A Flexible Summer Schedule

My kids get out of school tomorrow and I have been struggling making a schedule for them. They need routine BUT I also want them to have flexibility. Our summers are crazy from out of town guests and visits to the last minute pool invite from Grandma. I want them to enjoy their summer. I want God's plan for us to work. If we are too strict with the schedule we may miss that plan from God. So I came up with a simple schedule to go by. This will help with the times my teenagers are asked to go somewhere with other youth and Grandma's last minute call. If they don't get the chores done that day, there is always tomorrow! (Annie the movie is playing in my head right now!) We are struggling big time with finances and I have had to put off going to visit my family in Pennsylvania, going camping, all the fun things we like to do as a family. So, I will let them enjoy their summer (including the free things I listed here.)


This is the schedule for Monday through Friday. (oh and it starts at 9am this is because Mama can't get moving until about that time and of course breakfast before that!)

9am to 10am - any chores for the day.

10am to 12pm - playtime (preferably outside!)

12pm to 1pm - lunch time

1pm to 3pm - inside time/quiet time (this is when my 3 year old takes his nap so the others (and I) can play board games, do crafts or whatever is QUIET! This is also the part of the day that is the hottest in these parts!)

3pm to 6pm - free time (outside or inside, chores if need be)

6pm to 8pm - dinner, showers, clean up and devotion with the kids

8pm to bedtime - quiet time, read a book, watch a movie, walk on the beach



Like I said, this is so it is flexible but we will have some sort of routine. I just didn't want to give them too much schedule. This is a simple but productive schedule for me.

My kids chores will stay the same. Right now, we do chores (i.e. sweeping, bathrooms, etc.) one day a week. This is due to not wanting our time together to be minimal through the week because they are doing chores in the short time they are home between school and bedtime. My teenagers do the main chores and this schedule will allow them to do them throughout the week instead of in one big heap! Their chores like dishes will stay the same. My 6 year old daughter will be taught new chores throughout the summer so she will have an actual chore list rather than things like picking up her toys.


This gives us time to enjoy each other and outside time to enjoy our yard! We have some beautiful lilies everywhere and roses, magnolias and others!! So I will enjoy it too! Check them out!!

Aren't they beautiful!!! :)

What do you do during the summer with your kids? Do you leave time for God to work in your life? Do you take time to see the beauty of Summer (or shall I say, God's creation!)? Do you use a strict schedule or do you feel you need to be flexible (as I do)?

Many Blessings to you all on this Tuesday!!

Chele

Fun and Free Ideas for the Summer

Last Friday I wrote a post and linked up to the Creative Mama's site for Get Your Creative On. I am participating in this because I am praying it brings my creative self back to life! I used to be pretty creative, honestly I don't know where it went!! I love how Angie says it doesn't have to be crafts...it can even be something creative you did to tell your husband you love him!! I never thought of creative like that. The Creative Mama actually featured me for this weeks GYCO! Go figure! Just when I thought I wasn't creative enough! :) Well, I really don't have anything this week. I'll tell you why. I was not thinking about anything but this horrible blogspot! As my readers know, I have been struggling with doing things I want to on blogspot. I am contemplating moving to another one like Wordpress or even a web host. So stay tuned! Anyhow, that got in the way of me doing anything really productive this week. I pray God can help me get out of this rut! (I know He will!)

I have decided today I will tell more about my idea that was featured at the Creative Mama. I have had people ask me what kind of things I came up with. So here it is!

If you remember, I did two envelopes. One for family time together. One for the kids (and me) during the week while the hubby is working. All of these things are free!

Family Time envelope has these cards:

• Fort Fisher (which is a National Historical site and is free!)
• Brunswick Town/ Fort Anderson
• Moore's Creek Battlefield
• Game time
• Park
• Nature Walk
• Movie time
• Beach
• Pool (we have family with pools)
• Sunset Picnic on the beach
• Sunrise Breakfast on the beach
• Concert (our towns along the coast have free concerts every weekend through the summer, some on the beach and some in parks)
• Water Gun fight
• Indigo Farms (a local farm)

For the kids (and me) during the week:

• Blow Bubbles
• Playdoh
• Game pick (all 4 kids so 4 cards for the envelope)
• Movie day (all 4 kids plus me, this is when I can pick my fav's like the Sound of Music:)
• Beach
• Pool
• Bird Island (an undeveloped part of the beach that is only open to the public for a nature walk once during the week)
• NC Maritime Museum (yes it's free admission!)
• Bake something together
• Sunrise Breakfast
• Treasure Hunt
• Music and Dance time (this is my favorite one!)
• Sprinkler fun
• Wash the Car (sounds like a chore but all 4 of my kids love to do it!)
• Build a fort in the house and camp out
• Pajama day (where your pajamas all day and just chill!)
• Water Gun fight
• Make a card for someone

As you see some things are used on both lists. We can keep those cards in the pile to do again because it's free!!

