10 steps to teach a child discipline (part 2)

teach and model self control by example

set routines for bedtime, meals, and chores

explain your reasons for rules

let your child help make rules

let your child help decide in the consequences for broken rules

try to understand your child's feelings

if your child breaks a rule, control your anger

if you lash out, apologize (i have done this before)

compliment your child often

tell your child I love you everyday

quote for the day

If the devil cannot make you puffed up by pride, he will try to dampen your spirit by discouragement. It's his best tool!
author- unknown

No No not my baby!!!!

This afternoon my son, the youngest one, came home from school and was sharing his day with me. The usual stuff like how he signed up for the x-box tourney, school work, who he sat with at lunch, yada, yada, yada.... Then he states that he has something important to tell me, two things actually. He was acting a little funny- so I say okay did you get a bad grade? (every friday they get grade sheets) No! Did something happen? No. here I am asking him and watching him struggle with telling me. Kota whatever it is, I tell him, we can deal with it. He walks behind me so that I cannot see him and announces, "I like (name of girl here)! Then he walks away. This is what I looked like earlier today around 3:15 p.m. Don't ask me what the second thing it was that he needed to tell me cause I won't remember. All I know is that my little baby is no longer a baby. :(

P.S. I would appreciate all of you who know my youngest not to ask him anything about girls or girlfriends. Thanks! ;)

prayer request

A friend died suddenly while snorkeling on vacation. Please pray for the family. Thank you! God knows who it is!

another request: my cousin's new baby has RSV and has just been hospitalized. Frantic new parents and Rsv is pretty nasty. Thanks again all you people in your prayer closets :)

PROM FASHION SHOW

WHERE: TECUMSEH MIDDLE SCHOOL
WHEN: SUNDAY FEB. 12TH, 2006
ALL SCHOOLS INVITED TO ATTEND

DRESSES AND TUXES WILL BE MODELED
GUYS CAN BE FITTED AND ORDERS PLACED WITH $20 DEPOSIT

GIRLS CAN BRING DRESSES AND ACCESSORIES TO SELL OR TRY ON A DRESS TO BUY (NEW OR USED)

$1.00 ADMISSION AND PROCEEDS GO TO THS PROM



SCHEDULED EVENTS
2:00-2:30 P.M. CHECK IN RESALE ITEMS
2:30-3:00 P.M. FASHION SHOW
3:00-4:00 P.M. DRESS SALES AND TUX MEASUREMENTS

*ONE OF THE MODELS IS MY VERY OWN SON-NICHOLAS :)

Are you watching????

American Idol in its fifth season is back. I must admit that I only watch the try outs. I do laugh at the "misfits" and the crooners that are off key. But sometimes I wonder if we as a society are taking it a bit too far. Some of the comments that the panel of judges were making were just .......not politically correct I guess is the best way to describe it. I know it does not help that I am part of the 35.5 million viewers watching all this belittling, however I know where I will be when it comes on. :)

prayer request list

Helen Barrett-my gramma she has a leaking heart valve and hospice has been called in, unable to repair

a young couple who's first born baby boy is on a respirator due to lack of oxygen at birth. EEG shows little to no activity - update baby has passed away continue with prayer please

friend who needs a job

a sister who needs a job

friend who is trying to sell their house -update house has been sold

parents of teens (like me:)

additonal prayer requests
Ford Motor Co workers
Tony co worker of Vincent who has been diagonosed with MS and not doing well
he is being fitted for leg braces and has other complications that is interfering with work

Thank you for the offering of prayers on these people's behalf. have a blessed day.

lamplighter

Death of an Innocent by: Elizabeth Beeson, Source Unknown

I went to a party, Mom,I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,So I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom,The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,Even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom,I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,As everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom,I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,So responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom,But as I pulled out into the road,The other car didn't see me, Mom,And hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,I hear the policeman say,"The other guy is drunk," Mom,And now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom....I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom,And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom,I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drankAnd I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying And all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom,Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you,you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,So why am I the one to die?

