Jared and I got up and made breakfast burritos for the kiddos. I did some laundry and put some frozen bread dough in the loaf pans to rise for dinner tonight. We're going to his parents. His mom is making spaghetti. I sorted some things on my desk and checked some of B12's math work. We need to work on the area of triangles.
Then we got dressed and had sacrament meeting (at home, due to COVID). We read about Korihor in the Book of Alma.
Afterward, Jared got ready to go to pick up some more baby things from more work friends for Julia's friend. All of the kids wanted to go with him. And darn it if I didn't have to stay home so I that I can make sure the bread gets in the oven when it's done rising. :) So the house all to myself for a bit. I vegged.
He got home to switch some things out, then left again. P7 decided to stay home with me. I put wet laundry in the dryer and did a little tidying.
Dinner at his mom's was interesting... Tim made zoodles (spiralized zucchini) for the spaghetti rather than regular spaghetti noodles. Getting my littles to eat that was definitely a fail.
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Sunday, July 12, 2020
July 11, 2020
Yesterday was my anniversary. We've been married 16 years. I volunteered at the Bountiful Baskets site, visited Strings and Things to get D15's guitar string fixed and purchase a case for his guitar, then returned home. I did a transcription, but after that I was just tired from being out in the heat volunteering. (It was 100 degrees here today.) I took a shower and then sat and watched TV for a bit. Jared and I plan to go out to dinner tonight, so D15 is making dinner for the kids. He's making pork chops and macaroni and cheese.
Jared called and said he'd be late coming home due to a late arrest. No big deal since he took today off and we can stay out a bit later. I still don't like being out too late because I don't like the kiddos being home alone when it's dark. We went to Applebees. Jared had some gift cards from his birthday. It was nice to get out a bit. It's nice having a 15-year-old at home to watch the littles. :) (Though they were ALL still up when we got home at 10:30 pm!) After dinner we went to visit one of Jared's work friends to pick up some kid stuff for one of Julia's friends who got a very sudden opportunity to adopt.
Jared took today off from work. We slept late, then made pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. Homemade pico on the eggs makes it special!
He took the trash to the dump, picked up some more stuff for Julia's friend, did some grocery shopping, and checked on my freeze-dried oranges at his dad's house. Oranges are still juicy, so Dad's gonna give them some more time. When he got home, he worked on some projects outside.
I did laundry, vacuumed the living room, a few other chores, and fixed dinner. We had Reuben Strambolis https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/24620489/35240551 and Vanilla Pecan Carrots https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/17624370/35241270.
After dinner, we took the kids to the Dairy Queen drive-through :)
Jared called and said he'd be late coming home due to a late arrest. No big deal since he took today off and we can stay out a bit later. I still don't like being out too late because I don't like the kiddos being home alone when it's dark. We went to Applebees. Jared had some gift cards from his birthday. It was nice to get out a bit. It's nice having a 15-year-old at home to watch the littles. :) (Though they were ALL still up when we got home at 10:30 pm!) After dinner we went to visit one of Jared's work friends to pick up some kid stuff for one of Julia's friends who got a very sudden opportunity to adopt.
Jared took today off from work. We slept late, then made pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. Homemade pico on the eggs makes it special!
He took the trash to the dump, picked up some more stuff for Julia's friend, did some grocery shopping, and checked on my freeze-dried oranges at his dad's house. Oranges are still juicy, so Dad's gonna give them some more time. When he got home, he worked on some projects outside.
I did laundry, vacuumed the living room, a few other chores, and fixed dinner. We had Reuben Strambolis https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/24620489/35240551 and Vanilla Pecan Carrots https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/17624370/35241270.
After dinner, we took the kids to the Dairy Queen drive-through :)
Saturday, July 11, 2020
July 9, 2020
Made myself some eggs and toast. Made J4 some waffles. The other three took care of themselves. Jared went to work. He took some of P7's outgrown clothes to give to someone he knows who can use them.
The five of us went outside to wait for the bus to bring the breakfasts/lunches. (Yes, I know I just said my kids ate breakfast. They'll still eat some of what the bus brings and save the rest for later. They never stop.) Kids rode their bikes around the driveway while waiting for the bus. The bus brought Lucky Charms and the Italian hoagies the kids like. They're happy.
