I'll be going along, in a great routine, getting most of my motherly jobs accomplished and then...
BAM!!!
Something will hit me that knocks me totally off course.
Well, that happened this last week and since I can't share details because this is a "public" blog, I will just share with you something that I have learned that changed my life.
I was told this week, by my daughters councilor, that I need to love my children more. Not just love them, but hug them and kiss them and hold them and tell them that I really love them. I didn't realize that I was bad at this until it was pointed out to me. (She recommended the book Hug Therapy by Kathleen Keating. I haven't read it yet but I'm going to. Here's a quote from her. "In a world that has grown more complicated, more fierce in the demands made upon our hearts and pocket books, there is one easy, free gift left. The power of touch... The gift of touch is the most powerful healing you can offer another, and it is the most powerful healing you can give yourself. Give generously and watch yourself grow rich in what matters the most. Hug often, hug well...I embrace your spirit...." Kathleen Keating Schloessinger)
So, I have been trying really hard to do better and in just one week, I have seen major changes in my children's attitudes and in mine. I would have never guessed that something as simple as a genuine bear hug could change my world so much. Try it! Let me know what you think.
Hugs
It's wondrous what a hug can do,
A hug can cheer you when you're blue
A hug can say, "I love you so"...
Or,..."I'm sad to see you go."
A hug is,"welcome back again!"
And, "great to see you!" or,
Where've you been ?...
A hug can soothe a small child's pain
And bring a rainbow after rain
The hug! There's just no doubt about it,
We scarcely could survive without it.
A hug delights and warms and charms,
It must be why God gave us arms!
Hugs are great for fathers and mothers
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers
And chances are some favorite aunts
Love them more than potted plants
Kittens crave them. Puppies love them.
Heads of state are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier
And make the dullest day seem merrier
No need to fret about the store of 'em,
The more you give........
The more there are of 'em
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today !
She also shared with me the quote by Maya Angelou. "I did what I knew how to do, and when I knew better, I did better."
We talked about how I have made alot of mistakes as a parent but that I feel like I am better today then I was yesterday or last year or 13 years ago when I started out on this crazy ride.
I have thought alot about that quote and I have a goal that now that I know better, I will do better!
SO... HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR KIDS TODAY?
Monday, December 03, 2007
Christmas Countdown!
We have a tradition in our family that I love. Each year I wrap 24 of my most favorite Christmas books and put them under the tree. Then each night the kids pick one and we read it before prayers and kisses. The part we love the most is that Ken is the official reader. There is nothing better than listening to Dad read a story before going off to bed.
So I love to hear about new traditions that families enjoy! I'm assuming that you do also:) So, here's the books we've read so far. I'll add to the list each night. (See the list on the left side of my blog!)
December 1:
December 2:
What does your family do to countdown to Christmas?
So I love to hear about new traditions that families enjoy! I'm assuming that you do also:) So, here's the books we've read so far. I'll add to the list each night. (See the list on the left side of my blog!)
December 1:
December 2:
What does your family do to countdown to Christmas?
Happy Birthday K!
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday K! Happy Birthday to you! (Aren't you glad you didn't have to really listen to me sing that song!)
Saturday was K's birthday! It's also the first of the month so we have a tradition that that's the day the Christmas tree goes up. This year we let the kids have their own tree upstairs and the adult tree will be downstairs. This is our first year with two trees and so the adult tree is still undecorated because we don't really know how to decorate it. The kids love their tree and they play under it and with it and around it all day long. It has their own homemade decorations on it from past years and so they truly are in love with this tree. It's very fun to watch.
K was gone most of the day helping with a work fund raiser and then a friend called him to go look at guns. I was going to give him my gun for his birthday but he took care of himself and bought a really scary gun that takes Russian bullets. So now we can go huntin' together! I did get him a present though. He wanted Season 1 of "The Unit" and he got a CD full of ballads from the 80's. Yes! Now we have some more really great music to listen to!
That night, K put up lights on the house with the boys. They froze but had a really great time together. It's fun to watch the boys get old enough that K can really enjoy being with them. Then, yesterday we went out to my parents house after church and had a nice dinner and blueberry pie and chocolate cake. Thanks Mom and Dad!
So, since it was K birthday and I can't post any pictures or any personal information about him, you'll have to settle for some sappy love thoughts.
K has a big heart! He appears to be a little rough but that is only surface deep. He is the kindest, most thoughtful person I know. I often tell him he should be the R.S. President. He loves people!
K is very forgiving! He will forgive people over and over and over. I think that I am corrupting him though because he is becoming more cautious.
K is very common sense smart! He thinks through things and remains very calm and rational. I trust everything and go into everything very naive or in a total panic and completely over-react. He tells me "not to show people my full hand". He is very aware of his surroundings at all times and is a very good judge of character. I totally trust that when I am with him that he will protect me and I really like that.
