Behavior | Childhood Myths

10 Words

May 14, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

Today’s “Every Day in May” post is called ‘Sell yourself in 10 words or less’

Hmmmm…I have some words to share, but whether they are actually who I am or who I would like to be …I’m not sure!

Family-oriented

Soft

Strong

Encouraging

Compassionate

Joyful

Particular

Loving

Intuitive

Determined

That’s it!! That’s all I’ve got…what do you think?? Did I sell myself? I guess that depends on …as what…right? Can you tell the subtext on some of the words?? Determined instead of stubborn…particular instead of picky…having both soft and strong together…I obviously am not sure whether my characteristics are perfect for anybody but me. But I do think I like myself as I am:))

yup, that's me:)

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: behavior, carpe diem, goals, intentions

Favorite Quote

May 10, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

Some of my favorite bloggers have been doing an ‘Every Day in May’ blog….way too adventurous for me:)) But there are some great topics that I may have to try here and there during the rest of the month!

Today’s topic: What is your favorite quote?

That is not an easy thing for me to answer because I love inspirational quotes of all kinds. But one quote has been a part of my life for what seems like forever:

“DO WHAT’S BEST FOR KIDS!”

In all ways, at all times, by all people…this should be uppermost in all of our minds. Doing what’s right both educationally and emotionally for our kids will lead to the most important characteristics becoming those that lead these kids successfully into the future. Ignoring the academics doesn’t work, but neither does ignoring the emotional. For those who try to maintain a businesslike atmosphere in schools…shame on you! Learning comes in all forms but must be integrated into the whole person and all centers of the brain. Whether you are a parent, teacher, administrator, or businessman on the street….please use your brain and your heart to influence those who influence our children.

Whew! I guess I got that off my chest, huh?

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, behavior, beliefs, children, education, families, improving the world, inspiration, intentions, methods, parenting, quotes

Joyful Thursdays #60

April 25, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

What brings you joy, makes you happy, gives you peace? Here are some photos, quotes, and thoughts that make me joyful.

Joyful Thursdays #60

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

Three beautiful quotations for you today!

1) Every day is a gift. Don’t send it back unopened.

2) Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.

3) Do small things with great love.

Finding inspirational quotes always helps to shape my day in a positive way:)))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: behavior, beliefs, carpe diem, education, goals, happiness, Happiness Tuesdays, inspiration, intentions, joyful, joyful Thursdays, quotes

Thank You, MOPs!!

February 26, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Last night Chad and I spoke at a MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) meeting in Macomb. What a great bunch of ladies!!! Lots of fun, lots of discussion, and hopefully for them lots of hints! A couple of little ones were there to add to the atmosphere…baby talk is always welcome:))

This is what we love to do, so let us know if you’d like us to come speak to your group…

talking about family life is what it's all about:)

we actually sold some of these last night!!

Finding ways to share our message is always important to us. The meeting last night helped to invigorate us with some new energy…so thank you very much MOPs:)

lovin' them when they're little and lovin' them when they're bigger!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: behavior, being involved, book, children, education, families, giving thanks, goals, helping, inspiration, intentions, methods, parenting, respect, thank yous

The Five Steps

January 28, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

Have you heard of the five steps?? No?? that’s because one of our ‘group members’…you know who you are….came up with this plan!!

When the TLG kids were probably in junior high (ish)…one of the moms made sure every one knew about the five steps of life. Are you ready? Okay, hold up your hand and use your fingers:

Step 1: Graduate from high school

Step 2: Graduate from college

Step 3: Start a career

Step 4: Get married

Step 5: Have children

The kids heard about the 5 steps all the time, especially when they were together….uh,oh…which step are we on and where are we going?? We laughed as we subtly encouraged the actions we wanted:))))

Here are some of the kids early on:

3 of these little ones are now on step 4!

so cute!

all are now on step 3, 4 are on step 4, and 1 will be on step 5 next month

The first to be on step 5, coming on Valentine’s Day!

