It’s not the beginning of a new year, but Kevin and I just made a resolution: We have created a monthly Family Night and Date Night, and we are committed to them! No more “We should go out more” or “We should have a Family Night”. We have picked the days for each month, and they are on our calendars!

Why did it take us so long to make Family Night and Date Night a priority? I have no idea. We have always been more spontaneous about taking the kids out, and Date Night? Well, we just fit that in when we could, which was rarely.

Individually, Kevin and I have a few weekly and monthly commitments that are always on our calendars, and nothing interferes with them, except for a serious illness in our family. These are personal commitments that do not include the rest of the family.

After listening to a message from Andy Stanley on time and commitments, I asked myself, “Why on earth are we putting all these other so-called “important” things before our marriage and our family!?!” We can fill our lives with so many “good” things that the truly important things might never happen. What kind of message are we sending to our spouse and children when we get so excited about Girls’ (or Guys’) Night Out, but we don’t give them a special night to look forward to?

So yay for Family Night and Date Night!

Two other things we are doing to make family a priority…

I put a limit of one TV show per day for Caleb and two TV shows per day for Chelsea. My kids have watched way too much TV in their short lives. Chelsea and I had a good conversation recently about how watching too much TV makes your brain turn to mush, but playing and drawing and building and pretending and going to school make your brain strong. She ate it up! We’re two weeks into our new TV policy, and so far so good.

A couple of years ago, Kevin and I promised each other we would sit down and talk for at least 15 minutes as soon as the kids go to bed. We stuck to our “talking time” for a while, and then we drifted away from it. Well, we’re back at it. We’ve put it in its proper place, and I’m so glad we have.

Marriages are crumbling and falling apart all around us, in our church and in our community. Kevin and I have had our share of tests and trials as well. Now is the perfect time to be intentional about strengthening our marriage.

Okay, now I want to hear from you! Do you have a set Family Night and/or Date Night? How often do you have them, and what things do you like to do? How has it improved your marriage and family?

A few days ago Chelsea found her Valentine box in my closet. She pulled out each card and studied them. Then she calmly said, “Wow, a lot of people love me. All of these cards have my name on them.”

I love you, sweet girl.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

Several weeks ago, shortly after school started, all the children in grades 2-6 were asked to write an essay about why their grandparent should be Grandparent of the Year. All the students wrote their essays in school.

The second grade teachers and the principal chose Caleb’s essay to be submitted to a writing contest sponsored by the State Fair. After the submission to the fair, the assistant principal chose five essays from various grades and sent them to an editor at our local newspaper to see if she would like to print any of them on the Kids Page.

Of the five essays, the editor chose Caleb’s essay to be printed! When the assistant principal went to Caleb’s class to tell him the good news, all of his classmates cheered. Everyone was excited for him and proud of him. Caleb’s teacher told me this was the first time a second-grader at their school had been published in the newspaper.

I was very excited, but I was also very curious because I never saw the essay. I wondered what he had written that made it so special. I had to ask the assistant principal to email me a copy of the essay!

Way to go, buddy! We love you!

But it is getting easier. I am no longer cleaning up potty accidents five times a day. Piper has only had two accidents in the past two weeks!

She is growing way too fast. We keep saying, “Slow down!” At nine weeks Piper weighed 2.1 pounds. In just three weeks she almost doubled her weight to 4.1 pounds. Now at 16 weeks she weighs 5.7 pounds. Can’t believe she has almost tripled in size in just 7 weeks.

10 weeks

11 weeks

14 weeks

16 weeks

(Compare this picture with the first picture.)

Sometimes crafts can get a little messy. Oh well, it happens.

Sure she cries at night, but somehow her tail wagging, playfulness, and outright cuteness make us forget about all of the sleep deprivation.

The kids love her (except for her nipping), and we’re so glad she is part of our family.

She is nine weeks old.

Local friends: Please stop by! We’d love for you to meet Piper.

Here are some highlights of our summer:

 Chelsea’s dance recital in the beginning of June.

Trip to NY in June.

