I have to say that when it comes to great men in my life....I've got a few of them! Where would I be without the support and loving guidance of them? I hope that my life represents at least a portion of what they've done for me.
1. My Heavenly Father....Constantly present and ever loving and faithful. No frustrations with me, just loving guidance and understanding. Lord, may I possess this trait for all to be drawn to You.
2. My earthly father....Time. Taking the time to teach and explain. Never rushed to elaborate on the workings of anything. You name it...the economy, trains, hunting, whatever. Lord, may I be patient with others and always see teachable moments in everyday life.
3. My extended father(s).... Love. Loving someone who wasn't necessarily your "own". Lord, may I always see others through Your eyes. Help me to love others with Your heavenly love that is eternal and unconditional NOT through the world's eyes.
4. My husband.... JOY. Always reminding me to stop and "smell the roses", have fun, and "don't sweat the small stuff". Lord, help me to keep my eyes focused on You and the task that You would have for me on this earth. Help me to see the joy in everyday moments.
5. My son(s)...Lord, one day they will grow up. They'll make their own choices and I pray that we will have raised them up with the knowledge of You so that they can one day be faithful fathers of their own children. I pray that You would guard their hearts in this world. Keep them pure. Let them both see from Jared & I an example of how to love and serve You in a dying world. Keep their minds pure and holy. Help them to focus on You and not the things of this world that can seem so alluring and attractive. I pray that they would never be tempted by the temporary trappings of this world, but that they would always be focused on Your business. Help our home to be one of love and acceptance modeled straight from Your heart.
So many great and influential people in my life have come and gone, making permanent imprints on my heart. I firmly believe that God places people in your life, some for a season and some for a lifetime, to change those around them. I am one of those people who has been changed by wonderful men around me.
Thank the men around you who have influenced your life for the better....father or not.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Mommy issues...
Well Summer is officially here! Swim lessons are over, Sam is in his new bed, and I'm in the process of packing up my classroom to move it to the fourth grade hall. *Beware: The following is a mommy blog in which I will seek advice from fellow mommies. If you have no desire to read, then please check back with me later in the week. *
Things have been a little crazy lately. You see...Sam loves his naps. And his Momma certainly loves his naps, too. For the past two weeks, it's been the same thing (in the same new bed). Swim lessons from 9:30-10:00, get home around 10:15, snack at 10:30, nap to follow. Sam is/WAS still taking two naps a day...one in the morning and one in the afternoon. That didn't bother me because anytime we would try and take one out, he turned into another person's child that I would not claim. So we just thought he was like his momma...he needed his sleep. :) Well...since swimming lessons have started he's been napping at 10:30 until about 1:30 with no afternoon nap. No biggie right??? Well, about 6:00 he turns into this crazy kid who only cries and pitches fits. Last night, Jared & I had both had enough so we put him to bed. Even if he didn't sleep, he was in the "time out". Bad parenting? I don't really know or care because at this rate I've been with him all day throwing fits (which he only blesses his parents with, mind you) and I'm about to lose it. Now instead of him sleeping until 7:30, he's up at 6:00 and this morning (SATURDAY of all days) he was up at 4:45!!!! Yes, you heard me right! My little angel baby who loved his sleep has turned into this wild and crazy monster toddler. I can't seem to figure it out, and that's what bothers me the most.
1. How do we get back to a regular sleep pattern with just one nap a day (which is apparently where we're at these days)?
2. What do your kids do when they wake up before you? Sam's door is closed because he figured out early how to open it and run and scream in Momma's ear (talk about starting the day off on the wrong foot). Now when he wakes up, he sits beside his door and knocks on it until someone opens it. First, I wanted him to just play in his room, but during naps it's nice that he knows he has to stay in his bed. Oh....this is new territory for us, friends.
3. This is a whole seperate issue altogether, but my angel baby now turned toddler throws fits. Yep....not cool. He grunts when he's mad. We've tried EVERYTHING! We've tried time-out, spanking, ignoring, anything we could think of. What has worked for you? I've heard that ignoring is the best thing, and at home we could do that, but in public? I do not want to have "that" kid. And I refuse to not go in public until my child is at age 5. He needs to learn ways to behave and not to behave, right?
