Hot New Author: Maya Jo Anderson

Yes, Maya has decided she is now an author. She loves reading, and is now reading well past the fourth grade level. So, she has decided she wants to write a book of short stories. We are really encouraging her, and has just completed her eighth entry! She was writing a story on the computer in Clay County as Seth and I were packing up all our stuff to head back home. She had to hurry the ending, but it's a pretty good one! Here it is:

Once upon a time there was a pretty butterfly who lived in the woods. She lived happily there. But one day a moth came and did not like the butterfly. So the moth thought that he was smarter then the butterfly. But the buttrefly already new his plan. So the butterfly thought that she would make a war with the moth. So the next morning the butterfly went to the moth,s house. The moth agreed to war and the butterfly won and moth was never seen again. THE END

I'll be sure to send you the link once her book is published. :D

Good Riddance!

Sorry about the long absence in blogging.  We were lucky enough to receive one of the most shared gifts of the season: the stomach flu.  Yes, from Mom and Dad to all three kids, we've each had the pleasure of admiring the floor of our bathrooms.  I'm just glad they were clean.  :)

So, what could I possibly write about this monster of a bug?  Don't worry...I'm not going into any details.  I just want to share with you a couple of pieces of advice that I have put to good use in the last week.  If any of you can use any of them, then it was well worth it.

1.  If you have a baby or toddler sleeping in a crib, please do this NOW!  Get at least three crib sheets and mattress protectors, and layer them so that you have three layers on your crib.  (Crib + mattress protector + sheet + mp + s + mp + s) If your child gets sick during the night, it is much easier to take off a layer than to completely recover their bed.  Plus, they go back to bed more quickly.

2. Wash your hands.  I know this is obvious, but a lot of people use hand sanitizer in place of soap and water.  Sanitizer does not kill the virus, but soap and water will at least wash the germs from your hands.  And, a recent study found that hot or cold water can be used to achieve the same results.

3. If any of your children complain of their tummy hurting, let them call the shots during meal times.  No, I'm not saying to let them have cookies for every meal.  But, if they don't feel like finishing a whole bowl of beef vegetable soup, don't force it.  Believe me...sometimes you just don't feel like eating.

4. After experiencing the bug, don't drink the water your body desires.  Give your stomach time to settle.  Drink only one tablespoon of room temperature water or diluted liquid every ten minutes.  After a couple of hours, you should be able to increase your intake.


5.  If available, take a phenergan when the time between vomiting has slowed to every 45 minutes. Take the prescribed amount just after vomiting, so that it has time to absorb. This will allow your stomach to settle, as well as give your body the rest it needs.


6. Children have a hard time knowing when they are going to vomit, so it is a great idea to cover their bed/couch with a towel or blanket that can be washed if it becomes soiled.


7. Lastly, there are some foods that you should really have at home at all times, just in case something like this happens to your family. These include crackers, bread (for toast), pop cycles, sports drinks, applesauce, bananas, rice, oatmeal, and broth soups. I did not have any Riptide Rush, and sometimes you just need purple Gatorade. We have a full supply now.


I hope some of this will help you to be prepared. The bug we experienced is very contagious, and seems to be most contagious up to the first day of showing signs of the virus. With this being the case, you can spread the virus without knowing you have it. Just wash your hands as often as possible, and try to eat well-balanced meals. For picky kids, or if your family doesn't always have those recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, there are plenty of vitamins available to keep your immune system strong.


Wishing you and your family a season of health!

Thanksgiving 2009: What Are You Thankful For?

Over at MooreThanWords, Cathleen listed the 20 things she is thankful for this year. She inspired me to record some of my 'thankfuls' so that I can look back and remember what my life was like way back in 2009. As we gather together with our loved ones, may we remember who made all this possible. Who are you thankful to?

(If you are reading this, consider yourself 'tagged' and write your own! Link back here so we can share them with each other!)

I am thankful...

