pay to play

The kids are doing "fairly" well with the "pay to play".  They've spent more "together" time, which is what I had hoped for.  Jacqueline and Colson have been doing a lot of reading too.  I spent an afternoon online searching our local library for books and requesting them; now we're just waiting for them all to come in!  I told them this week that I will no longer ask if they want to earn money, that it will be up to them to see what needs to be done and do it.  There's only been a few times where I have actually taken money away for bad behavior or disrespect.

It's been so good not having the TV on so much or seeing them plugged into some electronic game or device.  Evenings seem to be their hardest time, our hardest time, because we watched so many programs as a family.  We're getting the hang of it, little by little.  I'm hoping I have to dole out some "big bucks" by fall because that will mean they've stepped away from paying and just started saving!  I'll keep you posted with our progress; so far Jacqueline is leading the pack with $16.......

family. . . .

" a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: the traditional family."

We had a "fan-tab-u-lous day!  Drove to Indiana for a family picnic with my dad's side of the family.  Perfect weather and perfect fellowship with family.  You just never realize how much you miss your family until you spend time with them. . . .several commented that we should have been planning these picnics years ago, but we are so thankful that we are doing them NOW!  So very blessed to have some amazing friends that are family! and in a few weeks we will have my aunt and uncle here, from Texas, all to ourselves!  Of course all the manboys can't wait until they can listen to Uncle Russ's Vietnam stories! That is one amazing military man!

sometimes you just gotta laugh. . . .

Have you ever watched the movie, "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks?  it is absolutely hilarious to watch, just not to live.  These days it feels like we are living that movie.  Sometimes it is rather hilarious and sometimes it can almost drive you crazy!  Last week I had finally had it with our refrigerator (we have two) and one kept spewing water all over the floor.  Its done this for several years, when I slipped and fell, I decided it was time to say goodbye.  I cleaned it out, Den and Bryan drug it outside.  I cleaned the second frig out and began to assemble everything from two into one (not an easy feat).  It became very evident on Monday that we needed a second frig.  Fearful that we might get another leaker, off of Craigslist, I remembered my son had his mini-frig in the basement (he uses it at college), so Den brought it up, I cleaned it out, and loaded it with condiments and such!  It works great, looks ridiculous, but hey. . . .its saved us some $$$!  Ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do!

I could go on and on about other areas but out of embarrassment for me and my family I will just let your mind play on the mini-frig next to the regular frig for now!

kinda strange, huh?

Over the winter I realized how much time my children waste on things; like TV, video games, dvd, etc.  So as the summer drew near I asked God to give me wisdom on how to control this with my kids.  One morning as I was praying, again, I got an epiphany; "pay to play".  As I formulated this in my mind I came up with a plan to implement less electronics more activity.  I made a list of household chores, put a price to each one, labeled old glasses with the kids names, and the kids sorted out colored legos (I didn't have enough change at this point) to represent change amounts.  They do daily chores, get lego money and as their deposits grow they are allowed to, out of their lego money, purchase video game/DVD/TV/computer/IPOD time.  There is, also, a list of  things they can do, that does not involve work but will enhance their brain power, their attitudes, and sibling time.  They were excited to begin this morning, so far, since 6:30am we've been "electronic" free, and its AWESOME!  At the end of the summer whatever they have left, in their glasses, will be exchanged for "real" money, dollars and cents! Already they are formulating what they want to buy!

I love how God cares about "everything" in our lives; the way He gives me wisdom and encouragement with my kids; and  how to pull something together with limited resources.

its time for. . . . . . .

Den and I are in charge of a 3-day VBS, in the inner city of Flint, starting Monday night.  Our theme is Boot Camp 4 Winning!  We've centered everything around ARMY terms; games=PT time; food=CHOW; and story=mission time.  I love how creative my man is! Amazes me! but we make a pretty good team because we came up with some pretty good ideas. . . .together!  Beyond the "stuff" I hope these kids hear the message of Christ.

we are excited because. . . . . . .

 

 Our summer has officially begun!  We had some plans, set for summer, but since my son is now in drivers training they've changed due to scheduling conflicts.  But hey. . . .it's summer and we're just gonna role with it and see where it takes us.  And today. . . .we're gonna relish in excitement and happiness that we are on summer vacation!

I am so blessed by the family God gave me.  No matter what is going on. . . no matter how chaotic life is. . . they always come through for each other! ready to lend a hand, encourage, love and care for one another!  going above and beyond the call of duty!

a crazy 48 hours. . . .

On Tuesday our newly married children had to be out of their apartment by midnight.  On Tuesday my newly married son started a new job. On Tuesday my newly married children acquired a new apartment, closer to both their jobs.  On Tuesday my newly married son worked 14.5 hours.  On Tuesday my newly married daughter-in-law packed up their home.  On Tuesday my husband (God bless his soul), Branden (after working 14 hours), Katie, Brennan and my newly married son, drove to Detroit to load a moving trailer.  On Tuesday they began their move at 10:30 pm.  On Wednesday they arrived, here, at 2:30am.  On Wednesday at 6am my newly married daughter-in-law left for work.  On Wednesday at 8am my newly married son left for work.  On Wednesday at 10:30 am my husband (God bless his soul), myself, Colson and Victoria left to unload moving trailer and van in the Detroit area.  On Wednesday at 2:30 we had both trailer and van unloaded, unpacked.  On Wednesday at 3:30 my husband (God bless his soul) drove an hour, into the bowels of Detroit, to return trailer. On Wednesday at 4:30pm I drove to Fenton to pick up Branden, from work.  On Wednesday I arrived home at 5:15, loaded up the van, and drove back to the Detroit area to unload.  On Wednesday at 6:30 my husband (God bless his soul) returned home, after driving through 1.5 hours in traffic.  On Wednesday at 8:00pm I returned home.  On Wednesday at 10pm, after working 14.5 hours, my newly married son came home, gas tank on empty, no money, no debit card, no directions to his new home, no cell.  On Wednesday at 10:15 pm newly married son left, money in hand, extra cell phone, and directions to his new home.

(in the midst of all that. . . .life still existed. . . .kids to be dropped off and picked up from school, Den subbing; laundry, homeschooling. . . .)