My Parenting Dilemma

I've often heard the words "strict" when others have referenced our style of parenting. I see it as being consistent. So, when I'm presented with this, I have a bit of a parenting dilemma. I sent the girls to bed. Typically, they go to bed without argument or issue. Tonight, I went in to kiss them goodnight (we have a really funny ritual of hugs and kisses goodnight) and turn off their light, I discovered these adorable cutie pies sitting together and reading and discussing a book. Seriously? What is a parent (and a bookworm herself) to do?? =)

Happy Valentine's Day

Did you know that making 30 unique Valentine's cards is hard work and requires more than an hour? Of course, that's partially because the designer and artist was a 5 year old. We just spent every moment from the time she got out of school until she went to bed creating these lovely works of art...and then deciding which one would go to which classmate at school.
It was a lot of fun. I definitely will try to do better next year and have the creation process completed before the eve of Valentine's Day, but I'm still a beginner at this!
I will also know that I cannot actually watch the creation process. I'm too much of a perfectionist and spent too much time freaking out over the abundance of glue my children used. BREATHE, Liz! It'll all be okay. Glue dries...eventually...
Anyway, we did enjoy the activity and I look forward to more years of construction paper creations with my children.

Explanation

Sometimes discovering an explanation really does empower a person to do/be better.

Amazed by You

I have been singing for quite awhile and have had several opportunities to sing in front of both small and large groups. I have yet to experience one of these events without shaking knees and a tremor in my voice. I wish I was that brave but I just am not. And, it doesn't seem to make any difference the frequency with which I "perform"...it's just always a bit uncomfortable for me.
In what appears to be a complete contrast with me, my daughter just nails it when she performs. The child is amazing and doesn't let nerves get the best of her. She sang very well last night at her school's talent show. This wasn't just an anybody can perform kind of deal...you need some talent to be selected. She was the only one her age that performed and she was one of the best singers last night. She stayed on key, knew her words and music AND wasn't even flustered by the mic not being turned on when her music started.
I'm definitely proud of my little darling girl. She draws her strength from her faith in Christ. She practiced a couple times on the way to the school and kept messing up. She said a prayer for herself and, well, the results are there to see. If you haven't gotten to see her yet, send me a message and I'll email you the info so you can watch the clip.
Emily, I am definitely amazed by you and all you do.

Last Year's Bob the Builder Project Completed

In a struggling economy, it really isn't the best idea to try to sell a house. But, sometimes it just IS the right time to be moving onward and upward. So, what you do is figure out ways to set your house apart from the rest without moving your price point upwards with it.
We decided to build a shed. This isn't some mambsy-pambsy tool shed or something pre-made. This is a built by the sweat of our brows and is wood and vinyl siding (yes, the exact siding as our house...the most expensive part of the project, except we actually already had the majority of the pieces we needed as they were left over from the house being built).
The girls refer to this as "Daddy's house" and it was actually built with the intention that Eric use it as a workshop and as housing for his bikes (motorcycles) for as long as we remain here.

A Couple of Game Reviews

Who doesn't love the "Pigeon" book series? Guess what? They have a game, too! It's a simple board game that even my three year old can play...and beat us at. We found ours at a Target clearance. Fun game and the whole family can play. You have to move around the board, but sometimes your spin moves the pigeon around the board. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Game has given us a lot of laughs as Eric almost ONLY spins for the Pigeon. hahah! Neither of us has ever won a game, so apparently it feels the touch of a child's hand (seriously, it's kind of funny that we keep losing and we aren't ones to just let the kids win, either...losing and winning builds character).
Second game that I recommend? It's one we haven't purchased yet but had fun with last night with some friends. It's called Scrabble Slam. It's a quick card game version of Scrabble. It's great because it is limited to four letter words and you just play your cards until you empty you hand, changing the word one letter at a time! But, you have to be careful because as soon as you see a quick word change, someone else did too! Who is going to lay it down first? That's the fun! You can find this for around $5 if on a clearance sale, but can go up to about $15.

Like Mother, Like Daughter is True

Have you ever wondered about the saying, "Like father, like son" (original proverb being "qualis pater talis filius," or "as is the father, so is the son.") was true? Or, in like manner, like mother, like daughter? Let me give you a strong affirmative to that!
About two years ago a man by the name of M. Russell Ballard spoke about this concept and how daughters will do the things their mothers will. The influence of a mother is great, powerful, and very real.
I chose to ride a bike with a bike trailer attached in order to take my daughter to and from school. I've been doing this for awhile now and have only thought about how I'm saving gas, the planet, and precious time with my children...PLUS the fact that I kill two birds with one stone by also getting in daily exercise. Last week my children decided that they wanted to get exercise, too. Gianna refers to walking home as her "princess exercise." It's a full two miles between the school and our home. TWO miles that my children CHOOSE to walk. Why do they choose to walk? Because they see that I enjoy exercise and being fit and healthy and they have that influence in their lives.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be an example for my children. I just hope that my example is a good one more often than a poor one. =)