I love the last line in this one. What a no nonsense kid.
This one was a little difficult to follow until about 15 seconds in. First a question, then a statement of fact and finally, a serious diagnosis.
Need a few more chuckles today? Check out Friday Funnies hosted by Homesteaders Heart!
If you’ve got time to hang out for a few minutes, check out what else makes me laugh: Pragmatic Compendium’s “laugh!” category.
We don’t send our daughter to bed. We put our daughter to bed. We spend a few minutes at the end of the day tucking her in, saying prayers and listening to her – really listening to her – and we are absolutely amazed at what she shares with us. The things she thinks about, the stuff she never mentions during the busyness of the day, comes pouring out.
During those few minutes, we get precious opportunities to help her consider ideas she hadn’t thought of before, to guide her through problem solving and relationship issues and to lead her to new conclusions. We get to talk about God and ideas and feelings and passions and fears and goals instead of the functional things of the day that include lunches, homework, chores, laundry, rides . . .
Sometimes, we just listen.
We only recently stopped these end of the day conversations with our near 15 year old son. Why, I wonder? Just because he’s becoming more and more independent every day? Because we don’t have a regular bedtime routine for him anymore? Or are we just being lazy? There’s a loveseat in his room that I need to sit on tonight.
I want my children to be thinking of these conversations as they drift off to sleep. I want these conversations to filter into their dreams. I want them to wake up with a vision of God as the center and compass of their lives, an awareness of possibility and a sense that they can influence their future by the choices they make and the actions they take.
What are your night time routines?
“It is incumbent upon us as stewards of these precious lives to introduce them to their potential, to lift their eyes off of today’s realities and focus them on tomorrow’s possibilities . . .
The most significant visions are not cast by great orators from a stage. They are cast at the bedsides of our children. The greatest visioncasting opportunities happen between the hours of 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. In these closing hours of the day we have a unique opportunity to plant the seeds of what could be and what should be. Take advantage of every opportunity you get.”
Visioneering: God’s Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision
by Andy Stanley
I’m still asking for your best/favorite/unique/effective PARENTING TIP
It can be a tip about ANYTHING. Regardless of the age or gender of the child – it can be pragmatic practices, logistics, shaping character, spiritual development, allowances, scheduling extra-curricular activities, nurturing talents and skills, potty training, dealing with tantrums, bedtime and sleeping habits, developing relationships with your teenager, cell phone limits, family policies, dealing with schoolwork, sibling relationships, dealing with a parent who travels a lot . . . ANYTHING that worked or is working for you!
Comment or write your own blog post and link to it in a comment. Share one tip or many!
THANKS!
Find more ideas over at Works for Me Wednesday, hosted by Kristen at We Are THAT Family. MY previous Works for Me Wednesday posts are HERE.
Works for Me Wednesday posts prior to February 2009 are archived at Rocks In My Dryer.
It’s not hard to trust God to take care of my kids – if I can just remember that He loves them more than I do. I frequently forget this.
Any feedback/suggestions on the editing is VERY much appreciated! Over time, I’ll be pulling down my current youtube videos and replacing them with shorter clips. This edit job is the first in my learning curve. I just wish the audio could have been recorded directly into the microphone. And the lighting. Ugh. I did what I could – the original recording was pretty dark.
Tuesday, I wrote about the motivation behind my practice of seeking out ideas and perspective from others instead of making decisions based on my own limited perspective:
“I will NOT be blind to the possible damage I can do by neglecting to pay attention and to act intentionally when I come face to face with those daily opportunities.”
Yesterday, my mentor was a nine year old little girl:
“Mom, I need more hugs and snuggles from you.”
and
“…you think I’m strong enough to handle my hurts all by myself, but I’m not.”
It seems I’ve been neglecting to pay attention. My daughter is my teacher.
What lessons have your children taught you?
“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Psalm 127:3 (The Message)
What do you get when a kid puts her Bible in the same school cubby as a forgotten banana?
Come on parents, you know this one . . .
Answer: a new Bible.
(On the bright side, she’s ready to recite James 1:1-12 for her Bible quiz today.)
