Extraordinary Days – Ericka O Smith

Here We Go a-Adventing

Today is the first day of Advent for the Christmas season and if you’re like me, it has snuck up on you while you were focusing on keeping the thanks in Thanksgiving. Am I right?

Our family has traditionally begun the Christmas season on December 1. That first day in December is a much-anticipated one, especially the further down the ranks you go. On that one day, our home is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with nativities in every room to remind of us of the reason we are celebrating – Jesus birth. We deck the halls. We trim the trees. We hang the stockings with care. And we begin the countdown to the Big Day with devotionals (and activities) that point us to the manger.

If you find yourself looking for something “more” than the usual holiday stresses, shopping and eating leading up to Christmas this year, I suggest trying one of these great family devotionals that you can begin on December 1 with no advanced prep work:

All the Colors of Christmas Devotional – a free, downloadable daily devotional with doable daily activities for the whole family by Focus on the Family.

Knowing Him by Name – another free, downloadable daily devotional with activities that focuses on a different name of Jesus by Focus on the Family

An Advent of Ideas – a daily devotional with activities that our dear neighbor gave us our first holiday season in the neighborhood; our family favorite is still available at Amazon (affiliate link)

51usb1owegl-_sx370_bo1204203200_ In addition to our family devotionals/activities during Advent, I plan to focus my own heart on one witness of the incarnation per week with a short devotional. If this appeals to you, too, please check back on Thursday as I begin this short devotional series with Mary.

How do you focus your heart during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? What family devotionals have worked for your family? I’d love to hear your suggestions for holiday devotionals and activities, both for yourself & your family. Please share links and your great suggestions in the comments section.

Gratitude Game Night

532180_382579435158666_782925171_n For years I have resented Black Friday. I remember a time not too long ago in which the “thanks” was kept in “Thanksgiving.” It was a treasured time of counting your blessings and adjusting your attitude to one of gratitude.

Not too far in the recent past, however, the commercialization of the Christmas season began it’s hostile takeover of Thanksgiving with the creation of my new nemesis, Black Friday. Not content with preempting the remaining Thanksgiving weekend with a consumerism mindset, early bird specials soon followed – beginning on Thanksgiving Day itself!

In an effort to keep the “thanks” in Thanksgiving, a few years ago our family started the tradition of getting together on Black Friday for dinner with another family, combining our leftovers from the day before and enjoying a good time of family fellowship instead of shopping. The past two years, we have added games to our night of fellowship. This year, we’re planning the whole evening as an extension of Thanksgiving Day with Gratitude Game Night.

Gratitude Game

Everyone gets two slips of paper and writes one word on each slip of something for which they are thankful. For example, my daughter bought her first car this summer, so it would be entirely appropriate for her to write “car” on one. All slips are collected in a bowl. The bowl is passed around the table with players selecting one at a time. Take turns trying to get the table to guess your word without using that word, similar to CatchPhrase. Alternate version – play as family teams.

Thanksgiving Scattergories

One person at a time chooses a letter of the alphabet. Using a timer, each player (or team) writes as many things for which they are thankful that begin with that letter as they can imagine. When the timer goes off, each player (or team) shares their list one item at a time. All duplicated items on everyone’s lists are marked out. The player (or team) with the most items still on their list is the winner!

Wiki-Thanksgiving

Each player thinks of something for which they are thankful. On a 3×5 card, they write a definition of that thing from the general to the more specific. All cards go into a bowl, which gets sent around the table one player at a time. Each player takes one card out, reads the definition to the group and each person tries to 1) figure out what the object of thanks is, and 2) who wrote it.

How does your family keep the “thanks” in Thanksgiving? Please share your bright ideas (or links) in the comments.

Giving Thanks in the Little Things

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Simon and I are practicing something new this Thanksgiving season, a variation of an idea I found here.

During the the entire month of November, we are paying closer attention to all the little things our kids are doing that are “praiseworthy” (like holding the door for someone, taking the garbage out unasked, remembering to use good manners, holding their tongue when treated harshly, or any number of other character qualities we want to encourage in our next generation). Each time we witness such an act, we are writing about it on a fall-colored sticky note and sticking it to their bedroom doors when they aren’t looking. (Example: “I was so thankful when I saw you offer to help the man in the wheelchair get a refill of his soda at Sam’s today.” True story. Cue Mom tears.)

