When we moved to Minnesota I didn’t understand why people would go “up north” for vacation. Wouldn’t they want to go SOUTH and find sunshine and warm weather. Well, when I finally went “up north,” it all made sense. It’s magnificent.
As fall break approached, we thought about indulging in more of that ‘up north’ beauty. But instead, we decided to stay home, check out some local spots, and take a breather before sports and the holiday busy-ness have us running.
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Here are some highlights:
Clark and Paul found recipes on TikTok. While I was working at the Artisan Home tour, they road their bikes to Aldi, bought groceries with their own money, and cooked chicken and pasta for the family! I could not have been more proud.
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I took my first painting class and I loved it! I got to learn new techniques and meet some wonderful people
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We made a trip to the Mall of America, where we explored the new Museum of Illusions—such a fun and mind-bending experience.
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First college visit for George! We got a tour of the University of Minnesota. What a BEAUTIFUL campus.
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The U of M has one of the largest campus bookstores in the county.
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Beautiful historic buildings on the U of M campus!
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We went to a Minnesota Timberwolves preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, AntMan was not playing, but it was still a fun game to watch.
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Our first “family” basketball game.The 2 legends behind Luke were in attendance, but not playing.
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Clark was back on the court. He is playing on a ‘pre-seaon’ team before his first ‘high school’ try out. Here’s a quick video highlight:
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Luke had one additional day off so we spent the day together playing pickle ball and going to The Wild Robot. It was a cute movie, but we like the book better.
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We are loving this unusually warm fall in Minnesota. The tree outside my house is bringing me absolute delight!
We kicked off our Colorado adventure with a delightful lunch with family near Denver. We all enjoyed reconnecting with cousins!
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Second Stop: Colorado Springs
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Garden of the GodsSeven Bridges Trail
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Colorado Springs was our next destination. The breathtaking natural beauty and nostalgic experiences were wonderful. We visited Garden of the Gods and hiked Seven Bridges. The boys had a blast climbing and exploring the unique rock formations.
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We also visited Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, a hidden gem that transported us back in time.. The boys loved the old-school pinball machines and racing games.
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We got to spend some time with a handful of friends and visit our former church. It was heartwarming to reconnect with friends and relive fond memories from our time there. The church service was uplifting, and seeing familiar faces brought back a flood of emotions.
Our visit was too short to catch up with everyone we hoped to see, but I’m grateful for time we had with the friends we did meet. Those moments with friends were truly the highlight of our time in Colorado Springs.
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Third Stop: Breckenridge
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Breckenridge, the quaintest mountain town, was our third stop. We strolled down the historic Main Street, lined with colorful buildings, boutique shops, and cozy cafes. This was our first time staying downtown and I loved waking up early, getting coffee and sitting quietly by the river, overlooking the mountains.
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One of endless quaint shopsMy favorite spot
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We rode the gondola, hiked and found the Troll, ate good food, relaxed at the pool, and enjoyed the 4th of July parade.The crisp mountain air and stunning views of the surrounding peaks make Breckenridge one of our favorite places to visit!
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Fourth Stop: A Visit to Boulder and Colorado University
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Colorado UniversityBoulder
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Our final stop was Boulder, where we ate lunch on Pearl street, then drove over to the Colorado University campus. The boys played football in the open space and hoped to be discovered by Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), the new head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team. While we didn’t see him, just being in the same vicinity as the legendary athlete and coach was exciting for the boys.
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Our Colorado vacation was a perfect blend of family time, natural beauty, and nostalgic visits. From the family lunch near Denver to the stunning landscapes of Colorado Springs, and the quaint charm of Breckenridge, the trip was filled with treasured memories. We returned home with hearts full of joy and minds full of beautiful images.
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I’m grateful that we all agreed that as much as we LOVE Colorado, we are GRATEFUL to call MINNESOTA our HOME! Though our years in living in Colorado will always be treasured, Minnesota is where we belong!
ChatGPT, or Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a conversational AI model developed by OpenAI. It is designed to understand and generate a text-based conversation. It can handle a wide range of topics and engage in discussions on various subjects, but it does not have moral judgment.
