Not What I Was Expecting

The big girls start their second year of school tomorrow.  It's a little surreal.  I feel like I was just at the beginning of summer, and dreading the 3 months that were to follow.  I honestly thought I'd be ready to shove them out the door and send them on their way tomorrow.

Instead I have a mix of emotions.  I'll be glad to have a break from the struggles that come in waves throughout the day, but am feeling a bit sad too.  Maybe some of you are used to this feeling, but I'm not.  I'm a tough-love, independent, task-oriented, minimally relational kind of person. 

It has taken me off guard that's all!  I guess even I had a fun summer with my girls, and in retrospect, have seen them blossom.  Oh my, what will this year hold?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~Jeremiah 29:11

Simple Impact

My youngest was walking around the flea market with me, and decided to try out every children's rocking chair she saw, saying, "I want that, mama!"  I was not interested in spending $15+  on something she would outgrow in a year, and was sort of ho-hum.

We happened upon a simple rocking chair, fire engine red with a broken seat.  It had been woven, but dried and split.  (I know I should have a before picture.)  We talked the seller down from $5 to $3, and left with it.  I'm into cheap rehabs, although seldom to I get around to completing the projects I have in mind.

This is the result.  I had a can of purple spray paint at home, and I bought some yarn at AC Moore, an did a simple weave on the seat.

She loves it!

^"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."

~Acts 3:19-21

Streamlined Chore Chart

We've been needing a chore chart at our house.  Or maybe I should say, I'VE been needing one.  I am a bit controlling, and prefer to do things myself, so that I know they get done MY way.  Anyone else have this problem?  The real problem is that my kids have no ownership in cleaning up or caring for our house, and no sense of what I do in a given day or week.

So, I turned to Pinterest...thinking prayer would have been a better starting place.

There are plenty of options out there, and I won't say mine is the best, it just works the best for me, and just maybe will help some of you.  Keeping in mind this is all flexible, materials, layout, etc.  It was important to me to laminate everything, so it could be kept reasonably clean, and a magnetic system, so I could change it weekly.

My Shopping list:

• Magnetic board 12x12 or 12x18
• Small dot magnets (for the checks)
• Mini Popsicle sticks, ~2" long
• A roll of adhesive magnet (for the back of the chore sticks)
• Smiley stickers, or something else small 
• Glue or adhesive

Optional supplies:

• Contact paper or self-adhesive laminate sheets, even packing tape can work
• Printer
• Label paper

Directions:
I created a chart in Excel, and printed it, and then glued it down on my board. Try not to do much overlapping, so your magnets have the best chance of sticking.  I put contact paper over the top, and overlapped onto the magnetic board slightly to seal it in. 

I typed out my chores and included some manners that I wanted to focus on for the week.  I printed mine on label paper so that they have adhesive to adhere to the sticks.  You can simply hand write chores on sticks, or just glue paper on the sticks too.  I added packing tape over top of the chores, so they don't smudge.  Then cut a sliver size magnet to attach to the back of each stick.  This will allow you to assign different chores as needed.

As for the checks, we used smiley face stickers, just stick to the dot magnets, and as the kids complete their chores they can place them on their own.  The manner sticks I award at the end of each day or if a child remembers and does something really amazing!

I keep my extra chores in a baggie, but if you by a larger board, you could keep them to the side.

Each Sunday, I clear the board and mix things up.  There are many other chores that could be added, so just keep your family in mind when creating it.  And don't overload you kids with too many at a time.

I would love to post templates, but not sure I can on this blog.

I secretly want my own checks so I can show off how much of the work that I accomplish, however, I must refrain and keep my pride in check...

"Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

~PROVERBS 22:6 

Crafting Hacks

Ok, two years is too long!  Yes, that's how long I've procrastinated putting up blog posts.  I've been having fun crafting with my girls, and doing some fun projects for myself or my family, and have failed to put them up.  Time to catch up! 

Busy, Busy...Church Busy Bag (Quiet Bag)

Back again with another Busy Bag.  This bag has been inspired to occupy my girls who just graduated out of the 2's & 3's class at church.  So it could also be considered a quiet bag, to help them through our church service.  All items were purchased, rather than made.

Found a fun magnetic doll, just the right size for this little bag.
Dry erase crayons and a wipe off book from the dollar store. 
A magnetic board adds another drawing option.
For good measure I threw in a pen, which is a treat for my girls, and some scribble paper (can also be folded in endless ways).

Some lacing cards and a bit of a change.  Thread them in lots of fun ways.

These cute Bible cards came in 3 packs at the Dollar store.
And make popsicle stick puzzles is so easy and fun.  I just scour magaizes for colorful pictures and glue them to the sticks, then cut once dry.

Get creative and add things your kids will love and that will keep them busy, but QUIET!

Being Real As a Person

So, my blog is entitled "Being Real as a Mom", but today I have a more personal focus, "Being Real As a Person".

I left Bible Study this morning, and decided to grab some McDonald's on the way.  It's a "treat" for my girls to get their fries.  As I had finished ordering, I had a recollection of people doing Random Acts of Kindness, and paying for people's orders behind them in line.  I have never done this particular type of "Random Act", but thought I would today.  (I am not sharing this to boast; please, read on.)

As I left McDonald's a ton of things flooded me.  Here's the real me, the sinful me (all in my head/heart):

• "Come on, look back in the rear view to see the guy's reaction."
• "I wonder if he'll try to follow me to thank me."
• "I hope that God will return the blessing by giving our van a clean inspection tomorrow."
• "Should I call my hubby, and tell him what I did?"

Ok, so there it is, the shameful truth of my mind and my heart.  The interesting thing though is that this scripture came to mind, and interceded:

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, 

as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, 

to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received 

their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, 

do not let your left hand know what your right hand 

is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, 

who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  ~ Matthew 6:2-4

 I don't expect reward, in retrospect, but our gracious Father is faithful to give it in this:  He gives me a fresh perspective, forgiveness, knowledge, and a fortified armor, and the hope that I can do better next time.
What a personal reminder, given that it is Easter week!  Thank you Jesus!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

—not by works, so that no one can boast.

~Ephesians 2:8-9

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

through which the world has been crucified to me, 

and I to the world." ~Galatians 6:14

Simplify & Organize

I don't generally do things that require lots of time.  I just never seem to have large chunks of time with three young kids.  So quick and easy is my motto!

Was going crazy over the eight boxes of open cereal in my pantry today, and realized that many of them were open because I like to make a cereal mix on the mornings when we have to head out in a hurry.  I usually scoop handfuls of several varieties and put them in snack cups for on-the-go eating.

It dawned on me today, that I could just combine the varieties in one of my cereal storage containers, and when I'm in a hurry I can save even more time by just pouring some out rather than taking the effort to mix on a busy morning.  Here's a picture of my mix: Cheerios, Yogart O's, Fruit Loops, Quaker Oatmeal Squares.  I have been know to add in raisins, craisins, mini-marshmallows, chocolate chips, banana chips, etc.

I had also been wondering what to do with my empty Puff containers.  I decided to put my baby cereals in them.  They are so much easier to pour from and will stay fresher.