Building Forts

Add kids, flashlights, blankets, couches, pillows with nothing to do and you'll get adventure. My boys were forced to entertain themselves over Christmas break and look what fun they had. Yea! If you look closely you can see a flashlight shining through the white quilt. It was the simplest indoor fort but they managed to cover every last bit of floor and corner with blankets, as to get the full effect. Sam ventured out to make his own domain but Will and Max were content to be bonk mates. We topped it off with hot chocolate and marshmallows via mom.

Max

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

What's Real? (Haiku)

I'm keeping it real and letting it out in 2009, here are my haikus:

Guilt, anger, fear, no!
Deny, lie, bad thoughts of me
Choke food down don't deal

Feelings don't share them
Don't speak up about the truth
Consumption will numb

Restrict words stay safe
Constrain my needs deny thoughts
Struggle fight for self





You too can participate! Click on the box for more info.

Deserving Mom

Yes, I'm surprised and feeling quite modest about receiving this Mom of the Year Award from http://werehavingaball.blogspot.com/2009/02/every-mom-makes-mistakes-right.html (Thanks, Annie)

Here are the official rules:1) Admit that ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!2) To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!3) Send this to FIVE other Moms of the Year that deserve forgiveness and a reminder that they, too, are the best moms they can be!!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you!"

Here is my NO, NO...I am at home attempting to get my two younger boys ready for bed and manage my oldest son's homework completion after a long day of working with my high school students that have special needs. The huge amount of patience that God gives me has already been tapped out though, which really presents a problem. I'm sticking it out because Kent is barfing (stomach flu) and not able to jump in and share the duty. Which brings me back to the real subject matter, Sam and his ability to avoid homework. Sam can entertain himself in a sound proof room with nothing but a desk, chair, homework and pencil. So, even if the environment is perfect for on task behavior Sam may prove you wrong. He is extremely intelligent and bright but just does not find it real necessary to get much of his work done during the school day. Many weekday evenings are spent battling assignment completion. Sam is the best at bringing the worst out in me. He can have me gritting my teeth and handing out threats in no time. Before I know it I've got a three ring circus going on in my home. So, yes once again I got sucked in and yelled, screamed, and made a big fool of myself. I look back now and want to cry for the both of us because my yelling and threats don't get either one of us anywhere. FYI, Sam and I have made up and all is well once again. There is an emergency plan in place and progress is being made.1. Sam has awesome hugs and he knows when I need them.

2. Sam and I love eachother unconditionally

3. This is a dress rehersal for Sam's grown up life he needs to learn from his mistakes now instead of later when the consequences are huge

4. Sam has intellegence and can learn to manage his time wisley if given structure, organization and loving encouragement

5. I relive my childhood through my kids

6. I'm Queen of our Castle and my Prince Charmings are full of nothing but love for me!

7. My boys are mini Kent's... just stepping back and watching the whole Father/Son interaction stirs my heart

I'm passing the Mother of the Year Award to ...Rachael @ http://rachaelpollard.blogspot.com/

Remember Me?

2nd grade is a big year for Catholic kids. I had the honor today of participating in Will's Right of Covenant ceremony during school Mass. This comes after Baptism and First Reconciliation. Parents stand with their child and place a wooden cross necklace around their neck. This is to be worn by the child when they attend Mass so the parish is aware that soon they will be partaking in the Eucharist. As a mom I'm thrilled. Will is very aware of the walk he is taking and is visibly growing closer to God. He announced today that he could not wait to take the Eucharist. In hearing this, my son reminded me that I too should not be able to wait commune with God. The world had crept in again and I had forgotten I won't ever be full without Him. I remembered my spirit needed food and nourishment. John 6:53-57 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.