5 Ways to Slow Down Your Life

I read an article this month that said, "Sometimes it seems as though my days have two speeds: hurried and breakneck.  Want to learn how to hop off the roller coaster?" and the article proceeded to tell me to read poetry to my child and dive underwater because time really slows down under water.  Love the reading poetry part, but still not sure how to implement the underwater part.  So I thought I would give some practical ways to slow down your life and really connect with your family:

5 Ways to Really Slow Down Your Life and Connect

eat dinner. even if it is late. as a family.

We have four children and there is not one weeknight that is a free night.  Mondays our daughter has Bible Study. Tuesdays all the kids are at Awana. Wednesday is youth group.  Thursday is our couples' small group. Fridays and Saturdays are musical practice.   Just to write this makes my heart start to race wondering where we have to be at what time tomorrow.

But one place where we know we will be is at dinner.  This tip is coming straight from my childhood where we would often eat a later dinner in order to eat with my dad if he was working late.  I remember many dinners where we would sit around the table and my dad would go through each of my classes and ask me what I did.  It was a place where I felt safe and could share my thoughts.  I applaud my mom for making that such an important part of our days together.  And it is not just a feel good tip, but a crucial one for our children's lives:  Children not eating dinner with their families are 61 percent more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs;  check out other statistics here.  So, even if you have to eat it late, make that commitment to eat together for most of your meals during the week.

Remember the days when you could be outside all day long with your friends, but when you heard that dinner bell, you ran home for dinner.  Dinner was the place where families could reconnect.  As a family.

By the way, we actually do have a bell to call the kids home from outside for dinner and Mike, my husband, will say that is one of the single best parenting things that I have implemented in our lives.  Hmm, maybe I should ask what the other ones are... 

play.  inside. outside. just play. together.

As a whole, we are not as busy as we think we are.  If you really measure the amount of time that an average child is in front of TVs or computers, you will see that a normal child has some free time, but parents are not using that time to get involved with their children's lives and being interactive with them.  I do not mean just driving them around to the countless activities that fill each day.

I mean playing with your child.  In recent years, interactive TV has taken over interactive parenting.  Before this wonderful technology, parents had to be creative when there were not as many activities.

Now, please know that I am not bashing computers, computer games, or netflix.  I love a good family movie night just as much as the next gal.  What I am saying is that I think more parents, me included, need to get in there with the kids and play those games with the kids or play a board game, or take a walk together.

Again, my parents made games an important part of my growing up memories.  Whether it was playing Big Deal with my sister, playing matchbox cars with my brother, or even now, my parents playing the card game, War, with my children, games were vital to us staying close and enjoying our days together.

So we have recently implemented a screen free week.  Unless my children are using the computers for an educational activity, computer and TV screens are off during the week.  Fridays are okay for the occasional family movie night or even a Good Luck Charlie rerun, but besides that, I am trying to be more intentional with my time that we have as a family.

make sundays special.  together. 

Whether you are into keeping the Sabbath holy or just keeping it set apart for a family time, there needs to be one day that is set apart for restoring a sense of refreshment to your family.

For our family, that does not mean we do not do anything on a Sunday.  What it does mean is that we try to stay together as a family.  We might go to my daughter's volleyball game or go to a nephew's chess match.  The point is that we are together as a family.  Cheering each other on and making memories together.  

Remember when Leah had a ballet recital and the last group to dance was a bunch of older ladies who did a hip hop song wearing very inappropriate clothes?  Of course you don't, because you were not there, but our whole family does remember that and we still talk about it today.  And it was hilarious!

give up one activity. as a family.

Our family has always had the rule to only have one extra activity in addition to church activities for each of my children. Using that rule, even if each child was only involved in one activity, we would still have 8 different activities that we needed to make time for in the week.  That does not even take into account that activities that my husband or myself are involved in as well.  Well, this year we broke that rule and like I said in the first paragraph, our days are no longer our own.  It is driving from one activity to another with no time to breathe.