...that the Lord saved me. It's that simple. I am so undeserving of such a wonderful gift, and yet He chose me. Long before I was even born, He wrote my name and that was that. Thank you, LORD, for your Son, for your Word, and for your faithfulness.

...for my husband, best friend, and father of our children. For some reason, God allowed us to find each other, even when neither of us were looking. :) Seth is so good to me and the kids, and works so hard to provide for us a life full of walks, smiles, laughter, and games. As a sweet friend said of her husband...he's not perfect, I'm not perfect, but we're perfect for each other. He really is perfect for me, and for some reason, he loves me back.

...for the opportunity to be a Mommy. I never knew how wonderful life could be until the first time I held Maya Jo. To feel her body move as she breathed, to look into her eyes and see part of myself, and to know that this little miracle would never cease to be. Since then, I've held two other babies with much the same thoughts. I'm thankful to know this amazing kind of love...so different from any other love I've known...and thankful I've had seven years to enjoy it.

...for Maya Jo. My sweet pea, my fairy, my Jo Bird...whose strong will and stubbornness brought her through one of the most difficult beginnings one could imagine. That same strong will challenges me often, and shows me that my work as a Mommy is never-ceasing and always changing. I'm thankful for her imagination, her sweet smiles, and her laughter that always makes me yearn to be a child again. I've seen a miracle, and I thank the Lord for her.

...for Maxwell James. He keeps our family going...laughing, running, never stopping! He is always so honest and keeps me smiling with the things he says to me. He makes me feel needed, and I love him for it! I'm thankful I have a little Seth to watch grow up and become a man, and I hope one day he loves me the same way my husband loves his Mom.

...for Nina Grace who has shown me just how wonderful a baby can be! For her cuddles, her belly laughs, her kisses, her outstretched hands reaching out for me...it's so wonderful. I'm so thankful to know Nina Grace and be loved by her!

...for my church and church family. The Lord led me to the place I was mean to be, and to the church where I needed to be. I'm thankful for our pastor, assistant pastor, future pastor...our teachers, deacons, and many other great men and women who are servants to our Lord.  I'm thankful for the truths we uphold and continue to stand for, and that the Lord revealed these truths to us. For learning about the depravity of man, the Lord's atonement for sin, for the precious blood of our Savior...I can never thank the Lord enough for leading me here. My brothers and sisters there are such great examples for me, and I hope to one day grow to be as great of a witness as some of them are. I'm thankful for their caring spirits, their prayers, and most of all, for the blessed hope of sharing eternity with them.

...for my parents, grandparents, brother, sister, and cousins. I rarely get the chance to see most of my family, but when I do it's as if we had always been together. I'm thankful for their unconditional love, support, and just knowing that they are always there for me, no matter what. I'm thankful for the salvation of many of my family members, and pray that the Lord will give me the words to open the hearts of those who are not. I'm thankful they are only a car ride away, and that I get the opportunity to visit at least once a month. I love each and every one of them, and hope we remain close as we continue to grow.

...for my husband's family, who loves me just as my own. I'm thankful for each and every member...the Andersons, Bryants, Gormleys, Moores, Roses, and Sechrists (in alphabetical order)...they each have a special place in my heart, and I'm so thankful to have a family in Lexington that is as comfortable as being back 'home.' I love you guys!

...for the struggles that have brought me to where I am today. Life has never been easy, and looking back on the struggles I've lived through, I see just how far the Lord has brought me. Things that seemed so hard when I was younger are nothing compare to the things I face today. I'm thankful for each lesson learned, and believe that Seth and I are as close as we are today because of how much we leaned on the Lord and each other. Thank you, Lord, for your chastening, and help me to continue to gain wisdom from my mistakes.

...for my house, car, and all the things I daily take for granted. I'm thankful that we're able to keep our cabinets full, our children fed, and our house warm. I'm thankful for a computer at home where Seth can work, a table where we can eat our meals, and many forms of entertainment for the children so that we can be together often.

