Pure Genius

Okay, just so you know I am in no way regarded as a genius... I know that may come as a shock.  

But let's be honest the true measure of intelligence is really whether the knowledge you have matches the need before you.  You can have a million degrees in medicine or aerodynamics but if your power goes out it's the electrician that becomes the most intelligent person in the room.  And if your car engine dies it's the mechanic in the scientific researcher's parking lot that is the genius.

My point is this, odds are that at sometime in our lives our area of expertise will match up with the immediate need in front of us... and in that moment we will have our opportunity to shine.  

So let me just say that what I am about to tell you is... Pure Genius!!  I know, it may seem a bit extreme to give my words such high regards but I think you will agree that my moment to shine proved to be a success.

My Shining Moment

Well, let me just say that five kids can create messes like you can't even imagine and this mama could go insane trying to keep up with the ongoing clutter.  So I came up with a scheme that was.... yep, PURE GENIUS!

Everyone in our home has chores and jurisdictions that must be attended to daily (yes, I am a Duggar fan). However, there are some days when those efforts just aren't enough. These were the days when I found myself turning into the relentless nagging mama that continuously chanted, "pick up this, pick up that!"  Not only was it annoying to them but it was also extremely exhausting for me.

The Game

Okay so here it is, the genius part... I created "Pick-Up Points".  I know it doesn't sound like much yet but hang on, let me explain. 

On random days (the ones where I want to pull my hair out from the piles of clutter) I declare, Pick-Up Point Time and all of the kids come running.  Seriously, they literally come running.  I then proceed to set a timer (the length of time depends on the depth of the mess) each child begins to run in every direction picking up anything and everything they can find and putting it all away.  I even hear them sometimes argue over who gets to pick up what.  

Genius..... right!  Now, I would love for you to believe that my kids are just so wonderful that they would clean up that easily with no outside reward however, I have my integrity to think of so I will be honest.

The Motivation

Points are given for each item they pick up AND put away, I stay close by to monitor this process.  There are also times when the game is not being played that I will offer a set number of points in exchange for them helping outside their jurisdiction or just for volunteering to do something without expecting a reward.  The kids collect the points which, can be used to purchase items at the store.  They can choose to use the points right away or let them add up so they can buy larger items.  

Participation in the game is voluntary and the kids still have their regular chores which, are set aside just to teach responsibility.  However, it only takes one shopping trip to motivate the non-shoppers for the next game.  Our current Pick-Up point exchange rate is 1 point = 1 penny (there young and it works).   Keeping the point value low motivates them to pick up more items (that's where the scheme definition comes from). There is also the added benefit of their competitive nature, I guess I get the blame for that genetic hand-me-down.

Regardless of why it works... it works!  In a matter of minutes my house goes from chaos and clutter to neat and orderly.  And this mama sits back and smiles... much nicer than the previous nagging mama... so it's a win-win for all.

This little game has revolutionized my life and given me back some of my lost sanity, well I like to believe that at least.  I don't know how long this will continue to work so for now I will just marvel in its wonder and enjoy the moment when for a fleeting instance I was a Genius!

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

Talk or Tell

My goal as a parent is to equip my children with the necessary tools for them to have the ability to mange themselves and learn self control...so that they may grow into adults that know how to manage themselves and demonstrate self control.   

One of my greatest priorities is to provide my children with the ability to resolve conflict with others.  Kids aren't born knowing how to handle situations, we all must learn the techniques to bring resolution.

I think one of this biggest problems that we as parents face in our day to day parenting is the dreaded "Tattling!"  It it often seems like it is more of an instinctive trait... as oppose to a learned behavior.      

It is tempting for us parents to intervene and problem solve for our children but this doesn't teach our little ones to be able to resolve the inevitable conflicts that are lurking in their futures.  If we don't equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to work through disputes than we are disabling them to stand on their own in the face of trouble.

You could say that I have my own little focus group in my house, which makes it ideal for testing and trying out techniques for child rearing!  There are plenty of opportunities in our home for children to practice self control and conflict resolution....but first I must teach it.

So here is the method that seems to be working amazingly well with our five little blessings.  However, it could work with any number of children, whether you have one or twenty.  

