In Kindergarten there are jobs to do each day. Jaedon informed me that his job on Monday is to be the flag holder. I asked him if they said the pledge (for some reason I thought they stopped doing that or something!). Here's is Jaedon's pledge of Allegiance:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Americas states of America and to the repolike for which it stands. One nations, under God, indivikable with jukstise and america for all. Please have a seat."
Friday, September 12, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Weigh In...
Well, hey, week one of Phase one is over and done with and the grand weight loss total.... (drum roll please)
7 pounds! Yey! Ok..so it's only 7 pounds BUT at least it's in the right direction right?! =)
I'm beginning to think that this phase is not so great for my little nursing Owen though. He's been quite sensitive to dairy since he's been born so I've tried to avoid it as much as possible. However, CHEESE is a HUGE part of my meals (as in it's in all of them!) or snacks...b/c of the protein (reduced fat cheeses of course:). and...well, he's not taking that so well. Brad recommened just not eating at all for Phase one - I'm sure my results would be different! =P
7 pounds! Yey! Ok..so it's only 7 pounds BUT at least it's in the right direction right?! =)
I'm beginning to think that this phase is not so great for my little nursing Owen though. He's been quite sensitive to dairy since he's been born so I've tried to avoid it as much as possible. However, CHEESE is a HUGE part of my meals (as in it's in all of them!) or snacks...b/c of the protein (reduced fat cheeses of course:). and...well, he's not taking that so well. Brad recommened just not eating at all for Phase one - I'm sure my results would be different! =P
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Character Coins
Ya know how they say kids want attention and they'll take whatever they get...good OR bad? Well, I found myself dishing out a lot of BAD attention lately... ("don't do this... don't do that...DO this... why do you always..." you know the drill). It is so tiring to listen to arguing, copy-catting and babytalking all day between siblings! So my sister in law (Thanks, again, Lisa ;) reminded me of a ...hmm...behavior modification tool...I began last year and actually just stopped using around the time Owen came along. I simply forgot about it!
The Character Coin system works like this: I have a jar of pennies and when I catch Jaedon doing the character -trait- of -the- week, he gets to pick out (X) amount of pennies and put them in his "bank". Last year I began this for a two fold purpose. 1. I'm a goodwill-a-holic and I would find books, computer games, toys etc... and put them in his "store" with each item labeled a certain penny amount. He then would use up his character coins to "buy" the item of choice for himself. It was my feeble attempt at introducing him to money! We're still working on it.
The 2nd reason was to help me focus on Jaedon's POSITIVE behaviors and remember to express appreciation for them TO him...outloud and often.
So last week as I was lamenting the sibling rivalry thing again I decided to pull out the coins and try again. The results have been nothing less than miraculous!
Our character trait of the week (maybe month!) is KINDNESS - in word and deed. I have really been working to "catch" Jaedon especially when he says or does something that is KIND (our definition is "treating others the way we would like to be treated".) I have heard some of the SWEETEST conversations between Seth and Jaedon this week! For example:
J: "Seth! Seth, buddy, do you want me to read this book to you?"
s: "Um...yeah. Gank oo, D" (Seth talk for thank you, Jaedon ;)
J: "You're welcome, Bud. Com'er and sit so we can both see the pictures k?"
S: "Yeah..uh huh...bicktoors too, yea..." ;P
Having said this I realize that my Jaedon is a performer! If he knows I'm looking for something he'll put on the act real well which is why I've been particularly careful in "rewarding" him for the kindness that is out of my sight and (he thought) hearing. He still trys to do or say something kind and then will ask me if he can get a coin but I tell him it's only valid if I catch him in the act ;)
Seth, of course, wanted to start his own bank too.
And just a disclaimer- there still is plenty of arguing! I'm not naive enough to think this is a cure-all. Just a tool that works (80% of the time) right now! =)
There are two things I find humorous about this whole thing.
1. We haven't stated anything the coins are to be used for. There is no "store" or things to buy and no end reward as of yet. So far the coins are reward enough. We'll keep working on the money instruction though ;)
and 2. I love the way our home SOUNDS when I'm not yelling at them to stop yelling (does that ever work anyway?????!) and I truly enjoy looking for the good things in my boys - to encourage them and build them up. Funny thing about God's word- when you follow it's advice...it works! ;)
The Character Coin system works like this: I have a jar of pennies and when I catch Jaedon doing the character -trait- of -the- week, he gets to pick out (X) amount of pennies and put them in his "bank". Last year I began this for a two fold purpose. 1. I'm a goodwill-a-holic and I would find books, computer games, toys etc... and put them in his "store" with each item labeled a certain penny amount. He then would use up his character coins to "buy" the item of choice for himself. It was my feeble attempt at introducing him to money! We're still working on it.
The 2nd reason was to help me focus on Jaedon's POSITIVE behaviors and remember to express appreciation for them TO him...outloud and often.
