Brenna’s Blog – Page 9

Oct 5
2010

A Little One-on-One

by Brenna

I heard, “Here, Mom!” and looked up just in time for the corner of a hardbound book to hit me in my right eye. Thanks a lot, buster (aka son)…Parenting can be such a dangerous job! I don’t know if I cried more over my eye pain or the frustration that things just seemed to be going all wrong that day. My husband and I had just made an inter-state move with our five children ages one to ten, and stress and exhaustion levels were high. Though I didn’t feel well that day, I was trying to unpack some boxes. I wasn’t making much progress because my three-year-old son kept misbehaving. Finally I realized he might just need some individual attention. I walked away from the boxes and sat down on the couch, offering to read him a book. A few seconds later, as I was talking with my one-year-old, the unexpected book came hurling across the room.

Sometimes as moms we feel like we are getting nowhere in our best efforts to parent and do the right things for our children. Instead of the heartwarming snuggly storytime I envisioned, I ended up with a black eye. (We did actually get around to the book once I got over my 5-minute pity party).

Don’t give up in the fight to parent well. One of the best gifts we can give our children is meaningful time with them as individuals. In our house, it’s easy to move from one thing to another as a group, and lose sight of them as individuals. In that case, the most powerful personalities dominate the attention and the activities.

I can’t believe the new insights and understanding I’ve gained about my children by spending individual time with them. God made them each unique, and we want them each to be able to develop to their fullest potential.

Some one-on-one tips:

Calendar the time for individual interaction, or you will always put it off until the next week. (If you have a baby, it is wise to plan for the time with the older children during baby’s naptime.)
Let the children decide the activity for their individual interaction time. For little ones, you may want to give them two or three options to choose from.
It does not have to cost any money, but it does cost time, which is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
Allow only true emergencies to interrupt the time you have set aside.
Set the timer for the allotted time, and let the other children know you are off-limits during that time. They will honor that rule for each other, since they know the others will honor it when their time comes.

You may never dream of the enriching time you will have yourself! I’ve been instructed in martial arts, played a good few rounds of HORSE in basketball, built with legos and K-Nex(not as easy as it appears!), played with Littlest Pet Shop figures, and gone on picnics.

Have fun playing a little one-on-one! Your kids will not forget it. And my hunch is that you won’t either.

Sep 7
2010

Get to Know Your Teacher

by Brenna

This month’s Chalk Talk with Coach Mom newsletter we heard from teachers: how parents can help their children succeed, how we can best help them, and their favorite ways to be shown appreciation.

Gift cards came in as the #1 gift idea, and many teachers commented that small acts of thoughtfulness sometimes were as meaningful as anything. How can we know specifically what means the most to each teacher? Just ask!

Following are some questions I bet your child’s teacher would be more than happy to answer:

When is your birthday? Anniversary?
What is your favorite color?
List 3 favorite restaurants.
Favorite movie theatre?
List 3 favorite snacks.
Favorite drink?
Are you a coffee drinker? Favorite kind?
Do you have any pets? (Name/type)
What are your hobbies and interests?
Favorite fast food meals?
Favorite meals for your family?

After the teachers fill in their answers, photocopy the sheets so that everyone in each class has the chance to get to know the teachers. Then as you study the answers, make your plan…

Organize a “surprise the teacher with a treat” (a favorite snack, drink, or lunch) twice a month for the school year.
Organize a gift card tree for the teacher’s birthday and ask students to bring $5 gift cards. Punch holes in them (strategically) and tie them with ribbons on a plant or branch “planted” in a pot.
Organize the class to provide meals for the teacher’s family on nights requiring a late stay, such as open house or meet-the-teacher nights.
Have all the children bring encouraging notes on the same day and tape them to the door.
Go together with other families to give the teacher gift cards to favorite restaurants.
For her birthday, bring a place setting from home and set up the teacher’s special lunch in the teacher’s lounge. (Do it on “half-birthdays” if your teacher has a summer birthday.)

And if you have time to spread “a little more love”…

Write notes to former teachers thanking them for their impact on your child’s life, recalling a special memory in their class, and updating them on the latest news about your child.

