Love...

Today is a day that most people set aside to show others how much they love them.

I would like to share some things that I love about my boys, and I ope you will share with me what you love about your children!

Caleb,
He is so sweet
He is innocent, and is easily hurt
He loves to hug
He isn't afraid to let me know how much he loves me
He is in love with life
He struggles with big school assignments, just like me, so we work together
He isn't afraid to let the world see him sing and play music, and dance
He is a helper
He cares about others
He tries hard to be fair
He is smarter than he knows
He was my first, and is still teaching me how to be a mom

Logan,
He is zany
He is silly
He is a mush
He loves hugs
He loves to read
He loves to learn
He is kind
He is understanding of the little ones around him, and helps them
He is a worrier, and always worried about someone else
He wants to learn how to knit, which is a skill I do not have, but he has patience with me
He can be easy going
He loves God, truly, and it shows in his concern and passion

Aaron,
He thinks everything is amazing
He is growing into a polite young boy
He cares about others
He loves to help
He sees life through his own colored glasses
He is energetic
He is loving
His kisses are sloppy, which is something I never liked in a kiss before
He has taught me to appreciate every day
He adores his brothers
He loves school
He is a leader

These are my boys, and I love them so, even when they make me want to pull my hair out, the fact that I can sit and write out all the things I love about them, makes for a wonderful appreciation of them!


So, what are some wonderful things you love about your children?

Breaking the brat, even when it hurts.

So, I have a confession to make,
Ready?

My children are brats.

Oh wait, what, that wasn't a secret? Well, let me explain.

When you want nothing more in life than to become a mom, and you get that gift, you are so excited, and thankful, and you want everything for that child, so, you give it to them. Then somewhere along the line, you realize that you can't stop. You give to stop the whining, or to ease a hurt, or to mend a heart, or to make up for not being there. Then there are birthdays, holidays, and book orders...it never ends.

Well, I am stuck in this rut, of giving out of guilt, saying I will make them learn the value of a dollar, and then not following through, and this is truly on me, not on them.

I am finished. I will not give in, I will not buy just because, and I will not do for them anymore. Aaron seriously threw a thirty minute fit all the way home from target, because I would not get him gummies ( fruit snacks) at the checkout. It was 10 a.m., and just because it says fruit does not mean it is healthy. So, I said no, and he cried and screamed, and we both got upset with each other, but I did not give in, I made him realize I meant it.

I said no!

I know no big deal, but to me, it was a baby step in a long line of steps.

I will not give in, I will not back down, I am a mom, and I will change how my children act by using my actions, not just expect change from them.

Therefore, I will break the brat. I will raise children to do for themselves, and earn their keep, I am just so sorry that it took me this long to see it.

It kills me to know that I have hurt them. I do say no, but apparently, I need to teach them better how to behave, and how to do for themselves, because I love them.

Who found Nemo?

We did!
Unless you do not watch the news, or your life is really interesting, you know that this weekend there was a snow storm, a blizzard, named Nemo in the northeast.

I have no clue how much snow we got, however....
This is where we started Friday at 11am

And this was the front of my house this morning.

And this is out my back window right now.

We were blessed and did not loose power. Right now, I am waiting for Aaron and Steve to wake up from afternoon naps, and I am enjoying the fact that we have nowhere to be!

A unique creation

Snow, perfect individual flakes landing on the faces, tongues and coats of little children. This was my joy today. I did not experience this sight with my own children today. Only one of them. I was substituting at the preschool today, and seeing the joy in childrens eyes as they watch the snow land was beautiful.

It reminded me, that every being is created unique. And working with these students has helped me to appreciate the uniqueness of those around me.

Caleb, he is so smart, I mean the kind of smart that makes my head spin. Lately, he is struggling in school, and I don't think it is because of his lack of smarts, I think it is that he knows he knows, so he doesn't need to try. Wrong. He said today, I know I can do better than the B I received, and that not doing my best is not acceptable in our house, I will do better. Sigh, I hope he doesn't think that we do not live him because of a silly B, we love him o matter what grade he gets, we expect him to always try his hardest. That is a hard distinction for anyone to make.