Prepared dinner for the crockpot and searched some old workbooks to find some basic math to work with P7 on, as she wasn't ready for what we tried to work on yesterday. As I was preparing the chicken for the slow cooker, I had a conversation with D15 about molecular magnetism, among other things. I discovered that the carrot dish I had planned to make with the Fauxtisserie Chicken also required a slow cooker, and the only other slow cooker I have is too tiny. So I'll have to save the carrots for another day and check on the broccoli rice casserole. I can't prepare that until closer to dinner time, but at least I've read the recipe now and I know what I'll need to do and how long it'll take.
Peeled oranges at the table while P7 and B12 worked on math. I have so many oranges. They keep coming from the school bus. I'm going to take them to Jared's dad's so he can help me freeze-dry them.
Got ready and left for Park Day. It doesn't start til 1, but I left at noon because I have a package to pick up at the post office. Picked up the package, went to the park. Five other families showed up. Kids played together well, but they ended up muddy and wet from the ditch at Kiwanis park. I peeled and sectioned oranges while I was there. Some of the kids (mine and others') ate some of the oranges, but I didn't care a bit... I had SO MANY.
Went to Jared's dad's and got the oranges started. He put some peaches and some taffy in with them. The kids ate cookies and candy like they always do at Grandma's house, and we left pretty quickly to take B12 to meet his cousin at the football field. Then we went home to prepare dinner.
I got home and made the broccoli and rice casserole as planed. Jared got home with B12 and we ate dinner. All the kids needed baths after playing in the ditch. I played a game of Battleship with P7, Jared played one with B12. I folded some more laundry and completed some more dictations.
The five of us went outside to wait for the bus to bring the breakfasts/lunches. (Yes, I know I just said my kids ate breakfast. They'll still eat some of what the bus brings and save the rest for later. They never stop.) Kids rode their bikes around the driveway while waiting for the bus. The bus brought Lucky Charms and the Italian hoagies the kids like. They're happy.
Prepared dinner for the crockpot and searched some old workbooks to find some basic math to work with P7 on, as she wasn't ready for what we tried to work on yesterday. As I was preparing the chicken for the slow cooker, I had a conversation with D15 about molecular magnetism, among other things. I discovered that the carrot dish I had planned to make with the Fauxtisserie Chicken also required a slow cooker, and the only other slow cooker I have is too tiny. So I'll have to save the carrots for another day and check on the broccoli rice casserole. I can't prepare that until closer to dinner time, but at least I've read the recipe now and I know what I'll need to do and how long it'll take.
Peeled oranges at the table while P7 and B12 worked on math. I have so many oranges. They keep coming from the school bus. I'm going to take them to Jared's dad's so he can help me freeze-dry them.
Got ready and left for Park Day. It doesn't start til 1, but I left at noon because I have a package to pick up at the post office. Picked up the package, went to the park. Five other families showed up. Kids played together well, but they ended up muddy and wet from the ditch at Kiwanis park. I peeled and sectioned oranges while I was there. Some of the kids (mine and others') ate some of the oranges, but I didn't care a bit... I had SO MANY.
Went to Jared's dad's and got the oranges started. He put some peaches and some taffy in with them. The kids ate cookies and candy like they always do at Grandma's house, and we left pretty quickly to take B12 to meet his cousin at the football field. Then we went home to prepare dinner.
I got home and made the broccoli and rice casserole as planed. Jared got home with B12 and we ate dinner. All the kids needed baths after playing in the ditch. I played a game of Battleship with P7, Jared played one with B12. I folded some more laundry and completed some more dictations.
Thursday, July 9, 2020
July 8, 2020
When I got up this morning, B12 and P7 were feeding the animals. D15 was working on his Spanish.
We went outside to wait for the bus to bring the kids' breakfast/lunch packs. While waiting, we saw the Farmington Police Bearcat head north out of the city. Makes me curious where it's going and why, but I'll never know. D15 and P7 pumped their arms to honk a few semi-trucks, and the bus showed up. J4 explained to the bus driver why he was wet (he was playing with the water while B12 was watering the garden) and explain what all the letters were on the bus step (the WATCH YOUR STEP sign).
On the way in, I noticed the hanging plants were looking dry, so B12 watered them.
