Perspective

 

Don't you all love Pinterest? I actually have NO idea how it works or how to log on to my account, but I am loving that on FB these "cards" are everywhere. Most of the ones I see bring a very big smile to my face. I am sorry (not really) but I just had to share this one, because for the last 3 weeks my kids have been on the brink of doing exactly what it says.

Four Years, Two months, and 8 days ago, I joined a club. It is an exclusive club. In order to join, you must give up (are forced to) what is most precious to you and live without it for the remainder of your days. You must endure the greatest heartache you have ever known. You must be broken, stepped on, kicked, and then broken, stepped on, and kicked again. It is a very lonely club. Not very many people get (or want) to join. Once you are in this club, you can NEVER EVER EVER get out. You are in it for life. F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

In this club, I have met the most incredible women. Some have accomplished amazing tasks: putting together a marathon to raise money for heart disease awareness, blankets and gift packs for families in the PICU, bereavement packets, headstone funds, casket makers, and so many more. 

I wish that I did not belong to this club. Let's be honest. In the words of another member, "I think all you ladies are great, but I'd give up every one of you to have my child back." (no offense) and no offense taken, because though we are all in the same club, none of us asked to be here, and all of us would trade our membership in two seconds. 

Alas, this is not possible. It is what it is. We are who we are. Like it or not. 

Today I had lunch with these amazing ladies and I was given perspective that even though my kids might wake me up EVERY morning and TRY AGAIN to make me go bonkers, I am grateful that I have each and every one of them. Even the son I can't see.

Funny moments

 

Isabella got a few new shirts this time of year as we were shopping for school clothes. She has a ridiculous amount of clothing, but sh felt really left out. After she put on this sparkly shirt, Scarlett thought it was pretty awesome and wouldn't take her eyes off of it. It was really funny watching her so intrigued by just a shirt.

 

We had an Endo appt today at Phoenix Childrens' and while I am not a big fan of my endo (anybody know a good one?) I really do like the clinic that we go to. 

Today Savannah made some new friends (shocking I know!!!) It was a family of diabetics. 2/3 children had gotten their blood drawn and Savannah was asking them why? What happened? Did it hurt? Oh you poor boys!!! She was quite funny and the boys were answering her questions with much patience. We found out they had pumps to regulate their sugar, we found out they have to go to the doctor regularly so that they can stay healthy, we also found out they had to eat a special diet.

Enter BOOK: The little sister to the boys was holding a book and of course Savannah took it upon herself to find out what it was about. And wouldn't you figure it was a cook book!!! What better for Savannah to love. And it was DISNEY. Equipped with recipes AND Buzz, It was an instant must have. Savannah quizzically asked the girl where she got the book? To which she said that she got it from the doctor... Then the stream of questions began: Which doctor? Where? Why did you get it?

She then marched over to the receptionist and asked if there was a extra book for "me?" Well lucky for us today, there was just one left. And when she handed it to Savannah, Savannah could barely contain herself and responded with a "BOO-YAH!" I almost died laughing and the receptionists got a good kick out of her. 

A couple of days ago we got a workbook for each of the girls from the cabin store and we worked on some pages whilst at the cabin. The girls studied them for hours completing pages, coloring, and really helping each other. They were worth every cent. Well in Mikenna's book there were some recipes. We picked some out, went to the store, and she made them all by herself. She was so excited to make them for daddy when he got home. She felt like she was all grown up. She said, "Mommy, I can cook lots of meals now." LOL. She was however disappointed when Isabella wanted nothing to do with a peanut  butter and banana sandwich... Can't say I blame her :)! 

Just in case you wanted to know...

Just how wonderful I am ;). I'll tell you!!! Or show you rather.

SO after our little fiasco of the shenanigan, I was pondering the appropriate punishment... which by the way there really isn't a "good" way to punish Savannah. She works better with positive reinforcement... I did after all spend an entire semester telling her horribleawfulnogoodteacher as much, I guess it was time to eat some Karma.

