Waiting...

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1st I want to say a huge thank you to anyone who reads my posts - sometimes I feel like they are ramblings of an exhausted mama, but if one person gets anything from a post I consider it a success!

Now - the meat of the title -

Waiting ...

I find myself constantly waiting - for the kids to be ready to leave, for our turn to see the doctor, for the game to start, for supper to be done, for the next (whatever), and for the next holiday. This time of Lent I am trying to be more content in my “waiting” - so what does that mean? Instead of wasting my time waiting surfing Facebook, I want to interact with those around me - for instance last Monday night while we were waiting for supper we read books at the dining room table. Normally I stand around the kitchen doing other little things or playing on my phone or surfing Facebook.

100% honesty here - raw me - Hubby is telling me I'm on my phone all the time - well now Apple is so smart, I get a message about the amount of screen time I average each week. A little goal for me is to lower that % each week. The number it started on was a little scary! I'm happy to say that it is almost 2 hours less each day then it was when I started getting the notifications. Now I'll be honest, I read books, surf the internet, browse Pinterest, and can manage the website & blog all from my phone. In addition to, online banking, shopping, and phone calls/text messages. When I first started with this little goal I didn't realize all the tools that are right at my fingertips - I used them, but didn't put it all down to recognize them. I am trying to disconnect more though!

How can we disconnect? Well first we have to figure out the "why" of the connection - in my case I realized a lot of it was because I am "waiting" - so for me being more mindful of the time I wait is helping. At the clinic last week I read books with the girls while we waited. (most doctor's offices

have books there, but these books are lightweight and easy to stick in your bag for your Fancy girls to read!) We don't have this one yet, but it's on someone's wish list!

Anyhow - once you figure out your "why" it is easier to be mindful of what you are doing. There are many things you can do while waiting - in many cases we have replaced "old-fashioned" activities with our phones/tablets.

Saturday we spent the day in the Buena Vista University Gym for B's AAU Volleyball state tournament! It is a huge accomplishment for the sophomore class as this is the 4th year in a row they have qualified for the state tournament - the past two years they've been in the 11th grade tournament! It's been a struggle all 4 years once they've hit bracket play, but each time they hit the floor it is more experience and more strength for our school team as well. But -- due to this day spent in the gym I loaded up the Kindles for all five little people - yes we own FIVE of these Kindle Fire's - a blue, pink, yellow & the most recent purchases were just

black ones. But let me tell you - they were lifesavers this weekend. Even though 2 of the 5 now have cracked screens (insert sad face) they kept the little people occupied with downloaded movies and games for a large chunk of the day, so we could watch the ball games.

The "old-fashioned" waiting for us includes real books, games (the "quiet" game was not successful in our attempt!!! LOL), but "I - Spy" and walking like an animal have been good games for us. Not only do these games teach turn taking, communication, and observation skills, but they also help families bond. We may not realize it, but slowly our lives are being taken over by our electronics. It smacked me in the face the other night when Carli asked me to put away my phone and snuggle her. I did it in a heartbeat! But, these are the things they learn from us - have you noticed children misbehave more when you're on the phone - well, I think it is because they want our attention. Lately I will just sit or stand and watch the littles interact with each other. I try to praise their good behaviors that I haven't even asked them to do. I hope it helps them learn to be good people. That is the end goal of this crazy life we lead right?!? We want the children we are trusted by God to raise to be good adults.