I will be honest, I just caught up with the news from the last few weeks.
The news, and controversy, about President Obama speaking to our children at school today. I had heard about it, but since I don't watch the news much, I hadn't heard all the details. I happened to catch some talk radio while driving for work last week and realized that I needed to pay attention.
I am not an alarmist by any means. But I also can't ignore a message, from a man I don't trust, aimed directly at my children. At least without knowing what the message will contain.
Being informed is my job as a parent. As a mother.
My daughter goes to a public school with a considerable numbers of employees and families that fall on the conservative spectrum, so I felt confident that they would be making smart choices regarding the speech.
But because I am the parent, it is my responsibility to make sure.
So, I called the superintendent's office last week. As I thought, the superintendent and principals will be recording the speech and viewing it along with the teachers. Should any teachers wish to use the speech for educational purposes, they will send an informational letter home to parents so that they can make the final decision.
I am good with that.
It puts the ball back in my hands.
Yesterday, I read the speech. It's contents, as it is currently written, seem pretty harmless. They appear to be appropriate remarks for school-age children.
I will be curious to see if he sticks to the prepared material.
Along the same lines, I know what you are thinking.
I thought the same thing!
There are so many things, so many many things, potentially more dangerous or inappropriate that my children can be exposed to on a daily basis than a little speech given by the President.
I get that.
BUT, I know what those things are and I am prepared for that. I have been preparing myself and them for those things long before they would encounter them.
Peer pressure, drugs, inappropriate language or dress or actions, etc.
Along the way, I hope I am teaching them to be good listeners and thinkers.
Most of all, I hope I am teaching them to be good talkers.
To me and their father.
I want them to know they can always talk with us about anything. I want them to know in their hearts, and to trust, that we as their parents are the experts. The go-to's for anything they want to know or talk about.
It's a lot of pressure as a parent. To be the know-it-all!
Thank goodness we have One in our corner who truly knows it all!
Stacey
Showing posts with label values. Show all posts
Showing posts with label values. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Shaken and Stirred
Do you ever have those moments when you are so thankful that you don't get performance reviews as a mother?
But wait!
You do!
It is called your children's behavior!
You know those times.
Those times when you thought you were steering the boat, but all along, you had fallen off the boat miles ago.
Without a life preserver!
That is how I felt last week when my dear friend and her four kids stayed with us for a few days. Any issue I was having with my kids (sassing, not listening, challenging, etc) seemed magnified by 10x during those few days. Simply because she seemed to have this ease when dealing with her kids and they actually went along with it!
I knew what she was doing. We had talked many times about it. We had talked many times about the aggravation that comes at the end of the day when you feel like all you did that day was survive.
Barely!
I know that I have good kids. But lately, I seem to be losing both the battles and the war.
Do you know what I mean?
My husband would say that we have not instilled enough "fear into them". But since I believe that each child is different and the "fear" doesn't always work the way one might hope, I am not really in favor of increasing the "fear" factor the way he would like.
After she left, I was heavy with guilt for awhile, thinking that I had already ruined my children for life. All hope was lost kinda stuff.
Then I made a decision to do something really hard.
Change the way that we do things.
Change.
Yuck!
No doubt it would be harder on me/us than them.
We had taken the Love and Logic class at church even before having my daughter, so I knew a few of the basics. Plus, my friend had shared her (horror) stories of implementation with me! But what clinched it for me was seeing the philosophy in action and the results after she has used it for some time now.
She assures me that it still isn't perfect at their house. They fall off the wagon sometimes. But with even more assurance, she talks about how much better their days are because it is more of a habit than not for them.
I am now reading the book and I am slowly plugging it in around here.
Sometimes it has worked like magic fairy dust.
Just this morning it was a battle. A battle over whether we would eat breakfast at the table or in the living room while watching morning cartoons. There was wailing. There were tears.
But best of all, there were choices.
And even better of all, Mommy stuck to the choices.
"But you let me before."
"I know, but we are making some changes around here."
"But I don't like change."
"Yes, change is hard."
"I am not hungry."
"No problem, you can eat lunch."
(Much crying!!!)
"You are welcome to cry in your room or eat breakfast with us at the table."
(which I knew he wouldn't choose b/c he is currently scared to be alone right now.")
"But I don't like to sit in chairs."
"You can sit in the chair or stand at the table."
(I am flexible!)
Betterest of all, I won the battle.
We enjoyed a simple breakfast at the table.
And yes, he did eat while standing up!
While I am not looking forward to the hard parts of change, I know how much I will enjoy the results of our efforts.
I think they will too.
Eventually! ;)
So since July 4th is tomorrow, I having my own little pre-celebration today.
In honor of our new found independence.
Freedom is always a work in progress!
Stacey
p.s. Thanks G for your support and encouragement! And your war stories that make me laugh!
But wait!
You do!
It is called your children's behavior!
You know those times.
Those times when you thought you were steering the boat, but all along, you had fallen off the boat miles ago.
Without a life preserver!
