FHE

We had FHE tonight with your new friends the Glover's. It was originally supposed to be at the park but it rained cats and dogs so we had to move it to our house. We had pulled pork sandwiches, salad and watermelon. All together we had 9 kids and 4 adults. It was a noisy busy fun night. Spencer shared a lesson on prayer, and the kids played football and we had an amazing looking chocolate cream pie for dessert that our friends brought. It has been so much fun to get to know this family. Our kids play together so well and they are just cute and fun.

We started a new tradition tonight at bedtime. We have been thinking about this idea for a really long time and finally started it. So we got $30 in quarters and told the kids that if they can make it the whole day being obedient (we do give reminders and encouragement--it's not a 1 strike your out deal) they can each put a quarter in the jar at night. Then at the end of the month we can count up the money and decide what we want to do with it. We can either choose something fun to do then or wait and save up our money for something big. Tyler and I are doing it too. It's been really interesting to me to notice how much more compassion and understanding I feel for my kids when I am conscientiously evaluating myself. I think it makes my expectations for them much more realistic.

We talk to each boy separately and ask them how they thought the day went. We give them feedback and let them know what we liked and also what could be better. It felt really good to have some one on one time set aside to acknowledge progress and let the boys know that we see the good things they do. Josh thought it was so fun to sit on the futon and have us ask him questions like the big boys.

We love our family and hope all of our hard work pays off.