Family Volley Photo Challenge

This weeks Photo Challenge (June 6) is - "On Your Mind"

Can't wait to see what you come up with. Be sure you upload your photos to the Flickr group so we can all see what is "on your mind".

How To Be Miserable...

"How to be Miserable" is a new series here on Family Volley. Each week I will post one way to be Miserable. To help us remember how to be Happy.

Put Yourself Down

Miserable people put themselves down. You can't give them a compliment because they won't accept it. You tell them dinner tasted great, they say "no it was too dry." You tell them they look nice, they say "I think I would look better in different pants". And they are always quick to point out their faults. Most of the faults they point out, you wouldn't have ever noticed until they pointed them out to you. You get tired of saying kind things to them because they are always denying their worth. Being around them is tiring because no matter what you say, they won't accept it. Yep, if you wan't to be miserable, put yourself down and deny your worth. It's a great way to ward off good friends.

Happy people don't put themselves down. They understand they are not perfect, but they accept themselves and understand that their worth is tied to more than their pant size and the perfect meal.

Remember, "You is kind, you is smart, you is important."

Challenge: The next time you want to "refute" a compliment, bite your tongue and say thank you instead.

Do you have a hard time accepting compliments?
Do you put yourself down?

How to be Miserable...

Inspired by a funny conversation I had a few weeks ago, "How to be Miserable" is a new series here on Family Volley. Each week I will post one way to be Miserable. To help us remember how to be Happy.

Don't Smile

If you want to be miserable, don't smile. Smiling makes us more attractive, changes our mood, relieves stress, makes us look younger, boosts our immune system and helps us stay positive. Who would ever want those things to happen?

Plus, a smile is contagious. So by all means, if you want to be miserable, don't smile, and don't hang out with people who smile either. You might catch something.

The Challenge: Smile today, even if you don't feel like it.

Feel free to share "How To Be Miserable" with your friends. Because who really wants to be happy anyways. :)

Family Volley Photo Challenge

This week's Photo challenge (May 30) - "A Number"

Can't wait to see what you come up with. 

This Weeks Photo Challenge and Zoobie Winners

Although I don't have last weeks photo challenge up quite yet, here is this weeks challenge so you can start thinking and planning. Last weeks challenge was "Something Old". I will get it up this week.

Photo Challenge - (April 25): Faceless Self-Portrait.

Winners of the Zoobies Giveaway. Congratulations!!!

You have until Tuesday, April 24th at midnight to contact me. 

Jenny

Savannah

Exciting News and a GIVEAWAY!

Two weeks ago I received a really exciting email. An invitation to contribute to Mom's Best Network. The site just launched last week and it is lovely. Mom's Best is all about empowering mothers and women to become their very best. I love their use of the word become. It is a good reminder that life is a process and we all here to help one another do our best.

There are amazing contributors. All lovely women who believe in supporting one another. Be sure you follow along. You will love what you see.

In conjunction with Mom's Best, we have a giveaway today.

Each week Mom's Best chooses "HOT Product Winners". These are products that mother's endorse and love. This week, one of the HOT product winners for new moms is Zoobies Pets.

Have you heard of Zoobies? Our kids have been asking for one for forever. They are plush pets, that are also pillows, AND a blanket. Not just a little blanket, but a great big blanket, big enough for your kids to curl up in.

The Giveaway

TWO WINNERS will each have their choice of a Zoobies Blanket Pet. 

Here's how to enter.

Leave a comment on this post telling me who would get the Zoobies Pet if you win. Don't forget your email address.

Extra Entries. 
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

1. "Like" Zoobies on Facebook

2. "Like" Mom's Best on Facebook.

3. Pin any post from Family Volley to Pinterest. 

4. Tweet about this giveaway. 

Giveaway will run through Friday April 20th and the winner will be announced on Saturday April 21st.

I was not compensated in anyway for this giveaway. Opinions are all mine. 

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY-Can You Draw What I See?

Objective:
To have a person draw a picture YOU see, by explaining to them how to draw it.

Materials:
All you need is a picture (of your choice), Paper, and a Pencil or Pen

How To Play:
Get your picture ready. You don't want it to be too complicated. Especially your first few times playing.

