One Thousand Gifts - April 30

#1329 - #1354

A bicycle
Unkie coming to dinner

A teeth cleaning

Positive phone calls

The find of an inexpensive foosball table at a garage sale

The Tyler Rose blooming

Week 3
11 years with L
Being off work for dr. appts.
Making time to read fiction
An early morning walk
A cool breeze
Mowing
The ducks AND geese already have babies!
Working on summer plans
A thank you text

The bushes on the side of the house are blooming and butterflies are all over!

The flower we planted last fall looks great.
God provides (He always does)
Spring skies
Eucalyptus Mint Soap
Laughter with friends
Surprise treat to lunch
Picture where L looks just like his Dad at that age
Evening out with M
Finding just the right shorts

On the Home Front- April 28

A peek through my window…. The sky has become gray and the wind has picked up.  Our rain chances are mostly for the morning. 

What’s going on this week… I haven’t looked yet!  Finishing up an online project for me.  L.’s class goes to the middle school for three different functions next week.

What “the boys” are doing… camping with Scouts, mowing (each of them more than one yard), practices (soccer and band).

On my mind… I’ve either lacked motivation or been distracted and haven’t worked online as much as I could have.  I can’t change the past, but I can try to do better for the next month.

On my bedside table… my Kindle.  Hubby and I were playing Words with Friends before bed last night.  We’re evenly matched (both the boys are currently beating me right now).

I am richly blessed… by my small group.  Enjoyed an evening out with them last night.  Am always blessed to enjoy my front or back porch in the mornings – the flowers, my devotional book, and so far a nice cool breeze.

I’m praying for… God’s direction and timing for my family.  I am also praying for friends in a difficult situation.

Our home…  is in desperate need of cleaning.  I’m not sure how things from the week pile up so quickly.

Menu planning… Garlicky Brown Sugar Chicken, Goulash, Spaghetti.  I’m a bit frustrated with fitting dinner in around activities and eating in shifts.  This isn’t for dinner, but I need to make No Bake Cookies for the bake sale!

A photo or two…

L and Me at the Spelling Bee

Getting ready to go camping for the weekend

Flashback Friday - Birthday Edition

Happy Eleven L!



Birthday Numero Uno at Chuck E. Cheese in Phoenix

Aunt came to KY to celebrate number two.  This was our family party.  We celebrated with friends later.

Opened presents at home and then had cake at the zoo.  This was everyone's favorite part at the zoo!  Yes, L. is the one in mid-air.

Party for Four was at McDonalds with M.  This is his actual day, opening cards in our office.

I couldn't resist...This is a present that came in the mail for birthday five.

Actual party.

This is L with M at Six Flags.  A lot of family was with us for both boys' birthdays.  I think I'll post lots more from that day.  It was fun (but cold) and I have lots of great pictures.

For birthday seven we had an old-fashioned play games (like leap frog), make tye dye shirts and have cake at the park party.

Shortly after birthday number 8.  March and April weren't good months for us that year, and I dont'' have birthday pictures for either boy that year!

9.  Hot dogs and boys spending the night.

I couldn't find number 10 pictures either although I do remember having kids at our house!  This is L. a couple weeks later at the State Bible Competition.

The 5 Love Languages of Children and a Giveaway!

Whether you have children of your own, children in your life, or work with children, The 5 Love Languages of Children is a must read.  If you've read Dr. Chapman's book, The 5 Love Languages, then you are familiar with the concepts.  However, this book is written specifically with children in mind and is well worth your time.  After reading it, I even bought The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers for my Kindle.

I love that this book is both philosophical and practical!!!  It included "the Love Languages Mystery Game" and other helps to help determine your child's love language. There were specific "directions" also to help you if you have difficulty speaking a particular "language". 

Topics including anger and love, discipline, single-parent families, and marriage all in relation to the love languages are in the book, so don't think it won't apply to you.  There were many "nuggets" I took away that I was able to use immediately in my family and am excited to see how I can use them in the classroom too.

This has nothing to do with content - I also loved the cover!  Now, I know not to "judge a book by its cover", but this one was so fun to me!  The boots said "kid splashing through puddles having the time of their life" and the bright daisies were refreshing to me.  The cover even helped fill my emotional love tank.  Hmmm......the cover wouldn't be "words of affirmation", maybe "sight" of affirmation?  Or perhaps a gift?

If you enjoy gifts....would you like your own copy of The 5 Love Languages of Children?  Leave me a comment either on what the front book cover says to you or something you learned from the 5 Love Languages website.  On Thursday, April 19 (my youngest son's birthday), I will have random.org pick a winner!

5 Love Languages of Children: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resource/the-five-love-languages-of-children/

The 5 Love Languages: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/5LoveLanguages

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/drgarychapman

 

About The 5 Love Languages of Children: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resource/the-five-love-languages-of-children/

 

To be their best, children need to feel loved. But if you and your child speak different love languages, your affection might get lost in translation, affecting the child’s attitude, behavior, and development. Dr. Gary Chapman’s groundbreaking Five Love Languages series has helped millions of couples communicate love more clearly, and Dr. Ross Campbell M.D. has applied the innovative system to children as well. The 5 Love Languages of Children gives practical suggestions for learning how your children interpret love and creating a sense of security in which they can thrive.

