A Good Day!

I had the weirdest day yesterday.  I was still motivated to keep at the laundry and purging of clothes.  I got so much done.  My day was not long enough, to be honest.  The younger two took longer than usually to fall asleep.  The older ones too way too long to settle.

Sammy was given a popsicle by my friend at school.  Then, on the way home, somehow they talked their dad into a slushie.  OK... my son + sugars+ dyes= a very long night.  Yet, he was working on really trying to control himself.  He kept saying, "Mommy, Jordan did this to me and I told him not to instead of punching him."  Yah!!!  Then as I was making supper, he comes and gives me this hug with his taller than me frame and said, "I love you," and dances with me. 

I love this kid.  He drives me bonkers.  Yet oh my goodness, I love him.

OK... can I brag about my boys this evening?  First of all, I am the worst parent at sticking to something.  So I prayed for help to be a better parent, to find a way to teach and motivate them.

Here's the plan... my boys are forever wanting things.  Right now, Sammy wants a belt buckle, Tyler wants a watch, Zachary wants a pair of shoes... these are things that they don't need.... yet really want.

I really want them to do their chores, without the nagging or whining.  I really want to instill in them the desire to serve.  I want them to understand that if there is something that they are about to step over... maybe it should be picked up instead.   I want them to understand that as a family, we all need to work together to keep the things we have in good shape... meaning the house, kitchen, laundry etc.

I want them to understand that they really have everything they need to live well and then some.

Here's what I came  up with... instead of using money or allowance, I decided to use points.  

It allows me to vary the points or jobs with the different ages.  When they reach their points needed, they can get their chosen item.  Points need vary according to the price of the item wanted.

Name:  _______________________________

Week:  _______________________________

Jobs To Do:

Make your bed (2)

Hang up towel and pyjamas (2)

BRUSH YOUR TEETH (5)

Put dirty clothes away (2)

Dog Duty

Hang up backpack and empty lunch (1)

Chores: 

-dog duty (3)

-empty dishwasher (2)

-laundry (2)

-bring in groceries (2)

-put groceries away (2)

- pick up dog poop (5)

-take out garbage (2)

-extra chores ____________________________________ (5)

Acts of Kindness:

Not hitting back... come tell (2)

Giving compliments (2)

Doing a good deed for your brother (6) _______________________________________________________

Total Points:

What I am working towards:

Of course this is a start.  I gave points for things they should do natural, make their bed, brush their teeth, etc.  Then there is the motivation to go beyond and make efforts with a brother that may get on their nerves.  This week, they each are to try to earn 20 points a day.

I am writing this blog, not to tell about this because it is only the first day.  I am writing to brag about my son.  Sammy, you know, the one that drives me bonkers?  The one I am forever wondering what did I ever do  to deserve this craziness that sends me to the edge of insanity and back?

Here is my son's evening... first he was overwhelmed by the thought of even earning 20 points.  Yet, he soon figured it out.  He brought in the groceries, put them away, was very kind to Zachary, who often drives him nuts.  He even cleaned the kitchen and swept the floor.  (Usually when Sammy cleans the kitchen, I am swearing, while I clean it up again).  WOW.  I was blown away.

I am so proud of him.  He earned way over 20 points and to top it off, he confessed to doing something.  I know that was very hard and it touched me that he apologized and said that he wanted to be good.

I love my boys.  I am so proud of the efforts that they made.  

Thank you, God, for the boys that You have given me.  How I love them!

Please help me be the kind of mom You want me to be.

I love you!

My Very Bad Day!!!

I had a very bad day.  What made it bad?  Not one thing that I could pinpoint.  I was just in a funk, I suppose.

It started off with a meeting with my favourite committee... The Good Neighbour Committee from our school.  I love this group.  I love the things we do and stand for.  I love the ladies that some and share their time, heart and energy.  I love that at the end of a meeting, I hate leaving.