Choose one person in your family to be the artist.

Have the artist face the rest of the family. Make sure that the artist cannot see the picture, just the family members. We like to hang the picture on the wall behind the artist's head so that everyone can see it, except them.

The family will now look at the picture and tell the artist how to draw the picture. The family is not allowed to help draw the picture in any way and can only explain what it looks like. No pointing or touching the paper either. The artist listens and tries to draw what they are being told. In the end, reveal the picture that was drawn and compare it to the actual picture and see how well the family and artist did.

This is a powerful family activity! A great activity to work on communication and better understand family dynamics. Play, and you will see how your family works together, communicates and relates to one another. You will see that some family members communicate better than others. You will see some family members take leadership roles. You will have lots of fun too.

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 15-"Something I Made"

It is a miracle. I am actually getting the Photo Challenge up on the right day? That hasn't happened in weeks. :)

At first I thought I would take a picture of our children. They are something I made, right? But instead I decided to photograph a passion of mine. I don't know if I have mentioned it much on Family Volley, but I love to sew. Really love it. I even dream about it. My love of sewing explains my guilty pleasure.

My mom taught me to sew years ago. Her mom taught her. I remember sewing my first big project when I was twelve. My mom helped me sew a family of teddy bears, and a pillow that included a cross stitch. I can still see my mom and grandma sitting at their machines making and mending. I know that part of the reason I love sewing so much is because my mom and grandmother both sew. I want to be like them.

When I make time to sew, I feel rejuvenated. I have come to realize that when life becomes overwhelming, and I feel out of sorts, if I can take a few minutes to sit at the sewing machine, I am able to pull things back together. Sewing lifts my spirits.  

I made this dishtowel. It is not just any dish towel. With some simple embellishment, it ties onto the oven door, which is where I love to hang my towels. I love the color it adds to the kitchen, and I love that little hands can't run off with it, or pull it to the floor. It is always there when I need it. I already have a few others ready to make so that I can switch them up.

It is fun to watch our daughter dry her little hands. She loves the towel because it "always stays hanging up", and our 10 month old likes to drag her hand on the dishtowel as she races by in her walker. Laughing if it brushes her face.

Looking at it reminds me how good I feel when I slow down and rejuvenate. And how important it is that I teach our girls how to sew. I hope they will love sewing too.


Next Weeks Challenge (April 18) - "Something Old"

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 14-"Easter"

Our family had a really nice Easter filled with extended family. When Easter dinner was over, our son pulled me aside and said "Mom, I wish we could all eat dinner together like that every night." He loves having everyone together just like I do. I can see the influence that being Intentional about family celebrations are having on our children. We are making memories as a family and it is wonderful.

These rabbits and Easter basket were the centerpiece on our table. They used to belong to my maternal Grandmother. She passed away nearly 8 years ago and I was the lucky recipient of a lot of her holiday decorations. She and my grandpa spent most holidays with us. I think of her often. She is apart of all of my wonderful holiday memories.

I can see her influence in all I do. Not only did she teach me, but she taught my mom, who taught me. He influence is spanning generations and I miss her.

These Easter decorations were always up in her house. They were part of my childhood. Now they sit on our table and are part of our children's childhood. I hope they feel the love and influence of their Great Grandma Clark too.

I hope you and your family had a beautiful Easter Sunday. Filled with family and love. 

Do you have a favorite Easter Tradition?

Next Weeks Challenge (April 11) - "Something I Made"

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Disco King!

There are some games that just bring out the fun, in all of us. Disco King is one of those games and will have your whole family "rockin".

I know I am always saying, "this game is so much fun". But this game really is sooo much fun. Perfect for family night, Friday Fun, a random Wednesday, or Easter Weekend when all your family is in town and you need something to do together. Hint Hint

All you need for this game is music. Your favorite music.

Here's how you play. All the participants stand in a circle.

Pick someone to be the "Disco King". That person is at the "front" of the circle. The point of the game is to be the "Disco King".

