i <3 my blog

…But not as much as my family.

I often get asked how I “do it ALL.”  Here is a little secret:  I DON’T.  It certainly may appear that way & I may even think I am at times, but the dirty truth is that I don’t.  Somewhere, something is lacking – usually & sadly it is either my relationship with God, my husband, or one of my kids.  And to keep it real for ya, all these relationships in my life need a little TLC.  Don’t worry, there isn’t any major problems – I just want to nip it in the butt before that happens.  I really need to manage my time better & focus on my priorities. 

We started back to school last week & as I expected it’s going to take some time finding our new groove & taming a wild 2 year old.  In order for this to be successful I am going to have to have a lot of self-discipline.  The night before we started school I made a list of the things that were truly important to me & next to them listed “rules” to keep me in check.

• God
1. Devotional Time
2. Prayer Time
3. Bible Reading
4. Bible Study

*Here is my confession:  Instead of waking up first thing in the morning & spending time with God – I’ve developed a bad habit of checking my e-mail & facebook first, then doing a little online browsing.  So, in order to break this nasty habit NO online activities until I’ve read my devo & spent time with the Lord.  Nursing also has been a time I have wasted online, instead I’m going to use this time to read – either the Bible or an encouraging book. 

• My Kids
• Tyler
1. For my personal relationship with Tyler I really really need to make reading an encouraging book with him a daily priority.
2. For school – his independent reading has been slipping through the cracks, so I’m putting this at the top of his morning work.
• Tucker
1. For my personal relationship with Tucker I’m going to make a bigger effort to praise him & encourage him with his school work.
2. For school – math & reading are at the top of the list & he is the first one I’m going to work with individually.
• Trevor
1. Trevor needs me to spend some time just playing with him.  At least once a week I’m going to do this (hopefully with each of them).
2. For school – math
• Truman
1. I’m going to say more positive words & make it a priority to keep him busy before he makes me crazy!
2. For school – establish a routine & consistent discipline.
• My Husband

I have got to get dinner done earlier & the kids in bed at a reasonable time so the house is more peaceful when he gets home & so we can have a little time alone together.

• Homeschool
• I’ve got to make sure we are starting at a reasonable time. 
•  
• No computer or cell phone while we are schooling! *This includes texting & facebook updates!!

As much as I have learned not to over schedule our day, I know we need a more structured routine at this point in our lives. 

• AM Routine: 
• Me up 1 hour before the kids (pray, devo, dress, chores – start laundry, check bathroom, 15 minutes in a “zone”).
• Kids up by 7:30 – dress & make beds, I’ll get Truman & Tara dressed
• Breakfast & Bible reading, then dishes & table
• Kids chores, 1-on-1 with Truman in schoolroom (circle time, story)
• School Routine
• Core subjects in the morning, start with child that needs the most help (Tucker) & most difficult subject.
• Instead of working until the page or assignment is done, I’m going to allot a set amount of time to each subject & whatever isn’t done, will be there the next day.
• Each kid is going to spend 30 minutes with an “assigned” activity to do with Truman.
• I’m thinking we are going to revise our workboxes & I’m hoping my mother-in-law will get Truman on Monday’s so I can spend more time & focus on introducing the weeks lessons with the boys so they can work more independently throughout the rest of the week.
• Afternoon Routine
• Outside play, afternoon walks, or quiet time!!! (*at least on days we aren’t doing science)
• Science & history in the afternoon
• After school Routine

*This is where I really fall apart, loose my motivation & really mismanage my time, but when I need to stay focused the most!!  Instead of getting on the computer I need to spend time playing with or watching my kids play.  Just because I’ve spent the entire day to this point schooling my kids, doesn’t mean I’m off work.  They still need me to be their mommy, my house still needs tending to, & as “fun” as online socializing, shopping, or blogging might be – it isn’t “filling me up.”  I’m not saying these things are bad, but certainly not a priority.  At this season in life, I need to break a few habits & develop some new ones.

• PM Routine
• I have got to get dinner done by 6pm
• Bedtime Routine
• Truman – bath, book, bed by 8:30
• Tucker & Trevor by 9:00
• Tyler – 9:30
• Me – 10:30 *no more late nights on the computer.  I’m nursing & up in the middle of the night so I need my sleep.

On that note – I’m out.  Not sure if I’ll continue to blog regularly.  I really enjoy blogging, but in the scheme of things it isn’t important.  I’m still thinking & praying about this area, but I feel like I need to set boundaries more than I need to just give it up completely.  I’m think I will only blog 1-2 days a week, 2-3 posts a week, no “reviews” or unmemorable posts …. My family needs me & I need me & “me” time is limited & should not be solely computer time.

Pumpkin Patch

   

The REAL us . . .

We wrap each other in toilet paper for fun

And this is what happens when you are the first one to fall asleep

We have excellent fashion style

Sometimes we wear each other’s clothes – especially the ones that are 5 sizes too small!  

            

This is what you would find if you peaked in the window . . .

Wild Thang

I Think I LOVE You!!

Training . . .

Some of the best advice I’ve gotten regarding homeschooling is to STOP homeschooling.  Yes, you read that right!  My real-life friend, Nicki, once told me when there is a character issue with one of her children she stops schooling until the issue is resolved.  Now that doesn’t mean just turning the TV on & hoping the issue will magically go away on its own.  It means putting school off to focus on more important issues – your child’s heart.  Yeah, that is more important that history or science! 

The Bible instructs us to TRAIN our children.  And I’ve come to the realization that my wild little 2 year old is in major need of baby boot-camp!  I have been completely blessed with wonderful babies.  Then.  They turn 1.  Yes, 1.  Not 2.  Truman, however, was pretty sick from 1 to 2, so his badness is in full force now.  Yes, I know all the “experts” warn against referring to your children as bad.  But I am just calling it like it is.  My Lil’ Buckaroo is driving me coo-coo!!  Actually, he is driving us all CrAzY!!!!  He is absolutely adorable, sweet, & a lot of fun.  But on the flip side – he is loud, whinny, disobedient, disruptive, destructive, & a Lil’ TERROR!!! 

You know, when I started this blog Tucker & Trevor were about Truman’s age & I referred to them as my Mustangs because they were so bad.  On a movie I saw the grandmother told her 2 grandsons who were in trouble, “I’ll break you like a wild mustang!”  Which is where I got the title “Mustangs.” It’s time I begin training & I’m gonna break him like a wild mustang!! 

Here’s my plan of attack:

1. I really really really need to establish a schedule for Truman alone.  Up until now, our schedule revolved around the bigger kids & he just kinda fell in.  But it is very obvious that isn’t workin’ out for us!

*Bed Time – Truman is the last one down & the first one up.  He doesn’t take a nap, he doesn’t have quiet time, & if he does fall asleep he is seriously up until 11pm (no matter what).  My goal is to get this boy in bed by 8:30pm every.single.night

2. Whinning – He has the louds cry of distress EVAR!!!  So, let me introduce you to my little friend, “Quiet Spray”  Yes, ma’am.  I have a little spray bottle of water & I squirt him.  Right now it’s on the wide soft spray, but he may push me to turn that bad boy full-force.

3.  Meal times – part of the problem is a result of him being chronically ill for a year.  This is most definitely the cause of his “Helen Keller” behavior at meals.  When he refuses to sit & eat – we excuse him to his bedroom until he is ready to try again.

I really think our HOME issues are the most important, but we do homeSCHOOL, & since we are “back to school” this week - in an attempt to school in peace, I am planning on taking Truman to the schoolroom each morning & setting the tone with some one-on-one time.  Its nothing new in terms of schooling with little ones.  Everyone recommends starting with the tots first, then moving to the other children.  This is easier said than done for me.  Especially when I want to finish school BEFORE dinner time.  But it is necessary.  Because I would venture to say he is WORSE in our schoolroom. 

Pray.  Pray for me.  Pray for him.  Pray for all of us.

Back to Reality

I can’t believe it has been 5 weeks already.  Time has seriously zoomed by!! 

The past 5 weeks have been wonderful . . .

My mama stayed almost 2 weeks with us

Big Daddy’s daddy came to stay with us for a few days

The boys enjoyed the outdoors

                   

And caught lots of critters

                      

And spent A LOT of time loving on their new sister

               

And I took LOTS of pictures!!

I had every intention of starting school by now, but I sorta fell off the wagon after the first day back a couple weeks ago.  Three weeks postpartum just wasn’t long enough.  Cooler weather finally arrived & we’ve just been enjoying it way too much for school!  Not to mention - school kinda interferes with my daily photoshoots with Tara & the boys fishing with their daddy. 

