Avoidance

It may be easy to avoid but physical balance and health are a very important piece to the life puzzle. I have struggled with my weight for quite a while now. Not my whole life but it started in high school. I can't even blame this weight on my boys. I weigh less now than I did before they came along. It is a huge commitment, so much time and energy, struggles with food, addiction, emotions and hormones. But my doctor, the one who prescribed my high blood pressure medicine, really thinks I need to lose some weight. Don't you think that would motivate me? If only... I highly dislike being told what to do and how to do it. This makes weight loss a bigger challenge. My husband has lost about 45 pounds in the last two years or so and that makes him an expert. I love him so much but he needs to take a class in how to talk to his wife about weight loss. I keep hoping that one day I will wake up and magically want to go to the gym! Or even more importantly, that I'll want to eat nutritious, satisfying foods. I just read this article about having a hungry soul and it really hit home. I wish that I could turn it all over to God but the control freak in me has a tough time with letting go. I guess I need to figure out WHY I eat. Maybe I need therapy. That wouldn't surprise me. Maybe I need to go to the gym. Hmm.
How do you keep physically in balance? What are your challenges? I can't be all alone in this battle, can I? Oh, the picture is me in 1993.

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!

TGoF .1

WOW! Is it Friday already? My week went by really fast. Spring has sprung (and will hopefully be here to stay) here in Sicily. It is a gorgeous day and we had some great playtime with friends this morning.

I am going to continue my weekly post "Thank God on Friday". You can post yours in the comment section or on your blog and then put your address in the comments to share.

Lord God, I am so thankful for/that
#1 YOU! Your grace, love and the joy that you bring into my life!
#2 my wonderful, supportive, handsome husband!
#3 my family's health.
#4 my boys are thriving, loving and potty training.
#5 awesome Christian friends that are supportive, giving and "local" family.
#6 the internet, seriously! For connecting with family and friends, as well as learning resources.
#7 the Bible, I really need a hands on guide to life.
#8 we have freedom to worship you.
#9 we don't have to be scared on a daily basis for our safety (just watched Slumdog Millionaire).
#10 while our country is in a recession we are still amazingly rich and spoiled by worldly standards.
AMEN!

We are starting "My ABC Bible Verses" by Susan Hunt;
A soft answer turns away wrath. Proverbs 15:1
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Colossians 3:20

Have a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to reading what you are thankful for!

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!

Clothespins!

Nikolas loved playing with clothespins! I gave him a cup to put them in and he put them in the cup and then dumped the cup out on the table, then put them all back in the cup again. I'm thinking about painting the clothespins, jazzing them up a bit. What do you do with clothespins?

The Letter "A"

This week we are focusing on the letter "A". One project we did was a collage with lots of a's. I cut them out of magazines, put glue on the paper in the shape of upper and lower case "a". Then Joshua put the letters on the glue! He enjoyed it a lot.
Also, we are potty training and it seems like he really enjoys being naked. Whatever works!

Nikolas Is Loving Sensory Bottles

I made this sensory bottles for Nikolas. He is eighteen months old and I have a hard time finding things for him to do. I'm building up my list and then I will also start workboxes with him. He loved shaking the bottles. These are what is in each bottle...

#1 canola oil with red and blue food color, its kind of ugly now
#2 dry kidney beans, corn kernels and fried chow mein noodles
#3 green apple soap with some water and foam stars
#4 white, green, blue, red and purple rice with some glitter, curly ribbon, feathers, pom poms

PLEASE REMEMBER to glue the lids on, so little ones cannot open them and choke or make a mess.

Totally Tots: Tot Food ~ What's on YOUR Tot's Plate?

Totally Tots: Tot Food ~ What's on YOUR Tot's Plate?
This is a fun blog!

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.

Loving the Curriculum

I started a preschool curriculum with Joshua! He is loving it! He wants to work on it every day and I have already seen improvement. It is amazing! They have curriculum for age 2, age 3 and ages 4-6. I purchased all three as a download for only $49. You can purchase them all put together in a binder for a lot more. Using this workbook with the workboxes is great! When you put the worksheets in page protectors you can use them over and over! What a great idea for all printables!

Spread it...

One More...

I think this will be the last post for the day. I really wanted to get caught up! This is an activity that a friend gave us for Joshua's birthday. He loves doing it and it is so cheap and easy to make! What an easy gift to share!

Joshua's Birthday Party

Joshua is wearing his blue and orange jacket. Nikolas is in the blue and yellow jacket. Grant is our little blonde buddy and Luca is curly-haired buddy. I wish it had been a nicer day. But it was a lot of fun. And the cupcakes weren't that pretty but they were YUMMY!

MUFFIN-TIN MANIA

MUFFIN TINS ROCK! Alright, so I broke down and bought these muffin tins. They were worth every penny! Both boys ate every bite of everything in every cup! YAY! The boys had the same item for breakfast and then again at dinner. I highly suggest this for picky eaters. There is a group that does Muffin-Tin Mondays but on Mondays I have Bible study and am usually in a hurry. So I will be doing Muffin Tin Mania. Which basically means if we're home and eating it is food in a muffin tin!

