Date Idea #2

When you and your spouse can't think of anything to do, or maybe you just want to stay in, try this idea:

Pick a TV show that you haven't seen before, rent a whole season of it, and watch a few episodes together. This can be running date since you will be able to stretch it out among many dates! Make some yumm treats and snuggle up!

Soft Spoken

Yesterday, my defiant little girl was throwing another fit. I have tried everything with her, and somedays it works, somedays it doesn't. So, yesterday she was screaming in the bathroom because I wouldn't pull up her pants for her. She's perfectly capable of doing it herself. She kept screaming and wouldn't listen to me trying to reason with her. Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. I just started whispering. While I tried to tell her that she was old enough to pull up her flippin' pants, I said it all in a whisper. And guess what? It worked!!

Now, I'm not stupid folks. I know that isn't the key to getting your child to listen to you. But maybe if you get stuck in that sitch, and you haven't tried it before, who knows- it may work!

So, what tricks do you have up your sleeve when dealing with your children? Or your spouse for that matter??

* I should note that the whispering stopped her from screaming so she could listen to me, it still didn't make her pull up her pants. She's a stubborn little bugger.

How To Make A Fabric Flower

These cute fabric flowers are so in right now, and SO easy to make. All you need is some cute fabric, a needle and thread, and a hot glue gun (optional).

First, cut your fabric into a strip, about one inch thick and about 2 feet long. The longer the strip, the bigger the flower will be.


Next, stitch the ends closed. Then, run a simple stitch along the entire bottom of the strip. Make sure you secure it. When you are done with the stitch, pull the thread so the fabric gathers like so:

Again, make sure to secure the ends. Take one end and turn the fabric in a spiral. Then you can either sew the layers together so they stay, or like me- just use a hot glue gun to secure it in place.

Then you can put a safety pin on the back, and pin it to a shirt, or hot glue it to a plain headband. Be creative!

FHE ~ Tithing

Opening Song: “I’m Glad to Pay a Tithing,” Children’s Songbook, p. 150

Scripture: Malachi 3:10

Lesson/Activity:

Show your family ten objects of equal value—apples, coins, or the like. As you have the following discussion, separate them one by one.

Suppose your earnings for a month amounted to these. And you had promised to pay a tenth, or one of these, as a tithing. How easy it is to pay the first and have nine left. But when the first goes to the landlord, and the second goes to the grocer, and the third goes to that good natured fellow at the service station, and the fourth goes to the baker, and the fifth, and the sixth, and the seventh, just go . . . Suddenly the realization that there is but one left comes to you.

How much harder is it at that moment to give the remaining one as tithing. Too often at that moment such a person by default joins the kind of people who were admonished by Malachi: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”


Treat: Donut Holes

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 1/4 cups oil
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

In a bowl combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in 1/4 cup oil, milk, and egg.
Drop by teaspoonfuls into 6 cups hot (375 degrees) oil. Fry about 3 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and drain.
Roll in 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon

I'm Going There Someday

Are you and your spouse going to the temple together? If so, are you going regularly? I know it's important. You know it's important! Go together. What a great {free} date!

When you do go, make sure your children know where you are going. Tell them beforehand that you are attending the temple and explain the importance of it. They will wonder what is so important about the temple, and that can be a great teaching opportunity for you!

Family Unity

Opening Song: “Home,” Children’s Songbook #192

Scripture: Mosiah 18:21

Lesson/Activity:

Tell the story of the three little pigs. Emphasize that when the three pigs stuck together and worked together, they were stronger than the wolf.

Bake a “family cake.” (Recipe HERE) Using a cake recipe from scratch, have each member of the family be in charge of one or two ingredients. As the cake bakes, discuss what would happen if anyone was left out or if anyone didn’t fulfill their responsibility and provide the ingredient they were responsible for. Enjoy the cake!

Closing Song: “Families Can Be Together Forever”

Food Storage Cake

3 cups flour
2 cups cold water
6 tablespoons Cocoa
2 cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
2 tablespoons Vinegar
2 teaspoons Vanilla
2/3 cup Oil

Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt in a 9x13 pan. Make three wells and pour vanilla, vinegar and oil in wells. Pour water over all and mix well. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.This makes a very good, moist cake. We call it “Food Storage Cake” because all the ingredients are in our food storage. It’s very good with any frosting.

Date Idea #1

I am going to try and post a date idea at least every other week. I cannot stress how important it is to go on dates with your spouse!! Now a date does not count if your kids are with you. Don't get me wrong, it's important to have dates with your kids too, but I'll get into that at another time. Going on dates with your spouse is more important. And it doesn't have to be lavish or expensive. It can be cheap or free and FUN!

A favorite for "Hubby" and myself is putting the kids to bed (maybe a little early) then getting take-out and renting a movie. Then we have a picnic in the family room while we eat dinner. Maybe take turns giving eachother a backrub or something to make it extra special. There ya go ~ easy, cheap, fun, done!