Whether they like it or not!

Whether the weather be fine or whether the weather be not,

Whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot,

We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather,

Whether we like it or not.

Author Unknown

This is dedicated to my family and friends on the East Coast who weathered the weather, whether they liked it or not. So glad that everyone was safe and virtually unaffected!

I do enjoy this little poem; it's one that all of my children have memorized while learning to read. Hearing quality poems, literature and songs from my children's mouths is much more enjoyable than ridiculous, nonsensical ditties that children bring home from school or the neighborhood social hour. "I see London, I see France" does not belong in our family's repertoire. Yes, they probably know it but I don't want to hear it! Let's encourage more elevated thoughts and vocabulary in our homes!

Looks like we'll be weathering some hot weather today. However, it's better than a hurricane. Wait, by the looks of my house right now, it may have just have been hurricane-struck! Do I need to start singing: Clean-up, Clean-up, everybody, everywhere. Clean-up, Clean-up, everybody do your share? Don't like the ditty, but I like the concept...whether they like it or not!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Sabbath Thoughts: You and We NOT I and Me

I want that one. No, I want that one.

I had that first. No, I had that first.

Sound familiar? Listening to my children fight over Playmobile pieces on Sunday morning gave me the desire to talk to them about You and We verses I and Me. "I" can be such a selfish word, one that sends focus internally rather than externally. "Me" is a similar thing. Reminds me of that Country Song, "I Wanna Talk about Me.... Me, me, me, me, me, me, me." "You" on the other hand, turns the focus towards others, encouraging service and concern for someone else. "We" is plural and denotes cooperation, working together, synergy, and getting along. 

So, back to the Playmobil playing. He wanted a certain piece. She wanted it too. Can't we focus on You and We? I encouraged them to think of the other (You) rather than yourself (I). Isn't it more fun to play together (We) rather than feel selfish by yourself (Me)? It helped! They compromised and worked things out. 

One might say to allow children to work out their problems themselves. However, the scriptures tell us that parents should not suffer their children to fight and quarrel with one another.

I had another thought about You and We verses I and Me. When we have struggles in life, confrontations or quarrelings with another, Satan encourages us to focus on I and Me; the world teaches to look out for number one. However, Jesus Christ is our partner (we). He was the perfect example of service (you) and through His atonement, WE can overcome faults, sadness, fear, loss, temptation, and sorrow.

Let's pick our pronouns carefully...You and We, not I and Me.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The POWER of the Money-Maker

The Lawn Mower = Essential equipment to teenage boys earning money. 

Broken Lawn Mower = Empty Pockets

Taking it to the Shop = Even Emptier Pockets

Fixing it Yourself = Knowledge, Self-Reliance, Money Saved

When the lawn mower is broken, there are two unhappy boys at our house, for the lawn mower is their "money-maker". Unfortunately, it broke down this month, and they fretted for a bit. However, they turned their fretting into positive action; got out the manual, discovered the part they needed, ordered it online, waited not-so-patiently for it to arrive in the mail, and installed the part. 

Fixing the "Money-Maker"

Ta-da! Working lawn mower for $18.62, including shipping.Congratulations, boys. Way to take action and solve the problem!

Self-Reliant:relying on oneself or on one's own powers, resources, etc.

www.dictionary.com

Self Reliance applies to so many areas in our lives: finances, employment, education, preparation, skills, hobbies, health, food, and home-maintenance, just to name a few. Teaching our children the valuable principle of building and strengthening self-reliance will serve them well right now AND in the future.

A few ideas for encouraging self-reliance:

1. Provide a way, help find a way or encourage a way to earn money based on hard work and performance, not a free ride. Encourage financial discipline and long-term savings. See our Money Management System for a tool to assist with financial success.

2. Value education and encourage hard work and diligence in studying. When children do well in school (providing the ability to get scholarships to college), they are actually getting PAID to do their homework. Instill this philosophy in your child at a young age. Teach them to search out scholarships and apply for everything they can find so they can go to college debt-free.

