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Photo courtesy of www.lovelywhatevers.blogspot.com Today will be another warm day here in Georgia. I don't mind the warmth it's the humidity that gets ya. My husband and I joke that although he sells far-infrared saunas we can just go outside for about 1/2 hr and have the same effect! I just wanted to tell y'all why I picked this picture. As some of you know my family, for now, lives in an apartment. I try to make our apartment feel as homey as possible, but it isn't a house with a front porch. So, I go out some nights, when it isn't sweltering, and sit on the sidewalk, which is known as Farrah's porch in the building. This is important to make your home wherever you live. Today Bryson (10 yr old) has swimming lessons and then I have water aerobics. While Bryson has his lessons I have to run to a chiropractor's in town to get our milk and eggs. Isn't it sad that in order to get healthy milk and eggs the truck has to park behind a tree? I tell my husband it's like their selling moonshine, not milk! After water aerobics, Bryson and I will run to Trader Joe's. I've tried to go without getting groceries this week because we are trying to pay down the credit card from vacation. However, we are out of a couple of things that I think I can get by with only $20 and that's all I'm taking. So, with the dairy and the $20 I will spend only $40 this week in groceries. That $150 will go towards the AmEx. Next week will be my Whole Foods meat visit and that will be costly. As soon as we can we are going to purchase 40# in grass fed ground beef from Riverview Farms. They have a deal if you buy in bulk. I'm trying to find a deal for chicken breasts/tenders and bacon that are grass fed. Let me know if y'all know of any. Nick (14 yr old) just called from his friends house and they stayed up all night recording and writing songs. This is Nick's new obsession-screaming. Yes, you heard me, screaming. His band is a Christian version of Ozzy Osbourne. I have no clue what they are saying until he reads me the words, and yes it gives me a headache. However, there are some bands like The Devil Wears Prada and Norma Jean who really touch kids lives and teach them the gospel through the type of music they like to hear. So, if this makes him happy and he isn't doing anything wrong I guess go for it. Their band is featured on MySpace called My Chains are Broken if you want to hear. A book I've been reading is called A Legacy of Love by Ruth Graham, the daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham. It's about the relationship between this Mother and Daughter. If you haven't then please pick up this book. I spent the whole time in my bathtub last night reading and crying because it was so moving. Well, I need to go make breakfast for Bry. Then we have to take off. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Blessings, ~Farrah |
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Photo courtesy of www.lovelywhatevers.blogspot.com Howdy Dear Friends! Oh, how good it is to be home. My husband, the boys, stepdaughter, and I made the long trek to my in-laws in Northern Ohio from Atlanta. Thankfully, my parents live about halfway in Kentucky for us to stay the night to break up the trip. We were worried about gas, but my husband got a great deal on renting a Prius hybrid. Although the kids were a bit squished in the back (poor Bry stuck between 2 large teenagers) it was worth it financially. We would have spent more in gas in our minivan plus the wear and tear that the minivan doesn't need at 200k miles than with the Prius. We only spent $100 in gas the entire 1,300 mile trip! When we got to my in-laws farm last Tuesday it was so nice. The weather was perfect, 75 with a light breeze and sunshine. We unloaded, ate, and sat outside until it got too cold catching up with my in-laws and neices lives. Oh, and of course my husband just HAD to show off the car, which Lord willing will be ours this fall. On Wednesday, we just relaxed around the lake on my in-laws property. Man, those deer flies eat you up! My poor toes are just bit to pieces. It was nice and relaxing, just what we needed coming from the city. On Thursday, my 18 year old neice, the boys, hubby, and I went to a neat outlet mall. We got the best deal on Bath & Body Works products. Since B&BW is based in Ohio the deals were so incredible. We do not use the typical products because of the chemicals, but the Savannah Bee Company and that French company (the name currently escapes me) that use all-natural, paraben-free products were all 90% OFF. Can you believe we got some scubbing salts regularly $25 for only $2.10? It was so awesome and I believe we are filled up for quite some time. The rest of Thursday we helped my MIL get the house cleaned. On Friday, we had a big 4th of July party. My MIL whole family (11 siblings and their families) come for a BBQ. Everyone played cornhole (boy, I never knew how competetive my husband is until he plays this game), swam, talked, and of course ate. It was so nice seeing everyone. My SIL and her family plus our family drove over to Mansfield to see great fireworks. I was really impressed at how long they