Fat Tuesday!

Today is the last day of experiencing a few things for me - for the next 40 days.
Lent has always been something I try to use as a catalyst for denying myself things I enjoy - specifically chocolate and for the first time, last year, Facebook.

So I will now go 40 days without any chocolate (which is something I have nearly everyday of my life, except during Lent).  I enjoyed a nice big slice of chocolate cake from Cafe Patechou http://www.cafepatachou.com/ as my final indulgence!

Last year, I decided to give up Facebook too.  It was pretty easy and not that big a deal...but as I have become more home bound, due to more children, I feel FB is a very important way for me to stay in touch with those I care about (and even a few folks I haven't seen in person in years!)  So this year, it will be much more of a stretch for me to not allow myself to click on the website or choose "social beat" on my cell to see how everyone is doing or to check if anyone cared about a comment on my status line....this will be quite a good practice for me these next 40 days...I may even have to resort to hand written cards in some cases!

Lastly, I actually ADD an action to my day to day...it's The Divine Hours.  It's a wonderful book of meditation and prayer that requires readings 3 times a day.  I find the practice a bit unrealistic for my life most days, but I did my best for 40 days last year and I think I can swing it again...we'll see.

Have a wonderful FAT TUESDAY!  May you find something these next 40 days that you feel you need to take away or add to your life...all for the purpose of becoming closer to God (and for me, maybe lose a few pounds to boot!)

Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!

Jackson Baby Dedication

Today was Jackson's Baby Dedication at Common Ground Christian Church.
It was a wonderful time of prayer and fellowship with friends and family present.
Gram Young came from Ohio and Megan's parents and brother came from Michigan.
Joe's siblings and parents were also present for the occasion.

Jackson wore an outfit that Gram gave Joey when he was born and has been worn by Jameson as well.  The sweater was also knit by Gram.  It is so wonderful to be able to put the sweaters that Gram has taken so much time and put so much love into knitting onto one last Schmidt son.

Following church, we had a bruch at our home.  It was so nice to spend time with family and friends.  The cake was from Costco and was delicious!

And as the outfit says on his "bib" - Thank Heaven for Little Boys

We are so thankful for the wonderful blessing of our son Jackson.

Teaching your Child Values

"WHY SHOULD WE TEACH MORAL VALUES TO CHILDREN?"

We should teach moral values to our children because it is the most significant and effective thing we can do for their happiness.
-Linda & Richard Eyre from Teaching Your Children Values

Here are some great ideas I read last night (while holding my sweet 3 month old son, who is all congested and stuffed up from Brochialitis):

• REWARD - awards and any other form of recognition coupled with praise is a powerful way of promoting moral behavior.  In addition to various types of rewards, specific awards (Plaques for example) can be both a lively discussion point and a motivating compliment.
• "SECOND CHANCE" or "LET'S START OVER" approaches by parents can correct behavior and remind children of moral values without the negative effects of punishment and criticism.
• MEMORIZATION of short, graphic phrases or mottoes that state a particular value in a clever and memorable way is valuable in planting a good concept firmly in children's minds.
• THE VALUE and ITS OPPOSITE: WHICH HELPS? WHICH HURTS?         By guiding children to discover antonyms of each value, you can set up "opposite poles" and put yourself in a position to ask which one hurts people and which one helps people.
• ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOR, IGNORING NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR.  Children crave attention, and all too often parents give attention to negative behavior and ignore positive behavior.  We tend to "leave well enough alone" and spend all our effort correcting what is wrong.  We need to turn this around and, again "catch them doing something right."

I have already put the first bullet into practice with our new "Good Morning Award" - for the past 3 days (started this in March, of course), I have had a much less stressful morning getting kids out the door to school.  Joey and Morgan are motivated to get dressed, brush teeth, get coat on, and get in car...just for the award...and all I do is make a big booming announcement in the car ride to school and everyone cheers (no true "award" is given).

I've got lots of reading to do this month...so I will be posting my findings and interesting readings along the way...doesn't mean it will work for this house or even yours..but atleast I am putting tools into my "toolbox" of parenting!

Wordless Wednesday (on Thursday)