UPDATED for 2023. Gift giving is one of my favorite things to do. So some of my cherished memories of family service ideas are the ones where we created or bought a gift for someone in need. Here are some simple Christmas service projects for families that your whole family can join in and participate together. Bless others as well as your own family with these Christmas community service ideas! [Read more…]
4 Ways to Leave a Lasting Legacy as a Parent
As I said good-bye to my Dad last week, I realized the huge whole he has left in my life. I knew it would be hard when he died, but even I didn’t understand how he had touched every area in my life. And just like my Dad taught me so much during his lifetime, he has taught me another lesson through his death. We don’t have to be perfect parents to leave a lasting positive legacy. Here are 4 ways to leave a lasting legacy as a parent that I learned from my Dad. [Read more…]
6 Life Areas to Balance for Real Personal Growth
I love the idea of balance. My husband likes to joke how much my side of the family is all about “everything in moderation.” And when it comes to personal growth, it can very beneficial to step back and look at our life from a distance. We may want to ask ourselves if there are any areas of our life that are hurting our personal development. If we are doing fabulous in most of our life but our family life or finances are a train wreck it will soon began to wreak havoc in other areas. Here are 6 life areas to balance for real personal growth. [Read more…]
5 Reasons to Foster Teen and Grandparent Relationships
“Hey, Mom,” my son said walking into the kitchen, “You’ll never believe what Grandma said.” Launching into a conversation he recently had with his Grandma, I listened on pleased but inwardly sighing. My son relayed how he had come to some profound conclusion, with his grandparent’s help, of course. And now he knew what he needed to do. Hmmm…I think I just had this same conversation with him…oh, I, don’t know…500 times before. Funny though, until one of his grandparents said it, it didn’t make any sense to him. Grandparents have super powers like that. Teens greatly benefit from relationships with their grandparents and that bond truly matters. Here are 5 reasons to foster teen and grandparent relationships. [Read more…]
3 Ways Humor and Laughter Bring Joy into the Home
Growing up my older brother was always the funny one. But really he isn’t. I am. OK, so maybe he is actually pretty funny, but I still feel that I was not fully appreciated. Perhaps its due to the fact that I can tend to be serious at times. But I have discovered that finding the fun in everyday life is pivotal . Humor is a vital element in creating an emotionally vibrant home. So here are 3 ways humor and laughter bring joy into the home! [Read more…]
Home Milling Wheat Flour From Field to Table
When I was growing up I loved to read everything about the American Frontier. I loved to imagine what life was like being a frontier settler living off the land and providing for most of your own basic needs. Actually, I haven’t really outgrown my fascination with that time period! Most opportunities I get to experience a little bit of what that life was like I think it is the best fun! So today I want to share with you the process of home milling wheat flour from field to table. We just finished harvesting our wheat crop and milling some of it into wheat flour for our family so I have plenty of pictures to share of this exciting process! [Read more…]
3 Needs of the Introvert Teen
A while back, I was working with a mom who was attending one of the groups I teach. One issue in her life was that she tended to dislike schedules and often struggled to follow through in a timely manner. As I got to know her I could see that she was definitely a free spirit. We discussed how being more relaxed with a schedule is fine as long as you move a few things up the priority list that “have” to be done. But there was another concern. She described one of her daughters as “really good” but always “anxious.” The more I listened, I realized that the daughter was probably an introvert. And as an introvert, her needs were very different from her extrovert spontaneous mom. So what are 3 needs of the introvert teen? [Read more…]
Surviving a Blended Family Wedding
Last fall, our oldest married. When two people commit their lives together, it is truly a reverent occasion. And it’s always so special to see a bride transformed on her wedding day into the most beautiful woman in the room! But weddings can also be full of tension, stress and unfilled expectations. Add in a blended family and the wedding can become a ticking time bomb. Here are some surprise lessons we learned, and how my husband and I went about surviving a blended family wedding. [Read more…]
5 Secrets to Deepening Your Family Bond on Vacation
Our mini van was struggling. It was so weighed down, I wasn’t sure we were even going to make it up the drive much less 4,000 miles. Country Boy started throwing out all the extra water I had crammed into every crevice as I hollered at him that we needed all the extra water. Tensions were high as we were attempting to pack for 5 people for a 3 week camping trip out West. But you know what? Our 3 week camping trip ended up being our best vacation ever! It really brought us closer as a family. So today I’m sharing 5 secrets to deepening your family bond on vacation! [Read more…]
