Our "Nieces"

Chloe
Lili and Chloe to meet up with big sister, Sasha.
Close up of Sasha
Lili
Chloe

I had these three beauties for a week. They are technically Jody's second cousins. Their parents went on a cruise, so I volunteered to watch them while they were celebrating their anniversary. We had 7 kiddos in this house, and it was fun to have some girls running around with our four boys.

I'm sure I'll put up more pictures as I have time. I'm hoping to mess around with a few of them on photoshop to print them out for their mama and papa!

Family Rules and Mission statement

I found this from a photographer's blog, and wanted to post it. As a mommy, I am always thinking of ways I can cut down on repeating myself about certain household expectations. I think most parents can relate to this, right?! :) I don't WANT to be repeating myself for fearing I sound like a nag, plus, I get tired of hearing MYSELF say the same things, AND I think 3 out of the 4 boys are old enough to remember most of our "house rules". I resist the word "rules" though, so I wanted to come up with a list of desires and teachings that my husband and I want our boys to be raised with knowing. I also wanted to create a family mission statement. I am working on both of these things. So, when I came across this list of things to remember as husband and wife, I thought that these things too can be applied to the whole family.



Here's the blog I found it on, www.http://cameroningalls.blogspot.com/2007/06/love-is-communication.html


tCommunication Guidelines (stolen from some premarital book that I don’t know the name of)

1. Be a ready listener, and do not answer until the other person has finished talking (Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19).

2. Be slow to speak. Think first. Don’t be hasty in your words. Speak in such a way that the other person can understand and accept what you say (Proverbs 15:23; Proverbs 18:2; Proverbs 29:20).

3. Don’t go to bed angry! Each day, clear the offenses of that day. Speak the truth, but do it in love. Do not exaggerate (Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 4: 25-26).

4. Do not use silence to frustrate the other person. Explain why you are hesitant to talk at this time (Proverbs 15:28; 16:23).

5. Do not become involved in heated disputes. It is possible to disagree without attacking (Proverbs 14:29; 15:1; 25:15; 29:11).

6. Do not respond in uncontrolled anger. Use a kind response and a soft tone voice (Proverbs 14:29; 15:1; 25:15; 29:11).

7. When you are wrong, admit it, ask for forgiveness and then ask how you can change (Proverbs 12:15; 16:2; 21:2; Matthew 5:23-25).

8. When someone confesses a wrong to you, tell that person you forgive him/her. Be sure it is forgiven and not brought up again to that person, to others or to yourself (Luke 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).

9. Avoid nagging (Proverbs 10:19; 21:19; 27:15).

10. Do not blame or criticize the other person. Instead, restore, encourage and edify (Romans 14:13; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

11. If someone verbally attacks, criticizes or blames you, do not respond in the same manner (Romans 12:17, 21; 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 3:9).

12. Try to understand the other person’s opinions. Make allowances for differences (Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 3:9).

13. Be concerned about the other person’s interest (Philippians 2:4).

14. Do not gossip (Proverbs 17:9; 18:8; 20:19; 26:22).

Obviously, nobody is perfect, and we're all learning here, right?! I think to learn to communicate effectively is healthy, and a wonderful tool when dealing with the "real world", and all the different people we encounter, or future spouse (in our children's case).