As you know, I was on quite a sewing streak this summer. That seems to have slowed down. It's not that my list has gotten any shorter. In fact I still have a long one that I need to get done before Christmas. However, my days seems to fly by with little or no time for it since I started working out again. I set out to just get moving. I thought a nice stroll through the neighborhood after the kids went down sounded like a nice workout I could keep up with. Next thing I know, I'm telling myself that it isn't enough. I needed to up the intensity. After 1.5 miles thoughout the neighborhood up and down the hills, I find myself running in circles around our culdesac by our house. Running up up the hills is KILLER! Our culdesac has a slight incline, but much more manageable at a jog than going up and down the hills, and there's something very comforting about being a few steps away from my porch when I'm doing it in the dark (granted there are street lights).
Jeff would like to sign us up for a 3K this November sponsored by the YMCA. That sounds so exciting for me. He is a board member at our Y. I have always wanted to be a runner but NEVER liked running. I gave it a short go before kids, but gave up quickly as running on a treadmill like a rodent quickly lost it's appeal. Somehow running outside has been so invigorating. I started doing this a little over two weeks ago as a way to relieve stress. With all the new behavior problems I have been dealing with at daycare, I could feel my blood pressure spike everyday. Now I feel much more in control again. There is something so peaceful and serene about walking/running on a brisk fall night underneath the stars. The neighborhood is quiet and nestled in their homes. My shadow made from the nearby lamposts is my running partner. Nothing but me, my legs, and some good pumping tunes to take my cares away.
The feeling after a run is so great! Your body just feels.....happy. Hopping in a hot shower after a good run, OH! Last night I even increased my reward filling my tub with hot water and some bath salts. Then I put on my fuzzy PJs snuggled up in bed with a cup of hot tea, and an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Sigh! Yes, I hope to keep this up.
I know running in the winter is going to be difficult. So I have started investing in the proper clothing to make that possible. I hope I can keep up the motivation. I have never been able to keep up a workout routine yet. I started out doing probably two miles. Last night I worked my way up to 4 miles. Half of it was walking and half was running. I think this is where I would like to stay for awhile. I used to walk 4 miles practically everyday when I first started college. I look back on that time with great fondness for my body. My "prime" if you will. What baffles me though is that I used to walk 4 miles in one hour. I was able to do the same last night, but only with the combo of running and walking. How in the world was I making 4 hours at only a walk before? It must be the hills slowing me down. Weird.
Needless to say, I am onto a new phase. Sewing is on the backburner for now. I miss it a little, but the break will be nice. Come November I'll have to pick it up again or I'll never be ready for Christmas. Wonder what my body will look like then after all this working out? Can't wait to find out.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
1st Bilberry and Roach Camping trip 2010
Last weekend we had our first ever Bilberry camping trip. We were able to meet up at Lake Catherine near the Hot Springs area in Arkansas with the Roach Family. It was such a relaxing trip. Our time was spent watching the kids dig in the dirt, throw rocks in the lake, play on the playground, going for nice leisurely stroll, eating good campout food, and having good late night conversations. Keenan and Jeff also took the older kids for a game of disc golf Saturday afternoon.
I had this all organized into a movie set to music, but blogger decided to change uploading format once again and I couldn't get it to upload. Just when you figure out the old format it switches to a new one. Grrrr! Therefore, it is a little picture heavy. Somehow, Sara managed to escape our camera. Next time you have to pose for us Sara!
My favorite part had to be at night when the kids were all nestled in the tents, watching the moonlight reflecting on the lake, and sharing good conversation and laughter as adults. Good times!
I had this all organized into a movie set to music, but blogger decided to change uploading format once again and I couldn't get it to upload. Just when you figure out the old format it switches to a new one. Grrrr! Therefore, it is a little picture heavy. Somehow, Sara managed to escape our camera. Next time you have to pose for us Sara!
My favorite part had to be at night when the kids were all nestled in the tents, watching the moonlight reflecting on the lake, and sharing good conversation and laughter as adults. Good times!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
New Approach
I know I've been speaking a lot about daycare, but it has been all consuming lately. It feels good to hop on this blog and talk my way through my problems. As I've mentioned before, little gal has been a bit of a bully. She hasn't hit or pushed lately so that's good. But she CONSTANTLY stealing toys from others. I have tried and tried to get her stop, but this language barrier is TOUGH! On days she is not here, Bren is so pleasant. On days she is here, Bren whines practically the whole day because she is always having her toys stolen right out of her hands. Very trying on this Mama's patience. I have started walking at night after bedtime just to rid my body of the stress that comes with trying to break up toddler fights 8 hours a day.