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Where does ChatGPT get its information?
ChatGPT copies and re-writes information from other places on the internet. It doesn’t tell you its sources or who created the original information. ChatGBT can make mistakes, spread misinformation, and give inaccurate answers.
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Privacy:
Parents should advise their children to avoid sharing personal information during interactions. It’s important to remind kids that they are communicating with a machine and not a trusted human.
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Critical Thinking:
Let your children know that what they learn from ChatGPT is NOT always accurate. Explain the importance of checking the credibility of a source before trusting the information. This may also be a good time to talk about plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words, ideas, or work and presenting them as your own without proper acknowledgment.
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Education:
ChatGPT can be a valuable educational tool when used appropriately. Parents can explore supervised learning experiences with their children, focusing on specific topics or use ChatGPT to facilitate learning and creativity. See ideas below.
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Why are schools banning ChatGPT?
My children’s school district and many others are banning ChatGPT from school devices and campus networks because students can use it to write their papers and do their homework.
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Safety and Open Communication:
Parents need to supervise their children’s interactions with ChatGPT. Since ChatGPT can converse on any topic, there is a potential for exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation, or discussions that are not suitable for children. Parents should consider setting guidelines for usage and check in on their children’s interactions. Encourage kids to share any uncomfortable encounters.
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Summary:
While ChatGPT can offer opportunities for learning, parents should approach its use with caution and guide their children to ensure safety. Understanding ChatGPT will help foster a positive and responsible online experience for kids.
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Family-friendly ways to use ChatGBT:
Learning: Encourage your children to use ChatGPT for educational purposes, such as looking up information for school projects. ChatGPT can provide quick answers to factual questions or help clarify concepts in a conversational manner.
Language: If your family is learning a new language, ChatGPT can be a language practice partner. Encourage your children to engage in conversations in the target language with ChatGPT to reinforce vocabulary and grammar.
Travel: Explore different cultures and places virtually by asking ChatGPT about the world. ChatGBT can be used to plan an itinerary for an in-person visit to another city or country.
Brain Teasers: Engage in family-friendly trivia or riddles with ChatGPT. Challenge your kids to ask ChatGPT logic puzzles, math problems, or other questions. This can be a fun way to stimulate critical thinking.
History: Make history more engaging and interactive by asking ChatGPT about famous people or events from the past.
Storytime: Use ChatGPT to generate personalized bedtime stories based on your child’s interests. Encourage your kids to provide story prompts or characters, and let ChatGPT weave a unique tale.
Digital Etiquette: Use interactions with ChatGPT as an opportunity to reinforce appropriate and respectful online communication.
Supervised Use and Boundaries: Establish guidelines for using ChatGPT, including appropriate topics and time limits. Emphasize the importance of responsible and safe online behavior.
By integrating ChatGPT into family activities in these constructive ways, you can make the most of AI technology while ensuring that it enhances learning, creativity, and family engagement.
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Prompt Ideas for ChatGBT:
Plan a 3 day-itinerary for (location of choice).
What are family-friendly activities around (enter city of choice)?
What are the best rated restaurants in (city of choice)?
Give me 10 ways engage with my 15-year-old son
Tell me a story about an Eagle named Eddie, appropriate for a 6 year old.
What are 10 fun facts about (topic of choice)?
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What about you? How have YOU used AI or chatGPT. Let me know how you use it!
Shop for a Moving Company: Call at least 3 companies. When you choose a company, ask if it’s their best price. The company I went with took off the extra weekend fees.
Pack Strategically:
Collect lots of boxes and paper (You can often find them for free on Facebook marketplace)
Pack anything that you want to keep but won’t need for the season. Books, art on the walls, etc.
Pack room by room and label boxes clearly.
Keep essentials like medications, toiletries, and a few kitchen items handy for the first few days in your new home.
Set up utilities in your new location – gas, water, electric, internet, trash, insurance. I’m listing these because with 1 million things to do, I forgot to set up electric at my new house and freaked out when the power went out 24 hours after moving in. Thankfully, I quickly figured out who to call and got it set up.
