And the winner is . . . .

First of all let me start off by saying I am SOOO sorry for being late to announce the WINNER!! My head is spinning with busy-ness and I am a little overwhelmed right now!!

Anyway, We put everyone's name in the bowl on little pieces of paper and Carter, my 2 year old Munchkin, drew out Melissa Haught as the WINNER!! Congrats Melissa!! Hope you enjoy your coffee!!


The is Morgan, my niece, with Carter and Camden.


Carter chooses Melissa!! Congratulations!!!

Baby wearing

I wish I would have done this sooner. I was walking through Walmart and Carter REALLY wanted me to hold him. It's pretty much impossible to hold a 30lb toddler and push a grocery cart. So I was in the baby section looking for a gift for a friend's upcoming shower. My eyes zoned in on a baby sling on the shelf. I opened the package and took a look at it. Then I tried it on. It fit and it looked pretty cool. I asked Carter if he wanted to get in and he refused . . . he's 2 and he has an attitude. So instead of reason with him on adult terms, I offered him a cookie (that is not an everyday event in our family) and he caved!! His eyes were as big as saucers when I said "if you try it, I'll give ya a cookie!!!" He jumped in that sling with a smile on his face!! After adjusting the sling for a moment, I asked Carter if he liked it and he smiled and said "Yes, Mama!!" He laid his head on my shoulder and looked at the view from high up, instead of the cart, which he HATES!! We finished our walk around Walmart and when we went to checkout I handed the cashier the package and told her that I was wearing it!!!

That was my first experience with a sling and it was pretty cool. I have had a friend whispering in my ear about it's marvelous benefits!! I don't know if this will work for us for too much longer (since Carter is already pretty big), but it is worth a shot!! Next time I go shopping, I'm taking the sling!!!

Post a Comment - Win Some Coffee

Hi my blogging cyber friends. I love this blogging thing I want to thank all my friends for visiting me here on blogspot! Since I love you all so much and I know how much most of you love coffee, I am gonna play a blogging game!!! If you post a comment here, I am going to put your name in a drawing and if I draw your name, I will mail it to you!!! I will keep the posting open till Monday July 28 at noon. Good luck!! I hope you win!!!

A Much Better Day . . .

I am so pleased to post that Carter and I had a GREAT day today!! He had pretty much perfect behavior today. I gave him so much praise and even a big fat STICKER for his awesome behavior!! I was so proud of him!! It was one of those days that makes me forget about days like yesterday. Thank goodness for days like these!!

Totally Felt Defeated

It was one of those days. . . . I mean the kind when you feel like a complete failure as a parent!! I don't know if I am exaggerating or not, but it felt like the worst day of child-rearing that I have EVER experienced!! How does it get to this??

I'll tell ya how??

SIN!! Adam and Eve started it!!!

Today, my 2 year old pushed me to the limit!! (I think they are known for that!!) When it was time for a "routine spanking" for general misbehavior, he decided that he wanted to kick and scream bloody murder (so the neighbors could hear). I tried to reason with him and tell him it was making things worse, but he never really "got it!!" Oh my goodness!! I was so MAD at him that I had to leave the room and tell him to wait till Daddy came home because I just couldn't continue to wrestle with him over getting a spanking.

I know that discipline, specifically spanking, is a touchy subject in some circles. Our family has a "spanking routine" that is made to keep peace and is used for correction, not to get anger out. So here is our "routine:"

1. The child is taken to a private location and never spanked publicly.
2. The child is asked if he knows why he is about to get a spanking. We make sure he is completely clear on this.
3. The swat is administered with a spanking tool or paddle.
4. Crying ensues and is calmed.
5. We hug the child and let him know that we love him unconditionally (like Jesus does), even if he had disobeyed.
6. Usually the crying has stopped and then we will let the child pray to Jesus and ask Him to forgive him and help him when the temptation arises again.
7. Then the parent administering the discipline will pray for the child.
8. Then we talk and the child asks forgiveness from parents, siblings or whomever he has offended.
9. Then there is lots of hugs and kisses and talking about how much we love each other.

This process causes great amounts of emotional bonding. It is a fact, that there is a direct correlation between pain and repentance. If it hurts bad enough you are sorry for what caused the pain (in any area of life . . . think about it). It is just a principle that we live by.