...for the electronic age in which we live. I agree that sometimes we take communication a little too far, but it so nice to stay in constant contact with friends and family who would otherwise not share in our daily lives. I'm thankful my Mom and Dad can talk to our children on a webcam, that they can watch videos online, of what is going on in our lives, and can always find an updated picture of us. I'm thankful I can talk to our future pastor and his family in the Philippines by phone, email, or chat. I'm thankful that there is a need for computer programmers, and that my husband, brother, and many family members and friends are employed by this profession.

...for the men and women who serve for our country.  For their families who support them and wait for them back home.  I'm thankful for those who served in the past, as well as those serving today, so that we can enjoy the freedoms in our country.  Thank you for your choice to serve. I pray for your safety.

...for Blue Grass Baptist School, whose teachers are paid a minimal salary, go above and beyond what is expected of them, and teach Christ and the Bible together with math, spelling, and science. I'm thankful the school is still educating our little ones, and pray that the Lord continues to bless them with the ability to do so. I'm thankful for all the work that goes into keeping the school open and functioning, and thankful that after all these years, it is still a BAPTIST school. Thank you!

...lastly, for a voice. Whether it's an electronic voice or an audible one, I'm thankful to have the ability to tell you what I'm thankful for in my life. I can tell you that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died so that I wouldn't have to suffer for my sins. He shed His blood so that I could have the hope of spending eternity with Him. And He rose again, to show that once I was saved, my life could begin again. Yes, I continue to sin, but He is faithful in his forgiveness and patient as I continue to make mistakes. I pray that I can use my voice to tell others about Him, and that He might let them hear and understand.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Cutting the Cable: 10 Reasons Why To Do It

As I mentioned before, we cancelled our television several months ago.  Surprisingly, we've hardly noticed a difference, due to some of the reasons I list below.  As we enter the winter months and our family begins to spend more time indoors, I hope this continues to prove true.  I'm already looking for other sources of entertainment...let me know if you have any suggestions!

Here are some reasons to cancel your cable or satellite, and still be connected:

1. Cut monthly costs.  The most obvious reason, in this time of struggle in our economy, is the amount saved in your monthly budget. For our family, cancelling our subscription to DirecTV saved us $45-50/month.  This number could be more or less, depending on your package.  For some of you, it's not enough to make a difference.  However, to those of us SAHMs living on one income, it definitely adds up.

2. Get connected.  As we move forward to a more electronically-connected life, many people find that they can stay connected to the world via the internet.  This is true with newspapers, magazines, and television.  With websites such as hulu, avid television watchers can continue to watch regular broadcasts of their favorite programs for free.  In addition, you can choose when you watch the program, as well as pause and resume when needed.

3. On-Demand.  As with hulu gives you access to your favorite shows, Netflix gives you access to your favorite movies.  For as little as $8.99/month, you have thousands of choices both online and in DVD format.  Utilizing both of these capabilities gives you control of what you watch, and when you watch it.

4. Over the Air.  Another way to stay up-to-date with your television programs is to use the channels available over the air.  Most areas offer local ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and CW channels, providing that your television is capable to access them.  To find out which channels are available in your area, visit here.  Simply type in your zip code, and choose Broadcast (Antenna).

5. Focus on what is important.  By cancelling your cabel/satellite, you decrease the amount of distractions in your life.  Often, the family television is on even when no one is actively watching it.  By cancelling it, you will learn to focus on what is happening in your life without the distraction of your television on in the background.

6. Reconnect with your children.  I know from experience that television can be used as a baby-sitter.  I used it to distract my children so I could cook, clean, or perform some other task without "help" from my little ones.  I also used it at night to calm them down before bedtime.  Instead of turning to television, find a game or craft that your child is old enough to handle and let that keep them busy while you work.  And at bedtime, bring back the bedtime stories.  It's been proven that this helps them learn the importance of books, which will help them through the many years of school in front of them.  Even NBC agrees!