Get appointments done: Once you move, it will take time to find a new dentist and doctor, so get check ups and doctor’s appointments done before moving. Get vaccination records and a sports physicals for kids.
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Involving Your Kids:
Communicate with Kids: Involve your children in the moving process. Explain what to expect and reassure them about the upcoming changes.
Communicate with the Schools: Enroll your children in their new schools, and let their current school know you are moving. If possible, take a tour of the new school.
Pack a Suitcase Each Child: Pack a suitcase of your child’s clothes and a few of their favorite things. Before moving day, put these in your car so the movers don’t load them.
Explore the New Neighborhood: If possible, take your kids to explore the new neighborhood before moving day to get them excited about the new surroundings.
Sign them up for Sports or Clubs: If possible, get them involved in a sport or a club right away so they can begin to build friendships with kids in their new town.
Accept Help! If someone mentions helping with the move, SAY YES and pick a day! I’m forever grateful for the handful of family and friends that jumped in to help when I moved. Delegating and having help is a huge stress reliever.
Stay Positive: Focus on the exciting aspects of your new home and the fresh opportunities it will bring for you and your family. It’s not taking you out of your comfort zone, it’s EXPANDING your comfort zone.
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On Moving Day:
Set Up a Safe Space for Kids: If you have young children or pets, arrange for childcare/pet sitter on moving day, or designate a safe area away from the chaos.
Keep Important Documents/Boxes Handy: Keep important documents, medications, and valuables with you during the move. Perhaps you load these in your car before the movers come so they do not get loaded on the truck.
Plan ahead for food. Prep a cooler with drinks, snacks and sandwiches available for your family and those helping with the move.
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After the Move:
Unpack Strategically: Unpack essentials first, like bedding and kitchen supplies. Take your time settling in. It will eventually get done so it’s OKAY to take breaks to eat, rest and play.
Get rid of boxes: List your boxes and packing paper on Facebook marketplace for FREE and everything will be picked up within 24 hours.
Connect with the Community: Get to know your new neighbors and explore local resources like parks, schools, and community centers.
Give Yourself Grace: Adjusting to a new home takes time. It may not feel like ‘home’ for 6-12 months. Be patient with yourself and your family as you settle into your new area and routine.
Remember, you’re doing an amazing job managing this transition for your family. Embrace this new chapter with optimism and know that soon you’ll be making beautiful memories in your new home. You’ve got this!
“This is 9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” the man on the phone asked calmly.
“I’ve lost my son,” I stuttered between heavy, anxious breaths.
Paul was only 4. We had finished shopping and I asked him to climb into his car seat while I loaded our groceries. When I came around to buckle Paul into his seat, he wasn’t there.
“Paul?” I asked. No answer.
“Paul?” I said a little louder. No answer.
I looked inside the car. No Paul. I looked under the car. No Paul. I did a lap around my car. No Paul.
My heart was beating fast. I’m trying not to panic.
“Did you see a little boy with a red shirt?” I ask a woman getting into a car nearby. She shook her head no.
“I can’t find my son.” I say to people in the parking lot. No one has seen him.
A lady kindly offers to watch my other kids while I search for Paul.
I run back into the grocery store while scanning the parking lot. I see cars leaving and hope that Paul is not in one them. “Has he been kidnapped?” I think, terrified.
I look inside the grocery store. No Paul.
The store manager sends staff out to help find my son and I decide it’s time to call 911, “What’s your emergency?”
“I’ve lost my son.” I respond, with panic in my voice.
While I answer the dispatcher’s questions, I suddenly remember to pray. I silently say, “God, you know where Paul is. Please show me what to do or where to look.” I pause, take a shaky breath and feel a prompt, “Go look in your car again.”
I’m still answering the dispatcher’s questions when I climb into my minivan to get a better look. I climb to the backseat, and look down onto the floor. That is where I found little Paul, curled up behind the back seat, hiding.
“I found him! I found him!” I cry to the dispatcher and to the kind woman still watching my other children.
The dispatcher tells me how happy he is and then reminds me to breathe.
I hang up, take a deep breath and ask Paul what he’s doing curled up in the back of the car.