I do actually have a list of some plantations and museums we would like to go to with the price (total for all 6 of us) written beside it. It will make it easier if we decide to do something else.

All of these are things I've heard over time or have come up with on my own. It was fun doing this too! It amazed me the things we could do for free. For example, Fort Fisher. You can take a ferry for $5 per person or you can drive the long way around, I chose the long way around! You can picnic, walk around the fort and walk on the beach all in the same trip. We just would not be attending the museum there because that is pretty pricey!

Anyway, google it and find those places that you can do for little or no money!! You will be amazed at what you find!! You can also see more of this idea here.


Please come join us Monday for our first Feeding Time-Weekly Bible Study!

Many Blessings and a Joyful weekend!
Chele

So I am a slacker!

No not really but I was busy yesterday looking all over the internet for free things to do with my kids this summer. We are absolutely broke right now and I want my kids to have a laid back but fun summer. I found so much around our area that is free or very cheap! YAY!!



So I have done a list of things we can do for free this summer. Actually I split that list in two. One is for us as a family. One is for the kids during the week. These are all things we can use over and over. Some are things we do often as a family anyway but I thought this would be more fun! I put every item on a piece of construction paper (cut in squares).

Above, are things to do during the week. Below are things to do with the family.

I placed these "little cards" into an envelope. One for family time. One for the weekdays. We will just pull them out like cards and someone will pick one (like a magic trick!)

I don't have a specific amount of items we will chose each week for the kids. As well as we won't decide when to pick them. We will pick something when it is needed. During the week, when it's just me and the kids, we will pick something when I see we need a change of pace. You know kids, they get tired of being at home. They get irritated with each other. They get bored! Most of all, us Mom's need a change of pace when they get like that!! It's also going to be of good use when their is a reward needed or surprise!

For the family envelope, we will do at least one a week. But not a scheduled time or day. My husband actually made me take some from the kids during the week because they were things he wanted to do too!! Although, some things I have on both (i.e. Movie time, game time, beach, etc.)

This is more practical for me. It's not scheduled but it will be in reach when needed. I seem to feel more pressure when I schedule too much! And the kids need time without having a schedule too! At least that is how I feel!!

I also do have a list of things we can do close enough, if we have the money and want to go somewhere. Which will help decide since I already have the information. The cost, where it is and the website for the information is all written down in one spot.

I am going to link this to the Creative Mama's get your creative on. This is about what you get from me lately Ang! LOL. (Ang I tried it again and your button will not show up on my post, I don't know what I am doing wrong!)

On another note, my bff Erika has decided to do her own blog. Go check her out at Sowing Seeds. She is always an inspiration to me (she keeps me on track!) I know she can reach others just like I am trying to do! I am in the process of changing my page. I really don't like the background I am using. So bear with me as I figure out which one I want!! I am a woman, we like to change our minds A LOT!!!

Have a blessed weekend!!

Chele

Prioritize your Goals!

My goals...wow, this has been on my mind if you can't tell by now! I know I told you I had an idea about this for us all but I am afraid I am not ready yet! I want to do it right and I am just not ready for that yet! I am still learning about blogging and I don't feel it's the correct timing.

I read a great post this morning at Serene Journey. It hit right on! I realize that in order to get where I want to end up, I need to work on it now! Not the little things like meal planning, decluttering, organizing and the household notebook. I know these things are going to help me and I will continue as time allows but I need to prioritize! If you want to learn more of where I am coming from, go read How to Choose Goals and Ensure Success.

Here is my list of goals with PRIORITY! (all of the ways to accomplish these are realistic for my personality and procrastination issues at this time.)

1. Procrastination: It is not of God and should be my #1 thing to battle! Less procrastination, more goals completed!

• Pray, Pray, Pray


• Research ways on how to combat it!

2. My health overall: I am not a healthy eater. Nor do I exercise, other than chasing the kids!

• I have already been working on it but eating more fruits and veggies. Less salt and less sugar. More water!


• Walk on the beach at least 3 times a week! I can do that!!

3. This Blog: I want it to reach out and help others as it will help me too. You can read more about my goals with this here and here.

