14 Days of Love: Loving on the Grandparents

Grandparents are amazing people. They know how to slow down and enjoy the moments because they've experience first-hand how quickly the time flies.

Knowing that, today's idea offers grandparents a way to enjoy your children again and again (without having to keep them at their house!!) Call them when you know they will be out of the house and have your children leave sweet messages on their answering machine. The grandmas and grandpas will get a kick out of replaying the message as many times as they want.

This is also great for aunts and uncles or special friends. My sister-in-law has recorded (on a cassette tape) the messages my kids have left since they were really small. What a priceless piece of history that will be for us...if we can manage to keep a tape player around!!

14 Days of Love...Skipping What First Comes to Mind

I was reading Parking Lot Rules and 75 Other Ideas for Raising Amazing Children by Tom Sturges*. One of the ideas he gave in this practical yet profound book was to Skip the First Things. When your kids (or spouse) does something that seems silly, ignorant or ridiculous, the first things that come to mind might be, "That was dumb!" or "What were you thinking?" or "You shoulda thought that through for at least another 10 years!!"


Last week, I woke up the girls. At least I tried to wake them. About the third time, I was less than patient. I immediately started thinking, "I'm raising lazy children. They are going to get fired from their jobs someday because they oversleep!" (nothing like jumping to conclusions!) With all that emotion running through my mind, at breakfast I spoke in short, enunciated sentences...like an angry drill sergeant. I was grumpy, therefore, they were grumpy. I was irritated, therefore, they were irritated. I dropped them off to school angry, therefore they started their day angry.


And I heard about it after school. They told me how mean I had been. Mostly they were right.

Rather than saying all those things that popped into my head and allowing one morning (after a late night!) to determine their future careers, I should have skipped the first things that came into my head.


Our influence goes much further when we stop trying to fix, correct, or change. Instead, listen. They will feel much more loved when we skip the first things so we can think before speaking - an area that needs plenty of practice in my life!


"The words of the reckless pierce like swords,but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

Sharon

*Pg. 15, Ballantine Books, 2008

Let Them Know You LOVE This Moment - 14 Days of Love

Every situation isn't a "Mom and Loving It!" moment. Sometimes we think, "Mom and loving it?Really? Not right now!" Life can get overwhelming. Our attitudes sometimes go south (nothing against the south!) Circumstances take their toll.

But, there are times that are just "right." Everything in life might not be "right," but the moment is. Yesterday, I picked up the kids and a couple of friends from school. Nothing huge happened - just everybody talking and having a good time in the car. I realized my heart was full...I was living my dream. How fun to have people I love with me enjoying each other. So I told them, "I love this minute!! Y'all are so fun!"

Everybody needs to be needed and enjoyed. I want to build into my kids that I love being with them. Sometimes those things come along and I don't mention anything. But, I was glad I remembered to say something about it yesterday. Hope you have a great moment sometime today!

Sharon

Ephesians 5:16

Day 8 of Fourteen Days of Love: Garbage Guys

Today's Idea:

Love on your garbage guys...

Carrying away our trash is a thankless job, but can you imagine the scene if we didn't have Sanitation Departments?! It would be a much stinkier, much messier world! This week turn trash into treasure when you take out your refuse. Attach a card thanking your garbage workers and include a gift card to Sonic or some other drive-thru. Everybody needs to be appreciated. What a great surprise this will be.

The Good Stuff - 14 Days of Love...

Today's idea:

Tell your kids what you LOVE about them. Think about it beforehand so you're really ready. Find a time...bedtime is always good...to share your thoughts with them. It might be that something you've learned from them. Rather than just physical attributes (i.e. you're pretty, you're strong) try to focus on character issues.

• "I love that you're honest. I really feel like I can trust you."
• "Because you're humble, you have a way of making people feel comfortable."
• "You're sister is growing so much because of the way you treat her. Thanks for doing your part to help her become all that God wants her to be."
  

Why is it much easier to see the negatives in our children instead of the positives? Make an effort today to watch for the "good stuff" then tell them about it. (It wouldn't hurt to look for "the good stuff" in your spouse, too!!)

Sharon

14 Days of Love: What do you want to do?

Today's idea for the "14 Days of Love...
Ask them what they want to do.
If it's your husband, does he want to watch the game - sit and watch it with him.
Do your kids want help cleaning their room? Would they like to play a game?
Take time today to do something "they" want to do...whoever "they" may be.

Happy Super Bowling!!

A Positive for a Negative

14 Days of Love...Day 3

When you feel a negative thought coming on about your spouse, child, co-worker, or mother-in-law, MAKE yourself think of something they've done right. Then go ahead and be amazing...brag on them about it!

Happy Loving!

Old-Fashioned Valentine...

When I was a kid, I would sit down with my older brother and sister a week before Valentines and work on a valentine card for my mom and dad. We each made one. It took several days. Doilies, construction paper, lace...we found a way to include it all!




I can't seem to get my kids to work on the same card for days, but during our snow days at home, they have made several (now the challenge is actually getting them to people!)




Idea for today:

How about pulling the construction paper out after dinner tonight and making Valentine cards for a neighbor, teacher, friend or even each other. How much more fun can it get than folding a piece of paper, cutting it, then opening it to find a heart?! Who needs entertainment when you have construction paper and scissors?!



Happy cutting and gluing!

Sharon

Fourteen Days of Love

Today marks the first day of "The Fourteen Days of Love!" We're going to give you great ideas to show those in your house that you love them and for some unexpected people, you'll be able to let them know you are grateful for them!


The first one: Who was Cupid?
In Roman mythology, Cupid was the god of love/desire. He is shown shooting his arrow to inspire romantic love. Of course, if you want to know more about Cupid, you can google, "Who was Cupid?"


But, I find it interesting (and contradictory) that our God is described in the bible as, "...God is love." I John 4:8. He's not just the god of love, He IS love.


So, as we start this month celebrating those closest to us, let's begin in the right spot. I John 4:7-9, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."


The One who showed us unconditional love stands as our example of how to love those around us : unselfishly.Instead of forcing us, He gives us the opportunity to choose how we will love - no arrows required.


Think about those you love. In the past month, how have you loved them? Generously, happily, unselfishly? Or have you gone through the motions because you're supposed to? Look back at the unreserved love of Jesus, (ouch) and love because He loved you first.


(We are ending our 2nd snow day in Texas. Another one tomorrow. What a great time (test) to love those in my house!)
Sharon :)