Parenting Is The Toughest Job There Is

I have been going round and round with my two kiddos lately about picking up after themselves, following directions, etc.  I'm at my wits end.  I feel like throwing in the towel and saying, "Go ahead.  Knock eachother's teeth out over a Little Pet Shop toy.  Destroy this place.  I'm sick of cleaning it anyway." 

That's what I would say if I didn't love my children and am concerned with the women they will become when they grow up.  I want my girls to be good, hard-working, God fearing women.  It's my job to teach them this, but why is it so hard?  ::I just imagined myself rolling on the ground, kicking, and screaming...having an all out tantrum:::

The girls brought a ton of their toys into the living room this morning.  They had been playing with them all day.  I began cleaning and getting ready for my husband to come home.  I told them to clean up the living room.  I then went into the dining room to begin sweeping.  When I was done, I went back in the living room and they were still playing.  I told them again to clean up all of their toys out of the living room.  I then went to mop the dining room.  When I returned to the living room, they were both in Katie's room playing and all of the toys were still in the living room.  I got a bag and put all of the toys that were in the living room into the bag and put the bag on the top shelf of the closet.  Katie walks out and says, "I didn't want those toys anyway."  I replied with, "It's now time to clean up your room or the same thing is going to happen in there."  She said, "I don't like any of my toys.  You can get rid of them." 

My mouth literally fell to the floor and I could feel the blood begin to boil within my veins.  I turned around, walked outside, and immediately called my mom.  She had to call me back, so I did the dishes and prayed.  "Please dear Lord help me.  Show me what to do.  Tell me what to say."  My mom called back and said to have her choose her most prized toy(s), which would be The Littlest Pet Shop.  She said to tell her that since she doesn't care for the other toys, that we would be giving her very special toys to some very special kids that don't have any toys.  Kids that would take care of them. 

I didn't do it.  I came close, but I just couldn't do it.  So, right before her daddy pulled in the driveway I walked past her room and she was actually cleaning up.  I didn't say anything, just kept walking.  She came out a little later and said that her room was clean.  I went to check and the floor was picked up.  I told her that I was so proud of her for cleaning her room up like I had asked, but then I looked under her desk and her bed.  Toys were shoved under them.  I opened her toybox and dirty clothes were in there.  We had a talk yesterday about shoving our toys under our beds, so I know that she knew better.

I told her that all of the toys needed to be put away.  She immediately threw herself on the floor and started crying.  I had had enough.  Our town throws a festival during spring break every year.  We usually go 2 or 3 days and we spend one evening eating dinner there.  This was supposed to be the night we went.  She had been talking about it ever since she saw the rides being put together.  We can go outside in the evening and hear the rides, music, and people screaming.  I said right then, "We're not going to the festival tonight.  If you show me tomorrow that you are a big girl, and can follow directions and clean your room, then we'll talk about going."  It hurt me to tell her that, but I had to put my foot down.  We were all being punished, because we all wanted to go. 

She has been crying ever since.  Eben and Kinsley were heading out the door to go to the grocery store.  He asked Katie if she wanted to go and she said no.  He put Kinsley in the carseat and got into the driver's seat.  He started to back up, but Katie ran to the door because she had changed her mind.  He stopped and pulled forward and she threw herself down again.  She was screaming that he was leaving her.  He honked his horn and I opened the door for her to go.  She was crawling toward the door.  I told her to get up and go, but she just sat in a pile on the floor crying.  I asked her if she wanted to go and she shook her head no.  So, he left.  She started freaking out again. 

Once he left, she began to calm down somewhat.  She then came to me and told me that she was hungry.  I was snacking on peanut butter and crackers.  I told her that she could have some.  She threw herself down again.  I immediately picked up her, put her in her bed, and shut the door. 

She is now sitting quietly eating peanut butter and crackers. 

Dear Lord, please help me. 

Just Another Katieism

Katie came in & asked for her rain boots. I told her that I gave them away because they were too small. She said, "Did you bring them to Nice William?". Confused, I asked, "Who is Nice William?"  She said,"Not who, momma. It's a place. The place you bring bags of stuff to when you don't want them anymore. You gave a bunch of my toys to Nice William."