7. Discover a hobby.  All those hours and nights set aside for catching up with your television programs are now free, so why not do something you enjoy?  Start quilting again.  Or work puzzles with your kids.  Or find a new hobby.  With all this extra time, you and your family members can dedicate 30 minutes or more a few times a week and learn a musical instrument.  Lessons are available online for free, or you can find someone in your area to teach you.

8. Get involved. When you don't have your evenings set aside for television watching, you suddenly have free nights to fill.  Find out what is going on in your community, and start enjoying what is offered.  Many events are free or of little cost, and can add an appreciation for your community to your family's life.  Check your libraries, parks, and other public organizations for fun activities.  Also check the communities of cities surrounding you for ways to get to know your area a little better.

9. Boost your health. With your nights and evenings, you can find a fitness program to help you get back into shape.  Whether it's aerobics, Jazzercize, yoga, walking, or free-weight training, we all need exercise to stay healthy.  ALSO: Use your time to find healthy ways to prepare your meals, and decide to stop eating fast-food on week nights.  You will be surprised how quickly this leads to a more healthy you.

10. Rest. Although it may not seem very important, sleep (or the lack thereof) plays a significant role in your day-to-day performance.  The Mayo Clinic has found that adults need 7-8 hours of sleep per night.  So, instead of catching up on your dose of reality tv, go to bed!  Start fresh tomorrow, and enjoy your own reality.

Keep your camera handy.  With all this extra time, you will be creating lasting memories that you will want to document.

Children: When They Leave the Nest

As most of you know, on Maya's latest report card, she made it on the high honor roll with all As.  She loves to read, and can learn many new things very quickly.  However, also on that report card was a "not so great" Conduct grade.  From what I gather, she talks during class, ignores some of her teacher's commands, and basically tries to be the center of attention.  (On a daily basis, her teacher gives the students one or two warnings, then gives strikes 1, 2, or 3 depending on the situation.)

I'm still a little shocked that I'm faced with this situation, but I must also find a way to deal with the problem.  So, we've adopted a new rule in our house: Get a strike during the school day, go to bed an hour early while everyone else is still awake.  Also, no electronics of any kind.  Get a strike 2 or 3, and the punishment escalates.  Think that will work?  We instituted it starting this week, so I guess we'll see soon enough.

I have also tried to think of ways to reward good behavior, so that she wants to follow the classroom rules.  I told Maya that once a week, she and I get an hour of "Maya and Mommy" time...no brother or sister to interrupt.  I figure this will give her some of the attention she is craving, as well as give me a chance to connect with her on a regular basis.

Any thoughts?  Any suggestions?  I'm definitely out of my element here, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Love's Most Wondrous Story

So, my baby girl is 14 months old, and she's not a baby anymore.  It's amazing how fast she has learned to do things on her own, as well as sad how quickly the cuddly days are gone.  

On Sunday, during mandatory Anderson naptime, she threw every stuffed animal out of her crib in protest to being in bed when she wanted to be up playing.  And, at some point over the weekend, she learned to say "Uh-Uh" for all those times when I try to figure out what she wants, and she wants me to know that I have NOT figured it out.  She carries a little purse with her Bible in it on Sundays.  She follows the kids around all the time, and actually plays with them.  (They have this game where Maya and Max pretend she is the bad guy.  The kids zoom by into the other end of the house, and about 5 seconds later you can hear Nina toddling after them.  It's so very cute.)

She's still not able to do everything Bubba and Sissy do, but she wants to.  She does not know how to share.  :)  And she's having a hard time learning that Mommy and Daddy like to hold Maya and Maxwell sometimes, and that she can't make them stop just because she wants them to.  She likes to be the center of our attention, and is having a hard time learning that we love three children, not just one.  :)

But, what makes this time even more special, is that Nina has learned to show her love.  She gives hugs, she gives kisses, and she gives big, beautiful smiles.  I don't think there's anything better in the world that to see her leaning over to give me a kiss.  I'm so thankful the Lord has shown me what a special love exists between parents and their children.

