Life Unplugged

Over the years our family has had an "on again off again" relationship with cable TV. Mostly (as it is currently) it has been off.  Our most recent breakup came just over a month ago. We decided that the quality of our time together would be better if we unplugged. Saving a few dollars in the process doesn't hurt either. 

The first few days after we disconnected, our house felt somewhat out of order. Television had nicely filled time slot between dinner and bedtime. It had become the preferred time wasting passing option. With it no longer around, the temptation to pop in a movie became the next best thing. We did that for a while, but grew bored with our movie selection. 

In the last week or so, we seem to have found the new normal we were searching for. Dinner conversations have gotten longer. Board games have emerged. Adults and kids are engaged playmates. In fact, as I type this my husband is sorting barbies and barbie clothing! He'd probably cringe that I mentioned it, but there are certain sacrifices involved with being a great dad to little girls. He makes them daily.  Disconnecting the cable was one of those. 

Our decision isn't for everyone. Some people can ignore their access 800 channels. We found that it's easier to ignore, if it's not here. I'd compare it to an unhealthy snack I love, and know shouldn't keep in the house. I might start out eating it in moderation,  but inevitably I'm gonna binge. 

Ultimately, this post isn't about the positive an negative aspects of television. Truth be told we made our teenager cut back on her "i" thingy time too. In order to strengthen our connection to each other, there needed to be some disconnections to things around here. For us it's about having more quality time together. In order to get a good amount of quality time, we simply needed a greater quantity of time.

Our kids will only be this age, once. The same is true of my husband and I. We want to to make the most of these precious moments together as family. This was a step towards that. 

I don't know what your thing is. There are so many time wasters to be plugged into. Remember that time is priceless. The moments you spend with the people you love are treasures. Let nothing hinder that. Look for ways to enhance it. Anything that steals those moments is worth being unplugged.   

"What Had happened Was..."

Last year I began parenting two critical and equally frustrating stages, a toddler and a teenager. Here is where you begin to feel sorry for me. Both stages have something in common, tantrums! Double time on the drama and tantrums because mine are girls. Also, I'm convinced that teenage tantrums are superior to toddler ones. They may not wallow on the floor like toddlers, but that's only because they are professionals. 

     When in doubt, lecture! That's my auto default as a parent. I was mid lecture addressing the teenager, and was smacked with something simple and smart. Here is how it went down. My eldest had been floundering all day. I was aggressively explaining (ha!) the importance of staying motivated, and having a plan for one's life. After much speaking (and some arm twisting) I had her tell me her plans for her future. I was impressed, and surprised. She had actually given the topic thought. Her dream is NOT to run off and join a screamo band. That's a relief! I think she was surprised that everything I've been telling her via lectures, conversations nicely supported her vision for her life. In other words she learned that her parents want what's best for her. 

     Confronted by this new revelation, and common ground we both deactivated our weapons. I filed the lecture, and she the blank "in one ear and out the other" stare. For now, we are partners on a mission. I'm attempting to guide toward her dreams. As it turns out, her reaching her dreams is one of mine. It's "win win" situation.
Now where do we go from here?

     Enter that "something simple and smart" idea I mentioned earlier. It dawned on me that at thirteen years old, a plan for 5 years from now might as well be forever. She'll feel like she'll never reach it. That thought made me think much smaller. We defined her long term goal for clarification and directional purposes, but we'll used short term goals to get there. We are making long range plans with short range targets. Really, really short range targets.  In 2014 we'll find, and focus on what she'd like to accomplish in this year, by month. Each month she'll try to achieve something that's significant to her. That's it! That's the "smart and simple." Hey, I never said I invented a new idea! I just like the simplicity and sensibleness of it. I liked it so much, I decided to implement it on myself.
Every month I'll try to accomplish something that matters to me. At the end of the year God willing, I should have done 12 things. I intend to share with you what I'm doing, or have done each month. If it's something too weird or personal then I'll spare you the details.
Anyhow, I have two ideas for the rolling around in my head for January. No, I'm not telling you what they are yet. Stick around, God willing, you'll find out soon enough...

Resolutions And More!

