Update on "The System"...

Well, things are actually going pretty well, considering. I have done some tweaking. The girls work great with their chart, but the boys who are non-readers don't. So, I pulled out an older system and gave them chore packs. These are nifty little plastic pockets that clip onto them. Inside are picture to depict the job they have to do next. When it is completed, they move it to the back. This works GREAT for Kevin. He loves chore packs. I have ordered a more hands on and hefty visual for Kaiden, who found the chore packs hard to handle. So, we may have three different visuals going on depending on the age. In the end, it is the same system. They must complete their jobs in the time given, do a good job of them, and do them with a happy heart to earn a bean.

I have found that I am the problem in any system. The kids actually do great when I am on board and get them going in the morning. Unfortunately, if I have a hard night or what ever and don't head up the plan for the day, they completely forget the charts, etc. and do nothing. I guess I am living in La-La Land for hoping that they would still wake up and go get their charts. So, once again, I am learning the very hard lesson of self discipline that I so want my children to have. So, on the days that we DO the system, our house runs well. Every other day, though, the house falls apart and I don't even remember the charts until mid-afternoon. Hopefully, we are all growing in this area, and we will start having more on days than off in our week.

Noah pics

Noah is 2 months. He LOVES to sleep in his new swaddle blanket. This is the only type that works. It is WONDERFUL!!! My cousin, Laurie, introduced them to me and gave us the one Noah is in just above. His hands are in the blanket and he still can move. It works perfectly. It also signals him that it is time to go to sleep. When he gets super cranky because he is sleepy, I lay him on this blanket and start wrapping him up. As soon as I do, he calms down. Noah is also a sucker!! He nurses A LOT, sometimes takes a pacifier, and loves to suck his hands. Every once in a while he actually finds his thumb. We are having so much fun with him. He is now smiling at us and cooing which is the most precious thing you have ever seen!

New systems...

I am a planner. Anyone who knows me knows that I take great delight in the planning stage. I have lists and plans everywhere! I even got fronted out by one of my daughters (guess who!) that she couldn't possibly keep up with her chores the way I change things up so often. (The reality of that is that her jobs haven't changed hardly at all. I am just always trying to "tweak" things and find a more effective, more efficient way.)

Well, I am now busy planning again. It is difficult to home school, run a home, try to be thrifty, meal plan, shop responsibly, cook, train your children to have great character, and care for an infant. The baby is WONDERFUL, but has really thrown me for a loop! I was able to schedule everyone else in the household. Now, there is this sweet little person who completely does his own thing. The difficult part is that his own thing completely involves me, which I absolutely love!!! I am having so much fun cooing at him and kissing those fat little cheeks! He is so sweet right now that I never want to look away. He is finally tracking me and smiling and cooing back!!! I am having so much fun just loving on him and enjoying this sweet new life in our family!

The result of all that baby love, is a crazy home. Oh how I wish I was diligent earlier in training my kids! Why won't anyone take initiative? Am I the only one who realizes that we now have dirty dishes since we had a meal? Does anyone else see those clothes building up that need to be washed? Am I the only one who finds it hard to walk through the living room without tripping? I had dreams of my older children taking these things over while I was in this new baby phase. I must sit and nurse 8 or more hours a day! So, how are these things supposed to get done without THEM doing them, right?

So, here we go on yet another "system" to make another attempt at teaching family responsibility. This time each child has a list of jobs that they have to "complete before lunch", "complete before dinner", and "complete before bed." They will get rewarded with a bean for each job done well, within the time given, and with a good attitude. Their schoolwork as well as their chores are included in their jobs. Then, they can redeem their beans for privileges and small things. 10 beans for a piece of gum (3 back if I SEE them throw it away!), 20 beans for a piece of candy, 25 beans for 20 min of educational computer time, 75 beans to get dessert on a weeknight, 150 for a dinner date with Mom or Dad, and many others. They, of course, can lose beans by not doing their jobs well, on time, or with a poor attitude.

I will have to wait until Monday, now, to begin since we won't be around this weekend. Hopefully this will be the answer, at least for this week! I am sure we will begin and I will start "tweaking" again as some components work and others don't. We will see.....

Happy birthday, Noah Christopher!!!

On November 30th, at 12:24pm, our baby boy arrived!!! We named him Noah Christopher. He weighed 9 pounds and 4 ounces and was 21 3/4 in long. He is absolutely perfect and we can't help but just stare and snuggle. I am totally in love!

For the first week, Noah and I didn't sleep much. Well, actually, I didn't sleep much. Noah seemed to sleep all the time if he was nursing or being held by someone (mainly me). He is now, at 2 weeks, stretching out his awake and sleep time. FINALLY he will sleep laying in his bassinet. His awake times are brief, but precious. I love his sweet little wide eye look. They don't last long though. He will either fall asleep or start crying within just a few minutes. I also know to anticipate a cranky time in the evening already. It is funny how much of caring for him seems brand new. You would think I was a first time mom instead of a mom of 5! How quickly I forgot!

We are loving this new life with Noah. This is an adventure we are excited to begin!!! (Now, I just need to figure out how to take showers, brush my teeth, and get dishes done. My minutes are so few, I never know which way to run.)

My Ashlynn turned 8 on the 6th!!!

Mom Heart Conference!!!!

Start planning now, moms! Feb. 26-27th, in Dallas/Ft.Worth is the Mom Heart Conference with Sally Clarkson!!! This year it is all about renewing ourselves in God and our calling to motherhood. Every year, it is a wonderful time to get away with the girls, have lots of fun, eat good food, and learn a TON! We return re energized, and refocused so that we can love on our families as God intended, not as worn out shells of women. Don't miss out! Visit the web site below and register. The earlier you register, the less the conference will cost you!!! See you there!!!

http://wholeheart.typepad.com/itakejoy/2009/10/you-renewed-mom-heart-conferences-2009-1.html

http://www.wholeheart.org/wheventdetail.php?eventid=34

Potty Training Complete!!!

I think anyway! Kaiden hasn't had any accidents at nap or night time in quite a while now. He is doing GREAT!!! So, until this new baby needs to train, I am done for a while! Yea, Kaiden!!!