Snow Days

Holy Snow Batman! So in the last 2 weeks… we have had President’s Day, 3 snow days, 2 late starts, and one early release. In case you need help with the math… that means in the last 10 possible days of school, we have had 3 full days. WE. ARE. SCREEN-FREE!!! Meaning, no TV, no videos, no tablets… NOTHING! And it is not Spring, or Fall, or Summer. We are in the heart of winter here on the east coast, and it is COLD!  I think when I make a commitment, out loud, to my children… God just says… ”Hahahahahahahahaha…. Thou shalt be tested to keeping thy word… I cast upon thee…snow days.” (said in my best God voice of course). 

Ok… so it hasn’t been that horrible, but it has been a challenge. There have been many a day in the last couple weeks I have wanted to cave. And to be honest, I have cheated a couple times… I haven’t let me children… but I have. I’ve been online a couple times for the sake of killing time after everyone is in bed. I’m thankful for grace, and glad I still have my sanity. :)

Our first snow, we got about 7 inches here at the house. It was a super powdery snow. The first couple of days it wasn’t so bitterly cold that the kids couldn’t get out in it. So we had lots of sledding fun, tons of shoveling, and a very, very sad attempt at a snowman. 

 

We had a couple days of super bitter cold. No one was going outside. So we had painting, and board games, and reading, and legos, and more games, and more reading, and more legos, and more pipe cleaner jewelry than a girl could ever need.  

And just as a week rolled around, and the first day I could see grass on the ground again… we got another 3-4 inches. This was a better snowman making snow. :) And we got smart and rigged up (in the most ghetto fashion possible) a “snow plow” (I used that term very loosely) so we had a lot less shoveling.

I’m not going to lie and say it was all peachy… there were some fights, there were some, “what can we do NOW?” comments thrown out there… but all in all not horrible. I will say this… My house has been messier and louder in the last 3 weeks of no screens than it normally is, but my kids have used their brains and interacted with each other and laughed more in the last 3 weeks than normal too.  The kids have been helping out with things I normally do for them, like helping with meal prep, cleaning, unloading/reloading the dishwasher, loading and unloading washing machines, and folding laundry. These are all things they should probably have been doing, but it was easier for me to do it alone rather than have them help me. The initial goal was to get better attitudes for the kids, though I think God did a lot of teaching me the lessons on this one.  I really didn’t realize how much I wasn’t interacting with my kids they way I should. It’s not that I wasn’t interacting; I just don’t think I was doing it to the best of my ability. 

The verse  Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the away he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it has been through my mind about a million times in the last couple weeks.  

It is not always the easiest or the fastest way, but it necessary.  I’m not saying we will always be screen-free… we actually have a family movie night planed on Sunday to celebrate getting screens back… but it has definitely made me aware of how I over used them, and how to be better in my parenting as I move forward. 

So an update on goals…

-I still miss soda… I probably will all year long… but I haven’t caved.

-This month has been cold and snowy. I have been running, but not nearly as much as I need to in order to reach my goal. I’m hoping for some motivation to come with the spring weather.

-I haven’t left the house a lot with all the snowy weather, but I have been putting things in piles of where they are going… so not a lot of things have left my house this month, but many, many things have a destination.

-It’s been screen –free… so obviously haven’t given in to the Thursday night TV or R rated movies.

-I’m working on friends and getting plugged in. I took a leap of faith and started a run club at school. I still don’t love running, but I like for my kids to be active and this was a great way to get to know kids and teachers at school, so I’m going for it. Wish me luck.

-We have a paint day scheduled for tomorrow… so hoping it happens. I also finally have a vision of what I would like to do with décor… so at least I have something to work toward. ;)

-During screen free month I have got a lot of Bible reading done. :) I’m finally ahead of schedule on one of these things. 

And now a confession… I tried to scam the rule. I tried to see what I could get away with, without “technically” breaking a rule… and God put me in my place.  So I bought the girls these super cute/stylish headbands that I could “borrow.” Well, I let Eleni wear it to school first, obviously, because I’m not making accessory and clothing purchases for myself this year. I made sure to remind her to take extra special care of this headband and not to loose it (she never looses her headbands… I’m not sure why I felt the need to emphasize it to her this day… but I did). And the first thing she said to me when I picked her up from school, “I’m really sorry mom, I lost the headband today.” For real? Truth be told… I bought the dang thing for me and passed it off as something I could share with the girls, and she went and lost it. I even had the nerve to make her go back and look for it. I think it was God saying, “you can’t lie to me… I know your heart even if you don’t say it aloud.” So I’m saying it aloud to all of y’all reading… I cheated and I didn’t even get to wear the dang thing! Lesson learned.