Past years found me resolved not to resolve. It's been a long time since I've made a New Years Resolution. I have nothing against them save one thing: I cannot seem to keep them. In fact, I can almost guarantee that anything I begin because it's the beginning of a year, I'll most likely break. It took years to learn, that the best time for me to begin anything is when I'm ready. It just so happens that 2014 finds me very ready for many things. I'm open to new adventures and old dreams. 

I'm excited about this year, thrilled even. Ask me why or what I have planned? I can't tell you. I don't know just yet.  I have made no sweeping plans to reform my life. It's more about a recent attitude I've embraced than a list of things to do...although I'm sure that's coming...

I'm thrilled to have my faith, my family, my health, and to realize the blessing of yet another year with all of those things. Along with that realization came the desire to make the most of every moment. What that looks like at the end of 2014, should God allow me to see it, I cannot tell you. I do intend keep you updated as I go through the year. Some of it should be blog worthy. I do suspect and hope there will be a radically different me by year's end. These changes won't come because it's a new year.  They will come because at this very moment I'm ready!

Happy, Healthy 2014!!!

A Charlie Brown Christmas (The Meaning of Christmas)

The Real Meaning of Christmas!!!

Sometimes it's easy to lose track of the reason we have Christmas at all. Today I hope you pause to remember, or come to know the "real reason for the season." Enjoy!

Time to Bake

It appears I've picked up a nasty habit. Baking.
For most of my life I've been sweet tooth free. I'd like to remain that way. I'm already addicted to salty junk. I don't think I can manage being hooked on the sugary stuff too. This new hobby of mine, is pulling me over to the sweet dark side. It's not like I'm in love with sugar, but if I make a German Chocolate cake, then I'll eat some. If I make two different flavors of cheesecake, and a pineapple upside down cake, well then I'll eat those too. If I happen to make, and sample all of those things in a 24 hour period, well you can see how this becomes a problem.
I'd like to enlist the help of my family to control this behavior. Unfortunately, they are very supportive of my new habit, and all too happy to be enablers. Below are a few of my recent favorites. Best advice I can give? Bake and share.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/original-bakers-germans-sweet-chocolate-cake-51120.aspx
(This one is all about the frosting. Get the frosting recipe at the end of the cake ingredients list).

If you are pressed for time, and can't make a German Chocolate Cake, try these ridiculously delicious and easy and cookies:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/peanut-butter-cup-cookies/

Winter Garden

In a perfect world I'd own a century old farmhouse on about twenty acres. I'd have fruit and nut trees. I'd grow all the produce we consume. I'd raise laying chickens for fresh eggs. I'd have an herb garden like none other. There would be flower brushes every where.
Let's just say my husband's perfect world doesn't look like mine. His includes a condo and no mowing, so our current home is a compromise. For now my dreams of vast garden spaces are on hold. I'm content to play around in the tiny patch in our backyard. It is from that patch that we grew these:

Oh and trust me these are MUCH tastier than their store bought friends

Big Dreams

"If your dreams don't scare you they are probably not big enough." 

When I first heard that statement I instantly thought two things "wow" and "what are my dreams?" I'm not referring to the crazy ones I have at night, believe me, I have enough of those. I'm talking about my ultimate design on life. If I could do, or create anything, be anything, what would I do or be? What would you do? What would your life look like? Would it change? What's holding you back? Those are the questions in my head.

I did pose a similar question to my twelve year old. I won't mention her response, because I don't want to make light of her dreams. Let's just say it involved a career that does not bolster financial security, or security of any kind for that matter. My response to her was, "good now let's think of an idea that will allow you the ability to buy food and eat." 

My comment bothered her. She viewed it as an attack on her dream. I decided I'd drop the topic, but after a few moments of silence, the mom in me attempted to reason with her again. 

I tried a different approach. I told her, "your dad and I are thinking of starting a llama farm (yes I lied). What do you think about that?" 

Truthfully I was being a bit sarcastic an hoped she'd recognize the ridiculousness of her own plans through the wackiness of our llama farm idea. *No offense to any of you who own or dream of such a place.*

Her response: "well that's a bit weird, and unexpected, I'll support you guys." She never made the connection to the lesson I was trying to teach her. That was her honest response, encouragement and support. 

So here I sit again thinking about dreams. This time my thoughts are on the importance of encouraging others to pursue them...