Materials

• 3 8′- long 2″ x 6″ boards
• 4 1″ x 2″ -18″ wooden stakes
• 40 square feet of WeedBlock Landscape Fabric (can be purchased by the roll)
• 25 – 30 50-lb. bags of play sand (we used 27)
• 4 #10 sinker nails
• 4 2-1/2″ galvanized screws, rust resistant

Tools

• hammer
• sledge hammer
• scissors
• electric screwdriver
• staple gun
• saw (optional)

1. Begin by choosing a location that has ample shade to protect your kids from the hot summer sun, while allowing for some sun exposure to allow sand to dry after rainfalls. We chose a spot beneath our largest tree, not far from the back door of the house, a spot which receives wonderfully warm morning sunshine.
2. Create the frame by laying two of the 2″ x 6″ boards parallel to each other. Using the saw, cut the third 2″ x 6″ board in half, or have this done at the lumberyard when you purchase the wood. Line the short boards up with the long boards to create a rectangle. Boards should be standing on their sides so that the sides of your box frame are 6″ high. Nail the boards together at each corner evenly.
3. When you are certain you have your frame exactly where you want it, spread the weed block inside of the frame, completely covering the ground and coming up the sides. Tuck in any overlapping sides and trim excess with scissors.
4. Using the staple gun, secure the weed block to the inside of the wooden frame, keeping the weed block loose. You do not want the weed block tight or it may tear when sand is poured in, or when you step inside to spread the sand. Allow enough give so that you can walk inside the frame without causing damage or stress to the weed block. The weed block protects your sandbox from pesky weeds, and allows for drainage after a rainfall or kid-made rivers and volcanoes. We do not recommend plastic, as it does not allow for drainage.
5. Empty the sand into the frame over the top of the weed block. Spread the sand inside the box until it is at the desired level. This is a perfect job for the kids! This could take anywhere from 25 to 30 bags of sand, depending on how high you want the sand to be. Ours took 27 bags.
6. Using the sledge hammer, pound the wooden stakes into the ground. Be sure that the stake is flush with the corner of the sandbox. Pound in at least one foot. If there is any stake remaining at the top, saw it off, then secure the stake to the corner of the sandbox with a screw. Sand off the tops of the stakes to avoid splinters.

Voila! You’re done! This project took less than one hour to complete and the children were very involved in the process. When your children have outgrown their sandbox, it can be easily converted into a raised bed as an added feature to your garden.

Seat Option

A seat is one feature that we chose to do without, but may add later on. A seat can be added by purchasing enough 2″ x 6″ or 2″ x 8″ boards (depending on your seat width preference) to go around the frame. Simply secure boards on top of frame by centering them and nailing in place. A seat is also good for keeping the sand from jumping out of the sandbox.

Costs

Our total cost for this sandbox was US$72.98 plus tax. The following were the prices that we paid for our materials. Prices will vary depending on where you are located. Be sure to shop around for the best prices and deals. We do not recommend saving money on the lumber by purchasing untreated wood as your sandbox will not last as long as it would with treated lumber.

2″ x 6″ lumber
@ 3.50 per board x 3 boards = $10.50

1″ x 2″ -18″ wooden stakes
@ 4.94 per bundle x 1 = $4.94

WeedBlock Landscape Fabric
@ 7.68 per roll of 75 sq. ft. x .5 = $3.84

25-30 50-lb. bags of play sand

@ 1.79 per bag x 30 bags = $53.70

Related reading:
Walking the Line: Loving Well and Letting Go – How can parents balance control, guidance, and freedom for their children?

Note From The Author: “A VERY SPECIAL THANKS goes out to my father, Dominic Ovington, of Ovington Home Services, in Chicago, Illinois. This project would not have been possible without his guidance, caring and love for his children and grandchildren. I love you, Dad! Ovington Home Services has been servicing the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs for almost 20 years. It includes anything from fixing a doorbell to finishing your basement. All aspects of home repair and remodeling are considered. For a free estimate, call 773-456-2924 or email OvingtonHomeSvc@familycorner.com.

My summer has been filled with change. Graduation excitement for one son and busy wedding preparations for another son have all melted away now. There is a sense that life is as it should be – we raise them to give them wings – but it is an adjustment when the house is quiet and the groceries in the fridge last.

Life changes. In the past six months my job has changed, my husband’s job has taken him out of town more than ever, we have had the graduation and the wedding, a couple of funerals and to top it off, I have periods of feeling very hot when I am used to being a “cold” person. Ummm…

Adjustments – to new schedules, new routines, a much quieter house, changes in relationships, a birthday passing with the person no longer there to phone.

They say change is the only constant in life. I pondered all my changes. Some of them I like, others I don’t care for, but all of them are simply part of life.

This summer my daughter took my boxes of photos that were waiting to get into albums “sometime” and she scrap-booked them all. A true labor of love! As I have gone through each book representing a certain period in the life of our family, I realized that life has been full of change. Home has been in varied places and change has not always been easy. But for the most part we have thrived on it and loved it.

