This week, I am grateful for two things that have allowed me to spend some quality time with my kids. Coincidentally, both of these things start with the letter “F.” (And no, I’m not talking about any swear words here, or “cursies,” as my friend Kristin calls them.)
1. fuboTV
We cut the cable cord years ago. We just didn’t have much time to watch TV, so when we moved, it seemed like a good time to try to live without cable. For a little while. It was just a test, an experiment, at least in my mind.
I thought we failed the test miserably and should crawl back to cable about 6 months into our self-imposed exile, but dear hubby disagreed. I’m not sure if it was the monthly bill, the extended commitment, installation, or just the concept that rankled him most. But he stood firm against cable. Sigh.
Seeing as we had Netflix and Amazon Prime and a relatively reliable antenna, we weren’t exactly suffering over here. We could watch Packers games, as long as the wind was blowing right. And there is more content online than one could stream in eleven lifetimes. I think the biggest adjustment back in the day was watching more PBS Kids and less Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. First world problems, for sure.
But the Milwaukee Brewers didn’t cooperate with our plan. Hours of research and failed attempts via various online platforms over the years still didn’t connect us with our Brewers. This was a problem we could live with, at least until this year, when our 9-year-old son suddenly knew all the players and all their stats. (How he managed this without access to a televised game is beyond me.) So I dove into researching our options again and came up with fuboTV. And I have to say, I’m a fan. It is super easy to use, didn’t require any installation or contract, and it bought me time on the couch with my son.
Yes, we are still watching a screen. But at least it’s better than a YouTube video. He’ll get excited and grab my arm when Aguilar hits a home run. I think he hugged me last week Yelich came on the field. And I’m even getting into the games. (I’m pretty sure I like the impulsive cuddles more than the baseball, but either way.)
2. Fearless Faith by Melanie Shankle
Let me first say that I am absolutely not qualified to speak to you about religion, and so I’m not about to do so here. But I am a huge Melanie Shankle fan. Her bio says she “loves writing, shopping at Target, checking to see what’s on sale at Anthropologie, and trying to find the lighter side in every situation.” So she is basically my best friend. Or she would be, if she ever met me. I’ve read all of her books, and I suggest you do the same.
Needless to say, I was thrilled when the Easter Bunny slipped Melanie’s Fearless Faith: 100 Devotions for Girls into Ryan’s Easter basket. Since then, Ryan has asked to read it every single night. And I can always say yes, even when bedtime has been an hour-long debacle, because each entry is only about one page long. Sometimes Ryan reads that day’s devotion aloud, and sometimes she asks me to read it to her. And then she grasps her pen in her 7-year-old hand and completes the accompanying journal entry. Prompts so far have included: “What scares you? How can you be fearless instead of afraid?” and “Instead of comparing yourself to someone else, list five things you like most about yourself.” Be still, my mama heart.
I thought she might not be quite ready for the book, as it is suggested for ages 9 and up. But if you have met Ryan, you know that was pure silliness on my part. Her answers have been both thoughtful and delightful. And they have given us a few moments of shared contemplation before bed.
So there you go. One app and one devotional. Both fantastic. Thank you, letter “F.”