SAHM I am (23 page)

I’m not really angry or anything. After all, he’s only got six weeks left in KC, and he’s putting in terribly long hours trying to finish up the project. And after that, he’s promised to only accept local jobs—which is good since the next out-of-state contract is in Alaska. So I need to be supportive and understanding right now…right? Maybe he has something planned for this weekend…then again, if we
do
do anything this weekend, it will probably be a last-minute affair motivated by his sense of guilt. I know he’s going to feel awful about this. So I
can’t
be angry….

But I guess, judging by the tears running down my face, I
can
be sad.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. I’m going to bed.

Dulcie

Oh, Dulcie! That’s awful! You must have felt like we were rubbing it in the entire day yesterday. I’m so sorry. How are you doing today, dear?

I won’t tell you about last night. It wouldn’t be kind, considering….

Jocelyn

Bec,

I forgot yesterday was the 14th…I’m a dead man, aren’t I?

Tom

Yup.

So, can’t you help me out? Talk to Dulcie for me…sort of feel her out, see exactly how mad she is…get her to let off some steam so it’s safe for me to talk to her?
Something?

Nope. Sorry. Loyalty to my gender forces me to let you handle this one on your own, bro. Good luck.

Becky

Oh, that’s just pathetic. With the entire U.S. flooded with chintzy cupids, pink and red greeting cards, and obnoxious jewelry commercials, how in the world did he
forget?
What are you going to do, Dulcie?

Phyllis

Oh, it will only take once, I assure you. Tristan is like a trained elephant now when it comes to holidays and celebrations. Forgot one time…and never did it again.

You know why? I “heaped burning coals on his head.” :) He forgot our first anniversary, so the next weekend, I surprised him with the most romantic two days of his life. Everything I could think of that I knew he’d like, all the sweet little details that make a getaway memorable. And, at the end, I presented him with an anniversary clock, so he’d never forget again. He’s been as good as gold ever since.

Z

That’s a great idea, Z. And thanks to Rosalyn’s topic on the loop, I have
plenty
of ideas on how to romance my poor, absentminded hubby. Hmm…you girls want to help me plan it out?

Dulcie

Good for you, Dulcie-girl! I’m so proud of you! Hey, I’m attaching a list of inexpensive romantic ideas I got at a church marriage conference. Hope that helps.

Jocelyn

Hey, Dulcie,

I need your address. I want to overnight something to you. My parents gave me a gift certificate this Christmas for the Cheesecake Factory. I don’t really care for cheesecakes, and Tristan is lactose intolerant, which makes eating there virtually pointless, in my opinion! So I want you to have our certificate. There’s a Cheesecake Factory in Kansas City, so you should be able to use it if you want.

Love,

Z

You are all so sweet! Z, how can I ever thank you for the gift certificate? We’ve never been able to afford to go to the Cheesecake Factory, but I just know we’ll love it. And the rest of you…all the great ideas, the help in planning, everything. Thank you!

Dulcie

Okay, Dulcie, here you go. Attached is the schedule for the weekend. But I don’t think I put on there to take the girls to Marianne’s house, so make sure you remember to get them there by 9 a.m. on Friday, so you have plenty of time to get to KC. Have fun!

Brenna

Dulcie,

I’ve been trying to call you all week. Are you screening your calls? Please, honey, I’m so sorry. Please talk to me. I’d come home this afternoon, but I don’t exactly want to, unless you say it’s okay. I know I screwed up big time. It’s almost 5 here, so I’ll be leaving soon. If I don’t hear from you by 7 or so, I guess I’ll just stick around here for the weekend.

You know what? I just glanced out my window and I thought for sure I saw your car. Looked just like it. See, I’m so distraught, I’m starting to hallucinate. Wait…that
is
you! You’re getting out of that car! What are you

Well, I’m home. But, I’ll just say this:

You’re right, Z. He won’t EVER forget again. *big, impish grin*

Good night, my friends. Sweet dreams. I know mine will be….