Seriously though, we are starting school TOMORROW.  Well, we are going to start easing back into school.    The next several weeks are probably going to be full of challenges as we search to find our new groove with our new girl.  Here we go . . .

newborn Cloth Diapers

After almost 3 weeks the newborn disposable diapers that were given to me were all used . . .

Time to start using cloth diapers!!

When I was pregnant with Truman I decided to use cloth diapers, but I wasn’t sure I would stick with it long-term.  I figured the cost & learned that I had to use them for at least 4 months for them to “pay for themselves”.  I ended up using them almost 2 years – until Truman potty trained himself. 

When I initially began using cloth diapers I didn’t really know a lot about them, (what was good or not) & made most of my purchased based on recommendations from blog mamas that used cloth. 

My beginning stash included:

Diapers (suggusted:  24-36):  I ordered both contour & fitted diapers.  I don’t have any complaints about either – contour aren’t as easy with newborns; however, they make great (less expensive) back-up diapers.  I purchased: 

• 6 fitted Kissaluvs
• 1 fitted Thristies
• 6 contour Kissaluvs
• 4 Imse Vimse flannelette contour
• 1 Imse Vimse terry contour

*Thirsties are my all time favorite!  I also really like the Kissaluvs fitted, especially for newborns.  I am not crazy about the Imse Vimse diapers at all.

Covers (4-6):  I ordered

• 2 Imse Vimse cotton covers
• 2 Imse Vimse wool covers
• 1 Thirsties cover

*I happy with both these brands for covers.

AIO (3): The AIO's are awesome, but they are also awesomely expen$ive.  Initially, I decided to order 1 of each brand that I had my options narrowed down to. I ordered:

• 1 AIO (w/ snaps) from Imse Vimse
• 1 bumGenius one size
• 1 pocket diaper from Fuzzi Bunz.

*I like all these brands, but the Imse Vimse didn’t fit as long as the other 2 brands.

Doublers (12-24):  I ordered:

• 1 bumGenius insert
• 4 Kissaluvs booster doublers
• 1 package of Thirsties doublers
• 2 Imse Vimse terry liners
• 5 Imse Vimse flannelette liners
• 2 Imse Vimse stay dry liners
• 200 Imse Vimse flushable liners

*The bumGenius inserts are great for pocket diapers, I really liked the Kissaluvs & Thirsties doublers, but I did not like the Imse Vimse liners at all.

Taralyn’s Newborn Stash

I still have all my diapers I originally began with as well as additional purchases & gifts, but this time around I definitely have favorites!  As my second go around with cloth diapering a newborn I am using:

• Thirsties fitted diapers & covers
• Kissaluvs fitted diapers & covers
• Lil’ Joeys newborn AIO
• GroVia newborn AIO
• BumGenius newborn AIO
• Fuzzi Bunz newborn pocket diaper

I also found some “pretty girly” cloth diapers on Etsy, as well as some really inexpensive wool diapers (which make a great alternative to the expensive wool covers). 

Big Daddy’s Top Hand

I seriously can NOT call him “Momma’s Boy” anymore.  His daddy has called the man out in him & he is less & less of a boy & more & more of a man.  So, I think I’ll call him “Momma’s Man”  :)

Tyler really is a very diligent worker.  He not only does his chores & anything else we ask with a servants heart, but he also has learned to take the initiative himself without being asked.  He truly makes us proud!  As he grows & matures, new adventures await him.  Although he is not driving a tractor with a plow or brush-hog on it (yet) he is learning to drive a tractor – ALL BY HIMSELF. 

Soon, I will find him far off in the hay field . . .

A little bucket of LOVE . . .

            

Keeping Him Busy . . .

The other day I was home alone with just Truman & Taralyn.  With no brothers or daddy to keep him busy, it was all up to me.  What better time to have a little water-play.  I filled the big white bucket with soapy water & broke up an ice-tray of colored ice, gave him a smaller bowl & some utensils in the red tray (kinda a “spill catcher).  I also gave him a sponge & some of his plastic animals so he could give them a bath.  When he started to get bored I added a straw to the mix to buy me some more time :)  He absolutely LOVES playing in the water!! 

