Finer Things: Children's Joy

I absolutely love it when my children draw me pictures or make me a craft of some sort. They are always so proud of what they do and more than eager to show it off.

My two boys could draw, color, or craft all day long, every day of their life if they were allowed to. My daughter on the other hand, would rather paint her nails or cook with me in the kitchen.

While looking through some pictures that we recoverd from an old computer I came across one of my oldest's drawings that we emailed out to family. Nicholas has a incredible love for all things history or geographically related, and has incredible attention to detail. This particular picture was drawn around December of 2007--and remains of my favorites that he has drawn.

He freehanded it, with marker while looking at a puzzle--notice the capitols.

Their attention to detail, their willingness to learn, and their utter joy when they see the approval on your face is a Finer Thing in my book!

Check out Finer Things Friday over at Amy's.

Finally!

It's sad, but it's true. I don't think I can remember the last time I could see the top of my kitchen table. It pains me, because this is where we are suppossed to be eating supper, but it has been taken over with my seed collection.

It's bad.

This picture was even snapped after I cleaned some stuff off of it.

Notice the dirt mess, too?!

I'm a bit embarassed.

But, not anymore!

This is what she looks like right now!

Don't mind that on the bench behind the table, I have placed all my seeds while they are waiting patiently to go outside to the greenhouse. Or wherever I decide to stash them until planting time.

Funny, my husband just called and I told him you could see our table. He couldn't believe it!

That is when you know it really is bad!

While I was at it, I scrubbed down the wall, and the floors. Everything is so sparkly and ready for our St. Patrick's Day Feast.

Glad I got that tackled! Now, if only I could find the top of my desk. ;)

Be sure to check out what others are tackling this week over at Tackle it Tuesday.

We've Hired a Gardener

It's kind of hard for me to keep up with all the gardening plans this year.

Thankfully we were able to find a gardener.

The frugal side of me didn't want to pay a whole lot, but I still wanted a quality worker.

We were blessed to find a young man willing to be paid in chocolate chip cookies!

Here he is giddy as can be in the greenhouse early in the morning. Isn't he a cutie?! He loves to help me water all the little seedlings, and tote them from here to there. He is very cautious as to not touch any of the plants because "that will kill 'em".

It just makes me melt to hear him talk about them, and for him to ask all sorts of questions. I love that he is learning, and that we can spend this time together. Even if it costs me a bunch of chocolate chip cookies!

This time is a Finer Thing and I'm going to relish in it!

For more Finer Things, check out Finer Things Friday.

Singing Houses and Hospitality

I had a completely different post planned in my mind for today, but I put that all aside after reading Moms The Word post about hospitality.



Amazingly enough this is something that has been weighing on my mind a lot, lately. Isn't it amazing how God puts these things in your life at just the right time? Ahh--what an awesome God we serve! :)



As a homemaker, I have been on almost every end of the spectrum (which cracks me up, since I have only been a homemaker for 9 years!). I haven't been on the completely filthy, shut my house down end--but way too close for my liking! Definitely not something to be proud of, or an environment for company, which we never had anyway.



When I first started out living on my own, I was very meticulous, everything was always put up. We lived comfortably in our home, but I was constantly going behind my oldest and picking up anything he wasn't playing with at the time. Not a fun environment for him.



Right now, my home is okay for unexpected company. I hear it humming, rather than the singing I want to hear. My mission over the next few weeks/months is to take control of my homemaking duties {again}, but not overdo it.



I want my home to be singing, and welcoming neighbors and friends with open arms. But, I don't want to be so freakish that I pick up after every move of my company, or my family. I want us to be comfortable. To live here and to enjoy it.

This is my Make Your Home Sing List this week:

• I hope to focus and gain control of my kitchen table, yet again. It is still overrun with seeds, and planters.
• Thankfully my decluttering has really lifted some weight off, but I think I could go around and declutter again.
• Look over my Housecleaning Schedule--and see if I can make any changes.
  

What are you doing to make your home sing? Check out Moms The Word to see what others are doing.

My Baby Girl is 7?!

My baby girl has turned 7, and I cannot believe it! Where has the time gone?



Her birthday was actually in the middle of February, but with Valentine's Day and other craziness, we weren't able to have Kaitlyn's "friend" party until last weekend. It was well worth the wait.



We went with a Hannah Montana/pamper theme. For the goodie bags we put nailpolish, nail file, hair curlers, makeup, and some other randomness. We painted fingernails/toenails, put on tons of makeup and slept in rollers so they could all have curly hair in the morning.



But, the highlight of it all?



Hearing my baby girl read her birthday cards with very little assistance.



Definitely a Finer Thing in life.

Be sure to check out more Finer Things over at Finer Things Friday.

Spring, are you here?

