Thursday, November 17, 2011

Homework stinks!!

This is how the hour and a half after school played out at the Lewis home today.

Sit in the car line for 25 minutes. (I don't actually mind this part because I have started a bible study podcast that I listen to during my drive to and from mom's each day.)

Get the kids in the car.

1st fight before seatbelts are on! (on who is getting in first)

2nd fight before we are out of the parking lot! ("no we are not going to Chuck-e-cheese tonight")

On to the Gresham Barn Sale because I don't think things through sometimes. (but got a few more Christmas presents. Yay!)

On the 17th NO, I think he finally realized I mean't no. Bought them a cookie...which Michael broke and switched as I was paying...back in the barn to pay for the cookie we walked out with. Please note: the "no" was not in reference to a cookie.

Home again. Home again. Ding-a-ding ding!

3rd fight before we got out of the car in the driveway (see fight 2).

4th fight because I left the scissors on the counter and Michael screamed at Katelynn for not putting them up where they belong and being responsible...huh...moving on. Don't dwell. ( I'm responsible for other things. Like homework) (see below) (insert sarcasm font)

5th fight (a repeat of fights 2 and 3). "No we are not going chuck-e-cheese. I don't care if your friends are going to be waiting for you AND if you ask again we will NEVER go back to chuck-e-cheese!"

On to homework. Ugh! I hate homework! We should get to play after school!!

Here is a list of words Katelynn refuses to learn because they are "too hawd and bowing and I hate sentences!"

Have

By

Or

These words are just too dang hard. She wants me to te her the answer and gets mad when I don't give in. (this is a genetic problem much like the ghetto booty she inherited from me. Poor kid. )

Nevermind that this is the 3rd day we have done them and she has done fine the other two days.

Nevermind that she JUST pronounced "by" but it's too "hawd" to remember.

Nevermind that there are 12 words and we can't get through the first 3.

So I made her go to her room because she was losing it. Good parenting 101: Give up when frustrated instead of patiently teaching your children. (I think that's the definition of a Proverbs 31 woman....sarcasm font here).

I am so glad I am not a teacher.

But our HOUR ends well... Katelynn came back out of her room and we made it through the words more successfully than yesterday. And now they are in their happy place.


In front of the tv. Good parenting 102!

May your days of trials and battles feel victorious by the end and provide a joy for the responsibilities we have been given.

Blessing and joy to you today...going to break up fight #6!

Tiff

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Memories and memory making

(you may find it interesting to note that mid-post sister marched off and i found myself in a different "place" than when the post post started)

Some days are lazy and wonderful. And full of sister giggles.


We are spending the afternoon in the art trailer again. My second favorite place. It's a glamorous place for making messes and memories. Don't worry...I'm still not ready to say anything sad. Atleast not this post.



We use the plethora of pens and papers I have collected over the years. Seriously...years! I have crayons from high school! (smelly ones like scratch and sniff). This picture doesn't even begin to show you our art madness, but it shoes our art joy!



One of the boxes I have to use is a collection of cards and letters and pictures I have received over the years. Most are from my college years.


It's fun to read the old letters and let my kids make "beautiful" things from beautiful people in my life. Memories even from childhood...


Yes mom, they still smell like strawberries. And caused a huge fight this evening. (so much for art joy).



I find it amazing that something that started so fun can turn so ugly so quickly. My children are growing and learning and trying to figure out who they are going to be in this world. This includes pushing limits and mom's buttons.

It amazes me the number of times I say "no" in a two hour period before dad gets home. An it's during this time that I feel the most inadequate and frustrated.

And then the frustration passes and we find Joy again.


Joy and laughter have been very important to me these last 27 days. And God has been faithful all 27 days.

Dearest Savior,
If I keep praying for patience, do I get credit when I forget to practice it with these beautiful, challenging children you have blessed me with? Thank you for being so faithful to me an my family. Thank you for blessing us with amazing friends that care for our hearts. May we turn to you for refuge during the storms of life and find joy in the midst of the storm. Thank you for a daddy that taught us the importance of laughter and a good joke!

Forever praising Him (even if there are a few challenging tears...you know the salty substance that even we tuff-ies find on our face sometimes)!

Tiff









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Not Ready

Today marks the third week that my family has been without our Daddy. And I am just not ready to blog about it. I'm not particularly sad, I don't think. But my sister has posted some wonderful pictures of daddy and expressed gratitude in a way that I just can't yet.

Please see Amber's blog.....www.heleekalesmom.blogspot.com

Soon I'll be ready and will have so much to say.

Tiff