tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8080514996353703092024-03-05T19:58:49.285-06:00Younger Every Day...A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT INTO OUR LIFE...Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-47424701905774063592015-05-05T21:43:00.000-05:002015-05-05T21:43:11.117-05:00Look! I Made This!!It has been more than a year since I have blogged, and, boy what a year it has been! I would apologize, but...ehhh...whatcha gonna do?<br />
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I have many thoughts in my mind the past few days & just felt the urge to write them down...to express them in some way. Isn't that what a blog is for? <br />
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If you know me at all, you might say I am a creative sort. I have always had a "thing" for creating stuff. Sometimes for money, sometimes for personal pleasure, often-times for relaxation.<br />
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Do you create? <br />
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What is your creative outlet?<br />
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Do you scrapbook (I do)? <br />
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How about photography (yep, that, too)?<br />
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Needlework (me, too!)?<br />
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Sewing (ummm..duh.)?<br />
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Quilting (nah...)?<br />
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One of the sometimes embarrassing, and secretly pleasant, side-effects of creativity is the compliments. The ooh's & the ahh's are....nice. I truly enjoy looking at something I have poured hours and hours of my time into. Conversely, I have been known to fully complete something, say an outfit for one of my kids, and then chunk it in the Goodwill bag after one wear because I was humiliated to say I had made it. Hey, we all have off days! HA!<br />
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So, by now, you may be thinking this post is a bit self-serving, and maybe, in the end, it will be. However, the creative expression that I want to talk about isn't about something you can buy supplies for at the local Hobby Lobby or Joanns craft stores. It's bigger than that. Chances are, it's something that even you...the self-professed "uncreative" person partakes in everyday.<br />
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Do you have kids?<br />
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I do.<br />
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Eight of them.<br />
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Yes. Eight.<br />
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Five girls & three boys.<br />
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Ages 6-21.<br />
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Yes, they are all mine.<br />
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No, there are no twins.<br />
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No, we aren't Mormon or Catholic.<br />
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No, we don't know the Duggars personally.<br />
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No, I didn't plan to have them all, God did.<br />
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(I think that covers all of the most-asked questions....)<br />
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My kids are my greatest creation. I know, I know...technically, I didn't create them, God did. However, I DID play a VERY big role in it...so I'll take a little bit of credit.<br />
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From the moment I first laid eyes on each of them, they stole my whole heart. I believe I must have, like, 10 or 13 hearts...one for each of my kids, one for my sweetheart, and some extras for all the other people I love.<br />
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From the moment I first held each one, I knew they were a great creation!<br />
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Each and every child is a wondrous creation.<br />
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I have, on more than one occasion had the feeling of wanting to have Lion King moment...you know, the scene where that creepy monkey holds up the baby lion for all the world to see. <br />
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C'mon...tell me you haven't had the urge to do that! <br />
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You know, hold up your kid high for all the world to see & yell at the top of your lungs, "HEY!!! LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!!" Bowing is optional.<br />
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Parenting is hard work. Seriously, the absolute hardest thing I have ever done in my whole entire life! I take it extremely seriously. To see them becoming decent, loving, God-fearing, kind, well-adjusted people is a deep source of pride for me. However, I can never sit back and rest & say...look how good they are turning out...I think I'll take a break. Because, unlike an unfinished sewing project, six months down the road, they won't be in the same place. "Resting" while parenting can cause so much extra work! <br />
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In the last 3 months, I have seen 2 of my creations completed. It has been bittersweet, to put it mildly.<br />
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Occasionally, I will make a particularly beautiful dress for my little girls and, when they outgrow it, I feel small sense of sadness at not having it on the scene anymore. I cannot make them stop growing, though, I have even tried to bribe them.<br />
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That sense of sadness is nothing compared to watching your beautiful daughter, dressed in the purest white, walk down the aisle and give her heart to a young man. <br />
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W.O.W! <br />
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The pain is acute. <br />
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But so is the pride.<br />
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That day, when I have sat and watched some of my finest creations pledge their life & love to another, has been the last time I had that Lion King moment. There she was...for everyone to see. So beautiful. So poised. So happy. She loves God. She is smart. She has so much to offer. AND she can cook!<br />
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I have never been more proud than that day.<br />
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I also have never hurt more. <br />
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I received the compliments graciously.<br />
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There are still 6 more creations at home. Works in progress. <br />
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I will still have cause to hold up my babies and show the world..."LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!"<br />
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Bowing is optional.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan & Enrique<br />
January 23, 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather & Seth<br />
May 2, 2015</td></tr>
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***Special note: This post is written from my standpoint, but is in no way meant to discount the role their Dad plays. Just saying...****<br />
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<br />Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-43343804009267645062014-04-15T23:31:00.000-05:002014-04-15T23:31:04.185-05:00Love & Marriage?<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My wonderful 17 year old high school senior had to give a speech (her final one) last week at school. Tonight, she read it to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> AHEM, I was impressed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So impressed, in fact, I decided to share it with all of you guys.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> The topic of her speech may not apply directly to you anymore, but, quite possibly, you may be facing the "dating dilemma" with your children soon (-er than you would like). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hope you enjoy...</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Love and Marriage?</u></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The wedding day had finally come. Joy and excitement coursed through Angie as she slowly strode toward her handsome groom. He gently took a hold of her hand and they turned in unison toward the minister. However, as they started repeating their vows to one another, the unthinkable happened. A young woman stood up in the audience, walked toward the groom, and latched herself to his arm. Angie’s eyes widened in shock as half a dozen other girls slowly made their way towards <i>her </i>groom. “Angie,” he started, “I love you, and you know I do. I have dated these girls in my past. They mean nothing to me now, but I foolishly gave a little piece of my heart to each one of them.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span> </span>Angie looked at him, bewildered, and with tears in her eyes said, “But I thought your heart was mine…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span> </span>“It is! All that’s left of it is yours.” With that, Angie woke up from her dream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">In 2011, there were 2,118,000 marriages in the </span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">United States</span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;">. This means that 6.8 out of 1,000 people in the total population got married. “But,” we may ask, “How many <i>divorces</i> were there in 2011?” The divorce rate for that year is 3.6 out of 1,000 people in the population. This means that for all the marriages instituted that year, almost half that number became divorced within the year. Not only is this situation difficult, it is pure torture for the children involved – no matter how old
they are. The home where you grow up is your foundation for the adult that you will become one day. Consequently, the home that you provide for your future children will be their founding structure of who they become.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span> </span>Why is that divorce rate so high, anyway? To put it bluntly, young adults start practicing “divorce” at a young age. They get together with someone; give away part – if not all – of their heart. Then, when the going gets too rough, they break up. On this scale, the most people that this breakup can seriously harm are two – the two young adults involved. It also harms the close family and friends of the couple. The relationship, and the ending of it, leaves scars that are not necessarily visible to the eye. Nevertheless, these deep hurts will be carried for the rest of that individual’s life. As a person gets older, though, the commitment is greater, and therefore might become a marriage contract. Sure, the first few years might go pretty well and you might have a child
or two. But what happens when the going gets tough and one person gives up on the other? It becomes another typical breakup. However, this time the hurts are on a scale of such magnitude that it hurts many people, including the children. It rocks the foundation of their home and forever alters who they will one day become. They are forced to choose one parent over the other, causing further hurt and division in the family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“How.” You may ask, “Can this possibly be avoided? Everyone dates! It’s just what people do.” No, that is what the world says we should do. However, we are Christians. Is there a better way? We are the children of the Most High God. Do you think He <i>wants</i> you to go through all the pain, hurt, scars, and rejection that this world goes through? Of course not! Right now, as a young adult, you need to decide what direction you want your life to take. The Bible says to “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” And while this was Joshua speaking to the Israelites, God still wants us to make that decision. God’s purpose for you right now is to further your growth in Him as an individual. In Joshua Harris’ book, “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”, he states that, “God gives us
singleness – a season of our lives unmatched in its boundless opportunities for growth, learning, and service – and we view it as a chance to get bogged down in finding and keeping boyfriends and girlfriends.” God has called us to a way of higher living. This does not mean that we’re snobs, it means that we preserve our hearts for the <i>one </i>person that God wants us to be with. And yes, that person <i>is </i>actually out there. If you truly want God’s best for your life, you’ll very willingly let Him choose the right person for you to be with. Do you trust Him? Wouldn’t you rather have the everlasting pleasure of being loved more than the fleeting version of it that leaves scars and hurt? The key is to give God our full attention, focus, and loyalty. Mr. Harris puts it like this, “<i>Why</i> would you change your
habits/attitude towards dating? Because the Christian with his or her eyes on the goal of sincere and intelligent love will find throwing out the world’s approach as no great sacrifice. Hebrews 12:1 says to throw off the weights and sins that so easily beset us. The attitude and practices of our culture’s dating relationships are unnecessary baggage that weighs us down.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What’s the alternative? Loneliness? Lifelong singleness? NO! Choosing to quit the dating game – and yes, it is a game – doesn’t mean <i>rejecting</i> friendship, companionship, or marriage with the opposite sex; we just choose to pursue them on God’s terms and in His own time.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Although we don’t sin when we look forward to marriage, we might be guilty of poor stewardship of our singleness when we allow a desire for something God obviously doesn’t have for us <i>yet</i> to rob our ability to enjoy and appreciate what He <i>has </i>given us. Dating plays a role in this dissatisfaction because it gives single people just enough (closeness to another person) to make them wish they had more.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Furthermore, you need to realize that life does not end at the wedding. The wedding is just the party. Real life begins when all the sparkle has faded and you are spending the rest of your life with one other person. Make the “option” of divorce <i>not</i> an option in your life. Choose wisely in your life mate – or better yet, let God choose for you. He created the universe with all its billions of beings; don’t you think He can give you the best person with which He wants you to spend the rest of your life with?</span></span></div>
Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-59756691747613748062014-02-25T11:43:00.001-06:002014-02-25T11:43:07.696-06:00Opportunities To Improve...The Bubble Story<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Have you ever heard something that totally changes everything?</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe it was some preacher on the radio or TV (do they still have televangelists??). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Maybe you read it in a daily devotional, or saw it on some <strike>annoying</strike> Facebook inspirational post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">For me, it was in church. Isn't that what church is for? Score one for church!!!</span><br />
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Here is what was said that socked me square between the eyes & left me sitting in my seat wondering if everyone could see my shame & humiliation:<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">"Remember that your children need as much mercy & grace each day as you do."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I know. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Take a minute.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Read it again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">It's a cold glass of water to the face, isn't it??</span></div>
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He went on, of course, to include spouses & others that we come into contact with on a daily basis, but THIS was the one that got to me.</div>
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I would love to say right here that I have always known & done this & then go on to tell you what wonderful successes I have had with my kids as a result.</div>
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But I can't.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>*Hangs head in shame*</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">The crazy thing is, I KNEW God KNEW I got it.</span> </div>
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He was looking right at me when I heard it & then said,</div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"YOU GOT THAT????? GOOD!!!"</span></em></strong> </div>
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So much pressure when you KNOW that you have just been shown your ugly self in a personalized hand mirror.</div>
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So. Now that I have established that I had an "A HA" moment in church last Sunday, let me give a pristine example of how God made sure I was paying attention.</div>
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Picture this:</div>
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Mom tells child (not named in order to protect the <strike>guilty</strike> innocent) to load dishwasher & start it after lunch. </div>
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<em>Story Background:</em></div>
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<em>This has been unnamed child's chore for pretty stinking close to eternity, but child has EXTREME difficulties in remembering to do the job, therefore leaving us with NO clean dishes for dinner (remember, we use our entire set of multi-chipped, mismatched dishes at each meal). In order to drive this chore into the said child's memory, many weeks of hand-washing (Mom!!! Really?? I have to use my hands????) have occurred.</em></div>
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Back to my story.</div>
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After reminding child of their duties, Mom goes to lie down with the <strike>babies</strike> youngest children because THEY need a nap EVERY day. Ahem. It makes THEM nicer people in the afternoon. True story.</div>
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I digress....</div>
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When Mom rises, cheerful & refreshed, she enters kitchen to see....bubbles. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">{LOTS & LOTS & LOTS of bubbles.}</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mom freaks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">(Please read this in calm, even tones as this is how I want you to think I did it....)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">"What, exactly, was your thought process here????"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">"We were out of dishwasher soap, so I put dish soap in there."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">"No kidding. Ummmm, why didn't you ASK if this was an ok substitute???"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">"You were sleeping."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">"Why didn't you just not start it since we were out of soap????"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">"Because you always get upset & I didn't want to spend a month washing dishes by hand."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">THERE. Right there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Did you see that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">THAT, my friends, was a healthy slap of guilty truth right across my face!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Would someone PLEASE put down that incriminating mirror????</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The child was correct, and respectful about it, even. I do get upset. I like things to run smoothly, like a well-oiled machine, which is why God gave me 8 kids (note to self: do future blog on God's sense of humor.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Whoops....digression....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When those words were uttered, I saw ME. And I was embarrassed. Then it happened, the words that were slammed in between my eyes the day before began dancing before my eyes. This was my opportunity to show some grace for the mistake that had been made. It was an honest mistake & one of those times that you think to yourself, "Self, why didn't you ever say that ONLY dishwasher soap is to be used in the dishwasher." Oops. My bad. The child truly didn't know. The child was trying to follow through with the job. The child didn't want to be in trouble. The child needed mercy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here it was: OPPORTUNITY.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had the opportunity to do this right. So, I changed my tack. I looked for the humor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">WELL! THERE IT WAS!!! This situation was FULL of comedy!!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1NBM-hIKNpe3wI9yPVJqWkYE7fRerhSpZAxOUuJn72mqZ0X6Fhcat_YHGfPx5_gtwU23frMuTtbbBcej6Njm7j7HMZU9Vw0-QMawn5faSde7et9gDZ5xsgwDFZQ7Towm_KY4DRIYWHOM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1NBM-hIKNpe3wI9yPVJqWkYE7fRerhSpZAxOUuJn72mqZ0X6Fhcat_YHGfPx5_gtwU23frMuTtbbBcej6Njm7j7HMZU9Vw0-QMawn5faSde7et9gDZ5xsgwDFZQ7Towm_KY4DRIYWHOM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIKdKXQkQflRLhmcYLPy0V6LU9v-KlpaNCXsxpcISYo-n9yB-w3nr_QV23sb5d2CtG_n8pJcIzlIB1XnAltIAG2OYByQpNOBeLzdIZe8fs567uA12sPZtwLt6NJ61RbZL76lHU2l76_iA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIKdKXQkQflRLhmcYLPy0V6LU9v-KlpaNCXsxpcISYo-n9yB-w3nr_QV23sb5d2CtG_n8pJcIzlIB1XnAltIAG2OYByQpNOBeLzdIZe8fs567uA12sPZtwLt6NJ61RbZL76lHU2l76_iA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I sat there surveying the massive quantities of bubbles, and wondered how do you clean this stuff up???, I realized that I had seen this only in movies. And, they are just GONE in the next scene. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, movies aren't a reliable source of reality, because, I didn't foresee a scene change coming up.</span></div>
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SO.......</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I sent the kid for the shop-vac & as the said kid was preparing to suck up foam, I pointed out two new truths about their life:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-size: large;">1. You now know all soaps are NOT created equal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-size: large;">2. You have just given the family permission to LAUGH about this for the remainder of your days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The kid & I laughed together at the validity of these two statements. Ha Ha Ha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The kid started telling me what I could do to help with the clean-up, to which I laughed (we were, after all, already at the point of seeing the humor in the situation) and replied, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"Ummm, NO. I wouldn't want you to be robbed of the valuable lesson of cleaning up this mess."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm cool like that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><u>Object lessons ROCK!!!</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Today is a new day & that SAME kid will be home in a few hours, and will MOST LIKELY need more mercy today as this kid is particularly needy in this area. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hope I remember BEFORE I freak out, because <em>THAT</em> would be progress!!!</span></div>
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Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-19850556069427168212013-09-06T21:32:00.004-05:002013-09-06T21:32:57.484-05:00Wash Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I get asked questions a LOT. </div>
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I guess I should specify that I am talking about questions from adults as I am sure you aren't interested in the 17.423 BILLION questions I get from my kiddos each day! </div>
