Torch, Spring/Summer 2011

Make the Most of the Opportunity 30 TORCH | Spring–Summer 2011 SCOTT HUCK | CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY during dinner. Zombie child was easier to feed. We have to figure out something else. Day 4: December 30 I need to find a way to spend some of our time during these long vacation days. I have decided to take the kids to the play room in the basement and keep them there and entertained for as long as possible. I assume this will go well and time will fly because it now contains new toys from Christmas. It does not. After chasing Duncan up the stairs for the eighth time, I quit (and make a mental note to place a gate here). We hit the mall. Day 5: December 31 It isn’t as freezing as it has been, so we go outside for a walk. We have a blast until Liv trips over my giant UGG boot, skins her hands, and cries all the way home. Once I clean her up and set her on the couch, she holds her bandaged hands up to me and asks for a “Livi show.” I cave and turn on the DVD again. I had no idea TV had become so soothing for us over the years. But this time, when it’s over, Olivia reminds me to turn it off and doesn’t ask for another. Progress! We spend some time at a friend’s house for dinner and watch one minute of the New Year’s Eve ball drop. Day 6: January 1 The nights are so much easier than I expected. I thought I would miss my favorite shows, but I can’t remember what’s on. I have been working on starting my own photography business for the past few months, and the evenings have been a great opportunity to make progress. It feels so good to use my brain like this! Justin and I sat down and made our New Year’s resolutions. We have decided to keep up the “no TV” thing for a while since we are finally getting to our to-do list, and we don’t want to stop yet. We haven’t told Liv. Day 7: January 2 We are having more fun with the kids in the evening. Between dinner and bedtime, everyone is playing, talking, and laughing. It feels good in my soul. Day 8: January 3 We cheat and watch The Last of the Mohicans on DVD. It feels justified — it was recommended to complement a chapter in a new Bible study Justin and I decided to begin with our free evenings. Justin is doing amazingly well with all of this. I’m impressed and encouraged by his lead. Day 9: January 4 Liv fills her afternoon time with paper and crayons. I have a stack of drawings about seven inches high on the counter. We haven’t had this problem before. I’m trying to figure out which ones to save and which ones to mail to Grammy. Day 10: January 5 Today is the first day we are truly missing specific TV programs. Facebook made us very aware that we missed a great Sugar Bowl. We are feeling left out since we can’t small-talk about anything referencing TV. Olivia has asked if she will ever see The