Favorite Vacation Memory…This Time August 2, 2010

I know I’m supposed to be posting my favorite verse today, but we just returned from our annual family beach vacation so I have my favorite vacation memory in mind.  That is, my favorite memory from this vacation.

With 23 people in the same beach house, including 10 children age 9 and under, there was plenty of spontaneity (especially to entertain the kids).  After Uncle Josh became “favorite uncle of the week” by playing follow the leader and singing songs with the kids, Janelle (better known as Nellie to her nieces and nephews) decided to make up a tale about…well…let’s just say it involved a parrot posing as a dragon and a pink monkey named Princess Princess.  At the end the children were all smiles when the dragon repented of his sinful behavior and became a Christian!  Everyone lived happily ever after.

One of the things that has most disturbed me as a mother is when my children bickered and were unkind to each other.  In fact, it still bothers me when that happens.  But seeing the obvious affection between them, and now all their nieces and nephews, brought tears to my eyes several times last week.

Young moms, keep working on your children’s relationships.  Keep reminding them that friends will come and go, but siblings will last a lifetime.  Don’t tire of helping them work through their conflicts by taking responsibility for their sin and asking forgiveness.

Not only will their adult relationships benefit from your training, but unborn little ones yet to come will enjoy the fruit of your hard work to deal with their sinful attitudes with one another.  And you will sit back and marvel at God’s grace…with tears in your eyes.

Posted by Sheree

Favorite Vacation Memory July 28, 2010

Once upon a time, seven people went on an adventure…or what some might call a vacation. Growing up with lots of siblings, our vacations usually were trips to go visit the grandparents and other relatives. We have many wonderful, wonderful memories from our grandparents’ homes. There’s nothing like those cookouts and times of singing around the piano, sledding on the snowy hills or down a rushing river. I love and really cherish those memories as a family…

But one vacation, however, we decided to tack on a few days of sightseeing before visiting with all the family. So we flew into Boston. Now, I love history. I love OUR American history. So this city was, for me, like stepping back in time. There were no cars and honking horns, no electric lights…just Paul Revere and Shakespeare plays on the Boston Commons. And one of my favorite memories from that week is of our family driving around, sightseeing, and listening to our favorite music full blast.

As Debi said in her post last week, sometimes it IS the really simple and unplanned things that have the most effect on us.

My Favorite Vacation Memory July 21, 2010

Monday night our family had dinner together.  Knowing I would be writing this post, I asked our three grown children, “What is your favorite vacation memory?”

This made for some fun conversation as we reminisced their childhood.  I was surprised at their favorites, and had even forgotten some of the moments they recalled.

• Was it the time we went mountain biking in the Rockies?  No!

• Was it the week long expedition to Washington D.C. where we visited Ford’s Theater, The Holocaust Museum, The Smithsonian or the National Archives?  No!

• Was it the time in the Florida Keys where we took them snorkeling?  No!

• How about the time we spent a week on Clearwater Beach harvesting sand dollars and gathering sea shells so we could identify them in our Florida Sea Shell book? No, it wasn’t that either.

Their favorite vacation memory came from the times we went fishing!  Fishing of all things!  And to think I didn’t have any idea how much they enjoyed it.  We have fished together many times, on party boats, from a dock of a home in Naples, on a private fishing charter and in a trout-fed pond in North Carolina.  But we never have purposed to go on a “fishing trip”.  I guess it was always something to do among the other activities we had planned.

I think we have an idea what to do on our next family vacation – anyone want to “fish” for a guess?

So what’s YOUR favorite vacation memory?

Favorite Vacation Inspiration June 6, 2008

Since we’ve been talking all week about the importance of family vacations, I couldn’t believe it when my husband told me that C.J. Mahaney’s blog has been doing a series this week on the same topic only with a different emphasis; the importance of our husband’s role in making the most of our family’s vacation! So far, there are three parts to this series, and I would highly recommend that you encourage your husbands to take time to read them all before your vacation. What a blessing it is to have such wise teaching that encourages our husbands to take the steering wheel of our family car as we back out of the driveway for our week away. Let’s pray for our husbands as they attempt to follow these wise instructions and then, do all we can to help them succeed in leading us well. Here’s an excerpt from the first post:

“Here’s what I’ve learned. The difference between forgettable vacations and unforgettable vacations is not the location or attractions. Nope. The difference between forgettable and unforgettable vacations is the father’s attitude and leadership. This makes all the difference.

“Family vacations provide a unique opportunity each year for fathers to create memories their children will never forget. Memories that will last a lifetime. Memories that will be recreated by your children with your grandchildren. Memories that will outlive a father. But in order to create these memories, a father must be diligent to serve and lead during a vacation. How a father views his role on a vacation will make all the difference in the vacation.

