The streak ends.

I've shared my discipline woes with Tatum a few times here in hope you'll allow me to lament the loss of our streak this week.

It was such a good streak

Since the first part of June, she's had good days.  Every day.

That ended yesterday.  Well, it apparently ended the day before that, I just didn't know about it.  She didn't tell me.  In fact, she told me the opposite.

Darn that sin nature!

So I found out yesterday afternoon that she had a rough time at nap time the day prior.  And the fact that she didn't get to feed Bugsy (the class hamster) yesterday because of those bad choices didn't seem to alter her decision to make the same bad choices. At nap. Again.

"But I was good during circle time!" was the response I got to a few of my questions regarding these choices.  "Doesn't that make you happy?"

*sigh*

So our streak of fun evenings has come to an end.  While she told me the truth about her day, she did lie to me about the day before, so we weren't able to do any fun stuff last night.  In fact, after dinner she got ready for bed and went to lay down.

I had forgotten how loud she could cry when she was really wanting to put on a show.

And how great she is at making excuses to come out of her room.

I had also forgotten how much nicer it was to be able to lay Jacey down in her bed while the room was empty. And quiet.

Apparently Jacey is a sympathy screamer cryer.  That was a joyous thing to discover.

My verse for this yesterday morning was, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)

I tried to keep that in my mind during the day.

I think I may have done a better job while at work than at home in doing so.

Think about that one word or phrase at a time.  Really meditate on it.

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice - be glad, take delight

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
in who?  the Lord....shouldn't we be able to delight in Him?

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
Always - every time, all the time, forever

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
again - once more, another

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.

Am I rejoicing that my Tatum-tot broke her 'good choices' streak? - No
Am I rejoicing that Jacey seemed fairly inconsolable because her sister was upset? - No

I don't need to hinge my happiness and joy on events. Or people. Or money. Or jobs.  It is in the Lord that I should hinge...well, everything.  His words, His promises.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

So, despite this behavioral bump, I'm going to rejoice in the Lord.

And today is a new day.

Scripture Memory (Verse 11 & 12)

Yikes!!

Where have I been?  I'm behind in getting these memory verses out here....

Verse 11 (for June 1)
He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go. They will catch you in their hands so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.
Psalm 91:11-12 (NCV)
Link to the Verse 11 post

Verse 12 (for June 15)
Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.
Philippians 4:8 (NCV)
Link to the Verse 12 post

And we're halfway there!!  Are you keeping up?  Don't worry if you've fallen behind.  There is no better time to catch up and work on your consistency than NOW.  And I don't care when you're reading this.  Now is NOW!

What are the ways in which you're putting God's word into your heart this year?

Top Five?

After the girls and I went to the library this weekend, I am reminded of just how much I enjoy reading. 

Not that I have had any more time to read or anything, it was just a nice reminder that it's something I enjoy doing.

And I need to do things I actually enjoy a little more often.

So, considering that in the past oh, say 8 years or so, all that I've read has been the Bible, parenting books, organizational books (well, articles really), an occasional cook book (quit laughing), and my monthly magazines (more parenting things), I've realized that I'm in dire need of book direction.  Now there's obviously nothing wrong with reading the Bible, and I certainly can stand to do more of that, but I'm looking to expand a little.

I'm in need of ideas, so I thought I would ask the following question.

"What books are on your current list of top 5 must-reads?"

Leave me some comments with your suggestions, because I've just figured out how to request books online.  Yes, I know that is old technology, but what can I say...I'm been under a rock for the past 8 years.  Or maybe it's more realistic to say under laundry?

At any rate, comment.  Let me know about the books I've been missing!

Kissin'

I love kisses.

Especially when they come from my 11 month old.

It's official.

She's figured out how to give kisses....she makes the 'mmmmwwwa' sound, leans in, and gives you a kiss.

It's one of the most precious things on the planet.

For real.

Then yesterday afternoon, she put the palm of her hand to her mouth and waved it at me. She blew me a kiss!

Oh goodness...this girl completely and totally melts my heart.

What a day!

Yesterday was an all-around good day.

It began with a bit more of a jolt than I had anticipated when I realized that the Old Navy $2 tank top sale began at 7 AM.  This realization came shortly after 6:30 AM....and the girls and I were at the store at about 5 minutes after 7 to start in on our sale day.

Whew!

We managed to get a few tanks, and then took advantage of the other sales they were having....and ended up with matching 4th of July tanks, swim suits for both girls, and two very well-behaved girls.

So we headed to Sweet Eugene's for breakfast...a special treat of cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk (courtesy of our coupon book).  We sat in the 'library' section of Sweet E's and enjoyed our breakfast.

We were having so much fun, that Tatum even asked if we could do more 'fun stuff.'

We headed to the library to check out some books, and made it there about 5 minutes before it actually opened.  Tatum picked out a few books and so did I, and we left not too terribly long after arriving, due to a wee one needing a nap.  And making sure everyone in the library knew it.

