Where has the time gone? I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since the last time I posted.
In the past 6 weeks my kids have all had birthdays. My oldest is now 9, my middle child is 6 and my "baby" is now 3! This is unbelievable. It was just yesterday that I birthed the first one! Now she is 9! (Okay guys, you might want to skip this part). A friend of mine mentioned that she had her first period at 9! Oh, I am so not ready for that! Isn't there some way I can keep her little?
And my little boy! He is my baby! I want to be able to hold him forever. Thank goodness he is in this mommy stage right now. I am thoroughly enjoying it. But he is so big. He talks like a big boy in full sentences and you can understand him! Now I understand why people keep having babies!
My middle one is very sweet and she can't decide if she wants to be big or little. She wants me to hold her every morning but then she wants to be like her big sister and do every thing the big sister does. It is kind of nice and also trying.
So for now, I'll try to accept them and where they are at. I will try not to wish their lives away. I will try to enjoy them in each moment knowing they soon will be grown and no longer my babies.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I have a problem...
I want Christmas to be perfect. I want it not only to be perfect but I want it to be like the Christmases I remember from my childhood. Which is strange because our family Christmases were not perfect. I don't think any ones ever is. But I do have some fond memories.
I loved spending time with my paternal grandparents on Christmas Eve. They picked me up early in the day before anyone else came over. I ran errands with them. We would go to get a hamburger for lunch. I helped out a little bit but I also would lie on their couch watching old movies. We went to church for Christmas Eve services which I particularly loved. It was so nice to have all of their attention. It's one of my best memories.
My mom must have spent DAYS baking every Christmas. We had cut out cookies, coffee cakes, crescent rolls, pecan sandies, butterscotch stars, fruitcake cookies...I can't remember what else but it was all good...except for maybe the fruitcake:) I try to make some of mom's recipes but I also have some of our own favorites. It never feels like enough though.
A lot of my problem is that I want to get my kids everything they want...which this year is especially difficult. I want them to be thrilled and overwhelmed. Of course, we never get them all they want but in the past we have gotten them a lot. Well, this year we are choosing a different way. I hope that they will be happy about all of what we did this season rather than what they get. It is hard. With God's help I am sure we will make it through but there are still feelings to feel and emotions to deal with. God has a different path for us to take this year and It's sometimes hard to swallow...but God's path is always good.
My problem (or problems) can always be solved with God's help.
From the Big Book...
"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems..." p.449 in 3rd edition
From the Bible...
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I loved spending time with my paternal grandparents on Christmas Eve. They picked me up early in the day before anyone else came over. I ran errands with them. We would go to get a hamburger for lunch. I helped out a little bit but I also would lie on their couch watching old movies. We went to church for Christmas Eve services which I particularly loved. It was so nice to have all of their attention. It's one of my best memories.
My mom must have spent DAYS baking every Christmas. We had cut out cookies, coffee cakes, crescent rolls, pecan sandies, butterscotch stars, fruitcake cookies...I can't remember what else but it was all good...except for maybe the fruitcake:) I try to make some of mom's recipes but I also have some of our own favorites. It never feels like enough though.
A lot of my problem is that I want to get my kids everything they want...which this year is especially difficult. I want them to be thrilled and overwhelmed. Of course, we never get them all they want but in the past we have gotten them a lot. Well, this year we are choosing a different way. I hope that they will be happy about all of what we did this season rather than what they get. It is hard. With God's help I am sure we will make it through but there are still feelings to feel and emotions to deal with. God has a different path for us to take this year and It's sometimes hard to swallow...but God's path is always good.
My problem (or problems) can always be solved with God's help.
From the Big Book...
"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems..." p.449 in 3rd edition
From the Bible...
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Easy but messy holiday treat!
Well, we just finished making a batch of Pretzel Snowmen at our house. They really aren't snowmen but my kids know them by that name. Maybe when they are older they really will be snowmen but for now they are just pretzel rods with melted white chocolate chip glaze and every sort of sprinkle possible! It is something we have adapted for each holiday. At Halloween they are pretzel ghosts and at Easter they are pretzel bunnies.
We love them but WOW! what a mess! The 3 year old joined in today and he kept (don't tell any of the relatives) licking his fingers! Both my 6 year old and my 9 year old fell off their chairs reaching for something! There are sprinkles everywhere and white chocolate glue attached to everything including the chair backs! Plus the bottoms of my socks are very sticky!
But it was great family time together. They love making them. I think they love making them more than eating them...or maybe not...I did catch my oldest eating up the pile of leftover sprinkles. It was fun and fairly inexpensive. I think the Pretzel ghosts will be a tradition for years to come. And a memory that will "stick" with my precious children for a long time.
Pretzel Snowmen
1 bag of Pretzel Rods
1 bag of white chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli)
Assorted Sprinkles (red & green sugars & nonpareils, crushed candy canes, etc.)
Melt white chocolate chips in a glass bowl for a minute. Stir to mix. Microwave 15 more seconds or until spreadable. Use a small rubber scraper to "paint" on the chocolate leaving a small unpainted "handle" at the bottom. Decorate and lay on a piece of waxed paper to dry. We have also dried them in coffee mugs so as not to get a flat side. Be aware it takes a lot of mugs and sometimes they stick together. Store in airtight container. They will last for weeks if you don't eat them before then.
We love them but WOW! what a mess! The 3 year old joined in today and he kept (don't tell any of the relatives) licking his fingers! Both my 6 year old and my 9 year old fell off their chairs reaching for something! There are sprinkles everywhere and white chocolate glue attached to everything including the chair backs! Plus the bottoms of my socks are very sticky!
