Choosing to Spend Our Time Wisely

Electronics are everywhere in our society. It seems they are taking over all of life, and they are certainly taking over our home! Some days it feels like the deepest discussions we have in a day are over who gets the computer next!

This week we have tried something new. We have set the router to turn off the internet for three hours each evening, meaning that noone is online when Michael gets home, and through dinner and bedtime. It is too early to see what the long term result will be but so far the effects have been fabulous!

Without the temptations of computer we have been spending time together, laughing, talking, and playing lots of games!

We even have a couple projects planned, such as organizing all our photos.

I love the freedom to be together that comes from not competing with a screen!

Picnic Time

The warm weather has hit, or at least hit for a couple days. This being the Wet Coast, we never know when our sunshine is going to liquefy! It is important to grab the sunny moments while we can!
Tonight we packed up all the sports gear and a picnic dinner and met Michael at a park after work.
We had a fabulous time eating in the fresh air, being eaten by killer mosquitoes, and playing and relaxing in the fresh spring air.
For those of you who don't go because it is such a hassle, I challenge you to change your tune! I read something this winter that challenged me. A mom of 11 kids (8 of whom are adopted special needs kids) wrote about how they do picnics - keep their basket and blanket packed, and if it is picnic weather, they go, just taking whatever is dinner with them.
I know for us tonight, there was whining and complaining about it being too cold, too hard, and the bike pump was broken, but once we got over the hurdle of getting there, everyone relaxed and enjoyed themselves.
And in that fresh air and family time, memories are created, and that is truly what it is all about!
My goal for this year - at least one picnic a week! (in the warmish months)

Creating Memories

My daughter and I took advantage of the Groupons we found last fall and spent the afternoon at a paint your own ceramics place. I expected to be there about an hour, and I was dragging her out after THREE hours!

Painting was a lot of fun, but the best part was spending time with my daughter. She loves colour, she loves creative expression, and she loves spending time with her mummy! We had a wonderful afternoon together. She made a butterfly box for her dresser and a cereal bowl, and I decorated a container for the sponges and dishbrushes by my sink so I can get rid of my plastic one.

Pictures to come after we pick them up next week!

Creating Opportunity for Humility

Tonight I practiced one of my favourite methods of nurturing my children, date night with one of them. My son and I went to McDonald's to try the new Oreo pie (he is an Oreo nut) and then brought it home to our empty house and played a game of Risk. I was doing very well, which brought out his puppy eyes as he received the game for Christmas but has never won. Looking at those eyes and debating which move to make, I chose the more compassionate one. Bad move! He proceeded to make me eat crow and stomped me out within about three or four turns!
Still, I joy in the laughter and fun we had together, and winning will make him more willing to play again next time! Monopoly anyone?

Process over Product

Yesterday I was reading the book Plain and Simple by Sue Bender. Sue is an artist who became intrigued by the Amish lifestyle and spent time staying with them to learn about their culture and ways. While there she learned to live in the moment, to focus on the process and not just the product. For example, when canning tomatoes, enjoy the smell and feel of the fresh, ripe fruit, the warmth and sparkling of the clean jars, the satisfaction of filling them with home-grown produce, and so on. Sue talked about the methodical nature of the Amish that relaxes and enjoys the whole process, instead of rushing anxiously to the end to have something done.

That focus on process rather than product struck a chord with me. How ofter am I short with my children because I am too focused on getting things done? How often do I deny them the chance to work alongside me because I can work faster alone, or because I am sending everyone off to get their own jobs done?

Next I started thinking about the craft project I wanted to make them for Christmas. I had desired to make them wall hanging for their room with their name and photos on it, but unfortunately didn't get unpacked in time to make them. One of my goals for this week was to complete the hangings, although I am changing them a bit, as we have chosen a character trait and Scripture for each child for the year and I am incorporating them. However I digress.  I realized that I have a daughter who loves time with Mummy, and loves crafts, and who would much rather make something with me than be presented with a gift from me. Tonight we spent some time together working on the wall hangings. She is very excited that they have become our secret project (the boys were given a choice of helping me or having their gift be a surprise and they both chose to be surprised). What a blessing to have that time with my daughter, hearing her animated chatter and her giggles as we completed each step. How precious the process!