Yes, and we couldn't be happier!!!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday Again!
It's only been a week, so I'm not feeling too bad about being a blogging slacker this time. I made it to the gym all week last week (M - F) and have successfully gone both days this week as well. Whoo hoo! Success! I haven't successfully gotten myself to stop eating, but the sweets seem to be disagreeing with me these days. Should make it easier to at least eat BETTER, if not LESS.
I've started reading some parenting manuals to help me govern my household a little better. Actually just to help me manage (and raise) the children. The first one is called "Between Parent and Child" by Haim Ginott. The second one is "Children: The Challenge" by Rudolf Dreikurs. These books have given me lots of insight into better relating with my children, and suggestions on how to "lead" more effectively. A little strange (and VERY difficult) but I am starting to see some improvement. Although sometimes it seems like the extremity of certain situations maybe heightened, the problems seem to be resolving themselves much more quickly.
One chapter I read today suggested that a parent should NEVER interject themselves between fighting children (assuming there is no potential for fatal injury), and I thought this to be fairly shocking of a concept. For a parent it is so hard to NOT say "Share" or "Take turns" or "Be nice" or "Apologize" when we hear our children quarreling. So, I plan to take this suggestion to heart. Actually I have already started and although 20 minutes ago I was ignoring a deluge of screaming and crying, right now my house is silent. All four children are calmly playing and/or watching television peacefully. Jason was even the one who figured out that Breanna was actually crying because she caught her finger in something. Brilliant, I tell ya!
When I hear the THUMPING of my children beating on each other (yes, it happens!) my stomach turns in circles. I want so badly so stop it. But until there is first aid to be administered (without judgement, of course) it is not of my business. I honestly feel really good about it so far. I know I can remember doing (and receiving) my share of thumping when I was younger...
My newfound skills have given me newfound confidence, and now only increased my desire to grow our family. I HAVE always wanted 5, after all.
I've started reading some parenting manuals to help me govern my household a little better. Actually just to help me manage (and raise) the children. The first one is called "Between Parent and Child" by Haim Ginott. The second one is "Children: The Challenge" by Rudolf Dreikurs. These books have given me lots of insight into better relating with my children, and suggestions on how to "lead" more effectively. A little strange (and VERY difficult) but I am starting to see some improvement. Although sometimes it seems like the extremity of certain situations maybe heightened, the problems seem to be resolving themselves much more quickly.
One chapter I read today suggested that a parent should NEVER interject themselves between fighting children (assuming there is no potential for fatal injury), and I thought this to be fairly shocking of a concept. For a parent it is so hard to NOT say "Share" or "Take turns" or "Be nice" or "Apologize" when we hear our children quarreling. So, I plan to take this suggestion to heart. Actually I have already started and although 20 minutes ago I was ignoring a deluge of screaming and crying, right now my house is silent. All four children are calmly playing and/or watching television peacefully. Jason was even the one who figured out that Breanna was actually crying because she caught her finger in something. Brilliant, I tell ya!
When I hear the THUMPING of my children beating on each other (yes, it happens!) my stomach turns in circles. I want so badly so stop it. But until there is first aid to be administered (without judgement, of course) it is not of my business. I honestly feel really good about it so far. I know I can remember doing (and receiving) my share of thumping when I was younger...
My newfound skills have given me newfound confidence, and now only increased my desire to grow our family. I HAVE always wanted 5, after all.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuesday
Two days in a row. Here I go! Not sure I have anything to say, though.
We made it to the gym (again) this morning. That, too, has been two days in a row. Whoo hoo. Getting back on the elliptical (as it were) isn't quite as fun as it was the first time around. But I am determined to take some weight off before my membership expires in February. Only about 5 weeks to go.
Tonight we are going to The Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton. Which may very well be my favorite restaurant of all time. Apparently they are celebrating their 40th anniversary by rolling back prices to those of 40 years ago. I am SOOOO there!! And Rick just happens to be working in Anaheim this week, so it all works out. We will meet him (and my Dad and Stepmom, who kindly called to let me know!) for an early dinner. I'm excited. Especially since my new exercise routine is including a drastic cut in calorie intake. So I'm looking forward to dinner because I have forbidden myself to eat anything until then. That's what I get for eating that greasy quesadilla for lunch! Shame, shame!
As soon as Hattie gets home (about 10 minutes) we'll be off to meet Daddy in the OC.
Hope your Tuesdays are treating you all with kindness!
We made it to the gym (again) this morning. That, too, has been two days in a row. Whoo hoo. Getting back on the elliptical (as it were) isn't quite as fun as it was the first time around. But I am determined to take some weight off before my membership expires in February. Only about 5 weeks to go.
