Just thought I'd give a quick update as to the whole big, new, exciting implementing of previously discussed parenting tactics. The update is this--I pretty much stink at implementing big, new, exciting parenting tactics. About the only thing that has changed is my new found awareness of behavior that apparently I could possibly change if I were so inclined as to actually use the tools I have acquired.
I am still hoping to read the book with Mike and get him on board--it takes two to tango, right? Or parent as the case may be. I am, however, maintaining high expectations. I guess one could say I'm in the observatory state right now- just collecting all the data before I take the plunge in a new direction....yeah, yeah, that's right, that's what I'm doing-observing-and ~wow~ I'm pretty durn good at it.
In the meantime I will continue to listen the the huffing and puffing and fighting that one day may tear my house down. Good thing (for the most part) I'm a mellow mama.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Because I care...
I thought I would share some new found information that I acquired yesterday. First off, let me say that I consider myself a pretty decent parent. I have been blessed with some fab-o kids (even if I do say so myself) and I think my kid-raising skills aren't too shabby.
We have entered the realm of teenage-hood and, frankly, I worry about my kiddos. I have five of them, you know, and they are all going to go through this. The thing is, I remember being a teenager all too well and it-- well--it stinks!! I feel like I've got a handle on the toddler/little kid stuff. We still have our moments, but the little ones are just so sweet and so innocent it's hard to get all that bent out of shape with them. This, of course, is spoken by a cowgirl who has seen over thirteen years of rodeos. Perspective is Priceless. And I have no doubt it will continue to be so.
The thing that is getting me is I have one child who has had the mentality of a teenager most of her life and a teenager who is just now developing the teenager mentality. And it's not going to be stopping any time soon. Remember? Five children, here.
One of my sisters was visiting a few weeks ago and we were discussing the ups and downs the rocky roads the ins and outs of parenthood. She told me about a book she had come across that was really helpful to her. I took a mental note, but seeings how my mental note taking isn't what it used to be- that's about as far as I got with it. She then sent it in the mail to me, so thoughtful of her. I picked it up, looked it over, read a wee bit then put it down for a few weeks and didn't think much more about it. I ran across it again yesterday and read the whole thing. It was great.
The only other parenting helps I have ever payed any attention to are the Love and Logic stuff -which isn't bad, I think I was just ready for something new. This was a breath of fresh air to me. It really hit home. I hesitate to actually share the name because it seems just too...cheesey to be helpful. I asked Mike to read it and when I told him it was called 'Parenting With Love' by Glenn Latham he rolled his eyes. You see, here at chaos central we tend to add a little sarcasm to the mix and a book called 'Parenting with Love' is just asking to be crucified.
The principles and ideas he brings to the table are so insightful, too many to list here. I also found that the ideas would apply across the board -work for a three year old as well as a thirteen year old. I, for one, am excited about trying some of this stuff out.
Anywho, I wanted to share it with any one who might be looking for a new twist to the same old problems.
And -so help me- if all of you already know about this and neglected to share it with me I'm gonna be a little irritated.
We have entered the realm of teenage-hood and, frankly, I worry about my kiddos. I have five of them, you know, and they are all going to go through this. The thing is, I remember being a teenager all too well and it-- well--it stinks!! I feel like I've got a handle on the toddler/little kid stuff. We still have our moments, but the little ones are just so sweet and so innocent it's hard to get all that bent out of shape with them. This, of course, is spoken by a cowgirl who has seen over thirteen years of rodeos. Perspective is Priceless. And I have no doubt it will continue to be so.
The thing that is getting me is I have one child who has had the mentality of a teenager most of her life and a teenager who is just now developing the teenager mentality. And it's not going to be stopping any time soon. Remember? Five children, here.
One of my sisters was visiting a few weeks ago and we were discussing the ups and downs the rocky roads the ins and outs of parenthood. She told me about a book she had come across that was really helpful to her. I took a mental note, but seeings how my mental note taking isn't what it used to be- that's about as far as I got with it. She then sent it in the mail to me, so thoughtful of her. I picked it up, looked it over, read a wee bit then put it down for a few weeks and didn't think much more about it. I ran across it again yesterday and read the whole thing. It was great.
