Gonna be a Revolution

Dear Blog,
I have missed you so much. Please forgive me. I promise there was no one else. Well technically there are 3 'someone elses' but let's not go there. I promise to pay more attention to you. Can we still be together?
Love, Holly

I would try to catch you up on the happenings around here but there is a lot to tell. Here is the short version: Small=crazy, Medium=crazy, and Large=almost crazy. That just about sums it up! Im not sure if it's their ages or this season but they have all been wild animals lately. I would be crazy or eaten by penguins or abusing prescription drugs except for I have this AMAZING network of family and friends who are willing to brave spending time with the crazy penguins so that I can be sane, and reasonably nice, and happy. You know who you are, thank you so much from the bottom of my very sane heart.

I was having a long talk with God and we decided that since I have such loving support that I needed to stop being a yeller. My name is Holly and I am a yeller and screamer. It's probably the thing that I dislike the most about myself. I know it's wrong and that it absolutely Does. Not. Work. It makes me feel bad and unhappy. It was time to make some major changes. So last week (I can't remember if it was Wed or Thur) it became official. We are a scream free household. That's not entirely true, the kids are still yelling. We will work on them later. I know what your thinking, 'good luck Lady!'. Well you're probably right but this is about me, and proper discipline. They do what they know, if I yell less then so will my kids. At first I thought there was no possible way that I could do this. Then hours and hours went by with
no yelling. One day, two days, three and four and five days, no yelling. It feels so amazing to give them boundaries and consequences calmly and without yelling. They end up getting punished more (I am hoping this will improve their behavior) but no more out of anger and frustration. Its been less than a week, we have had a few near misses. I have done some safety related yelling (in a kind tone) and raised my voice when they are out of earshot but so far so good.
So why am I telling you all of this? I'm not looking for pats on the back. I'm not trying to amaze you with my superhuman strength. I need two things from you: pray for me and help to keep me accountable. Ask me how it's going, specificlly. Pray that I remember to rely on God for strength and direction and that I set a tone of calm and kindness in my home. I really believe it takes a village. Having 3 kids so close together was God's way of showing me that I HAD to learn to rely on other people for support and guidance. Walk with me on this journey. You don't have to stick around for the poopy diapers and meltdowns. You don't have to impressed when i resist the urge to yell after someone pees on my bedroom floor or spits applesauce in my face or unrolls an entire roll of toilet paper or 'decorates' my living room with all the laundry I just folded. Just ask me how its going or pray for me or send me tips on scream-free discipline. I'm glad you're in my village!!!style="font-weight:bold;">