A More Meaningful Easter

 In the past month, we've had several friends and associates pass away. It has been a time of real mourning for a family and a new look at the lives we live. Death can take us at anytime, and are we prepared to meet God?
  Each Easter seems to have had it's own emphasis in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Chirst. This year, Easter is the reality of resurrection. The mourning and sorrow will all be turned to joy, as we greet Christ and our loved ones again. They will live again, as will we, just as Christ rose from the dead on the 3rd day, Easter morning.
 So, what are we doing to celebrate this year? I made a plastic egg Easter lesson that we've used in past years. This year I found another, similar plastic egg Easter lesson here. I think I'm going to try it this year because the scriptures are much shorter, for my young children.
 I also love the simplicity of this Easter lesson, from the Nursery Manual. I wish we had done it for family night, but I'd still like to do it, perhaps Easter evening.
 In general this year, we made Easter MORE about gifts, and Christmas LESS extravagant. We're trying to spread the love out a little more. We've really loved the thought: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. They are still very simple gifts and the kids need new clothes at this time of year anyway. I want them to understand the reason we gift - in remembrance of the greatest gift we have been given, the gift of Jesus Christ.
 I really enjoyed watching this video about the Savior's Atonement. They have so many more touching videos I plan to watch as well in the coming week with the boys.

Debt Limit - A Guide to American Federal Debt Made Easy

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. It's pretty comical and so clearly illustrates our national debt. Let me know what you think!

Debt Limit - A Guide to American Federal Debt Made Easy

ABC's for Preschool

 We've been running an unstructured pre-school during my son's 2nd year. I'd point out letters, shapes, numbers, and colors to him. I'd describe things and ask him to "see if you can find _____". My husband and I decided that he should have a little more "formal" schooling this year.
 Formal schooling to us does not mean he sits down at a desk everyday at a certain time to do "school". It means that WE are more structured as parents. It means we have educational goals set for him and we look for fun ways to accomplish them.
 One of the umbrella goals we have this year is pre-reading. I decided to check on his alphabet understanding. We do a letter a week. These are some of the activities that we usually include:
1. Coloring page - At the beginning of the week coloring with mommy. We point out the letter and try to think of other things that might start with that letter. We might add more of our own pictures or write more words. Then, he hangs it on the fridge (we're collecting them in a folder for a book at the end). (There are a TON of these online - just google "ABC book" or "Alphabet Coloring Pages")
2. Books - We read books about characters that have that letter for their first name (Arthur, Berenstein Bears, Clifford, etc. - I'm compiling a list as we go). We also point out the letter in other books we read. He usually takes initiative to do this.
3. Go on an "A" hunt - We draw or color the letter on some small quarter-size sheets of paper (both lower and upper case). This is mostly for reference as we walk around the house. Then, we chant "We're going on an __ hunt, We're going on a __ hunt, Let's find some ___". When he finds one, we tape the letter page to the letter he found and leave them up through the week.
4. Practice writing the letter. Honestly, sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn't. He's got a writing book from Priddy Books that he likes to take out occasionally. Usually he'll go through more than one letter in a day.
5. Practical Use. Sometimes we do fun activities with letters (in addition to the fun ones listed above). I may have Cadence make a story on crayola.com, we send letters to family far away, or he may type an email to Grandma. This has been a fun way for him to use his letter identification in a practical way and develop stronger relationships with friends and family.

I'm not focusing so much this time around on letter sounds. We're focusing mostly on letter recognition & finding them in words. He's already started to "spell" on his own, even though he may not know what he's spelling. It's been still pretty casual, but it feels good to know what goals we have and are working toward.

Family Night with Toddlers

 Each Monday night our church encourages families to spend time together learning the gospel. We call this time, Family Home Evening, or sometimes for short FHE or Family Night.
 My husband and I have been brainstorming ways that we can better cater to the developemental abilities of our toddler and 10 month old and still have a meaningful FHE. Here are some of the ideas we've been trying.

