Their words of encouragement are almost as refreshing as their Iced Tea!

It's crazy how some positive words can pick you up and put you right back on the saddle again. My blogging has been on hiatus simply because life got in the way. But a wonderful gesture from a wonderful company reminded me to slow down and write about that life that was getting in the way of my writing. Luzianne Tea is a favorite around my house hold and was my grandmother's favorite as well. Have some wonderful memories tied to that Tea! So, Thank You Luzianne Tea for the nice words, Awesome Tea, reading my blog and encouraging me to keep on doing it. My family will enjoy a nice glass of Tea in honor of you!

Monkey see, Monkey do... No matter what you have to say about it!

It has taken me nine years and four children to realize that do as I say and not as I do is not the way to teach your kids. I mean why would it be? If I say “Don't lie!” And then my children catch me not being truthful to them or others why should they listen to me. I'm not calling myself a liar it's just an example. But really, think back to the moments in your youth that you learned something from someone else. More often then not you learned from their example not by their words. I know this is true for me. Be it good or bad habits.

Look at most adults that smoke. They usually had a parent or other person close to them that did when they were young. I'm not saying this always the case but it can play a roll in the decision of that child to do it or not. That person could tell that kid not to smoke but then exhibit the exact behavior that they are telling that kid is bad for them. It's a contradiction on the lesson they want to teach. This is a more serious example but your bad behaviors are usually learned from those little eyes watching your every little move. No matter how many times or ways you say “Don't do this!” “That is bad for you do this instead!” Your actions mean more to your little one then anything else.

As a parent you would think I would have picked up on this by now. I still have my moments of bad choices that I see in my children sometimes. No I don't smoke. I won't even have a drink in front of them. The biggest thing I see no so great that they have picked up from me in eating habits. Now that I have noticed it for myself I have also come to realize I have taught my children it's ok to have a meal as a snack. Veggies aren't all that important, right? Wrong! It's been a long road for me to start eating healthier and the more I do it the more kids start to as well. My oldest had never had a salad before and would refuse to eat it. Now, from seeing me enjoy them, she eats it anytime I put it on her plate.

It's any habit really. I hear my kids say things just like I would say them. I say “Right!” a lot. Well I hear my older two say it all the time too. And my three year old says “Awesome!” a lot now. I'm pretty sure that one came from me too. So this is another thing I'm working on. Every once in a while I slip up and say a bad word. I know it's not all the time because my kids defiantly don't repeat it and are quick to point it out when I do. So this is totally a work in progress.

We all have our behaviors we would rather not pass down to our kids be it big or small. But once you recognize those actions, or sometimes we see it in them, it is easier to change them. Teaching do as I do is easier said then done. Believe me I'm totally guilty of this one! But knowing is half the battle. :)

What will remind my children of the memories we are building now?

It's funny how your senses can trigger different memories. Be it good or bad. Many of us have memories from holidays like the smell of turkey in the oven and the aroma from the mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie baking and all the other wonderful smells coming from your mother's kitchen on Thanksgiving. Or the feel of freshly fallen snow under your feet may make you think of Christmas. The taste of candy corn may remind you of the time you were Trick-Or-Treating and your cousin knocked you down and stole all your loot. Like I said, good or bad memories.

Then you have your own personal ones that you may not even know are there until you come in contact with the sense. That seems to happen to me a lot. I will be standing outside and the wind will kick up an old familiar smell and it will take me to the memory I associate that smell with. Or I will see someone doing something that I have a memory doing and it takes me there also. Touch is a big one for me too. I can't stand the feel of wool. Anytime I feel that kind of fabric it reminds me of a blanket I once used that was itchy and really hot. It makes me sorta twitch. The smell of antacids remind me of my Grandpa, who used to give them to me like candy.

There are so many memories that are good or bad or even indifferent that come to me often through sight, smell, touch, sound or taste. And there are times when it's more then one of these for the same situation. The smell, feel and sound of rain reminds me of living in Seattle. The smell and taste of watermelon makes me gag. I ate too much once when I was young and got sick. Not even sure if it was the watermelon's fault but haven't been able to eat any since. Any melon really. It's kinda crazy when you think about it. Our brains store so much that can be let out any minute by the smallest little trigger. Things you wouldn't normally think about but it comes out anyway.

It makes me wonder what my kids triggers will be. What little things will bring on the memories we are making now while they are young. My two oldest are getting to the age I started to remember things. How scary is that. I better be on my best behavior and show them how truly wonderful it is to be a kid. Will wonderful smelling food remind them of Mom's cooking or will the sound of a smoke alarm bring on that memory?

