Hunger-Hint Leads to Spontaneity

spon·ta·ne·i·ty (noun)

1.the state, quality, or fact of being spontaneous.

2.spontaneous activity.

3.spontaneities, spontaneous impulses, movements, or actions.

(www.dictionary.com) 

Spontaneous Moments. You just have to throw one into the mix once in a while. The children love them, and they really do become a permanent memory.

Saturday night we were watching the usual....LHO(t)P. It was 10:45 PM and we had 15 more minutes of an episode. Teenaged son is hungry so he brings it up to Dad. Dad probably wouldn't have "been hungry" too if it wasn't for the hunger-hint.  Dad suggests a frozen pizza in the freezer. Son can't eat pizza due to gluten intolerance. Son suggests a protein-burger (ie hamburger wrapped in lettuce) from In 'n Out. So what do you know? The whole family finishes the episode and drives to In 'n Out at 11PM. I was tired and ghetto-looking so don't judge...

I have never heard so many hoots and hollers of excitement. They acted as if we've never been to a burger place before. Taking no thought that everyone's attire was PJ pants and slippers, we loaded up for a late-night burger/fries/shake snack, along with some arm-wrestling and stimulating conversation. I just thought we were going to go through the drive-through. But NOOOOO, we had to go inside for a true experience. So we did...

 

What made it different than any other time we stopped somewhere for something to eat? It was the spontaneous, out of the blue, unexpected moment. So, mix it up....be spontaneous. Create a forever memory!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Lessons I've Learned from Charles Ingalls

Charles, Carolyn, Mary, Laura, Carrie, Doc, Mr. Oleson, Nellie, Willy, Harriet, Miss Beadle, Mr. Edwards, Grace, Reverend, Mr. Hansen....The LHOP People

Our family is on a LHOP kick - Little House on the Prairie. We gather 3-4 times per week to watch an episode, or maybe two if we start early enough. The 10 seasons are on DVD, reasonably priced via Amazon. At $0.35 per episode, that's cheap entertainment. But not "cheap" entertainment, if you know what I mean. It's rich in morals, family values, lessons, fun, and humor. My older children ask every night if we are going to watch a LHOP. That tells you something. Nevertheless, I've discovered amazing parenting lessons from Charles Ingalls as I've watched this delightful series, and we're only in Season 2!

1.  Laura or Mary always seem to have some kind of drama. Nellie is nasty mean, the new teacher picks on Laura, they use the church money to buy bottles of medicine instead of a Bible for the Reverend, the new boy doesn't like Laura, Mary is doing poorly in school and needs glasses...the list goes on and on. Through each crisis, Charles doesn't shrug it off or act like it doesn't matter. He stops what he's doing and truly listens. He gives hugs and encouragement. He is right there to do whatever it takes to make his girls feel better. He gets involved if he needs to, but lets them fight their own battles if he feels that's best. 

2. Charles Ingalls is not afraid to make his girls tow the line. He expects them to do their chores and to do their best in school. If they have done something wrong, there is a consequence. However, he's not afraid to change his mind. Parents have that right - to change their mind if they have given an unfair punishment or threat. When the girls use the church money to try and double their money to get the Reverend a "better Bible", he doesn't let them pretend to be sick at home. He gets them out of bed and tells them they have to own up to what they've done. He's always looking for the opportunity to teach a lesson.

3. Charles spends time with his girls. He takes them on a camping trip, takes them on some of his trips to Mancato, plays with them at picnics, plays the violin for them at night, goes fishing with them, teaches them skills, talks to them while he's working, helps with their homework, and rope swings into the pond.

4. Pa Ingalls looks for opportunities that will help his girls grow and learn. He allows Mary to assist the seamstress and make her own money to buy Christmas presents, he lets Laura raise her own horse and then decide if she wants to sell it or not, he lets go of his pride and accepts money from the school board to allow Mary to travel to Minneapolis to participate in the state math exam, he gives them the chance to take care of the puppies that almost drowned in the river, and he allows Laura to become an expert fisherman to provide fish for the family. 

5. Pa teaches by example. He is a friend to everyone. He looks for opportunities to serve and help, even when it's not convenient. He is loyal to his friends and the townspeople of Walnut Grove. However, he will not be taken advantage of. When Mrs. Oleson treats his family unfairly, he tells it to her. Yet, he is forgiving of Harriet and always gives her another chance. He has a delightful wit, and isn't so high and mighty that he won't laugh or make fun of once in a while. He's real and he's good. He keeps his promises and his word is true. His children see this in him and want to emulate that.

