Why Order?

Everything I do, I do for a reason - a reason found in the Word.  So, here are my top reasons for keeping a tidy home:
- Check out Proverbs 31, specifically verse 27.  The woman is BUSY, hard-working and industrious.  You just get the feeling that all things are in order.  Things have been cared for well.  Many women dislike this chapter simply because they can't live up to it.  You're right, you can't, unless you're walking in grace.
- Check out Titus 2:5.  The older women are to teach the younger women all sorts of things, including how to be workers at home.  There are OODLES of things to do at home.  Can't find anything?  Go to your front porch, open the front door, think like a visitor and walk inside your home.  Suddenly, you realize what work there is to be done (if you happen to be one who has grown immune to cobwebs, dust and clutter.  Some of us know the work to be done but are on the verge of insanity at the thought of how to accomplish it.) 

Why a Christian Home Should Be Tidy

People flinch when you talk about a tidy house.  I'd like to say that I'm sorry for bringing up a sensitive topic, but I'm not.  Here's why: I believe that it is Godly to keep a tidy house.  I believe that it glorifies Him.  I also believe that an untidy, disordered home shames His name.  I'm not talking about having a perfect HGTV-friendly home.  I did not say a model home.  I said a TIDY house.  Stay with me here.  Don't stop reading because I've offended you please.  God is a God of order.  Look at the order He placed in our bodies, this world, church services and His plan.  It's amazing.  It stands to reason that our lives and even our homes ought to be a reflection of that. 

Helpful stuff

Breakfast:
M - Pancakes, Waffles or French Toast (I make a big batch every few weeks and freeze them.)
Tu - Eggs (I make them in a ceramic bowl in the microwave - fluffy and cheesy!)
W - Hot Cereal (winter) or Yogurt & Toast (summer)
Th - Cold Cereal
F - Bagels

Lunch:  (I keep veggies, fruit, yogurt & applesauce stocked as sides)
M - Soup and Grilled Cheese
Tu - Bean Burritos
W - PB & J
Th - Lunch Meat & Cheese Sandwiches or Build-Your-Own Cracker Towers
F - Peanut Butter & Honey Burritos

PS - I rattled all these off the top of my head.  There was only one that Skeeter (#1) had to remind what we normally have.  My point being - that's like ten decisions I eliminated!!!!  Wahoo!!!  :) 

Why Rotate?

I've never been a fan of double work.  Actually, I often say, "I hate double work."  Then, I correct myself, "I strongly dislike double work."  My Dad and my husband both love efficiency.  I think my upbringing taught me to get the most quality work done in the smallest amount of time.  And, I strive to apply that to wifehood and motherhood.  In this instance, specifically motherhood.  Mommies get so worn out by making the same decisions time after time, day after day.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  Usually, it is because we can't or don't stop the cycle long enough to organize our days a little.  I use a concept called rotations to make my life easier.  We have a breakfast rotation and a lunch rotation.  That means, every Monday we have the same thing for breakfast and lunch.  Every Tuesday we have the same thing for breakfast and lunch and so on throughout the week.  This schedule is posted.  It is planned for when I'm at the grocery store.  We always have the ingredients on hand.  They are things I know (most) of my children like or will eat.  Finally, I've (mostly) eliminated that horrid SIGH and frustrated "I DON'T KNOW," that comes out when Mommy is tired, the children are hungry and ready for lunch and Mommy doesn't want another decision to make.  Save yourself the trouble, make a rotation.  They get used to it.  (They'll hold you to it.)  And you can put your energy into bigger decisions. 

Merry Christmas

May our precious Lord be the center of this day!

A little Daddy-Hero-Worship

"Mama, how are seashells made?"

"I don't know, Honey.  I think that's a Daddy question." 

"Yes, Daddy will know... Daddy knows almost everything..  Lowering her voice to almost a whisper, she added, "....Like God." 

- Conversation with Scooter (#2)

Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain

"Me yike my home.  It high up." 

"Me yike my chuck (truck).  Did Daddy make it?"

 

- Skipper (#3)

A Day Off for Mommy

After a nice day off, shopping with my sister, this is what Skeeter (#1) had to say to me:

"Why do you need a day off?  You get a day off every day.  You don't go to work."

 

I think I laughed so hard, I almost cried. 

Some poetry I stumbled upon:

Why Suffer Again?

 

There is none like You.

None compare.

Your glory is magnificent –

Your power is amazing.

 

Imputed sin upon Your back,

The world’s guilt on Your shoulders –

Sacrifice unmatched,

Innocence unrivaled.

A torturous death

For a greater gain.

My tear may fall

For all Your pain,

Until now,

I realize,

To weep because my sin put You there

Is much more beneficial…

Then I gaze on generations

Now and to come,

Slowly I understand

The enormity of the guilt, pain and sorrow,

They still choose to carry on their backs.

My Lord suffered,

Why suffer again?

 

-7/20/02

Just a few more things being a Mom has taught me:

• I could never pray enough for my children.

• A toddler with a broom can touch the sky.

• If one puffs out their chest and stands on tiptoes, one is big.

• If one wants to know what one’s faults are, watch to see what one’s toddler is imitating.

• Poop stinks up the nursery; Mommy’s rotten attitude stinks up the whole house.

 

• Sleep is a relative term.  Never underestimate the value of the Power Nap!

• Bedtime is very close to being a sacred ritual; don’t mess with it.

Jake & Skipper (#3)

Jake is our Golden Retriever.  He LOVES people food.  We think this is because he thinks he IS people.  And, it doesn't help that we treat him as such here.  It's just how we roll.  So, Jakey helps me load the dishwasher.  That means, he is the pre-rinse cycle.  Evidently, he now feels this is in his job description and he wouldn't want to shirk his responsibility, now would he?  So, I happened to place a dish in the dishwasher without it passing his inspection first.  He promptly inserted his head and shoulders into the dishwasher to take care of the situation.  In the process, he was dislodging other neatly stacked dishes.  Mommy scolded him.  Of course, his ears went down and he tried to apologize.  But, Mommy is somewhat cold toward his apologies, since he is sometimes a repeat-offender.  Mommy quickly gave him a sermonette on repentance and the fruit of repentance.  "Jakey, why don't you show me some fruit of repentance some time?"  To which, Skipper (#3) loudly piped up, "Mommy, Jakey CAN'T!" 

PS - I do apologize for the formatting issues showing up in the "Things Being a Mom Taught Me" series.  I have not been able to resolve these issues thus far. 

More stuff being a Mom has taught me

• How to put others’ needs and wants ahead of my own. 
• I now say the same things as my Mom did and I understand why she said them.
• Fingerprints on my windows are special.  They mean my children live here and have a blast.  Some day I’ll wish there were fingerprints on my windows again.
• How to do things one-handed.
• To count my blessings.

Those Silly Battles

Mommy & Daddy never plug the tree in until dusk.  However, Scooter (#2) and Skeeter (#1) have been taught how to safely plug a cord into an outlet.  Now, every time I turn around, the tree is on!  They rush out and turn it on first thing in the morning.  And, when I think they aren't paying attention or not in the room, I turn it off.  Mysteriously, a little while later, it is on again.  Just a silly battle that makes me chuckle on the inside!  :)

Toddler-ese

• The whispered prayers of a toddler confound the faith of a Mommy.
• “Toddler-ese” is the most beautiful language in the whole world.
• Being recognized by my baby is better than being recognized by any paparazzi.
• Love is THE rule. 
• A “Big Helper” helping does not mean one will complete the task more quickly.  Rather, it means one will have better company while completing the task.

the Mouth

• - If you want to explore or learn about something, put it in your mouth. 

• - If you find it on the floor, put it in your mouth.

• - If you find a hole, a slot or some other miscellaneous small opening, stuff an object into it.

• - When lacking entertainment, simply yell, “Chase me.”

• - “Mommy, I love you” is a Godsend phrase on the worst of days.

Toddler times

• 5 or more snacks a day are better than 3 meals a day.

• If one does not like Supper, hold out because snack time is coming!

• A smile or a coo are plenty payment for numerous diapers changed and baths given. 

• How many books one Mommy can really read in 1 day.

• How many times the same question can be asked without boring a toddler. 

Being a Mom has taught me:

- Things are not always broken; they might have been re-programmed by a toddler. 

- If something went “Bye-byes,” it might not be something one wants to go “Bye-byes.” 

- Sometimes, one ought to be concerned about the method of “Bye-byes,” the toilet, the mouth, etc.

- The value of an uninterrupted, look-me-in-the-eyes conversation.

She's Looking

So, this morning, in church, I noticed an 11 yr old girl, looking over at a young woman in our congregation.  In that short glance, I observed that the younger girl was evaluating the older girl's clothing.  And, I thought to myself, "Don't look!"

My husband and I are raising three little girls and we want them to grow up into Godly young women - in all things... everyday life, relationships, choices, clothing, everything.  And, this very day, I decided that I would keep my mind on our own business - our family, our girls.  But, I will send out this twofold plea:

#1 - Young girls~ Don't look to the every "Christian" young woman as your example.  Not all of them are exemplifying a way of living or dressing that is pleasing to God.

#2 - Young women~ Please realize that the young girls are watching you.  Stop being so selfish and worldly. I cannot believe that you'd walk out the door looking like that.  Look in the mirror and listen to the Holy Spirit's view of your outfit and attitude.