Home Tips (P2)

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14

The word prudent that is used in the verse above has a LONG meaning in the Bible. Here is the link for further study: click here. The dictionary meaning for prudent is "wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober."

Continuing on from a previous blog post: "my tips for an clean orderly home". :D

#5 De-clutter and Condense

Something that I recently learned is condense the excess. We are all richly blessed with way more than we need or can possibly use. It's hard to enjoy it all when we have so much stuff! So I went through my closet and got rid of all the old clothes and too-big clothes that I had or styles that I just didn't like anymore. I also went through my daughters' toys and brought it down to a minimum state. It was refreshing to have a smaller laundry load and a more manageable toys pile-up.

#6 Pick up after Yourself

Everyone in the house needs to learn to pick up after themselves. When my daughters play with the puzzles, they can't go on to another activity until they have put them away. When we finish eating, the girls stick their dishes into the sink. 

Now, sometimes, I do pick after my husband or my children, and that's okay, too. He might be helping me with caring for the kids or the girls might be needing to move on the next task. 

It helps to take a minute and pick-up so that the clean house is maintained. :)

#7 One Section (at a time)

When updating or organizing, pick one section in the house. Maybe work on the playroom and rearrange toys for easier access. Maybe organize the kitchen cupboards for better efficiency or rearrange under the bathroom sink and cabinets.

When you are done with one section, move on to another one the next time you have some free time. Keep a list of sections to work on and check them off. Keep it a small task that can be down in 15-20 minutes. This is taking a big project and putting it into bit-size pieces. :D

#8 Keep Containers/Boxes/Baskets/etc!

I keep ALL my containers and boxes! It helps me reuse things rather than buy new. I'm always reusing "Nancy's" yogurt containers for something... like pens and markers! :) When you have things in boxes or containers, it makes life so much easier!

Hope this tips will help you in your own home management. Share a few of yours if you have a moment! Thanks. :D

Home Tips (P1)

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14

The word prudent that is used in the verse above has a LONG meaning in the Bible. Here is the link for further study: click here. The dictionary meaning for prudent is "wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober."

I'm still growing in the Lord and ever learning, but I'd like to share with you my tips for the home. These are little things that I've learned that have helped me to keep a clean, orderly and happy home.

#1 Depend on God.

Whenever you need help, ask God to give you wisdom and insight. (Pro. 21:30)  Need to know the best plan for that test or work project, ask God. Need to know how to organize your drawers, ask God. Need to know how to soothe your child to sleep, ask God. I know it's seems silly to ask God for help for trivial things, but honestly, He wants to help and will provide the best answer. (James 1:5)

#2 Set time aside for God's Word.

The success of an orderly and happy home is dependent on your time with God. Every day, when my children are napping, I read my Bible and afterwards do my blog. Because I dedicate that time to Him, God responds by helping me care for my home. (Luke 10:39)

#3 Have a Command Center.

Because life is busy and hectic for wives and moms, command centers are a blessing. They have a way of keeping things balanced and scheduled. 

Since a daily schedule for the family is important, I wrote about mine here: click here.
I have a three month schedule on the cork board that I print from online. I put Birthdays, events, special days, and memories on it. This helps me keep track of things coming up. I put the bills due on the board as a quick reminder. On the table, I have a notepad and pens for notes. I put bills and coupons into the mail filer. I have a piggy bank for change. Inside the cabinet is cookbooks. This corner has been perfect for my family's command center. :D 

(This movable cabinet was purchased at a garage sale for $10 dollars and yes, I prayed for it.)

#4 Have a Weekly Goals & Meals board.


The first picture is my general goals on a white board. It helps me stay motivated during the day and to look ahead at things needing to get done. :) 

The Paper magnetic notepad is a dollar at Target. I use it for my grocery/shopping list. :)

The second picture is of my meal ideas. I use this for reference, planning and organizing my meals. I try to update both of these boards on a Sunday afternoon or late Monday night. It was a plain white board that I used scrapbook stickers on.

As you can see, I love white boards! :) (I bought these at Fred Meyers for $5 dollars each.)


TO BE CONTINUED...

I'll continue my tips another day. Hope these few first tips gives you encouragement in organizing and managing your home better. Enjoy! :)

Motherhood

MOTHERHOOD:

This will be my third year of being a stay-at-home mom. I still have a hard time believing that I have three children, too. This post is kinda a "thank you" to any mother who is trying to raise her kids and maintain her household!