"Talk or Tell" has revolutionized the way my children deal with each other and their disputes.


What is it:

Tell, (a.k.a) Tattling:  Seeking an adult with the goal of getting another child in trouble.  However, telling has one exception..... Seeking an adult with the goal of keeping yourself or another child safe.

Talk:  This is the act of handling a situation by talking it over with the person offending you or disobeying the rules.  For example: "Bob you know that I don't like it when you hit me, it hurts and doesn't make me want to play with you." or "Sally you know mama told us not to eat a snack before dinner."

How to apply it:

First, define the difference between tell/tattling on someone and talking with someone.

Next, spend time working through scenarios of when to Tell and when to Talk, make it a fun game and give them lots of chances to practice the appropriate responses.

Tattling is an easy concept for little ones to understand, the usually pick it up quickly and on their own....lol!  Talking on the other hand takes some practice to learn how to do it correctly, which is especially important for our children as they get older.

Talking requires you to care about the other person and their well being and having a desire for them to avoid bringing consequences upon themselves.   When we practice "Talk" scenarios we also discuss consequences of our actions when one refuses to listen to the voice of reason.  I teach my children that if the person you are trying to "Talk" with doesn't heed your wisdom then remove yourself from the situation and let them accept their consequences (this is not a chance for you to tattle).   It only takes a few times of receiving consequences for them to realize that taking the advice would have been the better choice. 

When my children come to me with the News Reporter Look on their face I simply say....Tell or Talk?  Their look quickly changes to one of deep thought.  Usually, they respond with, "Hum, never mind."  

The Telling Consequence:
Well, every good method must have it's motivation!  I make sure that whenever I hear them using the "Talk" approach I praise them.....I praise them in front of each other.....I praise them to their daddy, and I praise them in front of family and friends.  Praise goes a long, long way, which isn't surprising it's the best motivation for all of us!!  

However, on occasion you will have a News Reporter that just can't help themselves.  If someone tattles on another person......well then both the Teller and the Tell'e receive a consequence.  Yup, this motivates all parties to either, not commit offenses or to quickly encourage each other to resolve the conflict on their own.... without ME (the Consequence Giver).

We have a consequence chart on our wall, which is kept in a highly visible place where the kids can get to it.  If they receive a consequence than they must take a yellow strip out of the little blue folder and put it in their pocket.  Each strip has a household chore written on the back (these are not their regular chore)  Their conssequence remains a mistery until the end of the day when it is time to "pay the piper"...lol (this cuts down on all day pouting about their new chore).  Really, it's a win-win for all of us!  They learn valuable lessons and I get much needed extra help around the house. 

Since my ultimate goal is to TEACH them, I use a discipline approach  to change the undesirable behavior. 

*discipline- the act of  teaching appropriate behavior given along side of a consequence
*punishment-  consequence without correction

It is essential for the "News Reporter" and I discuss the proper way to handle the situation, so each mistake becomes an opportunity to learn how to succeed.  We then go and find the Tellie so that we can have a " DO OVER".  The two practice the correct responses using our "Talk" method, we also discuss how we could have avoided the problem in the first place.  

It is extremely important to be patient and willing to teach our children, so that they will be better equipped adults.... which is our ultimate goal!!  Kids aren't going to get this right every time....lets face it most of us adults still struggle with proper conflict resolution.   

I would love to hear if you tried this method and if it worked for your family.  Please feel free to share methods that you use that work for your family, after all it takes a village and we are all in this together!



Proverbs 20:11
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.



Other Post on Similar Topics:

Winning Their Hearts                            Learning Grace  
                                                                   



Yes Ma'am

                                                                                   
Big Little Blessings

When has your child been on too much medication....

Today while we were working on our Grammar lesson my daughter reminded me that our road of illness has been a long one.

We spend a lot of time trying to keep Asthma at bay in our house.  Unfortunately, that means we frequent our doctors office and have had to administer more medicines than I care to mention.  So it feels good when we get a chance to find humor in our circumstance.

It is always interesting to hear my children's responses to my "school" questions, but their answers today left me in stitches...and painfully aware that my children have had far more than their share of illnesses.

We were reviewing singular and plural articles and when I asked my oldest two to recall what "singular" was.... my oldest butterfly replied, "Hum.... medicine?"