We did not mean to do it.  We just slowly slipped into a super busy schedule.   We just did it.  And how can these kids be in two places at once?  How can my daughter?  It seems to be unheard of to miss a game, but are we sacrificing our families in order to not let the team down?  We are still working on what balance looks like in our family.  If you have any tips, please comment and let me know.   

All I do know is that over Christmas vacation, when the activities take a break, our family reconnects, enjoys each other, and looks forward to our time as a family.  I feel as a society, we have lost the whole concept of the family unit:  Dad takes son to baseball while mom takes daughter to soccer. Dad leaves baseball to pick up daughter because mom needs to leave to pick up other daughter.  No one ever gets to just sit and watch an activity as a family. I know having four children lends itself to a busier schedule, but I see parents of fewer children dealing with the same thing.

Is it possible to look at your schedule and give up something?  Even if your kids really enjoy something, is it best for the whole family?

And now, I am going back to one of the ideas from the article:

read. every. night. as a whole family.

Whether it it is poetry, the Bible, or your child's reading book for school, take time to read everyday aloud to your child.  Even if they are older.  We read a higher level novel to the whole family every night while our kids are all tucked in. This is in addition to the picture books that we read.  It is a time of snuggling and cuddling.  A time when the clock really does seem to stop or at least slow down.  

To go to bed after reading of God's promises of love and compassion is a way to refresh your child and the extra ten minutes that he might not get in sleep will not matter as he will be blessed by the promises and the meditations of God's word that he will hold in his or her heart for years to come.

God wants us to slow down and enjoy all that he has given us.  By doing this, we will be refreshed as a family, possibly have more time to use for Him in serving or divine appointments, possibly enjoy dinner more, but for sure have the memories that will last for a lifetime.  Even if it is awkward dance attire!

Under the Apple Tree

Finding Joy in Everyday MOMents came from the desire to find joy in the ordinary,

the normal,
the routine,
the boring,
the dailiness,
the tears, and
the fun.

But all of that joy would not have happened if my husband had not popped the question

14 years ago,
in a beautiful orchard,
under an apple tree,
fifth row,
sixth tree in.


And I am SO glad that I said yes.

These years have brought fun:

four, tiny, special blessings that we can call our own,
laughter about memories that span thirty years or more,
families that love us,
and a God that gives us grace. Everyday.

These years have also brought trials:

questions for our future,
deaths of loved ones,
bad choices,
really bad choices,
super awful, what were we thinking, bad choices,
and a God that gives us grace. Everyday.

So these moments of joy I find in each day as a mom are truly a gift from God.

And it all started with

The couple making it official
Under an apple tree
When the boy asked the girl,
"Will you marry me?"

And I am SO glad that I said yes!

Just Call Me Maybe Sung By African Animals

This is a fun video to say thanks to a friend of ours who is serving Jesus in Africa this summer!

She is a wonderful girl who gave up a couple weeks of her summer to travel, teach, play, and just love on some children in Africa!  All for the sake of bringing glory to Jesus.

The one who created all of us!

This is also to show how when you try to make someone else smile, you follow the same rules as in acting:

When you are really embarrassed and you think you have gone over the top...

        You are just about where you should be!

Why not go over the top for someone you love today?!

Please know that no stuffed animals were hurt during the production of this video.

Also, remember this is sung by the animals!  :)

How to Organize your Pantry

Five Easy Steps to Clutter Free Simplicity

We have heard these steps many times from many sources.  Some switch a few of the letters to mean different things, but the basic message is the same:

Less is Best!

So here is my Friday Foment...
( Uh, foment means the same as plan, devise, cause to happen...check it out here.   I don't even think I am using that word right...I was just looking for a word that started with F.)

Now, it is for Friday as in you have the weekend to complete it!  Next week, I will post it earlier on Friday.  And if there are any good ideas for using an "S" word for a Saturday Challenge..feel free to share it with me!

