1st Day of School celebration-FHE

I love to use the beginning of a new school year to have a special family night on the importance of education. I begin by sharing this story by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (below).  There are also some great items to discuss in For the Strength of Youth pamphlet under "Education."

This a a great video to also share with your kids-

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-06-1090-education-is-the-key-to-opportunity?lang=eng

.   

I always want my children to understand the privilege that it is to go to school each day and receive an education.  It is a gift.  This point of view changes the attitude about school every day and gives more purpose and reason to work hard each school year. 

We then set some family goals for the new school year, which always include increasing our efforts on family prayer and scripture study, being on time, doing our very best in all classes and giving our best efforts, reaching out to others, being a better friend and most importantly a positive attitude. 

Our dessert (simple and nothing fancy) for the first day of school FHE is usually a celebration cake of the new grades that the children are entering. 

 

 For this year it was fresh peach shakes!

 

Jeffrey R. Holland, while president of Brigham Young University, told this story:

“I’d like to tell you a true story about a young boy who didn’t have the opportunity of going to school for very long. His father died, leaving little money for the boy’s family. One day the boy became very ill with smallpox and had to miss a lot of school.

“Slowly his health improved, and he was glad to be able to go to school again. But he was back in school for just one year, completing the seventh grade, when he had to stop going altogether. He and his brother then had to find jobs to help earn enough money to buy food and clothing the family needed.

“The boy worked very hard, grew up strong, and learned a lot through his experiences. He read books whenever he could, and was interested in learning the things he had missed by not going to school. Often he would say how sad he was not to have had a formal education. He was a wonderful man and worked hard to develop himself. And he kept hoping that someday he could get back to school again. But he never had that chance. This little boy who grew up wanting to continue his schooling was my father.

“Because of my father’s experience, he was very anxious for me to have a good education. When I’d say, ‘But I don’t want to go to school,’ he’d say, ‘Then I’ll go in your place. Do you think the teacher would mind? I wonder if I can fit into the seat at your desk?’

“That always made me laugh because I think it would have frightened my teacher to see a grown man coming to school, and I knew he couldn’t fit into the small seat at my desk. So I would go to school. …

“Later when I had graduated from high school, served a mission, and completed my courses in college, I went on to earn a Ph.D. from a school in New England. …

“When I received my diploma I wanted my father to have it. He had never received a graduation diploma from any school and I thought he deserved this one. I told him that although my name was on it, the diploma should really be awarded to him. I told him they probably just made a mistake in the printing. That made him laugh and then it made him cry. I wasn’t sure then why it made him cry—but I know now” (“Do You Think I Can Fit into Your Seat?” Friend, Sept. 1978, pp. 6–7).

 

3 WHITE DRESSES for my daughters wedding day

I have always loved the "3 White Dresses" poem written by Linda Perry Nelson and have had it hanging in my two daughters rooms their whole life with the beautiful picture by Bernie Tanner

that accompanies it.  So when my oldest daughter got married I wanted to give her something to signify her accomplishment of her 3 white dresses and being worthy to enter the temple to be sealed for time and eternity.  I made her this...

It has a picture of her in her blessing dress, baptism dress and wedding dress.  On the back I put a quote by Elder Packer that explains the importance of each priesthood ordinance that we participate in beginning at birth.

I hope this picture will remind her of the power of covenants and the path she began at birth and will continue on each day of participating in and keeping the covenants she has made with her Heavenly Father. 

FAMILY VACATION RECAP/FAVORITES

I heard this funny quote once…

“THERE IS REALLY NO VACATION IN “FAMILY VACATION”, LETS JUST CALL THEM A FAMILY TRIP.”

I am very fanatical about the importance of family vacations.  Family vacations need not be far away, extravagant  or expensive but they must happen.  I feel there must be a vacation once a year that is just your immediate family-no relatives or friends allowed (grandma’s and grandpa’s are OK once in a while).  This allows your family to really have an opportunity to focus on each other with no other relationships  competing for time or attention.  Family vacations are sacred to me.  They are a most  precious time together.   They provide opportunities not available in our daily routines.  Each family member is “forced” to spend time together, experience things together and create lasting memories which bond them together and strengthen their relationships. 

