Both boys know our Monday night routines by heart, and they won't hesitate to correct us if we ever get off course. Family Home Evenings always begin with a song and a prayer, and our lessons usually last no more than five or ten minutes. Sometimes we write letters to the boys' missionary aunt and uncle. Sometimes we thumb through the Gospel Art Book, pointing out pictures of Christ and the prophets. Sometimes we teach a lesson from the Behold Your Little Ones Nursery Manual. Sometimes we spend the entire time singing Primary songs. And sometimes we only have the energy to pick out a few Mormon Messages to watch.
Mondays are busy days for me, filled with household catch-up after taking a break over the weekend. Consequently I don't usually have the energy to make the after-lesson treat that is vital to many a Family Home Evening. But last night I did, though I attribute it only to the fact that I'm still so excited about the new doughnut pan I got on Saturday. I've been itching for one ever since my friend posted cake doughnut recipes on her awesome baking blog. On Sunday night I made chocolate doughnuts with chocolate icing, and yesterday I made vanilla doughnuts, half of which were topped with leftover chocolate icing while the other half were topped with this amazing buttermilk caramel syrup. Both nights were hits, though I think the chocolate-chocolate combo was the favored (they were scarfed down before I could even think to snap a photo). I now I have big plans to learn how to make pumpkin doughnuts and apple cider doughnuts, so watch for that this fall.
Caleb knows a good thing when he sees it.But to get back to my original topic. We weren't always consistent at holding Family Home Evenings, but for the last two years or so, we've made it a weekly priority. And we've noticed since we've done so that there is a significant difference in the quality of our family life -- a link that we have directly correlated to our commitment. Blake rarely has to work late anymore, and life at home runs more smoothly. Which isn't to say that things in our home are 100% perfect 100% of the time. They are not. But we've noticed that there has always been time for Family Home Evening since we decided to make the time, and we have been rewarded for our efforts.
7 comments:
Ummmmmm, those doughnuts look AMAZING!!! And we need to do better about FHE. I mean fam-mee-mee.
Yum! Good work.
Good work with consistent FHE. We've made it a goal this year and it really is amazing how there is enough time if you make enough time.
Those donuts really do look scrumptious. We try our hand at the fried variety with the mixes that we pick up every time we go to Amish country. Maybe a donut pan will be on my easter wish list? :)
Perhaps Garrett would title our FHE's "Fam-moo-moons" as we hold ours in the afternoon before Will's evening classes. I loved your descriptions of 5-10 minute family home evening ideas because ours often last shorter than that with our limited time together. I'm looking forward to the day when my husband will be the one returning home from work instead of the other way around and we can add the vital refreshment part to Monday evenings! Your donuts looked deliciously professional!
You should definitely give the apple cider donuts a try. We made some at my in-laws a couple of Thanksgivings ago, and though the result didn't look that great, they tasted really good!
I can't wait for Fam-mee-mee in Provo!
Parker LOVES Family Home Evening too. I think it's funny how he gets so excited every week. It's a fun thing to do with the kids.
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