I was watching Castle last night. My husband and I are addicted to this show! The kids even know not to bug us when Castle is on. LoL. Kate Becket a homicide defective is paired in a investigation with this super cop, or so she thought...... Kate asked her how she did it all without struggling. The other defective replied
"The trick is to not look at it as a struggle but to find balance. The moment you think it is a struggle you fall!"
I have been thinking about this quote and found such a wonderful Aha moment! I am not saying that trials and conflict won't come our way, but that we look at it differently. As Mothers we may feel like we are being pulled in different directions. We would rather beat our heads against a wall than deal with another tantrum or sibling rivalry. We used to he happy right? The demands of Motherhood drain and frustrate us.
If we are driving along and we hit some road construction we cannot fight it right? We have to slow down or we get stuck in traffic. We might feel some urgency to get through it but changing lanes and following the flashing lights is all we can do. Let me repeat....... there is nothing we can do but stay on the path we are on! Sometimes we are offered a detour but we have to decide if we want to take it. It might seem like a good choice but it may take you far away from your course.
Slow down and ignore the pressure and expectations from Pinterest and Facebook and other social media.
Some construction as a Mom are tantrums, stress, bad day, too busy, illness, unruly children, difficulty in finances and the list goes on!
Detours are like a re-evaluating time in our lives. What is our mission and purpose? What is working or not? How did you lead and guide your children today? Resist the urge to multi-task because then you are not giving your full attention to whatever you are doing at the time.
Here are a few questions to get you thinking....
Ask God what you may be doing to make it harder on yourself?
and.......
What makes you a good Mother?
Again the trick is to go with your struggle and don't fight it! Don't see it as a struggle but an opportunity to bring your life back into balance when it is not. To be in balance means you put your family and you first. Do something each week to keep your identity. I am asking you to find peace in taking sometime to yourself. Involve your kids in your passions too. Most of all keep trying to find balance even if it may be a detour from the normal. Most importantly remember how lucky you are and how short of a time you really have with your little ones.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Letters A,B, C and D Review
Sorry it has been a while! I needed to take a little break and do some of my passions! I have still been teaching still.
I got a hair cut!
I started writing my book and took up painting! Here is what I have done so far!
My preschooler is really starting to pick up letters now! Yay! There is only 5 more months until Kindergarten so I am really focusing on writing and being familiar with letters and numbers!
Devotional: D&C 59:7
7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.
Letter A
Number:1
Nursery Rhyme: Hey Diddle Diddle
Counting Pennies. Pennies are worth one cent.
Make A with toothpicks.
Letter B
Number:3-A three looks like a B without the line 3
Nursery Rhyme: Pat-a-cake
B is for Baker
Character: Sharing and helping
Story: The little red hen
Math: Which cookies have 3 chocolate chips?
Letter C
Number:2
Letter: D
Number:4
Arrange letters A-D in order
Arrange numbers 1-4 in order
We also enjoyed learning letters with Oobi
I also let the kids practice writing and asked them about their pictures.
I got a hair cut!
I started writing my book and took up painting! Here is what I have done so far!
My preschooler is really starting to pick up letters now! Yay! There is only 5 more months until Kindergarten so I am really focusing on writing and being familiar with letters and numbers!
Devotional: D&C 59:7
7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.
Letter A
Number:1
Nursery Rhyme: Hey Diddle Diddle
Counting Pennies. Pennies are worth one cent.
Make A with toothpicks.
Letter B
Number:3-A three looks like a B without the line 3
Nursery Rhyme: Pat-a-cake
B is for Baker
Character: Sharing and helping
Story: The little red hen
Math: Which cookies have 3 chocolate chips?
Letter C
Number:2
Letter: D
Number:4
Arrange letters A-D in order
Arrange numbers 1-4 in order
We also enjoyed learning letters with Oobi
I also let the kids practice writing and asked them about their pictures.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
What is the weather like today?(Infant and preschool lessons)
Devotional: Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth
Letter: C and W
Number:2
We talked about the weather and the different types. There is rain, cloudy, Sunny, windy, snowing.
