Gems of the Day


Stacia with her play phone is overheard having a very serious conversation: "I am Stacia. You are sista (Krista) and Bre. I love you, you are my sisters. Goodbye."

Later in the day at Chick Fil A (where the younger 5 and I went to see the older boys LOL)....

Stacia was full of vim. "Hi JAY!!" She earned a smile. She could top that.

She ran to the swinging door that seperates the employees from the consumers, leaned in and shouted, "Cyyyyy, I LUF you! I LUF YOU CY!" Oh my - she got smiles and laughs from other consumers and a big smile from Cy.

As we left, now obviously playing to the whole crowd, she turned and yelled back, "Cy we sure do LUF you!" ::snort::

Latebreaking gem.....Mike arrived home from the office, played with Stacia and said, "Can I talk with Mom a little bit now?" Stacia replied, "No, you're talkin with me!" ::snort::

Allowances

This is a backwards Works for Me Wed on FRIDAY - because Iwant to ask NOW. LOL

We've done a variety of things.

We've NOT given any allowance because you are part of a family and we work together as a team to accomplish what needs to be done to fullfill the mission of the family.

We've tied allowance specifically into chores. This worked well when the older ones (3 now graduated) were young. I ran my home by my index card box ala Sidetracked Home Executive. Each card had a notation in the corner - .05, .25......we kept track and added up their salary each night. This worked well as the children competed for the BIG jobs. ::snort:: THEN we entered the military and it got overwhelming to have to change cards every 2-3 years. LOL

We've simply given allowance so they learn to use money wisely and not tied it to chores in any way.

We've had systems where you lost money if someone had to do your job.

The thing is that I usually don't remember to pay them. They go for months without seeing their allowance. I also think we may woefully underpay allowances. What do you all give for allowance - and is it weekly or monthly? Of course, when they begin to MAKE their own money (Jared - 13 landscaping last summer, the girls babysitting at 12, the boys working) we quit giving them allowances, at THEIR suggestion.

Shannon over at Rocks In My Dryer blogged this week about how SHE handles allowances. Each child has their own savings account linked to their main account. Weekly she transfers their allowances into their accounts. When she buys something for them they watch as she transfers it from their account back to hers. It's all done online. I think the kids would stand a better chance at receiving their allowance this way. Shannon's gives them 1/2 their age every week. Linda, is this similar to what you do with the check registers? Where did you buy the registers? I'd love to hear your thoughts....I've been trying to remember all we talked about. LOL

What are your children expected to pay for with their allowance - and at what ages? Do they buy books, movies, bowling, church and support group events, clothes, gifts....? OK I know they all tithe and save. I'm wondering beyond that what you expect.

Please respond.

Boys....

Jared and Zander burning off ice cream energy......



Zander said this would make a good blog picture! ::snort::


Arielle won this for him from one of those "claw machines" at Double Dave's .

Photos of Arielle's Birthday!

She chose the lunch spot. We usually do dinner but Cy has to work tonight.

There's always lots of help opening gifts around here....

Bre's package arrived from WA right as we began opening gifts. She made an Arielle necklace, she and Krista made a card, there was a homemade journal...cool. Krista had given them gifts when she was home in December. Mom, your card got here too! She's planning how to spend her $.

Stacia got her a pink beach towel and this ball - which she promptly claimed!


3 new Nancy Drew computer games to solve

I figure none of the boys will take her water bottle. LOL

Mike and I also gave her the softball glove...we had hoped to find a Hope Chest for her but it appears that we'll have to do some searching for this. Hmph. When Bre and Krista got them - nearly 12 and 10 years ago they were on sale at WALMART. Ah well - I should have planned ahead. All I could find was Rubbermaid - not quite what we had in mind - and garden chests.

With 5 brothers at home...surprises are always expected. Cy was ON THE ROOF!

She holds her own

Stacia wasn't so sure

I made this version of Mike's Famous Ice Cream Cake, so I got to be in the picture. LOL

WE FORGOT and let Zander eat some...oops - I even HAD homemade stuff for him.


Tonight, we'll watch movies, go on a walk, play......

Jared's Promotion

Jared's goal was to make Staff Sgt. in CAP by the time he had been a member for a year. That's now. He actually met all the requirements for that promotion a few weeks ago, but was given the official paperwork last night.


He's already met 80% of the requirements for Tech Sgt......his one year anniversary of membership is next week. Go Jared! Linda, he's decided to stay in next year.

Random Thoughts from a busy Friday Morning....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIELLE!!!! OUR LITTLE PRINCESS IS ELEVEN TODAY!!!!

Why don't my children ever want NORMAL stuff (spy things? Huh? ) and why don't they ever want to GIVE normal things (stink bomb?)?

Stacia asked someone today at Produce co-op, "do you love my Mommy?" I think she's still working to categorize all the relationships that swirl around us. ::snort::

I'm getting our new structure down...didn't mess up today....and when asked why the doubles are $28 and the singles are $15 I said, "they take extra mental energy" - which I realized THEY DO! ::snort::

Off to a birthday lunch!

Thursday Update

I'm early!!!! Mike is at work. The older two boys are at work. Jared is at a friend's. They will take him to CAP tonight. The kids and I will go in later for the promotion ceremony and reception.

I had a shocking revelation weight wise - but I've decided to limit those musings to my Monday post....probably. ::snort:: Enough to say that I'm mixing up the routine again.

The younger ones and I went shopping for Arielle's birthday tomorrow. Wow. She is growing up so fast. We'll decorate tonight before we got to CAP.

A friend and her family stopped by today. That was a nice break.

I've been hearing the song below in my noggin lately. I drove in to the driveway today after working out and the song came on the radio. I sat and worshipped and cried. I can't find a video or playlist that I want to post.....but below are the lyrics.

How very, very true. HE never lets go. My soul does overflow when I think of His love for me. My love for Him. In joy and pain, in sun and rain - HE'S THE SAME! I love that about God.

I've found myself praying the lyrics on behalf of not only myself (and my struggles PALE) but on behalf of the Chapman family (who has had such joy engagement announcements, graduations and pain in one day/week) and the Rick Santorum Family (wife delivered a baby with T18) as well. May their faith grow strong. May He hold them close. May His peace and comfort surround them. May they draw close as families.

David Crowder Band - Never Let Go
From the album Remedy

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rise
And hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Chorus:
Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Chorus:

Oh, my soul
Overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills hope
Perfect love that never lets go

Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, what love, oh, what love
In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You're the same
Oh, You never let go