Mother's Day Family Date

I am so sorry that I haven't posted lately.  I need a new cord for my laptop. :(  I am borrowing a computer now so that I can type this post. :)

Today is Mother's Day in the United States, and some other countries.  I know that the United Kingdom celebrated mothers in March, but we are just now celebrating, and I want to say Happy Mother's Day to all of those moms out there.  God has blessed you with children for you to raise and nurture and to teach them about Him.  Those of you who are not moms yet or never will be, remember that God wants you to teach those younger than you about Him as well.  You are just as important!!!

So, in the spirit of Mother's Day, I decided to right about a family date.  I think that it is important to block out time for the family.  For Christmas, the girls got a trampoline.  We were told not to set it up until warmer weather.  Therefore, Matthew put it up during Spring Break, and the girls have enjoyed every moment of it!!  Matthew and I have also enjoyed it.  We make time to go out there with the girls to jump.  We do a lot of jumping, but what I enjoy the most, is all the great family conversations.

Today, while on the trampoline, I was able to talk to the girls about what they learned at church this morning. I asked them about Christianity and why we worship God.  They could answer every question, but I challenged them to look at God as our Creator and Father.  They were able to tell me that they didn't want to go to Hell and that is why they want to be Christians, but after I asked them to think about God as Creator and Father, they said they wanted to be a Christian so they could be with Him.

Oh, I love our family time on the trampoline.  Other conversations have revolved around school, friends, and even tv shows that they like to watch.  Another great thing about our time on the trampoline is that it has been a great addition to our exercise routine.

Here are some pics to enjoy!

Yikes!!  I almost forgot pointers!  Not everyone has a trampoline.  So here are my pointers for family dates at home.  Find something that interest your children that you already have at home.  If you have teenagers and a pool, go out there and swim with them.  If you have a swing set, go swing your children.  Maybe you have children that like sports, go out there and throw/kick the baseball, football, soccer ball, volleyball, or basketball.  Just find something that you can do outdoors for exercise and family fun.  I know, there are things that can be done indoors too, but I'll save that for a different post. ;-)

A Late Night in Home Date

I really like to look for ways to have spontaneous dates because sometimes those are easier for Matthew and I, but that can be hard as well because then you are trying to find a sitter last minute if you have children like us.  So, around 3 pm one day, I thought, "I had a great night sleep last night, and I'm feeling tired now.  We could have a date tonight!"  One problem, the girls and it was a school night.  So, I started trying to think of something for us to do.

I decided to text Matthew so that I could get his suspense up.  I asked him if he was up for a late night date.  He said that a date would be great, but asked about the girls.

My plan: once girls went to bed, we snuggle on the couch and watch a movie on Netflix.  I let him choose the movie.  He chose "The King's Speech."  I usually don't watch rated R movies, but this one is one worth watching if you like history.  It is based on the true story of King George VI of England.

Make this night special:
1.  Give your husband just a little bit of info so he will be prepared to stay up late if he is normally an early bird, or to finish things up by the time the kids go to bed if he does work at night at home.  2.  Rent a movie if you don't have Netflix.  3.  Let him choose the movie so that you are showing interest in something he likes (and don't complain about it!).  4.  Plan to have favorite movie snacks.

We really enjoyed our night, but this time, I don't pics!!  Who wants to see us sitting on the couch watching a movie?  Anyhow, I pray that you and your husband have many great dates that allow you to spend time together.

Charitable Event...Oh So Much FUN!

Matthew and I have a Charity in our town that is dear to our hearts.  As a pastor, Matthew was able to help to create The New Life Center in Bardstown.  The NLC is a family support center, where women can take free pregnancy tests and get guidance in how to raise a baby from conception to childhood.  They also counsel men and women who have been court ordered to take parenting classes.  Check out their website for more information (I have it linked above).  They also have a Facebook page.

The great thing about this organization, and many other non-profit organizations, is that they hold fundraiser events each year.  The NLC has a wonderful Chocolate Extravaganza!  Matthew and I used this event as a date night (we have for the past 3 years!).  At the Chocolate Extravaganza, people or restaurants provide samples of a chocolate dish, and for $20 a person, you can enjoy a buffet of these chocolates!  What girl would say no to something like this?!?

Also, they had a chocolate fountain in which you could dip fruit and marshmallows and other items.

This is a friend of ours.  (Sorry, Daniel!)