He tells us in 1John 4:7, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."  It's hard to imagine that I wouldn't love my children as deeply as I do if I didn't know Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  I'm thankful He revealed to me what a sinful creature I was, and continue to be, and suffered for my sins so that I wouldn't have to.  Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  He showed such great love for me...even when I lived in sin and enjoyed that sin, He died for me.  He saved me from that life, and showed me how to live with Him as my guide.

I'm so very thankful for His love, as well as the love I now possess, and I pray I can show others how to receive it.

Old School Frugalista

2003 – 2009…Seth and I are thankful that have been blessed to have three wonderful children to raise.  We made the decision in early 2003 that I would stay home and take care of our children, and the Lord has blessed that decision.  It’s never been easy to buy groceries, clothing, and everything else that comes with our growing family, but we’ve somehow done it.  And with no credit card debt to this point in our life.  I am now entering into my 7th year of being a stay at home Mom, and I have become a pro at finding good deals and taking advantage when I find them.  (Read about some of the ways our family saves here.)  I clip coupons, look for sales, buy in bulk, and stay connected to many money-saving blogs on my RSS feed.  (Including ClippingMakesCents, MoneySavingMom, and The Simple Dollar.)  

…(I should stop here and say…Not that I don't occasionally splurge...believe me, I do…and I am really trying hard not to do that as often as I used to.  But sometimes…those kids clothes are just too cute to pass up!  :)…

In a way, I find it rewarding to know that even though I am not bringing money into the budget, I try to be frugal in a way that makes our life a little less stressful.  It’s kind of my job, and I try to do it well.

At the present…Our nation is technically coming out of a recession, but our bank accounts have yet to show this as true.  But saving money and cutting costs seems to be a growing trend across the board in American homes.  And guess what I saw on a commercial yesterday…Target’s “frugalista” girls showing how to be fashionable on a budget.  Whaaaa??  Did they really say “frugalista”??

  

So…what?  It’s now cool to be on a budget?  Awesome!  Finally, a trend I can be a part of!

And skirts are “in,” so I may just be the coolest Mommy on the block…the verdict is still out on that one.  :)

Boys...Gotta Love 'Em!

This past weekend was one of the most fun weekends I've ever had.  Really.

I have to say that I spend a good part of last week dreading it.  But, nevertheless, it turned out to be quite fun.  Max turned 5, and had three of his best buddies spend the night with him.  Yes...4 boys under one roof.  And it was fun!

Let me tell you, these boys were great!  They played, ate cake, jumped on the trampoline, fought with light sabers, and not a tear was shed.  They played until they couldn't play anymore, then they went to bed.  (10:30 people...not 1 a.m. like the girls!)  And they got up the next morning to play some more...at 7:30.  Are you kidding me?  How did I get off so easily?

I expected injuries, tattle-telling, throwing things...but that's not even close to what happened.  These boys really surprised me!

And I'm thankful I lived to tell you about it.  :)

Sometimes, When You Least Expect It

What is the one thing that always makes you happy?  Cooking?  Shopping?  Spending time with friends or family?  When I need a pick-me-up, I usually find a sitter and have a night out with my husband.  It's not usually fancy or exciting...just a few hours together away from the chaos that is our house.

For my oldest daughter, her biggest smile comes from being the center of attention.  As our oldest, those moments are fleeting to say the least.  But, when she has our undivided attention, she's happy.  She is happy being tickled, being watched while she carefully writes her spelling words, singing with all her heart, or (most recently) playing the piano while we sit and listen.  We've recently signed her up for ballet, which seems to be exactly what her heart desired.

For my baby girl, she is happiest when her Mommy and Daddy are happy.  She smiles when we smile, she laughs when we laugh, and she loves to be the one to make us do those things.  When she discovers that something she does makes us laugh, she will do it over and over and over...  :)  And it still works.

