Gentleness vs. Wrath

You know the old proverb, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up dissension."? It takes on a whole new meaning when you are a parent.  Frustration, annoyance, and anger can all bring out words and tones that stir up wrath and dissension rather than gentleness and guidance. 

As a mom who home schools, babysits, and has a toddler and a preschooler running around, I can often be found in a state of exasperation.  My voice gest louder and louder with every infraction.  I am so over my sinful self.  

In an effort to hold myself accountable and teach my children a better way to communicate, I have come up with this idea.  Every time I "lose" it (all you moms know what I'm talking about), I have to stop (Immediately!) and go write the verse in our notebook.  Every time a child speaks with harshness and frustration, they too must go to the notebook and claim the truth through writing.  

We've only been doing it for a day and a half now, but it's really been great.  Not great in the sense that I've stopped flying off the handle (hey, we're all al work in progress!), but great in the sense that it does curb my tirade.  I have actually stopped my harsh speak in the middle of it and gone to the notebook to write the verse.  The kids have also taken to it well.  A few of them have been honest about times that I didn't hear the offense and come to me to confess and do their writing.

Here is the first page of our writing exercise.  In one day, this page was marked by every member of the house who can write.  

As you can see, I am the first 5 offenses! 

 

What do you do to stop yourself from losing control in a frustrating situation?  Please share your ideas!!

Many Hands, Many Feet.

I recently posted this picture on Facebook, with the caption, 

"Many hands.  Full hearts.  We are blessed."

I do not deny the sentiment of that.  We ARE SO blessed with our children.  But do you know what all those hands also have?

Wait for it. . .

Two feet!

This is the collection from 2 days of shoes from my beautiful cherubs.  They can usually be found, under the kitchen table, inside the back door, mismatched all over the living room and periodically in their rightful home, a shoe bin in the kids' room.

What other things go with all these shoes?  

Do you know?  Can you guess?

That's right, SOCKS!

 This is the sock collection after one week of laundry is done.  I ask you, how is one woman suppose to keep up with all these socks?  I am convinced the washing machine, couch, and beds eat socks.  How can I compete with that?

This is a picture of the same group of socks from above, laid out and matched up for putting away.  MANY are missing their match.  Some, I'm sure, are tucked away in the clothes drawers waiting for their partner.  Other's have succumbed to the life of singleness.

It is flip flop weather yet?

Confession

My oldest and youngest.

Olivia and Nora

I was caught off guard.

Sucker punched.

I really thought the day would never come,

When I would want another baby.

No, this is not an announcement.

This is a confession.

P.S. - Hopefully, this is also the start of me blogging again.  I miss it.

What's different

Normally when I have a toddler this age. . .

I look like this.

But SHE is that age. . .

And I look like this! 

No, this post isn't about what I look like!  It's really about what I don't have growing inside of me.  We are about to enter a brand new season.  One in which we have never entered before.  Soon we will have a 2 year old and NO new born baby.  I have to say, I'm not sad about this new season.  I can get my "baby" fix via my sisters who are all still makin' babies.  Thanks Ange, Corrie and Cheryl! 

There are moments when I look at Nora and think, "She's going to need to be potty trained in the next year, then there will be no more diapers in the house."  Part of that does make me sad but the other part of me is happy to have the extra 20 dollars a week for groceries. 

I love that our whole family can take bike rides together.  That we can go to the beach for the day without a stroller.  I don't need to worry about a baby monitor when I'm outside.  I don't have to plan my day around feedings.  And many, many more things.

I will miss the new baby smell.  The soothing, only mommy can do.  Falling asleep on the couch after a feeding.  The first eye contact, smile and giggle.

Ahhh, but I am so happy we are entering a new phase of life.  One that is unfamiliar and exciting.  One that, I know, will bring new memories, experiences and opportunities.

Blessed

Sometimes I look around at the dinner table and I wonder how we got to this?  When did we have five kids?  These are the days I feel blessed beyond what I deserve.  I am thankful for 5 times the laughs, 5 times the I love yous, 5 times the hugs.  Children are a blessing from the Lord.  They teach me more and more about my need for the Savior and the weaknesses that He saves me from.

Crazy dinner time.  

Nora expressing her displeasure with being told no.

Nora cheesing for the camera.  As her personality emerges, we are finding that we have a "mini Josh" on our hands.  The most like daddy, in personality, of all the kids.

Esther lives up to her namesake, "A Star".  She is 100% girl.  She wears dresses everyday.  Here she is painting her nails, an almost daily occurrence.

Gideon at 3 1/2, loves to get himself dressed (here his shirt is backwards), ride his bike, and play ball.

Garrett has always done these mosaic drawings.  As he gets older, they get more detailed and creative.  I'm excited to see where this passion takes him.  This one was for dad and mom (although, you can't see my name b/c it's written in pencil.  I guess I was an afterthought.).

The kids have been listening to the Narnia books on CD at night before bed.  They are currently on the final book, The Last Battle.  Here Olivia drew the 4 children from the stories and Aslan.  

The latest on school, life and the kids

School for us is almost out.  6 weeks and counting - and I can't tell you how excited I am about it!  As I sit here nose, fingers and toes ice cold, I am dreaming of summer.

Beach days.

Pool days.

Hours and hours outside.

Grilling out every night.

Bike rides, roller blades, swings and slides.

New this year, will be hours spent at the baseball field, cheering on Garrett.

The kids are just as antsy for summer as I am.  At dinner every night Gideon prays this prayer:
"Dear Jesus, help us love each other and that we can go to the beach.  Amen."

Here's the latest pictures of the kids.  Growing up so fast and so beautifully.  I thank God for them everyday.

Here's Gideon ready for the beach (and a fight). 

Garrett - such a great kid.  We are really excited to enjoy baseball with him this season. 

Nora, loving Garrett's helmet.  She does the greatest "daddy dance" when Josh gets home.  Her love for him melts my heart. 

Olivia with her cousin, Avery.  Olivia is great with the littler girls.  She loves to read and play with them. 

My little princess, Esther.  Everyday she needs to know if she's going to be able to play outside, because it dictates whether she gets to wear a skirt or not.  As girly as she is, she is BY FAR the dirtiest kid at the end of the day!!  

Garrett turns 7

Intensity, passion, extreme.  These are the words that describe you Garrett.  You certainly took his time coming into the world 7 years ago.  3 days late and 2 hours of pushing, our 8 lb. 9 oz. baby boy was born.  You have forever changed the way I love.  Your affection and intense desire to love deeply and and as hard as you can drives me to love in ways that stretch what I am comfortable doing.

You are the first person to greet strangers, high five buddies, and hug/hang on all available family members.  You are learning how to be a friend.  How to love people before yourself.  And are quick to remind me when I need to pray about MY attitude.  Thank you bud.

You initiate school on your own. You love math and anything that has to do with numbers.  You work hard to get things done but also like to get it done quickly.  Sometimes that's not a good combination but most of the time that means you get school done first!!

You are becoming a better reader and are not discouraged when you come up to a word you don't know.  You show perseverance in phonics and spelling.  A great attribute.

You are my best running buddy.  You love to ride your bike along with me while I run.  You don't like when I go across the bridge, you think it's going to fall.  You've been asking me lately if you can run too.  I know you think you're fast enough, but right now the bike will have to do.  Thanks for talking to me and just keeping me company.

 I love you dude.