• I need to get going with this due to our financial status. This was not the original plan for this blog but we just cannot afford daycare and I refuse to work in a restaraunt or bar (I have serious reasons for that!) I always have loved to be on the internet. As a matter of fact, a good friend from church used to call me the Internet Queen. I know I could make money with it. It's just figuring out how! Although, I refuse to let it get out of hand. My wanting to reach out to others is and always will be on the front burner!


• More research on blogging. Possibly my own domain, twitter, technorati and stumble upon, overall layout, Feedburner, more subscribers, etc.


• Schedule


• More writing to keep me from spending so much time on here instead of on my home!

4. Frugal and Financial: I want to do these both. Frugal is something new for me and I need to learn more about. I am just tired of living the way we are having to live, it's time for change!

• Read the book that was given to me, "Total Money Makeover" written by Dave Ramsey. I hear so many good things about his ideas. I know it will help!


• Envelope System (which I hear is also one of Dave Ramsey's ideas for helping).


• Research on how to be frugal


• Start using the coupons! (I am horrible at remembering them!)

5. B&B: I know we could do it and do well. It's getting to a point of good financial status to get it! You can read more about that here.

• It is hard for me to write the ways I will accomplish this until I complete all of the above! I will do this at a later date!
  

I have also realized that being more faithful to God should NOT be a goal, I should just be doing it!! PERIOD! Same goes with my family!

I will keep you updated on how things are doing with all of them. Especially if I decide to change my domain!! All of my readers are great!! Thank you for being loyal so far!

Romans 14:12 says "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."

I am sharing all of this because I think accountability is huge!! If anyone has any ideas for me on any of these, has the same goal (we can work together!), if you have a goal you would like to announce so that I can keep you accountable, and/or want to just keep me accountable, please do so! Pray for me as well!

Many Blesssings!

Chele

Ponderings - Trying to do too much on my own!

I am going to do this now. I wrote it for tomorrow but am afraid with all that is going on (holiday weekend), I will forget to post it!! ;)

I have come to realize I am trying to do way too much!! I am so desperate for some organization in my life that I am wanting to do EVERYTHING!!! There are so many "parties" going on in the blogging world that would help me and I want to do them all!!!! I would list them all but I would have two pages taken for just that list!! Haha!


I am going to list some of my goals and plans (of course there are many more!)

BEING A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN

• Being a better Sunday School co-teacher. Erika, I'm sorry for slacking. I really am trying to come up with things and trying to feel more comfortable with it...it's not coming to me, yet!

• I so much want to start doing a devotion with my children at least one night a week and doing daily devotions for myself. That is something I struggle with big time! You can read more about that here.

THIS BLOG

• I want my blog to reach out to others and have been reading up on blogging a lot since I started this. Some things may change with my page but I will keep you all updated through the changes! I have been blessed with my readers....no!! more like FRIENDS!!!! I can only pray that God continues to use me!

• A schedule to at least go by. I have so many great ideas and trying to figure out how to put it all together. I spend more time on my Reader and at other blogs that I get less time to work on my own blog. Although, I don't want to miss everyone else's posts.

• My own domain, better set up, and more!
  

MYSELF! (most of this goes with any of these headings!)

• I am still doing the Eat More Fruits and Veggies Challenge at Heavenly Homemakers. I am still struggling with it but most importantly I am still taking the challenge!

• the Creative Mama's Get Your Creative On! challenge that I know will help me pay attention more to detail and get that creative talent back from the depths of me!
  


• making new, faithful friends! Being a stay at home Mom is wonderful but I am enjoying actually talking adult talk during the day!

MY HOME

• We have a smaller home for the 6 of us than what we are used too. (Due to financial reasons.) The house is so cluttered and some serious changes are needed! We are having a yard sale Saturday morning that will get rid of some of the clutter. I have expressed in the past that I was going to start my own SimpleMom's Spring Cleaning Party next week (after the yard sale). My problem is that I am so overwhelmed that I don't know where to start. This is where my next goal is taking place. Simplify 101 is having a free workshop on help! I don't know where to begin! for a week. Starting on Tuesday. I have signed up for that and am excited to see what advice Aby has for people like me. I will do that week of the workshop then do the Spring Cleaning Party. It is just common sense to me.

• My Household Notebook. It's one of those much needed and wanted. It's a great idea if only I could get it done!

MY FAMILY

• Spending more quality time with my husband and my kids. Don't get me wrong, I do spend time with them but not like I wish I would or could!
  
