Just Our Thoughts

Reading. Lots of reading.

Visited the dentist.

Bought a treat with our own money.

Some math workbooks.

Weather changes.

Lots of crafts.

Learning to ride a two-wheeler.

Learning how a calendar works; how to tell the passage of time.

Cooking - burgers, mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, oatmeal, cookies and brownies. They make lunch most days.

A budget is a tool.

And that's just the short list.

First a quick review of the focus of each month so far this year.

January - Getting up early everyday.
February - Fold and put away at least one load of laundry daily.
March - Washing dishes so the counter is cleared at least once a day.
April - Read daily; to the kids and on my own.

The month of May is just beginning. April was tough. I feel like I'm just barely keeping my head above water. To help with that drowning feeling, I plan to do the following:

1. Spend less time on the computer.
2. While spending less time on the computer, I am going to focus on reinforcing the previous 4 habits.

That's it. Simple. To the point.

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.


Learning to live my life with purpose,

Due to some recent conflict, I decide to read Proverbs 31. I took a notebook and pen, my Bible and my dictionary. I made some notes and what follows are my thoughts, not so much about the woman spoke about in the chapter, but thoughts about me, my life and my purpose in life.


**********


Being this woman is not easy. I have been called to be Jason's wife, his helper. I have not been a very good helper lately. He has not been able to trust me in little things (like being willing to take care of our home). I've been mean, spiteful and bitter; resentful, and angry. Not doing him good at all. I've not been willing to do anything but fighting at every turn.

I have been really miserable to live with and he and the kids have done a great job living with me. Helping me with house work and such. Mostly though, staying out of my way. Nothing is good enough for me. I feel like a failure, even in my successes. I resent the way God set up the "chain of command". It frustrates me that Jason and God get to lead this family. I don't feel that they have done a very good job in the past. So why would that all of a sudden change? I want to keep some control of what is going on in my life.

Finally, I have come to realize, again, that God is in control no matter how much I fight against it. He is God. I might as well join Him and follow His will. In the past when I have surrendered and given my focus to Him, things in our life fell into place. Life was a little more smooth.

This fight has been tough. I so very much want to be in control. I so want to make and veto decisions at will. I've been fighting with Jason and with God.

Know what? My heart isn't as heavy today, nor is my load.

When I allow God to lead, or rather surrender my will to God's lead, I feel more in control. When Jason can trust me, he puts me in control of things. I become his helper, his second-in-command. But I'm more than that. I'm his trusted adviser. His friend. I'm the one that keeps things going, and running smoothly, on the home front while he's out fighting fires and doing work for others. When I turn my life - including this issue of control - over to God, I am more trustworthy. When I give God my life, He gives it back to me and I thrive and so does my husband and family.

And yet, knowing all of this, there is something inside that does not want to let go. This release of control, back to where it belongs, is not a one time decision. This is a daily decision. Sometimes it is a moment by moment decision.

As of this moment, I am deciding to give God control. I am trusting that God will do (continue to do) a good work in my man and teach him and direct him to lead our family on God's path. I am giving up my control. It is God's. And it is Jason's.

And as of this moment, I struggle. I want it back.

But.

It is God's.


**********


And with this release, comes a change to my closing signature. Until tonight it read:

Learning to live my life with purpose

Now I want to strive to learn and live God's purposes.


**********


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

P. S. This post isn't about losing my voice or my vote. It's not about being a doormat. It's not about anything but what it is about. It is about this woman's struggle with God and His Word. It is about this woman coming to terms with who God created her to be. First and foremost I am His child, and He calls me to give my life, my will, to Him. That is what this post is about.

Click here to read the updated post.

Learning to live my life with purpose,

Sarah Mae over at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee has written a post about how to share our opinions. I was inspired, reminded and pleased. She quotes many verses from Proverbs to support her points and has very valid arguments. Give it a read. Here are the highlights:

1. What are your motives?
2. Use wisdom and care
3. Be cautious.
4. Be humble.
5. Use a soft tone.
6. Are the circumstances right?
7. Use discernment before you speak.
8. Be confident.