Carter, the precious 2 year old mentioned above, has become accustomed to the routine established in our home and he knows what to expect. Well today went awry and I guess we are chalking it up to seeing what he can get away with . . . the ol' "sin nature!!" I am praying for his little mind and spirit as he tries to figure it all out. I love that little munchkin to pieces and I was so mad at myself for getting SOOO frustrated at him today!! He could sense my anger and he was mad at me too. I asked him to forgive me and he said he would, but he was clinging to Daddy, (even though he is the one who actually administered the spanking), because he knew "Mommy was upset."

It made me think about Jesus and the pain He must feel when we disobey Him and then blame Him for it. We've all done it, but today my eyes were opened to His Hurt!!

Random Stuff

Things seem busier than usual . . . I always say that!! It seems that as the kids get older, things are just busier!!

My kids have had play dates everyday this week!! It is so unfortunate that they are so unsocialized (because we homeschool) and have no interaction with other children their own age. (that was totally sarcastic!!) So if they are not reading a book, they are playing with other children. That has made things very busy!!

I have been planning and organizing events and meetings for our homeschool group. That is quite a task! There is a lot of "red tape" when dealing with a large church like we have. I have also been putting cards, flyers and sign up sheets together. This (and blogging) are what I spend most of my late nights doing!!

Next week our church is doing VBS and my Hunny and I volunteer. That is one of the busiest weeks of my year!! The kids look forward to it all year. We always have fun too!

The week after that I am planning some big events for the HS group and Carley, the world's best big sister, will be at kids camp. I am going to miss her like crazy!!

That means that sometimes laundry doesn't get done like I would like and floors aren't mopped as often as I'd like!! I have convinced myself that in the end, my kids are going to be happy because I poured everything in to them and their education. I hope that the details of piled laundry and finger prints on glass doors fade in the background.

We are starting school on Aug 4, so I plan to slow it down some. I am excited about what is coming up with our homeschool group and that is all I can handle!!! God is going to have to help me every step of the way . . . . as He always does!!

Camden is reading like crazy!!

Remember the reading challenge? Well the kids won't put the books down! They are doing soooo good!!

I have to brag a moment on Camden!! He just turned 6 and is in first grade. I am so proud of him. He is pronouncing words and reading words that I didn't even know that he knew!! I am amazed!! He is reading "Frog and Toad" Books!! I am just so happy for him and eager to see him learn and expand his vocabulary even more!! I love to watch my kids LOVE to do something!!!

While I am talking about Camden, let me just take a moment and tell you a little about him.

He is hilarious!! All he wants to do is make people laugh and please his parents!! He loves Jesus so much!! There are pieces of paper all over my house that say, "Jesus Rocks! I love him!" or "I love Jesus!" I am so grateful for that! He loves sports! Any team that his dad likes, he likes! Speaking of his dad . . . Camden loves his dad more than anyone else on this planet!! All he wants to do is hang with Dad!! If one of the other kids gets to go to the store with Dad and he has to stay behind, he is so jealous, he can't stand it!! Dad and Camden are going to be best friends when Camden is older!! When Camden was 2, his teacher at church would tell me Camden is the happiest boy she'd ever seen!! He just loves life and all it has to offer! I can't wait to see what God has in store for my oldest son, my big boy!!

I love you Camden!


Camden and Daddy making funny faces!!

Camden holding his baby brother!! (Aren't his eyes amazing?)

Camden holding Star, his bunny.

Heely's Skate Shoes

I'm sure you've heard of them. They aren't as popular as they were a few years ago, but we tend to not allow our kids to indulge in the "latest and greatest" of things! (If we'd allow them to, the grandparents would OVER INDULGE!) They are Heely's! They're sneakers that have a wheel in the bottom of the shoe. The kids have to learn to balance themselves on the skates or they will fall off!! It didn't take long for them to get the knack! Now they love to wear them wherever we go!! I have taught them Heely etiquette and they know how to "look out for other people," etc.

. . . but some people out there don't like kids with Heely's (I have seen many that don't practice Heely etiquette!)!! I have found that they tend to be older women. First she tries to get the kids attention and shakes her head and finger NO or snaps her fingers (the kind you can imagine of a teacher shamefully scorning a child after which she places him in the corner with a DUNCE hat on his head!! The children will quickly come to my side because I didn't see the initial non-verbal attack!! Then the un-authoritative, older lady (a greeter at Walmart for instance), will say, "I'm sorry Mam, but they really don't want kids riding on those in here. They could fall and get hurt!!"

DUH!!!

They COULD fall while walking too!!

