This week has been chaotic at best. I have had so many reminders this week of just how precious life is. Tuesday morning my day started off with the news of a family member's passing. Tuesday evening I was involved in an incident on the highway that could easily have cost me and my oldest Prince our lives. Wednesday afternoon I slipped and fell holding the Princess.
In the midst of all of that however, I witnessed a stranger come to my rescue at the risk of his own life. I've awakened to the smiles of the cutest little chocolate Princess. I've been hugged and kissed numerous times by Prince Scholar, Prince Bossy Smurf, and Prince Mookie. I've shared tender moments with my King. I have quiet time with The King and I even saw Princess Fly Away this week. All things that sometimes get taken for granted.
Every morning, as Prince Scholar is leaving for school I tell him, "I love you! Have a good day and make good choices! Follow Jesus and take no chances getting lost!" This morning, I said my usual but I suppose I didn't give it my all, because Prince Scholar replied, "Mom, you didn't say it with enthusiasm." I realized that indeed I lacked the enthusiasm I normally have and I repeated myself with the enthusiasm that normally sends my Prince along his day.
I had to take a moment and remind myself that amidst the chaos and unexpected bumps along the way, that my life and the life of those I love is PRICELESS!
HAVE A GOOD DAY AND MAKE GOOD CHOICES! FOLLOW JESUS AND TAKE NO CHANCES GETTING LOST!!!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Time's up!
Admittedly, I allow my kids to play video games. . . I know, bad mom right?! NOT! I do however, limit amount of time the Royal bunch spends indulging. Especially during the school year. My oldest prince, "The Scholar," is only allowed to play Friday through Sunday, as long as grades and behavior for the week are acceptable. Since he's an 11 year old middle schooler now, his work load for school is more intense. Gotta keep him focused during the week. My soon to be five year old prince, "Mookie" (I've called him that since he was a baby), can play for roughly an hour a day during the week.
To monitor Prince Mookie's game time I have a timer that I set on the TV stand and I set it for the amount of time he can play. Yesterday, I set the timer for 30 minutes when he asked if he could play and I told him, as I usually do, "When time is up, you have to turn it off." His reply, "Yes ma'am!"
Thinking I had that situated, I proceeded into the kitchen with the Princess so I could finish fixing dinner. The King comes home, notices Prince Mookie playing the game and I informed him that his time should be up soon. The King asks me, "How much time did you give him?" To which I replied, "Only 30 minutes." He said, "Well according to the timer, he has 27 minutes left!" This lil dude reset the timer for another 30 minutes and I was non the wiser!
During the course of parenting, we are constantly watching our children grow and learn, all the while accepting that they won't be our "babies" for long. This was one of those moments where I realized my precious "Mookie" is growing up. I suppose he decided that he would be the one to determine when, "Time is up!"
To monitor Prince Mookie's game time I have a timer that I set on the TV stand and I set it for the amount of time he can play. Yesterday, I set the timer for 30 minutes when he asked if he could play and I told him, as I usually do, "When time is up, you have to turn it off." His reply, "Yes ma'am!"
Thinking I had that situated, I proceeded into the kitchen with the Princess so I could finish fixing dinner. The King comes home, notices Prince Mookie playing the game and I informed him that his time should be up soon. The King asks me, "How much time did you give him?" To which I replied, "Only 30 minutes." He said, "Well according to the timer, he has 27 minutes left!" This lil dude reset the timer for another 30 minutes and I was non the wiser!
During the course of parenting, we are constantly watching our children grow and learn, all the while accepting that they won't be our "babies" for long. This was one of those moments where I realized my precious "Mookie" is growing up. I suppose he decided that he would be the one to determine when, "Time is up!"
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
It's the little things . . .
Yesterday, it was a small victory, a breakthrough of sorts, that added a little ray of sunshine to my day. It was just enough to remind me that, amid the stress I had endured yesterday and the day prior, my family, my little (well not so little) nuclear family unit, is one of the driving forces behind my happiness.
