The Police ARE Watching

We established family rules last spring. For those of you who follow our blog you will remember reading about Peace, Order, Respect and Obedience.  We have now added the rule of asking. Funny how 6 months ago it didn't seem like we needed it and now it has become a necessity.  

We spent some time reviewing our rules and then assigned each person a rule to "police" for the week.  Olivia was watching for Order, Braden for Peace, Steve for Obedience and I was looking for Respect.

    

Then each night at dinner we gave our our awards.  The first night (which you see above) Olivia gave me the Order award.  Olivia had to describe why I earned it and then put the award on my shirt.  Olivia earned Respect, Steve earned Peace and Braden earned Obedience.

It was a simple paper award but they were beaming when they received it.  We did this each night for a week. One night Nana celebrated with us and earned the Order award.  Good job Nana!!

I am ALWAYS happy when I am deliberate with our family systems and when I put the extra effort into paying attention to the good things my children are doing.  This was well worth the time and energy and fostered good conversations throughout the week. 

Our next step is to decide if we should consolidate the family rules into one short saying OR if we should post them as is in our dining room.  HMMMM.... 

It's Been Seven Years

I remember this like it was yesterday... There is NOTHING like the day your first child is born. 

Sam and Emily's Wedding - That beautiful bald head. :)

Our Christmas Elf - One Year Old

A wedding we went to - Our dapper little man!  I don't think we could get him in a suit coat now if we paid him!

Finally - A BIG Brother

Silly little guy...

Braden has always LOVED his daddy - This was at Olivia's baptism.

A family trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum - he's losing those baby cheeks.

The mini-teenager

A BIG Brother and a BIG Sister - Just after Norah was born.

He was so proud of Olivia - at her Preschool Graduation

1st day of 1st Grade - So grown up!

Seven Years Old... Where has the time gone?

I cannot believe that Braden is SEVEN.  I don't feel old enough to have a seven year old. I have such a fear of my children growing old and not being "mine" anymore and seven seems much closer to that mystery age ... I'm not quite sure when that hits.  :)

Seven things I'm loving about Braden - November 2011

1. He has always loved books.  He loved being read to when he was little, he looked through books when he couldn't read and now he's reading them!  Thankfully he also still loves to listen because reading as a family is one of our favorite past times.  Braden can often be found up past bedtime with books piled high on his bed.

2. Braden has appeared to find his groove at school.  This year has been night and day compared to last year. I do attribute some of it to his wonderful teacher but I think even more of it is because of HIM.  He is working hard and really growing.  Homework time thus far is a joy (it's a special mommy/Braden time) not a burden and he beams when he is able to show us what he has learned and accomplished.

3. He can become so immersed with building legos that he doesn't hear me talking right next to him.  Although this can be quite frustrating at times - I also love that he is so passionate about it.  I'm amazed at what his creative little mind comes up with.

4. When Braden feels loved he LOVES back times ten!  He is such a passionate boy.  When we adorn him with our love and sincere praise we are greeted by a boy who will bend over backwards to show you love, give of himself and help anyone around.

5. Braden is still a snuggler.  He asks nightly for Steve and I to lie with him in bed and snuggle. I should really take advantage of this more because it's the best time to talk.  He opens up and snuggles right in.  His favorite thing is to ask for tickle fingers which are just light fingers on his back.  I know that someday this will end but i certainly hope it doesn't end anytime soon.  Nothing says I love you like a snuggle.

6.  He tries at sports even though they may not be his favorite thing.  If left to his own accord Braden would play wii and legos all day long - any maybe sprinkle a TV show in there.  Steve and I think sports are an important part of life - they keep us physically healthy and teach wonderful life lessons about working as a team and hard work in general.  Despite his hesitation which often creeps up on the way to an event he jumps in, tries hard and has a great time.  One of my favorite things to watch is soccer.  He runs up and down the field with his HUGE smile on his face.

7. Braden has taken responsibility for his morning routine without many reminders.  We do have mornings that don't go as well but for the most part he is really growing into a responsible boy.  He wakes up, makes his bed, brushes his teeth, gets dressed and throws down his clothes, feeds Magnus if it's his day, gets his snack and packs up his backpack. I think for a seven year old that's pretty awesome!!

I am so proud of Braden and where he is in life.  Happy Birthday Buddy.

Remembering

My dad has been scanning old slides and sending out snippets here and there. I LOVE them.  There is just something about peering into your past and remembering moments that would have otherwise been forgotten.  I don't know how old we were here or where this was taken but isn't it awesome?

Running in Your Own Lane

I try to find a few minutes each morning to read a passage in this 90-day devotional I have called "Daily Steps for God Chicks."  It's great - easy to relate to and keeps me thinking during the day.  Today's topic was about running in your own lane... living your own life...not trying to live like or as someone else.  

It was using the analogy of sprinters at the Olympics.  They MUST run in their own lane.  In fact they get disqualified if they run in anyone else's lane.  She then posed the question, "How many of us are trying to get through life running in someone else's lane?" 

