bridget short

I feel obligated to follow up with my last post before I continue on to the pressing thoughts of today. So as for scripture, and let me be breif: When I was younger I would often read the scriptures and delight in how they had so much advice and knowledge of what to do in life, however I would get irritated that I could no where find any good information on how to get dates or make money.

You cannot deny that those are two very important parts of everyone’s life, and yet the Bible of Life itself seemed not to contain them. Boy was I wrong! Scripture is written so that by and through the spirit one may learn when he/she is ready. This is written in the scriptures very plainly! And funny it should be, but now that I am ready I see just how plain and clear the pathway to temporal success is laid out in the first chapters of Nephi. I emplore you to read them again. I will not quote just now as there are other pressing concerns on my mind that you may find more immediate benefits from, however know that I testify that if you seek the answeres dilligently in the scriptures you will find!

So what more pressing matters could I possibly have than making money or getting dates? Well luckily I solved the latter some time ago and now have the added pressures of a husband, toddler, and baby on the way! This is the far greater challenge than just getting dates. Infact the greatest challenge involved with family is what to do with it.

I know and understand greatly the importance of family activities. Getting together, staying together, playing together…it is what brings us closer to one another and creates those lasting bonds. What I never anticipated was how much more difficult it had become over the years since I was a child (and not too long ago). With video games, tv, and overtime zapping precious hours away from our family it is eminent that we put on our creative caps and come up with things to do together daily.

As a newlywed, I thought at least eating together would be easy. That was always something my family did no matter what. Well little did I know people grow up in different types of homes. My husband who eats three times as fast as I do, consistently finishes his meals, clears his plate and leaves to do whatever it is he does. It seemed that the only quality conversation time we got over a meal was if it was eaten out.

As our budget cannot cover eating out every single night, not to mention with a baby eating out became less and less of a conversational haven. I have been forced to come up with more and more creative activities for our family. Now while I consider myself a very creative individual this becomes increasingly difficult when you need to do it every day!

Now add the challenge of a rambunctious 18 month old and the activities have to go beyond sitting down and watching some television program together. So for all you young families out there I have had some small successes this weekend that may help shake things up a bit for you and create real bonding time and variety in your otherwise consistent lives.

Thursday, after going to the pond twice on an attempt to feed the ducks I finally got an insight of inspiration of what to do for my son that would help him experience life, not bore me, and not include watching cartoons! I logged on to BabyLovesDisco.com I downloaded there disco mix and had a mini private dance party with my son. It was a blast! We got out the Gymboree bubbles (they last the longest) blew them around the room and boggied down. He was entertained for an entire hour! I got a little needed pregnancy exercise and when my husband walked in on us he had the biggest smile on his face and joined right in! What a change from coming home and sitting infront of the tv/computer! That was wonderful.

I wanted to continue to have learning and growing opportunities for my son and my family throughout the weekend, this is not easy. And yes I was still irritated when my husband would rather play 4 hours of HON on the computer than be creative and help me come up with something to do. However, when I convinced him that going to the park to find the ducks would be fun he agreed. Of course the weather was hot as it always is here in southern florida, but not too hot. We were able to enjoy eachothers company and feed the ducks!

My boy at 18 months can almost say every animal he might see in the park down here, rabbits, fish, butterfly, but his favorite is ducks! How awesome it is to see the effects of effort. Not only did the outing effect my son, but I overheard my husband telling some friends at church on Sunday how wonderful his trip to the park was and how much he enjoyed watching his son play at the park. What wonderful results!

If you can’t tell I was happy! The challenge continues… Although I have found some helpful aids. Check it out if you would like. http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,31-1-15-12,00.html

Also please do post a comment if you have any great spontanious daily family activities I can implement. I will be sure to let you know which ones work wonders!

TTFN

Bridget