Okay so I have been teaching my children to help in managing the home this summer and that has helped us to enjoy many other pleasures. Here is one of my first huge mistakes.
I told my daughters to get all their underclothes together (underwear, socks, t-shirts and wash one load of clothes with those items. They needed to make sure they washed it, dried them, folded them and finally put them away.
I told Nicollus to gather all the towels from everyone laundry basket throughout the house and wash one load of towels. Well, later when I went to check the wash after the girls had moved their things, I saw the load my son did.
The washing machine was full full full full of all the towel from every laundry basket in the house! When I told him what to do I did not mean for him to wash every towel in one load. I just wanted him to be responsible to wash one load of towels from the pile he gathered.
I opened the washing machine and his load of towels was complete however they were soaking wet and full. You how laundry looks after the rinse cycle? They are completely rung out. These were completely soaking wet because they could not get rung out. I ran the spin cycle two more times to drain the water.
My heart broke looking at the washing machine attempt to high spin 100lbs of wet towels! Anyway all is well. The washing machine is still working. The clothes are clean. I understand I must be more detailed when I give instructions. My son understands that you can't put all the dirty towels in one wash. Funny Fletcher story from this week!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The cure for arguing in kids!
People I have found the cure for arguing if you have more than one child.
Here is the stage...
We just returned from the gym. The kids were looking forward the next activity. It was water week at the gym and we did not know it so the kids did not wear swim suits thus they did not want to get wet. All that to say, they went to the gym to sit on their butts while I experienced burning pain and sweat. :) Anyway, we were home and the girls were fighting and Nicollus was stirring to pick a fight of some sort. I was basically not going to have it.
So I sent Nicollus to mow the yard, and the girls to wash my van. LOVELY Problem solved. They needed something to keep their hearts and hands busy. Nicollus came in drenched in his own sweat. I also received a text from the neighbor who wants to hire Nicollus to mow her yard as well! SWEET!
The girls were very focused and worked well together while washing the car. The reason for arguing is often boredom and the solution is directed activity. While I do realize the importance of a child's ability to self entertain and manage their own behavior at a particular age...it is also important for us to "get in front of" negative behaviors. That means don't wait until your children are failing apart to do something with them...PREPARE for them. We need to be PRO ACTIVE with our children and not reactive. While I was certainly reactive in the situation above. I have since learned to "get in front of" potential negative behaviors.
Here is the stage...
We just returned from the gym. The kids were looking forward the next activity. It was water week at the gym and we did not know it so the kids did not wear swim suits thus they did not want to get wet. All that to say, they went to the gym to sit on their butts while I experienced burning pain and sweat. :) Anyway, we were home and the girls were fighting and Nicollus was stirring to pick a fight of some sort. I was basically not going to have it.
So I sent Nicollus to mow the yard, and the girls to wash my van. LOVELY Problem solved. They needed something to keep their hearts and hands busy. Nicollus came in drenched in his own sweat. I also received a text from the neighbor who wants to hire Nicollus to mow her yard as well! SWEET!
The girls were very focused and worked well together while washing the car. The reason for arguing is often boredom and the solution is directed activity. While I do realize the importance of a child's ability to self entertain and manage their own behavior at a particular age...it is also important for us to "get in front of" negative behaviors. That means don't wait until your children are failing apart to do something with them...PREPARE for them. We need to be PRO ACTIVE with our children and not reactive. While I was certainly reactive in the situation above. I have since learned to "get in front of" potential negative behaviors.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Peace Lutheran Retreat
I had the privilege of dancing at a women's retreat earlier this year. The theme was "From Worry to Worship". The title alone says it all. We need to rest in Christ and not let worry rule us but trust the Lord so fully that we simply worship!
I danced to the song "Held" by Natalie Grant. Here are some pictures from the dance.
I danced to the song "Held" by Natalie Grant. Here are some pictures from the dance.
Monday, July 6, 2009
FAMILY CAMP 2009
Finally, I have something to say and time to write about it! This weekend we went to Covington Tennessee to visit my husbands family. We had a wonderful time together. It was wonderful to see three generations all together. I'll post pictures at the end so keep reading. Anyway as we were driving down we began to think on family activities from last year. It was at this very same time last year we went to Voddie Bachaham's family camp. So we pulled out the blackberry did a google search and found....they are doing another one! This year it will be in St Louis, last year it was in Corpus Christi, TX. We were so excited to know that we have not missed it. Dates are July 31-Aug3. Click the title to get all the information.
So here is my family camp promotion.....
We loved it! We loved it! We Loved It! Why because there were so many families who understood the importance of family. We as believers are called to change the world by the lives we live. The first step in doing so is our family. Husbands must be strong leaders of their homes. By strong I mean making every effort to lead in the word of God. "Going to Church" should not be the first and only time your family is instructed in the word of God. Fellowship with other believers should support what is already happening in your home. When you serve others your family should serve with you. If your not in that season of life then slow down and work on your family and in due time the Lord will allow to go out and change the world for His glory and His fame!
Family Camp is exactly what it says. We camp as a family. We don't send the kids away to kiddie camp while the adults get a break and others teach the kids. It is our responsibility to train and disciple our own children. Imagine if all believers had that same mindset. Our world would look different...the Hebrew children certainly understood the law. Why did that happen because of this verse right here.....Hear O Israel: The Lord our God the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command to you shall be unpon your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:4-7. Let's be found teaching our families the way of the Lord...not handing that great job to someone else.
Go to family camp 2009 and learn how to do this yourself!
Najee' teaching Nicollus to pose like the kids in WalMart magazines.
Nicollus doing his Walmart pose!
Three generations of Fletcher men! Phillip Nicollus, Phillip Demond, and Phillip Lee Fletcher
Attempt number 1!
Attempt number 2!
Nicolle and Phil finally getting our photo together!
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