It has become so stressful that the new baby I started watching is no longer with us. He was a demanding little fellow and it was too difficult to tend to his needs and work with the toddler issues at the same time. His mother was not sure she could keep him in full time care anyways because she was probably going to move, so perhaps it was for the best. Out of all the kids I have watched these past 4 years, I have never dealt with a baby that demanding. He wasn't the best fit for the daycare at this time. So.....I keep looking for the right child and trust God will provide him/her. Perhaps the timing on it just wasn't quite right. Ideally I'd like to find another preschooler so little man has a buddy when Kadyn goes to school. We shall see. Finding children that age range has proven very difficult.
Anyhow....to make a long story much shorter as I tend to ramble, I have decided to take a new approach. Brennan still struggles with speech, but her language acquisition is sooooo much more advanced than little gal's language development. I decided that perhaps the best solution to my toy stealing problem was to teach Brennan the best skills to defend herself. Brennan literally just lets little gal walk up to her and take toys out of her hands. Now, I'm not suggesting she do anything inappropriate like hitting or pushing. I do not think, however, that it was out of line to teach her to hang on to her toys and say "no" to the toy thief. Perhaps if stealing toys wasn't so easy, little gal will stop. We shall see. After all, it's very rare for little gal to take a toy from the big kids. Bren is just too easy of a victim and she has come all to accustomed to depending on me to run to her rescue.
The big kids and I did a little role playing for Brennan to watch how to hang onto her toys. Then we had her practice it while we tried to steal them from her. She was understanding the concept I could tell. We still need to work on her grip though. This morning little gal has been stealing in full force. Much whining has taken place. I keep reminding her to hang onto her toys. If she doesn't I just tell her she will have to find a different toy; I'm hoping that eventually she will start to understand I can't always run to her rescue. Bren is not to happy about my new approach, but what is a Mom to do? I hate that I can't stop little gal from stealing toys. Ultimately I'd much rather teach her to stop than be forced to teach my daughter to just hang onto toys for dear life. However, I also can't stay sane when I'm having to walk away from the kitchen 20 times in the middle of cooking to try to figure out what little gal stole, so Brennan will stop whining. Brennan's whining really is just her way of being a tattle tale. She can't say the words, but I know exactly what she would say if she could say it, "She took my toy...waaaaa!"
So here's to a new approach. Wish me luck. One thing is for sure. By the time I'm done having babies, raising toddlers and preschoolers, and doing daycare, I will have developed a patience that defies all logic. I ought to be awesome as a Grandma. World's most patient Grandma! Funny how the one thing I've always felt is my biggest weakness my entire life is the one thing that God has forced me to deal with in a BIG way as a parent. I feel like I need a medal or something. This is tough!
It has become so stressful that the new baby I started watching is no longer with us. He was a demanding little fellow and it was too difficult to tend to his needs and work with the toddler issues at the same time. His mother was not sure she could keep him in full time care anyways because she was probably going to move, so perhaps it was for the best. Out of all the kids I have watched these past 4 years, I have never dealt with a baby that demanding. He wasn't the best fit for the daycare at this time. So.....I keep looking for the right child and trust God will provide him/her. Perhaps the timing on it just wasn't quite right. Ideally I'd like to find another preschooler so little man has a buddy when Kadyn goes to school. We shall see. Finding children that age range has proven very difficult.
Anyhow....to make a long story much shorter as I tend to ramble, I have decided to take a new approach. Brennan still struggles with speech, but her language acquisition is sooooo much more advanced than little gal's language development. I decided that perhaps the best solution to my toy stealing problem was to teach Brennan the best skills to defend herself. Brennan literally just lets little gal walk up to her and take toys out of her hands. Now, I'm not suggesting she do anything inappropriate like hitting or pushing. I do not think, however, that it was out of line to teach her to hang on to her toys and say "no" to the toy thief. Perhaps if stealing toys wasn't so easy, little gal will stop. We shall see. After all, it's very rare for little gal to take a toy from the big kids. Bren is just too easy of a victim and she has come all to accustomed to depending on me to run to her rescue.
