New Ideas

We have implemented a new positive reinforcement tactic to our discipline problems. We have started the "Good Jar". When our kids do something good, i.e. potty, put their dishes in the sink, clean up a mess they made, etc, we put a shiny "gem" in their jar. If they do something bad, i.e. beating up your sister, scratching your brother, not sharing, etc., then we take a gem out. When they fill up their jar they get a prize. We haven't figured out the prize yet, but I am sure it will be something like a toy. We are using the little jelly jars and those little gems that you decorate vases and floral arrangements with. Some people use them in fish tanks and wedding decorations. The kids picked out their own gem colors, we put their names on the jars with the handy little labeler I have for my organizing, and told them the rules. With our kids, we had to demonstrate very specifically, but they got the concept pretty well, I think. So far, it is working very well on our son. Our daughter doesn't seem to care as much. We are also doing a rewards chart with stars for certain important things. For example, we were having a problem with the kids staying in their own beds, so if they stay in their beds all night, then they get a star. 5 stars gets them ice cream. This works wonders for our son. Our daughter: not so much. She is only slightly interested in the stars, but definitely wants the ice cream. (Who wouldn't?!) 


Thanks to my friend Kayla for the jar idea :) 


In other news: our 7 year wedding anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks. Yippee! We are still in the going strong category of the nuptials population. I can't wait until we go to our next duty station, though. Hopefully the stress from recruiting will take the stress off of our marriage. No, that's not right. The stress isn't necessarily on our marriage. We are totally committed and retarded (excuse the pun) for each other. It's our friendship that recruiting seems to take its toll on. But thank God we know that it is recruiting that is chipping away at our chipper demeanors. That and the stress of having two special children. 


Speaking of marriage and recruiting. We have a couple new recruiters that are married. I need to see if I can get together with their wives and let them know the deal. It will make everything a little easier on them I think. I am convinced that if you have the right mindset going into recruiting you can weather the hellacious storm that most of the time ensues. 


Not everyone has problems with recruiting. Some soldiers end up loving it and sticking with it until the end of their career. My husband, though, is in the infantry. He told me that he fantasizes about holding his M4 again. He isn't meant to do a desk job. He is a frontline kind of guy and loves it. Recruiting is just not for him. So, my husband dislikes his current job, although he does a darn good job at it (top recruiter for the company right now), and he brings home that stress. Not to mention these little high school brats call or text all hours of the day and night. Sometimes I fantasize about throwing his work phone into the toilet, or river, or dishwasher...you get my point. Anyways, that's enough on that.


Comic relief: if you don't know who Janet Evanovich is, you need to get acquainted. She is an awesome writer of romance, crime drama, etc. She is my comic relief in a world of chaos. This month, the screen version of her first Stephanie Plum book One for the Money is coming out in theater. Please read, or in my case listen, to her books. She has a new book out titled Love in a Nutshell. Great read. Plus, if you listen to her audio books, she has the best reader for most of them: Lorelei King. She is great! You will just love Janet's characters, especially Lula, lol. Oh, and Ranger *sigh*. He will make you want to go out and buy Bvlgari Green Shower Gel. Mmmm. Anyways, if you don't laugh while reading her books, then you aren't human and don't have a sense of humor.