“So in this season where family vacations are being carefully planned and eagerly anticipated, I thought it might be helpful if I passed along seven lessons I’ve learned over the years, in hopes that your family vacation will be a God-glorifying, grace-filled, relationship-building, memory-making time together.”

A Vacation from Quiet Time? June 5, 2008

Every time I go on a trip, whether that be a vacation or just out of town, I love to pack a separate bag just for books. My Bible, journal, and whatever other good books I am currently reading.  I am sure I will have tons of time to read and have devotions.

Hmm…good intentions, but most of the time the week flies by, and I realize I haven’t made the time I thought I would to pursue the Lord.

How does this happen? Am I the only one who struggles this way?  I’m realizing that my time with the Lord isn’t as much of a priority when I am relaxing on vacation, or while I’m out of town for other reasons, or even when we are at home but aren’t in the normal routine of homeschooling.

I think there are a couple of things that will help me.  First, I must pray and ask God to fan into flame my passion for Him. I want it to be that no matter where I am or what I am doing, I know that I can’t make it without spending time with my Savior. If I am truly living this way when I am home ~ there won’t be anything that will stop me when I’m away.  Secondly, I plan to ask my husband to hold me accountable while we are on vacation to make sure that this remains a priority for me.

As you are making your packing list and checking it twice, maybe even three times, don’t just pack your Bible and journal, pack a  commitment to spend time with the Lord on your vacation. Refresh not just your physical body, but refresh your soul as well!

Posted by Taraleigh 

Try a “Day-cation” June 4, 2008

We all have years when going on a vacation just isn’t feasible. But just because a week away won’t work, doesn’t mean you have to forgo special time as a family. Why not try a “Day-cation”?

One of my kids came up with this term – I don’t think he even realized what he was saying (probably just mispronouncing “vacation”). Anyway, the term has stuck in our family!

A “Day-cation” can consist of anything your family enjoys – something that gets you away from your regular routine.

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking…

- A day at the beach

- The springs

- The zoo

- Another fun place to go (if you live in the Orlando area) is Downtown Disney/Disney Marketplace. There are tons of fun toy stores, a big LEGO store with thousands of legos on tables where kids can have a blast. They also have at least one place where kids can play in the water (an area with water “jumping” from the sidewalk). It has the feel of the theme park without the crazy ticket prices! You can even end your evening at the Contemporary Hotel…they have a great arcade on the concourse level and you can walk out on the balcony to watch the fireworks! (And if you want to take the kids on a “ride,” hop on the monorail!)

Whatever you choose to do, make a big deal leading up to it and get the kids excited! Maybe pack special snacks or a surprise. Take lots of pictures and make special memories.

You may be tired at the end of a “Day-cation”, but it will be well worth it!

Posted by Stephanie

A Change of Plans June 3, 2008

I really love traditions, all kinds. We didn’t really have very many when I was growing up, so maybe I tend to overdo it a little. But one thing I have noticed as my children get older is that they love them as well.

Every summer we usually vacation in the mountains of North Carolina at a wonderful ranch. For my children and me, it is definitely one of, if not the most anticipated event of the year. Unfortunately, this year we will not be able to go. This change has brought about all kinds of opportunities for us all. I think that after all the tears and the talks we have learned a few new things about ourselves.

1.) Although the place we go is truly wonderful, the really important thing is that we all have time together to relax and have fun. It isn’t the surroundings that make it so special; it is the people.

2.) We can recreate a lot of the special things in different settings. For example, in the mountains they made amazing breakfasts each morning with homemade biscuits and jam (along with tons of other stuff). My kids asked if I could just make the food for them wherever we are on vacation. And I will!

3.) Many of our traditions are more from the heart and location doesn’t matter. Special times with Daddy, ice-cream and Georgia peaches can occur anywhere.

4.) Traditions are important, but not more important than honoring the Lord in all we do. Our joy comes from Him and is certainly not dependent on our circumstances. Vacations are more about enjoying special times together, making memories (and new traditions) and thanking the One who has made it all possible.

Posted by Elyse

It’s That Time of Year – Vacation! June 2, 2008

Ready or NOT, here we come!

This week we’re going to help you get ready for vacation by sharing tips we have used to help vacation time be a memory worth keeping, not a disaster one would rather forget.

First of all it helps to know the main purpose of a family vacation. Oftentimes we are disappointed because our expectations are either unrealistic or self-focused, or even both! The main reason we take family vacations is to reconnect as a family. This connection doesn’t mean there will be no conflicts, no sin or no correction needed; it is just the opposite. Spending more time together helps us remember what is most important in our lives. What could be more important than seeing areas where we have neglected to lead and train our children? Of course, our entire vacation shouldn’t consist of honing in on every sin we see our children committing (that would be no vacation at all!), but neither should we unrealistically assume that sin will be absent from our time away! Sin is the unwritten item on every packing list sure to be present with us on vacation. But so, too, is the Gospel with us each moment that we live reminding us that God has made a way for our sin and our children’s sin to be dealt with.

