Week 30-A Happy House

While preparing for LG's start of kindergarten... we have begun to revamp our "House Rules" and I feel that it's been a nice change or everyone... we have seen less yelling, less crying (from mommy especially) and more togetherness... it's a proven fact that kids like structure. We just have to provide them with enough to learn their mistakes from and grown from...

Here are OUR "Rules for a Happy House":

1) R-E-S-P-E-C-T! No Disrespect to Mommy, Daddy or Brother

2) Yakkty-Yak...Don't Talk Back!

3) Be polite! Use “Please,” “Thank You,” “Yes Mam/Sir,” and “No Mam/Sir”

4) Don't be an Octopus! Keep Your Hands and Feet to Yourself

5) No Door Slamming…ever!

6) Thumper said it best...No Name Calling or Disrespectful Faces

7) When told to do something, do it with a SMILE J (no grunting/noises/faces)

8) Dinner is over when Mommy and Daddy are done. It's not an all night diner!

9) Be Polite...If a Door is Closed… Knock First! And then wait...

10) Sharing is caring...ALL toys in the Living Room or Play Room are shared. If you want to play with a toy alone, you must play with it in your bedroom.

Week 29-UnPlugged

I'm not talking about the MTV show from the 90's where artists "unplugged" their instruments and played their songs acoustically... I'm talking about a full 3 days of "unplugged-ness"... no phone, no text messages, no internet, no email, no FaceBook(!!!)... it was one of the HARDEST changed that I did but once it was completed.. it was one of the MOST rewarding changes! I'm shocked as to how obsessed we are with being "connected" when in reality.. we're so "DIS-connected" ... unplugging myself made me aware of my everyday and made me closer to my everyday!

Week 28-Changes all around

This week, LG went to camp at our church, Discovery Church...an awesome camp called U Games. And everyday, when he came home.. I saw changes in HIM that I was amazed at and gave me peace as a parent. Many times, we're not sure if we're doing the right thing when it comes to parenting... its a scary roller coaster... but when you hear your child come home and say to you 'Mommy, I want Jesus in my heart..." You just KNOW that you're doing something right! And amazingly, it brought changes in me that made me want to be stronger in my own faith... how awesome is that?

Week 27-A Week Off

It's been six months of change so far! I cannot belive it... 26 changes in my life and I'm learning so much about myself... it's a beautiful thing!!!

Week 26-Not Your College Road Trip

This week, the boys didn't have camp... and I was antsy... so, we left town and headed to Melbourne (where my in-laws live)...ALONE... no Hubby...just me and my boys... ROAD TRIP!

It was wonderful... and I was actually rested and ready to return home ready to face the daily challenges. Yes, I was still on "duty" but not in my own house... so I was able to focus JUST on my boys and enjoy them without stressing about laundry and cleaning and etc...

I will admit, I was nervous... but now, after the fact... I'm ready for more adventures just me and my boys... this is a change I can see far into the future!

Week 25-VegHead

This is probably the biggest change so far for me AND my family.. we are meat free. No chicken. No turkey. No fish. No pork. No beef. We were pretty much "no" to the last two, but decided to elimniate ALL meats from our family diet. I got some weird loks from people and even the comment from The Hubby, "well, the boys and I WILL want our hot dogs"... but I felt that it was what was best FOR my family and pressed on...

We might do it for a month... we might do it for a week... but I want to try it and see what it can do for our family! You never know what changes will arise from other changes...

***Update*** August 7th, 2010

I am happy to say that we are STILL meat free!! Over one month and we ALL feel great! Even The Hubby has jumped fully on board...even mentioned going VEGAN!! but I cannot give up my cheese and milk... I'm a dairy head! LOL

Week 24-Feed the Soul...Read for the Soul

One way that I have always been able to recharge and "feed my soul" is my reading... I love to read... actually, that is an understatement... I NEED to read. I have always loved reading... starting as a little girl, in my crib with an upside-down book, in the dark... I just had to read! I would create a reading corner in my room, with little signs saying "Shh...." and "Reading in Progress".. yes, I was THAT kid! LOL

Well, things have changed in my life...and I'm no longer able to sit in my reading corner, with my signs...or, can I? I have deidec that YES, I can make time to read...a nd once I did.. I make time for it... like turning off the TV (imagine that!) ans reading instead of turning my brain into mush. It's a change that I hope rubs off onto my kids... reading creates pictures and movies in your mind.. and that is better than any other show you can watch in 30 mins!