The Deliberate Mother

I decided for Easter this year, (and Christmas as well) that I wanted to be more Christ centered, to focus on the purpose we celebrate these holidays. So on Palm Sunday (we dont actually observe Palm Sunday, but I wanted to focus on the whole week leading up to the resurrection), I gathered D and the kids and I read from the scriptures what Jesus did on that day before his resurrection. We have continued it so far the rest of the week, and although it is a simple thing and only a few verses that we are reading, I feel closer to Jesus and the spirit.

I believe as a part of this extra spirit in our home, I have noticed...I guess that is the right word... that I am not being the mother I know I can be. I have been thinking a lot about the time that I spend with the kids and what I have been doing with them, and...I am not sure how to say this with out it making it sound like I am putting myself down, because I am not, but...I am not putting my full effort in.

And I really dont want to put blame on anyone or anything, but I do know that a reason for this laziness is because of the internet. Take for example Pinterest. Although it is awesome and can give you so many ideas that you never would have though about, and I do think I may continue to use it if I am looking for anything in particular, I think it has made people more lazy. We sit on the computer or on our phone for hours just pinning all these wonderful ideas that we will "someday do". How many of us have pinned stuff and then just dreamed about it, never actually putting it into action? Not only that, I tried to remember the days before Pinterest, before the internet even. What did we do, what did our parents and teachers do when they had to think of something for us to do, or a solution to a problem? We had to use our CREATIVITY. I know I have it in there somewhere. But creativity is a like a muscle. It only gets stronger when we use it.

I was thinking back to when I was a kid, and I was pretty creative, just like L. That girl can come up with the most creative things, and she doesnt have pinterest to refer to. I am going to focus on getting creative with my kids, not just stealing other people's ideas.

Along with Pinterest, the internet has made us lazy in our communication with others. I had a presentation that I had to do in I think it was psychology, and I chose to do it on just this topic. What I came up with was this, (in a nutshell). The internet ruins our communication in two ways: we lose our communication skills with those we are speaking to on the internet, because we are relying on internet to do it for us. For example...facebook. We are relying on that little communication tool to tell us what are friends are doing, what has happened to them, and so on. We have gotten lazy to the fact that we cant call them up on the phone anymore, or send them an actual letter.

Second the internet is ruining the way we communicate with our family and friends close to us. As I look back at the past week for example, I have had my phone right there like a constant companion. I am really embarrassed to be saying this, that I was (probably still am) so dependent on that little box. Last night I made a decision though. I deleted the facebook app from my phone as well as any game app that took too much of my time. (Today has been a very interesting day, I had realized how much I look at my phone for those things. I have picked up my phone probably 20 times to look at facebook, only to remember that it wasnt there. Can anyone say ADDICTION?!)  I am also going to be getting rid of my facebook account altogether probably in a week. I am going to give people time to send me their email addresses if they want to contact me or if they want me to add them to my blog. I am going to strive to be better at communicating in the way that we used to and I am going to focus on keeping my blog up to date instead of writing it all on facebook. And I am going to focus on being involved with my kids. I am going to be a deliberate mother. Because that is what my kids deserve.

Just do it!

So, I have a new motto for myself...just do it! (I know Nike trademarked it) I think my problem with a lot of things is I get all these ideas and then I say, I will do it later when it is a better time. But Then I never get it done. Over the past couple weeks, I have been trying to do things as soon as I think of it, and I tell you what, it works. As soon as I think of calling someone, I stop what I am doing, (as long as I am not going to burn some food or break something,) and call that person. As soon as the thought comes to me to get something done, I do it, instead of procrastinating. I feel like my days have been so much more productive.

One thing that I need to do though that I have been putting off because it really does help me get a lot done, is get off of Facebook. It is the way I communicate with everyone, from setting things up, to finding a babysitter for myself to finding out what is going on with everyone. I really do feel like if I was off facebook, I wouldnt know what was going on with people, and I know that is a horrible excuse because I should be calling them to find out what is going on instead of rely on facebook. The reason I feel I need to get off is because I have what we call an addiction. I am always on, and I can see it taking away from my family.

I need to "Just Do It!" I need to just  relearn how to stay in touch with people like I did before the days of facebook, like by calling or emailing even. I also want to start writing more letters. Especially living out of state from most people that I know, I want to bring that back.

Kim, just do it!!

Some of the things I have cooking.

Today is such a beautiful day! I have full blown spring fever right now. A few weeks ago I planted some seeds in containers and set then on the side of my house (out door sewing) and guess what?! Some of them are sprouting! I was beginning to wonder if it would ever happen. Yeah, I'm a bit impatient.

I know, real pretty. Hopefully it works, because then I won't have to spend a bunch of money on plants for the garden.

This is the play house-

It isn't real pretty either. I'm crossing my fingers that we aren't "those" neighbors. But just wait, this is the "before" picture. I'm planning some major DIYing action. I'm thinking one solid paint color, some trees and plants and a roof for the big side.

I also want to build a chicken coop that I found on the Ana White blog. I'm actually really obsessed with the Ana White blog right now. There is an endless amount of things for me to dream of making. Of course it would be best if I actually just did one of them. Any of them. I'm kind of a recovering pinterest addict. My goal is to actually start doing all the things I pin and stop pinning. Enough is enough! ( Yeah, right. )

These are some of the cans I've collected. (hoarder) I'm saving all my cans and painting them gold to put citronella candles in. I pinned that idea too. When I get around to actually making the candles, I'll add the link to where I found these.

To end, I thought I'd add a challenge. Who can guess what Luci is eating?