September 2011

Whirlwind to say the least! I only got 1 book read, only tried ONE new recipe and don't remember doing anything of "real" significance. This month has been dedicated to the art of teaching 2nd grade and balancing the many demands of having a family with young children, working full-time, keeping up a house, etc . . . it's been exhausting to say the least. I really haven't discovered if I enjoy it yet - I definately don't prefer it to part-time work but it is what it is and I need to make the best of it.


Books still reading: Mathilda by Roald Dahl (out loud to 2nd graders), The Strong-Willed Child by James Dobson, Teaching to Your Strengths

New recipe tried: Crock - pot chicken with taco seasoning - great for chicken tacos and my new favorite, chicken nachos

Chade's birthday: PoJos - Rhett did a killer job learning the bumper cars - he did so good at it - my camera died and I was unable to capture the moment but we couldn't believe how easily he picked it up.

Season premeire of some of my favorite TV shows: The Biggest Loser, Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Sing-Off and Person of Interest. We have also enjoyed watching "The X-factor" - because I love to see people who deserve to be singing get discovered - I love seeing dreams come true.

I also began a ladies bible study on Wednesday nights while Addie is in Caravans. It is a Beth Moore bible study on Revelation and it is pretty interesting. I'm learning so much. And Addie LOVES Caravans - she is learning so much about manners and ediquette right now. She is excited to earn her badges and can't wait to get her first one. They also have her memorizing scripture and raising money for the care house in Nampa. - It's a great experience for her and I'm so glad it came to our church.

And that's is about it for September - not many pictures, not many moments - it's been regular, every day life - and it flew by.
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Another Blog . . .

I LOVE blogging and wish I had more time to do it and poor into it. So - because I have less time I have created a blog for my classroom this year (doesn't make sense does it?) - mainly to communicate with parents and showcase all of the cool stuff we do in class. I am looking forward to using this site as a way to brag on my students, post pics of our "fun times", as well as send out a few notes and reminders. I'm excited to see how it works - I've already had parents excited about it. Come check it out - mrsfranklininmelba.blogspot.com

The Strong-Willed Child

So - I'm in the process of reading "The Strong-Willed Child" by Dr. James Dobson and on Saturday morning I was reading the excerpt for "Two to Three Years" and this is what some of it said:

"Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the 'terrible twos' is the tendency of kids to spill things, destroy things, eat horrible things, fall off things, flush things, kill things, and get into things. They also have a knack for doing embarrassing things, like sneezing on a nearby man at a lunch counter. During these toddler years, any unexplained silence of more than thirty seconds can throw an adult into a sudden state of panic."

In a later paragraph he says:

"You must keep a sense of humor during the twos and threes in order to preserve your own sanity. But you must also proceed with the task of instilling obedience and respect for authority."

As I sat there and contemplated what I just read I realized that for the most part Rhett has been a pretty easy child. Other than eating discusting things and falling relatively often due to his intense need to make it from point A to point B in the least amount of time possible, I can say that I felt fortunate that he follows the rules for the most part. Neither of my children are outright defiant - at least not to the extent that was illustrated in some other parts of this section.

And it just goes to show that I should not have wrote Rhett off so easily - he is only turning 3 so why in the world did I think that this fairly easy child has somehow escaped the "terribleness" of the toddler years. And I'm sure that JUST because I read that specific section in this book that morning he JUST happened to take purple marker and color all over his sister's blanket and himself - he literally looked like a purple monster when I found him - stomach and hands compeltely covered in purple. I did find the humor in it fortunately and if I hadn't read that section this morning I may not have - so thank God for that. I did discuss with him the importance of preserving our things and not to write on ourselves or blankets - just paper. And to think that wasn't enough - in the evening he proceeded to take some scissors and attempt to cut some pages out of a book (a book that doesn't belong to us). Luckily I caught him in time and he quickly dropped the scissors and looked at me in the most comical way - he had been caught and he knew it. - Where did this come from all of the sudden? Was God preparing me for what lies ahead this year with Rhett by making me read that section of the book "just in time".

So - I am grateful today for Dr. James Dobson and his intelligent insight into the lives of my children. I have not finished the book yet but am learning so much as I read it - I wish I would have picked it up earlier in my parenting. I especially liked the part later in this particular section that said:

"I cannot emphasize the importance of instilling two distinct messages within your child before he/she is forty-eight months of age: (I think it's important at ANY age) (1) 'I love you more than you can possibly understand. You are precious to me and I thank God every day that He let me raise you:' (2) 'Because I love you, I must teach you to obey me. That is the only way I can take care of you and protect you from things that might hurt you. Healthy parenthood can be boiled down to those two essential ingredients, love and control, operating in a system of checks and balances.'"