I appreciate all the kind and encouraging comments, texts, and messages that people send. I’m glad that some of you can get something out of my ramblings. I still really miss Missouri and everything and everyone that comes with it.  It is always so nice to hear from home… especially during these cold, screen-free days. :)

 

Thanks for joining me on the journey!

February Happenings

So we are screen free (sort of) here at the Kriete house. We have had some pretty rotten attitudes from the kids and I could feel myself using the TV and/or electronic devices both as distraction to do what I needed to be doing and a babysitter for my kids.  So we have decided to cut out screens (for the purpose of entertainment or escape) until March 1^st. I get to check email/messenger and post blogs on Facebook, but otherwise I’m not on for now. It’s only been a week, and I can already tell a difference in the kid’s attitudes and mine as well. 

(Pre-warning… this blogpost might have a LOT of pics because I’m not posting on FB right now.)

I’m not going to lie… there have been times that I miss saying, “go watch ______” so I can get a task finished without interruption or inconvenience. Saturday morning was a wake up call. My kids were lost without the option of veg’ing out in front of screen until everyone was ready to be up and about.  There has been a lot more reading, board game playing, lego building, puzzle assembling, and kitchen playing… and not just by the kids. 

It has also made me aware of how much I do FOR my kids instead of WITH them. So I have had a lot more help in the kitchen and on projects. This does not always make the task easier or faster, but it is what I feel I should be doing, and I don’t do it well.  I’m not saying I want to be screen free forever, but the few times that we have given it up for a period of time as a reset have always been good for our family. We have 8-12 inches of snow coming tonight… so we will see how long this Postive Polly attitude lasts being trapped in doors. ;)

It was an abnormally busy week here, which has probably helped in the not missing screens so much department. We had Aunt Ivy and Uncle Derrick here. They were supposed to head out Monday, but weather delayed them an extra day (which was GREAT for us). Addi got some special one-on-one time while the other kids were at school. And we had a whole extra evening with them!

Tuesday we had a delay start because of weather… which I think is what threw my whole week off! The kids had award ceremonies on Wednesday. They do it a bit different here with K-2 in the morning and 3-5 in the afternoon… kind of eats up your entire day if you have lots of kids. Anyway, I got to school at 11am to realize that I missed the morning ceremony at 10am. :( I was super bummed that I missed Eleni (mostly because I knew she would be watching for me). I tried to make up for it by having lunch with her at school. She said it was WAY better than coming to awards. This way I could, “sit and chat and visit with her friends”.  It all worked out. She forgave me, and I stuck around for Brayden’s afternoon assembly.

It was Valentine’s week and the Sock Hop on Friday night, so we (and I do mean WE because we are screen free and doing EVERYTHING together) had lots of prep for parties and the Sock Hop. 

All of the kids wanted to make Valentine cards instead of purchase, and Brayden was the only one allowed, so he wanted to build a Valentine box. I would be lying if I said it all ran smoothly, there were zero tears shed, and no voices raised ever… but over all everyone finished and were proud of their end products with minimal casualties. Eric even mustarded up the strength to help Eleni with her Valentines that were covered in glitter (this is a HUGE step for the man that loathes glitter with all of his heart). 

The kids also created their teacher gifts (which was a big step for this craft-control mommy) and Eric and I stayed up late and got all the goodies made for parties.

The Sock hop was Friday. I must say… AMAZING! The PSTO here puts on some pretty fabulous events. Addi and I spent Friday morning (and even finishing up after all the parties) making poodles skirts. The kids looked adorable and had a BLAST! Eleni danced from the time she walked in the door until the DJ shut down! It was great see her in her element. She also won the hula hoop contest… which delighted her to death!