But it was great family time together. They love making them. I think they love making them more than eating them...or maybe not...I did catch my oldest eating up the pile of leftover sprinkles. It was fun and fairly inexpensive. I think the Pretzel ghosts will be a tradition for years to come. And a memory that will "stick" with my precious children for a long time.
Pretzel Snowmen
1 bag of Pretzel Rods
1 bag of white chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli)
Assorted Sprinkles (red & green sugars & nonpareils, crushed candy canes, etc.)
Melt white chocolate chips in a glass bowl for a minute. Stir to mix. Microwave 15 more seconds or until spreadable. Use a small rubber scraper to "paint" on the chocolate leaving a small unpainted "handle" at the bottom. Decorate and lay on a piece of waxed paper to dry. We have also dried them in coffee mugs so as not to get a flat side. Be aware it takes a lot of mugs and sometimes they stick together. Store in airtight container. They will last for weeks if you don't eat them before then.
Friday, December 4, 2009
We homeschool!
My kids are homeschooled. I love having the kids home with me. There are many times when I want to pull my hair out but overall it is awesome. I love the freedom. I love the relationship that my children have with each other. I love the opportunities we have to do things during the day. I love teaching my children what I think is appropriate. I love teaching them about Jesus and reading to them from the Bible. It is ideal for my family.
We have a curriculum but I have difficulty following the schedule. People tell me that kids need a routine. Well, I am not sure about that but I do know I get less whining when we do the same lessons each day. My son who is 3 listens in on what we are doing so I know he is taking some of it. My 6 year old is doing 3rd grade spelling which is definitely beneficial for her. We all read books together which builds our bond as a family. Reading is one of my favorite things to do and I don't do it very often because there is always something else to do. But this way I get to read stories I may not have read before. I picked this curriculum because of the reading. I actually had to hold us back from reading it all the first month we had the curriculum. My oldest and I would have finished it all and I am glad we didn't because now the 6 year old can read and we can all go through it together. We don't do our school the same time each day. We don't do it 5 days a week. We don't do each subject each day. We are a work in progress.
And about that socialization thing...it's the least of my worries. My kids have plenty of friends. They are comfortable speaking with adults. They have manners. They know how to behave (for the most part) in public. We have church, ballet lessons, field trips, parties, events, etc. in which they are around plenty of people. I really think that is the silliest excuse in the world to dislike homeschooling.
Here is a book that I loved about Homeschooling:
Real Life Homeschooling: 21 Families Who Teach Their Children at Home by Rhonda Barfield
Here is a homeschooling website with a daily devotional that I receive every day:
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/
Here is the website for our local homeschool group in Austin:
http://www.main.org/aah/
We have a curriculum but I have difficulty following the schedule. People tell me that kids need a routine. Well, I am not sure about that but I do know I get less whining when we do the same lessons each day. My son who is 3 listens in on what we are doing so I know he is taking some of it. My 6 year old is doing 3rd grade spelling which is definitely beneficial for her. We all read books together which builds our bond as a family. Reading is one of my favorite things to do and I don't do it very often because there is always something else to do. But this way I get to read stories I may not have read before. I picked this curriculum because of the reading. I actually had to hold us back from reading it all the first month we had the curriculum. My oldest and I would have finished it all and I am glad we didn't because now the 6 year old can read and we can all go through it together. We don't do our school the same time each day. We don't do it 5 days a week. We don't do each subject each day. We are a work in progress.
And about that socialization thing...it's the least of my worries. My kids have plenty of friends. They are comfortable speaking with adults. They have manners. They know how to behave (for the most part) in public. We have church, ballet lessons, field trips, parties, events, etc. in which they are around plenty of people. I really think that is the silliest excuse in the world to dislike homeschooling.
Here is a book that I loved about Homeschooling:
Real Life Homeschooling: 21 Families Who Teach Their Children at Home by Rhonda Barfield
Here is a homeschooling website with a daily devotional that I receive every day:
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/
Here is the website for our local homeschool group in Austin:
http://www.main.org/aah/
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Gratitude
Have you heard of the saying "Attitude of Gratitude"? It's harder than it seems. But it is a necessary part of staying sane and peaceful. Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of gratitude-a time where we say thanks for all that we have. Well, I forgot. We spent time with relatives, got holiday pictures taken, had a birthday party and so on and so on. So I forgot to thank God for all that He has given me. It is all from Him. All that I have comes from Him.
So, here is my gratitude list (try making your own, it will feel good).
I am grateful for:
1. My health-I have issues but I am alive!
2. My kids-they are so cute!
3. My husband-he loves me more than I deserve.
4. Our house-it is warm and dry
5. My husband's job-in this economy, we are lucky
6. The food in our refrigerator
7. Our church family-I feel so blessed
8. AA and my sobriety and my husband's sobriety
9. My sponspor and her guidance
10. Jesus
Here's one of my kid's favorite movies about this:
Veggie Tales Madame Blueberry with the song "A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart"
Here's one of my favorite verses from the Bible:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Here's a song that might inspire you:
Forever by Chris Tomlin (pay particular attention to the first verse)
So, here is my gratitude list (try making your own, it will feel good).
I am grateful for:
1. My health-I have issues but I am alive!
2. My kids-they are so cute!
3. My husband-he loves me more than I deserve.
4. Our house-it is warm and dry
5. My husband's job-in this economy, we are lucky
6. The food in our refrigerator
7. Our church family-I feel so blessed
8. AA and my sobriety and my husband's sobriety
9. My sponspor and her guidance
10. Jesus
Here's one of my kid's favorite movies about this:
Veggie Tales Madame Blueberry with the song "A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart"
Here's one of my favorite verses from the Bible:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Here's a song that might inspire you:
Forever by Chris Tomlin (pay particular attention to the first verse)
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