While studying biology, D15 came across the elements song, and now he's determined to memorize it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2cfju6GTNs
I have some poblano peppers from my Bountiful Basket http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ that need to be used up, so I found a recipe. I might try it tomorrow https://www.isabeleats.com/tex-mex-sausage-breakfast-casserole/.
Jared called me from work to let me know he responded to a call at work for a woman we both know. Not sure why he wanted to tell me that, but it makes me feel good that he thinks of me during this workday and finds reasons to call. He didn't know where the Bearcat was going or why.
Kids are on their own for breakfast today. P7 is learning to make her own dippy eggs, B12 made oatmeal, and D15 had cereal. I fixed toaster waffles for J4.
D15 worked on ratios. B12 worked on division and word problems. P7 and J4 played together while I worked on a transcription. Had to spend time working on the foot pedal because it wasn't responding.
Looked at D15's cursive writing assignment from yesterday and discussed it with it. He redid it.
Discussed with P7 about being a peacemaker and a caretaker after she got into a shouting match with J4. Sent her back to him to make it right.
Discussed division again with B12.
Finally put in my contacts because my glasses were starting to bug me.
Discussed David's writing from yesterday. He decided he needed to add a few more descriptive words.
Found some STAT reports pop up on my work dashboard, so I grabbed 'em.
While I was making lunch, I discussed audition songs for D15 and P7. D15 has a few options he's going through. He wants to sing a portion of "Fireborn" but he's concerned that some of the lyrics might be too intense if the younger participants are in the audience. I emailed the directors to get more details on how auditions will be held. P7 wants to sing "Into the Unknown" from Frozen 2, but I'm certain she'll get shy and not sing it at all. I asked her to practice it for me, but she refused.
Made baked ham and cheese sliders with barbecue sauce for lunch https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/19312420/35240204, and started a loaf of bread in my bread machine.
Went outside to check on the plants and animals while I was eating my sandwich. Discovered that B12 filled the roosters' water bowl this morning but failed to put in back in their pen, so I made him go out and do it while laying down a guilt trip about it being hot outside and the roosters can't get to their water dish. There's still only one tiny zucchini on my plant. The other plants are nothing but leaves. I'm impatient about getting some vegetables on those plants.
Reviewed D15's descriptive writing. Made some edit suggestions, mostly grammatical, and sent it to him for revision. Also found and sent a "Rules for Commas" graphic. https://elainthemiddle.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/rules-for-comma-usage/
Finished two transcriptions. Made bed. Started laundry. Reminded B12 that his laundry needs folded and put away. Cut the label off a bottle of Downy sent beads to use in the craft room for storing pipe cleaners. Folded a load of towels. B12 did some practice cursive.
D15 listed to The Ranger's Apprentice while he cleaned the kitchen. There are quite a few books in the series. I don't know which one he's on. He also asked if he can make some boiled eggs. He loves boiled eggs for a snack.
The dough was done in the breadmaker. I put it in a pan to rise.
Reading and math with P7. Letter G with J4.
I cut the kids' hair and cleaned up that mess. Then put the laundry in the dryer and started another load.
Printed the family pictures I took a month and a half ago.
Bread is done rising. Put it in the oven and set the timer for 20 minutes. Started dinner while snacking on pico and corn chips. Dinner is going to be a while because B12 has a Deacon's Quorum Presidency meeting at 6:00.
J4 had to serve a time-out because he wouldn't stop blowing out the candle that P7 wanted lit. We had to explain that candles aren't only for parties.
I had to stop making dinner shortly after I started because Jared called and indicated he'd be late coming home from work; not very late, but late enough that I needed to take B12 to his meeting at the church. So I got ready and left with B12 shortly after Jared walked in the door. His uniform was wet and dirty because he had to traverse the Animas River to a strip of land that juts up in the middle where someone had reporting seeing human remains. Turns out it was actually animal remains and no big deal, but Jared was wet and dirty nonetheless.
I dove B12 to the church. I sat in the parking lot to wait for him while I read a magazine. I found some good book suggestions in the magazine that I added to my Goodreads account so that I'll hopefully read them one of these years. Jared cleaned himself up and finished making dinner while I was gone.
