Three years old

Three years ago yesterday, I gave birth (at home) to a beautiful baby boy. He has been difficult and we have been tired, but we are blessed to have him and he lives up to his name Gabriel, for he has brought us to the presence of God in more then one way.

Happy Birthday and I love you sweet boy!

Read this...

Grace in a Manger

Ah ha, that's what's missing!

I was just reading a post from Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer about grace . It so very much more eloquently states the way I was feeling yesterday. I mean not exactly the same situation, but I have been feeling like my main problem lately is I have a lack of grace. We all do around here. We all tend to be short on patience and giving others the benefit of the doubt. It just wears on ya after a while.

Yes, more grace is what we need around here. Thanks Shannon of reminding me.

Discouraged

I am feeling discouraged lately. I am really feeling like I wasn't meant to be a mom. I love my kids dearly, but I feel like I am failing them at every turn. I just want to know how people with so many more kids get things done, and teach their children and cook and clean and have time for devotions and..... I know, they just do it. I have 3 kids, and one on the way, and I look at others both in real life and in blogs I read, and I wonder how they have energy to do the things they do, while pregnant with the 8th one or whatever. I can't even manage to read the Bible every day. I realize I need to set better priorities, but you haven't met my almost 3 year old!

I feel like I can't win. I am so tired of the kids fighting with each other, of me fighting with them. I wish I could say it's time for lessons with out the collective whining that in sues. I want to be able to say take these books upstairs for me without the argument. I want my 10 year old to stop pestering and tormenting the other 2 and I REALLY want him to stop talking back to us. I feel so hopeless after talking with him, and I feel like I have failed as a mother. He has a bad attitude and he is rude, disrespectful and angry most of the time. And I am at a loss at what to do. We have tried yelling, of course that didn't work, we have tried punishments (taking away privileges) we have tried rewards for good behavior, still nothing....and we always come back to yelling, mostly out of frustration and lack of knowing what else to do.

I am so tired of the struggle. I know that no one said being a parent was easy, I just thought there would be times when things might be easier. I am very disheartened that I can't seem to keep up with family devotions either. My husband was supposed to be in charge, but if I don't mention it, it doesn't get done. I know it should be a top priority, but isn't it his job, not mine?

Uuugggg! I hate feeling like this. I want to be a good mom, I just don't know how to deal with some of our issues right now. I can't keep up with the house, the toys are everywhere, laundry needs to be done (and I have been doing it everyday!) I am so emotionally exhausted from the struggles with the kids that I become physically tired and don't want to finish the housework most days.

I am not writing any of this for pity. I am just venting after what was a particularly hard day. I of course, hope tomorrow will be better. But most days seem to be going this way and I need to get the frustration out and figure out how to talk with the kids and teach them the right behavior, which apparently I am not good at or maybe we wouldn't have this problem now.

hopefully a good nights sleep will find me in better spirits....if the toddler stays in bed :)

New look

Ok, I have had this blog for a little over a year I think, and I have been slowly learning how to work it! I just customized some things and I am so excited. I really wish I was savy enough to make it really famcy and pretty, maybe that will come. But for now I am jsut happy to have Christmas colors and a pretty snowy picture (from my front yard during the blizzards we had last year).

I hope to keep learning how to make it better looking, and I really hope to have some more time to blog (as well as a topic) very soon!

Christmas ebook

I was just reading this review over at Enjoy the Journey. I have been saddened that Lindsay isn't updating her Christmas blog (though the archives are still available), so when I read the review I started thinking that this could be the thing I am looking for.

If you are looking for some good Christian perspective on Christmas and some activities and recipes, it looks like Marybeth Whalen has the answers. Go take a look!

Works For me Wednesday

OK, this is backwards day over at Rocks in my Dryer . That means I get to ask a question and hopefully some one can help me with an answer. So here we go...

I have a 9 year old (to be ten next month) boy, a 7 year old girl, a 2 year old (to be three next month) boy and a baby on the way. Right now the two boys share a room and my daughter has her own room. We have one extra room that has been a play/guest room. We are considering moving the oldest into that room and then putting the baby in with the toddler. The problem is that the toddler won't sleep in his room alone. We have done some practice nights and he just won't go to bed by himself. My older son gets lots of credit because he is very gracious and always agrees to come back into the room with the toddler.

The baby isn't due until April and will probably sleep in my room for a while, but I know my oldest wants his privacy. And being 10 next month, I think he should be able to have it. So if you have some advice on getting my toddler to like having his own room, and getting him to sleep there, let me know!

Thanks!

This is great!

OK, so I was reading Enjoy the Journey earlier and Lindsey has this great idea for a bumper sticker...Anyone but Hillary '08 !!! I think it is perfect!!!!!! So if you want one, go check her out. I am getting some for sure!

oh the news!

I can't believe I have totally bailed on the blogging thing. I have just been so busy and tired and blah. I have even neglected to post about being PREGNANT! I am 12 1/2 weeks along...I think. Pregnancy isn't an exact science. First, I am not exactly sure when I conceived, and of course, babies come when they are ready. SO we are looking at late April maybe early May.

I have been pretty nauseous, and very tired. I have been having a hard time focusing on homeschool. I don't have the energy to do a lot of the normal activities. Today is the first day we have been to the library since August. Well, we were on vacation for 2 weeks in September, but still. The kids of course are enjoying the little break. We still read and since we are more unschool/Charlotte Mason, we read a lot of living history as well as fiction and today we checked out some science books. And I hadn't ordered our math yet, so I did so this week. I hope that since I am going into the second trimester next week, that hopefully I will be feeling better and more on top of things.

I would like to post a bit on our vacation and the Creation Museum we went to. Hopefully I can get to that soon.

Loner

So I have been thinking lately how different I am. I mean, I know EVERYONE is different, that's what makes us special right? Well, I am not talking about how you have blond hair and I have brown, I am talking about my life choices fitting into some kind of category.

I mean, when some one says they are a republican, you automatically know a few things about them. When they say they are agnostic, or Buddhist or Christian, you have a few basics already covered. But me, I am not fitting into any category. I consider myself a conservative Christian, but when you get down to it, I have a few beliefs that don't really fit that.

Like I am all about environmental responsibility, "going green", kind of a liberal thing. I am into all natural childbirth, whole food eating, home remedies, extended breastfeeding and attachment parenting (all kind of considered liberal hippyism). I home school, which usually would have people thinking I fit into this very staunch christian school-at-home model, yet I am an unschooler (more popular in non-christian circles).

And in some cases I lean more toward the very traditional side, like my role as a wife and mother, but I have some modern Christian views that would be considered not so conservative.

All this to say that I really identified with Phat Mommy . I feel on the outside every where I go. When I am at church I feel too liberal for them, when I am at a La Leche League meeting I feel too conservative. I feel put down for my choices or at least that if I express why I do things a certain way, that others think I am putting their choices down.

I want to share with others my lifestyle, to educate and to maybe find other moms who understand what I am going through. I don't want to tell other people how to do things. I do think that everyone has to find the way that fits their family and is true to who God created them to be. And that isn't the same as me...it would just be nice to find someone who understands me.

Going Green

I have been going through the process of figuring out how to live healthier. There are several reasons for this. One, as I shared in my last post, is that I am over weight and need to be eating better. Another is that I want to be a good steward of what God has given me. There are many areas to consider in a healthy lifestyle as well.

It's not just about eating more natural and whole foods, which I am trying so hard to do. It is also about the products we use and how we are taking care of the earth God gave us to watch over and subdue. I really think that when God gave is this planet to subdue he didn't mean trash it. He didn't mean take over and kill everything in your path and he certainly didn't mean for us to create substances which slowly kill us. I don't think it is fair to say if I want to be kinder to our environment (and myself) I must be some kind of liberal hippy. Which by the way is what my husband thinks of me.