That is how I felt last week when my dear friend and her four kids stayed with us for a few days. Any issue I was having with my kids (sassing, not listening, challenging, etc) seemed magnified by 10x during those few days. Simply because she seemed to have this ease when dealing with her kids and they actually went along with it!
I knew what she was doing. We had talked many times about it. We had talked many times about the aggravation that comes at the end of the day when you feel like all you did that day was survive.
Barely!
I know that I have good kids. But lately, I seem to be losing both the battles and the war.
Do you know what I mean?
My husband would say that we have not instilled enough "fear into them". But since I believe that each child is different and the "fear" doesn't always work the way one might hope, I am not really in favor of increasing the "fear" factor the way he would like.
After she left, I was heavy with guilt for awhile, thinking that I had already ruined my children for life. All hope was lost kinda stuff.
Then I made a decision to do something really hard.
Change the way that we do things.
Change.
Yuck!
No doubt it would be harder on me/us than them.
We had taken the Love and Logic class at church even before having my daughter, so I knew a few of the basics. Plus, my friend had shared her (horror) stories of implementation with me! But what clinched it for me was seeing the philosophy in action and the results after she has used it for some time now.
She assures me that it still isn't perfect at their house. They fall off the wagon sometimes. But with even more assurance, she talks about how much better their days are because it is more of a habit than not for them.
I am now reading the book and I am slowly plugging it in around here.
Sometimes it has worked like magic fairy dust.
Just this morning it was a battle. A battle over whether we would eat breakfast at the table or in the living room while watching morning cartoons. There was wailing. There were tears.
But best of all, there were choices.
And even better of all, Mommy stuck to the choices.
"But you let me before."
"I know, but we are making some changes around here."
"But I don't like change."
"Yes, change is hard."
"I am not hungry."
"No problem, you can eat lunch."
(Much crying!!!)
"You are welcome to cry in your room or eat breakfast with us at the table."
(which I knew he wouldn't choose b/c he is currently scared to be alone right now.")
"But I don't like to sit in chairs."
"You can sit in the chair or stand at the table."
(I am flexible!)
Betterest of all, I won the battle.
We enjoyed a simple breakfast at the table.
And yes, he did eat while standing up!
While I am not looking forward to the hard parts of change, I know how much I will enjoy the results of our efforts.
I think they will too.
Eventually! ;)
So since July 4th is tomorrow, I having my own little pre-celebration today.
In honor of our new found independence.
Freedom is always a work in progress!
Stacey
p.s. Thanks G for your support and encouragement! And your war stories that make me laugh!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Not my kid!
This week, two of my sweet little bloggy friends have thrown out some confessionals. Confessionals that are not too far off from what swirls around in my brain from time to time.
Awhile back, I thought to myself, "Whose kid am I raising here?!!". It usually comes to mind when we are having a hard time around here, whether it be behavior or attitude. Or the combination of both!
I mean, come on, where are those sweet, kind, obedient, loving kids that I gave birth too? And that didn't talk back to me in the "goo goo ga ga" days?!!
So my dears, over at Sorta Crunchy and Mommy Cracked, I will join your club today.
I don't want you to feel alone!
I realize that most of this falls under the category of "Lazy Parenting", a trap I believe we fall into from time to time, despite our best intentions.
Take the whole tv thing first.
My daughter didn't even pay attention to tv until she was at least 18 months old. And that was just a Veggie Tales video from time to time. My son got hooked in a bit sooner since big sister had her cartoons I would let her watch as he toddled around. So now with #3 coming soon, I begin to worry what happens now.
I kept it under control and didn't worry much about it because my kids were so versatile. They had great play and social skills; they loved outside, inside, pretend, puzzles, games, you name it. And most of the time that they did have the tv on when younger, they rarely stayed tune for a long time. They were usually off to play before a show even finished. I maintain my support of no cable in bedrooms. I can't say tv anymore because we allowed a tv for movies only for the kids in sister's room since we don't have a play or family room for an extra tv anymore.
All that to say, as versatile as my kids still are, they love tv a little too much now. I have DVR now, so I could have taken much more control of this sooner. But I didn't. I slipped and I slid just enough too many times that they began enjoying shows that were not really on my favorite list. Not shows that were bad per say, but shows that were too mature for them.
Shows that allowed kids to sport an attitude that I really don't want to hear coming from my 7 and 4 year olds.
Nor do I want to hear my 4 year old say, "I am going to marry a hot super model.".
Ahem!
As a parent, if you let the little things slide for long enough, they turn into bigger issues. They make your job (and oh my does it feel like a job some days!) as a parent feel so burdensome. The whining, the disobedience, the laziness. It wears you down, but it is really your fault.
I am talking in general terms here with "your", but believe me, this is all about ME.
So, a couple of weeks ago, I finally got my act together.
I used my DVR to lock all the shows I was ready to see go away. Still a bit of the lazy way out, but I needed to ease into the situation without the battle. I am too tired for that battle right now. I also made sure that I kept a good number of shows recorded on my DVR that I do approve. Options I feel good about.
Then on Tuesday night, I had another revelation.