This year, they added a S'Mores Bar!  They had open flames where you could roast your marshmallow then add your graham cracker and chocolate or other toppings.

There was also a Silent Auction with over 30 items!

And they had a Photo Booth set up for people to use props to have their pictures taken together.

This date did cost us a little more than usual, but not much more than a dinner and any other form of entertainment.  We also had to pay for childcare, but it was so worth it!!!

Tips from this date:  1.  If there is a local non-profit organization near you that is dear to your heart, check and see if they have an annual fundraising event.  2.  Be willing to spend a little more when your date is for a good cause.  3.  Have fun with friends, we some many friends that also enjoyed the night.  I even got to take a Photo Booth pic with my Mum-in-Law.

Here is one last picture from the night.  A friend won Easter hats for the girls in the Silent Auction.  Matthew and I decided to model them.

Enjoy many great dates with your family!  Comment if you have a great charitable date night to share.

Mid-Afternoon Free Date

I work until noon on Fridays.  The girls don't have to be picked up from school until 3:15.  I don't know why we have never taken advantage of this time before!  I guess when you are writing a blog about dating, you start looking for those times.

Matthew and I love to take walks.  We like them for exercise and for talking. So, on a Friday, Matthew asked me what I was doing.  I had stayed to work a little late, and it was almost 1:30.  I said that I was heading home ( I work about 30 minutes from my home).  He asked what we could do (so actually, he initiated this one).  He told me to meet him downtown.  We have a gorgeous downtown.  So, we met at the public parking lot, and went for a walk until time for me to pick up the girls from school.

The best thing about this date, oh wow, there are several!!!  1. He initiated it.  2. We got exercise.  3.  We got to share about our days without interruptions.  4. It was FREE.  5. We didn't have to get a sitter.

Enjoy these little moments with your spouse!  You need time together without the children.

By the way, Bardstown was voted Most Beautiful Small Town in America in 2012!  Check us out!!

Family Date Go Wrong?

Matthew had just flown in from being gone to Scotland for a week.  His flight was supposed to arrive around 6 pm on Friday, but after many delays and having to be rerouted many times over due to snow,he arrived home around midnight the same day!  So, we kept Saturday open for a Family Date.  We went to a park to spend time together since it was actually in the 60s in February.  We also thought that our beloved Archie should go with us as well.  He is our 4 year old Yorkie, and he is the one that made this Family Date turn sour....or did he?

We got to the park and there were signs that said to keep on leashes.  Check!  So, we parked and started to walk to the playground, but all the signs going towards it said, "Keep Dogs Off Grass." Now that we are here, out of the car, and walked a ways, we can't take the dog any further.  We didn't want to have to load up to try to find a different park.  So, we decided that Matthew would take the girls to the playground, and I would walk Archie.

So did this Family Date go Wrong?  Was this date a success even though we weren't together?  I think, YES!  The girls got to spend some serious play time with their daddy, and I got to get fresh air and exercise a little after being sick for 3 days.

Anytime the family takes time to be together, it is a successful date.  My tip from this date (oh, and I actually have several): 1. Check local parks rules if you want to take your dog. 2. Be flexible if something doesn't turn out as you planned. 3. Take the time to take pics! 4. Include the pets if they are family and can go with you. 5. Enjoy the time!!!

Here are the pics that Matthew and the girls took.

Just Hanging Around

Hang On

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Getting Grown too Fast

Another One Getting too Big

I love this one!!!

My Boy and Me (After walking a little over a mile, he was worn out.)

Why I am Writing this Blog

I decided to start this blog because I was looking for creative ideas for a date night with my husband, and I couldn't find anything!!!  I couldn't believe that women weren't writing about what they do with their husbands.  I know several women who plan special events for their husbands, and I thought maybe I should ask some of them to help me come up with a blog of ideas for dates with our husbands, and we may add in some family dates as well (Actually my first post is a family date.).

I believe as a Christian, I should be helping my marriage and family by planning dates for us that helps us to put the rest of the world aside and to focus on each other.  Before marriage, men are usually the ones that plan the dates and take us women on them, but after marriage, something happens.  The dates stop.  That is when I think that it is important for us as women to pick up the dating.  We need to sit down with our husband and decide how often we need to have a date, and then sit aside the days.  Some couples can have a date a week, others once or twice a month.  It will vary depending on your family.  Then as the wife, plan the date: plan a babysitter, the place, the time, etc.

I hope that some of the dates that my friends and I provide will help women to plan dates for their husbands and their families.