Our second child has proved to be more difficult.  Singing, performing, or being the center of attention do not make him happy.  As a matter of fact, these moments are when he tends to get himself in trouble.  On top of this difficulty is the fact that he is so very energetic.  Spring and Summer are mostly spent outdoors: riding bicycles, playing at the park, going on long walks.  Fall and Winter are not so easily filled, and this is a problem.  When he has no outlet for his energy, he gets in trouble because he tries to release it in ways that are not desired.  So, I began looking for solutions.  Last year, he was in a gymnastics class.  This class was very fun, and was a great outlet for his energy, but not quite what we were looking for.  We considered t-ball, but were told that four was really too young to begin. So, a few weeks ago, we signed him up for soccer.  And we finally hit the jackpot.

He received a couple of soccer balls when he was 3 and has always enjoyed kicking them around.  He was coordinated with the ball, and could run the length of our yard with it easily.  So, we went with it.  On first day of soccer practice, he was very timid.  And then I saw the smile.  The one I see from time to time at home when he is doing something he really loves.  During his game the week, I saw it a few more times.  And last week, that smile stayed on his face the whole time he was on the field.

Can I just say that my heart is overjoyed?  For once, we have found something that he can do with his whole heart.  He can run, he can kick, and he can try his best to be faster than everyone else around him.  It is even a setting in which it is encouraged to be aggressive.  My son is happy.

And as a Momma, when my kids are happy, I feel so blessed.  My cup runneth over.  :)

Do any of you have any suggestions on other activities we can try?  Any help is greatly apprecated.  Please keep us in your prayers, as this is only a small step in our continuing battle with self-control.

How To: Easy Money Every Month

Yes, our country is in a recession. Has your family's lifestyle has changed in response to this? We made a few changes in our home that I want to share with you. Maybe one of these will save you a few bucks a month:

• Cancel your newspaper. I never read it, Seth only read it on the weekends, and we both check our newspaper's website on a regular basis to keep up-to-date. $ saved = $30/month

• Join a family cell phone plan. I upgraded to an iPhone, got the data package, and still pay less. $ saved - $10/month

• Shop at local thrift stores. It's not always a jackpot, but you will occasionally find a good deal. $ saved - $25/month (approximately)

• Cancel your satellite/cable. This was a biggie for us. We weren't sure how we or the kids would react to this, but we decided to go about it like a band-aid - rip it off fast, and it only hurts for a minute. We still have the local channels, so we're not really missing that much. $ saved - $45/month

• Cut your dog's hair at home. This was an easy change. We bought the clippers online, and found a diagram that showed how the hair should be cut. $ saved - $30/month

• Shift to bi-weekly grocery shopping instead of weekly. This was a surprise to me. I didn't think we could go that long between shopping trips, nor did I think this would save money. I was wrong on both counts. I do occasionally need to stop by to pick up milk or bananas, but for the most part I only go every other week. $ saved - $50/month

• Turn up the thermostat 2 degrees during the day. The kids and I are outside for the majority of every day, which means the house doesn't need to be as cool as in the evenings. I do turn it back down around naptime. $ saved - $10/month

• Total amount saved - $205/month

Are any of these ways you could cut expenses at home? Are there any other ways your family is cutting costs? Let us know!

Conversation: The Lost Art

I can remember many nights as a teenager spent on the phone for hours talking to my friends about the day's events.  I can also remember fighting tooth and nail with my brother who wanted to do the exact same thing with his girlfriend.  Ahhh....the memories of childhood.

And then came the internet.  My first utilization of the internet was a handful of websites and mIRC.  When we found chat rooms that included friends from school, my brother and I then fought over the phone line for a completely different reason.  (I still have nightmares about that screeching sound of connecting to the internet. *cringe* ) We no longer wanted to talk to a friend for hours; we wanted to talk to several friends for any given amount of time.  Not everything about mIRC was easy, but it was simple enough that I, the surface-only computer-user, could find my way around.  It sounds like a dinosaur now, but it was pretty exciting at the time. :)

Fast-forward to the present, and I find myself wondering what happened to conversation.  The answer is right at our fingertips; it has been replaced with texting, instant messaging, and email.  Kids no longer talk on the way to school or school functions.  Instead, they insert their ear buds and that's the last you hear until the trip is over.  And the way language has changed does not make me thankful for this change.  Most adjectives are being replaced with four-letter words that I am still offended by as an adult.  Even families rarely have conversation, as dinner together around the table is being replaced with fast-food in the car and dinner in front of their current favorite reality show.