Once you have a "Disco King", everyone will go around the circle and pick a dance move. Think Saturday Night Fever, John Travolta, Stayin Alive, if you need some ideas. The 70's and 80's provide great inspiration. The moves don't have to be crazy and you don't have to be a good dancer to play. Even a foot tap will work. So now, each player has their own dance move.

Once all of the dance moves have been established, turn on the music.

Now the fun begins. The "Disco King" gets things started by doing his/her dance move for 4 beats of the music.

Then, the "Disco King" will do someone else's dance move for 4 beats. This "passes" the dance to another player. Similar to Leader of the Band.

The person who the dance was passed to, will then do their move for 4 beats to "receive" and then will do another players dance move for 4 beats to "pass".

The game continues like this until someone misses a beat, is too slow, or makes a mistake. If someone misses a beat or messes up, the game is paused and that person moves to the "end" of the circle and everyone else shifts "up".

Remember, everyone is trying to work their way "up" to be the "Disco King".

Don't hesitate. Turn on some music, round up your family and friends and "get your groove on". I promise their will be laughing and good times.

Do you have big Easter plans? What special Easter traditions do you celebrate?

Giveaway!-$50 Barnes and Noble Giftcard-Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza

This giveaway is closed.

Today is a perfect day for a giveaway, don't you think?

Family Volley believes in the power and importance of reading in our families and is happy to support this year's Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza. The Hop is all about reading and books. 

The Giveaway....

$50 Barnes and Noble Giftcard.

Perfect for all the readers in your house.

Mandatory Entry: 

• Follow Family Volley by Email or Google Friend Connect and leave a comment saying hello. (Use the email button in the right sidebar or the follow button.) If you are already a follower, great!

Additional Entries: Leave a comment for each "extra" you do.

• "Like" Family Volley on Facebook.
• Follow Family Volley on Pinterest.

Giveaway will run through April 12th.
The Link to all the participants can be found here. Happy Hopping!





Hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Once Upon a Twilight.


I was not compensated in any way for participating. This giveaway has no affiliation with Barnes and Noble. Opinions are all mine. 

You Were Prepared For This....So Was I

Last week I was sitting in a meeting. Meeting sounds boring. I should call it a get together instead of a meeting. It was really fun, I was surrounded by great people who felt like old friends, and it was inspiring.

So let's start again, last week I was at a get together. I left inspired by the entire 3 hours. I have replayed much of the day over and over, and there is something I can't shake. It has changed the way I am moving forward as a wife, mother and woman.

(Let me preface. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know I have a Father in Heaven who loves me. I know I lived with Him before I was born.)

During the get together one of the presenters started talking about living with our Heavenly Father. He mentioned that we lived with our Heavenly Parents for 6000 yrs before we were born. And then he asked, "during those 6000 yrs...what did they prepare us for?"

He answered his own question.

"They prepared us for right now. They prepared us for what we doing at this minute, every minute."

This might sound simple. Maybe you have heard it before. I know I have, But it hit me, BIG.

I immediately started thinking about being a mother, and about our children. Being a mom is hard. It is the most joyous thing I have ever done, but it is not easy. There are many nights when I climb into bed and think about the day and realize that I CAN, and NEED to do better. There are many times I wonder if I have what it takes.

Now my mind was racing. I spent 6000 yrs being prepared to be a mom to our children right now. These children. There is comfort in this realization. There is power in this realization.

Can you even begin to imagine the tutelage that we received?

Since Wednesday, I have seen my role as a mother differently. I have seen my trials differently. That means I have been prepared to handle a temper tantrum. I have been prepared to handle uncertainty with my husbands profession. I have been prepared to handle demanding church callings. I have been prepared to handle the nosy neighbor who lives across the way. I have been prepared to juggle children and laundry and homework, all at the same time. I have been prepared to handle crying babies and sleepless night and growing 9 year olds that eat everything in sight. I have been prepared to love and teach, raise and console our children.

I now realize that one of the most important things I can give our children, is a parent who believes in themselves? A parent who recognizes that they have been saved to raise them, and then has confidence in their ability to do so?

A parent who trusts their instincts, a parent who believes they can be patient, who believes they can be compassionate, who believes they can discipline with love.