The big kids and I did a little role playing for Brennan to watch how to hang onto her toys. Then we had her practice it while we tried to steal them from her. She was understanding the concept I could tell. We still need to work on her grip though. This morning little gal has been stealing in full force. Much whining has taken place. I keep reminding her to hang onto her toys. If she doesn't I just tell her she will have to find a different toy; I'm hoping that eventually she will start to understand I can't always run to her rescue. Bren is not to happy about my new approach, but what is a Mom to do? I hate that I can't stop little gal from stealing toys. Ultimately I'd much rather teach her to stop than be forced to teach my daughter to just hang onto toys for dear life. However, I also can't stay sane when I'm having to walk away from the kitchen 20 times in the middle of cooking to try to figure out what little gal stole, so Brennan will stop whining. Brennan's whining really is just her way of being a tattle tale. She can't say the words, but I know exactly what she would say if she could say it, "She took my toy...waaaaa!"
So here's to a new approach. Wish me luck. One thing is for sure. By the time I'm done having babies, raising toddlers and preschoolers, and doing daycare, I will have developed a patience that defies all logic. I ought to be awesome as a Grandma. World's most patient Grandma! Funny how the one thing I've always felt is my biggest weakness my entire life is the one thing that God has forced me to deal with in a BIG way as a parent. I feel like I need a medal or something. This is tough!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Met my match
This week I started a new little one. He is two months old and he is DEMANDING! He's the kind of baby that always drifts off when you feed him. Then when you lay him down he wakes up and starts crying. You pick him up and his eyes roll in the back of his head. You lay him down and "Waaaa!" So not really colicky per say, but demanding for sure. I've finally figure out that instead of feeding him in my arms, if I put him in his crib and feed him I don't have to move him a,nd he stays asleep......most of the time. It's not uncommon to think you've got him down and then he wake up and discovers you are not holding him and.....well you get my drift.
The kids have spent a lot of this week holding their ears. They're not quite used to having a little screaming baby around, but they do adore him none the less. Let's face it, there are 4 other children that have to be fed and two of them have to be changed. Then there is preschool time, craft time, toddler time, and story time. The toddlers are very hands on at the moment as they are always getting into squabbles and are learning very slowly that good friends don't steal toys from one another, hit, or push.. I can't hold a baby the entire day. Some screaming has to take place so I can take care of everyone's needs. I thought about using a carrier, but it is just so hot and humid that I think we would both die; I am moving around so much during the day that I am typically burning up most of the day without carrying a baby, especially when I cook and clean. Thank the sweet Lord Kadyn LOVES babies. She has helped me out a lot with this little guy singing to him, dancing for him, even holding his bottle so I can fix lunch and snacks.
It's been a very stressful week to say the least. And to top it all off, all three of the kiddos I watch are in broken families. That has added quite a bit of drama to my week. It affects their kids and it in turn affects me. Many of the behaviors I battle are brought into my home because they are learned from other homes. I can't help but think God must be bringing me these families for a reason. I feel we have become a safe place for these children. I prayed when we moved to our home that God would use our family and our home to bless others. I guess he is answering that prayer. I adore these mothers and admire them for their courage and strength. I pray for them and their families and my heart aches for what they have to go through. It makes me realize that even though this is stressful, I am glad to serve them.
Let's just say that I end my week completely spent. Jeff has to work all night tonight and all day both Saturday and Sunday, so I won't get much of a break, but I must say watching the girls is a breeze compared to what I do on most days. I am so thankful I have the kids I do. They are soooooo easy compared to most kids I see. I am really, REALLY blessed. Most days I am so appreciative of the opportunity to do what I do because it allows me to stay at home with my children and it gives them exposure to other children which I feel is really important for their social development. For the longest time we have found a good rhythm that has worked really well for everyone. The addition of this new demanding fellow has been tough. I'm doubtful it will be for long though as the mother may be moving soon to a new town so I will be looking for another shortly.
So you may be wondering. Why the addition of another child when it adds so much stress to my day? Let's just say, I have goals and in order to achieve them, we need a little more income. I am convinced that in time we will find a new rhythm that works well for us. And with a little patience and guidance, children outgrow their difficult phases. Exhausting....absolutely, but if it helps me get to my goal, it will be worth it and every stressful day molds me into a better mother, wife, and overall person. I feel like I have had to learn more patience now than I have my ENTIRE life. As I have said in another post, God is sustaining me. I can feel his presence everyday helping me. Without that, I think I would go insane on some days. I'm not entirely sure we will reach my goal, and this could all be in vain, but I will never know if I don't try.
So anyways.....it feels good to talk about it. When you spend the entire day with five little buggers pulling you in a thousand different directions and no adult to talk too you have to find a different way to release. This post just helped me do just that. Thanks for reading. I feel much better. Now if I can just make it until 8:00. I have a date with a Grey's Anatomy rerun and half a tub of Ben and Jerrys double fudge brownie icecream. Ahhhhhh! Sweet release!