Rice Fun

Joshua and I made some colored rice. He loved squishing it in the zip bag! I put it outside to "cook". He was so excited to show Daddy when he got home from work! Here is what we used to make it, the rice "cooking" and Joshua pouring it!

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.

Relay For Life

My very good friend, Megan, (that I've known since preschool) is doing the Relay For Life. Her mom is a cancer survivor. We all know someone that has been affected by this horrible disease. If you'd like to help the cause PLEASE CLICK HERE! Thanks!

Falling On Tile Stairs Hurts

Living in Europe, in military housing means that we have all tile floors, including the stairs. Now I have tripped on the stairs before and always try to be careful but today was it for me. Here is where I went wrong.
Mistake #1 I was only wearing socks, no shoes.
Mistake #2 I was carrying Nikolas and our bedding at the same time.
Mistake #3 I was going too fast.

I am fine. I didn't break anything. I scraped the top of my foot pretty good and I'll bet it'll be black and blue tomorrow. It scared me really bad and it hurt even worse. I was mostly scared because I was holding Nikolas. Joshua got scared, too. He kept saying, "ok mommie? ok mommie?" All I could get out was "I'm ok, I'm ok, I'm ok." Over and over again. Trying to catch my breath.

#1 reason for wanting to go back to the U.S- Mexican Food
#2 reason- carpet
#3 reason- family and friends
#4 reason- slurpees

WATCH YOUR STEP!

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 Little Work and A Little Play

I really enjoy doing graphic design type stuff. I have new and old designs in my CafePress store. If you like to create with graphics then you should check out CafePress as a money maker! It is really fun and also VERY nice to get a check for doing something that I love.

too many blogs?

Blogs are my new favorite thing! I could spend hours reading blogs about homeschool, crafting, Jesus, families and being a mom. At first I guess I didn't really understand blogging. I thought it was like a diary for the world to read. But then I realized that blogs can be anything the writer wants them to be. I love to write and create and share. Why didn't I start doing this sooner?
I read a lot of blogs and they lead me to more blogs... I like most of what I see but occasionally I see something I feel I need to share! This is a great article to help you decide whether or not to homeschool. It also includes some advice and tips on getting started.

Leading a Bible Study

I really wanted to lead a weight loss study. I did a lot of research on which would be the best for our group of ladies and found this. I have learned a lot about Jesus in this study (which should be the point, right?) but I don't feel like this study was what I've needed. It is a wonderful study and I recommend it only if you will be able to continue on with the series. This is definitely step one. Maybe it was because it is my first time leading. Maybe it was the devil really trying to tempt me and distract me. We only have about a month left and I will be relieved when we're done. I can go back to learning and less teaching. I think it is a learning season for me.

It is the spirit of Almighty God that comes to us and gives us wisdom. ~Job 32:8 (GNT)

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!

Sickies

One thing that throws everything out of balance is when any of us gets sick. Both boys needed bedding changes and baths last night, of course at different times. My husband has a cold and he is miserable, too. He stayed home from work today to rest and help with the kids. At least I'm getting ALL of the bedding washed.

Update to 3/14 Post

It amazes me sometimes how other marriages can be a blessing. Saturday I was a little bummed that I couldn't go to stamp club because my husband was out enjoying his own hobby. Well, some of the other women's husbands (THANKS CHRIS AND TERRELL!) were outside next door and offered to watch my boys. Nikolas slept most of the time and Joshua loves playing with the older boys. So, it worked out great! I owe them one!

Compromising and Balancing in a Marriage

I'm sure that this will be the first of many posts on the subject of marriage. My husband loves to ride his sport bike (a bright green Kawasaki zx6r, for those that care). Once again living overseas has its limitations in purchasing things he needs, especially for this [ridiculously expensive] hobby. But he finally got a trailer to tow the bike to the track. And was finally able to go spend the day at the track with the boys today.

I, on the other hand, was really looking forward to going to Stamp Club with the girls. My friend Mary is a Stampin' Up Consultant. Every month we get together and learn new techniques and do projects. This is one of the highlights of my month. I love crafting and more than that I love fellowship with the girls. I couldn't find a sitter, which is partly my fault for waiting to call them. I'm bummed!

But my husband rarely gets to visit the track. I know how much he loves riding. So, I make the sacrifice for him. My happiness is so important to him and I really want to give him back the things he does for our family. And not be bitter about missing something that is important to me. My husband's happiness is so much more important to me.

1The Song—best of all songs—Solomon's song! The Woman!

2-3Kiss me—full on the mouth!
Yes! For your love is better than wine,
headier than your aromatic oils.
The syllables of your name murmur like a meadow brook.
No wonder everyone loves to say your name!

4 Take me away with you! Let's run off together!
An elopement with my King-Lover!
We'll celebrate, we'll sing,
we'll make great music.
Yes! For your love is better than vintage wine.
Everyone loves you—of course! And why not?

