Valeria Maltoni of Conversation Agent started an incredibly powerful and magical list of Outstanding Women Bloggers.

I am honored that my friend, Karen included me in her list of women she’s adding to the list! Thanks Karen! And just so you know, you’re among my list of favorite women bloggers too! Kuddos to you.

Karen already grabbed a few of my picks, but there’s plenty to choose from and plenty of love to go around! So I’m adding:

Kailani of Island Life
Wendy of Emoms At Home
Mary of Almost, Somewhat Positive

Now keep adding more outstanding women bloggers to the list!

Here is the list so far……

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There a million other things I should be doing right now but if I don’t jot this down this minute I may forget and I don’t want that to happen. My four year old son just gave me one tearful drive to school.

This past week he’s had a difficult time adjusting to routines and schedules with school. He is very particular about the things he does and how he does them. From the moment he began to understand the concepts of writing and coloring if he (or mom and dad) couldn’t get something just the right way or the way he had it pictured in his head we’d have meltdowns and tears. In fact, last year his preschool teacher had to work very hard just to get him to try to do things that he couldn’t do as perfectly as he wanted like cutting. Now he’ll try things but he’s a real stinker about timing and wanting to finish things to his satisfaction before moving on to something else. Naturally, this doesn’t work really well with the class routines and schedules carefully timed out to fit in curriculum. So when his teacher told me on Monday that when she’d tell him it was time to stop something and that they’d finish it later and his response was a “No, I want to do this right now” I wasn’t surprised. Consequently he’s had a few yellow squares on his behavior calendar this week about listening and following the rules. Monday evening we talked a great deal about it and how he needs to not tell his teacher or mom and dad no when he doesn’t want to do what he’s been told. Apparently something stuck because yesterday when I asked him why he got another yellow square and had to stand in the “choice box” he emphatically told me that he didn’t tell her no, and last night at dinner he was careful not to use the word even though he wasn’t listening. I tried to help him understand that even if he didn’t remember saying no with his words he could still say no with his actions.

So this morning as we started our drive to school I asked him if he was going to do his very best today to listen and follow the rules. He was quiet for a minute and said “Mom I want to be good.”

I told him that there were lots of people who are there to help him. His teacher, his mom and dad and especially his Heavenly Father and Jesus. He asked me how they could help him and I told him he just need to say a prayer and ask for their help. And when I reminded him how we started a prayer I heard this from the back seat:

“Heavenly Father, ummmm…..please help me to be good and to listen.
I really want to be good and listen. Sometimes I am good. I want to be good.
Please help me. I can’t do it by myself. Help me be good. That’s all.
Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

This is the first prayer I’ve heard him say all by himself. And to hear the innocent prayer of your child just plain tugs at your heart. There were pauses between what he said as he was really thinking out what he wanted to express. But when he said “I can’t do it by myself” I felt a fresh sting of tears.

When he was finished I told him how much I love him with all my heart and what a good boy he is. He asked me if when he did something bad if it made me not love him.

A fresh wave of tears found their way to my eyes. I didn’t want to discount the feeling and worry he was expressing, I too have felt it many times in my own life. So I told him that I will always love him no matter what, even if he makes bad choices. I may not love his choices and he will still get in trouble when he makes bad ones but I will always and forever love him with all my heart.

Taylor, I just want you to know that mommy is praying for you today too. You are such a sweet and precious boy. I know how much you want to be good and even if you slip again today and end up in the “choice box” mommy will still be here with loving arms to scoop you up and help you try again. Thank you for always reminding me about the things that really matter. I really do love you with ALL my whole heart.

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How come those vacations go so fast?!

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Travel Wordless Wednesday Family

I love that my kids love their family. My son frequently says “Mom I love you with a heart.” A few weeks ago he kept himself busy with a cardboard box for a long while. He was making his perfect little home - complete with blanket and pillow. I heard the sound of tape being pulled and rounded the corner to see this:

He was very skillfully applying tape to a family photo of some of his cousins to his wall. All I could do was grab the camera.