The only other parenting helps I have ever payed any attention to are the Love and Logic stuff -which isn't bad, I think I was just ready for something new. This was a breath of fresh air to me. It really hit home. I hesitate to actually share the name because it seems just too...cheesey to be helpful. I asked Mike to read it and when I told him it was called 'Parenting With Love' by Glenn Latham he rolled his eyes. You see, here at chaos central we tend to add a little sarcasm to the mix and a book called 'Parenting with Love' is just asking to be crucified.
The principles and ideas he brings to the table are so insightful, too many to list here. I also found that the ideas would apply across the board -work for a three year old as well as a thirteen year old. I, for one, am excited about trying some of this stuff out.
Anywho, I wanted to share it with any one who might be looking for a new twist to the same old problems.
And -so help me- if all of you already know about this and neglected to share it with me I'm gonna be a little irritated.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Farmgirl's Big Day.
The rumors are true--I'm the big THREE FOUR.
All right, let's just talk about the picture right off the bat and get it out of the way. This is the one and only picture documenting my birthday. We, like most red blooded Americans, take traditional birthday pictures. One with the presents (before and after) and a few birthday cake shots. Birthday candles aflame and blowing the candles out.
Here's what I have going against me:
As much as I'm not a picture taker; Mike is like negative 10 that.
As for the cake pictures...well, let's just say that by the time that blessed event rolled around we were ready to be done being parents for the night. Not to mention that we had no candles in the house so it was a little anti-climactic.As much as I'm not a picture taker; Mike is like negative 10 that.
Back to the picture- this is me with the gift Audrey gave me. She crafted (of course) my card and made a trip to the dollar store to buy me my very own....Glass Mary {ann}. She was so excited to have found a glass Mary and was only slightly disheartened that they didn't have one with dark hair. I am also sporting my birthday crown compliments of Goose. Lucy makes crowns and wands for every one on their birthday, I was not holding very still during my crown fitting- it ended up a little on the small side.
All in all my birthday was pretty swell. Despite the fact that we have 9:00 church, Mike and Adam leave early to set up chairs, I have three little lady's heads of hair to do, dinner to get in the oven and a two year old tornado running a muck, (it's amazing how much chaos can ensue all before 8:45 am) it was still a pretty swell day.
I played a little mind game with myself and took an "It's my birthday so where's my help? Shouldn't you people all be ambling around just looking for something to do that will make me happy?" attitude break. Truth be told I lowered my standards years ago. When it comes to Mothers Day and my birthday I try not to expect too much--these are just little people and a man who is clearly no mom--trying hard to step in, take over and make the best of giving me a day off. Life got a lot funner once I did that.
Between my early morning phone call from Robyn to check my blog and hers, all the face book and church well wishers, phone calls from my siblings through out the day, my family doing their darnedest to be nice, a tasty birthday cake made with love just for me and all the sweet visits and thoughtful gifts from my peeps it was a mighty fine day--thanks all.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Guess who's Birthday it is?????
Swing by my blog for a little Birthday love.....leave a comment for the reasons you love Mary Ann!
~Robyn ( I love to take over her blog!)
~Robyn ( I love to take over her blog!)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
confessions.... Of An Uncrafty Mother
It's time for the world to know that not only am I not all that crafty- actually the world already knows that- I do not actively encourage craftiness in my children.
I hate it when a project comes home from school that requires a group craft effort. One of Lucy's choices for her spelling word homework was to make a mobile with the words. She wanted help and I put if off until she finally just gave up and typed them six times on the computer instead. Sad. And so pathetic. But, really? Isn't typing a more useful life skill than making mobiles? That's what I am telling myself.
Elsie has a fairy box of magic craftiness she got for Christmas (from her cousin, it certainly didn't come from me). It really is so cute. She has been coloring and stickering and cutting and pasting her little heart out. I was loving it- until she needed some help making a fairy head band. The first line of the instructions reads: With the help of an adult...Ugghh, I guess that's me.
I don't mind the kids crafting--okay, really I do--I hate the mess, but I deal with it. While I don't necessarily encourage it I do pat myself on the back for being supportive of the pass time that baffles me. Heaven knows Audrey has enough supplies stashed away in her room to last through the millennium and we have an entire stack-able drawer system devoted solely to crafting junk.
