I've been so busy trying to start the new year out with my goals that I haven't even been here on the blog to follow up! Getting the resolutionary challenge started has taken more time than I anticipated but I'm hoping that now it will roll forward without so much attention from me.
I was much more attentive at noticing needs this past two weeks, although I know I did not do a great job of reacting well to filling those needs. It is frustrating to me to see some of the needs that my children have and to not know exactly how to fill those needs. The good news is that I am conscious of it and I'm working on it. I did spend some time with Clark building a few amazing train tracks.
I was able to put my anger aside this past week in a particular situation where I felt hurt and to think about how the other person may be feeling. This gave me greater understanding and allowed me to see that I needed to not make it a bigger deal than it already was so I let it go. I need a lot of listening practice and I find myself telling myself all the time to not talk and just try to listen.
I got a few minutes of reading in, but not as much as I would like. I have been consistent on my scripture reading and just started a new book on audio in the car that I am excited about. I have made a very conscious effort to read with the children and it is interesting to see how even when I am reading a very elementary picture book to the younger children that the older ones like to join in as well. It's a happy experience.
I need a lot of work on tuning in. I can't say I made any progress here.
I have been consistent thus far on having my creative time each day. My sisters and I have made a project list that we are helping each other be accountable for and it is so fun to be working with them on our blog, Sisterview, as well as the quilt along and other projects. Sisters make everything so much more fun. It's a shame it takes all of childhood to figure this out, I keep telling Madeline and Savanna this but they don't believe me. Kurt and I were able to take 4 of the 6 children out individually in the past 10 days and I love how important they felt. I can tell this is a big deal to them and they need it.
I did a good job of asking my children when they were acting out this past week "do you need a hug". More often than not, the answer came back and subdued, 'yes'. Acting kinder than I feel is hard to do, and I intend to practice more fervently this week.
My energy this year so far has been pretty good. I have a love/hate relationship with all of those sore muscles I have since I am back with my exercise routine. I'm happy to be strengthening them again yet sad to see how far I've regressed since the car accident. I'm hoping to get this nerve issue in my shoulder/arm/neck resolved so I can use my right arm normally again very soon.
I'm on the lookout for a great piece of jewelry to create with my word on it so I carry it with me each day. I like the idea of having it with me all day long so I can stay focused in on it.
The budget plan is in it's very beginning stages but at least the conversation is open and things are getting written down. We are frustrated with mint.com -- it can never stay up to date with our accounts -- but I'm not sure what else is really out there to use. Any suggestions?
Ballet started again ( for Emma), I'm looking forward to spring recital. Faye is talking up a storm -- trying to say all kinds of words. I love it when the older children translate her words to whatever it is that they want to hear, it is pretty funny. She is also doing silly things like trying to suck on the inside parts of the dishwasher, carrying around purses, bibs, or anything circular that can go around her arm, and climbing onto chairs, stools and anything else that will make her taller so she can reach up and pull items off the table or counter.
Emma is working on going to school more frequently and told me the other day that while at school having a hard time on the playground she told herself "Emma, I got this." She cracks me up. She wants a huge birthday party at Monkey Bizness for her birthday next month. She really really wishes that she had a mother who threw huge birthday parties at said location. Sadly, she does not have that mother.
Madeline is dutifully exchanging her earrings each day for different style and loves it. She has so much enthusiasm for her YW church group and is working hard to perform her duties.
It's easy to get bogged down in all that I don't get done. Then I remember, hey, I got this! Just kidding, that's Emma's line. Seriously, though, I remind myself that there is more to life than any 1 thing we try to focus on. And it's the whole person that I'm interested in -- not just one part of it.
Sailing On,
E
I was much more attentive at noticing needs this past two weeks, although I know I did not do a great job of reacting well to filling those needs. It is frustrating to me to see some of the needs that my children have and to not know exactly how to fill those needs. The good news is that I am conscious of it and I'm working on it. I did spend some time with Clark building a few amazing train tracks.
I was able to put my anger aside this past week in a particular situation where I felt hurt and to think about how the other person may be feeling. This gave me greater understanding and allowed me to see that I needed to not make it a bigger deal than it already was so I let it go. I need a lot of listening practice and I find myself telling myself all the time to not talk and just try to listen.
I got a few minutes of reading in, but not as much as I would like. I have been consistent on my scripture reading and just started a new book on audio in the car that I am excited about. I have made a very conscious effort to read with the children and it is interesting to see how even when I am reading a very elementary picture book to the younger children that the older ones like to join in as well. It's a happy experience.
I need a lot of work on tuning in. I can't say I made any progress here.
I have been consistent thus far on having my creative time each day. My sisters and I have made a project list that we are helping each other be accountable for and it is so fun to be working with them on our blog, Sisterview, as well as the quilt along and other projects. Sisters make everything so much more fun. It's a shame it takes all of childhood to figure this out, I keep telling Madeline and Savanna this but they don't believe me. Kurt and I were able to take 4 of the 6 children out individually in the past 10 days and I love how important they felt. I can tell this is a big deal to them and they need it.
I did a good job of asking my children when they were acting out this past week "do you need a hug". More often than not, the answer came back and subdued, 'yes'. Acting kinder than I feel is hard to do, and I intend to practice more fervently this week.
My energy this year so far has been pretty good. I have a love/hate relationship with all of those sore muscles I have since I am back with my exercise routine. I'm happy to be strengthening them again yet sad to see how far I've regressed since the car accident. I'm hoping to get this nerve issue in my shoulder/arm/neck resolved so I can use my right arm normally again very soon.
I'm on the lookout for a great piece of jewelry to create with my word on it so I carry it with me each day. I like the idea of having it with me all day long so I can stay focused in on it.
The budget plan is in it's very beginning stages but at least the conversation is open and things are getting written down. We are frustrated with mint.com -- it can never stay up to date with our accounts -- but I'm not sure what else is really out there to use. Any suggestions?
Ballet started again ( for Emma), I'm looking forward to spring recital. Faye is talking up a storm -- trying to say all kinds of words. I love it when the older children translate her words to whatever it is that they want to hear, it is pretty funny. She is also doing silly things like trying to suck on the inside parts of the dishwasher, carrying around purses, bibs, or anything circular that can go around her arm, and climbing onto chairs, stools and anything else that will make her taller so she can reach up and pull items off the table or counter.
Emma is working on going to school more frequently and told me the other day that while at school having a hard time on the playground she told herself "Emma, I got this." She cracks me up. She wants a huge birthday party at Monkey Bizness for her birthday next month. She really really wishes that she had a mother who threw huge birthday parties at said location. Sadly, she does not have that mother.
Madeline is dutifully exchanging her earrings each day for different style and loves it. She has so much enthusiasm for her YW church group and is working hard to perform her duties.
It's easy to get bogged down in all that I don't get done. Then I remember, hey, I got this! Just kidding, that's Emma's line. Seriously, though, I remind myself that there is more to life than any 1 thing we try to focus on. And it's the whole person that I'm interested in -- not just one part of it.
Sailing On,
E
I have been looking forward to your new word for the year! It is a great one!!! One that I should focus on as well.
ReplyDeleteSilly Emma. I love her grand ideas for her party. Sad to say, my kids do not have a party throwing mother. We do a small family party (just us), sometimes a cake .... sometimes donuts .... and 3 gifts. When we lived in IL, the parties there were SO over board I swore I'd never do that-I think I have gone to the other extreme :)