6. Charles treats his wife with love and respect, an equal partner in raising their family together. He cares about her opinion and expects the children to obey her and respect her. He wants her to be an individual, to have experiences of her own that make her better and help her to grow. He supports her in those things (like teaching school when Miss Beadles gets injured in the buggy accident) and is excited for her success. They work together as a team in raising the children and supporting the family.

7. Pa isn't afraid of work, nor teaching his girls to do the same. They each have tasks that they must complete before "fun" ensues. He takes his job of providing very seriously and even leaves home for a while to work at a granite mine to make a living for his family. He takes on extra jobs to make ends meet. When they finally pay off their debts, he says they will pay cash only, no debt. Each member of the family worked to provide for the family. Because of his example, his children gained a strong work ethic and a desire to do their part.

8. In a time where it was do or die, hard work was necessary to survive, life on the prairie was extreme and intense, self-reliance was the name of the game, reality was brutal, and all members of the family were needed to make it, Charles is still soft and loving. He has a love for his family that you can see in his eyes and in his smile and in his actions. He doesn't let the hard prairie life make him hard. Quite the opposite. The oppositions he face help him turn to his family and love them even more.

If I could pick any movie series to help mold my family, this is it. It references and teaches faith in God, true Christian morals, responsibility in the family, a strong work ethic, love of family and friends, good works and charity, consequences (good or bad), delayed gratification (not instant like modern times), and a stick-to-it concept in all aspects of life. These are true principles that are seldom displayed in the entertainment industry. Thanks to Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls) and a host of others, they've left a beautiful legacy for families to enjoy and learn from. Thanks, Charles. You really do stick-to-it!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The Last 6 Weeks

"Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage"

So this is what I've been doing for the last 6 weeks...

All in preparation for this:

More Details Forth Coming - but until then, Stick-to-it!

Christmas from the Heart

 From the Heart

A thought comes to mind; you ponder it.

The scope takes its shape; you do not quit.

A coy smile shows and excitement spreads,

For the perfect gift is just ahead.

Are sewing, photos, writing, searching

Part of the gift oh, so worth giving? 

Creative thought and desire true

Make Christmas special for me and you.

Time and love freely spent and given

Will surely go with us to heaven!

- Julie Bushman

This Christmas was truly one from the heart. Gifts given and received were extra special because of the time, thought, and effort put into them. I have written about this before, (Gifts of Love) but must do so again.

I was especially impressed with my children's efforts to give gifts from the heart. When I witness such beautiful tributes, it's a Mommy-Moment that makes it all worth it. You could say it's payback time or voluminous validation. Whatever the case, I encourage it and love it!

Thank you to the beautiful people in my life who take the time to give gifts from the heart. I love you all!

Gifts From the Heart...

My daughter's fiance created this beautiful collage, wrote a poem, and pressed a rose from their engagement.

 

My son gave his three youngest siblings a gift of time - movie and an ice cream outing.

One of my amazing Laurels gave a generous gift of time and created this beautiful sketch (right) of the photo on the left.

We gave it to our "other Grandma" for Christmas.

Big brother willingly helps little brother build his new catapult. Gifts of effort, time, love and willingness.

Squares designed three years ago for Grandma's 80th birthday...

...were sewn together by my daughter for one of her Personal Progress projects. Merry Christmas, Grandma!

Mom typed up letters my Dad wrote years ago to his parents and gave us all a binder filled with memories and family history. What a blessing to read some most precious words and feelings! Love this beautiful give from the heart!

Older brother is leaving for two years and can't take his iPod Touch. He made one 14 year old boy very happy with a gift of generosity and thoughtfulness!

My boys' Great Great Grandfather, John Bushman had his own brand for his cattle ranch...

Grandma gave all of my boys a pin with his name and brand. TREASURE!!!!

Older sister...

Creates custom tea set for little sister...real china plates and cups.

Bonding experiences and great memories!

She loves her "glass" tea seat!

A copy of our traditional 24 days of Christmas book for the soon-to-be wedded!

A search by one daughter to several DB stores in Utah County for this plaque to go with our picture of Jesus Christ. "Christmas is the Season. Jesus is the reason."

A darling photo book of our Alaskan cruise from my sensational sis!

A beautiful book from two beautiful ladies I LOVE!

Books from my childhood!

The Alaskan Nativity from Sam. I saw it in a small shop in Ketchikan, Alaska but didn't make the purchase. He sent my brother back to get it for me. It was carried by my sister from Alaska back to Utah. Sam presented it to me at the beginning of the season to enjoy all December long. What a beautiful, thoughtful gift from the heart!!

 ...and so many more from amazing people in my life. Bless another with a gift from the heart!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!