Productive Day!

I'm big on documenting things when they're going well so I can remember, when they get out of whack.

One example is today. I have felt really good since I woke up this morning. What are some of the things that have helped?

1. I went to bed on a positive note (the mindset I'm in when I go to bed, many times, directly affects the mood I'm in the next morning)

2. I got up when I heard the alarm (when I don't do that, and instead press snooze over and over, I begin to resent getting up and when I finally do it, I'm mad at the world and everyone in it!)

3. I was showered and dressed before the kids woke up (nuff said)

4. I made a helathy breakfast for the kids (instead of MAKING them fix cereal) and had a good attitude about it

5. I started with a written plan and reviewed it with the kids before we got going, then reminded them about it when they began to complain

6. Many times throughout the morning, I listened to myself talk before I opened my mouth (internally I asked myself - will this statement be a blessing to my children, will it motivate them, will it make them smile? or will it discourage them and make them sad and frustrated?)

Every time I chose to say or do the positive, and that which would bring the Lord honor, I saw joy on their faces and I saw that they felt acceptance from me.

7. I did chores with them instead of hurling lists of commands at them. I showed them a system and I was excited about it. After we began working on it, one of them exclaimed the desire to do (this) ALL DAY! Talk about excitement. How's that for motivation.

8. I said yes to as many requests as I could. I knew I wouldn't be able to do that every time (saying no is many times a blessing that they don't immediately understand) but some things just take a little more of my energy and yielding and we can get it done and give them the sense of fulfillment they're looking for. One example today was the request to make corn fillets out of the fish fillets we had. I would normally say no but how difficult was it for me to just take out some corn and cook it and add it to the plate? It paid off.

9. I participated in activities with the kids. One in particular - building and playing in indoor trees and pretending to be a squirrel family.

Things went so much better today than they could have! Praise the Lord.