Lucas and Work

This week, Lucas will be 11 weeks old- that's almost 3 months!  Where has the time gone?  He's turning into such a big boy- starting to be able to sit up for a tiny bit on his own, being curious about new sounds and places, and enjoying spending time with his mama!  :)  It has also been a great thing being able to have him at work with me.  Luckily, our board of directors decided that it would be beneficial for my family and our center to have him come to work with me.  I try finding babysitters for important work meetings and things, but otherwise, Lucas is with me all day!  This is such a blessing!  I get to see all of his milestones, see his personality, and have the comfort of him being with me instead of in a daycare.  However, it can also be stressful at times.  On days like today, when he's fussy and extra demanding, getting work done can be difficult. 

An Interview with God

Why Should We Be Organized?!

To quote from Imperfect Homemaking, we organize with purpose.  Why? 

"I organize my home because I believe that when we clear out the things that don't matter, we make room for the things that do.  Because our hearts and minds can only take so much chaos. And life has enough chaos of it's own.  Because we need a daily refuge from the clutter and the noise and the blaring messages that wait on our doorstep.  Because an uncluttered space creates an environment where we can learn and explore.  And because when we clear out stuff, we make room for people." 


I loved how elegantly she put this!  This really inspires me to get our own home organized so that our lives are less stressful and we are able to focus our energy on God, each other, and our friends and family.  Please pray for my strength to keep the motivation to organize our lives. 

Trying To Get Organized

Pinterest.com has motivated me to get my life, house, and family organized.  First, I started with family goals.  Travis and I set monthly and long-term goals last night.  I feel really good about them!  Next, I will be making a family binder with contact info, family finances, and all other things that will help our family stay organized in the future.  I will also be making an Inspiration binder, to keep my prayers, Bible studies, and other inspiring items in one place.  Hopefully, this will help me build up my faith and will allow me to see the outcomes of my prayers in order to see God at work.  :)  Yesterday, Travis and I organized the house all day.  We sorted out our closets, rearranged the furniture in the makeshift living room, got rid of tons of clothes that are either too small or we don't wear, and threw away lots of random papers and things that were just taking up space.  I feel like we are making progress!  I will be posting pictures of our binders when they are done! 

30 Bags in 30 Days- May 2012

We set our family goals for the next year and in May, we have decided to do the "30 bags in 30 days challenge."  Our goal is to fill up a bag each day to de-clutter, clean, or organize our home.  We have made the list customized to our family.  Here it is:

 

1. Pantry
2. Utensil drawer in kitchen
3. Toys
4. Lucas’ dresser
5. Lucas’ closet
6. My closet 
7. Travis’ closet
8. Daisy’s fence
9. Fridge
10. Upstairs
11. Under kitchen sink
12. Bathroom closet
13. My car
14. Travis’ truck
15. Family Binder
16. Nightstands
17. Top of dressers
18. Desk
19. Garage
20. Upstairs
21. Pantry
22. Mail Pile
23. Yard
24. Bookshelf
25. CD’s/DVD’s/Video Games
26. Laundry Room
27. My dresser
28. Purse
29. Travis’ dresser
30. Clothes Hampers

In need of a date night...

"Keep your courtship alive.  Make time to do things together -- just the two of you.  As important as it is to be with the children as a family, you need regular weekly time together.  Scheduling it will let your children know that you feel that your marriage is so important that you need to nurture it.  That takes commitment, planning, and scheduling."    

-Joe J. Christensen

 Travis, if you're reading my blog, which I highly doubt, I just want you to know that I am in desperate need of some 'just you and me' time!  Love you!

Child's Independence

Lord help me not to do for my children what they can do for themselves
Help me not to give them what they can earn for themselves
Help me not to tell them what they can look up for themselves.
Help me to help my children stand on their own two feet and to grow into responsible, disciplined adults.

by Marion Wright Edelman

 

In my parenting, I will try to: 

- Let Lucas fail sometimes, asking him if he needs help up afterwards

- Give him chores and responsibilities appropriate to his age

- Take extra time when teaching, to ask questions instead of giving answers

- Having high expectations for his behavior

- Believing that he will accomplish everything he sets out to do.