Family Time Ideas...the LE Version!

47 Fun Ideas for Family Time & Couple's Dates 

 

Summer is in fill swing! And while many of us juggle work schedules as LE families, it is so, so, so important to remember to live life on those rare days off together! "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." One of my all time favorite quotes because it is such a great reminder to make life count outside of our jobs. And with the intensity and ways that the Law Enforcement profession can consume our days, even the ones we have off, it is extra important to take a sec and make sure you're making a life, then making a living.

So! I thought I would put together a fun post with tons of ideas for things to do this summer. Some of the ideas are short activities to cram between work or other duties, some are full weekend ideas. Some of the ideas revolve around kids, some are for couples, and there are a few about food too...who doesn't think food is important right? There are lots of great ideas and I hope at least one fits your lifestyle and interests! As important as the LE profession is, you and your family are more important...so don't forget to live life together! The benefits your family will reap are endless!

Summer Ideas for Families!

•  Have a picnic! -Instead of eating dinner inside, switch gears and lay a blanket in the backyard and bring your meal outdoors! It's different, it's fun, and it is easy to fit into a busy schedule! Here is a great article and recipe for eating in the backyard as a family!
• Go on a bike ride!- This is a great activity together because it can be done at any time of day, it encourages conversation, not to mention it gets everyone out of the house for a change of scenery! 
• Family Yard Day- This might sound like a nightmare for some families, but if you have young children and a lot of yard work to do, remember little ones love to help and working with parents in a fun upbeat way can create a positive attitude for responsibilities! And what better way to talk about how things grow, how we should care for the earth, and the differences of creation and the beauty in it! With a little patience and understanding, working with children can become a really amazing opportunity to witness learning, discovery, and self awareness!  
  
• Go to the fair- Most counties host a summer fair and what better way to get the kids out of the house and distracted then with animals, food, and rides!...Maybe your LEO is working your county fair this year! Again, this activity can be done any time of the day and is a wonderful way to interact in a variety of situations. If your LEO is working the fair, maybe you could steal away some time as a family and browse everything together!  Exposing your kiddos to tradition, food sources, and the appreciation of other people's hard work will encourage empathy, respect, and awareness for people other than themselves.
• Park day with scavenger hunt and picnic- If you have a free day together, head over to the park for some sunshine and fun! Plan for a scavenger hunt, picnic, a game of catch or an afternoon exploring the playground equipment. Here is an easy kid scavenger hunt with free printout and THE best blog for picnic ideas, everything from recipes to ways to pack!
• Go camping!- One of my favorite memories growing up! There is nothing better than one on one attention with your family. Add s'mores, campfires and staying up late and you have an amazing way to spend a weekend as a family...just make sure to leave the electronic distractions at home, especially the work computer and phone!!! Not sure your kids are ready or need some ideas on how to make it the best trip ever? Visit these blogs for help making your camping trip as a family, memorable. I also find perusing Pinterest super helpful in finding lots of camping ideas and tips!   Super Yummy Easy Recipes  |  13 Tips and Tricks to camping with kids (meal planner, hacks, necessities list and more!)
• Volunteer- There is probably no better way to teach empathy and compassion to your children (and learn some yourself) then through volunteering. There are so many places that could use your family's help: Animal shelters, The Food Bank, local homeless shelters, Habitat For Humanity, soup kitchens, nursing homes, churches, or maybe a neighbor is in need. No matter where you volunteer, doing something together as a family that helps others will create a special bond!
• Visit a farmer's market- Another great opportunity to get out in the community and be a family. This activity is wonderful if you have just a sliver of time, or maybe your LEO can meet you for lunch! It's fun to people watch, there is always great food, and lots to look at.
•  Unplugged game night!- Pick a random day of the week and whether it's in the afternoon or evening, plan yummy snacks and a pile of family games and watch the memories happen! Allow each family member to pick their favorite snack and game. Share in each others
  favorites by preparing the treats together and taking time to play each person's favorite game! The time will melt away as you enjoy each others company! Top Games for Family Game Night  |  35 Game Night Snacks
• Have a spontaneous day- On scrap pieces of paper, have each person in your family write the name of a place or activity they would like to go/do. Put all the pieces of paper in a bowl and randomly draw for that day's thing to do or place to go. It just might surprise you where someone in your family has been wanting to go! Not only does this involve every member of the family, it also makes your day surprising and special. Go with the flow for the rest of the day and see what happens! 

 

Yard Games!