My confession is this:
I am not a big fan of doing craft projects with my children. My name is Farmgirl and I'm an anti-craft-ite. There I said it. Shun me if you must, but the truth had to come out.
Having said that; if at any time any one wants to make cookies...I'm the mom for you!
I hate it when a project comes home from school that requires a group craft effort. One of Lucy's choices for her spelling word homework was to make a mobile with the words. She wanted help and I put if off until she finally just gave up and typed them six times on the computer instead. Sad. And so pathetic. But, really? Isn't typing a more useful life skill than making mobiles? That's what I am telling myself.
Elsie has a fairy box of magic craftiness she got for Christmas (from her cousin, it certainly didn't come from me). It really is so cute. She has been coloring and stickering and cutting and pasting her little heart out. I was loving it- until she needed some help making a fairy head band. The first line of the instructions reads: With the help of an adult...Ugghh, I guess that's me.
I don't mind the kids crafting--okay, really I do--I hate the mess, but I deal with it. While I don't necessarily encourage it I do pat myself on the back for being supportive of the pass time that baffles me. Heaven knows Audrey has enough supplies stashed away in her room to last through the millennium and we have an entire stack-able drawer system devoted solely to crafting junk.
My confession is this:
I am not a big fan of doing craft projects with my children. My name is Farmgirl and I'm an anti-craft-ite. There I said it. Shun me if you must, but the truth had to come out.
Having said that; if at any time any one wants to make cookies...I'm the mom for you!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Look Ma! No tonsils.
Audrey went under the knife four days ago. The following is an account of the big event.
At dinner on Monday night I reminded her again, seriously, about how important it was that she didn't eat. She told me she understood. "I mean a little thing like getting your tonsils out could turn into a major event in some one's life, all sorts of things could go wrong..." I cut her off and told her she would be fine.
Her line of thinking may have lead her to have some pretty crazy dreams that night. She said she had 5 different dreams. I only got the skinny on one because I didn't have the patience at 5:30 a.m. to go over the minutia of all of them. In her dream we went to the hospital, Dr. Chase did the surgery but nobody realized that he had a concussion. He messed something up and she had to go on life support and had to be life flighted to Salt Lake. They couldn't help her there so then she went to D.C. and on and on shipped all over the country for over a year just looking for some one to help her. In the end she got to come home but she was a cripple. A cripple? Really? From a tonsillectomy? Poor girl, she was more than a little anxious.
She was very brave and even let them put her IV while she was a wake. Of course she wanted me to photo document it:
At dinner on Monday night I reminded her again, seriously, about how important it was that she didn't eat. She told me she understood. "I mean a little thing like getting your tonsils out could turn into a major event in some one's life, all sorts of things could go wrong..." I cut her off and told her she would be fine.
Her line of thinking may have lead her to have some pretty crazy dreams that night. She said she had 5 different dreams. I only got the skinny on one because I didn't have the patience at 5:30 a.m. to go over the minutia of all of them. In her dream we went to the hospital, Dr. Chase did the surgery but nobody realized that he had a concussion. He messed something up and she had to go on life support and had to be life flighted to Salt Lake. They couldn't help her there so then she went to D.C. and on and on shipped all over the country for over a year just looking for some one to help her. In the end she got to come home but she was a cripple. A cripple? Really? From a tonsillectomy? Poor girl, she was more than a little anxious.
She was very brave and even let them put her IV while she was a wake. Of course she wanted me to photo document it:
She was completely loopy when she was waking up and almost immediately started using her own version of sign language. She was giving numbers for pain, thumbs up, thumbs down, and then started making shapes with her hands. I didn't understand so she started pointing to my purse, I was still clueless, she then pointed to a picture on the wall and then herself. She wanted a picture of herself. Got it.
Doesn't she look thrilled?
That's Lucy giving Audrey her robe she got for Christmas to borrow while she's feeling down and out. So sweet.Just in case one invalid in the house wasn't enough, Elsie woke up with strep throat on Wednesday morning. I think we caught it about as early as possible- no new cases here. Don't worry, Grant showed the same courtesy to Elsie as he did to Audrey.
