stupid.

The other day, I over heard Ezra yelling at one of his toys. It was faint but I heard the words "Stupid" and "Blockhead". Both of which he learned from Charlie Brown!

(Ezra absolutely LOVES to watch "Charlie Brown and the Great Big Pumpkin". Ezra calls it "Charlie and the Pumpkin Patch". I've tried to hide the movie from him knowing that it has bad words, but the DVD case is in a bright orange label that he seems to spot even if it so happens to be hidden on top of our refrigorator!!)

So, getting back to my story, I heard him use those words and I called for him. He innocently came out and I told him sternly, "'Stupid' and 'blockhead' are NOT nice words. They make people very upset and sad." Of course his reply was, "Why?" (that's his answer to everything!). So, I explained to him that those words mean that a person is not smart and doesn't think with his or her brain. And he asked again, "Why?" I grabbed his shoulders and loudly said, "How would you like to be called 'stupid' and 'blockhead'?" I was hoping my intensity would show how negative the words are, but it kind of scared him because then, I saw worry in his eyes. He finally said, "No Mom. I don't like it." He looked so sad and I began to hug him and tell him that he's not stupid or a blockhead and neither is anyone else in this world! I told him that Heavenly Father would NEVER consider anyone 'stupid' and that was that.

[Okay, as I'm writing this and reflecting on the experience, I'm realizing how bi-polar I am! One minute, everything's cool and Ezra's playing with his toys. The next, I'm yelling at him! Then, immediately after that, I'm hugging and praising him!! ...Gosh, what's wrong with me?!]

Continuing on.... today, as I'm driving out of Kapolei, I see that the traffic heading towards Wai'anae is crazy! So, I mumble, "Stupid!", and all of a sudden I hear Ezra say, "Mom!! That-is- NOT-a-nice-word! It makes people very sad and you should never, never EVER say that!" He looked genuinely upset and he even pointed his little pointer finger at me! I felt so.. so... STUPID! I seriously thought I was going to cry! I apologized, but even that didn't stop him from chastising me! He scolded me for a couple minutes until he finally accepted my apology and said, "Okay."!!

Today, my little boy taught me yet another one of life's great lessons. It wasn't the lesson of speaking kind words, but to PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH! Talk about a stupid blockhead on my part??!!

FHE

Yo!

Last night we had Family Home Evening and our lesson was on what we are thankful for. There was a cute article in the May issue of the friend about counting your blessings. It was perfect because I've been trying to teach Ezra that when he prays, to be reverent.. close your eyes.. bow your head (of course!), but most importantly-THANK Heavenly Father for our blessings. It's probably from my example of rushing through a prayer that Ezra skips the gratitude process and goes straight to... "Please bless so and so.."! Anyways, I wanted to post our pictures/lists of the things we're grateful for. The only drawing I didn't get was Elias'. We can't get that little boy to stay still!! Everytime I tried to guide him with the crayon, he grunted, pulled the crayon away and tried to eat it! I guess he's grateful from crayons! ;)

Ezra was grateful for slides, his friends, and (as random as he can be...) his cousin, Kiana!!

James was so proud of his picture! You might not be able to see this, but Rowdy (our dog) is standing in our kitchen doorway! So cute! I also like my fluffy, puffy dress!

I am grateful for a lot of things, but I'd like to point out that my list is in no particular order! Our Prophet, The Gospel, Heavenly Father and Jesus are far from being the last on my gratitude list!!

The Best You Challenge

Hey all!

This is my "first in FOREVER" blog! What has inspired me to come, you might ask?! Well, I started a 3-month long "Best You Challenge" today . It's a cool diet that has 10 guidelines to live by every day and if you succesfully complete a guideline, then you get a point. Aside from the usual 'no eating junks, drink lots of water, eat fruits and vegetables, yada yada (!)... the three guidelines that i'm most interested in working on are:

1. 15 minutes a day of spiritual study or reading uplifting material,
2. Keep a daily journal or blog (hence this attempt to get back on the blogger!) and...
3. Set a goal for the day or week.

These are things that I NEED to work on! Although I'm a crazy facebook fanatic(!!), I think keeping this blog is better for me and my family. I'm not really expecting anyone to read my blogs (as opposed to Facebook where everyone can see what I'm doing and posting!). So, this blog is intended for me to be more personal with my blogs and entries. And if you ARE reading this, then know that you are that much closer to me than any other facebook groupie (like myself)!!

So, here ends my first, official "blog/journal entry" of the challenge! It's been a long day of me trying not to finish off my left over ice cream and drinking water like the dickens! I'm about to stuff my face with two servings of vegetables and fruits to get it over with and I can already see myself giving up in a week... Or maybe even tomorrow! (sigh..) We'll see!