Is that the question? In our house, it's more about when and how much.
I know everyone has a different opinion on spanking and they are usually strong opinions at that. I've always felt that spanking is just a part of raising children. However, only if it truly motivates your child. If it isn't a punishment that works, well, than why use it?
Lydie is a bit young for a spanking, but poor little Sophie has had her fair share. I prefer to only spank her through her clothes. I don't want to really hurt her, I just want her to understand the severity of the choice she made or the lie she told.
For example: Sophie would get a spanking if she tells me she hates me and wants me to die. I think a spanking is the appropriate punishment here.
But...I really don't want to be spanking her for every little thing or for a bad attitude. So...any suggestions? Time outs don't really work. I have been sending her to her room when she cries or throws a fit for no reason. Taking toys or TV away really doesn't work for her, since we don't watch that much TV.
Curious to know what y'all think, whether you spank or not! :)
Love,
Michelle
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
SURPRISE!!!!
Friday night I received a fabulous surprise!
An early birthday party! You see my birthday isn't for 3 weeks and my sneaky, little friends really surprised me.
Katie was the organizer and she had flowers, balloons and cupcakes from RJ Goodies adorning the table and my chair when I arrived at Lupe Tortilla with Lisha, the other planner. Waiting for me, besides Kaite, was Amada, Danielle, Kelsey and Vivian.
So, this is not the best picture of me, but... you can see how surprised I look and how happy Lisha is that she surprised me.
I don't know the lady with the daquiris, but it would have been a nice surprise if they'd been for us!
My lovely friends waiting for me.
Amanda, Kelsey Vivan and Danielle
In fact, I think we overstayed our welcome at the restaurant because a waiter came by long after we had paid our checks and asked if we had parked in front of the Urgent Care next door, saying they had called complaining about cars.
Ok, so maybe they called, but I thought it was pretty clear they wanted our table on a busy Friday night! :)
I felt so special that night (and still do!) to have friends that love me so much to throw me a party and a surprise one at that. They even threw in a generous gift certificate to a spa near my home!
I have only been surprised one other time and it wasn't a party. And it wasn't all that fun. My friends in high school kidnapped me the morning of my birthday. I was dressed like a crazy person and they made me wear a sign that said, "It's my birthday. Ask me to sing 'I'm a Little Teapot.'" And I sang that song way too many times!
I have to include one more picture of the evil, genius mastermind (said in the most reverent of tones) behind the whole evening. She even got there around 6pm to make sure we had a table by 7pm. Love her!
Love to all my friends who were able to come and those who were not.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
(And love all the hubbies who gave up their evenings to watch kids!)
Love,
Michelle
An early birthday party! You see my birthday isn't for 3 weeks and my sneaky, little friends really surprised me.
Katie was the organizer and she had flowers, balloons and cupcakes from RJ Goodies adorning the table and my chair when I arrived at Lupe Tortilla with Lisha, the other planner. Waiting for me, besides Kaite, was Amada, Danielle, Kelsey and Vivian.
So, this is not the best picture of me, but... you can see how surprised I look and how happy Lisha is that she surprised me.
I don't know the lady with the daquiris, but it would have been a nice surprise if they'd been for us!
My lovely friends waiting for me.
Amanda, Kelsey Vivan and Danielle
What an absolutely fabulous evening.
In fact, I think we overstayed our welcome at the restaurant because a waiter came by long after we had paid our checks and asked if we had parked in front of the Urgent Care next door, saying they had called complaining about cars.
Ok, so maybe they called, but I thought it was pretty clear they wanted our table on a busy Friday night! :)
I felt so special that night (and still do!) to have friends that love me so much to throw me a party and a surprise one at that. They even threw in a generous gift certificate to a spa near my home!
I have only been surprised one other time and it wasn't a party. And it wasn't all that fun. My friends in high school kidnapped me the morning of my birthday. I was dressed like a crazy person and they made me wear a sign that said, "It's my birthday. Ask me to sing 'I'm a Little Teapot.'" And I sang that song way too many times!