Tonight we are going to The Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton. Which may very well be my favorite restaurant of all time. Apparently they are celebrating their 40th anniversary by rolling back prices to those of 40 years ago. I am SOOOO there!! And Rick just happens to be working in Anaheim this week, so it all works out. We will meet him (and my Dad and Stepmom, who kindly called to let me know!) for an early dinner. I'm excited. Especially since my new exercise routine is including a drastic cut in calorie intake. So I'm looking forward to dinner because I have forbidden myself to eat anything until then. That's what I get for eating that greasy quesadilla for lunch! Shame, shame!
As soon as Hattie gets home (about 10 minutes) we'll be off to meet Daddy in the OC.
Hope your Tuesdays are treating you all with kindness!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Peace
I have a brief minute before Rick gets home from work and Hattie, Jason, and Derek all come home from the neighbor's house. Breanna is peacefully watching TV downstairs. Terrible babysitter, I know, but Hattie did explain the "water cycle" to us the other day after having learned it on "Blue's Clues". Seriously, that made me feel so good about allowing them so much TV time. Rationalizations, I know.
So I like to think I'm making up for the lack of blogging by posting 3 times in one day. Is it working? Anyone? Maybe I'm trying to make more of a habit of getting myself onto the blog more often. We shall see. I always say that and I rarely follow through.
Oh yeah, and yesterday my car battery went dead (the joys of young children who like to leave on lights in cars) so we had to jump it. But it was so dead that it would not go into neutral (for us to push it into the driveway next to Rick's car). Therefore, we literally had to clean out the side of the garage to fit Rick's car in and then jump the van. Hilarious. Think if we'd have known it would only take 10 minutes then we would have cleared a space for Rick's car weeks ago?? No, I didn't think so either. But at least there's a spot for another car in there. How cool is that?
I just heard a child bound through the front door, and I'm sure the other two are not far behind. Ah yes, here they are now. Hattie comes in screaming "Derek, you scared the crap out of me!" Uh oh, wonder where she learned that from??
So I like to think I'm making up for the lack of blogging by posting 3 times in one day. Is it working? Anyone? Maybe I'm trying to make more of a habit of getting myself onto the blog more often. We shall see. I always say that and I rarely follow through.
Oh yeah, and yesterday my car battery went dead (the joys of young children who like to leave on lights in cars) so we had to jump it. But it was so dead that it would not go into neutral (for us to push it into the driveway next to Rick's car). Therefore, we literally had to clean out the side of the garage to fit Rick's car in and then jump the van. Hilarious. Think if we'd have known it would only take 10 minutes then we would have cleared a space for Rick's car weeks ago?? No, I didn't think so either. But at least there's a spot for another car in there. How cool is that?
I just heard a child bound through the front door, and I'm sure the other two are not far behind. Ah yes, here they are now. Hattie comes in screaming "Derek, you scared the crap out of me!" Uh oh, wonder where she learned that from??
Update
We did, however, get a new water heater and we've been enjoying the hot water. When we had foster kids (a couple of years ago) they - the State - made us keep the water temp at 120 degrees. Holy cow. That is not hot enough, people...
Rick has not gotten a new car yet, but we hope to acquire something within the next couple of months. The insurance company did repair his little Altima, though, so he is not without transportation. Also, he is still working, and that is good!
Christmas was good. The children got spoiled and obnoxious. Isn't that just the tradition?
Better get going for reals now. The gym is calling and I also need to swing by AAA before I take Jason to school.
Happy New Year!!
Rick has not gotten a new car yet, but we hope to acquire something within the next couple of months. The insurance company did repair his little Altima, though, so he is not without transportation. Also, he is still working, and that is good!
Christmas was good. The children got spoiled and obnoxious. Isn't that just the tradition?
Better get going for reals now. The gym is calling and I also need to swing by AAA before I take Jason to school.
Happy New Year!!
Back to School
No, we still have not gotten the oven fixed/looked at anything.
Trying to get out the door and get myself back to the gym. 20 lbs are mocking me each and every time I look in the mirror.
Just wanted to note that Derek is still cracking me up with his mispronunciations.
He usually says a "c" instead of an "s"... This morning he said... "I have a sock..."
Why, yes, Derek. Yes, you do...
Have a great Monday!
Trying to get out the door and get myself back to the gym. 20 lbs are mocking me each and every time I look in the mirror.
Just wanted to note that Derek is still cracking me up with his mispronunciations.
He usually says a "c" instead of an "s"... This morning he said... "I have a sock..."
Why, yes, Derek. Yes, you do...
Have a great Monday!
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