09/04/2026
😂 Well, I have a new job in our family...
This year, we basically **QUADRUPLED the number of extracurricular activities our kids are involved in.**
That may sound a little crazy with eight kids, but I really believe there's tremendous value in helping kids find something they can become REALLY good at.
🚴 Mountain biking
🏃 Cross country
⚽ Gymnasstics and other activities
🎵 Dance & choir
Having something you're good at can do so much for **confidence, friendships, fitness, discipline, and self-esteem.**
The problem?
🚗 We are now driving kids EVERYWHERE. 😂
Add homework, daily chores, family scripture study, dinner, and everything else involved in raising eight kids, and our evenings can get pretty intense.
I knew that if we were going to make this new schedule work, **I needed to step up and take some things completely off Beckie's plate.**
So I volunteered for something I've never really done before...
🛒 I took over ALL the grocery shopping and cooking for our family of TEN!👨🍳😂
Every day.
I just finished my first week and, shockingly...
I'm actually kind of enjoying it!
I've figured out how to make the shopping and cooking super efficient, I've got meals ready when everyone needs them, and so far the kids haven't complained about the menu! 😂
Even better, something unexpected has happened.
⏰ Despite having WAY more activities than we did before, we're actually getting everything done earlier and **getting the kids to bed earlier than we ever have!**
Beckie is LOVING the new system.
The kids seem happy.
We're staying ahead of schedule.
And apparently I can cook for ten people better than I thought I could. 😂
❤️ I'm also realizing there's something pretty satisfying about seeing how much taking ownership of one major part of the household can lighten the load for your spouse.
We'll see if I'm still this enthusiastic about grocery shopping and cooking six months from now...
But after week one, **Chef Dad is feeling pretty good!** 👨🍳🔥😂