Love to all my friends who were able to come and those who were not.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
(And love all the hubbies who gave up their evenings to watch kids!)
Love,
Michelle
Great Results
After the many mammograms, ultrasounds and needle biopsies, the results are in.
No precancerous cells! YEAH! Just fribroids. I can handle that.
Just wanted to post this for posterity sake.
The doctor called on Friday, which made it a good day.
Then I went to dinner with a friend and was greeted with an early, surprise birthday! I'll post on this once I get the pictures from a friend!
What a great day with great results!
I am reminded of God's sovreignty through all of this. Without Him I would not have been able to handle the waiting. Or the poking of needles, for that matter!
"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much." Eph. 2:4(NLT)
And He loves us still, thank goodness!
Love,
Michelle
No precancerous cells! YEAH! Just fribroids. I can handle that.
Just wanted to post this for posterity sake.
The doctor called on Friday, which made it a good day.
Then I went to dinner with a friend and was greeted with an early, surprise birthday! I'll post on this once I get the pictures from a friend!
What a great day with great results!
I am reminded of God's sovreignty through all of this. Without Him I would not have been able to handle the waiting. Or the poking of needles, for that matter!
"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much." Eph. 2:4(NLT)
And He loves us still, thank goodness!
Love,
Michelle
Monday, January 18, 2010
It was a good day...
Sunday was a good day! The sun was shining, the birds were singing and it was cool, but not too cold, outside.
It was the day of the Houston Marathon. 26,000 runners arrived downtown to try their hat at running. There were 5k runners, Half Marathoners, Wheelchair participants and approx. 9,000 Full Marathoners.
The gun went off at 7:00am for the first wave of runners to begin their 26.2 mile trek through the streets of Houston. At 7:10am the second wave began. In this wave were a pair of siblings, Brian & Suzanne. They had always wanted to run a marathon and after six and a half months of training they had begun the challenge. They ran together, strong, and determined.
The girls and I decided to stop again in a beautiful Houston neighborhood almost to the 18 mile marker. We had to hurry and thought we might miss them. This was an unscheduled stop, so if we didn't hurry, they might not see us. I jogged with the girls in the stroller down the street to a good vantage point and we waited. In a few minutes we saw Brian jogging toward us. Sophie ran out to the edge of the street with her sign and began her cheering.
(Notice Sophie's cute little sign. In the bottom right hand corner she drew a map of the course so that daddy would know exactly where to go.)
We waited a few minutes for Suzanne, but didn't see her, so headed back to the car.
As the siblings continued to run they grew fatigued. Very. Fatigued. As they ran through Memorial Park they kept hoping to see Devon and the crew at their final support stop. They knew he would be there somewhere between mile 20 and 23. As each mile passed and they didn't see them, they grew more weary. But, at mile 23, smiling, loving faces greeted them with more Shot Bloks, pretzels, water, etc... Then they faced the daunting final three miles.
At this point Brian is running ahead of Suzanne, but they are both determined to succeed. Running in the memory of their father who lost his battle with cancer in 2003 and for their mom whose cancer has just come back, they will not be denied this victory!
Brian began cramping. First his hamstring. Then his quad, on the same leg. Would he be able to finish? He stretched. He walked. He ran. He stretched. And so forth... During the last 100 yards...he tried to pick up speed.
A few minutes later, Suzanne followed his footsteps and crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 22 min.
GO TEAM SCHMITZ!!!
It was the day of the Houston Marathon. 26,000 runners arrived downtown to try their hat at running. There were 5k runners, Half Marathoners, Wheelchair participants and approx. 9,000 Full Marathoners.
The gun went off at 7:00am for the first wave of runners to begin their 26.2 mile trek through the streets of Houston. At 7:10am the second wave began. In this wave were a pair of siblings, Brian & Suzanne. They had always wanted to run a marathon and after six and a half months of training they had begun the challenge. They ran together, strong, and determined.
