Good article- 10 ways to be a Happier Mom

Have you ever been on the (In) courage website?  Well I browse it from time to time and this is advice worth sharing.  10 ways to be a happier mom!  I love number 6, 8, 9, well actually all of them!  Which number speaks to you most? 

good article- nurturing your children

Follow this link to an article about nurturing your child.

Proud Parents

 

Last week Bill called me on my cell and was very emotional. When he starts a conversation with “everyone is okay” my chest starts to ache. I just start imagining scenarios and what could have happened to make him so upset. He had just taken Sydney to school and as he was walking her into the building and Sydney saw one of her friends from the after school program she attends. Her friends mom had dropped her off and this little girl was crying and upset about being dropped off in the car line. Sydney went right over to her and gave her a hug and said “its okay, I was nervous about school too, my daddy and I will walk to your class.” She took her by the hand and walked her to the door of her classroom. Bill is an emotional guy and he was so proud of our little girl. Sydney was given a little certificate for helping others from her teacher and we both gave her praise. We are so proud of her for loving others. The next day the same girl was upset and Sydney and Bill walked her to class again. The timing was coincidental because I was planning to read this to Sydney. I guess I do not need to because she already knows how to love others.

Sydney is doing great at school. Some days I ask Sydney questions about her day and she gives me short answers or does not want to talk about her day. I like details and knowing how the kids are while they are at school and/or daycare so I emailed her teacher to get an update. This is her response:

 

She is doing great in class. She has made a lot of friends and is a leader in the classroom. I asked her today if she was enjoying Kindergarten, and she said yes with a great big smile!! I get a lot of participation from her during whole group activities, which is WONDERFUL at this point in the school year! I hope you and your husband are enjoying the changes that you have seen and I look forward to creating wonderful memories with your family as this year continues!

With Kinder Love,

Mrs. Fearnside :)

Never Grow Up

I took these pictures a week or so ago and when I was reviewing them I had a big smile on my face.

These pictures capture the spirit of our little girl...

so happy

always singing

carefree

 innocent

naive

cheerful

I wish she could stay this way.  We are doing everything we can as her parents to protect her and teach her yet keep her childlike.  There are times I get so frustrated with dilly dallying and silliness and I later think "shame on me" she is a child, let her be a child for as long as possible, she will grow up fast enough. 

We are honored to be Sydney's momma and daddy.

I was reminded of the lyrics to this song- check it out.

Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift

Attitude Adjustment

Do you ever need an attitude adjustment? Have you ever heard the expression? It seems I heard this expression a few times growing up and I use it myself from time to time. Some days I think to myself wow I need to do something about my attitude. Do you ever have a day when your attitude is so bad you do not even want to be around yourself?

Well I will be the first to admit I have these days. I know my limits and when I am at the point where I cannot take it anymore I just get the essentials done and go to bed as early as possible. Of course it is not always possible with two little ones around but you know what I mean. I am amazed at the things that I can do to help my attitude turn around. I have found that if I listen to Christian music in the car versus the news or a secular station I am in a much better mindset. I also found that having a scripture verse on the dash really helps.

Sydney and I are working on memorizing scripture. The verse this particular week was Psalm 118, verse 24 "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." I cannot remember the day of the week when this happened but we had had a morning. Sydney was not cooperating, we were having to push her to do anything, hair, brush teeth, get dressed. Finally out the door with several instances of raised voices and angry faces. I of course cannot leave well enough alone and I lecture her on the way to school. We take Griffin to the baby room and Sydney is again arguing with me, not wanting to put on the booties then playing with toys that a baby had and not giving them back. Yes, I know little things but I could feel my anger inside just boiling up. I take her to her classroom and ask her to put up her things in her cubby, still not listening and playing with toys in the room. I then take her next door to a room she stays in until her teacher arrives. I ask her to wash hands, she stands there and will not more. I physically move her to the sink and put soap in her hands and turn on the water. She refuses to rub hands together. I wash her hands for her not so gently. I give her a hug and kiss and try to leave. Of course she is hanging on my leg. I leave the school with her crying and myself close to tears. Then I see the verse on my dashboard. I realize I could have done so much better. Yes, she was being difficult but I am the adult and I should set a good example. I need an attitude adjustment. I thank God for the opportunity to start over and that He does not require perfection. A scripture verse I am working on now is Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." What can I say I am a work in progress.