to wait until I got to a stop light and text Jenny and tell her to listen. Of course that was the end of the interview, but we did catch the name of the book. 10 Habits of Happy Mothers by Meg Meeker MD. Next of my list of to do, get this book and adapt it to my challenge.
Reason for mentioning this now? The lack of schedule for my kids on this try caused cranky kids and pissy parents. Overall, my mom said they were good, but I have to disagree. The travel was a piece of cake. Between movies, coloring books, small toys, books and splitting the trip into 4 hrs one night and 6 hrs the next day, we survived! But after that, naps were absent for Jonathan for the first two days and 1 day for Ethan. They were overly tired and therefore got CRAZY and in trouble. Plus, it was only a couple degrees above HELL in Mississippi so they were melting outside. All the activities were outside; fishing, slip-n-slide, etc. They got bored in the house and whiny outside, so it was challenging. Plus, extra relatives and activities that were not child-centered, like graduation.
So my point to saying all of this is: I followed this challenge as best as I could during this trip. Some nights I didn't have internet, therefore didn't read the Bible on my Kindle. I didn't have regular quiet time, and I didn't really have to clean the kitchen, it wasn't mine to clean.
I wasn't really on my donkey the last 3 days, just my horse was on vacation!
Day 10
Today was a full, but VERY productive day!
Today is pack, clean, play, nap, pack, clean and travel day. We left for Grenada tonight to visit my family. I knew that today would be really long, due to excitement, so I packed it full while trying not to overwhelm the kids.
We ran a couple of errands from 9-10:30 and the met family at the pool. Relaxed at pool with nephews and mother-in-law until 1pm then bath and nap! While the kids were asleep I started packing the bags. Fortunately, some of the kids clothes were folded in a basket in my room and Matt's stuff was on a pile on the bed. I used all of nap time to pack all the bags and start a pile at the garage door. I did multi-task while packing. I ran several more loads of laundry and changed the sheets on my bed. I did the dishes in the kitchen and straightened the house. I wanted my house to be comfortable when we came home because we are going to be tired! Thankfully the kids slept for 4.5 hours and I was able to pack the car too. My car was virtually packed and the house was clean before we left! AMAZING!
Needless to say, I was exhausted by the time we were halfway to our stopping point west of Atlanta. The goal was to stay awake and keep Matt awake since he was driving. That almost failed. I was so tired!! We made it safely to the hotel in Lithia Springs, Ga at 12am. The kids were still awake, but within 10 minutes we were all fast asleep!
Let's see what this vacation will bring to my Challenge.
Today is pack, clean, play, nap, pack, clean and travel day. We left for Grenada tonight to visit my family. I knew that today would be really long, due to excitement, so I packed it full while trying not to overwhelm the kids.
We ran a couple of errands from 9-10:30 and the met family at the pool. Relaxed at pool with nephews and mother-in-law until 1pm then bath and nap! While the kids were asleep I started packing the bags. Fortunately, some of the kids clothes were folded in a basket in my room and Matt's stuff was on a pile on the bed. I used all of nap time to pack all the bags and start a pile at the garage door. I did multi-task while packing. I ran several more loads of laundry and changed the sheets on my bed. I did the dishes in the kitchen and straightened the house. I wanted my house to be comfortable when we came home because we are going to be tired! Thankfully the kids slept for 4.5 hours and I was able to pack the car too. My car was virtually packed and the house was clean before we left! AMAZING!
Needless to say, I was exhausted by the time we were halfway to our stopping point west of Atlanta. The goal was to stay awake and keep Matt awake since he was driving. That almost failed. I was so tired!! We made it safely to the hotel in Lithia Springs, Ga at 12am. The kids were still awake, but within 10 minutes we were all fast asleep!
Let's see what this vacation will bring to my Challenge.
Day 9, Wed. May 2
Today was another day at my other job.
But when I got home to my sweet children, my primary job required more patience, love and compassion. For some reason, when I come home from week the kids start this weird behavior. After they come hug me and tell me how much they miss me, they start wanting me to pick them up and hold them. I can't hold two kids 2 1/2 and 4 at the same time. So they start whining and crying and pouting. All within the first 5 minutes I have walked in the door. Usually before my mother-in-law has even left. This is really trying on your patience when you haven't even changed out of your work clothes and you have two crying children on the floor; in front of you mother-in-law who then says, "they haven't acted this way all day". Of course they haven't, they were saving this wonderful behavior for me!!
I need suggestions... I mean I look forward to coming home and then I want to leave.
It usually lasts for 3-5 minutes and then they are either in timeout or I have caved in and turned on the TV for distraction.
I made a great, healthy dinner. Salmon, veggie rice and steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots with cheese sauce. Everyone ate their dinner, which was a miracle in itself and we were off to the pool.