Unfortunately, I hadn't been blogging for long so you've missed out on the "Toilet Tales," all about potty training Prince "Bossy Smurf." Yesterday, hubby and I put the baby boys down to nap. I was doing laundry when I heard the toilet seat drop and I assumed it was the oldest of the two making a potty trip (or more like avoiding laying down). Instead, it was Prince "Bossy Smurf" on the toilet and he had (drum roll please . . . ) gotten out of the bed, gone to the bathroom, got on the potty and POOPED! Yes! I said it!!!! He POOPED on the potty, not dragging him kicking and screaming. No waiting on him to hide in the corner and catching him in the act. No begging him a trillion times to let us know. No asking him, "Where does poopy go?" ALL BY HIMSELF he delivered his package to the proper destination! It was newsworthy!
Yesterday, especially, I needed that validation of what sticking it out and hanging in there when you know you are doing the right thing, does for you. It pays. In huge dividends! I WILL continue to parent my kids in Him and raise them according to their individual needs and what God expects. Hubby and I will do the best we can, and wait . . . for the big payoff!!!
I love that kid!!!!
Unfortunately, I hadn't been blogging for long so you've missed out on the "Toilet Tales," all about potty training Prince "Bossy Smurf." Yesterday, hubby and I put the baby boys down to nap. I was doing laundry when I heard the toilet seat drop and I assumed it was the oldest of the two making a potty trip (or more like avoiding laying down). Instead, it was Prince "Bossy Smurf" on the toilet and he had (drum roll please . . . ) gotten out of the bed, gone to the bathroom, got on the potty and POOPED! Yes! I said it!!!! He POOPED on the potty, not dragging him kicking and screaming. No waiting on him to hide in the corner and catching him in the act. No begging him a trillion times to let us know. No asking him, "Where does poopy go?" ALL BY HIMSELF he delivered his package to the proper destination! It was newsworthy!
Yesterday, especially, I needed that validation of what sticking it out and hanging in there when you know you are doing the right thing, does for you. It pays. In huge dividends! I WILL continue to parent my kids in Him and raise them according to their individual needs and what God expects. Hubby and I will do the best we can, and wait . . . for the big payoff!!!
I love that kid!!!!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Parenting 101 . . .
Let me be the first to say that I am an outspoken, opinionated woman! I'm sure that surprises many . . . NOT! Especially if you know me, I mean REALLY know me. That being said, I don't say half of the things that come to my mind. If you REALLY KNOW me, you know that also. Many think I say everything I think , but seriously, I'd be brutal if I did.
Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, I'd like to say that when children are born, they do not come with a book of instructions. I'm sure we all wish they did. How we chose to parent our children is a compilation of our experiences and what we learn from others experiences. Isn't that how we learn most everything in life? I've been parenting for almost 19 years now and by no means am I the perfect parent. I was merely a child myself when I embarked on this huge journey. I (and my husband) have been given the task of molding brand new newborns who are "blank slates," into productive adults. It's a responsibility I (we) don't take lightly.
I believe in "old school" values and discipline . . to a degree. I don't believe in the "do as I say and not as I do" mentality. I believe hubby and I should set the example we want to see in our children. I believe in spankings but I don't believe that children should be "spanked" out of anger and just because. I believe in holding newborns and tending to toddlers needs, so forth and so on. I believe that as you learn better you do better. I believe that our children need our time, not gadgets as substitutes. There are so many things I believe, and I am open to doing anything that could improve the lives and character of my children. That being said, I will not, change how I parent my children based on what the general population chooses, and certainly not because someone else simply thinks I should do it their way. As I stated before, opinionated, yep that's me. If you ask me, I am definitely going to tell you. Honest feedback from perspective is exactly what you are going to get. I'm not ashamed of that. I have given "parenting advice" when solicited and admittedly, when not solicited. However, what one does with that information is up to his/her choosing. I don't have the master plan. Obviously I believe firmly in how I do things, otherwise, I wouldn't be doing them, but unless you are harming a child and a danger is perceived, it ends at advice. I give it, you do what you want with it.
