in the thicket

Thankfulness

Do you ever have moments of feeling overwhelmed with gratitude? I do, and I seem to have those moments when I need them most, when I do have much to be thankful for, but also stuff "hanging" over our heads, unsettled. However, we are so blessed in many ways- we have a (generally) happy little family, my dh has a good job (long prayed-for here in NC), he is FINALLY over his pneumonia, we are living in a home that is more than adequate for our needs, and I'm finally starting to make some friends and feel a bit more "settled" here. Our extended family is here- I'm delighted when I receieve a last-minute phone call that my brother and SIL are in the area and we can have them over for dinner. I'm happy that after a mere 3 hour drive (as opposed to 12-13 hours) we find ourselves at my IL's front door. I'm getting used to my dad popping in unexpectedly to pick up his mail (he still hasn't changed his address officially, I think it's an excuse to drop by and visit.)

I feel that all of us here in America are so blessed in so many ways, yet of course there are people who are truly struggling and needy here. And there is often negative news coming out about possible recessions and downturns. I was complaining about the "panic" to dh last night who said, "Well, if people lose their jobs, they are going to panic. How would you feel if I suddenly lost my job?" Well, I would panic, of course! It would be very scary, and I really pray it doesn't happen in a widespread way. However, I don't know if a little bit of economic down-turn or slow-down is really a terrible thing... to be honest, it seems like it's a natural thing. I know it's hard for me to always surge forward and "improve" constantly. We are all human, in a human system.

I'm also not really sure what the Christian response to all this is... about the best I can figure out right now is to try to maintain a focus of thankfulness, for God's general work in the world and in my life, and for answers to specific prayers. Maybe I'm sticking my head in the sand a bit, but for my own sanity I can't let myself dwell on the negativity "out there." That's harmful to my family, and counterproductive to my goals as a wife and mother.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,

'Be strong; fear not!

Behold, your God will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God.

He will come and save you."

Isaiah 35:4

And the familiar Sermon on the Mount...

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 25:25

Other things I'm thankful for... Fridays, 3 day weekends, 1 year old snuggles and 4 year old songs about loving others, messes to clean up because friends were over and we had FUN, yummy new soup recipes, my coffee maker, how comfortable and family my bed is, a garage (which is also shelter to a bird at night), a yard full of trees, a quiet street to live on, museums and libraries to visit, numerous books to read, fun hobbies like digital scrapbooking and knitting, and online friends and messageboards where I can go "beyond" my home and connect with others.

I don't usually do these sorts of pages, but I was pleased with how this one turned out...Layout Credits here...

Scrapping goals for 2008

One of my favorite digital scrapbooking stores is Sweet Shoppe Designs. They host various challenges, and one of them is called, "From our Blog to yours." The question posed is, "What are your goals in 2008 as a scrapper?"

Mine are fairly simple... first, to take better pictures and learn more about how to "process" them. Second, to continue to refine and develop my personal style in a way that enhances my photos and any journaling on them. Third, I want to actually print my LOs! My very sweet SIL gave me a gift card to have my pages printed, so that should get me started. Oh, one more goal- pace myself to avoid burn-out. :)

TGIF

Yep, TGIF. :) Mostly because MOPS started again today, and I really love MOPS! It was something that would have been fun as a mother of one, but wow as a mother of two I NEED that break and chance to have fun with other moms. I just love it, it's something we are all enjoying. Even Gwendolyn seems to have "taken" to her new teacher though she's not thrilled with me leaving... she does settle down quickly and smiles and waves bye-bye to her. And now a local friend (and some of her friends, who seem very nice) have started attending my MOPS group- the more the merrier! :)

I was so excited to login and find out that one of the designers I am on a creative team for, Kristin Cronin-Barrow, had uploaded two kits that were so cute that will be on sale tomorrow. I had a great picture of Charlotte that I had been "saving" for the right kit and decided to scrap it while Gwen was napping during quiet time. Right before I scrapped this, Charlotte acted really ugly actually, had a little fit because I refused to let her watch Disney channel (I prefer PBS during quiet time, the shows on Disney in the afternoon are not OK for her) and also because she was mad that her sister needed a nap, she wanted her to stay awake and play. I can't say that I blame her sometimes, she has started to seem restless during quiet time and because I hold Gwen during her naps she is sort of at loose ends by herself, and for a child as social as she is, that's hard. It's not okay to blow raspberries at your mother and scream, though!

Anyway, here she is in all her cuteness...

