I have this hanging in my kitchen to help remind us all that really kindness matters.  I should get one and hang it in my department at work.  Ha Ha!  I do believe that it is all the million and one small changes that bring about really BIG changes.  So plant the seed of kindness today and see what happens.

Here is some red art from Lucas and by the way I love red!  In fact I realized yesterday that February is half over and I haven't worn my red sweater.  I've got to get that sucker out and wear it. 

Here are the boys after opening Valentine's Day cards from Aunt Amy.  How super fun is that to get personal mail.  That is another love in our home and I have to say my family is sooooo super good like that.  My parents are very loyal fans and continue to send packages, gifts, and encouraging notes.  Wow!  I feel so loved.

Week 3

Both of my children have fallen fast asleep without one trip off the bed and at 7:30 pm.  That is right you heard me correct.  No water needed, or bathroom breaks... I am a pig in poop right now.  After the longest weekend turned week of illness that was not limited to fever, asthma attacks, and now with the latest diagnosis of an ear infection.  Lucas won't be in school until next week.  This leads me to my hypothesis x2:

Hypothesis #1: Is Lucas better behaved when he is not at school?

Hypothesis #2: Is the Total Transformation working on my children?

I think a double YES, but I will need to track and trend my results perhaps log it in an excel spreadsheet and get back with you.  No not really.

If anyone has seen the late night commercials for the Total Transformation Program by James Lehman you should buy it!!!  Maybe your kids are little and cute and that's okay still buy it.  Keep it for later.  My dad spent 2 weeks visiting with us over the Christmas break flew home and bought it for our family.  What does that say about my parenting???  That is a rhetorical question.  I took no offense and cried happy tears as I popped in the "jump start" dvd.  I had hit my wall in parenting and was strung out.  I know only in the second grade your thinking, but if you could only see him he could have a job on Broadway!

Please let me know if you have any parenting tips or recommend any good books, videos, etc ?

V-Day 2011

I am praying that the dark cloud of illness will cross this little desert home very soon.  It all started on Friday morning at a quarter till six when Lucas was down and out with the fever, chills, nausea, sneezing, coughing, and everything that goes with it.  Minus the throw up, thank God!  This cold has made its way to every family member and continues to remind me to be grateful for good health.  We had a jam packed weekend and not one event took place.  We missed two birthday parties, church (it was my weekend to lead my table of 2nd graders), and an ever anticipated date night that had group childcare provided on Friday evening.  I had been planning all things red for our evening out.  But a 102 fever put a STOP to it and I could not with integrity expose my kid to another without some serious guilt.  I tried to reason that maybe he will be better by four and we could still go out.  This did not happen; so I sadly put my bottom lip out and rented movies instead.  By Saturday night it had spread from Lucas to me and then Brad.  I had to make the dreaded sick call on Sunday to my boss.  Little Reef then got it too!  Last night I was up playing the sick nurse giving the proper medications to the proper patients.   I like to think we are on the mend today or maybe that is just the Tylenol typing. 

 On a positive note I would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day and recommend the movie Gifted Hands the Ben Carson story.  Brad and I read the book and thought the movie was just as inspiring.  

XOXO

p.s.

I am looking forward to the sun shining, heat that warms me to the bone, and flip flop days.

pool floats, swim suits and trunks, big towels, fun in the sun, cold drinks, a great tan, big hats, snorkels, laughing, playing, and hanging with friends, grilling out, come on summer please just get here and stay

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer...

I have been learning to crochet and am making a scarf.  I taught myself from a tutorial online and it has been really fun.  I think it may be a little grandma-ish bringing it with me everywhere I go, but I like to be productive.  It is hard for me to sit still for very long and do nothing.  This way I get to work on something while my friend folds laundry and we visit.  Or Lucas reads aloud and while the boys play with Lego's on the living room floor.  I want to finish the scarf and learn to make a sweater or a beanie hat for Reef.  I am going to give the scarf to Lucas for his birthday this fall.  I had the idea to pray over it from Edie at lifeingraceblog.com and so my prayer is that he who wears this will honor God and trust in Him with his entire life.

Pizza Night!!!

In an effort to create a family tradition we have pizza once a week and if you ask me it's not a bad one.  Everyone likes pizza and gets what they want.  This is a meal where no one complains and best of all I don't have to cook!  Does it get any better than this?  I sure think not.

Brad makes the dough and it's great!  Again no complaining I assure you it is all smiles from here.  

I think he's got it mastered and if nursing school doesn't work out we could always open a pizzeria... 

         

                              

Happy New Year!!!

I have a few New Year's resolutions that I have made and learning how to sew is only one of them.  I thought sewing was fun, but it is even more fun at midnight with Papa Bob... and some Champagne.  My dad was visiting for the holidays and it was one of the best visits yet.  

Just a few of the things that I will be doing over the next couple of months in my spare time.
Sewing
Learning to crochet
Painting the boy's room
Creating a chalkboard wall somewhere in my small place not sure where, but I'll find a spot.
Working out more... 
Journaling
Going Organic... already happening.
Going unplugged... already done.
Reading
Relaxing
Ice Skating
Turning nothing into something
Shopping and finding good deals...
I have been drooling over the below sofa for  practically my whole life.  I looked it up again today after finding a nasty stain on my moldy sofa.  I like this sofa, but cannot decide on the color.  Red has been my all time favorite color forever, but I love white too... I have boys though and think this could be would be a nightmare.  I am strangely drawn to the orange shade and feel like that is my first choice if I had to decide right this minute.  Of course that is if I really buy one, but it never hurts to be prepared.

  


 

Sister-Hood Part 1

 I am so glad for the common thread that we share in sister-hood.  Thank you for your smiles, post-call giddiness phone calls, and your never ending encouragement that it is never too late to start anything.  Love you!!!

p.s.  I wish you were here to laugh with me and dad.

p.s.s.  He still constantly interrupts me and eavesdrops on my phone conversations.  Somethings never change.  Ha ha ha you gotta love it!!!