Twins are great at working together. I have witnessed our twins work together several times in the past few weeks and I think it is great, however, it translates to "double trouble" most of the time. For example, getting into the bathroom, opening the toilet lid and playing in the water, trouble. Finding the tupperware and pots/pans cabinet and pulling everything out of it, trouble. Discovering big brother's crayons and testing them out in the playroom, trouble. Boosting one another up to reach the T.V., trouble. It can be sweet too though. William likes to help Olivia get up into the recliner by giving her a boost and pushing her little booty as she climbs up. Today, William opened the pantry and got out the raisins. Olivia helped him pry it open and they helped themselves to a little snack. This is much cuter than finding the Cheerios all over the kitchen because the box has been dumped upside down. So there's that. I actually look forward to seeing what they will try next (I know, I'll be eating my words one day soon!) and how they will discover and problem solve together.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Kindergarten, here we come!
My oldest starts kindergarten in two days. I have mixed feelings about it. I have been frantically running around checking things off of the school supply list, purchasing school uniforms, pinning "lunch ideas" for his daily lunches, filling in the family calendar with event and PTO dates, and wondering if he'll be okay without me! Of course he will be...right?
Will he be able to make it to the restroom in time? Will he be able to get his belt undone and refastened without incident (we've been practicing, but is it enough?)? Will he be too shy to talk to his teacher? Will he make friends right away? Will he be brave enough to stand up for what is right when others are not making good choices? Will he be negatively influenced by his peers? Will he remember to use good manners and be kind? Will he work hard? Will he be challenged or bored? Will he miss me as much as I will be missing him each day? Will he be okay? Oh, the struggle is real!
He is excited about making new friends but anxious about the unknown. He is excited one minute about the idea of school and nervous about leaving me each day and beging me to homeschool him the next.
He doesn't do well with goodbyes. My fear is that he will cling to me and not want to let go and walk in like a big boy on that first day. I can envision the scene. It isn't pretty. I can only hope that after seeing that a friend from his preschool days is in his class that he will be okay with "letting go." His teacher is sweet. Soft spoken and gentle but a teacher we can trust will take care of him and help shape him. She will continue to encourage his curiosity and foster his love of learning. He was enthusiastic about school starting when we left the "Meet the Teacher" event this evening. I know the anxious feelings and doubts will return tomorrow evening as we lay out his clothes and get his backpack ready for the big day. I will be prayerful that things go well and we don't have any emotional fits on Wednesday morning...from either of us! He is going to do great things and touch many lives. As his mom, I have to share him with the world so that others may experience the pure joy that I do while in his presence. He WILL be fine. I will be fine. Well, maybe in a few days. :)
His "First Day of Kindergarten" sign is ready to go. My camera will be on hand. Social media will be inundated with posts about my baby's first day of kindergarten, as I will proudly post his picture for all to see. I will fill out the many forms that will be sent home on the first day, I will gladly volunteer to help out as much as possible, and I will try really hard to hold back my tears until he is out of sight, because let's face it, there will be tears.
In the meantime, I will continue to lift him, his teacher, and the school staff up in prayer as they get ready for a great school year.
Will he be able to make it to the restroom in time? Will he be able to get his belt undone and refastened without incident (we've been practicing, but is it enough?)? Will he be too shy to talk to his teacher? Will he make friends right away? Will he be brave enough to stand up for what is right when others are not making good choices? Will he be negatively influenced by his peers? Will he remember to use good manners and be kind? Will he work hard? Will he be challenged or bored? Will he miss me as much as I will be missing him each day? Will he be okay? Oh, the struggle is real!
He is excited about making new friends but anxious about the unknown. He is excited one minute about the idea of school and nervous about leaving me each day and beging me to homeschool him the next.
He doesn't do well with goodbyes. My fear is that he will cling to me and not want to let go and walk in like a big boy on that first day. I can envision the scene. It isn't pretty. I can only hope that after seeing that a friend from his preschool days is in his class that he will be okay with "letting go." His teacher is sweet. Soft spoken and gentle but a teacher we can trust will take care of him and help shape him. She will continue to encourage his curiosity and foster his love of learning. He was enthusiastic about school starting when we left the "Meet the Teacher" event this evening. I know the anxious feelings and doubts will return tomorrow evening as we lay out his clothes and get his backpack ready for the big day. I will be prayerful that things go well and we don't have any emotional fits on Wednesday morning...from either of us! He is going to do great things and touch many lives. As his mom, I have to share him with the world so that others may experience the pure joy that I do while in his presence. He WILL be fine. I will be fine. Well, maybe in a few days. :)
His "First Day of Kindergarten" sign is ready to go. My camera will be on hand. Social media will be inundated with posts about my baby's first day of kindergarten, as I will proudly post his picture for all to see. I will fill out the many forms that will be sent home on the first day, I will gladly volunteer to help out as much as possible, and I will try really hard to hold back my tears until he is out of sight, because let's face it, there will be tears.
