Tooth Cute!

Over the Thanksgiving break, we discovered that A had her first loose tooth.

So, I kept bugging her to let me take lots of close-up pictures.

I knew it was a race against the clock before this sweet face





turned into this one!



I think she was in a little shock after it actually came out. We had been encouraging her to wiggle it since Thanksgiving, and even more so the last few weeks when we discovered her permanent tooth was already attempting to upstage the baby! At the point I got hold of it last week, it was not hanging on by much. You can tell she is mesmerized by her new look.

Brother was pretty amazed by the whole process too! So much so, he is convinced he also has a loose "toof". And of course, he wanted a gander at the blood!


We are glad to report that we got word to the Tooth Fairy just in time! She is keeping the tooth safe, and in return, left a lovely note of encouragement along with a $1 bill!

As for me, I kept it together. I held her face a lot, told her how proud I was of her, and gave her extra hugs that night.

Ok, so maybe the hugs were for me!

Stacey

Celebrating you!

The moment I had longed for was finally here,


You captured my heart each day of that year.


Running ahead, you tried to catch four


Six found you today and blessed me some more.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY~ You are such a precious girl and I am so thankful you were the first gift God sent to us!

I love you!
Mommy

Teaching your children values- Introduction & Month 1

Two of my goals for 2008 were to help my children (and myself!) learn a value each month, as well as begin to memorize bible verses.

Many years ago, before I even had children, I heard Richard Eyre speak. I loved hearing what he had to say and went on to read several books he and his wife had written. If you don't know Richard and Linda Eyre, I highly encourage you to discover them.

They did raise 9 kids!

They also have another great website called Values Parenting. If you go there, you will find much of the prep work is done for you. If nothing else, it is a great resource to fill in the gaps! I just found the website myself!

Teaching Your Children Values can be a valuable resource if you are looking to begin this in an organized manner with your family. They have done a great job providing stories, definitions, and activities for different age groups.

They have outlined 12 values and worked them into a monthly schedule. I will be using most of the ones they have presented in the book (I am skipping the fidelity and chastity one for now.), however I am rearranging them according to what I feel we are most needing at the time. And we may do some repeats!

Each month, I will share with you the quick summary of what will be on my fridge. Use it if you like or change it up to make it work for your family. The ideas are simply snapshots of activities you can do with your kids. I would encourage you to find this book on Amazon, at your church, or your local library.

One more thing, the activities below are for preschool age children. There are more activities listed in the book for elementary ages and adolescents.


PEACEABILITY

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

* Create a peaceful atmosphere in home
* Set an example & commit to calmness
* Teach by praise

* Calm Couch- a place for child to go if upset, fussy, loses temper
* Repenting Bench- a place for child if fighting physically or verbally; to get off, must tell what he did, repent, ask forgiveness
* Silly contests- who can go the longest without moving or speaking
* Magazine game- identify feelings and when it is ok to have them
* Define temper- create a visual with a pan of cool water (touch it), then have water boil on stove and discuss what happens
* Counting to ten- a strategy
* Harmony game- use musical instruments to demonstrate what is and isn't harmonious; compare to people
* Color game- cut out 2 people shapes (red-temper/impatience) (pastel-control/peace); give situations and describe how each would respond.

* Bible verses (These are the verses I have chosen for January.)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Be at peace with each other. Mark 9:50

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart... Colossians 3:15

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

Stacey

No really, just one more thing....

I promised Megan and Christy I would tell everyone about this great idea they had! I already spoke of it before here, but wanted to mention them again because, well, it involves free stuff to help you bling out your blog!!

So be sure to head over this week. The contest runs until January 6th and winners are announced the next day!

I will be one of them, of course! :)

I will keep the link over on my sidebar to remind you!

Tell your friends!

Stacey

I'm sorry, the number you have reached is temporarily out of service. Please hang up and try again.

No, you have not reached this message in error!

I am taking a posting break for a few days to manage some bloggy business around here. I will be working on a few of my blog-related goals for 2008, as well as preparing some future posts.

These things take time and I don't want to be worried, wondering at the same time if I am entertaining you with my charm and wit! ;)

I will be back on Monday!

Stacey

Mayday! Mayday!

Does anyone know Tooth Fairy morse code?

We need to get her a message!

Stat!

She has a new little girl to add to her route tonight.

Now if you will excuse me, Mommy needs to go have a tiny emotional breakdown.

Stacey

p.s. more later!

Life Goals for 2008

I may be crazy for doing this, but here I am saying, "Hold me accountable!"

I could narrate in detail the why's of all my 2008 Goals, but I won't.

