What a blessed Christmas we had as a family this year! Kenny didn't have to leave for work until 6:00 so we had a nice relaxed day together. Leslie was up at an unnatural time as usual, but it was so cute when Luke got up and she took him to open his stocking. We could hear them on the monitor and Leslie was talking him threw all the stuff he got, really sweet! Then when Liam woke up she took him and did the same. She really loves special holidays and the little traditions that go with them. When Kenny and I finally got up they were all ready to rip into the gifts. Luke was really in to it this year, I think this is the age when kids realize that every gift has something else for them, so they just want to keep on ripping! Liam on the other hand was happy with the first thing he opened and had to be really encouraged to open anything else! Leslie was pretty happy with her gifts as well, especially her new bike. She was hard to buy for this year because she is getting out of the toy stage and everything she would like is expensive. So luckily she really likes clothes and was happy to get a bunch of them!
So we spent the morning open toys and stuff for them to check out and I was glad we could let them play all day with their new stuff. It can be hard at this time of year to have no other family around, so I try to look on the bright side of it. No other houses to visit, no schedules to work out and staying home all day Christmas as a family and enjoying each other!
I must say I love this after Christmas high, with all the new toys for them to enjoy and stay busy with, I just hope we don't have to big of a crash when the newness ends!
I love my family!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Not much to report today but I thought I would write about my latest parenting thoughts.
I have been struggling with my style of parenting as of late and I find it really hard to balance my Christian beliefs with my strong feelings for not using hitting as a discipline tool.
So I was sitting in the boys room while Luke was falling a sleep and I usually pray, in my head, for them while I am in there waiting, and while I was praying something, meaning of course God, spoke to me. He just reminded me that the whole point of everything is to love one another, and it struck me that alot of the time that message might not get translated to our treatment of those closest to us and kids especially. I mean, we have to be responsible for how they turn out as a person, and I feel that really weighs on me at times and makes me want to really get rid of the things that make me uncomfortable, like the tantrums and aggression. So when I am faced with this kind of behavior it makes me feel really angry and I have a hard time not reaching for those tools that seem, in the moment, what will get the behavior to stop. All this made me come to a personal conclusion, I need to parent from a place of love not anger, to be proactive not reactive. So instead of waiting for bad behavior I want to give my kids my attention and love a lot more so that hopefully when the bad times do come, because I have no delusions that they won't, I will be more connected to them and know why they are having the hard time, and hopefully be patient enough to work through it. I mean if a friend called and needed to vent some frustration, I would not yell at her and tell her to get over it. Anyway, I just feel like I am coming back to where I want to be, and that is a place of love for everyone, especially my Kids!
I have been struggling with my style of parenting as of late and I find it really hard to balance my Christian beliefs with my strong feelings for not using hitting as a discipline tool.
So I was sitting in the boys room while Luke was falling a sleep and I usually pray, in my head, for them while I am in there waiting, and while I was praying something, meaning of course God, spoke to me. He just reminded me that the whole point of everything is to love one another, and it struck me that alot of the time that message might not get translated to our treatment of those closest to us and kids especially. I mean, we have to be responsible for how they turn out as a person, and I feel that really weighs on me at times and makes me want to really get rid of the things that make me uncomfortable, like the tantrums and aggression. So when I am faced with this kind of behavior it makes me feel really angry and I have a hard time not reaching for those tools that seem, in the moment, what will get the behavior to stop. All this made me come to a personal conclusion, I need to parent from a place of love not anger, to be proactive not reactive. So instead of waiting for bad behavior I want to give my kids my attention and love a lot more so that hopefully when the bad times do come, because I have no delusions that they won't, I will be more connected to them and know why they are having the hard time, and hopefully be patient enough to work through it. I mean if a friend called and needed to vent some frustration, I would not yell at her and tell her to get over it. Anyway, I just feel like I am coming back to where I want to be, and that is a place of love for everyone, especially my Kids!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Stress melts into Fun
What a rough start to our day! We were pulling out of the drive way to head off to a birthday party of a little friend of Luke's when an alarm sounded on the car! It was a flat tire. So we pull back in and fill it up with our tiny little pump, so it took a long time. I was really worried about Luke having to wait and really getting upset, but he did really well and was so excited to get to the party. It was at Chuck E Cheese, which he thinks is the best place on earth, and the only place for a birthday party. He had his 3rd birthday party there, so I guess it is all he remembers. We keep telling him there are other places just as fun to have parties, but he doesn't believe us :oD
While we were at the party Kenny got the car fixed and we were able to get through the last of our Christmas shopping with out much trouble. Although it is really difficult trying to sneak stuff around Leslie these days, I remember the days when we could put everything right in the cart in front of her and she wouldn't pay any attention to it, or just forget about it in a few minutes! Ahhh, the good old days!