It seems that I may need to use this system often in regards to my "almost" three-year old this coming year.

August 2011

August Activities and happenings

School
It seems that school occupied the majority of the mind this month. I was busy preparing for my first year as a second grade teacher and my 11th year teaching. It would seem that since I've taught for 11 years that the beginning of school would become old hat - SOOOOO not true! Each year is different and unique. Every year I feel unprepared and every year I am still eager and nervous for the first day of school.

Addie begins 1st grade!
Addison began her very first year of full-time school! 1ST GRADE - what? Where did the time go? This summer I watched some of our video yearbooks and cried when I saw how much she has changed in the past few years. I LOVE having her come to school with me each day - she makes my day when she hugs me on the playground during my recess duty. Her teacher is Mrs. Westrand and at first she was unsure about this new teacher - she said, "mom, she shouts a lot". Since my classroom is right next door I laughed because I am well aware of the decibel level of her teacher's voice -she IS loud but Addie quickly got used to it and enjoys school now. She has made some good Christian friends that happened to attend Nampa Christian last year so that has been a blessing.

Rhett begins preschool - and Daycare!
I never thought that I would say that I send my child to daycare - that term has always had negativity surrounding it for me and I vowed when I had children that I would not allow them to attend any daycare. However, this is just not any daycare - this is Mrs. Cox's daycare! And if I was to trust anyone besides my family with my son it would be her - she's pretty much amazing and has been doing daycare for over 25 years - in the same building. Rhett loves it and doesn't mind going three days a week. He is learning the letters in his name and how to write his name. He calls Mrs. Cox "Nanna" because his friend Tyson does which I think is too cute and each evening tells us what manners he learned throughout the day. He came home last night and told Jeremy, "Hi, Daddy - it is so good to see you!" Then he said, "That's good manners!" Even though it is not labeled as a "Christian" daycare - the owners and teachers are good Christian people and they make the kids pray before meals. I couldn't have asked for a better situation this year for Rhett - he is learning, he is having fun, he is well-loved and cared for and I don't feel like I'm inconviencing anyone to watch him - mommy relief! Even though 10 times out of 10 he would rather be at his mimi's house - there is no place like mimi's and luckily he does get to go there on Mondays and spend the day with her - and he LOVES it!

Books Read

The Last book of the Hunger Games - excited to see the movie next year.

intriguing story about modern day Afghanistan - stirred up so many emotions in me.

Movies

One of the best movies of the year - LOVE IT!

This was a good movie - not one that I think I would own but good clean entertainment!

Jeremy and I celebrated our 11th anniversary (uneventfully)

We have never really done anything "huge" for our anniversary - even for our 10th (no money!) And this year was no different but it was perfect because we were able to spend an afternoon and evening together. We went to some antique stores and then went to dinner at Jaker's and out to see the movie "Captain America". I can't tell you how many times throughout the course of our lives together that I've thanked God for giving him such a perfect man for me. He is my best friend and my home. I love him more than words and love him 10 times more than the day I married him. It's refreshing to know that after so many years I truly "know" him and still love him unconditionally. I'm grateful!

 

My mom's birthday

My mom celebrated her ? birthday this year on the same day as our anniversary. Each year she usually has an extravagant plan for the birthday which is fun - I knew I got my love for partying somewhere. We spent the evening at my mom and dad's house, had barbeque chicken and then went down to USwirl for yogurt and then came back to the house for a round of Settler's. It was a fun way to celebrate with my mom - only the most amazing mom in the universe! So grateful for her and her influence on my life!

New Recipe

Homemade Granola - soooo yummy!

4 cups old-fashioned oats

2 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey

2 Tbsp. canola oil

2 Tbsp. water

1/2 tsp. vanilla

your choice of dried fruit or nuts ( I used dried cranberries, dried apples and sliced almonds)

1 tsp. cinnamon (I always use more :)

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

heat over to 275 degrees

mix oil, honey and vanilla and water in bowl

stir in oats - use hands to mix

spread mixture on large baking pan and place in over for 30 min.

stir every 15 min.

After 30 min. stir in almonds and cook for another 15 min.

Remove from oven and stir in dried fruit

Let sit for about 15 min. and put in jar or container to store.

It's my new favorite cereal with almond milk - Yum!

(Wish I had a picture to show you - but - I don't have any on hand right now to take a picture of - it's on my "to do" list for this month)

That pretty much sums up August! The end to a great summer!


