Love & Logic

So, my life has totally been changed by a new parenting philosophy that I have been implementing into our house. It's called Love & Logic and it's the best thing that's happen to me as far as parenting guidance goes. Love & Logic basically takes away any negative feelings between the parents and the kids and puts all the "blame" onto the choice that the child made by using a "strong dose of empathy" and a consequence...no explaining, no scolding, no lecturing, no 1,2,3, and most importantly NO ANGER!!!

A very close friend of mine called me awhile back and told me that she had started reading this book and felt spiritually impressed to recommend it to me (thank you Debbyee, you saved my life!). Shortly after her phone call, Clay's preschool sent home a Love & Logic course sign-up and I decided to go ahead and do that and get the book. I am so glad I did. I have never been so successful with my boys; they listen more often, help out, are doing chores, earning allowance, and learning real-life lessons and how to problem solve on their own. But this is all icing on the cake; the cake itself is the change it has wrought in me! I rarely raise my voice or feel angry with the kids anymore, I feel HAPPY about being a mom, and I finally feel like I have some idea of what I am doing! Not to say I don't still get frustrated; I'm still learning L&L so I don't have all the tools yet but I just can't express how happy I am that I really like my kids all of the time.

I highly, highly recommend this book/class to every mom out there. I will share just one success story with you:

A week ago, my brother Josh and I took the boys to the park. When it was time to go I gave Clay the choice of leaving now or leaving in 10 minutes (L&L uses lots of choices to help teach problem solving and to make it easier for kids to allow parents to put their foot down on certain "non-choices"). Of course, he chose to leave in 10 minutes. After 10 minutes I told him it was time to go and he threw a mini-fit then smiled his I'm-going-to-do-something-wrong smile then booked it in the opposite direction (he is a runner!). I just smiled back just as big and said, "Uh-oh" (this is his empathetic statement) and turned to leave. I'm not exaggerating that kid was on my heels in 5 seconds flat! He would have NEVER EVER done this before!!!

I feel like L&L combined with personal and family prayer/scripture study and FHE will lead to a very happy and righteous family.

The Twilight Series

I have really enjoyed reading the first three books in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers. I think she is fabulous at creating with words very real and attractive characters. I don't necessarily find myself relating to Bella; but I am drawn to her thoughts and passion for Edward and Jacob. I, myself would like to see her end up a vampire with Edward forever. I think I would feel very differently about this choice if it were mine but since its not and its total fantasy I love the intense love that Edward and Bella have even if they will never have children.

I think the movies have great potential and hope that they can pull it off with what looks like a fair number of novice actors. So far they have cast Kristen Stewart (from Panic Room) as Bella (I think she fits the part really well) and Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter) as Edward (another good fit) and the whole Cullen family with a bunch of people I have never seen/heard of.

I am very interested to see who they cast for Jacob Black. I look forward to the movie which is scheduled to come out December 2nd of this year!

I am equally excited about her final book in the Twilight series; Breaking Dawn which is scheduled to come out August 2nd. She also has another book called The Host coming out May 6th which sounds interesting.

If you haven't read this series-I think its a must!

Look Who's Walking Now

Over a month ago Kai took his first step with his right foot but every time he tried to shift his weight to take another step he would end up in the "splits". Last Sunday he finally figured it out and started walking! He looks so cute walking around the house; so little. Clay looked so big to me when he started walking Kai looks so little to me since he has his older brothers here for comparison. He has grown up so fast-it makes me think of that country song by Kenny Chesney that says:

Don't blink

Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you

Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife

Don't blink

You just might miss your babies growing like mine did

Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"

Of fifty years is there in bed

And you're praying God takes you instead

Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think

So don't blink

I feel like I need to keep my "eyes" open and appreciate all the moments before they are over!! Sigh...

Friends & Snow

Last week when it snowed we packed up and went over to the Ellis' to play. We love to go to the Ellis' because everyone has a friend; Clay has Sammy, Eph has Ty, Kai has Kaleb and of course I have Andrea! Clay and Sammy helped me build a snowman then immediately proceeded to destroy it. I just don't understand why they want to take so much time to build something just to destroy it in seconds but I guess its a guy thing! Actually, I read recently that its healthy for boys to demolish and destroy because later it helps them learn how things work. Anyways, I'm not sure I'm totally sold on that theory since my "big boy" still likes to see things blow up...Men are definately from Mars. Oh well, back to our snow day...Eph wasn't too thrilled about hanging out in the cold so he shacked it up indoors. Kai and Kaleb had a lot of fun playing with balls. Kaleb also showed Kai a few wrestling moves that he wasn't too sure about. They are so funny to watch! Needless to say, we had a great day!!

Meet Frosty.

Sadly, Frosty's life was only a few minutes long. RIP Frosty.

Soccer or v-ball...hmm, that's a tough one!

I'm sick and suffering...

Okay, so its 3AM and I am blogging! I think my fever has made me delusional. I haven't been feeling perfect the last few days and finally tonight (or this morning...whatever!) I awoke to a fever. I haven't had a fever for over 4 years and I have forgotten how miserable they are. I've tried calling my mom a few times in Taiwan (its 6PM there) but to no avail...I must suffer alone! Of course, I did what all people shouldn't do when they get sick; I used the Internet to diagnose myself so now I'm totally convinced I have viral bronchitis or RSV (yes, adults can get it too!!) since my boys recently had RSV. My lungs are so achy and my chest feels like someone is crushing it...joy oh joy. Unfortunately, RSV is not treatable except treatment of the symptoms so hopefully my asthma (that is super mild and hasn't been a problem for 4 years or so) doesn't present a problem...WOW, I'm pitiful (and female-we have a special worry gene)! WOAH is me right??