How Predictable Patterns Are Shaping Our Family

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace-- 

as in all the congregation's of the Lord's people. 

- 1 Corinthians 14:33

It was a few days ago, that our family ventured on yet another road trip across Alligator Alley. As I drove, my husband read a blog to me that was so convicting yet encouraging at the same time. With a rough couple of months of surgeries, homeschooling and therapy... I have gotten away from any kind of consistent schedule in our home. Loads of laundry, clean and dirty, piling up and wishing things were different ...this blog came at the perfect time. It was exciting to read it and think how predictable patterns can shape our family. Click the link, read on and enjoy...


http://3dmovements.com/blog/how-predictable-patterns-are-shaping-our-family/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+3DMleadership+%283DM+Leadership+Blog%29

Road Trip Reveal

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity 

under the heavens 

 Ecclesiastes 3:1

This morning I sit, with a grateful heart, in a hotel room, as I type this.  We stopped halfway through our 14 hour road trip, for some much needed R & R as we head to our annual family reunion in Tennessee. 

It has been such an amazing and eye opening time so far. My mom and dad decided to lighten our load (with us having little 5 week old Quinn) and took our oldest son to ride with them. What a gift. For him and for us. He has had tons of one on one time with his Mimi and Grampy, with dinners out and special "treats" he doesn't normally get. He has had a blast!

Our other son has totally enjoyed this time as well. Riding just with Mommy and Daddy (Quinn sleeps most of the time) allowing us to have some much needed one on one with him too. Through this experience it has confirmed how important that "special" alone time with each child is. You see them in a totally new light. It highlights the sweet character traits that the Lord placed within them that sometimes gets overshadowed as you balance family life. We need to carve that into our week. See it as an investment into your relationship. Priceless! 

Do you have special quality time carved into your schedule for each child in your family?

What can you do to make this happen?

Mom, are we there yet?

This week Greg and I are on a family road trip to be with His parents for their 50^th wedding anniversary.  When taking a road trip I always try to start with my best foot forward by washing and preparing the van for the adventure.  Cleaning it good inside and out, washing the windows, stocking it with essentials such as; water bottles, snacks, paper towels, Clorox wipes and tissues.

  

Our family has had many road trips under our belt.  We have been laughing while sharing favorite moment stories from past trips.  We have had many trip challenges to overcome, some small, like emergency bathroom stops or getting lost, and some large, like accidents or car sickness.  We have great bonding times on the open road.  As we reminisce about our favorite stories, I think as a mom how our family has grown and changed through the years,

Car music - From Barney to Justin Bieber

Luggage - From Diaper Bag to Ballet Bags

Snacks - From Cheerios to Sandwiches

Entertainment – From Road Trip Bingo to watching DVDs and listening to iPods

From Single to Married for one of our Daughters and now Son-In-Law first road tip (Also the first trip that our son will meet us there from college)

I look back with such gratitude and see how faithful God has been to our family.   Road trips are not just about the destination, but about the memories that we build along the way. I am looking forward with great expectation to many more trips in our future.  

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Phil 4:11 NKJV