Coming out of a bad period, I hope/pray

We have just had a bad time of it, in our family! Colds, ear infections, and then my dh getting pneumonia. I've been just absolutely exhausted, and just feeling overwhelmed the past week or so in particular.

This is the second day I've felt better, and I'm cautiously hoping that what had me down really was related to my ear infection. We really do still have a lot of "life stressors" hanging over us, but with good health I know we'd all cope a lot better.

I'm trying to take time out to enjoy my kids and dh in the midst of everything. To do my best to take care of myself and my home. I am trying to do what I can when I can and not stress about the undone.

Here's a recent page... life is good, really!

 

A gentle approach to housekeeping

Gentle to me, that is. The reality is, I am at home with two little ones who frequently go on search and destroy missions (basically, they find some semblance of order or organization and tear it apart, dump it out, etc) and who have the table manners of barbarians (though they both fuss to get sticky wiped off their hands, so that is good.) But, for my own sanity, I have to try to keep my house "good enough," though I'm stuggling to figure out what that is, actually.

I need something to follow, feeling very disorganized these days. And I'm giving myself permission to try it and modify it!!! I basically snagged a routine from a wonderful new-to-me blog, By Sun and Candlelight, that I found and modified it, because it was the one closest to what I tend to do that I found...

Here's my version... like I said, I am going to TRY it and see! This does not include my daily stuff that I do every day like dishes, sweeping, nightly pick-up, shining my sink, diaper check, etc.  My goal here is to come up with a routine that will keep my house from becoming a complete disaster but that won't have me doing ONE BIG cleaning one day a week, because that doesn't work for me, I've found. It used to, but doesn't anymore.  *shrug*

Also, I've sort of labeled my "focus" for each day. So if I do a little or a lot, that "area" will be my focus. Even if all I can do is set a timer and work in that area for 10 minutes, that is better than nothing!

Monday: Bedrooms & laundry
• Clean the bedrooms
      - Strip beds (launder bedding)
      - Neaten, dust/wipe surfaces
      - Vacuum upstairs
      - Remake beds with fresh linens
• Laundry (do bedding first, then clothes)
• Baking day if desired

Tuesday: Bathrooms, laundry & pets
• Clean the upstairs baths
      -      Launder towels & mats
      - Wash counters, walls & other surfaces
      - Clean the toilet
      - Wash out the sink
      - Rinse out toothbrush & soap holders
      - Clean bathtub or shower
      -Sweep & mop floor
      -Clean medicine cabinet
      -Hang fresh towels, lay out mats
      -Straighten linen closet
      -Check toilet paper & supplies
• Continue laundry (towels first, continue with clothes)
• Wash cat bowls & groom cats

Wednesday: Kitchen day
• Clean the kitchen
      -Straighten/wash down countertops (behind appliances, etc)
      -Clean windows
      -Shine sink, flush drains
      -Clean/polish stove
      -Wipe down all small appliances
      -Wipe off fridge, straighten items on it
      -Sweep & thoroughly mop floor
      -Clean out cabinets & fridge
      -Wipe fridge shelves & door
      -Wipe doors, switches, windows
• Finish up remaining laundry, wash dishcloths &  dishtowels
• Start grocery list, note items that need to be restocked

Thursday: Family Living Areas & Meal Planning
• Clean the Family Room/Office
      -Neaten (de-clutter)
      -Straighten/dust bookshelves, desk & armoire
      -Wash windows/mirror/door
      -Wipe down computer, TVs and electronics
      -Disinfect phones
      -Straighten/vacuum couch
      -Sweep/mop hall
      -Vacuum
• Organize/purge sale flyers & coupons
• Work on meal planning and grocery list for next week

Friday: Weekend preparation & Project Day
• Clean downstairs bathroom
• Project day- organizing or deep cleaning
• Finalize shopping lists
• Discuss weekend goals with Jason
• General clean-up for weekend
• Plan errands & chores for weekends
      -Grocery store
      -Target/Costco?

Saturday: Shopping & maintenance
• Grocery shopping or errands
• Finish up projects started
• Jason work on home maintenance stuff
• Bills- pay, organize or file as needed
• Make sure outfits are ready for Sunday

Sunday: Family and rest day
• Pick up Sunday paper, check coupons
• Plan activities for next week- chose book to ROW, etc
• Diaper/laundry check

Checking out Typepad

I can't find my old blog... it's there, but I can't read it, can't change it, so it's useless. So I think I'll play around in typepad during the free trial period and figure out if this will work for me or not.