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!