Welcome to Dana's blog!

I'm baaaaaaaaaack!LOL

But it's my blog so I can talk to myself all the live long day!LOL

I asked DH to look at the calendar for our upcoming events. He's not the world's best communicator and he has a calendar, but it's too high for me to reach! I got a magnetic one in the mail that I LOVE and it's ont eh side of the frig (a place a short person CAN reach!LOL). So I have written the boys and my social engagements (HA HA) on there. I wanted DH to look it over to make sure nothing interferred w/his plans. He wrote a truck pull on there so I'd know!LOL

So we are trying to eat a semi-humane supper and Joey was whining (he's sicka nd tired, but still!LOL) and Mat was just being a boy and I announced that THAT is why we are having ppl over for meals monthly (at least that is my goal). So that the boys will 'get' what having a meal (hostessing) is about! Joey is a VERY polite child (and Mat can be when he wants to be), but their table manners have alot to be desired. And we eat supper, as a family, EVERY NIGHT! So this baffles me. But we never had dinner company over growing up and I LOVE to hostess that type of thing so this seems natural to me. Plus I want my kids to SEE servantitude (I think I just made a word up!LOL). We did this last montha nd had a family w/5 kids over and things went well. This month's family has 2 girls!LOL But we have a full (unfinished) basement and the kids get sent down there and the adults stay upstairs and talk. It's worked well in the past anyway.

And the boys decorated their Valentine boxes and Joey still has quite a few to write his name on (that's a loose term of 'write'--he does make a great J and O tho). Baths are done and the kitchen cleaned up so I am just about ready to retire..............dh puts the boys to bed.

hostessing

09:07, 2006-Feb-5 .. Posted by tioga12

Good for you! I have really had to work at that, and am finally able to enjoy it ( without getting stressed about getting the house ready, preparing meals,etc.)-my Mom did a lot to set an example of being a gracious hostess when I was growing up. As a pastor's wife we often had other families over for dinner, as well as overnight missionary guests. So I assisted and observed. But when you have your own home and a lot of children, it can be a challenge! And I needed to learn not to let my pride get in the way. People are more important than a picture perfect house, so we just do the best we can without losing focus. I am naturally quiet and although I find it easy to talk to many people, it is hard to make conversation with someone less outgoing than myself. Having a basement you can use for the kids is FANTASTIC...we have been to homes like that and feel it would be a very positive thing for us to have when hosting others, but that will never happen in this house. (Basement can't be finished with low ceilings and solid rock base under dirt floors, and it is small with wood and fuel furnaces, pipes, you get the picture.) At this home we do have room enough for overnight guests and plenty of outdoor space, so we are thankful for that. God bless you as you seek to serve Him in welcoming others to your home!