We were watching Week 7 of the Esther study. It wasn't my favorite of hers for the study, but she did share some things from a book that struck a cord with me. Along the lines of who we admire among the famous, the lengths that some go to in order to get close to "stars", who our young kids want to be like. I didn't like what I was hearing. Nothing that I didn't already know, just stuff that made my heart prickle a bit too much for comfort.
You see, I like keeping up with the who's and the what's. I will watch a "reality" show when I can and I certainly loved my Google reader for bringing me all the latest on Pop Sugar and Celebrity Baby everyday.
But, on Tuesday night, I left the study knowing that I was going to say good-bye to at least the latter two mentioned. Who knows what I supposed to walk away with that night, but it is what it is.
When I got home, I not only said good-bye to those two, but to several other blogs that just didn't work for me anymore. They could have stayed. There was nothing wrong with them. But it was taking me more time than I have to click over and "marked read" without even reading them. I was ready to keep it a little more real.
So, I keeping it real with 51 of you at this point! :)
For some that number may still seem huge, but I can't even tell you how freeing it is to open my reader to 35 posts rather than 75 posts (or something like that!) from day to day.
As for me and tv, well, I am doing a pretty good job of keeping my shows that I enjoy limited to what I DVR. They are there when I am ready to watch them and I can get through them quickly. I don't feel much guilt there.
Allllll that to say, here I am as imperfect as I know all of us are, but always difficult to admit to those that you think are more perfect than you!
There is more I need to say along the lines of an orderly home, obedience, and a willingness to be helpful, but I will save it for later.
Just know that I am looking to hire another 4.11 year old to help me out around here because mine informed me that he "quit".
Yes, his exact words along with his arms folded for emphasis really made my day!
Stacey
Awhile back, I thought to myself, "Whose kid am I raising here?!!". It usually comes to mind when we are having a hard time around here, whether it be behavior or attitude. Or the combination of both!
I mean, come on, where are those sweet, kind, obedient, loving kids that I gave birth too? And that didn't talk back to me in the "goo goo ga ga" days?!!
So my dears, over at Sorta Crunchy and Mommy Cracked, I will join your club today.
I don't want you to feel alone!
I realize that most of this falls under the category of "Lazy Parenting", a trap I believe we fall into from time to time, despite our best intentions.
Take the whole tv thing first.
My daughter didn't even pay attention to tv until she was at least 18 months old. And that was just a Veggie Tales video from time to time. My son got hooked in a bit sooner since big sister had her cartoons I would let her watch as he toddled around. So now with #3 coming soon, I begin to worry what happens now.
I kept it under control and didn't worry much about it because my kids were so versatile. They had great play and social skills; they loved outside, inside, pretend, puzzles, games, you name it. And most of the time that they did have the tv on when younger, they rarely stayed tune for a long time. They were usually off to play before a show even finished. I maintain my support of no cable in bedrooms. I can't say tv anymore because we allowed a tv for movies only for the kids in sister's room since we don't have a play or family room for an extra tv anymore.
All that to say, as versatile as my kids still are, they love tv a little too much now. I have DVR now, so I could have taken much more control of this sooner. But I didn't. I slipped and I slid just enough too many times that they began enjoying shows that were not really on my favorite list. Not shows that were bad per say, but shows that were too mature for them.
Shows that allowed kids to sport an attitude that I really don't want to hear coming from my 7 and 4 year olds.
Nor do I want to hear my 4 year old say, "I am going to marry a hot super model.".
Ahem!
As a parent, if you let the little things slide for long enough, they turn into bigger issues. They make your job (and oh my does it feel like a job some days!) as a parent feel so burdensome. The whining, the disobedience, the laziness. It wears you down, but it is really your fault.
I am talking in general terms here with "your", but believe me, this is all about ME.
So, a couple of weeks ago, I finally got my act together.
I used my DVR to lock all the shows I was ready to see go away. Still a bit of the lazy way out, but I needed to ease into the situation without the battle. I am too tired for that battle right now. I also made sure that I kept a good number of shows recorded on my DVR that I do approve. Options I feel good about.
Then on Tuesday night, I had another revelation.
We were watching Week 7 of the Esther study. It wasn't my favorite of hers for the study, but she did share some things from a book that struck a cord with me. Along the lines of who we admire among the famous, the lengths that some go to in order to get close to "stars", who our young kids want to be like. I didn't like what I was hearing. Nothing that I didn't already know, just stuff that made my heart prickle a bit too much for comfort.
You see, I like keeping up with the who's and the what's. I will watch a "reality" show when I can and I certainly loved my Google reader for bringing me all the latest on Pop Sugar and Celebrity Baby everyday.
But, on Tuesday night, I left the study knowing that I was going to say good-bye to at least the latter two mentioned. Who knows what I supposed to walk away with that night, but it is what it is.
When I got home, I not only said good-bye to those two, but to several other blogs that just didn't work for me anymore. They could have stayed. There was nothing wrong with them. But it was taking me more time than I have to click over and "marked read" without even reading them. I was ready to keep it a little more real.
