DISCIPLINE Below is a little footage of the boys practicing at Martial Arts class.....This is about their 6th class and the instructors had them rotate amongst 4 different partners. I didn't get permission to publish the video from the parents of the other students they practiced shadow boxing, so I chose to only post the one with our boys: What areas could you work on being more disciplined? (I have quite a list...lol)
This surely beats hospital food: Marlon put so much creative love into lunch today that I'm delighted to share. He was inspired by a dish from one of our favorite local, sustainable resturants, Brick29. He created a coconut/dried tomato/garlic/caper sauce poured over mashed potatoes, baked salmon and sauted mixed green bean/veggies. Having a baby and being limited to several days of rest to recouperate has it's benefits. I think I can get used to this...lol
Micah Yusef Broussard was born in the early morning on Tuesday, 11.27.12, weighing 7 1/2llbs HalleluYah! Our family is in such a season of rejoicing. There has been an enormous amount of lessons and experiences that we have encountered over the past few years. The trials and challenges have been so transformative and I'm truly blessed to know that each one serves a purpose. Most recently, we welcomed our precious son to the family. I'm in awe every day and overwhelmed with gratitude. I had an amazing experience at the local birth center (http://www.newbeginningsbirthcenter.com/) in "The Cozy Room" with the support of my beloved husband and two midwives. Ultimately, it was a 6 1/2 hour journey that led to incredible bliss. Marlon shared his thoughts so poetically on his Facebook: "In almost 40 Years of life, I have come face to face with no greater miracle than that of the birth of my children... I'm so grateful and blessed in this season of our lives....HalleluYah!
P/S If anyone has some cloth diapers & accessories needing a good home, please email me and I'd be happy to take them off your hands and pay for shipping (Email: [email protected]) There are many times when I will ponder my past, assess my present, and anticipate my future. Most recently, I went on a journey exploring the positive experiences of childhood. Here's my expression of reflection: In October, I took time to talk to our children about some of the personal ambitions they want to pursue. I am a strong believer in listening the voice of children, rather than completely dictating and controlling their destiny, (thanks Mom for that lesson). After a little dialogue, I took note that some top interests for our children include the following:
All these responses facinated me because I actually don't share any interest in these areas, however I support the vision of my children. If I inflict my personal goals, then the list would look more like
Now that they've expressed their goal, it's important to implement a plan of action. This is an ongoing process and will require regular review. In the case of our children, we created a "plan" to achieve their vision. For example, in order to become a "ninja" it will take great discipline and determination. So, I signed all the boys up for martial arts at the YMCA. This program is not only affordable, it is also structured in a way that will expose the boys to the experience, yet it won't overwhelm our family. I can bring the girls along to practice swimming, while the boys are in training. So far, the boys have all enjoyed the classes. I've seen such growth and maturity within the first few weeks of classes. I admit, it was a little to premature for our 4 year old Mason to be committed, however, Maxwell and Millennium have persevered and they are flourishing. Their confidence and skill is so rewarding to watch. Here are a few photos of Millennium working with the instructor: This book is one of the resources we're using for goal setting. I was introduced to the speaker, Lisa McInnes-Smith, at the "PowerUp Live" convention in Boise. I can't express just how valuable it is to invest in inspirational resources that help to grow and develop good habits. My hope in sharing is that you will hear the voice of your children and be prayerful about how you can support their vision.
Marlon and I are coming up on our 13th year of official documented marriage and we're in a very practical season of our lives. We grow closer together as the years pass and continue to nurture our relationship. One very important aspect of our marriage is going out on dates. This is so rewarding to be in eachothers presence and share our thoughts, hopes and aspirations. In light of this, I thought I'd share a glimpse at one of our more creative dating excursions, (hauling debris from construction.) It's not always necessary to have a glamorus experience, but it is critical to have time to bond and stay connected. Here are a few pictures that put a smile on my face because in my opinion, Marlon makes dumping debris look good! Here's a link from one of my lil' moments of appreciation in my marriage:
http://www.joyfuljunction.com/1/post/2011/12/gratitude.html I've been checking out this mini series about raw food: http://www.blytheraw.com I'm looking forward to experimenting with some of the recipes like the Kale Salad (below): Do you have any good raw food links to share??
A couple months ago, Marlon was admitted to the ER with a concerning heart condition. I am grateful the facility was less than 2 miles from our house which provided some comfort as we prepared for the unknown. Due to the history of heart related conditions in Marlon's family, we are very cautious of "warning signs" to a potential problem. In this case, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, aka cardiac arrhythmia. We learned that the erratic and inconsistent heartbeat could be a serious sign of congestive heart failure or potentially result in a stroke. After a series of tests, the doctor informed Marlon that he could either be treated with medicine or some sort of shock treatment. We had a little time to process this news and Marlon continued being monitored for a bit while we patiently awaited the return of the doctor to discuss more details of his options. In the meantime, Marlons male nurse came in to check his stats and adjust one of his EKG pads afixed to his chest. Without notice, Mr. Nurse Simpson unexpectantly snatched a sticky pad off Marlon's chest which resulted in a sudden yelp of unexpected discomfort. I thought, 'Oh my, that wasn't so nice!' But to our surprise, the lack of warning from Mr. Simpson actually served as an alternative treatment. Almost immediately after this ordeal, Marlon's heart rate was stabilized and "shocked" back on track. What a relief for alternative treatment! After a little more monitoring and discussion with the doctor, Marlon was successfully discharged with limited intervention. He lovingly referred to his treatment as the "Simpson Method," (named after the naughty Mr. Simpson) which helped his atrial fibrillation. The moral of the story: Listen to your body and don't be surprised if alternative treatments work just as good, if not better, than modern medicine. |
This nook is a bit of reflection and inspiration from me, a Joyful Mommy of 10 with hopes of encouraging others along their journey :)A Few Family Pics: Categories
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