The question is WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?  As I see Maya Jo growing up, it makes me scared to think that one day we might not be able to talk about the daily happenings of her life as we do now.  We still have dinner together every night around the table, she still answers our questions about her day, but I can't help but wonder how much longer it will last.  (I vividly remember the anti-social behavior of my teenage days. Blech.)

So, we canceled our television, we ignore all calls during meals, and we fight the urge to turn on music every time we are in the car.  Some of my favorite conversations with my husband have been during random road trips.  I'm trying earnestly to find other ways to keep conversation alive, but as I look around the world around me, I can't tell who is winning the struggle.  I'm still holding onto the hope that it's me.

When I Was a Child, I Spake as a Child

Those of you with children of your own will understand what I'm talking about when I say that each day is full of surprises.  That is one of the reasons I started this blog, so that I could record some of those surprises in a way that I would really remember those moments.  Take today for example: Nina will not stop trying to crawl (though I do my BEST to make her stop!), Maya brought home kindergarten graduation invitations (*sniff), and Maxwell decided to test the door-stopping ability of the van by shoving his finger in at the last moment before it slid closed.  And yes, it closed on his finger while the Kroger employees on break outside watched the whole thing unfold.  Seriously...who can take all of that, and still be emotionally stable?

What I want to point out is that our kids are constantly doing things just for us - to show us in their own little way that they love us - and those are the things that go unnoticed by us busy parents.  Whether it is picking those "precious" dandelions and bringing in the bouquet to be put on display on the dining room table, requesting "girl time" alone just when you need to start preparing supper, or just looking up at you and giving you a smile that could light up the world, our kids are showing us they love us.

One day soon, I will stop and realize that Maya is sending out college graduation invitations, Max has learned that dandelions are just weeds, and Nina will be too busy to stop and give me a smile.  I hope I will learn to accept these token of love, instead of getting too busy with the less important things in life that take up so much of my time.

Making a Fashion Statement

In a society where kids all wear polo shirts, flip flops, and super-short skirts, I happily allow my 4-year-old to wear whatever he wants to wear most days of the week.  (Excluded are Sundays, due to church services.)  Occasionally, he leaves the house in a super-hero costume, or wearing the random fedora he might find lying around the house to our Wednesday night church service.  Once, we went on one of our regular walks around the neighborhood while he was wearing a fireman hat, a batman costume, and riding a stick horse.

At this point, I urge you to think about this: Your child was once a baby.  Do you remember those days of diapers, bottles, bibs, and booties?  Now think about the times in between those ages.  How many do you remember?  How many does your child remember?

As the parent of a kindergartener, I find that there are very few things I can control now that she is in someone else’s care for the majority of the day.  And, along those same lines, there are very few things our children are allowed to control.  So take a minute and decide…is it that important that your child is wearing those name-brand clothes you pick out, or can you let go and let your child express himself however he wants? 

Give it a try…I have found that this decision is less painful, and more entertaining than it previously appeared.

A small step for Max, a giant leap for ME!

This was a very busy week at our house! I am trying to finish up all my Spring cleaning before Maya's Spring break at school next week. In the middle of this craziness, I stumbled upon a little surprise that has just been waiting for me to find. News Flash - Maxwell James is ready, willing, and able to help around the house! Let's see...what would be the word to describe my reaction to this newfound phenomenon? Ecstatic! (Does that one word convey the excitement I feel right now??) :) I also want to make clear that I am VERY proud of my little boy for stepping up, volunteering, and following through. I have really been selling him short!

One problem that almost all parents face is the transition from a helpless, completely dependent child to a child who can *almost* take care of himself. No, I'm not suggesting that you leave your little one at home while you make a quick run to the grocery. I do, however, think that our kids are capable of more than we think. They can do more than feed themselves, pick up toys, and get dressed...We just have to give them the chance to learn for themselves!