Today, my parenting was challenged in a way that truly insulted me, hence the rant. While not the first time, I was very hurt and spent most of my day dwelling on it. In the end, I know that I am doing the best that I know to do with the children that God has blessed me with. I can sleep well tonight with that thought.
Tomorrow is a new day and I welcome the challenge head on!
Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, I'd like to say that when children are born, they do not come with a book of instructions. I'm sure we all wish they did. How we chose to parent our children is a compilation of our experiences and what we learn from others experiences. Isn't that how we learn most everything in life? I've been parenting for almost 19 years now and by no means am I the perfect parent. I was merely a child myself when I embarked on this huge journey. I (and my husband) have been given the task of molding brand new newborns who are "blank slates," into productive adults. It's a responsibility I (we) don't take lightly.
I believe in "old school" values and discipline . . to a degree. I don't believe in the "do as I say and not as I do" mentality. I believe hubby and I should set the example we want to see in our children. I believe in spankings but I don't believe that children should be "spanked" out of anger and just because. I believe in holding newborns and tending to toddlers needs, so forth and so on. I believe that as you learn better you do better. I believe that our children need our time, not gadgets as substitutes. There are so many things I believe, and I am open to doing anything that could improve the lives and character of my children. That being said, I will not, change how I parent my children based on what the general population chooses, and certainly not because someone else simply thinks I should do it their way. As I stated before, opinionated, yep that's me. If you ask me, I am definitely going to tell you. Honest feedback from perspective is exactly what you are going to get. I'm not ashamed of that. I have given "parenting advice" when solicited and admittedly, when not solicited. However, what one does with that information is up to his/her choosing. I don't have the master plan. Obviously I believe firmly in how I do things, otherwise, I wouldn't be doing them, but unless you are harming a child and a danger is perceived, it ends at advice. I give it, you do what you want with it.
Today, my parenting was challenged in a way that truly insulted me, hence the rant. While not the first time, I was very hurt and spent most of my day dwelling on it. In the end, I know that I am doing the best that I know to do with the children that God has blessed me with. I can sleep well tonight with that thought.
Tomorrow is a new day and I welcome the challenge head on!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Me and my shaaaaadow!
Well, not really me and my shadow, but hubby and his!
Our youngest Prince, affectionately called "Bossy Smurf" by my BFF and I, has been clinging to hubby like bees to honey! I think some of it is due to him transitioning to the recent arrival of the Princess and some of it is because hubby is just a pretty cool dad.
Nevertheless, I have to admit that I was pretty entertained this morning by Bossy Smurf's insistence on his dad following him into the closet this morning. Why he's been fascinated with the closet as of late is any one's guess, but we have noticed that if you want to find something missing (including poor Bella the 6 pound Yorkie), look in the closet! After much protest, hubby follows him into the closet and finally, Bossy Smurf was content. They hung out in there and I suppose the quality time in the closet was all he wanted. His persistence paid off! He reminds me of myself sometimes, as much as I hate to admit it! Hopefully he uses his powers for good!
I was so tempted to name this blog, "In the closet," but for obvious reasons, I changed my mind! No need in starting any Royal Rumors!!! LOL!
Hubby is awesome with the kids, from playing chess with our oldest Prince, to playing Wii Sports with the middle Prince and hanging in the closet with our youngest Prince, Bossy Smurf, he knows just what makes each one of them happy! He and the Princess are finding their way right now! She has him wrapped around her fingers at the moment but she still prefers mommy. I will never forget though, his #1 fan, our angel Princess who is no longer with us on this earth. A tender soul, she had a way with hubby that made him feel like he was the greatest daddy in the whole wide world!!!!
I look forward to one day seeing my kids as adults relish in the memories of their father and all that he is to them!
Our youngest Prince, affectionately called "Bossy Smurf" by my BFF and I, has been clinging to hubby like bees to honey! I think some of it is due to him transitioning to the recent arrival of the Princess and some of it is because hubby is just a pretty cool dad.