10 steps to positive parenting (part 1 of a series of 3)

show love and affection

when necessary, take time to cool down

compliment your child

set basic rules and limits

develop a set of shared meanings, values, and goals

introduce your child to books

listen and talk to your child

be the kind of person you want your child to be

offer guidance

tell your child I love you each and every day!

I love it when the kids are home

I have always enjoyed the kids being home from school summertime, Christmas break, whatever. However, now that the kids are older, they seem to have a life that doesn't include me. I guess this is something i will have to get used to. I was thinking of enjoying a family day today. No school for kiddies, no work for the hubby, an extended weekend. But Kota went to his friend's house and Nicholas and Vincent went to the Piston's game. So i guess i will have to settle in for some alone girl time!! woo hoo. yeah right that just means laundry and getting my lessons done. hee hee. have a great day everyone and enjoy the sun!

???

is a gay christian an oxymoron?

God is so good. Perhaps this may seem strange to you, but to me it is yet another way He lets me know that he is always taking care of me. Yesterday, I went to lunch with a friend and there are no cell phones allowed. Fine, I turned it off. Well, my little luncheon turned into a marathon of "yacking". We arrived at 11:30 and next thing I do is ask, "do you happen to know the time?" Holy cow! It was 3:20. You are probably thinking wow, but the company was great. I then freaked out because Kota gets out of school at 2:45 and he is home at 2:50. Vincent leaves for work at 3, so therefore I have been a neglectful parent. (i really don't think that) Of all the days for me to have done this, is the day that Vincent gets a call from Ford telling him that he does not have to come in. I am serious. I am on my way out of the restaurant calling Vincent-noticing all the missed calls I had. When he my dear hubby answers his cell. Where are you he asks? And I say quickly on my way home, but where is Kota. All you moms know that panic feeling you feel of the unknown where abouts of a child. He tells me that he is home with Vincent. Ok I feel worse thinking that he has not left for work because he thinks something bad happened to me, blah blah, blah. Imagine my shock when he told me that he did not have to go to work. Yeah dinner with the whole family was my first thought and second was I hope I am not in too much trouble LOL! In the end it all worked out- but when you trust God doesn't it always?

Did you see it???

The sun was out today! Yeah! I had the biggest smile on my face as I basked in the sun. LOL however one does that when it was 20 degrees outside. Until next time, Mr. Sun.

so sweet

this has nothing on the harlem globetrotters that we just saw

http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/just_plain_stupid/Basketgirl/

O where art thou sun?

I really don't watch the news so I therefore have not watched any weather reports lately. However, I could really use some sunshine. Man it has sure been so dreary outside. But I have found a new thing to put a smile on my face. If you haven't tried it you should. Cinnamon popcorn. I do not eat popcorn, but for christmas we got some gourmet popcorn tins and in there was a cinnamon one. I tried it cause the guys said it was not that good. Usually if they don't like something I do. And it was yummy! Now that it is all gone (it was not a big batch lol)I did find some that Orville makes. I just don't put the frosting on it. Yuck! ok now I am off to eat some popcorn and wait for the sun.

JANUARY 2006

It is the start of a brand new year. Fresh beginnings, a time to start over. Why is it that we want to do get on with a new year? So eager we are to start new. We always want a new year to be better than the last. Not that it is a bad thing. Yes, I admit last year had quite a few bumps in it to say the least. But was it really that bad? Doesn't the end result matter most? For me, I grew in my christian walk, that is for sure! I hated being pulled and stretched but in the end it was good. Yesterday we had a baptism at church and I thought what an awesome way to start the new year. Fresh, clean, a new beginning! Then hello, it dawned on me, I get that everyday too! I am cleansed and renewed through Him every single day. Woo Hoo! Don't miss out on your chance of starting new either. Just because it is now the second day of January 2006 does not mean it is too late. You too can start fresh everyday. Come on in, the water is warm!