The goings on. {Random}

* Hannah does little scribbles on paper and truly thinks she's writing her name. I love it.

* I had to confiscate the markers.  Too many open markers laying all over all the time, and now there is marker on the carpet.  Thankfully it's the play room, and I don't care too much. But still.

* I just pulled out Eli's old bin of 9-12 month clothes and it looks like Carter will fit a lot of them for the next couple months anyway while we still have hot/warm weather.  How can Little Man be growing up SO FAST!

* I'm getting excited about fall shows returning soon.  Though I'll probably have to watch via Internet the day after because ABC likes to quit out on me when I do choose to watch something which really isn't very often.

* These cool mornings have been AMAZING!  Wish I could get out for more walking!

* Little Man has been waking up really early lately.  Between 5:30 and 6am early.  Not cool.  But I either feed him right away in hopes that he'll go BACK to sleep or I leave him be and he plays til a normal time.

* I've been super unmotivated lately.  I have great goals but my follow-through is terrible.  Why is self-discipline SO. HARD.?!

* Eli's in preschool.  I love it.  Totally love it.  I feel-like-a-new-woman love it.  =)

* Tea parties are fun.  I hope that even when my kids are grown I will continue to have tea parties.

* We just got a new windshield put on the van on Thursday afternoon.  Saturday morning it was cracked all the way through the middle again.  Not cool.

* Now Kevin used his one day off to go back to Omaha to have them re-do it. Again.

* Carter crawls across the room to climb in the my lap now.  It's so cute.

* I'm getting anxious for our dining room and bathroom and bedroom to be complete.  But I have NO DESIRE to do it myself.  We need to paint and stain trim and sew a bunch of curtains.  Anyone wanna do it???  Anyone??

* Okay, going to attempt to go offline until the kids' naptime.  Adios!

What's been going on at your house lately??

You know you eat out too much when...

...a song on the radio says "angels on a subway" and your child shouts from the backseat "SUBWAY!"

...you're looking at a book with your toddler. you point to a cherry and ask her what it is, and she replies in a soft, sweet voice, "Cherry, like the limeaid?" {Sonic}

...the radio announces a song by Sonicflood and your children shout, "SONIC!"

...all the time your kids will stick their head out the side of a ladder or the bottom of the piano or the window of something and say, "hamburger and fries please!"


What have you heard your children saying??

Monday Meanderings - Aug. 30

Bible Study... I dunno, I'm tired of writing something here and then I never read it!!  Maybe this week I'll do a word study.

Memory Verse --  Psalm 25:15

"My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare."

Husband Encouragement... 

* Clean. Up. Our house is a sort of wreck right now.

* Joyful attitude, patience with children.

* Take initiative on some things that need done.  Last week I burned some boxes on my own!

* Make a dessert.  I haven't been doing this much lately.

Train Them Up... 

* Chore chart.

* Eli -- early bedtimes, no nap.  {He was awake 'til 10pm last night!!}

* Hannah -- read with her lots while Eli's at school

* Carter -- wash all his "lovies" that he sucks on.  They smell disgusting.

Personal Goals... 

* Paint my nails.

* Remember to use my lotion regularly on my hands.

* Exercise at least once this week.

New Habit of the Month...  SEPTEMBER! {I'm moving on to a new one already this week since I've been failing so terribly at last month's LOL}
* Shine my sink.  This means I'll have to wash the dishes {instead of leaving them for the next day} in order to do so!

MUST Do...
* Call the window people. Our windshield completely cracked only a day and a half after we just got our new one done.  Arg!
* Continue working on MOPS stuff.
* Get bills out.
* Spend time in the Word.

Zone(s)... Kitchen counter and bathrooms.

Menu - 

M - pizza casserole
T - hamburgers, pasta salad, oranges
W - breakfast casserole in the crockpot
Th - kids nite - smokies, cheesy broccoli, fruit
F - whole chicken, cooked carrots, red potatoes
S - TBD
Su - TBD

Dessert of the week: oatmeal cake

FUN THINGS!
* Kevin's day off today.  Although he might have to spend the afternoon taking the van back for a new windshield.
* Maybe going to Omaha on Thursday?

3 things I'm thankful for today... 
1. Beautiful cool mornings.  And leaving the windows open at night. It's felt AMAZING!
2. Eli being in school now.  I love it, he loves it, we're all happy.