So last week as I was lamenting the sibling rivalry thing again I decided to pull out the coins and try again. The results have been nothing less than miraculous!
Our character trait of the week (maybe month!) is KINDNESS - in word and deed. I have really been working to "catch" Jaedon especially when he says or does something that is KIND (our definition is "treating others the way we would like to be treated".) I have heard some of the SWEETEST conversations between Seth and Jaedon this week! For example:
J: "Seth! Seth, buddy, do you want me to read this book to you?"
s: "Um...yeah. Gank oo, D" (Seth talk for thank you, Jaedon ;)
J: "You're welcome, Bud. Com'er and sit so we can both see the pictures k?"
S: "Yeah..uh huh...bicktoors too, yea..." ;P
Having said this I realize that my Jaedon is a performer! If he knows I'm looking for something he'll put on the act real well which is why I've been particularly careful in "rewarding" him for the kindness that is out of my sight and (he thought) hearing. He still trys to do or say something kind and then will ask me if he can get a coin but I tell him it's only valid if I catch him in the act ;)
Seth, of course, wanted to start his own bank too.
And just a disclaimer- there still is plenty of arguing! I'm not naive enough to think this is a cure-all. Just a tool that works (80% of the time) right now! =)
There are two things I find humorous about this whole thing.
1. We haven't stated anything the coins are to be used for. There is no "store" or things to buy and no end reward as of yet. So far the coins are reward enough. We'll keep working on the money instruction though ;)
and 2. I love the way our home SOUNDS when I'm not yelling at them to stop yelling (does that ever work anyway?????!) and I truly enjoy looking for the good things in my boys - to encourage them and build them up. Funny thing about God's word- when you follow it's advice...it works! ;)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Owen pictures
LOVES to suck on his fingers...the more the better. oh...and especially RIGHT after a bite of cereal has gone into his mouth ;) 
Hey...there's more to this world than a ceiling? Go figure!
I can hardly believe my little Owen is 3 months old already! He's such a joy... SO smiley and he laughs easily. I hope this is a preview of his emerging personality!
He has had a few nights of 4 hour stretches between feedings but the past few days he's been eating every 2 hours! (can we say growth spurt in progress?!). I decided we could try out some formula last night (after I fed him AND rice cereal) and he slept for 6 hours! yay! He was really looking at Brad. Ya gotta wonder what he's thinking...
Newest kitchen addition
The night that Brad proposed to me he was trying his best to channel some communication and asked me why I wanted to marry him. I was up for talking (surprised?) and told him several reasons- including "because I want to burn your toast". (Basically, I wanted to have the life we now have... kids screaming, sour milk, pizza by candlelight... the works ;) Ok, I'll admit it the music video (which you've GOT to take the time to listen to and see otherwise this post will make NO sense to you!) does romanticize the craziness of life... but it is also a good reminder to laugh and dance in the midst of chaos. (which we don't do often enough)
We consider this one of "our songs" and thought the newest addition to our kitchen was rather appropriate!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hittin' the Beach
I hate diets.
I really hate fad diets.
and I hate that I get sucked into them!
When Jaedon was about 9 months old Brad and I decided we NEEDED to do something about our diet. We researched some out there and ended up liking the South Beach Diet. We geared up for it, stuck to it and w/in 2 months I had lost 30 pounds and he lost 25!! (That's like loosing Jaedon! =D )
anyway...
over time (and pregnancies) we got less and less "beachy" and have now found ourselves eating like we used to and...well, LOOKING like we used to ;)
So...we're headin' back to 'the Beach'.
For those of you who don't know the SBD, I'll give you a rundown.
There are 3 phases of this (he doesn't call it a 'diet' but a change of lifestyle)
Phase One lasts for 2 weeks and it's goal is to flush our your body. No bread, no milk, no sugar, no fruit. Just meat (proteins and he recommends lean cuts which...yeah right I can't even afford the regular cuts!) cheese and veggies. mmm... sounds great eh?
After the first 2 weeks (and I can vouch for this) your body doesn't CRAVE the carbs and you (ideally) have gotten rid of them in your house (unless you have small children ...doh ;) and they really don't tempt you anymore. Thus begins phase 2: Re-introducing carbs...only the GOOD ones. Whole grains - oatmeal, brown rice, multi-grain everything and fruits - just very slowly and very limited.
Phase 3 is the maintenance phase where you live the rest of your life (uh...ideally?! ;)
It is actually a very healthy way to live and eat. When we were following it, Brad and I found that we ate less and had more energy too.
Sooo... today is day 2 of Phase 1. ugh. Days 2-5 I think are the hardest. I'm super glad Brad and I can do it together! I'll have to keep you posted about the ...hopeful...success we have!
mmm...
cucumber anyone? ;)
I really hate fad diets.
and I hate that I get sucked into them!