We spent the next few minutes laughing to the point of tears.  If you are familiar with allergies you know that what she was referring to was, Singulair [sin-gu-lair].  This is a medication that she was on at one time but had to go off of it because of side effects.

I can't decide which I should be more concerned about, the fact that my sweet butterfly can't recall what a singular article is or that she has been on so many different medication that she could make this mistake?????

None the less it sure feels good to laugh!!!

Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Dear Future Me

I have so much I want to say to you I don't even know where to begin.  I have desperately wanted to meet you, but it seems that I can't catch up to you.  I know so much about you even though we have not crossed paths yet.  I often think about what I would say or ask you if I were ever given a chance...

How do you manage to meet every adversity in your life with such grace and poise?  You never worry about life, always dealing with problems in such a way that seems seamless.  Your children are so well behaved and full of joy, a tribute to all of the ways that you have perfectly taught, mentored, and reared them throughout the years.  You discipline them with great calmness without mistakes or regrets, always knowing the perfect way to discern every problematic situation.  Your children are never without manners and always obedient to you and God's word.  Each child is so well behaved and filled with kindness at all times, never fighting or arguing with each other.   

 How do you manage to keep such an immaculately clean home while homeschooling your children?  Everything is always in its place and so well organized.  And yet some how you still have to time to create amazing and engaging lessons that always excite your children.  I will never understand how you are able to not only keep up with all of that laundry but have time to remove every stain as well.  And please tell me the secret to keeping your little ones closets, drawers, and rooms so neatly organized.  Probably one of your most impressive abilities is how you manage to get everywhere on time with your children dressed to perfection.

And you always look so put together, never tired or run down and wearing the perfect outfit.  With all that you do, you never miss a workout and stay in fantastic shape.  Each and every day you prepare perfectly delicious healthy organic meals that are enjoyed by your ENTIRE family without complaint.

 You also amaze me with your ability to know just what to say to a friend in need, and you are always available if ever someone should need your help.  It must be because of your diligent and uninterrupted devotion time that you spend with the Lord; nothing ever stands in the way of your Bible studies.  The Lord must be so proud of you and your NEVER wavering faithfulness.

One of your most impressive feats is your ability to keep all of your children so healthy.  You rarely if ever have to take them to the doctor, therefore you aren't in need of enlisting the help of your friends to watch your little ones. Oh, how I wish I knew your secret!!

The truth is I am not sure we will ever actually meet, but if we should please go easy on me.  Try not to judge the mistakes that I have made because although I fall short of my expectations, I give each day the very best of me.  You and I are so different... I long to be you but reality tells me that the chances of us ever catching up to each other are very slim.  At times I think we may be close, but then life takes a turn, and once again you seem light years away.  Please know that I think of you often with such great fondness, you are living the life that I dream too.  But for now, I will be content with being "imperfect me," living in my "imperfect life," learning the lessons that each day has to offer.  Hopefully, each lesson will bring me closer to meeting you, and one day, I may sit upon the pedestal that I have placed you upon with such reverence.

But if not... then I will anxiously await the day when we have our long over due introduction on the other side of heaven.

Until then all my love,
Me

Romans 12:2  "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

A Day In The Life...

So I decided it might be fun to record the events of an entire day in our wonderful little life.  I mostly decided to do this because I want to be able to look back one day and remember our perfect little chaos, as I sit in my quite home longing for the sound of little voices.

Here is your "this may be really boring to everyone else" warning label!

May 16, 2013

5:00 AM  ~ Wake to make a special birthday surprise for Todd, Monkey Bread......yum! (He leaves for work at 5:30)

5:15 AM ~ Todd tells me something is cooking..... I informed him it was his birthday breakfast and assume that he ate it before leaving for work.

7:30 AM ~ Feed little bullfrog...again (we are at every two hours again since he can't have solids).

8:00 AM ~ Get the rest of the gang going and eating.  That's when I realized that the birthday boy never ate his special breakfast that I made just for him...... at 5:00 in the morning.

8:10 AM ~ Text birthday boy to question him about not eating his special breakfast.....that I made for him at 5:00 in the morning.  He said that he didn't know that I was finished with it.  Huh............ so much for the special breakfast....the kids and I enjoyed it!

