Jonny is Registered for Kindergarten!

I can't believe that Dennis' big surgery is just the day after tomorrow. The hospital called to confirm that he would be having surgery on Wednesday. Even with Dennis still having a slight cough they said that the doctor wants to go ahead and operate. I pray that Dennis will be completely well by Wednesday just so that he will go in at 100% verses just 90% or 95%.
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Julia stayed home from school today with a sore throat and fever---- please pray no one else gets sick. Not only am I having all the kids keep their distance from Dennis, but I have also kept him out of church nursery for the last week. I am hopeful that he won't get what Julia has, but I am also hoping that he can come home to a fairly healthy family. Please pray for our family's health.
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Today I registered Jonny for kindergarten. He knows that this is the year that he goes to school! He seems to have a much more positive attitude about school--- praise the Lord. We met a new family that lives around the corner from us. Her oldest son is starting kindergarten next year too--- and happens to be born in the same month and year as Jonny meaning that she kept him home too! How amazing is that! While standing in line to register our boys, Jonny and her little boy Logan went off playing. They hit it off very well! And so did Tami and I! I really feel like I have made a new friend. I went as far as to go and talk to the principal about having both boys in the same class next year. I think they will both feel a little more comfortable if they went to school already having each other as friends. Don't you think?

Later this evening, Tami walked over and did the sweetest thing. I was swept off my feet in awe when she handed me a container full of cookies for my kids to enjoy, and two care packages for both Dennis and I to enjoy while we are at the hospital. What a blessing. For her to go out of her way, was really a thoughtful thing........ and I can't wait till I have the chance to thank her by inviting her over for lunch playdate. I cheated and took a sneak peak at my bag, and I must say she covered all the bases and then some. It just feels really nice to have this done. I remember that a few months ago my prayer was to meet another Mom that lived in the neighborhood that I could get to know and eventually call my girlfriend. Even though I have not prayed for this in a very long time, God still answered my prayer. I think that is pretty amazing.
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I haven't reported any weight loss in the last couple of days because there really hadn't been any. It looked like I had hit a plateau---- and I was kind of disappointed. Then I got on the scale this morning and again this evening and it looks like I have lost another two pounds making my total weight loss nine pounds. And my clothes fit me again---- woo-hoo!

The end of the two week induction phase of Atkins will be this Thursday at which time I will probably drastically alter my diet to include around 40 carbs which will slow my weight loss. I just can't live without fruits any longer and I am really craving half of a baked potato and a bowl of crunchy granola.

How you guys doing?
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I haven't talked much about behavior issues in the house lately because I have tried to make it a habit to never write a post about a particular behavior issue until I have had a day to pray and sleep on it. By then the problem always seems so much smaller and not even blog worthy really. I am thankful for this.

But........ one daughter has been having a few tantrums---- something that she hasn't done in almost a year it seems. It only happens with me. It usually starts over homework----- I ask her to work on a problem, she gets an attitude, I say timeout so that the situation doesn't escalate and she behaves in a way that she later regrets, and then she begs and pleads to not have a timeout because she feels like she is too big to have one. By then we both know it is too late, and thus the tantrum. Then as quick as they came, they will go away. Just like that. And through it all, I don't change my reactions or expectations. A part of me thinks she does this every so often just to see if I am going to react differently. Nope.

One of my boys has started lying about the silliest of things. After all the kids had a junkfood shopping fest one weekend, I announced that there will be no more junkfood buying until I tell them they can buy it again. When I had to go to the store, my son offered to come with me. In the car, I asked him, "Did you bring your wallet?"

"No, I didn't Mom." Good.

At the end of our shopping trip, my son admits to me that he brought his wallet. Why? Why did he feel like he had to confess, and more importantly, why did he feel like he had to lie to me in the car? It was a great opportunity to teach him once again about being truthful. Though he lied, I am grateful that he felt the need to confess.

He also denies doing certain things when it is completely obvious that he did do it.

"Did you bring your Gameboy to church?"

"No."

"You mean it is not in your pocket?"

"No, it isn't."

"Can I feel if it is in your pocket?"

"Fine, Mom.... okay, it is, but I wasn't going to use it, really."

Big deep breath----- the joys of parenthood----- have you been there?