  



• We struggle with our finances and honestly I am just tired of worrying about not having electric, phone, etc every week! A blessing came in the mail to me. It was Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover. I plan on reading this and trying what he suggests. Tsh at SimpleMom speaks highly of him and this book. She also wrote a great post today about 5 Ways to Dramatically Improve Your Finances....Beginning Now. Go check it out!!!

I have so much more on my list of things I want to do or finish! Including the everyday challenges in my home. But it could seriously take up pages and pages!! So I will stop there.

Okay now that I am done with sharing my plans and goals! Let's see how accountable I can be. Actually, now that I have reread what I wrote above. It sounds like I am complaining. I promise that is not the intent! I just wanted to share that there can be too many goals and planning. The only way I see ever accomplishing this is to be accountable with others and praying! I feel overwhelmed thinking of everything I want to do. I hope you all can keep me accountable! Being accountable is my biggest goal and plan...more to come the beginning of the week on that!

My plans keep changing and my goals keep adding up. It's about time to stick to a plan for once and only do a few goals at a time. I am a normal Christian Mom. I want everything to be just right for me and my family. Bouncing around with my ideas, plans and goals is not helping them or me!!

Do you think you can keep me accountable? I'm telling you, it's a hard job! ;) Do you need someone to keep you accountable, on track and cheer you on? Do you try to plan more than actually do? Would you be willing to cheer others on, pray for them and get them on track every week?

I hope this makes you think! Prayers for you to have many many blessings during this holiday weekend!

Chele





A beautiful walk down Rainbow Row! Charleston, SC

Creativity...where are you???

Ang at the Creative Mama is doing a Get your Creative on and I so want to do it!!! I used to be very creative at many things and want it to show itself again! It's been long, long gone. I don't know how it went away! I just know it will show itself soon. I have faith! The cool thing is this is not just about crafts like you would think (you can find out more about this by going to Ang's blog). I know I will have something to share every Friday but unfortunately not this week!

Everything that I have tried to accomplish this week has failed! I am not great or big on cooking. I am still learning but since I have been making a weekly menu for the past month or so. I am the main person cooking. I keep trying new things. I tried a Egg and Sausage bake and it was horrible. My poor husband and kids felt so bad for not wanting to eat it!! Of course that is the first time I actually woke up early enough to cook a real breakfast for my family on a weekday, go figure! I also was going to try a new All in One Pasta and of all things I forgot the sauce at the store and didn't notice it until it was time to cook! So needless to say, we had french toast last night for dinner! Sorry Ang! I will get that recipe put up on Monday or Tuesday next week, I promise! Go join Ang at the Creative Mama with this weekly challenge, it's going to be fun!! I'll have some better stuff to share next Friday!

Seriously, I sat here for two hours trying to figure out what I did recently that was creative and can't think of a thing!! That is bad I know!!! I am so embarrassed. I even asked the hubby and he looked at me laughed and said "I can't think of a thing!" Hahaha! (of course he had something to say that is not appropriate here! Only a man!!) Anyhoo! Instead of having two days to notice something, I will have a week to notice the things I do and work on stuff to share! I'm up for the challenge. Have faith in me.... :)

Is your creative self in hiding? Do you want to see it resurface? Take the challenge and I bet it does!

Until next time, have a blessed Friday and a safe holiday weekend!!
Chele

Weekend at the Lake House (With Photos!)

As some of you know, we ventured to a family friends lake house this past weekend. We had a wonderful time. It rained most of the time we were there but it was so relaxing. My brother in-law and his wife were there. Also, my husbands aunt and cousin. My mother in-law and father in-law did not make it due to car trouble. We missed them but hopefully we can do it again soon and they will be there.

We left Friday afternoon and drove 4 hours to get there. Dalton (3 years old) and Kaleigh (6 years old) were so well behaved there and back! Actually the whole weekend they were great! What a blessing! I was so concerned that they would be miserable due to not being home with their own things. God proved me wrong once again!! We had to leave Tyler (11 years old) and Austen (13 years old) home. They stayed with friends from church. They both were kept busy all weekend as well with going to local baseball games, a Christian concert and Youth Sunday. I did really feel bad that they couldn't be there but they understood they needed to be at church on Sunday. Friday night we ate, played outside with the little ones until dark and went to bed. Not much of anything that night.