At least not today.

I know all this is realistic for me, but it will involve buckling down and focusing on my priorities. I have to. They are that important to me.

The resounding theme for my life this past year has been "I have a lot to do!" I don't want to feel that way a marjority of the time this year, especially in the way I felt it this past year. The remorseful thought for my life this past year has been centered around how quickly my children are growing and changing and how I let so many little moments slip through my fingers. And my heart!

I saw this on someone else's post today and it spoke to me as well.



More than anything, I want to make each day count!

I can't do that when I am worried or stressed over silly things too much of the time. Several years ago, I realized and acknowledged that I will go through seasons of my life where my priorities and abilities change. They have to! Unfortunately, I continued to think I could do all and be all; the super woman, the super mom.

That thinking is not truth. It is actually the type of thinking Satan uses to bind many women (ME!) and keep them from being.

Being still.

Being His.

Being for Him.

I know the year won't be perfect. I know I won't be perfect. I know I may not attain all my goals in the way I would like-

100%!

Yesterday!

But I don't want to be afraid to say it out loud and put forth my best effort towards these goals.

I will try to come back and update you as often as I can as I make each day count in 2008!

Health
* Exercise 3 times a week.
(2x/week
* Do back stretches 2 times a week.
* Stretch 5 times a week.
(yes; my general stretching has helped my back.)
* 25 sit-ups & 25 push-ups 5 times a week.
(yes)
* Increase organic and/or natural food purchases to 80% of total food purchases.
(in progress)
* Increase food purchases from local growers, farmer's markets.
* Minimize sugar intake.
(in progress)
* Minimize caffeine intake.
(only necessary coffee-lifeblood!-in morning.)
* Take supplements daily.
(yes)
* Go to bed by 11 PM 4 nights a week.
(probably more like 3 right now.)
* Eliminate 80% of plastic food storage containers.
(in progress)
* Eliminate 80% of "Made in China" purchases.
(trying, but it is stinking hard!)

Faith
* Read Bible or work on a study 4 times a week.
(probably more like 1x/week.)
* Have prayer and quiet time every day.
(prayer yes, quiet time no.)

Home
* Implement and maintain a general household cleaning routine; daily, weekly, monthly.

Family
* Implement a responsibility system for kids.
(yes; gaining momentum with it.)
* Implement a "value of the month" for kids.
(yes; kids enjoy it.)
* Implement a "verse of the week" for kids.
(yes; we have memorized 4 verses at this point!)
* Implement daily quiet time for kids.
* Create a family schedule.
* Spend at least 15 minutes alone with each child daily.
(yes, but only several times a week at this point.)
* Play with both kids together daily doing purposeful (and fun!) activities.
(yes, but mostly on non-school days.)
* Have a special activity with each child individually once a month.
* Read the bible with kids daily.
* Work on academic activities with kids for 1 hour on Wednesdays and Fridays.
(yes)
* Continue monthly coop schedule; 2 Saturdays out, 1 Saturday keep kids.
(yes!)

Organization
* Organize and transfer all video tapes to DVD/CD's.
* Organize all pictures.
* Transfer all pictures to CD's.
* Clean out and organize computer files.
(in progress)
* Clean out/organize and back up all computer files once a month.
* Clean out and organize email accounts.
(MET!)
* Maintain clean and organized email accounts weekly.
(yes)
* Purge and organize office/paperwork.
(in progress)
* Maintain office organizational system monthly.

Internet
* Begin writing paid posts on blog.
* Label and organize blog posts.
(yes, most of them are done; what a pain!)
* Update and reorganize blog categories.
(yes)
* Update blog site or change to new one completely.
(yes! i love my new look!)
* Clean out and update "favorites" list.
(MET!; again, a pain!)
* Learn how to "sweep" online contests quickly.
(i think i found the trick; will update you later!)
* Check emails 3 times a day.
(most days; in progress.)
* Check and read Google Reader in evenings after kids are in bed.(weekdays)
(in progress)
* Work on own blog posts/management 1 hour a day and after kids are in bed.(weekdays)
(much better; in progress)

Hobbies
* Begin and finish Luke's 1st year scrapbook.
* Begin 2nd year scrapbook for Anysa and Luke.
* Begin using current picture scrapbooks.

Financial
* Re-examine budget with husband.
(in progress)
* Develop a plan to maintain budget guidelines for family.
(in progress)
* Develop debt-reduction plan for 2008.
(in progress)
* Be 80-100% debt-free by December 31, 2008.

Work
* Update all work reports.
(in progress)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Stacey