I realized that there were principles I put into practice that served me well and that I needed to dust off and remind myself of now in this period of new change.

• Maximize the pros and minimize the cons.
  Every change in life has both positive and negative aspects to it. Sometimes the balance isn’t equal. But in every situation of change, we choose where we will dwell… maximize the positive points and don’t linger on the negative ones. Choose to smile.

• Enjoy the moment.
  Change is inevitable and this particular space in time is a treasure, even if it is hard. Don’t wait to enjoy life. Engage in this moment in life. Choose to laugh.

• Appreciate people.
  Without people, life is empty. God created us as social creatures. We need each other. Dare to reach out.

• Cultivate a thankful heart.
  Never doubt the goodness of God toward you. Find the little things to raise your heart in thankfulness. Gratitude puts a softness in your eyes and is tonic for the soul. Choose thankfulness.

• Invite God into every change.
  Some changes are hard, and we struggle against them. Ask God to give you the strength and wisdom you need. He can be counted on when no one and nothing else can! Hunger after Him… He promises you will be filled. He is the sure source of a grateful heart and an outlook on life that finds the joy. Invite Jesus.

As I think back over the changes of my life and realize how these five conscious decisions have helped me in the past, I am determined to look to the future with eager anticipation. Stopping to ponder has confirmed the track record of God in my life as I called on Him to be my source when these decisions were difficult.

You cannot always choose the changes that come your way. But you can always choose your response. And you always have access to a God who loves you and will carry you through. I know, for He has done it for me many times.

I can’t say that I have never met a woman who at some point didn’t wish she had the option of quitting (her job, her life, her family) just for one day. Unless she was lying – to herself, to me. Every now and then we need a vacation day from life.

My husband and I have had a system in place for years. Being unable to drive and living in a small town made it hard for me to get out on my own. After one particularly difficult year we agreed that if I need time off all I had to do was ask for it and he would take me where I wanted to go. Now that I can drive I don’t need him to transport me but the arrangement is still in place. As long as there are no previous arrangements I can take the time away that I need.

This has taught me a very valuable lesson; one that I cling tightly to. In many families mom comes last in the order of things. We arrange our time around children, husbands, homes, career and church and social functions. With a shortage of time to go around it’s “me” time that is often the first off the scheduling chopping block. The thing I learnt though is that to truly meet the needs of my family and those around me I need to have my needs met first.

It’s time for you to carve back out the practice of mommy time! To help you do that here’s a few tips to create your very own Spiritual Renewal Spa at home. Moving beyond the traditional day spa our spa suggestions take all the aspects of your personality into account. Create a “station” for each part and move through your “spa” to come out fully renewed.

• Take a social/emotional break
  If you just aren’t yourself unless you are surrounded by others then invite some of your closest girlfriends over to join you for your spa day. Give each friend an assignment and take turns running your special “Girlfriends Only” day spa.  

  Get a journal and spend some time writing out your heart’s thoughts. What’s been on your mind lately? Is something really bothering you? How have you been feeling lately? Why? Journaling is a safe and private place to dump all that emotional baggage you’ve been carrying around lately. Drop it all off at Christ’s feet and let him renew and refocus your heart.
  

• Take a spiritual break
  Set up a “spiritual” station in your house. Play some worship music, set out a bible and inspirational books. You might even paste some bible verses all over to inspire and help you focus on God. This isn’t a time of prayer and petition, but simply a time to connect with God. Be like David, who was a man after God’s own heart and wrote some of the most emotional scripture we have – the Psalms. Pour yourself out before God. Show him who you really are right now and he’ll respond and show you who he really is in all that. Be open before God and he promises to refresh you.
   
• Take a mental break
  When was the last time you learnt something that didn’t have anything to do with your job or child care? Just for fun. Pick up some books at the library, lay out the funnies, plan to try one of those things you’ve always wanted to do but never have. Or get creative and set out paints, pencils, and crayons. Stretching your mind, like your body, is immensely relaxing, yet often overlooked.
   
• Take a physical break
  Don’t just focus on the physical, remember you are being with a body, soul, and spirit, but don’t neglect it either. Run a hot bath and add salts and essential oils. Make your own facial, and hand cream. Give yourself a good foot rub (after a soak). Go for an invigorating walk and stretch afterwards. Or pick up a book on massage and learn how to give yourself one.

The possibilities are limitless, and the rules are few. No men or children, and just for today – it really is all about you. No matter your budget you can create your own home spa that will renew you body, soul, and spirit and strengthen you for that full-time job we call life (from which we get no vacations – unless we make them ourselves).

Decorating decisions are easy, major life decisions are hard. If you’re facing a fork in the road, talk to a mentor. We can help.

Whether you are a freshman feeling anxious and excited about college or a seasoned senior who can’t wait to graduate, your dorm or apartment room will be a home away from home for a good two thirds of your year.

