The Polar Bear Plunge

Tom is working up in Alaska on the North Slope and they have a little tradition some of you may be familiar with or have heard about called the "Polar Bear Plunge". It is where you jump into ice cold water with nothing but a swimming suit on and yes, you have to go all the way . So here it is.

 This is Tom & Dan Morten, his IH co-worker. They are in the same position and will be working opposite shifts so Dan is what they call his "alternate".

This is the "Brave" souls who took the challenge to Plunge into the great arctic waters. Yes, as you can see they are treating (feeding) us very well up here, there is no shortage of food and I'm beginning to show it. OK, I'm past the beginning stages. Yes they have a great gym that I'm going to become very good friends with along with the salad bar.

Beans

So, about over a week ago I decided that some things needed to change around here.  I felt like I wasn't getting the help that I knew my girls were capable of giving me and also like I was putting my kids in time out more than I (or my kids) wanted.  Time outs just weren't working because my girls kept doing the same things.  Don't get me wrong...my kids are great.  They are happy and productive.  I am just always looking for ways to improve my family and our situation especially since Tom is away for weeks at a time for work.  So, I was reading some things about parenting and it went into the disciplining technique of positive reinforcement.  I always felt like I tried to do this but as I read further I realized that I needed to improve on this.  So, I tried to think of ways to help both the girls and myself be more positive.  I knew I was on default mode of whenever things went awry or something negative happened then I would immediately put the offender in time out.  I wanted to start focusing on what they were doing right instead of wrong.  I know it works in coaching so why not parenting?  This is where beans come into play.  I sat the girls down and told them that for every time they do something helpful, kind, or good then they get to put a bean in their cups.  I let each girl pick their own cup then I put their name on it.  Then we went to the store and picked out some treats to trade in for the beans each day.  We cashed in our beans right after naps.  So, the adventure began.  It started off where I would have to prompt them to be helpful or ways to earn beans but in one short week they haven't seen the time out chair for probably 4 days and are looking for ways to help me.  They don't even expect a bean in return.  It is amazing to see their transformation.  They are happier and so helpful to me.  In return, I am looking for ways to praise them.  It is a win win for all.  Since I feel like I am not having to break up contention as much I find that I have more time to do more.  Beans...give it a try...you won't regret it.

Fun slide, Grayma, and Cousins

Here are a ton of pics from just one day of fun.  As you can see, my mom is very productive and has been working feverishly on our yard.  What a help that is!  I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all.  Enjoy!

Life is good...

Here are some pictures of what we have been up to the past couple of days.  My Mom came into town on Thursday and is here until Tuesday.  It sure has been nice having her here.  She is so helpful.  While she has been here we have been doing yard work, playing on the water slide and on Sat. we took the kids to the splash park in Rexburg.  It has been nice seeing my sister, Brooke, a bunch too.  It is so cute to see her kids and how they interact with Olivia.  Justin just loves her a ton.  He kept giving her kisses and wanting to hold her.  He is going to be a great big brother to his little brother that will be here sometime in September.  We have been very busy.  I never mentioned either that Tom accepted a job where he works 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off in Alaska at North Slope.  He is very excited and actually started the job last week.  He said he was going to post some pics of what life is like up there.  No, I am not moving to Alaska.  We can pretty much live anywhere we want.  I absolutely love it here mainly because of the people.  They are really great.  So, we are staying here for awhile until life can get somewhat normal.  I feel like I am extremely busy.  It really is true that once a 3rd kid comes into play life is full of prioritizing and I find that I don't have enough arms.  The older girls want to sit on my lap, but my lap is usually occupied by cute Olivia.  So, I am trying to figure out how to do it all.  I find that I rarely watch TV anymore because if I ever have time where all 3 are asleep that I want to get projects done or some cleaning.  I will get it.  The first week we had Olivia home I was really struggling to get the cleaning, yard work, and taking care of the kids done plus Tom was gone.  So, one night I went to the grocery store and came back and my lawn was trimmed and mowed.  I saw my neighbor putting away his lawn mower and went over to thank him and found myself welled up with tears because I was so grateful.  He really had no idea how that little task helped me tremendously.  All week I kept trying to figure out how I was going to get out there and mow.  I didn't have a monitor to listen for Olivia so it made it tough.  Well, I finally bought one and feel like I have a better handle on life.  Olivia is just the best little girl.  She just smiles and is just the best little baby.  It doesn't hurt that she is so stinkin' cute.  I just love talking to her and just looking at her.  I feel truly blessed.  Brooklyn and Kenzie just love her so much and love to talk to her too.  Kenzie loves to give Olivia her Dora baby and blankie to borrow.  That is huge for her.  Brooklyn always tells me when she fusses or gets things for her. I just have the best kids.  Well, I am off to bed.  Everyone is asleep and it is only 9:30.  Wow!  Good night!