3. Give your child the opportunity to prepare meals. This not only assures that he won't starve when he leaves home, but educates about food costs, nutrition, and health-management.

4. Involve children in projects around the house and learning new skills. A friend of mine told me about fixing her washing machine with her teenage son, saving hundreds of dollars in repair costs. He is now blessed with that knowledge to help his future family or someone else in need.

5. When looking for employment as a teenager, search out jobs that provide a skill and a learning opportunity. One boy we know works for a construction company and is learning welding skills. Another boy works for a landscaper and is learning to install sprinkler systems. One friend cleans buildings with her parents. These are skills that can be utilized for the rest of their lives!
6. Look for classes available in your area that teach unique skills. My second son took a small engine repair class this summer, learning the ins and outs of mower repair, maintenance and tuning. Now he has the knowledge and ability to earn money performing these services.

7. Hard work leads to more opportunities because hard work is recognized and spoken of. A strong work ethic is DEVELOPED. Start when they're young and have high, but realistic expectations.

8. Be an example of the principles you want your children to embrace!

They may not have super hero powers, but as we "Stick-to-it", our children will be able to rely on their own powers and resources to bless their lives and those around them. 

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Thanks, Adventures in Odyssey!

Sibling relationships, communication, the golden rule, honesty, love, humility, trusting God, peer pressure, justice, courage, truth, friendship, determination, leadership, hard work, obedience, American History, Biblical Stories, consequences, responsibility, giving, compassion, charity, giving thanks, caring for the poor, contentment, selflessness.

Looking for QUALITY entertainment that promotes these values and so many more?

Adventures in Odyssey

"Created for ages 8-12 but enjoyed by the whole family, Adventures in Odyssey presents original audio stories brought to life by actors who make you feel like part of the experience. These fictional, character-building dramas are created by an award-winning team that uses storytelling to teach lasting truths."

 www.adventuresinodyssey.com

Our family was introduced to this fantastic audio series in 1996 when we purchased a radio station in Delta, UT. Adventures in Odyssey was one of the programs that we aired daily. We looked forward to these humorous and entertaining stories every day; stories that teach true principles and values in the middle of exciting adventures. The imagination station takes you to the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln or to the story of Joseph in Egypt. Modern day stories give real-life examples of situations our children may find themselves in. After selling our radio station and moving North, we lost touch of Adventures in Odyssey but have rediscovered it again. All the fun memories of our favorite character, Eugene, as well as Whit, Connie, Dr. Blackggard, Bernard, Jimmy & Donna, and so many more, have hit home.

My description really can't do it justice. Download a free episode here and listen for yourself. Over 600 episodes have been produced, based around the ice cream shop, Whit's End, in the town of Odyssey. Listen online or find it on the radio near you. I promise...your children will LOVE it.

Thanks, Adventures in Odyssey, for providing QUALITY, family entertainment!!

 

 More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Support the Blood Sucker

Here we are together, together, together;

Oh, here we are together, for Phlebotomy.

There's mother and father and sister and brother

and sister and brother and sister and brothers.

Oh, here we are together, for Phlebotomy.

Supporting one another: crucial to a successful, loving, happy family. Support at basketball games, support with school work, support for tough decisions, support of new stages in life. The word support is a verb which equates to action. 

So, we took action and supported our daughter at Friends and Family Night for her Phlebotomy Class. 9 out of the 10 people in our family agreed to getting poked so she could practice "sticking". Little Girl Two was not so sure so she just watched. NOTE: All participated under their own free will!

Dad was the first guinea pig...

She's a pro!

Searching for a vein...

All Smiles - Before...

...During...

...and After!

A little worried!

 

Doesn't phase him!

I was so happy with my crew's willingness to support their big sister. Yes, it's a little unnerving, I admit, but being of help to her was all worth it! Keep "'sticking'-to-it", sweetie. You'll be a great blood sucker!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Dumb Stuff and Common Sense

The beauty and amazement of the kaleidoscope has wowed children for generations. After Sunday's episode, we'll think twice about this little, seemingly innocent, plastic kaleidoscope.