• Build an obstacle course- Perfect for a free afternoon, party or play date! Loads of fun, a great way to get creative juices flowing, and an ideal way to burn off energy!
• 10 Bean Bag Games for kids- Easy, for any age, and can be done at any time of the day! No mess, easy storage, and can be used indoors too!
• Yard Twister- Buy red, yellow, blue, and green spray paint. Cut a hole in the bottom of an empty cardboard box. Using the box as your template, spray paint circles onto your lawn in rows of red, yellow, blue, and green, just like the Twister game mat. Let dry. You can use the spinner board from the game to call colors, or have other guests or family members call out random colors. Let the tangled up fun begin! Find the how-to here.
• Bottle Bowling- Reuse old plastic pop bottles by using them for lawn bowling! You need 10 bottles, either numbered with sharpie or painted ten different colors, and a ball. It's pretty simple. Line them up in a traditional bowling pin pattern and use the ball to knock them over! For info on bowling rules and scoring visit RulesofBowling.com
• Yard Bananagrams - This nifty tutorial covers how to make your own yard sized letter squares perfect for Bananagrams or Scrabble! Get the rules to these games (Bananagrams, Scrabble).
• Giant Jenga- Made from 2x4s this is the perfect yard game for any occasion. Plus it's just super fun to play with giant toys, right?
• Backyard Ker-Plunk- Do you remember the game as a kid where your goal was to pull as many straws as you could out of the bottom of the cylinder without the marbles falling out? This is the mega backyard version and it's a blast!
• 23 MORE IDEAS!- If the list of ideas above doesn't fit your fancy, this one might! Visit Spaceships and Laser Beams for 23 more yard game ideas!

 

Crafts & Kid Activities!

• Make a Bird Feeder- This is a great way to encourage animal stewardship and attract some special winged friends to your yard! Easy, no building required as the feeder is just gelatin and birdseed molded into whatever shape you choose using cookie cutters. So easy and fun! Visit the eighteen25 blog for complete instructions!
• Garden Crafts- Maybe the idea of a yard day (on the family list above) won't fly at your home. Here is an idea to entertain the kiddos while you spend the day on yard work! Visit Fun Family Crafts for 5 Pages (yes, five!) of easy garden themed craft ideas for kids. Everything from painting rocks for the garden, to homemade watering cans and decorations! You are bound to find something to do!
• Music Crafts- While you're visiting the Fun Family Crafts blog, check out their huge list of fun music crafts! You can spend any time of the day on one of these easy crafts. Make a family band by choosing a different musical craft for each family member, then throw a concert!
• Paper Bead Bracelets- An awesome way to reuse old magazines! Visit The 36th Avenue blog for the easy tutorial for making Paper Bead Bracelets. 
• 90 Ideas for Water Play- Awesome ideas to help beat the heat with water! Simple and super kid friendly!
• Homemade Windchimes- Easy, fun, and kid friendly! A great way to spend time together outdoors as well as use up old cans from the pantry!
• Have a Water Fight- Who doesn't love duking it out as a family? Not to mention cooling off in the process! All you need are hoses, super soakers, balloons, and/or sponge balls. (Don't know what a sponge ball is? Check out the link and make one using kitchen sponges!)
• Summer Science Ideas- 25 awesome and easy science activities for kids!

 

 Road trips

• Travel Games for Kids- Maybe your road trip is several hours, maybe it's just for the afternoon, but chances are, if you're traveling with kids, they are going to get bored! Here is a great blog with a list of fun travel games for kids! 
• Places to See Along the Way Generator- Ok, so you're on a road trip, now what? Using Roadtrippers totally fun generator, enter your location and destination and the program creates a list of place to see along the way! Amazing!!!
• 25 Road Trip Snacks- Food is one of the most expensive parts of road trips and eating out at restaurants or stopping at gas stations can be annoying when you have a place to get to, not to mention usually unhealthy. This list of snack recipes is genius in a "why didn't I think of that?" sort of way. Trust me, check it out.
• Road Trip Scavenger Hunt- A huge printable scavenger hunt for road trips. My family lives in a non urban area and if your family does too, this would still be a great building list for your own scavenger hunt! Use it as a starting point to create your own!
• Take A Day Trip- This is a great way to get out the house and see some new places! Ahead of time, sit down as a family and create a list of places people would like to go. Keep the list handy (or do like we do, and write the list on a chalkboard in the kitchen) so you can grab it up and reference it anytime you get the bug for a short trip. Just don't be afraid to stop along the way and explore!
  
• Explore A Road- Our family lives in a rural area and we love to pick a random road and explore it. We have found some of the best scenery, hiking trails, swimming holes, and places exploring this way, not to mention it's totally random and is a great way to learn about new places in your area! Don't live in a rural area? You can still explore a new neighborhood, maybe a part of the countryside you've never been to, or even a stretch of roadway you've never driven. Spontaneity is the key, no matter what kind of road you explore...they always lead you somewhere!