Logan...sweet emotional Logan....he is such a good natured child, and he can be so brash. He did really well on his report card, and he is improving in his completion of his school work. We went to the book store on Sunday, and he wanted a book about angry birds. I hate buying books that have to do with games or toys they collect. I really wanted him to get a book that he could read. I was having a day, (and to be honest, I still am) and I walked away. Well, it was a good thing I walked away, because I looked over a few books, and found him some chapter books that he was interested in. I find it so hard to remember what I want him to want and what he wants will always be different. I need to learn to let go...

Aaron, he has had a great weekend. Despite a cold, and a four year olds attitude, he had a great weekend. He enjoyed school yesterday, and today he was a helper. He was able to be a leader, and an example. I was told he said, "yes, ma'am" and showed how things should be. He has grown so much that it is hard for me to believe there was ever a time when we worried about his health.

Life, is busy as always. I enjoy every flake life gives me, because when all those precious flakes fall, and they are all collected on the ground, they sure do make a pretty landscape.

Groundhog Day

I know what the groundhog said this morning. Do you? If so then you are a weather buff, a teacher or you have a loved one who is under ten years old who treated today like Christmas morning, the anticipation, the excitement, the discussions!

Well. Here is the scene at my house this morning:


And I must say, it is exciting to see them happy to learn something, it got me thinking, what do we repeat year after year, day after day, hoping things will change? I have changes I want to make in my life, however, what am I actively doing to make those changes? Trying to be healthier, trying to read more, showing more patience and grace, and forgiving myself when I do none of these. I am sure you do the same!

I am happy that my boys are interested in the weather, and things around them, but I try to teach them at home who made those things happen and why, it isn't a groundhog, or a weatherman on tv, it is our savior.

When life hands you...

Well, today was the day I decided to write more. And not just writing to write, but writing with purpose.  I was inspired by a few friends who blog as well, and told me how they love it. I want the boys to be able to look back and see how mom felt at every moment they can along the way.

If you enjoy reading my blog, please, become a follower, or sign up for email updates. You also can follow my blog on facebook at www.facebook.com/adventuresinhearing

If you have a blog that you want me to list, send me a message or leave it in your post and I will add it!

I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you!

Trying my best...

I love living in New England. I love that we get snow, and falling leaves, and hot summers, and flower filled springs. I get tired of the cold though, and wish the boys could go outside more.

Well, this year we have used the time inside to get some things done. First we cleaned our bedroom, this means I dug into the closet, pulled everything out, and we organized. I would add a picture, but really, who wants anyone to see the inside of their closet? Trust me on this one, it is much better!

We also changed the boys rooms around. The before was Logan and Aaron in the yellow bedroom, and Caleb in the grey bedroom. Well, they are boys, and they play hard, and they need space to play. So, we put them all in one bedroom (the grey one) and made the yellow room their playroom.

They love it! They have space to go play, and they have a darker bedroom so they are sleeping better. I love it! Here are some pictures of their rooms...

The other thing we have been working on is organizing our hearts. Those that know me know that I have a big faith, but I know I do not always let that faith show. Well, I have decided instead of being dragged down by social media, that I will use it to surround myself with positivity, and faith. I discovered a group called the MOB society (short for moms of boys) and it has been wonderful to receive daily inspiration and support from a group of women who are raising boys to be men of God. They have a dad site as well, and just today launched a new site about health and fitness.
You can find the mob society at: www.themobsociety.com
the health website is: www.raisingheartyboys.com
and the dad site is www.boydads.com

I feel so blessed to know that there is help and inspiration out there for all of us. Head on over to their website, they are doing their monthly blog link up. Many moms will share their tips, stories and inspiration, or something just plain silly! Enjoy!