Family & Respect

ABC & 123 is talking about family. There is a series of questions that she asked and I have decided to answer them one at a time in a series. I'd love to hear what you have to say, write about family on your blog and comment with your link! Please subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any posts about family!

Here are the questions I'll be answering in the days (maybe weeks) to come.

1~What does family mean to you?
2~What do you do to stay in touch with your family who is far away?
3~What is your perfect family experience?
4~Who is someone in your family that you really respect? Why?
5~Have you ever been respectful to someone who is disrespectful to you?
6~What does it mean to be respectful? disrespectful?
7~Give examples of being self-respectful.
8~Should you respect yourself as much as you respect others?

Food Tracking and Living A Healthier Lifestyle

Much like balancingeverything I very much dislike food journaling. The thought of writing down everything I put in my mouth makes me nauseous. I know that it works and is a great way to reflect on my poor eating habits but it is just another chore for me to do. So balancingeverything recently started her weight loss blog and shared this tip. I love it and have made my own!

This is for an 1800 calorie day, which is the amount recommended to me by a Registered Dietitian for healthy weightloss of 1-2 pounds per week. You can also go to MyPyramid and find out your serving allowances for each day. This is a great article about making smart choices for weight loss.

The American Heart Association is a wonderful resource for learning about heart attack, stroke and the benefits on daily exercise. You can also learn about your BMI and ways to live a healthy lifestyle.

I'm also reading Gwen Shamblin's book entitled The Weight Down Diet. It is a Bible based approach to weight loss but more importantly overcoming overeating and turning to God to fill us up. Believe it or not it all comes full circle; eating, contentment, peace, joy.

-1 Corinthians 3:16
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

-1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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

-1 Kings 19:7-8
The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank.

Only Seven Minutes

I wanted to share this article with you. I have been trying (setting my alarm, at least) to get up and start my day with God. On the days when I am able (and willing) to do this my day is smoother, more joyful and less chaotic. Jolanthe is a great blogger and seems to lead where I need to follow, if that makes sense.
Enjoy.

No Poo!

Really! No more poo! I am going for it! Read the whys and why-nots here.

A Beautiful Day

Our Friday started out gorgeous, which was much needed after so much rain. We went to the market and got fresh veggies, as well as new hats for the boys. The market was bustling and full of Sicilianos needing groceries. These pictures were after we got back and had some rest. Joshua is sitting in our jungle of a yard.

TGoF .2

I can't believe how fast Friday comes every week. It makes a difference when I'm actually getting things done around here. My schedule is going pretty well. Laundry is great! Workboxes kind of took a break, it was a hectic week. Joshua is only three, it is ok if we miss a few days. OHHH! Do you like my logo for TGoF? I do! Don't forget to share what you are thankful for this week or link to your blog with your thankfuls there. Have a blessed weekend!

Lord God, I am thankful for/that
#1 you love me, no matter what I do or say, unconditionally.
#2 I have an amazing, hard-working, giving, funny husband.
#3 our health.
#4 our beautiful boys.
#5 the ability to live and travel in an amazing place, touched by your apostles.
#6 books!
#7 my wonderful friends, near and far.
#8 Jason is finally getting back to normal.
#9 laundry is getting easier.
#10 I can fully rely on you for all that I need.
AMEN!

One Last Cleaning Tidbit

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
       wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

Thanks Rachel Anne at Home Sanctuary!

eBook Review

I purchased the eBook Spring Cleaning for Normal People from SimpleMom, Tsh. I can't wait to begin the Spring Cleaning party (see post below). I really am motivated to get this place under control! The book has everything set up so that you get your house clean in ten days. It is a plan! It is very well organized and thought out. There is also a "cookbook" to make any cleaners that you'll need. I highly recommend the book! And her blog is awesome, too!

Spring (?) Cleaning

It looked like spring might be here but today it is raining again. The kids did get to play at the park this morning and are BOTH napping!

I'm determined to get this house clean and then keep it clean. Fitting that this week my Bible study is about having a heart for my home. Last week I did a lot of research (reading blogs) to find out how other women keep their homes in order. I decided that I need to have a general schedule, so that I can get things done on a regular basis. I did an Excel spreadsheet because I am very visual and need to have it IN MY FACE and also attractive to look at. Here is the PLAN:

Daily AM:
Quiet time
Open blinds
Make bed
Get dressed
Put shoes on
Medicine
Empty dishwasher

Daily PM:
Put laundry away
Dinner
Run dishwasher
Sweep
Straighten up
Set up workboxes

Monday:
Kitchen
Mom's laundry
Exercise

Tuesday:
Towels

Wednesday:
Bathrooms
Boy's laundry
Exercise

Thursday:
Bedrooms
Sheets

Friday:
Living/Dining
Dad's laundry
Exercise

Sat/Sun:
Church

Weekly:
Menu plan
Joshua's schedule
Water/trim flowers
Wash throws

Monthly:
Go thru toys
Go thru clothes
Wipe out fridge

This is the plan for each room on their days of the week...

Kitchen:
Scrub sink
Countertops
Cupboard doors
De-clutter
Fridge doors
Stove top
Microwave
Reaarange pantry
Sweep
Mop

Bedrooms:
Dust
Sweep
Mop
De-clutter

Bathrooms:
Sink/Counter
Toliet
Tub/Shower
De-clutter
Sweep
Mop
Garbage

Living/Dining:
Dust
Table
Windows
De-clutter
Glass
Desk

That should be enough to get you started. Tuesday I plan on only washing towels because I am gone most of the day for Bible study and errands. And my friend, Karrie, started washing each family member's laundry on their own day and I am trying that out now, too. I have a three bag laundry hamper thing, so one for Mom, Dad and the boys. Then on Tuesday I grab all the towels, Thursday all the sheets. I think it'll be easier to put away the clothes this way, too.