8:30 ~ Pass out all medicines to four of the five children (Reese is the only one not on anything at the moment).

9:00 AM ~ Have the older kids start some of their school work because we have to leave early today for an appointment.

9:30 AM ~ Begin getting ALL of the kids and myself ready for the dentist appointment, this includes dressing everyone, brush all butterflies hair and both bullfrogs as well, inspect all teeth, find shoes, and nurse littlest bullfrog (this is usually where we do our morning devotions, but I failed at this task this morning.)

10:25 AM ~ Leave for the dentist office

10:45 AM ~ Realized while sitting in the dentist office that the two little butterflies are suppose to have their yearly eye exam tomorrow.  Without hesitation I call to cancel the appointment because we are thankfully still outside of the 24 hr cancellation window.  I just can't seem to muster the strength for another appointment...we have had one everyday this week and another one tomorrow!

12:00 PM ~ We leave the dentist's office with out a single cavity, once again!!  Wooo Hooo!
We head on over to Wal-Mart to get some food for daddy's birthday dinner and to look for protective eye gear so that my big bullfrog will be able to play in his soccer game later today.

12:30 PM ~ Still walking through the store with one five year old screaming she is starving.  We decided to buy daddy a new "cheep" wedding ring since he has lost the last two.

1:30 PM ~ Finally we make it home with five very hungry children. We all work together to get groceries unloaded, lunches made and baby fed (well that last one was all mine).

1:45 PM ~ Another round of medicine for T.C.'s eye.

2:00 PM ~ Little ones are down for naps and I start to clean up lunch (with the help of my big kids) and get ready to make daddy's special ice-cream cookie sandwiches.

2:20 PM ~ Littlest bullfrog decides he doesn't want an afternoon nap today, so big bullfrog tries to entertain him while my biggest butterfly and I make cookies.

3:30 PM ~ Start to make daddy's special dinner... clams in red sauce over linguine and bruschetta.

4:40 PM ~ Start the search for soccer gear for my three little players.....shin guards, soccer socks, soccer shorts and t-shirts.....and of course soccer cleats (which are never where they left them).

5:00 PM ~ We head out the door once again.

5:30 PM ~  Time for game number 1, my middle butterfly scored three goals, yeah!!

6:30 PM ~ My two oldest are excited and on the field for their highly anticipated game.....when lightening strikes in the distance.  Sadly, their game was cancelled.

7:00 PM ~ We head back home to get things ready for the birthday boy (who still hasn't left work yet.....ugh)

7:20 PM ~ Home again....( we all run as fast as we can to keep from getting soaked in the torrential downpour) Then time to feed little bullfrog again (and boy was he starving by this point and not afraid to let us know it, looks like he is starting to back off of his every two hour feeds...thank you sweet little man).

7:35 PM ~ Back in the kitchen to get dinner ready and help the butterflies make a happy birthday daddy pennant to hang up for the big party.

8:15 PM ~ The man of the hour finally arrives and the kids hide and turn out the lights to surprise him (it never occurred to them that there were actually suppose to be people in the house and therefore the lack of lights was a dead give-a-way to their plan).

8:30 PM ~ After jumping and yelling surprise and scaring daddy (wink...wink), we all sat down to eat a "better late than never" dinner.

9:00 PM ~ Bring out the gifts and present him with his giant ice-cream cookie sandwich and then we proceeded to, against all better judgment, allow the little ones to have half of an ice-cream cookie sandwich.

9:10 PM ~ Daddy hugs the middle butterfly and realize that she is wet around the bottom area.... upon questioning, that started out with, "Daddy will you be mad at me if I tell you this?", and followed with a confession of peeing in the corner while waiting to yell surprise to daddy.  Hum.....sure glad daddy discovered the wet pants!

9:11 PM ~ I promptly get up and go to the site of the crime and clean up the mess.....really??  In her defenses she just didn't want to miss out on yelling surprise (wish I would have know that little pause in the fun would have been well worth it

  

9:15 PM ~ Daddy reads our devotion while the kids eat their birthday yummies.

9:30 PM ~ Last rounds of medications for the day, teeth brushed, and off to bed!  I begin the dinner clean up and straighten the living room as well.  Time to start a load of laundry in attempt to diminish the growing mountain.