In the meantime, I will continue to lift him, his teacher, and the school staff up in prayer as they get ready for a great school year.
Heavenly Father,
As our children go out to face the world, please bless and protect them. May they know and trust that even when they are away from their parents that you, their Heavenly Father is always with them. Whether our children are just starting kindergarten, entering high school, or leaving the nest for college, our hearts and hopes go with them. They are excited about all of the new possibilities, yet at the same time apprehension and the fear of the unknown may weigh heavily on their hearts. Strengthen them by filling them with your love and giving them the confidence to face each challenge with inquisitive minds and discerning hearts. May they persevere through every obstacle that they face, knowing that we must learn from our failures so that we may grow in both knowledge and faith. Bless our children with lives filled with happiness and laughter, and may they be joyful in all things. Surround them with friends, teachers and adults that will lovingly stay by their side, build them up when they are weak, and hold them accountable when they wander from your ways. For we all know, that through you all things are possible. You are our Savior and protector, you fill our lives with blessings and you have an amazing plan for each and every one of your children.
As our children go out to face the world, please bless and protect them. May they know and trust that even when they are away from their parents that you, their Heavenly Father is always with them. Whether our children are just starting kindergarten, entering high school, or leaving the nest for college, our hearts and hopes go with them. They are excited about all of the new possibilities, yet at the same time apprehension and the fear of the unknown may weigh heavily on their hearts. Strengthen them by filling them with your love and giving them the confidence to face each challenge with inquisitive minds and discerning hearts. May they persevere through every obstacle that they face, knowing that we must learn from our failures so that we may grow in both knowledge and faith. Bless our children with lives filled with happiness and laughter, and may they be joyful in all things. Surround them with friends, teachers and adults that will lovingly stay by their side, build them up when they are weak, and hold them accountable when they wander from your ways. For we all know, that through you all things are possible. You are our Savior and protector, you fill our lives with blessings and you have an amazing plan for each and every one of your children.
In your name we pray, Amen.
(Prayer written by Lisa Russell; sweet friend and teacher)
(Prayer written by Lisa Russell; sweet friend and teacher)
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Black and White
When I was in kindergarten, I came home the first week of school and told my mom that I had a best friend in my class. I told her the friend's name and she asked which one she was so she could meet her and we could invite her over for playdates (my mom worked at the school I went to and was familiar with the kids). I described her as "the one with braids." I spoke of the way we played together at recess and sat together at lunch. I described the kind of person she was and I never once mentioned skin color. My mom put two and two together and to this day comments on how heart warming it was to her that I didn't see her as the "black girl," but as my best friend. Racism and prejudice is taught folks.
This past week, I shared a post from a woman who's white daughter carries around a black baby doll. I shared it because I was appalled at the ignorance of people she encountered while out with her daughter at the store from another white person. This person couldn't believe that she'd allow her daughter to have a doll with a different skin color than her own. My own daughter plays with several dolls of many colors in her nursery school class and I love it. When she has the opportunity to pick out her own baby doll, I'm not going to care what the doll looks like but I will teach her to take care of it and love it. I will nurture her love of babies, regardless of color.
I LOVE that as children, color is not what defines a person or how they are treated. I don't want my children to see skin color, I want them to see people. To love unconditionally the people they encounter. To look for the good in others and not make assumptions about someone based on appearance. Adults influence children. Stop trying so hard to teach racism and start focusing on teaching acceptance and Godly love. This world we live in is ugly enough. I can't even watch the news anymore without crying at the stories of hate, murder, abandonment, neglect, etc.
Train UP your children and stop trying to bring everyone else down. Pray for them relentlessly. Pray that they treat others with kindness and love, that they are considerate and respectful of others. Pray that they have compassion and guide them so that they may find the good in people. Don't teach them to generalize or condemn a group/race based on the actions of a few. Be a good example.
Our oldest starts Kindergarten in a couple weeks and I worry that he will be influenced by others in a negative way as he gets older. I also know that by continually loving on him and having conversations about how we treat others, I can help foster his innocence and unconditional love for everyone. "Treat others the way you want to be treated." "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
This past week, I shared a post from a woman who's white daughter carries around a black baby doll. I shared it because I was appalled at the ignorance of people she encountered while out with her daughter at the store from another white person. This person couldn't believe that she'd allow her daughter to have a doll with a different skin color than her own. My own daughter plays with several dolls of many colors in her nursery school class and I love it. When she has the opportunity to pick out her own baby doll, I'm not going to care what the doll looks like but I will teach her to take care of it and love it. I will nurture her love of babies, regardless of color.
