Thankful Thursday:{ Mom Talks } It takes a Village

Happy Thursday friends. I feel like I am running behind with everything today but I still wanted to get this post done. I think its important to embrace the things you are thankful for not only each week but each day really. For the longest time I kept a gratitude journal and it really did make a huge difference in my life. Today I am totally thankful for:

The Village that Helps Raise my Kids 

Being a parent has to be the hardest job on earth. I struggle everyday to make the best decisions I can for my kids and I know I could not get through it all with the huge support system that we have around us.

God

I am putting God at the top because I can't even begin to tell you the prayers that I have sent up over my kids. I have prayed for them since the moment I found out they were coming. I have asked God to protect them while showing me the way to be a better parent each day. And I really feel that God is very present in our village of support. I think both of my kids are spiritual and I want them to always love God. They both read the bible and Jackson is learning more and more everyday about God and the scriptures. God is all around us.

family

Our family is totally at the top of the support system and a big part of raising our kids. More specifically My mom is always there to help in any way she can. I don't always agree with her but I really value her love and support. She has a very important role in the the kids lives. Scott's sister Trina is a huge source of support to us too. She has helped in so many ways but most importantly, she has always been there to listen when Scott or I need to talk about the kids. My Sister Laci is growing up right before my eyes and she is no longer a baby. She is a woman with very unique points of view that I totally value. Many times she helps me see things from a new point of view. Don.. my moms partner is always loving and kind with his advice and he is a logical thinker that helps with us emotional women. Also Scotts Step Mother is starting to listen more about the kids and really share her experiences in hopes that it might help. Both Jackson's fathers - His dad and his stepfather are both support systems. I believe both want Jackson happy and will help in anyway the kids need.

friends

Our loving loyal friends have totally helped me. My best friend Shanna has been a life saver over the years in regard to the kids. She hears all my parenting mistakes and issues and never judges. She always is there to give me the most honest straight forward advice that I always need to hear. All of our friends - blog & youtube are wonderful support to our family because they are going through it with us with their own kids. You guys are always so supportive, informative, and honest with me. We all learn from each other.

Teachers

I cannot even express how thankful I am for both of Jackson's teachers this year. Bless them because I know that teaching my son is a bit of a challenge. They are underpaid, overworked, and both of his teachers have been so helpful. I mean... I listen to everything they tell me. They are smart women who work hard with Jackson everyday. I know they take more time out for them than they others. Jackson needs more attention that most kids and I know its not easy. We are in constant contact and for 4 days this week they have let me know that he has been doing super good.. I couldn't be more proud. Brittany makes A's and does so well in school and I am thankful to her teachers too for all they do.

Doctors 

I am also very thankful to the Dr's who have helped our kids from the very beginning. Brittany was a pretty healthy baby but Jackson was born early.. he was so little. Jackson went to the Dr. today and he spent an hour with us talking through Jackson's health. An hour you guys. That says something when we live in such a busy world. I was happy with the care he recieved today and more importantly Jackson liked his new Dr. I don't know how I would do it without the Dr.'s.

I am sure I am leaving people out .. but I am thankful for everyone who is a part of our lives helping raise our kids. I know it takes a village to raise a child and I truly love you guys and thankful for all your love and support.

Mom Talks: Hurt Feelings & Forgiveness.

Its been a while since I have done one of these post, and I thought one of the lessons I am currently learning would be beneficial to share! Jackson will be 11 years old in 2 days. Most of the time, he is a loving and caring little boy who lights up our home with his sweet smile and fun attitude. However, he is trying to grow up a little and I am quickly becoming # 1 enemy. The bad parent, if you will. 

Mom Rants....

Hello Friends! I know many of you have children and I am betting that you should be able to find something in this post that you can relate to! It's not just a rant because the kids have a lot of great qualities that should be said too.. but they are handfuls around here! 

* Brittany seems to think she doesn't have to listen to anything she doesn't want to do. She's not an adult.. and has the same rules as the boys. I'm seriously thinking about putting a little video together of her crazy behavior just so she can see. And also for her dad to see!

* All the kids fight over my cats. Yep.. Brittany thinks they are all hers and the boys tote them around just as much. I feel sorry for the kitties in the Jaggers House. 

* The kids are all on red cup duty because they use 30 a day so they can wash them. They should only use 1 per day but nope.. not our kids. Every night there is a different kid washing the red cups...and they still use a ton.

The Influence of the Step Parent.....a mommy post!

I never thought I would be someone who got married...then divorced. And God knows everyone was betting that I would never marry again. Well God had a different plan and but a beautiful man in my path that I would again marry. When I met Scott, Brittany was 3 and Jackson was 2 years old. I guess divorcing fast paid off because the kids have never seen me with anyone but Scott. So he has had plenty of time getting to know them from an early age. I won't say every moment  has been easy because we really are all learning from each other on a daily basis. But my husband has been such a big influence in Jacksons life. The other day Jackson asked me...

When in doubt, Have a Food Fight........a mommy post

Last week I was home cleaning up the house when a phone call comes across my phone from my sons school. You know that moment.. when your stomach drops? It happened before I ever said hello. 

" Mrs Jaggers, this is the principle of Springmore. " 

" Yes " 

" I have Jackson here on speaker phone and he wants to explain what happened at lunch today. "

" Jackson, What Happened?  "

" My table was involved with a food fight. " 

" What exactly did you do? " 

" Austin dared me to throw some food on Kyle  and then it started. "

" What were you thinking Jackson? "

" That's not all mom. "

The Ice Machine Drama....a mommy post.

