Thoughts on parenting

Wesley is in Nashville, and we are at home. Well, we're really at my in-laws' house. I am having issues latley with disciplining Knox. At the risk of shocking the world through a discussion on disciplining a 13 month old, here goes.
I guess I should start this conversation with the preface that we believe that a child-centered family is not beneficial to neither the parents, nor the children, nor the rest of the world, for that matter.
We began this process of trying to let Knox understand that he integrates into our family, and is not the center or purpose of it, quite early in his life by letting him cry himself to sleep. You may not initially think that coorilates to teaching him that he is not the center of the family, but let me assure you, it does. I know this from experience. I would have thought a year ago that this perspective is nuts and couldn't possibly make sense, but I know from experience it is true. Knox is a very strong-willed child. He demands his way. But when I give him no other option at nap time (or at bedtime) but to sleep, he cannot have his way. His body gives in to sleep eventually, and any crying (aka rebellion, in many cases) just helps my case by tiring him out more. When he got old enough, we started to teach him "no" by thumping him firmly, but not too hard, on the hand or foot. He did not imidiately respond to this, because, as I said before, he is a very strong-willed child. He would sometimes look at me like, "what do you think you are doing?" and continue to reach for whatever he shouldn't. But he quickly learned what "no" means. He now has an understanding of consequenses for his actions. By the way, let me also add that he responds sometimes well to praise, so I do not want to give the illusion that we only punish him. No, we understand that at least equally, he needs praise for him to understand to do certain things. We cheer his obedience and creativity on with gusto.
Well, lately (within the past month, noticably) a new streak of rebellion has popped up. He tries new tactics. Where formerly he would mainly cry to get his way, now he whines and yells. He actually told me "no-no" after I told him no. I have seen him laying down on the floor and crying in anger (throwing a miniature temper tantrum) after he doesn't want to do what I tell him to do. Knox is about 13-14 months. He is starting to have more responsibility, and with that, is also learning that he can be more rebellious. His little rebellions are even so funny and almost sweet sometimes in that I can see what a frail and tiny man he is, and it makes me almost laugh with joy about who he is becoming, but I know I cannot laugh when he is being disciplined so that not to cause confusion.
It amazes me the capacity to learn that he has at such a young age. I would never have guessed that he could actually put his toys away on command this young. I didn't know he could understand how to sit down, stand up, or lay down when I tell him to do so. But he does. Anyway, parenting is so much more than I ever thought! :)

one christian's thought on godliness in art and daily life

Ah, lately i have begun to paint again. My fingers feel alive for the first time in about a year. Wesley and I have been thinking about what it means to glorify God in what you do, and what to do to glorify God. How does one do this on a daily basis? More specifically, what does this mean to me? Even more so, what does this mean to me as an artist? Truely, I don't have to paint crosses or Jesus on my for or label it "Christian" for it to glorify God. And the things I create don't have to be just (or at all?) appreciated by Christians for it to glorify God, so what is it that glorifies God in what I do? And how do I do it?
And that brings me to my current thought: I am much more content about all of life when I paint (or sculpt, or whatever). Not just an "I'm happy" contentment, but a deep overwhelming contentment that doesn't come from reading a good book or eating a good meal. Something much larger than that. And I know that in and of itself is not something that creates godliness, but I cannot deny that God, being a creative and purposeful God, created an aptitude and desire for it for some reason.





And now for some pictures I have been meaning to post.

This is from Knox's first birthday party. Here he is with his great-grandfather Poppy, or as I call him, Granda:

Grammy KK and Aunt Lee:

With Daddy:

and an older picture from the Fourth of July: (Note the crazy outfit on Knox that my mom picked out. It had a hat that matched.)

Seriously?

Knox is almost one. Wow. Where did this year go? It seems like just yesterday we found out we were pregnant and freaking out. Now he's here and running around. This time last year I couldn't sleep b/c little man was kicking the inside of my ribs, but I loved it. This time last year I was waddling. No, really. Look at this picture. I am pregnant. My friend has a pumpkin under her shirt.

Chicken Enchiladas...as best I can remember it

This is my variation of the recipe. Actually taken from The Best of Cooking Light cookbook that my mother in law gave us, and it is a wonderful cookbook. It's not really called "chicken enchiladas," but I don't remember the official name, and this is close enough. If you want the official recipe, buy the book. Actually, buy the book, anyway.