Usually as soon as our yearly family vacation is over I start planning the next one.  It takes months to plan a GREAT vacation and months to save $ for one.  I always start with creating a budget and have learned that you will have heavenly help keeping within your budget if you ask for it.  

One of the best parts of our family vacations is the first Family Night after we have returned.  We call it the TRIP RE-CAP.  We watch all the pictures of our trip on the computer or T.V. then we do an activity entitled “Our Favorites.”     Each family member is given a handout and writes their name on it then they list all their favorites of the trip.  Here are two examples.  (the handout varies each trip depending on the activities we did)

ALASKA CRUISE TRIP FAVORITES-May 31-June 7, 2014

Favorite city ______________________________________

Favorite onboard activity ________________________________________________________

Favorite animal encounter __________________________________________________________

Favorite meal on ship ___________________________________

Favorite meal off ship _________________________________________________

Favorite thing about the cruise ship _____________________________________________________________

Funniest moment _________________________________________________________________

Favorite excursion __________________________________________________

Favorite food item on ship ______________________________________

Most memorable moment _____________________________________________________________________

Worst thing about the trip _______________________________________________________

Best thing you learned ________________________________________________________________

What you will remember most about this trip _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

FAVORITES ABOUT OUR FAMILY CHURCH HISTORY TRIP 2009

Kirtland/ Niagra Area

Favorite site:

Something I learned that strengthened my testimony:

Best thing about this area:

Best meal:

Worst thing about this area:

Palmyra/Fayette/Harmony

Favorite site:

Something I learned that strengthened my testimony:

Best Meal:

Worst thing about this area:

Sandusky/Cedar Point

Favorite roller coaster:

Worst thing about this park:

Best thing about this park:

Nauvoo

Favorite Site:

Something I learned that strengthened my testimony:

Best thing about this area:

Favorite  Meal:

Worst Meal:

Worst thing about this area:

Whole Trip

Favorite Hotel:

Favorite place overall:

Best Meal overall:

Best activity overall:

Funniest thing that happened:

Best thing about being on this trip:

What you will best remember about this trip:

Share your feelings about our pioneer ancestors and Joseph Smith and how most of all your testimony was strengthened of them. 

 

Then we go around and each person reads their answers.  It is a great laugh and brings back all the memories and fun we just had.  These pages are then added to the trip scrapbook containing all the pictures of that particular trip.  It is looked at often and each time it is brought out those memories come flooding back and our bonds are strengthened by precious memories.    It is also an awesome way to journal the experience. 

 

This trip re-cap is also a wonderful insight into the things that your children really enjoy.  It’s so fun to learn that usually they all have a different favorite and that each one of them learn different things on the trip (I try to make sure that each trip is filled with learning activities) .    It gives each child an opportunity to feel valued as they share their opinion and we all listen.  Doing this activity also gets the kids more invested in the trip as they are thinking right from the beginning what activities or moments will be on the “trip re-cap favorites” page.  

I also always do a GOOD ATTITUDE CONTEST .   I keep a notebook with me constantly (everyone else will surely just use their cell phone) and we start from the very beginning of the trip and I give each child, myself and husband, points for displays of good attitudes, positive comments, extra helpfulness, kind and patient words and compromise.    Family vacations must be full of all these things to be a positive experience and there really is no better opportunity to put these great life skills into practice-with the people who we are supposed to love and cherish the most.  At the end of each vacation day I total up the points and whoever is in the lead gets to pick our restaurant for dinner, get an extra icecream scoop, get a candy bar at the gas station or some other small reward.  It works like magic and makes a big difference.  When we are hiking “too far” I remind them of the points and attitudes change quickly, when someone wants a certain bed in the hotel that another one wants I remind them of the points and compromise is quickly reached.  No one can contest the points given but each family member can recommend that points be given to a certain someone. 

 After several of our vacations I have also done PAPER PLATE AWARDS and these are presented at the Family Night Trip Re-cap.  I think of a title that each child has earned while on the trip and write it on a paper plate and accompany it with their favorite candy bar.  They  get so excited about this simple award and sometimes I let my older kids make them and they loved that opportunity. 

