Kinder- gentler

I read an article in the July issue of Parents about raising your children to be kind. It struck a huge chord with me. I think mostly because I am an adult and by nature, we Iive among some not so kind and gentle souls. It's funny to me now that we have little lives to shape; how important kindness is in our teachings. Not funny haha but funny that teaching is beyond what is right and wrong.

More specifically that when they watch our reactions to others it shapes their reactions to others. I know this is basic but the other day I was on a work call and gg was demanding my attention- instead of saying to my co worker hold on- I glared at Gianna and continued my call. Today Gianna glared at me with the same look that I had given her. I taught her that. So back to my intentional parenting I go. I want them to love one another. I want them to respect one another but I want them to be kind doing it. 

The boys have been working on greetings. Greeting everyone who walks in the door with a hand shake, a "nice to meet you" and a goodbye when they leave. I love it. We've also been working on thank you, please, and giving one another personal items. This might be a sippy cup, Riggs pacifier or a truck that Becker plays with a lot. I love when they light up with delight when they receive a happy recipient. Kindness. Gentleness. 

I think in a world of hard lessons, struggles and heartache- kindness goes a long way. But in this article it talked about the successes of children who had been taught kindness- how they were so successful, educated and overall in great life positions. I think we all strive to give our kids the very best- lets start with giving them kind hearts.

Have a good week everyone

American Blogger

Sometimes when I blog I think about everything I want to say and how I don't because a. I don't want to offend anyone b. I know sometimes people are reading this for the wrong reasons and searching for reasons to criticize and c. It just feels so exposed. Then I laugh and think, "we'll isn't that the whole point?" Isn't that what blogging is all about? There is this guy{husband of popular blogger Casey Wiegand} who is doing a tour in a beautifully remodeled airstream. The tour is called American blogger. 

I've been crazy with following him as well as all of the bloggers he is tapping into. Completely amazing. The journey. What he must be learning about these families, about these moms about these little lives sprinkled all over- just telling their stories. Seems so basic yet so complex to me. When I think about my blog and the history of it and the words on the paper{um screen}I never really consider the content other than hopefully providing some hope, some help with multiples, a laugh maybe and every now and then a good idea. But these bloggers, wow- incredible stuff here guys. Go check them out and see what the Wiegands are up to! His movie will be an incredible see.

In our house this week, there has been a lot of jumping in the cribs, too hot to go outside, dinners at 8 after the kids are in bed and dare I say- stress. Yep, stress. Short fuses, tired stories of much needed change. I wish I had this great uplifting scenario to chill out but I'm feeling a lot like day 16 of a trip when you were ready to go home on day 6 and the airline just lost your luggage. So what do I do when this is my Thursday? I make plans that include joy. 

This weekend I plan to go see a movie, let the kids play outside even though its heat stroke 100's, eat more than one Popsicle because that's just good, hit the farmers market and buy that $6 loaf of bread because its SO dang good, take my kids out to eat even though they are at a hard age and act like crazies, take a nap, read a magazine and map out my Fourth of July plans and neighborhood 4th food gifts we plan to give. So there stress- take that. 

Last week I made this super basic chicken salad and it was incredible!

2 rotisserie chickens- I used only breast meat but if you like dark meat use it too!

2 or 3 cups mayo Helmanns (depends on how you like it I like 2 and prefer a dryer version)

1 cup diced red grapes

1/2 green onions minced

1/2 chopped pecans

Salt and pepper 

Sprinkle on top-paprika

Chop chicken mix all together well. This is so basic, so quick and awesome when having friends over for a quick swim. I also made store bought carrot cake muffins added 1/2 golden raisins and 1/2 chopped pecans. Huge hit!

Before I close wanted to give a shout out to alissa over at oh Ollie! I just bought this precious pinafore for gg for the fourth! Go get one! She is only making six more! Perfect for the rest of the summer!

Have a good one everyone!

day of the daddy

#1 dad

wow. what. a. weekend.

it was full of celebration. full of togetherness. full of love. my cup truly runneth over. i am already in bed as i post this. trying to catch up on all the lost sleep of packing a weekend of love, dads, yummy food and hot sticky babies.

we had everyone over for dinner. our house was full of celebration, yummy food and lots and lots of love. who doesn't love squash casserole, kerbey lane queso, sweet tea and coconut cream pie? i hope all the men in our lives felt loved and know that they are appreciated to the fullest. my dad looked super happy seeing all of the kids running around and i know whits heart was right. right with all he does for our children to make life good for them. 

the weekend was full. they moved up in their class at church, attempted to do a I (HEART) DAD foot pic(FAIL) and even squeezed in a pool visit. it was a good father's day weekend. Oh and did we tell you? School was a success! despite my efforts to keep them little- they are growing up. lots of growth in these three littles this year. lots in mom too.

i hope most of all that whit felt celebrated. celebrated for the joy, drive, obedience and love that he puts into this home. we talked last night about the sermon and he took to heart the part about being the leader in the home and how your children's hearts follow a dad that follows Jesus. sometimes it feels like we are brand new parents and sometimes it feels like, HEY, we are getting this down....

we were exhausted when we finally said good-bye to everyone. the kids who usually hit the hay before sundown were burning the 9pm oil....and as a tradition on these family nights- becker put on a delirious dance party. he made up moves i don't think any of us have ever seen. he couldn't stop performing for cameron and jill and giggled until we turned out the lights.

happy father's day to all you dynamite dads. whit, i married you for so many reasons- never realizing that one of the most important ones would be what i see daily in you. you daddy our babies so good. thank you for being so grand.

c h a n g e is good

I'm awful at change. I've never been good at "following my heart" because I resist any sort of direction or push. I don't listen to God telling me his plan as often as I wish I did- as often as I should. This applies to major life decisions, friendships, as well as the day to day. 

Lately He has been working on my heart and pushing me in a direction I've fought. I've fought not wanting to accept defeat but I'm starting to see that it isn't defeat at all- it's opportunity. I think when we give up the fight on something we know isn't right/good for us- in comes growth. I feel the winds of change and today I'm welcoming that change. Welcoming the growth in that change and the freedom that comes with growth. Breathing easier knowing that it is a great decision for me and my family. Clarity. 

I see resistance in my kids, even at two. I think we resist anything out of the ordinary or the unknown. I also think it's in our nature to fight back against change a little even though our guts tell us- this is for the good. I also think change along the road is how we grow, learn and broaden our circle a little.

Lots of change this week. The triplets start school and yea- that's change I'm fighting. It may seem super natural and of course a much needed socialization- but also, control that I am giving up. Trusting in others to love my kids. Trusting them to not harm them. Trusting them to see them as children and to always do right by them. I'm also really excited for them because I know Becker will watch others and learn to stand up for himself a little better. I know Riggs will be his usual cautious self but at the same time learn to take turns and to share with kids outside of his triangle. Oh and gg, well, that girl will learn to be without her comfort circle and learn to trust others and to make friends when we aren't around. {she has no plans of napping while there}

Last weekend was a good one. We had a patio date night after the kids hit the sack and went to a couples shower Saturday night. Sunday, whit made a pallet, skipped church and loved on the 3 while it poured rain- while i went to church. we spent the afternoon in the backyard playing in all things water.

This weekend is Father's Day and I cannot wait to celebrate Whit.  A dad that works a lot, misses a lot of time with his kids, never complains and loves us all, a whole lot. He is good and we plan to squeeze every drop of love out of him this Sunday to prove it. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the heat and taking some time off.