Taking Each of our Children on Regular Dates



A long while back, Anatolin and I decided that we should try to have individual dates with our kids. When we were in Baguio and Amulek was around 8 years old, on our first date with him, he said he was glad to experience how it felt like to be an "only child".

In the past years, it was a real challenge for us to do it regularly because we had to arrange with someone to take care of the other kids. This time that our children are already old enough to be with themselves, we intend to be more consistent with our schedules.


We are grateful for the privilege to be able to relate and connect with each of our children in special ways, and be able to focus on just one of them even for a little while. Doing this, we realized that the value we place on each of them becomes more tangible. 

The best part is it doesn't have to take a long time to be meaningful or be expensive or elaborate adventure to be enjoyable. They always look forward to their scheduled day because they get to choose the activity that they want to do with us or what they want to talk about. 


Click this link for ideas to make memories with your children either as a family or on your one-on-one dates. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sister Cerah Hennah Padilla, Philippines Iloilo Mission (June 2026-December 2027)

Image
It’s already been nearly a month since Sister Padilla stepped into the mission field and time is flying! From the MTC to teaching, meeting people, and seeing miracles every week, she feels the Lord’s hand guiding her step by step.  One of the sweet highlights she shared was working during what they joyfully call their "miracle hours".  She and her trainer, Sister De Dios, would head out fully geared up with reflector straps and belts, glowing missionaries on a mission to find and teach. She said it was fun, a little silly, and a beautiful reminder that the Lord wants them to be safe so they can keep serving. And she added with such warmth: "Miracle hours are always better with Sister De Dios by my side."  Even with rainy weather and sickness in the district, His work moves forward, and He is strengthening them.  The Buruanga District She said she is so blessed to serve alongside these wonderful missionaries! They meet, plan, then...
Read more

Elder Ammon Jarom Padilla, Philippines Cebu East Mission (June 2026- June 2028)

Image
  Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan! What a week it has been! Even though he got sick for a little while, Elder Padilla shared that the Lord reminded him that His work does not stop. And neither does he! He kept moving forward, creating miracles, and helping others come closer to Christ . He has seen so many blessings this week. Hearts progressing, and the Spirit working in beautiful ways.    They gathered for a wonderful Family Home Evening combining interested friends and ward members! The support was so great that people didn’t even fit inside the house. He said some had to stay outside! Everyone enjoyed one another’s company, played a fun game together, and truly felt the Spirit and the warm love of the ward family.     This week brought a precious milestone! Nanay signed the papers for her daughter’s baptism, and you could truly see the joy and excitement in both of their faces!  And then came a memorable s...
Read more

Parted for a Season, Sealed for Eternity

Image
This time last year at the Calgary Alberta Temple. It feels like just yesterday. And yet, so much has already changed. It may take some time before we are all together again, as our children will be serving missions in the years ahead. We look at this memory now with hearts full of gratitude and a little bit of gentle longing. Because we know that it may take some time before we are all together again. Our children are stepping forward, one by one, to serve the Lord in the mission field. In the years ahead, they will be scattered, far from home, serving, growing, and blessing lives. And while our hearts swell with pride, we also know our family circle here at home will be a little smaller, for a little while. But we know too that separation is only for a season. The temple stands as a beautiful promise that the bonds we share are not broken by distance, and not measured by time. Families can be together forever.    So we wait, and we pray, and we treasu...
Read more

The Doors Will Soon Be Open | An Invitation to the 2027 Salt Lake Temple Celebration!

Image
It was truly a tender, sacred, answered prayer that just before we turned toward home, the barriers were removed, and we were invited near. For the first time, we were able to walk right up to the Salt Lake Temple to touch the sacred stone walls, to rest our hands upon the holy doors, to stand in the very shadow of the House of the Lord in a way we had not been able to before.    As our hands rested upon the temple doors, we marveled at the exquisite, historic doorknob and lock plate, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and symbolism! Carved into the brass knob are the sacred words: "Holiness to the Lord". The reverent declaration that defines every temple of God. At its center sits the beehive, a symbol of industry, unity, and the faithful labor of the pioneers who built this holy house.  Above it, the dates 1853–1893 are etched deep, marking the forty years of faith, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion that it took to construct ...
Read more

