I mentioned before that I was planning to very intentionally focus on my family this year. Our family time had been compromised in the time crunch of Chris and I both being in school last year. While taking a year off of school to welcome Abby Jo into our family, I want to make the most of this time and really invest a lot of energy into creating the family I want. I know things will never be perfect, but I really want to do my best to give my children the home that I’ve always wanted.

One thing that I have been trying to do is eat dinner at the table with my family every evening. This was pretty much impossible while I was going to school two nights a week, as well as having Bible study on an addiitonal evening. Now that I’m home most evenings, I have made sure to cook dinner and eat it at the table with the family every evening. It’s great. I didn’t realize how much I missed that. It’s even more pleasant since we purchased a new dining set. I absolutely love it. It is very solid and sturdy, with no ridges or cracks for little kids to spill things in or drop crumbs into. This is a table that can withstand four children and the messes that come with them. It’s also great for when my Bible study girls come over on Tuesday nights, because now we can all fit around the same table, when we pull up some extra chairs. I would post a picture, but I’m having trouble getting wordpress to upload one. Here is a link to a photo of my girls around the table the last time they were here.

I’ve been reading a book about the importance and benefits of family suppers that Sara Fisher, a Chaplain’s wife whose blog I read, recommended. The book is called The Surprising Power of Family Meals: How Eating Together Makes Us Smarter, Stronger, Healthier and Happier . I’m about halfway through with the book, and I’ve found it pretty interesting so far. It’s been extra incentive to get supper on the table for my family, even on nights that I am really worn out.

I am also making the effort to make lunch for me and the kids (and Chris if he’s here), and sit at the table and eat it with them. We have always had such an unscheduled life without much routine, because of Chris’ crazy work schedule. However, I’m trying to work in some simple routines that work with Chris’ schedule. Making lunch for the kids is not just one more time of connecting with the kids over a shared meal, but it is also helpful to me as I’m trying hard to eat enough food while I’m pregnant. With my lack of appetite, I tend to realize at four p.m. that I’ve ate hardly anything all day. So, making one lunch for all of us, as opposed to everyone eating whatever lunch they are in the mood for when they get hungry, is not just nice but really helpful to me as well.

These are just a couple of small steps toward a bigger goal, but I’m happy with the way things are headed. I love my family so much, and I want them to know that by the time and effort I put into them. What kinds of things do you guys do that are important to your families? I’d love to hear your ideas.