love to paint

Oh, my goodness, my little Sami! Everyone says to me, well now you have a boy! As if a boy is going to be the one in our family getting into all the mischief. Every time someone says that to me, I reply, "Ah, but you don't know Sami." My little Sami. She is exuberant and willful. She has a mind that gets set on things and she goes after them. So determined! And yet, also so disobedient. It is interesting because her disobedience is not rooted in any meanness or intent to disobey me, per say. It is rooted simply in her desire to do whatever it is that she has her mind and heart set on! Yesterday, we were at the farmer's market. She didn't stay with Autumn, Eli, and me, but went around the other side of the car, stepped on some broken glass and needed to be bandaged up. Ay Ay Ay! Thank goodness for the kindness of friends who helped me juggle everything. This week, she has 1. Poured soap from Chris' head and Shoulder's bottle into the bath tub-...

Last night, my little Sami woke me at 2 am crying because she needed to use the potty! She hadn't wet her pants, but she knew she needed to go and it was dark and everyone was sleeping. I woke, then she went and used the potty, and then went back to bed. I think she's really getting it! This morning she's gone twice when she's needed to go. I heard her say once, "I need to go potty." She walked right out of the room quickly to the bathroom and went! I am so thankful that this is going as well as it is! I am also glad that I waited until she was closer to 3. I'm sure she could have done it earlier, but I don't know if I would have had enough patience. I'm very proud of her.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot of things about my weight. Much of it is prompted because I had a baby almost 4 months ago. But, to be honest, I think I probably would think about it anyways. When I was growing up, my dad was always encouraging me to watch my weight. And then when I graduated from college at 122 lbs., my dad suddenly turned to me and said, "so when are you going to gain some weight?" (implying I was too thin) and in my mind I replied, "when have I ever been thin enough?" Most of my family struggles with their weight or watch their weight and several people including my dad have Type 2 Diabetes. So, it's something I think about for that reason. With each of my pregnancies I've gained more weight. First, 39 lbs. with Autumn, then 43 lbs. with Sami and now 47 lbs. with Eli. When I hit 25 lbs. with Autumn the first time, my doctor expressed some concern and cautioned me to watch what I was eating. But, after I lost all but 5 lbs. w...

When I step back, it really does seem funny to me that potty training can seem so intimidating! I got so anxious about it with Autumn and I have found myself with the same feelings with Sami. I'm not sure why, but I think I have realized a few things (that I'm sure many others before me have realized) about it =) In Potty Training, I have to discipline myself to be more aware of my daughter's activities and the time that passes. In potty training, I am requiring my daughter then to discipline herself and train herself to listen to her body. That may require her to wake or to stop doing something she really enjoys doing. I think that's tough for us even as adults! =) I've stayed home a lot this week and that will probably continue for a while. Sami does not like to use the potty in the store, but I have one in my car. So, when we went to run errands today, that was the one she used! What a blessing! I suppose it is a big praise that 5 days after starting pot...

My Bible study that I'm going through right now is the Parent's Handbook to Shepherding a Child's Heart. The chapter I've been reading through is on Parental Authority. It has been challenging to me to realize that in the name of giving my daughters choices so that they can learn to make decisions, I have been giving up my authority and allowing them to be the authorities. Wow! When I shared this with Chris, he quickly identified that the areas where we slide are bedtimes, food, and what they wear. But, I am resolved to be a better parent! Sami is quite strong willed and Autumn copies her when she realizes what Sami is permitted to do--or, I'll be honest, what she gets away with. This morning I realized that it really is time to start potty training Sami. I don't know why, but I dread potty training. It seems like such a big deal! This morning, I matter of factly and gently told Sami that she was going to wear panties today and that every time Mommy tel...

So, we started reading a new devotional book with our kids. Last week, the boys in the story go to the zoo and one boy says to another, "isn't it funny to think that we came from apes?" Chris substituted monkeys for apes because our girls think they're all the same. Then the other little boy says, "No, we didn't. God made us!" Well, the morning after we read this story, Autumn breaks out at breakfast with "We came from monkeys!" And I said in just as silly a voice, "No, we didn't. God made us!" The girls burst out laughing. We repeated the same refrain for about 10 minutes back and forth sometimes me saying the first thing and sometimes the second. It really is absurd the idea that we came from monkeys--but it's even funnier seeing it through the eyes of small children! =) I'm so thankful that God made us!

I'm trying to get my plans in place for the school year and figure out how I'm going to do things. But, it's very ironic, I'm struggling to find time to figure out how I'm going to plan my time! Basically, my plan is going to be to do all the extras with both girls in the morning (Art, Bible, Music, Science, Health, P.E., Calendar Work) then have some play time and lunch. Then, Sami is going to have some "quiet" time in her room, while I do reading, writing, and math with Autumn. Then, well have time together to play or run errands. Then, bath time and dinner. I think I will be able to work with Eli's nap times to do the homeschooling. I hope so, at least! I'm a little worried about language arts, but I think because I feel insecure about that subject, I'm blowing it out of proportion. I feel fine about math. I just want to find some time to get my plans on paper for language arts and then I think I'll feel a lot better! I signed t...