Date Your Kids!

One of the wonderful things our Pastors from Relate Church taught was to date. Date your spouse, date your kids. Just to make that time to really connect and have fun and make memories.

Jake and I take this very seriously in our family and we have it on the calendar monthly to go on dates. Some people wonder where to fit it in, who dates who, how is each of the 3 kids scheduled etc. So I thought I would share what we do.

On the 5th, Faith gets her date. We rotate each month between dating mom or dad. This also happens on the 10th for Sam, and the 20th for Nate. On the 15th and the 30th, Jake and I have a date (if we can get a sitter) :) On the 25th of the month, we do a family date. Hence, the calendar gets filled quickly!

We usually let the kids choose what they would like to do...but Chucky Cheese was the choice EVERY TIME! So we have moved Chucky as a family date option, and Jake and I have been coming up with other ideas for our dates with our kids.

We got a little behind on our dates, so this week we have been working on making up missed dates. Nate and I went to the pet store to look at and pet puppies. Nate goes NUTS when he sees the puppies. We then went and enjoyed a little play area at the mall that was just a great size for Nate to play in.

The other night Jake took Faith on their date. He gave her the princess treatment. He took her out to get her hair cut, her nails done and then he took her to a store to do some dress shopping. He let her pick out 12 dresses. He then had her pick 5 to try on, and she would be allowed to choose one to bring home. Well, she ended up bringing 2 dresses home, but well worth it! She is still raving about this date days later.

Here are some pics of Jake and Faith's date:

The Nails:


The Hair:


The Dresses!:


And of course, modeling for Daddy:


If you don't already have dating your kids and spouse as part of your routine, I suggest you start! It is such a great way to have that one on one connection with your kids and they are never too young to start. We have been dating Nate since he was teeny tiny. It's so fun seeing the kids get excited when it's their turn for a date. I really hope it is something my kids will enjoy for years to come and will do the same with their kids.

Life is finally back to "normal"

Well last time I posted, Jake was still looking for work and we were still invading my parents place in Canada...lots has happened....as usual...but I see things slowing down and sweet stability in our future :)

Jake got a job with Oakley. He does research and development for the footwear department. He is loving his job and I'm loving the discounted Oakley clothes and sunglasses that have come home with him! We found a great apartment just 2 miles away from Oakley. Jake can ride his bike to work leaving me with a vehicle and not being "stranded" at home all the time. The area is wonderful where we live. Great parks, Faith's school is close by, pool is very close to our apartment...just a great great great great place!!!

We live just minutes from Saddleback Church. Their pastor is Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life writer) and it is just a wonderful church. The kids programs are AMAZING and I have 3 kids who happily (well, Nate is happy after a few minutes, or when he's put into the 6 seater stroller and handed a cookie) going to their classes!

So I spent so much time praying for God's BEST after the whole Navy thing....and a place we could call HOME!! Two things that were SO VERY IMPORTANT to me! I think those prayers have been answered. We found an area we all love, and are ready to stay settled here in the Lake Forest area for years to come. The only move I see in the next few years would be to just upgrade to a 3 bedroom. We are in a 2 bedroom right now due to it being all we could afford...but it's a good size..and we fit! For now! :)

More to come...as we have some fun plans for the summer and are keeping busy with fun activities, and have just joined up with a Mom's club here in Lake Forest. They have tons of activities planned and I'm looking forward to getting to know some Mommies in my area!