Date Night ~ by Heather Oster

Date nights.  Date nights with your spouse.  Date nights with your girlfriends.  Date nights with your kids?  Yep.  Absolutely.

Over the years, I have come to realize my boys need my undivided, specific attention just as much as my husband and friends do.  Its hard to think of them needing this kind of time when you think of how much other stuff you do together, but its true.  They need it.  Its hard when there are siblings and schedules and life.  You get sucked into such a whirlwind of "to-do's" that its easy to forget. 

However, I think every parent (both moms and dads) should find the time, occasionally, to take each of their children out for a "date".  There are mounds of things you can do and I've discovered my boys really don't care.  They are so excited to be able to spend time with me, that they could care less what it involves.  They just want that attention and love and its nice to be able to focus solely on them and reinforce that relationship.

I have taken my kids to the park, gone for bike rides, went to the movie, went to dinner, gone out for ice cream cones, walks, showed up for "hot lunch" at school, even did a little shopping . . . just for fun.  I have found it heightens their spirits and just generally makes their day extra special.

So, if you ever have an extra couple hours, or even just a half an hour, give it to your kids.  Make it a "date" you'll both remember.  The benefits of doing so will last them, and you, a lifetime. 

Videos | Remember Nhu

Videos Remember Nhu

The video is long, but well worth watching. My husband and I have been supporting a child within this organization for 4 years now. It has been our complete pleasure to do so.

If you are interested in making a one time contribution or becoming of monthly supporter, please refer to the contact link on the website.

Courageous - In Theaters Now

Courageous - In Theaters Now

I live in a "small" town and we were, unfortunately, unable to get the movie "Courageous" to play at our local movie theatre. Sony would not release it here unless they had bulk ticket sales in advance. Being a small town, who is also enduring a struggling economy, the sales just weren't there. However, I did find that this movie is playing at the Carmike 10 in Missoula (next to Home Depot). I was hoping to be able to see it in the theatre, as a date night with my husband, but it doesn't look like we will make it. No worries though!!! We will definitely be renting it on DVD when it comes out. I can't wait!!

If you have had the opportunity to see this movie, please leave your review below. I would love to hear what you have to say about it!!

If you haven't had the opportunity to see it, I would highly recommend you do. Finding a good family/Godly movie, without violence, sexual content and inappropriate language is extremely difficult.

Click on the link under my title to watch the trailer and get additional information.

Journaling with Penzu ~ by Heather Oster

I've decided, with all the spare time I have, I should start journaling.  Not just journaling for me, but I've set up a journal to each of my boys.  I figured since I failed at making either of them a proper "Baby Book", I needed to make up some thoughfulness.

I found the http://www.penzu.com/ website to be very helpful.  They offer both free and Pro journaling.  Both are easy to manage and fun to play with.

I've never been much into journaling.  Never owned a diary.  I guess I was always too worried someone would find what I was writing and then they'd know all my secrets!!  But, in my "old age", I'm not sure I care anymore.  I mise well be an open book . . . to the computer . . . although I did thoroughly check the privacy policy!

I hope to be able to add entries, to all three journals, on a daily basis.  I think the boys, when they grow older, will enjoy reading about how each day went for them and will finally be willing to hear what I have to add to that.  And lucky for me, they won't be in the house to argue!! 

If you enjoy journaling and would rather do it via computer as opposed to hand-writing it out, then you should check out the Penzu website and let your fingers run wild over the keyboard. 

Ideas for journaling:
To your husband
To your kids
To yourself
Your fitness journey
Your spiritual journey
A collection of funny stories
A collection of your prayers

The options are endless!!