You're not meant to be stressed out.

A friend recently came over to talk with me about a new book we are reading together, but we never really made it to the topic of the book ... instead we started talking about life. Being a mom of little people is HARD. Contentment? What's that? Nothing seems to be going like I want it to in my life right now. I feel completely out of control and chaotic all the time. After awhile she brought up something that she was once told when her kids were young: God gently leads those with young. It's true! You can look it up!

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

Sometimes I really wish God would put up a big flashing neon sign in my front yard so that when I woke up in the morning I could look out and I would know exactly what I was supposed to do with my day. He doesn't do that of course, but that doesn't mean he isn't leading me - showing me what to do.

Let me give you an example: I teach private lessons out of my home studio. And it's not an easy job like some might think. Sure, I go to work by stepping out of my house into my renovated garage and my children are just a closed door away. And yes, I get to set my own schedule and my own fees. And of course, I adore music, so it's pretty awesome that I can do it for living... but it's not just those things... it's also really hard to be away from my kids when they get home from school and need help with homework and a snack and chores. I am not always able to know what my week's schedule will be because students have their own scheduling problems. And I work so hard to build a solid studio, but I can't control who signs up and who stays for the long-haul. And it can be really discouraging at times... especially when my enrollments aren't where I want them to be! This year has been a lot of that last part: discontentment with my enrollments. Last week I had a brand new student - who hadn't even attended her first lesson - quit!

But you know what?
That very same day I received an email from a current parent, thanking me for being an amazing teacher to her daughter! So... what's the take-away from that? Well... maybe it's that I AM NOT IN CHARGE of who comes through that studio door. And maybe the amount of students that I have is exactly the amount that I should have. Because maybe the key to contentment is to not be stressed out! The way things are now, I can still be with my kids several days of the week to read to them and bake muffins for them and help them vacuum the carpet.

It's not a flashing neon sign but I think I have finally "seen the light!" God is gently leading. He guides the circumstances, closing some doors and opening others. He is reminding me that this is just a chapter of my life. Right now my children are young. They need me too. Maybe someday I will have a huge studio with tons of students. But right now I have been given the gift of still doing what I love, while being able to easily continue in my roll of stay-at-home mom! Working and being a Mom doesn't have to be hard. If God is being gentle with me ... maybe he doesn't want me to be stressed out. Maybe he wants me right where he has me. Doing this. And being okay with it.

So if you are someone with young and you feel out of control and frustrated with what you are doing day-to-day, look for the ways that God is gently leading you. I truly believe that he is putting you in the places you need to be to help you focus on the important stuff.


Just yesterday (one of my non-teaching days!), while working on canning applesauce, I looked out my window and saw my oldest (12) with my youngest (1) taking a walk with a buddy and the stroller. I didn't ask him to do it. He loves his baby brother and he has learned how to make him happy when mom is busy (like when I am teaching!) and he is able to take care of him for me. What more could I ask for? I can be a teacher. I can be a mom. And our family is learning how to make it work.

Thank you, God, for gently leading me to the students I should have, to the schedule I need, and for showing my children how they can love each other and help me and Daddy do what needs to be done. Thank you for being gentle with me. And thank you for helping my children to be gentle with each other. You're a good, good Father.
Make me a good Mother.

She Who Doesn't Make...EXCUSES - Pt. 2 - Eating Right

So, "eating right."  Something you've heard so many times, but what does it really mean?  I have three words for you.  Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats.  In its simplest form, this is eating right. 

The first step to getting back into losing weight and/or getting into shape is making sure that your macronutrients (protein, carbs and fat) are in BALANCE.  Our society is too carb heavy.  We have become carb burning machines when really, we were made to be protein burning machines.  And in regard to fats, it's not that we aren't eating fats.  We are eating a lot of fats.  But not the RIGHT fats.  And protein, we are so protein deficient.  And the proteins that are coming in are in foods laden with bad fats or empty carbs.  In summary, the key word here is QUALITY.  Quality carbs (dark, green, leafy veggies!).  Quality fats in moderation (raw almonds, avocados, olive oil).  Quality protein (lean meats, fish).  Eat in balance and focus on quality.  THINK WHOLE FOODS!!

This is a complex topic, and I am only scratching the surface.  So, I want to inspire you to do some research and some journaling.  Check out: Calorie King or My Fitness Pal or my favorite, Fit Day, because it shows a really easy to use pie chart.  These websites will help you to journal what you're eating.

The second step is to figure your calories.  This doesn't have to be complicated.  You need a certain amount of calories just to LIVE.  Then if you are exercising, you need more to sustain that. Think of an automobile.  (You've all probably heard this analogy before.)  You cannot get anywhere if you have NO gas.  The more you drive, the more gas you need.  The more activity you engage in, the more food (fuel) you need.  You can create a bit of a deficit if you are trying to lose weight, but be careful.  Don't mess with your metabolism too much or it will falter.  Also, keep in mind that if you have your macronutrients in balance, your calories should be in pretty good balance, too.  Here's a helpful website to figure out what macronutrients you should be taking in (for your height, weight, age) and also how to calculate your calories: How to Calculate Macronutrients and Calories

The third step is journal.  Journal, journal, journal.  Journal the foods you eat.  Journal your macronutrients, study and learn what you are taking in.  Journal your exercise.  Discipline yourself to do this.  Without even knowing it or realizing it, over time you will LEARN SO MUCH.  It will build upon itself, it will be exponential.  You will learn portion control, what you can tolerate and what you are missing (carb sickness, fat overload, protein deficiency).  You will keep yourself accountable.  Very important stuff.  Journaling is so important.

So, in summary:
1. Get your macronutrients in balance.
2. Figure your needed calories to live and exercise.
3. JOURNAL!!  Sometimes accountability to yourself is all you really need!

I know you can do this!!!

She Who DOESN'T Make......Excuses

So you've been trying all year to....
exercise,
eat right,
get enough sleep
and drink more water.

But you just....
don't have time to exercise,
can't get organized to eat right,
are too busy to get good sleep
and can't remember to drink enough water.

Right?

Wrong! You know what these are.  We all do!   They're excuses. And if you think about it, what you really don't benefit from, most of all, are excuses. So here it comes, ladies - a little mini-series on She Who Makes....with a twist. She Who DOESN'T Make....Excuses. I'll give you the tools to get it done so the excuses are kicked to the curb, where they belong!

So first of all, let's slay one of the biggest excuse-dragons of all. Time. Time to exercise, mainly.  You know what? I bet you do have 12 minutes a day. You have 12 minutes to stop in the drive-thru and get a tall skinny mocha latte extra hot with whip, right? You have 12 minutes to shave your legs, right? And you have 12 minutes to check Facebook, right? There's nothing wrong with these things and in fact, we all really hope that you do take those 12 minutes to shave your legs!

Here's a 12 minute exercise routine that you will really benefit from. And best of all, there's no gym membership required, no special equipment required and best of all no huge time commitment required! It's just 12 minutes!

Okay, so here's how we're going to do it. You need comfy workout clothes and a timer or a stop watch or a clock with a second hand.
1. Choose an exerciose - push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups or chin-ups (if you have a bar).
2. Now do the exercise that you choose - all out - for 1 minute. Rest 30 seconds.
3. Repeat, until you reach 12 minutes.  You'll do it 8 times through.

That's it! Alternate between working out your arms, legs, abs, back, etc. Mix it up so that your muscles have a day or two to rest.

NEXT TIME - we'll talk about getting organized to eat right.

For Mommies.

Lord, Help me remember, when I feel it's a chore
the time will come when I'll hold her no more
asleep on my chest, the crib refused
the blanket, the pacifier, gone unused.
What better place is there to lay her head
than against my heart, my arms her bed?

For infants grow up and leave us behind
with only memories left to remind
us of midnight walking and predawn rocking,
of soft, helpless babies unable to sleep.

So, Lord, make me patient and keep me awake
while I cradle this child, and don't let me take
for granted the moments I spend in the night
with this ~ Your gift, my joy, my delight.
~Jan Dunlap

A friend shared this with me recently and it was very encouraging to me.

I hope it also helps you!!!

Sleep Training Your Baby

For any of you out there that may be thinking about sleep training your baby, I found the videos on this website to be extremely helpful!

Based on the recommendations from this coach, I created my own Baby's Daily Log for keeping track of my daughter's sleeping and eating patterns. I did this for 5 days and then averaged what she did into a schedule that was going to work for her.

Her schedule looks like this: (she is 10 1/2 months old)

Wake/Nurse (whenever she wants--still working on this)
Breakfast at 9:00am
Nurse at 10:30am -- Nap
Wake/Lunch around 12:00pm
Nurse at 1:30pm -- Nap
Wake/Snack around 4:00pm
Dinner/Nurse 7:00pm
Bedtime/Nurse at 8:30pm

Please view my Baby's Daily Log by clicking on this link. You can choose to download and print it if it would be helpful for your experience sleep training as well!

Lenten Challenge: 40 Bags in 40 Days!

As we enter into the Lenten Season, I have a challenge for you.

This time of year should be an opportunity to simplify. Strip things down to the basics. Remove distractions from your day so that you will hopefully have more time and space to focus on preparing for the coming of Easter!

So how about this -- on each one of the 40 days of Lent, collect a bag of "stuff" from one of 40 different areas in your home.  Once you have your (big or small!) bag full, you can then toss, recycle, or donate the stuff in it!  A simple step to achieve more freedom from the too-much-stuff that may be in your life.

[Note: Lent includes the days that start with Ash Wednesday and end on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday), except for Sundays!  Sunday is a feast day and is not part of Lent.  You can read more here.]  

Consider praying for the people that come to mind as you go through your home.  Use this exercise as an opportunity to be grateful for all the blessings in your life.  As you go through home and your day, pray about anything that is concerning you -- leaving that concern where it should be, with your loving Father! 

Here are the 40 areas in my house that I hope to collect from -- this list should give you some ideas for what you might do in your own home. As you can see from my list, I didn't necessarily come up with 40 separate locations to clean up!  Some of them are too big to do in one day or in one bag, so I gave myself a couple of days to do them. 

I can't wait to get started!

40 Bags in 40 Days

1. Junk Drawer in Kitchen   
2. Toy Cabinets in Living Room  
3. Storage Drawers in LR 
4. Linen Closet 
5. Baby Girl's Closet 
6. Baby Girl's Bedroom 
7. My Closet 
8. My Closet, Pt. II 
9. My Bedroom  
10. Boys’ Closet 
11. Boys’ Bedroom 
12. Boys’ Dresser 
13. Bathroom Cabinets 
14. Laundry Room/Cabinets 
15. Utility Area in Studio 
16. Pantry 
17. Pantry, Pt. II 
18. Pantry, Pt. III 
19. Desk 
20. Scrapbooking Lower Cabinets 
21. Scrapbooking Upper Cabinets 
22. Filing Cabinet 
23. Front Porch 
24. Back Patio 
25. Shop 
26. Shop, Pt. II 
27. Shop, Pt. III 
28. Shed 
29. Shed, Pt. II 
30. Shed, Pt. III 
31. Front yard / Back yard 
32. Minivan 
33. Jeep 
34. Truck 1 
35. Truck 2 
36. Kitchen Cabinets 
37. Bookshelves 
38. Attic 
39. Attic, Pt. II 
40. Attic, Pt. III

He's My Brother

This mama L-O-V-E, LOVES, having boys. They laugh together. They wrestle. They chase the dog. They ride bikes. They help each other clean up the toys. They read in bed together. They build with LEGOS. They help each other memorize their catechism questions. They cuddle their Mom. They love their baby sister. They are awesome.

Good to remember sometimes.

Tell your son THREE THINGS you like about him at the dinner table tonight. Ask him to tell you things he likes about the other people in your family.

Laugh and Treasure.

The road is long
With many a winding turn

I'm gonna be just like my
big brother some day!

That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where

But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there

For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
Then I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share

And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother


Linking Up:
Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

To Give a Band-Aid is NOT a Boo-Boo!

Sometimes you just need a Band-Aid... 

even if there's nothing really there to cover. I see a little one on the verge of a smile instead of tears. You may argue with me, but to me it's worth it to give my kids a Band-Aid when they have a boo-boo even if they don't really need one--just because it makes them feel better!

 

Sometimes it's even-more-better to have two! (Especially when they make your feet look really cool.) Come to think of it... there's got to be a really good reason that Band-Aids make you feel better, other than the fact that they come with all kinds of fun characters and colors on them.... in fact, check out this website out for proof that it's not a mistake to be generous with the Band-Aids!!! 

Let's take this one step further and involve our kids in making a First-Aid Kit for the home so that they know just where to go when they need a Band-Aid. I found a recommended list of items to be kept in a First-Aid Kit: 

• Box of assorted sizes of adhesive bandages
• 1" bandage
• 2" bandage
• Package of sterile gauze
• Sterile non-stick bandages
• Ipecac syrup
• Anti-biotic ointment
• Ace wrap (elastic bandage)
• Small sharp scissors
• Tweezers
• Adhesive tape
• Needles
• Matches
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Benadryl cream or antibiotic ointment
• Disposable instant cold pack
• Alcohol swabs
• Plastic gloves
• Emergency phone numbers (doctor, hospital, and poison control)

We use a BRIGHT RED plastic tool box as our First-Aid Kit. It's very easy to describe to my kids when I need them to run and get it. Note: if you plan to keep all of the above items in your kit, don't leave it where little hands can reach it. Instead, create a second First-Aid Kit that is kid-friendly without the items that are dangerous for them to have unsupervised access to.

Tip: Our kids get Band-Aids in their Christmas stockings with their favorite characters on them to use when and however they please. It's great fun and it's great for them!

Let's face it... Boo-Boos happen. But please go and be SAFE! ;-)

Encouragement for Mothers

Please head over to this website and read about the author's recent challenge to mothers out there. This topic has been in the forefront of my mind for quite awhile now. I feel like sometimes the ONLY WAY TO GET my kids to listen to me is to YELL. It seems like they just [literally] don't hear me otherwise.

I encourage you to meditate on this as well and see where God is guiding you in how you talk to your children.

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Telling the Truth

At the core of all the pressures to abandon the self is the temptation to lie about what we really think, feel, and believe.

Martha Beck, Breaking Point

Who do you consider your truest friend? Your most authentic relationship? Do you have more than one? Who in your life do you feel that you are the "most real" with? Do you have fake relationships? Do you say one thing while you mean another?

These are questions that I have been asking myself lately. Even the people that I feel the closest to, I am sometimes not honest with. Of course I am not consciously doing this. I don't walk around LYING whenever possible... but if I sit down and really think about it... I am not always speaking the truth. I am afraid. Even of the people I love the most. In my efforts to be a kind person who never has conflict or makes anyone else uncomfortable, I find that often times I ignore what my gut is telling me and say what I think they want to hear!

"Telling the truth means we need to take responsibility for our feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and desires. When we cannot face the truth--or fear others will reject us because of it--we tell little lies. We lie to ourselves. We lie to those we love. We lie to strangers. We get so used to lying that we no longer know the truth from falsehood. Our lies do not have to be big to get in the way of having an authentic relationship." Taken from A Generous Presence by Rochelle Melander

Can you think of ways that you "tell little lies" each day when you should be speaking the truth? Not just because it's the right thing to do, but because if you really think about it--don't you think that the people who love you also want to know you? Know the real you?

Rochelle Melander says that there are two steps to learning how to tell the truth:
1. Recognize it. Ask yourself: "what do I know?"
2. Actually tell it. "The truth can be hard to hear. When we begin to tell the truth in a relationship or institution committed to a culture of posturing, we may be rejected. Of course, without this truth telling, we risk not knowing the richness of having an authentic relationship--with ourselves and one another."

Can you think of a time where you told the truth and it created a foundation for an authentic relationship?

Remember it. Try it again!

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

She Considers... A Garden of the Heart

Shared by our Mom... found in a cookbook of hers that was compiled by members of a former church.
Author Unknown.

Plant your own garden beginning today.

First plant five rows of peas:

    Preparedness

    Promptness

    Perseverance

    Politeness

    Prayer

Next to them plant three rows of squash:

    Squash gossip

    Squash criticism

    Squash indifference

Then five rows of lettuce:

    Let us be faithful

    Let us be unselfish

    Let us be loyal

    Let us be truthful

    Let us love one another

And no garden is complete without turnips:

    Turn up for Church

    Turn up for Sunday School

    Turn up with a smile

    Turn up with determination

Thoughts on... Laundry!

It's not pretty... but it works!

Winter is the time of year when I do the most laundry. My husband works outdoors and often wears layer upon layer--adding to my pile! The kids and I have been helping lately, so that of course means more layers for us, too. Not to mention the fact that long sleeves and jeans take up way more room in the washer than shorts! So, with all of this laundry around me, I've been thinking more and more about how to make the process go smoother for me.

Here are some ideas that I have come up with:

• Have the kids fill the laundry basket(s) and carry them to the laundry room if they are able. I often send them through the whole house, looking for burp cloths left lying around, forgotten socks, towels, etc. Make it a game! See who can collect the most items or time them and see how long it takes, etc.
• When filling the washer, zip up footie pjs or jackets so that socks don't get trapped inside, and it makes it easier to fold or hang later on. Velcro all tabs so that they don't stick to more delicate items. Turn things right-side-out if needed (again to help with easier folding later).
• When filling the dryer, give everything a good shake to help with less wrinkling or things getting wadded up so they don't dry properly. Turn socks right-side-out so they dry evenly. Remove items that really should be line-dry to help them last longer. And even if you don't have an ideal laundry room (like me!) you can make it work. I have two drying racks--one that is permanently hung in the laundry room for small items and unmentionables and then one that I can move around for delicate blouses or sweaters, etc.
• Cut the fabric softener sheets in half to save money or reuse them a few times so you don't use up your box too quickly!
• Time to fold! Do it right away! Try to break the horrible cycle of wet laundry sitting in the washer getting smelly and dry laundry sitting in the dryer getting wrinkly! Fold the clothes and put them in piles for each person in the family to put away.
• When I fold clothes, I dump out my bucket and then throw all the clothes in piles: by person, by whether or not they are folded or hung, and then I separate out all the socks. I take the hanging clothes and lay them in a pile on top of one another. Then I fold each person's pile and stack it neatly by item (shirts together, pants, underwear, etc.) Then I take all the socks and match them up and put them on top of each person's pile. Any solo socks are set aside until we find their match!
• Label the kids' drawers to help them know where to put their clothes. Encourage them to take care of their things! This also helps when someone is yelling, "Mom, I can't find any socks!!!" Um. Look in your sock drawer!!! Etc...



My boys' dresser drawers.

• Hang clothing in the closet by color. Helps with finding that shirt you want to wear, or when planning an outfit.

Also, I have been couponing for quite awhile and have built up quite a supply of laundry soap. Unfortunately I needed to stop couponing and I am about to run out of my supply! I am hoping to make my own laundry soap next. I can use some of the bar soap that I got (for FREE!) to do it... here are a few links to making your own laundry soap:

The Simple Dollar
Happy Living Magazine
DIY Natural

I am planning to make a huge bucket of this stuff to last me a long time! Here's hoping it turns out great!

What are some ways that YOU have found to make the endless job of doing laundry work for your family?

P.S. Sorry that the photo quality is poor. My house has very little natural light and it was extra dark this morning! :-(

Readers' Responses for November

Here's someone else's idea for designing artwork for the home:

from our post -- Butterfly Artwork

Comments from our readers...

From: April @ The 21st Century Housewife
Your applesauce muffins sound wonderful - I love all the wholesome ingredients. They are perfect for autumn with the nutmeg and cinnamon too. Thank you for sharing them with Let's Do Brunch. I've chosen them as one of my features from last week, and will be linking to this post from my Let's Do Brunch post today. Applesauce Oats & Yogurt Muffins

From: Anonymous
My Elly (4) and i made these this afternoon. i had to double the recipe for my family. yummy!!! i used white flour and vanilla yogurt (what i had on hand). still turned out good! looking forward to eating them for breakfast! Applesauce Oats & Yogurt Muffins

From: Andi Sibley
This is a lot of fun! I decided to try to post a picture of the day on facebook all through November to highlight three things I am thankful for this year. It's going to get harder as the month goes on I am sure, but I enjoy that challenge. God is so good I know I will never run out of things to be thankful for - I just need to look around! Take a Picture-of-the-Day!

Please come see us on Facebook!!! There are many opportunities to comment on there as well as see updates, photos and share more ideas together. We have reached "69 Likes" this month -- let's make it 70 and shoot for 100 in December!!!

And for those of you considering whether or not to Crochet a Really Simple Hat ... here's a little something to inspire you!...

Tips for Flying with Young Children

I am about to venture out this week on an airplane trip with my pre-schooler and infant-in-arms and have been researching tips to make our experience go smoothly. Here are some great websites and tips that I have found about keeping kids safe and [hopefully] happy during the travel experience.

Transportation Security Administration (traveling with children)
Federal Aviation Administration (brochure about Child Restraint Systems onboard the airplane)
Travel Tips from Other Parents
Flying With Kids

My favorite tips/information:

• Everything needs to go through security check--so you will need to fold your stroller if you have one and put it through the x-ray machine. You will need to remove all baby accessories and also put them through. You will be asked to carry baby through the metal detector. If your child can walk, it's best to have him/her walk through alone and you follow them. If you are holding your baby in a sling, you may be required to have additional screening.You are not allowed to pass your child to someone else during this process. [Which I find kind of funny... "Here, can you hold this?!" Right... like I am going to pass my child off to some stranger!]
• Juice, formula, breastmilk are allowed on the plane in reasonable amounts exceeding the 3.4 oz limit and do not need to be placed in a ziplock bag. Pack all other toiletries in a quart-sized ziplock bag and put them somewhere in your carry-on that is easy to grab because you will have to put that through the x-ray machine separate from your luggage. Only bring what you need for the trip in your carry-on. If you need more for your trip, pack it in your checked bag.
• Use as many disposable things as possible to make clean-ups easier (diapers, wipes, bottle inserts, bibs, samples of creams, lotions, diaper rash ointment, dirty diaper bags, etc.)
• LOVE THIS ONE! Take 2 diaper pins with you and attach a blanket to the seat back in front of you and to your seat to create a privacy screen for nursing and or keeping baby asleep!
• Store diaper changing needs in a separate sack inside your carry-on so that when it's time to change a diaper, you can just grab that and not your entire bag!
• Dress the children in bright, distinctive clothing so they are easy to spot.

And my all-time favorite...

Wear spunky clothes and dark glasses so that other passengers think you are someone famous enjoying quality time with your kids.

Final Week of Making Your Home a Haven

This week’s Challenge is:

Keep your candle going, the music playing, and add some tender moments with your family. Have a pillow party in the family room and get out every blanket and pillow in the house and be cozy with the kids or your hubby! Even if you live alone you can do this. Enjoy a cozy evening of hot cider and caramel corn. Moms, pull out a board game, a classic movie, hot cocoa and pop some popcorn. Give a 5 minute back rub to every single person in your house…and for a double challenge- try to give one every day to each family member!
During your tender moment with the family, ask them how they feel about this challenge. Are they enjoying it? Is it helpful? Is there anything they would change. Give your family listening ears. (Courtney @ WomenLivingWell.org)


I have to be totally honest with you and say that I haven't done this one yet. We have come close... usually on Sunday nights we don't really have dinner--we pop popcorn and watch a movie, etc. This week, I did make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and we did make Hot Apple Cider after our trip to the orchard (more on that later)... but we haven't tried the back rub idea or the games or pillow parties, etc. I can tell you that my boys would love it.

I will let you know after the World Series is over what we do to fulfill this month's challenge! :-)

Making Your Home a Haven (Week 3) UPDATED!

Here’s week #3′s Challenge: List a few of the spots in your home that make you visually stressed. Now go buy something for that spot – like a basket to put it all in!

Work on cleaning up clutter. Throw things away.

While you’re at it – clean up some clutter in your spiritual life. What gets in the way of your peace spiritually? (Courtney @ womenlivingwell.org)

I LOVE this week's challenge. Clutter is a major problem for us. Courtney posted a video of her home and her clutter to show that just because she posts great ideas and appears to have it all together, she is REAL and she's NOT PERFECT. Definitely true for me... for example...

These are the three areas in our home that are constantly covered with clutter.

So what am I going to do about it? [Here are the suggestions from the challenge.]

My tasks are:

1. Use a basket/bucket/bin to collect items that would normally spread around my house and clutter up my workspace(s). We don't have two stories in our home, but a great place would also be to put one near the bottom of a staircase so that if there are items downstairs that BELONG upstairs, they can be carried up periodically in one trip using a basket!

2. Set a timer and go quickly through the house grabbing trash and clutter that can be thrown away!

This is my basket that I purchased for this challenge.

Are you still lighting your candle and listening to your music and praying for a peaceful home? Thinking about a clutter-free home makes think about my own life and my own heart. I think I just might add praying for a "clutter-free heart" to my list as well!

Okay... I did some cleaning up and boy does it look better!

Just don't get out your white glove....

Making Your Home a Haven (Weekly Challenge)

So, in week one, I lit a candle for peace in my home. I will be keeping my candle going all throughout the colder season... can't wait until the flavor switches to cinnamon or evergreen or something else that reminds me of Christmas! :-) Oh my. I just said the "C" word and we haven't even made it halfway through October yet! (Whoops!)

This week’s challenge is two-fold:

Play soft music everyday in your home. Choose music that the family enjoys.

Then, focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships.

Role model gentleness with your words this week and while you’re add it have a little fun. 

Since the music is going, grab your husband or children and dance!

(Courtney at WomenLivingWell.org)

Some of the music that I am listening to this month:
Rich Mullins
Silers Bald
Caedmon's Call
Hide 'em in Your Heart Vol. II (for the kids-in the car)
Audrey Assad
Classical (mostly Mozart and some collections that include relaxing, peaceful selections)

Some of the ways we are being encouraged to fulfill the challenge:

1. Play your instrument (if you can) ~ great excuse for me to work on my piano skills... I know the baby especially enjoys hearing me play and all three of the kids love it when I sing to them. We can sit around the piano and sing together. I have fond memories of doing that with my brothers, sisters and Daddy (as Mom sat in the chair, knitting or something else creative, listening). I would love to create these same memories with my family.

2. Sing or at least hum throughout your day as you go about your tasks. It will help you remain calm and peaceful.

3. Stop what you are doing and dance! A peaceful feeling can come from joy and dancing surely makes a person smile!

Philippians 4:6-8

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

October Challenge: Making Your Home a Haven

Last month, I challenged myself with 31 Days to Clean and this month I am learning from this blog about how to make my Home a Haven. Will you join me?

This week I have been focusing on Challenge #1:

Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. Do what makes sense for your family. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home. (Courtney @ WomenLivingWell.org)

So here is what I am praying about when I see my candle burning.

1. Being engaged in what is going on around me. Stopping what I want to be doing to help another person. Being there for my family members.
2. Being on-top of my schedule so that we aren't rushing around, but can move throughout our daily tasks with ease!
3. Trying to get as much sleep as I can so that I can concentrate on being patient and pleasant!
4. Being content with my home and my situation.
5. Praying throughout the day; asking for guidance, but also praising God when things are going well. Being thankful for my children. Being thankful for my husband.

Now, in the words of my sister, "go have a good-smelly day!" 

Come back for more October Making Your Home a Haven challenges...

She Finds this Funny...

She Considers it Pure Joy

When I was almost 19 years old, I met my stud of a football player turned husband--he, a senior in college and me a measly little freshmangirl. Just a few short months after turning 20, I began my junior year an engaged gal. Married just 25 days after becoming a legal adult, I was now cooking and caring for my very own home, not partying or hanging out with friends. Now a senior, I became a music teacher, working part-time at a local Christian School. Two months post-graduation I found out I was pregnant.

Labeling my launch into homemakerdom and motherhood as a whirlwind is an understatement.

In 2012 we will be celebrating 10 years of wedded-bliss marriage. I edit because to be truthful, the first part of married life has so many ups and just as many humongous downs. For me some of the biggest ones have been recently in caring for our three children. I am not even talking about training up a child, but simply just caring for their physical needs.

Anyone who paused their busy day to read this must know what I am talking about as you stop to wrestle a two-year old down from on top of the bookshelf or hold onto the laptop with one hand and wipe up the coffee the baby kicked over or duck because the seven year old just steamrolled into the house with papers and backpacks flying every which way, wanting to know if he can play down the street. Oh yeah, and hi, mom.

Wait, that's me.

You're still here.

I'll keep going if they let me...

Sometimes it seems like caring for my domain is part of the curse. I mean, come on! Why do I bother sweeping the floor? He's just going to track more mud in anyway! OR Why do I wipe the table? It's just going to be covered in crumbs again before I can even rinse out the rag! OR Does anyone else in this family know how to flush a toilet? OR No, little man, you may NOT take off your diaper and run through the house naked! OR Yes, this is the third shirt I have had to put on today.

It seems like that because it is.

Romans 8:20-21

²⁰For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Doing the Homemaker's Challenge has helped me to see that overcoming this is possible. I was asked to determine what the hope is in the curse. The hope is that the God who gave me this work will also give me a way to complete it. And upon completion of my work, both daily and here on earth, my reward is eternal rest! Thank the Lord there won't be mops in heaven!!!

My thoughts are now focused on the following, as I scrub and fold and wipe and sweep:

Be Gracious (He is young and hasn't learned yet that the milk jug is too heavy and he NEEDS MY HELP to pour!)

Be Willing (to take the time to help my children learn how to take care of their domain.)

Be Consistent (both with my discipline AND my affirmation when things are going well!)

Be Joyful (in caring for my home and my people.)

Be Constantly in Prayer (always asking for strength to complete the tasks.)

Be Thankful (that God gave me these people and this home to care for!)

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!