I struggle with, or rather, I don't struggle with sharing my opinion. lol. I don't follow all these guidelines and I get myself in trouble with friends and family. Always my motives are because I care, because I think they are misinformed, and because I don't want them to learn the hard way, like I have. Am I a know-it-all? I hope I don't come across that way; because I don't know it all at all. After that first point though, I need a little work.

So glad I read that post!

Learning to live my life with purpose,

UPDATE at the bottom!

Jason and I are generally pretty giving people. But I've had about enough of people "borrowing" our property without permission.

First it was the back alley neighbor to the left who had playground equipment installed for his little boy through the Make A Wish Foundation. They took our gravel from our yard. In the whole scheme of things, not a big deal! But what if we had a plan for that gravel in our own yard! It's called stealing! It's called TRESPASSING! It's called have some decent respect. If the other homeowner had asked, Jason probably would have given the gravel to him. But he STOLE IT!

Then in the fall we heard tell of a man who parked in the back alley, right in the middle of the road so no one could get through, and stood in our bush and ate all our Saskatoon Berries!! I was going to pick and freeze or can those berries for our own use. When J went out to see if they were ready, they were GONE! We know he had a red truck, but that's about all we know. I can't beleive it. He didn't just go along the edge of the bush by the alley; to eat what he ate, he had to walk right into and onto our property.

Now today, a back hoe or high hoe or something big and yellow and dangerous for kids to climb on unattended, is sitting in my back yard! I gave NO ONE permission to park there. This piece of equipment was seen digging up the yard of the back alley neighbor to the right. That house has a fence. But he was digging right behind the house so, why didn't he just leave the machine in the backyard of THAT house inside that house's FENCE!!! Why in my backyard? Just cuz "oh they won't mind".

UH, NO, I do mind! Thank you very much!

1. IT'S TRESPASSING!
2. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE!
3. IT'S TRESPASSING!
4. IT'S MY YARD!
5. IT'S A LIABILITY ISSUE ON THEIR PART!

What kind of society do we live in, when someone I DON'T KNOW can just park his large equipment on my yard! What kind of society do we live in, where I am not granted the common decency of asking me if I mind if they park there. My yard is NOT a free-for-all! It's MY YARD! HELLO!

And do I go and talk to the man, when he comes back from lunch? No. I'm too mad. Will J? Probably not. But we have plans to put up a fence, even if it's just on that back corner.

UGH! It's so frustrating.

I teach my kids about respecting the property of others. When we are walking down the street we stay on the sidewalk and not on someone else's front grass. When we go to visit someone, we don't snoop and poke about in their things, just eating whatever we choose from their garden. We don't just assume that they won't mind. We ask permission first!

Our neighbor that we share this block of land with has been here for years. She owns about a third of the block and we have the rest (think church parking lot and parsonage). She owns the parsonage and property and we own the church and its parking lot. She has been a wonderful neighbor and her children are respectful of our property. They cut through the back corner of our yard to go to school or wherever these guys go, but they don't muck with the garden or eat our berries or leave trash on our yard. At least I don't think they do. The pets on the other hand don't know the same boundaries, but our cats don't either. lol. We can live with that. The people that live next door (I'll call them S.T. and family) are great with my kids. All summer long the yards are almost one. The boys from next door are growing up and don't use their tree house and other such equipment as much as they once did. S.T. has welcomed the girls and W in her yard to play with their things. She scolds as needed and sends them home. I don't mind. We have a relationship.

It's these ding-dongs that think they own the world that I have a problem with. It's the pain-in-the-butt cocky blah blahs that I have an issue with! Something has got to be done! We need to teach and re-train our society to have some R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!!

Now to figure out how to make this new fence work with our Dave Ramsey budget!

UPDATE: My dear friend Tammy-Lee came over for a visit. She is a real go-getter. I don't know if she read my post before she got here or got here and talked to Jason before she came in, but when she came in she said that she'd gone to the neighbor and asked that the machine be moved. "Well, we're not sure who's property that is." "Yeah, you know who's property it is and I know who's property it is." "Would a couple hours be fine?" "No, move it." Gotta love, Tammy-Lee. Thanks, so much! Now, maybe some No Trespassing Signs and then a fence.

