rough day

yesterday I was so grouchy. I started out just fine, but little by little I had become a nagging, irritable grouch. I had a babysitter coming so I could go exercise and she was coming an hour earlier than my workout because I was going to take a nap. Instead I decided to take my 41/2 yr old, my 3 yr old and my almost 2 year old aside for their 17 minutes, one by one. A minor argument ensued about who would be first- they were excited! We flipped a coin. So when the sitter arrived, I asked Owen what he wanted to do- he chose playing cards, so we went to my room and played "war" for a bit, then switched to "Sequence." It was not easy for me to stop having my pity-party that had run everyone's day so far, but I remembered about BEING PRESENT and I pulled it off! Then, Miles and I built legos in his room. I just handed him lego after lego asking, "do you want this one?" and everytime he said his version of "thank you" and kept building it higher and higher. I almost went to "teacher" mode and started asking him colors of legos, but then I got that that was sort of an agenda, so I just acted like I was 2 and just did what he did! He was so sweet and happy! Then I grabbed Annie. We started off telling stories in my bed, and quickly moved to playing with all my facial products in my bathroom. She was in heaven! I had no other objective, unlike getting ready in the mornings when it's a battle for the make up brushes. She felt so special and like a princess! 17 x 3 = 51 minutes of being present and somehow turning a grouchy, mad-at-myself-day into a good day.

Just Being with my kids!!!

Well first things first. I want to thank my beautiful wife for giving me my kids and this wonderful idea to experience them on a whole new level. I am married to a super star.

Tonight was a typical night at the Shaw household. Baby was fussy, Toddler was crazy and the two big kids were up to their usual routine when I decided to spend some alone time with Owen our oldest child. We went in another room away from all of the organized chaos (oxymoron?) with a board game. I never played a board game with my oldest coming from the space of just being. So I started the game and was just with my little guy. I got to experience him on a different level. Thru my listening I was able to see how it is so important to be with him. Life is fast and if you don't pay attention it will be all over in a blink of the eye. I got that I want to be with all of my kids and family as it truly is important to listen. Not just act like you are listening. Owen was so excited and entusiastic. We truly connected.

Again I want to thank my beautiful wife for giving me this opportunity. I can't wait to just be with all of my family.