Too many times I find myself doing things for my kids, rather than allowing them to finish on their own. Sometimes it is because I'm in a hurry, but most often it's because I've grown so accustomed to 'helping' that I automatically take over at the first sign of distress. No more! Maxwell James showed me that not only is he capable of doing much more than I assumed, but he is a very happy helper. In the past few days, he has helped me clean the bathrooms (yes - toilets and all!), fold laundry, vacuum, dust, make all the beds, and feed/water the dog. He always helps me make the beds, helps Seth with the garbage, and he or Maya usually take care of Louie, but I had never thought of asking him to help me with some of these other chores. As I was working, he was bored and volunteered to help. I gave him the tools he needed, and he didn't complain once. In fact, he was so proud of himself for helping! I think that was reward enough, but I took him to McDonald's for a happy meal as well. That's what he wanted!

What can we learn from this? It's simple. Do you want your kids to stop acting like babies? Then stop treating them like babies! Stop doing everything for them, and let them learn to do it on their own. Max still comes to the breakfast table with his pants on backward sometimes, or spills his drink, or makes a mess when trying to eat his spaghetti - but that is a small price to pay for my sanity.

Now on to teaching Maya to iron... :)

She loves me...She loves me not...

Although Maya's first year of school has been pretty uneventful, I find myself wondering what it is like inside that classroom every day.  Although I have spent the better part of 6 years at home with Maya Jo and know her every move before she makes it, I can't help but wonder what my little girl is like when she's away from my watchful eye.

Maya brings home her folder every Monday with all the previous week's work graded, and we spend the better part of an hour scrutinizing every piece of paper found within that folder.  Maya loves that time, as do I.  What I have learned is that Maya talks more freely about school time when she can control the conversation, instead of just answering my questions.  These pages give me a window into her classroom.  Maya Jo very proud of her work, and even enjoys the 'Extra Practice' pages Mrs. B. sends home with her so that she can work on her new cursive letters.  She has now read four books, and she has proudly lined them up on her desk in the play room.  Yes, Maya loves school, and all the benefits from learning to read and write.

On most occasions, inside Maya's folder I find that Mrs. B. has written notes on a couple of pages that lets me know how she's coming along with her school work.  For the most part, I see notes like, "Good job!" or "You can do better!" or something along those lines.  Maya, of course, reads those notes to me.  Occasionally, however there is a note that gives me a very clear picture of what is really going on.  For example, a few weeks ago, on the top of one of her papers were these words written inMrs. B' neatly lettered red pencil: "I love you too, Maya Jo!"  I asked Maya  why Mrs. B. would write that on her paper, and she showed me that on the back of almost every piece of work, she had written, "I ♥ miss  boss (that is how Mrs. B's name sounds to her!) in her best cursive writing.  Since then, I find that more often than not, those love notes are written on the back of her work.  

On a side note, I should mention that Maya Jo wears her heart on her sleeve…if she likes you, you know it.  If she doesn’t…well, that’s not too hard to figure out either.  :)

Last week, however, when Maya brought home her coveted folder, there were no notes to Mrs. B. on any of her papers.  “That’s odd,” I thought.  I wonder what happened?  As I thought about the previous week, it hit me.  On Tuesday, library day, I received a call from Mrs. B. explaining to me that Maya Jo had broken one of the library rules that day.  (Uh oh.)  And not only that, but that she had hit another girl because she was going to tell the librarian what Maya had done.  (I think we’re getting closer!)  I should also mention that Mrs. B. made this phone call from her desk, making sure Maya, and her classmates, heard every word of our conversation.  (Jackpot!)

Yes, I think this explains that absence of those endearing notes to her beloved teacher.  And this week?  Well...I guess we'll see on Monday when Maya brings home her folder.  I'm going to go on a limb and predict that the love is back, because Maya has informed several people this week that she is going to be a teacher when she grows up...a kindergarten teacher.