Saturday morning we woke up to a threat of rain. We made our way down to the dock to fish. My daughter got a fishing pole for Christmas and has been waiting patiently to go fishing for the first time! So we made it before the rain came down. Kaleigh caught 4 fish (I think) and the first to catch anything on this trip! This is the video of it that my sister in-law took. Too cute! As you see Dalton was getting a kick out of it too! It is too funny when my sister in-law says Kaleigh hold the fish! LOL.




While it was raining the kids stayed with the ladies inside and the men got stuck down at the dock while it was pouring! My sister in-law taught Kaleigh how to play UNO. She loved it and actually was pretty good at it too!



I got a chance to fish too with my husband. I haven't done that since I was a kid. I never realized how relaxing it is! I'll be doing that again!!! We also got to spend some nice time together!



When the men made it back to the house, they were all playing inside with the kids. Dalton loved this huge ottoman!



I guess they tuckered him out! Here he is asleep sitting beside Uncle Scott!



That evening we did some smores! (Oh I love smores!!) So do my kids. You can even make these at home in the microwave for a quick fun thing to do with the kids!



My brother in-law, Scott caught a catfish that evening about midnight (which was also the start of his birthday!)



The next morning we went to fish one more time. No catches this time. Then had to clean up so we could head home to my 2 kids I missed this weekend! We plan on going back again over the summer for a longer stay. I want my 2 oldest to enjoy it too. This is something that we can do pretty cheap and everyone had something they could do there. FYI, this place was free for the weekend due to we are family friends. Not everyone has that but can at least go fishing with their kids! Dig up earth worms with them, buy one fishing pole at Walmart and take them fishing!

It was a wonderful, cheap, relaxing weekend! I can't wait to go again and spend this kind of time with my family! My husband and I do like to go on long weekends a few times a year just for ourselves. Usually to our favorite places like Charleston, SC or Gettysburg, PA. It is much needed to keep the marriage sane and healthy! Although, this was also a great time that I want to do more often!





What do you like to do with your kids for fun family time? I'm thinking cheap here! This was such a cheap way to do something different than the normal movie at home or trip to the park. Do you spend more time away from home on vacation with your husband or with the whole family? What do you like to do to get away?

Weekly Menu

Well better late than never! LOL. Skipping today since it's almost over.

Tuesday May 19th
B-Waffles with fruit
L-Cold cut sandwich and side of fruit
D-Scalloped Potatoes and ham with lima beans and apple crisp

Wednesday May 20th
B-Sausage, Egg and Cheese bake with side of oranges (yum!)
L-Sandwiches with apples and/or cucumbers
D-Breakfast for dinner....Pancakes w/fruit

Thursday May 21st
B-Poptarts and fruit
L- Soup w/some fruit on the side
D- All in One Pasta w/garlic bread, stuffed zucchini boats and banana pudding

Friday May 22nd
B-Strawberry-banana crepes
L- Cold cut sandwich with fruit salad
D- eating out...cheap of course!

Saturday May 23rd
B-cereal and bananas
L- Tuna mac and cheese with peas
D-Chicken Fajita Melts with a veggie toss and fruit

Sunday May 24th
B-Apple Coffee Cake
L-Sandwiches w/ fruit and veggie
D-Mushroom Pork Steaks with broccoli cheese and rice casserole and any fruit

Now you will see some wording like "fruit" or "veggie", that is because it really just depends on my mood! But I plan on getting all kinds of fruits and veggies at the store tomorrow. I am still doing the challenge and working really hard on getting the better habits going!

Happy Eating! :)

Weekly Menu

I have been doing a meal plan weekly and it has helped. Although last week was a little crazy and I never got to it. I have been trying to do it the week before so I have it ready on Monday for the grocery store. Needless to say, I just got back from the grocery store (it's 2pm, Tuesday). I will list my menu here and will do this every Monday. I also will post some check points throughout the week on how I am doing with the Eat more fruits and veggies challenge. I don't hardly ever eat breakfast. I'm just not hungry in the morning (that is why you will see the quick poptarts or cereal breakfast on my menu) but I am going to try better with that. It also doesn't help when Mom doesn't get up early enough to cook a breakfast! Lunch is usually just a quick leftover or sandwich. I will be better at that once my other 3 kids will be home for the summer in a few weeks. My 3 year old loves his dinosaur sandwiches, so normally that is what he gets. I'll work on him too!

This weeks menu plan...

