M&Ms are better.

It turns out that M & Ms are a better reinforcer but she's doing great. Only one mistake yesterday and to this minute none today. She's even gone at a rest stop and at church for her SS teacher! YEAH! Perhaps she's got it.

Positively exhausting...

I took a good long look at the potty training negative disaster going on with Curious Georgette and decided some changes needed to be made. I am amazed that being negative is so easy to fall into--as I have been doing scolding and grouching for a few days now. It takes more work to be positive but really what kind of choice is there really? I talked with my husband about what would work as a reinforcement. We both agreed that the M&Ms were out because of yuckiness, etc. We agreed on stickers. I talked to my Dad--a great positive behaviorist--and he helped me hone my plan. I am putting it into play this afternoon after nap. Stickers for sitting on the potty--stickers for going on the potty--stickers for volunteering to go--stickers stickers stickers! Yeah! Please pray for me. Being so positive can be exhausting and I don't want to be stuck in the negative hole.

Being neighborly...

My husband and I realized when we moved that we had done a poor job of getting to know our neighbors. We wished we had built relationships sooner. So, we resolved to do better in our new location. We decided to learn the names of the families on our street/cul-de-sac two families at a time. Each Christmas we take something around and each year add two families. Last year we discovered that this is more time consuming than we realized because many people invite you inside to talk. Since this is our goal (to get to know them and hopefully someday have the opportunity to share Christ with them) we take all the time necessary with each family. As I prepare for this year I was struck with a thought about "being neighborly" and what it means to people. I've realized that being a good neighbor in urban America means keeping to yourself. Oh, you have to mow your lawn and rake your leaves and keep your house presentable but people aren't really interested in getting to know you. They work all day and go home tired to veg out in front of their TVs away from the world. When you step out to get to know them they are very guarded; not sure if you want to borrow something or bamboozle them in some way. When they see it is just your friendship you are offering they become sort of awkward and shy, not really sure what to do with you. I am loving the people I'm getting to know--and the waves as I seem them come home and short conversations by the mailbox. For some it takes effort--consistantly waving as you pass and yelling out hellos when you see them with their garbage cans but I'm willing to make the effort. Gotta plant that seed! Love your neighbor! Don't drive them crazy but don't stick to yourself either.

Hands free...

I'm very aware of the many devices that claim to make you hands free. This always makes me think of, "Look Ma, no hands" but anyhew! I have a sling that I attempt to use to make me hands free. I find that this contraption is usually guarded by my one arm to protect his sweetness from the hot stove or his rambunctious sister. Overall, a good hands free device. I'm working on getting a Blue Tooth--hands free phone. In the mean time I'm using the hands free headset device. The cord makes this ridiculous and I think I may thread it down my shirt to protect myself and others from strangulation! HA! If you know of any other good hands free devices share them my way!

Why Did God Make Moms?

Saw this in an e-mail and had to share it...
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him .
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside, she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Dye it. You know, her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

He's changing me...

I was reminded of a song today. "He's changing me, my blessed Savior. I'm not the same person that I used to be. Well it's been slow going, but there's a knowing, that someday perfect I will be. Little by little and day by day. Little by little in every way. Jesus is changing me. He's changing me. Since I made a turn about face. I've been growing, in His grace. Jesus is changing me. He's changing me." Interestingly, this came to mind as I realized that the fact that the bottom of my Christmas tree is bare of ornaments and that I'm okay with it. He's really changing me--and it is a good thing too!

Appreciate Breathing

I never thought about how wonderful it is to breath out of both nostrils until recently. It is easy to just feel miserable with a cold but I've had a reverse Thanksgiving epiphany. Most of the time I'm blessed with good health and the lack of cough and congestion. Thank God this will all be over soon--but hopefully when I can breath again, I'll be thankful--instead of only focusing on the times when I can't.

Super Mom Profile...

I was feeling like I just don't measure up and it occurred to me...just who is this Super Mom that everyone compares me against? I decided to write out her profile. Super Mom (SM) is beautiful and thin regardless of how many children she has, or when she had them. She is healthy and energetic--never tired or weepy. She is amorous and loving towards her husband at all times. Her children reach developmental milestones just a bit before anyone else's children. She knows instinctively which children are contagious and therefore, her children never get sick. Their not getting sick also has to do with her superior meteorlogical training--she knows how they should be dressed and how cold is too cold. She cooks perfectly balanced meals that her children love and lick the plate. She has the astute ability to get her kids to sleep through the night from their earliest infancy and she knows just how and when to potty train and detach all security items from her children (ie. paci, blanket, lovies). All of this she does with the greatest of ease, without becoming stressed and without her children complaining or having fits. She is the perfect disciplinarian (she rarely has to because her children are nearly perfect themselves) and her children behave perfectly wherever they are be it doctor's offices or family holidays. HA--there is more I'm sure but I must go maintain my clever role of NOT Super Mom but I'm Mom, none the less! Anyone who reads this can pray for me as I begin to stress over the coming holiday trips--especially with a sick little Georgette!

