- Lunch dates are the best. For a long time Justin and I would try to take our kids on individual dates at least once a month. But, as kids got older and schedules filled up, it turned into once every six months – if that, It felt like something to check off – done and done – instead of something to look forward to and savor. Now, I take each kid out of school for lunch once a month. They love it because they get to miss school. I love it because they mostly hold still and talk to me (as long as their chair isn’t facing a TV:), and its time where I’m not worried about getting something else done. Bonus: AJ LOVES to see his siblings in the middle of the day. Today, I stole Max for pizza at the park. I admit when he wanted to play tag after I had eaten three pieces of pizza I was not exactly enthusiastic. But it took care of that I just ate three pieces of pizza and need to take a nap feeling. AJ was also quite pleased with his hiding abilities. Laughing and running as fast as I can in the middle of the day might be my new antidote when I want a nap. Never to be left out, Justin steals them for mountain biking dates on Saturday mornings.
- We switched up our gratitude tree this year. Instead of taking one night and writing as many things as we can think of that we’re grateful for. I’m making them (yes for one or two of them it might be a little bit of forcing) write down at least one thing they are grateful for that particular day, ideally a because statement. Our tree isn’t as full, but we get gems like this: Specific gratitude = more joy
- As I spent hours cleaning out my kitchen this week. I remembered something I already knew. Stuff not only takes up space it takes up time. Next time I want to buy something I’m going to evaluate whether or not I really want to take care of it.
- I’m currently listening to A Place For Us. Which is a beautiful book about an Indian Muslim family in America. There have been several descriptions of family life that have made me catch my breath and say, “Yes. That’s true.” I have also been re reading the Book of Mormon. This time through I have noticed hearts. Soft hearts are descriptors of people that are turning toward Christ. They let his words enter and change them. They feel deeply both positive and negative emotions. Hard hearts symbolize those who have become unchangeable and unfeeling. So when I heard this from A Place for Us it struck me, and I wrote it down. The mother is telling stories from the Qu’ran to her children and she explains that when we sin it makes a dark spot on our heart. The spot is permanent unless we repent and ask God for forgiveness. If we don’t repent and keep sinning there are more and more dark spots until our heart becomes hard and forgets that it every wanted to be good.
- More thoughts from deep cleaning my kitchen: Why is it, that while you are getting one place clean somewhere else devolves into chaos? And why once a place is messy does it give everyone permission to not pick up after themselves at all? How clean is clean enough? Should I get the baskets and can holders spotless? or just pretty clean? I feel like there are deeper metaphors for life in here somewhere.