R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Today was better. So much better. We still had conflict and the boys earned time-outs, but nothing like yesterday. I know the difference had to do with the way I handled things. It also helped that I had this:

Last night for Family Home Evening we made up a contract. Our lesson topic for the last month and a half has been on various aspects of respect. This week we reviewed everything we've been learning and put it on paper. With the exception of Phoebe, we each signed our own name. I think this is the first time Cooper has ever written his name.

Throughout the day I would reference the aspects of respect by number. "Cooper, when you jump on the couch, are you taking care of our belongings? Please follow number three." "Peter, remember number one? It's my turn to speak now, it will be your turn in a minute."

I have no idea how long this document will have power, but I'm going to use it as long as I can.

Peace To My Soul

Today was... a day. Not a good day. In fact, the past few days have been pretty lousy too. When Bryan called home between classes to see how we were doing I said, "Not good. I'm going to need a blessing when you get home."

After I read my scriptures, things did get a little better. We even made it to the library and I only had to chase down Cooper once and Peter not at all. That's an accomplishment for our little crew. But I still had that after-anger shaky feeling. Do you know the one I'm talking about? It's like the feeling after you've been crying, but without the cathartic cleansing associated with shedding tears.

That feeling lasted until after bedtime when Bryan came in and gave me a blessing.

And now where there was anger and sadness, there is peace and hope.

Tomorrow will be better.

Bedtime

My goal for tonight is to go to bed before 1AM. It is now 11:47PM.

Guess I should turn off the computer...

Sick Day?

I have a dilemma.

Peter came home from school yesterday with a cough. An awful cough. He spent most of the night hacking, which woke him up several times. Usually I would keep him home from school and let him recover.

Here's the catch: he's not acting sick. I woke up to both boys tearing through the house at 6:30 this morning. Peter is his usual energetic self, just with a cough for added awesomeness. Because his behavior hasn't been affected, I'm not going to take him to the doctor. Because I don't think he's sick enough to go to the doctor, does that mean he's well enough to go to school? And I have a meeting while he's at school, so I would either have to cancel it or take him with me and have him cough in the corner of the office.

The last part of my conundrum is exposure. I don't want to get the other kids sick, so keeping him home sounds like a good choice. But I talked to Peter's teacher last night and found out she has bronchitis and only came to school because she had Parent/Teacher Conference afterward. She was clearly not feeling well and hadn't been for some time. So that means that Peter along with his twenty-eight classmates have already been exposed to the bug.

What would you do? Would you send him? Or would you keep him home?

Hairnets

Rise And Shine

Tonight at dinner Peter was telling me about the Morning Angel and the Nighttime Angel. Apparently the Nighttime Angel helps you go to sleep. I told him that we could use a visit from the Nighttime Angel. The Morning Angel, on the other hand, helps you wake up in the morning by sounding a special alarm.

Me: And what does the special alarm sound like?

Peter: Oh, you'll see Mommy.

I hope that's not a warning of how tomorrow's wake-up call is going to go down...

Homemade Zoo

In the days leading up to Christmas I spent lots of my time making gifts for my family. When they were done I wrapped them up and sent/handed them out.

What I failed to do was take pictures.

My sister-in-law sent me a picture last night of two of the gifts, so I can show you at least a few of the things I made with my mad skills.

The turtle was for my nephew Henry (I made one for my nephew Nathan too) and the pattern came from here. The flamingo was for my niece Clara, those instructions are here. I wanted the beak and legs to be sturdier so I sewed two pieces of felt together and stuffed them before I attached them to the body instead of using a single piece of felt as the pattern called for. You can't see it, but the flamingo has a wing on the other side that doubles as a pocket.

I think they turned out beautifully, especially for a non-sewer.

I've Got Rhythm

I went to my first live Zumba class tonight. It was free and I'd done a Zumba DVD a few times, so I figured it would be a nice little workout.

I may not be able to walk tomorrow.

After ten minutes I realized I was seeing stars. My thought process was this, "What is going on? I ate dinner, so I should have enough fuel. Am I going to pass out?"

After twenty minutes I felt like I was going to throw up. Really. I lowered my intensity a bit and kept going. Part of me wanted to go sit down and wait until I couldn't hear the blood pounding in my ears, but another part, the stubborn part apparently, wanted to continue because it was the closest thing I've done to a dance class in years. And I really love to dance.

I caught on to the dance steps quickly and my rhythm was good. It's funny how your body remembers certain skills even though they've been dormant for a long time. I don't think I'll become a Zumba regular, but I do think I'd like to take a dance class or two.

You know, because I totally have room for it in my schedule...

You've Got a Friend in Me

Peter: (tonight, during dinner) Mom, you, Dad, Cooper, Phoebe, Isaac, Falisha, Benjamin, Michela, Noah, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ are my best friends.

Well, I think I'm in good company.

Mickey They Are Not

Tonight I had the job of going to the grocery store after the kids were in bed and buying mouse traps.

Because the mice are back.

If you need me, I'll be deep cleaning, well, everything.