10 ways

In lieu of yesterdays rather gloomy post, I thought I would post something more positive today, and something that really encourages me. Have you ever gone to a church event and gotten a (sometimes cheesy) bookmark or tract? Well I was recently digging, or as my parents like to call it, shopping through my parents garage, (with my parents being in the ministry for 30+ years, they are bound to have an abundance of church paraphernalia) and I found a bookmark of sorts on 10 Ways To Be A Great Parent. Although this piece is got some interesting clip-art and was made by a company called "Positive Promotions" this thing and its contents are pure gold in my opinion. I have it hanging on my fridge to see, read and remember every single morning. So I thought I would share them with you. They are so simple, so cliche, so easy. But sometimes, they can really fall through the cracks if you aren't reminded.

10 Ways To Be A Great Parent

1. Be a good role model. Your child learns from the example you set.

2. Show respect for your child's feelings, thoughts, and suggestions.

3. Make your child feel loved with your words of praise, and your hugs and kisses.

4. Keep your word. If you must break it, apologize and make it up to your child.

5. Encourage your child's creativity. Ask questions to stimulate curiosity and imagination.

6. Build your child's self esteem by showing appreciation for all genuine efforts.

7. Stay involved. Know what's going on in your child's life, both at school and with friends.

8. Discipline your child fairly, firmly, and with love. Focus on the behavior not the child. (I love that one) 

9. Establish family traditions and make time to do fun things together.

10. Think positively. By expecting the best, you empower yourself and your child to solve problems and achieve goals.

Remember- Being a great parent takes time, effort, and the ability to lighten up! 

Maybe you didn't love that as much as I did, but hopefully you did. It really has changed my parenting on a daily basis.
Oh and I'm giving you a sneak peek for your viewing pleasure :)

Untitled (on purpose)

Have you ever had one of those days? Days where it physically hurts to wake up your so tired, both kids have poop (maybe that one won't apply to you),  your hair has static making it the utmost annoyance, you hit your funny bone on the doorway, you open your computer..start typing...it dies, use the bathroom...out of toilet paper..., step on something gross, etc? That was my morning. Not to mention I've got this "thing" in my mind... that I just can't seem to shake. And I know I just have to let it go, its dumb. I'm sure everyone knows how hard it is to hold your tongue sometimes, or maybe its not hard for you, maybe just me. Have you ever had a "thing"? Have you ever wanted to deliver one of Minny's pies? I do.
I'm having one of those days.
And I just need to type.
Maybe I will just save this as a draft..
or maybe I won't.

New found vinyl

Sam and I have recently become obsessed with the idea of a record player in our home to bring in some smooth background music to our nights. We have gotten rid of the 55" flat screen in the main living room (thank goodness). So we can enjoy more time with the kids and less time watching tv. So for the past 2 weeks all we have done in our free time is drive from thrift store to thrift store looking for different pieces we need and miscellaneous vinyls. Today, it finally paid off when we found our perfect table for the player, and a full collection of old Beatles records. Still working on a color for the table..maybe this one below? Maybe white? Let me know what your cool ideas are for our new station. I'll let y'all know when it's done!

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile, huh? I don't like to write when uninspired, so well, I haven't written. Partly due to unending sickness, partly due to wedding week, a cruise, a week in Tennessee, and a tad of laziness.
But I'm back, and better than ever because I am armed with an iPhone. I do believe Sam and I were the last of our generation to get a smartphone. Until Valentines Day, Sam had a phone that was in pieces and you could see straight through to the motherboard, mine didn't even really have text capabilities, not even t9. But we have arrived, and I do say, its pretty amazing. But I think its time I put it down and get back to real life. It hit me yesterday when Jude looked at me and said, "Mommy, phone, down".  Ouch.
Isn't it funny how something so complicated and intricate can make your life so much insanely more simple? From everything to grocery shopping to taking pictures and posting them...life is so much easier.
My scenario before:
The boys doing something cute
Run upstairs, look everywhere for my camera
Memory full
Delete a few pictures
Cute moment over
Take it anyway
Get my cord
Plug camera into laptop
Upload pictures
Post to Facebook or Twitter
Exhausted.
Now, I just point, shot, hit share and I am d.o.n.e.
Amen.
I'm not exactly sure if a phone making your life easier, is a good sign, or a bad sign but whatever the case, Siri helps me text my husband while driving and find my way when I'm lost, so for now I'm in love.
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