I never truly realized all the "hats" that a mother wears until just recently.

You have the basics: a cook, a housemaid, a taxi driver, a babysitter. Even with just these, a mother is very busy every single hour of everyday.

But she's also a planner. Every meal is planned in advance, groceries and food are calculated and numbered. She knows everything she has in her freezer, frig, and pantries. She comes up with delicious meals for her family. Every day.

She washes every dish. She does laundry every single day. She vacuums and dust. She keeps her house clean.

That's just the basics.

She's a teacher to her children. Every day, she trains them to care for themselves. Teaching them to pick up their toys. Helping them to play well with others. Sharing with them new words and phrases. Even good manners. :D

She changes diapers, gives them baths, takes them to a park, plays with them... and laughs with them. 

She prays for them daily. She loves them.

I know there are SO MANY mores hats... but these are a few that stick out.

I also realized that a mother doesn't get time off. She's a mother always.

So to every mother out there: 

Thank you for doing all that you do and have done for your children. You are making a difference in their life and are doing your best to raise them to be great and godly adults! :D 

To those who still are raising them, don't give up! Take a break, relax, and get back to being the best mom you can be for your kids!

Praises:

Thank you for your prayers! 

Alena's body is healing and she is doing well. Esther and Kenni are doing well too.

God also gave me lots of rest this weekend. Apparently I really needed it. So thanks!

Yesterday, Andy and I went out for dinner on a date. He had no idea that I asked you all to pray for that... and suggested we go out. See, God does hear your prayers. Don't stop praying for others and for us. :D

Prayer:

This week, I have LOTS of laundry to do. Pray that it will get done. :D

Pray that our camera will be repair. We use it for our side-business for family photography.

Surprised!

Originally I had used my blog to keep family and friends informed of Esther's progress and getting her home. But yesterday, I was told that I had a large following here on my blog. So...... I shall continue to blog. :D

THANKS:

First off, THANK YOU! Your prayers have been making a difference. I wish you could see how much it has helped my family and me. It has been a great transition for everyone. 

*I have never seen my house so clean... and remain so every day! It's kinda weird, but I know it's because someone prays for me.*

Esther:

Esther is doing really well. She is gaining weight steadily and is almost out of her preemie clothes! Wow. She is nursing well. Pray I'll continue to keep a steady schedule. She sleeps well and doesn't bother her sisters at night.

Alena and Kenni LOVE their little sister. Alena holds her all the time and is super gentle with her. Kenni lights up every time she sees baby Esther and wants to play with her!

SURPRISE:

My sister lives in Texas with her husband and works as a teacher in their church. They are newly wed (aaww)... which made me wonder when I would see them next.... They surprised me LATE last night and showed up on our doorstep!!! She got her first picture with baby Esther. Today we spent the afternoon... Lidiya, Jared, the girls, and I at the park by our place. I'm just so THRILLED that they are here. :D

Prayers:

Alena:

Alena has not been feeling well. She has a rash on her body that is going away, but we think she might be getting her 2nd year molars. PLEASE pray for sleep and rest for all of us. Pray for complete healing for Alena and that her molars will come through with LESS pain and quickly. :)

Bible Reading:

This is my second year of reading through my Bible! I completed it for the first time last year and am excited to be on track to complete it again this year! (I have been saved since I was seven and this has been a great desire of my heart...) Please pray that I will get time everyday to read. I normally do it during the girls nap times at 2 o'clock.

Marriage:

Having three under 2 makes quality time with hubby to be difficult. Please pray that we will develop a routine on staying close even with little ones around us. Please pray that we'll get date nights. (FYI: Our anniversary is December 5th.)

Recap:

Your prayers do make a difference in our family and my life. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for them! I will keep you informed and give updates on a weekly (even twice a week) basis. Again, THANKS!

Need More Time in a Day?

Leviticus 26:3-4 "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit."

I have been reading through the laws that Moses gave unto the children of Israel. At the end of the Book of Leviticus, God gives Israel and even us two choices. If we choice to follow God and obey his commandments, he will provided and take care of us. But if we choice to disobey and disregard his commandments, then we will suffer hardships and destruction. It is our choice.

Now, that I am a new mom, I find it more difficult to have time to spend reading God's Word, but because I seek God and ask Him to grant me time, HE has been faithful. Even today, not only was I able to read my Bible, pray for others, maintain the house, but I was also given the additional time to write this new post. My God is faithful, when I follow His commandments and place Him first in my life.