I LOVE that as children, color is not what defines a person or how they are treated. I don't want my children to see skin color, I want them to see people. To love unconditionally the people they encounter. To look for the good in others and not make assumptions about someone based on appearance. Adults influence children. Stop trying so hard to teach racism and start focusing on teaching acceptance and Godly love. This world we live in is ugly enough. I can't even watch the news anymore without crying at the stories of hate, murder, abandonment, neglect, etc.
Train UP your children and stop trying to bring everyone else down. Pray for them relentlessly. Pray that they treat others with kindness and love, that they are considerate and respectful of others. Pray that they have compassion and guide them so that they may find the good in people. Don't teach them to generalize or condemn a group/race based on the actions of a few. Be a good example.
So, I married an Army Man...
I'll start by saying that I am a "kick my shoes off as I walk in the door" kind of gal. My purse is set down anywhere there is an open spot on the floor, the table, or kitchen counter if that is what is convenient for me as I haul things into the house. Remember, I have three kids in tow.
I'm the queen of piles. It is not uncommon for piles to be moved around or "organized" by being placed into more piles. As I declutter, it gets worse before it gets better. In the end though, I'm pretty good about purging and organizing. I just need to figure out how to make it last. LOL! I love the saying, "My house was clean yesterday, sorry you missed it." I actually had a wooden sign hanging on my door with this quote in college. I have found that with three little ones running around and playing hard from dawn to dusk, it is even harder to keep things in order. I don't mind my "lived in look" but hubby has another opinion about it.
Hubby is an "Everything has a place, and there is a place for everything" kind of guy. Yea, so there are some struggles with all of the rearranging and organizing that is going on right now. We recently got a storage unit to move some of the "excess" out that isn't currently being used but will eventually as the twins get older. We also plan to put our current house on the market, as we have began to feel like we are outgrowing our current house. As I clear off shelves, go through my piles, and get rid of things we've outgrown or no longer have a need for, this house is starting to feel different. In my mind, I want that model home look with all toys and kid related items contained in bedrooms and/or the playroom. Let's get real though, the kids are like free range chickens and take their things and dump them wherever they want. Which means a trail of toys, blankets, sippy cups, and books follow them in every nook and cranny of our home. I'm okay with it, because at the end of the day, I'm the one gathering everything up and putting it all back in the playroom or wherever these things belong. However, it drives hubby nuts! So on of my new challenges is to train the kids to keep all toys and books in the playroom, all cups in the kitchen, and all blankets in the bedrooms. In the meantime, I'll frantically run around the house just before hubby gets home everyday and gather as much as I can and make the house look more "presentable" to Mr. Army. LOL! Wish me luck! XOXO
I'm the queen of piles. It is not uncommon for piles to be moved around or "organized" by being placed into more piles. As I declutter, it gets worse before it gets better. In the end though, I'm pretty good about purging and organizing. I just need to figure out how to make it last. LOL! I love the saying, "My house was clean yesterday, sorry you missed it." I actually had a wooden sign hanging on my door with this quote in college. I have found that with three little ones running around and playing hard from dawn to dusk, it is even harder to keep things in order. I don't mind my "lived in look" but hubby has another opinion about it.
Hubby is an "Everything has a place, and there is a place for everything" kind of guy. Yea, so there are some struggles with all of the rearranging and organizing that is going on right now. We recently got a storage unit to move some of the "excess" out that isn't currently being used but will eventually as the twins get older. We also plan to put our current house on the market, as we have began to feel like we are outgrowing our current house. As I clear off shelves, go through my piles, and get rid of things we've outgrown or no longer have a need for, this house is starting to feel different. In my mind, I want that model home look with all toys and kid related items contained in bedrooms and/or the playroom. Let's get real though, the kids are like free range chickens and take their things and dump them wherever they want. Which means a trail of toys, blankets, sippy cups, and books follow them in every nook and cranny of our home. I'm okay with it, because at the end of the day, I'm the one gathering everything up and putting it all back in the playroom or wherever these things belong. However, it drives hubby nuts! So on of my new challenges is to train the kids to keep all toys and books in the playroom, all cups in the kitchen, and all blankets in the bedrooms. In the meantime, I'll frantically run around the house just before hubby gets home everyday and gather as much as I can and make the house look more "presentable" to Mr. Army. LOL! Wish me luck! XOXO
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