Park Time and Priorities

We've been talking in our Monday night book club about parenting and priorities. The book we are reading, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel asks us moms to really get our priorities in order. To be deliberate about what we are including in our days and what we are letting slide. It came up in our discussion Monday that one of our friends (thanks, Sherry) was challenged to include on her "to do" list things she intended to teach and activities she planned with her kids, not just the other household, etc. tasks.

I thought this was a great idea and intend to make it a part of my daily planning. My desire is to make the actions of my day truly reflect my priorities. True - the laundry has to get done, the grocery shopping has to get done, the finances have to be in order, and for me, I also have work from home that HAS to be done ... that said, these precious boys are young only once and it is my joy and grave responsibility to make sure they are loved, cognitively stimulated, adequately exercised, and growing spiritually every day.

Melinda and I have been talking about this and we both plan to get deliberate about writing out our priorities. Today, my to do list looked like this:




















Sports time with the boys was at the top, followed by school time with them and then the rest of the important things that need to be done. After prioritizing my "to do's", I wrote out my schedule and I am happy to say I am pretty much right on track.

After devotions, a good breakfast and clean-up, we picked up the boys' neighbor and friend, Joshua David, and headed to the park for SOCCER. After the boys were worn out from running and kicking the ball, we sat down and told stories to each other - I love hearing what these kids come up with when they use their imaginations. We also retold the story of Samson and Delilah from Jared and my devotion time this morning. We made up hand gestures and a little fun sing-song summary:

"As long as Samson's hair was LOOONG, Samson was STROOONG" (as the boys show off their big muscles!)




















Here's a picture from Monday's picnic at the park - I am LOVING our spring weather!!


















Hallelujah for the goodness of God and PRAISE Him for ordering our steps in such a way that allows me to be home so much with the boys. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who considers it his top priority to be home with the boys and makes incredible sacrifices to make that our reality. I love you so much, sweet husband.

Life is very, very good.