Help for Haiti

My 4 year old, Kylee, has been very interested in the disaster in Haiti. When she first saw it on TV she asked a lot of questions about it. "What's an earthquake?" "Where's Haiti?" "Can you show me on a map?"

Last Saturday she even asked to watch about Haiti on TV. So Aaron turned on CNN and she watched the news for a very long time.

She's been asking me all week if we could send money to help Haiti.

So yesterday I told her I would look up the address so we could send money. I wanted her to be able to actually see the money being sent, instead of just texting 90999. I knew she wouldn't really understand how it would charge us and besides, she wouldn't really get to do it herself.

I addressed the envelope for her and wrote a short note explaining who it was from and she put it in and sealed the envelope.

Then I took her to the post office and she got to mail it herself. She was so proud and so happy that she got to help the victims in Haiti.

It's so neat to watch such a young, tender heart care for others the way she (most of the time) does.

Thank you Lord, for my extra special redhead <3.

Just Another Manic Monday....whoa-hoa

I couldn't decide which pictures to share with ya'll tonight so I decided to share all of them.

Tracey made BBQ Ribs today in the Crock-Pot. They were DELICIOUS, FABULOUS and TASTY!!!!!!

Our little Monet was up to her usual tricks again.

This picture was just too cute not to share with everyone.

Good news!!

We have found a new babysitter. We are going to give it a trial period to see if things will work out. This new arrangement also allows the opportunity for Kylee to attend the Montessori school. Which is good- Kylee needs some mental and educational stimulation.

Thanks for all the prayers and I'll keep you updated.

Daycare Felons

I have to vent today.

My kids were kicked out of their daycare yesterday. Tried and convicted without a jury. Sentenced with no chance of parole.

Lately my kids have been exhibiting more aggressive behavior at the babysitter and then Monday Kylee bit another little girl. Kylee isn't a biter, but you know how it goes...sometimes it just happens. Not that it excuses Kylee's biting, but anyway.

Okay, my kids shouldn't be hitting, kicking, and especially biting. BUT the kids at the babysitter are 2, 3, 4, and 4 years old. There's bound to be some fighting and such. I know they aren't perfect and mine are more rambunctious than most little girls. Why are my kids the only ones guilty? What have the other kids done?

The kicker is that the babysitter did nothing to punish my children after any of these incidents. No spanking, no timeout, nothing. Really? How are they going to learn to stop that behavior if they aren't punished for it????

A wise friend pointed out to me last night that maybe this is God's way of telling us that they don't need to be there. So I'm keeping that thought foremost in my mind. Now, I pray that we can find the right location for them.

Thanks for listening.

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Update to previous post:

Aaron talked to the babysitter this afternoon and asked questions that I was too upset to ask. What he learned changes my perspective on the discipline issue somewhat. Somewhat.

The babysitter is state funded and therefore is held to many rules and procedures that affect the way she does things.

One of the things is not being allowed to spank or restrain the children in any way. She was not able to enforce timeouts because she couldn't physically pick the child up and put them back after they take off (we've all been there).

So my kids ended up taking advantage (as kids will do. any kids given the chance) of the situation and she lost control of them.

Illegal Substances

In a house inhabited by 4 females you are bound to find an assortment of chapsticks and lip glosses. That is how it is in our house.

My youngest daughter has found alternative uses for these items.

They are a food group.

They are an art supply.

Apparently even plastic toys need a little chapstick love now and then too.

As a result of these alternative uses, I have banned all lip glosses and chapsticks in our house. I have located and disposed of all the remaining items and was resting easy and secure in the knowledge that I had done a thorough job.

Until last night.

Kylee came running up to me "Look what Tracey gave me!" Proudly displaying her handful of Skittle flavored chapsticks.

"TRACEY! You are grounded for a month!"

"For what?" She squeaked.

"For bringing illegal substances into our house."

"oh," came her quiet reply.

Family Christmas

Christmas at our house brought 4 generations together. In order of appearance: (top) Cheyenne, Gina, Gene, Maggie, Tracey,

(bottom) Denali, Savannah, Lucille, Kylee, Dayna, Krysten.

In order of birth (mostly):

Grama Lucy

Maggie, Gene

Gina, Dayna

Savannah, Cheyenne, Denali (Gina's kids)

Tracey, Kylee, Krysten (Dayna's kids)