So, I keeping it real with 51 of you at this point! :)
For some that number may still seem huge, but I can't even tell you how freeing it is to open my reader to 35 posts rather than 75 posts (or something like that!) from day to day.
As for me and tv, well, I am doing a pretty good job of keeping my shows that I enjoy limited to what I DVR. They are there when I am ready to watch them and I can get through them quickly. I don't feel much guilt there.
Allllll that to say, here I am as imperfect as I know all of us are, but always difficult to admit to those that you think are more perfect than you!
There is more I need to say along the lines of an orderly home, obedience, and a willingness to be helpful, but I will save it for later.
Just know that I am looking to hire another 4.11 year old to help me out around here because mine informed me that he "quit".
Yes, his exact words along with his arms folded for emphasis really made my day!
Stacey
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Ending on an UpWard note
I mentioned before that my daughter did UpWard Cheer this year.
I think she enjoyed it most of the time and, of course, my little man wants to try his hand at dribbling next year!
Last Thursday was their end-of-the-season celebration. A motivational speaker, awards, pizza. All good stuff.
We weren't going to go. She had a scheduled softball practice that night and because of poor timing with weather, her team has only had about three practices. Games start in the next week or so. So, I felt she needed to honor that commitment instead.
But it rained some more and we quickly shifted plans.
I really had not paid much attention to the details of the event. I knew something about a former Harlem Globetrotter speaking, but not much else.
In the end, I am really glad we got to go. We got to hear Seth Franco share some of his story, encourage those that were in attendance, and do some really great tricks with a basketball.
The cheerleaders were on the front row, so she got a close view of the action. And despite little man's sudden earache onset, he enjoyed the show as well. We stayed through the awards before heading out to attend to his pain. Everyone got really cool backpacks with a free meal coupon and a DVD of the season. We will also be getting a 5x7 picture of her cheer team with Seth.
You can read more at Seth Franco's website.
I also found this good article telling more of about Seth Franco's story.
Here is a fun video showcasing Seth' talents.
I am glad she got to participate in the program!
Stacey
I think she enjoyed it most of the time and, of course, my little man wants to try his hand at dribbling next year!
Last Thursday was their end-of-the-season celebration. A motivational speaker, awards, pizza. All good stuff.
We weren't going to go. She had a scheduled softball practice that night and because of poor timing with weather, her team has only had about three practices. Games start in the next week or so. So, I felt she needed to honor that commitment instead.
But it rained some more and we quickly shifted plans.
I really had not paid much attention to the details of the event. I knew something about a former Harlem Globetrotter speaking, but not much else.
In the end, I am really glad we got to go. We got to hear Seth Franco share some of his story, encourage those that were in attendance, and do some really great tricks with a basketball.
The cheerleaders were on the front row, so she got a close view of the action. And despite little man's sudden earache onset, he enjoyed the show as well. We stayed through the awards before heading out to attend to his pain. Everyone got really cool backpacks with a free meal coupon and a DVD of the season. We will also be getting a 5x7 picture of her cheer team with Seth.
You can read more at Seth Franco's website.
I also found this good article telling more of about Seth Franco's story.
Here is a fun video showcasing Seth' talents.
I am glad she got to participate in the program!
Stacey
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Unexpected
This is not what I had planned to post today.
And no, I am not pregnant.
But many women across this country are pregnant at this very minute.
Before I hit the "publish" button for this post, many of those women will no longer be pregnant.
And not for all of the wonderful reasons you might be imagining.
This is NOT a judgement about why these women are choosing to no longer be pregnant, and it is NOT a judgement about the heart-breaking decision they have probably anguished over.
This IS a judgement about the man who, tonight, will once again put many in this country under his "hope" spell.
I wasn't even going to say this much. When I read Elizabeth's post last night, after sending her some encouragement via my comment, I was simply going to ask you to go read her post and watch the video.
I, like her, know those who have decided to let go of their pro-life stance, in order to support a man they feel that can make some social changes in the other areas they are passionate about.
While I fervently do not agree, I have listened to their views and am trying to respect their opinions as such.
Since last night, Elizabeth has added several updates to the original post.
I HIGHLY encourage you to link over to read her entire post AND watch the videos she has included AND read the running discussions in the comments.
Maybe it is a cop out as far as not talking about this anymore here, but Elizabeth's expressions of belief and feelings truly represent where I am with all this right now. She is both eloquent and passionate.
Why reinvent the wheel with any thoughts I might try to stumble over here.
Go to MommyZabs for the post.
Stacey
And no, I am not pregnant.
But many women across this country are pregnant at this very minute.
Before I hit the "publish" button for this post, many of those women will no longer be pregnant.
And not for all of the wonderful reasons you might be imagining.
This is NOT a judgement about why these women are choosing to no longer be pregnant, and it is NOT a judgement about the heart-breaking decision they have probably anguished over.
This IS a judgement about the man who, tonight, will once again put many in this country under his "hope" spell.
