Hooray, Garbage Day!

"I hear it, I hear it, ruuuuun Mommy ruuuun,"

exclaims Colby on Garbage day!

He has become quite fond of the nice gentlemen that serve our community! The men greet the boys with waves, smiles, and a loud honk....Colby thinks it's the next best thing to ice cream!

Today, he decided to tell them thank you for doing a great job!

                                                 
                                             What else says thank you like M&Ms and juice?
                            

                                                 The anticipation had him pacing.....

                              He delivered a dose of gratitude, and his friends were so appreciative!

                               Colby finished off the job, as if he was part of the team!

                                     Then, he was off to much bigger tasks, like saving the world from bad guys!

Enjoy the Journey!

Boys' New Room

I adored teaching first grade, and absolutely enjoyed my job! It was a good thing I fainted in the OR the day a surgeon placed a rotten toe in my hand, it really wrapped up my decision to change my major....THE NEXT DAY!  Life always has a funny way of working out, at least in my life it does. Everyday with little munchkins was fun and exciting, it just feels good to the soul to make a difference in a child's life. I got to work early and stayed late, making sure to perfect my plans for the next day. I was happy, content, and doing what I loved!

Then, along came my baby boy! He stole my heart, and I didn't have enough left to give to my students. My mind would constantly wonder throughout the day....

What was he doing?

Was he happy?

Does he miss me like I miss him?


All I wanted was to be home with my baby and I didn't feel like I could be the teacher I needed to be, my heart was somewhere else!

I had to tell Top Gun, "Honey, I know we just bought this new, spacious house, but I'm not going  back to work after this school year. Is that going to be okay?"

I have to admit, I was a little afraid, but my man came through like a champ!!
He was so supportive, besides the whole...I guess we will live off ramon noodles. It was tight, but the good lord always provided. Top Gun got a new job and since we were moving, I figured we might as well  down size for a few years, so I could comfortably stay home with the squirts as long as I desire. We did some major downsizing, it didn't really matter, even in the large house they were under our feet...it was all wasted space.

The night we moved in our tiny cozy house I went into labor, needless to say not much decorating took place for some time. My goal was to transition Chase out of our bed to make room for baby girl, so we put the boys together, I felt like bed sharing with brother would be the most gentle transition for Mr. Cuddlebug.

It only took me ten months, but I finished the boy's room  tonight. I like for things to look nice, but on a cheap budget.  My friend Kim at Bim Kreations helped a frugal momma out!! I think the colors she chose are charming and very inviting.....don't you want to jump up there and do some major cuddling?!

Bedding was half off at Target, Chris made the fabric headboards, I sewed the curtains, and Kim covered my pillows.

I added a new splash of paint to frames I already had, and used our beautiful family pictures done by Kristi Shack!

                                 Threw in a little cuteness on the pillows (free from a sweet friend).

                           I spent about $2 on this pole and stuck two large bolts into each end.

The chair has been rocking my babies for years! We have read books galore while piled up in that cozy thing!

Very affordable shelves from Lowe's,

bulletin board from college days, and bins from target ($2). The only thing missing is a cute chair at the desk....still looking for a deal.

                                                  
                  Yes, that is a video monitor still in their room. No, I'm not crazy, stalker mom...Josie is in there a lot and often sleeps on their bed.

                                              $10 drip pan from Walmart provides magnet fun!

                                            
                                              Sweet baby girl....priceless!!

                                      I told you this room was cheap, just the way I like it!

                                                Until Next Time...........

Ungodly For Me

I want to clarify something about my splish, splash, & spankings post........

The quote that I posted,

“This style of parenting drives us to our knees and so brings us closer to heaven. It forces us to die to self again and again to meet the needs of God’s little creatures. It’s immediately easier to shout and/or hit and abuse our authority to put out the fires of our day. We can stop the behavior through fear and punishment. But that doesn’t really require any heroic, saintly effort on our part, does it? Ultimately, it destroys the relationship with the child and it becomes for us the occasion of sin.”
Elizabeth Foss


I'm not insinuating that a mother who spanks is ungodly, I'm saying that spanking is ungodly for ME! I don't believe that God speaks the same to everyone about a certain situation, I just know what he spoke to me! The handful of times that I spanked my first born, it did cause me to sin. It was done out of anger,  I felt guilty that I lost self-control, and I modeled everything I didn't won't my son to be. I also worried about the impact it would have on our relationship, and I knew my anger didn't come from a healthy place, it was my own issues, not my son's behavior. I knew in my heart, it could have been resolved in a kind way, not a regretful, impulsive way. 


It's clear why it was sin for me, and why I took a different path.


Looking back now, I know exactly why God convicted me of my actions, he wanted me to discover my purpose in life.


I read as much as I possibly could about child development and positive discipline, which led me to attachment parenting. Completely falling in love with the principles of AP led me to API certification and was instrumental for developing the most amazing relationship with my children. It also introduced me to the most inspiring women I've ever met, which led to creating Attachment Parenting of Metro Jackson, which is impacting parents everyday. The knowledge I received concerning birth, led me to the most euphoric birth experience, and I believe it was the closest encounter to God I've ever experienced. My birth experience encouraged me to become doula certified, and spend my life supporting moms in the most spectacular event of their lives. Last but not least, the end result is a peaceful home, I absolutely love!


I was driven to my knees, and God answered.


I knew what was best for me and my family, and I respect your decision of what's best for your family!
God has a plan for everyone, we just have to seek it!

Until Next Time.....

Splish, Splash, & SPANKINGS!

My squirts giggled and splashed all about to beat the heat, and then we made our way to hide beneath the shade tree and enjoy a little picnic.