Kids just do dumb things. The sooner you learn that and accept the expected, you won't get nearly as frustrated and annoyed by those ridiculous events that take place on a regular basis.

The latest dumb thing began with my son bringing home a little plastic kaleidoscope from a birthday party on Saturday. 

The culprit...see the hole in the green one?

Sunday morning (yes, of course, Sunday) my daughter put her finger into the hole and managed to get it seriously stuck. No amount of soap or lotion or twisting would get it off. The plastic was moldable so it dug into her finger. She was really in pain. Dad came to the rescue which unveiled this:

The view from one side of the finger

Wow!  We've had our fair share of dumb stuff, that's for sure...

1. Jumping from the top of the bunk bed, hitting the ceiling light fixture, landing on another bed, with shattered glass all over. Not a scratch or a cut resulted from this super-hero stunt.

2. Attaching hand cuffs just above the knee and securing the other side of the cuff to the kitchen drawer. This was the day when there was only a key to open it, no release mechanism. Pulling that off was not fun!

3. Standing in a bucket of blocks and wetting the pants. I had to wash every single one of those plastic blocks! (No dishwasher in that house)

4. Riding the bike down the street, not looking forward; running into the neighbor's truck and smashing the face. Nothing broken!

5. Child takes a steak knife from the knife block. Another child tries to get it away. Children are running up the stairs. Child with knife stabs chasing child due to the swing of the knife while running. Stab resulted in small lesion; no stitches.

6. Sitting in front of a glass curio, the child tips back the little chair and smashes into the curio, cutting the back of the head...blood everywhere. Boy, those head wounds really bleed. Again, no stitches.

7. Toilet is left up, unflushed. Toddler toddles into the bathroom, grabs the "stuff" from the toilet and starts eating it. We'll not discuss any more about this one.

8. Child ties a parachute cord to the waist, ties the other end to the top of the bunk bed and jumps. Gets stuck in mid-air, screaming for help to "scissor it" (cut it). 

9. Leaving the top of the glue open, it spills and makes a glue puddle on the carpet, 3" x 3". Glue and carpet do not mix. Tip to clean up: Scrape it up with a spoon, over and over. Do not use water!!

10. Throwing rocks in the back yard results in the kitchen window breaking. "I didn't do it...my friend did." Uh, huh. 

11. The googly eye in the ear is classic.

12. Lettuce up the nose. It took us two weeks to discover what the source of that disgusting smell was. It wasn't bad breath!

13. Bead up the nose. Good thing for the nose sucker (bulb syringe). 

14. Oh, no. You didn't listen and stay by Mom; fell in a hole and cut the eyebrow.

15. Jumping off the side of the bathtub like Superman, hitting the cheek bone on the tub. STITCHES!

16. Microwaving clay and dropping it on the floor. Clay everywhere!

I'm sure if I dig into those deep recesses of the brain where I store such memories, I could come up with many more. The bright side of doing the dumb stuff? Hopefully, our children learn a lesson. Oh, let's hope common sense sinks in and the dumb stuff decreases!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Stepping out of Childhood

As a tie-in to yesterday's post, Just Around the Corner, I'm feeling a little melancholy about some of my children's disappointments that Sam and I discussed with them yesterday. One received a job offer that just isn't going to work out for various reasons. The other is concerned about money, college, passing certification tests, etc. A long conversation into the night was filled with positive encouragement, hope for a brighter tomorrow, tasks to be focused on, and faith that it will work out. Sometimes, that's all we can go by...doing our part and having faith that the Lord will provide. 

These two young people are stepping out of childhood and into adulthood and it's a bit of a shock. No matter how hard we try to prepare them, no matter how many experiences we provide for learning and growth, moving on to being a "grown up" is an adjustment that only the child can wade through, despite the desire as parents to carry them. Of course, this is the next step, necessary to their progression. But oh, sometimes I yearn to just wrap my arms around them and tell them that Mom will take care of them; not realistic or possible! Yet, the feelings are still there!