 

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or

services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it

on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally

and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance

with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the

Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One Thousand Gifts - April 14

#1296 - #1328

Looking at baby pictures

Things delivered by Fed-ex
Meeting a challenge
Safety for family and friends
People at work
Easter candy
The book I was hoping to get
Pandora
Amy Grant on Pandora
A tea room
Zucchini and sun dried tomato sauce
Time shared
Meeting new people
Purple crocheted lap blanket
The excitement of children
Blueberry yogurt covered pretzels
Making weight before Easter and birthdays
Looking at old pictures
Reminder to be thankful
Azaleas
New annuals for the front
Watching turtles
An all powerful God
Expectation
Making it to week two
Finding fun cookies to bring the boys
Working on the computer so much hasn’t hurt my wrist
Tiredness
Breakfast at McDonalds
Safety
A win in soccer
Prayer lists
A pretty space

On the Home Front - the day before Easter and M's 13th birthday

A peek through my window…. It appears damp and cloudy.  We were gone all morning, but I think it rained a lot while we were away.

What’s going on this week… state testing for L and work for me every day because of testing.  I hope to find an evening to keep running.

What “the boys” are doing… I’m not even sure where M is! He’s out with his grandparents.  L played soccer this morning out of town and we didn’t get home until about 3:30.  I think he’s upstairs playing video games right now.

On my mind…  Wondering if I’m going to be able to stay awake long enough to finish working online, take a shower and cook dinner!  I still have birthday presents to wrap!

On my bedside table… lots of new books on my Kindle.  I love it!  I finally cleaned off the bedside table.  I’m looking forward to a little slow down in my schedule and actually spending a little time reading by this table and not just sleeping.

I am richly blessed… to have hope.  Even when I face darkness, life is worth living because of the resurrection of Christ!

I’m praying for… a friend going through a difficult time.  My heart is drawn to pray more for my family this next week.

Our home…  has huge Fed-ex boxes in the dining room from golf clubs shipped.  I hear M. was really good on the golf course yesterday!

Menu planning… I am going to be using those meals that I froze.  I figured testing week was a good week not to worry about meal prep!

A fairly typical early morning.  Hubby returning from a run and taking J. the dog out during his cool down.

Flashback Friday - Special Edition

M turns 13 years old on Sunday!  It seems that his fourth birthday was the first year we had a digital camera!

4th Birthday.  Kentucky.  Bob the Builder celebration with brother when Aunt came.

5th Birthday.  4 closest friends.  Very fun birthday at the Fire Station.

6th Birthday at McDonalds with friends from church

7th Birthday at Texas Motor Speedway (L, Aunt & Hubby)

8th Birthday at Six Flags with family.  Who would have guessed snow in April in Texas?

9th Birthday at CFA with immediate family.  I think we did a football game with friends earlier.

10th - Easter is pretty close to birthday.  I forgot my camera when we went out for M's birthday.

11th - CFA with family and a few friends from school

12th at McAlister's with Fam.  Had friends over at a different time.

One Thousand Gifts - April 2

My thankfulness journal has grown too comfortable on my desk.  I need to move it to a new spot so I write more often again.  Are you counting 1000 gifts?

#1264 - #1295

My son dressed in all black for a band concert

Sitting by Aunt at concert

A passing question

New friends

Online job

Plans moving forward

Arrow of Light

Others investing in my children

Tools to scrape paint

Free tickets

Antibiotics

New antibiotics

Aunt’s support

2 extra weeks of online work

Modern medicine

Friends to come over for dinner

Friends to go out with

L on a campout

Love deep, good sleep and friends to share a meal with (all wished for me by Emily at Chatting at the Sky)

The 5 Love Languages of Children

Still reading a book out loud to the boys

L home safe

Lively small group discussion

A gift from a friend

Differences

A new interest in local state basketball

Promotion/recognition of job done well

Hubby being by my side

Warnings

Irises

HE is

Doing well at something

On the Home Front - April 1

A peek through my window…. I just opened the blinds.  It’s sunny and windy.  The across the street neighbor’s gate is open.  I didn’t even know they had one on both sides of the house!

What’s going on this week… Family in town for Easter, a soccer game a couple of hours away, and M’s 13^th birthday.

What “the boys” are doing… they are with Hubby painting at Aunt’s right now.  M is turning in his enrollment card this week for eight grade.  L. has a soccer game Tuesday night.  Both of them are going to stay home from school on Good Friday in order to spend time with their grandparents.

On my mind…  working online, but trying not to do it too quickly.  Continuing to watch over our boys, especially by what comes into our home.

On my bedside table… several things from the drawers of the table that I wanted to look at – things I’ve written.  I need to actually look and clean up.

I am richly blessed… to have Hubby by my side.

I’m praying for… a friend’s daughter, family situations

Our home… is comfortable and enjoyable to be in (even though it often smells like our dog – I’m trying to make it better and refuse the only way to completely cure it.)

Menu planning… Pork in the crockpot, chicken on the grill, burgers, out the night of soccer, Javanese dinner

A photo or two…

My running partner and I at our sons' Arrow of Light ceremony