4. Someone who's raised boys: are they always this wild or is it just the age? Sam literally wakes up spinning in circles. From the time he wakes up until the time he goes to bed, it is NON STOP. We're not the caffeine family either. No sodas, chocolates, sweets, etc. We stick to the main food groups and IF he gets a juice it is watered down and only half of a juice box at that. I'm praying that Baby Nate will be the mellow one of the bunch, otherwise...there is no chance of us trying for a girl. Sorry folks.
Anyway, all this is whirling around in my head. Combined with other moms who seem to have perfect angel toddlers and who make me feel guilty when I say I have a monster toddler. Don't get me wrong...I love Sam. He is such a great, smart, funny kid. BUT...he knows how to push the limits. And that is what Dr. Dobson says is "shaping his will" vs. "crushing his spirit". I never want to crush Sam's funny and creative spirit, but I do want to change his independent, I'm going to do what I want to do, will. And there in lies the questions tumbling through my brain at this moment. I'm loving being at home, but being nearly nine months pregnant and dealing with these things on a daily basis is taking it's toil on me. Am I alone? Is there any other mommy going through these same things? Has anyone made it to the other side? HEEEEEELLLLLPPPPP! (By the way...in the time it took me to write all of this, I had to get up three times to correct my child for kicking/hitting the wall while he was supposed to be taking a nap since he got up at 4:45 this morning!) Ahhhhh!
Needing mommy help,
~Elizabeth
Things have been a little crazy lately. You see...Sam loves his naps. And his Momma certainly loves his naps, too. For the past two weeks, it's been the same thing (in the same new bed). Swim lessons from 9:30-10:00, get home around 10:15, snack at 10:30, nap to follow. Sam is/WAS still taking two naps a day...one in the morning and one in the afternoon. That didn't bother me because anytime we would try and take one out, he turned into another person's child that I would not claim. So we just thought he was like his momma...he needed his sleep. :) Well...since swimming lessons have started he's been napping at 10:30 until about 1:30 with no afternoon nap. No biggie right??? Well, about 6:00 he turns into this crazy kid who only cries and pitches fits. Last night, Jared & I had both had enough so we put him to bed. Even if he didn't sleep, he was in the "time out". Bad parenting? I don't really know or care because at this rate I've been with him all day throwing fits (which he only blesses his parents with, mind you) and I'm about to lose it. Now instead of him sleeping until 7:30, he's up at 6:00 and this morning (SATURDAY of all days) he was up at 4:45!!!! Yes, you heard me right! My little angel baby who loved his sleep has turned into this wild and crazy monster toddler. I can't seem to figure it out, and that's what bothers me the most.
1. How do we get back to a regular sleep pattern with just one nap a day (which is apparently where we're at these days)?
2. What do your kids do when they wake up before you? Sam's door is closed because he figured out early how to open it and run and scream in Momma's ear (talk about starting the day off on the wrong foot). Now when he wakes up, he sits beside his door and knocks on it until someone opens it. First, I wanted him to just play in his room, but during naps it's nice that he knows he has to stay in his bed. Oh....this is new territory for us, friends.
3. This is a whole seperate issue altogether, but my angel baby now turned toddler throws fits. Yep....not cool. He grunts when he's mad. We've tried EVERYTHING! We've tried time-out, spanking, ignoring, anything we could think of. What has worked for you? I've heard that ignoring is the best thing, and at home we could do that, but in public? I do not want to have "that" kid. And I refuse to not go in public until my child is at age 5. He needs to learn ways to behave and not to behave, right?
4. Someone who's raised boys: are they always this wild or is it just the age? Sam literally wakes up spinning in circles. From the time he wakes up until the time he goes to bed, it is NON STOP. We're not the caffeine family either. No sodas, chocolates, sweets, etc. We stick to the main food groups and IF he gets a juice it is watered down and only half of a juice box at that. I'm praying that Baby Nate will be the mellow one of the bunch, otherwise...there is no chance of us trying for a girl. Sorry folks.
Anyway, all this is whirling around in my head. Combined with other moms who seem to have perfect angel toddlers and who make me feel guilty when I say I have a monster toddler. Don't get me wrong...I love Sam. He is such a great, smart, funny kid. BUT...he knows how to push the limits. And that is what Dr. Dobson says is "shaping his will" vs. "crushing his spirit". I never want to crush Sam's funny and creative spirit, but I do want to change his independent, I'm going to do what I want to do, will. And there in lies the questions tumbling through my brain at this moment. I'm loving being at home, but being nearly nine months pregnant and dealing with these things on a daily basis is taking it's toil on me. Am I alone? Is there any other mommy going through these same things? Has anyone made it to the other side? HEEEEEELLLLLPPPPP! (By the way...in the time it took me to write all of this, I had to get up three times to correct my child for kicking/hitting the wall while he was supposed to be taking a nap since he got up at 4:45 this morning!) Ahhhhh!