Learning to live my life with purpose,

April was the month where I planned to add reading to our regular routine and daily life.

I am very sad to report that we did not do well. Or rather, I didn't do well at following through with this plan. We did okay for the first week or so, but then petered out. We were reading five or so books a day right after breakfast. Now breakfast has become somewhat of a scattered event, so that quit working. I honestly didn't try to find another time.

I don't know what else to say. I won't make excuses or give reasons. It is what it is. We move on and do better next time.


Learning to live my life with purpose,

Well, lessons are always being learned of course, but for the life of me, I can't think of what I learned. So, I'll have to give it some thought.

. . . think . . . think . . . think . . .

1. Canada Post really is snail mail!

2. My girls are silly; it is 1.5 hours after bedtime and they just marched up the stairs with leotards on their heads complaining that it is too light to sleep!

3. The government is even slower than snail mail.

4. I am amazed at how little we can live on. At this moment we have budgeted 150 a week for groceries for our family of 7, but the children are quite little. Before we had a written plan, we were spending double that and more a week. Now the 150 is really tight; too tight. We've had a little help here and there, but I believe that we could do 200 quite easily. We'll have to see if we can switch some things around to make that work.

5. "Every dollar needs a name" is a common phrase in this house. Without a name, the dollars just disappear and I don't know where.

6. I like my job again. I think it is spring that is causing this new energy I've found. (My job? Staying home and taking care of this crew and the house.) And I'm glad; I can't really quit so liking it is kinda a good thing.

7. The fire department really is a family. We help each other.

For more lessons learned, check out Musings of a Housewife.

Here’s the Spring Cleaning Party schedule:

• Monday, May 4 - a clean sweep
• Tuesday, May 5 - the living room, part one
• Wednesday, May 6 - the living room, part two
• Thursday, May 7 - the kitchen, part one
• Friday, May 8 - the kitchen, part two
• Monday, May 11 - the bathrooms
• Tuesday, May 12 - the kids’ rooms, part one
• Wednesday, May 13 - the kids’ rooms, part two
• Thursday, May 14 - the master bedroom
• Friday, May 15 - the front entry

I have not created a spa in my own home. In fact, my bathroom doesn't look very different than it did when I started. It's a little cleaner, a little less cluttered, but other than that nothing has changed. But, something good did come of this month of thinking about the bathroom.

I have a vision. I know what I want and how I want it to look.

And, one day, my bathroom will be the best it can be. Right now, I will just have to be happy with it the way it is. For now.

This week, I'll probably give it a little deeper clean than normal but leave it at that. And look forward to next month and clearing out the "hidden places" of my home.

Learning to live my life with purpose,

Sigh.

A parcel sent on the 21st of April (prepaid on-time NEXT DAY delivery guaranteed) did not arrive until TODAY. Today is the 27th of April!!!!! Now, I know the package says 1-3 days. And I imagine that means 1 to 3 business days. So, even giving them the 3 business days, the package still should have been here on FRIDAY! Granted, we are in a "remote location" but we're not that remote!

(Note: I went and read at the website (under Xpresspost, linked below) and WOW they've created a huge loop-hole for themselves.)

Let's just say that sending a cheque via Canada Post "snail mail", even through their Xpresspost system, is not the best way to send money. But there is a method that is better and much more efficient.

It's called a Money Gram. Because our bank holds out-of-province / out-of-country cheques for 20 days, sending us a cheque won't be of immediate help. (Not that I'm asking for help, I'm just saying, that it wouldn't be of immediate help to a friend or family member of yours, if they were in a similar situation. If you get what I'm saying.) And I've had a couple of friends (whom I've never met) who so graciously blessed my family with some funds using this Money Gram service.

What my dear friends did was went to their local Wal-Mart (a Money Gram "agent", if you will), filled out a short form including sender and receiver information. They instant messaged me the reference number. I then went into my Canada Post "venue" and gave them the number and my id. I left the post office with either a cheque or cash (if their cash drawer has enough to get them through the day). Now the cheque could cause some individuals some problems at the banks, but it depends on the bank and branch would be my guess.

