Have you ever have one those moments where you will be going some place or would be taking the kids somewhere, and your kids consistently ask you about a gazillion times if it is "time" to go yet.  Well, I have 2 of those (my youngest can't really express her enthusiasm yet -- she's just 13 mos. old).  They are too young yet to really tell or read time (although I'm starting to work on that with them), and their perception of a minute that pass is forever.

Well, here is something that I came up with to help them identify time and also give them a sense of "schedule" in a what to do in a chronological list form.  I created and printed them a schedule with a clock face that you draw the hands for the clock later on, depending on the time you want it to be.  I tell them, if you see the clock looking like this, then it is time to do whatever is on the chart (i.e., Wake Up, Make Beds, Breakfast, School Time, Play, Clean Up toys, etc...).  I also used images to portray their schedule as my kids don't know how to read yet.  But by looking at the clock and the picture beside it that represents what that time is scheduled for, they know and can have a perception of "time."  I would also tell them, if we are going some place or do something, that if the clock looks like this (I would show or draw a picture of a clock with the time, and also tell that what that time is), then they can go by me, ask or tell me if it is time to go, or do something, whatever it was that was planned for that day.

Here is an example of what I made up for my kids.  Please note that none of the images is my original art work, I googled for clipart images, and use it for personal use only.

You can also download a .pdf version here.

As Mother's Day approaches just around the corner, I am reminded of what exactly is a SAHM (Stay-at-Home-Mom), and the many benefits it has.  We don't need fancy careers, because quite frankly, being a MOM is one of the most demanding and prestigious career you can get.  We are NOT just mom's... we build the future leaders of this world, and ultimately... bring up sons and daughters to be part of God's wonderful family in His Kingdom.

The article below, shows that being a mom can and is a 'glamorous' career.  This is for all the mom's that are among us... Happy Mother's Day!

Here is another beautiful poem about Motherhood, in Kelley's blog.

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A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.  'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? (I do not know. The words simply popped out.)  'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball -point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.  Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,
'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.  Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations,'  and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'

I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'

Amberly had her 3-month-old well-being Dr checkup this week.  She is growing very well.  She currently weighs 11.78 lbs and is 24 inches (61 cm) tall.  She's been smiling a lot now and chuckles quite a bit.  She also loves to talk and babble.  Sometimes, she would wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning and would just babble away for a few minutes before she falls back to sleep.  It is so cool listening to her coos and babbles.  I can also tell that I'll probably need to start her into some rice cereal soon.  She is constantly eating, and seems not to get enough from just nursing (unless this is just a growth spurt thing and she would settle back to her normal appetite).  At night, before she goes to bed, I would nurse her, both sides and she she would still fuss and want some more food.  I would then prepare a 2-oz bottle for her and she would drink it all up, and then I would nurse her again some more.  She is definitely a growing little thing!  Our little peaches (that's Jebby's affectionate name for her -- from a peach flower and because she was fuzzy like a peach when she was born, and had a peachy colored skin) is also staying awake and alert more and more.  She naps really good still and is pretty easy to get back to sleep.  Oh, I can hardly believe that she's with us for more than 3 months now... she's growing way too fast!

our three-month old peaches, Amberly

For almost a month now, I have started to shift to cloth diapers and have been cloth-diapering Amberly.  She seems to like it and I absolutely am sold into cloth diapering.  It is addicting!  I have tried prefolds, fitteds, AIO (All In Ones), and One-Size diapers, and they all work great!  I use my prefolds and SmartiPants for everyday and daytime wear, and my Kissaluvs fitted diaper and BG (BumGenius) for night time use.  I find myself searching for cloth diaper deals more and more.  Who would have ever thought that cloth diapering is so much fun, easy, convenient, cute and addicting! :)  It definitely has gone a long way from the time our mom's cloth diapered us.