 All of these ideas are ways to strengthen family bonds which I feel should be one of our highest priorities.  Whenever I fill out my favorites page and answer the last question, “What was your favorite thing about this trip?”, my answer is ALWAYS, “That I got to spend 7 days with my favorite people in the world and eat every meal with them and have no interruptions or distractions from the world.  It is a little bit of heaven!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT CHILDREN THINK OF THEIR MOTHERS

What Children Think of their Mothers

I have been teaching preschool for 23 years.  Almost every Mother’s Day I have the preschoolers make their mother a special card for Mother’s Day.  This is a fill in the blank card.  It has 8 open ended questions that they respond to.  I take each child out separately to answer these questions so they are not influenced by answers given by the other children.  The questions are:

1)      My mom loves to…

2)      My mom is really good at…

3)      I love it when my mom makes me…

4)      My mom is ___________ years old

5)      My mom looks most beautiful when…

6)      My mom taught me to…

7)      If I could get my mom any present in the world, I would get her a ….

8)      My favorite thing to do with my mom is….

I love to write down their responses just as they say them.  It is a very hilarious activity but mostly a very telling one.  I have learned much about what children THINK their mothers love and what they think of their mothers. 

When beginning with the first question, I say,  “what does your mom love to do?”  Usually they will think about that for a minute and I will say, “what is your mom’s favorite thing to do, what does she just love?”  I always feel sad when some of them have answered, “talk on her phone,” or “be on the computer.”  Not that these things are bad, but that her children define her favorite thing or thing she really loves with something that isolates her from them,  distracts her or focuses her attention outside of the present moment.  Now, I don’t think mothers should be focused on their children 100% of the time and never do anything that is not for them, but I do think that children thinking their mother loves her phone or computer more than she loves anything else is not the message we want to or should send to our children-that won’t look that impressive on an obituary. 

More common answers to this question are:  “make food, play with me, laugh,  cook, go on trips, clean, do laundry, do the dishes, watch kids, go to church, kiss my dad, play games, hug me, and sing.” 

I love these answers because if you’re a mother of a child who thinks you LOVE to do dishes and laundry, clean, watch kids, play with them and laugh, you are doing something right.  Your attitude about motherhood is positive.  Although being a mother is the hardest job in the world you exhibit the joy in it.   You are happy and content with the amazing role of motherhood.   This is important for your child’s emotional attachment and well being.     

Now this is not to say that when one child answered this first question with, “ lay down on the couch and do nothing all day,” I believe everything I hear and judge!  I don’t.

The answers to question #2, “WHAT IS YOUR MOM REALLY GOOD AT”, are quite joyful to me well.  Sometimes I would have to expound the question with, “what are your mommy’s best talents?”  Their answers include: “working, cooking, baking, writing her name and teaching my brothers to be nice, showing us videos, practicing karate, making dinner, doing the dishes, making Indian food, knitting, sewing, singing, playing games, and babysitting.   The most hysterical answer was, “my mom never did talents.”

Some people may think that a woman loses her SELF in motherhood but clearly from a child’s perspective, a mother is a hero, one who can do anything and whose daily mundane jobs become talents in the eyes of her family.

 

Question #3, “I love it when my mom makes…” provides great insight into the importance children place on having good food and food that makes them feel happy and loved.  The top answer over the years has most definitely been “cookies”.  Cookies give children a sense of contentment, peace and joy.  They mean a lot to these little people who are learning that home is a place that smells and feels good, is warm, safe and secure.  Again it aids in their emotional attachment and sense of belonging to a family that lives in a special place.  Smells bring emotion and fresh baked cookies or bread bring happy emotions.  That smell can ward off the world and home is a place to drop off all the stress and worry of the day.   Teens also need and appreciate such things. 

Other answers include:  “corn bread, cake, beef stroganoff, spaghetti, cinnamon rolls, pancakes and waffles, Hashwee (a Lebanese food), sandwiches, noodles, a lunchable (that does take some effort), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” and a totally unrelated food answer, “a present for me.”

 

Question #4, “My mom is ________ years old,”  proves that children have NO concept of age.  They know how old they are and how old their brothers and sisters are but they do not comprehend that grownups generally have to be t least 20 years older than them.  The children answered this with ages from “ 11, 45, 16 to 118!”  Some of us started birthing awfully early or very late!!

