So you've had a bad day...........

That's the song I am listening to on the radio right now.  It makes me realize that today wasn't all that bad.  We've had no major health scares, not operating in the red, the kids are good kids (everybody has a bad day now and then), etc.  So, while today was frustrating.....I guess it really wasn't that bad. 

Challenges:
1.  Broke something on the blinds in the family room this morning.  So, on top of a gloomy weather day, we have no sunshine in that room.  And, my poor dh will have another thing to add to his to-do list.
2.  Logan and Henry have colds...and I really suspect many others are coming down with them as well (don't ask me how I know...if you're a parent...you know what I'm talking about).
3.  Kitchen needed some necessary attention first thing off the bad...I won't go into those details.
4.  Our PSEO planning stuff has become extra complicated.
5.  I rearranged chores, giving the younger ones more, forgetting someone has to show them what to do!
6.  So, the house was really a disaster this morning when a serviceman called to say he would be able to be here in 20 minutes for some measurements. 
7.  Turns out our fence broke - behind our shed where we can't see it so well.  Not good given that we've got about 4 feet of water left in the deep end of the pool.  My dh is out as we speak trying to repair it.

 Blessings:
1.  My children are all safe and healthy (other than a little cold).
2.  We have windows/blinds...heck...we have a house.
3.  The pit pool in the backyard, plus the windy day, caused my kids to ban together and clean up the yard before their toys blew into the swamp pool.
4.  Someone is coming this week to give us an estimate on removing the pool.
5.  Anna smiled at me and said, "Tomorrow will be better".  Yes, she cheered me up a bit.  But, she has/will be gone to 5 different events over today and tomorrow.
6.  I called CrunchyMamma.  She always cheers me up.  Mostly because our lives are very similar even though 1000 miles apart.  And, she doesn't whine.
7.  Having a husband who has the tools and the knowledge for fixing things.

Small Successes

For more small success stories click on the link above.

1.  Found the Algebra test answer key that has been missing since I moved all our school books.  No more taking the time to correct on my own!

2.  A few days later I found the Jensen's Grammar lessons answer key and tests.  An even bigger YEAH!    This one I was going to re-buy, and there's only 5 weeks left!

3.  I ran (literally - in fact, while I was doing it I was thinking this is so funny) to tell the kids that the fire hydrant at the end of our cul-de-sac was being flushed.  It was nearly rest time and I was so trying to stay on track with this, everyone is happier when rest time is consistent here.  But, the hydrant is only flushed once a year or so and it's nice to be home when it happens.  The kids all ran out the door in their rain boots and played in the "floods" for about 20 minutes.

Funny signs of spring

1. The ducks swimming in our pool (since our pool is busted and set for destruction in a few weeks - I don't mind).
2. The robin making a nest on our basketball hoop.  Guess we'll play after they hatch and fly away.
3. The kids running across the pretty green lawn to me....carrying the dandelions they collected from the empty house/yard next door :)  And, lots of little vases with dandelions in my kitchen.  We need to collect them everyday you know, they don't last long.
4. The pile of wet clothes and rainboots in my laundry room.  I guess I WAS the one who let them know the fire hydrant was being flushed.

What interesting signs of spring have appeared at your house this year?

This birthday present was a HIT!

In case anyone is looking for a unique birthday gift idea.........

Elizabeth turned 5 today.  Her 4 oldest siblings gave her a gift that they have spent the last month or to working on (pretty much every time she was gone for her swimming lessons).

The read/recorded one of her favorite stories, The Princess and The Kiss.  Then, they burned it onto a CD and added a very pretty label to go with it.  She was thrilled!

This gift cost virtually nothing (except lots of time) but it means a lot to her!

Small Successes....THE "and sometimes they are very small edition"

For more small success stories click on the link above.

