Becoming a Love and Logic Mom

At the beginning of January, Bradock came home with a flyer from school announcing that the elementary school was offering a 6-week Love and Logic parenting course to parents of students of the school. Not only were the classes free, but the school also provided free child-care while you attended the class. Lucky me...another perk to Bradock's preschool! Of course I jumped all over the free offer because I had heard so many great things about the Love and Logic classes and concept and had read one of their books a few years back. It couldn't have come at a better time too. With two toddlers I was starting to find myself loosing my cool a lot more frequently and I didn't like being constantly frustrated with whining, crying, fighting kids.

Well, Brett and I attended the classes and I have to say I LOVE "LOVE & LOGIC"!!! It has been one of the best things I have ever implemented in my life. The overall goal of the classes are to help parents raise responsible, respectful, fun-to-be around kids...which you hope is the kind of adult they grow up to be...who wouldn't want that?! I feel like I have learned so many new techniques to deal with "problem" situations. It's all about choices, choices, choices, which I dish out like crazy now and works amazingly. When my kids do make a mistake, which they are going to and is a good thing, I give lots of love followed by the consequence. I can't believe how well my kids have responded to this new style of parenting and how I have found myself less frustrated, more in control and using a much more calm voice even during a crazy situation.

I wish I could take a weekly parenting class for the rest of my parenting days because I know I still have a long way to go. However, I am so happy that I took the classes and am working everyday towards being a better mom handling life's crazy days.

Interesting Day of Cub Scouts

This last Wednesday for Den Meeting the Scouts had a very special combined activity. Thanks to one of our fellow leaders, a local K9 unit Police Officer and his dog, Jake, paid us a little visit. We learned all about the cool things that police dogs do and their very unique abilities. About half way through the presentation Brett shows up at the church and decided to stay and listen. Well, little did he know that he was going to end up as Jake's chew toy at the end. The officer asked if any adults would like to volunteer to be "attacked" by Jake. Of course, Brett is the first to shoot his hand up...this coming from the guy who willingly got tazered, handcuffed to Tanner and well you name it, he's done it. Anyways, Brett put on this large protective sleeve to cover his left arm (thank goodness because after four years of dental school those hands are a priceless commodity) and than got in a nice wide stance while Jake came at him with one strong bite. The officer told us that Jake, with just a snap of his jaw could crush and deflate a tennis ball with no problem, so Brett's little arm was no match for this strong dog. It was fun to watch (especially for Raylee and Bradock), but I think Brett was relieved to get out of Jake's grip and give back that protective sleeve.

Lots of Happenings

Fun Preschool projects, Mesa High Basketball game, McKai's final adoption hearing, Temple sealing and baby blessing and a heads up from a friend saying I was the new poster girl on the London's Run website...all in a week!

So, Mr. B has been coming home with some really fun art projects at school. He loves showing his stuff to Raylee and then getting a picture because then the cute little crafts end up in the trash...but at least I have it documented.

Tanner invited us to go to the MHS basketball game on Friday and it was a lot of fun...especially with our two wiggle worms.

McKai's final adoption hearing was last Monday and it went great. She was then sealed to Sarah and Chance in the Mesa Temple on Saturday and blessed on Sunday. In Relief Society on Sunday the teacher asked if we witness any miracles today or are they something of the past. I raised my hand and said that I witness miracles all the time. My two kids are a testament to that and knowing that Sarah and Chance were able to get McKai without any major complications or struggles (other than waiting 14 months to finally know it had all worked out perfect) I know miracles occur each and everyday. After the blessing on Sunday we had dinner over at the Clarksons. The kids had so much fun playing in the kid-friendly backyard. It was also fun to get to see my brother, even though it was for a only a few short days...we'll take what we can get.

This last pic seriously cracks me up everytime I see it...so cheesy! So, I saw a friend of mine the other day and she says "Do you know you're the new poster girl for the London's Run website!" I was like "What?!" I had no idea what she was talking about, but low and behold the following pic is posted right on the front page of the website. It's kind of an advertisement to get the runners to buy their race pics from that day. Doesn't this pic just make you want to get out there and run?! HAHAHA!!