PinkGirl, on the phone with a friend, struggling with homework: “Oh! My dad’s home! He’s a really big nerd! He’ll be able to help us!” Message translated? I am not a nerd. Unfortunately, it also appears I am not smarter than a third grader.
Me (to FavoriteSon): “You’re taking chemistry next year? I think you’ll like it, just be careful not to burn your eyebrows off.” FavoriteSon: “I don’t think you have to worry about my eyebrows.” (pause) “Just my arm hair.”
PinkGirl: “Okay, are you ready? I’m just going to chat away now.”
Background Info:
1. When you drive a boat into the channel at the end of the day, the pelicans and seagulls follow you and hover like vultures, waiting for you to throw out your unused bait.
2. FirstHusband Invented a “bachelor one-pot meal” involving something called “seafood paella mix” which can only be described as “squid parts.”
Me: That stuff looks disgusting. I’m waiting for the seagulls to show up.
FavoriteSon (wrapping his arms around the pot): “Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.”
Need a few more chuckles today? Check out Friday Funnies hosted by Homesteaders Heart!
If you’ve got time to hang out for a few minutes, check out what else makes me laugh: Pragmatic Compendium’s “laugh!” category.
I’ve got two new posts up over at Commotion, but I thought I’d save readers the click. Here they are:
PinkGirl: Me and BFFN like the same boy.
Mom and Dad together: ehhhh . . .
Dad: That’s not good.
PinkGirl: No, it’s okay, me and BFFN are best friends so we’re just going to talk about him and pretend we hate him, like we always do.
Mom and Dad share a look and a grin over her oblivious head. Well, okay, then. As long as she has a plan.
and then with 14 year old FavoriteSon:
Me: “FavoriteSon, I’m kinda concerned about the idea that you would go away to college without a transition period after going to a small, private Christian school your entire life.”
FavoriteSon: “I’ll be fine.” (with the “rolling eyes at mom” tone of voice)
Me: You don’t know that. The change from living at home and being in a sheltered environment to living on your own and in an environment without much outside accountability will be a huge change for you. Some kids don’t handle their new freedom very well.
FavoriteSon: “I’ll be fine.” (more “rolling eyes” tone of voice)
Me: “Yeah, well, you haven’t been in a situation where you’ve had a chance to be an idiot yet.”
FavoriteSon: “I’ve had plenty of chances to be an idiot, I promise you.”
Me: “True. But I mean with cars. And girls.”
Without skipping a beat –
FavoriteSon: “I promise I won’t drive a car into a girl’s house. (pause) While she’s home.”
Then the grin. I love the grin.
Ever since I posted about and shared photos of my banana slicer, I’ve gotten comments and emails asking where they can be purchased. Long story short? Discontinued. BUT, they are available on ebay from time to time. Like TODAY. And the seller sent me an email telling me she actually has FOUR MORE available.
Click HERE to see the ebay listing and contact info for the seller!!
I personally snapped the wires on mine trying to slice a very firm strawberry and just recently got another one myself. I purchased my replacement at a kitchen outlet in Valdosta, Georgia. Ya KNOW I bought TWO.
After I broke mine, I shopped around the internet looking for another and when I couldn’t find one, I sent an email to Farberware asking them if it was discontinued. The first reply was a generic email containing a list of Farberware retailers.
Not helpful.
I tried again. The second reply contained a link to an entirely different product
I emailed again. (I am a pest.)
The answer? Discontinued.
So . . . I saved a search on ebay, got an email from ebay when one was listed, emailed the seller to inquire, went to Georgia over the holidays, stopped at the kitchen outlet store (coincidentally – where I found my FIRST one), and purchased TWO, so that when I’m foolish enough to try and slice something other than bananas with it, I’ll have a backup. Check ebay!!!! They still appear from time to time. Since I no longer need one, I promise I’ll never bid against you!
UPDATE: I’ve gotten SO many inquiries on banana slicers, I did a little digging and found these alternatives:
I’m curled up on the loveseat in 14 year old FavoriteSon’s room, talking to him after his alarm has gone off this morning. I’ve prompted him to move from sleeping position to stretching, to sitting on the side of his bed, still stretching to get the blood moving.