What needs to get done will get done?!

I'm a perfectionist and a control freak. The saying, "What needs to get done will get done" has always annoyed me. The way I looked at it was if you don't plan it out and make a list it won't get done and how would you know for sure if it did? I'm a great commercial for DayTimers and often refer to mine as "my brain." I truly and honestly don't know how people without this sort of organizational tool actually show up to appts. and/or accomplish tasks in any semblance of time or fashion. When I decided to stay at home with my kiddos I thought I didn't need one anymore--after all what was there to plan? HA! I quickly learned that I needed it--not just for appts., as you'd expect, but for my sanity. However, back to this crazy saying. I have found that it is true and is yet another step in my relationship with God. He is teaching me that what He wants me to accomplish is most important--not my agenda. This concept (ultimately to glorify Him) helps me to stop and use those teachable moments with my babies and to enjoy the quiet and the chaotic. Even with my DayTimer and organization it is good to let go and relax from time to time. God is in control and "What needs to get done will get done."

Family Portraits...

I have recently entered the world of yearly family portraits. I find that I'm planning this weeks in advance. I have to think out outfits (two for the kids) and backgrounds. I work out the time of day so hopefully they'll both be awake and in a decent mood--I'm skeptical if that is truly possible. I have to make sure that the date is early enough that the pictures will get back and ready to put into the Christmas cards. Then, of course, I'll be trying to make sure my sweet daughter doesn't bruise her face before the pictures and that the baby doesn't scratch his with those fingernails that grow overnight. After the sweat and tears it is a wonder we try to do it each year. I'm always excited to see our family on our parents' walls and am glad that I took the time, until it comes time to do it all again.

TV consumption

I've lately been convicted (should I admit again) about my TV consumption. The sermon Sunday was in Ephesians--talking about the putting off the old man and on the new man. The pastor made a great point about sin creeping in by repeated exposure. I know, you're thinking that's not a real shocker, but his point was that it creeps in slowly through things that we aren't careful to discern. I know for me this just shouted--and be never mentioned TV by name. I had already struggled with this due to reading articles about brain development in young children etc. However, you know how it is, I've been sick and keeping up with my bubbly two year old and infant has been more than I could handle. I'm not saying that doesn't happen--and that sometimes a good ole Veggie Tale can't rescue you on those days but it is the getting trapped that strikes me. I find that it starts with only wholesome things (Veggie Tales, Wheel of Fortune, harmless junk) and then before I know it I'm watching "trash TV" with sitcoms and nonsense like that. SO, we turned it off this week. The silence is deafening--I wish I could say it is golden but sometimes I'm a bit overwhelmed. I feel that it is the right thing to do--and my children will reap the benefits of not becoming brain sucked boob tubes. Yesterday my daughter and I made a fort--awesome! Today my son and I had a beautiful cooing conversation. God is good. I'm not promising or suggesting that we will never watch a cartoon again but I am grateful to be reminded that it can be dangerous, that Satan is lurking, that I do need to guard my little treasures!

Ankle Ouchy...

Well it's a good thing my middle name isn't Grace. On the way out of the house yesterday I sprained my ankle. As usual I was trying to make only one trip. I had my purse, two diaper bags and my two year old in one arm and the very heavy Booba in his seat in the other. I stepped off the porch stoop into the flower bed and started to wobble. Afraid that I might drop the baby, I folded my ankle under me and laid down in the flower bed. Very graceful indeed! I laid there pray/crying "Oh God, Oh God, please don't let it be broken!" My two year old started to cry--what was wrong with Mommy. I pulled it together and hobbled back inside. It swelled a bit and hurt a lot but PTL today it is much better. Phew! To be truly honest about the selfishness of my heart, I was already thinking about myself and what I'd miss if I ended up on crutches. My Dad had awesomely offered to babysit for us so we could go on a date for my b-day Monday and there I lay in my flowerbed thinking about not being able to go! It is weird to realize your own selfish heart. Of course, I also thought of my babies and got myself up and inside too! I guess I just want to point that out to myself as something to work on in the future. When in pain, don't think about yourself.