So when you are frustrated that another birthday is coming for you or you are not looking quite like you did in your late teens, early twenties- take heart, kids don’t care.  It’s grownups that compare themselves to each other and worry about aging.  Age means nothing to children.  We should all worry about it less and follow their example.

 

Question #5, “My mom looks most beautiful when…” is the fastest answered question of all of them.  All other questions cause the children to ponder for a bit and sometimes I have to reword or expound the question to help them think of an answer but this one is always answered immediately.   It’s also very telling about how observant children are and that they do notice when we make an effort to look nice, wear make-up and dress up.  I think this is interesting because there are many things that can go completely unnoticed by children but this is something that is meaningful to them.   

The children always give these answers:  “when she’s in her wedding dress, when she goes to church, when she puts that black stuff on her eyes, when she puts that purple make-up on her eyes, when she wears her polka dot dress,  when she does her hair curly, when she goes to work, when she puts pretty earrings on and I like her dresses, when Randy (her hair dresser) does her hair, when she puts on lipstick, when she wears  her beautiful jewelry and when she wears a beautiful dress to a meeting.”

These answers teach us that we should continue or increase our efforts to keep our appearance nice and that  just because we are maybe a stay at home mom, our children and husbands do notice if we take the time to put on make-up and look nice.  It seems very important also to keep pictures of our wedding day hanging in a prominent place in our home so that our children can see that that was a special day where we gave great  effort to look our best .  It’s our princess moment.  We always want our children to think of us, at least for one second, when they are asked about the prettiest princess they know-right?  Also we teach our children that church is a special activity when we dress up and we want to look our best as we worship the Lord.  We are teaching them respect for things that should have respect when we dress nicely for important things. 

 

Question #6, “My mom has taught me…” gives important insight into the work mother’s do each day- that of being a teacher and nurturer.    The children said their mothers have taught them to… “do talents, do the ABC’s, read, swim like a duck, be nice, pump on the swings, garden, write, spell my name,  ride a two wheeler, tie my shoe, and sing a song.”    Once again I do not judge with answers such as this, “she hasn’t taught me anything, and nothing.’  Don’t lose heart, I’m sure it’s just because they didn’t understand the question! 

Imagine a world where mother’s didn’t teach their children the simple lesson of being nice or swimming like a duck.  Mother’s influence is crucial to society.

This whole question card proves that mothers are teaching things everyday intentionally and unintentionally-attitudes, respect for others and self, doing your best etc. etc. 

 

When I give Question #7, “If you could get your mom any present in the world what would you get her?”  I expound with the fact that they would have a whole bunch of money and could go to any store.  Their answers also prove that children do NOT care about money or comprehend the price of anything.  They do not see the value in expensive things. The cost does not make an item more special. Over the years I have never had a child say “a car, a house or a boat.”  Their answers are: “a wallet, new shoes and tall ones, gum, some flowers, new earrings, new braclet and necklace but I’d have to go to two stores, a pretty sparkly dress, an apron, chocolate, a book, a big cookie machine, flowers, a smoothie maker, and a lovely Elsa dress.”  Thank heaven’s for Frozen, it helps in so many ways!

This can give us all a lesson about how it is again comparing ourselves to other grown-ups that we start to feel inferior about our incomes or all the “stuff” we have or don’t have.  Children don’t want stressed out parents because they have overextended their budget trying to “keep up with the Jones.”  If we do that we cannot say, “it’s all for our children, we want them to be happy.”  They are happy with flowers!

 

The answers to the last question, “What is your favorite thing to do with your mom,” give us the most important information we need about how to raise our children.  All they want from us is our time.  That is how they feel love.  They don’t want expensive things, they don’t care about living in a big house or having fancy cars and they don’t care how old we are.  They are simple and want their lives to be simple.  They want us to simply BE THERE and give them our attention.    Their answers are: “ play Uno that’s a really hard game, crack eggs open, go to Boondocks, play with her,  make food with her, play marbles, pick up snails in the garden, play with her and my sister, play legos, bake cookies,  play games, go on a picnic, read a book, and make dinner. “

 

Just remember your children think you are the best.  You are perfect in their eyes.  You are their hero and their happiness.  Don’t be too hard on yourself about all the things you think you are not doing right or good enough- let their opinion matter most and to them you are everything!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY-YOU TRULY HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROM WILL HAVE TO WAIT

Trying to follow the guidelines in the For the Strength of Youth, "Do not date until you are at least 16 years old," created an opportunity when my daughter got asked to the high school Prom a few weeks ago and she was still 15, and we had to come up with a good way to answer the boy who asked her.

