Archive for the ‘Perth’ Category
Tags: months 10-12
roadside picture from a recent Sunday drive
Michael was "washing dishes" (a favourite activity) in the sink and somehow during his water transfer activities, he managed to pour a lot of water on the floor. Before, I would have simply told him that he was finished washing dishes and required him to help clean up.I liked the new approach since it led to better communication. Another positive benefit was that Michael did not cry once during the entire discipline process. I realised as we concluded the cleanup that I had been bracing myself to deal with his tears and possibly an "I don't want to" stomping fit. Instead of a tantrum he tracked along the entire process and scampered away happily once the mess was cleared.Yesterday, when I heard the water sploosh to the floor, I told Michael that he was finished. I also told him that I do not like it when he spills water on the floor and that it's not good for our [wood] floor. I also explained that he needed to clean the water up himself. It took him a while and I had to coach a bit (e.g. we do not wring out the rag onto the floor before continuing to wipe with that same rag, we just get another rag). At the end of the process, however, I felt he had a much firmer grasp of my expectations and of how much water had been spilt, than he had previously when he simply had to stop washing and help clean up.
- celebrate Nikki's fourth birthday!
- finalize a colour/design scheme for the house and paint poster boards with paint samples to test before we commit
- read and begin to apply Chapter 4 of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk
Tags: goals
I've been missing my Grandpa and reflecting on a hard-earned lesson on mourning. I am so grateful to each of you who have come alongside me and my family in our grief. Your kindness means so much.
image source"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15
I severed a relationship with a good friend once because I withdrew after she lost her father to cancer. I didn't write, call, or email because I didn't know what to say. After a few months I tried to pick up our relationship again as if nothing had happened. But it was never the same, and now we've lost contact.
This lesson was learned the very hard way: actively engage the people I love in the midst of their grief.
My attempts at kindness and comfort are completely the opposite of my preference for withdrawal. I'm still practicing the art of kind words in difficult situations, and I make my share of clumsy mistakes. I also continue to second-guess myself and miss opportunities to pour love into the lives of others.
Just as I have learned to be patient with myself as I stumble along in kindness, it is equally important that I am patient with those I love in their grief. I miss opportunities to give, and loved ones may miss opportunities to receive. That doesn't matter - grief is a tumultuous thing. Reaching out risks rebuff.
To never reach, to fail to risk, is to show more love to myself than to those who grieve.
"Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
image source
Tags: Christian life
Nikki and Michael happily drink homemade yogurt that didn't firm up quite as expected
Grandpa and Nikki, with Grandma in the background - January 2007
Tags: family
Tags: food, months 10-12
Vi is such a sweet addition to our family! She is undoubtedly full of life.
- is super cuddly and huggable - I call her my "cuddle scoop"
- loves kisses and makes her own kissy noises in return
- crawls straight over to Baba when he gets home from work
- blows raspberries and enjoys it when we blow on her face
- enjoys sharing what she has - from toys to pre-chewed carrot sticks
- is adept at taking apart train sets, puzzles, and Duplo structures
- sings along with the "yeah, yeah, yeah"s of Mama's rendition of "She Loves You"
Tags: months 10-12
How cool is this brief span of time when I have three children aged three, two, and ONE!
Happy birthday, Vi!