She speaks to the fact that each of us are supposed to do great things on earth.  We are given different gifts and different tools with which to do those great things. Coincidently we talked at a group I am part of yesterday about using and knowing our OWN talents.  The woman leading our group is really an inspiration to me and knows exactly what her talents are.  She is so sure of herself but not in a pompous or conceited way - in a beautifully confident way.  

I know I've wasted time in my life being who I think I should be... running in other lanes, running other people's races.  I could be wrong but I think most of us do this to some extent.  I believe it's why growing up can be so affirming.  It's why Oprah said "50 is the new 40!"  We have been around long enough to get to know ourselves, discover what our talents are, what our purposes are and how to make the most of our time here on earth.  

I hope I can be that confident, sure woman for my children - especially my girls as they grow older.  I've got a ways to go but every step in my OWN lane, running my OWN race and not glancing behind me or to the side will help me get there. :)

Congratulations Jen!

Saturday Katie and I threw Jen a baby shower (with some great help from Sally and Jen's sister Holly). She knows that she is having a boy(Tyler) so everything was BLUE!  

Not sure why this picture is colored so horribly but you can see my favorite part - a Wishing Tree. We made this tree and then I made wish tags. Each person filled one out for Tyler and then hung them on the tree.  It turned out really cute.  We also had inspiration rocks upon Jen's request. When opening gifts she introduced everyone and then they gave her a piece of advice, shared a story or a little thought that had something to do with the word written on her rock.  

 This is Katie, Jen and I.  Doesn't Jen look awesome!!!  She is due January 26th and is all baby.  You can also see the rose cake dusted in blue that Jen requested. :)

She got some great gifts and is just about ready for Tyler to arrive.  I can hardly wait to meet and snuggle that little guy.  Congrats Jen - She is going to be an incredible mother. I'm so excited for her.

Gratitude

This week was a rough week.  There were unexpected twists and turns, and a to-do list that wasn't relenting despite my need to just sit and "be."  Last night as we were going to bed I wondered aloud to Steve what God was trying to do to me this week. What was I being tested for?  I somewhat giggled to myself at all that I had going on even though nothing was particularly funny.

I woke up with a peace draped over me.  A sense of gratitude for all that I have in my life.  I am surrounded by the most wonderful people.  I say that with sincerity. I was overwhelmed with the love and support that poured out around me this week.  I am one lucky woman and I promise never to forget it.

I woke up feeling thankful for my three beautiful children and all that they have given to me in their short lives.  The chaos, the smiles, the heart ache and the moments that only mommies know about when your heart is just bursting with pride simply because they are yours.

I woke up feeling thankful for friends who give us reasons to celebrate(more on that another time!). I am thankful for being able to share the comfort of our home with others.

I am thankful for so many things and maybe this week God was seeing how much I could handle.  Maybe he was testing how far along my spiritual path I've moved in the last year.  Perhaps he was checking to see if I'd ask him for support.  Those are questions I of course will never have answered but if nothing else I've been reminded of all that I have to be thankful for in my life and for that ... I have gratitude.

Our Halloween Happenings

For the McKinley Halloween parade Olivia decided to be a witch.

And Braden a Sheriff or Outlaw!

Hmmm, I wonder how a sheriff feels about a witch roaming around his town?

This is the kiddos lining up for the whole school parade. They walk through the neighborhoods - it's a really great community building day.

Norah is growing up learning to be a trooper.  She had no nap and was hanging out in the stroller.

Judy, Marc, Cathy and her boys joined us for Spooktacular Night at the ZOO! It was a beautiful night as we made our way around to see the different animals.  Braden thinks her boys are about the coolest kids around and was making plans before the night was over to see them again.  

We went trick or treating at the Olson's which is always a blast.  This is Norah and her buddy Nina.  Sorry for the blurriness of the last two.   I only had my phone with me.

I simply can't get enough of this little pumpkin fairy!!

 During our neighborhood trick or treat Olivia was Ariel as you can see. 

 And this is the neighborhood gang. From left: Norah, Rory, Sabrina, Annika, Charlotte, Evan, Andrew, Braden and Olivia.

 Norah decided to sit down and enjoy trick or treating on some random front step!

 Olivia brought her bitty baby dressed to a T in her own pumpkin Halloween costume.

 Nana and Papa trick or treated with us!

Doesn't Nana Ariel look beautiful? :)

AND THEN... WHAT TO DO WITH THE MOUNDS AND MOUNDS OF CANDY???

We simplified our Halloween Advent Calendar from last year and decorated envelopes a few nights before trick or treating.  The kids practiced writing their numbers and we had fun using stickers and drawing spooky pictures on the fronts.  

Braden LOVES drawing... and family time. :)

So after the last of our trick or treating the kids went through their candy, picked out their favorites and stuffed one or two pieces into each envelope.  They sealed them and we organized them into piles. 

Now each morning they come down and try to find their envelope hidden somewhere around the house. It's been REALLY fun so I think we'll write it down in our tradition book and do it each year.  

I couldn't resist sharing this picture of my favorite little nephew Lincoln dressed up as Yoda.  We weren't with him but Emily is really good about sending pictures and videos so I don't feel like we're so far away.

Happy Halloween!