were in such a little town. Saturday we helped clean up, I did our laundry and got us packed, and we just rested. Saturday night some of us went to see a balloon glow. I had been to one years ago in Kentucky as one of the events prior to the Kentucky Derby. But nobody else had been to one. I have to say this was neat, but a bit boring. My husband was laughed the whole time about how hokey this all was. Sunday after lunch we loaded up the Prius. As we were getting ready to get into the car my stepdaughter (whom we have seen little of this trip because she is staying with my SIL helping on her farm) wants to stay a week. So, I called Delta to see if we could change her ticket from Atlanta to Columbus, and we could so she is staying her last week up there. We miss her, but this is a good experience for her. Hopefully we'll see her at Christmastime. We drove to my parents where we had a small birthday party for my Dad. On Monday morning we were packed and ready to leave and once again something happened. My husband, whom didn't wake up until 11:30am, decided to stay another day. Bry doesn't have any cousins his age (he's the baby on my husband's side) at my in-laws, so he was having a blast with Sister's kids and hubby didn't want it to have to end. One thing I have learned on our trips is to have a separate bag for when you stop. I keep a large tote with pajamas, underthings, bathing suits, and a few toiletries. So, when we decided to stay all we had to do was get that bag out. That morning I just was wash our clothes from the previous day, we take showers, and off we go, that is when we actually do decide to leave. So, my husband asked me what we can do. I told him that I wanted to visit my maternal grandmother. He has always wanted to go to a bourbon tour and tasting and there is one near my grandmother's. So we went and toured Maker's Mark Distillery (very historical and neat). Then we went to visit Nana for a few minutes. Yesterday we finally made it home. Although there were storms and no electricity when we actually arrived, but there was enough light to get my oil lamps and a few candles together. About an hour before we went to bed the electricity came on and we unpacked and did a little cleaning. We had quite a journey both physically and spiritually. When you have the distractions of everyday life, especially here in the city, one certainly does find God in the country. This morning life is now running again. I got up, and got dressed (very important), made my husband's turkey sausage and oatmeal like every morning, started a load of laundry, and got meat out for dinner. Now, Bryson's complaining about swimming so life is back to normal. Hope everyone has had a wonderful week and this week will be just as terrific! Blessings, ~Farrah PS I'll load some pictures up when I get a chance. |
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Hello Friends, It's a hot and muggy day here in Hotlanta. This morning we went to a birthday party for our neighbors. The older girl was in Bryson's class in school last year. We stayed for several hours with burned noses and all. Afterwards, I went to the library and Target to pick up my prescription and some toiletries. We leave on Monday for our trip to Ohio so we needed a few things. Tomorrow I will be doing our laundry and packing. I will probably make a few goodies for the trip. I hope everybody is having a great weekend. Blessings, ~Farrah |
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Graphic courtesy of www.allposters.com Hello Friends! I'm sorry for my lack of posts in the past few days. My kids and I have been living at the pool this week. My 2 youngest have swim lessons at the local rec center and then all 3 of us with our neighbors swim at the pool in the neighborhood most afternoons. I'll post pictures as soon as I can of our tanness (is that a word?). My husband wants us to be more careful because the youngest (who has my fairer skin tone) and I keep getting burned instead of just tanned as the others. Skin cancer runs in my family and my husband's. We have been using, though not as diligently as we should, Earth's Best Baby sunscreen even though we haven't had a baby in the house in a long time. I feel its important to use as much natural as possible since it is slathered on the largest organ we have, our skin. It is important for our bodies to get vitamin D and the best source of vitamin D is through the sun. However, too much sun can cause different problems in the way of skin damage and cancer. My rule of thumb is if we are at the pool for longer than an hour to make them get out, dry off, and eat a small snack while the sunscreen soaks in. Today my husband is going to take my visiting stepdaughter to the mall to get her earring solution and to Petland to play with the animals. My stepson will probably go to the skatepark. My youngest I'm not sure about. We need to get our weekend cleaning done also so that tonight we can go to the organic restaurant, R. Thomas. We have gift cards otherwise we couldn't afford to go! I haven't had time to visit all of my fave blogs, but here are a few of the series some of them have going on right now. Lindsay at www.passionatehomemaking.com is doing a series on simplifying your life. Crystal at www.moneysavingmom.typepad.com and at www.biblicalwomanhood.com has some great ideas on frugality and take the money quiz (we got a C, yikes!). June at www.proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com has a neat poem for Father's Day. If you're interested in natural food frugally visit www.keeperofthehome.org for ideas. There are many more, but this is all I can remember at the time. I hope everyone has a wonderful Father's Day tomorrow. Blessings for your weekend. ~Farrah PS. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers. My stepdaughter and stepson still aren't getting along and this has set a very edgy tone in our home no matter what I do to make it light and loving. The stress is so that if I eat anything I have esophageal attacks and/or diarrhea. If you are wanting to know more specific details scroll down a bit and you'll understand. Thanks! |
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Graphic courtesy of www.allposters.com
In my last post I mentioned I have just finished watching PBS's Jane Austen series. In the scene of "Pride and Prejudice" where Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett are walking down a country lane. He makes mention of a time when she said he was not of gentleman-like behavior. So, that made me think (yes, scary, I know) of what is the difference between Britain's version of Gentleman and the traditional Southern version of Gentleman (genteel). Above is what is Webster's definition of Gentleman. Here is the definition of Genteel:
My next thought is so if you are not born into nobility or wealth whether in England's great manors or a Southern plantation does that mean that a male is not to be a gentleman? I think not. I think that being a gentleman entails a bit of those things above. I think some men have more of the constitution of being a gentleman than others. Some men are just plain rowdy. Well, that's fine out on the field, however, in front of women and children it is imperative that they behave like a gentleman. Now that we have (or at least in my mind) decided that any male can be a gentleman let's talk about how as Mother's of boys we can encourage behavior in this 21st century. First of all, I think it is important for their Father's to have good manners and really try to encourage their sons to do the same. It is important from a very young age to teach these boys to be polite, yet yearn to have knowledge on everything of value. Reading books such as "I Have Two Mommies" will not bring them the knowledge needed in becoming gentleman. Little boys should be focusing on their adventures and honestly, in saving their sisters from crocodiles and putting the little girls first. If my boys are going with me I wait for them to open the door for me. My son's have been, and will continue to be, taught that women are to be revered. For instance, my 10 year old son was playing with a friend from school and her little sister in our little wooded area behind our home. The girls' ball got stuck in some branches. My son came in with a scratch on him and I asked how he got it. He said he had to be the man and get the ball for them. I was so pleased and said that's my little gentleman. I told him that someday he will make an excellent husband by being protective and caring towards his wife. Now that I've shared how I am trying to instill gentleman like behavior in my son's, my question is how can I ensure that this behavior will continue once they are out of my reach? Also, what have you done to try to make sure your boys are gentleman and your daughters are gentlewomen? Last, What do you consider being a gentleman/genteel man and is it necessary? ~Farrah |
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Graphic courtesy of www.allposters.com Tonight during dinner we watched the movie Nancy Drew, which was too cute. A little spooky at times, so I wouldn't let anyone under a mature 10 watch it. Her outfits were so adorable! I did not like how she did something behind her Dad's back that he told her not to do. However, this isn't what this post is about. My post is about Charlie Brown. My husband and older son decided to watch a rated R movie called "Shooter". It is about a Marine, and since my son wants to be a Marine he loves this movie. He has seen it quite a few times, but they had it at the library and he wanted to watch it again. My younger son said that he will not watch a movie with violence and cursing. So, he chose Charlie Brown Christmas. Bryson and I climbed into my husband and my bed and watched both the old and new Charlie Brown Christmas episodes along with Arthur's Perfect Christmas. As a Mother, it really warms my heart to know that my little boy is still little sometimes. Bryson really has a sweet heart and he wants what is pure and right. We are both extremely sensitive and sometimes when something is violent and scary we actually feel how intense it is and we don't like that feeling. My husband and more so Nick, do not seem to feel this way. That worries me, but it's out of my hands. Right now I am so thankful that Bryson still loves Charlie Brown over what's "cool". Blessings, ~Farrah |
