Motherhood

I'm just going to say it plain and simple, being a mom is HARD! We've had a pretty rough week with Maisey.  I am really frustrated because I have spent countless hours trying to find ways to deal with her strong-willed, defiant behavior. I pray all day long for strength to help me withstand the next tantrum or battle. Last night, I was at my wits end when I was talking to my mom on the phone. She told me about a Love and Logic class that she took when my brother was young. During nap time today I decided to search it out a little and reserved a copy of one of the books at our library, but I still felt like something was missing.

Then, suddenly I remembered about a blog that I used to read every once in a while. Last summer, the writer who is a mom of five totally cute kids, was really struggling with her youngest. She sought advice from her friends and family on how to deal with this child. I remembered that some of the comments on her post were really insightful, so I decided to search it out. I found the post that I remembered, but a comment was made on the post since I read it last. It had a link to this blog: Asking Jane. You want to know what the title of the post was for this week? "How do I improve the relationship with my 2 year old?" And, although Maisey isn't 2 anymore and can communicate very well, I still felt like I could relate to a lot of this article. This blog is totally awesome and I felt like maybe I was lead there for a reason. Maybe a once-a-week pep talk is what I need to get through this difficult time with her.

She is sooooooo smart and sometimes I forget that she is only 3 years old! But I don't want her to think her behavior is acceptable and I don't want it to get more out of hand than it is. I love her so much and just want what is best for her and I want her to be successful in life. In order to do that she needs to learn to be respectful and kind, not only to others but to herself! Like I said, being a mom is the hardest job I have ever had and I am sure that I haven't even faced the worst of it! But I do know that I have had some very rewarding moments as well, and I am confident that I am doing the best that I can in this demanding, foreordained role.

I'd like to share a quote that I read on the Asking Jane blog. I thought it was perfect!

Motherhood is "like a field of roses. . . You approach it from a distance and it looks so beautiful. Then you find yourself in the middle of it and there are thorns and struggles and it's hard to see where you are. Then you get to the other side and look back and say, Wow, that was so beautiful!"

Even though I know I am still in the "middle" I am going to be more focused on creating the beautiful moments with my family. I am also going to focus on the last two paragraphs of Jane's "Answer" to the aforementioned post:

"You are her primary relationship. Much of your time is spent, of necessity, coercing her to do things that she doesn’t really want to do. This strains your relationship so you have to counterbalance all that coercion with praise, approval, smiles, hugs and meaningful comfortable time together. My experience has been that when my children feel really loved by me and when our relationship is solid, they begin to want to please me. And when I see them doing any little thing—making even the tiniest effort to comply or obey, I stop everything and look into their eyes and compliment them and thank them and hug them. The tide begins to turn.

Finally, recognize that this is the child that is going to teach you all the attributes of godliness—patience, long-suffering, gentleness, charity. This is the child that is going to force you to seek help—to search ponder and pray. You’ve been wanting to put more of that into your life, right? Now you have a purpose! This is the child that is going to refine and change you. This is the child that is going to grow up and remember the many ways that you loved her."

So, here is to the start of a new us! It is going to be hard, and I know that we will still have our moments, but I am hopeful that things will start to get better. I'm pretty sure they can't get much worse. . .

Long week!

Does anyone else feel like this week is dragging on? It's only Thursday morning!!! I feel like it should be next week already! This is the only week we don't have anything BIG going on this month, and maybe it is just the anticipation of all of the other fun things that we have going on that is making this week crawl by!

And while I'm complaining, can I put in a little bit about the weather? Seriously, it is April!!!!!! Check out this link for some crazy weather we had yesterday, not to mention the last 34 of 38 days have been rainy! Blah!!! Doesn't Mother Nature know my kids need to play outside and my husband needs to finish pressure washing my house?

Oh, and we started a new set of workouts in my group power class on Tuesday! I'm pretty sure my calves are going to rip off the bones, they hurt so bad!

I'm just ready for this week to be over, That's all!