 

Food Fun

• Build Your Own Pizza Night- A fun way to spend time together cooking! Make individual pizzas or one awesome pizza with toppings to reflect your family! The secret to a successful pizza night is fun, creativity, and no expectations. It might get messy, it might not turn out, but no matter what, it will be a memory maker! 50 Mouthwatering Pizza Recipes | 10 Healthy Pizza Recipes | Kid Pizza Recipes
• Campfire & S'mores- Need I say more?
• Cook With Your Kids- 35 Recipes and ideas for fun as a family in the kitchen!
• Host A Food Party- I absolutely love this idea! Invite couples to your home to cook together! Everything you need is listed in the linked blog article, including how to set the party up, recipes, party ideas, and how-to's. A great way to bond with other LE couples, people in your neighborhood or church, or meet new friends!
• Food Crafts- The one time it's ok to play with your food! 10 easy food craft ideas to do with kids!

 

Couple's Dates

• The Stolen Date- Only have your LEO's lunch break for time? Grab your favorite dessert from a restaurant or bakery and meet your LEO on a park bench in the park. It's a quiet place to steal some time together, not to mention a little less "public" than a restaurant if your LEO is in uniform.
• Movie Night- There is nothing more romantic than cuddling up close on the couch. Prepare your favorite snacks, enjoy a cup of tea or an adult beverage, and spend time together in your pj's under a blanket.
• Date Night Snack-a-Thon- Enjoy a date night at home with your favorite snacks or appetizers. Turn down the lights, put on some romantic music, and spend the evening preparing your favorite munchies. When the cooking is finished, enjoy your food in the middle of the living room on a rug with a pile of pillows. Spend the time in conversation and enjoy the one-on-one attention.
• Take Dance Lessons- It might sound scary but learning something new together and showing vulnerability can be an awesome bonding experience, not to mention dancing is fun and sexy!
• Park Date- Enjoy some time together outdoors! Plan an evening picnic complete with blanket and candles. When you're finished eating enjoy an evening stroll or game of catch. The park is a free way to enjoy a long date night out of the house!
• Downtown Date Day-  If you have an afternoon together, enjoy it strolling the sidewalks of downtown. Take in the local shops, spend some time on a bench people watching, or have a picnic in the park. Add a fun twist and start a game- require the other person (including you) to eat something they have never tried, try on clothes they would never wear, or do something spontaneous like a flash dance or public declaration. It's bound to create some funny moments you'll both remember!
• Backyard Camp Out- Who says you have to go to a hotel for a romantic night? Enjoy one under the stars in your own backyard. Best part is, there's guaranteed showers and hot breakfast in the morning, not to mention an easy way to spend a romantic night if your LEO has to work the next morning- you're close to home!
• Take A Cooking Class- If you both enjoy food and cooking, this is a great way to enjoy a fun evening out of the house. Most classes are inexpensive and are held around the evening hours so you can crunch it in between shifts. Not only is it fun but it's a great way to get a nice meal without the risk of seeing the wrong person at a restaurant. (I think most LE families have been in that spot a time or two!)
• Games & Drinks (Alcohol Optional)-Maybe your little ones are in bed, or maybe you only have a few hours before shift, either way this is a sure way to enjoy a little entertainment and couple's time. My husband and I love to play Rummy and drink our favorite brews on the back deck when our little one goes to bed. It's an awesome way to enjoy each others company without electronics not to mention bask in the fresh air. Add a little friendly competition and it ends up always being a great time!
• Take A Walk- This is an easily overlooked way to reconnect as a couple. Whether it's just a walk around the block, or a full on hike on your favorite trail, walking together is a special way to ignite conversation, physical contact (holding hands) and chances to take a breather for a moment. It's a great date to fit in between schedules or responsibilities. Sometimes it's the simplest activities that create the best moments.

I truly hope you found something to do as a family or couple from the list above. I can't stress enough how very important it is to take time as families and partners. Friends come and go, jobs are jobs, and life is always changing...but family is where love and life should always happen. Make sure no matter what the Law Enforcement life throws at you, you always make time for family! They are the most priceless thing in life and deserve the most time and effort you can give!

Something Good In Every Day

Believing in the Evidence of Goodness 

 

Have you ever gotten to a point where the ability to see the good in life, or believe that it exists, becomes more difficult to achieve? At some point in every LE career, either an LEO or their family will experience this struggle. After witnessing so much evil, pain, danger, abuse, and heartache, it can become difficult to keep your head above water and continue to believe in goodness. It becomes a feeling of despair, discouragement, and fatigue. Whether you are an LEO or in the family of one, at some point or another you may begin to feel doubt that there is more good than bad in life.

Sometimes life gets so dark and so crappy that the ability to look for goodness around us becomes too much. We can become deeply burdened by pain. Our questions can fog our realities and cripple our strength. The truth becomes harder to find and the lack of answers becomes confusing. You may see evil daily. You may have witnessed things in your life that have you questioning if goodness exists. When the days become difficult and you fight to believe in goodness, remember His evidence because He is the very definition of Good.

If our God is Good, so too are the things we see the evidence of His power in (Timothy 4:4). The birth of a baby, the beauty in new life, in His creation, in His promises, in His Word. There are days when I feel so discouraged I have to literally tell myself to look for the good. And there are some days where the good I focus on is something simple because it doesn't seem like there is much else. The good in my day may be something as simple as the beauty in the sky, the yummy smell of dinner, my daughter's laughter.  As I continue about my day looking for good things, it dominoes and the ability to see goodness becomes easier and easier. God is all around us, and so too is His goodness.

Law Enforcement families know all too well how dark the world can be. We know the struggle of staying upbeat and hopeful, of battling pain and difficulty. When we begin to feel discouraged, when we question the purpose of doing good or of hoping in goodness and faith, remember this; "O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalms 24:8 When we begin to struggle with the questions of good in our world we must remember that the One who we put faith in, the One who sees our hearts, who directs our path and has set us apart, is GOOD. The very thing we believe in is GOOD. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:1 And we can REST in His love and goodness when we become burdened. When everything else fails, God's faithfulness endures and there is where our hope lies. "...it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast." Hebrews 6:18-19  

May I encourage you with this, God works all things for good. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 There is no thing, no situation, no evil strong enough to cause God to fail. This means that nothing can stop God's love and power from changing all darkness into something good. There is nothing that can overshadow the evidence of God and the evidence of what is good around us.

Finally, if you are struggling with the realities of evil in the LE profession remember this, our LEOs have a great God fighting along side them on the streets. You have a God that is standing with you in every moment of your day. A God that is Good. Goodness is all around you.

I pray you find the ability to see and focus on the good around you. That the evil you do witness will be overpowered by God's comfort and grace. I pray it becomes easier for you to remember what goodness still exists when you begin to feel burdened. And most of all, I pray you also become part of the good that is still very much alive in this world. Blessings on your day, may goodness find you!

________________________

“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” -Psalm 145:9

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” - Psalm 100:5

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!" Psalm 27:13

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” -James 1:17

O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Goodness-Of#sthash.qWPAI9Jb.dpuf

Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Goodness-Of#sthash.qWPAI9Jb.dpuf

Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Goodness-Of#sthash.qWPAI9Jb.dpuf

Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Goodness-Of#sthash.qWPAI9Jb.dpuf

Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Goodness-Of#sthash.qWPAI9Jb.dpuf

Free Family Printable!

Click Here to download

Sometimes when life gets too heavy and we begin to feel conquered by the burdens in our lives, we must remember one thing...the truth. No amount of hardship or negativity changes who you are, who you are able to become, or who you were meant to be. When I feel down and discouraged I try to focus on the truth in my life. Whether that may be the truth of a situation, the truth of my abilities, or the truth of what actually is rather then what I fear.

 I made this printable for families to read often and remember that you are great enough to go through this life.  Remember, that you have the power to be an overcomer, a conqueror, grateful, hopeful, faithful, joyful, full of life, loving person. You were set apart for an amazing LE life and with God's help, all things are possible!

Click Here to download

Our Hope in Easter!

 Finding the Evidence of Hope in the Easter Holiday

I write a lot about hope and Easter embodies the very proof of the power of hope! Hope is in the very essence of the renewal of life. Through Christ's death, through the springing up of a new season of growth and change. Hope is evident and alive! It is by hope that we keep going through life. Hope gives us the courage to believe and have faith in the Resurection, the promise of eternal life, and the beauty of life in the present!

"Without hope we cannot go on. Disappointment, tragedy, suffering and pain are a part of this life. They happen to everyone. When the pain is stretched out over a long period of time, depression and despair are a real danger. The enemy stands ready to use those moments to rob us of our joy.

That is why the events of Easter are so important to us. In the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, everything has changed. In the Living Lord we have hope. Not “hope so” akin to wishful thinking, but rock solid hope based upon the power of a sovereign God to keep his promise in every circumstance of life. In the Easter event, we see God at work carrying out his plan to glorify himself by creating a people for himself. Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are adopted into the family of God. Because of the cross and the empty tomb, we now serve a Heavenly Father who works through every circumstance of life to bring joy and satisfaction to his children." 
© Give Me That Book http://givemethatbook.com/easter-hope/

 The Law Enforcement life can be a difficult one. It is ridden with fear, lonliness, danger, and struggle. But through all of it, hope is evident. Hope is promised because of what our Savior did for us on this Easter Day. Because He chose to die for our sins and give us the gift of eternal life, He in the same way offered and promised us HOPE!

When you feel burdened, when you are overcome with the struggles of this life...remember your hope. Cling to the promise of God's faithfulness. He felt your pain, He endured your heartache. He was forsaken, abused, and hurt.  Mark 15:29-32 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,  come down from the cross and save yourself !"  In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself !  Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

But through all of this, He conquered death and the grave. He offered us a place of eternal safety and hope. In all of your struggles remember He is with you. "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 18:20

Hope is never lost because all death has been conquered by the Resurection! By overcoming death, hope has won through the promise of no end. Easter is our evidence that no matter how hard our life gets, no matter the pain we endure, the amount of struggle we trudge through...Hope is our promise that our lives will not end in despair. The sacrifice of Jesus and His ultimate power over death gives us the evidence that hope is real and that, in the same way we are given the gift of life, we are given the promise of hope and peace.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

I pray you cling to the promise of today and you remember through your struggles, the gift of hope you were given. Enjoy today with hope in the power of Christ in your life! You are loved with an everlasting love, worth dying for, and worth creating a place for your eternal safety and life. Blessings on this Easter Day!

LEOW Life is a Journey

• Do you ever question if you have what it takes to be an LEO's spouse?

• Do you ever wonder why God put you in this 

  role when it doesn't seem like you possess 

  the personality traits needed? 

As I talked with other LEOWs over the last couple months, I realized how normal going through these times are. So many women have shared how the challenges of being an LEO's spouse has them questioning if they really have what it takes. So many of us feel like we weren't naturally wired for some of the things required of us as a LEOW. Some of us may struggle with getting used to the schedule challenges. Some of us question if we are emotionally strong enough to last, or if we can ever find the independance needed to make life "normal".

Some of us find it hard to get used to going about certain situations on our own, sans our LEO. Such as holidays with other family, school events, couples nights with friends, or trips into town to run errands. It's hard for some of us to make plans without our LEO, resulting in feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and sometimes, frustration. 

There are the questions of emotional energy. Can I keep thinking positive as the years go by? Can I stand against my fears and anxieties? Can I put the realities of the job behind me and go about life? When it comes down to it...do I have the strength to keep trying to achieve all this?

What about our marriage? Will it last? What about the badge bunnies or work temptations...things we can't control? Will my LEO change because of the job in a way I don't like? What if he turns into someone I don't know anymore? Where do I fit in all of this?

Some of us are not wired to be extroverted, able to cope with social situations by ourselves. Some of us aren't naturally introverts, able to deal with the isolation that sometimes comes with being an LE family. We have different strengths and weaknesses. Some of us have no problem going to events or holidays by ourselves, while others would rather miss out than brave somewhere alone. Some of us are naturally secure, able to overcome fear and stay positive. Some of us are more naturally negative and struggle with perspective and worry.

No matter how you are wired, no matter what strengths or "weaknesses" you may feel you naturally have, I want to say something to you...

 

Remove the pressure of expectations. Be kind to yourself and remember, life is a journey and the thing that makes us amazing as LEOWs is the ability to adapt, change, and become strong, awesome women and spouses. We are special because of our dedication to overcoming in the ways we aren't naturally wired. We try to adapt in the ways that make us stronger as families and better as individuals.

Nowhere, does it say we have to get this LEOW thing right out of the gate. In no way are any of us expected to know what we are doing as LEOWs right away...if ever! No, one spouse, exists with the whole package and not one of us has an easy time (if we are being truthful.). Learning how to cope with our roles as spouses is a lifelong journey. And a beautiful one if we give ourselves a break.

If you aren't naturally independent, you will learn to be...in time. You will learn ways to keep yourself positive. You will learn what works to keep your thoughts from going "there". You will learn how to go about your day with less worry and more joy. You will learn everything needed...in time.

There will be times of fatigue and mistakes. There will be moments we question and doubt. But we MUST remember our value. When you start to question if you have what it takes, remember your worth. Remember you were set apart for this. You were called to be an LEOW because the Lord set you apart for your LEO. You're going to get this, there is no time limit, and it's going to be a beautiful ride.

So give yourself a break. You are enough, your skills are enough, you will get where you need to be if you keep trying...and it's ok to take the journey to get there. Best yet...it's ok if the journey takes a little while.