In her book, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, Noel Piper says about ‘Especially Days’:

“Our ‘especially’ celebrations [vacations too] anchor us and our children in the harbor of our family, reflecting our true refuge — God. The way we observe these occasions — the focus of our observation — has great potential to show our children what we think is most important and to help them value what we hold most dear. “

So remember that even our times away are to be God-focused, so that He can make the most of it for His glory!

Join us the rest of this week as we offer more tips for your family get away!

Posted by Debi

Making Vacations Special for Your Husband and Children May 24, 2007

I don’t know about you, but our family vacations with small children looked nothing like the magazine covers.  There was no peace and quiet.  No refreshing drinks sitting closeby our beach chairs.  No leisurely opportunities to read a book between naps.  No hammocks rocking in the breeze as the sun set.  Vacations were and are the opportunity for moms to do what we do every other week of the year:  lay down our lives for our families by serving them.

One year the Lord showed me I had become resentful about vacations.  While Benny slept in after a late night of all the adults playing "Uno" or talking together, I was up in the night nursing the newborn and then up with the toddlers who never got the hint that vacations are for sleeping in!  If anything my workload increased with all the planning and packing beforehand, extra bathing and laundry of sand-filled heads and clothes, chasing toddlers down on the beach, running back and forth to the beach house for potty training or naps.  Whew.  I get tired just thinking about it.

Benny was always helpful.  He looked for opportunties to help and serve — just as he did at home.  It wasn’t anything he was doing or not doing…it was sin in my own heart that was causing me to resent the reality that vacations meant me focusing on making them fun and memorable for my family rather than looking to them as a break for myself.  I finally realized that vacations weren’t intended by God primarily for me to relax, but to "esteem others as more important than myself"…just like every other week of the year.

So here are some post-resentment ideas I came up with:

• Reminding my husband to bring along a fat theology or philosophy book to communicate my release of him to anticipate some relaxing time. (For your husband it may be a fishing rod, tennis racket, running shoes or a novel.)
• Planning fun things for the kids in case it rains or for a family night — craft supplies, coloring books, board games, a small box of legos, or etc.
• Purchasing some inexpensive things for the car ride — our kids loved those silly little books (Madlibs) where you put nouns, verbs and adjectives in random blanks and then read the story after you’re done.  Depending on how far you’re driving, you can bring out something new every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, hour or whatever spacing works.
• Planning a special date night with your husband.  We always had friends along for our vacations in a large beach house generously provided for us by some close friends, so singles were always along and willing to help with babysitting.  If babysitting isn’t available, a romantic evening after the kids go to bed is a great idea! Benny and I have some treasured (and hilarious!) memories of date nights at the beach.
• Our children’s favorite vacation memory?  "Day out with Dad."  Each day Benny would take one of the kids out for lunch, putt putt, ice cream, bumper boats or go karts.  Weeks before our vacations, they would start anticipating their time with Dad.  Of course, once we had 7 children he had to double up on the kids.  (Ask Joey about a hilarious day out with Dad when 2-year-old Julia had her first brain freeze at Dairy Queen.)

This year we will vacation with 6 grandchildren under age 6.  For a couple of years we’ve actually been able to sleep in or sit in beach chairs napping and reading.  But those days are over.  We’ll be helping chase down toddlers on the beach again.

I can’t wait.

Posted by Sheree

Seashells By The Seashore May 23, 2007

One of my favorite vacation memories was a year when we didn’t have a budget for a vacation; Money was just too tight.  However, my parents generously gave us a timeshare week, and we chose to take our kids to the west coast of Florida – Clearwater Beach to be exact.  This worked great because the condo had a kitchen, thus eating out wasn’t necessary.

As a way to make another trip to the beach memorable (for those of you who don’t live in Florida you may not understand why it wouldn’t be) we borrowed a library book about Florida Seashells.  It was full of colored pictures of every kind of shell imaginable!  We determined to collect as many different varieties of shells as we could and then identify them in the book. 

We learned that there are carnivore seashells!  Having been born and raised in Florida, I never knew that the shells you find with little holes in them are from the carnivore shells boring into the live shells for dinner!  I always figured it was just an old, holey shell!  We found a huge conk shell with the slimey creature still alive inside, and decided we wanted to keep the shell.  We boiled the conk out of the shell – something I would NOT recommend!  Talk about disgusting smells – it was so bad we had to set the pot out on the balcony, but what a memory we made! We found shells galore of all shapes and sizes. We were in awe as we realized how beautiful God’s creation is even in the secret places of the deepest sea.  He takes great care in glorifying Himself in the world He has created.  That was the best vacation inspiration – and it didn’t cost us anything!

posted by Debi