Just past mile marker 13, they had their first support stop. I was waiting with the girls to encourage them and give them pretzels, Gu, water, etc... They looked great. Smiling, excited and ready to battle through the second half of the race. Suzanne left first and after Sophie jumped up and down with her sign yelling "Go Daddy Go!" Brian left as well.
They continued running and stopped again at their second support station where Devon, Jack, Kate, Ann, and Sue were waiting with refreshments, love and signs just before mile 16.
The girls and I decided to stop again in a beautiful Houston neighborhood almost to the 18 mile marker. We had to hurry and thought we might miss them. This was an unscheduled stop, so if we didn't hurry, they might not see us. I jogged with the girls in the stroller down the street to a good vantage point and we waited. In a few minutes we saw Brian jogging toward us. Sophie ran out to the edge of the street with her sign and began her cheering.(Notice Sophie's cute little sign. In the bottom right hand corner she drew a map of the course so that daddy would know exactly where to go.)
We waited a few minutes for Suzanne, but didn't see her, so headed back to the car.
As the siblings continued to run they grew fatigued. Very. Fatigued. As they ran through Memorial Park they kept hoping to see Devon and the crew at their final support stop. They knew he would be there somewhere between mile 20 and 23. As each mile passed and they didn't see them, they grew more weary. But, at mile 23, smiling, loving faces greeted them with more Shot Bloks, pretzels, water, etc... Then they faced the daunting final three miles.
At this point Brian is running ahead of Suzanne, but they are both determined to succeed. Running in the memory of their father who lost his battle with cancer in 2003 and for their mom whose cancer has just come back, they will not be denied this victory!
Brian began cramping. First his hamstring. Then his quad, on the same leg. Would he be able to finish? He stretched. He walked. He ran. He stretched. And so forth... During the last 100 yards...he tried to pick up speed.
Sophie and I were screaming for him as he approached the finish line. The spectators around us joined in. Focused on the finish, he ran across! He finished in 4 hours and 15 min.
A few minutes later, Suzanne followed his footsteps and crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 22 min.These runners worked hard and their work paid off as they had completed their first full length, 26.2 mile marathon!
Yes, Sunday was a good day!
Congratulations Brian and Suzanne! We're proud of you and we love you!
GO TEAM SCHMITZ!!!
Love,
Michelle
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Everyone has been asking about my doctor's appointment yesterday, so I thought I would blog about it. Before I start...everything went fine. I'm a little sore, but I'll live.
So, there were some positive things about my appointment and some negatives. When your anxious about something, especially a medical procedure where pain is involved, you are either more aware of everyone you come in contact with that day or totally oblivious to everyone. I was more aware, acutely.
The front office staff was courteous and friendly. The medical assistant who called me back took my blood pressure and weight and talked about to me about my children. She reviewed a few things about what would happen and said that a nurse would be in to prep me and would be assisting the doctor. What she didn't mention was the ultrasound tech would be joining us too.
The nurse prepped me, was patient, answered every question and seemed genuinely sincere when she said she hoped the lumps turned out to be nothing but cysts. The doctor and the ultrasound tech (UST) came in together. The doctor talked to me a bit about the local anasthesia and we determined to use half of the usual dose so as not to taint my breast milk as I am still nursing Lydia at night. He gave me the anasthetic and said he would be back shortly. After he left, the UST said she would be locating the lumps and helping the doctor with the procedure. All said a little roughly, like I was interrupting her day.
The doctor returned and we began. Several times the doctor asked the UST to lighten up on my breast and not push so hard. Everytime he asked her to do this she made this weird sighing noise, like she was annoyed that he was telling her what to do. When the whole thing was over the doctor and nurse were cordial and again answered questions. The UST was getting her equipment together. As everyone was leaving I heard the UST say to the nurse, "I hate doing these things. This lady has nothing wrong with her and I just wasted too much time in here." The nurse glanced over her shoulder, could see that I heard the rude UST and sort of shrugged her shoulders and smiled. It sort of implied to me that maybe this UST is always like this.
I think this UST had an important role in my procedure and her negativity and attitude were uncalled for and a bit irritating. Oh, well. It's over now.
