Let's Get Physical!

Don't worry! There's nothing too explicit in this post. I am nearing the end of The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. The last love language he explains is physical touch. I wouldn't say that's my primary love language, but I definitely enjoy cuddling with my husband or giving him random kisses. Below are a couple of articles I found about little ways you can show appreciation to your companion physically.

Show Kindness By Lovingly Touching Your Spouse

The Physical Touch, A Language of Love

What are some things you do to show love physically (besides the obvious)?

To Spank or Not To Spank?

There is some controversy over whether children should be spanked. Some feel it is more appropriate when children are a little older (beyond toddler age); others don't feel it is appropriate at all. Then, there are those who feel it is a good "last resort" for discipline. A recent article on the subject is below.

Spanking Detrimental to Children, Study Says

As much as we try to give our children positive experiences, as parents we know that sometimes a child just misbehaves, won't listen, or cooperate. What kinds of discipline do you use? Do you think spanking is appropriate?

Serve Your Community Together

Last week's Spouse Appreciation was about serving your companion. This week, I wanted to take that idea further to discuss ways couples can serve their community together. Service is wonderful in so many ways. It brings joy to those who are serving and to those who are being served. As you and your partner do something to better your community, your relationship strengthens; nothing unites quite like service does. Below I have listed some websites you can check out to find service opportunities in your area.

Network for Good

VolunteerMatch

Volunteer Solutions

What volunteer activities have you done with your spouse to better your community? Or what have you heard other couples doing together to serve?

A Change for the Better

There is going to be a change in Together We Learn's posting schedule. Blogging, as it turns out, can take a lot of time (or be a full-time job), especially if you are posting once a day and trying to market the blog to your target audience. As I have considered my priorities, I realize that spending time with the kids, being with my husband, and keeping a clean, orderly home are the most important things in my life. This blog is designed to help other families, which I still want to do. That is also important, but I am making sure I have enough time to dedicate to my family.

So, instead of posting once a day, I will be posting every Tuesday and Thursday. The topic for Tuesday will be Spouse Appreciation. The topic for Thursday will be Challenges. I chose those two topics as I thought they would be great for comments and conversation. I will list on my main page links to great resources for Family Home Evening lessons, recipes, and family activities. And, of course, I will keep the posts I have already made concerning all of the original topics.

Together We Learn will still be a fun site to get information on how to unite families. If you enjoy this blog, please continue to read and participate! I love to read your comments and ideas. Please e-mail me your ideas on how to show appreciation and love to your spouse. Send me topics you'd like to discuss that you find challenging. E-mail me at macpcmommy@gmail.com to share your knowledge. If you enjoy this blog, please tell your friends and family about it! My friends and family are awesome, but I don't know everyone that I want to reach and help. I don't know every family, so spread the word! If there is a particular post you enjoy, you can share it with others by using the "Tell and Share" button. There is even an envelope icon you can click on to e-mail a post to someone.


Thank you for reading and giving me your past and future ideas. I am grateful for my current readership, but I still hope I can expand it and make Together We Learn a supportive community.

How To Get Children to Eat Vegetables

My son was sick last week. For 5 days, he had a roller coaster ride of a fever, breaking during the night but returning again the next day. After consulting with our doctor, my husband took him to the hospital to get some blood tested. Turns out he's anemic, meaning he is low on iron. One great source of iron is green leafy vegetables. Well, we all know how hard it is to get our toddlers to eat that. So, I bought him some vitamin supplements high in iron. (Of course, there are other foods high in iron, such as nuts, seafood, beans, and whole grains.) Still, I wondered what solutions there are in getting my children to eat veggies. Below are some articles I found on-line concerning this issue.

keepkidshealthy.com

drspock.com

healthcastle.com

One thing I do know works is persistance. It's been said that it may take 10-15 times for a child to eat something after it's been introduced. I have found that my children are more likely to eat something if I don't make a big deal out of it. I like to make simple comments like, "Those veggies are yummy to the tummy. They make you big and strong." But, if it doesn't happen, let it roll down your back.


What are some things you have done to help your children eat their veggies? Was it successful or not?

Acts of Service

One of the love languages in Dr. Gary Chapman's book (The Five Love Languages) is acts of service. I just read about it, and I'm pretty sure that's my love language. When I take the quiz at the end of the book, I'll be sure then. But for now, if you know your spouse loves it when you do acts of kindness for them, try the below suggestion.

One day during dinner together or on a date, give yourself and your spouse an index card. Write down five things you would like your spouse to do for you the following week. Have your companion write down five things he/she would like you to do as well. Once they are written down, trade cards and read them. The following week, do those things that were listed.

What are some (even random) acts of service you have done for your spouse?

Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe for cinnamon rolls is amazing! They take awhile to create, but it is definitely worth the wait! Enjoy!

Cinnamon Rolls

1 1/2 pkg. (1 1/2 tbl.) yeast
1 tbl. sugar
1 cup luke warm water
1 cup milk
6 tbl. melted shortening or oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
7 cups flour
2 eggs

Mix 1 tbl. sugar, yeast, and water in a 2 cup container.
Scald milk, and put in large mixing bowl. (I scald milk by heating it up in the microwave until it bubbles.) Add shortening or oil with milk. Also add the 2 eggs, 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 tsp. salt. Mix well. Add the yeast mixture and the remaining 5 cups flour. Mix well and knead. Put on smooth counter and knead for about 5 minutes. Clean bowl, and spray with Pam. Put dough back in bowl and cover with a dry dish towel. Let dough rise until it doubles in size. (This may take quite some time; it depends on how warm it is in the kitchen.)

Afterwards, flatten dough on counter in a 1/2 inch thick rectangle shape. Melt 6 tbl. of butter and spread on top of dough with spoon. Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar and 2 tbl. cinnamon. Sprinkle on the dough.
Jelly roll dough and cut in 1 inch pieces. Spray deep cookie sheet with Pam and put the rolls on. You may refrigerate overnight or let it rise for one hour. If you do refrigerate, take it out for one hour before baking. Bake 15-20 minutes @ 400 degrees. You should probably wait about 30 minutes before frosting after it's done baking. This recipe serves 18-20 cinnamon rolls. Below is a recipe for frosting if you'd like or you can use vanilla cake frosting.

Wonderful Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
dash of salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla or almond extract

Just mix together!

Do you have a favorite breakfast recipe you'd like to share? E-mail it to macpcmommy@gmail.com !