I don't mean to be a blog tease its just that I have been busy running 2 little boys that don't know poison oak from an oak tree to the doctor, administering steroids and applying calamine lotion to all parts (all) parts of their 8 and 5 year old bodies. I shall return, hopefully as soon as I can get my pictures to the blog, with lots of pictures with their distorted little faces.

Quitting

Big S & I are between a rock and a hard place. J just started playing football this year. I hated the idea from the start but he wanted to try it. When practice started 2 weeks ago it was 4 days a week for an hour and a half. Most of this time its been with pads. I thought that was a little much for 7-8 year olds but I am a mom and who am I to say. we are now in our 3rd week of practice and J hates it. Still loves the game per say, but hates him playing. J is for sure a great little athlete, loves baseball the most, and is an outdoorsy kind of boy. He's not a lightweight, but has just figured out that football is not his "thing." Which is great with me, I have fears of injuries on the field with mom looking on in horror being held back by dad because you just don't let moms run out on fields to kiss the boo boo's away. For 2 days now he has pitched an all out fit about not wanting to go to practice and wants to quit. In his defense he is starting a brand new school, getting use to getting up early again, and he is absolutely worn out. So are mom and dad. He comes in unwantingly does homework, gets ready for practice, gets home at 7:30ish, eats, bath, bed. Not the best schedule for a little boy that likes to play. Our dilemma is...do we let him quit?? Big S says no way, he did not raise a quitter. I say I remember having my first job at Athletic Attic, hated it and quit in 2 weeks, didn't cause me to want to quit other things or damage me in any way. We tried to get him to finish out practice this week, play in the jamboree on Sat. then decide. I say after the first tackle by a 120 lb 8 year old that he would want to quit on the spot. Bad thing is Aunt Trace has purchased Miss M the cutest "cowboys" cheerleader uniform to wear to the games. Then again, its not all about Miss M.

Changes

My how things change! I am not usually one that likes to experience change but lately I am liking the changes I'm experiencing. J has started reciting bible verses instead of "Soulja Boy" and "Low" lyrics. Even though it is required for school, that great school is allowing my son to memorize verses, something I have never been really good at. So I have promised myself that I, along with him, will memorize the verse of the week.

Along with that change I finally got Big S to read a Dr. Kevin Leman book (getting him to read anything outside of work and the Bible that is HUGE). We are trying the "How to Change your Kid by Friday." Just trying to change the way we discipline in itself is scary. If we can see the changes that Dr. Leman says we will see, it will truly be awesome. It is so hard to change the way we have acted for all of our parenting life. As we reflect we are seeing that most of our bad habits are our kids bad habits. I admit I am a screamer- "Hurry up!" "Stop" "Sha..." (my family would appreciate that one) I love to scream my husbands name. Either Big S has picked it up from me during our 12 years of marriage or he does it to drown me out. Also, I tend to be a lollygagger and so are my children. Then we wonder why our kids do this?! Again, I don't like change but I will accept this challenge to change the dynamics of our family.

What is even more awesome is school is using the Love and Logic technique, which is basically what Dr. Leman uses...reality discipline. I have the hardest time with letting J go to school without his homework completed and letting him face the consequences. For one, he just doesn't grasp the bad grade thing, second, I feel like a bad mom by sending him to school w/out his homework finished, but hate standing over him saying "get your homework done so you can go play." Neither boy really gives a flip whether they shower, Dr. Leman says to then treat them like a baby and give them a bath myself. That is not a bad thing for my boys. They would love for me to bathe them. I need a 1-800 number direct to Dr. Leman. Anyone got any ideas?? God is sooooooo Good!! D

Today was the first day of kindergarten for S. No problems, he did great and so did I. He is going to kindergarten where he went to pre-school for 2 years. He was a little disappointed that he was not going to a "big school" but has since decided he loves it. He loves the teacher and is determined to be reading by Christmas. I felt so sorry for him, he was stung by a bee on his ear Sunday night so he went to school with his right ear as big as a balloon. He's tough!!



Miss M had a big day. We went grocery shopping and while we were there purchased her the cutest pink potty. Came home assembled it and she sat on it while I put away the groceries. She was so cute, then all of the sudden she said "pee-pee" and I looked and lo and behold she did!!!! Needless to say mommy and M had a potty party right there in the kitchen.



J is getting back in the routine of things. Seems to love school as much as an 8 yo can love school. Saturday he received a letter addressed to him and he opened it-it said... "Jake, so glad your are with us at U. Hope you have an awesome year. Joshua 1:9 Mr. D." He wanted to look up the verse so he got his camoflage bible and looked it up. His little boy voice read "Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. So don't be afraid. The Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go." What other principal does that? I'm so thankful we can send him to a Christian school. It made Jakes day, he was grinning from ear to ear. What a great verse to send to the "new kid"

First of many...

Today is my first day to enter a post so bear with me. I have one that has started to school, one starting next week and M is home with me, so maybe I can find time to type.
Question...do you ever stop being nervous about the start of school, even when your almost 40? I still get those antsy feelings every year when one is about to start. All the anticipation and excitement is overwhelming. The start of school is always so bittersweet to me. Always excited to get started but really wish I could just keep them close to home.

J started a new school (again) and he loved it but he broke my heart when he got in the car. I asked who he played with and he said "no one mom, I'm the new kid" could have cried right there. Made me reflect on "new Christians," how many times do we know someone that has just accepted Christ but we don't "play with them" just because they are new to it all. Makes me want to open my heart and arms and welcome someone "new" just like I wished a sweet child would have welcomed J. Thursday was a better day for him, he played with several on the playground.