AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE #10

These are the places of interest I've found in my recent BLOG HOPPING journeys!

Kate, at CENTSATIONAL GIRL, has amazing design ideas, links and cool DIY projects that I will one day have time to do. In the mean time, I can dream.

Jen, at I HEART ORGANIZING, is amazing too. I thought I was creative until I saw her blog. I would never have seen the hidden value and beauty in the items she and her contributors start out with. What they create out of, what I first see as junk, old furniture amazes me. I've hopped a lot from her site to others too. Organizing is just a passing hobby for me, compared to what this lady does. Amazing!

I want to be like Linda, at CRAFTAHOLICS ANONYMOUS, when I grow up. Another site that gives me great ideas for when I retire.

I signed up for BLOG TRAIN. There are tons of sites under many topics to hop to. It's suppose to get more people to come to your blog, but I only just joined, so the jury is still out on whether it will work or not.

Mary, at THE MOMMYOLOGIST, is a recent find from my recommendations on Google Reader.

Where have you been BLOG HOPPING lately. Found anything interesting? Let me know.

PROJECTS DONE...UPDATE

Remember in this post I wrote about our summer plans.

Well the new rock has been put in and is now completely spread out. Thanks to my (...very hunky....you can't have him...he's mine...) husband.

Our back door is fixed.

Our neighborhood pool just opened. Sam loves it! He even asked me if we can go every day...and ya know what...I think we will!

I am hoping he and I are shades of this....

...by the end of the summer....(YES, WE WEAR SUNBLOCK...SPF 30!)

My plan (Stop laughing, God!)...is to do errands and projects in the mornings and after nap time spend a couple hours at the pool.

This week I've focusing on steam cleaning the rugs. With a 3 year old, a dog and 3 (indoor) cats, that have endless supplies of hairballs, I find I have to do this about once every 2 months. We'll keep doing this until the rugs are worn down to a fine powder and then we have plans to tile the living area of the house.

We also have a new shower door. The old one was practically falling off the hinges. The last one made it 12 years.....that's like 80 years in shower door years.

Then on Sunday we are going to the CIRCUS!

Next week I think we'll tackle the garage.

ADDING TO MY PARENTING LIBRARY

I got two new books in the mail recently.

Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel

The author says, "Christians frequently believe that the battle for a child's heart and soul is fought on the outside-with rigid rules and boundaries-when in fact just the opposite is true. He underscores the importance of communicating the unconditional love that Christ offers and affirming this timeless message of grace to one's family."  The book is based around the three essential needs in kids' lives: security, significance and strength.

Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax: After having taught for 20 years in elementary school I didn't realize how much kids change when they get to middle school. I am appalled by the behaviors, language and attitudes I have seen this past year in my 6th and 7th grade classes. I do not want this for Sam and I want to do all I can to prevent it.

As soon as I read the description of this book on Amazon, I knew I had to buy it.

"Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, American boys are, on average, less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. The gender gap in college attendance and graduation rates has widened dramatically. While Emily is working hard at school and getting A’s, her brother Justin is goofing off. He’s more concerned about getting to the next level in his videogame than about finishing his homework. Now, Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on more than twenty years of clinical experience to explain why boys and young men are failing in school and disengaged at home. He shows how social, cultural, and biological factors have created an environment that is literally toxic to boys. He also presents practical solutions, sharing strategies which educators have found effective in re-engaging these boys at school, as well as handy tips for parents about everything from homework, to videogames, to medication."

BECOMING A BETTER ME...part 8

Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. ~ Psalm 119:165

In this year of growing I've learned that to change you have to admit your faults...so....I HAVE SOMETHING TO ADMIT....I AM EASILY OFFENDED!

I have been working diligently on getting a new mind-set because I know it is NOT a good character trait and makes life very difficult.

When I am around people who could hurt me or in situations where I could be offended, I have to constantly remind myself that I am not going to let negative people control my mood. They have problems and they are not going to give them to me.

I do not want to give control of my moods to other people. Being hurt or offended does not change that person it only steals my joy and ruins my day.

I need to focus on forgiving and believing the best about people and not the offense. I need to think more about the positive traits of others and not the negative.

This does not mean I have to bury my issues, but I need to learn when I am the most easily offended (tired, sick, frustrated, hormonal) and not bring up my issues at that time. Also, if someone has a different opinion that is not a rejection of me, either.

As Joyce says, "Life is too short to waste one day being angry, bitter and resentful. Refusing to forgive is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the other person." I want to make the right choices and not let my emotions rule how I act. Forgiving my enemies sets me free to move on with my life.

I love what Joyce says about forgiveness. "We should be spiritually mature, patient, kind and gentle with others and wise enough not to allow them to offend us. We cannot control what people do to us, but through God we can control the way we respond to them."

I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be! God is so good!

GOOD-BYE FOR THE SUMMER!

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

25. A husband that notices my efforts.

26. A husband that cooks breakfast.

27. A husband that loves rocking his son.

28. My kindle.

29. Sisters.

30. Beautiful weather.

31. Keeping my cool.

32. One more half day of school.

33. My son coming out from his room....just one more time...because he forgot to kiss me goodnight.

34. Samuel's cute smile and twinkly little eyes.

35. A principal that doesn't get upset with me for things that are out of my control.

36. Getting fun surprises in the mail.

37. Getting a chance to start fresh the next day.

38. Four amazingly supportive brothers.

39. Beautiful sunrises.