Living in Southern Missouri, you never know what to expect when it comes to the weather. This year is a perfect example of that. One day it may be close to 80 degrees outside, and a couple days later we could get this:

One of the best snow storms we have had in recent memory. Total of about 6 inches, that was mostly gone by noon on Sunday. We are to be in the mid 60's on Wednesday!

Thursday I was on a mission to get my home clean before my house was bombarded with 6 girls aged 7 and under. When I started my list, I was on a mad dash to finish it. But, then I got sidetracked and ended up doing an all out spring cleaning fest! My home has had an overhaul, and I think I can almost hear it singing.


It has been awhile since I have done more than the regular, run of the mill cleaning. My home was in dire need of it, and I'm so glad that I did it. Although, now I have to make up for it and finish my To Do list from last week!



I washed all my walls in the living room getting them ready to be primed and painted and wiped down all the trim (ick, ick, ick!). My bedroom was becoming the black pit of doom--all the toys we were wanting to get rid of, and all the picture frames that I have taken off the wall (wanting to switch out pictures and regroup my frames) were piled up in there. Definitely not the sanctuary that it should be. I did a head to toe clean of this room as well. Boy what a difference it makes.



When I was done in those 2 rooms, I moved into my kitchen and wiped off the top of my refigerator, and the china hutch. I'm usually pretty good at staying on top of them, but I think it had been awhile since I done them last!



As I was cleaning all through out the house, I was also ridding it of the excessive amounts of clutter and paper junk. I now have a big donation pile, which really makes me smile!



Today, since I do not have my regular cleaning to do, I will finish up part of my to do list from last weeks list, continue to plant some seeds, and just relish in the awesomeness that is a clean, sparkly, singing home!

Have you started your Spring Cleaning yet?

Be sure to check out Moms The Word new Monday meme: Making your Home Sing Monday.

This post is also linking to 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tackling My To Do List

Coming into this week, I knew that it was going to be busy and hectic. I was ready to embrace it, and get cracking.



But, Monday came, and I hit just about every snag I possibly could. And I wasn't happy about it.



Thankfully, though, I didn't let it get me down.



I wrote out my To-Do List for the week, and there were 13 things that HAD to be done before Friday evening (we are finally have my daughter's friend birthday party).



Here they are:

• Finish painting the ceiling in living room and hallway. Oh what a difference this made!
• Clean up and finish reorganizing the livng room. Move out clutter!
• Clean up Laundry Room. (When I find something that the kids have outgrown, we just put it on the dryer until we have enough to donate. Also, I have a really bad problem with folding the laundry, but just stacking it up on the rocking chair that is in there instead of putting them away.) Basically, lots of clothing clutter!
• Take donations to town.
• Put away the snowflake/snowmen towels. (I'm such a procrastinator!)
• Tidy up the front porch area. Bring out some spring decorations.
• Finances. Do check up for February, and pay the bills.
• Do taxes. (Told you I was a procrastinator!)
• Make ahead weekend breakfasts.
• Make snacks. (Granola bars, muffins, cookies)
• Make meal plan for March and grocery list.
• Plant the rest of my seeds (or as many as I can).
• Plan ahead some blog posts.

I guess some of those didn't actually have to be done by Friday, but it would make things easier. I haven't gotten all of them done just yet, but I will come back and update as I get them done. I'm hoping that today will be super productive and I can knock most of them out.

I'm hoping that with me posting this for everyone to see, that I will be more accountable and eager to attack. We'll see--because this coffee is taking forever to kick in!

Stop by Happy to Be at Home for more Thursday Thirteen.

What do you need to get done this week? How are you doing on your "To-Do's?"

Taking it For Granted

I love my job. I really, really do. There are days that I just feel overwhelmed by all my housewife-ly mommy duties--but honestly I wouldn't change it for a second.



I say this, because I have been taking it for granted, and I didn't realize it. I've come accustomed to always having my kiddos around.



We live away from all of our family, and I have major issues with trusting people to watch my kiddos. Needless to say, our breaks are few and far between. And, well, we are okay with that.



My sister in law surprised me this week, and came down for the big kids' Basketball game and offered to take our 3 year old back home with her--until Saturday!



I hestitated, but we agreed.



It has been ever so quiet today, but yet very productive while my big kids were off to school. I was home, by myself for most of the day.



A quiet day, and a much needed break, are definitely a finer thing in life. But you know what? So is mommyhood--and boy have I missed it today.



I miss my baby! I'll be sure to catch up on those snuggles when you come home! ;)

To see other Finer Things in Life, be sure to check out Finer Things Friday over at Amy's.

I'm stepping out of my box.....

And I'm FINALLY going to sew something!



My mom and dad bought me a sewing machine for Christmas '02. I asked for one because I really wanted to make a quilt. The only thing I had ever even sewn before this point in time, were curtains, and a small blanket for Nicholas back when I was pregnant with him (that was 2000). We bought all the patterns and such to make his entire bedroom bedding set things...but I was put on a very restrictive bed rest, and eventually the hospital 2 months before I had him...so it never got finished.



