Currently Reading and Listening To...

On My Nightstand (Well, that sounds nice, but actually, they're strewn about the house!):
"Heartfelt Discipline" by Clay Clarkson (May be the best all around book on child training I've ever read)
"Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down" by Nicey and Wifey (hilarious book on the art of tea and biscuts in Britain)
"Ruth: A Portrait" by Patricia Cornwell (biography of Ruth Bell Graham by a well-known family friend)
"England" and "Europe Through the Back Door" by Rick Steves (definitely my favorite guides thus far)
Through the Bible in a Year (But hopefully sooner):
Just finishing: Joshua

The Family Read-Aloud:
"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Recently downloaded from ITunes:
"I Stand in Awe" by Martyn Layzell
"Like We Never Loved at All" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
"Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw
"Anyway" by Martina McBride
"The Highest and the Greatest" from Soul Survivor 2006
"From the Inside Out/Majesty" from Soul Survivor 2006

Blogs I Recently Added to Bloglines:
Living Proof Ministries Blog (co-written by Beth Moore and her daughter Amanda)
The Sparrow's Nest
Raising Five
Surviving Motherhood

Apparently, She's a Woman of Contradictions

Me to my youngest: "You're so pretty!"
She: "No! I not pweddeee, mommy. I cooooot. (cute)"
Undettered, I respond: "Yes, you're cute!"
She: "No, mommy! I not cooot. I pweddeeee!"

Wanting to be called pretty instead of cute. Wanting to be called cute instead of pretty. She's such a girl!

Sympathizing With Our Children

I'm currently reading "Heartfelt Discipline" by Clay Clarkson. I've found two wonderful quotes to share with you about sympathizing with our children as a way to lead and gain influence over their hearts. It's really challenging my thinking, as I think I'm much more often sympathetic of adults than of my own children, often "pooh-poohing' their seemingly small troubles. These quotes are making me realize the mistake that's been.

The first is by H. Clay Trumbull, leader in the Sunday school movement:

"It is unquestionably true that in no way can any parent gain such power of his child for the shaping of the child's character and habits of life as by having and showing sympathy with that child...How many parents there are...who are readier to provide playthings for their children than to share the delights of their children with those playthings; readier to set their children at knowledge-seeking, than to have a part in their children's surprises and enjoyments of knowledge-attaining; readier to make good, as far as they can, all losses to their children, than to grieve with their children over those losses. And what a loss of power to those parents as parents, is this lack of sympathy with their children as children."

And this one from J.C. Ryle:

"Kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys, --these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily, --these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to his heart."

Recent Fact File

Grossest thing that's happened in the past month (or maybe ever!): My 4 year old dd caught chewing a random piece of (used!) gum she had picked up on the London Underground (subway). She challenges my feelings of mommy-adequacy. What can I say?!?

Number of times I've attemped to get into the driver's side of the van thinking it's the passenger's side: 5

Biggest surprise upon arrival at our new home: No dryer (little did I know I'd be coveting my old one!)

Average number of trips to the grocery store per week: 5

Something purchased recently that I never had purchased before: Peg bag

Average cost of our family to eat at McDonald's in the UK: 28 US Dollars

Two fresh things I LOVE in London: The bread and the flowers

A holiday recently celebrated: St. George's Day

A common English greeting: "Y'alright?"

Number of emails in my inbox after being offline for a month: 88

Number of emails in my junkbox after being offline for a month: 536 (Note to self: unsubscribe to lists before moving again!)

Number of phone calls made to people trying to figure out NHS: 15

My childrens' favorite snack with their cuppas: Happy Hippos

Number of days until Mommy and Aunt visit: 19

Just In Case You've Been Wondering...

...where I've been, I'll fill you in now. Actually, truth be told, I'm quite wondering if I'll have any blog readers left out there!

We moved out of central London and into our permanent housing nearly 4 weeks ago. On that day, I wrote a little email to all of my friends and family back home that we might be off-line for a "few days". Little. Did. I. Know. So, very long story very short, it seems extremely difficult to get anything done quickly here, including internet installation. Being without the internet and my connections back home has been QUITE a challenge to say the least.

And boy, do I have a lot to share with you -- I mean a month with no entries, come on! So, check back often, 'cause I"m back online folks! (You can't see me now, but assume I'm smiling broadly!!!!!)

Kid Quotes

My oldest to his sister upon realizing that next Sunday was Easter, "And you better watch out sister, 'cause I'm really good at egg huh'in'!"

My middle upon surrendering the seat beside her to a lady on the bus without a fuss: "See! I shared 'cause I love everybody. Even you, and my brother and sister, and daddy, and God, and our friends, and even other boys and girls, except NOT bad strangers!"

My youngest, announced this at the lunch table today, "I'm aweees bunny!" (I'm always funny!) And indeed she is!