Seems simple enough, I know, but I confess that I am too quick to point out the negative while being too slow to praise the positive. And a month focused on thankfulness seems like the proper place to change that pattern, don’t you think? After all, we are encouraged in Philippians 4:8 to do this very thing…

“whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable – if there is any moral excellence or if there is any praise – dwell on these things.”

How are you shifting your focus to one of thanksgiving for the little things this season? Please share your creative ideas (or links) in the comments.

Test Driving New Traditions

I came across a great idea at the end of summer while looking ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday season – a Thanksgiving Tree!

Perhaps the phrase “Thanksgiving Tree” heralds the nostalgia of school days with images like these…

Or perhaps the phrase “Thanksgiving Tree” brings to mind Pinterest-worthy creations like these?

We should have known Ann Voskamp would be ahead of the curve with this elegant table topper. — I should have known Ann Voskamp would be ahead of the curve with this elegant table topper.

This Thanksgiving Tree by Lia Griffith is absolutely enviable, right?

Now put a pin in both of those preconceived ideas because when I say “Thanksgiving Tree,” this little beauty is what I’m talking about:

I first discovered the whole idea of having a “Thanksgiving Tree” here and I love this site’s vision for a few different reasons. First, I scarcely decorate for Fall, much less Thanksgiving specifically. Second, I appreciate the focus on handmade decorations for our first “Thanksgiving Tree” because I have always have resident artists in my home. Third, it uses something I already own (the tree) in a new, creative way. Fourth, it cuts down on the workload that is December 1 in our home (the day we decorate for Christmas) by one tree.

So…this year we’re going to test drive this new tradition of a Thanksgiving Tree and see how she handles for our family. What about you? What new traditions are you going to test drive this November in your home? Feel free to share your great ideas (or links) in the comments section.

Smith Family Camp Out – September 2016

As one friend commented, "you have good knights - in shorts!" And we did! Simon and Jesse set up our camp perfectly while Chloe & I reclined in the tent on air mattresses. — As one friend commented, “you have good knights – in shorts!” And we did! Simon and Jesse set up our camp perfectly while Chloe & I reclined in the tent on air mattresses.

Our sweet home away from home for 5 glorious days at Caprock Canyons State Park. Chloe and I sold everything we could get our hands on from the garage to buy a big 3-room tent and two oscillating fans. It was worth it!

Sunrise and sunset were my favorite times of day...so beautiful. So peaceful. What an awesome experience to walk with God in His beautiful creation during these times of the day. — Sunrise and sunset were my favorite times of day…so beautiful. So peaceful. What an awesome experience to walk with God in His beautiful creation during these times of the day.

After setting up camp, Jesse walked down to Lake Theo and began catching (and releasing) these little guys. He is an angler to the core.

(deep, contented sigh...muscles relaxing...soaking in God's presence) — (deep, contented sigh…muscles relaxing…soaking in God’s presence)

I looked up from my Bible to this sweet sight - my boy on the lake, early morning, fishing in his kayak that he saved and bought off Craigslist. — I looked up from my Bible to this sweet sight – my boy on the lake, early morning, fishing in his kayak that he saved and bought off Craigslist.

I discovered how to use the panorama feature on my iPhone this trip. LOVE this feature! This is a panorama of our campsite. It is the most private, spacious campsite we’ve ever had! Seemed like we were the only ones around!

Raccoon (whom we named "Oscar" because of his location) stuck in the dump, so he decided to take a nap. Someone put a log in there for him to climb out on and he was gone by evening. — Raccoon (whom we named “Oscar” because of his location) stuck in the dump, so he decided to take a nap. Someone put a log in there for him to climb out on and he was gone by evening.

Saturday - Palo Duro Canyons State Park was breathtaking! It is the second largest canyon in the U.S. We explored it's nooks and crannies all day. — Saturday – Palo Duro Canyons State Park was breathtaking! It is the second largest canyon in the U.S. We explored it’s nooks and crannies all day.

Spent a LONG time here, hiking in/out/over that cave.

Great memory-making day exploring God's magnificent creation. — Great memory-making day exploring God’s magnificent creation.

It was mesmerizing watching Jesse fish with his net for bait fish. I took wayyyyyy too many photos for a sane person, but come on...it's poetry in motion. — It was mesmerizing watching Jesse fish with his net for bait fish. I took wayyyyyy too many photos for a sane person, but come on…it’s poetry in motion.