While I was picking up the last Money Gram I received, the lady at the post office said that she had a man come in with a Canadian money order that the bank would not cash for him. She said that his bank told him that they would hold the amount for a week. So he brought the money order to the post office to have them cash it for him. When I went to my bank to cash my Money Gram cheque I was kind of expecting some trouble getting the cash. When the cashier very willingly handed me the money I asked her about this other "story" that I'd been told. She explained to me that when a bank cashs a cheque or a money order, that action is based on what is in the client's account. That way if the cheque bounces, the bank can just get their money back by debting your account.

Sending money from a Wal-Mart or other physical location is not the only option either. If you visit the money gram website, you will see that you can send money safely online with your credit card as well. In addition, you can pay bills and transfer money between accounts. I encourage you to check it out!

Learning to live my life with purpose,

Lunches are a little easier. Kraft Dinner (mac and cheese); leftovers; grilled cheese sandwiches; soup.

For more menu ideas, check out Organizing Junkie.

Those my dh had trouble with and those who had a hand in his wrongful dismissal have now been terminated by the board. At least that is my understanding.

Be sure your sins will find you out.

and

Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay.

And I know about the scripture that says not to gloat about your enemies demise. But it's tough, just a teenie bit.

Learning to live my life with purpose,

For more songs check out Amy's blog.

Originally posted here.

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I've decided that hospitality is my hobby. It's been tough to do my hobby though because until late last month we were so sick!!! But we are better now. PTL!!! So now I need to make some plans for friends to visit. This week we'll be cleaning up as we have my parents coming for the weekend. Next week being the week of Valentine's we seem to have a lot going on toward the end of the week, but without a vehicle I don't know that we'll be going (activities are 25 min away). So then I need to plan something instead of. I think on the 14th I'll plan for a little homeschool/preschool party here at the house! It's formulating. Need to make some calls!

I can't wait for summer because we can cook outside and enjoy nature!!!

I wish I could find a Survivor buddy! I'd love to have Survivor parties each week!

Learning about the Letter Ff.

It takes forever these days to learn about a specific letter. This is not because we just do nothing, but because we are doing LOTS of other things too. Like enjoying spring that finally arrived!

Other online resources: Enchanted Learning, DLTK, Handwriting for Kids.

Books: Fritzi Fox Flew in from Flordia, A Fish Out of Water, Forest, Feathers Like a Rainbow, The Foot Book, a folkstory about the Firebird,

Well, I want to link you to a post written by a woman who has completed Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. I love what she has to say. We are only working on lesson 4 and here is some of the ways FPU has changed or affected us:

• J and I are communicating better!
• Our priorities have changed a little.
• We see light at the end of the tunnel. It's hard to have hope in our situation, but there is a glimmer now.
• We will teach our children, so they do not have the same problems.
• We are on the same page, going after the same goals; working as a team!

Hmmm. What does 5 to 7 mean to you?

My dh was one of the men asked to represent the fire department at a volunteer appreciation tonight. He was told to be at this meeting or gathering for 5 to 7. He assumed 6:55PM for a start time of 7PM. Well, he arrived 5 minutes before the meeting ended!

Honest mistake.

I'm laughing with him, honest. We had a really good chuckle when he got home. And I must admit that I maybe overdid it a little. My tummy hurt I laughed so hard.

Learning to live my life with purpose,

Boy, are we ever learning about God's provision! Every time we turn around we are being attacked and seemingly beaten down. We are trying so hard to get on top of our finances and trying to follow Dave Ramsey's Babysteps to Financial Peace and we are buffeted at every turn. And we aren't the only ones. Tammy-Lee and her dh are experiencing similar frustration. But at the same time, J and I and our little ones have been able to eat, stick to a budget, find some fun things to do, be with friends, talk to family (long distance). We really have more than just our needs met; we've got some wants / desires met too. Thanks to God's provision through His people, both locally and from far away.

We've been in this place before and not all that long ago. God always pulls us through but the getting thereis not easy.

It's hard to see the provision sometimes when we are in the midst of this trial, this struggle. We fight and argue and are stressed. But, in the end, we come out on top, with better communication and a stronger relationship. God's provision of wisdom. Ask and you shall receive.

