A sure sign

Pin It A sure sign that you've eaten too much fast food lately:

When your child is able to build an entire space station out of Chick Fil A kid's meal toys.

SIGH.

Okay, fasting from fast food. Even Chick Fil A.

Starting NOW.

Y'all keep me accountable, okay?

This is the funniest thing I've ever read!

Pin It Because We're a Happy Family Dangit!

And do you want to know why this is so funny to me?

BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.

Allow me to share some outtakes from last year's Perfect Family Christmas Picture.






Just touches the heart, doesn't it. I know *I* shed a few tears over it all.

And today was going to be the day. We decided to get REALLY brave and allow the mama and the daddy in the pic too. My poor children are going to grow up and look through pictures and wonder if mama was just a figment of their imaginations. It may just hurt me, but I'm gonna try to allow myself to be in some more pics.

Well, it rained today. All of the planning and stressing ... and rain ...

So, TOMORROW may be the day, weather dependent. (Because for some arbitrary reason, I've decided that the perfect family Christmas picture must be taken outdoors this year.)

We did finally get something worthwhile last year. A big huge thank you to the makers of photoshop, without which I would surely be babbling incoherently in a padded room right about now.

Sheepish grins and Not Me

Pin It First things first ... remember THIS post from a couple of weeks ago? Well, see me blush through the computer screen. Is your monitor turning a lovely shade of red? It should be.

You know how sometimes you think things are supposed to work out one way and then they don't? A lot of people take things in stride, thinking that it means the Lord has something else planned for them. I am, evidently, not one of those people. Other people get mad, stamp their feet, cry, and have temper tantrums, including biting the heads off of family members. You guessed it friends. I am one of THOSE people. And, if you're reading this thinking "no way!" it just means I have you snowed and you don't know me as well as you think you do. Just please don't ask one of my family members for clarification. I'd prefer you just think the best of me, even if it's inaccurate!

Anyway ... I hope to be able to post tomorrow or Wednesday about how the Lord worked all of this out. He already has worked it out, but I'd prefer to be able to share the details. :) In the meantime, I'm going to work on becoming one of the "take things in stride" people. I'll let you know how it goes.

And now ...

hm ... it's been a pretty perfect week around here, so I don't have a ton of things to share ... (pardon me while I pick myself up off the floor from laughing so hard!)

I DID (finally) sort through the little one's clothes. I pulled out the super summery stuff, and replaced it with our TX loosely defined wintery stuff. I DID NOT leave the summery stuff out, where it has been knocked over, trampled, and put on various dolls. Some of this stuff DID NOT get put back in the drawer. I DID NOT have a fit when the kids would get into it, and I certainly DID NOT admit that it was my fault for leaving it out in the first place.

Remember the math DVD that I DID NOT make my oldest spend her birthday money to replace after she lost it? We DID NOT just find it last night behind the couch. I mean, I MOVE the couch to vacuum, so how on earth could we not have seen that DVD back there? Okay, it really HAS NOT been almost an entire year since that couch has been moved. Anyone want a Math U See Delta DVD and teacher's book? I DID tell the oldest that if the other set was found, we'd sell the new set and she could have the proceeds from the sale.

And now I need to pick on the middle one ... I DID NOT make her wear shoes that are too small to church last night because she couldn't find the ones that DO fit. I DID NOT decide to not care that her little toes were scrunched up. I WAS NOT unsympathetic at all and I certainly did not threaten to remove every toy from her room and put her shoes neatly where her toys were until she could start keeping up with them. I'd never do that.

And one more ... remember THIS post? I HAVE NOT already blown that to bits. SIGH.

Every now and then ...

Pin It Every now and then an amazing thing happens.



I get a fabulous picture of one of my kids. It's a rare thing. Just when I decide to give up trying to get good pics, this happens:




We had a fire fighter come visit at MOPS today. She let the kids put her uniform on and climb all over the truck. For a three year old boy, this is just the greatest thing ever!

Another Not Me Monday!

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I am not sitting here at this moment wanting nothing but peace and quiet. I do not suffer from noise overload every Monday afternoon. I do not give my children busy work that requires no supervision on Mondays so I can have a teeny bit of quiet. I am not currently planning to leave the house and take the VERY scenic route to church just because it will be quiet and peaceful in my car. I am not passing off a discipline problem that is going on right now to my husband because I just don't want to deal with it.

I am not a horrible mother. And my oldest daughter doesn't think I am either. I am not making her write her spelling words TWO TIMES EACH ... oh the horrors ... pardon me while I ROLL MY EYES. No, really, I would never roll my eyes at my kids. I am not mean for *not* making her do her spelling words. If I were to make her do her spelling words, it would not be just because I want her to be able to spell without having to rely on spellcheck.

I am not about to make every single word on said spelling list be looked up in the dictionary and have every definition written down if I receive any more grief about telling her to write the words twice.

I have not observed that it would have taken less time for her to write the darn words than to complain about having to write the words.

I would never write a "Not Me Monday" while frustrated with one of my kids. That frustration might come through in my typing, and I just wouldn't want to do that.

