when i really think about it…
i am nervous for 2008 because of how challenging 2007 was.
my kids are going to each get older this year
and that means more changes and more challenges!
more frustrations.
i don’t look forward to another year of always thinking
“how do i handle this?”
“can i handle this?”
so if i was to say a resolution…
it would be
to be less angry.
figure out the secret to staying neutral in my discipline.
try to be an empathetic (not pathetic) mother.
give more hugs.
that’s all one resolution…not four.
they are a package deal.
but i AM looking forward to creativity that will come of 2008.
i don’t know what i will create….
anything creative is good.
i may begin to paint…did i say that? we’ll see.
it fills my heart.
and i look forward to a bathroom for only me and craig.
not this one..but just the idea of it…
2008 will bring a sink that is just for me.
a tooth brush holder…just for me.
soap and a brush just for me.
no little kiddies allowed.
it will be a dream come true..
i would start demo tonight if we could.
talby and i finally made the pom pom garland.
we each made a strand.
she caught on right away.
that’s me wearing the plaid jammies
(because it IS my christmas break uniform)
and it was 4:00 in the afternoon.
looks like a pro…
she said quietly “we’re just like 2 moms..sewing together…hee hee”
they are kind of funky colors?
i think we are going to hang them in our sunday school classroom.
and one more thing..
this is long isn’t it?
i took lauren and her friend to the mall today.
there were 10 pictures like this on her camera…
total goofballs.
and suddenly…she likes pink.
changes her mind after all these years.
we shopped seperately.
and when i went to the register
with my pile of clearance items…
everything was half price of the clearance price!
i felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
i guess i just misundersood the signs.
it was awesome.
Julie K - I’m jealous of your pom pom garland. :o)
Chaos-Jamie - They still sneak in and steal your hairbrush.
Lee Ann - Thanks for the idea of the pom pom garland! My daughter (4) and I made them for our Christmas tree. We loved it!
prairie daze - great resolution…i hear you.
more patience is what i want.
Jennifer P. - Half-price clearance items, piles of ribbon, pom-pom garlands–lots of stuff to make me feel a bit giddy in this post!
Great goals for 2008! I really struggled with the whole discipline neutrality thing too, then we got our ‘repentance bench’. When my kids come to me claiming that ‘he did this’ or ‘he did that’, rather than being the meanie old referee who makes a wrong call–I send them both (in a happy, calm way!) to go sit on the repentance bench. They have to stay there until they can tell me what THEY did wrong–not the other guy. Then they have to apologize to one another, promise to try harder, and HUG! I think they learned the term “I provoked him” really quickly! It has been a total lifesaver in this house, and I picture my dear children when they’re grown fighting over who gets to keep the repentance bench because of all the FOND memories made there!
(We also have something called family court for “airing of grievances”–but this has gone on way too long already, and you didn’t even ASK for any advice. Sorry :).)Happy New Year!
traci - happy new year to you and your family. i hope 2008 is wonderful for you. you have the cutest kids and i am sure 5 is way harder than 2, but they seem like great kids and you are a awesome fun mom. i think 08 will be a breeze for ya. i need to get to the mall for some of those savings. i am not really a shopper, but i would be for half off of half off! have a great day!