I have been trying to learn more about how to make my own homemade foods in the most natural state possible, and I have been researching cookware and storage ware that doesn't leach chemicals into my food. I have been trying to find more natural shampoos and lotions, etc. And I am finding that everything is harmful!

Now, I am trying hard not to be such a paranoid weirdo (to quote my husband) about all this, but the more research I do, the more I am convinced there is not much out there that isn't slowly poisoning us. I know that I can't avoid everything. I just want to change some of the things I have control over and know about. Things like my cookware. I don't want to use Teflon anymore. I also know that there could be some leeching from stainless steel. I think I will be buying a cast iron pan soon and am looking for some glass Corning ware pots for the stove top. So far am not having much luck anywhere besides eBay, and the shipping is outrageous!

I also have been trying to cut down on using plastic, both bags and for food prep and storage. There are some really good posts about this over here . I keep forgetting to take my canvas bags shopping so I opt for paper instead. Which by the way, no one knows how to use! The clerks just fill 'em up! Oh man! I have to try to be so patient and I usually just ask to do it myself before they break something. I really wish everyone had handles on their bags like Whole Foods.

More on this later, I have to go start dinner.

Random thoughts and why I have been awol

Oh man, we still can't get over the fevers, stuffy noses and coughing! I got a brief stuffy nose, but am fine now. But the boys (including hubby) just can't shake it. Gabe had a fever for 4 days and now his lips are all swollen and chapped from not being able to breathe out of his nose. I keep putting balm on his poor lips, but it doesn't last long. He is majorly cranky too. The fever finally broke yesterday and he seems better, still fussy though.

I kinda lost momentum on the spring cleaning thing. We did the kitchen, and by the next day the kids and dog had muddied the floor again! I kinda fell into this slump of it-will-never-stay-that-way-so-why-bother-even-doing-it !! And now the dog is shedding so I need to get back to it because the house is being overcome with dog hair. UGGGG! I need some more motivation! I had been doing so well and then once a little of the chores get away from me it is like a landslide and nothing ends up getting done.

On a positive note, I have been walking every day this week! I just do it nice and early so it isn't too hot. I take out the stroller and the older kids ride bikes or roller blades, and we walk down to our neighborhood park. They get to play for a bit and then we walk home along a different route. The goal is to go 3 times a week at least. I really want to work on loosing weight and being healthier. I have a real problem with the food part though.

I just don't do well on diets. I don't like all the rules and measuring that goes on. I don't like the counting points or calories etc. I want to eat naturally, when I am hungry and what I am hungry for. Obviously that has worked for me so far right?? NOT! (I need to loose at least 100lbs to be at a healthy weight.)

OK, so what do I do? Last summer I tried Body for Life. I didn't follow their eating plan to a T because I don't like to drink the shakes or eat the bars they recommend, just too high in artificial stuff for me. But I increased my protein and ate good carbs in a balance with the protein. And I went to the gym every day! I did weight lifting and cardio. I lost 10lbs in 12 weeks. I probably would have lost more had I followed the exact eating plan.

I don't want to spend the money on the gym. I know there is plenty of activity I can work into my life, if I just do it. Hence, the walking. Anyway, I need to just buckle down on the food issue and start measuring portions, and I do need to up my protein intake as I let it slide again. I do think that makes a difference. I don't believe in cutting out carbs, but I do think eating the right ones and in a good balance with the protein is a good way to go.

And so, though I could go on, the kids are wanting breakfast and I need to shower.

Spring cleaning!

The kids and hubby have been so sick the past few weeks that I just skimmed right over the Easter season with no posts :(

I had just no energy from caring for everyone and finally convinced hubby to go to the doctor. The kids all recovered with a good long dose of echinacea, but hubs just can't shake it. So, now he has a prescription and hopefully will be on the mend.

So, today I started some spring cleaning! I got some great tips from The Family Homestead . Today I started in the Kitchen. We have done all the floors and walls. After my little break here I am going to tackle the fridge! The kids are helping with minimal complaining. I had Jordan (9) doing walls and then mopping. Megan (7) did baseboards and a bit of sweeping (I finished up), and Gabe (2) helped with his own rag around the baseboards.

It was nice to get us all working together with little strife from anyone. We had praise music on and just sang.

I hope it continues to go well and I hope I can get most of the kitchen done today! Wish me luck! :)

Who is raising your child?

This is something dear to my heart and I just haven't been motivated to write about it until today. I just read a post at Farm home life about the subject of kids being raised in daycare. She notes that people go to work and are more focused on material things then on what their children are doing, seeing and learning. I know there are some families out there that feel they NEED to have both working parents. I also know that the majority of those that feel that way, really don't. I believe almost anyone can make it work on one income, if they tried. Or if they WANTED to.

Trixie did a great job of making that argument, so I will take it a step further here and say what happens when that child has had a mom home with them for 5 years raising them, loving them, nurturing them, and teaching them, and then one day that mom ships her child off to school half the day to learn from someone else? (and don't even get me started on full day kindergarten!) Soon the child is gone to school for a full day and again parents wonder why their child came home with thoughts and attitudes they don't approve of. I would pose the question of how is it ok to say "Don't send your child to daycare because someone else is raising them" and yet its ok with those same people to send their child to school for 8hours a day?

Someone else is raising your children! Don't be confused about that. You don't see your child for 7-8 hours a day and someone else, whether teachers or peers, is instructing and teaching, molding and shaping your child's thoughts and attitudes towards life.

I know this is a controversial issue, and I know not everyone thinks they can homeschool, but I want people to own it. I want everyone to look at their choices, and know they are choosing to let others raise their children. If that is ok with you, then that's fine. I am not saying everyone has to do it this way, but acknowledge it. Don't pretend that because you look over the homework and attend the PTA meetings that makes you in charge of their education.

Being an involved parent at your child's school is great! And I think it is a must! And being an involved parent, makes you a good, no a great parent. But don't think you have any say in what your child is really learning. You can try to counter the things you don't like when they get home, but think of this... your child gets up at 6:45am and leaves for school by 7:30am. He is gone until 3:30pm when he comes home, spends the afternoon playing and doing a bit of homework, then goes to bed at 8pm. You saw that child a total of 5 hours and 15 minutes...his teachers and peers saw him for 8 hours. Who do you think will have more influence?

I know if anyone reads this I am going to get some harsh comments, but I just want people to think about it, and own their decisions.

Summer treats

Works for me Wednesday-

It is that time of year again. I know its only a week into Spring, but the kids are already begging for swim suits, sprinklers and Popsicles. In our house though, I do make some Popsicles out of juice, but a favorite item is the snow cone! I have a little hand crank shaver that we use. I take a small bowl and freeze some water. This pops out and fits into the shaver quite nicely (that way I can keep several on hand and not have to waste all the good drink ice on this project).

We take turns cranking away at it until everyone has a big cup full of "snow". I bet you all think this is where I pull out the big jugs of syrup they sell for this type of thing. But no! My husband came up with using fruit juice concentrate, with out adding the water! We simply allow the can of concentrate to thaw and then we pour it over the "snow". It has such a wonderful flavor! I love grape! There are plenty of flavors, though you have to for go Cotton Candy and Bubble Gum, but who will really miss them?

That's what works for me! Check out more ideas over at Rocks In My Dryer .

A down day

I love being a mom. I am trying very hard to learn to be a better mom as well as a better wife and homekeeper. I desperately want to take care of my home and my family. I want to cook and clean and sew (still haven't learned) and bake homemade bread (something is wrong with my yeast, or me) and grow a garden and can the produce for winter (I haven't even gotten books on this subject yet and its almost planting time). A lot of lofty goals and I am not managing them well.

Right now I am feeling overwhelmed. I am tired of doing the same things over and over. I did dishes twice today and as I am getting ready for bed, there stands a sink full of dishes! I gave the kids clothes to put away today and Jordan brings me a basket and says "look mom its full again." It never ends. I will never be able to sit down and look around and say "ahhh there we are, all done."

And I know this. It is not new information. But right now I am in a slump. I am tired of feeling like nothing I do is making progress. We do the same things day after day, and still, nothing changes. I don't have time to scrapbook, or read, or decorate my home because I feel like the mundane tasks of daily life are dragging me down.

And here I am getting ready for bed and kind of dreading the morning, where I know I will have to start over- messy dishes, floors, clothes- and feel once again like I am not measuring up to all I could be, should be, as a homekeeper.

Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Family

This week has been crazy for me. Well, for all of us. First, starting last week we had everyone come down with the stomach bug. First it was Megan, but only for a day, then Jordan and I but not as bad, then after several days with nothing, Gabe started throwing up, and had a fever and it lasted from last Thursday until Tuesday this week! That is alotta grossness! And on top of it all, we aren't at home. We are taking care of my grandmother at my parents house in Wyoming, while they are on vacation. It's one thing to be sick at home, but it is hard on all of us to be sleeping on air mattresses and using someone else's toilet, and floor (eww). I haven't gotten it yet, and I am praying I don't! And now Jordan has come down with a fever and cough.

(sigh)

So, my grandmother lives with my parents. She is 87 and senile. She has been here for almost 4 years, and no one expected her to make it this long. Her body isn't ready to give up. None of us wants to see her in a nursing home, and my dad's siblings aren't a big help. My parents are tired. I have been on board with not using a nursing home, but I have seen my parents deteriorate themselves since she has been here. My parents used to go snowmobiling, fishing, camping, and now they watch TV and do a bit of gardening. I am sad for them. They got about 3 years between my brother moving out and my grandmother moving in. And during that time, my mom had to go take care of her mom while she died from cancer.

I want to see my parents enjoy this part of their lives. I am glad to have the flexibility to come with all the kids in tow and not worry about pulling them out of school. That is the great thing about homeschooling, it can travel with us where ever we go. (Though I must say with all the sickness, we haven't accomlished as much as I had hoped). And I love that my parents can go away together for a whole week and have fun. They worry about me though. That I can't handle the demands of caring for my grandmother.

And it is hard sometimes. She can still use the bathroom, though I have to direct her to get both her pants AND her undies. And more then once I have had to remind her to sit on the toilet, not in the bathtub. I sometimes have to tell her what to do with the fork full of food she is holding, and she insists the people in the TV won't listen when she talks. She has a babydoll she carries around and treats like her child and then in the next breath is almost crying because she is sure it is dead. Almost none of the sentences she says make sense, you can sometimes piece together a meaning, and sometimes not.

I love her.

When I was a kid, my brother and I would go to her house for two weeks in the summer. My parents didn't go on vacation, they came back home and worked. But we had a blast. Grammy would take us to Kmart and buy us a little toy, we would go to the frozen yogurt shop next door, she would show us her garden and we would help her weed it, and then we would watch soap operas and eat homemade trail mix all afternoon. She rememebred to ask about school, and other activities we did. I felt like I could talk to her about anything. She would hug and kiss us and tell us how very much she loved us...And we knew she did.

The other night as I was tucking her into bed, I looked in her eyes, and told her I loved her, and though she can't say my name, and probably doesn't even know it, she looked at me and said she loved me, and I miss her! I am a grown woman, she has been loosing her memory since late in my highschool days, but I just wanted her to cuddle me and give me frozen yogurt, and KNOW me.

That is the part of me that wants her to be home, where people love her and can take care of her. But then there are my parents. We never thought she would make it this long, what if this goes on and on? My parents should get to travel and do the things they love. I have asked them to hire someone to come in and take care of her when they aren't here, even daily so that they can go out to dinner on their anniversary, or a Wednesday....So they can go fishing or camping on the weekends and not worry. But my dad feels like it is his responsibility, he even feels guilty I am here for a week. I guess I worry that all the stress and inactivity will lead to my parents premature senility or death.

This whole thing has been rambly. I am just feeling torn between my love for my Grammy, and my love for my parents. I want the best for everyone. Please pray the Lord will be gracious and bless my parents for their service.

Too much

No one in my life reads this blog. Well, I don't think anyone reads it quite yet, but I haven't told anyone I know about it. My husband knows I write it, but I haven't told him the address. A few friends know I have one but I have never really advertised where or what it's about. It isn't to be secretive or anything. I am not hiding something from my family and friends. Partly I don't think anyone would be interested, and mostly I want a place where I can say what I want and not have people judge me. Or at least, if they do judge me, I can delete their comments and go about my business.

As I have mentioned, I don't believe I have any "readers". I believe a few people have popped in here since I commented on their blogs, but I don't have a following so to speak. I guess that is a good thing since I have been reading about all the controversy other bloggers face when they report about their real lives. In one of Lindsey's comments a woman said someone commented negatively to her and left it anonymous saying she knew the person in real life. SO she wondered all the time who it is that fakes it with her but criticized her on her blog.

And that is why my real life friends and family don't come here. I have other spaces to leave pictures for relatives and share stories with friends, but this space is for me to ponder life, write about the mundane, as well as what I am passionate about (I will get to blogging about that someday) and for me to feel free to open up with out fear of loosing friends or offending those I see daily.

Behind again... always....

ok, so I am behind on laundry again, not too bad this time, but still not as organized as I want to be. I am also behind on Bible reading. I was doing so well in January but February just got away from me. I can still catch up if I double up for the next few weeks. I am trying hard not to just give up because I am behind.

I am finally de cluttering my bedroom! I have kids clothes laying on my ottoman that need to go in storage or taken to the consignment store. I never know what to keep for then next child. My older son is 7 years older then the youngest son. Do I save things he has grown out of for the next 7 years until the baby fits into it? Or do I say, let's move it out and I can repurchase up to date clothing when the time comes? I have my middle child, the girl, with no one to pass down clothes to. I hope to have another baby, and hopefully another girl, but since I am not preggo yet, there would be at least 7 years difference there too. So, should I give away the clothes, or keep them in hopes of using them some day?

I think it is harder for me to get rid of the girl clothes. First of all, they are all so cute! I can't bare to part with them! And I of course love to shop, so you would think I would just toss everything and start over, but I guess I am feeling a bit meloncholy over the possibility I WON'T have another. I hope to, and we are "trying", but nothing yet, and I do feel my childbearing years slipping away.

I know some people have kids after 35 and even well into their fourties, but I never saw myself doing that. I don't know how to describe my feelings on it exactly, but my husband and I always thought, we will have kids while we are young and struggling, then when we are older and more settled, and they are grown, we will still be young enough to travel and enjoy each other. I already have a 7 year difference between oldest and youngest. If I had another even now, the difference would be 10 years. That is a big deal to me.

And there is also the issue of my not wanting medical intervention in my pregnancy. I had my last child at home in a beautiful water birth that I will cherish all of my life! I would expect the same thing, though the older I get the less likely I will get by with no complications.

And so, I am not sure what to do now. I think about it all the time, what to do, do we perminently seal the deal and move on with three beautiful healthy children, do we adopt which would guarantee me a girl if I choose, or do we keep praying and waiting for more babies in God's time. The waiting and not knowing is hardest for me. If I knew that I would have a beautiful baby in two years, then I could be hapy and enjoy the time with only 3. But if we keep trying for the next 5 years and nothing, then decide to stop, I feel like I will worry and wonder the whole time and...oh this all seems so silly, of course I know I should be content and not worry and that is how a good Christian woman behaves, but I can't help it. I pray and wonder what to think or feel or do next and I don't feel like I have any answers...

and so I am waiting....

The House Fairy

I have subscribed to a great site called FlyLady for a couple of years now. They help you clean and organize your house. There are tips for decluttering and creating habits. I have really enjoyed the ideas and encouragement I get there. I can't say I follow the program perfectly, but I am slowly trying to develop good habits. Well, I came across another site through FlyLady that helps kids clean up and help around the house. It is called The House Fairy .

I think it looks like a great idea. I could probably create the whole thing myself, but for 2 years of notes and new ideas, I figured why not give it a go. And it is only $10. I love the idea of rewarding instead of nagging. It's just positive reinforcement. I am not very good at that. I can nag and pick at all the wrong doings, but it is harder for me to point out the good things without being prompted. I guess it's a classic case of "the squeaky wheel gets the oil".

My only concern is that my 9 year old will think it is lame. Several of the testimonies said they had some pre teens on board, just to get prizes, but they knew mom was really the fairy. All well and good, but how do you keep them from spoiling it for the youngsters? And as of yet he hasn't questioned Santa, at least to us, but I am wondering if this cheesy video work will make him see the light? I may try to do the notes and prizes, but not do the videos, that way they can use their imaginations...We shall see.

I hope to start a little later this week, after Valentine's Day. I already have some gifts for the kids for that.

And speaking of V-day, I don't get a date with hubby:(

I am helping with a youth fundraiser at our church. I am fixing the spaghetti dinner (hopefully with help) and the kids will serve about 15 couples. My hubby has very surprisingly offered to help in the nursery that night...I guess since I am not available, he figured on letting all the other couples stay together. What a sweetie!

(shhhhh....I do have a little late night surprise when we get home though) hehe

Boring daily musings

I guess, if anyone even pays attention, you may notice that I don't post often. It is not from lack of computer time. I guess mostly it is because I read some pretty great blogs, and they say all the things I want to say. And they say it better then I ever could. And so I find myself feeling a little inadequate to post about the same topics. I should still, journal my life, for my own sake. But I so enjoy reading about everyone else's goings on, that I end up short on time and energy for writing my own.

Oh and did I mention we are boring! LOL

I mean we have nothing going on right now. Well, that's not entirely true. We go to dance class, basketball practices and games, have piano lessons, grocery shop, read, play games... but that is everyday stuff and rarely seems to merit an entry.

Today I have decided I have put off the laundry long enough, and since I have no clean undies, I am sitting here in my robe washing load after load. It's funny how all the kids clothes get washed, and hubby has enough clothes to last a lifetime, so I don't have to wash his as often, but mine never get in the mix. I get down to wearing my pregnant underwear before I get around to washing mine. I mean, we also have towels, rags, diapers, sheets, blankets etc to wash, I know how mine gets put off. But really I should be on top of it.

I had a system for a while, each day of the week had a category. Like Monday-sheets, Tues- kids clothes, Wed- towels, Thurs-parents, Friday-extra stuff that was forgotten. That way I wouldn't have to do any on the weekends. And I work in the diapers when needed. I don't follow the system any more. I don't know why. It worked. But we are all getting lazy around here.

So starting today I am jumping back into the laundry system! I have my clothes in and will do hubby's today too. And I came to realize, that though I would like fresh clean sheets every week, washing 5 sets of bedding in one day doesn't happen. And so we will start to rotate Monday's. And then only wash each set every 3 weeks (boys bunk together the first Monday, Megan the second Monday, and ours the third. ) And maybe leave the fourth Monday for the guest bedding, though it rarely gets used unless the kids are playing in it, and I feel like I should re-wash it even if they have just been building forts with it.

Anyway, I am going to tackle the laundry yet!

And like I said, too boring to write about! hehe

Prosperity

Lindsey at Enjoy the Journey has a post up today about being prosperous and I commented there but also wanted to leave a blurb here too.

I used to think that I needed to be rich to feel blessed and happy. I like to shop, I want cool stuff but I shouldn't need that kind of prosperity to be truly happy. I have come to realize I am so blessed by being faithful to Jesus, knowing I am loved by Him and having a beautiful family, we are all healthy and we have food, shelter, clothes, fun...Who could ask for more.

But I understand the peace and joy and CONTENTMENT that comes through knowing a living savior who will provide for me what HE sees fit for me to have. I can't add any days to my life by worrying about things out of my control. We have seen so many times that as long as we are faithful, God will provide our needs. Times when we couldn't pay our bills, we'd get a random insurance reduction in the mail...God is good!

I was reading Job last night and God was asking Job who was he to question God's plan for him. Did Job create the world? Was Job there when God breathed life into Adam? Then who is he to question God's goal for his life? I feel like I too often question why we are going through something, financial struggle, church strife, rebellious children, my own doubt when it isn't my place to question WHY, only to ask Jesus for his guidance, perserverance and grace.

I want to try to be more of a person who is content with my circumstances no matter what they may be.

I have a post I am mulling around about grace as well...I will get to that later :)

Bible reading of the day

I posted earlier that I am reading through the Bible chronologically this year and today's reading is Job 6-9. I had some thoughts on yesterday's reading, but it is later then I should be up, so I may have to wait until tomorrow. We have the first half of this season's LOST recorded and have been watching them (again) the past few nights. Tonight we couldn't stop one from the end, so here we are at 11:48...YIKES!

Tomorrow is another day :)

2007 Reading list

So, I want to list the books I am reading so far this year as well as how far I have gotten with my chronological Bible reading .

First, I am reading The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. I am loving this book! Just re-defining my mission in life, and that it is ok to take "the road less traveled" even when the world is telling you otherwise.

Also, I just started reading Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge. Again, can you see I am interested in learning to be the woman God intended me to be this year?

And I am in the process of becoming a La Leche League leader so I have multiple books being read for that...but I won't list them now unless someone wants to know :)

As for the Bible reading...I have read Genisis 1-3 (Jan1), Genisis 4-7 (Jan 2), and Genisis 8-11 (Jan 3). Today's reading is Job 1-5.

Oh hehe I almost forgot...I started The Innocent Man by John Grisham in December while on our trip and I haven't finished it yet. So I will count that on my 2007 list.

Happy Reading!

Five in a Row

I just learned about this unit study curriculum in December and have checked it out from the library to take a look at. I like the format a lot and love the thought of learning so much through simple picture books. I am still concerned because they have different curriculum for different age groups, and it doesn't really coincide. I like to teach the same subjects at the different levels for my 1st and 3rd grader. But I think my son could still benefit from the younger version and I will add in some of books geared for his age.

And so we will try this out starting Monday...I will let you know how it goes!

(I love that my library had this so I can try it for FREE!!! Wish they offered more curriculum to try as well)

Great ideas...

I have to say that my favorite blog to read these days is Enjoy the Journey . I am going to post some links here to some great things Lindsey is writing about there and copy her ideas for myself! :)

First, I didn't make any real New Year's resolutions. Lindsey gave me the idea to make more meaningful goals for my life and make them take a bit longer. I don't have my list ready...but I will post it when I do. I want my life to be more then a bunch of failed resolutions. I have goals and putting a year deadline is kind of strict I think. I don't want quick fixes, I want lifestyle changes, heart changes, permanent changes.

The other great list Lindsey has going is a list of books she is reading . I think it is a great idea. I have some great books I am working on and I would love to get ideas of what else people think is a good read.

So these are some new lists I will be working on. Along with that I am going to be reading through the bible this year with a link I found on A Gracious Home giving daily chronological bible readings.

I hope to post back about things I am learning.

The recovery period

We are back from our wintery travels and I have tons of things bouncing around my head to blog about...but for now I need to spend a few days washing clothes, unpacking and organizing. I will be back soon :)


Happy New Year!