I checked out, paid my bill and left. In the elevator on the way down, I felt relieved it was over and grateful for my doctor's patience with me and his staff!
I should find out results next week. My mother in law finds out her results in about 2 hours! Please pray for her to be cancer free! My friend, that I mentioned yesterday, is doing great. Her MRI results came back and the hematoma is much smaller than they thought. No surgery is needed, it will dissipate on its own.
Love,
Michelle
So, there were some positive things about my appointment and some negatives. When your anxious about something, especially a medical procedure where pain is involved, you are either more aware of everyone you come in contact with that day or totally oblivious to everyone. I was more aware, acutely.
The front office staff was courteous and friendly. The medical assistant who called me back took my blood pressure and weight and talked about to me about my children. She reviewed a few things about what would happen and said that a nurse would be in to prep me and would be assisting the doctor. What she didn't mention was the ultrasound tech would be joining us too.
The nurse prepped me, was patient, answered every question and seemed genuinely sincere when she said she hoped the lumps turned out to be nothing but cysts. The doctor and the ultrasound tech (UST) came in together. The doctor talked to me a bit about the local anasthesia and we determined to use half of the usual dose so as not to taint my breast milk as I am still nursing Lydia at night. He gave me the anasthetic and said he would be back shortly. After he left, the UST said she would be locating the lumps and helping the doctor with the procedure. All said a little roughly, like I was interrupting her day.
The doctor returned and we began. Several times the doctor asked the UST to lighten up on my breast and not push so hard. Everytime he asked her to do this she made this weird sighing noise, like she was annoyed that he was telling her what to do. When the whole thing was over the doctor and nurse were cordial and again answered questions. The UST was getting her equipment together. As everyone was leaving I heard the UST say to the nurse, "I hate doing these things. This lady has nothing wrong with her and I just wasted too much time in here." The nurse glanced over her shoulder, could see that I heard the rude UST and sort of shrugged her shoulders and smiled. It sort of implied to me that maybe this UST is always like this.
I think this UST had an important role in my procedure and her negativity and attitude were uncalled for and a bit irritating. Oh, well. It's over now.
I checked out, paid my bill and left. In the elevator on the way down, I felt relieved it was over and grateful for my doctor's patience with me and his staff!
I should find out results next week. My mother in law finds out her results in about 2 hours! Please pray for her to be cancer free! My friend, that I mentioned yesterday, is doing great. Her MRI results came back and the hematoma is much smaller than they thought. No surgery is needed, it will dissipate on its own.
Love,
Michelle
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I don't wanna...
Thursday. What a day today will be. Today I am having three needle biopsies. Today my mother-in-law is having a CT scan to determine whether her ovarian cancer is back, for the third time! Today a sweet, young friend finds out a treatment plan for her subdural hematoma.
Really? Yes. This is a lot of medical mayhem! And I don't wanna deal!
So, my mother-in-law is down at MD Anderson right now, waiting to start drinking that radioactive stuff to illuminate any cancer cells in her body. I know these tests are hard on her emotionally and physically. She will visit the doctor tomorrow with my sister-in-law to learn the results.
My sweet, young friend has had a rough year or so. She started having health problems just after her honeymoon. They have yet to diagnosis everything that is going on with her! She has constant pain and all of this has been exacerbated by bumping her head at work and getting a concussion. As if that wasn't bad enough, she now has a subdural hematoma. The neurologist was unable to determine a course of action from the CT alone and performed an MRI yesterday. She will find out the results today. She really has remained pretty positive through everything, but she is just emotionally spent now. Her husband has been loving and very supportive and I am so grateful for his love for her. Her mother has been helping to take her to appointments and I am glad she lives in the same city as her daughter.
So, what do you say to the people in your life that are struggling with something completely out of their control and many times out of the control of the medical community trying to help them? We say things like, "I'll be praying for you." "It will be ok." "God has a plan for your life." God works all things for good." God won't give you anything you can't handle."
