having littles

Am I the only one that feels like with little kids it is so hard to be consistent in disciplining?  I feel like it will be easier when they are older and can be reasoned with more effectively, because then I can take away things that they actually care about  (friends, phones, computer time, tv) instead of just punishing them from listening the Michael Jackson, which is the number 1 worst thing I can do to Drew right now besides give him a spanking (and most of the time he gets over that pretty quickly).  I try to think back to tactics that my parents used that worked on me but I am not nearly as stubborn or hard-headed as my children already are.  So I know what worked for me won't work on them.  I'm discovering that more positive reinforcement is going to have to be my main focus with these two!
Aside from disciplining, bringing them up according to gospel standards has been a challenge, mainly because some of the standards aren't exactly those that I was brought up with, although many are because my parents always made sure we focused on church and the importance of being involved in church activities (which I love them for everyday, not to mention the support they give me even today).
I've been doing some reading lately that I've taken many ideas from.  I hope and pray that my children will know how much we love them, and I hope we can instill confidence in them that will allow them to stand up for what they know is right and good.    
These are two books that have been helping me lately, through this never-ending learning process...





















Good reads...
On the more posititve side, not that this is negative, I just don't feel like I'll ever get this parenting down, 2 weeks ago for FHE we turned all the lights off and read an article in the Friend with flashlights (my kids are obsessed with flashlights) and Drew giggled and said to Mike and I, "this is so fun, huh?!"  Then we ate chocolate chip cookies with milk.  It was a pretty great thing!