Family Ingredients

As I was cleaning up this week, it struck me how many things we have to be thankful for. We didn't have a lot of money when we found out we were expecting Jesse over two years ago, but we've been given much and have been able to provide for our boys well. We've also shared the experience of realizing that even the things we thought useful weren't so essential on the practical side of events. Out of all the furniture, clothes, toys, gadgets, and watnots given and found, here are some of what I consider key ingredients to our home environment.

First: Babies. Essential to us. Love them. 

A playpen. This was moderately helpful with one baby, but essential with two and unloading the groceries by myself. He may not be happy about it, but for those times I need a few moments, he's safe.

Splat mats. Major carpet savers! My mom found them on Amazon here  and I use them under the high chairs. Also can double as a craft tarp. They're easy to sweep off, and wiped down once a week when it's vacuum day.

Safe hygiene and fun bath times!

We are still on the set of Burts Bees baby stuff we received for Jesse's baby shower, and I'm glad we have a safe wash for them. We use Burts Bees or Green, found here through NeoLife.
I found those colored Bath Dropz via Amazon. Best stocking-stuffer I could have found!
*note to self: you cannot get away with simply 'rinsing' your shower clean if you use the coloring. Foiled.

Collapsible dryer rack. 

Good for diapers, artwork, damp stray socks stuffed inside the sheets, etc. 

Something to build...

This will last about two minutes more before it's destroyed.

A trampoline. exercise, play, dance, or as a friend has for her own children: working off anger and poor attitudes.

A reading corner all their own with three kinds of books: Easy, Classic, and Challenging.

A sense of humor and flexibility.
Key. 

A place for imagination

Kitchen tools that they can use that are
 A. difficult to be impaled with
B. easy to wash over and over
C. will not cause you to yell something creative when stepped on.

Speaking of, a place where healthy habits are taught

and healthy foods are eaten 

One or two shelves you don't mess with

(except on Tuesday vacuum days)

Crafts 

we have a mid-morning 'Chair-time' where the boys are contained and Mommy can 

do a few dishes, prep a crock pot meal, or go do her hair in peace. Hah. 

I could keep going. 

There are so many things that are fun and useful, but the most important? 

A family. 

Whatever that looks like.

A family that loves the Lord, each other, and knows that no matter what stuff they have, it's nothing compared to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. 

If we have nothing else to give our kids, I know we can keep giving them a 

daily sharing, teaching, modeling, and loving dose of that.