I wasn't even going to say this much. When I read Elizabeth's post last night, after sending her some encouragement via my comment, I was simply going to ask you to go read her post and watch the video.
I, like her, know those who have decided to let go of their pro-life stance, in order to support a man they feel that can make some social changes in the other areas they are passionate about.
While I fervently do not agree, I have listened to their views and am trying to respect their opinions as such.
Since last night, Elizabeth has added several updates to the original post.
I HIGHLY encourage you to link over to read her entire post AND watch the videos she has included AND read the running discussions in the comments.
Maybe it is a cop out as far as not talking about this anymore here, but Elizabeth's expressions of belief and feelings truly represent where I am with all this right now. She is both eloquent and passionate.
Why reinvent the wheel with any thoughts I might try to stumble over here.
Go to MommyZabs for the post.
Stacey
Monday, May 5, 2008
Teaching Your Children Values-Month 5
Unselfishness
Parent Page
This month we will be learning bible stories and memory verses about Unselfishness.
Here are some ideas to help you discuss Unselfishness with your children at home this month:
• Praise and reinforce any Unselfish behavior you observe this month.
• Give responsibility; this will allow opportunities to teach your child how to appreciate and be sensitive to other’s needs. Responsibilities have been show to help increase a child’s altruistic and extra-centered (vs. self-centered) tendencies as they mature.
• Teach by example through active listening. This month, try to really listen, hear, and care about what your child is talking to you about. This can teach them to be sensitive to others.
• Take time to tell your children how the things they say or do make you feel.
• Play “Put Yourself In The Picture” game. Find a magazine ad or picture and have your child attempt to describe how that person feel-physically and emotionally.
• Establish “The Big E” award each week. Everyone in the family tries to think of an incident where they noticed how someone felt and took the time to say or do something to help them.
• The Secret Buddies Game; Put all the family member’s names in a hat and everyone draws one name. Everyone spends the week being their person’s Secret Buddy by doing nice things for them without getting caught (notes, compliments, small gift, doing chores, fixing something). At the end of the week, reveal the Secret Buddies and decide “best deed” and “best secrecy”. You might want to pair a much younger child with an older sibling or parent to work as a team in the beginning.
This month we will be learning about:
Week 1- The Widow’s Mite, Mark 12:38-44
Week 3- Feeding the 5000, Mark 6:30-44
This month we will be memorizing:
Week 1- "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17
Week 3- And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
As you can see, Weeks 2 & 4 are missing! I did this based upon our needs this month at church. Since we are not having our children's program on both Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekends, I did not develop a lesson for those weeks. Yet! I knew we did not need them and was short on time myself, so I skipped those weeks for now! I will go back and take care of that, but I bet that each of you can do just as good a job in the mean time!
EXCITE, ENCOURAGE, & EQUIP children to serve God!
Stacey
p.s. Just yesterday, my kids were playing some kind of royalty scenerio with me nearby. I overheard A say something like, "Lay down here my sir.". Thinking I could help her along, I spoke up and said, "Oh, you mean my lord.". Breathing in sharply and somewhat taken back, she replied, "Oh no Mom, only Jesus is Lord!".
OH.YES.SHE.DID! ;)
Parent Page
This month we will be learning bible stories and memory verses about Unselfishness.
Here are some ideas to help you discuss Unselfishness with your children at home this month:
• Praise and reinforce any Unselfish behavior you observe this month.
• Give responsibility; this will allow opportunities to teach your child how to appreciate and be sensitive to other’s needs. Responsibilities have been show to help increase a child’s altruistic and extra-centered (vs. self-centered) tendencies as they mature.
• Teach by example through active listening. This month, try to really listen, hear, and care about what your child is talking to you about. This can teach them to be sensitive to others.
• Take time to tell your children how the things they say or do make you feel.
• Play “Put Yourself In The Picture” game. Find a magazine ad or picture and have your child attempt to describe how that person feel-physically and emotionally.
• Establish “The Big E” award each week. Everyone in the family tries to think of an incident where they noticed how someone felt and took the time to say or do something to help them.
• The Secret Buddies Game; Put all the family member’s names in a hat and everyone draws one name. Everyone spends the week being their person’s Secret Buddy by doing nice things for them without getting caught (notes, compliments, small gift, doing chores, fixing something). At the end of the week, reveal the Secret Buddies and decide “best deed” and “best secrecy”. You might want to pair a much younger child with an older sibling or parent to work as a team in the beginning.
This month we will be learning about:
Week 1- The Widow’s Mite, Mark 12:38-44
Week 3- Feeding the 5000, Mark 6:30-44
This month we will be memorizing:
Week 1- "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17
Week 3- And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
As you can see, Weeks 2 & 4 are missing! I did this based upon our needs this month at church. Since we are not having our children's program on both Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekends, I did not develop a lesson for those weeks. Yet! I knew we did not need them and was short on time myself, so I skipped those weeks for now! I will go back and take care of that, but I bet that each of you can do just as good a job in the mean time!
EXCITE, ENCOURAGE, & EQUIP children to serve God!
