Today is D day at our house.  Tomorrow we will start a huge family challenge that I hope we can meet.  I am not a blogger - always have good intentions - but I never seem to get to it.  For this family challenge, I have decided blogging may be a good way to record this journey for our family.  That way we can look back and either laugh at ourselves and say we tried or cheer because we followed through with it - haha.

About 6 weeks ago, my hubby posed a question while the two of us were out on date night.

 "I wonder what reward would be worth it to the kids to give up the television."  

I don't know, I said.  It would have to be something pretty big - like a cruise or something.  To which his reply was, "I would be willing to do that."  WHAT?!?  Seriously???

My hubby for years has made the 'lets get rid of the TV speech.'  He wants our kids to be well rounded, know how to communicate and not be controlled by electronics or the ways of the world.  I want these things also but when it comes to the TV???  - let me be honest - I am the watcher in the house.  So each time he brings it up I am the one who says 'there is no way.' 

I love TV - sad to say.  I love shows like CSI (Vegas and New York), Mentalist, NCIS (both), survivor, Criminal Minds, Elementary, Unforgettable, Flashpoint, ect., ect.  I turn it on at night to wind down before I go to sleep.  Or during the day for noise because no one else is home.  Or while I iron because I have to multi-task (of course.) 

Most people say I am a busy lady.  I am a mom to 6 children ages 19 - 10 who are very actively involved in life (drop off/pick up.)  I am the wife to an amazing man who I adore and love spending time with.  I run my own dance studio with 200 students.  I volunteer at our elementary PTA and in my kids classes at school.  I am actively involved in my church calling.  I am a 'help anyone at the drop of a hat person' without being asked.  I love friends, phone calls and going to out to eat. BUT don't mess with my show watching :)  I use the DVR so I don't miss anything and stay up late to catch up on the shows. 

When we presented the challenge to the kids, we just asked the question - What reward are you willing to give up the TV for a few months?  Our youngest wanted a horse for her doll to ride, another said they should all get to pick out a gift and a few others suggested a family trip - I think Disneyland was the agreed spot (our family has been twice in the last 20 years).  David (my hubby) said those were all great ideas but how long would they give it up if we went on a family cruise?  The kids were all over this with "really?  we could do that."  They agreed they could do it for 6 months.  SIX MONTHS????!!!  Kids you're killing me!  It was agreed we would start August 1st - there you go - D day!!! (Doom Day for me.)

So I have done a bit of whining.  A bit of complaining  and even a bit of crying about having to do hard things.  I know my life is to easy.  I know I have become complacent in my life.  I take for granted that there is something to entertain me when I am board and entertain my children when I have something to do.  Sad to admit but it is the truth - I was the one fighting the family challenge. David recognized (and laughed inside) that I was the one who would have the hardest time with this.  He even offered to put in some mom exceptions.  (I will not be using them) - (As of today haha - remember this is the start.)

But I know because of my desire to be a good mom and always do the right thing, I need to participate and have as much personal responsibility as my children will be expected to have.
The biggest factor to sway me in to participation - my oldest daughter is on a Mission in Scotland.  She left May 1st.  She loved her computer and phone.  She gave those up when she left.  She is having an amazing experience and it has been great to read of her personal growth.  If she can do it, I should be able to follow her example and do it.  Once I finally made the decision that I was going to do this it has actually gotten a bit easier.  The last week and a half I have found myself asking the questions of "How will watching this show affect my life?  How does knowing this story make me a better person?  What personal growth did I gain in the last hour?" 

Sunday afternoon we sat down as a family and made a list of 25 No TV activities:
1.Make a Treat
2. Jump on the tramp
3. Take the dog for a walk
4. Read/Listen to a book
5. Play a family game
6. Write a letter - to Amanda :)
7. Practice a talent
8. Learn Spanish (we have rosetta stone)
9. Do Laundry
10. go for a bike ride
11. Go to the park
12. Do service for a friend or neighbor
13. Clean/Organize something
14. Build a fort
15. Do a puzzle
16. Do an art project
17. Call a friend
18. Play outside
19. Learn something new
20. Listen to good music
21. Take a nap
22. Write in Journal
23. read scriptures
24. work on goals for YM/YW/Faith in God
25. read church magazines

We decided to eat the elephant one bite at a time.  If we personally choose an item off the list every day in our own personal rotation, by the time we do each item 6 times we would almost be finished.  Seems mentally easier to look at it that way.

So the last 3 days have been interesting.  The kids have watched a few last minute shows like Psych and Hero's and I have watched less TV then ever.  In fact, the last two nights I have gone to bed without even turning it on - surprising since David is out of town and that is usually when I am the worst.  I can do this! :)

We will be allowed to watch family movies but the TV antenna will be off.  We will be allowed to check email and facebook but there will continue to be a computer time limit.  No internet TV and still no You Tube.

I have decided to 100% honest about this.  I will try to blog the good, the bad and the ugly.  I will probably embarrass myself at some point but hope people will love me in spite of my imperfections.  I hope this blog helps someone - might even just be me :)  Hopefully in the end I will be posting pictures of our family on board a cruise ship holding a sign that says, "WE DID IT!" 

Feel free to join us in the challenge.  After all, it will be a big ship and there is time to save up!