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Church

I've always gone - to church I mean, even when my dad was not a pastor - he was heavily involved in teaching sunday school and had a great group of friends in which our families hung out all the time.

Then he became a pastor and our life changed - we moved - which proved to be a challenge as well as an adventure. Going to church continued - only this time I was "the pastor's daughter" and not just a kid at church. It didn't take much getting used to because I was used to church - I was just there a lot more often than before and being a kid that was just the way it was and I got used to it - it became the norm and it was fine. It's become a deep color in the fabric of my life - a color that you just couldn't wash out - it's stuck there - it's part of me - of who I am! So - don't blame me too much when church (especially "my" church) may get a bad rap and I get a little defensive - just saying.

I have my issues with church - who doesn't? It's not perfect (surprise! surprise!) - because the people are the church and we aren't perfect - just saved - by grace - sometimes again, and again, and again, and again. And that is what makes it great! Church should be a safe haven where we can hear the word of God preached truthfully and worship together as a family regardless of what we think of each other, the music, the pastor, the lady sitting a few rows down who is wearing a tight-fitting, figure-showing dress (who does she think she is? - this is church?) - we all know that attitude (don't fool yourself!). We don't come to church for each other - we come to worship and grow. I need to remember this myself every time I change 5 times before church or worry that my hair isn't perfect or that my nails aren't painted - it's not about me at all! My reason for coming to church needs to change - you see growing up in the church I became a little "immune" if you will to the "God-ness" of it all - it lost it's luster (but did it really have any due to the fact that since I was born I graced the halls of a church almost every Sunday). It's like if you grew up wealthy  - you wouldn't appreciate the $1000.00 dollar shoes that your mom bought you for your birthday - in fact you may just give a faint "thanks" as you wonder why she didn't buy you the $3000.00 designer ones. You can't blame that person - they know no different! It's part of who they have been and who they are.

What's even crazier is that taking church and God for granted has far graver consequences than throwing out a $1000.00 pair of shoes. The best love story of all time has been at my fingertips every Sunday and I have failed to fully grasp the awesomeness of it all - because I've heard it so often. Over and over and over and over again. I need to understand it's power more clearly and more passionately in order to fully become the witness that I need to be to others.

I guess my point is - I need to dig out this fabric line in my life and make it the main color of who I am. I want it to be the hue from which every other fabric get's it's color. It's there - it's always been there - a deep, royal purple color I think - but it's just been hidden by the reds of the world (music, movies, fads, etc . . .), the blues of self-pity, depression, unworthiness, the yellows of stubborness, self-righteousness and being fake, the oranges of worry and fear and the greens of jealousy.

So - in order to do this I need to find my foundation and my fabric color in only one place - NO - not church! - - - The Bible! - - -. I guess I did learn something in all my years of warming a pew growing up. And from my parents of course :) I DO know where to find the answers to change my perception of church and why I come each Sunday. I want my main goal on Sundays to be that I came to church to worship and learn (whether or not the drums are on beat or pastor is gone for a vacation). I want my children to see joy in my desire to go to church on Sunday, I want to forgive those that do me wrong in the church, I want to be actively involved and learn to accept dissapointment and not just seek another place of worship because "my" current church does not offer "ME" what I want! (sound selfish much?).


There are so many things that "I" want in my church. I want people to be more involved (the more people involved the less we all have to do - genius I know!), I want better equipment for the music team, I want a better sign for our church, I want a day care program, I want more people to come, I want people to be on fire for God, I want people to quit belly-aching about the small stuff and enjoy church and the true reason for why you should come, I want, I want, I want - the list is endless (yes - and selfish!) I will be the first one to admit that I judge way too often, become defensive way too quickly, become angry at injustice and stupid people (yes -  I just did say that).

I'm imperfect - I go to an imperfect church - with other imperfect people - but I serve a perfect God - and he meets me at church every Sunday - and offers me a life full of royal purpulishness. - as as I walk in the front doors on Sunday mornings the only "want" I need to have is the "want" for HIM -that's what matters most!

(And in the meantime - throughout the week - I'm studying the book of John - and I'm learning to love it.)

What are your thoughts on church?

Ugh . . . .

Do you ever feel like you life is just bleh . . . . . . I mean - you go about your normal daily routine, have a few laughs, do a few loads of laundry, enjoy maybe a cup of coffee here, a few chapters in a good book there and at the end of the day you reflect and wonder - what in the world did I actually do today and what in the world did it matter to anyone - even myself. Sometimes it seems meaningless, mundane, routine, and just plain boring. I didn't keep a kid from starving in Africa, I didn't change the world by going the speed limit to the store, I didn't drop 7 pounds by running 1 mile, I didn't attempt to encourage, uplift, or tell someone that I really, truly love them, I didn't call up the person who maybe just needed to talk - just because.


