WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION....

Yes folks...in all seriousness...my boys have become indeed weapons of mass destruction. I have no idea what has occurred in my home over the course of the last several weeks but they have been insanely horrible almost 24 hours a day. Taking Caden on Mommy and Caden day has been my only reprieve. They have destroyed valuable belongings in my home, have been fighting, beyond hyper, back talking, not minding, destroying their rooms in any and every way possible, become overly mischievous and well just plain awful! I don't really take them out in public any longer on my own or even with help for that matter because they have constant meltdowns...no matter where we go. It's so embarrassing. I feel like I am failing as a mother because I can't get my boys under control. I have taken away privileges, used time out, spanked...nothing works. They even go so far as to laugh at me. Even Joe is now having a hard time getting them to mind and listen to him as well. I have spent long hours crying about this. Even spoke to my pediatrician yesterday to no avail. He just told me to do the same things I am already doing. What am I supposed to do? I can't go anywhere because I can't control them. Staying home drives me mad as they destroy things and run around like wild animals. Where is SUPER NANNY when I need her? I am so stressed and don't know how to handle the boys anymore. It's to the point I am considering going back to work and putting them in daycare. I just can't handle it or them. It breaks my heart to even say that but it's the truth. I am exhausted and can't rein them in at all. I've tried EVERYTHING I can think of to try. I LOVE my boys...love them more than anything. I want to be able to have fun with them again and enjoy them and to be able to enjoy our family time and outings too. I just don't know how to do that anymore.

WHY am I telling you all this? For one, just to vent. For two, in hopes someone that reads my blog will have some good advice for me which can help my boys and their behavior. PLEASE HELP!!!!!! I am desperate. ANY and ALL advice is very much appreciated!



1. My Thirty-One goodies.....I am totally in love with each and every one of them! Thanks Jacquie! You are a GREAT Consultant!!




A "cinch sak" to use for my boys for church and such along with a matching zipper pouch.





My adorable little purse.





Our Picnic Thermal & Organizing Tote....great for our picnics and pool outings!!




Makeup Bag




Cross body bag

















2. My current reading material. What can I say...I am infatuated with this Cinderella story. I always LOVED Princess Di as well. Kate is perfect to follow in her shoes! I love to see her style and she's just amazing! I am going to be glued to the TV for that wedding!!! William has grown into an amazing young man, his "mummy" would be so proud. Maybe there is hope for me yet...in my book it says William was a total hellion as a toddler and child. LOL



3.
Yesterday was GREAT! So glad the rain FINALLY moved on and we were left with such warmth and sunshine!!!! Hope it stays!!

4. My new Nine West eyeglasses.



5. The Most Amazing Husband In The World. I love him more than words could ever say...



A BIG CONGRATS TO MY UK WILDCATS ON THEIR WIN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT PLAY!!! GO BIG BLUE!



DAY 12

Love Lets the Other Win

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests others. – Philippians 2:4

If you were asked to name three areas where you and your spouse disagree, you’d likely be able to do it without thinking very hard. You might even be able to produce a top ten list if given a few more minutes. And sadly, unless someone at your house starts doing some giving in, these same issues are going to keep popping up between you and your mate.

Unfortunately, stubbornness comes as standard feature on both husband and wife models. Defending your rights and opinions is a foundational part of your nature and make-up. It’s detrimental, though, inside a marriage relationship, and it steals away time and productivity. It can also cause great frustration for both of you.

Granted, being stubborn is not always bad. Some things are worth standing up for and protecting. Our priorities, morals, and obedience to God should be guarded with great effort. But too often we debate over piddling things, like the color of wall paint or the choice of restaurants.

Other times, of course, the stakes are much higher. One of you would like more children; the other doesn’t. One of you wants to vacation with your extended family; the other doesn’t. One of you wants to vacation with your extended family; the other doesn’t. One of you prefers home-schooling your kids; the other doesn’t. One of you thinks it’s time for marriage counseling or to get more involved in a church, while the other doesn’t.

Though these issues may not crop up every day, they keep resurfacing and don’t really go away. You never seem to get any closer to a resolution or compromise. The heels just keep digging in. It’s like driving with parking brake on.

There’s only one way to get beyond stalemates like these, and that’s by finding a word that’s the opposite of stubbornness – a word we first met back while discussing kindness. That word is “willing.” It’s an attitude and spirit of cooperation that should permeate our conversations. It’s like a palm tree by the ocean that endures the greatest winds because it knows how to gracefully bend. And the one best example of it is Jesus Christ, as described in Philippians 2. Follow the progression of His selfless love …

As God, He had every right to refuse becoming a man but yielded and did – because He was willing. He had the right to be served by all mankind but came to serve us instead. He had the right to live in peace and safety but willingly laid down His life for our sins. He was even willing to endure the grueling torture of the cross. He loved, cooperated, and was willing to do His Father’s will instead of His own.

In light of this amazing testimony, the Bible applies to us a one-sentence summary statement: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5) – the attitude of willingness, flexibility, and humble submission. It means laying down for the good of others what you have the right to claim for yourself.

All it takes for your present arguments to continue is for both of you to stay entrenched and unbending. But the very moment one of you says, “I’m willing to go your way on this one,” the argument will be over. And though the follow-through may cost you some pride and discomfort, you have made a loving, lasting investment in your marriage.

“Yes, but then I’ll look foolish. “I’ll lose the fight. I’ll lose control.” You’ve already looked foolish by being bullheaded and refusing to listen. You’ve already lost the fight by making this issue more important than your marriage and your spouse’s sense of worth. You may have already lost emotional control by saying things that got personal and hurt your mate.

The wise and loving thing to do is to start approaching your disagreements with a willingness to not always insist on your own way. That’s not to say your mate is necessarily right or being wise about a matter, but you are choosing to give strong consideration to their preference as a way of valuing them.

Love’s best advice comes from the Bible, which says, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield” (James 3:17 NKJV). Instead of treating your wife or husband like an enemy or someone to be guarded against, start by treating them as your closest, most honored friend. Give their words full weight.

No, you won’t always see eye-to-eye. You’re not supposed to be carbon copies of each other. If you were, one of you would be unnecessary. Two people who always share the same opinions and perspectives won’t have any balance or flavor to enhance the relationship. Rather, your differences are for listening to and learning from.

Are you willing to bend to demonstrate love to your spouse? Or are you refusing to give in because of pride? If it doesn’t matter in the long run – especially in eternity – then give up your rights and choose to honor the one you love. It will be good for you and good for your marriage.

TODAY'S DARE

Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

(In your Love Dare Journal or a notebook) What issue did you choose? What did the giving cost you? How will this help you in the future?