Oopsie...a bit of a rant?

Friday I went to the Temple and had a lot of great time to think and pray and ponder and just enjoy the ride over and back.  My weekly trip depends on how Terry is doing but it seems to be Friday happens more often than not.  So I'm choosing Friday as my Temple day!  Seems I've written that before but just wanted to share that fact again.

On my trip I thought a lot about how life is constantly changing and just when you get it figured out, it all shifts.  I remember a life segment, of many years, thinking that I knew everything...everything!- that a person needed to know for living life.  Then I found myself moved ahead, beyond thinking, and knew that I knew it all!  Now?...I know that I know nothing!!  Life...such an adventure!

A couple of things that I do know for sure.  Families should eat meals together and social media destroys conversing and is addictive.  Don't shoot me down.  Just saying what I feel.  There are only two of us here.  It's easy to not eat together.  We don't communicate on social media with each other and yet it's easy to not converse!

Today we talked about making sure we eat at least once a day together for dinner.  How can this happen you ask?  How are you married forever...home all the time...relatively healthy etc etc. and yet it's a challenge?

Age and taste buds change and sleeping habits are on different schedules and health challenges and on and on...Nothing sounds good or nothing tastes good...I've been up for several hours and he's still sleeping from a rough night... at this stage of my life- I'm not gung-ho at cooking meals anymore!  More of a short-order cook!!...On and on the challenges go.  He thinks he deserves a break because he's almost 80.  I cry...so?  You get it?  Right!?

When we talked about making sure we sit at the table, together for a meal, he questioned ...aren't you saying that the purpose is to connect and visit?  I said...yes.  He said...aren't we doing that now?  and don't we visit off and on like this, all day?  I said...yes.

When I read the New York Times article and they addressed families with children and how hectic/chaotic/challenging etc. it is...they mentioned figuring out something, some time, that the family sits down, with food, eats and talks.  They even mentioned desserts!  I mean that's pretty desperate if that's all a person can manage when they have family at home but thinking out of the box is good for all of us.  Maybe my Sweetie and I will meet over pie (purchased frozen! Of course!)

I've talked about family meals for years.  I know.  I'm sort of on my Soapbox but school is getting ready to start and I hope that meals are on your priority list.

The list I shared below is actually for after school chats but if it's awkward to talk at the table...put the questions in a jar and draw them out and everyone gets to answer.

I don't know if the game Vertell?s would work or not at a dinner table.  The entire premise is for conversation that goes beyond ...yes and no.  Check it out!  (Cassie and I took Vertell?s with us when we went to Leavenworth but we talked so much that we never opened it up!)

 NY Times...why eat together?  how to have better family mealtimes...here

questions to ask your children at the dinner table?  here

hello@vertellis.com (maybe for Sunday afternoon- if it's to involved for a dinner?)

My soapboxing blog about "devices"  here

“The time a family spends together ‘eating meals at home [is] the strongest predictor of children’s academic achievement and psychological adjustment.’ Family mealtimes have also been shown to be a strong bulwark against children’s smoking, drinking, or using drugs. There is inspired wisdom in this advice to parents: what your children really want for dinner is you.”

--Elder Dallin H. Oaks (CR 2007)

Still Cookin'!

Emma is a friend and she works in YW as do I.  She has 5 children...her husband is a busy Pediatrician...and if that isn't enough to keep her hoppin'---her hubby is also our Bishop. I appreciate her very much.

Her family... (Emma I couldn't copy the one at the top of your FB. So I chose this one)

Thanks for sharing!

(a SUNNY day for sure!!!)

Hi Nancy,

I completely believe in meal planning. Life is so much easier when I plan ahead. That being said, I am not really good at it. But I'll tell you what has worked for me. It's similar to what Shannon does. I have an idea of what type of meal I'd like to have. I did crockpot meals on Monday because I didn't get home until 6:00, Taco Tuesday (Mexican food), Pizza Friday etc. And I get input from the kids so they get to have their favorite meals at some point. It worked best when I did the meals two weeks at a time. Some people like to do a month at a time.

It's really not fun when 4:00 rolls around, and the kids are in the midst of after school stuff and they are asking what's for dinner and I have no idea! Also if I already know what's for dinner I can prep in the morning when I have time. It helps me have healthier meals as well, so I don't have to used last minute processed foods. We eat meals together as often as possible. Dinner is usually at 6:30 when Aaron gets home. I think eating together is essential. It's a time to talk and come together. We learn good behavior, and get to talk about the day, and plans for the next day.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts. It's inspired me to get back to meal planning! I think it's the right time as school is just starting. That way I can be with the kids when they get home rather than figuring out what to fix for dinner!

Emma

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(SHARING AGAIN!!)

Citing various authorities, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught:

“The time a family spends together ‘eating meals at home [is] the strongest predictor of children’s academic achievement and psychological adjustment.’ Family mealtimes have also been shown to be a strong bulwark against children’s smoking, drinking, or using drugs. There is inspired wisdom in this advice to parents: what your children really want for dinner is you.”³