“I’m playing hide-and-seek with you Mommy!” he says with a big smile.
“Paul, please tell me we are playing hide-and-seek BEFORE you hide next time! I thought I lost you and I was scared.”
“But you FOUND me mom,” he playfully responds, full of joy.
I give him a hug and buckle him into his seat. I thank the kind woman watching my other children and get them buckled in too. As I climb into my seat and turn on the car, I notice I’m shaking. I take some deep breaths and pause to thank God for keeping Paul safe and helping me find him.
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Reflecting on, and writing this story, brought up all the feelings from that day – both the horror and fear I felt as I frantically searched for Paul, and the relief of finding him and the joy of answered prayer.
More importantly, on this day I had a clearer understanding and appreciation of how Jesus Christ pursued me when I was lost. Though, like Paul, I did not know I was lost, He found me. In His presence I found peace, acceptance, joy, unconditional love, purpose and LIFE.
In the book of Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells a story about a lost sheep. A lost sheep in the wilderness is doomed. It has no protection and it would be only a short time before the coyotes or other predators would attack and kill it.
The Bible calls Jesus our Good Shepherd and says we are His sheep. If we are wandering this earth without allowing Him to guide us, we are easy targets for the enemy’s attack.
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Just as I searched for my son, this story emphasizes the Shepherd’s relentless pursuit of us. In fact, the story shares how the Shepherd left the 99 sheep in his flock to find the ONE missing sheep.
I left my other sons to search for Paul because of my love and care for him. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, seeks us, His lost sheep – a pursuit fueled by love. The story in Luke 15 says that the Shepherd had “exuberant joy” when He found the lost sheep. He carried it to safety with “careful delight” (Luke 15:5 TPT).
As a Christ follower, I understand that my connection with God is not a result of my own pursuit but a response to the Him seeking me. In life’s chaos, we often find ourselves lost and yearning for a connection, and it’s through faith in Jesus that we find direction, protection, and unconditional love.
As we navigate life’s twists and turns, please know that just like a loving parent, God is continuously seeking you, inviting you into the warmth of His love. May you be found by Him and rest in His warm presenceand careful delight.
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Prayer:
“Dear Jesus, thank you for pursuing me with your love. May I be found by you and follow you all the days of my life. May I pause and remember you throughout my day and allow you to lead me. You are the Great Shepherd who leads with love toward peace, joy, and fulfillment. Amen.”
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Verses to consider:
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The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4
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For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
We have a new driver and it’s both wonderful and nerve-wracking!
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Paul and Luke did well in their wrestling season.
Paul with a WLuke gets a W
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We watched lots of basketball. Clark had a fun season and played really well. Our local high school is going to state.
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I visited three different schools to celebrate reading:
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We’ve only had a little snow this winter but enjoyed it!
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Wrigley is still living his best life.
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Ted and I snuck out for date night in between the family madness.
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Those are a few of the “fun winter highlights.”
However, we’ve had some challenges this winter too. My mother-in-law lost her brother, another wonderful family member is going through chemotherapy, we had a big water leak in our house and I’ve been living with a ‘half kitchen,’ and we had to cancel a trip we’d been looking forward to for months – those are “not-so-fun highlights.” Life has both highs and lows and I choose to focus on the good and know that I have so much to be grateful for!
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Thanks for reading! I hope you had a good winter and an even BETTER spring!
Today’s Family Tip: Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
God has placed unique gifts and talents inside you that the world needs. Don’t try to be like someone else, become the best version of YOU!
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Suggestions for how parents can help their children not to compare themselves with others:
Encourage your children to focus on their own progress and accomplishments to develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence. Acknowledge and celebrate the progress you see in them.
Every child is unique with their own set of strengths, gifts and abilities. Ask God to give you insight into how He’s made them, and share what you learn with your children. This will help them recognize and appreciate their own unique qualities.
Model for your children how to have appreciation for others’ successes rather than feelings of resentment.
Focus less on external markers of success (grades and achievements) and more on personal effort and growth.
Help your children set personal goals and strive for self-improvement. This fosters a growth mindset where they see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats to their self-worth.
