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

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

Ponderings - Stay Positive

Last week I did a post on Ponderings, I believe I will continue this each week. Although my plan was to do this every weekend. Saturday's preferably but we are going away this weekend and won't be home until Sunday afternoon. No computer where we are going! I didn't want you all to miss what I am pondering on this week.


I could swear on.... okay I'm not going there! Let me reword that, I strongly feel that staying positive has a serious impact on your happiness and joy! Most of all, on your being able to see God when things don't go your way. Remember it's God's way not ours! I have some friends that do what I cannot stand. They act like it is the end of their world, something did not go their way or they bring down everyone around them because they are miserable and so negative. Now don't get me wrong, I have my days too. Everyone does, we are human. It is healthy to express how you feel but is not healthy for this type of person and their relationships. I am the type of person that when things go wrong or someone hurts my feelings or whatever it may be, I'm down until I express it to someone I trust. Then just like that I see the blessings all around. I realize that maybe it was meant to be this or that way. Our family has struggled for way too long financially. I have my days when it brings me down but I turn it around with my 4 step thought process.

• Pray!!!!! For goodness sake, let the Lord help you!!! Ask him to help you change your thoughts and not bring them on other people!




• Sometimes I do need "let it out" to someone who I trust and understands me. But not always!




• I think of people that are worse off than me. You know, those people that don't have a home.(I do!) Those people that their husband or children have gone to their GREAT REWARD. (I have my husband and children here with me!) There are so many things you can think about to change your whole outlook!




• Pray again!!! Thank the good Lord for what you do have and ask him to bless you!! There is not a time that the Lord has not blessed me in some way when something goes wrong. God is good to us!

When I have a friend or family member that is acting like this, I do a few things to brighten it up and hopefully help change their attitude on things. Here is my process.

• Again Pray!!!! Pray for the correct words and actions for yourself. Pray for that person to see their blessings and to be able to have a different view on the situation. Sometimes I do have to pray for the anger to go away for myself. I get so upset that they are bringing me down that anger sets in. It's not healthy. (I actually had this happen this past week). God did take that anger away almost immediately!




• I bring on my positive attitude. Kind of behind the scenes, I don't make it obvious at this point. Positive words and actions. Smiling about life can do a lot. Of course you cannot do that with everyone. Sometimes it's online that you are dealing with it! I try to lift them up without coming out and saying it.




• At times you have to politely ask them to stop. Tell them that they are bringing you down with their actions and statements.




• Again and again, Pray! Pray for them to have a change in the way they react to things. God can do this!

How do you stay positive? How do you keep those around you positive? Do the steps above help you any? I pray the people in this world that are so negative about every situation will see one day that how they react brings down the people they are around. And it is just not fair to those people! (I told you I was dealing with this! LOL. Had to get it off my chest!)

Sometimes we (positive people) need to talk about it too!!!

I pray you all can see the blessings in your life and stay positive. Even the flowers on this page are a blessing!

Chele