March 25, 2007-Took parenting class-helped Darin Finish Painting his basement

Alden and I took some parenting classes(yes, at 44 and 50 years old still learning new and better way to parent) presented by Pastor Teresa from our church. James Dobsen(www.family.org) was the main speaker; but, we also listened to presentations from Michael Pearl- www.nogreaterjoy.org. Sunday was the last session out of 4-(we missed the first one cause we were gone to California) One of the things Alden said he learned the most was not to be angry when disciplining and eat dinner 5 times a week as a family-the average is 3-by the studies are more favorable for 5, they say that your children need to be together as a family for a meal and be able to talk about their day and such. So many families these days don't do this-they are on the run with all kinds of extra-curricular activities and the mother works and doesn't want to cook food, so they just snack whenever and say Hi and bye on the run.

The things that I was reminded to do that I have always wanted to do is have daily devotions with our kids. We tried to do it when Dillan and Darin were in their teenage years once a week, but, I wasn't consistant with this very long. Our new kids love to sing and I want to incorporate some singing into this. Maybe, we can do some neat thing at meal time every day. I am really excited as Alden was not opposed to us doing something like this.

I'm glad our church offered this and we were able to go. Thanks, Teresa and Eric.

I went to jazzercise in town and then went to Darin's to put the last coat on the red in his basement. So, his birthday is Tues and I am going to go over and help him put on the border. It is a Nebraska (imagine that)theme. I was getting so tired and made it home around 10:00.

The carpenter called and said he would be out Tues to start on the house.