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Of course the all-time NUMBER ONE question I get asked is:</div>
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Are ALL these kids yours?!?!? ***"Ummm...yes?"***</div>
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Followed closely (by the rude ones) with: </div>
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"Same dad?" ***"YES!!!"*** </div>
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RUDE!!</div>
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The SECOND most-asked question is:</div>
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"How in the world do you manage with 8 kids?"</div>
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Oh! That's an EASY one (pick me, PICK ME!!!)</div>
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"One word: GOD. The end."</div>
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Since both of those questions (assuming you wouldn't be one of the rudies to ask about my baby daddy), are now both answered & settled, then I guess this post can be over. </div>
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Nah...that's too easy! </div>
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After the nosy questions, come the more practical ones like the one I am actually blogging about today:</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">How do you manage all of that laundry???</span></div>
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Whew! That one is so much easier to stomach, although not one I can easily answer in a casual conversation in the aisle of Wal-Mart. Especially since, I don't have the pictures with me to make it more interesting!</div>
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So, now you know the topic of this blog for today...it's decision time...</div>
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Do I want to keep reading & wonder if my life will be permanently altered?</div>
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OR</div>
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Do I just not care how all of those kids stay looking & smelling clean?</div>
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For those of you who would like to be enlightened, here we go.... (for the others...see you next time).</div>
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This is the meager wall of décor in my room of toil. It is meant to cheer the place up, but let's face it, laundry isn't cheery. Although, I do confess...I really do not mind doing laundry! For reals!!</div>
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Dusting...well....I enjoy drawing pictures in dust...but not cleaning it up. Don't judge.</div>
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I have a method for my madness: a schedule. For those of you who know me well, stop rolling your eyes. For the rest of you, go ahead, be impressed...the others are just rude.</div>
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<u><strong>Here it is:</strong></u></div>
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<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Mondays: Towels & Linens & such</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Tuesdays: Mine & hubby's (and most of the little girl's) laundry from the basket in my bathroom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Wednesday: Kiddos #3-#8's laundry</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Thursday: Iron & have them put away</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Friday: Uniforms</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Saturday: NOPE</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Sunday: <u>NEVER</u> on a Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">OH, and <u>rarely</u> in the evening, although I have been known to throw something in overnight.</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;">SIDE NOTE:</span></div>
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If you are wondering about girlies number 1 & 2, well, I do believe that 17 & 19 year old young women can take care of their own laundry. We are fortunate to have an older set of washer & dryer at our guest/game house so they go there unless they can sneak under my laundry radar & put a load in & push GO before I yank their ears. (Their clothing tends to ahhh....linger....in the machines....) Before we got a new set & moved the old ones next door, the girls had assigned days to do their clothing, usually the weekend.</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><u>First Things First: Sorting</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I would like to say, the following system works like a charm. Goes off with out a hitch. Floats like a butterfly (?)</span></div>
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It really isn't flawless considering the users, but it is a HUGE help to me, to say the least.</div>
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Here it is, in all it's brilliance:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzdklDduldUfXb7WrF-h_BxjqvrtnkQkVUG1tZG-o8Yy2EdnPjI9lM6tQUobvhLNX-dJv_OVxD2sv5Gf0DU3-aTiX_Z-IyvCYDhBKUuXzyGO9OQPQtjej_LCTKALs-mIPrd3QVEKJyVQ9/s640/blogger-image--1138517716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzdklDduldUfXb7WrF-h_BxjqvrtnkQkVUG1tZG-o8Yy2EdnPjI9lM6tQUobvhLNX-dJv_OVxD2sv5Gf0DU3-aTiX_Z-IyvCYDhBKUuXzyGO9OQPQtjej_LCTKALs-mIPrd3QVEKJyVQ9/s640/blogger-image--1138517716.jpg" /></a></div>
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Laundry baskets!!!</div>
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I know, RIGHT??? </div>
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Take a moment to compose yourself, I'll wait.</div>
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Seriously, there is a method here that may not be instantly obvious to the casual observer. Here's what we know that you don't:</div>
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1. The basket in the foreground is for <span style="background-color: yellow; color: black;">JEANS ONLY<span style="background-color: white;">. Not random denim. Not blue jean skirts. Not a denim shirt. Jeans. Just. Jeans. With three rapidly growing boys who like to do all manner of disgustingly boyish stuff, it was a great idea to relegate one whole basket for this purpose. They get nasty. I don't want to sort nasty. The end.</span></span></div>
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2. The next basket is relegated to <span style="background-color: #999999;">DARK CLOTHES</span><span style="background-color: white;">. This is a fuzzy area for the smallish & uneducated bunch, but they get it right more often than not. Really. When I first set these baskets up, I tied bits of ribbon, fabric or embroidery floss in the colors that I wanted to see in these baskets. This went a long way towards the success of this program. It was also educational...and, hey, that scores one for me in the amazing mom category, right? Anyway, dark clothes can also be heavier stuff like jackets in the winter. I may or may not do a further sort depending on how much is in there on Wednesdays.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPbOX8IpjT0iQF7xrR-TFflpnSqaqs9W4Zl54Wyuv05x8JA4oQ_5ubFkq1dlMTprBWFsPQ_EbYW8fBvMoQbIA0qXgV37ot8Qi0YAk0lJ98eGMSThYyp1Uf3ba9I8dwtaH_LTixCrr8o00/s640/blogger-image-1294476339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPbOX8IpjT0iQF7xrR-TFflpnSqaqs9W4Zl54Wyuv05x8JA4oQ_5ubFkq1dlMTprBWFsPQ_EbYW8fBvMoQbIA0qXgV37ot8Qi0YAk0lJ98eGMSThYyp1Uf3ba9I8dwtaH_LTixCrr8o00/s640/blogger-image-1294476339.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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3. Next comes the <span style="background-color: orange;">BRIGHT CLOTHES</span> basket. See above for how I let them know what I wanted to see in here. Then keep reading as to the success of said plan. </div>
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4. Now we come to the <span style="background-color: #ea9999;">LIGHT CLOTHES</span> basket. Surprisingly, this is the one they make the least mistakes with. I guess brights & darks are a bit random for the elementary crowd to differentiate. Anyway, until this week, this is where the undies, jammies, socks & the like have found their resting spot. Now, we have a new plan for the undies & socks & the basket is for all other light colored clothing that don't fall in the sock/undie category.</div>
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5. The very last basket by the refrigerator is for <span style="background-color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: #c27ba0;">TOWELS, CLEANING RAGS, & APRONS.</span> </span><span style="background-color: white;"> I believe that list is pretty self-explanatory.</span></div>
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And THAT, in a nutshell, is how our laundry is sorted by the little people in our home. I do have to make some adjustments as I wash &, when I see a consistent faux pas, I call them all in the laundry room & point out the discrepancy & how to avoid it next time. That's all it takes!! I mean, after the 4th or 5th time, that is.</div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><u><strong>UNDIES & SOCKS: A SOLUTION</strong></u></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="color: #b45f06;"></span></u></strong> </div>
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<span style="color: black;">Problem: Socks & Underwear. 'Nuff said, right?</span></div>
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In our house, the middle crowd's unmentionables are crazy hard to tell what belongs to who & sizes & such. To me, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT AREA NOT TO GET CONFUSED ON!!!!</div>
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Two words: shared. underwear.</div>
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Excuse me while I run to throw up!</div>
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Ok, I'm good.</div>
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Anyway, it was a rather troubling situation & one that I could not always count on the proper owners to step up & correct. </div>
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Oh. </div>
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And.</div>
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I HATE.</div>
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To sort socks. </div>
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The end.</div>
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I got a heavenly inspiration one day (or it could have been inspired by Pinterest, but, seriously, what IS the difference?)</div>
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Here it is:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kujQL2HVZYXoMNKMxQFh0m6HWObhBEDNb5acPnJIrVAdr9ChX44lB3k6TOF_ABZsHTYbdxEnLW2uJSMSFBQW3ojhBUtCdaGIggnKcnB0eR6YtGyWL5XryV6VVnQWfiHcuGpKOQc3zi41/s640/blogger-image-1744730218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kujQL2HVZYXoMNKMxQFh0m6HWObhBEDNb5acPnJIrVAdr9ChX44lB3k6TOF_ABZsHTYbdxEnLW2uJSMSFBQW3ojhBUtCdaGIggnKcnB0eR6YtGyWL5XryV6VVnQWfiHcuGpKOQc3zi41/s640/blogger-image-1744730218.jpg" /></a></div>
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Be amazed.</div>
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Grab a tissue.</div>
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Go ahead & be moved.</div>
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*sigh* A thing of true beauty. </div>
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All I do is take these babies off the hook, zip 'em up, toss 'em in &, when dry, hand the bag to the kiddo to put away. I did myself proud this time. I won't even try to be humble about it. I have amazed me.</div>
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Here is the breakdown of this beauteous idea:</div>
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1. A magnetic curtain rod (I found this at Big Lots).</div>
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2. The side of something metal (I used a refrigerator)</div>
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3. Mesh laundry bags (Dollar Store)</div>
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4. Embroidery floss (or ribbon)</div>
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5. Shower curtain hooks (cheap...don't remember where)</div>
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Each child already has a color that they associate with things that are theirs (drinking cups...). So, I just used those colors. I wove (weaved?) it through the holes & the zipper pull.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillP_ExFZxYdGwC108ZsX0JHJsgYWLKb7JPtmFXwouCsCDMWumNp51mTMJ0fxHFULjyTOAU1reOBHWmzz5AaKebTCEnXpoW_s4rQcuJZTQmc3gk45H1D2J-1SZLnJF7Sw_VHWXjAeWkDN1/s640/blogger-image-731873509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillP_ExFZxYdGwC108ZsX0JHJsgYWLKb7JPtmFXwouCsCDMWumNp51mTMJ0fxHFULjyTOAU1reOBHWmzz5AaKebTCEnXpoW_s4rQcuJZTQmc3gk45H1D2J-1SZLnJF7Sw_VHWXjAeWkDN1/s640/blogger-image-731873509.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXBheKJOuvbPWEZ-JeWzRlK1Ae-U1ylmuwPKeUmnVkuuyE8a4kPJjhUoIzd0npIDYPO1_uQRg7jwuhwNWCP9DDzji1cD3xTfDqteffRLNC2F1IzG7pD_DEFe65Y49UeeBZTgjXn3xcJV-/s640/blogger-image--232430631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXBheKJOuvbPWEZ-JeWzRlK1Ae-U1ylmuwPKeUmnVkuuyE8a4kPJjhUoIzd0npIDYPO1_uQRg7jwuhwNWCP9DDzji1cD3xTfDqteffRLNC2F1IzG7pD_DEFe65Y49UeeBZTgjXn3xcJV-/s640/blogger-image--232430631.jpg" /></a></div>
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I explained to the kiddos that, when they take off their undies/socks, rather than put them in the laundry basket, they will put them in their own personalized laundry bag. I told them what my role was in this plan & what I expected from them when my turn was over. We all shook hands & agreed it was an amazing plan & moved forward. </div>
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ahem....</div>
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It has worked like a charm!!! HIGH FIVE ME!!!!</div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><u><strong>NEXT UP: FOLDING/HANGING/IRONING & PUTTING AWAY</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This may be where I lose more of you. I do understand that the washing & drying of laundry is necessary, otherwise we would all walk around in our birthday suits....ewwwwwww!!!!</span></div>
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However, some of you (you know who you are) find the next area negotiable...iffy, even. Hey, you might even see drying your clothes as optional. I know who you are...I see you a miiiile away.</div>
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Anyway, I cannot STAND laundry that is not completed. Maybe it's the sheer massiveness of the piles 'round here. Maybe it's my OCD to just get a job finished. </div>
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DISCLAIMER: Just because I say all of this DOES NOT in any way mean that I always do this. However, this is my blog, so I can lead you to believe I am perfect, if I wanna.</div>
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So, in a perfect world (or even a decent week), here's what I do:</div>
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As I pull the clothing from the dryer, I immediately hang or fold them. This much is 100% true. I do this every time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqks-GNOc8GdMIM8hS3uF7kpw7oh3JGLwYOZLFpsIKI9BCHE2dusn7XhVPPWTzcK3Fpt-OmPR-dzhUI9iCNvqeBSf8JN2l4f9PMreZXqlADgfV-ToHmKWF2svUaGqsjjiqWCBB2aqaMK3/s640/blogger-image-515668648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqks-GNOc8GdMIM8hS3uF7kpw7oh3JGLwYOZLFpsIKI9BCHE2dusn7XhVPPWTzcK3Fpt-OmPR-dzhUI9iCNvqeBSf8JN2l4f9PMreZXqlADgfV-ToHmKWF2svUaGqsjjiqWCBB2aqaMK3/s640/blogger-image-515668648.jpg" /></a></div>
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As I hang the clothing, I separate the ones that need ironing...all the while wondering: How in the world did this make it into our closets???? This, I do about 90% of the time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l6ZlvSrHFM_VLRPeXsXrbTCKUhFHmWPY1MOmL3IdvloP6FS-Hq33-FbJNbQnGw0z0Jo1hNAu-UYix4tc5AA3_0_txPiyZzg4BJ5CQGXig_ZdYEPZ9buy5A5JzOCsgJBFSD5RsAz_wb_x/s640/blogger-image-1455692343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l6ZlvSrHFM_VLRPeXsXrbTCKUhFHmWPY1MOmL3IdvloP6FS-Hq33-FbJNbQnGw0z0Jo1hNAu-UYix4tc5AA3_0_txPiyZzg4BJ5CQGXig_ZdYEPZ9buy5A5JzOCsgJBFSD5RsAz_wb_x/s640/blogger-image-1455692343.jpg" /></a></div>
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Then...here's where the percentages drop drastically)...I iron them & have the owner put them away. I am somewhere in the 75 percentile on this one. I do, however, rarely go more than 2 weeks without completing this process or breaking down and paying a teenager-type person to do it for me. It's a win-win situation. </div>
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I really don't mind ironing. I like the instant gratification of it all. </div>
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Wrinkle! </div>
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Be Gone! </div>
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Boom! </div>
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Done. </div>
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Boo-YAH!</div>
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Ironing is made even better when you own this baby:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZqQqv2w7_JThjC40Hthm3UneZpwCoMHd4y5ux6WG2JK2TYBoy7bx_ZgA5TdWs9EW4jEHKoe8VQdH8R9ooiJiTU_cSTWYgKnRXB2E00xX7598IbOkjybZ0ZV5eZSk-7-wHFYFPXfi3mzJ/s640/blogger-image-933490620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZqQqv2w7_JThjC40Hthm3UneZpwCoMHd4y5ux6WG2JK2TYBoy7bx_ZgA5TdWs9EW4jEHKoe8VQdH8R9ooiJiTU_cSTWYgKnRXB2E00xX7598IbOkjybZ0ZV5eZSk-7-wHFYFPXfi3mzJ/s640/blogger-image-933490620.jpg" /></a></div>
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Oh, yeah....best invention ever!</div>
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Notice my little iron cubby...cute, isn't it? That part comes with the unit. However, the nifty little button at the top is my amazing husband's input. See, whenever the door comes open, the switch is activated & the plug is turned on, which means the iron is turned on (and vice versa when the door is closed!) ANNNNND, when the door opens, the light automatically comes on, too. Oh, my! SWOON!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5O231kp_W8TcWkZBWeI61OMGt7ydJgZ6sU3JrWFk963f1cfp91AXq4rb2eFjECQl5YuV9yyWvFujMrcDR69HU5a9BtxDCumJvF6Y4rUXoB5oU5grKzYSmBX-F23pj4fCSnHPqCFqiVhX/s640/blogger-image--2046295878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5O231kp_W8TcWkZBWeI61OMGt7ydJgZ6sU3JrWFk963f1cfp91AXq4rb2eFjECQl5YuV9yyWvFujMrcDR69HU5a9BtxDCumJvF6Y4rUXoB5oU5grKzYSmBX-F23pj4fCSnHPqCFqiVhX/s640/blogger-image--2046295878.jpg" /></a></div>
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I will put in an unpaid ad here: save the coins you find in the pockets while doing laundry & buy yourself a Rowenta iron. It's worth every single penny!!</div>
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As for the stuff that I fold, I put them in piles....miles & miles of piles on my dining room table. At their spot.</div>
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They may not eat until the clothing is properly put away. Score one for mom! </div>
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That may be all...I think it is.</div>
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In case you are wondering, no, I don't have a large laundry room. Here are some photos from different angles showing off the set-up. It's not Pinterest-worthy, but it is a very hard working room in our home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6uFwvUGLANYmbo0j8k2nXKFJ6sJoi99kuHbHSP-oJHbhVHwrG7UpzyJv5ZbOJ2dYoNzycxKHniBgya7F495uK_5qBrDXbnhG081R2vNSzLbuxvrppG86IFKxJQLby9JwP1fi8Hzvlqr2/s640/blogger-image-160291837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6uFwvUGLANYmbo0j8k2nXKFJ6sJoi99kuHbHSP-oJHbhVHwrG7UpzyJv5ZbOJ2dYoNzycxKHniBgya7F495uK_5qBrDXbnhG081R2vNSzLbuxvrppG86IFKxJQLby9JwP1fi8Hzvlqr2/s640/blogger-image-160291837.jpg" /></a></div>
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The view from our back door into the laundry room. The door on the left leads to the kitchen. The door at the end leads to the hallway leading to the kiddo's rooms.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lRufD3JhwRXNcbHiM_E7G4Lxp4S4ZoIgW5tWnb2YO3M3h_MwwKkNYDps1VNryp50SY4M7rgv3Zt6ScxTf4YsmOSDEmjer1j1TTIqD6bIy2UB8s80VaCRx7v9NGP9paFDFr9ShZrm9cVr/s640/blogger-image--273243506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lRufD3JhwRXNcbHiM_E7G4Lxp4S4ZoIgW5tWnb2YO3M3h_MwwKkNYDps1VNryp50SY4M7rgv3Zt6ScxTf4YsmOSDEmjer1j1TTIqD6bIy2UB8s80VaCRx7v9NGP9paFDFr9ShZrm9cVr/s640/blogger-image--273243506.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is the view from the hallway towards the back door.</div>
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One other thing. My washer & dryer are a Whirlpool Duet. It's my second set. Yes, they are expensive. Yes, they are worth it. I got my first set (now the older one next door) 11 years ago, and I still haven't worn them totally out! When I went to get a newer model....I stayed with what worked for me. I highly recommend the front-loading machines (plus, they can be stacked....saving room). No, I did not receive any compensation for this advertisement. Zip. Zilch. Nada.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnT_juPzegyrX7BzFMiZE-c3D6dJyO9uM5cddvo07wjpVIOzyE1zMa6dGdK-O6f1nkpcMy3_fjwxPoHM-jE-IjH_lVb4Lc88ltoEyFFLE2jWZM8PTvpwx0u3wJlfx5oTt4g-oB4rD2SUk8/s640/blogger-image--116393045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnT_juPzegyrX7BzFMiZE-c3D6dJyO9uM5cddvo07wjpVIOzyE1zMa6dGdK-O6f1nkpcMy3_fjwxPoHM-jE-IjH_lVb4Lc88ltoEyFFLE2jWZM8PTvpwx0u3wJlfx5oTt4g-oB4rD2SUk8/s640/blogger-image--116393045.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is a total Pinterest hack that has been one of the bestest things ever! I use this shoe hanger for all sorts of stuff!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zxCOUviQi_wcQGtafU-PHyuazMle8rPLQJkKpmT9wqOvkR5trK53TR8a6kNotu3tyG0rhfnoQpNS3BcNQQStj4-xUoZ4Em9Wjit4HdUCaH3Ni_y60aV_4oaiBmROxsSEPUULyaFaujgi/s640/blogger-image-141501440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zxCOUviQi_wcQGtafU-PHyuazMle8rPLQJkKpmT9wqOvkR5trK53TR8a6kNotu3tyG0rhfnoQpNS3BcNQQStj4-xUoZ4Em9Wjit4HdUCaH3Ni_y60aV_4oaiBmROxsSEPUULyaFaujgi/s640/blogger-image-141501440.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here is my view whilst folding laundry at the dryer....right out at the pond. Makes the job just a bit more pleasant, I think.</div>
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Ok, I believe that is enough about the Young's dirty laundry.</div>
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Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-29394767537806867712013-07-01T17:51:00.000-05:002013-07-01T17:51:04.899-05:00A Leap of Faith....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SmLOv801O-C9B_2biq2pWU3P61ec6ZWhXx-dD7XxJ1KlPR1JVfBmn7CLj8CmAgbWbrjVCgOkQ6iJ2Zhb0p6Q9C91ZT1utjKiEeXf6rXcrxUaY_HLJnKfeA-2BmAM5gIsIUwM23KztYp6/s929/6265e1c09d99f1e61de09ee762335263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SmLOv801O-C9B_2biq2pWU3P61ec6ZWhXx-dD7XxJ1KlPR1JVfBmn7CLj8CmAgbWbrjVCgOkQ6iJ2Zhb0p6Q9C91ZT1utjKiEeXf6rXcrxUaY_HLJnKfeA-2BmAM5gIsIUwM23KztYp6/s320/6265e1c09d99f1e61de09ee762335263.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Have you ever wanted to reach a goal, a very HIGH goal, and you KNEW you could do it with diligence on your part, but you were too afraid of the results IF you achieved the goal?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Sounds rather convoluted, I know, but that sentence pretty much describes what I've been going through for the past 6 months, and much more intensely for the last week.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I normally keep this blog pretty light & even humorous, but today, I have a lot of rather deep things on my mind. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Goals, dreams, destinations...they are exciting & new. Some of them, we know exactly what to expect when we arrive. Some have promise, but no definite outline.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">For instance, at the end of 4 years of high school, you graduate. A wonderful, exciting goal. Also, a scary, confusing time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">What comes next? </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">What do you want to be when you "grow up"?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">A wonderful time of accomplishment can also be rife with fear & uncertainty.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">On the other hand, planning a trip to Disney World, is a pretty sure bet of good things to come! No fears, no worries (except how to pay for it). </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">These are both lofty goals & great achievements, if reached, but the emotions involved can be very different.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I guess, I should stop beating around the bush & just come out & say what's on my heart....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">God, Jesus, the Church....have all been in my heart & a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have loved the Lord for as long as I can remember. I don't ever remember a time where I didn't WANT to have Him in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">However, a walk with God requires taking steps.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">So, I've done the baby steps....I gave up the biggies that displeased Him. I quit murdering, drinking, carousing, smoking dope....hey, those were no problem. :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I have reached a place where things that bothered me as a younger person, no longer even phase me. That's growth, too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I feel that God has been asking more of me. He wants MORE of my heart, MORE of me. I have known this for a while now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">But, I'm scared.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Yeah, probably sounds crazy, but I'm being honest here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Will He take care of me?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Will He catch me?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Will He make serving Him comfortable? (prolly not!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Yesterday, we said goodbye to a wonderful friend. I don't believe in making saints out of people after they pass, but this man was truly good. He had many qualities in his life that I envy (whoops, one of the big 10....).</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">He never complained-even when in extreme pain.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">He always made God his first choice, even when it would have been easier to stay home in bed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">He gave his all. Always.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">He was selfless.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Um....I miiiiiigggght pull one or two of those out of the hat a couple of times a year, but not consistently by any means.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Sigh. And therein lies my problem.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">See...I don't like to suffer. True story. I like ease. I like things my way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Then I read about Job. Sigh again. I really don't think sackcloth and ashes are for me. Boils??? Noooope. Losing my stuff....well, I could deal with that. Losing my kids? There's the kicker. THAT'S what I'm afraid of (I may be just a teensie bit MORE afraid of getting them back doubly!!).</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Seriously, I know that serving God is a very rewarding life. I also know that I cannot live in such a way that I benefit from the blessings, but never share in the burdens. I hate to cry. I have cried more in the last few years than in all the rest combined. God created us to be emotional beings, but I just don't enjoy hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Here's the bare bones of my dilemma:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Go on farther with a mighty God, knowing that trials, sufferings & heartaches may (most likely will) be interspersed (liberally) throughout my blessings, but that </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">the quality of the blessings will outweigh the trials</span></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">OR</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Sit right here on my white picket fence with one leg on each side leaning more to the side that feels most comfy for the moment. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I have never thought of myself as a "fence-sitter" Christian. And maybe I haven't always been. There have been moments of total devotion. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">But somewhere along the road, as it has become more bumpy, the storms more fierce, the sorrows more painful, I found me a nice smooth section of fence & climbed right up there & made myself at home.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Deep in my soul, I know which side I will climb down on, but the jump from where I'm sitting to where I need to be is pretty steep & I'm afraid. Fear is NOT of the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">This, I know. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">However, from where I sit....it's pretty scary.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Will You catch me???</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I hear a whisper in my soul......</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">"YES!"</span></div>
<br />Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-16846529115806290652013-06-21T13:27:00.000-05:002013-06-21T13:27:05.048-05:00WWK (Walmart With Kids)Worst. Decision. Ever.<br />
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My question to my older daughter & her resulting answer was the beginning of the ruin of my day.<br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">"I must go grocery shopping today, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">do you want to go or stay home?"</span></div>
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"Go."</div>
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"No problem, we'll all go", I said.</div>
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"It will be great", I said.</div>
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"I got this", I said.</div>
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Oh, and I have to get this done in one hour because I have to meet someone at 11:15 (I got this, remember?). I have my handy-dandy list which I made according to the pre-created menu for all meals in June . Very tidy. In & out.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problemo numero uno:</span></div>
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The grocery list which I have created based on the WalMart closest to my house & the route I ALWAYS take while in the store (OCD much?), is completely null and void at a different WalMart.</div>
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I chose to go to a different location because of the meeting that was taking place at 11:15....</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problemo numero dos:</span></div>
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I took kids.</div>
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So, in order to make you feel better about your life, here's how my trip went:</div>
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Unload kids. Assign a portion to the elder sister (the easier ones, I kept the problematic ones).</div>
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Enter store. Tell elder sister to take a portion of the list & meet me by the milk when she's done.</div>
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I rush through my area before heading to the meeting place. Leaving kids standing where they were (touching merchandise I SPECIFICALLY told them NOT to touch), because I will ONLY say, "Come on" once, then they have to hunt for me.</div>
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Then, my phone rings (I don't like to take calls while shopping, I don't shop & solve world problems at the same time very efficiently, so I have to stop what I'm doing & listen....), it's eldest daughter. The cat is shooting diarrhea all over her room like a water sprinkler, and she is beyond frustrated. So, I navigate clothing racks, help elder son choose new swim trunks & swim shirt from the "Cheap" rack, give him dirty looks as he looks at the "privileged folks" racks, point vehemently at the cheap rack & motion decapitation if he doesn't comply, while talking calmly to the particularly emotional person on the phone & trying to figure out the digestive tract issues of a kitten.</div>
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Problem solved, cheap swim clothes chosen....on to the dairy dept.</div>
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Tell elder son to get 2 gallons of 2% milk. He gets one. Really????</div>
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Tell lil guy I can make 15 gallons of Jell-O for the price of the pre-packaged ones, and NO I do not care that those are more fun.</div>
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When did cheese go up?? $3 for Parmesan. Guess I don't need it.</div>
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No, we are not close to the bakery. No, we cannot buy a free cookie.</div>
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Yes, honey, I would be very embarrassed if my kid screamed like that in the store.</div>
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PLEASE, stop practicing to scream....I WILL spank you...even though that kid got away with it.</div>
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You stay here with the basket, I'll walk over here & get what I need. HEY! WHERE ARE YOU GOING????</div>
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Hey you, Run back 2 aisles & get a container of salt. Not gourmet. Just plain ole salt. </div>
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Where will I be? I'm turning left from this aisle. ( I turn right. Hee hee hee. Took him 5 minutes to find me.)</div>
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What time is it? OH! We have 20 min to finish up & load up & I'm nearly done! Yay!</div>
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No, I don't know what that mystery package of stuff is on the ethnic food aisle.</div>
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Oops, forgot the pancake mix....run back please...I'll be in produce. For reals.</div>
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No, they don't have cuties. Yes, we can get belly button oranges instead. </div>
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Stop smelling every single package of strawberries. They ALL smell good. </div>
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Am I worth a $3 carton of blueberries? Ewww...they have mold on them.</div>
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I need 8 ripe avocados....is that too much to ask??? These could be stones!!</div>
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Ok....we are done....to the registers.</div>
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I am very picky with the bagging process. She does it wrong. She is slow.</div>
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No, you can't have any gum.</div>
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No, you cant have the cute package of Kleenex.</div>
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No, you can't have beef jerky.</div>
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Yes, please get the van pulled up, that would be great.</div>
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OOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!! I ram my arm on the empty DVD display by the register. My arm goes numb. My fingers begin to tingle.</div>
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I am NOW officially in a bad mood. </div>
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It took me longer this time. Is that progress?</div>
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Now my neck hurts from my arm injury.</div>
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I yell at kids in WalMart. I feel like I fit in.</div>
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We load up the groceries in the recesses of the van, because I need the back for the 11:15 meeting.</div>
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All in! Let's go! </div>
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Why are the interior lights on? </div>
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Son, close the back hatch. Hellllloooo....open it, & reclose. STOP BANGING ON THE DOOR!!!</div>
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Fine, I'll do it. Done.</div>
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I am now soaked with sweat, mad, hurting, $200 poorer, hungry & just plain exhausted.</div>
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But, we make the meeting. I am now the proud owner of 2 old, wood-framed windows ripe for some adorable craft/decorating project & I scored them for a mere $6 each! Boo-ya.</div>
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Now, I am home, the cat is loudly protesting his confinement to the carpet-less room, the groceries are put away, the boys are gagging me with the smell of the sardines I let them talk me in to buying. DISGUSTING.</div>
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I have cooled off...some. My arm hurts. I'm still hungry.</div>
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Thanks for reading, I feel a bit better for having written it down.</div>
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Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-16935813235013480032013-06-20T16:45:00.001-05:002013-06-20T16:45:34.897-05:00Hello, AgainI have missed this blog. <br />
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I feel like I have been unfaithful. LOL<br />
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So many of you have told me you enjoy reading my silly words & thoughts, and I enjoy writing down my craziness for all of the world to read. Why then do I slack off and fail to write?<br />
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If I knew the answer to that....then it wouldn't happen.<br />
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Most people would assume the following: <br />
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<span style="color: red;">"Well, good grief, you have 8 kids....you don't have TIME to blog"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">....and, in fact, I could hide behind that reason with no problem. </span></div>
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Except....</div>
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It's not true.</div>
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See, I have plenty of time. I run a very tight ship (READ: the kids DO leave me alone for more than 5 minutes at a time) & I do have an eensy weensy teeny weeny bit of time to myself. It's just....well, ya see.....I usually spend that time sewing. </div>
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THERE!</div>
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Seriously, I do love to write here, so, I will try to keep it up.</div>
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Another reason I haven't written, is because I have somehow gotten into the mode of thinking whatever I write should have some deep moral or be of value to someone. </div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;">HERE'S THE FACTS, JACK:</span></div>
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I may not have much to say, and what I say may not have any value of any sort. </div>
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Hey....we eat Cheetos....they have no value....so....that leads me to believe that, sometimes, people do stuff-----JUST 'CAUSE!</div>
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Update on us:</div>
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The kids are growing, and doing the things that growing entails: costing me more money in clothes, taking YEARS of my time sorting out their outgrown clothes, deciding what needs to be packed away for the next one down, what needs to be kept for a keepsake (almost NEVER- who has room for THAT mess???), what is only worthy of the Goodwill bin, and what to sell (I do sell most of my kiddos church stuff, cause....well, I have to buy them MORE clothes).</div>
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SO....I just realized: I LIED!!!!! </div>
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Here is the reason, I don't write this more often....THEY DO NOT LEAVE ME ALONE!!!! </div>
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Forget the fact that I am COMPLETELY ignoring them, or that I look VERY BUSY, or that I REFUSE TO LOOK AT THEM, they just keep right on talking. </div>
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In the time it took me to type the 2 sentences above, 4 kids interrupted me...some more than once.</div>
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The moral of this story:</div>
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I can't blog because I am too old to pick up my train of thought again after listening about how we should make a birthday cake, cause it's someone's birthday....somewhere. </div>
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How Anna (or was it Ella??) was shaking her booty as she jumped on the Hullabaloo pads.</div>
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How ......uh.....someone hit that little boy that lives here with a bobby pin...</div>
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How that kid will just DIE without some crackers.....before dinner....in an hour.</div>
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Sigh.....</div>
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I'll be back as soon as I can.</div>
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Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-25459875155579496442012-10-11T09:41:00.000-05:002012-10-11T09:52:03.831-05:00What Did You Expect?<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">THE FOLLOWING IS A SAD, BUT TRUE STORY. NAMES HAVE BEEN WITHELD TO PROTECT THE GUILTY:</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">This morning, I took my kiddos to school per usual. I was planning to make a stop in the classrooms to see if I might be of some assistance, but made a pit*stop at the restroom first. I wasn't in there 30 seconds before I heard one of MY kids outside the door...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">"Mooooom...Mom....MOMMY!!"</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">"Get away from the door!", I snarled.</span></em></div>
<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">REALLY???? I can't even get a minute's privacy in a public restroom either???? Geeeezzz Louise!!!!</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Expectations.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">We all have them. Some are realistic, and some are off*the*charts*ridiculous. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Seriously. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Think: someday I'll be Mrs. <strike>Justin Bieber</strike> Michael Buble & he'll sing softly in my ear every night as I drift off to sleep. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Yeah. No. Not realistic. At. All.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Having a neat, orderly home at all times in the midst of raising <strike>teens</strike> toddlers. Not realistic.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Never being late for church & yet still having well-dressed & perfectly behaved children. Not totally realistic, either...but I'm working on it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Having a well-balanced meal on the table each day...now, that's more like it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Sometimes, we set our goals for ourselves pretty high....and, sometimes, that's a good thing. I think that having something to work for & look forward to is healthy & gives life purpose. However, I also believe that the goals we set for ourselves should be set through prayer & even consulting with our spouse. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">I know I have been guilty of consulting with my latest issue of Homeschooling Family or Better Homes & Gardens, and setting my expectations based on the fabulous things that I see there. Then, when I fail to live up to my goals, I feel like a failure. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Whaaaat?? I can't get my 8 kids to behave perfectly in public, while all lined up in age/height order according to eye color & shoe size???? If Michelle Duggar can do it with 32 kids, I can do it with 8!!!! I'm such a loser!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">I am overweight, my hair is dull, & don't look just like Julia Roberts??? She is older than me! I am such a slob!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Ugh....I can't make my dinner, curtains & tablescapes all coordinate with my blouse like Sandra Lee???? I can never have company again!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">These are all silly examples, but I'm guessing you're a smart enough person to understand my point.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">First of all, I would like to point out that real life is messy. Kids play. Food gets dropped. Puke gets spewed. Dishes get stacked. Laundry overflows. Schedules get altered (or forgotten). Weight gets gained. Life happens.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">What we <strong><em>should</em></strong> expect is the grace to be able to take each percieved setback & see it for what it is. Ask yourself this question: If I am upset about this situation, what should I be doing differently? In other words, analyze WHY you feel frustrated/angry when things don't <strike>go your way</strike> go as expected. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Are you throwing a fit?</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Are you being realistic in your expectations for yourself, your kids, your spouse, your friends/family?</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Will life suddenly end if you have to change your thinking?</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Are you being selfish?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Yes, this is a pop quiz.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Yes, these are trick questions.</span> </span></div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">God is good about throwing curves in our way when we have mapped out a perfectly straight path for ourselves. That is a necessary ingredient in making life more interesting. More importantly, how we handle these curves determines whether or not we are growing up & maturing or if we are still spoiled little kids throwing a tantrum because we didn't get our way.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Say, you have all of your self expectations within normal range, you handle life's curves with suave & finesse. In other words: you got it goin' on.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Let me ask you this: <span style="color: #4c1130;">What are your expectations of others?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Hmmmm.....?</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-27293850301039938872012-10-04T10:30:00.001-05:002012-10-04T10:30:49.385-05:00...On Turning 40.<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">So, yesterday, I turned the big 4-0. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Very quietly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Without fanfare.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">I have had an entire year to ponder the implications of turning 40 & how people react to that number, and I have come up with some thoughts. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Wanna know what they are? (if not, find something else to do...)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">First of all, growing older does not bother me in the least. I don't care about my age...for reals.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Know why?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">I'm happy. Ecstatically, blissfully, thoroughly happy. True story.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">No lies, though, my life is far from a Norman Rockwell-esque portrait. It's crazy, organized chaos that causes me fits & frustrations, and, frequently, tears. I am not a perfect wife, mom, friend....person. But....I am right where I am supposed to be & I can feel that in my gut. I am content.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Oh, sure, there are things that I would have done differently had I been the one in charge of my destiny, but then...the question begs to be asked...would I have been as fulfilled? An inkling in my mind says no. So often, we think we have it all covered...but, there is so much down the road that we cannot see. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">When I was growing up, I never thought I would have 8 kiddos to raise. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Never. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">I didn't even like kids. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">HA!!! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">However, if I hadn't given life to each one of these people that call me Mom...would I be the same person I am today? Would I be as fulfilled? Little voice is saying, no.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">There are things about my life that are exactly as I had planned out, though. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">I am in a wonderful church, serving God with most of my ability (there's ALWAYS room for improvement there). He is faithful to me, even when I have been otherwise distracted and ungrateful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">We are blessed to travel often. I love making memories with my kids & husband. We have made choices in our 20 years together, that have facilitated this in our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">We don't use credit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">EVER. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Top of the list of best decisions we've ever made.</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">(Disclaimer: this does not include house & car payments.) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">We chose to live in a double-wide manufactured home (yep, we're trailer trash) rather than take out a $250,000 loan to build our "dream" home that we had designed ourselves. Memories of experiences rather than crown mouldings were more important to us. </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">These decisions have brought me great peace.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">You know, I have gray hairs. It's ok. Really. I do get some hi/low lights put in my hair &, if some of the gray gets covered, great, if not, no biggie. See, I've earned those hairs. Each and every one. Maybe you gave me one! Who am I to turn down a gift??? LOL!!! Seriously, my only wish is that I turn into one of those old ladies with gorgeous <strike>blue</strike> white hair. I kinda feel like the grays represent the trials, tests & experiences that I have gone through. They represent: life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">One last thought on getting older....well...hmmmm...I forgot what it was.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Hey, can you read this post ok? This font seems smallish...........</span></div>
Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-86044709273271896882012-09-13T21:07:00.001-05:002012-09-13T21:07:32.979-05:00Parental BlackmailIf you have missed me, well, I am baaaaaack!!! Hahaha...<br />
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I vowed to myself not to apologize <span style="color: magenta;">*again*</span> for not writing on here for an absolute eternity. So, I won't .<br />
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To me, Blogging = Fun. So, if I sit in my comfy red chair, pull out my laptop & <strike>proceed to ignore all of my other responsibilities</strike> pour my heart out to the great internet void, then I have that nagging feeling of "shouldn't I be doing something useful?".<br />
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My solution: block time on my calendar each week to devote to doing this & then it isn't a waste of time, it's what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing. :)</div>
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Problem solved. </div>
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I hope.</div>
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I have had such an eventful summer....I'm sure....but <span style="color: orange;">I can't remember any real specifics</span>, & I don't really want to talk about that anyway. Let's suffice it to say, Summer 2012 was crazy busy & we were all glad to slow down & get back to school! </div>
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One thing I do know for sure, is that, behavior-wise, the kiddos were MUCH better than in past years! Yay! In the interest of keeping it real, I will confess that I was totally <span style="color: red;">DREADING</span> the summertime. Seven kids in the house....all day long...every day....for 12 weeks. Nope, not a recipe for quiet & meditation. About 3 weeks before school let out, I began formulating a plan. </div>
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I've never been real big on rewarding expected behavior. I mean, breathing is reward enough for being an obedient child, RIGHT? </div>
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Apparently not. </div>
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I had a plan for sanity.</div>
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Heee heee heeeeeeee.....</div>
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Here it is in a nutshell:</div>
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1. There was a chore sheet. </div>
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I just picked up some grid-type thingies at the local teacher's supply store (in fact, all of my supplies came from there) and some small stickers to coordinate. I wrote the chore down the side & the day of the week across the top. </div>
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I kept it simple:</div>
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Make bed, brush hair, put jammies away, set table, etc...</div>
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Do chore = get sticker</div>
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Simple</div>
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2. There was a behavior/character system.</div>
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This was the <span style="color: purple;">BIG DEAL</span>. This was what I really wanted to work on. </div>
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Again, in another nutshell:</div>
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They each had a large star with their name on it. </div>
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They had an assigned number of smaller stars affixed to the large one with Velcro. The older they were, the fewer <strike>chances</strike> stars they had.</div>
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Bad behavior/character = star removal.</div>
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Star removal = loss of privileges.</div>
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Loss of privileges = incentive to do better next time.</div>
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Yay me!!!</div>
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3. <span style="color: #0b5394;">There were prizes!!!</span></div>
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This is the part I lifted from some other source that I cannot recall at this moment (the point is that it didn't originate in my skull).</div>
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I found a box & put <span style="color: #38761d;">"Milky Way Store"</span> on the side of it (It was all an outer space theme). Each item in the box had a monetary value (using garage sale stickers). I picked up all kinds of stuff that I don't normally buy:</div>
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Gatorade</div>
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Beef Jerky</div>
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Air Head Candies</div>
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Chocolate milk (that nasty stuff that doesn't have to go in the fridge)</div>
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Toys/Magazines</div>
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Coupons for privileges</div>
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You get the point.</div>
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Now, for each star they had left at the end of the week, they received a dollar amount which they turned around & spent in the Milky Way Store.</div>
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Brilliant, I tell ya! Brilliant!</div>
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4. Consistency was rewarded, too.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">There was a larger goal as well.</span></div>
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There were 12 <strike>mind-numbingly long</strike> weeks of summer & if they achieved "Stellar Behavior" for 8 out of 12 weeks, they would be able to go to the water park. </div>
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Not 7 weeks.</div>
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Not 6 weeks.</div>
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EIGHT weeks. Firm. No negotiating.</div>
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Two didn't get to go. :o(</div>
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I will be honest here, I tried everything I could think of to make it possible for those two to be able to go, but to no avail. First, it wouldn't have been fair to the others & Second, well, it would make me a big fat liar. </div>
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Yeah...</div>
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I'm sure this is all <span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>clear as mud</strong></span>, but the long & short of it is this: It's September &<span style="color: #134f5c;"> I'm still</span> <strike>reasonably</strike> <span style="color: #134f5c;">sane</span>! I chose not to continue this little system past the summer & all the kiddos were bummed. Does this mean success???? Come next June, I'll put up another excessively tacky bulletin board in my hall, holler for a meeting & lay down the summer's rules. </div>
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Hey, I'm not ashamed to say it.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I essentially blackmailed my kiddos to be good.</span></div>
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It worked.</div>
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:0)</div>
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If you would like me to email you copies of the "rules", I would be happy to do that. Just leave me a comment with your email address.</div>
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Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-29480794703324687322012-03-07T20:46:00.004-06:002012-03-08T18:24:23.811-06:00March Menu & My Methods<div align="center">Ok, ok, I know it's been....like... forever since I've blogged. I have been texted, emailed, called & just generally chewed out for it. I don't really have an excuse other than,<span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#006600;">I was just plain ole uninspired</span></span>.<br /><br />Tonight, though, I am gonna share some very inspiring information about how I do groceries/menus. <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#333399;">Wooooo*Hooooo!!!<br /></span><br /></span>First of all, let me preface this by stating that I have had (yet again) very few original ideas in this area (as with most areas of my life). There are some wonderful books/blogs on this very topic. I've tried a lot of methods, & this is what is working for us. For now.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My method is this:<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">1:<br />I consider our month; when we will be out, special events, church nights & so forth.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">2:<br />We usually have date night several times per month. I don't know when those days will be, so I am very flexible with my menu.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">3:<br />I pull out a couple of my numerous recipe books/magazines/print-outs from Pinterest & choose several new things to try.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">4:<br />Several years ago, I decided to sit down & make a list of everything I make that our family likes. I divided it into sections: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Meatless, Soups, Crockpot, Sides....etc. This is my *Go-To* list to choose from for the month. I update it periodically as we decide that a new thing we've tried is a new family favorite.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">5:<br />Using the menu I have just created, I make my grocery list. I do not buy for the whole month...cause it's sorta a pain. I have done it, though.<br />What I do, is buy for about 10-14 days at at time. This puts me at the grocery store roughly twice per month.<br />I confess that I am somewhat a creature of habit. When I go to a store, I tend to head to the same section first every single time. With that in mind, I created a grocery list for the Wal*Mart in my area based on my method of shopping. This is one of the SINGLE BEST, TIME-SAVING activities I have ever done! I simply print it out & check off the items I need. Doesn't get much easier! :)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">6:<br />Now the part of this process I hate more than any other part....heading to the grocery store.<br />Sigh.<br />I usually spend 2+ hours, use 2 baskets, & spend $300+ each time. I take the time to put find it, put it in the basket, stand in line, unload it (according to how I want it bagged, thank you), re-load it (according to how I want to put it in the car), & unload it again. When I get home, I....only carry in the bread & bananas...things I can't bear to have mushed, then I sic the kiddos on it. We ALL pitch into the job of putting stuff. Everyone from toddlers to Daddy are in on the job. It takes 8-10 people 30 minutes to put it all away.<br /><br />When I am done...we usually eat out for dinner!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!<br /><br /></span>I have been trying to get the forms I use into some sort of format that I can insert into my blog....but I'm pretty much stumped as to how to go about it. So, I will type this out, and at the end of this posting, I will list the documents that I use. If you are interested in having a copy, please email me & I will happily send them to you as well as any recipes that look interesting to you.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Here is our menu for March:<br /></span><span style="color:#ff6600;">1st<br />Out<br /><br />2nd<br />Oven fried chicken<br />biscuits<br />edamame<br /><br />3rd<br />out<br /><br />4th<br />*Crockpot Chicken & Dumplins<br /><br />5th<br />Baked Ziti<br />Okra<br />Breadsticks<br />Salad<br /><br />6th<br />Date Night/Mini meatloaves (previously made & frozen)<br />stuffing<br />green beans<br /><br />7th<br />*Crockpot Salisbury Steaks<br />Mashed Taters<br />Cabbage<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#009900;">8th<br />*Crockpot Island Kielbasa<br />Rice<br />Veggies<br />Hawaiian Sweet Rolls<br /><br />9th<br />Chicken Pot Pie<br />Sauteed Broccoli<br />Deviled Eggs<br /><br />10th<br />Beans (Pinto) & Sausage<br />Cornbread<br /><br />11th<br />BBQ Baked Potatoes<br /><br />12th<br />Creamy Chicken Stew<br />Skillet Roasted Brussels Sprouts<br />Salad<br /><br />13th<br />Frozen Lasagna (cooked, of course)<br />Carrots<br />Salad<br />Breadsticks<br /><br />14th<br />*Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken<br />Rice<br />Stir-Fry Veggies<br />Asian Salad (still looking for recipe)<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;">15th<br />Pork chops<br />Corn on the Cob<br />Broccoli & Rice Casserole<br /><br />16th<br />Little Ceasar's Pizza<br /><br />17th<br />Irish Beef Stew<br />Crusty Bread<br /><br />18th<br />Smoothies<br />*Farmer's Casserole<br /><br />19th<br />Poppy Seed Chicken<br />Rice<br />Veggies<br />Rolls<br /><br />20th<br />Beef Stroganoff<br />Green Beans<br />Salad<br /><br />21st<br />*Crockpot Beef Enchiladas<br />*Corn, Bean & Avocado Salad<br />Spanish Rice<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000099;">22nd<br />Cheese Stuffed Shells<br />Edamame<br />Salad<br /><br />23rd<br />Homemade Burgers<br />Pasta Salad<br />Baked Beans<br />Banana Pudding<br /><br />24th<br />OUT<br /><br />25th<br />*Baked Potato Soup<br />*Herbed Muffins<br /><br />26th<br />Chicken Spaghetti<br />Pea salad<br /><br />27th<br />Beef & Bean Chile Rellenos<br />Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes<br /><br />28th<br />Taco Salad<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#993300;">29th<br />*Spicy Chicken Kebobs with mushrooms & peppers<br />Okra, corn & tomato saute<br /><br />30th<br />Homemade Pizzas<br />Salad<br /><br />31st<br />Pot roast with Horseradish sauce & vegetables<br /><br /></span></div><br /><div align="center">NOTE: Items marked with * are new recipes.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is a list of the forms I use:<br /><br /></span><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Blank Calendar<br /><br />WalMart Master Grocery List<br /><br />Master Meal List </span></strong></div><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">You may email me at: diayoung (at) sbcglobal (dot) net</span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">Let me know what you think...was this helpful at all?</span></p><br /><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong></div></span>Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-2454324308221603762011-11-16T21:42:00.001-06:002011-11-16T22:24:44.384-06:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: RivalryI am hoping to get this posted before I start getting *HATE* texts from those of you who are staying up waiting for me to get busy. :-D<br />
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Anyway...I have had two separate topics on my mind all day & still haven't quite decided which one to write on tonight. Both topics are issues that I am dealing with right now, although certainly not for the first time!<br />
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Hmmmm.....<br />
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Let's go with.....<br />
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No....<br />
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Me (to hubby), "Which topic should I write about?"<br />
Hubby (always so helpful), "Whatever you feel inspired to write about."<br />
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Gee....<br />
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Ok, how about (DRUM ROLL, PLEASE):<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">*SIBLING RIVALRY*</span></div>
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Yes, we do actually have kids who argue, fuss, fight & bicker. They are bossy, and sassy, too. Ugh. I am a person who truly shies away from conflict. Hate it. Absolutely HATE it. I am equally adverse to bickering & general ugliness. I don't like loud words. So, when my kids get into these sorts of moods, it is like <span style="color: #cc0000;"><</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">fingernails on a chalkboard></span> to me, & I deal with it accordingly.</div>
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My kiddos were so excited (and so was I) that today was a day off of school (teacher training). A day with absolutely nothing on the schedule. So, we slept in a bit & then had breakfast (biscuits, gravy & sausage). From the time two of my kiddos got up until we sat down at the table (about 45 minutes), they were at each other's throats. Ugly words, mean actions...the works. I cautioned them several times...but they just didn't believe me. Normally, they sit next to each other at the table....and, when they came to the table, they pushed themselves as far away from each other as possible. This is where I stepped in. I moved them closer....much, much closer. Almost touching, actually. Then, after thanking the Lord for our food & praying for the attitudes at the table, I dropped the bomb on the two peace-breakers: They would be spending the ENTIRE day TOGETHER. No reading (yes, a punishment for my kiddos), no electronics, not even any Adventures in Odyssey. They had the choice of either sitting & staring at each other all day or playing---nicely--together. </div>
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I warned them that, should I hear any harsh words at any point in the day, I would tie their arms to each other. Yes, I would do that...I have, in fact. Amazingly, they were pretty kind all day long.</div>
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Now, do I think that there will be no ugliness tomorrow? </div>
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Nope. I'm not naive.</div>
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Will I force them to be together?</div>
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Yes I will.</div>
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I do not believe brothers & sisters should fight. They should be friends!!! After all, we all have to learn to deal with & appropriately handle other people throughout our entire lives. The home is where we start that learning process. Rubbing shoulders day in & day out can really start to wear on attitudes. Maybe one has a headache. Or had a bad day at school. Or is 'hormonal'. In my book, none of these are justification for treating others badly. I tell my kiddos (large & small) that we all have to handle our emotions, physical discomforts, disappointments and still treat others the same way we wish to be treated by them (See: Golden Rule in the Holy Bible).</div>
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I have found through the years that, when we allow an undercurrent of frustration to continue between kids, maybe chalking it up to 'a stage', it affects our whole family. If brother picks on sister, sister sasses back, brother pesters again, sister cries....Mom & Dad get stressed...Mom yells at another kid...that kid is upset & gripes at a sibling....well, you can see where it goes & it's not good.</div>
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As with any other behavior we wish to instill in our kiddos, teaching them to manage their attitudes & treatment of others takes time and training. </div>
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If your kids don't get along, then I would recommend that you create situations that require them to work together. Maybe doing a joint chore or playing something together such as a game. One time won't cut it. You will need to have them be together-a lot. Supervised togetherness. Nip any bickering in the bud. Provide consequences of ugly words or fighting. Gush compliments at politeness & considering each other.</div>
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This kind of training can be done at any age. Well, maybe not an infant...but you get it.</div>
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The key is that YOU are there...maybe in the background, but YOU are constantly monitoring the situation for glitches so that you may quickly step in while the fuses are still hot & redirect. </div>
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God put each person in our families to help each one of us with an area in our life. The family home is the ideal place to be tried. This is just as true for children as adults.</div>
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Teaching our children to get along when they are young will go miles towards helping them handle others in their adult lives.</div>
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DISCLAIMER: Yes, I have 'off' days too. Yes, I yell at the kids. Yes, I have to apologize. Yes, I am not perfect. Just so ya know! :0)</div>Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-14276710970219248292011-11-10T15:58:00.001-06:002011-11-10T17:30:10.023-06:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: To Share, or Not to Share...THAT is the question!Well, I blew it!!! I totally forgot to blog yesterday (Wednesday). And I even had a topic all ready & everything. Just. Totally. Forgot. I know some of you will forgive...and some won't (you know who you are! :))<br />
<br />
So, I'll just keep right on as if it's Wednesday & nothing is any different.<br />
<br />
A sweet mommy friend of mine was puzzling over the issue of sharing the other day. Hmmm....well, we've DEFINITLEY been there, done that...so, it seemed like a timely topic.<br />
<br />
Sharing is competely optional.<br />
<br />
There.<br />
<br />
All done.<br />
<br />
HAAAAA!!!<br />
<br />
Fooled ya!<br />
<br />
Seriously, it is, though.<br />
<br />
Like most good mommies, I wanted to teach my 2 sweet little girls to share politely with others as well as EACH other without fuss. Of course, I also wanted world peace & and an end to world hunger. Yeah, they are all pretty much in the same category. When we first encountered this issue, my hubby & I *SURPRISINGLY* didn't see things the same way!! What?!?! You teach your kid to share, no questions asked, right? Not according to him. Ooooohhhh. I fumed! He was really so strange. *sigh* God love him.<br />
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Here was his thought: "If it belongs to you, it's yours. You have the CHOICE to share."<br />
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I didn't like that. Nope. But, being a good wife (and seeing as how he said this was how it was gonna be), I adopted his rules.<br />
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Ya know, I really did marry the smartest man on earth! I now totally, 100% agree with this thought! With that little bit of background info divulged, let me elaborate for you.<br />
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There are some definites in parenting. Your children should obey (the first time, everytime...), should be polite & well-mannered, should grow up to be productive members of society. <br />
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Then there are the gray areas. These are the things we want to instill in our kids that we see as good character traits. In my mind, this is where sharing falls. <br />
<br />
Sharing is an abstract thought, something that we can all choose to do. Or not. Sometimes, sharing isn't even the right thing to do. Yes, you may have a stick of my gum. No, you may not share my husband. See what I mean? Some things are just not meant to be shared (toothbrushes, underclothing, laptops, Kindles....)<br />
<br />
So, how did we teach our kids to share (we DO participate in this practice, after all)?<br />
Well, we leave it up to them. If they are playing with the new toy they recently received for their birthday, and a sibling or other child wants to play with it, they have the option of saying no. It is, after all, THEIR toy. It was specifically purchased for them. This goes for items they have purchased with their own money as well. Pretty much anything that is specifically for them. Consider this: we, as adults, have those untouchables. Those things we kinda don't want to share (like laptops), and it's ok as long as that mentality doesn't extend to every situation where sharing is an option.<br />
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There are many things to address when teaching this to our kiddos, one of which is: Attitude. <br />
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*Good example*<br />
Child 1: Can I play with your new car?<br />
Child 2: No, I just got this for my birthday, & I don't really want to share it yet.<br />
Child 1: MOM!!! She's not sharing!!!<br />
Mom: Well, honey, she doesn't have to, it belongs to her & it is new. <br />
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Yes, we have had this scenario many times, no it doesn't always go smoothly (think toddlers), but we support the owner of the new toy in their decision - as long as the attitude & motive are correct.<br />
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*Bad example*<br />
Child 1: Can I play with your new car?<br />
Child 2: NO!!!! MOOOOOMMMMM SHE IS TOUCHING MY NEW CARRRRRRR!!!!<br />
Mom: You may NOT scream! You do not have to share your new toy, but you DO have to be nice! Now, because you were screaming, you will need to put the toy away & you won't be playing with it anymore today.<br />
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This is a pretty straightforward example when the item belongs specifically to the child. <br />
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However, I do want my kids to learn to share, after all, it is something we ALL have to do no matter how old we are. Not only that, we have to learn to do it with a cheerful heart. <br />
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How do we teach that?<br />
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Hmmm...my favorite way to teach kiddos is through object lessons. They are very tangible, real ways for them to "see" what you want them to learn.<br />
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In the case of teaching sharing, I might do something like this:<br />
Get out something like cookies which they will invariably as me for. How I respond depends on what I am wanting to teach. If one kid has been real bad about not sharing, then I won't share with them. I will explain that I just don't feel like sharing MY cookies with him. They are, after all, MY cookies. Yes, there will be frustration, even tears. I will then explain that, when they are selfish, it hurts others. Later, if I see that they have had an about-face about sharing, I make a HUGE deal of it!! Praise, praise, praise (and maybe even a cookie). I tell them how proud I am of their act of selflessness.<br />
*Note: this may take a while, but it does work*<br />
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I have also made a show of sharing with other kids & excluding the selfish one. Sounds harsh, doesn't it? It may be, but it is effective. No one likes to be left out. I make sure to let them know WHY I am not sharing with them. I may say, "I am not sharing with you because you don't like to share with others, and I figure you're ok with that (they're not). If you choose to start sharing nicely, then I will be happy to share with you, too, but for now, I am choosing not to share with you." My choice, right?<br />
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Putting the choice in their hands is tricky, but if you are faithful to educate them on how to consider others, it can work grandly.<br />
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What about if it's a kid who is over visiting? They get carte blanc with your kiddo's toys, right. Not necessarily. I mean, if I have company, do I let them use any & everything in our home? No. Certainly, if they ask permission, I will probably allow it (unless it's my toothbrush...) <br />
<br />
If you are having company, then pre-think some of these situations. Does your child have a special toy (doll, expensive toy, lovey...) that they are particularly protective of? Then put it away. There is nothing wrong with not granting access to EVERY toy in the house. Close doors (we have even put notes on closet doors: DO NOT OPEN OR WE WILL BE FORCED TO CHOP YOUR FINGERS OFF!!!), pull out non-threatening toys & bring them into a common area. The more you do to alleviate stress, the more your child will enjoy their play date. I will admit that this idea didn't come to me until we'd had several kids. I believe it came when we had some company with particularly unruly children. During the course of the evening, their child (8-10 years) crawled into my little girl's doll carriage & flattened it. He also got into the baby's crib & caused some damage. OOOOHHHHH!!! I fumed!! His parents laughed it off: "Boys will be boys". Um, not 'round here!!! So, next time, I set some unwritten rules...then quietly went to make sure they were being observed. Closets are off limits, as are bunk beds, and any closed door. Yes, I have also spoken directly to unruly kiddos if their parents don't seem to be, shall we say, concerned.<br />
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What if a child repeatedly refuses to share what belongs to them...and they are rather...uppity about it. Well, when the other children come to me complaining (c'mon, you know they will!!), I say things like this (keep in mind, I just love to use sarcasm...it's a fault of mine...):<br />
"Well, he doesn't haaaave to share, although I suuuurrreee would be happy if he did, buuuuuutttt apparently he is more interested in being selfish, sooooo you will just have to find someone else to play with since heeeee only likes to play alone." All the while casting disapproving glances in the direction of Mr. Selfish. Oh, how they don't like mom to disapprove. Very effective. Especially if you coddle the complainer a bit, ("I know you are disappointed, would you like a cookie? I know it's not the same as playing with a car, but maybe it will help") I know, I'm evil.<br />
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As a closing, I would like to address older kid's belongings. We have a household where we have (pretty much) adult children (don't tell her I said that) all the way down to toddlers. This can create much anger, frustration & tears where belonging are concerned. I can sympathize. How many of MY things have been broken, used or otherwise mismanaged by kids? How to handle? <br />
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Well, cleanliness is strongly encouraged. What is put away cannot be accessed by small hands. If it was not put away properly, it's destruction gets little sympathy from me. The key is to provide the older child with locations to safely keep their belongings. Sometimes this is a safety issue. My boys have pocket knives...their 2 & 3 year old sisters, do not. There is a reason for that! So, they are kept in a safe place in my room (I am planning to buy combination safe boxes for the boys for Christmas). Smallish kids who get into things they shouldn't...are reprimanded immediately, sometimes having to replace items broken with their own money.<br />
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Ok, I have droned enough about this topic...I hope it helps. <br />
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Like I said, sharing is optional, and I chose to share this info with you.<br />
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You're welcome. :0)Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-37260846993378363382011-11-02T08:37:00.000-05:002011-11-02T20:47:09.304-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: Job - Epic Fail!I know some of you may have wondered where I have been the last couple of weeks. Well, I've been here. At home. Having the time of my life. Not the best time of my life, mind you...but it has definitely been "A" time of my life.<br />
<br />
About 3 months ago, hubby & I made the decision for him to take a new job. Hallelujah!!! After 10 years of being self-employed, someone else would worry about taxes & payroll. We have insurance and a regular paycheck deposited right in our account. It's amazing....amazingly horrible.<br />
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You know, I have always been a believer in being careful what you ask of God because He might just give it to you. I think that was the case here. <br />
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Don't get me wrong, there were lessons learned from this experience, but when hubby announced that he was putting in his resignation....cheers went up all over the house!!!<br />
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So, what was wrong with the job?<br />
<br />
Let me put it this way: in the month of October, he was home 5 days total. Yeah. Awful! We knew that there would be some travel with this position, but it was estimated at 2 or 3 nights at a time. Hmmmmm....we won't go into some long tirade about streeeeeeetching the truth. Suffice it to say...it was a tad more. Like twice as much. Every week.<br />
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Meanwhile, back on the home front....<br />
<br />
I started out doing great! We had a plan, a schedule...it was all good. Then came October.<br />
<br />
As his schedule got more & more crazy, so did I. I found I couldn't even enjoy him being home because I was already panicking about him leaving again.<br />
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Physically, I felt ill. Exhaustion was taking a firm hold in my life. Complete. Utter. Exhaustion.<br />
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I finally reached a place where I began to feel anxious & trapped. Parenting 8 children with a partner is tough stuff. Doing it alone: impossible.<br />
<br />
Yes, my kids are great, but they are still kids. They have constant, unending needs. My days were a constant mental challenge. My brain hurt. The younger ones had gotten out of control...badly. In short, I had gone into survival mode. The highlights of my day were naptime & bedtime.<br />
<br />
This past Saturday night, when I found out he wouldn't be making it home in time for church...I just fell apart. When he came home & saw my status....he saw it as the sign he'd been looking for to resign.<br />
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Oh, the great relief!!! I cannot explain how I felt. I'm not sure I have fully comprehended it. My body is still out of whack from the stress & anxiety I had been feeling.<br />
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I in no way want to put my husband in a bad light. This time was miserable for him too. We had prayed, counseled & really tried to put God first in the decision to take this job. Maybe it was the right thing to do so that we would see that it was the wrong thing for us.<br />
<br />
So, we are back to self-employment & the phone is ringing like crazy!!! New opportunities are steadily presenting themselves.<br />
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God is good. Yes He is! <br />
<br />
We have grown from this experience. We have learned more about faith. I have learned that I cannot parent alone. Maybe I could have done some things differently, but I now have a new appreciation for my husband's strength of presence. Just having him here gives me strength to do what I need to do to be a good mom.<br />
<br />
Do you find yourself in an impossible situation?<br />
<br />
Have you prayed about it?<br />
<br />
Faithfully.<br />
<br />
Every. Single. Minute. of Every. Single. Day?<br />
<br />
Is He answering by asking you to give up something that gives you a sense of security? Find your peace & security in Him....it's the only REAL peace & security you'll ever have.<br />
<br />
My God is real. I feel like I am recovering from a 3 month long illness. Sometimes, I can feel the darkness creeping back in, but I have the strength to fight it because we are where we are supposed to be.<br />
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So, the moral of the story:<br />
<br />
Make sure it's God's will & not your will. If it's His will...YOU WILL MAKE IT!!!<br />
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<br />
Disclaimer: I am not advocating that you make a sudden major decision because you are unhappy. I am simply telling you my testimony...Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-7461874679119668222011-10-19T21:06:00.000-05:002011-10-19T21:06:08.201-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: When Mom is Feelin' PoorlyThis will be a short posting...basically because I feel funky.<br />
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So...the question for today is:<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR HOME WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL GOOD?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">ANSWER:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE.</span></div>
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I am terrible at asking for/accepting help when I need it. I can alway rationalize that I am ok & that it's probably not as bad as I think (read: I'm probably being a drama queen).<br />
<br />
As mothers, we carry a huge load. <br />
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Seriously, our homes kinda just run to the ground when we are gone or otherwise out of commission. It's not that the family doesn't KNOW what to do or SEE what needs to be done. <br />
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They. Just. Don't. Do. It. <br />
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Sometimes I alternate between being aggrivated about having to tell my peeps everything & just telling them, and getting over it.<br />
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Ok, so when I'm not feeling up to par...<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">1. I ignore the idea as long as possible, hoping that it's a figment of my imagination.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">2. I pass out hints that I'm not feeling great, hoping for some divine (or otherwise) intervention.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. I finally accept that I can't do it all, crawl to my bed & hope for the best</span>.</span><br />
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Sometimes I get help from outside the home & sometimes I just dump it on my older girls, feel guilty, try to assuage my guilt by throwing privileges or gifts at them when I feel better.<br />
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When all is well & the sun is shining in my part of the world, I just clean up the mess...and thank the good Lord that I rarely don't feel good.Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-18268786806882377022011-10-12T20:21:00.004-05:002011-10-12T20:21:46.142-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: Organization Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One question that has been asked of me pertains to <strong>organization</strong>. </div>
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About 5 or 6 years into being a mommy, I began to realize that I needed to get a handle on the clutter. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">No, it didn't come naturally</span>. I had to research, try, research some more, ask questions & try more. Slowly, I have morphed our home into sort of an organized chaos. It's not ready to be featured in one of those organizing & storage magazines that I can never seem to pass up at the checkout, but it works.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mostly.</span></div>
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Today, I'll talk about one area of our home that requires some organization: the <span style="color: #0b5394;">Laundry Room.</span></div>
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I don't know about you, but next to the kitchen, my laundry room is where I spend the bulk of my time.</div>
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When we first married, my poor hubby was always running out of clothes of the....um....fundamental sort. My garage was my laundry room. UGH! I had to share it with the spiders & bugs, all sorts of important "stuff" my hubby & I felt we had to keep, and, oh yeah, THE CAR!!! On top of all that pleasantry, it was either stifling hot, bitterly cold or damp & dirty....always dirty. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">In short: <span style="color: #990000;">I HATED IT!</span></span></div>
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I'm not sure that it was the chore that I disliked as much as the location. However, after dealing with that for about 12 years....we were finally able to make some dreams come true. We had drawn out plans to include our garage as part of our house, creating three new rooms: a homeschool/play room, an office, and a laundry/craft room (I guess that's kinda like 5 rooms). One year later, we sold it & moved. </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">*sigh*</span> Just when I had it perfect.</div>
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Fast forward a bunch of years to now. </div>
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I currently have a 'sufficient' laundry room. I would prefer it to be a tad roomier, but we make due.</div>
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As with pretty much every area of my life, the way I have organized my laundry room has been adjusted numerous times. Don't feel that you have to do something the same way forever unless it happens to work forever (which it rarely does). Life changes require minor touch ups to your organization and sometimes even some major overhauls.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgqreQyqW7KKVUaqsGwJgH99sv-hwz8qgBfFefh5ttvbe-UQLWP6Cc6rSiCSDdPOlfPgpEkcVhTIVtazcQiSk9JduKCyH-3OTlGu72HqprGVU7fD3TRXkdp5l1d4Kv6UrY8ArhLc4Zp_H/s1600/img_1805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgqreQyqW7KKVUaqsGwJgH99sv-hwz8qgBfFefh5ttvbe-UQLWP6Cc6rSiCSDdPOlfPgpEkcVhTIVtazcQiSk9JduKCyH-3OTlGu72HqprGVU7fD3TRXkdp5l1d4Kv6UrY8ArhLc4Zp_H/s400/img_1805.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the kiddos have gotten older, I have them sort their own clothes into these baskets (these 3 support 6 kids).<br />
No, they don't always do it right, but the largest part of my job is done for me. I just go through them quickly as I am loading the washer, tossing what is in the wrong place into the right one. <br />
These three baskets are 'Lights', 'Brights', & 'Darks.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8K8o_gkYC_isEqFWxau21Uir5td4kLFlUq-L23XrJW1dSP6I2szcyd0q6w7HFQ00hCd9FCoGsmigln-KjV41ExeWtsgEQAEmv2JsfDc_mYWeNmtRfFrsZTTT4JBfV15oizv5atBV2q7x/s1600/img_1806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8K8o_gkYC_isEqFWxau21Uir5td4kLFlUq-L23XrJW1dSP6I2szcyd0q6w7HFQ00hCd9FCoGsmigln-KjV41ExeWtsgEQAEmv2JsfDc_mYWeNmtRfFrsZTTT4JBfV15oizv5atBV2q7x/s400/img_1806.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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In order to help them with sorting colors, I tied ribbons to the handles which coordinated with what I wanted in them. These ribbons are from the 'Lights' basket. When we first implemented this plan, we grabbed some clothes & compared them to the ribbons, deciding where they would go.</div>
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More often than not, the baskets are done right....except the boys have real issues with taking their underwear out of their pants...WHAT'S UP WITH THAT???</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgJohq7I3hAaJLgo8CoDzr6XcNwh20pcBUrKO86ED4Y6IwNO5QkTQvR9xJKneRSi6eCbp7SHuB1e_pFgke-tIGJsDriHccjFtQC1thuqExycaB2LAb0wqT1OXLEwKDqMrb9zS0vfAesuc/s1600/img_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgJohq7I3hAaJLgo8CoDzr6XcNwh20pcBUrKO86ED4Y6IwNO5QkTQvR9xJKneRSi6eCbp7SHuB1e_pFgke-tIGJsDriHccjFtQC1thuqExycaB2LAb0wqT1OXLEwKDqMrb9zS0vfAesuc/s400/img_1807.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This basket is almost ALWAYS overflowing.<br />
It is the "Outgrowns" basket.<br />
Out of season clothing also gets tossed here until it can be packed away.<br />
It never ceases to amaze me that we can go for months & add nothing to this bin, then BAM every kid <br />
is adding to it!!! It's crazy!! If they could just grow at different times, it would sure be cheaper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPcCuFnh23fciTitMeuMitRQX_ij_eqKSBzcwLC2HX_lImaLpX-oHn4DgRARCLRd_iLCc4CzT1-J1cwe4r6iX0IEwpoXRitkbcjIC9-GudWNZpC-1sA4OBLI1pYycipGpm4xk7UnwBcWV/s1600/img_1808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPcCuFnh23fciTitMeuMitRQX_ij_eqKSBzcwLC2HX_lImaLpX-oHn4DgRARCLRd_iLCc4CzT1-J1cwe4r6iX0IEwpoXRitkbcjIC9-GudWNZpC-1sA4OBLI1pYycipGpm4xk7UnwBcWV/s400/img_1808.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directly over my dirty clothes baskets, I had a clothing rack installed.<br />
It has a free-motion bar because I HATE those little divided hanging bars.<br />
Really. Who wants to take the time to divide their clothing? Dumb.<br />
This was laundry day, so everything is empty, but more often than not,<br />
the baskets are all like that last one & the rack is bulging with clothes waiting to be put away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvH_xl6-XGEz0FRYmPjm4pjXrNYs4p2Dwm_u0M2PERlWkz7801QqfY1ZL_U7ICFh11znLZTkpxQ8dh8CB4EEde4HTUDrfvIX52nf5YZcFibHx1feEwZVtS25K25rjGiHmC6pJBu9J4IQy/s1600/img_1809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvH_xl6-XGEz0FRYmPjm4pjXrNYs4p2Dwm_u0M2PERlWkz7801QqfY1ZL_U7ICFh11znLZTkpxQ8dh8CB4EEde4HTUDrfvIX52nf5YZcFibHx1feEwZVtS25K25rjGiHmC6pJBu9J4IQy/s400/img_1809.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the extra storage over the hanging rack.<br />
Hate how it all shows.<br />
Cabinets are a dream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67TCHgxbbEcEjRW-Vm3NJ2ItEsQ3Y_scjUk_JtY0vjoo1p8HmztD_DyZlW-qthqm0E9LZs0yA_XLDoYpzfVlNnuMapBbPXUJo2hW6cgJSg5YQZ7UeGeP4iHB9ZRYmwea5xiU4ImBFlY-o/s1600/img_1810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67TCHgxbbEcEjRW-Vm3NJ2ItEsQ3Y_scjUk_JtY0vjoo1p8HmztD_DyZlW-qthqm0E9LZs0yA_XLDoYpzfVlNnuMapBbPXUJo2hW6cgJSg5YQZ7UeGeP4iHB9ZRYmwea5xiU4ImBFlY-o/s320/img_1810.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr></></><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">My most excellent hubby built me this little closet right next to the washer & dryer (which is stacked).<br />
It is a hard-workin little closet.<br />
I store my laundry soap, hangers, tool bag (no, the pink tools do NOT stop him from using them!), the mop, broom, a stool, & extra paper towels (can't see those). <br />
The drawers house: extra covers for the Shark mop (worth putting on your Christmas list), dusting/cleaning rags, all sorts of batteries, light bulbs & dog-related stuff.<br />
I love my closet (is that wierd?)<br />
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One other thing I forgot to take a photo of is what I actually put the kid's clothes into when they are ready to put away. I don't like baskets. They are bulky. I use clear, flat under-the-bed storage boxes. They are fairly cheap & you can stack a bunch & not take up too much room. When the clothes are folded, I can put them in piles according to where they go...pj's, socks/underwear...etc. Then the kid can just transfer the pile from the box to the drawer<br />
(yes, I said KID!). Each kid gets their own box.<br />
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That's it, I guess. Next week, I'll discuss another area of organization...any thoughts on which area???<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><strong> Leave me some comments!</strong></span></td><span style="font-size: x-large;"></><strong><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></strong></span></tr>
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</div>Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-91287747808848798892011-10-10T21:39:00.001-05:002011-10-10T21:39:36.579-05:00A Calgon Moment<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><u>THE SCENE:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Cooking</span> dinner @ about 6.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kids</span> </span></span>are all outside playing.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Backdoor flies open.</span><br />
<br />
In runs Ella Grace (age 3) hair a-flying. She makes a <strong><span style="font-size: large;">*mad dash for the bathroom.*</span></strong><br />
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Meanwhile, my <strong>dad knocks</strong> on the patio door...he is delivering the 18 or so eggs he just robbed our hens of so that we might have fresh scrambled eggs for breakfast.<br />
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As we admit him, we hear <span style="color: purple;">screams</span> coming from the bathroom. I send daughter #1 to assess the situation (although I'm fairly certain what has happened).<br />
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I return to my conversation with dad...<br />
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Back door flies open as #1 sticks her head out & screams at #4 to come pick up her clothes & shoes off of the bathroom floor (this is pure, unmitigated hypocrosy in it's finest form, to say the very least). As #4 comes in...#1 is rubbing her oversight in (loud enough for me to hear) by telling her that E.G. didn't quite make it to the bathroom in time, & lost it.....on her clothing & (yes) her school shoes.<br />
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In the meantime...the rice is burning.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">My dad is laughing</span>.</span></span><br />
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Daughter #1 informs me that the dog ran through the bathroom....right through....yeah. But...it's all ok, cause she just put her in her kennel.<br />
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<br />
Are you needing <span style="font-size: x-large;">*Calgon*</span> to take you away just reading all of this???<br />
<br />
Seriously, this is rather normal around here, if complete & utter chaos can be considered normal in any way. <br />
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You might wonder, "How does she handle all of that?"<br />
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Well, today....fine. I just instructed #4 to clean her stuff & the rug up...put it in a basket & put it by the washer. Then to mop.<br />
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But, wait....before you <em>think</em> I have <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">nerves of steel & a halo to match</span>...let me tell you that by Wednesday or Thursday....this scene may very well make me want to curl up into the fetal position in the back corner of my closet.<br />
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*SIGH*<br />
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It is times like these, though, that I think....<br />
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<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">I really should blog this stuff...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">people will get a real kick out of it.</span></div>
Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-87382928884224353952011-10-05T22:47:00.002-05:002011-10-05T22:47:42.193-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: How We Roll (down the road)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For those of you who missed last week's "Wonder-FULL Wednesday" post...I apologize for not letting you know that we were going to be out of town. However, on second thought, it's probably not a good idea to announce to the whole world that we will be leaving the homestead unattended! </div>
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*Not that I don't trust you guys, of course.*</div>
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I have pretty much run out of questions to answer, so until someone asks more...well, I'll just keep giving up some fascinating little tidbits of info on our family's comings & goings. Hold on to your seats...it's riveting stuff! :o)</div>
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So---where did we go?</div>
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Kentucky.</div>
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Shepherdsville, Kentucky.</div>
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To many folks this town means absolutely nothing, but to our family (as well as many of our friends), it is a place of heritage & roots. It is where we gather twice a year with like-minded people to learn more about God & how to more successfully become like Him. It is a wonderful place on a hilltop that never fails to bring a tingle to my skin as we come 'round that last turn & see the campus sitting there. I wonder how many thousands of people travel that road & never even glance at the grounds that mean so much to so many.</div>
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Anyway, I digress.</div>
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So, we packed up (5 suitcases, 4 garment bags, 1 snack bag....oh, forget it...we were stuffed to the gills!!!), and headed down the road. It only takes until the 12th of forever to get there from here. That is fairly managable in 2 stages, but, we drove it all. the. way. through. We finally arrived somewhere around dawn the day after we left. It was painful. I won't lie.</div>
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The first full day of being in Kentucky was our 5th child's (aka our 2nd son) BIRTHDAY!!!!</div>
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Whoop-whoop!!! We love birthdays around here. :0) </div>
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Barrett Paul is now 7, & so stinkin' handsome & pretty much smarter than any other kid alive. Really.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPIl8tYG3xVKcOXnuDoI2xyPPJaybn2qVmXu_Sxg4UprUtPEIdy4aOe8noLwmo1KzvmYr47g98PgZO4NnPBr5ZKx2ej1xRQ2S2cigjSrspi7r9bTVqDUl_hG9Tr5y2G34wJr6tZoIb20w/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPIl8tYG3xVKcOXnuDoI2xyPPJaybn2qVmXu_Sxg4UprUtPEIdy4aOe8noLwmo1KzvmYr47g98PgZO4NnPBr5ZKx2ej1xRQ2S2cigjSrspi7r9bTVqDUl_hG9Tr5y2G34wJr6tZoIb20w/s400/IMG_1079.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">The Birthday Boy just a few weeks before he turned 7</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our group of sweeties partially rested up & ready for the fun to start.<br />
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You may wonder why we load up 8 kids & tons of luggage, drive 13+ hours just to attend church. Well, it's our life! Our whole purpose in this life is to serve God, so we try our best to mingle with other folks from all over the country (world, even) when we get the chance. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relax ladies...he is VERY taken!<br />
(Envy is a sin...better go pray) LOL<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23_b3lFNiieQ94DJ4_DIvUNnWrPYsxOuQWNQ109RNTu7gQiIzUPU4_piG_5UX1bBeJzyN6LSrPXmMHaBTanPMcbxP95K2jhLni8vAaw1yFgvcjHAteLhprIaSeIGdkp6cAzLLEnisfAWE/s1600/img_1657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23_b3lFNiieQ94DJ4_DIvUNnWrPYsxOuQWNQ109RNTu7gQiIzUPU4_piG_5UX1bBeJzyN6LSrPXmMHaBTanPMcbxP95K2jhLni8vAaw1yFgvcjHAteLhprIaSeIGdkp6cAzLLEnisfAWE/s320/img_1657.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxwZnv_BbbmIGA5Ri9ttP9MeQR3jROTFaB8OeURCgG6h9bYqKDCOkQZyquCYRA9sAwnjqKVJ3acBxuReaU58gAwFk8t-n0LIgDEZzg6j-tbeXyu_FKz8YaAuXqORF-Z-nzdmUsvpHjvoF/s1600/img_1659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxwZnv_BbbmIGA5Ri9ttP9MeQR3jROTFaB8OeURCgG6h9bYqKDCOkQZyquCYRA9sAwnjqKVJ3acBxuReaU58gAwFk8t-n0LIgDEZzg6j-tbeXyu_FKz8YaAuXqORF-Z-nzdmUsvpHjvoF/s320/img_1659.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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I can imagine that some of you moms may be asking, </div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"Isn't it hard to take all of those kids on a long trip, </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">and then sit through several hours of church at a time?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">ANSWER:</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Of course it is!!!!</span></div>
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I won't lie to you, I get very stressed out. </div>
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I have been found in the restroom crying.</div>
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I have chewed out the amazing man I'm married to for not helping more.</div>
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I have offered my offspring to the lowest bidder.</div>
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However, I cannot stress enough the importance of doing the hard stuff when it comes to doing what is right for your family. In doing so, you are letting your children see what is the most important to you: their well-being. Yes, it would be MUCH easier to stay home most of the time, but to what benefit? I admit that I usually do not take the little ones to both camp meetings...usually only the fall one. However, I really felt that I made a wrong decision this past June when half of my family headed down the road without us, so, we may be there everytime we have the money.</div>
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You know, we have teenagers & 'tweens' as well as little kids, and I love that we have an opportunity to introduce them to other godly young people. They usually come home talking about the new friends they have met...some of which have even made the trip to Texas to visit! COOL!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Can you see all of our faces?"<br />
"Yeah, mom!" <br />
Click<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IXb1JQHlH3LMGcISxLbJ1wMFOg1-DR4dczdjmyH5yzN0XVV1LWvTpcW08StAFvtnzlS7Zd3uU6Z8tl1PdlWw-bhfPg5x1iYrkONanJYS4Nf6wBA566oMEPNozrGNjdp5NyWViaLj-YyI/s1600/img_1667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IXb1JQHlH3LMGcISxLbJ1wMFOg1-DR4dczdjmyH5yzN0XVV1LWvTpcW08StAFvtnzlS7Zd3uU6Z8tl1PdlWw-bhfPg5x1iYrkONanJYS4Nf6wBA566oMEPNozrGNjdp5NyWViaLj-YyI/s400/img_1667.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;">Triple Trouble!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">I love that my boy (in the middle) is growing up with good young men!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb30oZ8hmleLbmGHubgNCUxYjtqiijt_aG3WwQPX5NhLvfALdrSRbieff7ht9Qw21gbmuNFvI3aRspKfUnmnpl_ozeqxCwSZ4MuQ6-hrMRMBwrTR2djdTKrJkvqonC5yyVPjJ3HuNPDLM/s1600/img_1669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb30oZ8hmleLbmGHubgNCUxYjtqiijt_aG3WwQPX5NhLvfALdrSRbieff7ht9Qw21gbmuNFvI3aRspKfUnmnpl_ozeqxCwSZ4MuQ6-hrMRMBwrTR2djdTKrJkvqonC5yyVPjJ3HuNPDLM/s400/img_1669.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Time spent under the pews can create lasting memories!</span> <br />
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I used to think that little kids didn't get much from the services, but, many times over I have been proven wrong by the questions of a little one. They do hear, they do think. </div>
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Especially if their name is in the Bible (HA!)</div>
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One other wonderful thing about going to camp meeting is the opportunity to serve others. My family loves to work. The older girls wait tables during meals, clean restrooms & play music during services. My younger crowd loves to work at the snack bar at night, carrying trays, washing them & doing trash detail (of course, that free ice cream is a great incentive). My hubby usually has something to do with driving folks around the huge property on golf carts.<br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">I....usually....watch kids. </span><br />
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This year, I told the fam...mom will work too. Our dear friends make pizzas for the snack bar & I volunteered to help. I am almost embarrassed at how excited I was! <span style="color: #38761d;">Seriously.</span> I haven't been able to work in years! <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I was just thrilled! </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsktEAZ0_UDdYVmhUmWhzhJw-dE-W-nhUl9xiQoPmGdmbrwaFzKVvaOi-xD0jIK3m822W0cb7loTkt8jAjfBo3NwgbddLaVM3YsQG6w03s_LvJMYgLnb3XCNdmTBePiJY5jnT8lrm5nBs/s1600/img_1670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsktEAZ0_UDdYVmhUmWhzhJw-dE-W-nhUl9xiQoPmGdmbrwaFzKVvaOi-xD0jIK3m822W0cb7loTkt8jAjfBo3NwgbddLaVM3YsQG6w03s_LvJMYgLnb3XCNdmTBePiJY5jnT8lrm5nBs/s400/img_1670.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never tossed the dough into the air, but I did a pretty good job, I think!</td></tr>
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Isn't she a beauty? :)</div>
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Ok....here's the aftermath of 10 people going out of town for 6 days:</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Mt. Laundrimous</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTHGT2VXY4dMI7ie8_TExjpicBmVroOGKxIQPVM8O0oGmT0F-gIv44blptgeBK_S2518YB0msDwz_nhSMsqQzyRyPlt29IQ2lEJt2DcyB1GZeUzNhFVpx7m-VhTxKdGkTjp-1n6cawdAW/s1600/img_1696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTHGT2VXY4dMI7ie8_TExjpicBmVroOGKxIQPVM8O0oGmT0F-gIv44blptgeBK_S2518YB0msDwz_nhSMsqQzyRyPlt29IQ2lEJt2DcyB1GZeUzNhFVpx7m-VhTxKdGkTjp-1n6cawdAW/s320/img_1696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv8Ykz-_n3uTEdDb71eZCna1V-75i5235UayhtNtOBhnKlDWioIrxjKIo9ebYjB23esqAw6gbvltCFGqbNDDGpDnwnkq75bbdvAwUP5oAWUocii0F035DJRSy8xeV5NRedzsTmtIZVUw1/s1600/img_1697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv8Ykz-_n3uTEdDb71eZCna1V-75i5235UayhtNtOBhnKlDWioIrxjKIo9ebYjB23esqAw6gbvltCFGqbNDDGpDnwnkq75bbdvAwUP5oAWUocii0F035DJRSy8xeV5NRedzsTmtIZVUw1/s320/img_1697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It takes 2 days to pack & 4-5 days (if steadily working)</div>
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to get it all unpacked, sorted, washed, dried, folded/hung/ironed & put away.</div>
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It's tough, but we love the experience -and- it only gets easier as the kiddos get older.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">At least that's my theory.....</span></div>
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Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-26293552224518202362011-09-21T11:38:00.002-05:002011-09-21T11:39:21.651-05:00Wonder-Full Wednesday: Chores<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Today, I want to share something that is working rather well for us: Chore Sticks. Like I have said before, I am not one to have too many original ideas, so I cannot take full credit for this one, either. However, it is a compilation of ideas I have seen/heard here & there. </div>
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That's usually how I work....<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Hear something, <span style="color: blue;">tuck it away</span>, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">see something else</span>....<span style="color: blue;">tuck it away</span>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Have a need</span>....<span style="color: lime;">recall</span>....<span style="color: magenta;">adapt</span>...<span style="color: red;">put into practice</span>. </span></div>
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Sometimes it's a raging <span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">success*</span>....sometimes it's an epic <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*fail*!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">That's life, I suppose.</span><br />
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So, here's the general idea:</div>
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*We have a house</div>
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*It needs cleaned</div>
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*We have 10 people making messes</div>
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*We should all pitch in</div>
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*Money isn't needed</div>
*Good ideas are<br />
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I have tried all kinds of plans, tricks, charts...you name it. And, it all works....as long as I'm ok with reminding everyone to do it (which I'm not...but I'm coming around).<br />
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The newest adaptation started with me dividing our home into<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">"zones"</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">. I feel sure I heard that somewhere. Here are our zones:</span></span><br />
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*Bathrooms<br />
*Kitchen<br />
*Living Areas<br />
*Bedrooms<br />
*Laundry Room, Car, Porch<br />
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I didn't want to add stuff to the weekend, because we just never stick to it. NEVER. Then I get frustrated, and have to get pushy....the kids get pouty & ornery...the hubby has to give me the "just relax" talk....NAH...why go through all that???<br />
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So...these zones correspond with the days of the week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSxbqyS7zceAOenseAGsVB702xq5x-VHGkYgMZKqhhQaC6s-gaDGRTGE7msUOa_PV8pySnsy0Q9N4Y3mqyaLqVl7MEjQ9PVcn5exarr6UeHMHGXFao4v3D9MyOc9QFTyDTZMfaYvecuoc/s1600/img_1634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSxbqyS7zceAOenseAGsVB702xq5x-VHGkYgMZKqhhQaC6s-gaDGRTGE7msUOa_PV8pySnsy0Q9N4Y3mqyaLqVl7MEjQ9PVcn5exarr6UeHMHGXFao4v3D9MyOc9QFTyDTZMfaYvecuoc/s400/img_1634.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I taped a reminder for myself as to what days <br />
are what zone...as I knew I probably wouldn't remember!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4DLw259sODuzsMEbVm8vd9smx5uEZ8jE6UtVcXPvnASTkD9JV1LRoon4fGkNWY4IqHPpdLSEyGUBCUZLhLl0scBhPyI2AXANKcWLuClnCljhqe23s8O26olqkgDSSIx_xLdMwV-P2aNQ/s1600/img_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4DLw259sODuzsMEbVm8vd9smx5uEZ8jE6UtVcXPvnASTkD9JV1LRoon4fGkNWY4IqHPpdLSEyGUBCUZLhLl0scBhPyI2AXANKcWLuClnCljhqe23s8O26olqkgDSSIx_xLdMwV-P2aNQ/s320/img_1635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought a huge pack of colored popsicle sticks at the $1 store. Then, I assigned each zone a color. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNMDot1b1bCntKVNHoo9TKzNdP_3wcP6Sd_mI3PEfoq8gamZn-c5zGD80Rc7mIgju549acHFZab0OdqNmRKGnJxJOIv8_RijLZJ437VAY-6bqI7o2slrzUwBTZHVQ0ZY5_IyUCSLDLepX/s1600/img_1639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNMDot1b1bCntKVNHoo9TKzNdP_3wcP6Sd_mI3PEfoq8gamZn-c5zGD80Rc7mIgju549acHFZab0OdqNmRKGnJxJOIv8_RijLZJ437VAY-6bqI7o2slrzUwBTZHVQ0ZY5_IyUCSLDLepX/s320/img_1639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, I thought up one word categories of cleaning such as:</div>
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*Wipe</div>
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*Empty</div>
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*Polish</div>
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*Scrub</div>
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Just to name a few.</div>
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I wrote a category at the tip of one side of the stick, turned it over & put what I wanted them to wipe/empty/polish etc.... Making sure to keep all writing at the same end of the stick.</div>
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Now, here's the part that seems to be the most appealing to the kiddos: they do not have an assigned chore, it's just<span style="color: #38761d;"> luck o' the draw</span>! Each day, following lunch, I grab all of the sticks for that day, make sure the words are tucked in my hand, fan them out, & let them pick sticks. So far, I've been going oldest to youngest (5 years is the youngest in this case), and they draw til the sticks are gone. Some get more chores than others...but no one has complained. The funny part is: the 5 year old had to scrub the tub, sink & toilet on Monday! Ha! I have no delusions as to actually having sparkling clean tubs when he does it, but HE sure was excited! :)</div>
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The stipulations for putting their stick(s) back into our handy little bucket are this:</div>
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-They have until 5 p.m. to complete the jobs they drew (no one has pushed this, so I haven't added an "or else" yet.)</div>
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-They must bring the stick to me & report in, so to speak.</div>
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-I give them permission to put the stick back in the bucket.</div>
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Here's our belief on chores:</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">"We all make the messes, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">we all help clean them up."</span></div>
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Once again, since this is my blog...I can elaborate on a couple of possibly controversial things related to chores. </div>
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The first one is: All children should have chores in some form or fashion, and they should not be "gender specific". Here is why:</div>
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*It teaches a cause and effect type of idea. You make a mess....it must be cleaned by someone (preferably you). </div>
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* Helping = privileges. In our home, privileges aren't a given...they are earned.</div>
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*It prepares children for adulthood. In my humble opinion, there aren't too many things more pitiful than a young adult who knows nothing about work or how to run a home. </div>
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*It fosters gratitude (in theory) for the privileges they reap from a job well done.</div>
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*They learn to enjoy living in a tidy, and fairly clean environment (the idea being: they will carry a desire for that on to adulthood).</div>
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My kiddos pretty much run the gammut on chores. Girls empty garbage cans, boys wash dishes, they all put away their own laundry (and I pray I never have to look for anything specific)....you get the idea.</div>
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One other thing we do not do is pay our children to do chores. Keeping the house orderly & neat is not a payable job, it's a necessity. Again, we all make the mess, therefore, we should all help to clean it. With that said, I will now say that we DO provide ways for the kids to earn a bit of pocket cash with <span style="color: #38761d;">"Money Chores".</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">A money chore is something that is extra...beyond the everyday needs. For example, we live on 10+ acres, & it needs mowed. If one of the older kids take a notion to hop onto one of our 3 mowers & ride around for awhile, they can earn $5 per hour. Pretty good, huh?</span></div>
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One way I pay out is to have someone dust my bedroom or clean my bathroom. These two areas are my responsibility & do not appear on the kiddo's chore lists. However, I don't like to do it, so I am willing to pay some green to get out of it. </div>
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Other money chores may include:</div>
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*thoroughly cleaning out the refrigerators ($5)</div>
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*Taking down the curtains, washing, drying, ironing & re-hanging them ($15-$20 or maybe a certain amount per window)</div>
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*wiping baseboards ($3)</div>
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*cleaning mini-blinds ($5)</div>
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*washing window sills ($3)</div>
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On a final note: don't underestimate your children. All ages can help. A toddler is fully capable of putting her own clean socks in the drawer. The trick is to not overwhelm them with an entire basket of laundry at one time. A three year old with a rag can do some real damage to your dust. A damp rag in a short-ish person's hand can clean all sorts of low places that my knees don't want me to get to. Door knobs, walls, light switches can all be cleaned by a toddler. Lots of praise will be the only fuel needed!</div>
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Now...grab some kids & go clean some house!!! :)</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">*****</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">If you would like to submit a question, you may comment here or send me an email to:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">photographer*at*kidshots*dot*net</span></div>
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Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-44092877891575274332011-09-14T22:43:00.000-05:002011-09-14T22:43:51.787-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: Tears & FaithOnce again, I am a bit late getting the Wednesday posting out...but hey, there are still a few hours left in today :).<br />
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Here are today's questions. I lumped them together because, basically, they are intertwined.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you ever sit down and cry for a bit or </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">are you past that stage now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How has the Lord helped you keep it together </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">when otherwise you would've given up?</span></div>
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In response to the first part of the question, um....Is the Pope Catholic??? HAHAHAHA!! </div>
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Yes, I do sit & cry a bit now & then. Crying is NOT one of my favorite pastimes (I've been known to hate on a person who knowingly made me watch a movie for which I needed a tissue), so I don't do it very often. I tend to bottle my emotions up for a long time, then explode like a volcano full of all kinds fun stuff! As much as I would like to insert a *JK* here, I'm not. </div>
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If I cry...I'm done in. </div>
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But, I do cry. It's so....cleansing. Sometimes, it's just the thing. </div>
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As for the part about being past that stage...I have been a parent for nearly 18 years, and I have cried, recently, regarding the oldest child! So, I am thinking that there is no "stage". As a parent, I believe we will cry forever when it comes to our kiddos. After all....Jesus wept regarding His kids....just sayin.... </div>
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There is nothing wrong with crying or feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. It happens. </div>
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However, if it happens A LOT, then there may need to be some soul searching. What is the source of your tears? </div>
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Hormones? </div>
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Depression? </div>
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Pregnancy? </div>
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Disappointment? </div>
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Selfishness? </div>
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Pride? </div>
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Notice I did not include any outside sources in this list. </div>
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I did that on purpose. </div>
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See, there is only one person for which we are totally responsible for, & that is the one in the mirror everyday. Yes, outside sources are often a reason for our tears, but HOW we respond to those events/people is entirely up to us. </div>
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I've been depressed. I know that tears coming from depression seemingly have no source. Those tears need help. Don't be ashamed to ask for it. Your family needs you whole & coherent...do it for them.... </div>
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Now...how has the Lord helped me??? </div>
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I think a better question would be: </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">How has He NOT helped me???</span> </div>
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As I've mentioned before, I never signed up for this life....He saw fit to give it to me. So, I have relied heavily on Him to supply my strength. After all, He promised NOT to give us more than we could bear (through Him...always a catch...), and I, for one & am holding Him to that promise. The Bible says that children are a blessing, and they are. If I begin to feel that they are, shall we say: less than a blessing, then it is usually due to something I am doing. Maybe we are over scheduled...or under scheduled. Maybe I am hormonal, & therefore *gasp* irrational. Possibly I am expecting too much from the kids or even myself. </div>
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When God began dealing in my heart to home school my children, I truly did not want to. I was scared. What if I screwed them up for life?? Whew...let's let someone else do that...then we can blame them!!! LOL Anyway, I learned quickly to ask His opinion about how our days were to run. While I never woke up with my lesson plans miraculously filled in through divine intervention, I did have an occasional stroke of genius or come across someone or something that was just what I was needing at the time. In other words, He always provided. </div>
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I am not homeschooling right now, but I still ask for His help every day. I specifically ask for wisdom & strength to get through whatever the day will throw my way. I can truly tell a difference from the days I forget. </div>
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I don't know if I've ever felt like giving up, but I have felt woefully under trained & very inadequate for the job He has set before me. </div>
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I'll close with a scripture that He laid on my heart a few years ago as I was REALLY struggling with my lot in life: </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" Philippians 4:13</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I would love to hear from you, whether it be a question or a comment, so feel free to either leave a comment here or drop me an email at:</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">photographer(at)kidshots(dot)net</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I look forward to hearing from you....</span></div>
Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-44401088449238738642011-09-07T10:24:00.000-05:002011-09-07T10:24:49.810-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: Are We Done Yet?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Question: How do you know when you're finished having children?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Answer: WoW! What a question!</span></div>
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Luckily, I received this question in plenty of time to think about it (and pray, too). This is a question I think probably most parents face. I mean...who wants regret??? Not I!!! </div>
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Since I am neither God, nor your spouse, I can only tell you what we did & opinionate to my heart's content *for whatever that's worth*.</div>
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Let me first tell you a bit of our story:</div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">As I have mentioned before, we didn't set out to have 8 kiddos...it just happened. We thought 3, maybe 4, would be just fine. God felt differently. Now, I know that there are some folks who roll their eyes at the thought of God even caring how many kids we have, but I know FOR A CERTAINTY that He cared about the size of our family. When we started out, we were like millions of other families...planning each birth as it seemed convenient for us. The first two are just over 2 years apart...both girls...couldn't have planned it any better! Our first son was 3 1/2 years later. That was great timing, too! Both girls were potty trained & on their way. Baby #4 was also 3 1/2 later. Still good.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">From this point, it gets crazy! When I was pregnant with #5, we made a major move (would NOT recommend that!!) BTW.... there are only 14 months between #4 & #5. Life was starting to get really busy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">***May I pause here to insert that, after each birth, we kinda felt out our hearts to see if we were finished, and each time, we agreed that we just didn't feel our family was finished yet. So, we did nothing to change things. This does not mean that I (me, personally) wasn't tired & very weary....I was, but God held me.***</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Then came #6...the pregnancy was different from the beginning. I had some medical issues that I hadn't faced before, and...not terribly surprising...we ended up with an emergency C-Section, and a baby in NICU for a week. This was the point at which we began seriously discussing being finished. </span><span style="color: #741b47;"><u>However</u>, </span><span style="color: #351c75;">we did nothing at that time. For a year & a half, we prayed. We talked. We prayed. We discussed. We prayed. We searched our hearts. We prayed. We made a decision. We prayed. We followed through with it. We prayed. We felt good about our decision.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I became pregnant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">What?????</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Yep...it was true. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Well, I admit, I was a tad excited. After two boys, I was hoping for another girl to dress up. We just figured that this was just a fluke, after all we were done. So....baby #7 was born (</span><span style="color: #e06666;">a girl</span><span style="color: #274e13;">). </span><span style="color: #38761d;"> She became the family princess. The pregnancy was rather rough with health issues, and we had some issues after the birth, but she was our *The End*, so it was ok.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Fast forward 10 weeks...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Me: "If I didn't know any better, I would think I was pregnant. I feel awful. Probably getting the flu."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Hubby: "Yeah, probably."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">A few more days later...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Me: "It's totally crazy, I feel like I do when I'm pregnant!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Hubby: "Better check."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Me: "Nah...not possible. (truth: I don't want to know)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">A few MORE days later...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">I am popping my non-pregnancy safe blood pressure pills in my mouth & it occurs to me: If I AM (by some strange stretch of the imagination) pregnant, this pill could harm the baby. UGH. So, I did what I thought I would NEVER do again....I bought a test....and stared at it in complete & UTTER DISBELIEF as it went from pink to blue ( or whatever it did). NO WAY!!! NOT POSSIBLE!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">BUT...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">I was.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">So, 10 1/2 short months after baby 7 came baby 8. God's final gift to the Young family. She is a story in herself, but that's another blog posting. Because of some serious health concerns as well as another C-Section, we had an additional procedure done at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRKgQKVUFoPPV92_RJ_zGBx4A0NLUtyLnEeSH9y43Nl98dUxPLwQXqZitJJXDLzPE0EOHB_SPxXP4XVqpgQwL3JWCGl1x6NpBoWzH-p4gDhrha386nIO_Y-tR3G1MbgsqRkIDhcxkbjdq/s1600/IMG_6531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRKgQKVUFoPPV92_RJ_zGBx4A0NLUtyLnEeSH9y43Nl98dUxPLwQXqZitJJXDLzPE0EOHB_SPxXP4XVqpgQwL3JWCGl1x6NpBoWzH-p4gDhrha386nIO_Y-tR3G1MbgsqRkIDhcxkbjdq/s400/IMG_6531.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Were we planning on those final two sets of little feet to pitter-patter around the house? Nope. God did it.</div>
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Do we feel like we made the wrong decison after baby #6? Nope. We feel like we did exactly what we were supposed to do. God did it.</div>
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Ok, that's MY story. </div>
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Now, here's my advice about making a <span style="font-size: x-large;">HUGE</span><span style="font-size: small;"> decision...</span></div>
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1. Do NOT make a decision while you are pregnant, most especially during the first trimester!</div>
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This would constitute as an emotional decision, and one that you may very well regret later. During this time, extreme fatigue, nausea, emotions, extreme fatigue, emotions, extreme fatigue, emotions....(get it?) cloud your ability to make a wise choice. When you are so tired or sick that you cannot even keep food on the table or clothing washed, it is next to impossible to imagine that adding another person to the family will be anything other than colossally impossible!!! But, remember....this feeling passes. The baby will grow. The other children will grow. You WILL (I promise) get your energy back....and then, when your baby turns 1 or 2, you will begin to stare longingly at every baby you see, wondering if that momma would think you were insane for asking to hold it. </div>
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Or. </div>
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You won't.</div>
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Which leads me to....</div>
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2. Do NOT make a decision during the first year after you have a baby.</div>
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If you pass the first birthday mark & still want to curl up in a ball at the thought of having another one...then you may want to start praying.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>Do NOT make a decision on a day like this!!!</strong></span></td></tr>
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Which leads me to....</div>
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3. Do NOT make this decison without God.</div>
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Pray. Pray. & pray some more. Ask for direction. Ask for peace. Ask for strength. He will lead you, if you ask. He DOES care. You are raising children for HIM (hopefully), so of course He cares if you have more.</div>
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Remember:</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><strong>"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13</strong></span></div>
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He promised, so, if He has chosen you & your spouse to raise children for His glory...well, He will help you do it! I know how humbling it is to think that He cares about our family to that extent or that He sees us as worthy of the responsibility He has given us. But, it's the only way I see to look at it! I can also attest to the fact that, as long as we hold His hand, He holds ours. When we try to do it alone, in our own wisdom, we struggle miserably.</div>
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4. I advise you to NOT try to convince your spouse. If they aren't sure you're family is complete, then you must respect that. And vice versa. Again, this is where prayer comes in. If you feel that you are done, then ask for God to change your spouse's mind as a confirmation. Be willing to wait. God tends to be pokey (sorry, Sir). If you want more & your spouse doesn't, pray the same prayer as above. Having children is not a one-person decision, it's a 3 person decision. Please, leave no one out.</div>
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5. Stress does not lend to good decision-making. 'Nuff said :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>Yeah, you guessed it....</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>don't make a decision on THIS day, either.</strong></span></td></tr>
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I hope that I have offered some insight that you may not have thought of before, but more importantly, I hope I have been able to stress the importance of keeping God in your decision-making process. So many people pick & choose when He is to be included in their life, tending to leave Him out when they are afraid He will not agree with what they want to do. If you don't like what God is asking of you, then I suggest you ask Him for a change of heart/mind & for the strength, mercy & wisdom to carry out what He is requiring. <br />
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HE WILL!!! :)</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">****Great question! If you would like to send me a question for Wonder-FULL Wednesday, you may either leave a comment or email me at photographer(at)kidshots(dot)net. Or, if you know me well, just text me. LOL ****</span></div>
Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-24615919669666274992011-08-31T21:44:00.001-05:002011-08-31T21:44:27.734-05:00Wonder-Full Wednesday: Privacy<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Question: Privacy?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Answer:</span><br />
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Ya know, when I was first asked about this topic, I had to really think about this word. I vaguely have a memory of maaaayyybeee knowing what it meant a long time ago. <br />
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So, with the thought of refreshing my memory, I went to dictionary.com & plugged in this mystery word, double-checking my spelling for accuracy. Here is what popped up:<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>pri·va·cy</u><strong>: [</strong><span class="pron"><span class="boldface"><strong>prahy</strong></span>-v<span class="ital-inline"><em>uh</em></span>-see]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="pron"></span><span class="pron"></span><sup></sup></span><span id="hotword"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">the state of being free from intrusion or disturbance in one's private life or affairs: the right to privacy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Wow! What a concept!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">"...free from disturbance"???</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Really??? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">People get that??</span></div>
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What I want to know is: <strong>WHO????</strong></div>
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Oh, probably people who aren't married, have no roommate, and definitely NO KIDS!</div>
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While that probably would be enough to answer this question sufficiently, I feel the need to expostulate (dictionary.com....look it up).</div>
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Ask any person living in the Young home, & you will get pretty much the same answer from all who can understand the question, "No, there isn't any privacy in our home." </div>
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Even the bathroom is rarely private, especially if you don't lock the door. May I insert here, that I truly believe that, if I were to leave the door open every time I entered the bathroom, I would completely be ignored. It's the mystery of the closed door that draws them!! Getting ready for church...door closed...5,000 questions yelled through the door, under the door, around the door....</div>
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We encourage our children to be modest *snicker*, well as modest as they can be when sharing a room with several sibs. As the parents, we follow the same principle...we don't run around in our skivvies, & neither do they.</div>
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I do get rather frustrated with the "invasion" of my privacy, but I suppose it is a growing process for all of us.</div>
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The last phrase of the dictionary definition really caught my attention: "the right to privacy". Yes, well, maybe as far as the law goes, but not so much in the family. </div>
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I think the reason that we (myself included) get so...um....touchy (yeah, that's it) when someone invades OUR privacy is because we feel we have the RIGHT to have privacy. And, in large part, I agree. However, several years ago, I heard a missionary speak about God convicting him about having "rights". He pointed out that our "rights" can become idols in our heart. We feel we deserve....whatever....it's our right!! Is there anything wrong with wanting (or even <em>needing)</em> privacy? Of course not! Unless losing it causes us to lose our Christian spirit! The privacies I am speaking of here are not of the bathroom type or the adult conversation type or the *ahem* "behind closed doors" type. </div>
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I am talking about the kind of privacies we hold close to our heart...we guard because they are....well, OURS! </div>
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You know...I may have to stop blogging because I put myself under conviction reading what I'm writing!!! <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">GAH!</span></div>
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I am nearing the bottom of the questions you guys sent me for Wonder-FULL Wednesday postings. I know you probably have more questions niggling in the back of your mind about us crazy large family people...so, let me know what they are. You can do that by either leaving a comment here or by sending me an e-mail to : photographer*at*kidshots*dot*net.</div>
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Looking forward to hearing from ya!</div>
Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-1387348115933525792011-08-29T21:01:00.002-05:002011-08-29T21:48:14.006-05:00WHY?Do you ever have a question that rolls around in your head, plaguing you like a pesky fly?
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<br />Ya know...one of those questions who's answer is something you really don't want to deal with...supposing you were to answer it honestly.