Needing mommy help,
~Elizabeth
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Summer Plans...Re-Write
Sometimes things don't always go as planned. Isn't that the understatement of the century?!?! I had high hopes for a relaxing summer. I wanted to get Sam moved into a new room/bed. Get Nathan's nursery ready and that.was.it. Well...here is my updated summer plans list.
First and foremost....move classrooms. Yep...that's right. I was told on the last day of school that I was being moved to teach fourth grade. I was completely shocked. Rumors went around that morning that I would be moving but fourth grade was NEVER a thought in my mind. So, next week I will start boxing up my classroom and moving it down the hall to fourth grade and setting up a new classroom. After that, I will go over curriculum. Blurg. Not what I even wanted to think about this summer. But I know after that's done, I'll be able to relax a little. A little. :) Since I'll be moving classrooms at 8-9 months pregnant, we decided to keep Sam's room where it is and move the nursery to the guest room. 1. I'm too tired to even think about moving now. 2. I think it would be a little too much for him moving rooms and transitioning to a big boy bed. Regardless...lots of packing/unpacking/painting/things I hate the most. I know it will all work out and when I start to feel stressed about school I have to remind myself that at least I have a job. Quite your griping! :)
We were also "supposed" to start swimming lessons tomorrow. We're still going to go tomorrow, but afterwards we have an appointment with the ear, nose, & throat doctor in the morning. Our pediatrician wants Sam to get tubes in his ears so I don't know if the ENT doctor will let Sam continue with swim lessons for the next two weeks or if he'll let him finish and then schedule the tubes. Another boo. I know that regardless of swim lessons, we are going to have a fun summer. I'm bound and determined NOT to let any of the stuff that needs to get done ruin the fun we've got planned. I'm not sure as to the plans yet, but fun WILL be had. :)
So....here's to plans changing. New starts. Restful (hopefully) summers.
First and foremost....move classrooms. Yep...that's right. I was told on the last day of school that I was being moved to teach fourth grade. I was completely shocked. Rumors went around that morning that I would be moving but fourth grade was NEVER a thought in my mind. So, next week I will start boxing up my classroom and moving it down the hall to fourth grade and setting up a new classroom. After that, I will go over curriculum. Blurg. Not what I even wanted to think about this summer. But I know after that's done, I'll be able to relax a little. A little. :) Since I'll be moving classrooms at 8-9 months pregnant, we decided to keep Sam's room where it is and move the nursery to the guest room. 1. I'm too tired to even think about moving now. 2. I think it would be a little too much for him moving rooms and transitioning to a big boy bed. Regardless...lots of packing/unpacking/painting/things I hate the most. I know it will all work out and when I start to feel stressed about school I have to remind myself that at least I have a job. Quite your griping! :)
We were also "supposed" to start swimming lessons tomorrow. We're still going to go tomorrow, but afterwards we have an appointment with the ear, nose, & throat doctor in the morning. Our pediatrician wants Sam to get tubes in his ears so I don't know if the ENT doctor will let Sam continue with swim lessons for the next two weeks or if he'll let him finish and then schedule the tubes. Another boo. I know that regardless of swim lessons, we are going to have a fun summer. I'm bound and determined NOT to let any of the stuff that needs to get done ruin the fun we've got planned. I'm not sure as to the plans yet, but fun WILL be had. :)
So....here's to plans changing. New starts. Restful (hopefully) summers.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Summer Reading
Confession time....I'm a reading teacher, but most nights I don't read. Ahhhh!!!! I know I should, but during the school year I'm absolutely exhausted! Most, if not all, of my reading is done in the summer. Right now I feel like I'm into five different books at one time. Oh wait. I am. :) Here are some of the books I'm reading/wanting to read right now. Some are related to teaching, parenting, and just for me growth. That's the usual category I stick to. Would I like to read fiction? Sure, but this is just where I tend to lead. So here goes...
1. Teaching books:
What I'm reading now... 6 +1 Writing Traits by Ruth Culham. I'm in the process of writing mini lessons for our third grade teachers to use to help bridge the gap from third grade to fourth grade where they will have to take a writing STAAR test. I love writing and even teaching it, but the struggle comes when there's just not enough time in the day. Alas...isn't that every teacher's problem???