During dinner, we talked about several things, but we discussed what we want to do for our anniversary while P7 was clearing the table. She began singing, "Lovebirds! Lovebirds! Mom and Dad are lovebirds!" and then giggling wildly.
When I finally got up from the table, I tended to the laundry again, folding, moving stuff from the washer to the dryer, putting more stuff in the washer, and collecting laundry from the different bedrooms and bathrooms in the house.
D15 cleaned the kitchen after dinner. Jared read Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites with B12. They take turns reading a page each so Jared can help B12 identify difficult words. I took a shower and directed P7 and J4 to clean up some toys. I made a couple of doll clothes hangers from paperclips for P7.
I watched an episode of Man with a Plan, browsed Facebook, and called it a night.
We went outside to wait for the bus to bring the kids' breakfast/lunch packs. While waiting, we saw the Farmington Police Bearcat head north out of the city. Makes me curious where it's going and why, but I'll never know. D15 and P7 pumped their arms to honk a few semi-trucks, and the bus showed up. J4 explained to the bus driver why he was wet (he was playing with the water while B12 was watering the garden) and explain what all the letters were on the bus step (the WATCH YOUR STEP sign).
On the way in, I noticed the hanging plants were looking dry, so B12 watered them.
While studying biology, D15 came across the elements song, and now he's determined to memorize it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2cfju6GTNs
I have some poblano peppers from my Bountiful Basket http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ that need to be used up, so I found a recipe. I might try it tomorrow https://www.isabeleats.com/tex-mex-sausage-breakfast-casserole/.
Jared called me from work to let me know he responded to a call at work for a woman we both know. Not sure why he wanted to tell me that, but it makes me feel good that he thinks of me during this workday and finds reasons to call. He didn't know where the Bearcat was going or why.
Kids are on their own for breakfast today. P7 is learning to make her own dippy eggs, B12 made oatmeal, and D15 had cereal. I fixed toaster waffles for J4.
D15 worked on ratios. B12 worked on division and word problems. P7 and J4 played together while I worked on a transcription. Had to spend time working on the foot pedal because it wasn't responding.
Looked at D15's cursive writing assignment from yesterday and discussed it with it. He redid it.
Discussed with P7 about being a peacemaker and a caretaker after she got into a shouting match with J4. Sent her back to him to make it right.
Discussed division again with B12.
Finally put in my contacts because my glasses were starting to bug me.
Discussed David's writing from yesterday. He decided he needed to add a few more descriptive words.
Found some STAT reports pop up on my work dashboard, so I grabbed 'em.
While I was making lunch, I discussed audition songs for D15 and P7. D15 has a few options he's going through. He wants to sing a portion of "Fireborn" but he's concerned that some of the lyrics might be too intense if the younger participants are in the audience. I emailed the directors to get more details on how auditions will be held. P7 wants to sing "Into the Unknown" from Frozen 2, but I'm certain she'll get shy and not sing it at all. I asked her to practice it for me, but she refused.
Made baked ham and cheese sliders with barbecue sauce for lunch https://www.plantoeat.com/recipes/19312420/35240204, and started a loaf of bread in my bread machine.
Went outside to check on the plants and animals while I was eating my sandwich. Discovered that B12 filled the roosters' water bowl this morning but failed to put in back in their pen, so I made him go out and do it while laying down a guilt trip about it being hot outside and the roosters can't get to their water dish. There's still only one tiny zucchini on my plant. The other plants are nothing but leaves. I'm impatient about getting some vegetables on those plants.
Reviewed D15's descriptive writing. Made some edit suggestions, mostly grammatical, and sent it to him for revision. Also found and sent a "Rules for Commas" graphic. https://elainthemiddle.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/rules-for-comma-usage/
Finished two transcriptions. Made bed. Started laundry. Reminded B12 that his laundry needs folded and put away. Cut the label off a bottle of Downy sent beads to use in the craft room for storing pipe cleaners. Folded a load of towels. B12 did some practice cursive.
D15 listed to The Ranger's Apprentice while he cleaned the kitchen. There are quite a few books in the series. I don't know which one he's on. He also asked if he can make some boiled eggs. He loves boiled eggs for a snack.
The dough was done in the breadmaker. I put it in a pan to rise.
Reading and math with P7. Letter G with J4.