I need to remember on good days and bad, to shout for joy because I do have what it takes, I spent 6000 yrs being taught how to handle each and every situation.

Do you ever wonder if you have what it takes as a parent?

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 13-"In Your Bag"

Maybe I should call the Photo Challenge "The Better Late Than Never Challenge", because for the last 4 weeks, I have been behind. I apologize. I am going to do better.

This Week's Challenge: "In Your Bag"

I have carried a diaper bag for the last 10 years. Sure, there have been times here and there were I go back to a normal bag or purse, but a diaper bag over my shoulder is when I am most comfortable. I think I want to carry a diaper bag forever.

I opened the diaper bag tonight, and this is what I found. I didn't move a single thing. In the back, a sleeve that carries diapers and wipes. A hard book for our little one, snacks, cheerios and the new mini graham crackers. Have you seen the new mini graham crackers? They are great. Easy to break into little pieces, and they taste really good. And then, there is our 10 month old's favorite toy. The eyes belong to an elephant. She loves to chew on him. And when you squeeze the elephant, his eyes "bug" out of his head. Our daughter thinks it is so funny and loves to suck on the eyes. It is the perfect church toy and gets us through at least 30 minutes.

Although I have been slow to get these posts up, they are making a difference in my life. Documenting, slowing me down, causing me to think about the small things like our daughter's favorite toy. Amongst the craziness that I feel trying to manage a family and home, and life, these small moments of reflection are wonderful. I hope they are doing the same for you?

Next Week's Challenge (April 4): "Easter" 

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY-Leader of the Band!

This game is a great reminder that all our family members "beat to their own drum". We are all different and make a different sound. It takes all of our sounds to make the music. 

You don't need anything to play this game.

Rules:

First, have everyone sit in a circle.

Then, have everyone pick a different musical instrument. They will need to make the sound of the instrument. Some examples, violin, piano, organ, choir, guitar, flute, drums etc...

Next, establish the rhythm. Slap twice on your knees, clap twice, and then snap your fingers twice. Everyone does this together the whole game.

Now, choose someone to start the game. While everyone is doing the rhythm together, the person who started will replace the two finger snaps with the sound of their instrument. Then as the rhythm continues, they will do someone else's sound during the next set of snaps. That is how the rhythm is passed.

EXAMPLE: (If I was the drums) I would slap my knees twice, clap twice and then make the sound of drums. Then I would slap my knees twice, clap twice and then make the sound of the guitar. Whoever is the guitar now takes a turn. 

They would slap their knees twice, clap twice, and then make the sound of the guitar (to accept) and then slap their knees twice, clap twice and then make the sound of the violin (to pass).

This continues until someone messes up, mixes things up, forgets to accept or pass, or takes too long to take their turn. Then they are out. The last two players left, win.

Thank you for all your support and comments this week. Have a wonderful weekend! Our family will be sitting down to watch General Conference on Saturday and Sunday. It is one of my favorite weekends of the year.  See you on the flip side. :)

12 Days of Easter: Family Activity

Our family is getting ready to start this Easter Tradition that we started last year. In case you and your family want to get started also, here is run down of how our 12 Days of Easter, works. 


Are you looking for a great family idea for celebrating Easter? Do you want your children to know there is more to Easter than Candy?

Me too!

That is why we do the 12 Days of Easter. Want to join us?

In order to finish on Easter Sunday, you will want to start (open your first egg) on Wednesday March 28th. That is this Wednesday. No worries it is really easy to get this activity prepared. You probably have everything you need at home already. 

If you want a shorter 7 day version, I will include it at the end of the post. 

Plus, even if you can get day one and two done, it buys you a few more days to put the rest together if you need it.

Remember the Easter Egg Garland we made two weeks ago? That is how I am going to display our eggs.
The kids are going to be so excited.

Here is how The 12 Days of Easter works....It shouldn't take more than about 20 minutes to put together.

Materials
12 Plastic Easter Eggs
Permanent Marker
12 Small Strips of Paper (12 more optional)
(Small items listed below)

What to do
1. With your permanent marker, write the numbers 1-12 on each of the plastic eggs. 

