my Weekly Docket

One of my favorite ways to keep our family organized is using this form I created with Microsoft Word.

I print this out on Sunday night and coordinate with all the adults in the house to put their schedules and important information on it. I fill in the dates and the most important things we want to accomplish this week.

We'll put Allie's work and school schedule on there so I know when I'm babysitting Bonnie, and Stephie will fill in her schedules. Kurt and I will communicate about what appointments we each have, making sure not to have any scheduling conflicts.

Next, I will plan our meals for the week and make a list for the grocery store. The docket gets taped to the refrigerator where everyone can see.  During the week, if I run out of anything, I can fill in the "We Need to Get" box.

Now I don't have to try and remember it all.  I have room in my brain for more important stuff!

It really helps us to all be on the same page and to live a more purposeful life.

Heidi

The Power of Thankful Praise

I've been reading Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts for a while now. Usually I just cruise through anything I can put on front of my nose but this one I've been taking my time with. 

In Chapter 7, she recounts an incident with one of her sons getting angry with his brother and her response is anger. She writes:

Really? I lay my head on the table. Do I really smother my own joy because I believe that anger achieves more than love? That Satan's way is more powerful, more practical, more fulfilling in my daily life than Jesus' way? Why else get angry? Isn't it because I think complaining, exasperation, resentment will pound me up into the full life I really want? When I choose - and it is a choice - to crush joy with bitterness, am I not purposefully choosing to take the way of the Prince of Darkness? Choosing the angry way of Lucifer because I think it is more effective - more expedient - than giving thanks?

Sadly, I can identify with everything she said. James 1:20 says, "for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." But yet, I forget, and I use the enemy's tool of anger when what I'm trying to lead my children to live a fruitful life. 

Anger is not a fruit of the Spirit.

Anger and thankfulness cannot dwell together in my heart. 

  Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

I recently had the kids make "Pockets of Praise" and taped them up on the wall. We just took construction paper, folded it in half, stapled it, and decorated the front with their name. Now, I look throughout the day for things I can praise them for and I secretly write it down on a slip of paper and stick it in their pocket. Everyone participates in writing down things they see others doing that are praiseworthy. At dinner time, Daddy gets to take all the papers out and read them off in front of the whole family. For example, "Emily was quick to get up and get Johnny a drink of water when Mom asked. She quickly and cheerfully obeyed Mom and served her brother in love."

Words of encouragement is not one of my gifts. I think nice things about others but I don't always say them out loud. But man, am I quick to criticize. Ugh! 

These Pockets of Praise have helped me to focus on the positive more than the negative just a little bit more.

When I need to discipline one of my kids, or if I have a difference of opinion with someone, or I am trying to help others settle disputes, being covered up with God's love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience will be a lot more effective than the using ugly weapon of anger.

Once In a Lifetime Opportunity

Driving to the top of Pike's Peak was a little nerve racking. For some more than others. One of the kids is VERY afraid of heights and was stating his/her fears quite frequently.

I said, "It's okay, God's going to take care of us."
He/She said, "But what if He doesn't?"
"Well, I guess we'll get to meet Him soon," I said.
Another child says, "I don't want to die!"
"I'm too young to die!" says another.
And then Emily says "I'm too beautiful to die!!"

When we finally reached the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado, I was so excited, skipping around and trying to get the kids to join me in my joy. They weren't as excited as I was. In fact, several started complaining and we soon realized they had altitude sickness. They didn't want to take pictures, their stomachs hurt and they wanted to get to the bottom of the mountain as soon as possible.

After going to the gift shop then attempting to take some pictures with grumpy people, lots of wailing and flopping on the ground, we got back to the van and I broke down crying. I was broken-hearted. This was the first major sight we got to see on our trip. I had some high expectations. I wanted them to appreciate God's amazing creation. He didn't have to make our world so amazingly beautiful. He did it for us, because he loves us. I gave the "This is a Once In A Lifetime Opportunity" speech. I told them that we may never get to come here again, every day is a gift, every moment is a gift, I just want you all to be thankful for this moment, this gift.

So we got out of the van, found a nice spot with the Rocky Mountains in the distance and took a few more pictures.

Amazing View

Kurt and I

Johnny finds a sweet spot

Every day is a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity. Whether we are on top of Pikes Peak, doing laundry, changing a dirty diaper, patiently teaching the same math lesson again, snuggling on the couch, playing a card game, whatever it is, you will not have this moment again. I need be reminded of that when the days are long and my patience is short. I only have so many moments with these people God has given me. I want to make the most of them.