Makes sense to me!

It makes a huge amount of sense.  Only you can make yourself happy, not your circumstances, not your kids, not your husband, not your house or surroundings.  Others can assist you by sharing their happiness, some will try to bring you down by draining all the happy feelings they can find, but it is up to you to choose to let them.  You can also share your happiness with others, spread the wealth, and by doing that expand on the happiness that exists in the world. 

The more I read your posts, the more I see the strong, happy, motivating woman that lives inside you.  Thanks for being so inspirational.

You have had such a challenging month!  I’m still amazed that your hubby would actually tell you that you are not allowed to log onto the computer until housework is done.  I used to hate watching I Love Lucy because of things like that - how is it that men can act like their wives are children, and not partners!

Anyway, I’m glad you got the apology you needed, and I hope that things continue to improve.

He has definitely seen the error in his ways. I hope. He is a man, so there may be a lapse later.

So far this year is going well. The Christmas break was over today, so back to work I went. Totally prepared for horrid behavior, but was wonderfully surprised with kids who mostly remembered the rules! I did manage to get up at 5:30 this morning and do my abs and push-ups, plus post here, listen to some podcasts, and enjoy a cup of coffee before the hustle and bustle of getting the girls up and to school on time. (Anyone know how to get kids to stop bickering? Help, please.) It was perfect (until I got the girls up, but that’s just a blur now).

After work I had to run an errand, after the girls got home, another one. Then planned on one more, but decided against. Hubby’s at a business dinner, so I’ll e-mail his iPhone asking him to run the damn thing. (Wal-Mart hell.) There, just sent it. So my run has yet to take place, but it will. My new shoes just came in and begging for a test run. When the youngest is in bed, that treadmill is mine!

Bree

Bree, I’m glad you survived FIL and came out shining!

I hope you were able to break those shoes in!

As far as getting the kids to stop bickering...there is only one thing that has worked for me.  Wait till they grow up.

Bree, new shoes are the best! I read in a magazine once, that you can give your feet a mini spa while working out. Lather your feet with your favorite lotion, the creamiest the better - put on your socks -your new shoes and go girl.! I’ve done it, and it feels great. The mini spa won’t stop your girls from bickering - unfortunately. I have 2 daughters who have actually had fights over bobby pins - there’s got to be hundreds of them in this house! One thing that I found was I tried to mediate and that was not a good idea, once I stopped trying to settle it for them and ignored them, the bickering didn’t stop but it got shorter and I learned to tune it out.

Have a great weekend!

Great advice, Maren, thank you. I think a sling shot may be a fun way to get the girls to stop fighting, but your way sounds a bit more motherly.   I always put lotion on my feet at night, but hadn’t thought it would be good for running. I’m definitely doing that tomorrow!

Bree

Let me know how the lotion thing went, I might have to try too

The lotion felt really good! I thought it would be horrible, with the sweating and all, but it really felt good.

Today my boss had me work in another center with a different little boy. I was so worried. One of my regular boys doesn’t come on Fridays, but BB still does. Would he behave with me not there? He’s been doing so much better lately, I don’t want anything to cause a backslide. Also, I’d never been to this center, never met the teacher, or the child. I was going in blind, and nervous. This boy has dwarfism and is hyper, that and his name were all I knew. And I also knew that having a disability aid coming would give the teacher some much needed relief, but would I be able to bond with him and be of any help? I wasn’t doubting my abilities, but I don’t have the training to really know what I’m doing. I just seem to have a knack for preschoolers. I’m thinking it’s the fact that I’m their height.

Anyway, it went very well. By the end of the day, we had bonded, and he took me as his teacher. He doesn’t talk well or much, but DB doesn’t either, so that didn’t bother me. But here is this strange person following him around trying to keep him from getting into trouble. I could easily have been seen as a tormentor. It can be such a fine line. I prayed the whole way there that I would be what he needs and for God to work through me to be a blessing in his life. That’s the real pay of my job. I don’t think anyone does this for the money, McDonald’s probably pays better.

Bree

Hey, you’ve got a good job and you make a difference in theses kid’s life. Having worked at McD’s, I would choose your job over it any day hands down.

It’s so much fun. Where else can you get paid to play and get snuggles?

Bree

What a rewarding job you have, it must be so great when you have a day like today going in blind and then be able to bond and make a difference in a little boy’s life, I’m always in awe of teachers, anyone who can work with kids and make a difference - your the best!

I’m glad you liked the lotion, with a job like yours and daughters - the lotion is the least of what you deserve. 

Have a great weekend

Thank you, Maren. I really wouldn’t have believed I could like this job or be any good at it a year ago. It just wasn’t on my radar, but apparently it was where I was supposed to be. It just fits.

Bree

Bree, I think what you are doing for these children is very special. And it takes a special kind of person, like you.