Spent the day at Copper Breaks State Park. Unanimously, we do not recommend this park. This shot reminds me of Huck Finn, so I thought I'd share it. — Spent the day at Copper Breaks State Park. Unanimously, we do not recommend this park. This shot reminds me of Huck Finn, so I thought I’d share it.

On our way out, we did enjoy some time with some longhorns the park keeps.

The second of MANY upclose and personal encounters with the bison herd back at Caprock Canyons State Park. This pic is taken through the open door of our Suburban. He's not even a really big one, either! — The second of MANY up close and personal encounters with the bison herd back at Caprock Canyons State Park. This pic is taken through the open door of our Suburban. He’s not even a really big one, either!

Ribs and salad kind of night...yum! — Ribs and salad kind of night…yum!

Another early morning on the lake with Jesse as he enjoys his favorite past time.

As our vacation progressed, our interactions became closer and closer with the resident bison herd. They were around every corner, literally.

This was the day we explored every nook and cranny we could at Caprock Canyons State Park. I cannot state clearly enough how you should visit this gem of a state park. It is beautiful. It is clean. The weather is COOL, believe it or not. The campsites are PRIVATE and it is hands-down our favorite campground to date.

Fun with panorama selfies! Can you see all of us?

This is right before we discovered Cedar Flies...and their tenacity...and the fact that they bite...hard. This is the canyon behind our camp site. — This is right before we discovered Cedar Flies…and their tenacity…and the fact that they bite…hard. This is the canyon behind our camp site.

LOVE this shot of the three of them watching the bird flying high above the canyon.

Simon and Jesse heading out on a 2 mile trail. Chloe and I picked them up on the opposite side.

This is what Chloe and I did while the guys were hiking... — This is what Chloe and I did while the guys were hiking…

...and they are back! — …and they are back!

The photos just don't convey the vastness, the depth, the beauty of Caprock Canyons SP. — The photos just don’t convey the vastness, the depth, the beauty of Caprock Canyons SP.

The guys loved the 2-mile trail so much they took us back on it. We discovered a great natural bridge/tunnel. Obviously, it needed to be explored.

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Sunsets were a daily ritual for us and so breathtaking.

Last night - (decaf) coffee before bed for this modern-day knight of mine. — Last night – (decaf) coffee before bed for this modern-day knight of mine.

En route home, we stopped at a fourth state park (gotta love those state park passes, right?).

The guys fished while Chloe and I played Rummy and Whist in the Suburban. This place boasts a prairie dog town, but Simon said it was more like an infestation. We all agreed.

Brave. Boy. I shudder to imagine how many snakes are in there with Jesse, but he's a wild-at-heart kind of manling like his dad, so... — Brave. Boy. I shudder to imagine how many snakes are in there with Jesse, but he’s a wild-at-heart kind of manling like his dad, so…

Bonus - Jesse asked if he could make dinner when we got back, so he used stuff on hand (plus some kale I went to buy) and made this ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS SOUP from scratch! It's his own creation, people. He's 16! — Bonus – Jesse asked if he could make dinner when we got back, so he used stuff on hand (plus some kale I went to buy) and made this ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS SOUP from scratch! It’s his own creation, people. He’s 16!

Serve One Another

Recently I was laying across the kids’ trampoline in our back yard, pondering what we did with the minions this year for Easter. Our youngest two are teenagers, so gone are the days of hiding Easter eggs around our house & yard so that the kids could search for them like treasure. They are older now, more mature. Not willing to let go of memory-making moments that hold meaning to us as followers of Jesus, or lose the opportunity to invest in my kids’ relationship with God, I decided to try something new. This year the kids hunted Easter-themed geocaches Simon & I hid around the city of Dallas instead of the traditional candy-filled eggs. Each was located at a spot with life-sized art that holds religious significance to us as believers and (I hoped!) would add to their understanding of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them.

"Divine Servant" by Max Greiner, Jr. is on display all over the world. For a listing, visit the website. — “Divine Servant” by Max Greiner, Jr. is on display all over the world. For a listing, visit the website.