1. Keep lessons brief. We like them to be about 5 minutes long and use Behold, Your Little Ones, and the Primary 1: I am a Child of God manual as the subject matter. The children can even help prepare and give these lessons.
2. Lots of singing! We used to just sing one or two songs, but now we play song games with familiar songs to the children or songs they are just learning. We try to choose new songs that cover the gospel topic we want to focus on.
 - One of the song games we love to play is "Singing Cop". We simple use the ASL signs for stop and go and have one person direct while the others sing, following along. There is absolutely no preparation required and you can play it anywhere!
 - It is difficult for our children it seems to memorize scriptures and stories at this age without a lot of effort. It seems much easier to commit a gospel lesson to memory by teaching them the Children's Songbook songs. Another good reason for LOTS of singing time.
 - We can easily reinforce the new songs they're learning as lullabies through the week or even work-songs as we're doing household chores.
3. Have a routine. We start with dinner when dad gets home. Then, we sing the Family Night song and have an opening prayer. Followed by the short lesson, activity, then treat. We don't always get to every section, but starting with the Family Night song and closing with family prayer for the night keeps a structure that makes it easy for the children to know what comes next.
4. Involve the Children. I've already mentioned this some, but our 3-year-old looks forward to family night when he gets to help pick the songs, make the treat, or prepare a lesson.
5. Set reasonable expectations. It's not always going to go picture perfect. In fact, I practiced the first lesson with our oldest son and every practice and frustrating but when it was time to give the lesson, he really took the stage! It's those bright moments that come which tell you it's worth it. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't go perfectly.

What are some ideas that you have used to help with small children during Family Night?

Nurturing = Small and Simple Things

 "Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World). I titled my blog after this crucial role and yet I find myself still striving to understand what nurturing really means.

Nur·ture

 [nur-cher] Show IPA verb, -tured, -tur·ing, noun

verb (used with object)

1.to feed and protect: to nurture one's offspring.

2.to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians.

3.to bring up; train; educate.

 *From Dictionary.com

 I just loved this definitions! When I feed my family dinner, I'm fulfilling my divine mission. When I potty train my three-year-old, I'm nurturing. When I read the scriptures to my children, I am am example of a righteous woman. Those simple, seemingly mundane things I do every day are crucial to the development of my children and the success of my home. 

  God wants all of this children to be happy. In fact, when if we are obedient to His commandments, we qualify, through Christ, to obtain a state of never-ending happiness after this life (Mosiah 2:41). It is through this we can know that obedience to each of God's commandments will bring us a portion of that happiness. 

 So, why not? When I do a clean & put away a load of laundry, when I wake up to comfort an ill child, and what I'm making the seemingly 5th meal of the day (which is all too real with a toddler at home), I CAN BE HAPPY because I am fulfilling my divine mission to nurture my children. It doesn't have to be anything grand or famous. In fact, no one may know about it but me and God. Truly, "by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass". 

Unifying Our Family

For several years now my husband and I have been discussing, researching, reviewing, and revising a family mission statement. We want a family creed; something that our family can live by and unite in supporting.
While the work goes on in establishing the details of the statement, we do have a short three principles our mission statement will include:

A. Smith Family

Knowledge & Wisdom

Faithful Obedience

Charity

  We can feel overwhelmed and run ourselves down trying to do everything good in this world. Truly, there is so many good causes. But what is it that you (your family) is meant to do? Where do your specific talents and interests lie? What is it you enjoy? What is a cause that unites individuals and binds you as a family? Answering these questions honestly will give you a sense of belonging and purpose; a mission in this world. While the common purpose of this life  for all humanity is to "prepare to meet God" by receiving the necessary covenants and performing the ordinances of his gospel, our particular path will be as unique, just as each of God's children is unique.

  Now, our above mission statement is not quite a cause. Yet it is the beginning governing principles that help us determine what causes we will be involved in and where our priorities lie. I'm grateful to my husband for leading out in this endeavor. I'm grateful for the structure and the order it encourages in our home.

 I thought about composing a song around these principles (I still may), but realized the other day singing "Seek the Lord Early" that this inspired primary song matches so perfectly our family mission. Interestingly, before we ever came up with a mission statement, my husband and I decided our family hymn would be "Because I Have Been Given Much", a hymn full of gratitude that moves us to charitable acts towards others. Each time I sing the hymn I think of my family. 