But let me back up. Dinner Time. This is really important part of our day. I have made it one of my own rules not to skip the family dinner. It is the best time to have everyone's attention and talk about our day. I had this almost every night when I was growing up and it was really important. If we make this rule now and get it into our schedule for everyday, when things start getting busy with sports and social calendars in the future, both kids will understand that this part of the day is non-negotiable. Therefore new rule.
#8. Always have dinner together as a family
This should be do-able, even on the days that Matt works late. Usually I don't offer snacks between waking from nap time (5pm) and dinner time (6:30ish). Unless the wake up at 3 or 4pm or unless Matt is having his late Thursday night and wont get home until 7:30pm. The kids are getting used to not getting a snack and they are eating really well, because the are hungry at dinner time. Imagine that??
PLUS, I am no longer a short order cook. Everyone is eating the same thing = whatever I am cooking for dinner. This has been my mantra for about 2 months and it is working.
So today was a VICTORY too!
But when I got home to my sweet children, my primary job required more patience, love and compassion. For some reason, when I come home from week the kids start this weird behavior. After they come hug me and tell me how much they miss me, they start wanting me to pick them up and hold them. I can't hold two kids 2 1/2 and 4 at the same time. So they start whining and crying and pouting. All within the first 5 minutes I have walked in the door. Usually before my mother-in-law has even left. This is really trying on your patience when you haven't even changed out of your work clothes and you have two crying children on the floor; in front of you mother-in-law who then says, "they haven't acted this way all day". Of course they haven't, they were saving this wonderful behavior for me!!
I need suggestions... I mean I look forward to coming home and then I want to leave.
It usually lasts for 3-5 minutes and then they are either in timeout or I have caved in and turned on the TV for distraction.
I made a great, healthy dinner. Salmon, veggie rice and steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots with cheese sauce. Everyone ate their dinner, which was a miracle in itself and we were off to the pool.
But let me back up. Dinner Time. This is really important part of our day. I have made it one of my own rules not to skip the family dinner. It is the best time to have everyone's attention and talk about our day. I had this almost every night when I was growing up and it was really important. If we make this rule now and get it into our schedule for everyday, when things start getting busy with sports and social calendars in the future, both kids will understand that this part of the day is non-negotiable. Therefore new rule.
#8. Always have dinner together as a family
This should be do-able, even on the days that Matt works late. Usually I don't offer snacks between waking from nap time (5pm) and dinner time (6:30ish). Unless the wake up at 3 or 4pm or unless Matt is having his late Thursday night and wont get home until 7:30pm. The kids are getting used to not getting a snack and they are eating really well, because the are hungry at dinner time. Imagine that??
PLUS, I am no longer a short order cook. Everyone is eating the same thing = whatever I am cooking for dinner. This has been my mantra for about 2 months and it is working.
So today was a VICTORY too!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Day 8
Today was a huge improvement from yesterday!
Not just because I was at my other job and I couldn't hear my whining, fighting kids, but because it started off better. I was able to go to my non-imaginary friend, Jenny's house last night and have some much needed girl talk/fellowship/"wine"ing of our own. I was able to share and compare victories and struggles from my last 7 days of this Challenge. It is crazy to know that I am struggling with some of the same things she was at this point in her Challenge. It was a MUCH need escape from my attempt at order at my house.
Plus, I was able to really see her transformation in person. I am so proud of the huge change that she has created within her home. It was clean and peaceful and she seemed relaxed and "Ahaaa..." If you know what I mean.
When I got home at 11:35, I made sure the kitchen was cleaned (which it basically was) and did some coffee prep for the morning. That started me day just right. I had creamer, therefore I had coffee!
Overall the day was nice. Matt made dinner, the kitchen was easy to clean tonight and the kids behaved well enough. I would consider today a victory...
Not just because I was at my other job and I couldn't hear my whining, fighting kids, but because it started off better. I was able to go to my non-imaginary friend, Jenny's house last night and have some much needed girl talk/fellowship/"wine"ing of our own. I was able to share and compare victories and struggles from my last 7 days of this Challenge. It is crazy to know that I am struggling with some of the same things she was at this point in her Challenge. It was a MUCH need escape from my attempt at order at my house.
Plus, I was able to really see her transformation in person. I am so proud of the huge change that she has created within her home. It was clean and peaceful and she seemed relaxed and "Ahaaa..." If you know what I mean.
When I got home at 11:35, I made sure the kitchen was cleaned (which it basically was) and did some coffee prep for the morning. That started me day just right. I had creamer, therefore I had coffee!
Overall the day was nice. Matt made dinner, the kitchen was easy to clean tonight and the kids behaved well enough. I would consider today a victory...
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