My daughter is also a big family person and you can ask any of her family to confirm that by the number of phone calls they get on a frequent basis from her! She had a fun surprise this weekend when her birthmom came to visit. It was so much fun to have her stay with us for a couple nights and have one entire day to be with her. We went to lunch and caught the movie “Underdog” as I’ve been putting that one off far too long for my son’s liking. Daddy was the lucky one who made the sly recommendation that we take that in before he got home. I think I’ll return the favor by sending him on a daddy daughter date night to see the “Bratz” movie. That’s only fair isn’t it?

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Family Sharing Relationships Motherhood

A few things have happened in the past couple of days that have inspired me to think about the person I am and the person I am becoming.

Earlier this week I met with two of the staff at my son’s new school. I was immediately impressed with their sense of genuine caring for others and equally impressed with their ability to be so calm under pressure. At the time I interacted with both of these women there was a great deal of responsibility, potential chaos and distractions taking place. Yet both seemed to make the world stop for a moment while they visited with me or my son, made us both feel important and cared for. There was no rush, no hurry and no feeling that you were a burden, in fact they were the great calming influence for all those around them. This struck me because I’ve been to a lot of first days at various schools and I’ve never felt anything quite like this, at least not this strongly. It got me to thinking about how much I want to be like that. How much I want for people to instantly feel relaxed, comfortable, safe and cared for in my presence. The world is full of busy, stressed and self-important people. You run into them almost daily and you can feel the vibes that come from them, they leave you feeling unsettled at best. It was such a pleasant experience to feel just the opposite in a matter of mere moments. I was so impressed that I wrote e-mails to both of them expressing my thoughts and both responded with resounding warmth and enthusiasm for caring. They both said that in their experience kids learn far more and better when they enjoy coming to school and their goal is to help kids want to be there. It worked for me…I didn’t want to leave! *laugh* At any rate, I determined yesterday that this is the feeling I want to share with others and in my home. I want my kids to WANT to be here and to feel that same peace, safe and loving influence. The trick is what every parent out there already knows…this is far easier said than done.
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So I was sitting here reviewing what I was blogging a year ago. I’m finding it’s a fun way to find inspiration. *wink*Today was a Wednesday last year and I only know that because I was blogging my daughter’s first day at school in our new area. Here we are a year later still enjoying our home and embracing another year of school. One thing is for sure, the progression of time is one of the few constants in our universe!

I find it’s harder to stay motivated on tasks that are continuing and/or very large. Today after I got my e-mail and blog reads caught up I wondered what to do with the time I had left before going to pick up my son from school. My first thought was to tackle a few of the computer projects I have been working on from scrapbooking to digital file conversion. Unfortunately, there was little enthusiasm to feed that idea so it fell flat. Ironically, a year ago today I compiled and shared a 70 page digital scrapbook of our family reunion and blogged it for family members. Hmmmm wonder what changed? Maybe it’s just know how as today I simply linked back to one already done instead of doing a new one? Wait, is that progress?? *snicker* I guess it’s all about your perspective. *wink*

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Family Sharing Perspectives Motherhood Blogging

This is what my son came home wearing today from school. I still can’t believe he’s this big!
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And just for kicks and giggles….one year ago today: It Never Gets Old

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Motherhood Wordless Wednesday Family

So I’m just sitting down at my computer for the first real time this week. I’m so behind on everything! It’s crazy but my morning computer time is like a cup of coffee for most people. I don’t do well without it and the last two days have been crazy and filled with getting ready for school things. So today I’m restoring some balance. I know I won’t have enough time to get all caught up but at least I’ll get a start.