I must say, I was very surprised about Landen. He has really struggled this school year and with the move. It took him a bit to warm up, but after he got a root beer float in him… he was showing off his best white boy moves. It was very entertaining (and honestly relieving) to see that he felt so comfortable there with his friends. 

We have another family that we swapped childcare with, so Eric and I got to go on a date (PRAISE THE LORD!). We went to dinner and ice skating. I have never been ice skating… Eric on the other had, was apparently a professional ice skater in another life. Needless to say I was a bit mortified when I realized we weren’t going to be struggling through this together. I got to use the “assistance” that was provided. This came in the form of what looked like a walker on ice. My most humbling moment came when two 8-10 year olds came up to me with their “assistance” and asked if I wanted to race (probably know that this would be someone they could beat). So I didn’t have a fantastic attitude in the beginning, but I got the hang of it and was an independent (smiling) skater by the time we left.  It was a great date night!

So if you’ve hung in this long… thanks for reading this super long post. I’ll update on some of the goals later this week!

 

Thanks for joining me on the journey!

Oh January...

I had high hopes for January. I set all these goals and was motivated to get working. But life happens and things don’t always work out how you plan… so I’m rolling with the punches and hoping the months a head prove to be a little more productive than the first. :) 

First of all, lets get this out of the way…

Soda, I miss you. I thought I would be over you and not be craving you by now… well I’m not.  I still want you but I am staying strong.  The thought of not being able to have a fountain Sundrop with a Dairy Delight burger when I go home in June has literally brought tears to my eyes, but I will push forward and will be a better (or at least a less chemically saturated) woman for it… I hope. I appreciate that my husband has given you up during the week as an act of solidarity, but if he continues to leave you in the fridge all week until he can drink you on the weekend, you might get launched at his head… just sayin’.

Speaking of the hubs… He is worried and trying to talk me out of the no purchases of clothing or accessories for myself. He has said on multiple occasions, “I just don’t think you will be able to go ALL year without needing something for yourself.” I’m not sure if he is having flashbacks of clothing month during the fast with the same 9 articles of clothing all month, or if is fearful of me just being really grumpy about it… but he definitely has concerns. I do believe I have way more than I need in life, and 99% of my purchases are want rather than need, which is why I made the goal to begin with. I am actually really surprised how hard this one has already been. I never noticed how many things I just “picked up” because they were cute or on sale… but it has definitely made me aware of my spending habits. Target was once my long lost love, and has now become my kryptonite… it’s almost painful to walk in. I’m hoping boot cuffs and scarves are still in style next winter. :( There were a few items I didn’t think about before I made the goal.

1.)   My journey necklace chain broke they day before Christmas. I LOVE this necklace and wore it every day. It was a gift from a beautiful friend that represents the Journey of the year of fasting and the journey I’m on. I was super bummed when I realized the necklace was out. BUT… I have reminded my husband almost daily that this is what I want for Valentine’s Day… so I’m banking on that problem being solved.

2.)  Running shoes. Eric brought this to my attention, and honestly, I’m not sure what I will do yet… I’m going to let God figure it out. The problem is this: I can get 500-600 miles out of my shoes. I already had a solid 200 miles on them before the year started and I have a goal of 804 miles. I’ll let you do the math… but I’m going to need/want (haven’t decided if it is a need or a want yet) new shoes.  I’m sure God has a plan, I’ll just have to wait it out.

3.)  Sunglasses. I pay $5 for sunglasses because I lose and/or break them so often. It wasn’t even the end of January before the first pair broke. I’m currently sporting broken shades and hoping that some of the “gone missing” pairs will surface this year.  

If I were to divide up the weeks equally… how much I should be getting rid of, how much I should be running, how much of the Bible I should have read… let’s just say I am WAY behind.  I should have completed 64 miles, given away 155 things, and be half way through Exodus. I’m not. I’m not even close. So here’s to picking up the pace in February.

We are having people in our home, paying stuff down, putting money back, visiting DC attractions, Eric wrote our name down…in ink pen… for a small group at church, and even working on the friend thing. So not all areas are completely behind. :)

I’m moving along… I can see how God is teaching me things, showing me things about myself I didn’t even know I needed to take a look at, and I’m trying to embrace it.  It’s going to be a great year of learning and purging (all kinds of things… even things that aren’t “things”). Thanks for joining me on the journey!