It has been way too long since my last post. A nasty virus ravaged our house for two weeks before Christmas, then Kyle and I caught a cold after Christmas. Add in two room makeovers (pictures to come) and millions (okay dozens) of Christmas toys, candy, and boxes EVERYWHERE and you can easily guess that I have been swamped.
Here are some fun Family Night resources I thought I would share. Family Night is essential for our semi-large family. We run a pretty tight ship around here out of necessity and need some fun time to relax. We try to have Family Night at least once most weeks. Almost every night we end up with cookie crumbs and popcorn covering the living room floor. Family Nights aren't extravagant, just snacks and a movie or a game. It's essential for our kids to know that we are intentional about spending time with them, that we WANT to have fun with them, that they are important to us. I am excited to try Just Add Family for some easy and fun devotional family time soon. I will let you know how it works!
We couldn't do Family Night without the Plugged In App and website. After many failed trips to the Redbox and finding nothing safe for our 4 sets of precious little eyes, we realized we needed some help. Plugged In gives us reviews from a Christian perspective. They aren't biased or crazy conservative, but just state the facts so we can make our own choice. For the most part, we end up not seeing many new movies just our old faves. The kids enjoy the time together and popcorn just the same.
I also use Thriving Family website for book reviews. We read lots of books. I use Thriving Family to help me decide what is age appropriate for our kids. For instance, I remember loving Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as a kid, but forgot about slaves being whipped and ghosts in them. I downloaded the audio books and scared the boys to death. I definitely don't have time to pre-read everything. Focus On the Family saves the day again!
Go read a book or make some memories with your kiddos!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I have had an epiphany week. Afterward, it makes perfect sense, but in the middle of the craziness I was a mess. I have realized that things aren't going to be perfect with our semi-large family. We are by no means Duggar-sized...yet (joking), but there are still lots of people in our house.
I have realized that sweet evenings spent singing Christmas carols, reading advent devotions, and making Jessee Tree ornaments look more like strawberry applesauce flying all over the stack of ornaments, Kyle eating crayons, a cloud of glitter, and someone almost always crying.
I have also realized the we are going to be late for everything no matter how early we try to leave. Sometimes we are going to be so late we miss the activity altogether. Most Sunday mornings Kyle will end up going to church in his pj's, Carter will wear 2 left shoes (one his, the other Cole's), Kate will never let me put a bow in her hair again and insist on a "down-ponytail" every week, and we will always be at least 5 minutes late for Sunday School.
My day will never ever go like I planned it. Carter will dump out an entire bottle of glitter right before we walk out the door. I will probably step in pee every time I walk into the bathroom. And, our school books will inevitably fall behind the couch and the hubby will decide we need to vacuum under the furniture in the middle of school.
So what's the epiphany? So, as my husband says, we are going to be JESUS HIPPIES. I am going to cast my cares on the One who has the patience to handle them all and just LOVE my husband and these precious babies.
At the end of the day, my kids aren't going to remember how late we were. They will remember my attitude toward them. Well, maybe they will remember both, but I know my attitude will determine how loved they feel. If we are still doing school at 8pm, so be it. Even if Cole opens the bathroom closet and yells, "Mom there is a WALL of LAUNDRY in here!" the world won't end. I may have to toss a few shirts because of mildew, oh well. I am going to take the stress of the day as it comes, even if we have to eat Ramen Noodles for supper.
I am planning to make next week better. I sure hope my plans work better!
Blessings,
Tosha
p.s. Glitter is still the spawn of Satan.
I have realized that sweet evenings spent singing Christmas carols, reading advent devotions, and making Jessee Tree ornaments look more like strawberry applesauce flying all over the stack of ornaments, Kyle eating crayons, a cloud of glitter, and someone almost always crying.
(Abraham Ornaments)
I have also realized the we are going to be late for everything no matter how early we try to leave. Sometimes we are going to be so late we miss the activity altogether. Most Sunday mornings Kyle will end up going to church in his pj's, Carter will wear 2 left shoes (one his, the other Cole's), Kate will never let me put a bow in her hair again and insist on a "down-ponytail" every week, and we will always be at least 5 minutes late for Sunday School.
My day will never ever go like I planned it. Carter will dump out an entire bottle of glitter right before we walk out the door. I will probably step in pee every time I walk into the bathroom. And, our school books will inevitably fall behind the couch and the hubby will decide we need to vacuum under the furniture in the middle of school.
So what's the epiphany? So, as my husband says, we are going to be JESUS HIPPIES. I am going to cast my cares on the One who has the patience to handle them all and just LOVE my husband and these precious babies.
At the end of the day, my kids aren't going to remember how late we were. They will remember my attitude toward them. Well, maybe they will remember both, but I know my attitude will determine how loved they feel. If we are still doing school at 8pm, so be it. Even if Cole opens the bathroom closet and yells, "Mom there is a WALL of LAUNDRY in here!" the world won't end. I may have to toss a few shirts because of mildew, oh well. I am going to take the stress of the day as it comes, even if we have to eat Ramen Noodles for supper.
I am planning to make next week better. I sure hope my plans work better!
Blessings,
Tosha
p.s. Glitter is still the spawn of Satan.
Friday, November 30, 2012
It's Time!
It's time! I decided to start a blog a few months ago. (It took me that long to figure out how to make one.) I thought that sharing pieces of our crazy lives could encourage someone somewhere. This blog will be devoted to sharing how we attempt to serve Christ, serve each other, raise four kiddos and a menagerie of animals, home school, and somehow survive it all.
If we had one of those cute stickers of our family on the back of the car, it would look something like this: TJ (Dad), Tosha (Mom), Cole (7), Carter (5), Kate (3), and Kyle (1)...horse, horse, pony, goat, goat, goat, chickens x 9, dog, dog, cat, cat. It's a good thing we a have a Suburban or it might not fit onto the window!
Carter said the other day "Mom, I love being a kid, because I get to spend all day with you." It doesn't get any better than that. We don't get alot of sleep, but life is truly blessed.
Much Love,
Tosha
If we had one of those cute stickers of our family on the back of the car, it would look something like this: TJ (Dad), Tosha (Mom), Cole (7), Carter (5), Kate (3), and Kyle (1)...horse, horse, pony, goat, goat, goat, chickens x 9, dog, dog, cat, cat. It's a good thing we a have a Suburban or it might not fit onto the window!
Carter said the other day "Mom, I love being a kid, because I get to spend all day with you." It doesn't get any better than that. We don't get alot of sleep, but life is truly blessed.
Much Love,
Tosha
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