Duggar Family Rules

I think I'm going to post these. Not to worship the Duggars, but I think these are awesome rules to live by.

1. Always use soft words, even when you don't feel well.
2. Always display kind actions, even if you have been mistreated.
3. Show joyful attitudes even when no one is looking.
4. Have sincere motives with no thought of self-gain.
5. Think pure thoughts.
6. Always give a good report of others. Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. Use Matthew 18 as your standard.
7. Never raise a hand to hit.
8. Never raise a foot to kick.
9. Never raise an object to throw.
10. Never raise a voice to yell.
11. Never raise an eye to scowl.
12. Use one toy/activity at a time.
13. Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don't go to be angry or guilty.)
14. Amendment J.O.Y.: Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. Make serving your family a priority.

both of these posts are from

From Jeanette Wood
A moment with Mom


When Asked
"Not only do you have 10 children but you also run a farm. How do you do it all? What is your secret to managing your home with a cheerful heart?"


1. I work on creating memories, considering what's really important, and doing those things. I often ask myself, "If the Lord were to return at this moment what would I want Him to find me doing?"

2. I make sure that we are not so busy "doing" that we can't simply enjoy one another.

3. I make sure to always go to bed with the home clean and laundry done. Waking up to yesterday's chores is no way to start the day. There are times that it simply happens however, we all work hard to make sure our daily duties are accomplished before bedtime.

4. I limit distractions such as Internet, TV. and phone calls that would keep me from being available to hear the children express their hearts. If I no longer have time to hold the baby, read a story to the little ones, or kiss the brow of my child... then I am too busy with the 'clutter' of life. For me, the simple moments with my family are the most important! I love to create their favorite meals, yummy treats and work along side them as they care for animals they enjoy!


5. Managing our time is critical. We don't have a schedule we keep but we do have a routine we follow. I've found the home is orderly and peaceful when everyone knows what to expect for the day. The key is keeping us open and flexible to hear the voice of the Lord and set aside our own plans to do His. It's a balancing act that I work on daily.


6. I've learned to smile on purpose! It's important to me that I am teaching my children by example. I want to teach them that I don't just act kind when I leave the house, smile when life is easy, or have a joyful tone in my voice when things go my way. I also want them to know that I don't hide my pain when I hurt, my struggle with temptations, or my repentance when I sin.


7. I also guard myself from excuses. I don't want to teach my children to make excuses for poor behavior so I need to make sure I am not doing so as well. I often tell my girls, "We were told to walk in the Spirit at all times. It doesn't say, except when it's that "time of the month."

February 10, 2010, a New day!

Today is a new day in Christ, and He is going to help me.

Lord, please help me to enjoy my kids today and every day, because I do realize now how fast these days will be gone and I will miss them so much, even though they are REALLY hard right now. This means, please, help me stay off this computer when they are awake, and spend quality time with them. I don't want to look back in years and realize how much time I wasted NOT spending time with my children. The time goes by way too fast. This job is hard, but please don't allow me to "check out". I want to remember these days, and all the days to come. I don't want to regret one thing when the kids are grown. I want to know that I did everything in me to make connections with them. Lord, you know my heart, please help me with my struggles. Thank you for everything Lord! Don't let me take another moment for granted!


Here's the Update for the girls for 6 month visit and 9 month visit:

M: 6 month check up 11/5/09
Height: 26 3/4 inches (75%)
Head: 42 3/4 cm (50%)
Weight: 16 lbs 6 oz (50%)

M: 9 month 2/3/10
Height: 27 1/2 in (50%)
Head: 17 1/2 in (65%)
Weight: 18 lb 3 oz (50%)

B: 6 month check up 11/5/09
Height: 27 in (90%)
Head: 43 cm (75%)
Weight: 17 lbs 4 oz (75%)

B: 9 month check up 2/3/10
Height: 27 1/2 in. (50%)
Head: 17 3/4 in (77%)
Weight: 19 lbs 7 oz (60%)

The boys are doing great.

M has started some preschool stuff this year, and I am debating on Kindergarten for him next year. We have been looking at curricula this year, and with the curriculum I am hopefully going with, I can do a 2 year Kindergarten program. Decisions, decisions. I'm just praying right now that the Lord will lead me in the direction I need to go. He is very set that he is going to be a firefighter when he grows up. I know the Lord has something GREAT for him. He is definitely head strong, but I also know that will work in his favor eventually, we just have to learn to channel it into positive things.


