"Daddy Dates" - Book Review

So there is this great website I have found called Booksneeze. It is a site where bloggers can go to request a free book in exchange for a posted review about the book.  I enjoy reading(when I can find the time) and thought this would be a great...and inexpensive way to get to read some new books!

They offer a selection of different books under several categories and the first book that I chose to read was "Daddy Dates" by Greg Wright.

Now obviously I am not a daddy but even so this book was a fun read. Greg (aka Daddy) has a family of 4 daughters and realizes that he doesn't know how to "connect" with them. And he wants to figure how how - points for daddy here!! So he sets to record the process by which he started to "date" his daughters and gives great example of what works and what doesn't work. The start of his process...."Just don't screw up"! :)

So what I liked best about Daddy Dates is that he wanted to meet his daughters where they are. Yes he set up a "standard" for how he was going to ask them on dates, and he showed them how he felt they should expect to be treated by a man by opening car doors, asking questions about them and treating them with respect.

But where I often fail is meeting my kids where they are. Greg understood that if he wanted his daughters to share their lives with him that he needed to listen to them -even if his instinct was to tell them how to fix their "problem" or to become distracted when they talked of things he maybe wasn't really interested in.  What he found was that there were MANY things he didn't know about them and when he really listened they shared a lot!

I find this in my own life with my own teenager...when I try and impose my ideas onto him he tends to shut down, but when I just talk with him about what he is interested in he shares much more with me!

Greg also made a point to say that the "dating" isn't just for the daughters. That men needed to date their wives as well. This is something I have heard before and something we need to do more often if we really want to connect!!

Finally I leave you with this....he was talking about parenting and had an interesting "formula" that I want to share.

1) Rules - Relationship = Rebellion

2) Relationship - Rules = Destruction

3) Relationship + Rules = Connection

Where do you find yourself today in regards to your relationship with your kids? If you want an "easy" and quick read with some good ideas - pick up "Daddy Dates" by Greg Wright.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Daddy's Arms

Sometimes all you need is a daddy's love and some rocking back and forth and you get this....

There isn't much sweeter than seeing my baby girl asleep in her daddy's arms.

A Day Off

The woman that watches Elijah and Karlena had a day off to have some fun with her daughter before she went back to college so I had a great reason to take a day off with my 2 youngest.

I always have high expectations about what a day like this could look like a rarely it turns out that way....when will I learn?  But we did have a little fun.

We jumped in the excersaucer...

We danced to Pandamania...

We got really goofy and fell on the floor...

And we even sat in time out for a bit...

But we recovered and headed out to the park down the street and we went down slides...

And chewed on some toys...

We got really excited about the concrete trucks working across the street...

And we tried to figure out what all the beeping was for...

And we went to McDonald's as a treat for lunch...

And we refused to take a nap and drove mom nuts until it was time to go and get Isaac and Gabriel from school! :) Overall it was a good day and although the laundry isn't done, the house is messier than normal and I still haven't painted those last 2 walls in Isaac's room - I am grateful to be able to spend a day with my 2 peanuts!

How did you spend your Wednesday?

First Day of School

To say that I was anxious about today for the kids is an understatement. Since we took the leap of faith and moved this was one of the days that I was both looking forward to and worried about.

I knew that once school started the boys would hopefully meet some friends, but I also knew that starting out in a new district would be difficult.

Gabriel was all ready to start 2nd grade. He told me he was a little nervous though and wondered if anyone would talk to him.

Insert the sound of mom's breaking heart. I was absolutely crying once I got home from dropping him off. Lots and lots of prayers were said all day long for both of them.

It was around noon when I realized that Isaac would be having lunch soon and probably wouldn't have someone he "knew" to sit with.  I said more prayers then....I can't imagine starting high school and not recognizing anyone in your classes.

They are both very brave in my eyes. It takes courage to tread in unknown waters. To walk down crowded hallways and not recognize anyone. I am so proud of them both.

Gabriel said he had a great day. He didn't get in trouble(his words) and got to have a cheeseburger for lunch - Score! 

Isaac wasn't late for any of his classes and said that they have "real" food here for lunch...so that is a good thing! The worst part is probably that it seems like everyone else has someone that they know...which makes the whole high-school transition easier.

We will get there. Hopefully before long school and the people there will feel like "home" like the rest of Marshall does. Until then the prayers will continue to be sent up!

How was your "first day" experience? Or if you haven't had it yet...do you have fears/worries that I could pray about for you? God Bless friends!

A busy Saturday

This weekend is Marshall's Sounds of Summer weekend. Several different things have been going on in town and we participated in a few things today.  Our realtor, friend and neighbor Molly stopped by yesterday with tickets for us to enjoy the Rotary Club's pancake feed out at the airfield.

Poor Karlena was forced to eat her toes since she was too little to enjoy the pancakes and sausages!!

Then we went out and looked at all the airplanes and Isaac and Gabriel got a ride in the MMU's utility bucket and boy did they go up high! They got the last ride of the day so I think they got a little longer ride than normal!

And finally there was a parade this afternoon and it goes right past the end of our block (we have such a great neighborhood!!) So we walked down and sat with Molly's family and lots of other people and watched the parade.

We are loving all of the opportunities that Marshall has for families and feel especially blessed to be in the neighborhood we are in.

How did you spend your Saturday?

And she's off!!

Our girl is a mover and a shaker!! Once she figured out how to crawl she has gone forth with a gusto! It is so amazing watching little ones explore the world around them and realize that they are not stuck in one place anymore!

  

 

Four blessings....

Not sure why I am this blessed...but I am so very grateful for each of these children!!