2. Prepare your strips of paper.
*12 of the strips will have scripture references on them, listed below.
*The other 12 will have a very short explanation of the scripture. You don't have to include this, but I am putting them in for our 6 year old who is all about reading right now. 

3. Round up your small items (listed in parentheses). Refer to the list below.

The 12 Days of Easter.

Day 1
Matthew 26:26-27, 39
(A piece of bread or a sacrament cup)

Day 2
Matthew 26: 14-15
Zechariah 11:12-14
(3 Dimes to represent the 30 pieces of silver)

Day 3
Matthew 27:1-2
(Knotted Twine)

Day 4
Matthew 27:15, 17, 21, 24-26
(Chunk of Hand Soap)

Day 5
Matthew 27:28-30
Mark 15:16-17
(Square of red or purple fabric)

Day 6
Matthew 27:31-32
(Small Nail)

Day 7
Matthew 27:35
(Dice-representing casting lots)

Day 8
Matthew 27:50-51, 54
(Crushed Rocks)

Day 9
Matthew 27:57-60
(Strips of White Cloth)

Day 10
Matthew 27:60, 62-66
(Small Flat Stone)

Day 11
Mark 16:1, 2-6
(Bay Leaf or other Herb)

Day 12
Matthew 28:5-6
(Empty because HE IS RISEN!)

Arrange each day in its assigned egg and decide how you want them displayed. I am making ours into a garland. You could simply place them in a basket and display them. You could only bring out one a day, or even have your kids go on a hunt to find them each day.

Our family is going to...
Open one egg each night before we say family prayer. Our 3 year old will get to pick the egg off the garland because she is learning her numbers. Our 7 year old will read the short summary. Our 9 year old will read the scripture reference and the scripture. Then we will all discuss its meaning and what the small item represents.

After we open each egg I think we are going to clip the scriptures on the garland in between the eggs. I have some mini clothes pins that will work great. I got mine at Hobby Lobby, but you can get them at Michaels and Roberts.


7 Days of Easter (in case you get a late start, or want a shorter version)
To simplify... Just prepare the following days.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 5
Day 6
Day 9
Day 10
Day 12

What do you think? Are you going to do this with your family?
How do you teach your children the Real Meaning of Easter?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Ooga Booga Look!

Great News, you don't need any supplies for this game.

And...your kids will think this game is hilarious.

With your family or any group of people, gather in a circle with arms on the shoulders of each person on both sides. Like a huddle.

With head and eyes looking down to the floor the group slowly starts to walk in a circle while everyone chants, ..."Ooga-Booga, Ooga-Booga, Ooga-Booga, Look!"

As soon as the group says "Look", everyone stops walking in a circle, and lifts their head to LOOK INTO THE EYES OF ANOTHER PERSON IN THE GROUP.

If two people are both looking at each other, they are out of the game. Repeat the above steps until only two players remain. They are the winners!

If you have small children, have everyone play on their knees so that you are the same height.

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 12-"Patience"

What does a brush and comb have to do with patience? When you have 3 girls, everything. The one part of my day that requires more patience than any other is when I have to use that comb and brush to get the "snags" out of our 7 year old's hair. It has really taught me to slow down and be patient. Very patient.

When do you have to show patience?

Next Week's Challenge - March 28th - "In My Bag"

Centering-Part 3 of 5

Third post in a series of Parenting tips... All starting with the Letter "C"

Looking for the first two "C's" in the series? Click for Choices and Commitment.

Today we are talking about Centering.

Centering means we are in the moment. This means four things....


1. We see our children as people. People just like us. They have good days and bad days. They worry, have stress, insecurities. They have hopes and dreams and get excited, just like us. They have things to say, opinions to express, and feelings to share. How do you feel when you are trying to talk to someone and they are distracted, or not listening? We feel lousy. We know when someone isn't listening to us. We know when people are pretending to care about what we are saying, and so do our kids. 

Put yourself in your children's shoes. Have compassion and think of what it is like to be them. Stop seeing them as a distraction and be with them. Right then.

2. Avoid Jumping Ahead. As a parent, it is easy to jump to the future. We have had experiences our children have not and we understand how actions affect the future. But, jumping ahead on our kids confuses them, and sends the message that we are not listen and don't care. 