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<br />Ok...well, at this point, you're either with me.....or you're not, but this thought has been bugging me for days, so here goes:
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<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000066;">"WHY do I do what I do?"</span></div>
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<br /><div align="left">We have all heard the phrase, "keeping up with the Joneses", but I'm not even sure that's what I'm talking about. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">I believe what has been nagging me has to do more with MY motives. The REASON behind the things that I do. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">When I shop, do I buy clothing to impress my friends, the world, myself or my husband? How about God? (Basically, I buy what fits & what I don't think will cause myself public humiliation, but you get the point, I'll bet.) </div>
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<br /><div align="left">When that AMAZING pair of <span style="color:#33ccff;">turquoise heels</span> SCREAMS, "Buy ME!!!" Why would I buy them? Because I NEED turquoise shoes (actually.....)? Because I can't wait for my teenagers to steal them from me, therefore I'm really buying them a gift? Because I want to be flashy? Because they are "hot" (BAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA)?</div>
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<br /><div align="left">While this may be a pretty good example of what I'm talking about, my thoughts are running a bit deeper.</div>
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<br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#660000;">Inner motivation</span>. <span style="color:#333300;">My secret thoughts</span>. The ones I may not even realize I'm having until it's too late, then I have to unravel a whole nest of icky stuff.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">I knew a lady once that had a bunch of kids (more than me, but not as many as the Duggars). When I first met her, I think I had 3 children, so I was VERY impressed by the number she rattled off to me. When I asked their ages, she spat them out with complete accuracy & not a little bit of pride. I was impressed (still am...I have to think about it everytime). We quickly discovered that she lived very close to me & we made plans to do things together as we had several common interests. As I began going to her home, I began to see that her whole identity was wrapped up in the number of children she had (she added 2 more during the course of our acquaintance). That number brought shock, amazement & even awe when she spoke it. Unfortunately, having babies doesn't actually make you a good parent. While she wasn't horrible, there was discord in the home, the children were unhappy & unruly. She was totally wrapped up in her newest baby, & the older ones were kind of pushed aside. Sad, really. What was even worse is that I heard later that she & her husband divorced. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">I know I probably just painted the exact picture that people who look down their noses at large families expect to see, but I can assure you that we are not ALL like that. In fact, I know quite a few larger families, and she is very much in the minority where that type of behavior is concerned.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">The point I am making is that the WHY behind having so many children for her was not necessarily because she felt a need to have them as much as it was her identity...she impressed people when she told them how large her family was. She received her self-worth through the appearance of her family.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">Now, I can honestly say that I have not had this particular issue, but I cannot say that I have not chosen to do things because <span style="color:#ff6600;">I knew it would impress others</span>. </div>
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<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">C'mon...who can say that? </span></div>
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<br /><div align="left">We all have pride. (nasty stuff!)</div>
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<br /><div align="left">We all like to <em>appear</em> wonderful to others. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">I sew. I sew pretty good. I like compliments. I sew cute stuff & put it on my cute kids & like the compliments it brings. Hmmmm....is that wrong? </div>
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<br /><div align="left">Yes & no. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">If I dressed them like fashion plates everyday...it might be a problem (if you were here today, you would know THAT isn't the case! lol). Buuuuutttttttt, there might be an issue if there is some competition going on to have the cutest, best dressed kiddo around. I'll think on that.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">This thought can go into every single area of our lives, and it is natural to want to please self & others. However, our main concern should be pleasing our Lord. I don't think He has a problem with me making cute clothes for my kids, or having a well-organized home (HA), or driving a nice car, or being a pretty good cook, or even having a rockin' house full of kids. As long as my focus still remains on Him & His will for me, and I am able to keep all of the little extras in perspective...then I'm ok....I think.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">I once knew a lady that felt that she had to run <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">EVERY. LITTLE. DETAIL.</span> of her life by God first. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">McDonald's or Arby's? </div>
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<br /><div align="left">Blue or Black? </div>
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<br /><div align="left">You think I'm kidding. I'm <em>so</em> not kidding. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">Maybe she was closer to Him than I am...maybe He told her that Macky D's fries were da bomb & she should never stray from them...I don't know. But, my inclination is that He gave us a pretty good mind & instructions to pray without ceasing & to be near to Him morning, noon & night. In other words, LIVE IN HIM. If we do that, then there will be no room for prideful motives. The WHY behind our actions will only be: </div>
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<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong>>>>>Because it will please my Lord.<<<<</strong></span></div>
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<br /><div align="left">I have so much work to do.</div>Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-72500957474612585362011-08-24T05:00:00.002-05:002011-08-24T09:10:16.904-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: Privacy & Romance<div align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">This week's question involves two areas: Privacy & Romance. </span></div>
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<br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">We have pretty much none of of one & just what is needed of the other...I'll let you decide which is which :o).</span></div>
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<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E3woO2mhGUGPBRo3UIsx7-8B6H5LhgsTOxkpAR2ZxbbGwxF8htV1iCzGIgb-KHYdR08CwBhoE33yxV57AVpFXP692RWYwkaGUxmio_zi7m4M6fUyKgw29P7TA2qvTkJM2HZwYS1hk3uQ/s1600/Illinois+Trip.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644248220109144242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E3woO2mhGUGPBRo3UIsx7-8B6H5LhgsTOxkpAR2ZxbbGwxF8htV1iCzGIgb-KHYdR08CwBhoE33yxV57AVpFXP692RWYwkaGUxmio_zi7m4M6fUyKgw29P7TA2qvTkJM2HZwYS1hk3uQ/s400/Illinois+Trip.jpg" /></a></p>
<br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Me & my BFF/Hubby/Partner for Life!!</span></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">I think I will tackle the romance question first.</span>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">QUESTION: Is it possible to have a romance AND have a houseful of kiddos???</span>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">ANSWER: Of course!!</span>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">As with pretty much anything else, you make the time for what you see as important! Your relationship with your spouse is:</span></p>
<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><strong>THE <em>MOST IMPORTANT (earthly)</em></strong></span></p>
<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><strong>RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE!!!</strong></span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Hands down.</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Bar none.</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">I know, I know...it's awful tempting to say that tending your relationship with your children is the most important thing. It IS important...but it's in 2nd place!</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Consider this: When all the kids are grown & move out (as we all pray they will do someday), you will still have your spouse to live with! Even though we will be **COUGH, COUGH** </span></p>
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<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><strong>-->54 & 62 <--</strong></span></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">when our youngest graduates high school....we will still have PLENTY of good years left together ...no really, we will!!! </span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">If your relationship with your spouse has been on the back burner til Junior & Suzy Q leave home...what will life be like?</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">I can honestly say that my hubby is my absolute BEST FRIEND in the whole-WIDE WORLD!!</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Now, as for romance....</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">What do you consider romance to be?</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Is it Hollywood's version? If that's the case, then you may have some difficulties fitting in that type of activity as often as they portray it to be necessary to be happy AND still have well-adjusted kids! Just sayin'.......</span>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Again, I recommend reading <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/">The 5 Love Languages</a> by Gary Chapman. This book will change how you think about love & how to show it to those you care about. When you know what speaks love to your spouse, you may look at 'romance' in a completely different way.</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">For me, I feel loved when someone does an Act of Service for me. Ya know, does something for me that I see as important, even if they don't necessarily see the need.</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">My second love language is Quality Time, and this past weekend, my sweet husband filled my love tank full by whisking me off for 3 days sans kiddos!!! Oh. My. Goodness!!! I NEEDED that time! So badly! (watch for a post about the trip :)</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">So, right now, I feel very loved....</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Yes, the Hollywood Romance is necessary, but it's not the only option available for the harried parents. Maybe just a cup of coffee & conversation-just the two of you-on a weekend morning before the house starts humming is all you can muster. </span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Leaving a little note for your spouse letting them know you're lovin' them...</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">A special code for I LOVE YOU sent as a text message.</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">Romance is very doable, you may just have to change what you think the definition of romance is.</span>
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<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">I know this may not be an option if you have really small kids & no dependable sitters, but we also have 'date night'. We have been parents for 17 years, and have only started doing this in the last year! Previously, we just didn't have anyone we could call on any kind of a regular basis. About once a year, we could manage a day or so or maybe even as much as a week out of town thanks to others' generosity, but nothing regular.</span></p>
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<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">When we first started thinking about a regular date, we started with a quick hamburger on a bright, sunny afternoon with the cell phone right at our fingertips.</span></p>
<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">When we felt ready to move to a night date...we made sure our two oldest were well trained! We sent them to the American Red Cross for "Babysitter Training". They are now both card-carrying babysitters complete with first aid & CPR training! Whew! That really took a load off. (oh, and the fact that Nana & Papa & our good friends were right next door in case of emergency helped too)</span></p>
<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">Now, we regularly head out for a night of dinner & coffee or Barnes & Noble or shopping....or whatever! Sometimes we just stop by the RedBox machine & pick something cheesy out & watch it on the computer in Lloyd's office! ---Remember, it's about being together---</span></p>
<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">Yes, we usually have a nice dinner, but I would truly be happy with Whataburger & a $1 movie rental! Oh...and an ice cream cone :)</span></p>
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<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">I remember when my oldest was 9 or 10 & the youngest was 1, I was desperate for some exclusive time with my husband. I counseled with some of my friends who had older children, and their answers were the same...and it just irritated the snot out of me!! </span></p>
<br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">"Before you know it, things will be different & you will have more freedom"</span></p>
<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">Yes, well, true as that may have been....I needed help NOW!!!!</span></p>
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<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">So....I won't say that.
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<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">What I will say is: think about your babysitter options. PRAY about your babysitter options...God gave YOU the responsibility for those wonderful kids, don't just trust them to anybody in order to get out of the house for a few hours! If you find that you don't have any babysitter options....then get creative with your dates. </span></p>
<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">Put the kids to bed early (don't let 'em nap ) & have him pick up Olive Garden. Light candles. Put on music. ---idea stolen from a creative Mommy friend---</span></p>
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<br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">The options are limitless!
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<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5YpeI8bm1L0kviboLbSzjn8n2-gU0gymFODtHKQkYo3aobL0I6ajsTnDYKAoL9FbpoQT3mniGi_p7y_Zes8p1ceFfvjEPRDu_knbEGa9H7N9qRx7dsTPUlG_tdyLZxHglYHXsPuloTAM/s1600/119208700_KK6RoSmG_b.jpg"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><img style="WIDTH: 192px; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644248230201827394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5YpeI8bm1L0kviboLbSzjn8n2-gU0gymFODtHKQkYo3aobL0I6ajsTnDYKAoL9FbpoQT3mniGi_p7y_Zes8p1ceFfvjEPRDu_knbEGa9H7N9qRx7dsTPUlG_tdyLZxHglYHXsPuloTAM/s400/119208700_KK6RoSmG_b.jpg" /></span></a></p>
<br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc0000;">This idea is from a blog called </span><a href="http://shannonbrown.typepad.com/life_in_general/2011/01/lets-go-on-a-date-january.html"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Find Joy In the Journey</span></a><span style="color:#cc0000;"> </span></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">She had an amazing idea to pre-plan & pre-pay a year's worth of dates for her & her hubby!</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#990000;">What an awesome idea!! She also has some links to other places where she found ideas. I cannot vouch for them, but take a look.
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<br />Ok...well, I was a bit more long-winded than I thought I would be on this subject, so I will save "Privacy" till next week...</span></p>
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<br /><span style="color:#990000;">Let me know some creative ways you've added romance to your marriage (G-rated, please...my kids sometimes read this ;o)</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"></p>Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808051499635370309.post-31742137843299406622011-08-17T21:43:00.002-05:002011-08-17T23:10:40.505-05:00Wonder-FULL Wednesday: Giving AttentionsHello! It's Wednesday again, and I have been thinking all week about what to write for today's blog. I would like to say that I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">uber</span>-efficient & began typing all of this out so that you who eagerly await my postings (you know who you are....even if I don't! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>), can have it with your Wednesday morning coffee. However, the reality is: it's 10:00 P.M. on Wednesday night, and I just sat down. sorry.....
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<br />Anyway, I am enjoying sharing with you guys, but I'm needing more questions to answer, so don't be shy! :)
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<br />Tonight, I will be discussing some of the more personal aspects of our parenting.
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<br />How do you give each child attention, & do some require more than others?
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<br />As each one of our kiddos were born, a bit of shifting occurred in our family dynamics. In many ways, the newest one required the lion's share of our attention due to the frailty of a newborn/infant. It has always been important to us to make sure that no one was lost in the shuffle. *Even teens can feel displaced by a new baby*
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<br />If you will watch your children carefully...keep your finger on their emotional pulse, so to speak, you will begin to see signs that they are giving you to let you know what they need from you. Just as an infant will cry when needing care, an older child has their own signs. It may be disruptive behavior from an otherwise calm child. Maybe your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> man is just a wild <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">indian</span>. How about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">clingy-ness</span> or whining. These can all be telltale signs of a need.
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<br />***My boys all need special time with their dad...time to rough house & wrestle & be loud....all things that put my nerves on edge, but in 11 years of having boys...well, I can tell that some dad time is needed. So, I head out & let 'em at it! They are all better when I get home!***
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zPGp_gzo8Pz8Oqq9CMJMxCM_H8J43EbDU_NvK5jO1AFGHC4TYHBwz2bBkl_NFfStw-Wn7JcHcyjH3lHVEOITDl7ku7neCbwIvtC0uipyFRM9WdT2tkwThv61Kkv59koYu7mbhEVlrKxl/s1600/img_0573.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642023637263636882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zPGp_gzo8Pz8Oqq9CMJMxCM_H8J43EbDU_NvK5jO1AFGHC4TYHBwz2bBkl_NFfStw-Wn7JcHcyjH3lHVEOITDl7ku7neCbwIvtC0uipyFRM9WdT2tkwThv61Kkv59koYu7mbhEVlrKxl/s400/img_0573.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">Dad coaches #1 son in basketball-</span></div>
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<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">a great bonding time for them both!</span></div>
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<br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#663333;">We are blessed with teens who talk. They share their hearts with us...what a blessing! When they stop talking...we start really listening....to what they AREN'T saying....which is: I need some special time. Frequently, my bigger girls & I will go out to dinner & some shoe shopping or such. Just some girl-time. We all enjoy it quite a bit. We are silly, & giggle, & make fun of the waiter...Oh, Yeah! Great times :D</span></div>
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<br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#663333;">They also go on dates with Dad. Which-truth be told- is a bit awkward for them both. He is a real <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">softy</span>, & sometimes forgets his little girls are beautiful young ladies...they feel that, & have such a need for his approval...When they get home, a bit more ground has been covered & a new bond forged. It's a beautiful thing.</span></div>
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<br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqj23QYBYI7H0zQk-cdE80ESOeZM_1xE3a9Os2Jmf6vfDuZAayCEj0x5ZyaqmRgjo6Gic4C3Y5CzBKvTsyHz6wvycgjUs4PgUA4dOuvQoRx87dtwyEZcmcTOk1qlV-82iV3TFG0VZLdp4/s1600/369.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642023632295059874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqj23QYBYI7H0zQk-cdE80ESOeZM_1xE3a9Os2Jmf6vfDuZAayCEj0x5ZyaqmRgjo6Gic4C3Y5CzBKvTsyHz6wvycgjUs4PgUA4dOuvQoRx87dtwyEZcmcTOk1qlV-82iV3TFG0VZLdp4/s400/369.jpg" /></a></p>
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<br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Dad & Beautiful Daughter #1 on a date for</span></div>
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<br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">her 17<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> birthday. I believe they had Japanese food & went bowling!</span></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X0AtqQvd2c8EIKQVUthwFnO8tc4gxIOSXi8q6mtBGbPPt77fz8487AtpyKsKmfd6FJGVr1qPgH1iS58eLE1ZwKNFvObICcXUfhFiTvwwM5OzaR6zdmhvH5FHJQYimhlPPFiJnGhv6hZI/s1600/268.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642023624646426642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X0AtqQvd2c8EIKQVUthwFnO8tc4gxIOSXi8q6mtBGbPPt77fz8487AtpyKsKmfd6FJGVr1qPgH1iS58eLE1ZwKNFvObICcXUfhFiTvwwM5OzaR6zdmhvH5FHJQYimhlPPFiJnGhv6hZI/s400/268.jpg" /></a> Sometimes, I have errands to run...nothing major, just stuff. If I haven't spent time with one of the kiddos in a while, I take them. We may eat lunch at a place of their choosing, we might get a little goody, but the main focus is on them. We hold hands, laugh & have a great time. This even applies to a quick run to the store for milk. One on one time does NOT have to be a big deal, just make the child feel like a big deal, & it will do the trick!
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<br /><p align="left">***One thing that we have done for years is have dad take one of the kiddos to work week in Kentucky at the Camp Ground. The first time he did this, daughter #1 was a mere 3 years old! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span style="color:#cc0000;">GAH</span></span>!!! I worried the whole week! He definitely didn't do things the way I would have, she looked like an orphan the whole time, got scrapes & bruises from doing dangerous things....and...she had a blast!!! Since then, he has made the time in his schedule to take the kids. They have gone spelunking in caves, visited Fort Knox, & have eaten all kinds of junk mom wouldn't allow! The are all kinds of benefits to this time together for both the child & Dad! Try it!!!***</p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#003333;">As for whether or not some kiddos need more attention than others...the answer is YES!! But that doesn't mean that the others will not benefit from attention. </span></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#003333;">I have never really had a "clingy" child (thank ya JESUS), but they all seem to go through stages of needing more attention than usual. I highly recommend two books that have been beneficial in determining the needs of our children. </span></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#003333;">The first is <strong>"The 5 Love Languages of Children"</strong> by Gary Chapman. </span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#003333;">This book will change the way you deal with everyone you know! When you understand <em>what </em>makes them feel your love, then you can always make sure their needs are met!</span></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#003333;">The second book is by Kevin <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Leman</span> & is called, <strong>"The Birth Order Book</strong>". </span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#003333;">I truly used to believe that theories on birth order were a bunch of bunk....until I had multiple kiddos! I have not one, but two middle children!!! A girl & a boy...and they BOTH exhibit middle kid personalities! Knowing what makes them tick really helps me to read their moods. Honestly, they are the ones who are tricky. They don't say much, but kind of get pushed to the back...creating feelings of displacement within the family. When they begin to act reclusive, THAT is when some one on one time with a parent or some other special treat is NECESSARY!</span></p><span style="color:#003333;"></span>
<br /><span style="color:#003333;">As parents, I believe that continuing education is needed. The "What to Expect..." series was amazingly helpful when I was pregnant & had infants...but didn't give me anything on how to deal with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">pouty</span> 8 year old middle child. So, it became my responsibility to find the information I needed to help me with my situation. </span>
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<br /><span style="color:#003333;">Hopefully, reading this blog will be of some assistance to you in your role of parenting!</span>
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<br />Denise at HoNeYcHiLd'S Custom Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03123558705465711035noreply@blogger.com0