On Maundy Thursday we visited the first geocache, which depicted Jesus as the “Divine Servant.” Once the kids located the bronze statue (pictured), we shared with them that Maundy Thursday is the remembrance of the last meal that Jesus shared with His disciples – the Last Supper. As we examined the details of the “Divine Servant,” I opened my Bible app and began reading John 13. It is hard to explain the emotion I experienced as I read the text with this life-sized representation of the very words in front of my eyes. It was powerful. I felt like I was witnessing Jesus’ servant’s heart, live. His humility, in person. His love, in action. And it made me think…

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. -Galatians 5:13

What does my freedom look like to those with whom I share life? Is a servant’s heart displayed in my actions? Does my life more often display His humility or the indulgence of my own flesh (my own desires)? Are my actions spurred by a love that extends beyond myself? In short, does my life add to others’ understanding of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them?

Post-Easter Perspective

Excitement fills every part of his little 5 year old body as he races around looking for Easter eggs, his 3 year old sister hurrying to keep up with him, and 7 year old brother trying to lose both of them! But as he spies the next egg he forgets everything except the treasure that lies inside…

Sweet memories…I wish I could go back. Why? The treasure! To teach them about the true treasure! You see, it’s not really about what’s inside the egg. It’s about WHY we celebrate… FullSizeRender

Easter is the most important holiday for Christians. It is what separates Christianity from other religions. Easter is the celebration of our risen savior! He is ALIVE! He is RISEN! This celebration is the promise and hope of our faith. It’s not colorful, dyed Easter eggs we hunt or the treasures inside. No, the treasure is Christ Himself and the Word of God which gives us His story.

“I rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasure.” Psalm 119:162

That’s what I would do over again. I would spend more time telling my kids the story of Jesus and what He did for us, dying to forgive us for our sins. Coloring eggs and hiding them full of worldly treasures is fun, but worldly treasures pass away too quickly. As a parent, my goal for my children is like Paul’s goal for the Colossians, “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3.

He is Risen!

This Post-Easter Perspective is written by Laurie Newby, Children's Ministry Director at Trinity Bible Church in Richardson, TX. Laurie's perspective is born out of decades of parenting eight children and grandparenting eleven grandchildren. She has over 30 years experience working with children in both volunteer and professional positions. To learn more about Laurie, go here or here. — This Post-Easter Perspective is written by Laurie Newby, Children’s Ministry Director at Trinity Bible Church in Richardson, TX. Laurie’s perspective is born out of decades of parenting eight children and grand-parenting eleven grandchildren. She has over 30 years experience working with children in both volunteer and professional positions. To learn more about Laurie, go here or here.

A Round Up of 2016’s Spring Break Staycation

*We had constant rain and Thunderstorms all week, so we kept drawing until we got an activity we could do that day. Saturdays activity was actually drawn on Tuesday and we all wanted to do it so badly that it kept getting top billing each day - if it didn't rain. We are finally expected to dry out by Saturday afternoon, so our fingers are crossed that we'll finally get to hit a bucket of balls. — *We had constant rain and Thunderstorms all week, so we kept drawing until we got an activity we could do that day. Saturdays activity was actually drawn on Tuesday and we all wanted to do it so badly that it kept getting top billing each day – if it didn’t rain. We are finally expected to dry out by Saturday afternoon, so our fingers are crossed that we’ll finally get to hit a bucket of balls.

We had so much fun geocaching, we kept it up long after the initial 7 I had planned. Free app for your phone called “Geocaching,” complete with a very good gps (even with the clouds!) that walked us right up to the caches. Highly recommend!

Dollar Theater was a re-draw (due to weather). With 25 minutes until the movie started, friends were not able to join us. It was a so-so experience. Dollar Theaters are...well...loud. — Dollar Theater was a re-draw (due to weather). With 25 minutes until the movie started, friends were not able to join us. It was a so-so experience. Dollar Theaters are…well…loud. And no one seems to have heard that you’re suppose to be quiet during the movie. And the popcorn chewing! Ugh!

One of my girl's most enjoyable activities. She loved having her sweet friend over for the afternoon. (My son chose to sleep, as he was recuperating from a 26-mile backpacking trip a few days prior.) — One of my girl’s most enjoyable activities. She loved having her sweet friend over for the afternoon. (My son chose to sleep, as he was recuperating from a 26-mile backpacking trip a few days prior.)

We took our Minute-to-Win-It Games on the road to a friend's house for after-dinner fun. Two teams. Family v. Family. Good fun! — We took our Minute-to-Win-It Games on the road to a friend’s house for after-dinner fun on Friday night. Two teams. Family v. Family. Good fun!

