Shout for JOY! April 29, 2008

We have been doing a morning devotional called Our 24 Family Ways.  As the boys continue developing, we look for new and creative ways to build in Godly character and values that are based in scripture.  This is one of the best books I have found in an EASY-TO USE format!  (Thank you Sally and Clay!)

So last week our value was:

We chose to be joyful even when we feel like complaining.

Sounds like a good one huh?

A few nights ago at dinner, I was asking the boys about their day and how they were doing on the joy meter.  Did you chose to be joyful at school?

Tyler (very seriously):  I was only a little joyful.

Me: How come?

Austin: We don’t have that much time to be joyful, Mom.  Recess is really short.

Tyler: Yeah, it’s only 15 minutes!

Me (trying not to laugh too hard or spit out the food in my mouth): Well, you can be joyful in the classroom can’t you?

Austin: No, Mrs. Bryant doesn’t let us talk.

Tyler:  We have to raise our hand.

Ah, the joyless life of a child…

Will Jadyn sing like this? March 29, 2008

My mom’s friend Jackie sent me this YouTube video. It is a MUST SEE! Every music educator’s hope is that their kids will sing well. Here’s to hoping Jadyn will be this adorable….

Bath time June 10, 2007

Giving Jadyn a bath is a bigger challenge than I might have thought. I have had a few times that I have longed for a bath tub myself but never more than when I wish for one for her! So we have been experimenting with possibilities.
What comes first, the bath or the dishes? She has quickly gotten too big for this method.

This month we are experimenting with “shower baths.” Our shower has a small basin that I can fill with about an inch of water. The boys thought Jadyn looked like she was having so much fun, they wanted to try it too!

The 10 Cent Park April 13, 2007

We went to a park on Thursday. We have all been going a little stir crazy at home! Now I know that sounds really simple. But here in Albania, parks are pretty scarce. We had to walk a mile to get to this one. So… I load up Jadyn in the stroller and head out with Robert and the boys. This is our first time to visit this park- we have seen it on our way home from church. When we walked in we were approached by a woman who gave us tickets and ask for 40 lek (about 40 cents). So this park costs money! Interesting! The park is surrounded by hedges and fences so it is nice that you feel enclosed and safe. The boys had a great time sliding down the huge 10 foot pole. Never mind that the whole thing swayed a little and would never have passed US codes for a park. Robert and I stood ready to catch someone at any moment. But there were nice places of grass and shade, benches and tables and a little area to play soccer for the boys. All in all it was a great outing…. until we were locked in at the end. The attendant went to lunch. I felt a little less stupid when there were two other Albanian families trying to get out also…. ?!@#$%^&*?! How is this supposed to work? Finally another woman who was running a concession stand down the street came to let us out. Okay, note to self, watch the lunch hour at the park. Either bring enough food to stay or get out early!