And, since I'm *NOT* picking on my oldest kid, I have a few to share with the other two.

My middle daughter's voice does not cause my ears to bleed. I love listening to her high-pitched squeaky voice as she tells on her brother and sister approximately 372,954 times every day. I relish hearing that sweet sing-song "Moooooooooooooooooommmmm!! She did this or he did that~!!!!" Really, I live for these wonderful mommy moments.

My son has not had temper tantrums all week long. The doctor's office, the x-ray place, church, co-op, grocery store, pharmacy, the bank, and every single person who has come to my house have not been treated to these tantrums. I did not hear that he pinched a teacher and kicked a baby at church last night. My children are little angels and never have attitude problems.

And, right at this moment, I am NOT tempted to drown my frustrations at Starbucks. Oh wait, maybe I am. ;)

I love my kids. :) Even when they have attitudes, squeaky voices, and temper tantrums. Thank you Lord for these sweet blessings!

My friend's update

Pin It Oh goodness, so sorry I didn't post this sooner!

Praising for Glenna and continuing in prayer for her family.

Thank you for joining me in prayer!

(click on her name to go to her blog to read her update!)

My friend needs prayers

Pin It Hey girls,

You local girls already know this and I know are already praying, but for the CMF'ers and various others who read here, I have a prayer request. My friend Glenna is in need of prayers for a custody hearing she's having tomorrow morning at 8:30 central time.

You can read her blog for the full story. She made a mistake and could potentially lose her kids over it. She's a GOOD mom. We had a similar mistake made around here a couple of years ago, and it was scary in and of itself. The very idea that because of that mistake, custody could be lost is just scary to think about.

This is a sweet mama who needs prayers for comfort, and prayers that her children will be returned to her at this hearing tomorrow.

Thanks, girls.

Not Me Monday!

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I'm ready for some not me's today, aren't you?

I did not cry a river over some very minor and temporary news this morning. Neither did I have a temper tantrum, stamp my feet, or be rude to the bearer of the news. I am not sitting here still embarrassed by my behavior. (SIGH)

I did not storm off in a bad mood most of the day due to the very minor and temporary news. I did not wish to inhale large amounts of chocolate to help me deal with the news. I did not skip lunch so that I could justify Starbucks to help me deal with the news.

(And let me repeat ... this news that I did NOT receive really is a minor thing that will cause a very temporary delay in my life, if I'm looking at it from the right perspective. Most people would probably call it an inconvenience. Not me, evidently.)

And while I'm here, I'll just let you all know that I never ever overreact to anything. Never. Not me. Nor do I ever exaggerate. I will tell you a million times, I do NOT exaggerate.

I did not bask in mommy pride that, while on a field trip, my daughter took notes. I did not ask another mama to take pics of my kid being studious. Nor did I forget my camera on a field trip!

I am not currently trying to think of an excuse to go to bed early.

Hm ... this is kind of written on the fly, and I'm sure I have some more. Maybe I'll come back and edit later.

Beth Moore in the morning

Pin It I'm doing the Bible study "Stepping Up" by Beth Moore. Oh my, girls, it is fabulous. It's a six week study of the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 121 - 135.) Well, it's SUPPOSED to be a six weeks study. heehee. I think we're the remedial class, I'm sure it will take us closer to three or four months to complete it. The Lord is speaking to me L O U D L Y through this study!

Today I finished up Psalm 124.

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say-
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,

3 when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;

4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

(The following are my interpretations of Beth Moore's words, no credit goes to me for these thoughts!)

If the Lord had not been on our side ... in other words, if the Lord had not been FOR US ...

Give that some thought! What would your life had been like without the Lord being FOR YOU? Those things that happened that were so painful at the time, but now looking back, you can see that the Lord used them for your good.

For me, this brings to mind a couple of failed relationships ... PRAISE GOD that they failed! My oh my, it hurt at the time though! I remember praying, "Lord, please, I'll do anything, just let me have THIS (relationship)." I know the Lord must have been saying "Child, trust me. I have something better for you, and though this is going to hurt right now, I am on your side and I am for you, and I know that THIS is not really what you want, even though you think it is. Trust me."

Wow.

I know I spend a lot of time kind of feeling like the Lord tolerates me rather than is for me. Like He puts up with me because He said He would. This is so not true. He chooses to be for me. He chooses to be on my side. I get so bogged down when my circumstances don't match up to what I think they should and feel like God is mad at me, or God is for someone else when I see their circumstances look better than mine. This isn't to say that God isn't for them, just that no matter the circumstances, GOD IS FOR US. FOR YOU! Grab ahold of that this morning. I did.

One more thing ... Read Romans 8:28-39:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read all the things God has told you He would do for you in this passage. Today's homework had us make a list as an "I will" statement from God to me. Here's what mine looked like:

My child, Melanie

I will make sure all things work together for your good.

I will conform you to the likeness of my Son.

I will be for you, so who can be against you?

I will graciously give you all things.

I will choose you and justify you.

I will not let you be separated from me.

Love, God

I challenge you to make a list.