We bought this cake and put 15 candles in it and she made this cute sign.  She took it to his house and delivered it to his door step.  Hopefully he knew that she'd love to be asked again next year. 

     I was proud of her as it can be difficult when all your friends are going to their first Prom and you so want to be included in that exciting time.  As we discussed this experience and some comments from some girls at school regarding the 16 year old dating counsel such as, "that doesn't matter anymore," and my senior son said, "oh mom no one follows that anymore," my 11 year old said, 'Well Elly you'll get all the blessings!"  I was so thankful that he recognizes that obedience brings blessings.  I'm thankful that Elly recognizes that following a prophet is not optional!

"Why we love you on your birthday"

We do this for each persons birthday in our family... 
During dinner we go around and each family member tells why and what they love most about the birthday boy/girl/mom or dad.  It is a tender, bonding experience to hear each person in the family share specifics about the special birthday person and is something everyone looks forward to on their special day.  I highly recommend giving it a try in your family.

Happy "BIRTH" day BOOK

I made this many years ago when my children were very young.  It is a book that contains their BIRTH story; the story of when we found out they would be joining our family, my pregnancy with them, the details of the day they were born, why we picked the name they were given, their first few days at home and details about their blessing day and a few pictures of the day they were born.  Most importantly it tells why we love them and how blessed we are that Heavenly Father sent them to be in our family.

This is a most special and treasured book at our house.  We look forward to the end of each birthday when I read the birthday child their story.    No matter how old they have gotten, it is still an absolute must do!  In fact as they have gotten older the reading of the story in a more sweet and tender experience that always brings me to tears as we remember the JOY that came the day that particular child was born and how fast the time has gone.  When my son was on his mission I made a copy of his pages and sent them to him in his birthday package so he could read them-it wouldn't be a birthday without reading this special story! 

The beginning of the book also has a special message from my husband and me about the wonderful work these children have to do here on earth at this time in history. 

 

 

 

 

 

Each child's story always ends with this sentence...

"The day you were born was the one of the BEST days of our life!"

 

This kind of book adds much to a child's self esteem.  It gives them identity, purpose and knowledge that they are an important and anticipated part of a family.  It is also a good family history. 

 

 

I used a 1" 3 ring binder, and sheet protectors.  I typed up each story and then color copied the pictures.  Please remember I made this in the "olden" days before there was Shutterfly or Costco Photo books.  (I have since made a few of those and that would be a great option for this as well.)

 

The Temple-I am going there on THIS day!

Years ago I made this picture to hang up in our house so everyday the kids could look at it and keep the goal of the temple in their mind.  At the time I made it my oldest son was 16 and the mission ages were different so when the prophet changed the ages last Oct. I crossed off and corrected for the new age.  I keep meaning to make a whole new one but have never got around to it and this one does the job.

It has hung on our pantry door for 6 1/2 years now and been a constant reminder to live worthy of a temple recommend.  Those 6 1/2 years have passed so quickly and our third child is getting ready to go to the temple as soon as he graduates.  At the time I made it I thought it such a long way off and wondered "how will I help all these children get to the temple?"  It felt very overwhelming in this wicked world.  I have come to appreciate more than ever the power of the "little" things like weekly Family Home Evenings, scripture study, family prayer, weekly sacrament meeting attendance and family activities that contribute in significant ways to our children making it to the temple.  I also appreciate the help of loved ones, church leaders and teachers who help me with that job as well.

This picture keeps our goal at the forefront of our minds and helps all of us plan and look forward to each child receiving the blessings of the temple.  For me as a mother I'm counting down to a very special day in 2022 when my husband and I can be there with all five of our children and then our JOY will be truly FULL!

*To create one of your own download a copy or obtain a print of the temple of your choice. 
 -Type up the names of your children and dates ( I went with mission age for the boys and age 21 for the girls just as a ball park figure but now will change that for mission age as well) on your computer and print it off on a piece of transparent/tracing paper. 
- Attach the tracing paper to the temple picture by gluing the edges together with a glue stick. 
-Hang for all to enjoy! 

