Happy Birthday, Mom!

Celebrating a previous birthday at my mom's FAVORITE lunch spot in KC, Andre's

I've just been doing some online browsing for my Mom's birthday gift.  Her birthday is Friday, and we are excited for her to come and spend some time with us for a long weekend.  As I was pursuing her wish list, it dawned on me that these little gifts in no way communicate how much she means to me.  If we were wealthy, I could probably come close...maybe a cruise or something from Tiffany's?  Besides my dad, my mom knows my whole story.  She knows my tears shed when I lost the Student Council Vice President vote in middle school.  She knows that I loved hunting for bargains with her at Jones' Midnight Madness Sales. She knows my first kiss happened on my first Prom.  She knows that I couldn't wait to get my driver's license so she pulled me out of school on my 16th birthday.  She knows the tears I cried when I said good-bye to my best friend when she left for Mizzou and I for Harding.  She knew that there was something about Tony that hadn't been there with any other boyfriends - and let me tell you - they were so relieved it wasn't the neck popper.  She has seen every one of my classrooms.  She walked with me through all my pregnancies and listened to my own parenting failures and breakthroughs.  It's comforting to know that there is someone who knows your whole history - the sweet and the sour.  But even more comforting, is my Mom never lets me edits my disappointments.  They are what they are.  Move on. Some how, some way, she taught me that I am not a total of successes to failures, but I am God's chosen daughter.  May I be so blessed to do the same with Parker and Macy.  I love you!

Trophy Children?

I just finished reading Parenting By the Book, Bibical Wisdom for Raising Your Child by John Rosemond.  Friends, this book hit home on so many levels!  The first one that convicted me was how as parents we define success.  Often, we equate success with a great report card or the number of activities our children participate in.  But we don't view this as our child's success but as ours.  OUCH! Rosemond argues we should view success in the three Rs - respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness. He asks where is the bumper sticker that says "My child has impeccable manners!".  The second thing that hit home with me was how as parents we can be so consumed with our children learning skills such as their ABCs,  but we don't spend the same amount of time hammering manners.  He used the example that we teach children to wait for a pause then say "Excuse Me" when they need to interrupt.  The proper way he believes ifor a child to interrupt an adult conversation is to stand away from the conversation as not to eavesdrop and wait for the adult to address the child.  He points out this is still the norm in Africa, but certainly not the US.  I couldn't believe what I had taught Parker to wait for a pause and say Excuse Me was the exact example he used! I thought this was the polite thing to do!  Now I am not so sure!  I struggled to get past the first chapter, but I am so glad I did!  Rosemond gave me a lot to think about as well as generating lively discussions between Tony & I!

Beat the heat with a must read!

Since I don't have my usual hour of grading to do after the kids go to bed, I've been indulging in my favorite pastime - reading (big surprise!).  It's easy to ignore my summer to do list when I am in a middle of a book.  So far this summer, Black Heels and Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond has been my favorite.  You know I love Ree in a big way!  I can't wait for her show to start this month on Food Network.  But even if you aren't a foodie, it is a great read!  It chronicles how she met her husband and went from being a city girl to a ranch wife.  I love listening to people tell a story - any story -  whether it's how they fell in love, went on a trip, or about their kids.  If you like real life stories too, then check this book out and join me in ignoring our to do lists! :)