When Jaedon was about 9 months old Brad and I decided we NEEDED to do something about our diet. We researched some out there and ended up liking the South Beach Diet. We geared up for it, stuck to it and w/in 2 months I had lost 30 pounds and he lost 25!! (That's like loosing Jaedon! =D )
anyway...
over time (and pregnancies) we got less and less "beachy" and have now found ourselves eating like we used to and...well, LOOKING like we used to ;)
So...we're headin' back to 'the Beach'.
For those of you who don't know the SBD, I'll give you a rundown.
There are 3 phases of this (he doesn't call it a 'diet' but a change of lifestyle)
Phase One lasts for 2 weeks and it's goal is to flush our your body. No bread, no milk, no sugar, no fruit. Just meat (proteins and he recommends lean cuts which...yeah right I can't even afford the regular cuts!) cheese and veggies. mmm... sounds great eh?
After the first 2 weeks (and I can vouch for this) your body doesn't CRAVE the carbs and you (ideally) have gotten rid of them in your house (unless you have small children ...doh ;) and they really don't tempt you anymore. Thus begins phase 2: Re-introducing carbs...only the GOOD ones. Whole grains - oatmeal, brown rice, multi-grain everything and fruits - just very slowly and very limited.
Phase 3 is the maintenance phase where you live the rest of your life (uh...ideally?! ;)
It is actually a very healthy way to live and eat. When we were following it, Brad and I found that we ate less and had more energy too.
Sooo... today is day 2 of Phase 1. ugh. Days 2-5 I think are the hardest. I'm super glad Brad and I can do it together! I'll have to keep you posted about the ...hopeful...success we have!
mmm...
cucumber anyone? ;)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Thus it begins
We have now and forevermore entered the school-age era!
Wow. Seems impossible- yet quite possible.
I am excited for Jaedon to be in school because he's a natural-born student (a trait he got exclusively from his father!) but, of course, anxious for him as he enters THE WORLD. About a million thoughts have crossed my mind this past week as we were preparing him (and us) for school. Did I remember to tell him about what to do about strangers? What about going to the bathroom by himself? Will he be kind to his classmates? What if he gets bullied? What if HE'S the bully?! I kinda wanted to have a "cram" session on life- what if he wasn't ready because I didn't do my job right?! Basically, the "what ifs" were suffocating me.
Wow. Seems impossible- yet quite possible.
I am excited for Jaedon to be in school because he's a natural-born student (a trait he got exclusively from his father!) but, of course, anxious for him as he enters THE WORLD. About a million thoughts have crossed my mind this past week as we were preparing him (and us) for school. Did I remember to tell him about what to do about strangers? What about going to the bathroom by himself? Will he be kind to his classmates? What if he gets bullied? What if HE'S the bully?! I kinda wanted to have a "cram" session on life- what if he wasn't ready because I didn't do my job right?! Basically, the "what ifs" were suffocating me.
And I remembered something someone told me - God doesn't give us grace for the 'what ifs'. I had/have two options. 1. Panic and be filled with fear for my childs' well being (tempting option ;) or 2. Be still and know ... God.
Ok- all that said and I haven't mentioned anything ABOUT the first day.
I feel like a "bad mom" - I didn't cry when Jaedon left for school! I didn't even take his pictures- Brad did! (I was nursing Owen at the time). I think it was the preoccupation that I typically feel around here that covered for the lack of emotion - either that or it will hit me later! The fact that Brad took him to school and not a bus I think aided in the "no cry" phenomenon too.
And when I picked Jaedon up he informed me that he didn't even have to go to the principals office yet! *whew* ;)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Lastly (and firstly?!)
OK- so I just realized I should've posted all these in OPPOSITE order. Oopes! =)
Here's a (backwards) look at our week in PA.
Our LAST day in PA was a busy day. We drove to see my Grandma for a little while. We introduced her to her 17th (I think) GREAT grandchild - little Owen Malachi.
Jaedon and Cavid (my first cousin) enjoying some ice cream
It was quite an experience for Brad too. All the men sat on one side and the woman on the other. After a moment of silence (prayer time), the men went through the buffet line first (I had to tell that to Brad ;) .
Dorothy pulled out a buggy and took us on a little ride- which the kids just loved. My brother offered to take their kids on a van ride ;) haha...
So if you're reading this post first- stay tuned for the other adventures of our PA vacation!
Time with friends
Owen and Mama at the Park
Just hangin' out...
Dan and Brad diggin for... something...
We have some very dear friends that we try to spend time with each time we are in PA. Jaedon was the ring bearer at their wedding (at the ripe ole age of 20 months!). Janelle and I grew up together - literally I've known her since she was 3! We always enjoy our time with them and are so thankful they can squeeze us into their schedual when we're in town!
Here's a few pics of our time with them.
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