- I'm not sure why I'm choosing to post about this, but I figure it's good to have memory of some of the down times too. Saturday was one of those. The kids and I spent the morning unhappy because of how slowly everyone was getting their jobs done and how frustrated it was making me. I had wanted to get out and do something, but nobody was moving. I got really mad, told the kids that we were going to quit having jobs, quit paying them, quit all helping out around the house because I was done nagging. I realized at the time this was something I was going to have to dig out of, but at the time, it needed to be said. Told them how I would just do everything myself. They could just sit around, watch tv, or do whatever they wanted. I informed them that I would probably be too tired/busy to do much of anything else, but at least I wouldn't be nagging them, or listening to them complain. You wouldn't believe how upsetting this suggestion was to all four of the older kids. It was horrible! Part of me thought they would take advantage of the moment and want in! but I was quickly reminded of what amazing kids I have. They are such good kids, they were sad that they weren't going to be able to help out! They are such good kids, they were sad that their Mom wasn't going to be able to play with them! It meant a lot to me to listen to Charity beg and plead with me and tell me all the reasons why they need to have jobs. And of course why they wanted to earn money. It was really hard to not just cave at that moment, but I needed things to sink in a little. There was an ominous feeling (the Spirit had left) in our house for a little while after this, nobody was happy, people were crying and grumpy and I was mad.... it was not pretty. I'm not proud of it. When Nate got home, he and I discussed things. He lectured the kids a little about how they had "been fired" from their jobs. They weren't meeting expectations and just how it would happen to him if he were not doing his job the right way, he would get fired, they were going to have to look for new jobs. This whole idea got me thinking and after talking with Nate about it, we announced that we had 5 job openings and we would be interviewing for them in about 10 minutes. Each of the four older kids (well, Luke got high-wired by a shoelace that had been stretched across the hallway, so he was asleep from crying so hard... had a pretty bad burn across his neck) made resumes and were interviewed for the open positions. It was actually almost fun at this point. They got to sit and tell us what they were good at, why they would be good at the job they wanted, and we explained to them the expectations. They felt like they were picking their jobs, and I felt like it was a load off me to have to try to guess what jobs they would be okay with. They are all such good, hard workers, it was kind of hard to choose, but we brought them back in individually, offered them their job, explained that if they fail to meet expectations they will be fired, and shook their hands ;) and we were done. It was Saturday night, so we knew we had til Monday before they would even start, but I am really excited about it. I'm hopeful. I know we have been through more gimics than I can count to get our kids to work, and I think that's necessary for most families, but I do think that the family economy system, and this new job system are great ways to keep them working and motivated. I know now how much they appreciate getting paid. They are human, so even though there is a desired reward, they still fail sometimes to complete the task, but I love that they are at least motivated. We'll see how it goes.
Nate and I both took some time to repent and apologize to the kids. We are not perfect. It's tough being a parent and knowing how to react. Its tough to not just react! I get angry so easily and usually I can contain it better, so hopefully they can forgive me and Heavenly Father can forgive me for lacking self-control and letting things get heated. It wasn't one of my most shining moments. Looking forward though, I hope things will be better and we can benefit from my mistake. 1-5-13
- Erika went to Primary for the first time today! She was actually assigned to say the prayer for her first time in there!! I couldn't believe they would ask a new sunbeam to do that, and I suggested that Luke might be the one that ended up doing it. But Erika was so brave!! She went and sat up in the front next to Noah (he was doing the scripture) and then got up when it was her turn, said the prayer (very quietly :) ) with my prompting and sat down, just like a pro!! I couldn't believe it! It's not everyday you get a sunbeam that willing and able! I was so proud of her, got a little choked up! Then Noah bounced right up to the mic and said his scripture with my prompting, so well! I loved it!! He did too :). All of the kids went to their new classes. Charity is now in Bro. Adams and Bro. Dimond's class. Kelly has the Sims. Bradley moved up to Senior Primary! and is in Sister Ynchausti's class. Luke has Tina and Carrie (my old class :( ). Noah moved up to the Stewart's class. And Erika of course has Sis. Ransom and Sis. Ballantyne. I think we'll have a nice year in Primary this year. We have the year off from baptisms (which I must say is a bit of a bummer to me), but shortly after 2014 starts, we'll have Luke's, so we'll get excited for that :). 1-6-13
- Friday was a SNOW DAY!!! We got dumped on! About 2 feet of snow (maybe exaggerating, but from inside, it looks at least that)! They cancelled school. Noah's birthday too. 1-11-13