 Growing up my mother started a unifying force in our family through song. She'd sit at the piano and we'd all gather around her one by one until we were a full choir. While my father never joined in (he'll tell you because of his lack of musical ability), he too would stop whatever he was doing to come sit, listen, and cheer us on (often making jokes about us making him rich someday). One song in particular became our "family song". It was, "If We Hold On Together" from The Land Before Time. When we grew older and most of us had left the house (or were about it) my mother gave each of us a copy. It reminds us that each of us in united in helping each other achieve the same eternal goal. Each time I sing it, I still think of my family.

 One final example (though I could give so many more): awhile ago (actually July 2010) Austin and I decided to start memorizing scriptures and hymns together. We began with the scripture in Alma, Chapter 57 vs. 27. I suppose you could say we "ended" with it as well. We never changed the scripture. In fact, the same written out scripture stayed on our front door until I took it down at the beginning of this month. While it may seem that good intentions were wasted, I really memorized that scripture. It became a part of us (though I've never been very good with the reference) and seems to say to me "this is who you are, because of the last name that you carry."

 I think often of Nephi and the goodly parents he had - the good name he was given (1 Nephi 1:1). There is something significant in this statement. There is a reason these familial ties are discuss before they endeavor a difficult trek through the wilderness as a family. Each family passes through some kind of refining fire. Our "unifier" whatever it may be, can help us to to conquer, to "hold on together".

 These thoughts encourage me to ponder on what I am passing along to my children. What kind of name, purpose, and mission are they given? Will it be strong and deep enough to help us pass through the refining fire that lies ahead? 

 What unifier have you created for your family?

 

Love is In the Air

My mind keeps coming back to Valentine's Day - funny because I don't usually give it a forethought until a day or two prior. It's just not a big holiday around this house. Well, maybe this year it will be. We've decided to cut back even more and my mind is spinning with crafty ideas to show my family and friends how much I care. Here's what's in the idea bank, just so I don't litter my bookmarks (we know they are trashed enough right now....)

For Adults
Homemade Fudge
Chocolate Peanut Butter Delights
DIY Bags, Boxes, & Candy Wrappers
Love You More Bags
Pie Boxes

For the Kiddos and Family
Heart Shaped Pancakes (these are just pink, but I'm considering making them into heart on my own. Amy has a TON of good ideas for mixing up different pancakes and healthifying them!
Scratch-N-Sniff Bags (Do I want to attempt this with toddlers?)
Valentine's Crafts for Kids

Morning Glory Muffins

We usually eat our "bread" breakfasts w/ fresh fruit - YUM!

 My fabulous, foodie sister introduced me to the site, EatingWell.com. I really like it! It has some great tips about eating well. While not everything is what I'd consider eating well, I'm grateful it gives some awesome substitutions for foods everyone loves that just aren't healthy. At least if I HAVE to make a certain dish, I now have a resource to make it more healthy. Plus, I feel most of their recipes are easily adaptable. It's an especially great resource if you're trying to lose weight and has some great meal plans. Here is one of my favorite recipes: Morning Glory Muffins

18 muffins

Active Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups grated carrots, (4 medium)
• 1 apple, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites, or 4 teaspoons dried egg whites (see Ingredient Note), reconstituted according to package directions
• 1/2 cup apple butter
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts, or pecans
• 2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat 18 muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in carrots, apple and raisins. Whisk egg, egg whites, apple butter, oil and vanilla in a medium bowl.
3. Make a well in the dry ingredients and stir in the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about three-fourths full. Combine walnuts and wheat germ in a small bowl; sprinkle over the muffin tops.
4. Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown and spring back when touched lightly, 15 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Loosen edges and turn muffins out onto a wire rack to cool.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Get a head start on your morning muffins the night before by mixing up the dry and liquid ingredients separately (refrigerate liquids). In the morning, combine the two, scoop and bake.

• Ingredient note: Dried egg whites are pasteurized—a wise choice when making meringue toppings that may not reach 160°F (the temperature at which eggs are considered "safe"). You'll find them in the baking or natural-foods section of most supermarkets. Reconstitute according to package directions.

Nutrition

Per muffin: 163 calories; 4 g fat ( 0 g sat , 2 g mono ); 12 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 2 g fiber; 154 mg sodium; 149 mg potassium.
Carbohydrate Servings: 2
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1 fat