      

Purple Prissy Princess

    

boys

I take great pride in mothering 4 boys.  However, I am convinced they are a breed of their own.  Without a doubt!   I started this post months ago after reading the Boyer Blog’s series on raising boys.  I found myself shaking my head at so many of their points that I wanted to add my thoughts.  Life happened, my notes got lost in my cyber draft posts, & then last week another mom (I don’t know her she is a “friend of a friend”) lit a fire under me – okay to completely honest, she infuriated me!!!  She made a rude comment on Facebook in response to my comment “Boys will Be Boys” on a picture of our mutual friend had shared.  *The picture was hilarious – her son had climbed out of his crib, over a dresser, into his brother’s crib, & onto the changing table – emptying drawers, & knocking items off the shelves & creating a huge mess.  It instantly brought me back to the days I had 2 little tot BOYS destroying my house.  As other moms commented,

“Well it is true ‘boys WILL be boys’.... They are rowdy, stubborn, messy and a BLAST. Just like ‘girls will be girls’... Sassy, emotional, drama filled and FUN.”

“’Boys will be boys’ doesn't excuse the behavior, it only explains it. Kind of like the saying ‘We're only human’.”

I have learned quite a bit after nearly 11 years of being a “boy mom” & I agree wholeheartedly with many of Rick & Marilyn Boyer’s advice.  Boys . . .

• they needed physical activities

– including, but not limited to wrestling & play-fighting.  In fact, one of our sons craved “rough play” & it was very obvious on days that he did not receive it in a constructive way.

I learned that just tickling him, playing around a bit helped to lighten his attitude and he was usually then ready to buckle down and get it done.  They just function better if you break up their time with exercise.  I always tried to channel that into breaking their own time record or goal rather than letting them compare themselves to their siblings.

The Young Stallions: Boys and Sibling Rivalry

Boys have more of a natural tendency to express themselves physically. They are designed to be protectors of the female sex and nature has given them both a sensitivity to the needs of girls and a disposition to fight when it seems in order. This easily gets out of hand in the immature days of boyhood and violence sometimes flares when it is entirely inappropriate.So remember that boys are growing into men and they must flex their muscles sometimes.  Who knows who started it?? No one will ever admit to that. Actually, it really doesn’t matter. They are both making the wrong choice.

• They need to be busy!

The Boyer’s share wonderful advice in several areas of this need:

• Work ethic

“Learning to be productive helpers builds within them a sense of being needed and the character of responsibility. We chose to train them to be responsible first of all in the atmosphere of their home. As they grew older, we would lead them in projects of service to others in the church and community, instead of focusing on artificial activities to please themselves.” 

• Character

“Little boys are messy, noisy, and yet they have a charm of their own.  As I look back on my time of raising boys and now have four adult aged sons, I see how God perfectly designed the character traits and personalities into each one to prepare them for the role he had planned for them to assume when they would become adults.”

• Manliness

Boys need to learn to appreciate each other's strengths without feeling inferior, and forbear each other's weaknesses to carry out God's plan for each. They combine forces to accomplish special projects they have in mind to explore.

Little Bear Wheeler offers great insight into parenting boys.  I’m not going to quote him word for word, but after listening to one of his seminars my fears of boy-isms were immediately tamed.  I realized that some of the character traits that concerned me the most about my boys – the rough & rowdiness were actually good qualities that the Lord would tame & mold as they grew.  I’m not saying I let my boys run a’muck, but I do let them be boys.  If I raise them to never fight – when will they learn to stand for what is right or protect their families (or country) someday.  If I teach them to be quiet & timid, when will they speak out for what they believe in?  Just as baby snakes are most venomous because they don’t know how to control their venom, little boys are learning to control the God-given qualities that some day will form them into men.  Obviously there is discreetion  & discipline involved in raising boys, but there are some things (especially in a house full of them) that are just a boy thing!  Finding a balance that works for your family, household, & characters of your children is important.  There are a lot of things I let my boys get away with that most mothers would FREAK out over.  But there are also a lot of responsibilities & rules that other mothers consider extremely strict.  I think the most important thing in raising children in general is their heart.  When questioning my boys behavior & contemplating discipline, I try to base my decision on the state of their heart.  Is it a heart issue?  Next, how bad is it going to hurt them or someone else?  Is it going to cost me money if you break it?

<3 Taralyn <3

A Miracle from God