Eyes Wide Open---A Review

 Eyes Wide Open: Avoiding the Heartbreak of Emotional Promiscuity by Brienne Murk

This book talks about giving your heart away, too much, too soon, and ways to avoid that happening.

 I know, the title is a little dramatic. But, this is a book I highly recommend if:

 *you are a parent of kids around age 10 and above

*you work with kids that age

*you lost your heart at an early age and want to know how you may have avoided the emotional pain you experienced

I purchased three books.  I have my boys (14 & 16) reading it right along with me, and we discuss what we have read. (well, I  talk, they listen....kinda) :)

My boys roll their eyes, and think it is "stupid and unnecessary". They don't see the value in learning how to guard their hearts.   But, I do (and I get to choose the subjects we learn....so....).  I think it is extremely necessary, and I know they are learning some important truths, whether they want to admit it, or not.  I've heard them talk about the futility of the boy/girl relationships of some of their young friends. 

Here are a few tid-bits from the book:

•  When we don't guard our hearts, it can be difficult to know where to draw the line on an emotional connection.


• We can become entangled in emotions when we follow our hearts instead of our heads.


• I have the choice to live according to what is true or according to how I feel.


• Building a relationship on feelings-no matter how exciting they are- is a recipe for disaster.


• Whoever controls your emotions controls you.


• There is no such thing as "casual dating".

We've even been discussing how dating casually is like practicing for divorce and how easy it is for girls, particularly,  to become emotionally connected to guys. 

I don't totally accept and agree with all the premises and thoughts in this book, but overall, the message is full of the truth that if you're not aware of how easy it is to lose your heart too soon, it may just happen to you.

 As in everything we teach them, I don't really know the choices they'll make.  I don't know if they'll choose to guard their heart, or  if they'll wait to date until they believe the relationship will be for a life-time.  But, Dirk and I do want them to be equipped with the truth and we pray they'll choose what's best. 

For now, we'll press on and continue to read and discuss. (well, I'll talk...) :)

 What do you think about dating? 

Did you ever suffer emotional pain from giving your heart away too soon?



 

Robin

Get In the Big Fat Middle

This isn't a blog about fitness or exercise but it's about exercising the need to become involved with your kids when they begin to see there's more out there than the immediate family.

 

Recently, I was asked, "What should I do?  My 10 year old daughter is becoming extremely interested in boys".

 

Let her know that you don't want her to be focused on things she's not ready for. Encourage her to be patient and enjoy the "now" and not get ahead of herself.   (Those are emotional feelings and while kids that age and older like the feeling, they don't understand the responsibility that goes along with having a boyfriend.) 

 

And then fill the void she's feeling in her life.

 

I didn't do as good with my first two daughters.  And, I learned to approach things differently with my next two girls. I learned from my own mistakes.

 

I learned to be more involved.    

 

A Few Suggestions:

 

Text them

e-mail them

call them

take them to lunch

go lay on their bed and be a nuisance

play innocent tricks on them

play games with them

watch movies with them

volunteer at their activities

It's never too late to become involved.  We tend to think that by the time they're heading into their teens, it's "coasting and cruising" time.  But, that's really when our kids needs us dads (and moms) the most. 

It will pay great dividends. 

 

Are you up for it?



 



 

 

 

Dirk

The Secret to Workout Buddies (Part 1 of 2)

With my wedding to Andrew being just 8 months away, I am kicking it into high gear so I can look the best I’ve ever looked. Working out with Erin has been indispensable in keeping me motivated and focused on my goals.

 

Her knowledge, expertise, and to-the-point advice have proved incredibly helpful so far and will continue to be essential in the months to come. In developing our workouts (and our friendship!) I’ve come to recognize how powerful it is to have a workout partner by your side.

 

Today I bring you the Top Reasons to Have a Workout Buddy. Be on the lookout for a future blog that will help you choose a good workout buddy of your own!

 

Top Reasons to Have a Workout Buddy

1.  Accountability

When you feel like sleeping in or sitting on the couch or eating Krispy Kremes, your workout buddy will be there to remind you of your goals, WHY those goals are important, and encourage you to stick to them.

 

2.  Sharing Ideas

If you find yourself stuck in a workout or healthy eating rut, your workout buddy is there to suggest new exercises or recipes to try so you don’t get bored and give up.

 

3.  Motivation/Encouragement

When the going gets tough, your workout buddy will cheer you on as you do one more rep than you thought you could. Your buddy points out that your clothes look looser, you are getting big biceps, and that they are proud of you for ignoring the chips and queso at your favorite Mexican restaurant. ;)

 

4.  Time Flies

You know the old saying about time flying and having fun and all that. Well, same applies to buddy workouts….they go much faster when you are tag-teaming on sets of reps and making conversation

 

What’s your biggest obstacle to getting healthier?