I cut the kids' hair and cleaned up that mess. Then put the laundry in the dryer and started another load.
Printed the family pictures I took a month and a half ago.
Bread is done rising. Put it in the oven and set the timer for 20 minutes. Started dinner while snacking on pico and corn chips. Dinner is going to be a while because B12 has a Deacon's Quorum Presidency meeting at 6:00.
J4 had to serve a time-out because he wouldn't stop blowing out the candle that P7 wanted lit. We had to explain that candles aren't only for parties.
I had to stop making dinner shortly after I started because Jared called and indicated he'd be late coming home from work; not very late, but late enough that I needed to take B12 to his meeting at the church. So I got ready and left with B12 shortly after Jared walked in the door. His uniform was wet and dirty because he had to traverse the Animas River to a strip of land that juts up in the middle where someone had reporting seeing human remains. Turns out it was actually animal remains and no big deal, but Jared was wet and dirty nonetheless.
I dove B12 to the church. I sat in the parking lot to wait for him while I read a magazine. I found some good book suggestions in the magazine that I added to my Goodreads account so that I'll hopefully read them one of these years. Jared cleaned himself up and finished making dinner while I was gone.
During dinner, we talked about several things, but we discussed what we want to do for our anniversary while P7 was clearing the table. She began singing, "Lovebirds! Lovebirds! Mom and Dad are lovebirds!" and then giggling wildly.
When I finally got up from the table, I tended to the laundry again, folding, moving stuff from the washer to the dryer, putting more stuff in the washer, and collecting laundry from the different bedrooms and bathrooms in the house.
D15 cleaned the kitchen after dinner. Jared read Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites with B12. They take turns reading a page each so Jared can help B12 identify difficult words. I took a shower and directed P7 and J4 to clean up some toys. I made a couple of doll clothes hangers from paperclips for P7.
I watched an episode of Man with a Plan, browsed Facebook, and called it a night.
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
July 7, 2020
Busy day.
Made breakfast hash and eggs for breakfast.
Picked up my order at Sams Club. They were really slow. Almost made us late for P7's well-child check.
P7 had to visit the doctor. She's 51 pounds, 48 inches. A little on the small side, but healthy. Doctor suggested we get her eyes checked. She told him she likes strawberries, watermelon, and carrots. I've never seen her eat a carrot.
I took her to the McDonalds drive-through for lunch. The others got lunch on their own at home.
B12 went to the orthodontist to see if he was ready for his phase 2 braces. He's not. His teeth haven't changed a bit since he was seen six months ago. Orthodontist said his baby eye teeth may need to be pulled if they don't come out soon because they're causing the secondary ones to come out the front.
D15 was supposed to do some range driving time with the driving instructors, but it got canceled because the car is broken down. They'll call to reschedule. In the meantime, he has his learner's permit and can drive with me or Jared at any time. Maybe we're just nervous, but we prefer him to get some time in with the instructors first.
Children and Teen Theater were canceled for the summer due to COVID, but they're offering an online session. I got P7 and D15 signed up for it. I also got D15 signed up for another session of Teen Improv with Cates Creative.
B12 went to practice football with his cousin, though we're still not sure either of them are going to be having a football season this year.
Jared found a cool butterfly on the back porch. It's all black, but you can see subtle designs in its wings. We'll have to look it up and find out what it is. It was almost as big as my hand!
D15 worked on algebra, practiced his cursive handwriting, did a descriptive writing paragraph that I have yet to read, studied the periodic table of elements, and practiced Spanish on DuoLingo.
B12 practiced word problems and started understanding angle measurements today.
P7 practiced her reading with me. She's ready for her next reader.
J4 studied the letter B.
Jared did a Botany unit will all four... studying self-pollinators, the he grilled New Mexico Cheeseburgers for dinner which we served with pico, sour cream, and avocado (the traditionalists at the table just at theirs on a bun with ketchup), with fries from the freezer.
I printed out some cards from photzy.com to possibly help me learn to take better pictures. Hopefully I can find some time to work on it.
While taking care of the animals for the evening, B12 discovered a wild duck that has been coming often to visit with our two domestic ducks. Kinda cool. Hope he doesn't teach them to fly!