What I want to read... Working with students: Discipline Strategies for the Classroom by: Ruby Payne. Ruby Payne has worked and done countless studies on students and families in poverty. She has a lot of practical ideas on how to implement strategies that will work for the children that I most come in contact with. I love going to workshops that teach classroom management, but most often they are unaware of the issues that we face in our particular area.
2. Parenting books:
What I'm reading now... The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson. Let me first say...after reading the first chapter I realized that Sam is NOT a strong willed child. We're just in the "terrible twos" stage, BUT what Dr. Dobson has to say is good advice for ANY type personality. Sam is more compliant at times, but like I said...right now we're in this Mr. Independant phase where we're trying Momma & Daddy. I'm learning daily that if I stay calm, he stays calm. MOST of the time this works....MOST emphasized.
What I want to read... Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel and Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. I'm always looking for new ways to discipline since I sometimes feel like Sam's thrown me a curve ball. And I heard it was really good. I also have no clue about boys since most of my cousins were girls. This boy business is new territory for this gal. :)
3. Just For Me books:
What I'm reading now... So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore. This book has taken me forever to finish! Partly because the chapters are so long and I can barely keep my eyes open when I read it. The content however is wonderful and I'm really getting a lot out of it.
In Her Shoes Bible Study. This particular Bible Study is written by several different women and it's for minister's wives. It's all about finding where you fit into ministry as a person, NOT as a minister's wife. I would certainly recommend this Bible Study for all my friends who are married to ministers of any kind. Great study.
What I want to read.... I'd like to take a break from the "self help" books and read some chapter books that my kids have recommended this year. Chronicles of Narnia, Boxcar Children, A to Z Mysteries, etc. I think it's important for me to get excited about what they're reading and even enjoy some fiction. I'm hoping to start small and work my way to more "grown up" fiction reads.
If you know me at all...you know this list is pretty impressive. I'm not a big reader, but as my husband always says "Readers are Leaders". Gotta love him. :) What about you? What books are you into right now????
1. Teaching books:
What I'm reading now... 6 +1 Writing Traits by Ruth Culham. I'm in the process of writing mini lessons for our third grade teachers to use to help bridge the gap from third grade to fourth grade where they will have to take a writing STAAR test. I love writing and even teaching it, but the struggle comes when there's just not enough time in the day. Alas...isn't that every teacher's problem???
What I want to read... Working with students: Discipline Strategies for the Classroom by: Ruby Payne. Ruby Payne has worked and done countless studies on students and families in poverty. She has a lot of practical ideas on how to implement strategies that will work for the children that I most come in contact with. I love going to workshops that teach classroom management, but most often they are unaware of the issues that we face in our particular area.
2. Parenting books:
What I'm reading now... The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson. Let me first say...after reading the first chapter I realized that Sam is NOT a strong willed child. We're just in the "terrible twos" stage, BUT what Dr. Dobson has to say is good advice for ANY type personality. Sam is more compliant at times, but like I said...right now we're in this Mr. Independant phase where we're trying Momma & Daddy. I'm learning daily that if I stay calm, he stays calm. MOST of the time this works....MOST emphasized.
What I want to read... Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel and Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. I'm always looking for new ways to discipline since I sometimes feel like Sam's thrown me a curve ball. And I heard it was really good. I also have no clue about boys since most of my cousins were girls. This boy business is new territory for this gal. :)
3. Just For Me books:
What I'm reading now... So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore. This book has taken me forever to finish! Partly because the chapters are so long and I can barely keep my eyes open when I read it. The content however is wonderful and I'm really getting a lot out of it.
In Her Shoes Bible Study. This particular Bible Study is written by several different women and it's for minister's wives. It's all about finding where you fit into ministry as a person, NOT as a minister's wife. I would certainly recommend this Bible Study for all my friends who are married to ministers of any kind. Great study.
What I want to read.... I'd like to take a break from the "self help" books and read some chapter books that my kids have recommended this year. Chronicles of Narnia, Boxcar Children, A to Z Mysteries, etc. I think it's important for me to get excited about what they're reading and even enjoy some fiction. I'm hoping to start small and work my way to more "grown up" fiction reads.
If you know me at all...you know this list is pretty impressive. I'm not a big reader, but as my husband always says "Readers are Leaders". Gotta love him. :) What about you? What books are you into right now????
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