P.S. I am SO over my sugar hiatus
The kids have spent a lot of this week holding their ears. They're not quite used to having a little screaming baby around, but they do adore him none the less. Let's face it, there are 4 other children that have to be fed and two of them have to be changed. Then there is preschool time, craft time, toddler time, and story time. The toddlers are very hands on at the moment as they are always getting into squabbles and are learning very slowly that good friends don't steal toys from one another, hit, or push.. I can't hold a baby the entire day. Some screaming has to take place so I can take care of everyone's needs. I thought about using a carrier, but it is just so hot and humid that I think we would both die; I am moving around so much during the day that I am typically burning up most of the day without carrying a baby, especially when I cook and clean. Thank the sweet Lord Kadyn LOVES babies. She has helped me out a lot with this little guy singing to him, dancing for him, even holding his bottle so I can fix lunch and snacks.
It's been a very stressful week to say the least. And to top it all off, all three of the kiddos I watch are in broken families. That has added quite a bit of drama to my week. It affects their kids and it in turn affects me. Many of the behaviors I battle are brought into my home because they are learned from other homes. I can't help but think God must be bringing me these families for a reason. I feel we have become a safe place for these children. I prayed when we moved to our home that God would use our family and our home to bless others. I guess he is answering that prayer. I adore these mothers and admire them for their courage and strength. I pray for them and their families and my heart aches for what they have to go through. It makes me realize that even though this is stressful, I am glad to serve them.
Let's just say that I end my week completely spent. Jeff has to work all night tonight and all day both Saturday and Sunday, so I won't get much of a break, but I must say watching the girls is a breeze compared to what I do on most days. I am so thankful I have the kids I do. They are soooooo easy compared to most kids I see. I am really, REALLY blessed. Most days I am so appreciative of the opportunity to do what I do because it allows me to stay at home with my children and it gives them exposure to other children which I feel is really important for their social development. For the longest time we have found a good rhythm that has worked really well for everyone. The addition of this new demanding fellow has been tough. I'm doubtful it will be for long though as the mother may be moving soon to a new town so I will be looking for another shortly.
So you may be wondering. Why the addition of another child when it adds so much stress to my day? Let's just say, I have goals and in order to achieve them, we need a little more income. I am convinced that in time we will find a new rhythm that works well for us. And with a little patience and guidance, children outgrow their difficult phases. Exhausting....absolutely, but if it helps me get to my goal, it will be worth it and every stressful day molds me into a better mother, wife, and overall person. I feel like I have had to learn more patience now than I have my ENTIRE life. As I have said in another post, God is sustaining me. I can feel his presence everyday helping me. Without that, I think I would go insane on some days. I'm not entirely sure we will reach my goal, and this could all be in vain, but I will never know if I don't try.
So anyways.....it feels good to talk about it. When you spend the entire day with five little buggers pulling you in a thousand different directions and no adult to talk too you have to find a different way to release. This post just helped me do just that. Thanks for reading. I feel much better. Now if I can just make it until 8:00. I have a date with a Grey's Anatomy rerun and half a tub of Ben and Jerrys double fudge brownie icecream. Ahhhhhh! Sweet release!
P.S. I am SO over my sugar hiatus
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Snips of the last couple weeks
Here's a little taste of the last couple weeks. First up a trip to the park on a daycare day. My littlest daycare gal was gone this week, so I loaded the three kids I had and we went on a field trip to the park which also included a neat creek to wade around in with lots of minnows and snails to play with. It was fun!
Preschool time inlcuded a rather large unit on nutrition. We made a ton of crafts which included a food group mobile,
The kids also got to get a little messy on bread group day. We made a teddy bear out of bread dough.
These last few weeks have also brought out some interesting critters. First time we've ever seen a live armadillo.
and other various paper crafts.
There were also some silly times.
and a baby snake which we are praying isn't a copperhead, but sure looked like one to us. He's dead in this picture and his body is twisted, so it's really hard to see his true coloring.
There was all the precious artwork that Kadyn just decides to whip up randomly. Here's two of my favorites. As you'll notice her name is backwards. I can't seem to break her of drawing letters backwards. She says she wants to be an artist when she grows up.
Lastly, there were messy faces. I wonder when they actually outgrow getting this messy.
Goodbye dear summer of 2010. We will miss you and think fondly of you!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
That was easier than I thought
As I mentioned earlier I have been tapping into parenting resources to try to improve my skills. That book Parenting with Love and Logic was top of my list of books to read. I'm only half way done but decided to give it a test run tonight. I have read it before and have always used some of the suggestions to an extent, but after reading it again and freshening my mind, I felt top of my game tonight.