I think her exact thoughts are, "Would you please just get him off of my bed and out of my room...I feel miserable." And Grant is thinking, "What? This is real nice, right?"Audrey is quite a trooper. Her biggest complaint? You guessed it--She's hungry. The kid doesn't have too many reserves so I sure hope she's back to solids soon or we won't be able to take her outside in a strong wind.
There you have it folks. Farmgirl's take on tonsillectomy round two. Lucy was round one about four years ago. Believe the professionals when they tell you the younger the better. They are not kidding. It's been much harder on a 10 year old. Live and Learn, right?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Yes, Virginia, Blog-faries really do exsist.
Ode to Andrea
She is my neighbor who lives down the street
Also computer savvy and that's really neat.
She spiffed up my blog, she spiffed it up good-
now I'm cool, look'n just as I should.
Thanks, Andrea. I owe you a treat.
You, my dear friend, have made my blog life complete.
Farmgirl needs Facelift
I've had this blog now for a while and I'm mighty sick of the way it looks. No other blogs look this lame. Well, except Mark who is a guy so who really cares what his looks like any way- we go there strictly for content.
Why am I still stuck with the standard issue 'pick one of five wall papers'? Weird that the cute-blog fairies have not come to visit yet. I'm still anxiously awaiting their arrival...
Something simple, just a lovely header fitting of farmgirl, nothing too crazy.
This is how I see it going down:
I get my morning chores done (whistling whilst I work)- kitchen's clean, laundry started, beds made, bathrooms wiped down, kids settled and go to the computer, check my blog and voila
Ohh happy day cuteness has found me!!
Is that too much to ask?
Me thinks not.
In the mean time I don't want any one telling me how easy it is.
Just do this, then that, then this- blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada.
I don't really care how it's done.
I just want it done.
Here's what I'm thinking...*some one* has a special day coming up and this would be a real nice gesture for her. That is IF the blog fairies are reading this.
A girl can dream, can't she?
Why am I still stuck with the standard issue 'pick one of five wall papers'? Weird that the cute-blog fairies have not come to visit yet. I'm still anxiously awaiting their arrival...
Something simple, just a lovely header fitting of farmgirl, nothing too crazy.
This is how I see it going down:
I get my morning chores done (whistling whilst I work)- kitchen's clean, laundry started, beds made, bathrooms wiped down, kids settled and go to the computer, check my blog and voila
Ohh happy day cuteness has found me!!
Is that too much to ask?
Me thinks not.
In the mean time I don't want any one telling me how easy it is.
Just do this, then that, then this- blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada.
I don't really care how it's done.
I just want it done.
Here's what I'm thinking...*some one* has a special day coming up and this would be a real nice gesture for her. That is IF the blog fairies are reading this.
A girl can dream, can't she?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Little white lies.
You know as parents we all tell them. There's no need to deny it.
Kid: Hey Mom, where's my picture I drew 2 months ago on the back of the Sacrament meeting program? Didn't you save it??
Mom: Oh, gosh Honey...I don't know....I'll keep a look out for it. It's a great picture- what with only 30 others here on the fridge we wouldn't want to loose that one.
Kid: MOM!!! Is this my picture?? Here in the GARBAGE!!??!!
Mom: What?? How did THAT get in THERE?? Sorry, Sweetheart. I'll just put it right back up here.
We all do it. Mike told a doosey yesterday. I may have helped him embellish it a bit...
Here's the story:
Audrey is getting her tonsils out on Tuesday. This is a huge event in her life. She has needed it done for a long time and we are finally getting to it. I have often said that Audrey is an adult trapped in a child's body, and I stand by that statement. When we went to the consultation appointment they gave us a list of medications she couldn't take. Ibuprofen being one of them. The next day Audrey came to me and with a hand on her fore head told me she had a splitting headache, but what with her upcoming surgery and all she just knew she couldn't be taking any Ibuprofen. Oh, the things she suffers!
I received further instruction the other day that she couldn't eat any thing for 12 hours before surgery. Her surgery will be in the morning so one might think- no brainer, just don't eat breakfast- that is in fact the direction from the pre-admit nurse.