What a fabulous way to start the day!

Praise the Lord!!

Thinking about Christmas

Pin It Something they want
Something they need
Something to wear
Something to read

Four presents. HM!!

I wonder if I could make myself do it?

Three down, two to go!

Pin It Wow, for THREE DAYS now, I've had no disrespect from my oldest! It was touch and go for a few minutes today, and I thought we might have to start over, but a gentle reminder of that fact stopped the pre-attitude in its tracks. Has it actually happened? Have I found something that works?

Stay tuned ...

(I know, you're all holding your breath in anticipation!)

Parenting 101

Pin It Alternate title: One down, four to go

Ten year olds and disrespect. What a lovely combination for a mom.

Friday night G had her twice postponed birthday sleepover. Somehow this small party ended up to be a much bigger deal than we had anticipated. More people ended up invited, more money was spent - just all around a bigger deal than we had originally planned. That's fine; you only turn 10 once, and in my house, you only get a sleepover party once, so I wanted it to be a blessing to her. And it was. Everyone had a good time, even with my declaration that I am NOT the cool mom, and when the movie ended, lights were out and it was time to go to sleep. This was between 1:30 and 2:00 am, so maybe I am a little bit cool. LOL

Okay, so she has a great party, has a fabulous time with her friends. Saturday rolls around, and we had attitude. I excused it thinking that she was tired and could use some grace.

Sunday rolls around and we have attitude. Not only attitude -- we have EYEROLLING. Oh no. My 10 year old will NOT be rolling her eyes at me.

I've been trying to figure out what motivates each of my children, to learn effective deterrents for bad behavior. This one is actually the easiest of the three. She is very social, loves to have a friend over or be at a friend's house.

So ... the deterrent ... FIVE DAYS in a row with NO disrespect. None. No eyerolling, no muttering under her breath, no nuthin'. If during one of those five days, there IS disrespect, we start over. During those five days, there will be no friends invited over, and she will not be going to any friends' house. None of that until five days in a row have passed.

Oh, and this goes for dad too, although she's typically not disrespectful to him. (warning - mommy giving guilt trip ahead) Why is it that she's disrespectful to ME? I carried her for nine months, I had my body cut in two to deliver her, I nursed her until I bled, I got up every night with her (seriously - the one night I pumped, told Jim to take care of her, I was sleeping, was the first night she slept through the night. I, of course, had to get up because I was overfull ... LOL ... that should have been a sign that this girl has a bit of obstinance in her!) ... oh well ... girls and moms ... I guess she comes by it honestly. I remember being so mad at my mom when I was about her age that I wouldn't wear a stitch of clothes she had given me. My dad DID buy me clothes every now and then, but it was usually of the outerwear variety. Um yeah ... let's just say I wasn't dressed appropriately that day.

So back to G. We made it thorough yesterday without any disrespect from her. Let's see how today goes, shall we?

Woohoo ... it's Monday!

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After a couple of weeks off, I have a few "not me's" for you. MckMama may or may not be taking this Monday off ... she had a HEALTHY BABY btw! Praising God for that!! Anyway ... I needed a little not me today.

I did not only buy a fall festival costume for my youngest child and leave my other two on their own. That would be an obvious show of favoritism, and I wouldn't do that. But then again, what's a mom to do when her son's best friend has a Woody costume? In that instance, there HAS to be a Buzz. I mean, who can resist this:

That's right, NOT ME.

I did not spend entirely too much energy being worried about my daughter's twice postponed birthday sleepover. That would just be silly. They're all Christian young ladies and I would never worry that they might not mix well when they're overtired and sugared up. BTW, it was a fabulous party, and everyone got along just perfectly. :) I also did not take so many pictures during this party that I'm overwhelmed at the very thought of going through them.

Back to the fall festival ... other than Buzz Lightyear, I had a "smartie pants" and a "spa girl." Spa girl started shedding her costume almost immediately. Shortly after walking into the building, her costume consisted of a bathrobe and slippers. I did not tell her that if anyone asked her what she was and she said "Mother" that I would ground her. There would be no reason for her to do that. I would never spend the day in a bathrobe and slippers. PJ's and socks maybe, but not a bathrobe and slippers.

I did not celebrate the 12th anniversary of my marriage Sunday by being lazy all day. And if I had spent the day being lazy, it wouldn't have mattered too much because the hubby was at work, and we had already planned to have a date on Tuesday. (btw - I am LOVING having a free night - no activities, no work, no nothin' ... yay TUESDAY!)

I DID join Weight Watchers again ... 35th time is a charm right? I DID NOT lie on my food journal and leave some things off. My food journal that no one sees but me. My food journal that is simply a listing to help me keep track. What would be the point in lying on that thing? (Seriously - I want to know.) I also did not consume every point for the day plus every single flex point for the week before supper one day this week. That would be like 7000 calories and I would never eat that much in one day.

Okay, so that's all I've got today. I'm feeling thankful for the time change because it's just 7:00 am and I have time to get my co-op stuff ready. Not that I procrastinated or anything like that. I don't do that sort of thing.