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!!!

pee!

Last two days have had accidents at nap time, but he is still doing good at night. Go figure!

Small set back.

Well, Kaiden WAS doing really well. Yesterday, I thought I was fed up with poop, dog poop. Today, it was my 3 year old. I don't know what he was thinking, except that I told him to NOT come out again from nap time. oops. He started out in trouble because he was throwing a fit about going down for a nap. So, he was told not to come out again. Could that have been it? Was it actually all my fault? Was he NOW deciding to be extra obedient?

He came out of the room soaking wet. He had on winter pj's, so I couldn't tell anymore. Up in the room, though, I found a soaked bed, a pee puddle on the carpet, a big ball of poop on the carpet, and poop smudges all over the carpet! So, IF he just had an accident, why wasn't it all in the bed? He had to have also stood up and deliberately peed on the carpet for there to be a big spot like that. He also dropped his poop across the room and then obviously continued, unbothered, to play with some toys. Bathing him was GROSS!!!! So was cleaning all the carpet spots. YUCK!!!

We had a very strong talking to about that he was to ONLY come out to go potty, and that he MUST come out to go potty. POOP AND PEE ONLY GO IN THE POTTY!!! You get the drift. I really hope this sort of thing doesn't happen again. I don't think my pregnant body, stomach, etc. can handle a lot more of these unpleasant smells and jobs that I have been blessed to clean up lately.