Those these statements may seem trite or even said automatically and off hand, they are true! When things are completely out of our control, they are never out of God's control. He's at the wheel and we need to let go of it so He can drive. I think sometimes our fear of the future and the outcome of our circumstances grips us so tightly we can't hear the advice from our friends and more importantly we can't hear God's comforting voice or feel His warm embrace.
In the fall of 2009 the women's ministry at our church studied the Book of Esther with Beth Moore teaching. What an amazing study. If you haven't done it, I recommend it whole-heartedly. The study was entitled, "It's Tough Being a Woman." One lesson stated that "It's Tough Being a Woman in the Tight Fist of Fear." Isn't that true? Esther went before the king to plead for her people without being summoned. In Persia, this meant death. Esther chose to go anyway. She said, "If I perish, I perish." What are our worst fears?
Here are some of mine...
What if I lose one of my children? Or both?
What if I die leaving my young children without a mother?
What is Brian dies leaving my young children without a father?
I could go on, but you can see I am more fearful about losing someone in my life than anything else. But, should I cower in fear? No! Beth Moore reminded us that the most frequent command from God, the prophets and Jesus was, "Do not be afraid." I'm thinking they know what they're talking about!
Another nugget of wisdom from Beth's study was this, "Living perpetually in the shadow of imminent catastrophe [we are] threatened not only physically but psychologically. Walking in the shadow of death [is] as perilous as dying."
Ok, so easier said than done, right? Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. DO NOT BE AFRAID! Ok, this will be my mantra today and I hope it will be my mother-in-law's and my friend's too! We need to embrace the courage God gives us. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We don't know what fears will come into reality. But, we do know that God is with us every step of the way. I wouldn't want to leave the house without him!
"The Lord will work out his plans for my life, for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me." Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
Love,
Michelle
Really? Yes. This is a lot of medical mayhem! And I don't wanna deal!
So, my mother-in-law is down at MD Anderson right now, waiting to start drinking that radioactive stuff to illuminate any cancer cells in her body. I know these tests are hard on her emotionally and physically. She will visit the doctor tomorrow with my sister-in-law to learn the results.
My sweet, young friend has had a rough year or so. She started having health problems just after her honeymoon. They have yet to diagnosis everything that is going on with her! She has constant pain and all of this has been exacerbated by bumping her head at work and getting a concussion. As if that wasn't bad enough, she now has a subdural hematoma. The neurologist was unable to determine a course of action from the CT alone and performed an MRI yesterday. She will find out the results today. She really has remained pretty positive through everything, but she is just emotionally spent now. Her husband has been loving and very supportive and I am so grateful for his love for her. Her mother has been helping to take her to appointments and I am glad she lives in the same city as her daughter.
So, what do you say to the people in your life that are struggling with something completely out of their control and many times out of the control of the medical community trying to help them? We say things like, "I'll be praying for you." "It will be ok." "God has a plan for your life." God works all things for good." God won't give you anything you can't handle."
Those these statements may seem trite or even said automatically and off hand, they are true! When things are completely out of our control, they are never out of God's control. He's at the wheel and we need to let go of it so He can drive. I think sometimes our fear of the future and the outcome of our circumstances grips us so tightly we can't hear the advice from our friends and more importantly we can't hear God's comforting voice or feel His warm embrace.
In the fall of 2009 the women's ministry at our church studied the Book of Esther with Beth Moore teaching. What an amazing study. If you haven't done it, I recommend it whole-heartedly. The study was entitled, "It's Tough Being a Woman." One lesson stated that "It's Tough Being a Woman in the Tight Fist of Fear." Isn't that true? Esther went before the king to plead for her people without being summoned. In Persia, this meant death. Esther chose to go anyway. She said, "If I perish, I perish." What are our worst fears?
Here are some of mine...
What if I lose one of my children? Or both?
What if I die leaving my young children without a mother?
What is Brian dies leaving my young children without a father?
I could go on, but you can see I am more fearful about losing someone in my life than anything else. But, should I cower in fear? No! Beth Moore reminded us that the most frequent command from God, the prophets and Jesus was, "Do not be afraid." I'm thinking they know what they're talking about!