Getting Kadyn to bed has often times been a big head ache to me. She dawdles doing all the things it takes to get ready for bed. It's not uncommon for her to take 45 minutes to do something that should take10 or less. Picking up her toys can take FOREVER because she always finds an excuse to get distracted. I find myself constantly reminding her to stay on task and physically and mentally exhausted. I feel like a nag, and I hate that feeling.
So tonight went down a little differently. It went something like this:
Me: Hey Kadyn! I just wanted to let you know that I'm feeling really tired tonight, and I'm not sure I will have much energy left to put you down tonight if you take a long time. Really it only ought to take you 10 minutes to get ready for bed. I can't control how fast you go, so I just wanted to let you know if it takes more than that, I probably won't be able to put you down tonight (the kid loves having us tuck her in at night). You'll have to do it yourself.
Kadyn: Well what gives you more energy? What can I do to give you more energy?
Me: Well, when I don't have to ask you to stay on task that helps. That always wears me out.
Kadyn: I'm going to get ready SUPER fast!
Me: That sounds like a good decision.
(5 minutes later)
Kadyn: I'm done!
Me: Wow! That's amazing. It only took you 5 minutes. Your fastest time ever. I'm so proud of you! You're really growing up. You even have 5 minutes left. Hey, I have an idea. Do you think you could pick up your toys?
Kadyn: Um.....well...uh...maybe. I'm not sure I can pick up Bren's room in 5 minutes.
Me: That's OK, I'll get Brennan's room. Can you at least get the living room done? That will make me feel better knowing I don't have to spend more energy picking it up tonight.
Kadyn: O.K. (2 minutes later) Mom, I get more energy when I sleep and I'm not sure I have enough energy to finish the living room.
Me: I understand. That's no problem. You don't have to finish it tonight. You'll have sooooo much energy when you wake up and you can just get it done before breakfast.
(slight pause)
Kadyn: Nah, I'll get it done.
Me: That's a great idea. Then you can just get up tomorrow and watch your show and eat some breakfast. Man you're really growing up.
She was just beaming from ear to ear as I showered her with compliments. It really does work. Now....if I can just keep coming up with clever comments on the fly for other things. Better get studying.
Getting Kadyn to bed has often times been a big head ache to me. She dawdles doing all the things it takes to get ready for bed. It's not uncommon for her to take 45 minutes to do something that should take10 or less. Picking up her toys can take FOREVER because she always finds an excuse to get distracted. I find myself constantly reminding her to stay on task and physically and mentally exhausted. I feel like a nag, and I hate that feeling.
So tonight went down a little differently. It went something like this:
Me: Hey Kadyn! I just wanted to let you know that I'm feeling really tired tonight, and I'm not sure I will have much energy left to put you down tonight if you take a long time. Really it only ought to take you 10 minutes to get ready for bed. I can't control how fast you go, so I just wanted to let you know if it takes more than that, I probably won't be able to put you down tonight (the kid loves having us tuck her in at night). You'll have to do it yourself.
Kadyn: Well what gives you more energy? What can I do to give you more energy?
Me: Well, when I don't have to ask you to stay on task that helps. That always wears me out.
Kadyn: I'm going to get ready SUPER fast!
Me: That sounds like a good decision.
(5 minutes later)
Kadyn: I'm done!
Me: Wow! That's amazing. It only took you 5 minutes. Your fastest time ever. I'm so proud of you! You're really growing up. You even have 5 minutes left. Hey, I have an idea. Do you think you could pick up your toys?
Kadyn: Um.....well...uh...maybe. I'm not sure I can pick up Bren's room in 5 minutes.
Me: That's OK, I'll get Brennan's room. Can you at least get the living room done? That will make me feel better knowing I don't have to spend more energy picking it up tonight.
Kadyn: O.K. (2 minutes later) Mom, I get more energy when I sleep and I'm not sure I have enough energy to finish the living room.
Me: I understand. That's no problem. You don't have to finish it tonight. You'll have sooooo much energy when you wake up and you can just get it done before breakfast.
(slight pause)
Kadyn: Nah, I'll get it done.
Me: That's a great idea. Then you can just get up tomorrow and watch your show and eat some breakfast. Man you're really growing up.
She was just beaming from ear to ear as I showered her with compliments. It really does work. Now....if I can just keep coming up with clever comments on the fly for other things. Better get studying.
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