I distinctly remember learning this lesson with our son. 

He was struggling with his multiplication. I looked at him and said"...if you can't get these problems right, you will never get into college".

WHAT? What is wrong with this statement, besides EVERYTHING?

Now, it is true that our son needs to learn his math if he wants to do well in school and get into college. But at 6 years old, does that matter to him. NO! Does he really even understand "college". NO! In fact, he looked at me and said..."mom, you're not even listening to me, what does college have to do with 2 x 4"? 

My statement made him feel like I wasn't listening.

My statement confused him.

My statement made him feel like I didn't care about his question. 

M statement frustrated him. 

My statement made him feel like I didn't understand.

I was not centered on him, his question, or his feeling and concerns. 

We need to make sure we stay centered. We need to make sure our comments are circumstance appropriate, age appropriate, and understanding appropriate. Avoid jumping too far ahead. It sends a message to our children that we are not listening and that we don't understand or care. 

3. Really listen and pay attention. To be centered on your child, in the moment, means to put down what you are doing and actually listen. It also means that saying "uh huh", does not cut it for having a conversation with our children.

We need to put everything else down.

We need to look them in the eyes.

We need to be at their level.
We need to actually listen to the words they are saying.

4. Don't push our own agenda. I am at fault for this. A lot. I give the impression that I am listening, that I am centered and in the moment. But all I am thinking about is what I am going to say when our kids stop talking. Meaning, the second they stop telling their story or expressing their thought, I hit them with..."that is great, now will you please finish taking out the trash and start your homework".

The message I send is that ..."I don't really care what you just told me, stop talking and get your work done".

We need to let go of our own agenda and what we want to say, and instead listen to what our kids want to say.

The best part of being centered is that our love and understanding for our children will grow. We will love them more deeply because we will get to know them better. We will also have more patience with our children. Our children will be better behaved and more obedient. Our relationships will be strengthened and we will find more enjoyment in being parents. And our kids will find more enjoyment in being our kids.

Do you ever Jump Ahead with your kids?
What can you do to be more centered with your children?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Reverse Charades

Unlike regular charades where one person acts out a word or phrase for the group, in Reverse Charades, the group acts out for one person.

All you need to play are some strips of paper with clues to act out, written on them. You can do single words, phrases, inside family jokes, you can even do bible stories (like Daniel and the Lions Den) etc. Anything will work. Single words are usually the easiest. Once you have the clues, put them in a pile on the table, or in a basket.

Before we start this game, I give every family member (or every player) 10 strips of paper and a pen. Then, every person writes down 10 clues on their papers. In less than 5 minutes we have 50+ clues and we are ready to play. It is really easy to keep the old papers on hand for a quick Reverse Charades game when our family needs something to do.

Remember, no talking.

To Play:
Have one family member stand, facing the rest of the family. They are going to be the "guesser".

Set the timer for 1 minute. The rest of the family will then pull out a strip of paper and immediately begin to act out the clue for the "guesser".

Keep track of how many words each person guesses correctly. The person who guesses the most during their turn, wins.

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 11-"Favorite Color"

For as long as I can remember, it has been yellow. It has always been yellow. 


Don't get me wrong. There is nothing like a great red shoe or the perfect navy skirt. I am drawn to pink because we have three girls, and my husband looks great in greens and browns. As hard as I have tried to have a new favorite, I always go back to yellow.

Yellow and white are a match made in heaven. I can't resist when they are together. Yellow is happy. White makes yellow happier. Yellow is sunshine and warmth and reminds me of my childhood. Memories of growing up are happy, sunshiny, and warm. Even love to me is yellow.

This is the centerpiece on a small child size table at my parent's house. My mom keeps it decorated for each holiday. My grandpa made it when I was little. I used to sit at the table with my mom and play. Now my mom sits with our kids at the same table and plays with them. There are tea-parties, art projects, picnic lunches, make believe, and lots of loves and laughs. The yellow and white pieces belong to the battleship game. Our daughter likes them better in the vase. So do I. 

What is your favorite color?

Next Weeks Photo Challenge - "Patience"