On to the Challenge:

Pantry Overhaul

My goal is to have not only a pantry that stores food, but one that a guest in my house can find things quickly and just a place that makes me smile!!!

When I talked about simplicity in an earlier post, I shared how I wanted my home to be a place that my kids love.  In this post, I will share five steps that you can use on any cluttered space in order to organize your home and make it a place that you love.

A simple place to start is your food closet or pantry. Now, some do not have a walk in pantry that looks like this picture.

I do not have a walk in pantry that looks like this picture!  If I did, I would not have time to write this post because I would be too busy getting that kitchen towel to hang out of the Kitchen Aid mixer at just the right angle to look pretty!

Some have a small walk in pantry, some have just a cupboard, and some might have just a few shelves. I have one friend that only has four shelves, but she utilizes the space well and it is organized and beautiful with space for all she needs!

1.  SORT:

Put all of your like items in a pile.  Wow!  Did you know you had that many boxes of food coloring?  And water bottles?  I stopped counting at fifteen!

Once you have piles all over the place,

2. PURGE!

This is where you go through your piles and really decide what you need.  Do you really use the tortilla warmer?  How about that candle that has shells in the bottom of it?

 I have a pasta maker that we have used three times in the thirteen times we have been married.  I have wonderful dream like images of our family in the kitchen making pasta together and laughing as we take turns spinning the handle while oodles of noodles come out!  It happened once and I think the kids got bored after the second spin!  Toss IT!

Now, once the piles are REALLY piles you want to save,

3.  ASSIGN

Assign places to these piles.  Do some of the pile go together?  Party napkins, birthday candles, special napkins can all go into one pile.  If you are having a party, all you need is together.  Making lunches for the kids?  Put the water bottles, lunch bags, and cooler containers all together!

Once the piles are put together in an organized manner,

4.  CONTAINERIZE!

This is the fun part.  I read somewhere that the most unorganized people are often the ones that are always looking for bins or baskets to put their stuff as if a bin will hold their garbage stuff and make it look better!

I agree with that, but you have already gotten rid of stuff, so now you are looking for the perfect container.  It might be something you already have or you might have to go get a basket or a bin.  Sometimes, it looks nicer just lined up.  Like the photo above, there are a couple baskets to hold towels and a couple buckets, but the rest is in neat rows.

(Okay, I know there is hardly any food in this photo!  And the pattern that they lined up their sparkling water...C'mon!)

 I will show you what a REAL pantry looks like after I do my Foment!   (Now I know I am not using that word right...it's not a noun...right?)

This might mean that you put some things together that you never did before.  I have two "meal" baskets where I put ingredients for my "go-to" meals.  For example, there is all my pasta stuff and sauces in one and taco shells, spices, mexican rice, beans, etc. in another.

And the last step:

5. EQUALIZE!

This is actually a step you do after it is all done and it includes keeping it clean by checking on it every day and making needed adjustments.  For example, I kept all of my baking supplies together but I did not use the cookie cutters as much as I thought I did, so I put all of my cookie cutters in a bin and put it a little higher out of the main space in my pantry.

Now, this challenge is for you and me!  I will do this as well and I will post a REAL pantry photo on Monday.

Look for the updates!

Now, for the MOMent...

Get your kids involved!!!

No matter how old they are...my youngest actually got me started on this because he could not even walk up to the shelves without stepping over piles of lunch boxes and paper bags!  So he started to clean the pantry.

He organized it beautifully!  But I still don't think we need the candy bin in the bottom shelf...

Any good organizing tips?

Blessings,
Angie

Falling Food - Growing Grace

We have all seen it before...

the slapstick comedy of someone slipping from a little bit of water on the floor

 and losing their balance and crashing to the ground

literally throwing the food in the air as the arms flail and the bottom bits hard.

Yes, it is quite funny when we see it on TV, but quite another story when it happens to you - 

At Panera.

