Maggie's Mussings

I don't want to go to Girl Scouts or dance.  I don't know why I signed up.  I am shy to dance in front of people.  I don't want to go to Girl Scouts because I like my house.

Weekend To Remember

A few weekends ago,  J and I attended Family Life's Weekend to Remember conference.  This was our second conference.  About 2 1/2 years ago we attended one at Sanibel Harbour Resort.  At the time I was in a very angry place in my marriage and, although I wanted to go, I was mainly hoping the conference would show my husband all the errors of his way.  I thought maybe it would teach me how to better communicate to him the things he was doing wrong.

Well, of course, that is not what it did.  I don't remember all the details of what I learned at that event, but I do know I was inspired to do the work to create a great marriage.  After that our marriage began to improve, mostly because we each stopped trying to change each other and instead started changing our own attitudes.

Fast forward a couple years and we had the opportunity to attend another Weekend to Remember.  Jeff actually brought up the idea and kept asking me to make a decision.  I was reluctant just because I didn't want to spend the money and my mom wasn't very firm on her commitment to babysit.  Eventually we just decided to go and then at the last minute also decided to book a hotel room.  The conference really was not that far in distance, but once we added in actual travel time and the price of gas, we just decided to enjoy the weekend.  That was a great decision.  It was definitely worth the time and money we alloted.

The biggest difference between the first and second conference was that our minds were open to the lessons.  We didn't have to spend the time trying to feel less angry or more loving and could instead focus on learning the underlying lessons on communication, respect and togetherness.

Here are the lessons that impacted me most for the weekend...

• Acceptance of our spouse should NOT be based on performance.  "You do your part, and I'll do mine."  This is definitely something I have struggled with in the past.
• "Sheath your sword" by offering your offending spouse grace instead of anger
• Our children have their whole lives to pursue their dreams.  We as parents don't have to fulfill them all now.  Our time is better spent giving them a loving home and modeling a strong and healthy relationship.  (This wasn't actually something that was taught, but an epiphany of sorts I had during the weekend)
• Your spouse in NOT your enemy.

Overall it was a wonderful weekend.  We met a few other really nice couples.  We also encountered a lot of couples who were in crisis.  I hope this weekend was able to give them hope and enable them to begin the healing process in their marriages.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday April 11, 2011

Outside my window... Well it seems like all I can say is it is either sunny or rainy.  Today it is sunny and warm.  

I am thinking... that my house is a mess and my kids are not cooperating and I am starting to get irritated

I am thankful for... my husband's frugality and sane spending habits

From the learning rooms... Tyler is off to Ohio so Maggie and I are planning some fun activities for the week.  Well, fun for her at least.

From the kitchen... my Mom will be here for dinner and requested a trip to the local steakhouse.  Delicious!  I won't be cooking much this week with Tyler out of town, Maggie not liking anything, and myself going back 100% on my weight loss plan.

I am wearing... my pajamas

I am creating... a household notebook in an effort to motivate myself

I am going... to the chiropractor and out to dinner.  I really need to go pick up my contacts, but for some reason I hate driving toward that area.

I am reading... I never did manage to read Nanny Returns.  I did just finish the newest book by Jodi Picoult Sing You Home.  I didn't really feel like reading it, but so glad I did.  The was one of her best books.

I am hoping... that I can motivate myself

I am hearing... the kids playing and quoting lines from the movie they watched yesterday.

Around the house... I feel like my house is a mess and needs a good spring cleaning.  But I hate to clean, so I am in a quandary.  I did completely clean out my refrigerator yesterday.  

One of my favorite things... coffee and flavored creamer

A few plans for the rest of the week... Tyler leaves for Ohio tomorrow.  Maggie and I are planning some play dates, girl scouts, park day and lots of cuddles.

Here is picture I am sharing...

my sous chef

Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/02/11

Sunday:  After a week of visitors I really needed some alone time.  We had planned to go visit a Strawberry farm for some treats (shortcake and strawberry shake) and also to visit Dino World.  My DH was nice enough to let me stay home while he took the kids, his sister, and nephew.  They had a good time and I had some much needed recuperation.

Monday:  My Mom is staying for a few days this week so Jeff and I went together to my chiropractor appointment and then enjoyed a date afternoon with lunch and a stroll through the antique store.  It was a nice relaxing afternoon and we enjoyed the alone time together.

Tuesday:  After a week of spring break the kids were not thrilled to be back to the daily school grind.  We have lost our motivation and we need to find a way to reinvigorate our studies.  I am hoping the upcoming homeschool convention will give me a much needed attitude refresher.

Wednesday:  One of Maggie's good friends was had invited us to her birthday party today.  Tyler was lucky enough to get to stay home with Nanny and not have to spend the day with little girls.  Maggie, who is currently experiencing some anxiety/separation issues decided at the last minute she did not want to attend.  I knew she was just feeling anxiety so we headed off to the party anyway.  When we arrived the only guests were the 5 little girls Maggie goes to the park with every week.  Still, she would not play and stayed glued to my side.  Finally after over an hour she managed to venture out of my sight and have some fun.  She even got to hold the brand new baby sister of the birthday girl.

Thursday:  It is always a good day when the kids start off the morning cooperating with each and playing together nicely.  I had to interrupt their game to go to my chiropractor appointment.  After the appointment, I took the kids to lunch and then we spent way too much time trying to find a new ice cream store I had read about.  We never found the location so we just went to Dunkin' Donuts and got ice cream there.  We finally made it home and finished up some school work for the day.

Friday:  Our weekly park day has moved to mornings now that Florida is starting to heat up.  We were all glad of the change today because by the time 12:00 pm hit everyone was pretty warm.  It was a weird day at the park.  Tyler was actually having a great time and didn't want to leave.  This is a total contradiction of our normal Friday.  Maggie spent most of the time sitting beside me and generally not leaving my side.  I hope the poor girl gets over this anxiety soon.

Saturday:  The kids voluntarily started playing outside this morning so that was a plus.  We have some friends coming to visit this afternoon so it should be a good day.

Tyler Taranchala

today was kindiof nice i played legos with my freind what cold posobley go wrong?

Maggie's Mussings

I went to Dino World yesterday and I saw a dog.  I went there with my cousin, my Aunt, my Dad and my brother, but not my Mom.  We fed some fish.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday April 4, 2011

Outside my window... a lovely sunny and warm FL day

I am thinking... about how we can save some extra money in April

I am thankful for... having a helpful, supportive husband who understands my idiosyncrasies

From the learning rooms... just trying to get back in the groove after taking a week off while family was visiting.

From the kitchen... leftovers after a full week of cooking every night

I am wearing... cropped exercise pants and a t-shirt

I am creating... our homeschool plan for the week

I am going... nowhere, but I just returned from the chiropractor and lunch with my hubby

I am reading... Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I am hoping... that my back really starts to feel better and I can gain some strength so I stop having these issues

I am hearing... sweet silence

Around the house... my SIL just left after visiting for a week.  Now it's back to school for us and some recovery time for the two introverts 

One of my favorite things... my Well Planned Day homeschool planner

A few plans for the rest of the week... another chiropractor appointment, birthday party, cub scouts, park day and dance class