Sep 7
2010

Just Like Daddy

by Brenna

Our family gathers to eat dinner in a round room that has ten windows wrapping half-way around it, granting us a great view of our neighborhood. One of our favorite dinnertime entertainments this summer happened on Thursdays. On those nights our across-the-street neighbor Eric came out to mow his lawn. Never far behind him was his one-year-old son Pearson with his own lawnmower. Now, you have to understand that Pearson is precious just standing and doing nothing, but his cuteness on these nights was exceptional. Pearson kept his eyes fixed on his dad, and was careful to make every move that his daddy made. His dad leaned over to turn his mower on, he also leaned over. His dad made a sharp turn, he made a sharp turn.

It got me thinking about the influence we have on our children as parents. The lawnmowing is fun to watch, but it is only one aspect of Pearson’s life that he is looking to imitate his dad. As his dad speaks with loving and gracious words in a difficult situation, Pearson learns kindness and grace. As Eric wraps Pearson up in his arms, wrestles, and laughs with him, Pearson learns how to love and be loved. As Pearson catches his dad reading the Bible and hears his dad pray, he learns that there is a loving Father that his own father draws strength from and depends on daily. It makes me think of the song by Phillips Craig and Dean that says, “Lord, I want to be just like You, cause he wants to be just like me.”

It also makes me wonder if my eyes are set enough on my Heavenly Father. The Bible tells me if I have seen Jesus I have seen the Father. In difficult situations, do I turn to his loving and gracious words, feeling his kindness and grace not only toward me but through me to others? When I feel insecure and unworthy, do I allow God to wrap me up in his love by worshipping Him through song and meditating on the truths and promises in His Word, which helps me to understand His unconditional love to the depths of my soul? Do I imitate Jesus’ daily time in the Word and in prayer because I know to the core of being that I can do nothing apart from His strength?

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your Name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart. I will glorify your Name forever.” Psalm 86:11. And as I do these things, may my children do the same.

Aug 17
2010

Brenna’s Awesome 5-Minute Taco Meat

by Brenna

My favorite meals to cook are easy, healthy, affordable and tasty to everyone in the family. Tacos probably wouldn’t rate as a health food, but this is definitely easy, affordable and rated by young and old as tasty. Here’s my slow cooker taco meat concoction…in “a little bit of this and a little bit of that” formatting:

Place two round steaks in the slow cooker (Frozen? That’s okay if it’s got at least 6 hours to cook.)

Pour ½-2/3 jar of salsa verde over it.

Sprinkle generously with garlic salt.

Shake some chili powder in.

Add a few shakes of cayenne pepper to give it a little zip.

It’s best to start it early and set it on low for 9-10 hours, but you can also set it on high for 4-6 hours.

The meat is so tender that it falls apart after slow cooking, and it’s easy to dish into taco shells and add shredded cheese and whatever else your family likes.

Enjoy!

Aug 17
2010

Trusting

by Brenna

I was cleaning out and reorganizing a closet last weekend when I came across a note. Written by my seven-year-old daughter to her ten-year-old brother, it said,

“I’m sorry for not trusting you. – Karis

Below the note she had drawn in sign language and written, “I love you Micah.”

Though just a tattered piece of notebook paper with writing that didn’t follow the lines, its message packed a punch. And she had gone out of her way to convey the most important point not only in words, but in picture, too.

It got me thinking about trust, and specifically trusting the Lord. I confessed over thirty years ago that I trusted him with everything that I was and would ever be. Am I truly trusting him day-by-day, hour-by-hour and minute-by-minute?

I think of the times I fret about getting an article written or being prepared to give a new message at a women’s event. I think of the times I whine about a health issue or despair after reading the newspaper about how bad things are getting. I think about the times I worry about my children or try to micro-manage their lives in some way.

The fact is I’m not very good at trusting. Not really.

But I have a hunch from everything I’ve read in the Bible about the character of God that all He really wants to hear from me in those too-often sinful moments is this: “I’m sorry for not trusting you. –Brenna” Nothing fancy, and not neat, either, but it packs a punch. He understands my weaknesses, and reaches down with love and compassion to forgive, and give me the strength to try to get it right the next time.

In the meantime, I hope that I’m giving Him that second message not only by my spoken words but by the way I’m living my life: “I love you, Lord.”

May 7
2010

Craving Some Eatin’ Out Savings

by Brenna

Mother’s Day is around the corner and many people are considering their eating out options. Since I wrote this month’s Coach Mom newsletter on making the most of coupons when grocery shopping, I thought I might mention a little about a good coupon source for eating out.

It is so costly for our family of seven to eat out that, aside from a congratulations dinner after Spring piano recital each year, we rarely do it. We for the most part have reserved eating out for dates for two. However, Restaurant.com has changed that.

Last week my family celebrated my son Caleb’s 12^th birthday by eating at one of our favorite restaurants, Hutchin’s BBQ. I had purchased a $25 certificate from Restaurant.com on an 80 percent off sale, so instead of the normal $10 price I got it for $2.00. The only requirement was that we spend at least $35. The seven of us spent a little more than that ($39.50). After using the $25 certificate (that I only paid $2 for) we only owed $14.50. Not bad for drinks, entrees, and desserts for seven!

To get coupons for restaurants near you, simply go to http://www.restaurant.com, and enter your zip code. A list of restaurants will come up with available certificates for purchase. For example, Aparicio’s has a $10 gift certificate for $4. The only stipulation is that you spend a minimum of $20 when you go to eat there.

That’s good, but if you want a great deal, sign up for Restaurant.com’s special email savings alerts by clicking “sign up now!” You will receive a weekly email that alerts you to their specials of 60, 70, or 80% sales on their certificates.

Check it out, moms! You might even find a good place for your family to take you this weekend. Happy Mother’s Day! And if your family is going to be traveling this summer, remember to check Restaurant.com for restaurants in your vacation cities.

Mar 17
2010

Feeling Very Synergetic

by Brenna

The piles that laid around the house were evidence of the projects I started during Spring Break: stacks of clothes to give away or pack into storage boxes, copies of pictures used as handouts in drawing classes, paints and paintbrushes, a few garage sale “treasures”, baskets filled with laundry in progress, newspaper coupon sections stacked and in need of cutting and filing, wet snow pants and gloves from unexpected snow (and beach towels from the day before!), and baseball tournament coolers and chairs awaiting their return to the attic. Obviously, we had shared a lot of fun experiences as a family, but the stuff had to be dealt with.

My energy drained as my eyes panned back and forth across the room on the stacks of stuff. Where do I start? Then my eyes stopped and focused on a positive feature…who was sitting and watching television. Nine-year-old Micah. That’s it – Micah and I can tackle this thing together! He might like to earn some extra money and I would sure like the help! I saw a window of time before me — a little more than an hour, in fact — before everyone would gather back at home.

When I proposed this great idea to Micah, he didn’t show a lot of interest, even when I mentioned I was paying $1 for every 20 minutes of help. After persuading him to at least go the first 20 minute round with me, we began.

We set the timer and off we went – we started in the family room, sprinting from here to there to get things in their places. The timer rang and he said we should go another round. After the third 20-minute segment we took a break and got something to drink, but he said he wasn’t ready to stop yet. The last 30 minutes he handed up lawn chairs and coolers and other items that needed to go to the attic, and we finished by organizing and sweeping out the garage.

Done! We finished by lighting a fire in the fireplace and some candles in the kitchen. I handed Micah his $5 with a big hug and thank you, and we talked about how amazed we were with all that we got done in a short amount of time. Not only was the house clean, but I realized that even as I had expended energy, I had gained it back. Then I realized I was not only energetic, I was synergetic.

Synergy (n.), synergetic (adj.) – The working together of two or more people…especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual effects or capabilities.

I think I would like to add something else to this definition: synergetic – the lively, happy feeling moms get when others pitch in and help get things accomplished around the house, seeing amazing results.

Here’s to more synergetic days in our future as moms.

Feb 4
2010

Music to My Ears

by Brenna

I received a precious gift from my seven-year-old daughter recently. Karis wrote the lyrics out and presented them to me as she broke into sweet song.

You are the best mom (reapeet)

in the hole wide wold (reapeet)

I love it when I sit on your lap (reapeet)

I lo——-ve you———- (reapeet)

I felt like the luckiest mom on the planet. In my opinion, this was better than anything the Grammy Awards had heard, and the fact that it was delivered with a big hug made it even more special.

Done anything personal for your Heavenly Father lately? No, not just anything. Something that you put your heart into, pouring out your love for Him. No need to make it fancy or try to impress. Isaiah 43:4 reminds us we are precious and honored in His sight and He loves us. Our heartfelt expressions of adoration are music to His ears. As Casting Crown sings, “Let my lifesong sing to you….”

Dec 31
2009

Counting the Blessings of 2009

by Brenna

Stull Family Stats

4…boys performed piano solos in Steinway Hall.
100’s…“ahhhh’ed” (& Jesus smiled) as Karis sang “I Am a Promise” for the school talent show.
1…stage kiss by Derek during the musical “Once Upon a Mattress”.
23…girls wishing they played Derek’s counterpart role in “Once Upon a Mattress”.
10,000…people drove through FBC McKinney’s “Christmas Journey” telling Jesus’ story.
1…mom putting hot patches in Dillon’s Jesus bodysuit for 30 degree temps up on a cross.
1…son got his first deer in hunting season (Caleb).
10.5…pounds. Chris’ biggest bass catch.
365…days it’s good to play outside with other kids on Brook Lane….rain, sleet, shine.
5…tennis rackets thrown in the back of the Suburban.
4…practicing their shots in the driveway for their basketball teams.
2…dirty baseball uniforms three times a week this Spring (Derek and Caleb).
1…300-pound kicker tackled by middle-linebacker Derek.
3… triathlons Chris & Brenna completed together.
39…Fahrenheit temperature of the March triathlon. BRRR!
120…The “felt-like” Fahrenheit temperature of the Sept. triathlon (can you say “heat exhaustion”?)
3…Brenna’s divisional finishing place in one of the triathlons.
300…popsicles consumed during break-time at Brenna’s summer drawing classes.
100…percentage rating for Suzanne Taylor’s web design skills. See http://www.brennastull.com,
90…minute Coach Mom breakout session at MOPS International Convention.
4…minute Coach Mom segment on Good Morning Texas.
1…dark-skinned, Spanish-speaking Dillon nearly detained at customs on Guatemala mission trip.
3…backflips Caleb did on a double black diamond slope snow skiing.
12…consecutive backflips Caleb intentionally did (on the trampoline).
20…mph that Karis fearlessly and repeatedly plowed straight down the expert ski slope.
44…mph. Speed Chris and Brenna rode their bikes down the mountain at Estes Park, CO.
7…mph. Speed Chris and Brenna rode their bikes back up the mountain at Estes Park. CO.
3…hours for the Stulls to hike up Twin Sisters peak in Estes Park, CO in lovely weather.
45…minutes for the Stulls to run back down the Twin Sisters peak in a horrible hail storm.
3…men (Doug & Josh Johnston, and Chris) built a cool tree house overlooking the backyard creek.
5…tooth fairy visits.
2…brace faces, wired for eating (Derek and Caleb)
730…loads of stinky laundry.
200…gallons of milk on grocery trips enhanced Brenna’s bicep workouts.
5…varieties of tomatoes in Chris’ garden by the creek.
1…trophy for Chris’ award-winning chicken chili recipe. Recipe at: http://www.brennastull.wordpress.com.
2…surgeries pending (Chris: shoulder replacement, Brenna: knees scoped).
Most importantly…
365…the days the Lord has been faithful.

Dec 15
2009

Free Tip Sheet at BrennaStull.com

by Brenna

I shared tips for dealing with digital photos this morning on Good Morning Texas. For tips on dealing with those stacks/boxes of old photo prints, go to http://www.brennastull.com and download my FREE Tip Sheet. Merry Christmas!