Friday, February 24, 2012

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!!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

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?

Friday, February 17, 2012

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.