P.O.O.P.

Got your attention didn't I? If you've been reading my blog, you know that I live in a house with three little boys. Right now, they are completely OBSESSED with the words poop, bottom cheeks and toot. They completely dissolve into hysterics if one of them says any of those words or even some variation of them. I mean on the floor, laughing so hard they can't breathe. We've had lots of discussions, so it's pretty clear we don't encourage such talk. Instead in their cleverness, they have learned to spell many of the words and somehow think it's okay to say it if they spell it. It's not! There is just something wrong with my three year old walking around spelling potty words.  Not exactly the kind of home school education we were going for!

But all jokes aside, we have been discussing a lot lately the importance of being mindful of what we think about and talk about. We have had some good discussions about how important it is to guard our thoughts and words and why we should do that. As always, whenever I try to teach the boys some spiritual truth I find myself convicted and in need of learning the very same thing I am trying to teach them. And no, I don't walk around using potty talk. :) But aren't my negative, ungrateful thoughts and words just as gross?

The Bible says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. " Philippians 4:8   I've been really challenged by this lately. I tend to be a glass half empty kind of girl. I think it's just the way I'm wired, but I don't like it! If I spend time thinking about the negative things and then say them out loud, somehow it gives those thoughts too much power. And really, it shows that I am ungrateful for whatever God has given me right now. Doesn't it? It's not pleasing to God or glorifying to God when I dwell on anything that is less then what He calls me to think about. Yikes... this is a hard.

I am reading a book called "One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp.  I'm just getting started reading it, but so far I'm really encouraged. It has challenged me to develop a spirit  of thanksgiving. To look for God's blessings everywhere, all the time. I'm not so good at this but I'm anxious to learn.

So, my new tactic as of right now with the potty talk situation in our house is to try distraction/replacement.  I'd like to make a thankful journal with the boys (maybe with decoupage!) and develop a habit of adding to it regularly and especially when I sense them heading down the path towards potty talk and hysterics!
Anyone out there have any other suggestions for curbing this problem?