Notes Written on a Tattered Old Piece of Paper

I found an old tattered paper with some notes I had written on it when I was a fairly new mother, still just beginning the venture of establishing a home and family.   I wrote at the top of the page:

 "Rules for a Contented Life." 

 I think my oldest was about 5 years old.

It was interesting for me to note the order of the things I wrote.   Even more interesting to me is  how time and experience have taught me more about living a contented life as a family.  I don't think I have ever felt crazier than I do now ...trying to balance the activities, responsibilities and schedules of 8 people... 4 schools, two..no now three different piano teachers, sports, scouts, homework and on and on.

Even though I think I know more now about what really works to make home life more contented, it is more challenging than ever before to get that.

I would add new things to the list now such as reading scriptures each day as a family.  When we do this there really is greater peace and contentment in our home.  Another I would add is to spend a minute with each person...connect with each person even if it is for a few minutes.  Maybe I would add reading time with my little kids at night.  That adds a lot of contentment.  There are just some things that I feel I need to do each day.  I can go to bed at night feeling fairly confident that everyone feels they are doing well and feel loved.

This list wasn't meant to cover everything in family life but just touch on the things that truly make us feel content and happy.

Social:

• Eric: friend over atleast once a week -Eric was about 5 years old at this time
• Joseph, friend over atleast once a week -Joseph was about 3     
• Dinner with friends or family every quarter
• Game night with another family every quarter (Sun or Mon nights)    

A Day of Rest-Keep the Sabbath Day Holy:

• Special Sunday activities
• Sunday "stations"
• Traditional Sunday dinners
• Invite someone to dinner once a quarter
• Gospel conversations often and not just on Sunday
• Traditional Sunday night treats

Family/Recreation:

• Family Activity once a week
• Family Home Evening every Monday
• Create a very fun backyard
• Hobbies-do together
• Encourage and partcipate in sports
• Art
• Drama-Children's Theater
• Singing, perform
• Piano
• Nature/Outdoor activities
• Meaningful traditions
• Be sure to laugh often and much!

Money:

• Do not go into debt
• Be a wise steward of resources
• Save, then buy
• Live within Means

Education:

• Be actively involved in children's educations!
• Homework hour every day
• Work before play 
• Everyone read and read! 

    
Order:

• Follow routine
• Maintain cleanliness
• Children pick up each night
• Laundry baskets (everyone put away clothes in baskets)
• Dish duty
• Saturday work

Meals:

• Breakfast together as a family
• Dinner together every night

Husband/Wife: 

• Read together/talk
• Social Activities
• Physical exercise
• Temple Date once a month
• Make dates fun
• Formal date once a month ?
• Work together on something

Service:

• Once a week for someone--anything!

I can tell you with a doubt the area of "order" is sadly the area that I struggle with the most and drives me the most crazy!

I think I need to revisit this list.   Moms have such a huge role in the creation of calm and contentment in their homes.......   Every day I get up and realize that it is largely up to me how my home will feel that day and how we will interact with each other..  No wonder I am exhausted at the end of the day!!!

Scott's Pictures!

 am thrilled at how these pictures turned out!  They were taken by Cindi Meier, of A Moment in Time.  She did such a great job capturing the many sides of Scott's personality. It was very hard to choose which ones to order.   I just want to order them all.  How in the world can I not?  

It's Birthday Time!

Look Who Turned 9 today!

We love this wonderful boy...so lucky to be his Mom and Dad.

Since he was a baby he is a go-getter!  We called him the go go baby..because he was always ready for anything and excited to get in on whatever came his way.  He is a practically perfect student and is a good friend to others.  He and Michael are best buds and I hope that is how it will always be.  

For our birthdays, we always start out with a birthday breakfast.  Jacob chose waffles, cinnamon cream syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon and juice.  Mighty fine choice if you ask me!

For Jacob's birthday dinner he chose fried chicken and potatoe wedges.  He invited his good friend Keller to join us for his birthday celebration.  

At birthday dinners it is tradition that everyone say one or two things they appreciate or admire about the birthday person.  Some of those things were:  "I love Jacob's determination and drive to excel and do his  best."  "Jacob is fun to be around.  He makes me laugh."  "Jacob is competitive and into sports like me and I like that."  "I admire Jacob's tenacity.  He doesn't quit and works hard."    

Time to open presents.  That is a happy face!

One of our traditions is that everyone gives the birthday person a gift, small or large, but something they know will make the birthday person happy and feel loved.  This is a birthday gift and Jacob was so thrilled!  Brother gifts are the best.  Jonathan knew Jacob would be really excited to get this and he was right. 

This is the cool crocodile that Michael gave.

This is some silly stuff that made everyone laugh.  It is similar to a whoopy cushion. It is this goop that when squeezed it makes a disgusting noise...you get the picture.   Oh my......  I just hang my head .... (and giggle)  can't help it.  Everyone was busting a gut.

The Big Bro hanging out...

Jacob was so excited to get some Heelys!!!  

This was the present he had been waiting for..... ta dah... a scooter!!!  He has only been mentioning this to me about evey day for the past month.  What nine year old boy can live without a scooter?   He was pretty dang excited to get this... and immediately tried it out.

Yahoo!!  

Time to race around the circle.... and around and around...  

This time with his buddy Keller running beside him.  Could a birthday boy be happier?  

Cake !  This cake has become a favorite.  Everyone has asked for this cake since I first served it a year ago on Jacob's birthday.  It is an icecream sandwich cake.  It is easy to make and these boys just inhale it.  

Is that one happy boy or what?  I can't believe he is nine!!!  Slow down... whoa...  

We love you Jacob!  So glad you are our's.  

The three musketeers... Keller Wilhite, our next door neighbor and other brother, and Michael.  

Happy Birthday Jacob!  Wow wow wow!  And here's to another great year with adventures, a lot of growth and everything that is good.  

The Wedding...Part 2

Four years ago, Evan and Tonya met.  Since then, they have both served missions; Evan in Portugal and Tonya in Paris, France.  They wrote to each other during that time and then picked up where they left off when Tonya returned home last summer.  They are a special couple and will have a wonderful life together.  

A great thought......   for these two who have prepared so well for this marriage.  

The Cousins!  How quickly they are all growing up! 

At the end of the reception we had a dance and man oh man, does this family love dancing together!  

Lynn and Ryan having a "family dance." 

Gayle and her son the groom...

Groovin' to the music...

I didn't take enough pictures of this fun event...because I guess I was too busy dancin!   I wish I would have gotten a picture of Steve and I... we had such fun.  

Katie, Cathy and Chris....  

Sweet....   

Aren't they just funny!?

One of the best things about wedding receptions is visiting with old friends.  Carleen O'Keefe is a dear family friend.  

After the wedding, Richard and Gayle hosted a wonderful wedding dinner.. 

The new Mr. and Mrs. Evan Crowley!

The Aunts and Uncles table -Crowley side

More Aunts, and sisters of the groom table

The "Cuz" table....

Sisters of the Bride, Friends and family of the Bride.  

Friends and Family of the Bride.  

Best wishes to the Bride and Groom!     Today they are off on a cruise somewhere south .. Caribbean, Mexican Riviera...I am not so sure.  But, I am sure they are having fun.  Congratulations Evan and Tonya!