Nevertheless, I have to admit that I was pretty entertained this morning by Bossy Smurf's insistence on his dad following him into the closet this morning. Why he's been fascinated with the closet as of late is any one's guess, but we have noticed that if you want to find something missing (including poor Bella the 6 pound Yorkie), look in the closet! After much protest, hubby follows him into the closet and finally, Bossy Smurf was content. They hung out in there and I suppose the quality time in the closet was all he wanted. His persistence paid off! He reminds me of myself sometimes, as much as I hate to admit it! Hopefully he uses his powers for good!
I was so tempted to name this blog, "In the closet," but for obvious reasons, I changed my mind! No need in starting any Royal Rumors!!! LOL!
Hubby is awesome with the kids, from playing chess with our oldest Prince, to playing Wii Sports with the middle Prince and hanging in the closet with our youngest Prince, Bossy Smurf, he knows just what makes each one of them happy! He and the Princess are finding their way right now! She has him wrapped around her fingers at the moment but she still prefers mommy. I will never forget though, his #1 fan, our angel Princess who is no longer with us on this earth. A tender soul, she had a way with hubby that made him feel like he was the greatest daddy in the whole wide world!!!!
I look forward to one day seeing my kids as adults relish in the memories of their father and all that he is to them!
Simply put . . .I'm a momma, and I love it!
So much happens in my life on a day to day basis. One thing that remains constant and will never change . . . I'm a momma!
I've been up since about 2 a.m. and I've nursed a snuggly newborn twice, and just held her because I felt like it. I've spent a lot of that thinking of all of my kiddos and wondering so many things. Things that are current and things that are to come. I've been a mom for almost 19 years and I have had so many emotions and changes in my life since. It's the most rewarding role I've ever had and sometimes the most heartbreaking. However, at 2 a.m. this morning, while holding the newest little bundle that God has trusted me with, I am reminded how precious life is and how blessed I am to have been given the six lives for which to love and care. I hope I don't fail them. I'm doing my best to give them everything I have!!!!
Now, let me hold on to my sniffling 2 1/2 year old just a little while longer. He loves to snuggle with his momma! BTW......I think God keeps me fluffy for a while after I have my babies just for this reason! I gotta lot of love to give! :-)
I've been up since about 2 a.m. and I've nursed a snuggly newborn twice, and just held her because I felt like it. I've spent a lot of that thinking of all of my kiddos and wondering so many things. Things that are current and things that are to come. I've been a mom for almost 19 years and I have had so many emotions and changes in my life since. It's the most rewarding role I've ever had and sometimes the most heartbreaking. However, at 2 a.m. this morning, while holding the newest little bundle that God has trusted me with, I am reminded how precious life is and how blessed I am to have been given the six lives for which to love and care. I hope I don't fail them. I'm doing my best to give them everything I have!!!!
Now, let me hold on to my sniffling 2 1/2 year old just a little while longer. He loves to snuggle with his momma! BTW......I think God keeps me fluffy for a while after I have my babies just for this reason! I gotta lot of love to give! :-)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
On your mark . . . get set. . .get ready . . .GO!
For a couple of years now, I have wanted to blog. Daily, there are so many things I want to remember and I tell myself that I won't forget them. Inevitably, I forget. Being a Christian woman, a wife of an AWESOME HUBBY, a mom of six (one an angel since 2008), a registered nurse, a friend, etc., etc. (you see, the list could go on and on), there is no shortage of things that have happened over the years that have caused me laughter, pause or sadness. Sometimes all three at once.
So here is my attempt to record some tidbits from my life. I hope that my blog will make you laugh, inspire you, provoke you to thought and much, much more! ENJOY (or not)! :-)
Queen
So here is my attempt to record some tidbits from my life. I hope that my blog will make you laugh, inspire you, provoke you to thought and much, much more! ENJOY (or not)! :-)
Queen
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