1.  Finally went to the doc and got antibitoics for a nasty sinus infection.  The success here is that I went, finally.  Don't we moms tend to take care of our kids' medical needs but just keep thinking ours will go away.  Usually they do.  This time it didn't.  (But, I've been on 3000 mg/day of amoxcillian since Sat. and I feel GREAT!)
2.  Sent in necessary college/PSEO forms for my 10th grader.

3.  Last but not least, started my spiritual reading up again.

And, it's OK that it's a really small list.  Too busy preparing for Anna's Confirmation and Henry's First Communion.

More on Cheerfulness...or not putting the kids in a box

I started my spiritual reading again.  I used to do it "religiously" but life has a way of getting busy.   Anyway, I think it's very important to take a few minutes every day to read something useful to help you grow beyond just practical helps with homeschoolings, etc.  In fact, I find it so helpful I even encourage my non-religious friends to read something good for 15 minutes a day.  It doesn't have to be difficult, but pop magazines doesn't quite cut it.  The book I am currently reading is called Your Vocation of Love by Agnes M. Penny.

Well, yesterday the chapter I read was on Cheerfulness.  Is God trying to tell me something here?  (This is the 3rd time in a month or so it's come up - and I've blogged about it each time).  I don't really consider myself a crabby/grumpy person - but I know that I can and should be more cheerful.

The author of this particular book said something that caught my attention, "...even less negative labels can be harmful; introducing a child laughingly as "my shy one" or "my whiny one" or even "my pretty one" teaches the child to identify that characteristic with himself, and he will not attempt to overcome faults that he equates with his own identity (bolded by me)....."

My husband and I have always been very careful to not put our kids in a "box".  My reasons for not "boxing" our kids had more to do with how others view them than how they view themselves.   I've always been leary of the comments.....she prefers to read...we won't bother asking her to join our game.  Or he likes to draw a lot in his spare time....so he would definitely prefer a trip to the museum to a trip to the zoo so we won't even ask.  People can get pigeon-holed. 

But, even though we are careful about how we talk about or think about our kids.....I somehow forgot what they think.  We hear it often during the day..."I'm just not good at math so why even try, I won't get it" or "I'm just not good at reading" (drawing) (folding clothes) (whatever).  I think it 's important to understand character traits and also strenghths and weaknesses.  Strenghths can be used for the Greater Glory of God...and so can weaknesses.  What a prayer to offer up studying in a subject on is "weaker" in?  We as parents can help our kids overcome their weaknesses; some will disappear (often a struggling reader..given a few years of extra help...will be back on par with everyone else), some will be a lifelong struggle (as a quick temper, or negative thoughts, etc.)  But, just like none of us would ever accept, "I'm no good at math so I'm not going to even try to get a good grade."  Neither should we accept a child's vice as simple matter of fact.  While it is very helpful to understand their temperments and vices...we help them by working on the associated virtue.  For example,  if a child does have a tendency to be slothful and lazy...it's helpful to understand that...but you wouldn't stop there....you'd work with them on diligence. 

And...the whole reason I started this super long post.....we have to be careful our children don't label themelves and accept that as an excuse (I am not talking about disorders here....although a lot of it probably would still apply, I just don't have experience there and won't go there).  We need to encourage them to get beyond that.  To try their hardest.  Like the child who gets B's without really trying (gee - with a little effort could it be an A?)  and the child who get's C's by putting in a lot of effort.  Obviously we know which is more commendable.  The hardworker.  The one who didn't just go with the idea "this is hard for me so I won't even try".

So, like I said, I've never been one to "put my kids in a box", I am going to be a little more attentive to the labels they are giving themselves.  Sometimes those can be just as harmful....sometimes more harmful.

(Disclaimer:  I have never forced my children into a box....but the toddlers choose to play in them....but Anna said, "You really have to do something about the titles on your blog...they just aren't that interesting"..  And...she's really good writer.  Some labels aren't bad.  I'll take her advise).

Who forgot something?

...like maybe the first letter of my name?