 

She was talking about Good Will.

 

HILARIOUS!!!!

 

June Update - Busy, Busy, Busy

We've been very busy lately.  Not that we've really been doing much of anything, but preparing for vacation on top of Father's Day and other miscellaneous adventures has kept me away from the computer lately.  I'm sure my husband and kiddos are happy about that.  Time for a recap of what's been going on around the Louvier home.

I'm loving this picture.  It cracks me up.  This is Katie after we had a discussion about her fake smile that she gives me when I pull the camera out.  Now this is a real smile. 

Now this is my sweet Katie.  Posing pretty for momma.  This NEVER happens.

Kinsley got to go to the beach with Maw Maw and Paw Paw for the day with her other little cousins.  I swear my mother is gluten for punishment when she decides to take on 2 two year olds and a very rambunctious 1 year old.  They all had a great time though and were on their very best behavior.

All three of them on the way to the beach.  Those carseats were crammed into that Honda Accord.  Kinsley's carseat was actually way too big, so Maw Maw had to borrow one from Aunt B for Kinsley to sit in.  I now know that it is possible for 3 carseats to fit in the back of a small car. 

This is just too stinkin' ca-ute!!!!

Kinsley and Lilly with Maw Maw in the water.  For those of you that are used to crystal blue waters on the East Coast, this is what the water from West of the Mississippi looks like.  Dirty, dirty, dirty, but we're used to it and love to be down at the beach.

Maw Maw and Paw Paw wore them out.

While Kinsley was at the beach.  I decided to give my sister, Brenna, a break from motherhood for the day.  Brendon and Breanna were with their MiMi, Chloe was with Maw Maw, Lindsey was - well, not really sure where she was, but she's 15...she comes and goes, and Journey was with Nanny (me :).  We snuggled a lot.

She thinks that Nanny is super comfy.  She always falls asleep on me.

When Maw Maw brought Kinsley home, Chloe got to stay with us.

Brenna picked them the girls up at 11:00.  I was wiped out.

Father's Day was June 17th.  We had a lazy Sunday.  Eben barbequed some things on the grill.  Then later that evening we went to my sister's mother-in-law's house, which is directly behind my mom's house, for steaks.  It was a very relaxing Father's Day.

The girls got to play in the water all evening.  The weather was unusally cool (85ish) for June.  We got to spend all evening outside.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the girls with daddy. 

Friday, June 22nd, my sister, Amy, took Katie and Kinsely for the night.  Eben and I went to see Miranda Lambert.  I LOVE HER!!!!  I really love The Pistol Annies.  They are my fav.  2 of my oldest friends were there.  They sat closer than we did.  I will never buy floor tickets again, unless I'm on the front row.  Everyone stood as soon as she came out and didn't sit back down once.  I couldn't see anything.  I even had a hard time seeing the teletrons.  The pictures we took turned out horribly because of the crazy lighting they had going on, but I did get some of my friend's pictures from her view from the front row.

Lauren (Nikki's little sister), Brandy, Nikki, and me.  I love these girls.

Me and Eben enjoying our time together at the concert.

This is the best picture we got from the concert.

This is the picture a friend of mine took from the front row.  JEALOUS!!!

The Pistol Annies singing Hell on Heels.

Saturday morning I had to pick the girls up from my sister's house.  We then had to rush home and get dressed for my cousin's baby shower.  She's having her first child in August. 

I can't wait to meet Mr. Jaxson.

That's been our June 2012.  Something else that I did this past week was read.  I did A LOT of reading.  I'm almost ashamed to tell what books I've read.  I'll let the graphic tell you.  I read all 3 books this week.  My poor kids were soooooo neglected.

Yes, I will be going to see Magic Mike even if I have to go by myself.  I LOVE me some Channing Tatum.  HOT, HOT, HOT.  I would love to see him as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie.