I have a bunch of  mommy posts coming up but tonight I thought I would talk to you about the breakdown my 10 year old son had over our ice maker. So for a few days last week.. the icemaker on the frig was not working right. ( We later figured out a bag of frozen peas was tangled up in it ) Well.. Jackson came bouncing down the stairs and into the kitchen he went. He got a glass...and went to get ice out of the frig and it didn't work! I was sitting in the living room and could hear everything. He yells to me... 

Jackson : " Mom, the icemaker is not working "

Me :  " I know.. just get some out with your hands. "

Jackson : " I am not touching the ice with my hands. "

Me : " Jackson.. its fine.. just get some ice yourself. "

Jackson : " Who else is going to stick their hands in the ice? Mom.. this is going to be gross."

Me: " Jackson.. its fine. "

Jackson.. " Well I am not having any ice.. guess my root beer is going to be hot. "

Me: " Fine "

Bullies Create Bullies... a Mommy Post

[ I am adding this post under Theme Thursday with Theme Thursday with Something Clever 2.0 because its about our parenting styles and I feel this post shows exactly what my style is! ]

Oh boy you guys.. do I ever have a mommy post for you today. Its not an easy one either. Brittany.. my 11 year old is suspended today. Both my kids have got in trouble at school this year. Its insane. I need you to give you a quick back story about some of the the things leading up to this. And these are minor children I am talking about so I am not using real names besides my own children. 

March Starting off with a BANG..

What a day. I am going to take you through the chain of events that I went through since I first open my eyes.

Last night at 3am the nursing home where Scotts dad is calls the family in because he is not doing well at all. Scott wakes up to a text message about it.. and that's how the day starts. My husband woke me upset.. and worried about his dad. Also thinking we are going to have to leave any minute. So far he is still here with us. ( 201am Saturday )

My little Holiday Terror... a Mommy Post

You know, I have no idea what it is with my kid and the holidays. He has found away to make them all very gloomy and Valentines Day was NO EXCEPTION. I told you guys Jackson had some problems on Valentines Day.. and let me tell you.. it wasn't such a fun day around the Jaggers house. 

I woke up.. took Jackson to school. He was in a happy go lucky mood.. smiling and giggling when he got out of the car. My day continued as did his. I was working around the house around 130 when I recived a call from the Principle of the School. 

→ Its never good when I get a phone call from the Principle herself ← 

Mommy Talk - Wfi Entitlement -

I got so mad last night because Jackson was on xbox upstairs most of the day.. and my internet worked fine. Brandon came home and got on his xbox.. Jackson and I were thrown off xbox and I started having internet problems...Well I called the internet people..Brandon has his hooked up directly to the router causing some issues..Box xboxes running at the same time is causing some issues.. So at dinner last night, I reminded both boys.. our stuff is not your stuff. And the ones paying for the internet should be able to use it. I am moving the router upstairs to my room so I can at least get it. I think its kinda felt and unsaid that Jackson, Brittany, Brandon and Zane think they are just " entitled " to internet because Scott and I pay for it. 

The Truth..

Raising kids is no easy job. Questions come up daily that I am just not sure how to answer. Just the other day Jackson and I had one of the most important conversations that we ever had. 

Jackson - Mom, I know that Santa isn't real -. 

Me - Oh yea.. how do you know that?

Back in 4th Grade Math HELL

Math has never been a strong point for me. Nope..but I sure didn't expect Jackson's math homework to SUCK so much. Its like I am back in 4th grade trying to figure it out yet again. Tonight's math home was a page of some really serious math questions. 

This is basically how the questions went... these are the exact questions but you'll get the idea.. 

1. Ed buys Bill lunch for 14.80. bill insists on paying the tip. ed tells him to leave a 15 percent tip. if bill gives ed a 10.00 bill, how much change should bill receive?

2. at the home cooking resaurant,a family leaves a 15 percent tip for the waiter in the amount of 10.26. what was the cost of the family's food total?

3. brad buys a 10.00 lunch. he means to leave 1.00 as a tip but mistakenly drops a 10.00 bill on the table. what percent of the food bill did brad leave as a tip?

Ok.. its shit this that makes me want to   SCREAM!!

I am so thankful that it sure doesn't make my husband scream.. because without Scott Jackson would screwed in the math department. 

Tonight it took about an hr and a half o do 10 questions. Its freaking crazy how time consuming this stuff really is. I went to college for 7 years and now having to go back to 4th grade math is ridiculous! I didn't understand it too well then and I don't understand it too much now! I guess thats the reason my checkbook is always a mess! 

And they are sure moving the kids along with the math... I don't think I was doing this in 4th grade.. I think it was more like 6th or 7th. I really am shocked at the hours of homework my 9 year old son has. He also worked 15 minutes on his spelling words and 35 minutes on studying for a science test about vertebrate and non vertebrate animals. And according to his teacher he is also suppose to read for 30 minutes per night. Yea.. that so didn't happen tonight. We were lucky to get all the other stuff done!!

Tomorrow is all about making sure he knows those spelling words for his test Friday morning! God bless his teacher for being able to teach this. Its one thing to have to try to figure it out yourself.. but then have to explain it to a little boy.. is insanely hard.. Its a whole other animal. I am great in History, English, and I'm pretty good at science but I think I am going to leave the math homework up to my husband! 

Thank you baby for your tutoring skills. Once again, you prove to be the man of my dreams.

K Jaggers

♥