Anyway...my machine has barely been used. It hasn't even seen the light of day for over a year...maybe 2. Honestly, I cannot even remember the last thing I used it for. That is, before Halloween.



In true procrastinator fashion..I waited until the week of Halloween to make my kids' costumes. This year actually involved sewing. Gah! But, it revived my creative mind.



Since I've buckled down the budget, I've all but eliminated our normal Christmas budget. I knew that this meant I would have to be creative, which is fine with me. I like to pretend I'm crafty! :)



So, I'm a sewing!



I'm making pajamas for my kids, and I hope to make many more things before Christmas gets here. (I've started late, huh? Oops!)



I've never in my life read a pattern. I had NO idea what I was doing...but I think that I may have figured it out.



If anyone has any advice...I'm all ears! I'm in dire need. Posts will probably be a little sparatic as well...because I am on a mission! I'll be in and out for atleast the next week.

Wish me luck!

Out of the mouth of babes...

My husband and I have really been trying to wake up earlier during the week. Generally we have been waking up at 6, and rushing around to get everyone out of the door at 6:40.

Talk about chaotic!

And, Nicholas has been acting up a bit at school and we wondered if maybe there was just too much going on in the mornings, and was causing him to be in a rut.

So, our quest began.

We've been waking up about 5 and since I have all this extra time and I must move to stay awake, I decided I shall make breakfast!

Willie didn't know what to do with himself!

I hardly ever make breakfast, and if I do...it is pancakes/waffles or some form of muffin. But, apparently all of the carbs give Willie awful heartburn by mid-morning. He needs some "real" food, according to him. So, for the last 2 mornings I've made homemade whole wheat bicuits and sausage gravy.

I think I may have finally mastered the whole "gravy from scratch" concept. Who woulda thought that I could become so domesticated?!
anyway, last night as we were nearing bed, Willie asked if Biscuits and Gravy were on the menu for the morning. I told him that I had forgotten to pick up some more baking powder, so I would make something else..he just needed to let me know.

He never did, so I assumed that I was off the hook for breakfast.

Apparently not everyone felt this way!

When my daughter finished getting dressed and came to the kitchen for breakfast she opened up the cabinet to get her a plate and I asked her what she was up to.

"Just gettin' me a plate for some biscuits and gravy, Momma."

"Honey, I didn't get to make any this morning. I'm sorry. You want me to get you something else?"
She got down from the counter and looked down at the floor and was walking away from me and said, "No, I guess that if the school has some, I will just eat theirs."
I felt about 2 inches tall.

Who woulda known that they wanted homemade breakfast so bad.

Busy Fall brings New Schedule

I know that I have already said it a gazillion times....but I LOVE fall!

We've had some awesome weather (other than when Hurricane Ike came through Southern Missouri and caused considerable damage and left us withought power for 30 hrs!) and we have tons of things planned. With these new plans I am finding myself considerably overwhelmed.

This can be the result of many, many things but I am really trying to not let it affect me or my housewifely duties.

For the last few months I have made it my goal to not only be a better wife to my awesome husband, but to be a better mother to my children, and a better economist for my family. I've been a stay at home mom for just over 4 years now, but have just begun to seriously take my job serious. I truly feel that this is where God wants me, and I should do the best to my abilities.

With that said, I have decided to make a new schedule for myself regarding house cleaning, and actually make a list for my kiddos as well. I've done the list for my children numerous times before, and when summer comes around all of it goes out the window. Hopefully this will not be the case this go around.

My oldest child has ADHD and he thrives on routine. His whole day is out of whack if his schedule gets thrown askew. With the new school year things are always relatively crazy with him, so I have put the whole chore schedule thing off. I think now is the time for all of us since fall brings a flood of family/church activities.

Here is my new schedule:

• Monday: Clean living room. Clear off desk area (This is such a problem area for me!). Wash all sheets.



• Tuesday: Kitchen/Dining Room. Sweep/mop floors.



• Wednesday: Bathroom #1 (scour ads and finalize deals/lists/menus)



• Thursday: Laundry Room. Bathroom #2



• Friday: Tidy all rooms. (This is also my shopping day..so I need to keep it light)

This is in addition to my daily laundry. I usually do 2-3 loads a day. Ugh! It is neverending!

I'm hoping that making a daily schedule will be less time consuming/overwhelming than keeping up with the whole house everyday. Sometimes I feel as if this is all I do. I used to have a schedule when I first started staying home, but I got out of it when I was pregnant with my youngest (all I wanted to do was sleep!).

I haven't fully decided what I will make the kids do yet. I have some ideas in place, but I haven't fine tuned them. I will post when I have their duties down.

In the meantime, if any of you have chores/earning schedules for your kids...pass it along. I could always use some extra ideas!