3. A free photo book that's on its way!  =)

Need some more organization in your week!  Start HERE!  And leave your link to your post below so I can come visit!

Sunday Psalm

Psalm 27:4

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: 
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life..."

What's this?

Any guesses?  I think it looks kinda cool!

UPDATE: Of course you were all right on with your guesses!  I can't fool you! It is indeed Eli looking through a paper towel roll.   After that I took some more pictures. Check 'em out. Easy way to get vignette {and a lot of it!} on your pictures, I guess! Anyway, just playing...

Answer Me This: Kids Toothbrushes.

Can someone please answer me, what is with the age ratings on kids' toothbrushes??  I was picking out Eli a new one today because his was all "hairy" (AKA the bristles were really frizzled.  hmm, I like that word, I think I just made it up) and looking at all the brushes on the shelves they all look the same to me.  I select one that I think looks good, then flip it over and it says 5-7 yrs!  So I put it back and kept looking.  There's Stage 1 and Stage 2 and maybe Stage 3 or whatever, but what's the difference in these brushes?  And does it really matter what I use when??

Monday Meanderings - Aug. 23

Bible Study... Mission of Motherhood

Memory Verse... Proverbs 16:3

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Husband Encouragement... 

* praise him

* stay off the computer and either be productive or spend focused time with family

* plan a date

* have a joyful attitude throughout the day

Train Them Up... 

* Eli - practice sight words, word families, have him wipe himself {gross, I know, but now that he's going to school he needs to do it ALL by himself}, listen with enthusiasm about his school days, pray with him before he goes into class

* Hannah - establish a one-on-one routine with her. {Carter will be napping while Eli's at school}  I'm so excited for this.  I'm thinking tea time.

* Carter - make baby food

Personal Goals... 

* read two chapters in my book

* put my lotion on regularly (3x a day!) so my hands can actually get better

New Habit of the Month...
* Get up before the kids.  I aint gonna lie to you, I'm not doing too good with this.  But maybe things will change with Eli going to school somewhat first thing in the morning.  It's also Kevin's 4 days off though, and I like to stay in bed next to him in the mornings for as long as possible.  So we'll see.
* July habit: completely clean off couches at the end of the day {still working on this}
* June habit: wipe down bathroom counter nightly {I used my Clorox wipes for something last week and now I need to get them back in the bathroom so I can do this again!}

MUST Do...
* continue calling Moppet workers
* set up a meeting date with them
* order contacts {umm, yeah I had that on my list to do several weeks ago, and I never did it}
* return pan to someone from church
* clean out the van post-vacation {still have an excess of toys and books in there right now}

Zone... Living room {including UNDER COUCHES} AND kitchen.  there are still things laying around that were "dumped" when we got back from vacation.

Menu -

M - ham and mac n cheese or ham and hash browns sort of thing
T - date?
W - taco salad
Th - Omaha

F -TBD
S - air show - we'll probably be back around dinner time but very tired, I imagine, so we'll do something super easy
Su - homemade pizza

FUN THINGS!
* Eli starts preschool!!  I'm sooo excited for him!
* Date on Tuesday maybe
* Day trip to visit Kevin's family Thursday while our van windshield gets fixed in Omaha
* Ouffit air show on Saturday.  Meeting family there as a celebration of my brother Paul's birthday!

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. My husband. He's pretty great.
2. Our little family.  We are truly blessed.
3. Days off.  Excited to have Kevin home for the next 4 days.  =)

Join me with your plans for your home this week,  and leave your link below so I can come visit you!  Be blessed! 

Sunday Psalm

Psalm 145

I will exalt you, my God the King;

I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you

and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord an d most worth of praise;

his greatness no one can fathom

One generation will commend your works to another;

they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,

and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all;

he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you,

O Lord;

your saints will extol  you.

They will tell of the glory of your kingdom 

and speak of your might, 

so that all men may know of your might acts 

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is faithful to all his promises

and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord upholds all those who fall

and lifts u all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand

and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;

he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

Let every creature praise his holy name

for ever and ever.

Traits of a Good Help Meet

Alright guys, I did it.  I finally {what a year later probably?} finished the book.  I'm not sure why I'm such a sloooow reader, but it in no way portrays my like/dislike for a book.  I LOVED this book, Created to Be His Help Meet by Debbi Pearl {thank you, Julie, for loaning me the book for half a decade! I WILL get it returned to you!}

This one quote pretty much sums up Debbi's theme of the entire book:

"No matter who or what your husband is, your job is to be his help meet.  When you approach him with light in your eyes, that light will reflect back to you."  (284)

It was pretty amazing reading some of the letters from people throughout the book and how just a change in their own attitude is what then made ALL the difference in their marriage, even in the very worst of all marriages! 

At the end of most chapters Debi lists some traits of a good help meet.  I kept a running compilation of these traits and here's the master list.  Read through it slowly and evaluate yourself and imagine the kind of woman this is...

Traits of a good help meet:

* She is joyful.

* She makes love fun.

* She is thankful and content.

* She asks God for wisdom.

* She learns to understand and appreciate her man for who he is.

* She learns to be flexible.

* She fears God.

* She believes God's word as it is written.

* She considers her position as a help meet a privileged command.

* She acknowledges the "good traits" in her man.

* She speaks of her husband with esteem.

* She defers to him.

* She never responds to him with scorn or ridicule.

* She provides an oasis for her man.

* She fixes meals that please him; she does not cook to suit herself.

* She plans and prepares well ahead of time.

* She exercises self-discipline.

* She establishes a haven of rest.

* She will adjust to her husband's time schedule and eating habits.

* She will relax and enjoy her family, instead of fretting.

* She glories in answering her husband's needs.

* She learns to know his needs even before he is aware he has them.

* She empties her mind of the cares of the world so her body can respond to him with eagerness.

* She soberly considers the needs of her children before her own interests.

* She invests time in training them to know and do many things.

* She schools herself in diet and medicine to be better equipped to keep them safe.

* She grows in grace and knowledge.

* She is gracious and honest.

* She is without guile toward her husband.

* She can be found at home.

* She takes her responsibilities seriously.

* She maintains safety for her children in the refuge where God has put her.

* She fears blaspheming God's Word. She knows that whatsoever you sow, you will reap.

* She is at home being an earthbound guardian angel to her children.

* She makes valuable uses of her time at home, creating a clean and pleasant haven.

* She helps.

* She is a doer.  She busy serving others.

* She serves her husband first, her children second, others next, and herself last.

* She is genuine and well-disposed.

* She is yielding, willing, and eager to accomplish injunctions or desires, and abstains from that which is forbidden.

* She looks for ways to obey and reverence her husband.

* She channels her mind into positive ways of saying "yes".

* She never considers herself to be an exception to the rule of being a help meet.

There's sooo much I've learned from this book!  I really want to be a whole different person when it comes to my marriage and home and parenting, and I'm praying for a better start right now!

More posts related to this book:

* ABCs of Being a Help Meet

* My Mission Statement for the Home

* Reverence

* More on Reverence

* My Homework: being a better help meet

* What I am learning

T - 4 Days

...til Eli starts preschool! 
...til I start toting all the kids back and forth from town twice a day, three days a week.
...til I start having to finagle Carter's morning nap so he can hopefully stay awake 'til we get back home.
...til I either go grocery shopping with just two kids, or have to rearrange my grocery schedule.
...til I get to spend loads of one-on-one time with Hannah.  {I'm thinking of doing tea time with her.}
...til I can maybe officially do potty training with Hannah, maybe.  =)
...til Eli gets to really be a big boy and have something to be so proud of!

I'm so excited and anxious and nervous!  A whole new life is coming.  T - 4 days!
 

Pictures!

Alright, because I have so many favorite pictures from our vacation I'm trying a slide show this time.  It's just a simple one, I didn't add captions, the music is just one of the default songs.  But anyway, it at least gives you a glimpse into our trip!  Enjoy!

Digital slideshow customized with Smilebox

Vacation.

Colorado.  Family. Perfect weather. Camping. Cabin style. With AC and mini fridge and our own bathroom. Cool morning walks around the lake.  With my two youngest boys. Playground.  Fishing.  Paddle boats. Bumper boats.  Swimming pool. Family.  Hike in the mountains. Picnic in the mountains. Rattle snake.  Dreams of next year. Campfires. Smores. Ice cream social. Porch swing.  Date with my hubby.  Batting cage.  Go karts.  Air hockey.  Rainy afternoon.  Card games.  Family.  Sweet tea.  Charcoal.  Yummy food.  Croaking bull frogs.  Bumper boats again.  Campfire.  More smores. Sticky hands.  5:30am.  Baby still on central time. Baby bunnies.  City park.  Family.  Cooler filled with snacks.  Van full of books and toys.  Home.