Both kids are back in school. That almost seems surreal. I’m very happy that my little guy got into the early kindergarten program of our school district but I’m pretty bummed about the commute to get him there. It’s not nearly as bad as it could be, not even as bad as it was when I took my daughter to a different school her second grade year, but it’s enough. Just having to plan the morning routines to allow for all the unknowns of traffic, etc. can be a strain. This morning we just made it in time to his classroom because there were about 4 miles of cars parked everywhere around his school. We had to hurry with the walk to get there on time and the first/only thing he said when he got to the classroom was how tired he was from walking because there were too many cars! His teacher seems to be a really nice and I think they’ll hit it off great. She’s got more of a grandmother’s love and touch which tells me she’s been at this a long time and she’s in it because her heart is in the kids. In fact this morning the handout she gave each parent as she placed a name tag on their child was called “Whose Child is this?” It’s too precious not to share:

“Whose child is this?” I asked one day,
Seeing a little one out at play.
“Mine” said the parent with a tender smile.
“Mine to keep a little while,
To bathe his hands and comb his hair,
To tell him what he is to wear,
To prepare him that he may always be good,
And each day do the things he should.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked again,
As the door opened and someone came in.
“Mine”, said the teacher with the same tender smile.
“Mine to keep just for a little while,
To Teach him how to be gentle and kind,
To train and direct his dear little mind,
To help him live by every rule,
And get the best he can from school.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked once more,
Just as the little one entered the door.
“Ours” said the parent and teacher as they smiled.
And each took the hand of the little child,
“Ours to love and train together,
Ours this wonderful task forever.”

I thought it very sweet that she would be thinking of so many parents in this tender way on their child’s first day of Kindergarten. I think I’ve lucked out once again with a fantastic teacher for my little guy.

My daughter’s school starts just ten minutes behind my son’s. I knew she’d be late if I tried to take her with me to drop him off first. It’s hard to believe she’s already so big and independent. She waited at home for my phone call at 8:05 to tell her it was time for her to leave. She put the garage door back down with the key pad and walked to school. I’m so proud of her! The only thing I knew I’d need to manage was having her wait for a call to leave because she was so excited to go this morning! I’m not sure when they both grew up but they’re already leaps and bounds ahead of where I’m ready for them to be and I see no end in sight.

Yesterday we tackled my daughter’s bedroom to make sure everything was where it should be for school today. She set up her week’s outfits with such pride and enthusiasm. I wish you could bottle that first of the year excitement for later in the year when you all need a little shot in the arm. She’s getting a HUGE surprise this weekend that she knows nothing about. I can’t wait for that. Her birthmom is making a stop at our house for a few nights on her travel plans back home. It’s been 5 years since we saw her last and ironically Cidderbug has been talking a lot lately about wanting so much to see her again. It’s going to be a really fun weekend! And now I know there’s clean sheets on the bed and no hidden surprises under it! *laugh*

Well, my time has already expired if I hope to get the child free grocery trip in before it’s time to pick up my little guy. Some days I really wish I had one of those time turners like Hermione used to get more done.

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Parenting School Sharing Motherhood Balance Blogging

So I checked the mail last week and guess what I found waiting for me? This:

There were two pages of stamps made with my shell art photo. My brother-in-law sent them to me. How cool is that? Now I have to put together some note cards to make a complete set. And the first recipient on the list is the guy who gave them to me. *wink* I love little surprises. Don’t you wish you had a brother-in-law like mine?

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Family Sharing Inspiration

I almost missed it! Can you believe that? Today, August 4th is the day that marks my first day of blogging. So that’s what’s been nagging at the back of my brain all day! And what better way to celebrate this occasion than by seeing The Bourne Ultimatum?! It was awesome by the way.

Well, now that I’ve identified why August 4th was stuck in my head I can go to bed. (See how integral blogging has become in my life and the power it has over me?!) In some ways it feels like it was forever ago and in other ways it feels like I just started this new hobby a few short weeks ago. Crazy how that works. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share what I wrote a year ago today in my very first blog post.

And So It Begins
Whoever said a woman always has the last word hasn’t met my husband. He’s a gifted and determined software programmer who has always had more faith in my abilities with a computer than I have. Or maybe it’s just that misery loves company?

At any rate, here I sit compiling my first article in my own blog. He’s been on my heels for a few months now and so it begins. I’m not sure what life this might take on but I’m sure it will soon present itself. Heaven knows everything else I’ve done has. So we’ll soon find out if this blog will make him as right as getting me into web design and development several years ago.

And my first real article: Punishment To Fit The Crime

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