Timeouts Can Be Very Effective With A Toddler!!!

Today I had the opportunity to place my littlest DS in timeout on two separate occasions. It seems that the more I am using this technique the more devastated he is in when he is placed in timeout.

• First, occasion, I was starting laundry and he and his new playmate were found with their hands in the bird cage trying to grab ahold of the parakeet (they have never been this bold previously, so the timeout was for 5 minutes, an eternity for a toddler) then they both had to listen to a short lecture from me


• Second, throwing his dinner plate on the floor (if it is not meatloaf or meatballs, lately, then he is not happy with any other food selection and this is one way of expressing his frustration)

I and my littlest DS can use all of your prayers and support as we trudge through all of these issues....we really are in the full throws of the 'terrible two's'.

I am also trying to use the 'Five Languages of Love' and figure what is his 'love language' to try to discern which type of discipline/correction will be the most effective with my little 'mule'. Our Sunday School class bible study lately has been re: Saul and it is interesting to study how he was a 'donkey wrangler' as a young man and how that characterized the children of Israel and their desire to have him as their first king.

Just call me "Mama Saul".

Do We Put Too Much Pressure On Our Kids?

My DH and I were able to attend our son's high school open house last night. It was good to get to meet his teachers and interact with them. Unfortunately, we talked so much to each teacher we were not able to get to 3 of his classes.

What I was surprised to see:

• Parents aggressively confronting teachers regarding their child's grades (i.e. Pre-Calculus)
• So few parents attending the open house (for two of his classes we were the only parent to show up)
• Parents expressing their displeasure with their kids academic performance to other parents in public

What my DS has said recently:

• Kids eat too much junk food (my son is not perfect, but compared to others one coke per week and candy bar doesn't seem excessive, from what I understand that is the typical breakfast for his friends)
• DS is shocked that kids seem to eat excessively and continuously, whenever they stop on his band trips the kids pile out to buy junk food galore (my son has always been one who eats when he is hungry and doesn't typically gorge himself, apparently my DS was almost to the point of getting sick when he saw some of what his friends were eating and how much)
• People don't know how to enjoy downtime and just take it easy occasionally
• People don't take the time to be with their families
• People always seem to put too much pressure on themselves
• People are too materialistic
• Girls don't understand how to dress and presents themselves with modesty (such and such would look so much nicer if she removed her make-up and didn't dress in short dresses/some of the latest trendy clothes)

What I heard from my DS today:

• One parent was at school today and approaching several of their child's teachers about their child turning in additional assignments in order to improve their grade (today is the last day of the six weeks and the grades must be turned in today)
• Several kids were visibly upset that they were receiving "B's" in an advanced placement class and afraid of the repercussions from their parents
• That our son is glad that he doesn't have to face this type of 'pressure' from us, he says that we have always expected him to perform his best and if he says that he has done his best then that is good enough for us, no additional pressure (but he does give us a heads up on classes that are going to be grades lower than 95, we always ask if he thinks there is something that he thinks he might need to do differently and we have an upfront discussion)
• Several of his classmates are getting fewer than 3 hours sleep each night because they are overly involved in extracurricular activities and with the AP class demands they are stretched to exhaustion, they are falling out in classes and look terrible
• Our son is heavily involved in band as his extracurricular activity and as he says that is enough to stretch and challenge him in addition to his class load; (some of his classmates are involved in sports, AP classes, cheerleader, 4H, etc and are expected to give 110% to everything)

What I recognize is that I have these type of tendencies. I explained to my son that I could see myself getting this overemotional on his behalf, as you can tell from some of my postings, right!!!
I guess what I am trying to say is that I keep getting affirmations everyday that I am not in control of my life or my son's no matter how much I think so...

I have been lifting up in prayer my recognition of my need to surrender and trust the Lord to direct and lead my life and my son's life each and everyday.

My writings seem to be getting more intense the closer to graduation from high school we come. My DS is scheduled to graduate May of 2010 and we have a ways to go, but it seems to be going faster than I expected. I am full of apprehension and some fear of the future, but at least in stating it, I am taking steps to pray and study the scriptures to assist me in this period of my life. I would appreciate your lifting these concerns up in prayer...

Holiday Butter Recipe Card Request

Click on this link to request your own copy of a booklet which will give you eight holiday recipes using Real Butter.

http://www.wisdairy.com/OtherDairyProductInfo/Butter/SpecialOffers/Holiday2008/recipes.aspx

Just in time for the holiday season...

Living Far Away

Do you find that living far from your loved ones is difficult?

It seems like my DH and I are struggling more with this issue lately. We have been living in the boonies of the Texas panhandle going on 6 years and it seems like it is getting more difficult that we are not closer to parents and children. Children are over 7 1/2 hours away, my parents are 5 1/2 and my DH family is 1 1/4 hour away.

I guess it is even more of a challenge, because the gas prices keep going up and up and up. We have even been having to watch our trips to the 'big city' of Amarillo. So when we ever get an extended time off we are torn about where to spend some of our time.

We know that we are set to be here at least one more year to have our son graduate from high school, but we are not sure if the Lord wants us to consider moving after that or not. With the economic factors on the rise, it is an even greater need to start praying already.

So if you are a prayer partner, my DH and I have found it is never too early to start your prayer requests, so please join us as we seek to know the Lord's direction for our lives after May 2010.

Thank you!!!

Glasses On The Cheap

Don't ask me where I found this link, but it is wonderful!!!

If you are overwhelmed with the cost of glasses or know of someone who could use a more economical alternative, then check this out.

Amazing prices, for quality products. Realistically you just need to have your prescription info to complete your order.