Aside from Carter staying on central time during our  whole trip and being on a different schedule from the rest of us and being super fussy through nearly every meal and our entire hike through the peaceful mountains, our trip was wonderful.  Really wonderful.  It was so great hanging out with all our family, relaxing by the lakeside with plenty of fun things to do at our fingertips.  The kids did great on the 9hr drive both going and returning.  Already can't wait for next year!!

And we're off!!

Well, almost.  The van is loaded and the suitcase is almost packed.  Just got to bring a stash of diapers, refill my bag, throw together the toiletries, wait for the kids to get up, get them dressed, feed the baby, figure out a quick breakfast, gather everyone's pillow, blankies, stuffed animals, load up the cooler, and THEN we're off!  To sunny skies Colorado with my family--brother, SIL, and my parents.  Staying at a campground--cabins with AC, bathroom, and kitchenette. Planning on doing lots of swimming, mini golfing, paddle boating, bumper boating, parks, and a lil' hiking!  Going to be SO FUN!  Can't wait to tell you about it when we get back!!  Love to you, dear readers!!

Decorating, sneak peek

While Kevin was gone for the weekend, I planned my own fun things. I met my mom in Omaha on Saturday and we did some fabric shopping while my brother and SIL took Eli to the train museum {as his birthday present}. I was in search for fabric for the bathroom curtains and dining room curtains. But first we stopped at Hobby Lobby and picked up the color flowers I was wanting, so I knew what we'd be matching to. We still had my two youngest and let me tell you, a fabric store is one of THE. WORST places for my kids to go to. The carts are tiny so I can't pile them all in like I like to do. And it just takes me too long to slowly look through everything, and the kids are just unable to wait patiently for that. Even Carter, who doesn't nap while we're out anymore, started to get really cranky. So I'm VERY THANKFUL my mom was there with me to help with the kids so I could poke around!! In the end here is what I found...

a picture of the bathroom (new window will be getting installed today)one of the flowers, didn't have time to find a big vasethe fabric. (doesn't it match the flowers beautifully?! the swirls even have a little sparkle in them. the background is chocolate brown)

I did find a possible fabric for the dining room, but I need to measure our windows and bring the paint swatch with me just to make sure it matches before buying. I'm getting excited to see these rooms look a little more finished!!

Monday Meanderings - Aug. 9

My lists are going to be long today, guys. This is vacation style planning so as you know there's always much to do to get ready!

Bible Study...
Created to Be His Help Meet (almost through this!)

Memory Verse... John 3:30
"He must become greater; I must become less."

Husband Encouragement...
* early bedtime
* clean up the kitchen (it's the first room he sees when he gets home)

Train Them Up...
* Finish up one last school lesson for Letter G week and so some other fun craft/project
* Eli and Hannah - bedtime battles
* Hannah - work on the potty
* Carter - make him baby food, add something green into his diet {so far he's done bananas, sweet potatoes, and applesauce}

Personal Goals...
* Pick out a magazine or something I might enjoy reading in our car ride.

New Habit of the Month...
*get up before the kids.
* progress report: I've actually been able to do this a few times. I'm contemplating switching to morning shower instead of night shower just to help motivate myself to get up. We'll see. Last week wasn't much success because Kevin was working nights so I was staying up too late. Need to do better about that this week.
* JULY habit: completely clean off the couches at the end of the day
* JUNE habit: wipe down bathroom counter nightly

MUST Do...
* call Moppet workers. must MUST do this!!
* mail out Eli's thank you notes. He did such a great job making them I've been slow to send them away because I like looking at them. =)
* write Grandma and Grandpa a thank you
* arrange a Netflix movie for the kids
* get kids' maps and car games/toys together for vacation
* mow the lawn (ugh, not sure WHEN I'm going to do this because it's going to be so HOT this week and the only "free" time I have is in the early afternoon when the kids are napping aka when it's the very hottest in the day
* make baby food
* go to Walmart for some vacation things
* wash all the laundry, ALL the laundry!

Zone...
* well, I thought it was going to be the van this week in prep for our vacation Friday, but I already got it done! completely cleaned out and vacuumed! So this week I'll work on the living room, particularly the end table area.

