Books UGH

Ok . . . so since my vacation to Maine in July I have been reading. Yes me . . . reading. I know . . . it's very hard to grasp, however it's true.

During lunch I occasionally stroll through the Christian book store that's right up the road. I was actually looking for t-shirts during my last visit, however I stumbled upon their clearance book section. I have been trying to tell myself recently that I really need to read more. I suck at it. Any who, a book grabbed my eye . . . it's was cheap (right up my alley!) & it said in big letters . . . "connecting with your kids". I thought to myself THAT'S IT!!! I known that God made me pick up that book for a reason. The title was "Connecting With Your Kids: How Fast Families Can Move from Chaos to Closeness". I loved the title. I was hoping that I would love the book. I was hoping that I would be able to finish it. I mean, for me it was a big book. I can't remember the last time that I finished a book. Read every word, every page, start to finish. Maybe I never did. It's been at least 15 years or so since I've read a book.

Anyways, some how I finished the book. It probably helped that we were in Maine & staying on a lake for a week, which meant lots of free time & silence. Lots of boring hours in the car.

Some people don't like "self help" books but let me tell you . . . this book spoke to me. Mr. Timothy Smith was talking specifically to me!!! I loved it. If you feel like your family is "over scheduled" or you just want to increase the quality of your family life I would recommend this book!!! This is coming from a person that HATES to read!

So now . . . we are home from vacation & it's back to reality. UGH! I've been trying to use some of the suggestions in the book. Let me just tell you . . . even the little changes you make in your family will make your children reaction differently. It's amazing. We've been spending more time together. Doing things. No TV in the back ground. No talking WITHOUT looking at each other. REAL CONVERSATIONS. What a difference that alone has made. Look at your kids when you talk to them. Games nights, movies nights at home with popcorn, making pizza nights . . . time that you schedule & have them look forward too. No matter what comes up you don't break your family night commitment. BOY DOES THIS STUFF WORK!!! Little things. Cheap things. TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY!

Anyways, all that just to say . . . my older son (Mr. Unresponsibiliy) this morning was responsible! WITHOUT ASKING he went to the truck, got his baseball bag, brought it in, put his bag where my mother would look for it, found all the pieces of his uniform & folded them neatly in a pile . . . YES MY SON. A kid that doesn't do anything unless you tell him. Grunts about it & only doesn't 1/3 of what you tell him. WHAT HAS COME OVER MY CHILDREN?!?!?!

WOW . . . AMEN!