Ready to Go!

 

 

This is S and her friend getting ready for their big performance at the Variety show at school.  S's friends mom made their skirts, she is so talented.  When S told me she wanted to do a dance in the Variety show, I must admit I wasn't too sure about it.  I am very shy and reserved and sometimes I tend to pass that onto my kids.  The thoughts of S dancing on stage with everyone watching, made ME really nervous.  She has never taken dance and the routine was made up between S and her friend.  I definitely had my reservations and I knew there would be some really talented acts at the Variety Show.   I must admit, I tried to talk her out of it... she would not hear of it and was not concerned at all about being nervous or other acts being better than hers. On a side note, I realized after they had already made plans that I could not be there that night.  I hated, hated, that... but I could not change either event and so I just had to be happy to watch the dress rehearsal and video that Syd's friend  and Zach recorded.   S and her friends did their dance and it turned out very cute!!  I was so proud of them and so glad that she decided--despite me-- to go ahead with it.   I learned a valuable lesson after that event.  My kiddos are not me, they have totally different personalities than I do and if I try and push my personality on them, it is not good for them.  I so want to stay in my comfort zone, even when it comes to my kiddos.  Sometimes I want to stay there so bad, that I am willing to push my wants and desires onto them.  My Syd is spunky and spirited and low self confidence is not even in her vocabulary.  I am so glad for that and I need to foster that in her and not try and change her in any way.  So thankful for all my kids and the great personalities that they have.  God has given me the huge job of helping me develop those personalities and character traits in my kiddos.  He has big plans for them and made each of them the way they are for a purpose!!!!  So proud of you Syd!  Don't ever lose that confidence and spunkiness that God has given you! 

Christmas 2012

I Cannot believe that Christmas has come and gone. I was telling Zach, that I can't believe we have had 12 Christmas seasons with children. That is unbelievable to me, seems like maybe it should be 5 or 6. Anyway, once again here is my hodge podge of Christmas photos...

A Lesson from my Kiddos

Ok, I guess this is confession time... my poor 3 children have been sleeping in the floor, all together in one room, for the past week.  I know that sounds like something you would hear about a family in extreme poverty or living in a very poor country in a tiny house.  But before you send DFACS or come investigate our living conditions, please understand that they choose this!!  I think it so funny, that they each have their owns rooms and their own beds but yet they want to be together and could care less if they sleep on the floor.  They love having a big slumber party in the floor all together and as long as they go to sleep at a decent hour, it is fine with me.  As I look at all their bedrooms and empty  beds I think about how happy my kids are just being together.  WE put pressure on ourselves as parents to provide all this STUFF for our kids.  We think that somehow our kids are missing out if they don't have their own rooms and each their own stuff.  Maybe they think they want their own rooms, because they hear other kids at school talking...but at home when they are away from outside influences they just want to be together.  Maybe by separating our kids in their own rooms, with their own stuff, do we rob them of truly learning how to relate to one another?  Are we making it more difficult for them to learn to share STUFF and SPACE, something they will need to do their whole lives? So, we don't have the house on the market yet... but the kids have truly given me a different perspective this week.  We put so much pressure on ourselves as parents to provide so much for our kids and think that somehow they are missing out when they don't have those things.  My children have taught me a valuable lesson this week in what really makes them happy. 

Sick, sick, sick

 

Ethan and Miah are both down for the count!  They are sick with flu.  It seems it has been one thing after another lately and we cannot stay well.  Hoping all this sickness is gone before Christmas. 

Happy Birthday Syd

 

Sydney 11 years old!

 

Okay, I know I say this with every birthday, but I can't believe my sweet girl is 11.  Sydney, where has the time gone.  When I stand up next to you and you come up past my shoulders, I cannot believe it.  I have not only watched you grow physically, but I have watched you grow many other ways.  Your personality is ever changing.  You are developing that crazy since of humor, that I am sure comes from your Father. I can't wait to see that develop as you get older and gain more confidence.  You are kind and caring and a friend to everyone.  I LOVE that part of your character. You are developing a love for running. I am so excited about that and can't wait to run with you!!! You have always been willing to help me and as you grow older I am amazed at how much you can do.  I look forward to our relationship growing and changing as you get older.  Syd, I love you more than you can imagine.  You are one cool kiddo!!!!!!

Thanksgiving Day 2012

 

It was so much fun to have a house full of family on Thanksgiving Day.  I am so thankful for ALL of my family.  So glad we stopped and made a few pictures. 

Mommy Torture!

After having to postpone something I had promised the kids because we were all sick last week, I finally made good on my word and took the kids shopping yesterday.  I ventured to the mall with all three kids trying not to break the budget and keep everyone happy.  As my kids get older I am finding this balance of shopping on a budget and keeping everyone happy, harder and harder!!  After 3 1/2 hours in the mall and a trip to Target, we were semi-successful.  I am taking an extra-long coffee and blog break this morning to reward myself for keeping my sanity during this crazy shopping trip.  Somewhere along the way of kids and more kids, I have totally lost any desire to ever do any kind of shopping.  I HATE SHOPPING!!!!   I have totally lost the shopping gene most women are born with (ok, I probably really never had it to start), but now just the thoughts of a shopping trip make me cringe.  This is not good considering Christmas is upon us....I have tried online shopping, but find it hard to really get good deals.  They either stick it to you with shipping or free shipping but higher prices.   Thinking I may start early and try and do short trips with specific things in mind.  I am afraid I have a long road ahead of me.  Both my girls seem to love to shop, especially S.  There is nothing that speaks her love language like some quality time with Mama on a shopping trip. I do not want my kids to feel like I never ever took them shopping or bought them anything, and maybe even more than shopping I hate making returns!!!  So therefore I guess I must be resigned to the Mommy torture of shopping with my kiddos.  There is no other way around it.  I am thinking that they may have to accompany me on a trip to the park or a nice hike in return for all this shopping!!   Maybe when S gets a little older, I can put her in charge of all my shopping.  Now there is an idea!