Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Oh the sad spoon...




It's funny how you name things to help your little ones understand the severity or simplicity of the moment. We coined our discipline spoon, the Sad Spoon. I got a wooden spoon that didn't look like anything I had in my kitchen and drew a sad face on both sides. Stephen, however, felt the need to "improve" one side and make it his own. We prefer using the spoon as opposed to our hands. The spanking does work, but hitting with our hands is so contradicting that we decided on the spoon. Now I know that there have been times when I didn't have the spoon with me (I have no idea why!), so I would pop, if you will, with my hand. I immediately felt guilty. It's funny how you create these "beliefs" in your head before you become a parent and then when you actually have a child, it usually changes based on the nature of the child. Anyway, either way, we need a way of discipline in addition to the time outs that we give.


Funny story...just recently I lost the Sad Spoon...or what I really believe is that Keatyn hid it. Watch out parents, they are smarter than we think!!!!! All I can say for this part of parenting is to each his own. This usually works for us and so this is where we are for now.


Happy Disciplining!!!!! Oh and ps. Stephen's face is not smoking a cig!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Much to be Thankful for...







This past week, Stephen and I had the opportunity to have lunch with Keatyn at her school. They had their Thanksgiving Feast. We were all very excited about it. When we arrived we were seated beside a placemat that had a poem and a hand turkey that had been made by Keatyn. Before long, the kiddos entered and they were all looking for their parents...when Keatyn finally saw us, she yelled out "Daddy!". When she got to Stephen, he picked her up and the look on her face was priceless. She was completely overwhelmed and had tears welling up in her eyes. She was having trouble containing herself. It was one of the most amazing moments. I learned a lot in that moment...I see more now than ever how important being a present parent is. How important it is for us to give her our time. It's not things she really wants, she wants us and our attention and our love. Though some moments are harder than others, I hope and pray that I don't ever forget that look, that feeling of overwhelming gratefulness that I have been blessed with the opportunity to love a child. During this season, don't forget to look around and remember that we all have much to be thankful for!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Christmas is in the Air!







Really it's more about us being busy every weekend and needing to stay excited about our decorating. We decided to put up our Christmas decor this weekend. We turned on the Amy Grant Christmas CD and a little Barry Manelow and decided to get started. Keatyn is a little more curious this year and wants to "help". I kept the sad spoon close by just in case there was a glass Christmas ball or a Nativity animal that she couldn't keep her hands off of. Thankfully, I only had to use words. She LOVES the Christmas decor and in her own words "Christmas is beautiful!" I know this will be a wonderful time this year and we will really enjoy her and her amazement. There is something about this time of year. I love the smells outside, the yummy food, the lights on the tree, my 2 year old, shopping, and most of all, I love to watch Keatyn "hold" Mary and baby Jesus and see her eyes light up. I am always very reflective during this time of year and I truly stop and think about EVERYTHING I have to be thankful for. First and foremost, I have a husband who loves me and leads this family toward Christ, I have a beautiful daughter who, though embodies two right now, lights up my life, I have a family that supports and loves me and I have friends who make me laugh and lift me up. Whether it is now or July, I am thankful for all that I have been given and I pray that I do not take it for granted.



HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

Monday, November 5, 2007

Halloween 2007




Well, we took our little fairy to Lindale so that the fam could see her. She's not really into the whole trick or treating thing and the less candy the better at our house. We went to visit my grandparents and then headed to the churches in town where Keatyn could play some fun little games and get some candy. She wasn't completely convinced that the costume was necessary, until we told her that people wouldn't give her candy with out her wings. Hey, it worked. She wore them the remainder of the evening. At this phase of life, Halloween is more of a hassle than fun, because we have to load up in the car seat and unload. Aside from that, we enjoyed looking at our cute little fairy and adoring the little pot belly that she insisted stick out over her skirt. Oh so cute.