Stacey
p.s. Just yesterday, my kids were playing some kind of royalty scenerio with me nearby. I overheard A say something like, "Lay down here my sir.". Thinking I could help her along, I spoke up and said, "Oh, you mean my lord.". Breathing in sharply and somewhat taken back, she replied, "Oh no Mom, only Jesus is Lord!".
OH.YES.SHE.DID! ;)
Friday, April 4, 2008
Teaching Your Children Values-Review & Month 4
See, here I am already with April's value! Within the actual month that it is supposed to be posted!! :)
Back on the bandwagon, baby!
KINDNESS
Parent Page
This month we will be learning bible stories and memory verses about Kindness.
Here are some ideas to help you discuss Kindness with your children at home this month:
* Remind your child that Kindness is~
~Being understanding, gentle, and helpful
* Teach Kindness by example; make the extra effort this month to demonstrate kind words and deeds in front of and towards your children.
* Make a Kindness Pact for the month; discuss and make a family commitment towards 2 “do’s” and 2 “don’ts” for this pact. Post them for all to see.
* Learn “Thumper’s Kindness Motto” this month; “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
* Start a “Random Acts of Kindness” list on your refrigerator. Include all family members and keep track of each person’s acts of kindness. See who can give away the most Kindness this month.
This month we will be learning about:
Week 1-The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37
Week 2-Mephibosheth, II Samuel 9:1-13
Week 3-Jesus and the Woman at the Well, John 4:5-42
Week 4-Dorcas, Acts 9:36-42
This month we will be memorizing:
Week 1- Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Week 2- Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.
Week 3- Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Week 4- Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.
EXCITE, ENCOURAGE, & EQUIP children to serve God!
Stacey
Back on the bandwagon, baby!
KINDNESS
Parent Page
This month we will be learning bible stories and memory verses about Kindness.
Here are some ideas to help you discuss Kindness with your children at home this month:
* Remind your child that Kindness is~
~Being understanding, gentle, and helpful
* Teach Kindness by example; make the extra effort this month to demonstrate kind words and deeds in front of and towards your children.
* Make a Kindness Pact for the month; discuss and make a family commitment towards 2 “do’s” and 2 “don’ts” for this pact. Post them for all to see.
* Learn “Thumper’s Kindness Motto” this month; “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
* Start a “Random Acts of Kindness” list on your refrigerator. Include all family members and keep track of each person’s acts of kindness. See who can give away the most Kindness this month.
This month we will be learning about:
Week 1-The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37
Week 2-Mephibosheth, II Samuel 9:1-13
Week 3-Jesus and the Woman at the Well, John 4:5-42
Week 4-Dorcas, Acts 9:36-42
This month we will be memorizing:
Week 1- Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Week 2- Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.
Week 3- Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Week 4- Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.
EXCITE, ENCOURAGE, & EQUIP children to serve God!
Stacey
Teaching Your Children Values-Review & Month 3
Although we have not reached the value of honesty yet, I figured I could go ahead and work on it myself.
I fell off the bandwagon.
I have a lot going on around here and have been letting a few things slip. Unfortunately, several things on the list are too important to let slip.
So, thanks to my new bloggy friend Melissa and her inspiring post here, I have a renewed energy to get back to some important things. I am sure it will make a difference around here!
Today's post was really due at the beginning of March, but I wanted to share anyway. Look for April's value and ideas in a few minutes!
Don't forget, my inspiration for helping my kids learn a value each month along with scriptures comes from Richard and Linda Eyre.
I don't really have time to do double work, so instead of writing something new, I have decided to share what I wrote in developing some curriculum for our young children's group called Christian Soldiers. This the Parent's Page that goes out to the parents at the beginning of each month.
Enjoy and Good Luck!
COURAGE
Parent Page
This month we will be learning bible stories and memory verses about Courage.
Here are some ideas to help you discuss Courage with your children at home this month:
* Remind your child that Courage is~
~ Being willing to try hard things that will be good for them.
~ Being strong enough to say “no” sometimes.
~ Sticking to what you believe in no matter how hard it is.
~ Boldness
~ Doing the right thing even when it is hard.
~ Being “chicken”.
* Praise Courageous attempts whether they be physical or moral.
* Share some personal examples of Courage.
* Teach them that Courage is not about your personality. Many people have quiet Courage.
* Come up with ideas on how to prepare to have Courage in certain situations.
This month we will be learning about:
Week 1-Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Daniel 6
Week 2-The Fiery Furnace, Daniel 3
Week 3-Rahab, Joshua 2
Week 4-David and Goliath, I Samuel 17
This month we will be memorizing:
Week 1- Psalm 31:24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
Week 2- Ps. 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Week 3- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage; be strong.
Week 4- 2 Chron. 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
EXCITE, ENCOURAGE, & EQUIP children to serve God!
Stacey
I fell off the bandwagon.
I have a lot going on around here and have been letting a few things slip. Unfortunately, several things on the list are too important to let slip.
So, thanks to my new bloggy friend Melissa and her inspiring post here, I have a renewed energy to get back to some important things. I am sure it will make a difference around here!