 How could a buddy help you achieve your goals?



 

Abbi

5 Ways to Get Fit for Free!

I recently read an article from sparkpeople.com called  “25 Ways to Get Fit for Less than $25.”  Since I recently cancelled my gym membership to try and save some money, this article inspired me. So being cheap like I am,  I wanted to share the top five ways to get fit for free!

 

1. Library. Your local library has many varieties of DVD's, VHS tapes and fitness books to help you get fit.

 

2. Online workouts. Many websites offer free workout videos including sparkpeople, youtube, and shape.

 

3. Walking or Running. Get outside and just do it. Load the kids in the stroller and get moving. Go around your neighborhood or go to the park.

 

4. Jump rope. Who doesn't have a jump rope lying around?  Did you know that based on an average 150lb person, jumping rope for 15 minutes burns 125 calories?

 

5. Play with your kids. Play tag, hide and seek, duck-duck-goose, football, soccer, or turn on some music and dance. Your kids will have so much fun and you will reap the benefits of getting in your exercise.

 

I hope these things will inspire you and help you stop using excuses for why you can't workout. It inspired me!

 

Now what about you? What are your favorite ways to workout that don't cost anything?

 

 

 

Ali

LM%*#O

Ok, have you ever read a funny little blog, a text a friend sent you that just got you giggling, or come across something pretty dern hilarious that deserves a little more than just an old LOL?  I mean, come on, LOL is getting over-used just a little much, plus yeah, sometimes I read something that makes me say, “HA!” and then I’m done and don’t think about it anymore.  Very rarely does something make me ROFL (roll on the floor laughing for those of you not quite up with internet slang).

 

 But sometimes something makes me “Ha” and then keep on “Ha-ing” until I’ve got a pretty good out loud laugh going on, but yet still not quite rolling on the floor.  Are ya with me?

 

Oh I know, there’s one out there I could use.  LM%*#O.  But I’m a good Christian girl and I just don’t have any sense using that word, even in internet slang.  It’s just a potty word and that’s all there is to it. 

 

But, back to my first dilemma.  There’s some dern good funnies out there that deserve more than a LOL and I want to have something to give them.

 

So I’m going with LMPO (laughing my patootie off). 

 

Now “patootie” is an acceptable term in the Many Meadows’ and extended households for the backside area that we sit on and do other “business” with.  Therefore, I deem this word appropriately worthy of stepping up LOL a notch for the really funny blogs, texts, etc., without having to use potty language to get my point across.

 

And don’t worry I googled it and it is not used in any current internet slang for anything else, inappropriate or not.

 

And I leave you with the end result of one of my quandaries for the week and wish you many LMPO in the future.

 

How do you express your on-line feelings of humor?



 

Erin

And-a-One, And-a-Two...

(sing it with me)…Happy Birthday to You.....Happy Birthday to You…

September is a big month for birthdays in the ManyMeadows+ family. 

 

Jacob starts it off on the 20^th.

Then, Sarah (one of our “plusses”) on the 23^rd.

My mom, Laura Lee has her birthday on the 24^th.

Then, we skip to the 28^th for our oldest daughter, Erin (who celebrates a special one this year!)

Then, the 29^th is our oldest son, Andrew’s day, and my brother-in-law, Paul’s.

And we go ahead and celebrate Anna’s birthday with this group, even though hers isn’t until October 9.

 

Thursday was a great family night celebration at Katie and Alexander’s….well, actually at the park across the street from them. 

 The little kids played. 

       The big kids played.                                            

                                                    

Abbi made these for dessert.

 

 

 

We ate. (as always)

 

 

 

There were 27 of us.  A great family night!  And one of Anna’s Lifegroup friends came and took pictures of all of us.  (You’ll get to see some of those soon!)

                                                                                                                                                                

 

Does your family get together to celebrate birthdays?

Do you have a group of birthdays close together?

 

Do share!

 

Oh, and it’s this girl’s birthday today! 

From Generation to Generation

Today was my mom’s birthday. 

Three of our girls, my sister, our almost-daughter-in-love, and one of our granddaughters were together for lunch to celebrate her special day.

 

And look.

 

 

FOUR generations. Me, my mom, Ali and Lily.

I know, it’s not uncommon to find.  I have pictures of my daughters with my grandmother.  But, once again I was reminded of God’s love.  His love, poured down through four generations. 

And why is that?

The three moms in this picture have been intentional in their teaching of God, His Love, His ways.  But every daughter had to make that heart-choice for herself. 

As parents, we’re never guaranteed that our children will choose to wholeheartedly give themselves to Christ.  But, a life lived in loving and telling and showing our children the great love of our Father speaks volumes.  It did to me. 

…we will praise you forever;
       from generation to generation
       we will recount your praise.  Psalm 79:13

Maybe it begins with you.



Are you a first generation believer?  Or more?  









Robin