Listen And ...

Our motto around here is - "Obey all the way, right away, with a happy heart."  To me and Josh, if our kids are "obeying" while huffing and puffing or while slamming the door behind them or while dragging their feet in procrastination, then it isn't considered complete obedience, even if the act is (eventually) done.  We wholeheartedly believe in this and are sticking with it!

My brother and sister-in-law use a very similar motto with their kids that I really like as well.  It is "Listen and obey."  It's the same concept, only worded differently.

When I watch other people's children I try to implement their parenting techniques in order to keep some consistency.  So, while I was watching those six little pairs of feet, last week, I found myself repeating these words over and over throughout the day.  Not only to the kids I was watching, but to my own kids as well.

A few days later I caught myself spouting off this little motto to Areyna after I had already asked her to pick her clothes up off the floor...twice, and to Zeke after repeatedly asking him to put his jammies on, or put his treasure chest away, or to only write on paper, or to only put stickers on paper...(am I the only parent who continually has to remind my kids that the wall may not be their masterpiece?!)

Then I had a realization.

Now, before I tell you my realization I want to preface it (why do I always feel the need to preface anyway...) by stating that I DO NOT believe that parent's should be at their children's beckon call and do everything they want whenever their kid's demand it.

But,

I did realize that when I listen to my kids I don't always respect them enough to remember what they have asked or told me.  I get so caught up in my own things, whether it's legitimately important or not, while repeating (over and over), "just a minute, buddy" or "in a few minutes", and then completely forgetting what they had just asked me to do.

Again, don't get me wrong.  I simply CANNOT stop what I am doing at the drop of a hat all the time just to get Zeke's Legos down off the shelf in the closet, but I certainly can remember that he has asked me to get them down, tell him that I will do it as soon as I get to a stopping place in my work, and thank him for being so patient while he waits for me to "remember" that I said I would.

I don't ever want my kids to grow up thinking that I don't love and respect them enough to take what they say to heart and remember it.  I want them to know that if mommy says she is going to do something then they only have to ask once because she will remember to do it, even if it takes some time.

I feel that if I can get this down, then it will only be a matter of time before my kids follow down the same path.  Respect must be mutual, even in relation to children.

So, I have made a new motto for myself as a parent: "Listen, respond and follow through."

Music To My Ears - Andy Cherry

Our friend, Andy Cherry, recently got signed on with Converge Music.  Andy is an incredible musician!  He has played on almost every CD that we have released.  Not only is he an excellent musician, but an incredible song writer.

We are SO excited about this new tour that he has begun.  It is called the "Offering Love" Tour.  It is a tour that offers churches and worshipers a Night of Worship with Andy Cherry and his band for no cost except for a Love Offering taken up at the end of the night.  It is also a chance to inform people on ways to engage in social justice initiatives in Africa, specifically providing aid for at risk women and children through the organization The Mocha Club.

It gets even better.  He's coming to Raleigh to play at Journey on July 17, 2011!  Come on out and join us.

You can check out where he is going to be next HERE, as well as take a listen to his awesome tunes!  If you are on staff at a church or lead camps and/or events elsewhere, you won't want to miss this opportunity to have Andy and the guys on your calendar!  They won't disappoint.

P.S.  For all of my culinary readers, his sweet wife, Michelle, has an awesome blog too!

The View From Here

I caught the boys sneaking a snack...again.

Not Me Monday

I am always graceful and never clumsy.

Especially in the mornings right as I'm waking up.

Yup.

So, when I roll over in bed in the mornings and realize that my hair is all up in my face, I would gracefully sit up in bed and waft my beautiful morning locks away from my face in order to place them in their proper place.

I would never just flick my neck to fling the hair out of my face.

Nope, not me.

Because if I were to simply flick my neck to fling the hair out of my face I just might pull a muscle in my neck causing excruciating pain when I eat, brush my teeth, smile, play my violin, wear ear buds and make googly-faces at my friend's brand new baby.

And that would be totally embarrassing, especially when, after going to check out my jaw at the Dentist, they refer me to a chiropractor and I have to get put on a 12-visit plan just to take the pain away.

And who wants all that drama?!

Nope, not me!

The View From Here

And this is Micaiah after eating a blue popsicle in the hot sunshine:)

Friday - A lazy, rainy afternoon
Saturday - Our Homeschooling Curriculum came in the mail!
Sunday - I snuck a picture of Areyna getting Cai ready for church...
Monday - A family day spent creating with Legos
Tuesday - Cai's new favorite past-time of sneaking things into the potty
Wednesday - 6 pairs of little feet that I watched all day
Thursday - A mandatory nap day for ALL after watching all 6 pairs of little feet.
Friday - Here's for spending $110 and saving $100!  Thanks to Harris Teeter:)

The View From Here

Fun Facts For Friday

We've had a busy week around here!

Last week we got our new homeschool curriculums in the mail.  The kids have been SO excited to start them.  We decided to go ahead and dive in while we've got some momentum (and happy hearts).  We've done school almost every day this week.  I'll post more specifically about all of this next week.

Josh and I (and the band) have the privilege of opening up for Justin Teseniar this Saturday night.

WHEN: This Saturday from 6-8pm

WHERE: New Horizon Church in Durham

Check out the Facebook Event page for more details.

I got an email this week stating that our Adoption Blog was nominated as one of the Top 25 Adoption Blogs at Circle Of Moms.  If we can stay in the top 25 by June 21 we will be published on their forum to over 6 million readers.  I'm not really sure what all this means, except that we can potentially gain more awareness for adoption in general, as well as our individual adoption!  You don't have to sign up or anything, just click this link (or picture) and click the "Vote" thumbs up button.  That's it!  You can vote once every 24 hours to keep adding votes!

I have a big task to complete today...
There is a HUGE stack of laundry that we've been pulling clothes out of to dress ourselves this week.  It is time for them to be folded and find their homes.  The "floor home" is starting to really get to me.

Have a GREAT Friday ya'll!

The View From Here

Just to clarify, this is totally G-Rated.  Think N.A.P. ya'll!

Not My Words

I am fresh out of words today.

I am pooped.

I watched 6 kids yesterday. 
A 3 month old, two 1 1/2 year olds, a 2 year old, a 4 year old and a 6 year old.

But,

It's your lucky day!

I have friends who DO have lots to say...good stuff to say.

These posts are totally worth your time.

The first one is about a sweet baby who was born 2.5lb.  What an amazing story!

The second post is one of the most convicting posts I've ever read on parenting.  Go check it out!

The last one is a post about how our Heavenly Father regards the lowly.  A beautiful post on the character of God.