Backyard Camping

Last night Craig and Hannah went camping.  It wasn't a long hike in (about 50 feet), the citronella and the fan kept the bugs at bay, and the campfire was just the perfect size for our two S'mores and Craig's one hotdog.  Emma joined us as long as she could keep her sweet eyes open, and she too enjoyed the camp scene. 

We had discussed taking Hannah hiking and camping as we love to do both and she loves to be outside.  She also has shown no signs of being afraid of the dark so we thought she would really enjoy the night adventure.  While at a good friend's porch party, Ms. Sherry proposed that we have the first few camping trips in the backyard, that way if Hannah didn't want to sleep all night out of her bed we wouldn't have far to travel home.  Great idea! 

The experience is a great learning tool for both mom and dad and kids.  Here are a few things I learned and made an effort to teach Miss Hannah.

Preparation
We knew the supplies we would be using:
tent
sleeping bag
pillow
citronella candles
S'more ingredients
hot dogs
hot dog buns
skewers
journal
books
flashlight
lantern
I had all of this (well, most of it) ready to go so that when the sun began to fade we were ready to camp.
Hannah learned a little about packing her camp backpack.  We put in extra socks, pajamas, a pull-up, her journal, a pen, and books.  She wanted to put in as many books as she could, but she quickly saw that wasn't going to work.   So, she picked her favorite 3 and she was ready to go.  I think is was good for her to choose what books she wanted and then she how her choice carries with her when it was time to read.  Packing a backpack with purpose is a good skill for anyone. 

Nature
We all felt how soft the grass was when we sat in the tent.  Craig picked a perfect location for the tent, right on top of our best backyard St. Augustine.  We heard the birds singing and saw them mingling with one another.  Hannah is picking up on the various birds that frequent our house.  She sees the red birds, the bright bluejay, the small porch wrens, and the head bobbing doves.  Craig started our fire and we watched the sticks we collected fall to ash and the smoke rise through the trees, causing the leaves to dance with the heat.  It was partly cloudy so we didn't get to watch the stars come out, but I knew they were up there somewhere.

Time Together
Hannah spends a lot of time with me because I stay home with her and Emma, so she really loves her time with Daddy.  There are many things he can teach her that she responds to better with him than me. And that is so great!  Hannah knew that Daddy was out there with her and would protect her should a nosey squirrel come around the tent.  He taught her about making S'mores and why it was good to have a long stick to roast marshmallows with so she didn't get burned or have to drop her stick in because it got too hot.  They read together in the tent, and I am sure they chatted, though that was their time and I respected that.  

Valuing Home
Being in the back yard like that, at night, when you don't usually get to play out there allows you to see your home/yard/nature/ in a new "light".  From our small brick lined campfire to the plush grass, to the tall trees that overhang our lovely yard, it is a great feeling to appreciate what you have and look at all we have been given and worked for and smile. 

I hope you get the chance to learn from a backyard camping trip.  What other ideas have you tried around the house?

Peace
Laura

Decision Making

Tonight I made a decision.  Where I typically think about the decision I need to make, tonight I actually made the decision.  Is such a simple concept as deciding on something really warrant a blog post?  Indeed, it does.

After putting Hannah to bed, I joined Craig in the garage for a "jam session".  This is a mix between favorite guitar tunes and debriefing days.  Great as these evening may be, there is still a house to keep, lunches to prepare, and we can't forget the coffee.  So tonight, I made the decision to leave my entertainer and dip my hands into a little soap.  I knew what I needed to do in order to follow through with my commitment to having a healthy and happy family.  Though what I wanted to do was listen to Craig's guitar and talk about exciting ideas.  However, the dishes would need to be washed, tonight. Preparing for lunches the night before is worth it in the morning.  Awaking to the smell of coffee is preferable to making coffee in the morning.  Though this reality withdrew me from the "jam session," I was ultimately able to act in a way that is in accordance with what I value. I value preparation and cleanliness, I decided to prepare and clean.

The decision to do act in this way is the hardest step.  Yet, I have found, there is great reward in decision making.  A kind of strength comes over the mind when it is able to make a decision, to take something as its own.  Then there is the freedom that comes from deciding to live aligned to the values you hold within.

On what have you decided lately?

Family Values

Do a Google search for the title. Nothing. You get the last Korn tour, a few polarizing "Family Values" websites, and then it is essentially web space. In a world gasping from information overload where does the family lie?

Over the last decade the family has been all but destroyed by feminism (I'm not a chauvinist), the media, pop culture, and a host of other sources. But, is there not still a yearning by a big pool of folks who want to know what it means to be a family in this era? Are there still not young start-ups and re-kindled spirits who are seeking to know how to build upon their love, their virtues, and their dreams together?

We think there is. We believe the family is not dead, but maybe it just lacking the insight and encouragement on how to engage in the modern world.

What do you think?

Economy of Favors

As more and more of us find ourselves in a job providing a service of one sort, or another, it becomes highly important that we recognize who is actually doing the favor in the transaction. The look and attitude I receive from the lady buzzing my hair at Great Clips often makes me feel that she is doing me the favor, but when I go for a massage at a more high-end joint the impression inverses.

Things break apart when both parties feel they are doing the other a favor, both leave feeling that something is owed them in the future. Conversely, things go extremely well when both parties feel like the other is doing them a favor, both leave feeling as if the transaction increased, or gave them, their value.

The Solution for Great Clips: Great hair stylist realize that their customers are doing them a favor by showing up, appreciating their talent, and paying their money. Great consumers realize that the hair stylist has worked long and hard on her talent, and that they receive the favor of their utmost attention to detail and dedication. Both people win.

Who does the favors in your profession?

Moving On

250 years ago a man named Adam Smith dropped the following into the mind of the American people, "Make more things, make more people happy." How happy are we with our things? Do you choose what is available, or what defines you?

Our argument is that we have shifted. That is, shifted in thought about what brings us the most pleasure.  We now live in an economy partially, or majorly, filled with artisans.  Consumers, today, beg to be different. That it is ART that matters, not price; That you want something that defines YOU.

What do YOU think?

Appreciate Someone Today

Life, lately, has been a string of busy and full days.  With our "onto the next one" pace it is easy to forget to stop and say, "I love you and I appreciate you."  So, I am taking the time now to say, to you Craig, I love you and I appreciate you.  Without you, we would not be where we are today.  Without you, our family would be incomplete.  Without you, my days would be less full.  Thank you for being a wonderful father and best friend.  Thank you for living on purpose.  Thank you for being you.  I love you more than itunes loves Apple.  You are an inspiration.

So, those who are checking this out today, I ask that you call someone up, or text them if thats what you do, and tell them you appreciate them.  An act of kindness and kind words can go a long way.

Many blessings.

It's All About YOU!

I want to thank Maegan Balzer for pointing this out to me, and being the inspiration behind the graph above.

Marketing, Blogging, or Creating period should be about one thing: YOU! Your time is limited and if I want you to read my blog, which I write to inspire YOUR creativity, then I should do it in a manner that fits your lifestyle. Maegan pointed out that my blog, while she liked it, was too long and she was uninterested after 2 paragraphs. The graph above, while silly looking, portrays that very contradiction between what I thought was useful and what an audience really wants.

Be good at giving and you will get everything you want.