Super Woman goes crazy again...

Today I decided to move the furniture. I wasn't really sure if I could but didn't want to pester my husband anymore than necessary. I thought I could definitely move certain things. Turns out I could move everything but the piano (I did shove it a few feet) and the dining room table (only because I don't know how to take it apart). It was slow going but looks very neat. I can't wait to see his face when he walks in tonight. HA! I told him that women can move big things we just don't pick it up and 'heave ho' like men. I move things about two inches at a time. My poor baby girl woke up and wondered where she was and why Mom was carrying the TV out of the room. Oh, and FYI I didn't just move it for the heck of it. I'm preparing the other room to have the carpet ripped up and replaced with Pergo like the rest of the floor. I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy!

Photo craze...

I think I'll stick to looking at my own pictures. I just took a bunch of pictures of my kiddos, especially my tiny two year old wonder. I then looked at some of our friends' photos, who has some snazzy program where they are all perfected. Makes me feel bad. I really need a Mac--I keep telling my husband this but he is lacking in his knowledge of Mac Awesomeness. I told him when I go back to work I'm getting one. He says, "mmmhhhmmm, whatever, sure honey" which means that he's listening but not really worried since that's probably 6 years down the road. I've got news, I'm not changing my mind. Anyway, I guess my pictures are still the best cuz they have my cuties in them but when I get a Mac lookout. My folks have them and they come with all these neato things for pictures and movies and slideshows. I know there are going to be people out there telling me about Snapfish, etc. but who has the time to learn all that--especially when I can buy a Mac someday and get it on there all set to go. Maybe I should change this blog title to Mac crazy me! HA!

Crazy Women Drives West

I've seriously questioned my sanity this week. I travelled 5 hours (6 1/2 with kids) to visit my parents. Thankfully, it was very rewarding. It is so neat to watch my parents with my kids. It is like looking back into your childhood. I hear my Dad tell my daughter she is beautiful and watched them walk down the driveway to get the mail. I watched my Mom tear up at having to leave for work and be delighted upon her return by outstretched little arms. My little man doesn't do much at this point but what he does do is adorable. He focuses so contentedly upon faces and is now gurgling and cooing. It melts my heart (and others). So, yesterday after such a great visit, I headed West to go home to my hubby, that I missed terribly. At our first stop I had my pumpkin seat and my folk's dog (I'm dogsitting too) in one hand and my little curious Georgette in the other. A state trooper stopped to check the rest stop. He gave me a curious look and I stated that I was a one woman show. He said I appeared to have everything under control. I replied that I'd better. Yup, you have to be a little nuts to do that alone. Thank God we are all home safe. Phew!

Early to rise...

I've been up (and showered-wooowhoo!) since 4:30 am. That is something that used to signify a road trip but now is my MomE life. My hubby had to leave for work early (shift work) and the baby was up so I put him in his bouncy seat and got ready. I have a MOPS meeting at 9 and I need to be early to start the tea kettle, etc. I figured it would be easier to get presentable before my two year old angel awoke. Sometimes she's happy and agreeable but you never know. So, now I'm up. I'd say bright and early but it is still very dark and early. I'm reminded of the Proverbs 31 woman. I've definately got the rise early part down. Now to work on the rest. My son is cracking me up. He is so funny in the mornings. He is congested or "snorky" and at the same time ready for his morning "poopie." He attempts to drink his breakfast, grunt and snork all at the same time. It is amusing. My Dad says he looks like Winston Churchill these days because he is balding (probably going blond like my eldest)and has the same round cheeks and serious facial expression. Dad suggested (in jest) that we give him a cigar for his next photo. Ha!

Hip MomE?

I've never considered myself technologically challenged and realized that maybe I was falling behind. I was lying in bed last night thinking about computers and what I didn't know. It occured to me that I didn't know how to create a blog. I first noticed other moms had them when my MOPS buddies would say, "Hey check out my blog" or I'd be on forums and people would refer to them. However, when my Dad created one--and it was so awesome--and easy (according to him)I thought it was about time. I figure this is also a great opportunity to work on thinking about what I write before I post it out for the world. Might even help me with my big mouth--you never know. Maybe this blog will be one of God's great tools in my life to tame my tongue and impulsive sinful heart. Here's hoping.