Here's the issue ~ Audrey is an eater. The girl is rail thin, but she really does put the food away. Not only is she an eater, she is a night eater. She has gotten up during the night and eaten since the time she was out of a crib and physically able to do so. Apparently she just needs a little some thing to get her through the night. In the last couple of months the fridge and pantry have been in lock down (from the two year old). The problem? Audrey has also been known to have a few reserves in her room; candy, left over sack lunches, stake and potatoes...
So, I'm telling Mike that I'm worried about her not eating during the night on Monday. I was saying we are really going to need to talk to her to make sure she doesn't eat during the night. Mike turned on his heel and went directly to Audrey and told her that she wasn't supposed to eat any thing, that her stomach had to be completely empty, that when they put her to sleep everything in her body goes to sleep and if she eats anything she will poop all over the operating table and every one in the room will be grossed out and laugh and then they will all tell her about it when she wakes up. Being the awesome mother that I am I then told her that we would tell Adam and he would tell all of his friends.
Mike said it so convincingly that I had to ask him later if that is actually the truth. He said he had no idea but he didn't think we would need to worry about her sneaking any food during the night.
I think he might be right.
It would appear that we have adopted the "Horrify your child into Obedience" parenting tactic. I think between that and the Weston's "Kicking your child into Submission" method we pretty much have this parenting thing covered.
Maybe we could hold a seminar for any one who might be interested?
Kid: Hey Mom, where's my picture I drew 2 months ago on the back of the Sacrament meeting program? Didn't you save it??
Mom: Oh, gosh Honey...I don't know....I'll keep a look out for it. It's a great picture- what with only 30 others here on the fridge we wouldn't want to loose that one.
Kid: MOM!!! Is this my picture?? Here in the GARBAGE!!??!!
Mom: What?? How did THAT get in THERE?? Sorry, Sweetheart. I'll just put it right back up here.
We all do it. Mike told a doosey yesterday. I may have helped him embellish it a bit...
Here's the story:
Audrey is getting her tonsils out on Tuesday. This is a huge event in her life. She has needed it done for a long time and we are finally getting to it. I have often said that Audrey is an adult trapped in a child's body, and I stand by that statement. When we went to the consultation appointment they gave us a list of medications she couldn't take. Ibuprofen being one of them. The next day Audrey came to me and with a hand on her fore head told me she had a splitting headache, but what with her upcoming surgery and all she just knew she couldn't be taking any Ibuprofen. Oh, the things she suffers!
I received further instruction the other day that she couldn't eat any thing for 12 hours before surgery. Her surgery will be in the morning so one might think- no brainer, just don't eat breakfast- that is in fact the direction from the pre-admit nurse.
Here's the issue ~ Audrey is an eater. The girl is rail thin, but she really does put the food away. Not only is she an eater, she is a night eater. She has gotten up during the night and eaten since the time she was out of a crib and physically able to do so. Apparently she just needs a little some thing to get her through the night. In the last couple of months the fridge and pantry have been in lock down (from the two year old). The problem? Audrey has also been known to have a few reserves in her room; candy, left over sack lunches, stake and potatoes...
So, I'm telling Mike that I'm worried about her not eating during the night on Monday. I was saying we are really going to need to talk to her to make sure she doesn't eat during the night. Mike turned on his heel and went directly to Audrey and told her that she wasn't supposed to eat any thing, that her stomach had to be completely empty, that when they put her to sleep everything in her body goes to sleep and if she eats anything she will poop all over the operating table and every one in the room will be grossed out and laugh and then they will all tell her about it when she wakes up. Being the awesome mother that I am I then told her that we would tell Adam and he would tell all of his friends.
Mike said it so convincingly that I had to ask him later if that is actually the truth. He said he had no idea but he didn't think we would need to worry about her sneaking any food during the night.
I think he might be right.
It would appear that we have adopted the "Horrify your child into Obedience" parenting tactic. I think between that and the Weston's "Kicking your child into Submission" method we pretty much have this parenting thing covered.
Maybe we could hold a seminar for any one who might be interested?