31 Days to Clean-Week 2

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and working Sarah Mae's book, 31 Days to Clean. It's just what I needed to get me spurred on with the daunting task of Spring cleaning my home. The daily devotionals have been so relevant and convicting. The challenge to keep going, push on, do something, and not give in to that overwhelmed feeling that so often leads to laziness has come back to my mind over and over. Becase that's what I struggle with day after day! I need these reminders!
I started this month having just returned from my Grandmother's funeral which set me back a bit with getting started on the Martha Challenges. I've also spent an unusual amount of time away from home this month. By the end of the month, I will have been out of town a total of 11 days. So, obviously, I haven't been able to do the in-depth cleaning because of the need to double-up on tasks most days. But I have been getting them done and have enjoyed realizing the tasks that I would normally overlook, such as washing the living room curtains. Washing curtains is so easy to ignore when piles of dirty dishes and laundry seem to be multiplying faster than I can get them cleaned and put away. That's why I love lists--they remind me of jobs I wouldn't normally think of doing, and they make me feel okay that I'm leaving a basket (or three) of unfolded clothes in order to get on with these not-so-common tasks. I may end up carrying my Martha Challenges over into June, but as long as I keep plugging away on them I'll be happy to have them completed even if I am late.
On the other hand, being away from home has afforded me extra time to spend on the Mary Challenges which is, without a doubt, what I need most. I've had more time to focus, pray, and write. I have no doubt that God put the 31-day challenge, my grandmother's death, and fun family get-aways all in my life at the same time so that I could see His hand at work and get the most out of each situatoin!

http://joyfulmothering.net/2011/05/06/tag/31-days-to-clean/



Good-bye 3, Hello 4

It's been almost three weeks since we celebrated Seth's birthday! So here is the long-overdue list of mommy memmories that I want to record so I can look back with smiles at what Seth is learning and accomplishing.

 

Some of the highlights of his year have been:

• memorizing enough Bible verses to earn his Fighter Verse bag and 3 stars to put on it
• being part of an Awana Cubbies group
• joining a homeschool co-op
• learning to read
• playing Chess, Mancala, and lots of other games
• beginning basic addition and subtraction
• learning to make his bed and put his socks on by himself

Some of Seth's favorite activities are playing outside with Eliana, bringing Ashley her bottle of milk in the mornings, being my little Chef's Assistant in the kitchen, and eagerly awaiting Daddy's arrival from work in the evenings so they can play football, shoot hoops, or go for bike rides together. He also loves playing Chess, Mancala, Chutes & Ladders, Candy Lnad, Slamwich, Checkers, Dominoes, Uno Moo, Gobblet Gobblers, and Blokus. Such fun!

Looking back over Seth's past year, I have seen evidence of God's grace working in his heart. He is developing a desire to do right, follow instructions, and make wise choices even when influenced to do otherwise. He is respectful during church services and Sunday school classes, and he enjoys memorizing Bible verses. I pray that God will continue to work in his heart this year and that He will give Seth a soft heart that knows and loves Him.