Girl's Weekend #2

Wish I'd Done That: For each holiday, main ones and obscure, involve your little ones in the decorating and preparations. It makes them feel needed, and through crafts or just markers you can inspire creativity. For the upcoming Valentine's Day, have your kids make homemade valentines from doilies, lace, construction paper and sequins. Use safety scissors to let them cut out hearts and so on. Go crazy!

My sister Jana has moved to Pampa, TX. Mom, Sharla and I have invited ourselves down for another girl's weekend. Last year's event was at my house, but this year, it's just the "old girls". After LA graduates in June, I'd like to gather all the girls at our house again.

Jana has plans for us to antique, go to a tea room, and shop. We're heading over to Amarillo for a day, and I think there's mention of a movie or two.

I'm so excited. I told my sisters and Mom that we will make plans for the next gathering each time we meet. If we don't, it will never happen.

I cherish my sisters; I wish I lived closer to them. I miss Mom every day......

Praise God for families who love you anyway, no matter how weird you are.(Yes, I know this is terrible grammar, but still!)

Jana's Going South!!

Wish I'd Done That: I know it's tempting to let fussy sleepers into your bed, but fight the urge! It's easy to get started, and terribly hard to break that habit. Instead, for the toddlers, make a pallet on the floor next to your bed. Gradually, move the pallet away from the bed, towards the door. Then, it goes down the hall, ever closer to the child's room. Pretty soon, your little darling will be at home in their own room, and not in your bed!


One of my sisters is moving to Texas! I can't believe it, but it's true. Her husband has taken a job down there; they are moving November 1st. (She's the one on the far right)

She's lived in our home town, or very close to it, all her adult life. The small town is a great Western Kansas town of close-knit families, and long-time friends. Jana grew up there, raised her girls there, and didn't expect to ever leave it.

I know she is looking forward to this new adventure, but at the same time, she hates to leave our family behind. My brother and mom live there too, and they all see each other, get together and go to church together. It's been so wonderful for them.

Since I've never gotten to live close by the family, I know Jana's future feelings will be those of feeling sad at missing the milestones of my brother's girls, not seeing Mom whenever she feels like it, and not knowing the total history of everyone she meets.

Mullinville is a great town of community pride and taking care of one another. I'm sure the Pampa folks will welcome them, but it will be awhile before she's as comfortable there as she is now.

So, off on the great adventure, Jana. You'll be the only K-Stater for miles around, so you must "represent"!

The home folks will miss you, but we're already planning a January visit for sister-time.

Pray for Jana and Bart as they leave their home and head south.

Welcome them down in Pampa - she's my sis, after all, and I'd like to know she's being taken care of....

Dinner Talk

Wish I'd Done That: When your kids are old enough to carry on a conversation, make up different questions and place them in a container. Every night, draw one out, and discuss it during dinner. Some examples: If you could ask God one question, what would it be? Describe your day in three words. What is your favorite book? Name someplace you would like to visit. If you could add one room onto our house, what would it be?

This encourages everyone to speak to a group, and this definately draws family together!

Speaking of speaking......This is my family - Mom in the center, me on the left and two sisters. My poor brother had to contend with 3 sisters. We were all chatterboxes, and so he never had a chance to say anything. The idea of having conversation starters in my family is a real joke! My sister next to me in the picture always had some dramatic tale, and my youngest sis, on the right, usually had an athletic exploit to share.

If you have some quiet ones, or teenagers who refuse to talk, keep trying. Rick eventually got a word in edgewise, and we girls finally got smart enough to listen to what he had to say. Now he's got 2 girls: one is 14, the other almost 12. (I wonder if he gets to talk at the dinner table?)