Song: This is a great song to explain how little drops of vapor get together to form a cloud. The kids were spinning and dancing around.
Story: Little cloud by Eric Carle
Baby to 5year old
Nursery rhyme: Rain Rain go away
Give the kids cotton balls and let them feel it and pull it apart.(Good for younger babies)
Craft:
Make clouds with cotton balls. We even painted them. This is good for their fine motor skills. Talk about the creation of earth. Day 2-Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
Science:
Put a pie pan in freezer.Fill a jar with warm water. Next, put cold pie pan over hot water. Watch a cloud form!
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth
Letter: C and W
Number:2
We talked about the weather and the different types. There is rain, cloudy, Sunny, windy, snowing.
Song: This is a great song to explain how little drops of vapor get together to form a cloud. The kids were spinning and dancing around.
Story: Little cloud by Eric Carle
Baby to 5year old
Nursery rhyme: Rain Rain go away
Give the kids cotton balls and let them feel it and pull it apart.(Good for younger babies)
Craft:
Make clouds with cotton balls. We even painted them. This is good for their fine motor skills. Talk about the creation of earth. Day 2-Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
Science:
Put a pie pan in freezer.Fill a jar with warm water. Next, put cold pie pan over hot water. Watch a cloud form!
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
God is like a lighthouse-lessons from the sea
In my last post I mentioned that I have been doing a lot of genealogy on my Mother's side. It has been a lot of fun! My Great Grandpa was a light house keeper and his dad was the captain of the cross rip lightship. I learned how important theses jobs really are. A lightship is like a mobile lighthouse. There job is to light the way and steer the ships away from the sharp rocks.
The biggest trap for me is time goes to fast or it can feel like you do the same thing every day. We need to stop and smell the roses, but at sea, you stop and smell the salt water. Figure out who you are, where you are going and what you like to do. My great Grandpa Howard called his light house "Little Alcatraz". You don't have much to do so he carved wood boats and played the guitar. Each of us need to be forced, in a way to figure out what we want to do. You can feel isolated or at peace on the waters. I think you can feel that way about life. Dark clouds of depression and uncertainty roll in and a violent storm begins. Jesus is not only a light, he is at the helm and he can calm the raging seas. Either way we can be rescued!
My mission in life is to guide my children home and teach them how to sail the seas of life. The thought of me being a light keeps popping into my head. At the top of a lighthouse is where the lantern room surrounded by glass and metal storm panes. The lighthouse keeper cleaned and maintained. To let our light shine we must constantly do maintenance on ourselves. This is hard work! So we just stand there and be a light when the storm is all around us? We have to work on our inner light before we can be a light to others. Only the light within you can become like a radiant sunrise.
I feel lately that I am steering my vessel right into the sharp rocks. I foolishly thought that all the changes I have been making would be making a difference. Well, they are but there have been more bad days than good lately. This has been really hard for me to swallow because I definitely have been needing peace in my home. I feel like each of us with anger and being so frustrated is about to crash into jagged rocks of our trials. Maybe I am trying to guide myself, and not listening to my guide, Jesus Christ. I hate to see my children struggle. I hate to fight or yell.
Here is our maintenance or cleaning formula for ourselves. 3 Nephi 14:7
Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
This can take a lifetime! No pressure right? So I have been praying, reading scriptures and inspirational messages. I am seeking advice from other mothers on blogs and neighbors around me. I still feel discouraged. The words that are sticking out to me and ultimately our anchors is LIGHT, CHANGE, KNOWLEDGE, ASK, FAITH and NAVIGATE. To keep the LIGHT burning within, you have to be willing to CHANGE. We need to know for ourselves what is true and to use his atonement when we sin and do wrong. We seek for KNOWLEDGE constantly. Let us make sure we use the best source, the scriptures, and be careful of other sources. ASK in prayer if it is true and for help. With FAITH in God we use all his tools to NAVIGATE through life's trails. All of this is hard and a life long pursuit. We never know when the answers will come but we know if we are guided by his divine light and plan we will be safe.