Last, but not least, when we got home yesterday, I was taking the girls out of the car when I looked down at my feet and saw this HUGE creature near my foot.  Thank goodness it was dead.

I've never seen anything like it.

I had to find out what it is.  It's a cicada killer.  Look at the stinger on that thing!



Thankful Thursday

Today was a very important day for my hubs.  He is the GM of a local cemetary.  He designed and had made a Veterans Memorial.  He is so proud of it and we are so proud of him.  He joined forces with the American Legion to have a dedication for the memorial, which was sheduled today. 

The weather didn't seem to want to cooperate with us, but God is always in control.  It never rained and no one was struck by lightening.  The funnel cloud that was reported was over 10 miles away from us, so we were doing pretty good.  In fact, it was like the sun was right over us, shining down on us during the ceremony with huge dark blue clouds lingering in the background.  It really made for some pretty pictures.  The fact that the wind was blowing, made it even better because we were all pretty sweaty out there. 

Here are a few pictures that I took during the ceremony.

Kinsley thought this guy was pretty interesting.  She must like Navy men....LOL.

Katie asked what the headstones were for.  She said, "Are they to keep them in the ground? Is God in there?"  She was pretty fascinated by it all.

I love this picture.  Kinsley's allergies have been acting up again. 

She was sneezing and coughing the entire time.

The Color Guard with the big bad storm in front of them.

They actually did the Three-Volley Salute.  Scared me and the girls half to death.  I didn't even think they'd really shoot the guns, but they did.  Kinsley started screaming.  It was a little comical.

This fine man played Taps.  It was awesome.

Eben being presented the United States flag.  He was so proud and we're so proud of him.

Old Glory flying in the breeze.

Eben being interviewed by Fox 4 News. 

After spending some time with Daddy after the dedication, we left before the weather got worse.  One of our Bucket List items includes eating at Rao's Bakery for lunch and a dessert.  That will never happen again.  I almost fell over when I received my bill.  We spent $30 on 3 chicken salad sandwiches that included chips, 1 chocolate milk, 1 bottle of water, and one small fruit bowl.

Katie has got to make a silly face everytime I pick up the camera.

We sat near the water fountain and they made a wish with nickels.  I didn't have any pennies.  Did you know that Canada has stopped the production of their pennies?  They cost more to make than they are worth.

I'm loving this picture.  I may have to frame this one.

After we let our food go down, we each picked out a dessert.  Didn't I mention earlier that my diet had been thrown out the window the day before?  Well, it carried over into today.

Katie likes anything chocolate.

Kinsley likes anything strawberry. 

Neither of them finished anything they ate, so they are having Rao's leftovers for dinner tonight. 

I truly can't eat anything else, especially since I topped off lunch with:

a fruit tart!

This was them picking out what they wanted.  Doesn't this look like a dream????

They have life size statues of the Blues Brothers in the cafe.  They both wanted to go over to see them.  As they got closer, they got scared to get near them.  I was cracking up.  They were both waiting for them to move.  We decided that we would sacrifice Bear (the little pink thing on his leg is Bear). 

Once Bear made it out alive, both girls decided that it was safe to stand near them.  I quickly got a picture and we were out of there.

Now we're home and they are eating apples.  Don't eat the expenisve lunch and dessert momma splurged on you, but eat an apple instead.  I guess the dentist would appreciate that.

Our First Bucket List Activity

We started our Summer Bucket List yesterday (Monday).  I do have to say that I have the most impatient child ever born.  As soon as she woke up, she wanted to pull something from the bucket.  I let her, but warned her that it wouldn't be until this afternoon because we had chores to do first.  I always try to wait until after lunch so that I can get some things done.  She drove me CRAZY!  All morning long, "Is it lunchtime yet?  When are we going to do our bucket list activity?  Is it lunchtime yet?"  I was tempted to tell her to forget about it, but I knew that she was just super excited.