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Graphic courtesty of www.allposters.com After reading GypsyFarmGirl, Jeannie's blog post today about her childhood and desires, I was inspired to share a bit about mine. I grew up in a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky. We were kinda out in the country. We had neighbors nearby, but it was very spacious. My Dad spent most Saturday's mowing and Mom grocery and clothing shopping for us. We lived in that house until I moved down here to Atlanta. Talk about culture shock. I went to Fashion school, so I was a complete urbanite and loved it. However, I always missed running into friends at the market as I did at home. I didn't feel like I belonged to a community. We briefly moved to Ft. Payne, AL to the country, and I loved it, but was lonely. Still no community. After quite awhile my husband and I decided that I would homeschool our son for a few years. I joined a wonderful homeschool group. In doing so I found my community. (We go to a MegaChurch so I didn't feel a community there, though I am now a Bible study leader in a Ladies community group.) I was around ladies who loved the Lord, lived naturally, and encouraged eachother. When Nathan died they were my rocks. Around this time my husband became a N.D. Our entire lives changed as he was learning how our world was making us sick. Then, I began asking my grandparents questions. My paternal grandmother, Muzzie, always told me that her grandmother never took any pill other than an asprin and she lived until she was 102. All these things stuck in my head. I remember growing up playing kickball in the backyard. I remember going to church every time the door was open and being happy to be there. I remember long walks to the cemetary with my maternal grandmother and junkin' with my paternal. I remember sitting outside on my favorite big rock doing homework. I remember catching fireflies and rubbing them on eachother so we would "glow". I don't have my homestead now, although I asked my husband if we could get a cow to keep on the balcony, but someday I pray we will. Someday the government will give each N.D. licensing so we can move to another state and he still makes decent money. Someday I will sit on a porch and watch my grandchildren smush glow onto eachother, God willing. ~Farrah |
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Graphics courtesy of www.allposters.com Okay, someone is going to flip out, and it will not be me, if we do not put a schedule in place. The boys are spending copious amounts of time on the Wii, TV, and/or Internet. It is all out of proportion. Once they have been doing these technology "miracles" they cannot transition to doing what I want them to do. For instance, they literally looked stoned after 2 hours of Wii that when I asked them to unload the dishwasher they looked like what? then complained and whined. No more of that! So, I have come up with a new schedule for them. 8:30 Wake up and make bed 9:00 Breakfast 9:30 Morning chores (brush teeth, daily cleaning) 11:00 schoolwork (.5 hr math, .5 hr language arts, .5 hr reading) 12:30 lunch 1:00 Any errands needed to be ran otherwise go to pool 5:00 Free time 7:00 dinner 8-10:00 Showers, evening chores, bedtime Hopefully this will stave off boredom which leads to electronics and those lead to arguments. My husband has disconnected our cable. We monitor the phone, parental controls on the computer, and set timers for the Wii/TV. Both boys, but especially Nick, have OCD. My husband wants them to think of their goals and work on them instead of thinking just because they are preteen and teen that their adolescence means having fun and nothing else. Blessings, ~Farrah PS If y'all think of it, please pray for Nick. He got into serious trouble because of his OCD calling that girl and he has been devastated ever since. My husband has realized that he is too lineant (sp?) on him because he wants Nick to have some freedom so that he will not rebel as he gets older. Unfortunately, Nick has taken advantage of said freedom and manipulated the situation. Thanks! |
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Graphic courtesy of www.allposters.com Good Morning! We had a wonderful day yesterday. First off, we went to the best, IMHO, Memorial Day celebration in Georgia called "Roswell Remembers". Thousands of people attend each year. To me the most wonderful part was everyone saying to pray for our troops and thanking God that these veterans made it home okay. That's one of the nice things about living in the Bible Belt. Then, we went to our son's grave and placed some beautiful blue and yellow flowers. Last, we had a nice late lunch at a new restaurant in town called Ceviche. It has really, really good Mexican food. I have never had potatoes in my chimichanga! I baked some bread and cleaned the rest of the day while the boys and hubby were at the pool. Today I need to do laundry (I need some underthings, yikes!), attempt water aerobics class (I hurt my knee really bad on Saturday and so I'm not sure if I can do it or not), go to Trader Joes for some groceries, return a dress to TJ Maxx, and take the boys to the park for a small picnic. Late in the afternoon it is too hot to really do alot. I hope y'all have a wonderful day! Blessings, ~Farrah |