Another nugget of wisdom from Beth's study was this, "Living perpetually in the shadow of imminent catastrophe [we are] threatened not only physically but psychologically. Walking in the shadow of death [is] as perilous as dying."
Ok, so easier said than done, right? Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. DO NOT BE AFRAID! Ok, this will be my mantra today and I hope it will be my mother-in-law's and my friend's too! We need to embrace the courage God gives us. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We don't know what fears will come into reality. But, we do know that God is with us every step of the way. I wouldn't want to leave the house without him!
"The Lord will work out his plans for my life, for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me." Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
Love,
Michelle
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Civilization as we know it
Many news sources are saying that Port au Prince, the capital city of Haiti, has been utterly destroyed by the 7.0 earthquake. The death toll is expected to top 100,000 lives. This city and the country of Haiti have been changed forever.
We, in America, seem to only be concerned about what is happening in less fortunate countries when there is a catastrophe. From the Haitian earthquake this week to the Indian Tsunami in 2004 (230,000 lives lost), tragedy strikes and democratic, wealthier nations, perk up. What about other catastrophes? The Rwandan genocide in 1994 claimed approximately 937,000 lives. In addition, Rwanda has the 8th highest infant mortaility rate in the world. On top of infant deaths, the deaths of hungry children all over the world is mounting and nearing 3M per year!
Again, we in America can hardly fathom these statistics. Why am I sharing this on my blog? Well, I have never been all that into raising money or awareness for projects overseas unless they are missionary driven. However, I am praying and hoping I can find a passion for this. I may not have huge amounts of money to donate, but I can pray and I can support those around me who are serving in so many capacities all over the world.
It seems most of my thoughts these days are driven by my children's future in this world. I want them to have a concern for each and every person in the world. For their well being, both physically and spiritually. I'm not sure how to instill this in my children, without first doing it myself.
I have another challenge for you all today. Think globally! Pray for Haiti and its inhabitants. Pray for those all over the world trying to help them. Pray for countries who still persecute Christians. Pray for missionaries sent out from your church. Teach your children about another people/country. Ok, so that may be too many challenges. But, I'll try, if you will!
After you have thought and prayed globally, think locally. Think about the hungry in your own city, the parents struggling to keep a roof over their heads, etc... Think and pray about what you can do in your own area to help someone who is suffering physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am concerned that if those you can help don't, civilation as we know it, may be no more.
We, in America, seem to only be concerned about what is happening in less fortunate countries when there is a catastrophe. From the Haitian earthquake this week to the Indian Tsunami in 2004 (230,000 lives lost), tragedy strikes and democratic, wealthier nations, perk up. What about other catastrophes? The Rwandan genocide in 1994 claimed approximately 937,000 lives. In addition, Rwanda has the 8th highest infant mortaility rate in the world. On top of infant deaths, the deaths of hungry children all over the world is mounting and nearing 3M per year!
Again, we in America can hardly fathom these statistics. Why am I sharing this on my blog? Well, I have never been all that into raising money or awareness for projects overseas unless they are missionary driven. However, I am praying and hoping I can find a passion for this. I may not have huge amounts of money to donate, but I can pray and I can support those around me who are serving in so many capacities all over the world.
It seems most of my thoughts these days are driven by my children's future in this world. I want them to have a concern for each and every person in the world. For their well being, both physically and spiritually. I'm not sure how to instill this in my children, without first doing it myself.
I have another challenge for you all today. Think globally! Pray for Haiti and its inhabitants. Pray for those all over the world trying to help them. Pray for countries who still persecute Christians. Pray for missionaries sent out from your church. Teach your children about another people/country. Ok, so that may be too many challenges. But, I'll try, if you will!
After you have thought and prayed globally, think locally. Think about the hungry in your own city, the parents struggling to keep a roof over their heads, etc... Think and pray about what you can do in your own area to help someone who is suffering physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am concerned that if those you can help don't, civilation as we know it, may be no more.
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