A few blog posts on parenting that I'm finding helpful

I've never heard of the HALT method, but apparently it's something addicts use to help themselves avoid the temptation to use. What does this have to do with parenting? Well, this post from Simple Mom applies the principles of the HALT method to becoming more proactive at setting your child up for successful behavior & avoiding common triggers for bad behavior (i.e. Hunger, Anger, Loneliness & Tiredness). It's not rocket science, but it is a good reminder to be mindful of how you plan your child's day.

I'm not proud to admit that I lose it & yell at my kids sometimes (I don't yell ugly things at them at the top of my lungs, more like using a too-loud voice & a harsh tone when they've pushed me too far). Anyhow, it's something I regret doing the second after I'm done & something I have tried to work on for years. I have gotten better. But, this post by Kate, from the Picklebums blog, does a nice job of helping with strategies to avoid the yelling.

Parenting In This Day and Age

I told you I was thinking a lot lately about my role as a mother. I didn't say I had any original ideas on the subject, but I've certainly been reading lots of blog posts, etc. that I want to share. Here's another...

From Kevin DeYoung on The Gospel Coalition:
an excerpt from the beginning of his post Parenting 001...
"Does it seem like parenting has gotten more complicated? I mean, as far as I can tell, back in the day parents basically tried to feed their kids, clothe them, and keep them away from explosives. Now our kids have to sleep on their backs (no wait, their tummies; no never mind, their backs), while listening to Baby Mozart surrounded by scenes of Starry, Starry Night. They have to be in piano lessons before they are five and can’t leave the car seat until their about five foot six."

and one from the end...
"I just know that the longer I parent the more I want to focus on doing a few things really well, and not get too passionate about all the rest. I want to spend time with my kids, teach them the Bible, take them to church, laugh with them, cry with them, discipline them when they disobey, say sorry when I mess up, and pray like crazy. I want them to look back and think, “I’m not sure what my parents were doing or if they even knew what they’re were doing. But I always knew my parents loved me and I knew they loved Jesus.” Maybe it’s not that complicated after all."

Click the link above for the full article.

Since I realize it's easy to 'talk' on a blog or wherever & come across like I've got it all together or that I'm being this wonderful, multi-tasking mom, I feel like I should confess that I don't and I'm not (never have, really). My house is a wreck & has been for months (I blame nursing school). We've eaten way too many fast-food meals & the kids have spent way too many hours on the weekend zoned out watching cartoons while I try to catch up on laundry before the week hits us square between the eyes again. We haven't been to church on a regular basis in a long time (that one really bothers me the most). I could keep going on, but you get the picture. I try to do better every day (even if only by a teeny, tiny bit) & do my best to let go of the things that won't matter in the long run (like whether the kids have wrinkled clothes or cute lil' heart-shaped PB&J sandwiches). And, I hope once this season of our life is past (in less than a year - YAY!), I can get my act together a bit more.

"To A Child Love Is Spelled T-I-M-E"

I happened upon this blog post with a list of 40 ways to show your child love. I wanted to share her intro & a few from the list that I want to do with Ella & Wesley in the next month.

"Displayed on a shelf in the entry way of my mother’s home is a book entitled To A Child Love Is Spelled T-I-M-E. I have often thought about that statement and how much truth it holds. It’s easy for us to say “I love you” but those three words, devoid of action and the gift of our quality time, are simply that—just words." -- Candace from The Mother Huddle blog

1. Send them a handmade card in the mail with a coupon to go get ice cream with you.
2. Play a game with them.
3. Let them win.
4. Kidnap them from school and take them out for lunch.
5. Go to the store and let them pick out all the ingredients to make banana splits. Make and eat them together.
6. Read “I love you” books together.

Just a thought on motherhood

I LOOKED ON CHILD REARING NOT ONLY AS A WORK OF LOVE AND DUTY BUT AS A PROFESSION THAT DEMANDED THE BEST THAT I COULD BRING TO IT. -- ROSE KENNEDY

Just a reminder to myself that my 'job' as a mother is every bit as important (& even more so than) my paid job (& really, has much more long-term rewards & responsibilities to go along with it). Been thinking a lot lately about my role as mother, wife, homemaker (& how to keep those roles balanced with my other ones without losing my mind). I half-jokingly told Anthony the other day that I was going to run off & join the circus. He told me I was too hot & had too many teeth to join the circus. I love it when he makes me laugh (when I'm about to cry).

Found the quote here: Motherhood Matters

Just a quote...

(quote by brene, design/script by ali)

Credit: found here on Kelly Rae Roberts' blog.

Just a Quick Photo Share...

I'll spare you the apologies for not posting in a while. Suffice it to say nursing school is going well, but trying to balance work, school & family is difficult, to say the least.

Anyhow, I just wanted to share this photo of Ella that has had Anthony & I laughing every time we see it. I'm considering buying the print just for future blackmail material.


It was taken by a photographer that comes to her daycare every fall/spring (like regular school photos). I rarely buy them because I don't like the photos with the fake backgrounds & usually forget to even dress her in non-play clothes (hence the purple crocs that don't match the shirt that isn't even hers - one of her teachers must have felt sorry for her & switcher her shirt with someone else's because she was wearing a tinkerbell shirt that day :)

Her expression is hilarious! This is not a normal 'Ella' expression unless she is being a little toot & is annoyed with us. She looks like she's thinking, "Okay, let's get this photo business done with so I can get back to playing. I'm going to stand her her like you want me to, but you can forget about me smiling."

Too Many Irons in the Fire

Or rather too many craft projects in progress. How do you know if you have too many projects in progress?




Well, when you have two quilt tops spread out on your pool table (which hasn't been used as an actual pool table in years) waiting to be quilted, a 'found' pallet in the back of your car that needs to be torn apart to use the 2x4's to build closet shelves, a coffee table you built (plans from here) waiting in your husband's shop to be stained (just need some electricity & a little cooler weather for that one - the power has been out since a storm about a month ago knocked down the building next door to the shop we rent), and you've started filling one of your precious few laundry baskets with sewing projects (cloth diapers ready to sew in the replacement elastic & aplix, my sister's quilt that I mentioned here, a few clothes that need to be patched up, etc.) just so you have some room to work. Add to that all the ideas for furniture, baby gifts & Christmas gifts that I have swirling around in my head. In case you can't tell, I skipped right through the decluttering part of my plan to the finishing projects part. Only I've done very little to complete projects I already had going & have started about five extra ones. Help me, Rhonda! How am I ever going to finish all these before Aug. 28th?