In the midst of our pleasant picnic, a mother bounded out of her car, jerked her child out of the door, hit him several times on the backside, and proceeded to shout, "move your hands now or you are going to really get it." The scary scene concluded with the mom literally stomping into the splash pad and the little boy following behind with his arms crossed and head hanging low.

The boys were intently starring so I knew I had to do damage control quick, and use it as a teaching tool.

Colby what did you think about that?

That mommy threw a tantrum!

Yes, I think she was very angry about something, do you think so?

YES!

How do you think the little boy felt?

Very sad.

Why do you think he felt sad?

It's not okay to ever hurt someones body, hitting hurts.

Why isn't it okay?

 Hands are not for hitting, they are for hugging and helping people! His body belongs to God!

You are exactly right! What would have been a better choice for her to deal with her anger?

She could have breathed in and out and talked about it.

That's a great idea!
Talking it out is always a good way to find a solution, hitting is never the answer. I bet she didn't mean to treat her son with disrespect, she just lost her temper.

Yeah...maybe she will say sorry later.

I hope so! We could add them to our prayer pail!

Sure!



I use to get upset when my children would see parents hit their children or treat them in a disrespectful manner, but I realized that I can't shelter them from the world, as Bertrand Russell says, it's just the reality of human race.

“I found one day in school a boy of medium size ill-treating a smaller boy. I expostulated, but he replied: ‘The bigs hit me, so I hit the babies; that’s fair.’ In these words he epitomized the history of the human race.”
Bertrand Russell

I can't control what behaviors my children witness, but I can use it as a teaching tool, and find a way to turn it into something good. It's just one more way to draw me closer to God, seek his wisdom, and prepare my children to be men after God's own heart, not live the way of the world.

The conversation took all of two minutes and they were over it as they were shouting, "all done, let's get back in!"

We splashed, laughed, and made a mess.........

Just as our energy was running low and we were about to hit the road, our little friend was tired and started having some big emotions, but this incident played out quite differently. Her mommy remained calm, connected first and then redirected. Mommy acknowledged her feelings, treated her with respect, and showed her compassion....it didn't take long to figure out what baby girl needed!

It was much sweeter to witness

                                                                        connection

self-control

respect

compassion

&

empathy!

“This style of parenting drives us to our knees and so brings us closer to heaven. It forces us to die to self again and again to meet the needs of God’s little creatures. It’s immediately easier to shout and/or hit and abuse our authority to put out the fires of our day. We can stop the behavior through fear and punishment. But that doesn’t really require any heroic, saintly effort on our part, does it? Ultimately, it destroys the relationship with the child and it becomes for us the occasion of sin.”
Elizabeth Foss

I Understand

Crystal,
My dear, sweet friend, I have to admit I thought you were crazy at times, only for my lack of experience. I was childless while watching you raise three little squirts. I adored your family and it was always entertaining, but parts of your life were very confusing to me. Since I'm now raising three children under the age of five, all the confusion is crystal clear!

I understand why you never appreciated my five minute notice to meet me for lunch.

I understand why every time we tried to have a phone conversation, it was interrupted a million times.

I understand why your kids were always taking a bath.

I understand why your entire family slept in one bed.

I understand why it took you ALL DAY LONG to clean the house.

I understand why you spoke of grocery shopping as if you climbed Mt. Everest.

I understand why you picked your battles.

I understand no matter what advice you were given, you always followed your mommy intuition.

I understand how you were immune to "mama mama mama mama mama".

I understand how you knew the difference in a hurt cry and a nothing is really wrong cry.

I understand why you let your sweet baby have her pacifier for three years.

I understand why you always had a hard time spending money on yourself.

I understand why your hubby always wanted you home.

I understand why you cried at the tiniest milestones.

I understand why you were so protective and almost put that mean kid at the park in time out.

I understand the love you once said was indescribable.


I understand you weren't crazy at all, unless I'm wrong, and we are both crazy!

Until Next Time.....

Squashing Stinky Tantrums

Putting on shoes is an arduous task for Chase, it literally gets his blood boiling. While at the park, he was attempting to accomplish the tedious task that continuously works his last little nerve, when he lost all control and shouted, "I so aney!"

I can tell you are feeling angry, and I'm so sorry. Would you like me to help?

As I began to assist my little aney man with his shoes, a sweet mom approached me with a bewildered expression and asked, "did he say he was angry?"

Yes, shoes get him worked up!

How old is he?

Two.

My two year old doesn't tell me how he feels in words, just shows me through tantrums.


It really got me thinking about how well Chase verbalizes his feelings for a two year old, and how he isn't a big fan of tantrums........

He tells me he is sad when Colby is away.

He tells me is frustrated when he can't do something for himself.

He tells me he is scared of the dark.

He tells me he is upset when I won't let him play the IPAD.

He tells me he is tired when he wants to nap.

He also tells me when he is happy, my favorite!

Chase isn't more in touch with his feelings than any other two year old, I have just always offered him words to express his feelings and encouraged him by saying, "use your words, please" if I saw some big emotions starting to surface.

I didn't come up with this bright idea, I stumbled upon it when I was searching for positive discipline methods for Colby. My little, spirited child has BIG emotions, and I once read the more words you give a child to express emotions, the more they use them as an outlet, as opposed to expressing them through behavior, AKA...tantrums!

Since this was a game plan already set in motion when Chase was a baby, I wasn't even aware of the benefits it is apparently having on Chase, until a stranger pointed out the obvious!

High five for expressing feelings and squashing some stinky tantrums!

Until Next Time....

Beach 2012

My favorite captured moments of our lttle vacay to the beach...............

 

Dolphin Cruise

Gulf Shores 2012

Until Next Time....