Painting is a lot like parenting.

Okay, you think I've gone mad. My husband does too! I was up Saturday night, or shall I say Sunday morning, until 3AM. No, no one is sick. I was finishing the painting in my kitchen area. As I was working away in the wee hours, the house was nice and quiet. I was able to do LOTS of thinking. Here's the thought that kept popping into my head: Painting is a lot like parenting.
She is nuts. . .I know that's what you're thinking. Just hear me out.
Like parenting, painting requires lots of work. You can pour over sites/books/whatever, to get short cuts and tips for the sure fire perfect outcome. Like parenting, everyone has a bit of advice to share, or a certain style that works great for them. Those tips and tools are very helpful, but what it all comes down to in the end is this: Everyone has their own unique style, and IT IS LOTS OF TIME CONSUMING HARD WORK! There is no easy button in painting or raising a family.

Yes, I did finish the kitchen. The only rooms left are the bathrooms, laundry room and our bedroom. I can see the light at the end of the never ending painting the house tunnel! Oh, does it feel good to type that!

Building Character

That's The General, right in the center. He's just come down court, and is open for a pass. I don't remember what happened next, probably a turnover or missed shot. Sounds rather cruel of me, doesn't it?? Well, this year it is not about the game. It is about being a good sport and trying to have fun, even when it is difficult.

You see the scores of the recent games have been BLOW OUTS, as in 6-48, 3-45, and this last weekend The General's team experienced the win 40-6. How these lopsided feats have come to be in a youth league would take more space and energy than I have for my blog today.

So what do you do when you find your child getting clobbered each week? We've been talking about being a good sport. Find the fun times, and focus on them. Don't make excuses for losing, just work hard and do your best. Celebrate the little victories. I'm so proud, The General has been rising to the occasion. He's growing up.

Let's face it, many times life can feel a lot like this basketball season. When we find ourselves in those seasons, we can still find joy in the little things. Counting our blessings, and focusing on what we have as opposed to what we are missing. Again, I'm humbled by the lessons my children are teaching me.

Getting the kiddos ready for Lent.

Look what we did at our Catholic Homeschool Group.

The Crown of Thorns

A few years ago a friend sent me this project. I am so excited that I finally made the time to do this activity. I've cut and pasted the directions for a Crown of Thorns Centerpiece (from Forty Days of Lent with the Christian Family) from the e-mail I received.

Since next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, I'd like to share the directions with all of you. It is really quite dramatic, and leaves a lasting message with all ages. Use a salt dough ring (see recipe below) and make a large crown of thorns. After mixing and kneading the dough, roll it into three long ropes and loosely braid them (some of the children struggled with the braid, dividing the dough in half and twisting the ropes was easier.) Form the braid into a circle, and place on a round baking sheet. Place toothpicks into the circle in every direction to represent thorns. Twist each one as you place it for easier removal later on. (I found they still baked in, so while the dough was still hot from the oven I pulled the tooth picks out. After the crown cooled I let the kiddos put them back in.) Bake, thorns in place, in a 350 degree oven for one hour or until dry and brown (mine took about 1 1/2 hours, but it could be my oven). After cooling, place the crown of thorns on a piece of purple cloth and in the center of your dining room or kitchen table (wherever you eat each meal).

Take the time to explain to the children each toothpick represents one sin that pierced Jesus during His sacred passion. This very Lent, we can ease a little of the pain Our Lord suffers. Each time we do a good deed (it is good to stress the deed will be a secret between you and Jesus) we may secretly remove one thorn from his crown. Hopefully by the end of Lent, the crown will be free of thorns. Then on Holy Saturday, spray paint the crown gold. Decorate with glued on jewels from the dime store to make the Crown of Glory. The very crown which Jesus earned by His Sorrowful Passion. Remind the children Jesus makes a beautiful thing with our smallest kindnesses and good deeds.

Salt Dough Recipe: Combine 4 cups flour with 1 cup of salt. Mix in enough water to make a stiff clay (more than one cup usually). Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

The Sacrifice Mouse

These are the sacrifice mice. My friend used foamy paper to cut out the tear shaped body, self adhesive googly eyes, a tiny pom-pom for the nose, and more foam cut into little ears. She used rubber cement for the adhesive, I'm sure any crafting glue would work though. Use a hole punch and tie a piece of yarn for the tail. Next glue a small piece of magnet on the back (you can easily recycle an old refrigerator magnet.) Each time your child makes a sacrifice or does a good deed during lent, you tie a knot in the mouse's tail. This is the perfect project for the younger set. The craft was easy to do with just a little adult supervision. Bubby is so excited to have his very own mouse. He loves to be "big" like The General and Princess.

It's working, and he is so darn funny!

Isn't it amazing how just putting things in writing can help you gain perspective and feel better? Yesterday after my post, I was such a better mom to Bubby. You know what they say about a happy mommy? Ain't nobody happy if the momma ain't happy! Needless to say my improved attitude did rub off a bit on the boy.

Of course we still had our moments, which leads me to the "he's so darn funny!" My friend K was over with her 3 kiddos, all of whom Bubby loves. They are quite a bit older, so he enjoys getting to play with the big kids. During one of their games, the older kiddos came to let me know Bubby was hurting them (yes, even though he is 6-10 years younger than them, he does hurt them.) Bubby reminds me of that big dopey guy from Of Mice and Men. The one that says, "I'll love 'em and squeeze 'em and hold 'em tight."

Anyway, I take Bubby aside and say, "Were you just playing, or were you trying to be mean?"

He quickly responds, "I was trying to be mean."