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I do not know how to start my posts. I want to say "Hello Dear Friends", but what usually comes out is "Hey Y'all". Anyhow, how do you do? Today my husband, son, son's friend Lucas, and I went to the pool for the first time this year. We had so much fun. The boys swam for 4 hours! Unfortunately, my husband and I cooked for 4 hours too. We are burnt! I wore a swim skirt for the first time today and there is quite a line! It's my first major burn of the season. I predict there will be more since I burn anytime I'm near the sun. I burn quite a bit at first and then I tan. My husband is pretty burnt too. He usually just tans, but I told him that proves how pale he truly is! Next time, definitely sunscreen, which I got some Burts Bees so we do not have the chemicals and parabens. For more info on that go to www.keeperofthehome.org and see Stephanie's research. My husband, against my unspoken wishes (learning when to back out of conversation), is allowing Nick to go to a end of the year party at a friends house. With Nick's attitudes, obsessions, and thoughts lately it scares me. He has been crying over school ending and his girlfriend breaking up with him. He is still calling her obsessively and followed her like a sick puppy after his graduation on Friday. So, this is still a matter for prayer. We are going to eat pizza and watch Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium tonight. Has anyone seen this? Is it good? I have some buttons to sew tonight so I'll do those while watching the movie. I'm still having problems with being lazy, but I'm working on it. Have a blessed evening! ~Farrah |
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My husband talked to Nick last night. Hubby told Nick that he can call this girl once a day and that is all unless he has our permission. If he doesn't follow that rule Nick will be grounded from the phone for 1 week. I am to monitor the situation and let hubby know if he doesn't follow. So, we'll see how this goes. Again, I'm hoping that everything will change once school gets out. I'll talk to y'all tomorrow. ~Farrah PS If you have a chance, stop by & visit Lindsay at www.passionatehomemaking.com for a great post on eating locally! |
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Good Morning Dear Friends! I hope everyone is doing well today. This morning I went to Target for a few groceries. My kind husband did the Trader Joes and Costco shopping this past weekend while I was gone. Unfortunately, I forgot that Target does not double coupon. That was silly of me because I could have gone to Publix. Oh well, I'll do better next week. I also went to CVS and did pretty well. I got 5 Crests, Garnier Fructis shampoo, and Almay eye products for $5 before the ECBs. I had to buy my youngest son some foot supports because his feet are completely flat (just like the skiis his Mama has). So that took some of my ECBs. To kinda catch y'all up on some of the things going on in our family I thought I'd share a little bit. The boys get out of school on Friday. I'm certainly looking forward to having activities for them to do and spending time with the boys. I'm kind of hoping that my 14 year old will not keep his "relationship" with his girlfriend without seeing her everyday. I'd like to slowly introduce him to the idea of courting. It's difficult to have him doing different things than the other children. I'm hoping out of sight out of mind. With the youngest I'm thinking of how to keep him away from his video game addiction without him feeling punished. Any ideas? What are some of your summer plans? How are y'all saving money on gas and food? Well, I need to go do the mound of laundry on my couch. My husband washed everything up, and so I just have to fold and put away. Y'all have a blessed day. ~Farrah |
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Yesterday was my Mother's Day, rather than today. My darlin' husband had a big surprise for me. First, he and the boys took me to the Blue Willow Inn (www.bluewillowinn.com). It has awards from FoodNetwork, USA Today, and many from Southern Living. It is a Greek Revival home from I believe 1840's. One of the owner's son's married Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind. Mrs. Mitchell based her character Rhett Butler on this son, Mr. Upshaw. Now, The Blue Will Inn is a wonderful restaurant. It is in the middle of nowhere in Social Circle, Georgia. It is a little over an hours drive from Atlanta. The food was deelish! Afterwards we drove to Madison, Georgia. It is known as being "a town so beautiful that Sherman couldn't burn". It has a neat downtown district with beautiful antebellum and Greek revival homes and cute shops. One store called The Laughing Moon has all these neat Southern items, including a pink (of course) shirt my husband bought me that says A.S.A.P As Southern As Possible. We ended the day with Costco. He got me a toaster oven, since that must be the only appliance I don't have. Does anyone have any recommendations on using one? This morning I didn't feel really well so we stayed home from church. Bryson gave me a sweet card he made at school, they all gave me a hilarious ecard from Hallmark, and Bryan gave me a really pretty triple strand pearl necklace (he got it on sale, yay for him). They really spoil me! It's nice to feel appreciated. My husband especially really made an effort to let me know all weekend long that this is my weekend and they are just "celebrating with me" because I do so much for them. Aren't they sweet? ~Farrah |
