A Change In Plans

Today the kids and I headed out to Orland Park to pick up a check. On our way out there the kids asked where we were going. I told them we had to go to that place again that we went a few weeks ago to pick up a check, "remember the building, it was kind of tall and we had to go up the elevator?" Oh, they were so excited. A conversation then followed about who got to press the buttons to go up and down. You know, the important stuff when riding an elevator.

We decided that one kid got to press the button to open the door, one for the floor and then again the same on the way down. This allowed everyone to press the button once.

Of course when we got in the building someone was just getting in the elevator so the door was open for us and then he was standing in front of the buttons, so he just pressed the button for the floor for us. I knew this was going to be a problem, but I just didn't want to ask him to move out of the way so one of my kids could press the button.

When we got to the sixth floor, of course they were wondering who would get to press the buttons on the way down. Alex and Joshua asked first so I told them they could. Isaac did not like this. He was pouty in the office and then when we left to go down and he didn't get to press any buttons the temper tantrum started.

As we got in the elevator, two men followed us in. I asked if they really wanted to join us, they politely replied that they both had kids and understood. I explained the situation and they knew how traumatic this could be in a kids life.

As we got out on the first floor, the tantrum only escalated as he refused to walk to the car, I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him with me. He did not like this and he also did not like the reaction he was getting from all of us. We were laughing. I knew he was going to get disciplined and was not in the least bit embarrassed, it was just one of those moments that you have to take in stride and just laugh about it. As I drug him to the car, he decided to bite me. He was immediately told what would happen as far as discipline when we got home.

As I drove away though I began to think about it. Why did he do this?

The plans changed. We had it all mapped out what we were going to do, but the plans just changed and he didn't like it.

Sound familiar?

I'm not talking about Isaac anymore.

Sometimes it's hard as a parent because we have to discipline for things that we know our behavior is exactly the same. What do I do when my plans change? Do I take it in stride? Sometimes, but most of the time I throw a temper tantrum. Not in the way that my 4 year old son does, but in my own way not accepting God's plan and wanting my own plan. You see, I'm a planner. I'm not good with plans changing either.

Yesterday, I looked out the window and all the water in my pool was leaking out. Needless to say, I did not accept the change of plans in my life the way I should have. I had just gone to get prices on the deck for the pool the day before. I wanted to have the deck put up and our new patio done and sitting by my pool by the end of May. This threw a monkey wrench in MY plans.

I cried. If I were in a parking lot, I might have been making a scene. Thankfully I was not.

Yes, God calls us to discipline our children when they are not obeying and not acting in a that they should be but I think it's also a good time to look at ourselves and remember that we are no different than they are. We are sinners saved by grace and we commit the same sins as they do over and over again.

Another First

I think they tell you to bring your children to the dentist when they are 2 or 3. Joshua, Alex and Amanda are 5 1/2 and have never been to the dentist. They need to go now before they start school so I set up appointments for the whole family, one person each month. (that means for the next 4 months you get to see pictures of kids in a dentist chair, aren't you excited!)  I despise making dentist appointments so much that it was on my list for about 3 months before the appointments were made.

Today Alex had her first dentist appointment.

She did so good! I was so proud of her! She was very excited at the end when she got to pick out a sticker, a toothbrush, got her own toothpaste and got a little timer.

The most important thing, NO CAVITIES!

I think those are my 2 favorite words to hear when I'm there.

And thankfully the other 3 played quietly by themselves in the waiting room!

Some More Awesome Deals!

Last week my sister emailed me a coupon for Kmart for $10 off a $20 purchase. I wasn't sure if it was real just because a couple weeks ago I had seen one on a blog and then a few days later it was said that it wasn't for this area. When I talked to her Saturday she said she had used it 6 times! I decided to give it a shot. They also had double coupons last week, making for some really awesome deals! When I went there everyone was using these coupons. I think I will be shopping at Kmart a lot in the near future.

This was my first transaction.

Sandals on sale 6.99 each

Tampons after double coupon 1.59

Conditioner after coupon FREE

Pull-Ups after coupon 5.99

Take off $10

Total $12.65

This was my Second Transaction.

Sandals 6.99

Toothbrushes after coupon FREE

Bath mat 5.99

Toilet Bowl Cleaner after coupon 1.29

Pledge after coupon 2.00

Old English Furniture Polish 2.49

Take off $10

Total $9.69

I made another trip there today and all the sandals I bought Saturday are now $12.99 each!

Of course double coupon week is over, but you can still take advantage of the $10 off $20 until May 22, 2010. This coupon is only for the Chicagoland area and if you live in Indiana the only store you can use it at is the St. John store. I have tried to somehow get a link on this post but it is a pdf and I can't figure it out. If you would like this coupon, please email me and I will forward it on to you. Happy Shopping!

Wordless Wednesday

Cleaning House

I've been trying to get my spring cleaning done. So far I have the whole upstairs done. Now I have the main floor and the basement left.

I have been in a pitching mood. When I did the girls room, I got rid of about half of their toys.

First, I dumped a bunch of toys on the floor.

Closet before.

Closet after.

And then, here are some more after pictures.

Of course, as you can imagine, it no longer looks like this. At least I now have proof that it did at one time.

Humble Gratitude for What He Has Done

"that Christ died for our sins in accordance to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." I Corinthians 15:3,4

340-354

Scriptures fulfilled

the body which was broken

the blood which was shed

His nail scarred hands

He suffered for me, an unworthy sinner!

It is finished!

He is a king not of this world.

He is Risen!!!

He's Alive!!!

Death has been conquered!

The stone which was rolled away.

"Truly this man was the Son of God!" Mark 15:39

He lives in me!

The cross and all that was accomplished!

A loving Father who went His son to die in the place of me!

Stuffed Animals

Yesterday I was laying in bed awake, just had not gotten up yet, when I heard little steps come into my room. I open my eyes.

Isaac says, "Mom I did not come to sleep with you, I came to check if Dad slept with Ruff, Ruff."

He's on to us.

Every night the kids have all their different beanie babies, their webkinz, and blankets that they sleep with. As I make my rounds, I often end up with blankets and stuffed animals that they are all nice enough to share with us. We humor the kids and bring them upstairs to our room. I've learned to make sure they get in the bedroom because we have left them on the stairs a few times and the kids get upset that we forgot to sleep with their animals.

Isaac apparently has figured out that we aren't always sleeping with his things.

When he said this, I replied, "Oh, they are right here next to me on the floor. We made a special bed for them to sleep in down here."

He was happy with this response and I gave him the animals. He took a couple and set the rest up in our bed.