Savannah needs structure. Savannah needs order. Savannah needs balance. Savannah needs positive reinforcement. Savannah manipulates negative reinforcement and the result is truly disastrous (enter CHANGING SCHOOLS LAST YEAR). I decided that I would follow in her current teachers footsteps and implement some of things that worked really good for Savannah in her classroom last year (after we switched said schools)

I wracked my brain all day as to what I was going to do and how I was going to "punish" her. I took all of her new school clothes (because she LOVES clothes) and put them away and told her I was going to take them back. She didn't even blink a wink. After my dad spent 2 frustrating hours taking OFF the toilet, fishing out the phone, and putting it back on, I was seriously at my wits end. HELLO she was SUPPOSED to be upset. That's when I took more stuff away (because I am SO mature:)). Turns out she was holding out because not only did she get new uniform clothes, she got other clothes as well (I took them too). This didn't go over too well, so her little big sister Mikenna got her an outfit from her closet. (bless her tender heart, I WAS TRYING TO PUNISH SAVANNAH) But I remember when I was about the same age and I was the only one who could get my sister to come to dinner after many of arguments with the mother, so I swallowed my pride and let Mikenna help a girl out. 

I really didn't want to get rid of all of Savannah's clothes to pay for the phone that was dropped in the toilet, so I boxed them up and told her she would have to earn them back (enter POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT) I tried to think of all sorts of good ways to have her earn them back. I didn't want it to be hard, but I certainly didn't want it to be easy.

So I came up with a "money" system. She gets "money" for certain things and then on Fridays she can go to "Savannah's Store" and of course I couldn't just have Savannah on this program, so we set up "Mikenna's Market" and "Isabella's play store." I made Mikenna's a little bit harder and more expensive and she really wasn't too happy about that because she is at the age where fair is fair and it must be fair or it's just not fair... 

I am not sure if all this is lost on Savannah or not. She knows that she isn't supposed to flush phones down the toilet (SERIOUSLY!!!) and that because she did so she had all her clothes taken away. And maybe I was wrong to take them and maybe I am wrong to give them back, but it is what it is and I suppose it will be that way. I figure she will be able to get all her clothes back by the end of the semester :) at the current rate of income. So here is the chart we came up with and the rewards. 

 

(I have obviously been away from blogging to long because so much has changed and the picture placement is driving me batty, but I suppose there isn't really anything I can do about it at this point, cept learn it.)

 

 I must explain this "I'd Love to" jar. But first I must point out that my Scarlett is really the cutest baby that I have ever had. I think they get cuter with time, because I have been saying that since Savannah, but no really. She really is a sweetheart, and she is nice, and she sleeps, and she eats, and she is so quiet in the car that I almost wonder if she is really there... She is a dream and I love her to bits and pieces. We snuggle in the quiet when I need to disappear from the madness I call my life. 

I have a really good friend Stephanie Waite, maybe you have heard of her, she's famous you know :) Nyhow, she does a Power of Moms group and got this idea from there, so I totally ripped it off. 

Did I mention I am trying to be a "good mom" (Sometimes I put stuff up in my house to make me look like a good mom, so that I can feel better about myself by lying to others about how I run the house. :)) Anyhow, the idea is that when you ask one of the childrens to do something, they respond with "I'd Love to" as opposed to the AHHHH, rolling of the eyes, and complaining (Oh wait only MY kids do that when I ask them to empty the dishwasher?). We are going to try it anyway. So after they say "I'd Love to" and do the said something, they get to pick from the "I'd Love to" jar. It is equipped with grand items such as a "hug" and "kiss" and "trip to QT" and "$1" and a "high five" and maybe a few more, but my brain is mush. Oh and the $1 is a "pretend" dollar for the store that we get to shop from on Fridays. 

I am not sure who is making out better with the whole money thing, but I suppose we will try it out and adjust accordingly. If my kids can stop bickering and doing what I ask them with a smile, it will be all worth it I am sure.

 

I just thought I would throw in this random picture. Poor Savannah always gets called "bud" when we go out. I try to make it a point to call her "sis" or savannah or something so people know she is in fact a girl. I mean seriously, do you put headbands on your 10 year old BOYS?!?!?!?!? Ya. I'm sure you do.