If that was a posted rule at Walmart, BJ's, etc. and the woman actually had a tool to remove the wheels, I would completely understand and wouldn't mind complying with the posted rules. (This has happened by the way!)

BUT when a janitor, greeter, or sample server has a power trip because he/she personally "doesn't want someone to get hurt," I get super annoyed!! People get hurt by doing all kinds of stupid things!! You really can't avoid it!! While I was at Walmart, during the same visit, a child was riding a bike on training wheels through the isles at full speed!! Now that could hurt somebody . . .

I just think that if a greeter wants to have a power trip because she is concerned/annoyed with kids wearing Heely's, she should go to the Walmart corporate headquarters and have them make the rules!!!

Another rant on this same topic:

We were walking somewhere the other day and Camden was wearing his Heely's and he fell!! He didn't get hurt!! He's used to it!! But the mom behind me said to her son, "See how you can fall on those things!!"

I said to her, "Well, I figure they can fall if they're walking too, so what's the difference?" That was said with a smile, and we both laughed!

Why are people so afraid of "getting hurt?" I want to protect my kids as much as possible too, but they are gonna get hurt no matter what I do to keep them physically safe!!

"decaf, please"

The other night my Hunny and I went out on a date. Our Sunday School Class coordinated a group date!! So, we went to the Japanese Steakhouse and the filet mignon was awesome and the laughs were even better!!! Then we went out for coffee with the gang.

. . . let me go backward for a moment . . . . normally my Hunny would get a Mocha (his mistress) at the coffee shop and then he would plan to stay up late and work because he would be zinging from all the caffeine. He works so hard and I knew he was pretty tired, so if he went home (without a visit with the mistress or at least a decaf version) he'd konk out!!

. . . back to my story . . .

SO, I ordered him a decaf Mocha and told the barista NOT to write decaf on the cup!! About an hour or so later we got into the car and I asked him if the caffeine had kicked in yet. I asked if he was planning to work late or go to bed. Wouldn't ya know it? That stinker said he was tired!! I told of the deception that had taken place and he laughed. But, guess what he did when we got home?? He konked out as soon as his head hit the pillow after he said "Thanks for ordering me a decaf!!"

I'm too tired!!

"Ok, Carter! Time to clean up your blocks." I look at my precious 2 year old and don't expect much. He is still learning the art of cleaning up after oneself. I grab his hand and walk him over to the mess to which I am referring.

He looks at me, grabs his "blankie" and says, "Mommy, I'm too tired!!"

Can you believe how smart the kid is?? He has figured out how to shirk his responsibilities already!! He thinks that I will have sympathy on him and say, "OK, Carter-Poo! Mommy will joyfully clean up the mess in your place. You go and play happily and have a merry day of fun . . . make more messes if it pleases you!!!"

What a little stinker!!!

This isn't a game!!

This video is alarming!! The preacher challenges people to think in terms of holiness and REAL-LIFE salvation!! It isn't a game, it's a battle against unseen forces!! Watch this video in it's entirety and let me know what you think!!

I Need Help . . .

I am trying to upload my own videos from my camcorder to God Tube. I don't have a USB port on the camcorder, so I made a DVD. I wanted to insert it into my computer and then download . . . no luck!!!

I am about ready to toss the computer, camera, and everything with it . . . out the window . . . I guess you could say I'm frustrated!! When I get frustrated . . . I begin to grunt and groan in . . . well . . . frustration!! Any help you have to offer would be great!! I'm gonna try some more . . .

I'd like to share my video of Carter singing Jesus Loves Me!! It's sooooo cute!!

More to Laugh About

You are gonna laugh harder than you have in a long time!! Are you ready??

A Homeschool Family

Book Challenge

I am not usually into bribing my kids to do work, but I am looking at it from a new perspective. We are now "goal setting" in this house. We are hoping to get them to work . . . at anything . . . just DO something!! They would be content to play electronics or ride bikes all day long. While neither of those are "bad," I want to instill in them a sense of working in order to earn something. (That's why we all work, right?) So, here's the deal . . .

They each set a goal of 5 books to be read this month. If they reach their goal they each get $10. Any book over 5 is worth $1 each, unless they double their goal. If they double their goal they get double the cash, $20!!!

That is a lot of money for a 6 & 8 year old. They are learning the true value of money. Recently they have saved up some of their own money in order to buy something. They say, "Wow, $20 is a lot of money!!" So they know they can get some nice things with their cash.

They are now motivated to work and read. I hope they reach their goal!!