Just now.

In a skirt.

And not just dropping the dishes, but breaking the dishes!

The funny thing is only one person asked if I was alright, except the manager who was probably scared that I would sue over the water on the ground.

Only one person said, "Are you okay?"

It reminds me of the story in Matthew about the lepers.  After Jesus healed 10 lepers, only one came back to say thank you.  

I think I even talked about this one before.  Wow, when out of all the stories in the Bible, the same one comes up in the matter of days, maybe it is time to start listening!

Only one person stepped out of his comfort zone to see if I was okay.  And I was, except for a bruised boompee (our name for bottom) and hurt leg.

When I went to my table, I got sympathetic glances and a couple averted eyes, but no one else asked if I was okay.

This is my challenge to you and me to go beyond the "Are you okay?"

To really care about another person.  Beyond convenience.

 Beyond time.  Offering rides even if you are busy.  Offering meals even though you do not like to cook.  Offering time even though you think you have none to give.  

The girl who is struggling with fitting in?  Ask her if she is okay and invite her over.

The child who seems to need attention all the time.  Ask if he is okay and make intentional time to play a game with him.

The husband who is working way too hard.  Ask him if he is okay and plan for a special date night to be able to renew his spirit.

Go beyond okay...and you will find yourself in a place where all you can do is to say thank you to the One who created you to do good works that bring glory to Him.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever.

 (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Summer Tips and Tricks for Keeping Kids Busy

Hey Friends!

Some people say July 4th is only the beginning of summer.  For me, it seems like the middle of the summer and I only have a few more weeks until I have to start thinking about school.  That means only a few more weeks of a less hectic and more relaxed schedule for my children!

But look at the calendar...  it's past July 4th, July 18th to be exact, my daughter's 12th birthday, and I am determined to make the last half of the summer even better than the first.

The middle of the summer means bringing out the special things to keep the kids busy and not whining the ever popular summer mantra, "Mom, what can I do?  I'm bored!"

I hope this encourages you to put  joy into every MOMent you have this summer!

Here are Three "Ps" to Beat Summer Boredom Blues: 

Physical Activity

Nothing gets a mind off boredom more than using your body!

Try these healthy body activities:

1.  Obstacle Course - whether it is run around the outside of house three times, do five jumping jacks, and touch a tree or even better have your kids make one up for each other, this will get the blood pumping and the boredom blues go away.

2.  Take a Family Fun Walk - Walk around the neighborhood and alternate between skipping, jumping, hopping, and even walking backwards.

3.  Roller Derby - Get those wheels a running!  Skate, rollerblade, ripstick, or even big wheel between marked lines with a finish line!

4.  Dance Off - Even your boys can get into this competition of turning up the music and dancing until the music stops.  If you catch someone still moving, they are out until the next round.  Winner gets to show off a new dance move!

5.  Hard Labor - Okay, maybe not so hard, but definitely some work...get the kids involved in washing the car, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden.  You will get some chores done while giving the child a sense of accomplishment.

6.  Summer Olympics - Get your kids involved with their own version of this summer's biggest event including synchronized sprinkler routines, tennis ball balancing, or gymnastics by moonlight.  Tell them to be creative and you will be sure to be a good audience for performance time!

Prepare for Fun

The summer months can seem long, but it can be the perfect time to get some creative projects done for the rest of the year when it seems too busy to complete craft time!

1.  Make Christmas gifts - Get your list made and make gifts this year.  You will cure the boredom blues AND get your Christmas gift getting done early.

Ideas:

Creative Paper Bookmarks

Wooden Block Photo Frames

Scrapbook for the Grandparents

Photo Calendar

Bead Necklaces, Bracelets, or Earrings

Assembled Bird Houses, Garden Planters

Here are some Craft Project Sites to get you started:

1. EnchantedLearning.com – extremely comprehensive list sorted by holiday, theme, materials, or topic
2. The Best Kids Book Site – also has a huge crafting section
3. FamilyCrafts.About.com
4. CraftForKids.com

2.  Make a meal together - Double the recipe and bring a blessing meal to someone who is going through a tough time or even just another mom who needs a break.  Your children will learn math through measuring, a life skill of cooking , and more importantly, the character shaping skill of serving another family!

