Check out my weekly weigh-in and victories/setbacks over on MamaBuzz!

Ok, so I wrote over on MamaBuzz about how my blogging mindset has just totally done a 180. I’ve been truly considering how I can find my niche with this, my personal blog, here at Real Heart Prints. So, I’m going to turn this blog into a homemaking frenzy of blogging creativity.:)

Meaning that I’d like to turn this blog into more homemaking ideas and posts, crafting projects, recipes, family stuff, projects with my boys, home decor, etc. Not much will change, and I’ll have the occasional book review or product giveaway, but that giveaway will need to pertain to either crafting, homemaking, or food.:) Excited?! Me too!

Occasionally, I’ll share my personal thoughts, even the darker side of my mind.:) But I’m hoping to share even more of these over on MamaBuzz, what with homeschool ideas, travel ideas, mom inspiration, etc.

I love you, dear readers!

I’m so ready for a change, and thanks to Collective Bias, Lean Cuisine, and Skinny Cow, I’ve been given the opportunity to have the accountability that is so necessary in getting to that healthier lifestyle Hubs and I so long for. Our goal: to teach our kids the value of living on less. Be sure to check out the entire post over on MamaBuzz….

Weird title, I know….but that’s just how I’m feelin’ on this extremely cold evening.  Today’s been an emotional roller coaster from the very beginning.  I really just need sleep, but sleep is something that’s easy to put on the back burner these days.  Today’s thrilling ride started when I went to pick up Jaden from his class at church this morning.  He goes to said class while we’re in church/choir and small group.  Apparently, he had done something (I’m still not sure what because I was met at the door by his teacher who just let out a big, long story, and in the rush of things, I kinda heard Charlie Brown’s teacher talking, as Jaden ran to me, of course, still sobbing….).

First, let me get one thing straight.  My kids are not perfect; in fact, they can be downright bratty.  I will tell you that, not afraid to say it, not afraid to admit it.  It’s just a fact of life.  However, I was NOT happy to hear that Jaden had been sitting in a sort of time out for most of that second classtime (still not sure how long, I just know it was a very long time) because he wouldn’t apologize???  We still have yet to find out the whole story.

Secondly, he is 3.  I am working with him consistently on saying he’s sorry when he does something, and he’s learning.  He still doesn’t quite understand all the way, though.  I just don’t get it….if he was being that bad, why did they not come to get us?  That’s what we are there for….that’s what we want them to do if he’s acting up….we are his parents, after all.  In fact, Dan was working with the littles close by this morning and could have easily been there in a flash.  Apparently, they’ve also been letting Jaden go potty (we aren’t potty training yet because he hasn’t been ready), and he, of course, takes his diaper off and runs out to let them know he went.  This was news to us this morning when Dan dropped him off.  His teacher wasn’t happy, but if he still wears a diaper….hmmm….LOL.

So, both before and after, we had news about our child….we felt like parents of the year, of course….and I’m writing this mostly to get it out.  It’s so hard being a parent, isn’t it?   I just kindly thanked his teacher, as I tried to get him together and deal with picking him up, so I never even had the chance to truly find out what exactly happened today.  However, I will find out, and maybe it’s not a big deal.  Maybe it’s another area we need to work with him on.  I can see this post is becoming just pure rambling, so maybe I should stop….it’s the lack of sleep talking.:)

I guess I’m just trying to say….if you’re feeling like things are spiraling out of control, they probably are.  You’re not alone, though.  If you feel like mother of the year right now….well, join my ranks.:):)  This week, my one goal as a parent is to try to be even more consistent with discipline, plus get to the bottom of exactly what happened in his class.  I am frustrated, mostly at myself, but also with my child and a teensy bit with his teacher.  Probably more so with myself, though, because I’ve noticed that Jaden’s becoming more and more unruly lately….it’s as if he skipped the terrible twos and went straight into the horrible threes.  He’s the type of child that when he does something he shouldn’t, he really needs an adult to get down on eye level and make him look you in the eye, so that he “gets it.”  He needs that extra one on one time, that attention.  He’s so different from Jacob; Jacob, all we ever had to do was give him the evil eye, and he was instantly apologetic and in tears. LOL  He’s still that way.

I will remember, though, that as moms, we are going through this together.  Not only that, but while in small group this morning, I was encouraged to truly pray for my children; it was a gentle reminder to do something I’ve really not been doing consistently.  My mom also reminded me tonight that even though it’s hard right now….it will pay off, and it will be rewarding later on.  I can’t see it yet, Mom, but I do believe you.  You raised four of us; I think I can safely trust your word.:)  I don’t know how you got through all those years with us….:)

Here’s to a great week, Mamas….persevere.