At this point K runs into the other room, because the two year old is so stinking funny. Fortunately I have been mothering The General for over 11 years. I've had a lot of practice keeping a straight face in these situations. So I give Bubby his time out and he settles down. After the time out he comes to me to discuss making good choices and apologizes for being mean. We hug and off he runs, but wait. He stops and yells back over his shoulder, "Yeah sorry mommy. I called you a rat when I was in the laundry room."

I thought poor K was going to wet her pants.

That boy is too darn funny.

Gratitude journal for today:

I only need one today.

I'm grateful that my little terror is so cotton pickin' funny.

Time for that gratitude journal.

Do you ever feel flattered by God? When I consider the parenting needs of my two boys, that is exactly how I feel. Sometimes I cannot believe God really thinks I can do this. . .well. However, I know God's wisdom far surpasses mine and if he thinks I am the perfect mommy for these boys, who am I to disagree.

This leads me to my post title. When The General was just about the age of Bubby, he became so incredibly challenging to my brain I wanted to scream (I'm ashamed to say, there were days that I did. Alot.) For example, if I would tell him not to do something he would come back with, "So, what will the consequence for that be." Yes, enunciated perfectly (my kiddos talk early and speak quite clearly when they are young toddlers). I began to dislike him, where had my sweet obedient boy gone? I know that sounds terrible, and I felt tremendous guilt. However, when there is a little person CONSTANTLY pushing your buttons and dancing on your line, it is exhausting.

Enter the gratitude journal. Each night I would sit down and take stock of my day. The first things that would come to mind would be the mud in the guest room carpet. Everyone knows freshly watered plants make the best place for serious construction work. Right?? Well, I challenged myself to go beyond the messes, the frustrations and poor choices (his, and mine). I made myself think back to the good parts of the day. I would list 5 sweet things The General had done that day, it worked. I had been so bogged down by the work of molding this very intelligent, strong willed child I was missing out on the beauty.

Here I am 9 years later with Bubby, and guess what? I need my journal. Last night Bubby informed me, "I don't want to be a nice boy. I want to make bad choices!" My sister-in-law says he can flip you off with a look alone. (No, he doesn't know what that even means, but if he did. . . .) Of course Bubby's issues are completely different than The General, God wouldn't want me to stagnant. I'm going to have to use some new ideas and skills to parent this very hard headed boy. But, I can think back and use some of the coping skills that helped me through my first boy.

So, here goes:

1) I love when he gives me a big hug and tells me, "Your the bestest mommy in the whole world!" and nearly squishes the stuffing out of me in the process.

2) When he says, "Oh, that will make me so much happy!" and gives me the cheesy grin.

3) Everyday when he does his daily business, he has to "push out a big daddy one, just for daddy."--Daddy should feel so honored.

4) The other day when he announced, "my best friend L. Yeah, he's a genius."

5) Most importantly, I am just so grateful that even though he is a challenge, he is healthy. I'm grateful he has the strength and energy to give me a hard time. I'm so grateful he is mine, bad choices, attitude and all.

Wish me luck.

Being a nomad isn't always easy.

Sometimes being an Air Force brat isn't easy. Today was one of those days for Princess. You see, today was the day her favorite ballet teacher in the world returned from maternity leave. Upon her return, she unveiled the costumes and dance for the spring recital. You can only imagine how exciting this is for little girls.

So, why the difficulty? You remember I mentioned we are moving? Unfortunately for Princess, we will leave the area long before the spring recital. Although she is a bit sad, she is truly happy for her friends. We've had no tears or tantrums, just focusing on the fun things we will be doing on our trek across the country. She is finding the silver lining of the cloud. Way to go Princess, I'm so proud of you!

Please pray for my three little Air Force Brats. Moving is a fun adventure. However, it is also filled with heart ache of all the wonderful things we have to leave behind.

Thank you.
:) Tami
.
This is Princess at last year's recital.
When you are eight, this is such a
magical experience. I hate having
her miss it.

Have I conquered my sleepless nights??

Okay, I will try to not sound too whiny. With my first two children, God blessed me with sleepers. Sure during the day they needed lots of love and attention, and rarely napped. However, once they went to bed at night I was guaranteed a good eight hours of sleep. Which is good for everyone, as this momma bear just isn't so nice without enough rest.

Fast forward to Bubby (my 2 1/2 year old son). There is a bit of a gap between Bubby and the big kiddos. He tags behind Princess (my almost 9 year old daughter) by six years, and there are nine years between he and the General (my 12 year old son). Needless to say, he truly is the baby of the family. He is doted upon not only by mom and dad, but by big brother and sister as well.

When Bubby came along and needed lots of love and attention I thought nothing of it. That is just the way it is with my little ones. But when the weeks, turned into months, which have now turned into years of no sleeping through the night this mommy was getting desperate. Sure we've had small stints where he stays in his bed all night. But just when I think we've conquered this sleep thing, there will be Bubby next to my bed during the middle of the night.

This brings me to last night when I think I've solved another of his sleeping issues. Prior to bedtime we packed up his adorable little toddler bed, and I made a "big boy" bed out of camp mats--they are about the size of a twin bed. (Why not a "real" bed. . .you know we are the nomads. We are about to move, we'll be living out of temporary housing, and our things will be in storage for five months.) Well my big baby boy must have just needed more space. After tucking him in, there wasn't a peep out of him until 5:00AM this morning. Then I just had to help him find his CeeCee (pacifier) and he was back to sleep until 7:45AM!! So today I am almost giddy with the quality sleep I've had.

Yeah, I know about the pacifier. That will have to wait for another post. :)