10:00 PM ~ The littlest bullfrog is fed and drifting off to sweet dream land.

10:15 PM ~ The whole house is deafeningly quiet.

10:30 PM ~ I sit down at my computer to write this blog and contemplate the punishment that I will receive in the morning for allowing my little ones to have such a late night.  I am also painfully aware that we have another appointment at 9:30 AM and I don't have anyone to watch my butterflies, nor have I even begun to prepare their clothes for the outing.  Looks like my day isn't over just yet!

And believe it or not I really wouldn't trade it for the world....

11:00 PM ~ Looks like it's time to get back to work....lol!

Philippians 4:13

¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Big, Little Blessings

Today, right in the middle of my kitchen, at the end of a not so bad day, in a nothing special moment, when I least expected it... I received one the Biggest, Little Blessings of my life!  This beautiful blessing came straight from the sweet little hearts of my children. 

Here it is from the beginning....

Our core curriculum in our home has become lessons in character, teaching not only my children how to be better creatures but their parents as well.  All the homeschooling books that I hold dear emphasize teaching character FIRST and allowing everything else to fall into place.  When children are taught what is expected of them they become better equipped to deal with the world around them.  It is these characteristics that allow them to become better learners and more caring individuals.  

We are currently working on the characteristic of Obedience, and I have to say it was slow going at first. As part of this lesson the children are suppose to ask God to help them be obedient to their parents, and the parents are to be obedient to the instructions that come from God.

Obedience~ Immediately doing what is asked of you on the first request, WITH a joyful heart.

Well, I would like to tell you that my little angels were quick learners with this one, but let's face it this one is hard even for their parents (especially that joyful heart part).  So, as an extra incentive I have started to give away an Obedience Award at the end of everyday to the most obedient (by definition) child.

Today as my obedient little angels buzzed around and the, "Yes Ma'ams" filled the air, there was a presence of peacefulness that filled this house.  Everyone played nicer, talked sweeter, shared more freely, and showed genuine concern for someone other than themselves.  I was witnessing their character being shaped before my eyes, they were demonstrating true obedience.

Now, I know that this was directly related to the incentive, but regardless of the initial reason for doing their task these little ones were still learning a valuable lesson.  Repetition breeds habit and habit leads to changes in behavior, if this tactic works for negative aspects why not uses it for good?

It was very difficult for me to choose which child would receive the award (a bag filled with different privileges, the child being awarded gets to reach in a choose one).  All of the children worked really hard at being not only obedient but joyfully obedient!  It came down to my two oldest and I chose my son, he had improved the most over the past few days and deserved to be recognized.

And that's when it happened...

After my sweet little boy picked his privilege he quietly walked over to his very disappointed sister and said, "Here I want to  share this with you."  His generosity quickly spread to the other children as each of them began to make genuine heartfelt offers to each other.  I watched this beautiful little moment unfold between my children and I was truly blessed.  

If only we could all treat each other the way these little ones treated each other today, what a different place this world would be.  The lesson of the day was mostly mine and it was taught to me by three little people with Giant size character.

There was so much more learned here today than just obedience. 

Intended Blessings

As I began my late evening journey back home with my three girls I turned on the radio to our favorite 

K-LOVE station.  I never gave it much thought, it is just a habit... besides I really like to sing while I drive as a way to pass the time.  This particular day had been a little trying due to some unforeseen obstacles and I was feeling a little guilty about my frustrations from earlier in the day.

We hadn't been driving long when I began to apologize to God for not handling the situations the way I know He would have preferred.  I prayed that this drive would provide me with some much needed alone time with Him.  I was ready to learn how to do a better job of setting more positive examples for my girls and try to figure out how to be all that my kids need me to be.  I had assumed that this would happen through the songs that were playing on the radio and countless minutes of quiet thoughts (since the girls usually fall asleep).

But much to my surprise early on in the drive I felt the need to turn off the radio.  I began asking the girls questions about the day, at first I only received very short answers but the more I nudged the more I was able to get them to talk.  It wasn't long until my sweet little child that has a tendency to tuck her head under my arm when anyone asks her a question, began to really open up.  It was as if I had chiseled a whole in a dam and the waters broke free.  

