Perspective

Yesterday, Jon took the kids swimming for a couple of hours. (He is wonderful and brave, but not crazy: his parents went too.) I had the house to myself, and I put on some music, picked up toys, vacuumed, washed dishes, did some editing work--it was heavenly. It's funny how your perspective can change over the years. Before having children, I would have slightly (or more than slightly) resented the housework, the duties. But now, if I get to do those things in an empty house, it's like my greatest wish has come true.

What has changed? The work is still the same. So I guess I've changed, and so has my life. Things are way crazier and way less about me. That's a good thing!

Beep beep

I honestly don't know where he learned it, but Levi makes a truck-like "backing up" noise when he walks in reverse. :)

Today

Here's Nate today at Living Word, where the kids sang during church for the annual church-school picnic. I took video of the last part of the song, but they sang the whole thing.

Levi talking video

My favorite is "Find it!"

Cold showers

I haven't blogged about the "cold shower treatment" yet. Here's the gist of it: our usual discipline tactics were not very effective with Lucy. They would maybe have a momentary impact, but apparently she didn't care enough about the consequences to stop the tantrums, fit-throwing, and disrespectful words. We talk about how God wants us to act with gentleness, self control, respect for authority, etc. She is just having a really hard time. Recently, she kept throwing a fit about something (probably clothes-related), and Jon told her if she threw one more fit, he was going to put her in the shower with cold water. Within a minute, she was throwing another fit. Jon calmly but firmly took her to the shower, clothes and all, and held her under cold water for about 10 seconds. She hated it (of course). After he turned the water off, he dried her off, held her, and prayed with her. She was like a different child--humbled, calm, and happy for the rest of the day.

Since that day, I have had to do the shower treatment with her several more times (it probably comes out to about once a week now that I think about it). She really hates it. But she comes out of it so much better. And I have found that I am able to stay calm and matter-of-fact with her about it, making sure I count out loud to 10 while she's in the water, so she can understand I'm under control and not doing it out of anger. Afterward, I make sure we talk about why we had to do it, then pray with her.

So that's the cold shower explanation. It may sound cruel to some people, but when you're dealing with a spirited child for whom regular discipline has little effect, you have to find something!

Lucy

AWANA starts on Wednesday, and Lucy is SO excited to be in Cubbies. I'm sure she's going to do well. She's very enthusiastic about learning the first few verses she needs to know.



I got a few dresses on sale for her and showed her this one today. She loved it and called it her ballerina dress. It's a testament to how much she loved it that she wanted to put it on right away. Lucy and clothes-wearing do not usually go well together.




This week has been pretty good with Luce. We're talking about how she can ask God for strength to help her keep under control when she feels like throwing a fit about her clothes or shoes. It's working a bit... and so are the cold showers. (Have I blogged yet about the cold showers???)

Funk

Ug. Sometimes I just get in a blogging funk and don't have anything to write about. I'm feeling a little busy and out of sync getting used to the new routine of school/Levi's therapy/weekly obligations. Oh, but I did have my first "Monday work day" this week, and it went well. The kids love Jennifer, so it's easy to have her over and not think a second thought while she's caring for them.

Here's Lucy last night. She was doing some sort of snow-angel dance on the kitchen floor.

Old pictures

I have been putting our blog into book form on lulu.com. Today I just finished 2007-2008 and found a couple of cute pictures when looking for something for the cover. I just love Lucy's little grin in the last one.

Haircut

Cute pictures and Levi video

First week of school round-up

I like Nate's school a lot, and I think he does too. There are 6 other kids in his class (5 boys and 1 girl!), and his teacher is sweet. Nate's in the half-day K, so I come at 12:00 to get him, which is when everyone else has their lunch/break. So some days, I bring the kids' lunch and we all eat there with the rest of the school. Then the kids play on the playground for a few minutes before we leave. I think we'll do that most days (as long as I can have myself together enough to bring lunches).

I've been sewing a lot this week. I'm almost done with a tunic/shirt for myself, but just last night realized I don't have the right length zipper, so I'll have to wait to finish that one.