Be Intentional

• Spending hours in the basement reading and cooling off because we didn’t have air conditioning.
•  A two-week stint in Israel with my Dad to work on a video project and seeing the “behind-the-scenes” places of the Holy Land.
•  Navigating local neighborhood maps for my mama as we searched for the best garage sales and treasures.
•  Late-night trips to Dairy Queen down the street for a small cone and saving the “last bite” for our Golden Retriever.
•  A vacation to Nashville to recover after a difficult year – having my parents take me to see recording studios and the Gibson Guitar Factory to help me keep my dream intact.
•  An 11-week tour around the US with my college traveling team, HeartSong to minister at youth camps and churches with our music.

These are some of my favorite summertime memories and I owe them all directly or indirectly to the intentional parenting my Dad and Mama poured into my growing up years.  Now that I have my own little man to chase after and guide, I’m constantly reminded of the value and comfort found in being intentional in my time with him.

The value comes from the sweet memories made, the clear direction given from being rooted in Scripture, and the creativity expressed in our activities and experiences.  The comfort comes from the routine that helps both my son and I flourish and the relaxation that comes from being prepared for the next moment.

But the laid-back pace of summertime…with its call to “sleep in,” its overbearing heat waves, and its lazy schedules…it has the potential to derail that value and comfort.  This summer, I’m committing to push through those temptations and obstacles to keep on track with my intentionality in mothering.  And I want to invite you to join me…

This can look different for every mom.

• For some it may mean pulling out the Summer Bridge books to maintain the “learning environment” to a degree.
• For some it may mean planning a small vacation for your family to “get-away” or at least spend some time reconnecting with each other.
• For some it may mean taking the time to plan out the meals, make an adventure out of the trip to the Farmer’s Market or local grocery, and grab hold of your family’s nutrition habits.
• For some it may mean remembering to grab the camera, print the pictures, and stick them in the album.

For me…it looks like this…

A simple plan…a few “big-ticket” items, many “first memories” for my little one, little things I want to look back on and say, “The Summer of 2012 was a great season for our family. I’m so glad I took the time to dream and plan and then schedule in those little things with my husband.”

So, what does “being intentional” for the Summertime of 2012 look like for your family?  Share your thoughts and comments with us!