Spring Cleaning Party!

Check out Simple Mom's Spring Cleaning Party! Check out her Spring Cleaning for Normal People eBook!
I need all the help I can get around this house!

Drowning in Home Management!

I am a follower of the Preschoolers and Peace blog by Kendra Fletcher. I've also downloaded a workshop of hers about getting organized. She is a Christian, homeschool mom of EIGHT! I'm enjoying her current series about how to not drown in home management.

Here is part one. Read it (make sure to look at the comments, too) and then you'll understand what my top five list is...

#1 Time with/learning about God
#2 Nurture my marriage
#3 Quality time with kids/homeschooling
#4 Mom Time (peaceful, productive time)
#5 Home Care (if there were ten this would probably be lower on the list)

Here is part two of her series.
I like how she says "keep our home sanitary" not clean it top to bottom!

Anyway, I love Kendra's realistic approach to life. She is an inspiration! There are so many wonderful articles and resources on her blog! Make sure to check them all out!

TGoF!

I'm thinking this will be my regular Friday post. TGoF! Thank God on Friday! I also challenge any readers to this with me. List ten things that you are thankful for, other than the obvious. Really think about your list. Here is mine...

I am thankful for/that
#1 God was holding my husband in His hands on Sunday when he crashed his motorcycle.
#2 we live in a country (even outside the US) in which we are able to worship our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, not in fear but with joy.
#3 my boys are healthy, happy and thriving.
#4 my husband has a secure job.
#5 the internet. Honestly, it is a necessity living here.
#6 my patience is getting better.
#7 Joshua is finally figuring out the potty thing.
#8 I have amazing friends.
#9 a great family (even my in-laws!).
#10 God puts up with me and all the junk I do and still loves me for me!

Some verses to think about...

Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.
Luke 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I love BibleGateway.com! Search all the versions of the Bible by keyword, chapter or verse.

Have a blessed day! Enjoy your Easter holiday!

P.S. Thanks to the Company Girls for stopping by and saying hi!

Hubby

I just wanted to say that I have a wonderful husband. He is very giving and supportive. He is an amazing father. Most of all, he truly is my best friend. What a blessing. The picture is from around Thanksgiving 2008.

WORKBOXES All Set Up!

Here are the steps I did with putting the workboxes together. I highly suggest a good quality paper cutter (like the one from Stampin' Up!) and using the little velcro dots. If you can afford it, I'd also get a heat laminator. That is on my wish list for sure! For this, I used laminating sheets, which were ok but... I plan on getting a different shelf, this is one I had. We are limited living in podunk, Sicily. [Sidebar-Less that NINE months to go in Sicily] I also included some examples that we did today.

busybusybusy

I've been working on workboxes! And spending a lot of time with Joshua, working on his workboxes. I've been taking lots of pictures and will be posting soon! I've also started MUFFIN TIN MANIA. I'll add pics of the fun, too! I am super excited about all of our new activities. They seem to be taking up some of my computer time, which is probably a good thing. Let me get to those pictures so I can get to posting them!

A Third Birthday

Joshua turned THREE last week. I really can't believe how time flies! I'm preschooling him and potty training. Who'd have thought during those early morning feedings that this is where we'd be three years later. ...heavy sigh...

Workboxes

I have come upon the new craze! WORKBOXES! I am going to get all the stuff to make mine this week and then I'll post pictures. Walking by the Way has some great pictures and ideas. Sue Patrick is the creator of the Workbox System.
Are you a workbox mom? I'd love to hear your ideas! I also want ideas of things to put in the boxes for my 18 month old. My three year old is a little easier to plan for.

Marathon Cleaning

I think everyone is finally feeling better in our house. Nikolas has molars coming in but I think his stomach bug is gone. Motrin keeps that under control. It seems like since we moved here in December, 2006 that we have been sick more than ever before. I do have to take into account that I have kids now an they love to share germs with other kids. But living in a small military community doesn't help. We had to reschedule Joshua's birthday party and the other kids invited either had just gotten over the bug or were in the middle of it.

Believe it or not I actually had some quiet time during all this bodily function mess. It was nice to spend some time with God. And also just read or sleep. I'm so lucky to have my husband home. I don't know what I'd do if he were deployed. He is such a blessing.

So with all my "rest" comes a messy, disaster of a house. There are cracker crumbs everywhere because that was the food of choice most of the weekend. I could see the germs lingering about. I wish it was warmer outside today so I could open everything and get some fresh air in here. I have been disinfecting, bathing, sweeping, dusting, washing and laundering since the sun rose this morning. The kids were more than happy with peanut butter toast for breakfast, good! Minimal mess. Just needed a quick blog break.

Back to life... Thanks for the prayers!

A New Design

I am really excited about my newest design on CafePress and I have to share it. I have been playing with some new paintbrushes and colors in Photoshop CS4. Let me know what you think! If you look around in my store, you'll see how far I've come. I love creating and sharing. I also made my new header! What a productive day even with the sickies!

Tot-Schooling

I am currently loving Tot-School and the 1+1+1=1 blog. These are great resources for tot-schooling activities and fun! I am looking forward to getting workboxes in our "classroom". I am such an organizer!
If you have a blog to share, please comment me and I'll check it out!