PetCo Pint Sized Group Shot

Thought this was great, so I wanted to share. Uploaded new photos from the PetCo Pint Sized Adventure into the slideshow on the left - enjoy!

Carol's Response To Discipline Post

Okay, so I've gotten some feedback and I think Carol's email would encourage you. I hope it does, its encouraged me. And I think its important to share, so with her permission the dialogue continues.
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Thanks for the blog posting. It seems like this could be an on-going topic. I need to add a little to the conversation to make myself feel better.

We talked so much about punishment and I know we needed to because those were the questions that were asked. But so much of discipline is training which is--like you said in your post--coming along side your kids to teach them.

They need to learn to help mommy. They need to learn to love their siblings by playing with them and sharing. Those things happen when you are there working it all out with them--modeling the behavior that you want them to mimic.

And don't forget to have the "conversation" often. "Why do we treat Sister this way?" Why do we pick up when Daddy says it's time?" Those conversations turn into "This is a great, tangible way to love your friend. It honors God" and "It's hard to do what's right, but you did such a great job when you...."

Somehow you have to get ahold of their little hearts. It might be through Family Fun Days, or through stories shared, or even through getting through a rough patch together, but you NEVER want to lose it. If you lose the ability to speak truth into your child's life, you have lost too much. It's difficult to earn back the trust. And hopefully we can talk about that the next time we get together.

I hope I haven't said too much. I encourage you to study your children. They will love you for it and you will find the best way to love them, train them, encourage them, and (even though it's no fun) punish them.

Love you all,
Carol Loumagne

Discipline

Okay - we've all been muling it over, at least I have. All those words of wisdom about disciplining our children from our last GUM meeting. I've been mulling it over so much, it keeps sparking conversations with others. So I'm going to share some of my thoughts, and if you'd like you can post some of yours.

So here's the biggest thoughts regarding discipline that are bumping around in that space in my head. Discipline requires walking hand in hand with my daughters, and not only correcting their behavior which will teach them what is appropriate and what is not, but it is also tackling the attitudes of their hearts. Giving them moral direction and pointing them towards God.

Discipline is a hard thing for me and mostly because it has to be so very consistent. And consistency and the diligence it requires is likely my biggest lacking quality. I have to work really hard at both, and its exhausting. I'm sure you can relate, right? Sigh.

The more consistent and effective we are with our discipline now - the more our children will develop good character, and the easier parenting will be later on. I get it, I really do - hook, line and sinker, what I do now affects how they behave when they are older. I certainly don't want to be dealing with lying or other ugly character behavior when my children are in junior high and high school or worse. Those things have to be tackled now. And as I do my job well and by the grace of God I hope my kids will learn to be moral and truthful and wise - essential skills for living a life following hard after Christ.

Parenting is tough though, there's no denying it. But it is also (and I'm paraphrasing some here from a conversation with a friend); parenting is also a beautiful thing because God has entrusted these little ones to us. He's given us an incredible responsibility to show her what is good and what the Lord requires of her - to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with her God (Micah 6:8).

Now most days I'm not really feeling the beautiful parts of this responsibility, but I want to. And more so I want her to know her Creator and to walk with Him all her days.

So I am committed to disciplining them, just as much as I'm committed to loving and caring and teaching them about Christs love for them.

Well those are the things I've been thinking about (and more), I hope you gained valuable things from our time discussing discipline. I'd love to hear what those things are!

Meet Brennan

Okay ladies - I'm a little behind...so I'm catching up! I intend to share an announcement here of all baby births, and Brennan is the first!

You've all already met him, but so we can make it formal - meet Brennan James Cooper. Born December 14th, 2008 weighing in at 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 19 inches. This is his two month picture taken recently and he's currently weighing in at 12 lbs. 1 oz. and 22 inches. Big brother Timothy and big sister Mackeila are loving baby brother! Welcome to GUM Brennan and congrats Breanne and Tim!!

February Pint-Sized, February 19th

Fur, Feathers & Fins at PETCO in San Dimas

10-11am FREE

The Fur, Feathers & Fins™ program allows children to learn about the characteristics and habitats of fish, reptiles, birds, and small animals. At your local PETCO, lessons in science, math and geography come to life through this hands-on field trip. As students develop a respect for animals, they will also develop a greater sense of responsibility.The FREE Fur, Feathers & Fins field trip will help children in grades Pre-K – 8 develop and enhance skills in:
Basic needs for animal care
Animal habitats and characteristics
Environmental issues and animal survival
Animal respect
Reading and science

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO JOIN US, WOULD YOU TELL ME IN THE POLL TO THE LEFT?