Skip to main content

10-Thing Tuesday

Stress makes me very grumpy.

And we have had a freight train of stress around here for the last month! So I've not been the most companionable individual of late. And since Murphy's Law seems to rule the roost lately, I'm convinced that it will probably get worse before it gets better.

So I have decided to try to preemptively take action to try and keep from having a stroke or complete mental break. One if the ways I do that is to make lists.

Not just any lists, but positive, forward moving, motivating lists. Specifically giving myself the assignment of starting off with a requirement of ten bullet points. Then if I think of more as I go along I can continue, but at least ten.

The most common time for me to utilize this technique is either after Vic and I argue, or when our stubborn strong personalities are feeling more divisive than unifying.

But I also employ it when I've had an especially rough day/week/month with the kids and I'm feeling like I really don't even like these people, even though they are MY people!

It can really help me readjust my perspective, and start to appreciate all the gems that adorn my life!

There are so many things to appreciate, and I shouldn't just wait until I'm burnout or angry to count my blessings. If it makes me feel good when I'm upset, maybe if I practice it when I'm not, it might help keep me from freaking out at all. Or at least less.

So, at least twice a month, I'm going to make a 10 Things List. I encourage everyone to give it a try! Bringing down those stress hormones is good for everybody!

Here is today's:

10 Things I Love About My Sensory Seekers

1.) When they are happy, they are gut bustingly gleeful! It's impossible not to smile when they are happy.

2.) Everything with them is an adventure just waiting to happen.

3.) They LOVE bear hugs, blowing raspberries, and tickle/wrestling fests!

4.) They see life differently, with less fear than me for the most part.

5.) They like surprises!

6.) They are inventors.

7.) They are determined!

8.) They notice things I don't, like how awesomely oranges squish between your fingers and squirt out the juice.

9.) They don't notice things I do, like my hair not being washed for three days, they still tell me I'm pretty :)

10.) They LOVE us just the way we are, unconditionally!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Le Petite Chef: Mud Pie

Here it is, as promised, Grace's Mud Pie recipe! She did all the work, I helped explain terms and measurements, stirred at the very end to make sure everything was evenly coated (at her request), and helped hold the pot. She let one of her friends spread the Nutella and add the "dirt" to one of the pies while she did the other.  This is a very kid friendly recipe, I highly recommend it for ages 8 and up! The original recipe is in the book The Cooking Book, by Jane Bull. But we modified it just a bit. Here are our supplies: 3/4 c butter 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1/2 c sugar 1 c graham cracker crumbs 1/2 c dried fruit 1 chocolate bar (we used Nutella spread instead) We added: Heath chocolate and toffee bits Black Sixletts (found in the party aisle) These are the original measurements, we doubled the recipe though. Step 1: Crush graham crackers. We used a gallon size zipper bag and a coffee mug (I don't own ...

Preschool at Home! Chalkboard Painting

Here is another treasure from the backfiles. This started as an act of desperation on my part, I just needed her to be occupied so I could finish something, but it quickly became one of her favorite activities. If you have a chalkboard (we made ours on a half wall with chalkboard paint), all you need is a paintbrush, sponge, or washcloth, and a cup of water. Dip the brush in the water and have at it! Kit LOVES how the water turns the board black. So often, she will be at this so long that by the time she gets across the board, the first area she painted will be dry and a fresh pallet once again. You can get creative with the things you use as paintbrushes, but she has been completely happy with our basic art brushes from Walmart. I love watching her do this.

Saying Goodbye

For the entire month of August, I just didn't let myself think about it beyond the facts. For the last two weeks, I just focused on anything else that took my mind off of it. Over the weekend I was busy getting things ready, so I was too busy to think about it. Tuesday came. Miss V came. It was a good visit, with laughing and smiling, and questions asked and answered, and Kit played with her, and smiled and made us laugh like usual. But it was different, and we felt it. I didn't let myself go there, because I didn't want to break down, not that it would have been the first time in front of her (nor the second, or third, or even fourth probably.)  And then it was time for her to go, and we took some pictures, and all the kids hugged her, and I held Kit on my shoulder on the steps so she could wave goodbye until Miss V is out of sight like she has every week for at least five months. And then we closed the door, and Kit went on with business as usual, beca...