I like me...

I'm in a bloggy mood this morning. I can't really explain it. I think it really boils down to me having too many thoughts in my head, and I just need to get them out...somewhere. As cute as my children are, their conversational skills are still lacking on a rational level, so to my blog I turn...

This morning I read Kate's post over at Centsational Girl and it really got me thinking. Now this woman is not only a thrifty home decor/makeover diva, but she also has a amazing way of bringing us back to what really matters. It all started with a picture she found, on which her daughter had written, "I like me." Wow. I mean that keeps it simple, but gets right to the point. How many of us can really get up in the morning and draw a picture, and write, "I like me" across the bottom of it?

Most mornings (as of late), I wake up, and the first thing I do is jump on the scale, and with baited breath, I wait for some developments on the weight loss front. I'm still stuck at 5lbs down. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about those 5lbs, but I mean...couldn't a girl get a 7 or a 9 around here? And yes, I realize you aren't supposed to weigh yourself everyday, but rather do it once a week. But 7 days is just so darn long to wait!

*Prepare yourself for the excessive use of the word "me" in the paragraphs to follow...
Don't get me wrong, I like me in a general sense, but I also feel there are a lot of ways that I can improve me. I think what it boils down to why I am feeling the need to improve me. In the past I would definitely say its been about peer pressure, or just that desire to be thin or happy or whatever. But these days, I just want a better me, not only for me, but also for those around me. So weight loss is only one aspect of improving myself, which is a result of taking better care of me. Not only will that make me feel better about me, but it also sets a positive example to those around me, and most importantly to my two children who look to me for love, guidance, and hopefully I can instill positive habits in their lives too.

While on the subject of those two little darlings, I have been feeling a huge need to improve the Mom side of me. Yesterday at my Mom's group, we had a great discussion on stress, and how to conquer it. Basically in a group of five Mom's, the conclusion seemed to be that the main source of our stress was our families (namely children). We talked a lot about discipline, schedules, and just plain 'ol busyness. We discussed how stress manifests in our daily lives. Things like being grumpy, angry, easily irritable were all ways we identified stress coming out in our lives. If you read my Old Yeller post, in my case, it often comes out in the form of yelling. I get frustrated, irritable, and often just end up yelling at my kids out of desperation. This is not a good way to deal with one's stress. Not only does it not help, but it is deconstrutive to my kids, and ultimately just adds to the chaos in my home.

So on this me improvement spree, I'm attending a conference this weekend (Breakforth), aimed at the Mom side of me. In the Christian circle, the "Grace-Based Parenting" books are quite common, but I personally have never read the books or heard any of their teaching. So something like this is very timely for me, and I'm really hoping that I can come away from this weekend with some positive ways to not only deal with my stress, but also how to lovingly deal with my children. In our Mom's group, one Mom shared that she doesn't think she treats her children any worse than your average Mom. Which I suppose when we judge ourselves on that standard, none of us really need to change. We are all average. But for me, for now, I can't justify average. I think Jesus set a beautiful example of how to gracefully love people, and I absolutely think that included children. So for myself, I feel like I have missed the mark in this area, and I need to get myself back on track.

~
Onto other news, I thought I would share some adorable things our kids are up to lately. Because when I need perspective, I just need to stop and think about these things, and it really does help me to realize what matters. I can't remember where I read it or heard it, but the term "A Beautiful Mess" really stuck with me. Essentially, when my living room is covered with toys, there is a throw cushion trail across the floor, and two giggling, hyper children racing around the house...THAT is a beautiful mess. Its there for a reason, and its a sign of the life, joy, and wonder that takes place daily in my home.

Abbi helping to feed Gabe his morning bottle.
A few weeks ago, I had borrowed a Dave Matthew's CD from the library. As the song Tripping Billies came on, Gabe literally stopped eating and started crooning along. It was so sweet, and well, I think Dave would be proud.

Gabe has also taken up an interest in dancing lately. If he hears music, he starts grooving. No prompting from us. We were in the Rogers Wireless store the other night and they were blasting hideous techno tunage. Gabe didn't care. I was holding him, and nearly dropped him once he got going. That boy has some moves.

Abbi is into her 4th week of preschool. Things are slowing improving. Although with a 'before' picture like this, I think things can only improve. My daughter is the only child I have ever heard of who didn't want to go to preschool, and well, made a face like this for her 'first day of preschool picture'...
Abbi has taken quite a liking to her teacher, Ms. Angela. The best part is that Abbi calls her Ms. Angelai! So cute. The teacher doesn't mind, and finds it as adorable as we do. There are just some things you never want to correct. Like when Abbi used to call Elephants, Hemiants. Or her most recent term, Car Poop. What is car poop you ask? Well, in alberta, its that lovely, dirty snow that sticks to the inside of our car rims. When it gets warmer and falls off, Abbi has figured out that the car must be pooping!

Behold, car poop!
Another cute Abbi example is about cows, well cow's udders to be exact. This week we have been reading a book from the library called Down on the Farm. There is a picture of a cow, and a cow's udder. Abbi asked what that was, and I said, "That's the cow's udder, and its nipples, where the milk comes from." I know, I know. I'm not a farm girl OK!!! So when Rob got home I asked him if they were called nipples, and he promptly informed me that they were called teets. Oh right...

So the next morning when Abbi was reading the book on the couch, she said, "Now cow, I'm going to squeeze your nipples and get some milk." OY! Now if that isn't going to get me reported to Children's Services, I don't know what is. So I tried to get Rob to explain to her that they were teets to Abbi. She wouldn't hear a word of it, "No, they're nipples."