So the other day G baby got her first hair cut!! She sat SO still. I was so proud of her. We got haircuts together, so that was pretty fun. A little mommy daughter date ;)
After we were done she kept asking if we could get another haircut. She has been seeming so grown up lately. She's POTTY TRAINED!!!! Well, I have to remind her to go, but she'll hold it for a long time, and she hasn't had an accident in a looong time. 2 down, 1 and a puppy to go! ;) She's also been saying this to me lately. "MOM! I hava tell you sumfin" Usually it goes "Yes Grace?" And she says: "Umm, umm, umm, umm" It's really neat....
I posted this book on Facebook the other week. It's so good. It's just such a great reminder of WHY it's important to take time to spend with the Lord (even when you have three kids, are pregnant, and have a puppy). In this book they talk about taking a personal retreat a couple of times a year. They encourage you to take a morning, a day, or even going overnight, whatever you need in order to regroup, recharge, and make a plan of action. It's a time to spend with the Lord and to reevaluate what you're doing and how you're doing it. I told Ben I needed a personal retreat, and, since he's the best ever, he said "go".
I left Saturday morning and headed to a restaurant all by myself and sat there for over TWO hours. I sat in a back corner, and it was very, very nice. I prayed, read the word, and answered some questions about my priorities that they outline for you in the book. I wrote down the things I want to work on in myself, and the things I want to focus on in my children. Each child has different areas to work on. For example, with Caleb I want to work on being grateful, being content and being a truth teller. With Grace I want to work on "yes mom" after instructions, first time obedience, and teaching her to obey authority (other than me). With Anna, I want her to begin to follow instructions like "Come here Anna". I wrote down ways to get better at this and to teach these things-- like ME being intentional about being grateful and content. Praising Caleb when he tells the truth instead of just scolding him when he doesn't. Practicing with Anna, "come to mom" and turning it into a game. (I've done this with all my kids, and I'm telling you, it's the best. Caleb and Grace STILL like playing it.) I was able to assess what we're doing and make a plan to make it better. AND, make a plan for how to be even MORE intentional with my kids. In the parenting class I'm taking, Betsy Corning says she would take an hour per week with each kid-- just you and them spending that time together. No distractions. Right now it's doable, so I'm going to do it. Caleb is going to get an hour on Thursday afternoon. He gets to pick what we do, and it will just be US time. He's already looking forward to it.
It was seriously so refreshing to get away. I highly recommend if you are feeling weary, or if you feel like you're losing control in your house, take a morning (or afternoon, or whatever!) to REGROUP. If your husband can't watch the kids, maybe ask another mom to help you out! I know I'd be willing!
After I sat at that restaurant for forever, I ran a few errands and then landed at Panera for lunch. Doesn't this meal look glorious? I ate it all by myself while reviewing the notes I made and praying for wisdom and discernment in moving forward. It was a sweet time, and I'm so thankful Ben was so willing to give it to me. Did I mention he's the best? And he had such a happy heart about it, which made it a guilt free time.
In case you missed it, we got a puppy! He's the cutest. Life will improve once he's house trained. I once said if I ever got a dog, he would need to not bark or shed. This dog doesn't shed and HARDLY barks. I'm hoping that never changes. He also doesn't wake me up in the morning. Say what?!?! Not sure how I managed to get such a great little dog, but I'm thankful. I also ordered a book on how to train the dog. You know.... to get him not to jump on everything, and bite everything, and not come when you say, "come here". Hopefully we can get on that ASAP. I'm going to need a dog that listens, or I'll go nuts. (Kind of like I need children who listen, or I'll go nuts.)
Today we played outside. The kids were LOVING it. I'm SO excited for Spring/Summer. Anna loved splashing around. She didn't like falling in it, which she was doing constantly.
We had Kedzie (our dog) out there with us too. He wasn't tormenting the kids too badly, so that's good! We're working on that with our dear pup.
And lastly, this is the tag that was on the suit Caleb wore for Ben's sister's wedding.
Awesome. The ole machine wash/dry clean only routine. Um, anyone else getting mixed signals?! I asked the lady who sold it on Etsy, and our conversation went like this..
Me: The tag on the suit says machine wash and dry clean only; I'm wondering if I can wash it or not??
Etsy lady: "Ya, you can dry clean it"
Me: I figured, I'm mostly wondering if can wash it in the washing machine, since it also says that, and it's cheaper.
Etsy lady: Yeah that's good thinking. Let me know if you have other questions.
Me: I do. Can I wash this in the washing machine?
Etsy lady: Please dry clean only instead.
I LOVE wasting my time on things like that... bhahahhaha! Seriously. Can we just answer the honking question!??!
I'll leave you with that.
Oh and a reminder, don't forget to sign up for the True Woman conference!! http://www.truewoman16.com
Melanie
