Sunday, January 01, 2012

Happy Rockin' New Year


I have been laid up with the sickness now for days, but my kids got to have fun with their dad and their grandparents on New Year's Eve. Thomas rocked it with the guitar and this picture looks like the future to me.

While laying around, I've also been knitting and crocheting away. When Thomas came home last night, he saw the scarf I was working on and asked if he could have it. I love how he asks for what he wants (even if he is not yet graciously accepting when the answer is no). Of course I said he could have the scarf.

We had a nice slow day here. We watched a lot of football (sad to be hanging up my Seahawks jersey tonight for the last time this season), the kids went to church and lunch with Marna and Papa and we got to play games tonight with Grandma and Grandpa, so family all around.

Last year I set out a list of goals for the year and it was a great way for me to think through what I wanted to work on. This year I am not setting out new goals, but continuing the ones from last year - to be more present, to eat better (especially after the holidays) and to be patient with my children. Our biggest challenge right now and what I see as a large challenge for the year will be enforcing more discipline with our children. Now that they are 2 and 3 they are really pushing their boundaries and we have learned that it takes more effort to be consistent with them. Right now, the big one is Thomas saying, "Don't talk to me" or "Stop talking to me" - mostly with a hand up and after I say no or remind him that he cannot stand up on the chair. Now we are enforcing a time out every time he says it. I'm just waiting for the day that it actually changes his behavior.

Tomorrow we return to Seattle for the week. It has been nice to have some time off to hang out as a family and spend time with the extended family as well. We are really blessed.