3.  Make your own vacation itinerary -   Get your kids involved in deciding what to do on your next vacation. Have older kids plan out gas stops or souvinier costs.  Have younger kids look through pictures and pick where they want to  visit.

Complete the activity with your own travel guide or animal pamphlet. Younger kids can get stuffed animals involved in this part!

Bookmark these sites for quick exploring!

1. National Geographic Kids
2. NASA Kids Activities
3. Animal Planet
4. Discovery Kids

Practice Perfect Presentation:

Okay, this one has three "p"s all by itself, but the philosophy is still the same.  This is all about making the ordinary special and making the kids do it!

1.  Snack Time turns into Happy Cafe - Have your kids make menus, signs, and even prepare the snacks to turn an everyday detail into something fun!

2. Have Breakfast Outside - Not just the eating part, but finding it!  Hang tiny cereal boxes in the trees, hang small spoons, and cartons of milk from individual branches.  Set your children out to find their own food!  Older kids can prepare this for the younger ones.

3.  Lemonade Stand - This is a classic  time waster fun activity for children.  Add homemade brownies, cookies, and even give some of the profits to a special charity.  The research in finding the charity will be more than an educational learning tool..it is a chance to teach generosity to your children!

4. Campouts - Whether it is a real tent in the yard or a sheet hung between chairs in the basement, have the kids set up "camp" with blankets and books to read by flashlights.

5. Dessert of the Day - Give each child a chance to pick out and create a special dessert with mom.  This not only gives needed intentional time with one child, it also gives a little variety to the standard popsicle dessert of summer!

This is just the beginning in Summer Tips and Tricks!  I know you have some to share as well.  I would love to hear your creative ideas!  

And if you want to read even more...head on over to Hearts-At-Home where my blog will be linked today and other Hearts-At-Home bloggers will be sharing!

Just click here!!

National Treasure = The Gospel

We watched National Treasure 2 today.  Even though it was a beautiful day and almost everything inside me said I should be sending my kids out to play in the sun, the other part said I needed to follow through on watching this movie with them and we really needed to return it to my sister!

It is an action packed movie that combines accurate history with a fictional hold-onto-your-seat kidnapping of the president.  Actually the kidnapping is not all that seat gripping.  It is kind of a fun part of the movie.  The gripping part is the last 10 minutes when action meets heart and you are stuck between knowing it ends up good, but afraid to watch in case it doesn't.  In fact, one of my sons did not want to watch it.

"Tell me when it's over"  was his mantra.  For almost. Every. Part.
Keep in mind that although I was not making him watch any "scary" parts, I did encourage him by saying, "If you see the struggle, it makes the happy ending that much sweeter."  When you know all that Ben Gates, the main character, went through, you feel the joy at him finding the treasure ( or does he? ).

It is similar in our lives here on earth.  We must run the race that God has before us.  The race might be hard.  Trials, broken relationships, pain, fear, and hurt will come our way.  And when they do... (It is not an issue of "if," it is "when.")....  When they do,  God will help us get through them and it will be even more sweeter on the other side.  Through these trials, you will develop an intimacy with God that  most people do not come close to for you will lean on him with everything you have.

And though those trials will be hard, nothing comes close to the sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross in order to give us eternal life with Him in Heaven.

There is a point in the movie where the characters have to make a choice of who to leave behind in order to save the others.  In the end, the choice is made for them.

The choice was made for us.  Jesus died for us.  It is not our choice.  He chose to die for our sins and without the Holy Spirit grabbing our hearts, we would never choose Him.  It is all Jesus.

All Jesus.