sheila dougal- a woman found: The Adam and Eve Principle: No matter how good a parent you are, your child is still capable on any given day of doing something despicable, disgusting, or depraved.- John K. Rosemond

On the last week of summer break I bought a puzzle Connor asked for as an indoor activity we could do together. I learned a few things.

First, Connor is too on-the-go for puzzles (If you've known Connor for 5 minutes you know this. I've known him from day one and yet I still bought him the puzzle. Could be a sign of early onset dementia?). If they had puzzles you could chase, or puzzles that chase you he'd love putting one together. But since it involves sorting, more sorting and sorting some more- and nothing makes him run- it's not for Connor.

Second, puzzles are for Ryland who I'm convinced is going to be in some position of accounting or a referee one day. He likes to put things in order, he likes order, and he likes to tell people the order of things. It'll go something like this: Connor will be the pitcher on the field, Ryland will be the ump calling balls or strikes or the CPA telling the manager of the team what to do with his money.

Third and last of all, puzzles are very frustrating and addictive for me. I like sorting and I like putting things in order, but I can't stand leaving something unfinished on a table for 3 weeks!

This past first week back to school, for both me and the boys went fairly smooth. Adjusting to living by a schedule again is easier for the grown-ups than the kiddos. I'm very thankful to have a job where I get to work with kids and be home every evening and weekend with my family.

School nursing involves a lot of puzzle-like tasks: gathering, sorting and putting information together one piece at at time. It also involves teaching kids and parents and staff about various topics pertaining to health and safety. And because it involves teaching it also involves ongoing learning for me. I have CE courses on heat related illness (HRI) and Asthma bookmarked to take this week.

It's too hot to do anything, even go to the pool. Which is worse, to be home bound in scorching heat for a few weeks or home bound in a depressing deluge for a few months? I have thought I'd rather live where its hot than where its constantly cloudy, but on weeks like these I feel certain that cuddling up with a book and hot tea while the gray, rainy drizzle carries on outside would be a form of paradise!

I read an excellent parenting book this past week: Parenting By the Book by John Rosemond. I was convicted and motivated as I read it.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Let the consequences be memorable so as to cause one to think twice before committing the crime.
Be a leader with a vision for where you're leading your kids.
Look to the scriptures for guidance, not people with capital letters behind their name.

These are some of the bullet points that stuck with me! Most of what I read I already have believed and therefore put into practice. But I've grown slack, lazy in many areas. I am inconsistent and warn way too much. I set out this week to lead with a powerful love and purpose again. Its easy to fall into what-makes-my-life-easier-in-the-short-term parenting. The monsters created by short-term parenting aren't worth the few minutes of peace one may get now.

The Bible is such a gift! It's never proven wrong. None of God's instructions are ever out of touch with the times!

We prayed in small groups during our second hour at church this morning. It was powerful. I want to do that again. It's not what we normally do. Our pastor went home early to rest and recoup after having a pacemaker implanted this past week.

I read this quote today: