By: Martianne Stanger Last fall, upon the request of one of my children, I set up a survival challenge – and what fun it was! I purposely chose criteria for the challenge that would tie into knowledge that my children already had, stretch them a bit further, and be more than they could do in … More Initiate a Survival Challenge!
By: Martianne Stanger “Come! Come!” called the excited cries of a child, beckoning us to the window where feathered friends had finally found and started to use the Wild Birds of Joy window birdfeeder that one of my children got for Christmas. Thereupon, so many giggles and grins ensued as we witnessed what we imagined … More What a Wonder at the Window: Santa’s Gift to the Nature Lover
By: Martianne Stanger It’s no secret that I love getting myself and my family outside and that the woods is one of my favorite places to be. What seems to be a secret to some, though, is just how to get a family outside and enjoying the woods. Yep. For I have had people ask … More 10 + Secrets to Enjoying Time in the Woods
By: Martianne Stanger As I write this, I am sitting on the couch sick. I can get up and do some things, but, each time I do, I am beset with a coughing fit. So, I am pacing myself. Meanwhile, my household is still humming. The laundry machine and dryer are turning. The dishwasher is … More Not for a Bygone Era: Saturday Morning Chores
By: Martianne Stanger Helmet on. Excitement stoked. New obstacles ready to be conquered. Love, caution, yet encouragement pouring out. This has been my husband. “You did it!” This has been me shouting out about my son’s victory while snapping photos of his bike and skateboard exploits. Honestly, I never thought I’d be one to hang at skate … More Let Your Child’s Latest Passion Prompt Time Together
By: Martianne Stanger What do you do when you have to face a full-out quarantine with kids? Keep things as normal as possible and enjoy the simple things. While in a recent quarantine period with our children, I asked them what their favorite activities had been so far. I share their answers here to inspire … More 10 Things Kids Can Enjoy During Quarantine
By: Martianne Stanger This past year, my children and I did an odd thing: We went to the funeral of someone we never knew when she was living. Being 2020, it was just a quick, socially-distant, outside, graveside service. In fact, it took us longer to get to than it did to honor and pray … More Why Would You Go to a Funeral of Someone You Never Knew in Life
By: Martianne Stanger Summer time. Adventure. Magical moments. These things just seem to go together don’t they? Add a little inspiration into the mix, and the delight of longer summer days only grows. Case in point for our family was the summer of 2014, which I also call our Swiss Family Robinson summer. No, our family was … More Let the Swiss Family Robinson Inspire Your Summer
By: Martianne Stanger This past fall, we faced one of the saddest things a family can face: losing a loved one. Sadder still, our beloved Papa was states away and circumstances did not allow my children to make a final goodbye in person – something they wanted with every fiber of their beings. Still, we … More A Hug from a Lost Loved One
By: Martianne Stanger In recent years, I faced my first “mom surgery” – not a surgery for one of my children (which was something I had had to deal with within a year of becoming a mother), but my first time going under myself since becoming a mom. Though my first mom surgery was not … More 7 Ways to Bless a Friend Who’s in Quarantine
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