I think we're on the right track. (Thanks for that reminder, Mom.)

For more thankful thoughts, stop by Women Taking A Stand.

P. S. In the spirit of being real, life is really hard; I hate it. I'm so sick of this stage or time in our life. I want a time of rest; of peace and quiet; of smooth sailing. We don't always see these things - this provision - until we sit down and think about it, or until some loving friend or family member gently (or not so gently) reminds us.

Am I happy? For the most part, I guess. I'm just tired.

At the same time, this unrest spurs us on to be better people. Real. No masks. Healthier. More disiplined. More on this soon, maybe. lol.

• CJ learned to ride a two-wheeler today!
• Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
• Coffee, with milk and sugar
• Snuggling my baby
• Clean counters, empty of dishes, and appliances
• A quiet home, while little ones sleep
• My dh's adrenaline rush when the fire pager goes off
• Friends

At every turn it seems that we are beaten down and dragged in the spring mud. Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University is a 13 week / 91 day course. It is hard work and great information. Homework every week and hard to hear lessons. He has 7 baby steps; today we worked on Baby Step #2 - Pay down debt using the debt snowball. Steps #1 and #3 have to do with saving and emergency funding. Although we are four weeks in now, J and I are only at step #1. Sadly, and not for lack of trying. We are discouraged and frustrated. Kinda hopeless at times.

Since January of this year we have been living on dh's severance which is now gone, and has been for quite some time. He has applied for parental leave, which should be coming, and we assumed would be here by now, but it's not. We were counting on dh's income tax return to fulfill Baby Step #1 which is to put $1000 in our emergency fund. Not going to happen now. When, if, it gets here, it will have to pay the bills to keep the lights, and phones on and the house warm. I guess we are living in an emergency.

Step #3 is 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings for when an emergency arises. If we had that, we'd be okay. However, we've been living on whatever savings and other money to get to this point.

Moving on, to other great news (read with sarcasm)! The transmission in the van needs attention. We are not 100% that it is totally broke, but it's not good. We're back down to the suburban, which doesn't seat all 7 of us. I'm so bummed.

But the Bible is FULL of encouragement.

Psalm 50:9-11 - KJV -

⁹I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. ¹⁰For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. ¹¹I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Matthew 6:24-36 - KJV -

²⁴No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. ²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ²⁶Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? ²⁷Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? ²⁸And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: ²⁹And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? ³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Jeremiah 29:10-14 - KJV -

¹⁰For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. ¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ¹²Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. ¹³And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. ¹⁴And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Luke 12:48 - KJV -

⁴⁸But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

I posted here about my Spring Reading Thing list. Here's an update! (Not as good as I'd hoped.)

So far I completed listening to:

My kids claim to hate leftovers. I am so tired of food going bad in the fridge. And I'm so very frustrated with them leaving food on their plates. I don't give them too much (although I have cut back on the portions some) and it is food they like; they just don't eat. So we wrap it up and throw it in the fridge and there it sits until it is icky and we toss it and wash the dishes.

Sound familiar? I hope not, but it probably does.

So I had an idea. And I know it will not work for every home, but it works here, so far. Money is tighter than tight. I can't throw food out.

The children were all busy with this and that while I made supper tonight. I took all the leftovers out of the fridge, including that which was on individual plates from the night before - the four kids had all left food on their plates. I took it and mixed it all in a casserole dish, added a can of peas. Then I threw it in the oven to re-heat it. If I'd had cheese, I'd have melted cheese on top, but I didn't have cheese. :(

I even made the dinner table up all nice for them. I put matching place mats, with matching cloth napkins. Everyone got a spoon and a cup and a bowl (all the bowls matched). I didn't go as far as candles because W would have just put food in them. And then I dished up their supper into their bowls.

I got ooohs and aaahs from them all. And, "why did you make the table so pretty?" And I answered with, "Because you are all so special to me, and I wanted to do this for you." They ate and put themselves in the tub and made a mess in the bathroom and they all got out and basically put themselves to bed. It was a really stress-free evening. :)

Now, at 10PM, I'm going to go eat supper with my man. We're having leftovers too; stew from the other night.

