It's Okay Thursday

It is okay:

- that I already ate oatmeal for breakfast and I am still hungry.

- that I am looking forward to our girls weekend next week and the Maroon 5 & Kelly Clarkson concert

- that I enjoyed my birthday yesterday but am glad it is over.

- that my boys are growing up WAY TO FAST!

- that I am constantly worried about speding money. We by no means have a lot but we don't go without either.

- that our guest room/ office has turned into the junk room. (sorry Mimi)

- that I am in such a good mood since it is sun shining outside.

- that I am sooo ready for the weekend!

Bath & bed time

Family beach trip 2013

Last week we spend three nights at Mexico Beach with some friends of ours. We played on the beach and did a little shopping. It was nice to get out of town and relax. We had a blast!. I will let the pictures tell about our trip. Enjoy!!

Getting ready to crab hunt.

Sweet friends

Enjoying a little beach picnic

Cally and Grant

Silly Bryce

Mommy and her sweet baby

Daddy and Grant wake boarding

                                                

Naked baby

Good friends

Silly Grant

Playing in the sand

Sweet Cally-Rae

Mommy and daddy (blurry but cute)

Andrew kayaking and shark fishing

 

    

Two little monkeys swinging

 

They melt my heart

Yummy Doritos

We were so thankful for the wagon!

Parenting: a touchy subject

"If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later. I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging."- Diane Loomans

When my children grow up I want them to talk about how I always made time for them, played games with them, let them bake cookies, colored and read books to them, jumped on the trampoline with them, etc... I am realistic and know that I will always have something I need to do. This is a hard one for me. I am OCD and have a constant  to-do list in my head. I am working hard to turn this off when at home and just enjoy the moment. I am guilty of sending the kids to their play-room while I clean the kitchen or fold laundry. Yes, I could clean the kitchen when they go to bed but then it cuts into my "grown-up time". So do my kids win or am I selfish because I want my " grown-up time" longer??  I think the main thing I have learned is that parents need a balance. We should spend time everyday, even if it is only a few minutes of good non-distracted quality time. I don't think parents have to spend every waking moment with their kids. Children need to learn to entertain themselves. They need to learn to take care of themselves. Children need to learn independence. And parents equally need some "adult time". Everyone needs a balance.  However, I do think there is a fine line between spending time with your kids and spending non-distracted quality time with your kids.

I know too many parents who consider being in the same room as their kids spending time with them. I know some who think sitting on the couch to watch tv everyday is spending time with them. Yes to an extent is it, but to me a "special movie night" or going to the movies is spending time. If this is an everyday occurrence, then no I don't think it counts. Most of the time the parent ends up playing on their phone or a computer while the kid watches tv. I know some who consider going out to eat spending time with their kids. Once again it could be but.... Are you engaging your kids in conversation about their day? Or are you constantly getting on to them and making them be quiet?

Kids need to feel loved. They need affirming words. They want to feel needed. I ask my 4 year old to help me do things I could easily do by myself. He loves it. He has a look of pure delight when he finishes the task mommy needs help with. It makes me feel good to see him so happy. I try my best to set aside mommy and me dates. I try to spend special one on one time with each of my children. I would much rather go grocery shopping by myself but occasionally I take Grant. We walk down aisles and look at the toys.  We take our time and I let him pick out a few snacks. Simple things make kids happy!!

Too many parents think they can buy love. " It's okay if I don't spend time with them, I will just buy them a new ipod" This breaks my heart. Of course, kids would love the new ipod or video game, but they would love your TIME more.

" Adults spell love L-O-V-E, kids spell love T-I-M-E"
"To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today”

I also get very frustrated at the pretend parents. Lets post pictures on FB and pretend we are happy. Let's post pictures and pretend we spend time together. Young children may not understand just yet but soon the day will come when they wonder why they have to pretend. Don't be that parent who has to pretend. Be the parent who spends time and is truly HAPPY!!

 I am not perfect. I have flaws and I sin. I make mistakes. And sometimes I repeat the same mistakes. I get frustrated. And sometimes I want to give up. However, I am working on these things. I am praying about them. I am trying to change. I am also trying to be the best parent I can. I know all kids are different and all parenting styles are different. But it just absolutely breaks my heart to see what kids go through these days. People are mean! One day soon our children will have to deal with bullying and self-esteem issues. I want to be the parent who has built my child so far up, other kids can't tear them down. I want my kids to feel like they can come to me with anything they want to talk about or have issues with. I just want to be in their lives in a big way.... Not just my presence but with my heart and soul.

"Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.” - C. Everett Koop

Fun in the Sun

This past weekend we broke out the kiddie pool and slide. Both boys loved it. Here are a few pictures of our fun afternoon. Only two more weeks and then we can have some real fun in the sun at the beach!!

Grant's randomness

These are a few random funny and sweet things Grant has said over the past few months:



"Mom, why do you ask so many questions?"

"You are a knucklehead."

"I love you but i'm still on my daddy's team."

" Mom you love me because I pick you flowers"

"My daddy can get that balloon down because he is bigger than the other working men."

"Do you know why i'm a good big brother? Because I listen to you most of the time"

" I thought I saw a pretty cat, I did I did saw a pretty cat"

" You crack me up"

"You look pretty and smell good mommy"

" I'll be back in a jiffy"

"Mom, when I get bigger and i'm a girl I can use your hairspray"

" Mom I just love Bryce's cute name"

"Mommy I love you to the moon and one million"

Sweet suprise

One of the many things I love about Andrew is how thoughtful he can be. This past weekend he went to the Gridiron Men's conference in Birmingham. When he came home Saturday he suprised the boys with two Bearstein Bear books and myself with a book called 365 things every woman should know. I brought it to work for some daily inspiration. Here are several of my favorite quotes from the book:

God's grace is only a prayer away.

You might be the only bible someone will ever read.

A perfect wife is one who doesn't expect a perfect husband.

Your marriage will only be successful if God is an active partner in it.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt

It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.

A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

A friendly no is much better than a reluctant yes. - Spanish Proverb

For success, attitude is equally as important as ability. - Harry F Banks

Being friendly coast nothing but reaps great rewards.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it
Proverbs 22:6

The greatest teacher is not experience, it is example.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have money can't buy.