New Wii Rules (Say that 3 times fast!)

Today I established new Wii rules in the home.  I've been meaning to for a while, but this morning's events necessitated I implement them immediately.  The one clear cut rule we have had is no electronics before school, and the kids broke it this morning.  Things have been a little wonky with the Christmas holidays, so I didn't punish them beyond making them get off immediately.  [Although since I came up with our "new" Wii rules while they ate breakfast, they may consider it a punishment!]

Disclaimer:  The purpose of these Wii rules is for boundary setting, not extreme limiting.   Our Wii rules are going to sound very generous.  It's not as much the time I am concerned about as actually wanting to teach my children to get on and off the Wii when I tell them.

Our new rules:  

1)  3 hours a day for ALL electronics (Wii, computer, and tv)
2)  Each child gets 6 30-min increments.  Use it or lose it.
3)  Back to back increments are not allowed to be used on the Wii.

Electronics time that doesn't count against them:  School work on the computer and CF Vest treatment

Adding this rule tomorrow (because I didn't think about it when I wrote the rules today):

4)  If I get any sort of disrespect when I notify them of the end of the 30 minutes they lose another increment.

So far it's working as well as you can expect the first day of new rules to go.  Samantha made it 20 minutes into her first Wii span, and then got distracted.  She wanted to be able to use up the other 10 minutes later, but I'm not doing that (see #2).  That's actually part of my plan for creating 30 minute increments.   She has only used up that 1 chunk.  Timothy has already used up 4 of his 6 chunks (1 hour on Wii, 30 min on computer, and 30 min on tv).  He's going to have a rude awakening pretty soon, but it won't be my problem!

2012: Back to the Basics

I'll be honest.  Goal setting is not my favorite thing to do, but after reading my friend's blog post for her 2012 goals I was inspired to organize some thoughts.  The irony is that I started writing this post this morning in my "free time", and at the end of the day I'm not even half way done. And me getting side tracked by blog writing falls under the #6 priority I'm going to list, so I'm condensing this entire post in the hopes to start the year off right! The most important event happening in our family this year is the birth of our 3rd child in April, and so because of that my "Word of the Year" is "BASICS":

1.  Bible Reading-it is foolish to think we can enter a new year on solid ground without this.  I have found a read the Bible thru in a year guide.  I don't plan on pressuring myself to complete every last verse with a newborn on the way, but having a guide will maximize the reading I can do!  I know that one-on-one time with the Lord is special.  And reading his Word daily will help me focus on eternal things when life is being lived in 3-hour eat-play-sleep cycles!

2.  Household Chores-boy this one doesn't sound nearly as enjoyable as #1!   Fact is it has to get done, and everyone in the home is more relaxed when they have a clean house and clean clothes.  I will most especially push this in the next 3 months to get us off on the right foot!  To stay motivated, I'll utilize some handy websites (www.flylady.net, www.orgjunkie.org) and read good books to help me with my attitude (The Practice of the Presence of God, Taking Care of the Mommy in Me).

3.  Health & Fitness- My husband and I could always lose more weight, my daughter always needs to gain more weight, and my son needs to increase the number of foods he eat.  Food is a bit of a stressor in our home!   I'll be using the Best Odds Diet to get me through the 3rd trimester and nursing.  I've already started meal planning, which although time consuming, definitely helps in the grocery run and helps me not have to think of what to make on a given day.  Sleep deprived people can always benefit from not having to make smart choices in a hurry.  The calendar can just tell me what to cook!  I know working out regularly will also help my sleep patterns with a newborn.

4.  Finances-Before we moved a year ago we finally gave away all our baby stuff because "we were done".   So in the next 3 months I have lots to buy.  It's not the time to forget what I know helps our sanity...living within our means.  So it may get hard to make all those purchases with cash, but for our own peace we must.

5.  Medical-Our daughter has a disease that requires daily medications and breathing treatments.  Our son receives special services weekly that benefit him greatly.  My husband and I both take prescription medication for chronic conditions.  It will be crucial that we learn how to stick to these necessary routines while integrating a new member into the family.

6.  And so the most important priority is that we don't do anything else!  I realize these "basics" are as simple as it gets, but that's the point.  At the end of this year, I may not have quantitative markers to show I accomplished anything, but if we have been able to continue the "basics", live in *relative* harmony, and introduce a fifth person into our mix after six years of being a family of four, then I will be satisfied. 

