As Easter is approaching & Pinterest was flooded with ideas of Easter baskets & treats - I ran into one idea that had merit - it was a link via FB from my old RS President back in our Fairfax, VA ward . The link is to
this LDS site which lists the scriptures you can read in the 4 Gospels which give an account of Christ's final week.
On a whim - which whims can often go awry with last minute changes - I realized that with it being Palm Sunday a few days ago that we needed to start this. And so, we changed over from reading in the Doctrine & Covenants and started to give read through the accounts of Christ's life.
I think we need to do more themed Scripture reads - as the children have been so attentive and engaged in our scripture reads...which truthfully, many times I sincerely hope that by going through the actions we will receive some blessing, because there are nights where I wonder if anyone listened, learned or sat through even a minute of what we read! This week has been different - perhaps it's because we are reading something very sacred & special centering around Christ's life as we approach Easter. Whatever the reason it is different, I have loved it. I love having the children ask sincere questions about what we are reading, and that they are actually excited to read! Last night Bryson worked late, and so the 4 of us sat down to do the reading together and the spirit that was present was beautiful. I think Heavenly Father knew I needed a healing moment as a mother - and did he ever send one!
I also attribute the reading to a difference in Bryson Jr.'s behavior. We have a rough go at times with him...okay, a lot of the time it is really hard with him. He is very intense, and there are extreme emotions that he exhibits - and scripture times have been one of those times when I want to pull my hair out, scream at the top of my lungs down a black hole....or just curl up and hope for some other mother that could come in and do things better.
After we started our reading on Sunday, I noticed a difference in Bryson's behavior the following day (Monday) - I realized he hadn't been in time out once, I hadn't had to remind him how to behave and I hadn't gotten upset at or about something he had done all day. This was HUGE! I sat down with him and I told him I was so proud of his behavior and on another whim (wow, these 2 whims proved to be my balm this week!) I pulled out a piece of paper and drew a long box and divided it into 10 squares. I told Bryson whenever I caught him being good, he would get to put a star in a box and when all 10 were filled up he could choose a prize - either from a goodie box I have, at the Dollar Store, an ice-cream with Mom or Dad or some money if he wanted to choose. He was so excited and over the past 3 days he has been so good! He is at 8 stars and would have earned the following 2 tonight, however Madeleine and I ran to do a visit and time home with Dad turned Bryson into a little bit of a crazy character for awhile...until we had scripture time (way too late, but thankfully we did have it!), and then my Bryson was back. Whew - I was worried a little bit when he started to talk in his funny voice and not listen...I would really like to minimize the time we spend with that side of Bryson Jr....I and I think the family so much prefers the other side of him which shows that he can still be fun, but it's a controlled fun where he doesn't get crazy.
Anyway, I love that he pointed out himself that he hasn't been in time-out at all the past few days. I asked him if he could feel a difference in the way he is behaving and he said yes - he can tell that things are more calm. Progress people...that is amazing progress!
So, with the amazing scripture read that we have this week, I also decided that in the spirit of being Christ-like as we study his life this week....we are going to have a Random Acts of Kindness Day....and then when thinking about it more - I wanted to encourage the children by helping them realize every day should be a day we exhibit kindness, so starting today we have 72 hours of concentrated Christ-Like Kindness Days to lead up to Sunday when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior. We have a box that we are taking with us, and we are going to write down the things that we do for anyone, and then on Sunday we are going to read them as a token of remembering what Christ's life was about and how we can always remember him when we are kind to others.
The kids and I had a great time starting things off today - after we dropped Jacob off to his Kindergarten class, the older kiddos and I went to the Dollar Tree to buy some needed items. The kids are like magnets to the toy aisle & when they asked if they could have something and I told them they could each have a dollar....to leave for another child to have an item. They each took a dollar and we came up with a note which we attached to an item and the dollar and then we left hoping that a child will walk down that aisle and find a dollar that they can buy a special surprise with. The giving and act of kindness turned the children away from thinking about what they wanted - but guessing what another child would choose.
My heart was so happy with their change of heart :) We are planning some other acts of kindness over the next 2 days - and of course random acts will be part of the story, which followed us to our next errand.
We went to the D.I. located over at Welfare Square to find Bryson some short-sleeve shirts....he is a boy and goes through clothes so quickly! When we first arrived they had 2 bins up front with new crocs that had just come in. I stopped to do a quick look over & didn't see any in a size we'd need - as I turned to leave I heard the woman that had just come up in a wheelchair say, "Love, hand me those brown shoes so I can see them." She had been talking to her husband who was behind her, however Bryson had turned to walk away and thought she was talking to him...he stayed and tried to get the brown shoes that the lady wanted...he was so cute trying to find a match and then when we handed them over to her, she looked right at him and said, "That was the kindest thing you did." I agreed and put my arm around him - moments like these I tell you, it was a genuine proud mommy moment. Fast & funny comparison is that when I dropped Jacob off at school, his friend Sam was at the door and he yelled out to Jacob, "Hey! I did a great burp at the table last night!" What?! I looked at his mom and she said, "Oh, Jacob is quite the legend at our house. We hear all the time that he can burp on command." I shook my head no, but the smile on my face admitted that I am indeed a mother of boys who will do certain things that I just don't understand! I continue and will always teach manners - but there are times when I feel like I'm competing against the brick wall that is named "BOYHOOD". Some times you just don't win against the wall.
And, now back to the D.I. - first off, I must confess I am a thrift store nut - and D.I. has become my new addiction to check-in on at least once a week to find good deals on home goods and clothing...really anything as books, furniture, drapes and the like have found a way into my cart and then into our home :) I've found myself wishing that I didn't have to go grocery shopping and buy food when I'd rather just shop at D.I. and spend money there!
We scored in a great way today! First, we found a bike for $4! Bryson has really wanted a bike and I'm going to use that as his reward for his first 10 stars - he is so excited! We then found more than enough shirts for Bryson and even a few for Jacob - we had 28 hanging on the handles of the shopping cart when we finally made it over to the dressing room....some were too big or were a strange fit on him, but not to worry we still walked out with a good dozen or so t-shirts ($1 each - love that price!), and about 4 dress shirts...we looked at Target the other day and the most inexpensive t-shirt was $3.99....I got 4 t-shirts for that price at D.I.! In fact, I was super ecstatic because I had just purchased a new button-down for Bryson's Easter shirt yesterday (it was on sale and a great price) - however I found one almost identical for 1/3 of the price. And even better - I couldn't find a shirt for Jacob yesterday - but today I found his easter shirt as well and for the same price...the two shirts combined were still less than I had paid for just the one shirt of Bryson's....which will be returned very shortly :)
The very best part - my kids love to thrift shop with me :) Madeleine loves to look through the racks and find her own hidden gems...which is like her outfit here. Yesterday we found the top at Gymboree and it was on sale, plus my coupon the shirt came to about $2.50.... which is a good deal. Today, while going through the racks she found the pair of capris she is wearing and brought them over to me - she was already wearing her new top and said, "Mom, do you think these pants will go with this top?" I looked at them and said a quick yes, and then did a double-take. I checked the tag and sure enough it was a Gymboree label and in a size 10...how perfect was that? It's from the exact same line that Gymboree puts their clothing into. Only more perfect because they are in mint condition and only $2..score! I could go on & on about thrifting - but I'll write more in another post and do a tour of the house and everything purchased that way. The only thing I am more excited about than thrifting is knowing that Yard Sale season is close at hand....I can't wait!!
Lamp: $2 - The lamp was found last week - I spied it across the room when I was there with the kiddos so I sent Madeleine to quickly lay claim on it. I thought I'd need to replace the shade - but it matches the color in the arm chair perfectly, and the one bad spot that was on the shade is now facing the wall :) Quick and easy (not to mention cheap!) solutions. 
Black shelf w/hooks: $2! It needs to be touched up on the top part where the frame is hiding the lonely 'E' left over from the word Cafe. I might try to find other letters and spell out 'HOME' - or I might just try to take off the E and paint over the spots in black. It's a work in progress - but definitely worth the $2 I paid to work on it! 
