spend more quality time with my kids

I spent 8 hours with our daughter today- shopping & eating dinner & having a great time. I also played one card game with the boys.

Today I had good conversations with both of my boys.

I spend all kinds of time with the kids, but not what I would call quality time.

I have recently accepted a new job that keeps me away from my children Mon-Fri. My weekends are limited as well because I usually have commitments two of those weekends. The separation is temporary (we are moving at the end of the school year), however, it is harder than I expected. I speak with them on a daily basis, but it is not the same when for years I have been with them almost everyday.

My son and daughter are growing up seeing their Mom spending more time at the computer than playing with them. While work provides for them, i hate that my energies are channeled more towards generating money rather than enjoying life with them.

Now that I have room for the big dining room table I just bought we have been eating dinner together there every night. We used to eat in the living room at the coffee table because we all hated being crowded around the little dining room table we had. It is great! No tv distracting us, nice conversation occuring, definate quality time!

Just got back about an hour ago from our annual family camping trip at the beach in San Diego. Great time for all of us. My oldest son is now 14 so he spent a lot of time with the kids but we did get in some quality time together. They both told me that they had a great time, and were all mushy about leaving so I feel good.

Was nice. Went to the park with the kids to watch the fireworks. Grandma came along. It was incredibly hot, but we laid on a blanket in the grass and looked at the stars while we waited,twirled lightsticks, and ate ice cream. This has been a tradition for us the past several years. The fireworks were great.

Our annual camping trip is coming up in August. We spend a week at Campland at the Bay in San Diego every year with family. The kids have a great time and are really busy, but this year I plan on us spending some time alone together. Cant wait!

I’ll give Sarah my One Year Bible and talk to her about what she learned this week.