1 lb. cooked, shredded chicken
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, plus more for top
1/2 cup Jack cheese, plus more for top
1 small onion
1 regular sized can Rotel tomatoes, drained, then processed or chopped finely
1 small can tomatillo salsa
1 egg
1 cup, plus more if needed, milk
corn tortillas

Basically, you mix cooked chicken (about a lb.) with a chopped onion and 1/2 cup each of Cheddar and jack cheeses (or whatever kind you have) in a bowl. Next, in a separate bowl, combine one can (regular sized) Rotel tomatoes, drained and chopped finely (as with a food processor), with one small can, not drained, of tomatillo salsa, usually found on the Hispanic aisle. Add one egg, and 1 cup milk (add more if needed to thin it out).
Next, simmer shallow water in a pan and with tongs, dip the corn tortillas in for just a second to make them flexable. Fill the flexable tortilla with the chicken mixture and roll tightly in a baking dish, seam side down. Finish until all mixture is made (about 12 or so small tortillas). Pour tomatillo mixture over. Add shredded cheese over the top if you so choose. Bake on 375 F until bubbley cheese on top, or until heated through, about 20 minutes. Yum.

Would also be good with the addition of black beans, corn, spinach, etc. in the filling.

North Carolina was fun. We were all crammed in my dad's decently sized truck, but the fact that it's not a small truck doesn't really matter when you've been driving ten hours with three other adults and an infant in a child's seat and you're still over 6 hours away. It was fun, though it may sound awful in writing. Knox did a good job staying content in his little seat for so long, too.

I have been cooking lately, too. Last week we had chicken enchiladas. They were wonderful. I will post the recipe in a minute. Last night I baked a chicken with herbed potatoes and pearl onions. We also had homemade macaroni and cheese with chips and salsa and bruschetta as an appetizer. So good. It was a lot of food, too, so we'll be eating it over the course of the weekend, as well. The macaroni turned out to be too much for Wes and I, so I gave some to my dad. Last week I made a pumpkin cheesecake from the Fall Kraft magazine from last year. It was yummy. If you don't currently get this magazine, click here: http://www.kraftfoods.com/promo/ffmag/FFMag_offer_signup_template.aspx?s=profile&m=/profile/profile_registration&u1=join&task=Join&taskset=Join&promo_id=2928&rmain=food_family_mag/ffmag_main&redirect=/main.aspx

It's totally free, and has some really good recipes in it.

Tonight we are going to eat with my husband's parents and grandparents. It has been a few months since they have seen Knox, so they are here for a visit. Actually, I don't think they've seen him walk yet. I should have just enough time to clean the house, put Knox down for a nap, and knit for a while before we all meet up to eat.

Knox and I are visiting family out of town with my sister, dad, and grandmother. The car is cramped. I'm enjoying the trip, though. Tonight my uncle is in a play (The Doll House, really a modern adaptation) but I'm sitting in a lobby with my child. I saw the first half while dad watched Knox, but I'm watching him now. He missed both naps today, so he should sleep well. Our vacation in TN was nice. We had a beautiful cabin in the mountains. I hope we go again sometime. I bought some Halloween decorations today. Tea towels for the kitchen, napkins and placemats for the table, and a wobbley cat for probably the table, too. Maybe for the mantel, though.

I started working only half days since Wes changed jobs. It has been wonderful. I am really enjoying staying home more. I can actually clean up and prepare dinner. Wow. I also like that Wes and I have the same morning schedule now.

I'm planning Knox's one year birthday party, and I'm not really sure what to do. I'm sending invitations to family, and I know to get a cake, but what else? Not games, surely, since he's too young. I've never thrown a birthday party for anyone before, so any ideas on what I do?

Vacation

Today is bittersweet. It is labor day, and i didn't have to go into work today. We got the day off. So, we decided to use the time to clean the house. It's still not finished, but it is MUCH better than before. My mom came to get Knox tonight to watch him for the week. Wesley and I are going on vacation this week, so we'll be leaving really early tomorrow morning. I'm excited about vacation, but I miss the little man, too. :)