So I guess for now I keep trying, crying and pleading. Then I do it again and again and again! I have already embarked on my journey. I need to keep going until my journeys end and not forget who guides my way and can calm the raging seas. If I am in the darkness all I have to do is look for the light.
The biggest trap for me is time goes to fast or it can feel like you do the same thing every day. We need to stop and smell the roses, but at sea, you stop and smell the salt water. Figure out who you are, where you are going and what you like to do. My great Grandpa Howard called his light house "Little Alcatraz". You don't have much to do so he carved wood boats and played the guitar. Each of us need to be forced, in a way to figure out what we want to do. You can feel isolated or at peace on the waters. I think you can feel that way about life. Dark clouds of depression and uncertainty roll in and a violent storm begins. Jesus is not only a light, he is at the helm and he can calm the raging seas. Either way we can be rescued!
My mission in life is to guide my children home and teach them how to sail the seas of life. The thought of me being a light keeps popping into my head. At the top of a lighthouse is where the lantern room surrounded by glass and metal storm panes. The lighthouse keeper cleaned and maintained. To let our light shine we must constantly do maintenance on ourselves. This is hard work! So we just stand there and be a light when the storm is all around us? We have to work on our inner light before we can be a light to others. Only the light within you can become like a radiant sunrise.
I feel lately that I am steering my vessel right into the sharp rocks. I foolishly thought that all the changes I have been making would be making a difference. Well, they are but there have been more bad days than good lately. This has been really hard for me to swallow because I definitely have been needing peace in my home. I feel like each of us with anger and being so frustrated is about to crash into jagged rocks of our trials. Maybe I am trying to guide myself, and not listening to my guide, Jesus Christ. I hate to see my children struggle. I hate to fight or yell.
Here is our maintenance or cleaning formula for ourselves. 3 Nephi 14:7
Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
This can take a lifetime! No pressure right? So I have been praying, reading scriptures and inspirational messages. I am seeking advice from other mothers on blogs and neighbors around me. I still feel discouraged. The words that are sticking out to me and ultimately our anchors is LIGHT, CHANGE, KNOWLEDGE, ASK, FAITH and NAVIGATE. To keep the LIGHT burning within, you have to be willing to CHANGE. We need to know for ourselves what is true and to use his atonement when we sin and do wrong. We seek for KNOWLEDGE constantly. Let us make sure we use the best source, the scriptures, and be careful of other sources. ASK in prayer if it is true and for help. With FAITH in God we use all his tools to NAVIGATE through life's trails. All of this is hard and a life long pursuit. We never know when the answers will come but we know if we are guided by his divine light and plan we will be safe.
So I guess for now I keep trying, crying and pleading. Then I do it again and again and again! I have already embarked on my journey. I need to keep going until my journeys end and not forget who guides my way and can calm the raging seas. If I am in the darkness all I have to do is look for the light.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Valentine to my readers
Let's play a little game. I played it with a big group of people and it was a riot! To start off we had to choose our favorite candy from conversation hearts, snickers, almond joy and 3 musketeers. Each candy was a conversation starter:
Conservation hearts- Someone you would like to have a conversation with.
Since I have been thinking about the family that has left this earth I want to talk to My Grandma Howard and Grampa Davis who both passed before I was born.
Snickers-embarrassing moment.
When I was in college I came home late and it was dark in my apartment. I couldn't see at all! I walked right into a door separating all our rooms and woke everyone up. My nose was pretty sore and so was my pride.
Almond Joy- Something that brings you joy.
My family brings the most joy and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Oh and music!
3 Musketeers- 3 people that have influenced your lives.
It is hard to just narrow it down to 3 so I might cheat a little. First is my Savior. Second are my parents. Third is my seminary teacher.