D is doing well with his school work. Abeka academy is really not working for us right now, so also with him, I have looked into a different curriculum. I think he needs a more hands on approach with school. So often, we put our children in a textbook curriculum, because that is how we learned being in "school". There are so many other ways to learn, and I am really researching them. He still loves drawing and hopes to one day be an artist or a comic book illustrater. I have high hopes for these boys. I sure do love them so much! I know God has a bigger plan for them. I can't wait to see what it is.

Well, I've rambled for long enough today. Tootles, be back soon....hopefully sooner than I was last time.

4 Month Check Up and Such

I'm always trying to blog more, but it never happens. Shew! We sure are busy. So, here are some updates.

Drew has been doing well in school, but he seemed to be very overwhelmed with all the paper work. So...I switched his curriculum to a distance learning program with Abeka. He is REALLY excited about it, and I think it will take a lot of stress off of me so I can work with Matt and give more attention to the girls.

Matt is doing well, he is very strong willed right now. I am reading the Strong Willed Child by Dobson, and learning to break his will and not his spirit. He is a stubborn one though. He is doing well with his preschool work. He really seems to be picking up on the ABC's and numbers. I am excited for him and my goal is to have him reading by Kindergarten in 2 years.

The girls are well, they went for their 4 month appt today. Dr. told me that I made it look easy. That's all I do, make it LOOK easy, because it definitely isn't. They are growing like weeds. Here's their stats:
Bethany//// Meredith
15lb 1/2oz (80%) ////14lb 5oz (65%)
25 1/4 in. tall (80%) ////24 3/4 in. tall (75%)
16 1/2 cm head cir. (75%)//// 16 1/4 cm. head cir. (55%)

Bethany has a slight cold (I think it's croup), but the doctor said that kids not in daycare get 4-6 colds a year. Both girls are at the 6 month mark as far as rolling both ways and rolling around the living room. The doctor said that he wouldn't be surprised to see them walk at 8 months, but I'm hoping to hold that off until 10 months at least.


All in all everyone is GREAT!

Museum

We went to the museum today with Drew and Matt's best friends, Laura and Amanda. They had a great time. It was a little hassle taking the "school bus" stroller, but all in all everyone did well. We went and heard a lecture on honey bees, that was pretty cool. We just thought they'd have real bees, and they didn't. It was very educational nontheless. Counted it as school, since we started 2nd grade Monday. I decided to start Drew on a modified year round homeschool schedule. He was losing too much information during his break. This way, we can have a 3 week vacation in September, a 5 week vacation at Christmas, and a 3 week vacation at spring break time. So far, he loves it! I'm so proud of my boys. Matt is doing a 3 yr old preschool program with me since we can't afford for him to go back to real preschool. So far he loves it too! They are such good kids.

2 Month Check Up

Here's all the stats for the girls:

Meredith: 11 lbs 1.5 oz (75%), 23 1/4 in. long (90%) and head circumference 15 1/4 cm (50%).

Bethany: 11 lbs 5.5 oz (75%), 23 1/2 in. long (90%) and head circumference 15 1/2 cm (50%).


The Doctor was very pleased with the way they are growing. He said that some of the stuff they are doing (ie. holding head up, pushing up on their elbows, rolling over, etc.) was 3-4 month old development. He said they are definitely ahead of a lot of babies at this age, especially considering they were a month early.

It was SO sad to see them get their shots. These are my 3rd and 4th kiddos and it doesn't ever get any easier to see them have to get a shot. It broke my heart. My mom went with us so that she could help console the little ones. It broke her heart too, in fact she was crying right with them. I didn't cry, but it sure did well up in me.

Right now, they are sleeping, tired from the tylenol. I'm sure they'll have a sleepy day, but they are healthy and doing good. We go back in 2 months for the 4 months visit and then they can start solid foods. YAY!

Boys are doing well, they went to storytime this morning. They LOVE storytime w/ Ms. Angie. They are my shining stars. I just am so blessed to have 4 GREAT children. I'll update again later, but for now...tootles!

Drew 7 (in 2 weeks), Matt 3 1/2, Bethany (l) & Meredith (r) 2 months.

Quick update. The girls are smiling. They pretty much started this weekend (they were six weeks last Friday). Bethany is smiling more than Meredith, but I know Meredith will catch up. The boys are doing great. Enjoying the summer in the kiddy pool on the deck. They are getting so grown so fast. I love them ALL so much!