It should be a place where you can study effectively and provide safe sanctuary from outside stress. Your abode should be a place where you can host movie nights or curl up with a good book.

Of course, there are a few obstacles to creating the perfect oasis of collegiate bliss.

Most college students are not made of money, so finding inexpensive items at department stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Zellers or a thrift store is a plus. If you live far away from your college, you may have to pay for shipping or storage over the summer, which can also drain your resources.

Then there is your roommate. Definitely ask what s/he has in mind, but don’t feel pressured to coordinate exactly or let his or her design concept prevent you from expressing yourself. You will both be happier if you respect each other’s right to decorate your spaces however you want. If you both agree on a color scheme, that’s great, but otherwise don’t diss her Britney Spears poster or plaid comforter. You both need a space where you feel comfortable to express yourself and your personal style.

Dorm decorating can be daunting, but it can also be a lot of fun, much like the first year of college. I can’t help you study for a chemistry or history mid-term, but I can offer some suggestions for making your dorm room a comfortable, stylish place.

The Basics of Bedding

One of the first things to pick out is a comforter. The bed often doubles as a coffee table, couch, or study area and is the largest piece of furniture in most dorm rooms, so it’s key to choose a comforter that reflects your style and won’t immediately show the dirt.

Dorm life. Does it make you feel alone in a crowd? Talk to us.

Finding a comforter you like will also help determine the color scheme for the rest of the room. Will it be romantic pastels? Classic school colors? Vibrant floral patterns? Basic black and white?

Reversible, solid colored comforters are a good choice, because they offer twice as many design options and can be dressed up with lots of fluffy throw pillows, but patterns like leopard prints, sunflowers, or stars are fun, too.

When buying bedding, keep in mind that most colleges have extra long beds, so regular twin sheets are too short. If this is the case, look for extra long twin sheets at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, or Linens’ N’ Things.

Think Storage

Space is tight in most dorms, so maximizing storage is a must. Here’s how:

- Raise the bed with cement blocks or RackRisers to make space for extra clothes, books, laundry, luggage, or whatever else under the bed.

- Stack plastic crates in your closet, under your bed, or next to your desk. They are cheap and come in a variety of colours. An alternative to plastic crates is a wire storage system, which lets you assemble your own crates and dismantle or reorganize them later. Or buy some decorative hat boxes in varying sizes for extra storage.

- Buy closet organizers for shoes, skirts, accessories, or makeup to ensure that you will always be able to find those cute black sandals or that peach lip gloss when you need them.

-Invest in some cheap plastic hooks. Stick them to your closet door to hold a bathrobe or jacket, or find a metal towel holder for the back of your door.

The Wall Is Your Canvas

Once you have the basics, it’s time to go crazy decorating the walls. Well, not too crazy. Check your school’s rules before painting, punching holes, or even using tape on the walls. Luckily, you can buy special poster adhesive at decorating stores to customize your room and avoid paying a fee for chipped paint.

Posters are the most common way to decorate, and some colleges have a poster sale at the beginning of the year where you can snag some highly unusual and inexpensive finds. But posters are not the only way to go. Here are some other ideas to adorn your walls:

- Colored chalk will easily wash off most surfaces. Or use butcher paper and colored pencils. Unleash your inner artist and draw a new mural or work of art once a month or whenever you feel inspired.

- Frames are essential for holding photos of home or new friends at college. Buy them almost anywhere or create your own with a cardboard matte and glitter, buttons, feathers, beads, or any other decorative knickknacks. Or you could use funky memo holders to display favorite photos on your desk or bureau.

- French memo boards can hold a whole bunch of pictures, ticket stubs, or magazine cut-outs. Buy one at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Linens’ N or make one out of cardboard, fabric, and ribbon.

- A laundry line is a great alternative for you to string up pictures or ticket stubs on the wall or across the room us. Urban Outfitters has a laundry line with suction cups for easy use.

- Magnets are useful and decorative on any metal surface. Customize that Micro-fridge and display your praiseworthy papers with magnets of flowers, superheroes, butterflies, or Magnetic Poetry (also a fun distraction from studying).

- Dry erase boards on your door or in your room are handy for communicating with friends and roommates and making notes to yourself. Or get a dry erase calendar at an office supply store and keep track of your busy schedule.

- Sheer fabric draped across the window or over a bed creates a soft, romantic look. Or if you have an open closet, put up a colorful shower curtain to individualize your space or hide dirty laundry.

- Lights are fashionable and functional. A desk lamp for late-night studying is a necessity, but adding mini-lights strung across the room can create a more personal atmosphere. White lights will complement any décor, or choose colored lights in funky shapes like stars, cactuses, or hearts.

So you get the idea. There are oodles of ways to transform your plain Jane dorm room into a vibrant reflection of your style and personality. All it takes is a few dollars and a little creativity. If only Chemistry were that simple.

Video: Is Jesus merely a “guest” in your life?: Be filled with the Holy Spirit
How can you grow with God? Talk to us