But leaving was soon inevitable.  Josh and I headed to Zellers to do the kind of shop I hate.  $200 later, I left with cleaning supplies, a new mop head, a bunch of new underwear, socks and undershirts for the boys.  Nothing of fun was purchased.   Josh came away with a GI Joe dude... and was happy but that was it.

Then I had to pick up my Uggs (Smile... had to exchange sizes)... that was fun.  Then we had a quick lunch and then... grocery shopping.  (You getting the idea of my bad mood developing?)

I didn't really have a list... our fridge and pantry was empty soon I needed all the basics.  Milk, eggs, bread, fruit, cereal, veggies... and to add to my frustration it is a bag your own stuff.  By this point, Josh was acting up... not that I blamed him... if I could get away with acting up... I would have!

There was NO Parking.... so we slushed our way to the very back of the lot.

Then it was off to sharpen skates and get a birthday gift at the sports store.  Just more of a 4 year old tired and bouncing balls instead of putting it away.

It was time to pick up Sammy... hush him up with a snack... and then pick up the other boys.

Sanj and Tyler had jujitsu ... and we headed home.

I wasn't home all day... so the mess that was left in the morning was what greeted me.

The boys fought the whole time it took for them to bring the groceries in...

I am very discombobulated.  I had a headache pretty much all week.  I am tired from not sleeping well last night... (I was so hot... very hot... but someone refused to let me open the window...)

Sanj comes home.  I am not sure what he started off on but it set me off.  He is so odd in his friendships and expectations that he has... really it is all obnoxious.  I am not like him at all.  Friendships and I are easy.  I don't understand his issues... well, I do but don't agree with them.   Really... he needs a pill!

At this point, I am loving him but really not liking him.  He is adding to my discombobulation.

Then he really does it.  He says... " I wish we could make a fire."  There is no more fire wood within reach.  Then he begins ... but doesn't finish... (but I will finish for him...)  " You are home during the day... couldn't you get some...."  (Of course he says he was going to say tell the boys to get some... NOT!)

Here is the thing.  I am one that works on my marriage every day.  I love this man.  I want us to be together forever.  I understand that it means work... changing... evolving.  If Sanj tells me there is something that drives him nuts about me (hard to believe... I know!!!)... I really take that to heart.

I work on fixing it.  Now he wants me to get firewood???

He is always complaining that I do not do outside work.  He is right.  I don't.  I am pretty sure if he listens to our vows... he will hear... I do  not do gardens.  I do not do outside work... Sorry I don't.  I do not get wood!!! 

In all fairness... he doesn't do laundry, cleaning bathrooms, changing sheets... and housework he does not do (except for the odd occasion... ).  And... he knows I will likely reward that behaviour!  :)

The wood pile is 200 feet or so in bumpy, icy snow and there is  dog doo doo is to be avoided.  It is dark and scary.  Hello... I don't even sleep without a light on near by.

But he wants a wife that gets firewood... (EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE 7 MEN IN THE HOUSE!!!)

Of  course he back tracks... and says he is kidding... and insists that I  not get firewood!

He is off to hockey with Jordan.  Now the dilemma is there.  I need firewood.  I know I won't be able to let this go.


I did go out... walked half way there... it is very cold... but more so it is scary and dark.  200 feet in the dark with coyotes not too far away... the boogey man just waiting for me... is a long ways!

I actually drove to the little town... in hopes of finding a bag of wood that I could pretend I got...  roll it in snow a bit... and make he feel bad!!!  Darn small towns... everything is closed before 8 pm!!!

I am back at the house.  Now what?  I really am to scared to go ... I bribed the boys $5 ... no go!

I then went higher... a checkered shirt for Tyler!  Bingo.

I am off to the woods.  If I don't blog again... the coyotes got me.

But at least my husband would have gotten his FIREWOOD!!!

My day still has the dishes in front of me... and then hopefully my very bad day will be over.

But... I won!  lol

See what this man lives with?  Or rather... see what I live with?  Really, I am deserving of a new laptop!