Blissfully,

Dulcie

They’re driving me nuts, Ros! They are spoiled rotten, and it’s partly my fault. Carmen, the nanny, gives them whatever they want, and Frank and I do, too. We just feel so guilty because it seems there’s never enough time to spend with them, and the poor things have been through so much already. Then Mama and Daddy are constantly sending them “care packages” full of sweets and toys. At least y’all don’t have to deal with
that
problem! Lucky you. I know I need to toughen up,
but it’s hard—I’m not their “real” mama, after all. If only I could get more organized, maybe there would be more time. I do it at work…why can’t I do it at home? But there ya go…

Steadfast Shepherds,

Proverbs 13:1 says, “A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”

This week, let’s talk about how to raise wise children—ones who appreciate the value of discipline and who listen to the counsel of their parents. As SAHMs, we have primary responsibility during most of the day for training our children. What struggles do you have in the area of discipline?

The most important thing to remember is that you cannot discipline your children until you have self-discipline. So think for a moment—are you controlling your own appetites and impulses? How’s the binge eating? What about sleeping in late each morning? Are you having your quiet time daily? Are you taking care of your appearance, or lazing around in leggings and your husband’s old flannel shirts all day? Did you exercise this week?

If you aren’t taking care of those things in your own life, don’t expect to have well-behaved children. I know most of you have likely given up on the idea of your children minding you, but I want to offer you hope. If you just get your own act together, you’ll be surprised at how much easier it will be to train your children.

So please share how you are doing in the area of discipline—either for yourself or your little ones.

Respectfully,

Rosalyn Ebberly

SAHM I Am Loop Moderator

Well, I’d never admit this to the whole loop, especially in front of Rosalyn, but a little self-discipline is going a
long
way for me. Since starting Jocelyn’s good-carb, good-fat thing last month, I’ve already lost fifteen pounds! I’m so happy! This is the first thing I’ve ever tried that has actually worked. I’m still not thrilled when I look in the mirror, but it doesn’t hurt my eyes quite so much. Look out, Wedding—you aren’t going to humiliate me after all! I don’t even feel like I’m on a diet. Actually, I sorta like it better than how I was eating…Even Tom noticed this past weekend. Of course, I totally cheated at the Cheesecake Factory, but it was worth it. Yummmmm…

So, I guess according to our esteemed and revered Loop Moderator, I’m just about ready to tackle disciplining my kiddos. Good thing, too, ’cause they are driving me CRAZY THIS MORNING!

Haley found a marker and scribbled all over the face on McKenzie’s favorite doll. McKenzie grabbed a wooden spoon from their kitchen set and proceeded to paddle Haley’s bottom.

Not to be outdone by her sisters, Aidan had to pull a few shenanigans, too. I went upstairs to find she had climbed the cabinet over the toilet and was sitting on
top
of the cabinet, about seven feet off the floor,
with
the toilet seat up, picking Cheerios off a yarn necklace and dropping them into the toilet. I choked back a scream, worried that I might scare her into falling. When she saw me, she waved enthusiastically and tossed down another Cheerio.

“I go pee-pee!” she cried, flinging little round O’s into the water. Several had by now become waterlogged, swelled right up like mushy-looking mini-bagels that disintegrated as new Cheerios rippled the water. Disgusting!

I put the lid down, which brought a wail of protest. So I quickly hopped up on the toilet seat and carefully removed my now-squalling little monkey from her perch. After sound spankings all around, the three of them are currently slouched in front of the TV like inanimate rag dolls, watching
Sesame Street.
I know I shouldn’t use the TV to babysit, but after the toilet cabinet scare, I needed a break!

Dulcie

None of my kids was particularly fond of heights, but Seamus did entice Griffith once to crawl into the dryer. Had the
door closed and was just about to turn the machine on when I caught him. He couldn’t sit down for two weeks after that little incident. He claimed Griffith wanted to know how clothes get dry, and all he was doing was demonstrating. That little rascal! You know, he’s growing up awfully fast. Sometimes I almost miss those days…