Menu - not a priority this week so we'll do easy stuff

M - breakfast burritos, toast, fruit
T - (Bible study) sandwich wraps, carrots, raw potato
W - Italian chicken, seasoned veggies, fruit
Th - pizza
F - COLORADO!!

FUN THINGS!
* New windows {for dining room and bathroom} getting installed today!
* Play date at the park Tuesday
* Bible study Tuesday night
* Leaving for Colorado vacation on Friday!! Will be gone, driving back Tuesday. I'm sooo excited! My parents, brother and SIL, and us are all going, staying at a campground with tons of fun things to do just right there!

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. A fun weekend with family while Kevin was gone {visiting his sister in MN}. I got some fabric and decor for bathroom and found some fabric for dining room but need to measure first before buying it.
2. Kevin's home!! So good to have him back!
3. Getting some new windows today! Will look beautiful!

Want more organization in your life? Feel like you could be more productive with your time? Join me with your weekly plans as you seek to serve your family! Read here for more info, link back to me in your post, and leave your link below so I can come visit! Blessings on your week!

Answer Me This: Kids Movies

Okay peeps, I need some advice. We're leaving for our vacation to Colorado on Friday. Something like a 9 hour drive. I'm actually not too worried about the kids in the car at all, but we probably will do one movie with them in the van along the way and then on the way back. I can pick one Netflix movie to arrive before then but want your suggestions on what they might like. Of course they love Lightning McQueen but it would it be fun to do something different besides that. They get scared at pretty much any PG movie. Is there anything G-rated that they would love?? Besides SHOWS like Thomas n such. Do they even make G-rated movies anymore?? LOL Anyway, what are some of your favorite kid movies??

UPDATE: So I'm browsing Netflix right now and I see that yes, indeed, G-rated movies are still being made. I'm actually surprised at some of the movies rated at that, because I know my kids would still cry at those! Sheesh!

Some movies I'm considering:
The Tale of Despereaux
The Princess and the Frog
The Incredibles
Horton Hears a Who

I dunno, that' all I got so far. What are your ideas/suggestions??

Sunday Psalm

Psalm 37:1-9

Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this;
He will make your righteousness shine
like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the
noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret--it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord will
inherit the land.

She...

... watched my kids so I could shower and then run some quick errands in town
... took me and the kids out to lunch
... stained our picnic table {as in with a paint brush on purpose}
... sanded all the wood filler spots in our dining room trim
... {terrifyingly so} freed a suffering frog stuck in the siding of our garage
... helped me feel motivated to completely clean out and vacuum our van in prep for vacation next week
... fed the baby his dinner tonight
... washed the dishes
and
... bathed all my children

AMAZING. Love you, Mom! Thank you SO MUCH!!!

The after hours.

Someone asked me tonight what I do after the kids are finally in bed and all is quiet. And I thought I'd ask YOU all as well.

When Kevin's working nights and it's just me and the kids are finally FINALLY staying in their beds and I can actually relax, this is what I might be doing...

* I watch movies on Netflix instant play or a movie I planned ahead and got in the mail.
* I import and edit photos.
* I blog.
* I read. But not usually a novel. Usually a marriage book or something.
* I check email and Facebook and chat on Facebook.
* I fix myself a bowl of ice cream or something else yummy.
* I browse some of my favorite blogs. I go see what new photos are up on Pioneer Woman and other wonderful photographers. I read MckMama's tweets on her new baby, I check up on my favorite friends.
* I go to bed way too late and leave the dishes for the next day.

What do you do in those quiet hours at the end of the day??

ABCs of Being a Help Meet

I got to this page in Created to Be His Help Meet today and thought I'd share...

A - Admit when you are wrong
B - Be positive
C - Cuddle
D - Do it his way
E - Encourage him
F - Fix his breakfast
G - Give back rubs
H - Hug often
I - "I love you" should be said many times daily
J - Joke around in a playful manner
K - Know his needs
L - Listen to him
M - Manage your home well
N - Never hold grudges
O - Open your eyes in the morning and smile
P - Pray for him
Q - Quit nagging him
R - Reminisce about good times
S - Show respect and honor
T - Trust, and earn his trust
U - Understand his need for reverence
V - Vulnerability is a feminine train; cultivate it
W - Wink at him
X - X is for private times
Y - Yearn to please him
Z - Zealously guard him with your love

I can see there are a few of these things I could definitely do more of. And some of these things have greatly diminished in the life of three little ones. I had my mom come last Saturday so Kevin and I could go out for the day sans kids. Even Carter who I nurse full-time. I left a couple bottles for him and brought my pump along for me, and we were off for a very enjoyable day out. It went all too quickly, as it always does. And all we did was run errands. But man, to walk into a store holding hands with my husband and to get in and out of the car without juggling a full load was SO FREEING! We could get through a complete sentence without interruption and actually carry on conversation, joke, and laugh. I do NOT want to wish this time away with my beautiful children, but man, guys, this phase of life is hard on a marriage. At least for me it is. When Kevin and I were out I realized how out of touch we've been and how distant the life of US seems! We hang out at home, we watch movies together, and chat about things, but it's always still within the context of our stressful life we now live. When we got home Saturday afternoon I was once again reminded how DESPERATELY I need to find a baby sitter for our family! So Kevin and I can spend uninterrupted time together on a REGULAR basis, every month! My soul wants that oh so badly {even more than I want a dishwasher!} But it's hard to make that first step. To go with someone we don't know. So that's one of my very biggest goals this year, find a baby sitter. Reconnect with my husband. Regularly. And re-find the joy we have in each other!

Be productive.

So after the last two posts here and here about how sluggish I am with my homemaking, now I have some encouraging Bible verses for you...

Philippians 2:14-16
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."

1 Thessalonians 4:7,11
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life... Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and that you will not be dependent on anybody."

Ephesians 5:15-17
"Be very careful, then how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

Colossians 3:23-24
"Whatver you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Proverbs 21:27
"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Galatians 6:9 NKJV
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

And just let me add, boosting my homemaking skills {or attempting to} does NOT replace the time playing and training I do with my children! I'm just trying to make better use of the time I usually spend checking email and social networks! As much as I've been really trying to work on it this week, I'm still failing! *sigh* BUT the day is not over and every minute counts!

This is me.

In reference to yesterday's post and to Mary's comment that says: "And we have the knowledge so why can't we put it into practice? It's right up there with working out and eating right. Why can't we just do what is GOOD for us?! "

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Romans 7:18-20


"Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ , and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Romans 13:14


"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature he will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:8


More encouraging verses coming! But not right now because I have WORK to do!!

I am a slothful woman.

The last couple readings I've done in Created to Be His Help Meet have been really convicting me on how lousy I am at being productive with my time. Read this, this spoke directly to me. How 'bout anybody else??

"Modern inventions have provided a way for a woman to stay at home and still not be a keeper at home. We can sit at home in body while traveling in spirit by means of the telephone and the computer...'keeping the home' is more than staying at home; it is having a heart that is fixed on the home." (p212)

I am so guilty of checking email and Facebook way too often. I crave the social interaction with others and right now in life, it's mostly through a computer. Yet as much as I crave that, my focus should be elsewhere... my HOME. Why is that so hard??

Probably because when the children are actually playing happily or they're napping and there is finally FINALLY a quiet moment in the day, chores are boring. Every day the same things. And before it's done it's already undone! {You know what I'm talking about.} How can I get more excited about it? Or maybe not EXCITED, but joyful and diligent. I know, I know, there are several verses about working as serving the Lord, not being idle, and the like, but I just can't snap to it!

Then I read this today and it nagged on me again!

"All the key words in Proverbs 31 are action words... In the end, it is the woman's work that speaks of her worth." (p221) Well, I still think our attitude speaks VOLUMES too, and the way we react to things and care for our children. Which oh I need to get better with that too!!

But read on...

"A slothful woman is wasteful by not taking care of things in a timely manner, therefore causing her goods to be damaged. {you mean mildewed because it sat in the wash too long, or stained because I let it sit too long before being treated, or molded because we didn't eat something soon enough? Ugh!} A slothful woman wastes her time and often the time of her friends. {not so much my friends' time, I don't think, but I definitely waste my time!} A lazy woman puts off a job, saying it can be done tomorrow... {Oh I NEVER leave the dishes for the next day! ha!} The portrait painted here of this good woman [in Prov. 31] is that of a diligent worker." {sigh}

It's just so hard to find balance in this season of life. I am NOT one of those ladies who will stress so much about getting things DONE that she doesn't relax and enjoy her family. I have no problems leaving the dishes 'til the next day because instead I'm enjoying a nice evening with my husband. Or if I'm playing Legos or building train tracks with the kids, I don't get laundry put away. But at the same time, I do need to get my butt in gear, and just DO my chores, follow my cleaning schedule so I'm limiting what needs to be done that day, so then I can relax and enjoy my family {and "clean" house} without feeling guilty like I should be doing something instead! Anyone else relate??

