How My 7.5 Year Old Teaches Family Home Evening.

Now that Noah is an excellent reader, and getting old enough to understand why we have family home evening we figured out a way where he can teach a lesson that's simple, requires him to read, and relates to the gospel principles. My mother in law sent us this book for Noah's birthday last year along with some action mormon figures, and he loved it! It was a perfect tool for him to teach family home evening from, and now that he's much older he always, always wants to read from that book.

It's leap day &... the last 4 days of february.

It has felt weird to have taken a three day hiatus on blogging, but I felt that I really needed to take a break in doing so. I did manage to get away from the computer, but not my camera. Since I took a few pictures I decided to post a little bit of what has occurred in the past three days...through pictures.

Sunday...Chelsea taught her first family home evening lesson on her own without any help. She gave a lesson on the prophet Noah, and we were very impressed. She taught like an adult...with sassiness, and boldness!

Monday...chilling at home after school. Noah and Chelsea have the tendency to get on any bed of their choosing and just jump on it. Although Sierra doesn't allow it, they managed to get a few jumps on her bed before she told them to get off, and they both cuddled giving each other lots of loves.

And...Chelsea wanted me to take a picture of her showing off her smile...(she lost her second tooth last Friday.)

Tuesday...Noah chilling with dad on his day off playing some games while I managed to finally watch the second season finale of Downton Abbey.

I absolutely loved this season, but there was one part in which made me "dreadfully sad" such as Mr. Bates getting sent to prison for life. I'm glad that he and Anna got married before that dreadful sentence.  

  I was extremely pleased with the ending though when Mary and Matthew finally get together! She's even developed a soft side to her! I look forward to next season, and I'm definitely buying this series!

Wet Wednesday...So far today I have allowed Noah to eat oatmeal on my soon to be reupholstered rocking chair. This won't be happening once it's reupholstered so enjoy it while it lasts buddy! He is now watching Shark tale while I blog, and then soon it'll be nap time. Perfect weather for it since it's raining outside, and it should be for the rest of the day!

I can't believe how fast this month has gone. Even through having the small trial of not having a vehicle at the moment- this month hasn't been too bad. It shouldn't be because this is my LOVE month, and my family & I sure have received lots of it during this time! 

I can't believe that we've had a mild winter thus far. Although I love snow I am crossing my fingers that we don't have any snow days. One thing for sure is...I am so looking forward to spring!

March 20th can't come soon enough!

Back to Back Family Home Evenings

And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

~D&C 133:37

This week we've held back to back family home evenings. We made this decision as a family to strive hard to do this twice a week.

Some of you may ask... why two?

My husband works for AT&T in the sales department which requires him to work at least two Sundays a month. Since we moved to New Jersey, he has been working some Sundays. We are not thrilled about this, but we have become accustomed to it. The kids and I have talked about always having it on Monday regardless if their dad isn't home. If he is off on Sunday, we will have it both Sunday and Monday. If he's off on Tuesday, we will have it on Monday and Tuesday. 

Get the picture?

 The kids and I have been enjoying this and it's nice because it gives each of my girls the opportunity to choose the lesson. I think I created a little monster because Chelsea, my youngest daughter wants to have it everyday now!! As much as I LOVE having family home evening, and the blessings that come from it... having it twice a week is good enough for me! 

One of the lessons Chelsea taught (with the help of her sister), was on missionaries. The purpose of this lesson was to help us as a family to appreciate the missionaries, and prepare to serve. Chelsea enjoyed holding up the gospel art picture book and showing us the picture of the missionaries serving and sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Lexie is pointing out on her Children's atlas of the world book that missionaries are serving all over the globe.

Noah even gets excited when we set this time aside to have family home evening.  I had to put this picture into the blog so you can see his ear to ear smile, (sorry about the foot in the corner) and how he wants to be in charge and take over the lesson. I think he'll be a good future missionary with the way he presents himself. He is so bubbly and outgoing!

I am so grateful to have the desire and to make time to hold two family lessons a week. I didn't grow up with Family Home Evening and I'm so happy to be doing this with my family. It really teaches us obedience and helps us get through our week. The lessons don't have to be long. They can be as simple as watching a church video about the Savior, or a simple lesson from the Friend or Ensign magazine.

This weekend is General Conference. We look forward to hearing the words of a prophet and his counselors...and I hope y'all will do the same!