My child that rarely speaks, couldn't talk to me enough and continued to do so for the entire two hour trip.  I realized in that moment that this was the real answer to my prayer.  My child saw my desire to hear her thoughts and she was excited for the opportunity to have my undivided attention.  It had nothing to do with what we were talking about and everything to do with the chance to really be heard.

I understand my real lesson here...

 If my children don't have the opportunity to tell me the stories of their hearts then I have missed out on some of the greatest blessing that were intended for me. 
Although, my job keeps me busy with lots of duties and responsibilities, I have to be careful about the non-verbal message my children are getting from me.  I can tell them that they are them most important things in the world to me but if I am to busy to spend time listening to them on a regular basis, then what I have really taught them is that other thing are more important.


Can it really be that simple?
What my children really need and want the most is to just spend time with me sharing the desires of their hearts!  Sometimes it's the obvious things in life that stump us the most.

Grace Day # 2

Well, the fist Grace Day turned out so well that we all couldn't wait for the next one.  So when Friday rolled around (our newly designated Grace Day), we were all very excited!  I was anxious to see what my little students would choose this time around....once again they surprised me!  My two oldest were already checking out their piggy banks that morning, it is birthday season in our house, which means they all have accumulated some birthday cash.  So naturally both of them said, "Money, we want to learn about money!".

I got to work and to find some great things to do with money for the day and I will have to say I think it was another winner! 

First we watched a video on YouTube about how money is made,  I found it quite interesting and the kids asked to watch it again....

Then we reviewed the value of each coin and worked out problems from some worksheets that I had on hand.

After that we learned a fun poem to help us remember the value of each coin.

http://www.teachingheart.net/moneyp.htm

We used money words to practice our cursive handwriting, thanks to a  great worksheet generator.

  For copy work we used a scripture verse about money which I printed off of the worksheet generator also.

http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting.html

We also listened to a story online from the Screen 

Actors Guild Foundation (we couldn't find a book about money but it was still fun).

http://www.storylineonline.net/

For reading time I wrote a silly story about a little man that wanted to buy a purple van,  my oldest informed me that my story really wasn't that funny....Oh well we can't all be Dr. Seuss!

  

Then we moved on to the highlight of the day...our own personal grocery store, where we were able to apply everything that we had learned during the day.  

Even AG got in on the action... although she kind of missed the point she still had a lot of fun shopping!

Another day filled with fun and laughter, I can't wait to see what our third Grace Day will have in store for us!

Grace Day #1

We have recently started trying something new with our homeschooling.  This great idea came from a wonderful little book that I am reading with some amazing women.  The idea is to have one day, "Grace Day"  where the kids get to choose what they would like to learn about for that day.  The only requirement is that it has to be something educational in nature.  I wasn't sure how this was going to play out and to be honest I really thought that they would make request like...build Legos. However, since beginning this strategy I have realized that I can take even those types of requests and make them educational.  This has been so much fun for not only the kids but for me as well.  There is so much excitement  when I gather them up and say, "OK it's Grace Day, what do you want to learn about."  

I thought I would share our first Grace Day with you so you could see just how much fun we had.
So...what did they pick for Grace Day #1?  Well, I have to say my little ones surprised me somewhat. With great enthusiasm one shouted out, "I want to learn about nature", another, "animals", and someone wanted to write a story.  After the selections were made I sent them off to complete there morning chores and I began to print off some lessons in their chosen areas.

And here's where the fun began......

First we studied about plants and photosynthesis....

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/science/plant-parts.pdf

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/reading-comp/4th-photosynthesis.pdf

And then we learnded about an unique animal called an Okapi.

We had a great time walking  like an Okapi!

And then we measured our tongues and compared them to the Okapi's tongue

The Okapi's tongue can be up to 18 inches, our's were around 1-2 1/2 inches.

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/reading-comp/3rd-okapi.pdf


We even took a break to have a race outside!

We then regrouped inside for some story writing and then used our Out of This World Math Game for some review time.

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/writing-storypics.html

I  have to say that I really like "Grace Day" as much as my little ones.  No one complains about any of their work and we all laugh....a lot.  I am pretty sure that "Grace Day" is here to stay!