Me: Come on bud. It’s 8:10. Are you ready?
FavoriteSon: In an alternate universe.
I’ve switched 8 year old PinkGirl’s music from peaceful instrumental to drive time Christian radio. I’ve kissed her head, and given her a “wake up” back rub.
Me: Come on sweetie. FavoriteBrother is already downstairs. Can you come?
PinkGirl, Stretching and in the Middle of a Yawn: “Mom, sleeping feels SOOOO good.”
Me: “I know it does.”
1. Conversations with PinkGirl.
PinkGirl: “Mom, when I’m on Broadway, I bet I can get you in to see my show for FREE!”
Me: “I’m sure you can get free tickets (because I am SURE you will be on Broadway!) but I think we would have to pay for our airplane tickets and hotel.”
PinkGirl: “Mom. I will be on BROADWAY. I will have thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars. I think I can pay for your hotel.”
Me: “Well, thanks!”
2. I Need a Replacement Pantech Breeze Cell Phone for My Dad. If you have one – or know of someone who has one and doesn’t need it anymore, let me know! He lost his cell phone yesterday. We just got it for him in January. The Breeze is marketed specfically for retired people and it was really the PERFECT phone for him. Big buttons, large font on a good size screen, good volume . . . PERFECT for him.
Unfortunately, since he’s not eligible for an upgrade yet, it’s $279 to replace, but AT&T can give me an “exception price” of $179.00. OUCH. So I look on eBay. I found 12. 12? On EBAY? And the prices are not much better than AT&T.
Me: “I can’t believe I only found 12 of these on eBay! What’s the deal with that?”
(pause)
Me: I suppose, since it’s marketed to retired folks, it makes sense. I’m thinking there are a lot of retired people out there who (first Husband chimes in) don’t know how to use eBay. arrgg.
My dad was so upset when he called me to tell me. I could tell he was feeling bad about himself for losing it, saying things like “I knew better . . . ” I kept telling him how losing and breaking cell phones is jut something that happens. To EVERYONE. FirstHusband’s Blackberry survived a ride on Space Mountain, although in 3 pieces (one of them missing). FavoriteSon let a girl “see his phone” and she dropped it from the very top row in the bleachers at a track meet. I threw my Treo at the floor once during a mom meltdown. I dropped my Centro while fumbling to answer it and broke the LCD screen two months after buying it.
Last year, after my mom left, I put my dad on my plan. We have AT&T and it’s only $10 a month to add a line, so it really helps him out because he’s on a limited income. I’m going to replace my dad’s phone for him. He feels really bad about losing it. But I don’t have an extra $179 either. So after calling the phone all day and having it go immediately to the “the AT&T customer you are trying to reach is unavailable” message, I figure one of two things. It is broken. Or it’s at a place of business where their policy is to turn off the phone and wait for someone to claim it. (Disney’s policy, by the way.)
(That second one it just not nice. I understand they are concerned about privacy and being sued and all, but seriously. Everyone knows the easiest way to return a found cell phone is to immediately look for the address book entry marked “home” and call it – or a frequently dialed number that looks like someone the owner might know well. It’s like finding a wallet and opening it to find the person’s id.)
So after a few hours of calling the phone and having it NOT ring, I suspended the number. I checked the usage online and it was 0 of 0 on data and 37 minutes on talk, so no one is using it. I’ll go to AT&T today with an old sim card and see if they can use it to get my dad’s number on FavoriteSon’s old Razr while I find my dad a new Breeze. If they can’t use the old sim card, it will cost $25 for a new one.
3. Still Decorating . . .
Finally used my $25 eBay gift certificate from Christmas! I bought this for the Laundry Room door because it is NEXT to the bathroom door downstairs and I do NOT want ANYONE who might be visiting to mistakenly open said laundry room door accidentally while looking for the bathroom door.
I bought this for the bathroom door – again to correctly steer visitors to the correct door.
This is for FavoriteSon’s room:
Notice there is no photo of the laundry room? Thank goodness I didn’t put my camera in there or you might not ever see another photo on this blog again.
