MOTHERHOOD:

"Being a full-time mother is one of the highest paying jobs..... since the payment is pure love." -- Mildred B.Vermont

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

Things my daddy used to say:

Don't you wonder where the things your ancestors say come from? Well since this blogs main purpose is to keep a record for my kids of our family, I thought I would record some of the funny things my daddy used to say. Like this comment: "deader than kelsey's nuts!" He usually said this in regards to our family "automobile".

Or as he says:

Well, I found this at this cool site here that has sayings and where they came from:

[Q] Where does the expression deader than Kelsey’s nuts come from and what does it mean?

[A] I’m told it’s an expression that former US President Richard Nixon was rather fond of using. Like other Americans before and since, he meant by it that something was unquestionably and permanently defunct. You might hear somebody say “The battery’s deader than Kelsey’s nuts”, or “His chances of surviving the election are deader than Kelsey’s nuts”.

That takes care of the meaning, but who or what was Kelsey and what was so special about those nuts? He turns out to have been a real person, John Kelsey, one of the pioneers of car manufacture in the USA. With the encouragement of Henry Ford, he set up the Kelsey Wheel Company in 1910. By 1913 this was based in Windsor, Ontario, just across the river from Detroit. To start with, he manufactured the wooden wheels that were then state of the art, but later moved into making wire-spoke wheels and later steel wheels. As Kelsey-Hayes Canada Ltd, the company still exists.

The saying refers to the proverbially secure attachment provided by the nuts and bolts on the wheels that Kelsey’s company made. In the view of the public, nothing could be fixed more tightly. And the obvious anatomical innuendos in those nuts made the saying just a little naughty. Though some examples are recorded from the 1930s, the phrase began to become more widely known in the 1950s. Early on, it appeared as “tighter than Kelsey’s nuts” to mean a person who was stingy or mean, and is also recorded in the form “as safe as Kelsey’s nuts”, meaning very safe.

By the early 1960s, it had evolved away from these fairly obvious formations to the imaginative and metaphorical phrase still used today. It would appear to have been a close parallel to — perhaps borrowed from — the much older as dead as a doornail.

Let me know some of your funny sayings.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Why start school before Labor Day?

I was looking for an article I wrote two years ago for our local paper about going to school before Labor day...that year the kids went to school around Aug 17Th!!! I remember practically crying when we were driving to the pool and seeing school buses and kids getting dropped off...what a crime.

I realize that Labor day is late this year...come on, I am due to have the baby that day(of course I am usually 2 weeks late)...so I know what day it is!!! But I feel as if the "school system" is chipping away at our family time...they go later-start earlier. Are they really learning more in school these days? With all the cutbacks around here it's a wonder they are teaching anything. Not to mention the homework they load on parents...come on, some of these kids are doing 2-3 hours of homework a night...that is more school than I do with my elementary kids in a day...I won't even touch on the push families feel towards extra activities like sports, music, scouts, or other club stuff...to people even eat dinner together anymore?...so lay off on families and let them enjoy the limited time they have with each other!!!

Here is an article I wrote last year about Back to school basics if interested...

Family dinner!!!

Our dinners may not taste as good as most families- just like I said here, but at least we are together!!! WE eat very simply and usually have over a friend or two...it is always exciting-in a crazy kind of way!!! We are very strick about what our kids are involved in. When the activities take place and how often they are away from home.

After reading this article I had to share it.

The Importance of Family Meals
Rebecca Hagelin
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 – Townhall.com

How often does your family have dinner together?

That simple question often evokes an answer of, "Ummmmmm......"

What used to be the most basic of activities has become increasingly difficult to schedule in today's busy world. But bringing back the time-honored practice of "breaking bread" with your own family could be the single greatest step you take toward saving your family from all kinds of ills.

For more than a decade, the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University has been studying the tremendous impact that family meals have on children. Their research repeatedly shows how children suffer when they don't spend regular, casual time with their parents gathered around the dinner table. Consider this summary of their findings:

"Compared with teens who frequently had dinner with their families (five nights or more per week) those who had dinner with their families only two nights per week or less were twice as likely to be involved in substance abuse. They were 2.5 times as likely to drink alcohol, and nearly three times as likely to try marijuana."

Dining together makes a huge difference in general family relationships too. Children from families who don't have frequent meals together are more than twice as likely to say that the family has strained or tense relationships. And, sadly, they often don't feel as if their parents are very interested in their lives.

There's no reason to wonder if lonely meals lead to strained relationships or vice versa - find out by making togetherness a priority. "Just do it." It might be a worn-out phrase, but as the parent, you need to determine in your heart to make family dinners happen.

And, although they won't tell you, your teens want you to make it a priority. Really.

The pop culture constantly tells parents the pernicious lie that teenagers don't want them around. But teenagers say something very different. CASA's research, for instance, reveals: "When asked whether they prefer to have dinner with their families or to eat alone, 84 percent of teens surveyed say they prefer to have dinner with their families, compared to 13 percent who say they prefer to eat dinner alone (three percent responded 'don't know' or gave no response)."

Yet, statistics show that as teens grow older they are less likely to eat with their parents. My guess is that it's because mom and dad often feel too overwhelmed to take the initiative to bring them around the table, or have bought the lie that older children don't need family time.

The truth is that both parents and children experience more joy and satisfaction in life in general when we are part of a strong family unit. One study conducted by The Associated Press and (believe it or not) MTV, found that spending time with family is the number one activity that young adult children between 13 and 24 said makes them happy.

So what are you waiting for?

As a mother of three, I know how difficult it can be to manage schedules -- especially of three young adults all running in different directions and wanting to spend time with their friends in the summer months. But several years ago when my children first hit their teen years and I discovered the fierce competition for their time, I forged ahead, designating nights each week when we would absolutely eat together. And I found that adding one simple sentence to the mandate opened up a whole new world of fun: "Your friends are welcome to join us." This firm but inclusive directive made for many now-treasured evenings when we bond with our children and their friends. The time, laughs and discussions have a powerful impact on all of us.

It makes sense when you think about it. When your children know that your being with them is a priority for you, they feel valued and loved. They also begin to understand that the sacred bonds of family will sustain them through any challenge life throws at them.

If you're feeling at a loss on how to get and keep those kids gathered around your table, CASA offers great ideas on how to make meals interactive and enjoyable. Their fantastic website http://www.casafamilyday.org/ was designed with your family in mind. As CASA says, "Dinner Makes a Difference."

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

LIFE IS AN OCCASION...RISE TO IT!!!

The movie Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium was a "worth a watch" in my book. Maybe even worth a buy...but, since our library rents out movies for free-my buying days are limited!!!

I didn't see anything wrong in the movie...(would be interested if someone has.)

My favorite line is: "LIFE IS AN OCCASION...RISE TO IT!!!"

That is one of our families code's or motto's...(from another great movie!!!)

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!!

Thy Will Be Done!!!+JMJ+

HAVE FAITH...

June 22, 2008
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 10: 26-33
"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

family rules...

KIDS FIGHTING
We call it life lesson's on how to deal with different types of people...and they will make great spouses or religious because they know how to cope with others. (just put it under conflict resolution for homeschooling)
A couple of rules:
1. no bad words
2. no hitting
My kids have to answer 3 questions-
a)what is your job in life:to make my little brothers and sister's happy!!!
MOTTOS...
b)KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!
c)IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!!!

Family Motto...

Matthew 5: 13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."