….and MY first to be on step 4 as of August 31 this year:)

What do you think of our ‘tongue-in-cheek’ five step plan? It was a great..yet humorous…plan for our group!!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, behavior, beliefs, boundaries, children, education, families, family photos, follow-through, goals, intentions, memories, methods, parenting

Joyful Thursdays #52

January 24, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

What brings you joy, makes you happy, gives you peace? Here are some photos, quotes, and thoughts that make me joyful.

Joyful Thursdays #52

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

1) knowing that I have family and friends who will support me, no matter what…

2) being able to support others in many different areas…parents and teachers, children and seniors…and any other groups you might suggest for me

Anyone in our area…Chad and I will be presenting at a MOPS meeting on Monday at 7:30, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb…come visit us:))))

3) being retired, as a teacher…whew! Things are becoming completely unrealistic in the world of education…anyone want to put me on a committee for realism?!

Be happy!!! Try harder!!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: behavior, beliefs, education, family photos, happiness, Happiness Tuesdays, helping, joyful, joyful Thursdays, love, memories, parenting, photos, special friend

Intentions, Past and Future

January 13, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Year #2 of doing a List of Intentions (instead of resolutions) is now complete. It is so much easier, and less stressful, to set your goals in terms of intentions. Then if your goal is not completed…it just continues into the next year.

For this past year, I had 21 intentions and completed 18!!! Not bad, at least in my own mind…

Some of the things I completed:

giving blood again

beginning to do Meals on Wheels

taking piano lessons

not quite ready for this, but I can play some 'Phantom' songs, Unchained Melody, and Somewhere in Time.

having the house (many rooms) scraped and painted

made recipe folders for the boys…they included some handwritten recipes from my gramma and from my mom’s great aunt.

bought and used a shredder

converted old slides for the computer

worked on geneology photos for books

and many others…. writing them down for you each year helps keep me on track, but just calling them intentions makes all the difference to me.

Do you have any intentions for this year? Make them all positive…such as, keep weight below present # instead of lose weight….easier on your brain and emotions:))

Good Luck!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: behavior, believe, carpe diem, chores, follow-through, goals, intentions, methods

Thanks, Santa!

January 6, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Christmas is over…the giving, the receiving, the hoopla, and the excitement. Now is the time for the gratitude! I’m sure you and your children shared their thanks with those who were with them during the holidays, but what about those who sent their gifts?? Have your children written their thank you notes yet?

For some reason…I never seem to see the idea that kids could also send a thank you note to Santa! They are always eager to send out those ‘requesting’ letters before Christmas. But what about being grateful for what was received? The poor old guy gets left behind…I wonder why… Is it because we as little folks never wrote notes ourselves? I don’t remember ever writing a thank you letter to Santa, but now that I think about it, I think I should have!

So let’s start a grateful campaign…have your children write a sweet note to the ‘happy old soul’ and give them the idea that thank you notes are always a great way to go:)

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, behavior, education, families, follow-through, giving thanks, goals, holiday gratitude, intentions, manners, methods, parenting, please and thank you, receiving gifts, thank yous, traditions

Joyful Thursdays #48

December 20, 2012 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

What brings you joy, makes you happy, gives you peace? Here are some photos, quotes, and thoughts that make me joyful.

Joyful Thursdays #48

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

1) working on doing 26 acts of kindness…love it!

#1 & #2 – drug store gift cards left at the pharmacy

#3, 4, & 5 – small box of chocolate to smiling cashiers

#6 – 12 – bought a book for each grade level and dropped them off in classrooms

#13 – Barnes and Noble gift card for media center person to buy books for school

#14 – today when I deliver Meals on Wheels I’m giving each senior a flower also

2) continuing to come up with ideas in the coming weeks to finish out 26 acts…and hopefully continue with more

ideas: gift cards for crossing guards and police at schools, gift cards(or $) stuck to packages of diapers at KMart and Target, buy towels for rescue centers, buy socks and/or mittens for senior center…..do you have any more for me??

3) new sugar cookie recipe was yummy and easier than cutout cookies!!