Fun huh? Now you know a little more about me. I would love for you to share! I promise to write more soon!
Monday, February 9, 2015
Love challenge for your family and why I was parenting all wrong!
This month is all about love! How to be focusing on relationships of each of my children and spending more time with my husband. I am following the Dating Diva's 30 day love challenge to get more ideas. My marriage has been put on the back burner for our kids, but it has taken its toll. I am noticing our family is happier, because we are happier!
Family is the heart and soul of the home. They are what is most important. I have been trying to focus on my kids more this week and spend special time with them. If I don't have time I find it! I was reading Fablehaven, with my oldest when a passage hit me like a ton of bricks. I was impressed with how the Grandpa listened to Seth and Kendra when they pleaded their case of why they shouldn't be punished. The Grandpa asked "Were my rules unclear or the consequences?"
Both children agreed that he was clear but Seth felt lied to for the reasons behind these rules. For this unfairness he felt like he shouldn't have been punished.
The Grandpa shocked Kendra with asking what she thought?
She expressed that a reduction in punishment would be fair.
The Grandpa thought about it but warned them that rules lose all power if punishments are not enforced. He decided it was a deal as long as they still paid a price for their disobedience, and they got one more chance.
Both children agreed that was fair. No fighting or yelling and both the adult and children were happy. If only it could be like this always. However, I can learn a lesson from this, and that is to compromise and let the children feel like they are heard. I definitely need to practice this! In addition to compromising I am learning about my kids and accepting them for who they are. The last thing I want to do is crush their spirit and smother their light.
When I had my first born I was so excited! I did not know that I would have post partum depression and that he would be a colicky baby. I remember he would just scream and scream until I had tried it all, I would just have to put him down and cover my ears and pray the screaming would stop! I often wonder if I was in a better place back then, would he have the struggled of stress and anxiety that he has now? As a parent I was figuring how much was overprotective or too strict. I think I put too much responsibility without really thinking. When baby #2 and #3 came along I really needed his help!
My daughter and next boy are both struggling with being in the middle, Also, my daughter wants a sister because she is the only girl. She told me on several occasions that I should either have another girl or get her a cat. Kids are so funny! Both of them struggle with where they fit and test the limits more to get more attention. My little boy is very shy and afraid to try anything new. He is so quiet that he often gets left out. He also wants to keep up with the older 2 so he wants to catch up, but feels bad when he can't.My daughter constantly feels like things aren't fair. She also demonstrates first born syndrome at times.
My youngest has a lot of health issues ands needs lots of extra attention so that has really been the challenge the last few years! He is very happy but thinks everything should be his way. In fact, most of my kids act that way! He really behaves like he is the only child.
So why am I telling you all this? It is my way of saying I accept them and I cannot fight against such strong individuals. The difficulty lies in accepting these characteristics and working with them to encourage strong character development. Sometimes, as parents we get so caught up on teaching them right and wrong, that we forget to teach them to love themselves. I am noticing more, maybe because I am looking for it, when they are coming down hard on themselves. It is really hard for me to not come down on them to so I can "teach them a lesson".
Praying in the heat of the moment is also something I am working on. When I ask the Lord for help I am more calm and able to handle the situation. I am trying to pray more during the day for help and pray when I am invited to a fight by my children.
The kids teachers at church made this beautiful stone with a heart and a little note. It reads: Put this heart in a special place to remind you of your saviors atoning sacrifice and his great love for you.
Family is the heart and soul of the home. They are what is most important. I have been trying to focus on my kids more this week and spend special time with them. If I don't have time I find it! I was reading Fablehaven, with my oldest when a passage hit me like a ton of bricks. I was impressed with how the Grandpa listened to Seth and Kendra when they pleaded their case of why they shouldn't be punished. The Grandpa asked "Were my rules unclear or the consequences?"
Both children agreed that he was clear but Seth felt lied to for the reasons behind these rules. For this unfairness he felt like he shouldn't have been punished.