Our first bucket list activity was waterballoons!  I blew up 8 of them and we ended up with only 2!  As I blew them up, I would put them in a plastic basket that had holes in it.  The waterballoons were so thin, that when I put them in the bucket, they would pop because of the grass sticking through the bottom.  We finally picked up the basket and brought it to the backyard to throw them, but as soon as I put the basket down, all but 2 popped.  I let them throw those two, but they wanted more.  It took like 15 minutes just to blow up the ones I had blown up, and I was ready to get in the pool.  The heat index was well over 100 and I was ready for the coolness of the pool.

Look at Kinsley's face!  Hahaha.  Cracks me up.

Katie is scared to death of loud noises.  She thought it was going to make a sound like a regular balloon popping.  Kinsley was laughing so hard at her.

Before we got in the pool, they were playing dress up.  Kinsley thinks that putting her fingers in her mouth and saying cheese is a good pose.  She did this in all of them. 

Katie in all of her cuteness.

Sisters!

Well, it's going to be another hot summer day here in Southeast Texas.  I'm so sore from working out yesterday, that I think we'll be having a lazy day today.  Who knows.  We'll see what our bucket list has in store for us today.

What a Fun and Exciting Day!

We did more today than we've done all week.  Let's start from the beginning.  My last post stated that I FINALLY cleaned Kinsley's room and took out her winter clothes.  I've still got to bag them up and ship them all off to my sister for her little girl. 

My best friend from high school, Nikki, brought her 6 year old over for a playdate.  We haven't seen eachother in a while and our kiddos haven't seen each other in 2 years.  We had a lot of catching up to do.  We started off by going out to eat.  I chose Chili's because it's close to Wal-Mart and we needed to get the girls some cheap swimsuits.  I love, love, love Chili's. 

Kinsley giving me her "cheese" face.

Katie and Camdyn coloring.  They were so cute playing together.  They even started singing Adele's song, Someone Like You.  They were cracking us up, because they don't really know the words to the song.  They have the right tune and rhythm, but that's about it.

One of my dearest, oldest friends.  We've been friends since the sixth grade.  That is 19 years...WOW!!!

The girls being silly at Wal-Mart.  We got the cutest bathing suits.  I also bought some spring/summer clothes for both girls.  Kinsley is excited because I never by her clothes except for her birthday and Christmas.  She gets Katie's old clothes and her cousin's old clothes.  She was thrilled!!!

Look how stinkin' cute that bathing suit is.  It's was $10...yep, that's it.  I fell in love with it when I saw it.

Kinsley's is super cute too.  It gave her a droopy bottom though.  She'll grow into it....I hope.

After the Splash Park, we went home and rested while we waited for Daddy to get home from work.  Kinsley took a nap and Katie drove me crazy while asking every 5 minutes when we would be leaving to go to the festival.  She has been waiting all week.  The bad thing about making her wait to go to the festival all week, is that we live right down the road from it.  We can hear the screams from the rides when we step out our back door.

Once we got to the festival, Katie had to ride the pony.  She looks like she's having a blast, right?

Poor Kinsley had to sit and watch.  She was too little to ride.

Kinsley wasn't too little to ride the carousel.  Daddy has to ride it with them.  It makes me sick.  Plus, I'm too short to stand next to them.  I alost dropped Katie when she was little.  Never again.

This child scarfed down the bloomin' onion.  She would pull the crust off and eat the onion.  She was the last one eating and cried when I finally took it from her.

We also ate boudain balls.  YUM!!!  Momma and babies love some boudain.

He's a silly daddy.

Katie and I rode the ferris wheel.  She got on it like she had ridden one all of her life.  She even sat on the other side from me, and she talked the entire time.

I had to add this one.  I had one of those, "Oh no, my baby is growing up!" moments.  She looks so grown up here.  I can see a very big kid in her face.  Made me a little sad.

Kinsley was great the entire time we were there, but when I took her out of the stroller...

She got so mad at me.  She would not look at me and even turned around and put her back to me.  I knew then that it was time to hit the road and go to bed.

As we were walking to the exit, Katie wanted to ride the big, fun slide.  She walked up and rode down all by herself.  Wow!  My baby isn't a baby anymore.

We had a very fun, exhausting day.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring?