REAL SIMPLE

I love magazines that focus on family, organizing, cooking, crafting, children and the home. Danny came home one morning and brought me a huge box full of REAL SIMPLE magazines. I LOVE this magazine! This magazine has so many useful and helpful hints and tips and it inspires me to do better and think differently about things,especially about things in my home. As I read through these magazines, I think I am going to post some things here on my blog that others might deem useful and helpful. Here is some information from a REAL SIMPLE:FAMILY EDITION that I really enjoyed:

Q: How do you get your kids to pitch in around the house?

A: Each of the kids would draw a slip of paper and do their activity for 15 minutes

We leave a list of chores that need tending to on the kitchen counter, and each child writes their name to the ones they want to do. It is first come, first served.

We have a toy race.

Instead of saying, "Pick up your room," I say, "Hang up five shirts."

I give chores for the unreasonable arguments that break out in the house.

Every morning before they leave for school, they have to spend five minutes straightening their rooms.

I had each of my children a laundry basket and set them on a treasure hunt for items strewn around the house.

I assign each child a room to clean based on their personal preference, and they were responsible for that room every week.

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Now, on the flip side, this question was asked to children of these same parents:

Q: How do you pitch in around the house?

A: I take all of my game boys and push them up against the wall.

I organize the socks.

I cook breakfast on Sunday mornings.

I help mom do the laundry and I set the table.

Whenever something is messy, I just pick it up and put it where it belongs.

At night I lay out what I am going to wear at school the next day.

I take out the garbage.

I make frozen macaroni and cheese by myself.

I take a shower every night.

I just try to stay out of the way.


The kids answers just tickled me! Right now, the kids are not quite old enough to do a lot of things around the house to help, but Josiah knows, before nap time and bedtime every day, it is time to put all of the toys away. Bethany is learning, and doing pretty good. Bethany, however thinks that putting the toys away means putting them in the kitchen sink...it is so cute. She will go and put something in the sink, and come back clapping and says, "Good job, Bet!". Josiah also is responsible for putting all of his dishes away, and he also puts his dirty clothes in the dirty pile. He also is responsible for picking up the food off of the floor after meals. Most of this he does with little prompting and I am proud of my little man.

How do you inspire your kids to help around the house? I would love to hear your answers!!!!!

Goals for the week

We heard a wonderful sermon at church yesterday by visiting preacher, Elder Glen Ray, from Georgia. He spoke on "Controlling the Tongue", which is a topic very needful in today's age and time. This sermon was very convicting and I am basing my weekly goals upon the message that was brought forth yesterday. Here are some of the main points he made:

* We need to stop and literally think before we say things.
Is what I have to say really important? Is it going to hurt or cause anger or strife?
* Be ready to learn, not ready to teach. James 3...
We need to close our mouths and listen and be willing to learn instead of talking all of the time because we think we have things others need to hear.
* Fires always start out small
Remember, little things we say can have drastic consequences.
*Proverbs 15:1: "A soft answer turneth away wrath."
Do you ever speak sharply to someone, anticipating a sharp response, as if to say, "Bring it on, I am ready for a fight!"? Does anyone ever speak sharply to you making you want to lash back out in anger? We need to fight to give a sharp answer, no matter what is said to us, and it will diffuse the situation immediately. Speaking to someone sharply is like handing them a firework and waiting to see if they will light it!
*Do not be a gossiper or tale-bearer
This one speaks for itself
*Wait until the right time to approach someone who has offended you. Do not go to someone in anger, because you will be sure to say the wrong things at the wrong time. Sit back and wait until the anger has dissipated, then go to the person in love.

These were just some of the highlights, but they spoke volumes to me! My goal for the week is to guard my tongue and think before I speak.

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On another note, last week was a great week. There was a lot of sunshine and record high temps. We spent many an evening outdoors with the kids playing, either in the backyard or walking to the park. We had a lot of outdoor fun this week, with a lot more to come, hopefully! I got up at 5:15a every week day this past week, except for Wednesday, and hit the gym. This was no easy task, and I have been so exhausted I can't see straight, but I did have goo results on the scale...I lost 5.4 pounds! My goals for this week, in this area, is to hit the gym early again this week and not strain my knee anymore. I think I will be hitting the pool and hot tub a lot because of this severe pain in my knee.

Whatever your goals are for the week, May the Lord bless you endeavors and cause yoiu you to reach them!

Some funnies

I have been sewing for a few days and really enjoying it, so when I finished another pair of bloomers for Bethany this morning, I got really excited to try them on her. Josiah was sharing my excitement and this is what happened next:

Josiah: "Mommy, will you make me some boomers like Bet-bet's?"
Me: "Well, honey, bloomers are for little girls to wear."
Josiah: "Mommy, please?" [followed by "please" in sign language]
Me: [Heart incredibly softened] "Okay buddy, I will make you some 'boomers', to wear to bed, okay?"
Josiah: "Um, yes, mommy. Make them with Veggie Tales, okay?"


He just tickled me to death! This did prompt me to search the internet for Veggie tales fabric for which to make him some "boomers" for bed time. I found a really good deal and purchased some!

Another funny was on my birthday and this is what happened:

I got the kids up early and I decided we were going to go out to eat for mommy's birthday. On the way this was the conversation:

Me: "Today is Mommy's birthday!"
Josiah: "Um, Mommy, today CAN'T be your birthday!"
Me: "It can't? Why not?"
Josiah: "Because you don't have any presents!"
Me: "Well, it is my birthday, presents or not..."
Josiah: "No, mommy, it still CAN'T be, because you are sick!"

It was true, I was trying my best to get over laryngitis, but it was still pretty bad. After a couple of days of whispering and telling Josiah I couldn't talk, he would tell me to "hush" because I was sick.

So, we went into IHOP and when the waitress came around, to take our order, I began to "try to talk" and Josiah said:
"Um, hush mommy, you're sick." Then, after a little bit of being in shock he said: "Mommy wants 'mancakes' [pancakes], Bet-bet wants fruit and I want cottage cheese, okay?"
My mouth just about hit the floor...he just took over and me and the waitress cracked up!

My little man is getting so big and he keeps us in stitches...most of the time!

The phone call I will miss...

About this time every year I get a phone call. It is a sweet and funny call and it usually starts off with a song and ends up with some fussing and play arguing on the part of the callers, which always makes me laugh. I have been thinking all day about the phone call I would have had tomorrow. The one where mom and dad call and sing to me to wish me a happy birthday. I have had a rough day today thinking about dad and how he isn't here to call me for my birthday this year. This is the most of several "firsts" we will go through this year. For some reason, it has made me weepy and sad all day and I have had a hard time shaking these feelings. I know it is normal, I just don't like feeling this depressed. Music has been good therapy for me though. I heard several songs today that reminded me of dad and allowed me to cry and weep for missing him. There are two songs in particular that really bring out the cry sessions for me. They are very moving songs and I know Dad would have loved them because he loved contemporary Christian music. Anyway, I am going to send you the links to the songs so you can hear how beautiful they are and weep yet rejoice with me!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3CVlv2dz3w
This is Mandisa singing "He is with you"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvrBQL8swLl
This is Chris Tomlin singing "I will Rise"

These are my thoughts for the day and I thought you would enjoy these songs as much as I do.

The things you'll do...

It's 4:45am, and I am up again. This nagging cough has me awake again...I was determined the next time this happened I was going to try a new natural cough suppressant I had been given. It sounded awful, but I was willing...more than willing to try it! Here is what you will need:

1 small jar [I took a baby food jar]
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. ginger
2 Tbsp. Water
1 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Honey

Put lid on and shake until well incorporated. Store any unused portion in the refrigerator.

I joke and say the reason this is so effective is that the cayenne pepper singes your throat so bad that you aren't able to cough any more. No, but really, try it the next time you really need some relief. It has given me some this morning. Along that same note, I decided to google natural cough suppressants and there is a wealth of information out there. Next time you are up at 4:45am, and desperate to quit coughing, do some research and get some relief!

Family Notebook

I have been busy. Busy and sick. This new start to spring is not what I care for in the least little bit! This has happened for two years in a row and I have a year to figure out why we all get sooo sick this time of year. I have been able to contemplate about a lot of things while spending a majority of this week at home with my family.

This is what I have been thinking about...Family Organization. It is something I think about all of the time, mostly because I am not able to acquire it for the most part, or haven't been able to yet. Over the years I have thought about a central location that we as a family can turn to for household needs, wants and information. So, after years of thinking about it, my thoughts have developed into a Family Notebook. Here is what is contained within:

"From the Kitchen"

• Menu Plans
• Grocery Lists
• Coupons and Ads

"Around the House"

• Daily To Do
• Weekly To Do
• Monthly To Do
• Master Cleaning Lists

"Spiritual Growth"

• Scripture Memorization
• Scripture Reading
• Prayer Journal
• Hospitality and Giving

"Hobbies"

• Arts and Crafts
• Fun w/ the Kids
• Ideas

"Addresses"

"Calendar"

"Danny"

So, my idea that has come to fruition at least shows that I "want" to be an organized person and family. I want my kids to have organized lives with some sort of structure and meaning and hopefuilly this will get us back on the track.

So, I would love to hear from others...how do you keep organization in your families? Please let me know so that I might be able to fill out the Ideas section of our family planner...It is lacking for the moment!

Happy Spring!

What's up with us? Not much!

Just wanted to stop by for an update. I don't have a lot to say or anything, just wanted to say I am still here, just not into updating too often! My family is still trying to get things back to normal after the death of my father, but I have a feeling this whole next year, things are going to be in an upheaval. Please keep praying for us.

We don't have a lot going on, but we are looking forward to spring. I am looking forward to planting new things in our backyard garden. I am also looking forward to having an herb garden this year and have been reading up on the art of growing and drying herbs. I am really looking forward to this. Ya know what else I am looking forward to? Salsa! Yep, some good ol' salsa from the garden! I told my husband I want lots and lots and lots of cherry or grape tomatoes [because in my opinion, they make the best salsa!] from the garden. I am also looking forward to our elderly neighbors plums falling because every year he lets us have them all. Last year, I made TONS of baby food with it, this year, I am not sure. I will make something for the neighbor though! Also, we have two huge wild raspberry bushes in our backyard, and some over in the brush on the other side of the street that I love to pick as well. Oooh! I am getting excited about the spring and summer!

What about the spring and summer are you getting excited about? What kinds of things do you grow in your gardens? Let me know! Share your knowledge!