My favorite thing about NY (beside seeing my family). The best pizza in the world (IMHO).

Hanging out with my new friend at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in S. Deerfield, MA.

If you love butterflies, check out Magic Wings. Thousands of beautiful creations flying all around you and sometimes landing on you. (My kids weren’t too excited about the landing-on-you part.)

Free car wash for Mommy!

Caleb’s third year of baseball at the Y.

Fifth tooth lost while Mommy was at She Speaks. Daddy had to be the Tooth Fairy!

Romantic weekend get-away to Chateau Elan for our 10th anniversary. Woohoo!

Summer was also days at the pool, s’mores, running through the sprinkler, 4th of July concert and fireworks, morning devotions, playgrounds, Friday nights at Grandma’s, reading time, Backyard Bible Club, picnics, the zoo with friends, a day at the water park, and lots of ice cream!

I noticed a lot of comments on the conference blog about tips and advice, and a couple of people have contacted me asking questions, so I thought I’d share some thoughts about last year’s conference.

I was nervous last year because I was rooming by myself, and I only knew one other person attending. I thought it was going to be an ultra-professional, ultra-competitive environment. It was the complete opposite! The conference (and the atmosphere) was encouraging, uplifting, worshipful, and inspirational.

It was a group of women (mostly young moms) just like me! A group of women who love God and want to use their gifts and talents for God. A group of women with dreams and goals, searching for direction from God.

Lysa TerKeurst made it clear during one of the general sessions that it’s not about competition. It’s about encouraging each other. If you go with the attitude that it’s all about you and your agenda, you’ll miss the whole point.

Cheri Keaggy was the worship leader last year, and she did a fantastic job of leading us to the heart of God during all the general sessions. I felt the Proverbs 31 team organized the conference in such a way that all the women attending could hear from God.

So ladies, relax! Go with the attitude that you will be surrounded by loving women who are very similar to you. Be ready to meet new friends and make connections that can only be explained by the hand of God. Consider it a privilege if someone shares her heart and dream with you! Go with an open spirit to hear a special word from God just for you.

Practical tips:

Some of the rooms are very cold. Bring a sweater. I wore dress pants each day.

Last year, Proverbs 31 gave everyone a notebook. It contained notes with outlines or fill-in-the-blanks for all the sessions/classes. This was extremely helpful. I assume they will be doing this again this year. I brought a journal to take notes, but I didn’t need it. I also carried a small Bible in my purse.

Bring some business cards. I got mine from www.vistaprint.com

Take some time to get alone with God. Last year, there was a prayer/meditation room set up. I went in the room, and it was awesome! In addition to a quiet peaceful place to pray, there were tables with the names of God and a verse printed on papers. Under each name of God, the Proverbs 31 team placed the names of every person attending the conference. It was incredible to find my name and read about the character quality of God that was selected especially for me.

The most awesome thing about going to She Speaks was knowing that the team prayed for me by name, and I felt covered in prayer. I knew it was not an accident that I was there. It was a divine appointment.

I hope to meet some people online before the conference. Leave a comment with your website. I’d love to check out your blog, or send me an email if you don’t have a blog.

I couldn’t resist including last year’s picture because it is one of my favorites, and I love to see how much they have changed in a year.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1, 2

I am grateful for the freedom we possess in this country, but I am also thankful for my freedom in Christ, which cannot be taken away.

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Close your eyes and picture me holding your hand throughout your day. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you are never alone.

Tie something around your wrist to remind you that I am with you. We are tied together. I am leading you with cords of human kindness, with ties of love.

Stay in step with me. When you get anxious and flustered, you charge ahead of me. You are pulling on my arm and dragging me. Slow down. Walk next to me. Talk to me. Trust me.

When problems enter your day, there is no need to worry or fret. The Creator of the entire universe is holding your hand! Is there anything too difficult for me to handle?

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Nothing can separate you from my love.

–Jesus

Isaiah 43:1  Joshua 1:5  Isaiah 41:13  Hosea 11:4  Isaiah 43:2  Romans 8:35-39