Self Control...

Yes, self control is a very important lesson we've been teaching our children.

It's something that I myself am working on as well.  Especially in situations when my children are watching me be the example...

...but there are those moments...

...those moments when I seem to have forgotten what self control is...

...those moments like today at the grocery store.

My favorite grocery store (I might as well add) overcharged me for the second time in a row and both times I found out after I've gotten the kids strapped back into their car seats (of course). As important as self control ...there is peace...make peace and get my money back right? Last week I didn't go back, I just figured everyone makes mistakes and it's probably not worth getting the kids back out of the car for.

So today I unloaded the kids and headed back in...this should be easy enough. I was feeling a little annoyed, but pretty easy minded... Oh how quickly that all changed when the cashier completely took advantage of my situation. She didn't think that being overcharged $1 per pound for organic apples was a reasonable complaint AND made it seem as though I asked her to swim across the English channel to find a manager who could help her refund my money. 

At that point Jude started screaming in the grocery cart and at that same moment Lula NEEDED a drink that I didn't have for her ...sooooooo with my best judgment, self control was not an option. I stormed out of there after telling the cashier that she was wasting my time and to keep MY money.

It would have been so much better if I were a four year old so I could've told that cashier how I really felt about her and got away with it.

But I'm not a four year old, I'm an adult who is responsible for teaching my children self control by example. So Lula and Jude,  I'm sorry that I missed this opportunity to teach you the best way I could have.
Self control is however one of the 9 fruits of the spirit and is extremely important. It happens to be the last of the fruits to be listed (Galatians 5:22). As you read them off I think it's meant to be the last to leave your lips...just so it's not forgotten as easily.

Well, life's like a Bruster's ice cream cone... if you don't gain control, it'll melt all over the place.

Going into a new season...

It seems to be that time again...

The season is coming to an end. The warm summer nights are being pushed forward by a crisp, cool and delicate air. The faint smell of comfort wafting from my fall sweaters is present with a dull craving of creamy root vegetable soups (this always happens to me at the close of the summer months).

Even though Virginia is not ready for this new season...I am. I find myself wanting to dress in heavier clothing even if the weather begs to differ.

There is ALWAYS a new season to look forward to at the end of the last. This new season is bringing me wonderful treasures...

...I've slowed down a bit on housework (mostly because I'm overwhelmed with clutter) so I've been trying to focus on other things...like exploring...

Lula and I (and Jude) have been getting out and really having a great time. I have been meeting some pretty amazing people at the Mommy-and-Me activities that we've partaken in recently.

Another great treasure is the REALLY EARLY morning time that Kobe and I get to have together.
Now that he is a big middle-schooler, he has to be in his homeroom by 7:20 am which puts us at the bus stop...well earlier than I've had to get up for a long long time.

Kobe also recently had a birthday...he's 11! I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. At his birthday party I made a treasure map, cut it into pieces and hid them around the house. After he and his friends found all the pieces they put it together to reveal a message that led him to his birthday booty...it was so fun and he ended up finding two tickets for the Jets/Redskins game in December taped to the bottom of his chair. Yes, all that work to find something that he was sitting on the whole time...ha!

I've been walking Mia to her classroom since the first day of kindergarten...until this week.
Mia's teacher (in a very kind and sincere way) told me that she was cutting the string and that I'm not allowed to walk her to her classroom anymore...mmmhmm.  And then she ended that conversation with a big smile and said "don't worry, you'll be fine"

Danny is in school full time and is working really hard everyday. I started waiting tables a couple nights a week and Danny has been cooking, cleaning, wiping, washing, folding, feeding and holding while I'm gone. He does such an amazing job and I'm so proud of him!

Jude is now 2 months old...and he is more delicious than ever. He smiles so much and loves to play. He's so strong and so smart...

...and has a face that will melt your heart...