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A few of you have mentioned how much you have enjoyed reading our blog blurbs. Thank you for reading and providing feedback-it's always welcome. In fact, when I sit down to write an entry I do hope to provide some encouragement wherever it needs to be in your life and a little humor. How we do things in our family might not be what someone else needs to do since we all might be at different places in life. Over the past few years my faith and relationship with Jesus has become stronger. I've always considered myself a Christian, but this is different. My relationship with the Lord is a daily walk, not only for myself but my family. I will continue to post journal entries as the Lord leads Steve and myself. God Bless us all.

Where's Caroline?

Lately Caroline hasn't been taking her usual 'naps' but I do insist she needs a rest-and so do I. Caroline has always loved snuggling up with pillows and blankets. The more the merrier. Today as I was changing her bedding, she collected her pillows and comforter and made a little 'nest' for herself. She asked if she could sleep there. Sure, why not I said. She was asleep in no time! Do you remember making a tent or fort out of your mom's sheets and blankets and how much fun that was? I remember turning our living room into a giant fort and that was my 'house'. What fun it is to enjoy the simple things.

Even the youngest can overcome a situation.

Last week after doing some shopping we decided to stop and have lunch at Asahi-one of our favorites. Well, at least for Steve and I. The last time we took Caroline she was very afraid of the grill-they cook the food right in front of you and sometimes put on a show with loud noises and fire. This upset Caroline in the past. So we are sitting there and a good friend of ours is our chef and I requested the 'no fire' show and he said of course. When he turned on the overhead exhaust fan, Caroline covered her ears and she turned to me and said mommy I want to go outside! The fear in her eyes could of overwhelmed anyone and I could see this anxiety come over her little body. My first thought was to take her outside like she requested, but I didn't. Not this time. I wanted her to see and understand that there was nothing to fear. When we got our drinks there was a little animal stir straw in Caroline's drink-it was an octapus. After the many requests to leave the table, I picked up Mr. Octapus and distracted Caroline's attention with a little game. Mr. Octapus was going to have some lunch with Caroline and show her there is nothing to be afraid of. It was God's mercy that I was able to take control of the situation and talk a little girl down from her anxiety. She asked Mr. Octapus a lot of questions about the experience and she settled down and we all had a nice lunch.

Happy New Year from Maryland

We had a quiet and peaceful Christmas weekend with burst of excitement from the youngest member. We didn't get out of bed on Christmas morning till 8:30 and that is almost unheard of in our household but greatly accepted. When we got downstairs I had our TV set to a station that had a yule-log burning and it actually looked like we had a fireplace going with Christmas music in the background. Caroline was more interested in that and didn't even notice presents under the tree. When she did see them her eyes got big and as she gestured with her hands as to point toward the packages, she exclaimed "Oh wow presents for me?!" Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of this but the paparazzi has to rest sometimes. haha. She opened one present at a time, and got a little frustrated with the amount of tape mommy used to secure the surprises hidden under the holiday paper. But by the time we made it to Gramma's house she was a pro and was going to town. After Caroline opened one present she would take it all apart or dump it on the floor and play with it for a few minutes and then go to the next one. At the end we had a pile of toys. It was really neat to see this. We then got ready to head over to Gramma's for brunch and more present opening. As I was getting Caroline dressed she asked if we were going to Gramma's to get more presents. I told her I don't know. She then said well Gramma will say yes or no. Right, Caroline. We get to Gramma's and Caroline makes a bee-line to the living room and greatly shouts-more presents! But we had to have our brunch first and Caroline gladly obliged. We enjoyed our time at Gramma's and got a nice family picture. Some friends later showed up and it was nice to talk to them and they also enjoy talking to Caroline-recently someone commented on how Caroline is the conversationalist, and that she is.

Now I would like to share a little something about this time of year. I grew up in a church and of course I was taught all the things we do during Christmas and that it's Jesus' birthday (and I enjoyed these traditions). As I read the new testiment no where does it say anything about 'christmas' and that we are to celebrate Christ's birthday. But it does tell about the birth of Jesus Christ and I am so thankful God gave us all a Savior who died, was buried, and rose again for our salvation. That is what I want to celebrate today and everyday. God bless and happy 2007!

Got Fruit?

This post goes out to my three sisters, Cheryl, Connie, and Carolyn. When my sisters where little our mother would dress them is beautiful dresses and pretty party shoes. But she also had to add one last touch- a fake fruit pick in their pony tail, braid, or bun. I know most of you are asking WHY? I can't answer that but mom thought it was pretty and creative. Of course it was no one else's mother was doing this. So on one of my Christmas packages I find a fake fruit pick-cherries to be exact, and had to put it in my hair since I didn't get to be part of the hair fruit pick club. Sisters, I hope this gave you a good laugh!

Holiday Painting Fun

Caroline and her good friend Ysa got together today to paint some Christmas ornaments. After about 20 minutes Caroline was done painting and off to search out toys. Unfortunately our playdate was cut short because Caroline was having a hard time learning to share and following the rules at her friend's house. Unfortunately for mommy MY playdate had to end too. Unlike a 2 yr old, I can get over it and control my emotions and move on. As Caroline shouts out demands in the backseat, I bite my tongue to the sarcastic remarks that WANT to fly out of my mouth. I have to remind myself I AM THE PARENT, I AM THE PARENT. I say this over and over in my head. I then begin to pray aloud (which we do often in our house) and the demanding 2 yr old is yelling for me to stop. Rebellion is in all our hearts. I then told the jezebel to just GO in Jesus Christ's name and the yelling ceased instantly. Thank God. I do thank God for every day, even the hard parenting days because I know God has a plan for me and my family.

Go and get your puppy blanket.

I have recently been reading some books on the most popular discipline tactic...time out. I understand the basic concept of time out-to get the child to stop an unwanted behavior. I don't understand how putting a small child-toddler on a step or in a chair for a few minutes will teach them to change their behavior. Sure it might get them to stop at that moment but I want long term behavior modification. So how does time out work? One of the books suggests using 'positive time out', which is to use time out only to get the child to calm down and gain self control and then address the issue. OK I think I can buy that. Today Caroline had a meltdown as I was trying to get her into the car seat. She cried and fussed all the way home. I remained calm and didn't address the screaming child in the backseat. Talking to a child who is hysterically crying just doesn't work. When we got inside the house I firmly told her to get her puppy blanket and go to her room until she can calm down and talk to mommy. Tears streaming down her face, she walked upstairs got her blanket and went to her room. Her crying stopped almost immediately. While she was doing this I was praying and asking the Lord what I needed to do to help Caroline learn from this situation. A few minutes later she asked to come out and I said yes. I briefly explained to Caroline she is expected to obey mommy. I'm not sure if this is the best way or the right way to discipline but I know it was the right thing to do at that moment. Discipline is the hardest part of parenting. There are so many books and experts that have something to say on this topic. I'm so thankful that God knows what she needs and as I trust in the Lord I will know what Caroline needs in all areas of her life.