Unplugged: Why It’s Important to Make Time Stand Still (he: Dan)
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Unplugged: Why It’s Important to Make Time Stand Still (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I calculate that it has been 7 years since I have been truly “off the grid” for longer than 24 hours. Even when I went to Italy with my wife 4 years ago, I would check my inbox at least twice a day to make certain I wasn’t getting too behind with work. Sadly, there are just truly too few places left in the world where we are no longer easily connected to our electronic lives.

My status of being constantly “plugged in” changed this last week. My father in law, after many years of trying, was finally able to convince our family to find a break in our schedule – not an easy task – to accompany him on a backpack trip into the Uintah Mountains. So we took a 3 day, 2 night venture out into the wilderness. To a place where electronic service of any kind was unavailable. There was a sense of satisfaction when I put my vacation response on my email settings as not having any access to my phone or email during my time away.

Scripture Verses for Travel at Or So She Says - See how Rachel created a simple way to incorporate scripture study while away from home.
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Scripture Verses for Travel – Free Printable for Studying (she: Rachel)

ByRachel D

Summer means travel! Even if you’re not going on a big vacation, you’re probably road-tripping for a family reunion or taking off for an afternoon at the mountains or the beach. Getting out of the routine can be invigorating, but sometimes these trips can disconnect us from the small habits that keep us close to the Spirit! Traveling can mean we miss church services, daily scripture study, or regular prayers. With this in mind, I created printables of eight travel related scriptures verses to help keep you and your family a little more connected to Him during the summer travel season.

Here are 5 Fastpass strategies for your Disneyland vacation that will make everything go a little bit smoother - get the list on www.orsoehsays.com today!
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5 Fastpass Strategies For Your Disneyland Vacation (she: Kimberly)

ByKimberly w/Get Away Today

Hey Everyone, it’s Kimberly with Packed with Fun, the official blog for Get Away Today. One of my very favorite places to talk about is the Disneyland Resort. The past couple of years have been pretty busy for Disneyland with so many new and exciting changes and the Diamond Celebration going on. With more people visiting Disneyland year round and fewer slower times of year to visit, having Fastpass strategies is more important than ever.

Just Keep Swimming - A Family Service Activity inspired by everyone's favorite fish! See the lesson and activity ideas on www.orsoshesays.com
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Family Service Activity – Just Keep Swimming (she: Adelle)

ByAdelle Belnap

love Disney movies. I especially love them when they have a good message. One of the lasting messages from the animated film, Finding Nemo, and more recently with Finding Dory is when you are in a situation, and you don’t know what to do…”just keep swimming!” When you keep on swimming, then eventually you will figure things out.

Today’s Family Night lesson is a fun one because it allows you to do more than just talk to your family about being good, it gives you the opportunity to DO something good in your own neighborhood. I love putting the lesson into action. I hope you do too.

Popsicle invitations inspired by the one-and-only iconic summer treat! See how easy it is to create your own invites and enjoy Popsicles at your next summer party. www.orsoshesays.com
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Popsicle Invitations – Simple and Almost FREE to Make! (she: Liv)

ByLiv

My daughter’s been attending swim lessons in the late morning while my son and I watch from the sidelines of our local indoor pool. It’s hot and humid while we wait, but it’s better than having to slather everyone up with sunscreen and sit in the sun at the outdoor pool. But even with the benefit of being inside, when we get home the first thing my son says is “WE’RE HOME!” followed by “Eat a Popsicle?!” It’s lunch time when we get back from swim lessons, but since it’s so. stinkin. hot. lately I almost always indulge the kids and let them start their meal with the original summertime treat. That’s why I’m so glad I get to partner with Popsicle today and share our experience with some of the new flavors they’re tucking into that iconic yellow box this summer.

Here's a pretty comprehensive list of beach products to help you and the family be prepared for your next adventure. Find it all at www.orsoshesays.com
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The COOLEST Beach Products for Summer! (she: Mariah)

ByMariah

I know that when getting things together to go to the beach, it can be tricky to know exactly what to bring to make your beach trip as fun and enjoyable as can be (especially if you have kids!). Having fun, keeping the kids protected from the sun and safe in the water, setting up a comfortable place to relax on the beach, etc. are all important things to keep in mind. This list is chock-full of TOP-RATED beach products that will help to make your next family beach trip as fun, care-free, and relaxing as possible!

What I Learned from Prayers and Bird Poop (he: Dan) ~ www.orsoshesays.com

What I Learned from Prayers & Bird Poop (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I am thankful to a God that has a sense of humor. I am thankful to a God that at those times of acute distress will find a way to intervene and assist us, even when it might be in the last way we would ever imagine or think might be beneficial. I am thankful for those hundreds of miles I walked over the course of my undergraduate degree. I am glad that I have prayer at my disposal wherever and whenever I need it. My only advice is be careful when you are out in the open praying for relief, you never know just what type of “blessing” might fall out of the sky. 🙂

Rachel is sharing a genius idea to help parents survive summer by having the right attitude with the kids! It's a good reminder to reinforce good behavior in the kids and enjoy the (LOOOONG) summer together! Get the free image from www.orsoshesays.com to dowload to your phone's home screen.
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Reinforce Good Behavior – They Need to Hear You Say… (she: Rachel)

ByRachel D

I love summer time with my kids, but I’ll be honest: the days can get a little long! Without the school routine, it’s easy for me to feel drained by the late mornings, with melting popsicles, and wet beach towels. This summer, though, instead of focusing on activities for the kids I decided to make a list of the things I want to do to be a better mom, starting with the things my kids need to hear me say. Hopefully this will help reinforce good behavior in my kids so we can all get along during the school break.

Entertain the kids at your 4th of July get together with this fun free printable 4th of July word search.
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4th of July Word Search – Fun Before Fireworks! (she: Liz)

ByLiz

For my family, get togethers either include the mountains or a pool. But I’ll take either. I also love doing fun activities with the kids for holidays to make special memories. Entertain the kids at your 4th of July get together with this fun free printable 4th of July word search.

Keeping a summer journal is a fun and creative way to beat summer boredom. Get the free printable on www.orsoshesays.com.
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Summer Journal Fun – A Creative Way to Beat Boredom! (she: Veronica)

ByVeronica

I have always loved writing in my journal and love going back and reading the things that I wrote as a little girl. I thought it would be fun to put together a summer journaling project that my kids could work on. I’m also a believer in creating our own personal histories. My kids are awesome, funny and creative, and I want them to be able to look back and see what they were like as kids. You don’t need to buy anything. You don’t need to keep track of a journal. You just have to print a page out when you’re ready for them to work on it and file it away when they’re done. Tah-dahhhh!! Easy!