We read the text message from the missionaries, had prayer (it was my turn), and went to bed. Well, the kids went to bed while I finished my transcription. :)
Cut Jared's hair, took a shower, browsed Facebook, and went to bed. Left my clippers out because I may cut the boys' hair tomorrow.
Made breakfast hash and eggs for breakfast.
Picked up my order at Sams Club. They were really slow. Almost made us late for P7's well-child check.
P7 had to visit the doctor. She's 51 pounds, 48 inches. A little on the small side, but healthy. Doctor suggested we get her eyes checked. She told him she likes strawberries, watermelon, and carrots. I've never seen her eat a carrot.
I took her to the McDonalds drive-through for lunch. The others got lunch on their own at home.
B12 went to the orthodontist to see if he was ready for his phase 2 braces. He's not. His teeth haven't changed a bit since he was seen six months ago. Orthodontist said his baby eye teeth may need to be pulled if they don't come out soon because they're causing the secondary ones to come out the front.
D15 was supposed to do some range driving time with the driving instructors, but it got canceled because the car is broken down. They'll call to reschedule. In the meantime, he has his learner's permit and can drive with me or Jared at any time. Maybe we're just nervous, but we prefer him to get some time in with the instructors first.
Children and Teen Theater were canceled for the summer due to COVID, but they're offering an online session. I got P7 and D15 signed up for it. I also got D15 signed up for another session of Teen Improv with Cates Creative.
B12 went to practice football with his cousin, though we're still not sure either of them are going to be having a football season this year.
Jared found a cool butterfly on the back porch. It's all black, but you can see subtle designs in its wings. We'll have to look it up and find out what it is. It was almost as big as my hand!
D15 worked on algebra, practiced his cursive handwriting, did a descriptive writing paragraph that I have yet to read, studied the periodic table of elements, and practiced Spanish on DuoLingo.
B12 practiced word problems and started understanding angle measurements today.
P7 practiced her reading with me. She's ready for her next reader.
J4 studied the letter B.
Jared did a Botany unit will all four... studying self-pollinators, the he grilled New Mexico Cheeseburgers for dinner which we served with pico, sour cream, and avocado (the traditionalists at the table just at theirs on a bun with ketchup), with fries from the freezer.
I printed out some cards from photzy.com to possibly help me learn to take better pictures. Hopefully I can find some time to work on it.
While taking care of the animals for the evening, B12 discovered a wild duck that has been coming often to visit with our two domestic ducks. Kinda cool. Hope he doesn't teach them to fly!
We read the text message from the missionaries, had prayer (it was my turn), and went to bed. Well, the kids went to bed while I finished my transcription. :)
Cut Jared's hair, took a shower, browsed Facebook, and went to bed. Left my clippers out because I may cut the boys' hair tomorrow.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
How to prioritize?!
Cooking and cleaning and homeschooling and working and studying. Meal planning and shopping. Trying to use all the veggies I bought before they rot. Spending quality time with the kids, playing, talking, read-alouds, outings. Errands and paying bills. Church callings and scripture study and service to others. Making use of my gym membership and taking care of myself. Trying to be the best mom I can be while trying to maintain some semblance of myself apart from my 'momhood'. All of these things I have to do and more go spiraling through my mind while I ponder how I'm going to do it all.
Then the 3-year-old walks by trying to screw the lid back onto a tube of black paint. My instantaneously frustrated thoughts are not supporting of the kind of mother I know I want to be. I think, "Where on Earth did he get that?!? Who left it out?!? Doesn't he know that's not an acceptable thing to play with?!?" I stop what I'm doing to get him cleaned up and to try to scrub what he spilled off of the recliner. "I don't have time for THIS!!" If I allow myself at this moment to be open to the spirit, I can hear him. "He's only a curious little boy. I can try to teach him without making him feel frightened or unloved. Those feelings won't help anyhow. My relationship with my little boy is worth so much more than an old recliner anyhow." The paint came off the recliner easily, by the way.
It's hard though, it's hard when I'm under stress from so very many obligations, responsibilities, and pressures, to remember to listen for the promptings of the spirit. As I write this, the 10-year-old has broken the chandelier in the dining room with the broom handle. My frustrations rise instantly. "Seriously?!? Can't he pay attention to what he's doing? I really can't afford to be replacing things every day just because my kids don't watch what they're doing!!!" What would the spirit be telling me? He was only trying to help. It was an accident, he's a good kid. If you don't swallow that frustration, you're going to have a broken chandelier AND a broken relationship with your gentle-hearted kiddo." It's an ugly chandelier anyhow.
