Brads Picture Masterpieces

Brad loves to take pictures and it is amazing what he can do with a little digital camera. Just wanted to share a few favorites.

Has Mom Lost Her Marbles?

So I was sick of the fighting, yelling, biting, hitting, screaming and just being plain mean in our house so I came up with a plan. It was going to be expensive but so would counseling so I decided to give it a try. I gave everyone 10 marbles. Everytime they were unkind they lost a marble and at the end of the day they would be paid $.05 for each marble they had left. If they were really good the whole month they could earn $14.50. They of course were excited by this figure but in my heart I hoped they wouldn't quite reach it. I would need to pick up a second job to pay for their happiness. This little marble plan has been working quite well. I have not lost a single marble. It has nearly been 7 days. That is the longest I have ever gone without yelling at my kids. Mitch isn't far behind. He only lost one. And this nearly broke his heart. Connor isn't doing so well and I decided that he isn't getting any money. He can just have his marbles back if he will stop crying when I take one away. Bethany is at least trying. She went 3 whole mornings without waking up crying. That is how we know that she is awake. Mornings are not a happy time at our house. Hannah and Elli have been playing together. It is a mothers dream come true. I have actually been hearing words like thank you. I didn't know that my children knew those words. Hopefully after a month this will become a habit. It is just nice to be nice!!