Archive for June, 2008
How to Enjoy the Water
Boy and girl wearing goggles underwater
I recently received a comment from Ruthie Ruth and thought that I would address it today. Thank you for the comment and an idea to write about!
I would love a post from a mama of many about how to enjoy water. I’ve almost totally stopped taking my kids swimming because I have such trouble keeping them safe and an eye on all of them.
First of all, let me say that I do not particularly enjoy taking them all to the water. They love it though! My hubby often takes them and helps out when he is available to do so. Then there are some days when it is just too hot not to be in the water. Here are some things that help me to keep my sanity.
- Have your children learn to swim. Not all of mine do but I worry so much less about the ones who can.
- Have the older children take turns helping with the younger ones. It never hurts for them to take some time and play with a younger sibling.
- If your children are little, stick to the shallow water!
- Give them limits on how far they can wander. Show them ahead of time. The water depth levels painted on the side of the pool make good markers.
- Use floaties! To me, floaties are like an extra set of hands. And if they do go under the water the floaties will help until you can reach them.
- The pool noodles are great too. Have the little ones hang on and pull them around the shallow end.
- Sunscreen galore! Lather them before you even get near the water, that way you do not have to worry about one wandering while you cover another in sunscreen. We often do this before we leave the house or outside of the fence that surrounds the pool.
- For the littlest ones I like the floating devices that have a seat and a suncover.
- Pray for safety, protection, your nerves, and obedient children.
- Stick to your guns. Tell them the rules, limits, and consequences ahead of time. If the children are not obedient, then leave and make them aware of the fact that they disobeyed a rule already set forth. They will be more likely to be obedient the next time around.
- Try to focus on the joy that your children express rather than allowing anxiety to grow.
- Go to the pool with a friend. You can help each other keep an eye on the children. Your children may also be less likely to wander if they have someone to play with.
- Talk to the lifeguards. Tell them you have brought several children (especially if you are by yourself, point that out to them) and would greatly appreciate it if they would help you out in paying extra attention.
- If the big pool is too much, the kiddie pools they sell at Walmart and the sprinklers are enough to cool them off and still have fun in the water.
Does anyone else have any suggestions???? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us!
Most Perfect is the Law of God
From Psalm 19:7-11 and Psalm 119:97
Most perfect is the law of God, Restoring those that stray;
His testimony is most sure, Proclaiming wisdom’s way.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
The precepts of the Lord are right; With joy they fill the heart;
The Lord’s commandments all are pure, And clearest light impart.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
The fear of God is undefiled And ever shall endure;
The statutes of the Lord are truth And righteousness most pure.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
They warn from ways of wickedness Displeasing to the Lord,
And in the keeping of his Word There is a great reward.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
O how love I thy law! O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
To participate in the Saturday Psalm & Praise just follow the link.
Hotel Living Begins
Well, the crates are on their way and we are left with an empty house. It is a bit sad because I absolutely love this home that the Lord has blessed us with this past year. We need to do a quick clean and then we are headed to the TLF (military temporary lodging facility). We will stay there until we sign out of here and begin our move. Please pray we all get a good night’s sleep, we are pretty tired over here!
Loading the Crates
Typically they simple load our stuff onto a semi-truck from a moving company but since we are headed to an overseas assignment things are a little different. Yesterday they began loading everything into large wooden crates on a truck and they will finish up today. Everything will be sealed in the crates for the duration of the move. Maybe I can get a photo to post at another time.
Once we are finished and the packers and our earthly goods are all gone, we will need to do a quick clean of the house, have the carpets cleaned, the exterminator to come and spray, and our final walk through. We will definitely be ready to fall into bed at our temporary quarters!
Day Two
Boxes are piling up and things are beginning to look bare! The packers are trying to get us all packed in two days instead of three (this has never been done before) so that they can load us tomorrow and finish a day early. They had better send some more people today if they want to accomplish this task! It will be a very busy next couple of days. I even have an OB appointment tomorrow in the midst of all this.
As we travel, I will be in and out of places with free internet access so I can keep you all updated on our travels! Oh, and remember, blogger has that great scheduled posting now! Make sure you pop in here often it looks to be an exciting month as we move north & west. I already have a great post scheduled for tomorrow, guaranteed to put a smile on your face, soooooo come back regularly and see what is going on here!