I don't know why it's so hard to parent from a place of love and yet so easy to let frustration take over almost instantly. Actually, maybe I do. Maybe it has something to do with the pressures we put on ourselves. Maybe it has to do with having plates so full that one more little thing - like taking a little longer with dinner, cleaning up some paint, sweeping up glass, or helping a curious kid find the answer to his questions - just can't be squeezed in. Of all the things on my to-do list, I don't know exactly what to get rid of or how to rearrange things, but I do know that something must be done, for the sake of these happy little kiddos, for they are really happy kids, and I'd like them to stay that way.
One of the kids says, "Mom, can I help you cook?"
My internal voice says, "Must you? It takes so much longer to get anything done when you 'help'." The spirit chastises me. Every parenting book I've read plays over in my head. Working with you is how they learn. You want them to be proficient in the kitchen, don't you? Of course you do, so you've got to put in the work. Besides, this is quality time. Are you the "I'm busy, go away" kind of mom? Or are you the kind who will gather her children in, make them feel loved, and use this moment both to teach a skill and to build a relationship? In this moment is when you decide.
Then the 3-year-old walks by trying to screw the lid back onto a tube of black paint. My instantaneously frustrated thoughts are not supporting of the kind of mother I know I want to be. I think, "Where on Earth did he get that?!? Who left it out?!? Doesn't he know that's not an acceptable thing to play with?!?" I stop what I'm doing to get him cleaned up and to try to scrub what he spilled off of the recliner. "I don't have time for THIS!!" If I allow myself at this moment to be open to the spirit, I can hear him. "He's only a curious little boy. I can try to teach him without making him feel frightened or unloved. Those feelings won't help anyhow. My relationship with my little boy is worth so much more than an old recliner anyhow." The paint came off the recliner easily, by the way.
It's hard though, it's hard when I'm under stress from so very many obligations, responsibilities, and pressures, to remember to listen for the promptings of the spirit. As I write this, the 10-year-old has broken the chandelier in the dining room with the broom handle. My frustrations rise instantly. "Seriously?!? Can't he pay attention to what he's doing? I really can't afford to be replacing things every day just because my kids don't watch what they're doing!!!" What would the spirit be telling me? He was only trying to help. It was an accident, he's a good kid. If you don't swallow that frustration, you're going to have a broken chandelier AND a broken relationship with your gentle-hearted kiddo." It's an ugly chandelier anyhow.
I don't know why it's so hard to parent from a place of love and yet so easy to let frustration take over almost instantly. Actually, maybe I do. Maybe it has something to do with the pressures we put on ourselves. Maybe it has to do with having plates so full that one more little thing - like taking a little longer with dinner, cleaning up some paint, sweeping up glass, or helping a curious kid find the answer to his questions - just can't be squeezed in. Of all the things on my to-do list, I don't know exactly what to get rid of or how to rearrange things, but I do know that something must be done, for the sake of these happy little kiddos, for they are really happy kids, and I'd like them to stay that way.
One of the kids says, "Mom, can I help you cook?"
My internal voice says, "Must you? It takes so much longer to get anything done when you 'help'." The spirit chastises me. Every parenting book I've read plays over in my head. Working with you is how they learn. You want them to be proficient in the kitchen, don't you? Of course you do, so you've got to put in the work. Besides, this is quality time. Are you the "I'm busy, go away" kind of mom? Or are you the kind who will gather her children in, make them feel loved, and use this moment both to teach a skill and to build a relationship? In this moment is when you decide.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Day 55
School today - More fractions, addition, color by number, reading lessons, Alice in Wonderland, Faith in God
Extracurriculars - scouts, soccer, and basketball
Chores, chores, and more chores
Dinner: Little Caesars Pizza
Ingredients:
30 minutes
15 miles each way
10 dollars
Extracurriculars - scouts, soccer, and basketball
Chores, chores, and more chores
Dinner: Little Caesars Pizza
Ingredients:
30 minutes
15 miles each way
10 dollars
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