While on the topic of tricks for saving food, I'll just mention one other things I've been doing. I throw the leftovers directly into the freezer, even if there isn't enough for more than one person. Those leftovers can eventually all be thrown into a stew or soup.

Let's just say I don't know where this week went and except for a little bit of decluttering, nothing got done in the bathroom. We talked a lot about what we want to do and plan to do, but it has yet to happen. Maybe this coming week.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

I think I might add that to all my posts. Just to remind myself and others.

. . . this song is fun.

I won!

On March 24 (my birthday) I entered a giveaway on ABC and 123 and won! Well, the "gift" arrived yesterday. And my kids love it. They are very beginning readers and this is just the perfect gift and tool for them.

Here's a pic:

Thanks Katie and Katie!

My first two choices are very very new to the blogging world.

1. my mom - Grandma Johnny

2. my dear friend in real life - Tammy-Lee of What's TJ thinking?

and the rest include:

3. Am from Come Here Little Bug. Amber and I are instant messenger friends. She has a life very different than mine.

4. Marge at Remembering the Lives has had a rough couple of years. I "met" Marge in a yahoo group just before her baby was born and died a few hours later. You can read more of her story and her latest loss at her blog.

5. Alexia is an blogger who has some neat thoughts.

6. Tina is another IRL friend, who I don't see often, and haven't seen in years. We reconnected on Facebook and I'm so glad we did. She is a kind-hearted woman.

7. Tonya is a fun blogger.

And last but not least is:

8. Tammy at PinkStinx. She's a cancer survivor, mom of many. Her life has been turned upside down and twisted around and yet, she seems to come out on top. She's a blogging, drilling and IM buddy of mine and I hope to meet her in real life one day.

And that's my list.

Originally posted here.

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I don't know why I keep calling this hospitality. Maybe I just like the word.

Well, we've had a lot of company. I've loved it and at the same time I'm glad it's done for a while. But something I found while we had people staying with us is that it is possible to be hospitable in someone else's home. The visitors we had in our home we gracious and helpful - even buying groceries and babysitting and helping with renovations. We did not feel burdened having these individuals in our home but were blessed by their being here.

So what does hospitality really mean?

Hospitality - definition from dictionary.com

So can you be hospitable in a home other than your own?

Hospitable definition from dictionary.com

1. My headaches are cyclical; about every 4 weeks. I don't know which I hate more - Aunt Flow or Mrs. Shut-Up-You-Guys-My-Head-Hurts. I guess it could be worse; I could get both. Due to my hungry nursing baby and her age, Aunt Flow's visit has been postponed; or else I'm pregnant again. (Oh boy!) Hahaha
2. Oh and the hormonal aspect is only part of the headaches; there is also teeth issues (making some phone calls this week to get that dealt with), dehydration (that love of coffee may not be helping my situation), the weather (it was rainy and that seems to do it, too), and lack of sleep (Baby R and Little W have been sick and up a lot in the night).
   
3. One thing in + one or more things out = a cleaner home.
4. Oh and this equation: work before play + no computer before noon = greater peace in the home.
5. Reach out to those who love you; you'll not regret it.
6. Blogging became a chore until I decided to let loose and actually share my heart. Now it's an outlet!
7. We may get a lot of furniture in and out and through this house, but we always seem to trade up. If I get a chance to post a picture of the sectional I will.

Find out what others learned, by vising Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife.

My face and head are hurting me very very badly today.

oy, it hurts.

A plan and a focus give direction and motivation.

I have "bathroom stuff" in my room, in the dining room (well, in the area where the bar will be), in the place where the new bathroom will be, and in the current unfinished bathroom. I want it all in the current bathroom. So I need to declutter and organize some things - a black dresser that has four drawers and a tiny 3 drawer plastic storage thingie, and the shelves that are in the bathroom. I need to move that dresser down and use it to replace the black wire shelf. I'd like dh to finish the wall and door; I'd love to have a real door on the bathroom. I need to list and think through this process.

• Declutter.
• Move dresser and shelf.
• Organize items in the shelving / drawers.
• See if J will do the building that is needed - door, wall, cover backs of stairs, floor all one level.
  