Liam was in rare form today, as he is more and more comfortable with this new role as a 2 year old. It is at the stage where it is really cute and funny, so it's really hard not to laugh at the little things he does. I know this won't last and I am going to be pulling my hair out in the next couple of months!
Well, now that I am ready bring on Christmas!
While we were at the party Kenny got the car fixed and we were able to get through the last of our Christmas shopping with out much trouble. Although it is really difficult trying to sneak stuff around Leslie these days, I remember the days when we could put everything right in the cart in front of her and she wouldn't pay any attention to it, or just forget about it in a few minutes! Ahhh, the good old days!
Liam was in rare form today, as he is more and more comfortable with this new role as a 2 year old. It is at the stage where it is really cute and funny, so it's really hard not to laugh at the little things he does. I know this won't last and I am going to be pulling my hair out in the next couple of months!
Well, now that I am ready bring on Christmas!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Ok, so here I am after almost 3 months with no post! I did not realize how hard it is to find time to keep something like this going. It comes into my mind at times in the day, and then when I would have time to do it I don't remember! Oh well, at least I think about it.
We have been really busy this fall with all of Leslie's play stuff and Girl Scout activities. Leslie did wonderfully in her play, the whole family enjoyed watching the show. The Girl Scouts were involved in some neat projects including the Visalia Christmas parade and making and bring a meal and gifts to a local woman's shelter. I was so proud of the girls for giving of their time and hard earned money for those who needed some Christmas cheer!
Luke is going through some 3/4 year old stuff these last few weeks so it has been hard. I feel like maybe some one on one time might be a good thing. Also doing some more hands on activities, instead of TV, would help fill up the love tank that might be running on empty after such a long and busy fall.
Liam is starting to really talk more and more. It is always fun at this age to hear the new words that come out almost every day. Liam and Luke are really playing more, but with that has come more fighting over toys and some hitting. One of my least favorite jobs of parenting is the refereeing of that kind of stuff!
My latest realization of parenting came today when Liam came up to me sad and gave me a big hug and just melted into my arms, and it was that I am such a base of security for them, and they can feel so perfectly safe in my arms. I know this may seem really basic but it just washed over me, that they trust me to be that base of comfort. I hope to always remain that safe haven for my children. May the Lord guide me to not break that trust in our relationship!
We have been really busy this fall with all of Leslie's play stuff and Girl Scout activities. Leslie did wonderfully in her play, the whole family enjoyed watching the show. The Girl Scouts were involved in some neat projects including the Visalia Christmas parade and making and bring a meal and gifts to a local woman's shelter. I was so proud of the girls for giving of their time and hard earned money for those who needed some Christmas cheer!
Luke is going through some 3/4 year old stuff these last few weeks so it has been hard. I feel like maybe some one on one time might be a good thing. Also doing some more hands on activities, instead of TV, would help fill up the love tank that might be running on empty after such a long and busy fall.
Liam is starting to really talk more and more. It is always fun at this age to hear the new words that come out almost every day. Liam and Luke are really playing more, but with that has come more fighting over toys and some hitting. One of my least favorite jobs of parenting is the refereeing of that kind of stuff!
My latest realization of parenting came today when Liam came up to me sad and gave me a big hug and just melted into my arms, and it was that I am such a base of security for them, and they can feel so perfectly safe in my arms. I know this may seem really basic but it just washed over me, that they trust me to be that base of comfort. I hope to always remain that safe haven for my children. May the Lord guide me to not break that trust in our relationship!
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