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Dear Mom, First of all I love you oh so much. But finally, after being a Mother myself for 10 years I now appreciate you. You and I do not have the same lives (though Jennifer is definitely following after you and I am following after Nana) I appreciate all you taught, ways you loved, ways your provided, and lived your life. It's sad that it takes growing up and having our own children to have a proper understanding of what it takes to be a Mother and raise her children. Any woman can give birth, but it takes someone special to be a Mother. I am so thankful to God that you are mine. Your loving Daughter, ~Farrah PS I was going to put a picture up of us, but I know it bothered you the last time. |
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Good Morning Friends, First of all, thank you to those who gave me some advice on dealing with social issues with the boys. I am so grateful to have friends that care like y'all. This morning I dropped Nick off at school for his trip. Of course it was an anxiety felt ride. All I can do is pray and hope he knows what's right and what's wrong and does it. Yesterday was a bit of a rough day. It started with my nauseousness being really bad (terrible acid reflux), Nick arguing with me the entire way to school, 3 hour dentist appointment (including 5 shots to get a filling!), pain when shots wore off, 1 of closest friends husband told friend that he is moving out, Bryson not knowing his spelling words for his test today and him not wanting to study, missed National Day of Prayer at City Hall with bible study because of dentist and nausea, prices raised at grocery store sent me over my budget, traffic, didn't get enough bread made because was gone all day and they are out of banana bread, and last but not least, my power window in the drivers side door will not work. This is the 5th time in 6 months I have had to go to the mechanics for this window! Okay, sorry, needed to vent a bit. Praying today is better. Praying everyone here has a wonderful day. I'm headed out to the mechanics. I'm going to get some letter writing done. Then come home and make the banana bread then take it to the produce stand. They want several loaves for the weekend. Tonight Bryson and I are going with my husband to hear Jordan Rubin speak at a local church (Church of the Apostles in Sandy Springs for local readers). I will talk to y'all later! Blessings, ~Farrah |
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Once again the boys are gonna send me to the loony bend (jk). If you could please give me some advice on handling some situations with them. First, my oldest, my stepson Nick, is going on a weeknd trip to Savannah with his 8th grade class this weekend. I was fine with him going until I found out that I cannot be a chaperone because they already have enough. And, Nick got a new girlfriend in his school that he has already gotten in trouble with for hugging in school. First of all I do not approve of him having a girlfriend, but that is SO uncool not to have one. Plus, she's a popular girl, and for the last 2 years of attending this school has been looking for acceptance. When I was in the 8th grade I went to England for a trip and though I didn't join there were tons of hotel parties. I really worry that with Nick's insecurities and with not being properly chaperoned he could do something that could change his life. I told my husband that I am tempted to just follow behind the bus. I guess my question is how do you live according to Christ, but still fight the urges of acting like the rest of your fellow teenagers? How can I as a parent protect him without being there or making him upset with us? My youngest son Bryson, has taken to lying and manipulating to get his way. Bryson is very close to being a diabetic. I pack him high protein, high fiber, low sugar/carb lunches every day. Off and on all school year he would say that he didn't have time to get his sack lunch so he HAD to buy a school lunch. I let it go, but when it happened all last week and again on Tuesday, I called his teacher. She says she allows Bryson time to go and get his lunch. Also, Bryson lied to me about being late to class from recess by 20 min! He said he was given a longer recess, but his special needs teacher said that the other students in Bryson's homeroom made it back in time. Bryson was goofing off in the hallways getting to his special needs class. My question is how can we make it so that he never forgets how terrible it is to lie, manipulate or deceive? I don't think just spanking or taking something away will work. I was thinking of an episode of The Cosby Show where the son lied to his parents and they had a mock trial where he was found guilty. He then had to give over his keys and then apologize. That is something he'd never forget. Can y'all think of something? Well, I need to finish some more bread. Thanks in advance for your help, friends! Blessings, ~Farrah PS If you are a faithful reader who knows my children (ie Donna, Doris, or Jen please sign in under anonymous and comment-or text me). |