K is a very good Dad! He loves his kids. He will do anything for them. When they are hurt or sick, he is so much more compassionate that I am. When he talks to them he doesn't baby them but he gives them the confidence and information and love they need to protect themselves and make right choices. I love that about him.
K is my very best friend. I have been so blessed. I often wonder what I would do without him. He's a good listener. I have talked to him every night for the past 13 years and he still listens to me until he falls asleep. He makes me laugh. His looks of shock or disgust or that I'm pathetic make me laugh because I know that he is paying attention to me. I love our weekly grocery shopping date! And when we really need some time away from the kids, I love that he will go walking with me and listen to me talk and talk and talk. (I think I talk too much!) We are so opposite that it makes us the same. I love that I get to spend the rest of my life and eternity with him.
Happy Birthday K! I love you!
Saturday was K's birthday! It's also the first of the month so we have a tradition that that's the day the Christmas tree goes up. This year we let the kids have their own tree upstairs and the adult tree will be downstairs. This is our first year with two trees and so the adult tree is still undecorated because we don't really know how to decorate it. The kids love their tree and they play under it and with it and around it all day long. It has their own homemade decorations on it from past years and so they truly are in love with this tree. It's very fun to watch.
K was gone most of the day helping with a work fund raiser and then a friend called him to go look at guns. I was going to give him my gun for his birthday but he took care of himself and bought a really scary gun that takes Russian bullets. So now we can go huntin' together! I did get him a present though. He wanted Season 1 of "The Unit" and he got a CD full of ballads from the 80's. Yes! Now we have some more really great music to listen to!
That night, K put up lights on the house with the boys. They froze but had a really great time together. It's fun to watch the boys get old enough that K can really enjoy being with them. Then, yesterday we went out to my parents house after church and had a nice dinner and blueberry pie and chocolate cake. Thanks Mom and Dad!
So, since it was K birthday and I can't post any pictures or any personal information about him, you'll have to settle for some sappy love thoughts.
K has a big heart! He appears to be a little rough but that is only surface deep. He is the kindest, most thoughtful person I know. I often tell him he should be the R.S. President. He loves people!
K is very forgiving! He will forgive people over and over and over. I think that I am corrupting him though because he is becoming more cautious.
K is very common sense smart! He thinks through things and remains very calm and rational. I trust everything and go into everything very naive or in a total panic and completely over-react. He tells me "not to show people my full hand". He is very aware of his surroundings at all times and is a very good judge of character. I totally trust that when I am with him that he will protect me and I really like that.
K is a very good Dad! He loves his kids. He will do anything for them. When they are hurt or sick, he is so much more compassionate that I am. When he talks to them he doesn't baby them but he gives them the confidence and information and love they need to protect themselves and make right choices. I love that about him.
K is my very best friend. I have been so blessed. I often wonder what I would do without him. He's a good listener. I have talked to him every night for the past 13 years and he still listens to me until he falls asleep. He makes me laugh. His looks of shock or disgust or that I'm pathetic make me laugh because I know that he is paying attention to me. I love our weekly grocery shopping date! And when we really need some time away from the kids, I love that he will go walking with me and listen to me talk and talk and talk. (I think I talk too much!) We are so opposite that it makes us the same. I love that I get to spend the rest of my life and eternity with him.
Happy Birthday K! I love you!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Brain Fog?
Our washer and dryer have been acting funny lately. Sometimes the water won't spin out of the clothes and some days I find a little puddle of water in front of the machine. It takes 2-3 dry cycles to get one load of laundry dry. My machines are 7 years old and with a family of 8, I estimate that they have washed and dried about a million loads of laundry, give or take a few loads. But I seriously need them to last forever! Yesterday, I couldn't get any of the clothes to dry and there was a puddle of water after load of wash. When K got home I showed him my problem. He asked if I had called the repair guy like we had discussed the night before. I just stared at him blankly. I did not remember having that conversation until he mentioned it again. All day I kept dealing with this problem and trying to figure out what to do and not once did I think about calling the repair guy. What is wrong with my brain? It seems like I forget alot of things since H was born. I think he took my last brain cell.
So when I got up this morning, K had left me a little reminder note. (I can't remember what is wrong with the stove or I would have told you about it. Don't tell K though! I'll fake it!)
And where is the best place to leave a note for me so that I won't miss it?
On the ceiling! I have this habit of walking around and throwing away loose papers so I'm assuming he put it up there so that I could not reach it to throw it away with the hopes that it will bug me enough that I will remember to make the phone call.
K is very thoughtful like that!
On a more serious note, Do you have any suggestions on what to do when your brain shuts off? My doctor suggested puzzles or memorizing things. I thought he was joking with me but he was really serious. I thought I was just spacing but he said my brain will turn into an old ladies brain if I don't exercise it and get that memory back. I have a house full of kids and the blank look of "I have no clue what you're talking about" is getting old. What happens when I forget something important...like a child? I'm a little scared!