FHE lesson: They That Are Wise-preparing for the Second Coming

I love this lesson for Family Home Evening and it's simple and fast to put together and the kids like to pull the drops of oil off the bottle and add them to the lamp. 
I take all the quotes from President Spencer W. Kimball's talk and book. (included at end)

PREPARATION:
Print off this oil lamp that I have included

 

Cut it out and tape it to a bowl or play kitchen pan

 

Next cover a water bottle with a piece of yellow paper that says;

OIL=

Being Prepared to see

Jesus at Second Coming

 

Next print out 8-10 oil drops

Cut them out and write one of these things on each drop:
-Attendance at sacrament meeting
-Fasting
-Family prayer
-Home and visiting teaching
-I Hope They Call Me On a Mission
-Deeds of Kindness
-Paying tithing
-I Love to See The Temple
-Chaste thoughts and actions
-Control of bodily appetites

Put piece of tape on each one and attach it to the water bottle you have covered in yellow paper. 

 

Print out an oil lamp for each child

 

Now you are ready to go!

Explain that when Jesus was born as a baby on the earth that was the first time He came to earth.  He will come again and that is called The Second Coming.  Prophets have told us that He will come again and we need to be ready for that day.  We learn about how to be ready from a story in the scriptures called the 10 Virgins. 

Show the video clip from lds.org They That Are Wise. It's a little over 8 minutes long.  Afterward help children understand that the oil is our preparation- what we are doing in our lives to be ready to meet the Savior and be like Him when he comes.  They often don't understand the symbolism of this great story.  Also explain to them why Jesus wouldn't let the women in at the door.  This is concerning to them.

Have each child take a turn pulling off a drop of oil from the bottle. Read it and put it in the lamp.  If it is a song sing it. 

When all the drops are in the lamp read the quote in RED by President Kimball (the other quotes are just to help explain the story to children).


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In this parable the virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Christ. The Lord explained to Joseph Smith that the wise virgins are those who “have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived” (D&C 45:57).

 In the Bible, the image of a wedding is used to portray the coming of the Lord (see Isaiah 62:5; Matthew 22:1–14). Jewish weddings included the announcement of the bridegroom’s coming to the bride’s house. The weddings usually began in the evening, with the lamps lit at dusk. So midnight was later than the ten virgins would have expected the bridegroom—and the announcement came suddenly.

Drop by Drop

“Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.”

 

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Give each child a lamp and if they are able have them write on their lamp the things that they can do to be preparing for the Second Coming.  Have them put this on their wall or on a mirror-somewhere they will see each day.

 

Share with them that Satan is working very hard to prevent us from preparing and being ready for this special day so we have to work extra hard to fill our lamps every single day.  Never forget to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the things you have taught and express your love and appreciation for the knowledge we have of this great event and that it is a time to look forward too and you all want to be ready as a family.  

AND... most importantly don't forget the game and treat! 

 

 

January Joy with Waffles

I heard on the radio that, today, the first Monday back to school and the first day of work, after the holidays is the most depressing day of the year. 

Then I thought about my last post and the topic of JOY and wondered how in just two short weeks we can lose the JOY of the season and go straight to depression!  I know it's because all the excitement, anticipation, decorations, festivities, days off, and gatherings are over but life gets back into it's routine and we can take JOY in a fresh new perspective.

The wonderful thing about the JOY of Christmas is that comes from thinking about and focusing on our Savior Jesus Christ. So, if we want that to continue we must continue in our effort and focus on thinking about Him and do what He would do.

Continue to serve others, be extra kind and giving, and JOY will come. 

We can also look at our lives and decide ONE way to better ourselves or a way to feel anticipation or excitement in the new year such as- 
Forgive someone
Organize a closet
Let someone go ahead of you in line
Be a courteous driver
Say thank you more, or I Love You
Read your children two books instead of one
Learn to make a new recipe 
Plan a fun family dinner with a theme

These are simple things that have a low failure rate so we don't have to beat ourselves up about already not keeping our long list of New Year's Resolutions. 

If you have teenagers, one IDEA that might be fun to start with the new year is FEED them lunch one day during the school week and invite their friends. 