What are you personal triggers? Good or Bad. What takes you away to that warm fuzzy memory and what makes you run for the bathroom?

Do you really want to come between this Mama Bear and her Cubs?

I took some time off from writing. Yeah, I know it's been a while and I'm sorry! During this time I have had a few run-ins with the subject of my next post. It's probably a good thing that I have waited since these have happened to write. If I wouldn't of waited then it probably wouldn't have been so “nice.”

Have you ever had someone else tell you not to correct your kid in front of your kid? Or maybe had them tell you that it isn't your place to discipline your own child? I'm not talking about spanking or even time out. I'm talking about just telling your kid not to do something that you feel isn't right or healthy to do. Well, I had a moment like this recently. This was totally a first for me and I really didn't appreciate it. I have what you would call Mother Bear Syndrome. It really isn't too serious, unless you mess with my girls. When you tell me that I can't teach my child right from wrong, you really should watch out.

How do you react when something like this happens? If you over react you are teaching your child that that is okay. If you just let it go then you are showing your child that you are a push over. Where is the medium? And what gives someone else the right to tell me how to raise my children. I am not hurting them physically or mentally in fact I do everything I can to nurture them in the opposite way. I would never step over that boundary unless there was some harm occurring. It really is one of those things you just don't do.

Imagine what your child is thinking. If that person can over power Mommy here, where else is Mommy wrong? I want my child to see me as a leader in hopes that one day they will follow in my footsteps and be a leader as an adult. I know that was almost like an oxymoron but, you get what I mean. Teaching by example is where I was going with this. I aim to have children that respect others, lead responsibly and use manors. I will teach my children this regardless of what others have to say about it. Period! And I think I am doing a dang good job at this so far. My girls slip occasionally but are usually all of the above.

The only persons input I will consider is my husband and believe me he knows not to jump in unless it is truly needed. So, person who stepped on my parenting foot... BACK OFF! I do not tell you how to raise your children and I won't let you tell me how to raise mine. This Mama bear has this under control but thanks for your concern. Or rather, no thanks!

Just a few things my kids have taught me over the years!

In my nine years as a parent, I have learned so much from my kids. Sometimes I wonder if I am teaching them or if they were teaching me more. Everyday is something new. And everyday I learn something new not to do. The are conditioning me as a Mom just as I am them to become wonderful adults. Not anytime soon though! Time sure does pass by so fast.

Here is a list of some of the many things my girls have taught me over the years... not in any particular order:

1. No matter how much you may want to, you will never sleep in again.
2. Cowboy boots, a leotard and a scarf match and is a great outfit for any occasion.
3. Chocolate is the best meal anytime of the day, Ice cream is a close second.
4. A little voice saying “I Love You!” can make any bad day better.
5. A joke is funny no matter how many times you have heard it, even if the joke makes no sense at all.
6. Little girls can't go to sleep without a bed time story.
7. If Mom says “No!” go ask Dad.
8. Make sure you sing at least one song a day.
9. A kiss on a booboo is the best medicine.
10. No need to lock the bathroom door, they will find a way in.
11. No matter how many times you say “No!” they will continue to ask, stand your ground.
12. One day they are going to tell you that your mean or that they don't like you. They do. This just means you are doing your job right and they will be over it and in your arms before you know it.
13. You are most likely wrong and all their friends and teachers are ALWAYS right.
14. No matter how Baby-Proof your house is, it really isn't.
15. There is no such thing as a child with volume control.
16. Playing is always better in a fort.
17. Daddy's make the best horses. And piggy backs.
18. A clean house... What is that?
19. Helping out is fun as long as it is their idea.
20. Right now they want all your attention, soon they won't want any of it.
21. Just about anything can be made into a craft.
22. You're going to lose your cool once in a while, they forgive you.
23. If you package it right anything can be made into a game.
24. After a while you get used to the smell of spit-up.
25. Be careful where you leave your keys. If they are left in reach then they are fair game and you will be spending your morning searching only to find them in the toy kitchen.
26. Food tastes better off of your plate. Same applies to drinks as well.
27. It's funny to lick your Mom when she goes in for a kiss. At least they think so.
28. They know when you are eating something. If you try and hide it they will ask to smell your breath.
29. If they taste something bad, your going to have to try it too.
30. You are the center of their world. Watch what you do because chances are they will copy it.

These are a just a select few of the many things my girls have taught me over the years. I know there will be much more lessons to come.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day all you awesome Mamas out there. You have one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs in the world.