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Y'all, I need your help. I asked for help a year ago about this, but nothing has worked. My 10 year old son, Bryson, fear of bees has been taken to a new level. He almost refuses to come out of the house and out of the car. Last night he was upset that they were not sleeping when he was going to get out of the car even though the sun had not even set. He's screaming, crying, running into traffic. It's getting ridiculous. I need help and guidance on how to deal with this. He is NOT intensely allergic to bees. He was stung once and it swelled a bit. I put ice on it and gave him benadryl, but overall he was fine. I understand it was uncomfortable for him, but he really believes he will die if stung. My older son is playing into this and calling him names. I'm at the point where I want to spank them both! Please help me help him to get over this fear. ~Farrah |
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As Bryson and I were taking Nick to school today we were listening to our local Christian radio station. Their topic of the day was if media is ruining children's brains. This is a subject that I have conflictions with, which I have posted on in the past. They had an expert on there named Claire Bauden (sp not sure). She is a child psychologist from Scotland. She said that yes, without a shadow of a doubt, excess of media changes the development of children's brains. For instance, those that have dvd's in the car. They are in the car so that children are not bored nor do they bicker amongst themselves. What this does is prevent children from creativity, speech development, and social interaction. Also, when texting, instant messaging, and email there is no personal interaction, and children (and adults) learn to be impatient since everything is at their fingertips. The doctor went on to say that calculators, texting, and using the computer has hurt the children's intelligence. Children do not know how to do math skill since electronics do it for them. From personal experience I can see how this is completely true. My youngest son, Bryson, is a techie. Which when he gets older he may truly be an electrical or computer engineer and be able to support us all! However, when he is playing video games or watching tv he truly gets into the game. He is in Pokemon land and cannot get out. Transition from electronics to the "real" world is difficult. Next week is National turn off tv week and we are participating. However, we are also going to have family turn off cell phones, video games, and internet after school also. This should be interesting. Do you think your family could make it without electronics? ~Farrah PS Since writing this my supposedly sick son said he felt almost all better and wanted to go to school. I said, are you sure? He said he was so bored just laying in bed that he couldn't take it. He has no fever and his throat isn't that red so I took him. That just proves without electronic gadgets he can't function! |
Posted in Family Life
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Ironically, these clip art post cards were in my weekly email from www.doverpublications.com. I actually live in Atlanta, GA, but the boys and I are heading out of town tomorrow. So, I join Willie Nelson in his rendition of, "On the road again, Just can't wait to get on the road again" This week is the boys spring break. We were supposed to go to Florida, but my poor hubby found out he has to work. I refuse to take the boys to Disney without my hubby. So, we're heading back to Kentucky to visit my parents. My husband was telling me that I should go every chance I get because my grandmother's are getting quite elderly and we should spend as much time with them as possible. I agree. It's funny because we usually only see my family a few times a year and this spring I will be there 3 times! I am hoping to rent another Toyota Prius. They are such a money saver. I typically spend $150-200 in gas in our minivan. However with the Prius it was only $75. Plus, I don't have to worry about the wear and tear on our van. You can easily find coupons on the web for renting through Enterprise. I will be checking in every so often. I hope y'all have a wonderful week! Blessings, ~Farrah |
Posted in Family Life
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Doctor and Doll by Norman Rockwell, courtesy of www.allposters.com Happy Birthday Honey! I love you very much and am proud to be your wife. You are a wonderful provider and head of our household. The Lord above really did a good job at giving you to me! Love, ~Farrah PS To my blog readers, the Rockwell picture above is one that my husband loves. Bryan loves children and he's a doctor, so this is a good fit for him! |
