Family Fun Night

Last weekend, I went to my 5th Catholic Men's Conference. Our diocese has offered a Men's Conference for the last 14 years, and I've attended the last 5. Every year, I have a great experience. This year, the keynote speaker was Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. Deacon Harold brought a very challenging message to the conference this year. One of his challenges was to institute a family fun night once per week.

As I thought about that challenge, I thought about how often our family lets those opportunities go by, and usually I'm to blame. I'm too tired after a full day of work, or there's something on TV I want to watch...never good excuses, but I make them. So, I decided, with the blessing of my family, to institute a once per week family fun night. Hopefully we can, and will, do this more often than once per week, but that was the goal we set. You'd be amazed between work and activities how difficult it is to find one night in the week when nothing is going on.

Tonight was our first official family fun night. There are very few rules. Everyone gets a chance to pick a night's activity, and we'll rotate that. Whatever that person picks is what we do...provided the parents don't decide there are safety risks or it costs too much. We went by height for who gets to pick the activity, so Nicholas was up tonight. Since it's 80 degrees here, Nicholas picked a bike ride to the local ice cream drive thru for ice cream cones. We had a nice ride, and a good time eating ice cream. On our way home, we took a scenic ride, and ended up at a park for a little bit before heading home.

We had a really nice time together, and I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to what David picks next week. I'm also already forming plans for my turn to pick, which comes up in 3 weeks.

Now, a challenge. I challenge all families who aren't already doing this, to institute something similar. As Deacon Harold said, your kids aren't going to remember that you gave them a great education, plenty of food to eat, or nice clothes to wear. Your kids are going to remember your back as you walk out the door! His message...spend time with your kids, that's the best thing you can give them.

Oh, Happiness

This is a song that I heard on a local Christian radio station the other day. It's called "Oh, Happiness" by the David Crowder Band. At first I thought this was really cheesy. But, yesterday, it was on while we were driving, and my 9 year old wanted to listen to it...it's been stuck in my head ever since. Not only is it catchy, but it's got a nice, not overly complex, message. "There is grace enough for us, and the whole human race." Enjoy!

Book Review: The Sea of Trolls

Ok, I didn't actually read, "The Sea of Trolls" by Nancy Farmer, I listened to it on CD. Last weekend, I drove to South Dakota on my own, as my family had already headed up there. To pass the time, I listened to "The Sea of Trolls", and I'm glad I listened to it rather than read it.

"The Sea of Trolls" is set in 793 AD, and primarily follows 12 year old Jack, who is apprenticed to a local bard. In this world, Bards use magical powers to tell their stories, and for other purposes as well. Just as Jack is starting to get the hang of some of his new abilities, he and his sister Lucy are captured by Berserkers. This sets them on a journey across the sea to a strange land, and eventually leads Jack to the land of the trolls.

Like I said, I'm glad I listened to this book rather than read it. This book is very slow paced, and filled with high levels of detail. I think it would have been a difficult read, but it was a good listen. The reader did voices for every major character and kept it interesting. The idea of the story is quite good, and I do think I will listen to the other 2 books in the series. If they have the level of detail and relative lack of action as this one, I think it would be difficult to read those as well.

So, if you are looking for a book to listen to while you drive, "The Sea of Trolls" is a good choice.