Where have I been?

Janie Elise, getting so big!

Well, it has been a while. I have lots of blog thoughts just not enough time to blog them. : )

I am working so hard on routine around here. It seems when a baby comes I have a few months to where I have to think and plan, which works well because baby and I nurse, nurse and nurse some more. Then one day I wake up and realize that it is getting easier to get more done. Then I have a "planning fit" and plan our life out, yet again, including the new family member and off we go from there.

(Jessie, ready for school)

Back to school time came last week and I am pleased with how it went. We are being very eclectic this year and I am NOT buying many new books. I don't know if all you readers will understand how big that is for me. Nothing sends me into the land of joy more than the UPS man coming with all those boxes. Nevertheless, I am intending on seeing some of the books I have to the end.

I want to share some things that I have found that make my life, and the life of those living with me more pleasant.

First is FLYLADY! I am not new to her, but I recently revisited her site and re-read the book and worked out my control journal and I have to admit it feels so nice to know that although I have not dusted the entire house today that task is planned and it will get done. That takes so much stress off. Do you tend to get burdened with a fog of things to do and you are not sure where to start and know that as soon as you do someone little will need you? Well I do, and Flylady's routines help me so much.

Second is meal planning. This is big. When you have 4 hungry mouths looking at you in the morning and you are standing there in your gown thinking "not again" that is just not a good feeling. I mean I know that at least 3 times a day my family is going to be hungry.

So first I have a master meal plan. This is a blank calendar with each blank filled in with a meal we like. That alone take a huge load off when making a grocery list. When I start to plan our menu I don't have to sit and bang my head against the wall trying to figure out what to cook.

Next, I plan out my menu for the week. IN WRITING, not in my head. I downloaded forms from Donna Young for this. Then I use my grocery list which I typed up according to the aisle at the grocery store. On the front side is grocery items and on the back is household cleaning and hygiene type things. I cannot function without these things. I print off several of them and keep them in a folder so I don't have to go to the computer and print each time. (If you love your computer like I do you understand why it is a good idea not to sit at it when you need to get something done)

My next post I will try to do pictures of my laundry organization. This is my biggest problem area and with the system I have I can still get buried in Mt. Wash-more and not perish. It works for me. I promise I have been doing it for several years now. That speaks volumes! (If I could just get little Jenna to stop changing clothes 579 times a day. )

I really do enjoy the challenges of being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. My goal is to rein in my frustration level so that my children see that I enjoy it. I really believe that this is the best time of my life. Who would have thought it. If you knew me years ago, trust me, you would not believe it. God has been so good to me and I love all of these days of embracing the call of Motherhood.
And so ends this post because I hear all too familiar cry "Mommy, I'm done!"

Blessings!