Orange Rhino Update: I'm Failing ;) Are YOU doing the Challenge?

So I am determined... and I mean: d.e.t.e.r.m.i.n.e.d to become a non-yeller. Shortly after the new year, I signed on to participate in the Orange Rhino Challenge . Sounded simple: start with a goal of 30 days without yelling. 

As you can see by my ticker to the LEFT: I suck. Yep, I'm a yeller. I've always been a yeller. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT giving up. I have no doubt I WILL become a non yeller... it's just clearly not going to happen overnight. 

Also please do not be mistaken: I am not a screamer... I do not torment my children by yelling 24/7... and nor do I ever (and I mean EVER) berate my children when I do yell. I am simply a loud person anyways (ask Hubby ;P) and when my children don't listen... which is seemingly all the time... I feel like talking LOUDER (ok, yelling) will somehow get them to HEAR me, even though it has clearly yet to actually work! 

photo from the Orange Rhino on Facebook

The kids have been patient with me. Despite my inability thus far to complete a full 7 day stretch, I DO see improvement! I am at the point where I can at least catch myself (if my kids don't catch me first by yelling "Orange Rhino!") As always, I have no shame in apologizing to my kids- they know all too well that I am NOT perfect. But I hope in some way this helps them as they get older. 

Giving the illusion that you're perfect, or a perfect parent, in my opinion just sets them up for failure when they make a mistake, or feel "imperfect". Also, they know how to apologize. Lord knows they've heard one enough! ;)  

 At our last Family Appreciation Night  we unveiled the Orange Rhino Challenge and each child got their own Rhino to remind ME, Hubby, and themselves- that yelling is not ok. We keep each other in check. 

I have also recently ordered some orange gear in hopes this will help me on my quest to become a non yeller: 

something for Spiderman

something for Baby B

and something for Baby A

 Hopefully the orange in my face will be enough of a reminder now that I'll keep my voice down. Orange Rhino had a recent post up about "the emergency yell"- do you agree?


How are YOU doing with your goals so far for 2013? Share them here, on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter! 

 

Bring on 2013! Why I am NOT making any resolutions this year...

2012 has been a year, not unlike many before it. Filled with countless fabulous moments, blessings, and other not-so-great moments.

hubby and me, photo credit Keith Sirois

But as the saying goes, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. And this year I feel like I have grown in a most important way. I have realized... like, truly realized... had an epiphany of sorts in fact, that my happiness, self worth, and "purpose" in this life is not going to be found in the pages of self help books, at a workplace, a University, inundating my calendar with volunteer activities, or even in my kids faces.

Nope, after 32 years I think I have it figured out. Now to some, this will sound sappy and a bit cliche. But a plethora of tiny, seemingly insignificant events have been occurring over the last few years that finally got so LOUD I could no longer ignore them. The resounding message was that God has GOT this.

photo from Etsy

I've been trying it on my own for too long. I certainly believe I'm where I am supposed to be, but I've been trying too hard. I am emotionally exhausted. My body shows it's physical exhaustion and needs to be refreshed. This year will be a year of focus. No resolutions, because I do not need them.

While this post is beginning to sound like a jumble of old sayings; "My body is my temple" ;) I will only be fueling it with what will make it work at optimum capacity. I am not going to pretend that suddenly I'll make it to the gym 5- 7 days per week, we have 4 kids. But 3 days a week I will be sure to spend a minimum of 30 minutes making sure my body burns off some of the fuel I've put in <3

Most days you will find me in my jammies on the floor playing with my kids. My house will be messy. Most days the dishes will pile up, and dinner probably won't be ready when hubby gets home. But I am ok with that.

I will continue to volunteer my time at the library for Infant Storytime, and I will spend even more time participating in church events. The more I can give to God, the more he will guide me.

photo from Pinterest

He will guide me, if I continue to move forward. And 2013, will be the year of FORWARD momentum.

It will be a year of FOCUS. Focus on my blessings, focus on prayer, focus on teaching my kids to pray, true focus on my kids, focus on achieving true forgiveness- so that I can move forward and stop looking back.

Using focus, prayer, and God to remind myself everyday that I am enough. I will do my best everyday to improve where I can at continuing to be the best wife and mother and self I can be <3



What is YOUR plan for 2013?