This is a legitimate site, so check it out and see for yourself.

http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php

Toddler Struggles

I guess the title should read 'Mommy's Struggles' for my littlest really isn't struggling at all.

I am finding it good that I my littlest DS has a playmate that comes over on Mondays and Fridays. He is doing pretty well with the visits. They typically hug when they meet and each loves to wave bye/bye when she leaves for the day.

I have found that our littlest one is very strong natured and it is a bit more of a challenge to get him to follow-through with obeying 'no no's. I have been using diversion and also timeouts, but we do also believe in corporal punishment so there are also pops occasionally.

I am trying to not get too hung up on feeling like I need to have him learning his 'ABC's, numbers, etc.' I am reviewing them but he just laughs and wants to do his own thing. I can't even get him to point to his mouth, nose, ears, eyes, etc. He doesn't want to do that. I guess I am also frustrated with his lack of wanting to talk, he is very at ease with using his own language and we can occasionally hear him say some words, but for the most part, it sounds like Chinese/Hungarian and he loves to talk....so there is no lack of our acquiring his language.

From what I understand, I shouldn't be hung up on his language and other skills and just allow him to play and explore all the more.

It can be difficult to adjust when you have such different personalities and interests between your children. So I am all the more having to learn to let go and trust God with my child.

Fireproof

This is a much anticipated, highly acclaimed movie. I can't wait to see the movie, check it out for yourself. If you were blessed to see "Facing The Giants", I understand that this is a movie that is 10x better than even that film.

Enjoy and may your family be blessed in watching this film

Private Alto Sax Lessons

My DS was able to complete his first alto sax private lesson yesterday afternoon. It looks like he will be able to participate in the lessons each week!!! That means alot of road time, gas money and private lesson fees, but it will be worth it.

It seems like this is the busiest and most hectic year our DS has had in his high school career thus far. He is taking two dual credit classes, (having to get up to speed with online college classes and their formats), Pre Calculus, Spanish IV, Band, an independent study for Trigonometry and also Chemistry I.

He has volunteered to learn the french horn and will participate in an ensemble in order to try and make state level as an ensemble.

Mr. LeFevre stated that our son's talent with the alto sax has outgrown his current instrument. He is recommending that we look into purchasing a professional sax. So far it looks like it would be about $3500-$5000 for a decent one. Also, Mr. LeFevre stated that our DS 'will' make state band. (That is a goal that our son has expressed to us, but not to anyone else) I think that confidence from Mr. LeFevre shocked our son... Our DS stated that he guesses he doesn't demonstrate total self confidence with his playing.

Our DS is debating his recommendation for a pro sax, since he doesn't feel like he wants to make music as a career, why invest so much in a hobby? Our son is pretty practical and he's got a good point... Right now he has decided to try to take his playing and skill with this current horn as far as he can.

A good statement made by our son, 'I don't know what direction the Lord has planned for me career wise but for some reason I have been given a gift with some skills and talent for playing the saxophone so we will see what the Lord wants for me to do...." So we will take this one step at a time.

Our DS is starting to consider possible career choices/majors for college study/colleges for study and is leaning towards the sciences/engineering majors. He is considering possibly architectural engineering/architecture/petroleum engineering, etc. But he also loves to debate his high school band performances in marching and with their performing and 'knows that he could do a better job then his director'.

If nothing else, I think that expanding his skill and talent with playing the alto sax and having such a great private tutor will only serve to improve his confidence and expand his capabilities. It might also help him to decide what direction the Lord is having him go...

I must say that he plays the flute for fun, is really exceptional on the alto sax, is making a good sound with the french horn after only 4 weeks and you should hear him on the piano in the sanctuary when we are cleaning up at our church. He sounds so good on the piano and only had a couple of months of lessons when he was about 7 years old. We don't have a piano at the house, so his only time to 'tickle the ivories' is when we are at church. I know that he didn't get his musical abilities from me....In fact, he says that he knows he has inherited one trait from me, music wise, he absolutely cannot sight read, how do you like those compliments?!?

Newest Family Member

Well, we are thrilled to announce that we have a new member to our extended family. Isn't she lovely!!! Cricket is her name...do we now call her our 'Grand Dog'. I think we should....

Proud new owner, our DD.

Cricket is 2 1/2 years old and our DD rescued her from a shelter. She is in the process of getting adjusted to her new home and life with her new owner.

Free Mazagines

Shhhh, keep this quiet....

I just have to tell everyone about a little secret that I am kinda' apprehensive about sharing. But it's been so much fun, that I thought you might want to get in on the action also.

I have found that this website is excellent for getting postings for really nice free magazines. What is the catch, right? No seriously, they are free and they have been wonderful, I am currently overflowing with free magazines. I love all of them, I would never in a million years subscribe to them, too expensive, but I love the beautiful pictures and the awesome articles.

I am presently getting about 8 magazines for free with no harassing phone calls, emails, subscription notices, etc.

What I have found out is that certain magazines sometimes need to boost their readership numbers and therefore for limited times they will open up prescriptions to additional members for free, no catch, no harassment and I find that I get them pretty swiftly after signing up.

What I have done is added the budget helpers blog address to my google reader as a subscription then when I see that she has posted a new free magazine, I quickly click and sign up. No more than that.

http://budgethelpers.blogspot.com/

Check it out. I just signed up to start receiving 'The Magazine Antiques' yesterday for a one year subscription. Here is the link. I think it is closed now, but go ahead and see....http://budgethelpers.blogspot.com/2008/09/another-magazine-antiques-free-sub.html