Chores

I have a confession to make.... we have too many toys and our kids feel entitled to constant entertainment, new activities, and fun. I feel that way most days, but how many parents out there don't feel that way sometimes? Well, I've been thinking and praying hard about what we can do to help our kids be more thankful and less demanding. I wanted to help them develop an attitude of empathy and graciousness for those around them. Finally one afternoon in a fit of desperation, I told the kids that I was tired of the constant bickering and contention in our house and didn't like what we had become. I asked them if they were tired of fighting about the mess and how much TV they could watch or if we could go out to eat, etc etc and they agreed it wasn't a very happy way to live. So (without their knowledge) the next night, I got out four totes from the garage and proceeded to slim down our toy supply to less than half what it was before. What was had been packed shelves became mostly empty with one or two items on each shelf. Books, art supplies, stuffed animals, pretend play supplies etc were all taken to the garage and then I waited. It's been over a week and they haven't asked what happened to all the toys on the shelves. They've happily played with what remains and the amount of frustration we have at clean up time is much less. They seem to even be playing more with their things. My personal theory is that it is not so overwhelming they can focus more on what they have. I write this only to document for them in the future that less is more. 

Then, last night at Family Home Evening, we had a lesson about how a family is like a team. We watched some videos of tandem bikers and used the old analogy of everyone pulling their weight or the bike falls down or doesn't make it up the hill.  We introduced a chore chart but this time there are no rewards. In the past we have implemented chores but always with a prize to be earned at the end. This time we are trying for working together just because that is what families do and we are all going to pull our weight. We are hoping and praying that it can help our kids learn to contribute and appreciate what it takes to run a home as they get older. So with less toys, the idea is they learn to appreciate and take care of what they have and with chores they learn that not everything is free and we all have to work together to achieve a successful home.... This is our goal. I am sure we will have to change it along the way but I'm excited for this start and hope we can keep it up.

Thankful for service

This last week I got really sick with a kidney infection. The last time I had one this bad we didn't have kids yet so it was easier.  I got to stay home from work for two weeks and lay on the couch. The first few days I thought it was the flu but by last Tuesday it was apparent it was more serious than that. Anyway after seeing a doctor, Andy and I made a plan to help me get better. I am so grateful for the many people who helped us by running Sydney to and from school and classes  and watching Abby and Wynn. I didn't have the kids at home all day for the rest of the week; it provided me the much needed rest to get better. We are happy to report I am on the mend and just tired and weak now. It is hard to express to people how much help their service is but I am so grateful for them and a loving Heavenly Father who knows what we need and provides ways for us to overcome our challenges. I am grateful for worthy husband who holds the Priesthood to give me a blessing and guide me to know what I need to do to heal and comfort me in my sickness. Much to be thankful for now that I'm feeling well!

Christmas 2014

We got to see lots of family this Christmas! My mom and dad and Audrey and her family came to visit us and were with us on Christmas. It was so much fun to have everyone around to celebrate. We celebrated Christmas Eve by reminding ourselves of the nativity story and having treats. Audrey, Bryant, Andy and I stayed up late wrapping presents and watching "The Grinch who Stole Christmas." I have always really liked that show so it was fun for me! Wynn was in heaven playing with Eli and Hyrum and chasing them around while they were here. Sydney had fun with Fawn playing pretend and dressing up in their costumes they got for Christmas. Isabel took the time to teach her how to use her new Bandaloom and make bracelets. Of course they made cookies and read books with Grandma Pack too. Reading books with Grandma is one of our kids favorite things to do. It makes me happy to see how much our kids love their family. Wynn has become very vocal and expresses his feelings lately and he told me how much he loved having Grandma and Grandpa and "those guys" here for Christmas the day they left. He asked 'When will those guys come back?' We also got to spend a few hours with Andy's family on Christmas day and enjoyed seeing them. One of Andy and my thoughts this Christmas was trying to come up with our own family traditions for holidays. We have decided not to travel on the holidays anymore so we we can work on establishing our own family traditions and focus on keeping things simple. We have started brainstorming a list of things we'd like to do with our children to have fun and help them remember the real meaning of the holidays. I am excited to create our own memories that our kids can look back on as they grow older and move on! Merry Christmas and Happy 2015 :D