Working Overtime

Lately, I don't know what it is but, life is a struggle. It could be lack of sleep, extra whining, trying to find some semblance of a schedule, etc. But, as I thought about this today, I am sure that is not the whole picture. A couple months ago we changed our routine a bit. At night, after brushing teeth we pray together as a family. We used to do that every night before we moved but since moving, life has been flying it seems and we never got back into that routine. And, as the kids are getting older, it's nice to have them learn their prayers and that's an easy way to do it. So, we started with the Our Father and have since added the Hail Mary and Angel of God. The kids (all three talking ones) have done amazingly well learning them.

Anyway, after thinking about this today, I think I realize why life has been challenging. I feel as though Satan is unleashing his fury on us (Craig and myself) as parents for teaching our children our faith and prayers. I'm not quite sure why that was so hard to figure out but I honestly think that he feels his grip getting slippery on the kids (not that my kids are tied to Satan) but it's less likely he will have any ounce of power over them as they learn more about our faith.

And, after writing all this, I think I know what to do from here. Tonight, we will add a new prayer to our evening routine: Saint Michael, the Archangel. And, I think my intention will be to feel peace and contentment but especially peace in the face of darkness.

AJ's Project

Andrew's tee pee project a few weeks ago.

Gotta love the "Indian" pose.

At Our House Today

We've been working at this tooth for a while. I thought it would have come out last week already but alas, today, just before lunch: victory!



Yep, he was out cold. Not for long though but long enough to take a few great shots. :)


Big brother Andrew was playing with him. Joshua was giggling occasionally but mostly smiling and having fun with his big brother. And even though he is in different clothes, it still happened today. Joshua got a bath mid-morning and this is the outfit he had on before the bath. The other one was after. Just in case anyone might notice!

Surprise

The kids had well visits the other day. It was fun for me to watch the nurses, receptionist and doctor seem overwhelmed by all of it. Maybe that's mean of me but it gave them a little fun excitement to their day I guess. The kids all did really well. The nurse had written down their weights and heights on the sheets for me and I was looking it over and to my surprise, Anna was listed as the heaviest at 39 pounds, even more than Andrew! I asked them to do it over though because I knew it wasn't right. It couldn't be right because they had Jacob at 29 pounds. If you know him, you know he is not 29 pounds. So, here they are, roughly.

Andrew - 47 pounds
Anna - 39 pounds
Jacob - 35 pounds 8 ozs (yes, very, very close to Anna)
Joshua -15 pounds 10 ozs.

That wasn't really surprising to me but I checked Jacob's baby book for his stats at the age Joshua is. Jacob at his 2 month 10 day visit was 15 pounds 2 oz with a 16 1/2" head. (He was 15" at birth and 9 lbs 3 ozs.)

Joshua was 2 months 22 days and had a 16 3/4" head. Surprisingly he had the smallest head at birth at 13 1/2". So, wow, my Joshua is going to be a big baby too!

Raising Your Spirited Child

Ok, I love this book, Raising Your Spirited Child, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. I have checked this out from the library too many times to mention and I always find something new in it and reassurance that my kids are fine and I'll be ok too in the end. It also helps to recognize that each child is different and that there are so many different parts that make up the whole picture. Mary does an amazing job at analyzing each aspect. So, I finally ordered myself a copy last night (since I was also ordering a new baby monitor since ours has issues now). And, I also ordered a new book by her (well new in 2001). I'm excited to get it since I feel like we've been in a major power struggle with the oldest for a while now.

Yesterday for example, I went outside while the 2 youngest were sleeping to gather a laundry basket of dried clothes. I just walked in the door and he started apologizing profusely. He had gone to the basement and gotten a bag of CPC (cheap plastic crap) from McDonald's and who knows where else. He had been told (about a millions times at least) that he was not to touch that bag because they were toys that were going so he *knew* he wasn't supposed to, hence the apologies immediately. It is so frustrating. So, I'm hoping this new book will give me some new insight, or at the very least, a good reminder that I just have to keep plugging along, or try something different that I have since forgotten. Wish me luck!

From Jacob

Last night at bedtime he states (to no one in particular) as he is trying to sit in the chair next to me:

Why is mom's butt so big? My butt isn't big.

Thank you for noticing Jacob. Thank you.

Reading

This year our main goal (or at least mine) is to have the oldest 2 kids reading. That is really my only goal because they love handwriting and math so the reading will be the one subject that will be like our thorn. Today, however, despite the howling from the oldest child, I saw definite progress. I am consistently reminding them to look at the letters, not just guess. We have a lot of guessing going on otherwise. And, the oldest doesn't really like to "sound out" words. He just says it. Even if it's wrong. But, we conquered some more challenging words today and that, to me, is progress.