The day revolves around my family - mostly my children. They are my world and I find that rarely I tend to let anyone else a spot on our busy schedule. I am one-tract minded and just don't realize the opportunities and blessings I could have if I would just let down my guard and enjoyed life a little better. People may think I'm laid back and to a certain degree I am but if they could catch a glimpse of what was going through my brain 24/7 they would not see anything laid back about it - constantly thinking of what I have to do and when it needs to be done and who I have to see and where I need to go, and, and, and, and . . . . it's neverending and exhausting. I have always enjoyed a full plate - a busy schedule. I love to go places and do things and go, go, go. That is my comfort zone if you can call it that. Crazy huh? Apparently that is the make-up of who I am and lately I've been getting a little stressed about the things that I have going on in my days. They are meaningless the majority of the time.

 I find myself thinking about the prairie days and of their monthly trips to town to get supplies and groceries, their sincere daily prayers of thanksgiving for what God provides and their heartfelt pleas for peace and safety throughout the day. I find myself envious of them - they had more chores to do and couldn't take the easy way out with our modern techonological convienences but instead found their peace in a stroll through the woods or the wheat fields - or a day of play at the creek or pond with their children, an afternoon spent with a friend sipping tea and eating cakes, or an evening around the fireplace reading bible stories and singing songs. And to say that they had it rough - - - did they? really? I believe whole-heartedly that they were more intune to God and more dependent upon him to supply their needs. They were friendlier, more polite, more reverant and respectful, more willing to lay down their daily tasks to help a neighbor or a friend in need. As I look around today I don't see much of that anymore - apart from the please and thank yous and the occasional meals that are brought to a neighbor or friend. It's sad - and I find myself thinking and wishing that if only I would have lived back then I would have been closer to God. Yes, the hardships were greater but God was more vibrant and real and so were the people. I would like to think that if given the choice I would have chosen a shorter life with deeper relationships and a keener sense of who God is and how he provides. 

 Unfortunately there is not much we can do to remedy this situation in our society. Maybe that is why I long for the country so badly, that maybe out there I can find a little peace from today's world. But - because I live in the here and now that should not stop me from making the most of it right? I need to buck up and be who God wants me to be here and now - in this house, in this town, with my family and the friends and neighbors that I do have.

I need to have a once a week meditation session where I just breathe, empty my mind and just "be". Be thankful, greatful and feel blessed! Even if it has to be in the bathroom with the door locked and earmuffs on to muffle the frantic "mommy" screams outside the door.

(This is a post of randomness - just thoughts compiled to together - one thing leading to another)

The "Poop" bag

Rhett has an issue with pooping in the toilet. He is completely "pee" trained and never has any of "those" accidents. However, the poop thing has been a bit frustrating. He knows when he has to go, I know when he has to go - but he refuses - every time! I will take him kicking and screaming into the bathroom and force him on the toilet only to have a severly pleading young boy griping and clawing at me to take him off the toilet.


A few weeks ago I told him that pull-ups were no longer an option and if he pooped in his underwear mom would not be happy and it would feel really yucky. It was a battle but for the past week he has gone poop in the toilet with only one accident. The times he has gone in the toilet have not been without a battle and he now waits until it's absolutely necessary to go on the toilet which means that sometimes it will be a few days before a poop. The poor kid - I truly don't know what his issue is!


So - because I refuse to continue this grueling process I've constructed something that will hopefully work.  - The "poop" bag.  I went to Goodwill and the Idaho Youth Ranch as well as a few yard sales and stocked up on some books that I think he would like (he loves books!) I also stocked up on a few small tokens/rewards that I hope he will enjoy. Each time he says he has to go "poop" I will pull a new book from the "poop" bag and read it to him while he goes. If he does go in the toilet he gets a surprise reward from the bag as well. If he doesn't go then the next time I will read the same book until he goes. He won't get a new book until the next time he actually goes. I'm hoping that this will work and look forward to having fun with him in the process.


Fingers crossed!

Update: Rhett is now pooping in the toilet as of a week now. I started the poop bag thing 6 days ago and so far it's been a big success. Now he wants to go poop all the time and have mommy read him books. So glad he is FINALLY fully potty-trained! Just in time for me to go back to work :) Hurray!