- Saturday was kind of a downer... I wasn't feeling real great. I'm not sure why, or what it was, but I was sick to my stomach for most of the day. Nate was working during the first part of the day and then came home and shoveled snow (which is what he has been doing ALL WEEKEND) some more. 1-12-13
- Sunday was an interesting one. I was not feeling real great in the morning, several of the kids didn't look like they were either, but Nate thought we should all go to church. It was hard! I had to totally drag myself around the house getting ready and then out the door, 15 minutes late, to get to church. It was Ward Conference, so the Stake leaders were there, doing the lessons. I really enjoyed it! And by some miracle Jack slept through the first two hours! It wasn't til half way through Sacrament meeting that he needed to eat. So I took him out. I should mention that during RS and then again during Sacrament meeting, they were calling people at random to bear their testimonies. I had felt a little like I was going to be called, during RS, but wasn't and then again, when they started doing it in Sacrament meeting the thought occurred to me. So anyway, I took Jack out to the Mother's Lounge. Fed him. When I got done feeding him, I felt the urgency to hurry back into the chapel. Which NEVER happens, I usually like to just sit there and enjoy the meeting without all the distractions. Well, it occurred to me that they might call my name, so I stayed in there.... I know, bad. After a few minutes of fighting the urge to go back out, I decided I'd better. I started gathering up my things and just then, I heard them call my name. My heart immediately started racing, and coincidentally, Jack pooped right then. I had two choices. I could hurry out and make it into the Chapel just in time to go up there, or I could stay and change Jack (skipping out on the whole bearing testimony thing). I made the choice to stay and change Jack. I still can't believe I did that! But anyway. A friend of mine came in, telling me that they had called my name. I ran the whole thing by her, asking what she would do... she wasn't going to give me anything :). So as soon as I finished changing Jack, I went back into the Chapel. My conscience had gotten to me. I knew everyone would tease me for coming back in, but I did. And I was secretly hoping they would call me up again, just so that I wouldn't have to feel the guilt of skipping out on it earlier. The Bishop got up and said my name again and I got up and rambled off a simple testimony (I have no idea what I said, but I didn't say any of the things I'd thought to say, during my few minutes of preparation). It was interesting. I'm still wondering why Heavenly Father would want me to do that. I'm still disappointed with myself, but glad that I had the chance to make it better. The Bishop and I had an agreement that I wouldn't have to speak for a whole year because I spoke in Stake Conference.... apparently it's been a year.
I decided that that was why Heavenly Father had dragged me out of the house to church that day and I am glad he did. I was blessed.
- I got increasingly sick as the day went on, and it was Nate's first Sunday on his new schedule working from 2-10 so it was just the kids and I. It could have been a really horrible day, but thanks to my little angels, it was one of the best days ever! I spent a lot of the day on the couch, in and out of sleep. I had a screaming headache, and pain in my throat, not to mention all the aches and pains throughout my body. So I was pretty much useless to them. I was able to take a nap because Charity took Jack and bounced him to sleep for me. Then when I woke up and went up to make dinner, Kelly had completely cleaned the kitchen and made it look so nice! It was heavenly. Then sweet little Noah had been working on a surprise for me ALL DAY, and surprised me with a cutely decorated living room- it was seriously adorable, he had torn up the streamers from his party as confetti all over the room, and then tied several pieces of streamer to different parts of the furniture... what a surprise! :) I'll admit, I wasn't completely aware of what the surprise was when I went in there, but what a SWEETHEART!! The other part of his surprise was a "rest station" for me! I got to choose a movie and cuddle up with my Noah on the couch! So cool! Then Kelly proceeded to make dinner. Bradley helped a little, he had been wanting to make dinner all day, so I kind of let him down, but he was super helpful all day too. Especially with Jack in the morning. It was just awesome! I just cried about it--- obviously not feeling well--- and thanked them profusely. I hope they know how much that all meant to me. It was amazing! 1-13-13
- Monday was my other sick day. Nate stayed home for me, my hero. He took Noah to the doctor, went shopping for my meal stuff, then helped with cleaning the house and running a bunch more errands... then delivered my meals for me and picked up the kids. It was awesome. I should really get sick more often. He makes my life look so much more fascinating :). He was fun to listen to about Noah's doctor visit. And I will say that guys get way more special treatment than Moms in those places. Nuf said. Kelly did a really nice FHE about using money wisely. She did a thing similar to their activity at school where we went around and chose what kinds of things we would buy given a certain income based on a certain job. Everyone made really good choices. I loved hearing what Bradley had learned. He took it very seriously and "spent his money wisely". It was a lot of fun. 1-14-13
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