Note: I did not take pics of my kids in their skivvies on Thursday, but I will share with you the pajama bottoms my son had on all day. He got these for Christmas and they fool me every time he wears them! (Amazon affiliate link)

I’d love to hear about your Spring Break Staycation! Please share in the comments what you did to make some memories with your kids without breaking the bank.

Spring Breaking

While others were buying bathing suits & plane tickets, reserving massages or checking out destinations, I was busy planning our Spring Break staycation.

I compiled two lists of activities (see below) and put them into a clear jar, displayed on our dining table. We’ll randomly draw an activity out of the above-pictured jar each night at dinner. The activities are simple, cost-effective ideas that will give us daily memory-making times together, without spending the entire day on the go or breaking the bank. (My youngest two are teenagers, so sleeping and taking a break from constant activity are, thankfully, much-appreciated Spring Break activities.)

Here is a sampling of activities we’ll choose from:

Spring Break activities — NOTE: The two in the middle are what I chose for factory tours because we’ve never been to either. There are a variety of other factory tours available to the public here or you could substitute a day trip from the list here.

I’ll share each day’s activity – complete with photos, cost breakdown and our family’s feedback – on the blog at at the end of the week. Feel free to share with me, too, in the comments, either here or on Facebook! I’d LOVE to hear the creative ways your family is making your Spring Break staycation memorable!

Girls Only Weekends

Once a month, these two head out for a weekend of camping and adventure. These are special weekends spent bonding over learning new outdoor skills, cooking over a campfire, and growing ripe from days without bathing - you know, boy stuff. — Once a month, these two head out for a weekend of camping and adventure. These are special weekends spent bonding over learning new outdoor skills, cooking over a campfire, and growing ripe from days without bathing – you know, boy stuff.

For years now, the girls and I have been having what we call “Girls Only Weekends” once a month while the boys go into Bear Grylls mode.

When my sister and niece lived nearby, we included them in our adventures, like this one to an indoor ropes course…

417692_10150690577382915_1095526943_n — My daughter was fearless! This is right before we found out she needed glasses, but still. She earned a ton of street cred that night.

My niece was brave and tore through the challenges like a boss!

Over the years, we have also made some great memories with fantastic Mom & Daughter Duos like these at our Pinterest Party –

This Pinterest game was so fun... — This Pinterest game was so fun…

...the Moms decided to give it a go! — …the Moms decided to give it a go!

Making some good memories with these sweet Moms & Daughters — We made some good memories with these sweet Moms & Daughters, one game at a time.

These sweet Mamas & Daughters joined us for a Back-to-School Hair Bash one year –

Sometimes we do something completely new, like here when we volunteered with these cuties at a For the Nations Refugee Outreach event –

Or here when we volunteered in the community at the annual Plano Balloon Festival…

Or here volunteering to walk four-legged friends at the local animal shelter –

My sweet girl has such a soft spot for furry friends. Volunteering at the animal shelter is her most requested Girls Only Weekend activity.

We’ve camped out at a state park, just the two of us in the tent…

Thankfully we travel with books because this campout, it rained. We spent a lot of time chilling on the bed reading about the Netherfield Ball. — It rained, so we read about the Netherfield Ball – together.

And we’ve hit the trails, like here –

Tonight is another such night. It is the annual Mother/Daughter Lock-In at my church, where we have bonded over things like fashion shows and scavenger hunts, like here –

My daughter is too old for us to attend now, but the two of us will still arrive early & leave late…as volunteers. We will serve alongside other Moms & Daughters who have “aged out”, setting up, cooking, helping with crafts, organizing games, taking pictures and cleaning up. And in the doing of these things, we will add another mental image to the photo album of our daughter’s childhoods.

You, too, are in the midst of making the memories of your daughter’s childhood. Look for ways to turn the ordinary days into extraordinary ones. These are the days that will stand out in her mind in the future – and she will have shared them with you. Seize the circumstances that present themselves! Create your own opportunities! Invite other Moms & Daughters to join you. Or keep it simple, just the two of you. Ride a bike. Have a picnic in your daughter’s bedroom. Pick something from here or here or here. Just do something. Don’t put it off. They are memories that will be enjoyed by both of you long after the moments have passed.