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The world needs you to be who God created you to be!
When I was planning this post, I really wanted to write ’23 things I learned in ’23.’ That was taking too long to write and some you wouldn’t care about anyway. (I mean, do you really want to know what apps I learned to use to help me connect with my child’s school?) I decided to SCALE back and focus on what I learned that impacted my life in a positive way, and might be useful for you too.
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Lessons I learned in 2023:
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1. Smile when things are hard. It makes it easier!
On a psychological level, smiling can trick your mind into perceiving the difficulty as more manageable. The act of smiling is known to release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that contribute to an improved mood and reduced stress levels. P.S. Try it during a test, when you are angry or when working out. Read more here.
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2. Make space for QUIET.
Quiet allows your mind to process what you are thinking and feeling. It moves out some of the ‘sludge’ from constant noise and busyness. It also opens up time for prayer and reflection. Being quiet allowed me to be more ‘present’ – to God, to myself, and to others.
“The noise of the modern world makes us deaf to the voice of God, drowning out the one input we need most.”
– John Mark Comer
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3. Do ONE thing at a time.
I’m a serial mulit-tasker. In 2023, I learned that doing ONE thing at a time was more effective than doing multiple things poorly.
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4. Slow down and pay attention to what is happening in the moment.
All the best stuff happens in the present and I don’t want to miss all the little moments of JOY.
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5. Less input leads to better output.
In 2023 I learned that reducing the amount of input enhances the quality of output. Previously, I would consume up to 60 books a year and listen to countless podcasts. However, in 2023, I deliberately scaled back. This shift has allowed me the time to process and apply what I’ve learned. Creating this mental space has not only fueled my ideas, but also increased my motivation for writing, speaking, and teaching.
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6. Change might seem too big and too hard, do it anyway.
When we began talking about moving to a different house, I was hesistant. I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone, the work involved with moving seemed overwhelming, and I was distraught over leaving our wonderful neighborhood. After lots of discussion, prayer and planning – we sold our house and bought another. The change turned out to be exactly what we needed. It was a LOT of work. It was really heard to say goodbye to our amazing neighbors, but the change was exactly what we needed for our family. And, it didn’t just take me out of my comfort zone, it EXPANDED my comfort zone. We’ve met so many new friends, while staying connected to our old ones. It made me (and all of us) a little more adaptable to different situations. Embracing change, though challenging, proved worthwhile.
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Those were a handful of the many lessons I learned in 2023. Which of these should you practice in 2024?
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What did you learn in 2023? Leave a comment by clicking on that little text box by the title of this post!
George is thriving on the soccer field and an excellent new driver!
Clark is constantly generating new business ideas. He’s also enjoying travel basketball.
Paul is doing well with travel soccer and wrestling. He’s always up for a chat or debate.
Luke is dabbling in several sports. He’s an adventurous soul and always laughing.
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Meanwhile, Ted is thriving at Target, making waves and leaving positivity in his wake. As for me, I’m substitute teaching at the boys’ schools. I also get the honor of writing for this blog as well as guest posting for others. My second children’s book, “The Great Lake Rescue,” was published in July!
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Our furry family member, Wrigley, turned three this year. He’s officially earned the title of “World’s Best Dog,” bringing joy, laughter, and a whole lot of slobbery tennis balls into our lives.
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We’ve moved again! We haven’t traded the Land of 10,000 Lakes for a tropical paradise. Nope, we’re still proudly repping Minnesota. We found a home that suits our tribe better, with less of a commute for Ted.
Help your family remember that Thanksgiving is more than turkey and pumpkin pie with this fun and rewarding activity.
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If your children need a little motivation to make a gratitude list – call it a “Turkey Ticket” or “Pie Points” and in order to earn their turkey dinner – or dessert – list the ABCs of gratitude. It would be fun to save these and compare them year after year!
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ABCs of Thanksgiving
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On this Thanksgiving, embrace the beauty in simple moments. Remember that ordinary days have extraordinary blessings. Give thanks for what you have, and for the opportunity to make a difference and share God’s goodness with others.