I started doing this several years ago when my oldest son was a junior in high school and he and his friends had their driver's licenses and could come home during lunch.  I got the idea from a Women's Conference speaker, Margaret Nadauld many years before that when my kids were still in elementary school and I just kept it in my mind waiting for the time I could do it. It has been a great JOY in my life.  Over the years I have continued to do it for all my children in high school and it is a wonderful opportunity to be around my children's friends and listen to their conversations over lunch. 

As a parent you are really able to understand what is important to them and what things are "hot topic," at high school and get to know their friends better.  Many times on weekends when they "hang out," they go from house to house and we don't get the opportunity to see and hear what we can during that special lunch time. 

 

It started with once a week but feeding a large group of teenagers gets very expensive so I cut back to twice a month and try to do less expensive foods.  Also it's nice because other parents take days during the week and the boys look forward to each house. One friend has pancake Friday and the boys really love that.  Another friend has Fiesta Friday and always has a Mexican theme to the menu. For my oldest son and daughter the lunch menu changed each time. However, for my son, that is a senior now, the boys have come to demand waffles and waffles only.  In fact they insisted that I make them when I fed the Davis High football team a lunch one day. 

I have a special recipe for waffles and it seems to be a great hit.  My children love it and my daughter loved it so much that we had waffle bar at her wedding.  (I'll share that idea at a later date.) 

So here's the recipe:
This makes 16 waffles and I usually have to double it

4 C waffle/pancake mix (I use Krusteaz from Sam's Club, it's the best deal)
2 C cornmeal
1 C oil
About 2 C water-get to a consistency you like, add more water if like it thinner

My kids love that I make the waffles on this special heart shaped waffle iron.  I have two of them and purchased them from Amazon.  They are Kalorik brand.  Having two makes the waffle cooking go pretty efficiently. 

Now the key to amazing, over the top, waffles is homemade syrup.  Hopefully the only thing we are snobby about in our family is syrup and ranch dressing.  In our opinion both have to be homemade or they really aren't worth eating.

Here is the homemade Maple syrup recipe-straight from the Mapeline box I might add:

For every 1 C of water Add 2 C of sugar.  Bring to a boil, stir and add 1/2 capful Maple flavor. Stir and serve warm. 

Here is another delightful syrup recipe that we also served at the wedding:

Buttermilk/Vanilla syrup:
In a large pan-it will bubble way up- combine...
1 C butter
1/2 C buttermilk
1/2 tsp soda
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
Heat all ingredients together, stirring constantly. As soon as syrup boils take off heat and serve. 

CONGRATULATIONS, the holidays are over AND you lived to tell about it!

I was so proud of myself that through the busy, stressful and chaotic holiday season I only had two breakdowns.  That is an improvement on last year's four and five  the year before that.  Next Christmas  I will shoot for one and maybe with any luck by 2015 I will be down to none!  Always aim high!

All that being said, one evening while driving in the car with my 10 year old son, I asked him what his favorite thing about Christmas was.  Without any hesitation he said, "the joy."  His simple yet profound answer caught me off guard as I expected many other things to come out of his 10 year old mouth.  It gave me pause to ask myself if I was feeling the "joy" of the season. I hadn't been seeing all the joy through all the shopping, wrapping, planning, cooking, cleaning, decorating, delivering, etc. etc. and decided then and there to shape up.  I also thought that despite the chaos and stress every mother feels during the month of December, I had apparently hid it from him and that was a really good accomplishment!  I'm too am grateful for all the joy of the Christmas season and hope it will carry over into 2014!


For me Christmas success is measured in shouts of joy or tears of complete love for the perfect gift.  I plan all year for those kind of reactions and this year did not disappoint.

 


Another most exciting thing was the ever so brief moment when my 10 year old saw the sleigh tracks, reindeer tracks and Santa footsteps to the front door, and I saw him revert to a little child and believe.  We called him outside and he came with disgust and a "I'm too old for this stuff," attitude but as he saw the "evidence," his face changed and wonder filled his eyes.  It was worth the work I went to even if it was brief.  Maybe even my teenagers had a second where they wondered if it could be real and the magic tickled their heart just a little.

I ended up using a PVC pipe to make the sled tracks and a baseball bat (handle end) to make the reindeer tracks. It worked pretty good.