The Grandpa shocked Kendra with asking what she thought?
She expressed that a reduction in punishment would be fair.
The Grandpa thought about it but warned them that rules lose all power if punishments are not enforced. He decided it was a deal as long as they still paid a price for their disobedience, and they got one more chance.
Both children agreed that was fair. No fighting or yelling and both the adult and children were happy. If only it could be like this always. However, I can learn a lesson from this, and that is to compromise and let the children feel like they are heard. I definitely need to practice this! In addition to compromising I am learning about my kids and accepting them for who they are. The last thing I want to do is crush their spirit and smother their light.
When I had my first born I was so excited! I did not know that I would have post partum depression and that he would be a colicky baby. I remember he would just scream and scream until I had tried it all, I would just have to put him down and cover my ears and pray the screaming would stop! I often wonder if I was in a better place back then, would he have the struggled of stress and anxiety that he has now? As a parent I was figuring how much was overprotective or too strict. I think I put too much responsibility without really thinking. When baby #2 and #3 came along I really needed his help!
My daughter and next boy are both struggling with being in the middle, Also, my daughter wants a sister because she is the only girl. She told me on several occasions that I should either have another girl or get her a cat. Kids are so funny! Both of them struggle with where they fit and test the limits more to get more attention. My little boy is very shy and afraid to try anything new. He is so quiet that he often gets left out. He also wants to keep up with the older 2 so he wants to catch up, but feels bad when he can't.My daughter constantly feels like things aren't fair. She also demonstrates first born syndrome at times.
My youngest has a lot of health issues ands needs lots of extra attention so that has really been the challenge the last few years! He is very happy but thinks everything should be his way. In fact, most of my kids act that way! He really behaves like he is the only child.
So why am I telling you all this? It is my way of saying I accept them and I cannot fight against such strong individuals. The difficulty lies in accepting these characteristics and working with them to encourage strong character development. Sometimes, as parents we get so caught up on teaching them right and wrong, that we forget to teach them to love themselves. I am noticing more, maybe because I am looking for it, when they are coming down hard on themselves. It is really hard for me to not come down on them to so I can "teach them a lesson".
Praying in the heat of the moment is also something I am working on. When I ask the Lord for help I am more calm and able to handle the situation. I am trying to pray more during the day for help and pray when I am invited to a fight by my children.
The kids teachers at church made this beautiful stone with a heart and a little note. It reads: Put this heart in a special place to remind you of your saviors atoning sacrifice and his great love for you.
As I held this little stone in my hand I thought about how each of my children are like this stone. I need to put them in a special place in my heart and let them know daily my great love for them.
How can you show your family your great love for them?
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Ground hog day-Letter G and W (Preschool and Toddler lessons)
Devotional:Moroni 10:20-21
Letters:G and W
Numbers:6
Trace G and W and write it.The kids were curious what Ground hogs look like so we looked at pictures. We also watched
Peeps wide world about Ground hogs.
20 Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.
21 And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.
Letters:G and W
Numbers:6
Trace G and W and write it.The kids were curious what Ground hogs look like so we looked at pictures. We also watched
Peeps wide world about Ground hogs.
The weather is constantly changing. This week we are predicting the weather. There is a chart to draw a picture for each day. I ask the kids if they think it will be sunny, cloudy, rainy or snowy. Then we played with flashlights and my Toddler was so amazed by his shadow.
Story: Online story at mightybooks.com.It is a story with music and humor to tell children what ground hogs day is about.
Last video I promise! We had to see what Punxsutawney Phil had to say!
6 more weeks of winter!!Aaaaaaaaah!
Songs: What is the weather
Tune: Here we are together
What is the weather?
The weather the weather?
What is the weather?
The weather today?
We are also working on Days of the week. So we sing days of the week song to the tune of Adams Family.
We will be talking about weather the rest of this week and next.Tomorrow we learn more about clouds.
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