Wannigan Days in St. Croix Falls, WI

If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, visit: www.wannigandays.com.
July 17-20, 2008.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Celebration. They will be having a 50's theme and fun activities for everyone.
Hope to see you there: www.wannigandays.com.

"Grampa Don!!"

We were strolling through Walmart the other night, and Kirk was holding Ella. All of a sudden she got excited and shouted, "Grampa Don!!" She was pointing to something on one of the top shelves. Kirk walked her closer to the shelf until we figured out that she was pointing to the Corn Meal and more specifically to the Quaker Oats Man on the container.

Welcoming Daddy Home

I'm always looking for something that seems to really make an impact at home without needing to be a complete superhero to accomplish it. I recently ran into an article from FamilyLife (a division of Campus Crusade for Christ) on their e-mail newsletter that I thought was really practical and interesting. Here is the link http://www.familylife.com/familyroom/article.asp?aid=667.

Basically, the idea is to put forth a little effort to really welcome your husband home that involves you (the wife) and the kids. In my case, I have an hour between when Kirk leaves work to when he get home. After Kirk calls, the kids and I can pull out bins and throw any cluttering toys in there, dress anyone who is still in PJs (sometimes all of us), put some make-up on, start a meal if it hasn't been already and then eagerly await Kirk coming home. I love asking the kids, "Who's home!?!" And they both yell, "Daddy!!" and many times run to the door.

Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in how hard my day has been or let Kirk know the list of things I need from him the moment he gets home. The days that we work to make Kirk's homecoming a celebration usually sets the tone for a good evening together as a family. The kids are at the age where I still have to do most of this on my own, but even Ella can throw toys in a container. Honestly, I think Kirk would rather have me and the kids excited to see him and have to wait for supper than have a timely supper and a grumpy wife and chaotic environment.

Afterall, how many times as wives do we sacrifice cherishing our relationships in our families for trying to do it all! I am definitely in process in all of this, but it is exciting to have little things that really work.

Shara