So, I gave them my own advice from yesterday's blog post. Keep climbing...the meadow is just around the corner. It all sounds good on paper. But when it's your children, you pray that it really is...and soon!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Sabbath Thoughts: Just Around the Corner

Persistence
The hike went on and on, up steep hills leading to a beautiful meadow.

Carrying a backpack, with the baby inside; encouraging another toddler in tow.

Where is the meadow, oh where can it be? They said it was there but I see only trees

on each side of the pathway, hear bees buzzing, a river trickling and the rustling of leaves.

Another hill in the distance; let's just turn back...the kids are tired and I'm feeling old;

But the thought of the goal keeps us in step, "The meadow is there!", we were confidently told.

Up one more hill, "I can do it, I say". Then the kids out in front shout a triumphant, "Hooray!

The meadow's in sight, just around the bend." What a glorious end to such a long, hot day!
Julie Bushman

In the trenches of child raising, trials and bumps along the way often keep us from "pressing forward". The desire to "quit and turn back" many times takes over, as parents deal with children whom are disobedient, angry, grumpy, lazy, rebellious, sarcastic, unwilling, and stubborn.
I've found that as I climb the parenting hill, thinking a behavior or an attitude in a child will never wane, "sticking to" the path (the tried and true methods) and not giving up, bring moments of joy when the meadow is in sight and the goal is obtained.

What are some of these tried and true methods? Communication, honesty, PRAYER, creativity, hope, opportunity, discipline, late night discussions, hugs, LOVE, encouragement, privileges (or not), TIME, gentleness or firmness,consequences, options/choices, persistence, service, patience, motivation.........

The joy we feel when a behavior is turned, a goal is met, a situation is resolved, a confrontation is softened, a right choice is made, a testimony is gained or a repentant heart takes shape is worth the work of climbing the path!

At the top of the hill...where is the meadow?

We made it!

The meadow (the picture doesn't do it justice)

20 Amazing Troopers!

Most of the time, the joy of the journey isn't climbing the hill. Instead, it's just around the corner!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Cement, Muscles and Push-Pops

Childhood Memory: The day we poured the basketball court in our backyard...the excitement of the cement truck, the huge extension hose running down the side of the house to carry the cement, watching the sloppy mess, the mesmerizing appeal of the leveling and smoothing, Grandpa telling me not to get too close, the heat of the day, the desire to slosh through the wet cement, the finished product. Watching, ever watching....but not helping. I probably could have assisted with something had I spoken up. But I didn't. I ate my push-pop instead.

Ahhh, the joys of home improvement projects. Do you just want your children out of your hair so you can get it done? Or do you involve them in the project so they can EXPERIENCE and LEARN a new skill that will help them in their future family?

We try to choose the latter. No, it's not always possible for them to help out, but the more projects they have their hand in, the less money they'll be spending to hire someone else to do it when they're grown. And they can save Mom and Dad a little money, too!

Fast forward twenty five years to our own cement pouring project.

Carried and loaded old concrete, cleared rocks, helped level

Broke out old concrete, prepared the area by digging and digging and digging, leveling, transported cement.

I watched the truck and the pouring and the smoothing. No push-pop this time!

More on-lookers

My gophers...very helpful!

No matter how exciting it is (or isn't) to watch wet cement coming out of the truck, it's even more exciting watching my children participate. Put them to work; it keeps them off video games, TV and computer, and builds muscle and brain power. Don't forget to give them a push-pop when they're done! (Do they even exist anymore?)

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Creativity & Time = Money in your Pocket

Prom Day for Boys:

Dry Clean the Suit, Pick up the Corsage, Clean the Car, Shower, 

Do the Hair, Pick up the Girl, Arrange and Pay? for Dinner...

....MOM!!!!!!

OK, so it didn't quite happen like that. When I heard that my son and his friends were thinking of taking their dates to Olive Garden for dinner, I sat him down and had him calculate how much it would cost per couple. With the meals, drinks, dessert and tip, $50 per couple. Ouch! Not to mention the corsage ($20 - another ouch) and the cost of the dance tickets. These young boys don't have the money to spend so much on one evening. (This assumes they already have a suit or tux to wear)

I gave him an option: "I'll make you a four-course Italian dinner for $10 per couple." He checked with his friends...they jumped at the chance.