• Purchase new shower curtains; have J fix curtain rod so the new curtains don't tear as easily.
• Figure out where to store towels and face clothes, etc.

In One Year to an Organized Life, Regina Leeds talks about having a product swap. I don't know many adults that would want to do that, but I have a number of teenage girls that love to hang out with my kids. I remember that when I was that age I loved trying new products and getting stuff like that. I've been thinking about having an afternoon of visiting with these girls and their moms.

My morning routine is disorganized because my bathroom is disorganized. I wet my hair in the bathroom; come up to do my hair on the main floor and get dressed in our loft bedroom. Then, oops, I forgot my glasses in the bathroom when I wet my hair down. I used to do my makeup, but I can't find it because my drawers don't open on the table they are sitting on. It's no wonder my kids can;t find their stuff to do their hair. I'm not much of an example; we have cosmetic stuff in every room of the house!

Minimize.

Organize.

FLY!

How do you know you are done? Who decides? Once decided, what changes take place? What if you want to change your decision? Doesn't that open a whole new can of worms?

I think our families have come to expect that we are just going to keep having babies until I'm like 50 or something. I thought so too. Maybe it's just the lack of sleep, or the busy-ness of my home, but I'm not itchin' for another baby. In fact, I've never before wished for one of my babies to grow up faster than they are. And they grow fast enough, don't you think?

When Wyatt was pushing 6 months old, I was pushin' J to get me pregnant again. He was saying wait, wait. Get back to a healthier weight. I'm so glad God decided to wait to bless us with Baby R. I'm tired.

Baby R is not really a demanding baby, but she does love to be held and is up in the night quite a bit. And she's so darling and a joy most of the time. So it's not like we've been blessed with a tough baby. So why do I "feel" like we are done? Is it a passing phase and I'll be beggin' for another in a week or two? Do we really trust feelings? They do change like the weather, so maybe not the best thing to base a decision on.

Is the reason social? We are, I think, the biggest family that attends our church and the biggest of the fire department members. But I don't get negative pressure from anyone in either circle. Our children are well-liked and well-cared for by both groups. I don't think it is social.

Am I allowed to just be "done"?

Then I think, "poor W will be the only boy." Well, that's no reason to have another! We'd probably get another girl!

Usually by this time (Baby R is close to 6 months), I'm talking like this: "if I get pregnant now, Baby R will be x age when the new baby arrives. I can handle that; and they'd play so well together. You change one diaper, thenchange another; no biggie."

My feeling is not based on fear either. I have great pregnancies and deliveries. The last two were born at home, and came so quickly our midwife didn't make it. (Weather was an issue both times.)

I am seeing my life without someone nursing, without changing diapers, without potty training. I see a different season of our life approaching. I guess I could be wrong and it could just be wishful thinking. Oh don't get me wrong, if we were blessed with another, I'd be overjoyed; I'm willing to keep having babies. But. (And there is always a but, isn't there?) This new season I see, it sure looks nice. Not easier, because there will still be laundry and dishes and meals and all sorts of new issues to deal with, but different. If I had my way, my desire, right now, at this point, in my world, I would be very content with the little blessings we have running around messing up my tidying up.

Just my thoughts.

Thank you, Sarah Mae for posting this video. Beautiful.

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Acts 2:46-47

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This passage is kind of exciting to me.

• They met together daily in the temple. Not sure I want to start going to church daily. But then again, I live in a church. <>
  
• They ate together. I'd love to meet with my church family for a meal more regularly. I think this is a very important part of building relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
  
• They had glad and sincere hearts. Sadly, I think this is missing in a lot of people. Are we genuinely glad? Are we sincere? I find that most people are so wrapped up in the troubles of their day, their week, and their life that they have no room for gladness and sincerity. I mean I'm not talking about ignoring the situations we are in, but I'm talking about worrying about it so much that we have no room for the good things, the happy things. And this shows through to the people we met as we go about our day.
  
• They praised God. Praising God. Sigh. I am embracing this more and more. I am seeing where this praise transfers from just an act to a lifestyle!
  
• They were loved by their community. Are we loved by our community? Can our community tell that we are different, and a good different. Are we a different that they want to be a part of?
  
• Their number was added to daily.