~Song of Songs 1:1-4 (Message)

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ~Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV)

A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
~Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for bringing this man into my life. He is all earthly things to me, he gives me joy, he challenges me. In loving him, I am loved. In understanding him, I am understood. Help me to honor him, to share all things with him, to be one flesh with him. Amen.
(Bible Verses for Busy Moms from Meredith Corporation)

I Must Share This!

I have found a great way to balance the house! Home Sanctuary is new favorite place!

I love it but...

I love reading. Books, magazines, blogs. I love to fill my mind with new information or romantic notions. I try to read a book (not including a Bible or Bible study) at least ten minutes a day. If I commit to ten minutes, then I can usually get enough time to finish a chapter.

Here is my current book list for your enjoyment...
1. California (4 short Christian fiction stories)~Billerbeck, Leonhardt-Koehly, Laity & Yapp
2. Adobe CS4 Master Premium for Dummies ~This book is thick and I probably won't ever finish it but it is full of information for the Adobe programs that I (TRY) to use.
3. John 3:16 ~Nancy Moser, technically I haven't started this one yet but I might when I'm done here.

I also am doing two Bible studies and hopefully one more soon.
1. First Place 4 Health's Begin With Christ -This is a weight loss study that I am leading.
2. A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George -This is great and I highly recommend it!
3. I'm really hoping that my husband will be able to re-prioritize so that we can do The Love Dare study together.

As I am writing this, I'm really thinking that I need to put more book time on my schedule! Happy reading!

Scheduling Your Life

I've been doing a lot of research and reading (A TON of) blogs about cleaning, homeschooling, organizing and staying sane all at the same time. I asked friends how they do it. I've come to a conclusion (one that my husband came to a long time ago) that I really need to schedule everything I do. And then the key is... drum roll, please... STICKING TO IT! I am using the week view on Microsoft Outlook. Here is the plan for now... Every week I sit down and go over the plan for the next work week, adjusting and adding appointments or changes. Most of the things I do are recurring, so I set it up that way in Outlook then when I plan the next week I just make changes as I need to. At the start of the week I print three copies, one for my desk, one for the fridge and one for my purse. I make sure to schedule showers and prayer/quiet time, too. I desperately need both! I have also started something that will hopefully help me keep the house a bit cleaner. FlyLady is a CHAOS solver kind of thing. I'm just getting started but am very excited to do more than day one! I'll let you know how that goes. I'd love to know your tips for organizing your days!

Balancing Brains and Brawn

I have recently started homeschooling my son, Joshua. He will be three on March 24th. Time flies! I recently started a preschool curriculum with him. We really needed some structure around our house and this is helping. We go over a letter, color/shape, number and animal/thing each week. As well as read stories and do nursery rhymes. I am adding more ideas all the time. I am trying to make a schedule for our daily activities and all the things I need to get done around the house. Any suggestions? I'd like to get a maid but I don't see that happening. ;)

Balancing Some Work With Life

As a military wife currently living overseas my employment options are limited. But I do all kinds of things to earn a buck or two. My husband wasn't all that happy at tax time because it did make some extra work for him but I didn't spend as much of his hard earned money, right? ;)

I love to do graphic design stuff, even though I'm just getting started I am very passionate about it. I create items and sell them on CafePress. CafePress is a "print on demand" company. POD means that people like me upload their designs into "stores" and offer them for sale. Each designer can customize their store and even choose the price of the items. When a customer orders an item CafePress creates the item and then does the shipping. Pretty easy! Designers earn the amount above the cost of the item that they set. I made over $600 last year. Not too bad, eh?

Something else that I love is purses and bags! I found an amazing company called Thirty-One Gifts. Thirty-One is a faith based company, the name referring to the Proverbs 31, Virtuous Woman. They offer all types of bags, purses and gift items that can be personalized. They are also introducing 31kid, a baby line April 1st! I got a sneak peak and can't wait to order the new stuff. The thing that I really enjoy about Thirty-One is that the main goal of the company and us as consultants is to Celebrate, Encourage and Reward women for all they do. YAY! I also made over $600 with Thirty-One last year.

I do a lot of other things that I'll talk about another day. I did want to mention that in my list of priorities these "jobs" are no where near the top. They are just fun things that I like to do and happen to make money. I am blessed to not "need" to work at this time in our lives. Even though some days it would be great to go to a job, the "job" I do right now is so much more rewarding than I could ever explain to someone who has never done it.

Beat The Family Up!

What!? Beat your family up? I don't mean physically beat them. I mean beat them up in the morning. Get up before the kids. I have just started the Bible study "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. She suggests making an appointment with God at the beginning of every day. Here are some verses that she references about when to pray...

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation. ~Psalm 5:3

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ~Mark 1:35

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ~Matthew 6:6

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And how to pray...

Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart. ~Psalm 119:2

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~Hebrews 11:6

Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts. ~1 Chronicles 16:9

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. ~1 Chronicles 28:9

So to summarize; Pray with your whole heart with faith in our God, that He will provide all your needs. Start your day with God and know that He is with you all day and you can pray to Him all day. Give Him all your needs, worries and troubles. Praise God with your whole heart and mind.