She fell asleep by the time we got back to the house, so I put her down for her nap and Tatum and I read a few of her books.  I took a short nap, Tatum played, and then daddy and Kellen got back from their fishing trip.  Lunch and 'real' naps later, I went to the next phase of my day.

The spa!

I was able to use a Christmas present a bit before it expired....so enjoyed a relaxing facial and relaxing massage.....They were both wonderful!

Back to the house and we decided to use some of Kellen's coupons for dinner and we all enjoyed Golden Corral. After dinner (and yummy Golden Corral desserts!) we headed back home for a few games of I Spy (aka - Investigate).  Then it was bedtime for the kiddos and Matt and I caught up on some DVR'ed shows.

Such.a.great.day.

Say cheese!

So it appears that Jacey is a fan of cheese.

A BIG fan of cheese, apparently. 

We discovered this last night at dinner.

Productive Day

As my earlier post indicated, Jacey is in the midst of dealing with and (hopefully) recovering from hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

So as I normally do when I'm home with a sick one, I made a mental to-do list for myself.

The list; unfortunately, began with maintaining my patience.

*sigh*

Tatum and I had one of those mornings.  However, a big difference was that I was more focused on whether or not what she was doing really mattered.  What I mean by that is we talked in our Sunday School class this last weekend about keeping an eternal focus.  So my thoughts were focused more on how my response to her behavior would benefit us both eternally, rather than the specific behaviors.  Notice I indicated "more"...not that I didn't have issue with her behavior and choices.

This focus is something I must work on and continue.  I'm not saying that I reacted exactly the way I should have throughout the morning, but it was better than in the past.

At any rate, when I dropped her off at school we talked and she assured me that she was going to have a good day and make good choices.  My response to her was that if she did have a good day, that I would take her for a special treat.

As Jacey and I continued about our day, I was able to get quite a bit of 'stuff' done.  Stuff like 7 loads of laundry washed, dried, folded and put away.  (Don't think it's all that grand...I have another 2 loads waiting to be folded and put away, another load in the washer and one in the dryer). I had intended to demolish the laundry monster, but it didn't quite happen that way.

Stuff like heading to the office for a short bit, going to the doctors office, playing with Jacey, getting her down for her naps, doing laundry (see above), giving myself some solar therapy, then taking a jog with Jacey before picking up Tatum.

Tatum DID have a good day.  So we went to get some 'treats', as promised.  We first went to Wal-Mart and I let her pick out some nail polish.  She picked out purple and green sparkles.  They were $0.98, so I joined in and picked out a pink. 

So I did get some "Bon bons" today after all.  We also browsed the sale rack, and I picked her up a new lunch box.  It was $3.00...she was thrilled.

We then left and went to Chick-fil-A to pick up dinner.  We made it home and I started the movie - Cinderella, of course.  Tatum ate dinner while I dealt with feeding Jacey and getting her bathed and ready for bed.  After Jacey was down for the night, I painted Tatum's toes and fingernails purple.  When I was finished eating and the first coat of polish had dried, I then followed up with the glitter.

She was thrilled.

I mentioned something about pampering and she asked what that meant.  My response, "Pampering is what you do to be nice to yourself and make yourself feel good."

"Oh, she replied, "I like it when you pamper me."

It was a great and productive day.  And not because I put a dent in the laundry monster and was able to go for a jog, but because I accomplished my main goals.  The things that were really important - keeping Jacey comfortable and hydrated and providing positive reinforcement for Tatum just as swiftly as we normally administer punishment.

I want to have more days when I accomplish what is truly important.

Another new one....

So I received a call late yesterday afternoon from daycare indicating that Jacey had a rash on her feet and legs, moving up her leg, and on her bootie. They indicated to me that there were 2 confirmed cases of hand, foot and mouth disease already at the school (and more specifically, I *believe* in her class).

I immediately called the doctor's office to see if I could get her seen yesterday afternoon, or if I should go to urgent care (this was a new illness for me to deal with - neither of her siblings have had this) or just get an appointment for this morning. This morning won out and so she was seen at 9:30 today.

It was confirmed.

Hand, foot and mouth.

She appears (at least as of now) to have a mild case of it. (Thank you, Lord!) She only has a few moist blisters (one on her thumb and another couple on her feet/toes) and then a dry rash up her leg and on her bottom. She is not running fever (and hasn't, which is apparently uncommon), and there currently appear to be no blisters in her mouth. (Again, another thank you, Lord!!)

The doctor indicated that we could be looking at about 4 days, or as long as 10, for the moist blisters to dry up. He said she was contagious if she had any fever or any moist blisters (he wasn't at all concerned with the dry rash).

So, since I'm yet again dealing with a new illness (not 'new' as in undiagnosed to others, just 'new' as in I've-never-dealt-with-this-with-either-of-my-other-kids new) with Jacey.

God is certainly using my parenting Jacey to stretch me.  Forget another chapter in my life book....parenting her is going to be a whole new book!!