4. Wearing White? The “color” I’m supposed to wear this week for Praise Team is white. WHITE. Remember when I said I had to wear PURPLE and I didn’t own any purple? Well, trust me, given my gynecological history, other than a few casual shirts, I do NOT own any WHITE.
But now, two months post-op, the fact that I can now boldly wear white is sinking in. Not sure what I’m going to do with that.
5. Macy’s Buy One Get One 50% Off! Went to Macy’s yesterday, looking for something white to wear (no luck). Standing there, sifting through the sale racks, I hear “Yes, ma’am. You buy the first bra, the second one is 50% off.”
What? What?
Last week, I wrote about my “find a new bra experience” and that I bought two. One for $34 and another for $36. I didn’t mention that I was going to go home and get a few more on eBay, cheaper. Found them on eBay for $20, plus shipping. This sale made them $25 each and since I might actually FIND something white to wear, I might need a white bra on Sunday, so I bought them – no waiting.
And as a follow-up to last week, I’m not in love with the a Bali “Passion for Comfort” Full Coverage T-shirt Bra
6. Bought a New Mattress! FirstHusband has been complaining about our mattress for months. So yesterday, when he had the day off, I suggested that we buy a new mattress. (I think I can sleep on anything – I don’t know from good mattress to bad mattress.) Anyway.
When FirstHusband started complaining I asked him to note the mattresses he slept on while on travel. (Yes, he had to travel to get a good night’s sleep.) He liked the Serta Perfect Sleeper something or other model – at the Hampton Inn. Further research found that the Serta Perfect Sleepers sold to consumers are NOT the same sold to hotels. Hotels get double sided, FLIPPABLE mattresses. Consumers do not. You want a Serta mattress like you slept in at a hotel? You have to buy it through the hotel! Who knew?
But that requires shipping. And waiting. And I don’t even want to think about a possible return. We happen to have, in town, a mattress factory. “The Original Mattress Factory.” Their standard practice is to make double sided, flippable mattresses. And you can even sign up for their regular “It’s time to flip/turn your mattress” email list! (They even have a pretty good return policy – up to a YEAR and you pay 25% of the lowest of the mattress you pick instead. Unless you buy a more expensive mattress, in which case, you add the difference.)
I wasn’t home when FirstHusband and FavoriteSon dragged/pushed/hauled/wedged/squeezed the mattress up the stairs, but I understand it was an experience of the $10,000 AFV variety. When I got home, they were taking the old mattress and box springs to Goodwill.
I sent a text to FirstHusband: umm. I can’t get in my own bed.
FirstHusband: Get a stepstool.
HOLY BIG GIRL BED, Batman! That thing was HIGH. Last night, FirstHusband lowered the rails about 4 inches and I STILL need a stepstool – no kidding! I’m not sure if I’m going to need the rails lowered again. I wouldn’t need a stepstool, but the dust ruffle would puddle on the floor.
And you know I need a dust ruffle. There’s some serious storage under that bed.
7. 3 Day Weekend! FirstHusband is smoking ribs and chicken. We’re taking a load of meat and some dirty rice over to some friends later as they settled into their new house. They’ve been living in an RV and their kids have been sleeping in a small apartment on their property for months. We met them through FavoriteSon, his friend is their son.
They raise butterflies. Is that COOL or what? They sell mostly to weddings and schools. Here’s an interesting tidbit. Do you know how to pack butterflies for shipping? (Gently) Close their wings and slip them into an envelope. I still don’t understand why their little legs don’t break.
We went to the movies last night. PinkGirl begged us to see Ice Age. In 3D. It was painful. We even had to pay EXTRA for the glasses. Which they wanted us to “recycle” (give back) at the end of the movie. I don’t think so. We took ours home and can now throw away all the paper 3D glasses we’ve kept to watch the 3D movies we have on DVD.
I feel the need to fill boxes with stuff and go to Goodwill. After I go to our friend’s new house, I will feel this need even more.
Join in with your own 7 Quick Take Friday post at Conversion Diary hosted by Jennifer!
