What activities symbolize a fulfilling lifestyle to you?

[Jean in Newcastle]

I've had a wonderful week. My health isn't noticeably better. My kids aren't doing anything different in their schooling. But I realized that we have done some activities that I somehow associate with "fulfillment": baking home-made cookies with my daughter, starting to teach my dc to knit, gardening together, having a cheap date night with my dh (with kids in tow!) as we went to every thrift and dollar store that was open in one section in town! It was more than togetherness, there is a cozy feeling associated with these kinds of activities (I say this because we can be together for a game night and as fun as it is, I don't get the same sense of fulfillment!) When I think of things that I might add to our life that give me a cozy feeling just thinking about them - family worship comes to mind. So does hiking. I think I will add those to our lives this year. How about you? What symbolizes fulfillment?

[Mamagistra]

Besides traveling as a family, which doesn't happen as often as we'd like, our passion is enjoying our home and watching the chickens on a leisurely Saturday morning such as this. :001_smile: Dee-aitch makes strong coffee and a hearty breakfast (today it's Mexican style); we talk and reflect upon the week and our blessings. I'm enjoying it so much that I had to share. :)

We can enjoy most anything together as a family, and that makes even the most mundane things fulfilling to me.

[WTMindy]

Traveling, hanging out with our extended families (who live in town), hanging out with our good friends. These are some of the things that feed my soul.

[Julie in Austin]

I really like this post.

I think reading out loud to my kids and/or having them read in the same room I am in (reading, of course) and/or playing board games. Also beautiful days at the park.

It is never the expensive stuff, is it?

[Karen sn]

Once I was hanging clothes on the line with my dd. We were working together, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, small white clouds drifted by, the air was sweet and fresh. I felt young and strong. I wanted to hang clothes all day with her.

It is odd....when those little moments happen at the oddest of times.
Gardening with dd also does it for me.

And once we were at a friend's house - making dinner......crab legs, salad, corn on the cob, the best iced tea ever..... We still to this day - years later - talk about the best dinner we ever had. All of the kids remember it.

[Philothea]

Definately waking up every day and having it to do what we want. Being home with my children to see wonder and excitement in their eyes. Of course at this age every new discovery to them is amazing and I cannot get enough of watching it. Plus, they say the cutest things, I go to bed happy every night when I think of getting to spend all day with my family.

[cricket1178]

I think some of my favorite times are sitting by the fire down at our pond. All the family together, sharing stories of past times, laughing, just being together. One of my kids favorite stories to tell is when they dared me to swing on the rope out over the pond. I fell in. It was November; cold. I had on my winter coat, boots, and gloves. They always get a big kick out of that one.

[LG Gone Wild]

Ironic since none of the kids know how to swim (sigh, don't ask). Nothing special, it was just nice.

[Tutor]

Working together toward a common goal, and working hard. Like today... dd11 cleaned out the car, dh and dd9 and ds4 raked the leaves off the front lawn, and ds7 and I hauled the equivalent of two trees out of the backyard (the results of 'wind pruning' during winter storms and a downed tree).

I also love the times we hang out together during family worship, read-alouds and meals and just talk and talk. I love watching and listening to my children grow and mature before my eyes.

I also like the quiet, unexpected moments one-on-one with dh or one of the kids. Usually when one runs up or falls back to walk along side me and hold hands and chat. You can't plan those moments, but those are the most precious to me.

[Crissy]

Dinner together every night, playing card, dice or board games most nights and reading together before bed.

Life can be crazy sometimes, but if we can sit down to dinner, play a game together and pile on the bed to read our books before we turn in, it has been a great day.

[Jenny in Atl]

Watching my daughters grow, slowly letting me see glimpses of the adults they will become. Sitting with my dh and having a really nice glass of wine after a long day, listening to great music or watching a film. One day being able to travel more.

[WendyK]

reading to my kids, that we all sit down and eat breakfast and dinner together every day, playing board games with my hubby, to name a few...

[Cheryl in NM]

Cooking homemade meals
Baking homemade deserts
Baking bread
Cleaning the house (yes, it's so refreshing to see a clean floor and dust free shelves)
Brushing the horses
Watching the chickens
Petting the cats
Playing catch with ds
Playing fetch with the dog
Having long talks with dh about nothing in particular

These are in no particular order

[Linda]

Snuggled up under a blanket on the couch reading to my kiddos.

Hiking in the woods as a family.

Gazing at the stars (alone or with family).

Scrapbooking while listening to music (alone!).

[angela in ohio]

Very basic: any time spent in prayer or worship, any time spent alone with dh, any time spent together as a family, any time spent learning anything new, and any time spent in service to others.

[Mekanamom]

For us... it's working together and making progress in any area... school, housekeeping, gardening, crafts, horses...

Also learning new things together.

For relaxing, we enjoy the small, local, low key amusement park, nature walks, beautiful gardens, museums, and of course horse activities. Or taking a trip to the library or book store; listening to audio books together in the evenings.

[Plaid Dad]

Family meals
Reading aloud
Praying the rosary
Kayaking on the river
Walks on summer evenings
Reading or doing crafts on a winter evening
Going to the farmers market or our CSA farm
"Ur-New England" events like contra dances, apple-picking, or sugar house visits