First Few Days in the Missionary Training Center

Image
Maayong adlaw! Our daughter, Sister Cerah Padilla, has been at the Philippines MTC for just 5 days and look how much she has already seen, learned, and felt! She shared that they received their phones and key cards right away!  "It still feels crazy that missionaries today use high‑tech phones, but we use them to study, learn, and teach the gospel! In a changing world, the gospel keeps finding new ways to spread."  -Sister Padilla She received all five vaccine shots and yes, the soreness was real! But she wrote: "I believe healing in the MTC is faster because of the prayers of others for missionaries to stay healthy. I have felt the strength from your prayers."  She met her two companions and roommates, Sister Pascual and Sister Orcuse. "We relate on so many things and help each other grow. We’ve already strengthened each other’s testimonies!"  And get this, they even earned a reward and certificate for having the cleane...
Read more

Sacred Dwellings | The Sanctity of our Homes and the Role of Temples

Image
Having recently moved to a new neighborhood and community closer to the Urdaneta Temple, we started the week on a positive note with a morning devotional. As a family, we studied Elder Gary E. Stevenson's conference talk years ago, entitled " Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples ." In his address, he emphasizes the importance of creating sacred spaces within our homes and the significance of temples in our lives. From his message, we can derive valuable lessons on the sanctity of our homes and the role of temples in our spiritual journey. Lesson 1: Creating Sacred Spaces   Our homes can be sacred spaces where we invite the Spirit and nurture our relationships together.    Just as temples are dedicated to the Lord and are places of worship and revelation, our homes can also be sanctuaries where we invite the Spirit to dwell. By creating an environment of love, respect, and harmony within our homes, we can make them sacred spaces where we feel the presence of God and s...
Read more

United States Meridian Base | Temple Square’s Historic Marker

Image
  This stone monument marks the U.S. Meridian Base of 1869, the official starting point for the Salt Lake Meridian, the survey reference line that defines the addressing system for the entire state of Utah!  It sits on Temple Square grounds, just north of the Salt Lake Temple, precisely at 40°46′13″ N, 111°54′00″ W. Every street, property line, and land survey in Utah traces back to this exact spot.   Its Story   - The Survey Begins (1869) : The U.S. Coast Survey established this marker to define the principal meridian and base line for the Utah Territory. It was placed here because Temple Square was already the geographic and cultural center of the city, and the temple site was the most accurately surveyed location in the region. ​ - How It Works : All east–west addresses in Salt Lake City are measured from Main Street (the meridian line), and all north–south addresses are measured from South Temple Street (the base line) — with this marker a...
Read more

23 Ideas to Make Memories with our Children

Image
We all know that creating memories with our children is powerful. But the day to day hustle and bustle can leave us short on time and zapped of energy. It is even harder in this age of social media and constant stimulation from outside sources. However, it only becomes possible if we put it on top of our priority and not with our "leftover time".  My husband, Anatolin and I both agree that our own childhood memories helped define who we are today. Even if we can’t quite remember everything about childhood, there are those moments that stick with us no matter how old we get.  We also want our children to be able to look back on their own childhood and recall all the special moments we had together. We know it will provide them with positive things to look back upon when teen or adult life gets too hard. They’ll be able to cherish these times forever.  Here are 23 ideas we found interesting and fun that can help you begin creating your own memories w...
Read more

More Than Just a Dad: What It Really Takes

Image
Okay, let's get real. Anyone can have kids, right? But being a dad? That's a whole different ballgame. As a mom, I've seen firsthand what it takes to be a great father, and let me tell you, it's so much more than just biology. It's Not Just About the Genes   Making a baby is just the starting point. Being a father starts when you step up and take responsibility.  It's about:   - Being Present : Like, really present. Not just physically, but emotionally too. Putting down the phone, turning off the game, and actually engaging with your kids. It's about being there for the good, the bad, and the messy. - Keeping Them Safe : Making sure they're okay, both in their bodies and in their heads. Teaching them how to navigate the world and protecting them when they can't. It's about being their rock. - Providing the Basics : Food, clothes, a roof over their heads. But also, giving them opportunities to learn and grow. It...
Read more

To Those Enduring Trials With No End

Image
In this BYU Devotional (July 21, 2026), Jeffrey S. Bednar, an associate professor of management, explores the spiritual challenge of enduring trials that may never end in this life. Core Message:  Bednar emphasizes that "enduring to the end" is not just a passive wait for a trial to cease, but a joyous, lifelong quest to become like Jesus Christ. True disciples, he argues, continue to "row" through mortal storms by keeping their eyes on the Savior and drawing closer to Him through faith, even when circumstances do not change. Key Personal Experiences Samuel's Diagnosis: Bednar shares the journey of his son, Samuel, who was born with a rare condition called Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). He recounts the spiritual realization that his son is a child of God, and that his trial is a teacher rather than an adversary. The Metaphor of Rowing: Using the account of Christ walking on water to reach His disciples, Bednar illustrates that the Savior does not...
Read more