Monday May 12th
B- cereal
L- chicken salad sandwich (it did have celery in it!)
D- Baked chicken, rice, broccoli and strawberry shortcake

Tuesday May 13th
B- poptarts
L- chicken salad sandwich (remember I hadn't made it to the grocery store yet!)
D-Shepherds Pie, Cheese loaf and banana pudding parfait

Wednesday May 14th
B- waffles with fruit
L- PB & J with peaches
D- Chicken Salad Wraps, cucumbers (instead of chips) and fruit salad

Thursday May 15th
B- Cereal and bananas
L- Good ol' chef boyardee ravioli and fruit
D- Aloha pork chops (includes tomatoes and pineapple), Parsley Potatoes & Broccoli. Desert will be Apple Crisp.

Friday May 16th thru Sunday May 16th we will be out of town. Sunday evening will be leftovers!

This is not very healthy yet! LOL. I am working on it and will get better with more ideas on how to eat and cook veggies. Stay tuned, I believe you will see a very unhealthy eater become a very healthy eater real quick! My menu may change a bit with what fruits or veggies are going to be eaten that day. Depends on my mood and what needs to be eaten quicker!

I only had one veggie and one fruit yesterday unless I can count the celery in the chicken salad! My goal is 4 fruits and veggies a day. I almost made it yesterday! Today so far...doesn't look good for me to reach my goal! But, tomorrow is another day. Talk with you soon!

Blessings,

Chele

Do you procrastinate?

I started doing this blog because I was finding so many blogs on different items to help me get more organized and feel better about myself. Not to mention, I love to write and make friends! I let little things get in the way of my goals everyday. Frustration plays a big part! Not only do I have a medical issue that is causing fatigue or lack of energy but I am also a procrastinator. I've got big, awesome plans and never (well maybe I shouldn't say never...sometimes don't) follow through. Have you ever said, it's just the way I am? That is my excuse to myself. Well, I am here to tell you that I am changing the way I am to an improved Chele! I have great intentions and it's time to see them through!

The last month or so, I have been surfing the internet looking for ideas to help me. I have found a site called Tipnut.com that talked about a Household Notebook. Here is where I found many of the sites I now visit everyday. I was so excited about it and started it. It sits beside my desk unfinished! I plan on continuing with it in the near future. Honestly the only thing I continued doing is a menu plan. I have some sites I still need to check out that help with ideas for this. More to come on this one! I love the idea of a schedule and everything in it's place but the daily routine has been my downfall. It needs some serious work.

I also found an awesome site about organizing and being a Mom. She was starting a Spring Cleaning Party. What a wonderful idea! Problem is, we just moved into a new home that is much, much smaller and I got too frustrated. Also, in the middle of the party I had family come down which threw me off. I decided to keep watching the comments and her blog to keep the motivation to start this on my own in a few weeks (after our yard sale to get rid of lots of stuff!) You won't regret it if you check Simple Mom out! You can actually start on day one, I am sure she won't mind for you to join in!

Last week, I was told for my medical issue of fatigue and lack of energy to change my diet and exercise. I am one of those that makes the quick meals. Comfort foods. I am also one of those that the only exercise I get is because of the kids and cleaning the house! This is going to be life changing. I have already been working on some things. Although, I have no idea how to eat healthier. Then I was invited by one of the blogs I read to join in on an Eat more Fruits and Veggies Challenge going on at her site. I read it and it is going to help so much. Please if you are struggling with eating healthy this is a great way to start! The site itself is a great read! You can view Heavenly Homemakers for some great inspiration. I will be posting updates on how I am doing with this very soon!

I figured the eating healthier challenge was the most important right now. Especially because it will hopefully help with my lack of energy which in return will help me do the cleaning party successfully (even if it's by myself!). The notebook is just an awesome idea and will be so helpful once I get it in order. I suggest trying to plan your meals. It helps with so much when you know what you are going to eat that day. Before it is too close to dinner to make a great dinner! :)

I am telling you all of this to let you know of the awesome bloggers out there that I know are going to change my life for the better. If I can do it, you definitely can do it! Of course, with God's help I can be that better Woman, Mom, and Wife! The encouragement of doing things together with others and the motivation it gives is a miraculous thing!

Keep checking back I am also trying to make the blog easier for you all and better looking. I have found a blog which had a free ebook to help me with this process. I have enjoyed reading her blog, it has caught my attention. Check out Scribbit, A Blog about Motherhood in Alaska where you can download a free ebook.

For a little spiritual uplifter, read the fabulous blog I read this morning at The Creative Mama. She speaks of having kindred-spirit friendships in today's blog. What an eye opener!

I hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

Blessings,
Chele

my husband's awesome photography although his foot is in the picture! LOL