Today's post was really due at the beginning of March, but I wanted to share anyway. Look for April's value and ideas in a few minutes!
Don't forget, my inspiration for helping my kids learn a value each month along with scriptures comes from Richard and Linda Eyre.
I don't really have time to do double work, so instead of writing something new, I have decided to share what I wrote in developing some curriculum for our young children's group called Christian Soldiers. This the Parent's Page that goes out to the parents at the beginning of each month.
Enjoy and Good Luck!
COURAGE
Parent Page
This month we will be learning bible stories and memory verses about Courage.
Here are some ideas to help you discuss Courage with your children at home this month:
* Remind your child that Courage is~
~ Being willing to try hard things that will be good for them.
~ Being strong enough to say “no” sometimes.
~ Sticking to what you believe in no matter how hard it is.
~ Boldness
~ Doing the right thing even when it is hard.
~ Being “chicken”.
* Praise Courageous attempts whether they be physical or moral.
* Share some personal examples of Courage.
* Teach them that Courage is not about your personality. Many people have quiet Courage.
* Come up with ideas on how to prepare to have Courage in certain situations.
This month we will be learning about:
Week 1-Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Daniel 6
Week 2-The Fiery Furnace, Daniel 3
Week 3-Rahab, Joshua 2
Week 4-David and Goliath, I Samuel 17
This month we will be memorizing:
Week 1- Psalm 31:24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
Week 2- Ps. 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Week 3- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage; be strong.
Week 4- 2 Chron. 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
EXCITE, ENCOURAGE, & EQUIP children to serve God!
Stacey
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
COOPeration
I normally would save my tips or good ideas for WFMW, but I got a special request via email yesterday which required sharing today.
Honestly, I had to read the email several times. Then I had to go check out BeCentsAble where I discovered some really great stuff!
Then I had to keep looking back over my shoulder in a "Who me?" kinda fashion because surely they had the wrong person.
But all that being said, I am so glad to have found some great new resources for saving time and money. I am honored to add my two cents!
And just for today, I will even give it to you for half-price!!
Do you coop?
Your food, your services, your kids?
We do the latter and it has been such a wonderful experience from the very beginning. Shamefully, I can't even remember how long I have been doing it. I know we have done it at least two years, but I want to say we are rounding into our third year.
Baby-sitting coops can come in all forms and sizes. My friends Jennifer and Heather and I decided to keep ours small. Although our numbers have grown a tad recently, all together we have 6 kids between the 3 families. Each month, each couple will keep all the kids for one Saturday and drop their own off for two Saturdays. As best we can, we stick to a schedule of each couple hosting the same Saturday each month. The great thing about keeping it small is that we can adjust if we need to.
It is a great deal! 5 hours with kids once a month in return for 10 hours without kids a month. We have set our hours on Saturday from 4-9 pm. Those hours leave time for things like dinner, movie, shopping, running errands, or even going back home to do much needed stuff around the house without extra helpers!
Our arrangement came easy because our families go to church together, the girls were already my friends, and we have kids similar ages. It has been so special to see how the kids have grown and changed together over these past few years!
I have loved my Saturday coop so much that I worked in another mini-coop on Wednesday mornings with another friend. Our kids are the same ages and go to the same school. We switch on Wednesday mornings and enjoy 2.5 hours of alone time when our turn arrives. True, since we live in neighboring neighborhoods, most times I simply run back home to do laundry or clean!
Baby-sitting coops can be a wonderful thing in terms of being frugal! If you are considering one, here are some things to think about:
* Start small. Begin with 2-3 families at the most and be mindful of the number of kids involved, as well as their ages. This is true whether you are doing a daytime coop or an evening coop to incorporate your husbands.
* Start close. And I don't mean distance. I think my experience has been enjoyable because I started out doing this with friends. It is not a requirement, but it may make working out any kinks easier along the way. Certainly, if you don't have friends close by, consider starting one with some parents of your children's friends from the school or neighborhood.
* Set the stage. We know that keeping the kids means feeding them, entertaining them, getting them in their pjs, and yes, I have even bathed them all after fun sweaty times in the backyard! Decide ahead of time what you want to do.
* Be flexible. Things happen, so be willing to make adjustments. Some months may require switching days or losing time altogether because of circumstances out of your control.
* Think outside the box. On your nights out, don't feel pressured to go out and spend lots of money. We have been to many $1 movies, window shopped, or simply returned home to watch rented movies or catch up with household chores.
It really is a valuable experience in so many ways!
Here is the proof~
Part of our Saturday crew with the newest member!
A little baby love!
Our big boy trio on Saturday nights!
Wednesday buddies!
Wednesday pals!
For more Tipster Tuesday contributions and lots of other great things, be sure to head over to BeCentsAble
Stacey
Honestly, I had to read the email several times. Then I had to go check out BeCentsAble where I discovered some really great stuff!
Then I had to keep looking back over my shoulder in a "Who me?" kinda fashion because surely they had the wrong person.
But all that being said, I am so glad to have found some great new resources for saving time and money. I am honored to add my two cents!