So how can I help myself focus??
1. Set rules about computer time and stick to it.
2. Get school things printed the night before so everything's ready for the next day's lessons instead of spending time in the early morning still scrounging things together.
3. FOLLOW my cleaning chart.
4. Pray for God to change my heart about homemaking.

SO with that being said, it's 10:30pm, Kevin's working nights, and I still have dishes that need washed, a living room that needs cleaned up, and muddy clothes that need dealt with. I'm off!!

Monday Meanderings - AUGUST 1

How can it possibly be August already??! Ahh, I'm not ready for this! Summer's almost over and I feel like we've hardly done anything fun!! Eli starting preschool is right around the corner, August 23, and we're swinging into this whole new life of activities--Sunday school class, AWANA, preschool. And MOPS is starting again in September so as our Moppet Coordinator things are gearing up pretty quickly. It's hard to get focused and switch gears from everything that's been going on this summer with the house! Whew! One week at a time though, so here we go...

Bible Study
Created to Be His Help Meet (I'm on the last few chapters and then hopefully I'll be sharing about it)

Memory Verse Proverbs 10:19
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Husband Encouragement
* Compliment him more
* Have more patience with children
* Help him pack for weekend

Train Them Up
* school lessons, letter G/Grapes- I'm getting excited for this!
* help Eli make thank you notes
* afternoon activities for Eli (I've been thinking that maybe the first 45 minute/1 hr of his afternoon quiet time could be in his room reading or whatever, and then the second half be some quiet activities working on handwriting/scissors, etc
* take them to the library, it's been sooo long since we've done this!
* work on developing patience for loud play or tell them "if you going to do that, can you go to the play room". trying to work on saving my No's for things {heart issues} that really matter and not get so bothered by kid stuff

Personal Goal
read 2 chapters in my book

New Habit of the Month
** Get up before the kids. Two or three days last week I actually got up before the kids, I'm impressed! =)
* July habit: completely clean off couches at the end of the day
* June habit: wipe down bathroom counter nightly

MUST DO
* pay post office dues
* call the preschool {since Kevin and I will be out of town for parent orientation night}
* work on arranging Moppet workers for the year
* finalize plans/start lists for next week's vacation to Colorado!
* order contacts
* kill the flies. it's getting pretty disgusting here!

Zone - office

Menu - it's kind of a busy week for us. Thursday afternoon Kevin's heading off to MN for the weekend, Friday we'll be in Omaha, and Saturday my mom will be here

M - ham and cheesy hash browns
T - broccoli cheese breakfast bake
W - creamy tomato-basil pasta with chicken
Th - taco nachos
F - Omaha
S - TBD
Su - leftovers

FUN Things!
* might plan a play date
* Kevin's going up to MN to spend some time with his sister this weekend so while he's gone I planned my own fun things! LOL Paul and Holly are taking Eli to the train museum as his birthday present, and Mom and I are going to do some shopping with the littles. Looking for decor and fabrics for our new rooms. Then my mom is coming back to our house with us and spending the day with us on Saturday.

3 Things I'm Thankful for Today:
1. Got a whole afternoon out with just my hubby on Saturday! It went way too fast, and all we did was errands (without kids!!), but it was wonderful! We're like completely different people when it's just the two of us!
2. The sound of our freezer making ice FOR ME! We got a new fridge a few months ago but just this past weekend Kevin finally got the water hooked up to it for the water/ice dispenser! Pretty excited about it!
3. My husband who actually knows HOW TO DO all these crazy things!! I'd be lost without him!

Alrighty, wowzers, that took a long time this week! BUT as always, I LOVE having a plan for my week! Because with three little ones once we get rolling it's hard to stop and think about anything and then before we know it, our day/week is gone! So join me with your plans! Click HERE (or the sidebar picture) for the rules, and leave your link below! Have a great week, ladies!