'room time'

It's Tuesday and that typically means a busier day and most of my two year old's are here. Our day consists of attending play group at my church in the AM, come back have lunch and then nap time.

Nap time. Tuesday's are always struggle when it comes to nap time. It doesn't matter what combination of two year old's I put in the nap room they almost always horse around (and some of my older ones too). I started reading a new book, "Loving Our Kids With Purpose" and he calls sleep time 'room time.' I really love his concept, he tells his kids that he doesn't want to hear them or see them. Sleep time can be a struggle for a little of kiddos. He tells his kids that they have two choices 1) make that I can't hear you or see you or 2) he has chores for them to do to help them get tired. A couple time of his kids doing chores cured their problem of talking and being seen at sleep time. The coolest thing is that he can do this without getting angry and doing it as a scare tactic. It's enabling your child(ren) to learn to make choices. Sometimes they will make the wrong one but they are in a safe & loving environment to learn from them. Love drives out fear. His parenting is based on the New Covenant that we have with Jesus and your kids see Jesus through you. Jesus doesn't scare us into obeying him he gives us choices, free will, and he always has---ever since Adam & Eve.

I have decided, starting tomorrow, that I'm going to adopt the new name "room time" and give my kiddos the same two choices. I'm hoping after a couple of rounds of doing chores that they will want to make the best choice. I'll let you know how it goes.

I highly recommend this book, it has changed my perspective of parenting. I can't put it down, it's so good. I love parenting books since I'm "parenting" all day long. The more tools and resources I have the better!

being united...

In a marriage, I think this is one of the best feelings--being united with your spouse in all areas. My hubby and I are finally getting serious about paying off our debt faster. We went through the Dave Ramsey class about two years ago, but never put it to work together. I started it, but the excitement of it fizzled fast since my hubby and I weren't doing it together.
This week we sat down and a had friendly (I know, not even one voice was raised or a cross word was spoken) talk about our goals for our finances and figured out a new system/ budget for our finances. I strongly dislike debt, but yet we have it. The Bible says we are a slave to our debtor and I definitely feel that at times. Often enough, I have played the "what if" game and imagined if we only had a mortgage payment and our normal monthly bills (utilities, groceries)---imagine what a person could do! I'm so excited to see what we can do together---being united with God at the center. I love how my husband is a leader, he has such a charisma about himself. I look forward to see how God will use that gift as we continue on in our marriage journey.

the little things...

Today has been quite the day. I have ten little munchkins and they are full or energy and spunk. We have had lots of "teaching moments." To reunite everyone and to practice being kind and good friends we had dance competition and then a dance party. It's so cute to see each one's little personality come out on the dance floor. I make sure to cheer loud and to praise each one for their different moves and creativity, or just for the courage to get on the dance floor.

Lunch, like most days, is crazy---some days that's an understatement. Some days I'll put in a movie while I slave away over the stove (not really) and that helps ease the rowdiness, but since the kiddos had a hard time listening and being kind there was no movie--movies are privileges, they are not to be expected. As my patience were decreasing, at a quite a fast rate I might add, and the noise level is way higher then it should be, I looked over to check on my Shaner and he had discovered how to open the cupboard. He was so focused and would hold on to the handle with such preciseness; his face would light up as he would open and close the door. In that moment, all of the chaos went away and my little boy amazed me and melted my heart at the same time. See, it really is the little things. I thank God for that. I need those little things a lot during the day. God has given me my Shane to remind me of the simple pleasures of life. When I'm feeling overwhelmed or discouraged I will look over at him and he will flash the biggest most wet smile you've ever seen. God puts people, or even babies, in your life for a reason. It's not that I'm at my wits end or even in a funk, but some days you need the little things in life to remind you not to take life so seriously, and for a moment to forget about what's going on.

So today I am thankful for the little things and the littlest person in my life...Shane Taylor.