Joy in the Journey: May 2009

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

7 years under my belt

I've got a daughter moving out of Elementary School and into Jr. High. Having 7 years under my belt there are some things I have learned (many I still need to learn):

1. Volunteer: In whatever capacity you can. I have served on the PTA board some years, graded spelling tests at home another year, and had years that I could go into the classroom weekly. It is so important to know what is going on and the best way to do it is volunteer in some way. One year I had 3 kids at 3 different Elementary schools. I chose the one closest to me to do the volunteering and then tried to get into the classroom or on a field-trip once in the other two schools.

2. Don't over do it: Having decided to volunteer...don't overdo it. Each year brings its own stresses. Don't bite off more then you can chew...and it's okay to say no. When you still have little ones at home and need to bring them in then volunteer in a way that they can be there. Some teachers are fine with this. Some years you will just have to offer to do things at home.

3. Speak up: When something doesn't sit right with you investigate a little more and then address it. We are really fortunate to have a principal that is available to the parents. He listens and addresses problems and I am so greatful. But if the principal won't address things and they aren't getting better go higher. If no one speaks up about the problem no one will realize there is a problem. We had one year that I wasn't really happy with but kept thinking it would get better but it didn't. I finally went in to talk to the principal at the end of the year and he had no idea what had been going on in the classroom. They have to have documentation to make change so don't be afraid to go in and talk about it.

4. Count to ten: Going along with speaking up...when you are frustrated with something give yourself some time before you address it. Cool off. Go in calm and having put your thoughts together. It will always go more smoothly.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Whistle While you Work

(Hadley, Emily and Max with Grandpa at "The Property")

I sent the girls to clean up the play area down stairs on Saturday.

Of course it wasn't going well (if you want something done by little people it is done much easier if you are doing it with them).

I suggested they whistle or sing while they work.

For some reason this idea resonated with them.

They had been working and singing for a while when I realized the irony.

They were singing "It's a hard knock life for us...".

Yah! Just call me Miss Hannigan.

I guess it's easier to clean when you view yourselves as poor picked on orphans.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Sam turned 1

I had planned to do a collage of a photo each month.

I think it's fun to see how they change.

But I have a cold, so I'll have to get to that later.

And, well...we'll celebrate his birthday a little better this weekend.

But he did get a birthday cookie.

He liked it so much that he leaned over and kissed me.

MADE my day!

So a little about Sam at one:

Walks when next to something. I have a little stool from my grandma that I learned to walk by pushing around. He pushes around the same little stool.

Still mostly uses the army crawl to get around, although his little red knees show signs of use in the regular crawl. He is super fast in the army crawl.

He heads straight to the bathroom if the door is left open.

He loves walks outside.

Loves to be carried around.

Says: Dada, Dadee (Jadey), Deda (Jesus), Da Da Doo (I love you), Gaga (grandma and Grandpa), Hi, bye-bye

Doesn't say: Mama (actually he said it once, but that was it.)

We think he calls me AHHHHHHHH

Loves Books, Balls and sitting on the trampoline.

Loves car rides.

Happy Birthday Swammy.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Mothers

How could I not celebrate the mothers in my life.

I'm pretty fortunate to live by both of them. I think my kids are so incredibly lucky to be making memories with Grandma's.

My own mother is one of 3 sisters, her mother the same, and I too have 2 sisters, and now have 3 girls.

My mother is woman of great faith. She has taught me by example and word to always turn to the Lord.

She is a great cook. Although she has slowed down as the house has grown quiet (my dad doesn't mind tomato slices and protein shakes for dinner), she was always known to have a delicious meal on the table. As newlyweds and for a while with children, we would join my parents every Sunday for dinner. It was the best meal of the week by far.

My mom was a great mother to teenagers. Everyone gathered at our home. We hung out, we ate, we were loud and obnoxious and I remember my mom enjoying it. I want to be more like that!

My mom is a shopper. I don't share this talent with her. I quit far earlier then she does. There is nothing like a day out with the girls when my mom is in with us. Recently our favorite jaunt is Gardner Village. But New York was the ultimate "girls night". You can understand how different our shopping styles are when I tell you that at H&M I sat on the side of the store with all the bags and purses (where, by the way, I saw Camryn Manheim) while they spent at least an hour trying things on.

My mother in-law.

I know that not all people could handle living closely to any family, and in-laws usually get a bad rap, but Reed is of good blood.

After joining the church as a newlywed, she went to work to learn to bake bread. She is obedient like that.

If you want to see organization at work you should shadow her. Reed remembers the duty charts left out each morning. She had, and still has, a system for running her home that is magical. I want to be better at implementing a plan like she does. There is one day a week that she invites my preschooler over for feeding the birds, making lunch, sometimes making a treat, playing games, and reading. What wonderful memories! Emily did it when she was younger and Hadley gets to go now. I watched Hadley run home one day and saw Grandma in the window waving at her, and in her other hand was Dopey, a well loved doll...also waving.

My mother in law is a peace maker. Reed inherited her ability to distract others from contentment. It is a gift that I watch in awe. While I am quick to send to time out, I have watched Reed and his Mom in different situations, calm things down simply by distracting the distraught into forgetting what they were mad about. You won't hear my Mother in Law gossip either.

Man, these women are great. It certainly is wonderful to have so much to draw on.

Reading

I have been reading two books on mothering lately that I am really enjoying.

The first one is A Mother's Book of Secret's by Linda Eyre and her daughter Shawni. I love listening to Linda Eyre. She had 9 kids and every-time I listen to her (at education week) or read her books I want to have 9 kids. Then I come home and realize I will just use her ideas on the ones I have. This book is great. It's divided into chapters about different tips to help (I think there are 10 secrets). It's fun to hear the mother/daughter duo give different ideas and see how the daughter has done things a little differently then her mom did, but how it is working. The photography is beautiful. I just came away from it uplifted, boosted up a little. As a bonus they are donating a portion of the proceeds to the Foundation for the Blind. Shawni has a daughter with a syndrome that will most likely lead to blindness by the time she is 15. If you're looking for a good mothering read I would suggest it. And go check out Shawni's blog too.

The second book is by Steven Covey's daughter Maria Covey Cole. It's called Contentment-Inspiring Insights for LDS Mothers. I was drawn to it because of the word contentment. I like her idea of not comparing yourself to everyone else's best. Another good read if your looking for it.