And just for today, I will even give it to you for half-price!!
Do you coop?
Your food, your services, your kids?
We do the latter and it has been such a wonderful experience from the very beginning. Shamefully, I can't even remember how long I have been doing it. I know we have done it at least two years, but I want to say we are rounding into our third year.
Baby-sitting coops can come in all forms and sizes. My friends Jennifer and Heather and I decided to keep ours small. Although our numbers have grown a tad recently, all together we have 6 kids between the 3 families. Each month, each couple will keep all the kids for one Saturday and drop their own off for two Saturdays. As best we can, we stick to a schedule of each couple hosting the same Saturday each month. The great thing about keeping it small is that we can adjust if we need to.
It is a great deal! 5 hours with kids once a month in return for 10 hours without kids a month. We have set our hours on Saturday from 4-9 pm. Those hours leave time for things like dinner, movie, shopping, running errands, or even going back home to do much needed stuff around the house without extra helpers!
Our arrangement came easy because our families go to church together, the girls were already my friends, and we have kids similar ages. It has been so special to see how the kids have grown and changed together over these past few years!
I have loved my Saturday coop so much that I worked in another mini-coop on Wednesday mornings with another friend. Our kids are the same ages and go to the same school. We switch on Wednesday mornings and enjoy 2.5 hours of alone time when our turn arrives. True, since we live in neighboring neighborhoods, most times I simply run back home to do laundry or clean!
Baby-sitting coops can be a wonderful thing in terms of being frugal! If you are considering one, here are some things to think about:
* Start small. Begin with 2-3 families at the most and be mindful of the number of kids involved, as well as their ages. This is true whether you are doing a daytime coop or an evening coop to incorporate your husbands.
* Start close. And I don't mean distance. I think my experience has been enjoyable because I started out doing this with friends. It is not a requirement, but it may make working out any kinks easier along the way. Certainly, if you don't have friends close by, consider starting one with some parents of your children's friends from the school or neighborhood.
* Set the stage. We know that keeping the kids means feeding them, entertaining them, getting them in their pjs, and yes, I have even bathed them all after fun sweaty times in the backyard! Decide ahead of time what you want to do.
* Be flexible. Things happen, so be willing to make adjustments. Some months may require switching days or losing time altogether because of circumstances out of your control.
* Think outside the box. On your nights out, don't feel pressured to go out and spend lots of money. We have been to many $1 movies, window shopped, or simply returned home to watch rented movies or catch up with household chores.
It really is a valuable experience in so many ways!
Here is the proof~
Part of our Saturday crew with the newest member!
A little baby love!
Our big boy trio on Saturday nights!
Wednesday buddies!
Wednesday pals!
For more Tipster Tuesday contributions and lots of other great things, be sure to head over to BeCentsAble
Stacey
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Teaching Your Children Values- Review & Month 2
The kids and I had a great January learning about Peaceability! Of course, it is an ongoing lesson to learn about and apply, but I think we made a good start! I am so proud of them. They memorized 3 bible verses!! L uses some cute word subsitutions, but he gets the meaning of the scripture in a 3 year old kinda way! We need to work a little more to memorize the passage location, but that will come.
I included February's value, highpoints from the book, and some memory verses below.
Enjoy!
Stacey
RESPECT
Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 12:28
* Extend respect then expect respect
* Give lots of praise & recognition
* Allow for self-correction with “do overs”
* Definitions game (act nice, talk nice, obey; define for later application)
* Role play (create age-appropriate scenarios to act out; adult can have fun being the "kid".)
* Respect chart-daily tracking (create a tally system with black marks for respectful behavior and red marks for disrespectful behavior; see if there can be more black than red marks at the end of the day/week/month.)
* “Magic” words (teach respectful words, behaviors.)
* Respect chart-who & why (create a chart with 2 columns; who we respect on one side and why we respect them on the other side.)
* Have a “respect” election (elect both good and bad behaviors or actions that deal with respect; work to make family traditions out of which ones you do and don't do.)
* Bible verses
~Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
~Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20
~Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
~Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, and honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17
~Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! Acts 5:29
I included February's value, highpoints from the book, and some memory verses below.
Enjoy!
Stacey
RESPECT
Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 12:28
* Extend respect then expect respect
* Give lots of praise & recognition
* Allow for self-correction with “do overs”
* Definitions game (act nice, talk nice, obey; define for later application)
* Role play (create age-appropriate scenarios to act out; adult can have fun being the "kid".)
* Respect chart-daily tracking (create a tally system with black marks for respectful behavior and red marks for disrespectful behavior; see if there can be more black than red marks at the end of the day/week/month.)
* “Magic” words (teach respectful words, behaviors.)
* Respect chart-who & why (create a chart with 2 columns; who we respect on one side and why we respect them on the other side.)
* Have a “respect” election (elect both good and bad behaviors or actions that deal with respect; work to make family traditions out of which ones you do and don't do.)
* Bible verses
~Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
~Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20
~Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
~Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, and honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17
~Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! Acts 5:29
Monday, January 7, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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
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
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