not this cute anymore!While talking with a few other parents with boys the same ages, we decided to set a time for Saturday morning sports-- for the entire family. I wasn't exactly sure how organized it would be or if my kids would soon be begging to be on soccer teams with jerseys, but I have been so pleased with the outcome. It's been a little over two months (ten weeks or so) where we've met the same families at the same park on Saturday mornings for a couple of hours. We all bring our equipment, we all stay on the field and we ALL have a good time. The last couple of weeks we've been playing flag football and the field is filled with a dozen little boys, playing on the same team as their brothers and often playing against their dads. The moms and babies usually head to the park to play (and talk) and that has been equally rewarding. It's been totally free, totally low-key and totally fun. Such a great thing for our family. Today was the last day of our rotation (until after Christmas) and I was so proud of myself for bringing my camera. But then, I got too busy playing and forgot to snap any pictures. I'm a loser, baby. So why don't you kill me.
One of my favorite talks from last General Conference was from President Uchtdorf beautifully titled Of Things That Matter Most. In it, he states, "We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled T-I-M-E, time." It reminds me a of a quote I printed out a couple of years ago from a talk that hit home for me. I read this quote (almost) on a daily basis and it inspires me to say NO! to things that make our schedules more chaotic and YES! to everything that allows us to spend more time together as a family.
"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all." (Julie B. Beck, Mothers Who Know, Ensign, Nov 2007, 76–78)
Posts
5 comments:
That sounds like SO much fun. I remember I was talking to Rick about if we were going to do soccer with Vaughn a while back, and we were saying it seemed like it would be so much more meaningful for our boys if instead of dragging them to practices and games we instead just went to a park and spent that time together as a family. Plus it doesn't cost any money that way. I love this post and totally agree with you. I think it would be so much fun when my boys get a little older to do something similar-- meet together with other families-- thanks for the great idea.
And I love both of those quotes.
We always had good intentions to play more on the weekends, but having other families there at a certain time has been fantastic and MAKES us do it. Having other dads to coach is great for the men and having other moms to visit with is great for the women. And the extra boys-- it makes for an intense football (or soccer, or baseball, or basketball) game. We've done two or three weeks of each sport. In January, we're moving indoors for some dodge ball... wish us luck!
I love that quote from Julie Beck. I read her talk every month, just so it could help me in my decisions as a mother. Last month was crazy for us Garmons. I had the kids in swimming lessons three times a week, Gillian also had piano, activity days, and soccer. Way too much. I honestly read to my older children probably once or twice a week, a disaster in my mind. I absolutely love the quiet and fun times I spend with my children at home. There are no distractions. Good for you for keeping it simple and organizing this Saturday family activity.
thanks janet... love the quote...
Beneficial info and excellent design you got here! I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and putting the time into the stuff you publish! Great work!
Post a Comment