Sharing a Book Giveaway!

Heidi, over at Our Out-of-Sync Life, has started a series called "A New Year...A New You!".   To kick off the series she has posted a Book Review and Giveaway today!  With all kinds of fashion tips to make looking our best easier than it is now, this book looks fun and beneficial!

2011 > 2012

2011 In Review:

• February "Blizzard of 2011"
• April-Timothy got glasses.  He loves them!
• June-My first homeschooling conference.
• August-Dan made Chief, and I found out I was pregnant! 
• September-Samantha's sinus surgery & first CF related hospitalization
• November-Discovered we were having a little girl

2011 was a kind year to us.  The 5 years prior to this one have stretched us beyond belief, so I have to admit it was nice to have a slight reprieve. 

 

Looking ahead to 2012:

• As Samantha continues to have weight issues, she will be getting a g-tube if we don't see some consistent progress.  Praying hard about that.
• In early April, we meet Hannah Grace!  Big changes ahead!
• Timothy will continue receiving amazing therapy.
• Dan will start getting paid as a Chief-yippee!!

I'm grateful to God for the hard years and the "easier" ones.  Whichever 2012 turns out to be, I can't wait to experience it with my precious Savior.

Cystic Fibrosis Vest Compliance

Don't give up no matter how long it takes!

Six years ago today we received the news that Samantha has Cystic Fibrosis. That knowledge created a flurry of emotions including fear, shock, horror, and confusion. As I look back over these last six years I realize that none of my initial feelings would be the overarching issue we would learn to deal with…the DAILYNESS of this disease. I’m sure some people I know think I talk about Samantha’s CF way too much. Others don’t even know she has it. And somewhere in between those two extremes is where we live…daily making sure she gets the preventative (and not so preventative) care that she needs.

Imagine how many times a day you breathe, eat, and go to the bathroom. Every one of those bodily functions is affected by Cystic Fibrosis. Therefore, each time Samantha experiences these seemingly normal activities we must consider what her body is doing or what treatments need to be done. Because of that, it is impossible to discuss Cystic Fibrosis without speaking the word “compliance”. Here is a piece of our journey…

Merriam-Webster defines compliance as "the act or process of conforming, submitting, or adapting to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen."

Merriam-Webster would define Samantha as "an antonym of compliance":

• At 8 weeks she needed a spinal tap and fought so hard she stopped the spinal fluid from coming out. They barely got enough to run the needed tests.
• At 1-year she screamed so hard at her annual blood draw that she cut off the blood flow completely. What should have taken a minute, took MUCH longer as we tried to calm her enough to get it out.
• As recently as this week at her 6-yr annual blood draw 3 people had to hold her down…and they were working hard to do it!

There is no doubt in my mind our girl is a fighter.  The very part of her being that resists submitting to us is the same thing that will help her long term fight of this evil illness. But for now we battle the daily issue of compliance. I’ll use The Vest as an example. She has had The Vest for over a year, and to say it has been rough would be an understatement. Crying before, crying during, wanting to pause every couple of minutes, not letting me leave her side, and scared to talk because of how The Vest makes her voice sound. A treatment that should take 20 minutes has taken as long as an hour on some days.

As if that’s not enough, I also feel all alone. I don’t ever hear anyone else having these problems for this long. All CF kids will have compliance hiccups like this, but the parents try a thing or two and it all seems to fall into place. I’ve dreamt of the day that Samantha would happily watch a movie or tv show during an entire Vest treatment.

After 15 months, that day came THIS WEEK!

Tuesday we had the very first treatment that she didn’t ask for a single pause the entire 20 minutes. I was in awe!! So exciting! And then yesterday she played the Wii for the first time during a treatment! And once again she never asked to pause the treatment! She said, "Mom, this is awesome!"  Not only that, she told me all about the video game she was playing the whole 20 minutes!  I’ve never gotten more than a short sentence or two out of her! It’s seriously like dealing with a different child!

So I hope our story can encourage someone reading this who is in the middle of any kind of long term training with their child. Maybe it’s CF compliance. Maybe it’s been a year of potty training that feels like will never end. Maybe math isn't clicking no matter how you explain it. Whatever it is…don’t give up:

1. Explore every suggestion you are given. 
2. Keep trying without acting out of desperation.
3. And above all, remember to love your child whether he or she learns to comply or not.

Just because it hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't happen!