Third Babies (or so) Have it lt All

As I was sitting outside watching my kids play, I realized what a life 3rd babies (and on) have!! I mean, what first born children get to do this: (which Lillian has been riding in since she could practically sit up)

Get carted around in a really cool Barbie jeep whenever they want!

And what crazy mom would let their baby do this down a huge hill:



Or eat this on a regular basis:







Or have a really cool brother and sister like this:

(yes, they actually love each other despite anything else I say!)




Lillian came into the world with a fully stocked playroom. Along with many more privileges than the other 2 had at her age. I guess there is just so much more going on when there are others running around the house too. I already feel that I'm more lax with her in some areas. But they're probably the ones I was too strict with the first 2 in the first place. I guess our first children are our guinea pigs! Hopefully I've done no long term damage!! :-)

My Camera Was Stolen

By my 5 year old daughter.


And this is what was on it!

Ok, can we say she had a little too much fun during nap time???

Not to mention, I found a video on her digital camera (my old...old..point and shoot)

A VIDEO!!! I did not teach her how to use this function.



It's when she was at the lake!

We may have a future paparazzi photographer/videographer on our hands.

Smarter Than You Know

We've gone back to basics lately. I'm working on self control in all my kids...well, myself included on this one..but who isn't. Anyway, one tool I learned through Babywise and Growing Kids God's Way is called a "sit time" (also known as blanket time). It's very different than a time out. A "sit time" is a certain amount of time designated by the parent that you tell your child to sit still and be quiet. They aren't in trouble, but it teaches them to sit still when you tell them to.

So, we set up their blankets, I let them pick out one toy to have on their blanket, and they sit for as long as I tell them to. Tonight, it was 15 minutes. Lillian was even included in this.

Even though she is 14 months old, she's smarter than we know. I practiced with her earlier in the day, and after a few gentle swats on the diapered bottom, she clearly got the point - that being to stay on her blanket. For a baby who doesn't communicate as well as I'd like, she knew I meant business. Towards the end, she just sat on her blanket and whined...knowing she couldn't get up, but surrendered to "sit time" anyways.

Daddy even walked in during this "sit time" and the kids kept their sweet little bottoms put!! (And was especially impressed with baby Lillian!)


How can I expect my kids to sit still in public or out to dinner at the table if I don't practice with them at home? Not that their great at sitting still in public. (The one in the middle is the wiggliest!)

Of course, Olivia was an old pro at the "sit time".....since I've been doing it with her since she was 1!!!

Daddy's Disclosures

Sept 7, 2008

Financial Peace

When I was in college I used to listen to a guy named Dave Ramsey on the radio as I commuted to and from class. I recall being always entertained by the indiscreetly blunt advice that rolled off his tongue. I remember one time a lady called in, clearly in denial about her financial state, inquiring about/attempting to justify a potentially detrimental financial decision. It may have had to do with taking out a second mortgage to pay off medical bills and credit cards or something to that affect. After learning that the household salary of this lady was $85K, Dave got on a rant about the fact that they make twice the median US family income and needed to curb their spending instead of sinking into further debt. After that call, I was hooked.

So, this marks the second season that I will be involved in teaching Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Lindsay and I got married with a small amount of debt, small household income(poverty level), and very little financial sense. It’s funny, I am the Accountant and yet Lindsay had more experience than me when it came to budgets. She gives the all the credit to her father and grandfather/former CFO of a public company. We both knew early on that we would have to be extremely frugal and diligent with our finances. Lindsay and I have been a great team when it comes to living within our means. I have received a ton of advice over the years and read several books regarding personal finance and one message remains consistent, “If you don’t tell your money where to go, it will find a place to go.” Stewart Welch’s, 10 Minute Guide to Personal Finance for Newlyweds, is a great resource and Dave Ramsey’s, Total Money Makeover is also great. Lindsay’s grandfather, Boyd Walton once told me, “you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been”.

All this to say, I am certain of the following:

1) We have to have visibility in our finances; our spouse is someone to whom we are accountable. Case in point: I have a friend who “handles” the finances in his marriage. He gambles on football without his wife having any idea of what’s happening. This is dangerous and deceitful. What’s tough is that his greatest Confidant doesn’t even know.

2) Budgets are essential to financial health and will not, I repeat, will not result in rashes, insanity or cold sweats. Our budget has been the main reason that Lindsay and I aren’t in financial distress. Some 97% of Americans don’t have a budget. This amazes me.

3) We all make mistakes. Lindsay and I have had our fair share. We’ve purchased the car on the 72 month plan, bought the TV on credit, financed dinner out. I’ve neglected to include Lindsay’s input in our budget, gambled with Christmas money and shuttered the window into our personal financial struggles. The truth is, we all need to realize our mistakes and, more importantly, need to be willing to change

What I really like about Dave’s curriculum is that it is practical and entertaining. The other great thing about this curriculum is that it is for everyone, not just the financially ill. Dave motivates! I recommend getting plugged into one of these groups, even if you have it all together.


If you or someone you know is interested in joining our fall small group contact Robert at rlmcclel@yahoo.com, subject line "financial peace". Any inquiries will be confidential.

Even BETTER Than Vacation

This weekend was well...different. In a good and sad way.

We only had Lillian. ::JAW DROPPED:: It was SO weird. Olivia and Landon went to the lake with my parents for 2 nights. We debated on going, but really weren't up for traveling two consecutive weekends in a row. We wanted a peaceful, quiet weekend. And we definitely got that.

Now, I'm not saying that having only one child is easy. It's not, I've been there. BUT, when you go from 3 rambunctious kids down to 1 easygoing baby....it's like a vacation!!! Actually, even BETTER than vacation - because those usually include my 3 kids!!!!

We toted Lillian around town like she was a sweet sack of sugar - I mean she is, isn't she? We were actually going to go to a movie with her but decided not to at the last minute - and it was because I was tired and didn't want to go anywhere. Oh well...I think she would have really enjoyed the Abba music. ;-)

The house stayed so clean. The floors were crumb free (for the most part) and the bathroom didn't get peed all over. We didn't wake up to kids demanding food and juice. We actually stayed in bed until 10:00 am Sunday morning - and then went to the late service. I haven't been to the late service in, well...years. Lillian was pretty much just a fly on the wall in our little world!!

We got to eat a steak dinner and watch a movie at the same time! We haven't gotten to do that in forever. And I made it through almost all of the movie. ;-)

I guess what I really realized was how much I go on auto-pilot when they're all running around me. I try to be one step ahead of everyone. Which requires my mind to constantly be thinking in several different directions. So for that to come down so many notches, it was relaxing.

This is what Lillian thought about it! :-)






No, she missed them. But she did get some well deserved one-on-one time with mommy and daddy. We all missed Olivia and Landon so much. I know they had a lot of fun. We are glad they're home!!!