Commercials and Cleaning Tip

Random, I know! These are just my thoughts from the day! Has anyone seen the commercial, I think for IHOP, advertising the chicken and waffles? Sounds pretty gross to me, but apparently it appeals to Maisey. At breakfast this morning she asked for chicken and waffles. My reply, "Uh, No!" Then all during breakfast she was singing, "Chicken and waffles. . . . . . . oh, yeaaaaaaah!" Repeated over and over and over and over! Then she started saying, "Chicken and waffles and farts. . . . . . . oh, yeaaaaaaah!" Then it led to just "Chicken and farts. . . . . . . oh, yeaaaaaaah!" Who is this girl?

Sometimes she really surprises me in what she says!

Also, I've been hitting the cleaning list hard the last two days! I'm finishing up the kitchen and decided to unscrew the tip of our faucet to really clean it well. Ok, totally gross! It was nasty to see all of the buildup in there! You should check yours. Go ahead, I dare ya!

*** WHY IS BLOGGER GIVING ME SO MANY ISSUES LATELY? I HATE THAT IT WON'T LET ME LEAVE SPACES BETWEEN THOUGHTS/PARAGRAPHS! THIS IS SO ANNOYING! ANY HELP? ANY ONE?

post script: i figured it out! i love google!!!

Reminder: Try a Little Harder

. . . To Be a Little Better!

How is it going?

Am I being more patient, kind, and positive?

Am I learning to let things go and be more flexible?

Am I understanding that life is hard, and am I trying to find joy in it?

Remember you are preparing yourself for future trials and great events.

You can try harder!

You are doing a great job!

Bonfire

My brother loves to spend time outdoors! Our family friends built a house on some property and they let Scott come over and play around! He has discovered bonfires and invited us to one! I wasn't sure how the kids would do, so I was hesitant about going, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity for a smore. (I haven't had one in 3 years!) The kids LOVED it!!! They were so good the whole time and were just excited to be outside! This gives me real hope for the camping trips that we have planned for the summer!

Gage was thoroughly entertained by the helicopter that kept flying over us! He just starred up into the sky!

The kids were so excited to be there!

Gagey with his first smore! He totally loved it!

Maisey with her first smore. She liked it ok, but didn't like to be sticky!

Shaun and the master fire builder, aka, Scott.

Daddy and Gage! Gage kept sneaking marshmallows straight out of the bag. He probably ate 15. Later that night he finished off someone else's bag!

Our perfect fire!

It really was such a fun night!

I *heart* feeling productive

Today I . . .
ran 2.5 miles at the gym
washed, dried, folded, and put away 8 loads of laundry
ate 3 meals
shuttled kids to and from preschool
watched 2 extra boys during preschool
cleaned out Gage's closet, again!
cleaned out entry way closet
plucked eyebrows
showered
cleaned out under bed
posted on personal blog
wrote 8 blogs for job
ran errands with kids
unloaded dishwasher
reloaded dishwasher
prepared a healthy dinner
played hide and seek and restaurant
read books
worked on ABC and math work books
watched the General YW Broadcast with my YW
ran more errands, sans kids
blogged again

. . . and now I'm going to bed!

It's amazing what you can get done when you are up at 5 am! It's also amazing when you consider things like eating 3 meals and showering a luxury! Ahhhh. . . being a mom!

Hopefully tomorrow is just as good! We started our 2 week deep clean of the house! I'm going to need a lot more productive days in the near future!

Musical Hot Dog

I'm not sure what's up with my kids and food lately! But Maisey serenaded us with Ba Ba Black Sheep on her hot dog flute during dinner tonight!

W.W. - Just Like Mommy

Gage's Dinner of Choice

Gage found this jar of Vaseline in his diaper box in his room! He brought it out to the kitchen, got a spoon from the drawer, sat in the middle of the floor and started eating it. YUM!!! Shaun said at least we know it will come out smooth! :)

Aloha

Maisey's cousin brought this home from Hawaii for her!