I am so glad you stopped by! Today I am thankful for a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks. When my twins get out of school and are headed home, they usually give my a quick call or text to let me know they are on the way. Yesterday was no exception, only when I asked how their day was the response was "It was ok." From the tone in their voice and lack of enthusiasm in their response I knew it was time for an intervention. So I dropped what I was doing and asked them to meet me at Starbucks that this was a Peppermint Mocha kind of day. It's amazing what a cup of fun coffee can do. It lifted spirits, it opened the door for great conversation, and it turned an "ok" day into something wonderful!I think it's important that we are intentional about spending time with our children. The other day a precious mama of three posted a question on facebook asking for Christmas present ideas for her elementary aged child. By the time I read it she had received about twenty or so responses and would you believe every gift idea posted except for about five were tech gifts. (Ipads, Ipods, laptops etc...) I recently had a sweet mama ask me how to set boundaries for her children and their technical toys. One mom told me she loved traveling with her children because they all played video games on their ipads and she could enjoy the peace and quiet. I had another mom say that the minute her child gets home from school she is on her ipad or laptop and she never sees her anymore. My husband even says he would love to throw the Iphones out the window because they are so distracting. The thing is, children, no matter what their age, would rather be with you than on their Ipads or Iphones. We will all be in the den and the twins will be checking instagram and my husband just complains about the fact that everybody's on the phone. However, when he is intentional about talking to them or telling a story about his day, the phones automatically go down and all eyes are on him. Interesting isn't it? God made us a relational people. So be relational!
I love to be intentional with my family. Being intentional provides fabulous opportunities for great conversations. It creates the perfect atmosphere for fun and laughter as well as teaching moments. Being intentional doesn't have to cost money, it just takes time. The other day when the twins got home from school we made salt clay and made all kinds of cool things. Every tuesday we go to the bookstore and sit and talk and look at books. Occasionally we meet for coffee at Starbucks. Sometimes we bake and eat and talk. We jog together and talk. When they were little and at home all day, I rarely had friends over because I loved laying on the floor and working puzzles and talking. We would make forts and dress up and color and read and all those fun things. I was very selfish with my time with them when they were small. It took time. It took energy and effort. The laundry didn't always get done and my house was always in a little bit of disarray, but it was worth it! I wouldn't trade those sweet conversations for anything in this world. The time we have with our children in our home is such a short season. The luncheons can wait. The meetings will always be there. Be intentional with your children today. Teach them a new card game. Play memory with the whole deck! Make a necklace out of food in your pantry and eat it! Bake something! Color something. Then instagram it for all to see!
Today I am thankful for peppermint mocha with the twins. I love making an "ok" day the best day ever! Be intentional with your children today. Leave me a comment on how you were intentional.....today. love love love Ruthie
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Hi Ruthie, You are such a sweet witness. What a great reminder of intentional living you've given. I was privileged enough to be invited to Auburn yesterday to look at a house with my daughter and her friends to live in next year. One might think, "Privileged? Yeah, privileged to go write a check!" But it was a privilege because she invited me into her world rather than emailing me papers and asking me to pay online. Of course I dropped everything and went, from there we got lattes to take to get our fingers and toes done and then on to share a large order of chips and guacamole at a nearby favorite place. When my children were small my husband and I attended a class called Growing Kids Gods Way. We learned many things but one of the things that has really stayed with me is making an effort to match your children's enthusiasm with your response. Whether it's a toddler awed by a caterpillar, a teenager who thinks their broken heart will never be the same over a first boyfriend, or the thrill of a new place to live with wonderful sweet roommates, it's the biggest thing going in their world and there's an opportunity to join them in it if we can just hear them. Yesterday I didn't get my work done but it's still here to do today unlike the opportunity to join one of my children in something she is excited about. I recently heard a pastor say "don't get so focused on the minutes that you miss the moments." You, Ruthie, are a "moment" maker. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of your story about one of your girls being down about a birthday party she wasn't invited to and how you called your sweet mama (I think that's right!) to let her know y'all were on your way over and to pull out the ice cream...it was an ice cream sundae kind of day! Love that story!!
ReplyDeleteLauren! Thank you for sharing that sweet moment!Would you believe I drove to auburn today for 45 minutes just to eat lunch with Luke and Towns in between their classes? Yes it took 45mins to get there and 45mins to get back, but I'd do it again even if I had only 15 mins with them. It's good to wrap my arms around them real big and tell them in person How very much I love them. Thank you for the sweet blessing you are in my life! The prayer you sent my in a text one day I keep! Thank you for lifting me up before God Almighty! Your soul challenges me and comforts me! I am thankful for you! love love love R
ReplyDeletePaige! You nailed that story. Yes and that ice cream never tasted so good! That story will be etched on my heart forever! To see your children love each other unselfishly and unprompted is like nothing I could ever describe in words. It's a heart moment and mama's know heart moments. I love you and your sweet family! You challenge me always to be intentional with my children, you are so good to eat your girls with a spoon! love love love R
ReplyDeleteRuthie, thank you for sharing these thoughts with me a while back. My kids complain that they are the only ones at school without an ipod for fieldtrips. Thankfully, I am able to tell them, that's ok! I'd rather talk to you than have you staring at a screen! That has brought alot of smiles from complaints. I wouldn't have known that if you hadn't taken the time to ooze Jesus! :) It's still a struggle, but I know what I'm working towards! Thanks for spurring all us younger ones on!
ReplyDeleteLindsey, Luke interviewed for a job about a month ago and the guy asked if he had "video"games growing up. They both discovered neither one did games and they both were glad. Luke actually thanked me for not giving them the hand held games when they were little. So stay strong, games are way overrated and conversations are priceless! love R
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