Italian sausage soup, caesar salad, manicotti, crostini bread with spinach & artichoke dip, sparkling cider and creme brule with Andes mints. My mouth is watering just thinking about the deliciousness! Just to be clear, the dinner cost me more than $10 per couple, but not too much more. However, it was my contribution to the event AND I got a bonus: the chance to supervise the prom dinner. It was worth it!

The Boys...Aren't they handsome?

The Table...not too Shabby

The Servers

The Couple

And Another

And Another

The Pose

The Kiss...by Little Sis

The Farewell...Good Boy!

The prom dinner at home...it was quiet (well, except for little siblings everywhere), it was personal, it was catered to their situation, it was elegant, it was DELICIOUS (if I do say so myself) AND it was economical. That is the main lesson I want my son to learn. Creativity and time (and a fabulous Mom) equals money in your pocket!

Here's to a lesson hopefully learned as well as a Happy 17th Birthday to an equally fabulous son. Happy Birthday, sweetie! What a joy you are to the entire family! Loves and Kisses to you...

Cousin and Sister - Oakland, CA

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Corn, corn, the magical....motivator?

Shucking corn...not my favorite thing. It's messy, stringy, and sticky. This is probably why we don't have corn on the cob very often (not to mention the sky-high price; we used to get it at 12 ears for $1.00. I did find it the other day at 4 for $1.00)

I took the bag out of the refrigerator last night in preparation for dinner. My seven year old daughter jumped up and down, begging to shuck the corn. You bet! She took it outside, recruited her younger siblings and in less than ten minutes, they had the job completed. Thank you, thank you! It is so fabulous when you don't have to do something you don't enjoy doing but has to be done. Did that make sense?

Who would have thought that shucking corn would make kids so happy and content?

Or not so. She was cut by the stem of an ear of corn!

Working together for a job well done!

This was the perfect project for three little people. Involve your children in family projects...they learn skills and you don't have to do as much. Perfect combination. Hey, they even cleaned up the mess! Corn: the magical...motivator?

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The Power of Perspective

Carrying cement, enduring flies and heat, dirt & more dirt, stacking brick after brick,

the joy of the outhouse, cold showers, dust in the eyes...

 PLUS

...joy through service, hugs and kisses from little children, delicious food, strengthened friendships, natural beauty, cultural education, practicing Spanish, new friends...
EQUALS

A life-changing experience for my children in Tequisquiapan, Mexico.

The MAJORITY of children in the US are extremely blessed! We have more than we possibly need and have comforts that most of the world does not know about or can only dream of. A humanitarian service trip (www.ffhe.org) was just the thing my children needed to have their eyes and hearts opened. It gave them perspective that can only come from visiting another land where abundance is not the norm. It provided them with an opportunity to give of their time, their funds, and their love to people who really need it. This experience taught them new skills AND an invaluable lesson: Happiness is not obtained by acquiring "Things".

Tequisquiapan, Mexico

Working on cement floors

Learning and building

One of the many stoves they constructed for the people

They donated backpacks (www.tetonsports.com) and school supplies to a school in Mexico

One of the recipients of a stove; now she doesn't have to cook over an open fire

These workers were so happy to receive a backpack!

The whole group with their security friends (they had Mexican police transportation everywhere they went)

Our wonderful Spanish Teacher with some of the kids

They had time for fun, too. All the girls wanted their picture with an American boy.

Time for shopping!

and Forest Frolicking

Enjoying the Outdoor Adventure

The final wrap up of the trip!

So long, Tequisquiapan...'till next year!

Yes, next year. My son loved it so much that he's saving up for next year's trip. (My daughter will be in college so no Mexico for her). A few things that struck me when they returned home...

1. "I want to go back next year!"

2. "The people have so little, but they're so happy!"

3. "The food was amazing!"

4. "We didn't really buy anything because we don't need anything!"

5. "We have sooooooo much!"

Ohhhh, the power of perspective! Fabulous things happen when children step outside of themselves to help another.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!