So when I got up this morning, K had left me a little reminder note. (I can't remember what is wrong with the stove or I would have told you about it. Don't tell K though! I'll fake it!)
And where is the best place to leave a note for me so that I won't miss it?
On the ceiling! I have this habit of walking around and throwing away loose papers so I'm assuming he put it up there so that I could not reach it to throw it away with the hopes that it will bug me enough that I will remember to make the phone call.
K is very thoughtful like that!
On a more serious note, Do you have any suggestions on what to do when your brain shuts off? My doctor suggested puzzles or memorizing things. I thought he was joking with me but he was really serious. I thought I was just spacing but he said my brain will turn into an old ladies brain if I don't exercise it and get that memory back. I have a house full of kids and the blank look of "I have no clue what you're talking about" is getting old. What happens when I forget something important...like a child? I'm a little scared!
Monday, November 26, 2007
I'm bored!
The kids all went back to school today and I have 30 loads of laundry to do, things to put away from the weekend and my house really needs to be cleaned and yet, I feel very bored! What should I do with my extra time? So, I'm taking some more internet surveys. These are way too addicting!
| You Are Thanksgiving |
 You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job |
(This seems like a no brainer, since Thanksgiving was just last week.)
| You Will Not Be a Cool Parent |
 And that's pretty okay. While your kids may not think of you as a friend, they will respect you. You know that kids need discipline and structure, and you're not afraid to give it to them. Just be careful that your strictness doesn't lead to rebellion. It's good to have standards and rules, but you don't need to have an iron fist when enforcing them. |
(Darn! Oh well!)
| You Should Rule Venus |
 Venus is a mysterious, stormy planet - shrouded in a thick layer of clouds. You are perfect to rule Venus, because you are quite emotional and volatile yourself. Your emotions change as rapidly as the weather on Venus, and both you and the planet are incomprehensible to others. While you are not a logical thinker, you are quite empathetic. You can care for and understand others, but your emotions swirl too quickly to truly understand yourself. |
(Stormy and mysterious...Sounds like I'm a little scarey!)
What silly internet tests have you wasted your time and brain cells on lately?
Thanksgiving at our house!
We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. K's sister J and her husband M and their 3 children, R, W, and A, joined us. It was a fun weekend! We loved having them stay with us. J was a little sick but she loaded up on the medicine and she was off and running...sort of. I worked her! (I'm not that great of a cook and she is a really good cook so I kind of couldn't do it without her.) I thought it all turned out perfect! 
K did two birds, one in the oven and one in the turkey fryer (Don't let the black scare you. It was the best tasting meat!) He did a GREAT job! 
The rest was pretty traditional and it was yummy. We tried a new recipe for yams that was a keeper and we won't be doing the cranberries next time, at least not this years recipe. We had a cranberry/apple drink that was very good so maybe we'll get our cranberries that way. The kids played croquet all morning (It was a little cold outside at 20 degrees but the sun was shining so it was hard to keep them in the house all day.) 
And H was happy to be on clean up duty. Every time the dishwasher opened (which was alot in order to keep up with all the cooking) he would come crawling as fast as he could to get right in there and help. At least he was excited to help, unlike the older kids.
Then it was off for some great shopping and leftovers on Friday! It was sad to see it all end so soon!
K did two birds, one in the oven and one in the turkey fryer (Don't let the black scare you. It was the best tasting meat!) He did a GREAT job! The rest was pretty traditional and it was yummy. We tried a new recipe for yams that was a keeper and we won't be doing the cranberries next time, at least not this years recipe. We had a cranberry/apple drink that was very good so maybe we'll get our cranberries that way. The kids played croquet all morning (It was a little cold outside at 20 degrees but the sun was shining so it was hard to keep them in the house all day.) And H was happy to be on clean up duty. Every time the dishwasher opened (which was alot in order to keep up with all the cooking) he would come crawling as fast as he could to get right in there and help. At least he was excited to help, unlike the older kids.Then it was off for some great shopping and leftovers on Friday! It was sad to see it all end so soon! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
It was nice to have a short, sweet weekend to slow down and take the time to remember all the things that I am thankful for because now that it is over, we are racing towards Christmas. Hang on tight! It's my favorite time of year!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thank You Lord!
Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
We have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
They were so warm and comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
Complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
They are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly;
It has served us faithfully for many years.
It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.
It has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,
The lawn that needs raking;
We all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
You have richly blessed my family.
I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
Author: Unknown
We have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
They were so warm and comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
Complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
They are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly;
It has served us faithfully for many years.
It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.
It has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,
The lawn that needs raking;
We all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
You have richly blessed my family.
I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
Author: Unknown