battle of wills....

Lots of important battles have been won and lost throughout the ages. Some have been won through strategy, some by strength and some even by treachery. We have had a battle waging here for the last few months called the battle of wills. Typically this battle wages during the terrible two's and then reemerges during the teenage years. However, my 8 year old is proving it can be fought at anyplace, anytime and anywhere. Today the battleground happened to be the piano. That's right, the piano. How 20 minutes of practice time on Christmas songs for an upcoming recital can turn into an hour and a half battle of wills is anyone's guess.

With Mark the way he accomplishes anything is when he decides it's his idea in the first place. He can't be forced, coerced, reasoned with or even positively encouraged (bribed by grandma). Today I refused to engage in battle and that made him quite upset. It's one thing when you want things your way. It's another when someone won't let you have your way and it's a downright crime when that same someone won't argue with you about why you can't have your way. All I know is I'm secretly getting ready to wave the white flag of surrender.

I have tried everything. I have carefully explained expectations ahead of time, made cute charts and graphs complete with stickers. I have praised good progress. I have given him choices and consequences and nothing works. This is of course after I have tried the before mentioned coercion, reasoning, forcing and bribing (shh..I mean positive reinforcement).

Part of me is trying to look at this from a positive perspective. This stubborn streak he has can be a good thing if he chooses to not compromise with his standards and beliefs as he grows up. But right now choosing not to practice, clean his room, read or do homework (especially spelling) is what we are facing.

I am open to ideas. If you would like to write a best selling book or get a doctorate degree in conquering the battle of wills, I would happily lend you my son for research. Seriously, it would be so much easier if he wasn't so cute and I didn't love him so much. He was trying evasive maneuvers as he left the house to go to school this morning and I had to snag him in a huge bear hug whispering "I love you" in his ear. I don't think it made a dent in his protective armor, but I have to at least attempt to send him off knowing that even though the battle will continue later, I will love him before, during and after.

Now I'm exhausted. I need chocolate and a bubble bath, but I'll have to settle for the vacuum and the laundry.

Super Dad!

Kelly has put in a full day today with the kids. He took all the boys to the BYU football game today. (Thanks to my sister and brother in law for the tickets!) It was the first time Mark's been to the stadium and he loved it. I was afraid he would get cold or bored and want to come home, but he had a blast. He got to meet Cosmo and drink hot chocolate and when he got home he gave me a play by play of the game. He really understands football and it was fun to hear him tell me all about it (and show me as he acted out some plays). He wants to go again next week!

As soon as they got home from the game, Kelly took Cass out on a Daddy Daughter date to the play Guys and Dolls at Mountain View High School. Our neighbor and friend is the director and his son is in the Young Men's with Kelly. The plays are always great and it's fun to see them every year. Kelly and Cass are there now and probably having a fun time. I know Kelly is tired, but I appreciate all he does to make fun memories with the kids, especially after a hard week doing everything while I was away. We are so lucky to have him in our lives. I love you Kel, thanks for being Super Dad today and everyday.

She's Back!!

I don't think I will be saying I wish for time to myself for awhile. :) It's been a long week. I'm so grateful to Kelly and the kids who did remarkable here without me. I came home to a very clean organized house. Even the laundry got done!! I would say I should go away more often but sitting at the table with my family for dinner tonight is something I want to do daily for a long time to come.

I appreciate my parents so much for letting me stay there. They made things so comfortable for me. I could hear my mom upstairs working on her many busy responsibilities (i.e. cooking a big dinner for 100 alone!), and it was so frustrating not to be able to help! I found that the best thing I could do not to feel guilty was to use my time alone to the best of my ability and I felt like I accomplished some good things during my time in isolation.

Although it is great to have chocolate again, it is far better to be home with my wonderful family. It is amazing the simple things I take for granted every day. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to reflect on all the little things that make my life so complete and how wonderful it is to be back!

a "glowing" report

Well soon I'm off to the hospital to get my dose of radioactive iodine. I really find it appropriate that it is happening on Friday the 13th! I have learned several things about myself since starting this wonderful (read sarcasm into that word!) low iodine diet I've been on.

1) Something is not right in a world without chocolate.

2) When I'm told I can't eat something it makes me crave it all the more! I'm not sure what that says about my self discipline.

3) I am grumpy when I can't eat what I want.

4) I took flavor for granted. I am looking forward to salad dressing, seasoning, gravy, sauces....I am getting hungry right now, I'd better stop! :)

5) I dream of Becky's warm chocolate chip cookies and milk!.....ok enough food talk, my mind is really wandering this morning!

Most of all I have learned to appreciate science. I am so grateful that there are treatments out there that can make me better so I can appreciate all the wonderful things in life (especially chocolate) for a long time to come. I am doing really well and will be thinking of all sorts of fun things I can write about while I am in seclusion without a computer for the next week or so. Thanks again for everyone's prayers, love and support. You can all find others to help now, because I am great.

Family Pictures 2009

This past weekend, a couple of my sisters families and us headed to a nearby park to get some family pictures. Kelly has a great camera and proved that his photography skills are far better than mine. I like to hurry and point and shoot. My pictures are blurry and off kilter, occasionally missing key things, such as parts of people's faces. Maybe one day someone might appreciate my efforts as some abstract art form but for now when shooting family portraits I'd best leave them to Kelly and his precision. :)