Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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Spring Clean Your Heart

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With the warmer weather and sunshine, the dust seems all the more obvious gathered on the tables, windowsills, and knick-knacks scattered about.

Plenty of dust also settled in my heart this winter.

I struggled with the early sunsets and cold, dreary days. Even my happy light couldn’t help me quite shake it.

As I make natural cleaners to safely remove the dust, dirt, and grime from my floors and other surfaces, I also realize I must invest in a dust removal system for my soul.

Spring is a time of new growth and soul-growth is not to be placed on the back burner.

I revisit our Bible curricula for what works and what needs improvement. Some of the irritating behaviors in my family (and myself!) need to be addressed. I must remain diligent and beg my Father’s forgiveness for laziness this past season.

As I open the windows to let in the fresh air and sunshine and let out the stale air, I also need to air my heart’s grievances in prayer and Bible study as I do some spring cleaning for my soul.

Declutter. Renew. Revive.

Limit activities. Set goals. Personal growth.

What do you need to sweep out of your life?

 5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Heart:

1. Prioritize.

I need to focus on on better priorities. Some things have to get left behind for my sanity since I just can’t do it all.

I refuse to get caught up in the comparison trap. I really just can’t write all the posts, like all the social media, go to all the field trips, read all the books, decorate all the rooms like Pinterest, buy all the trendy clothes.

I must learn to be content within my means and protect my heart from comparison. With prayer and discussion, I can prioritize what’s best for our family. And my priority isn’t having my home look like a magazine or museum or running around constantly.

2. No cutting corners.

I must be diligent in completing a task well if I want my children to learn by my example how to follow through.

Just like I don’t want to sweep the dirt under the bed or rug, I don’t want to leave heart issues unaddressed to grow into bigger issues later. I need to be a diligent parent and coach my children consistently, in love and without nagging.

I need to be open to communication and aware of what my family needs. I need to explore the underlying causes of a behavior rather than react.

3. Relationships are most important.

I need to show my kids and husband that they are most important to me (after God, of course) – more important than my smartphone or my blogs or social media or anything else that might become an idol. Just like I want to be hospitable to guests in my home, so I rush around like a madwoman, cleaning and tidying before anyone comes over – only to apologize profusely for my house that has never been cleaner in years! I’m focusing on the wrong things – the appearances instead of the relationship. If they don’t like me because my house isn’t spotless, then that’s fine. I need to be more like Mary and less like Martha.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103: 13-14

And sometimes, I need to let the dishes sit and the floor go unvacuumed while I take a walk with my kids to enjoy the sunshine and flowers. They will remember those experiences more than having a museum-spotless house.

4. Don’t allow dirt to collect.

I can’t get lazy and then become overwhelmed by the task at hand. Sometimes, we create bad situations ourselves with poor choices and call it “from the devil.” Of course, Satan will use all ammunition we give to him, but we must accept responsibility for our actions and the consequences of those actions. This also goes for listening to dirt about others. We should just close our ears to that rather than expressing interest or spreading any gossip. If I don’t clean the refrigerator for months, then the task will become overwhelming and take much longer and need more elbow grease than if I wipe it down and pay attention to inventory and expiration dates every week or so. This also goes for social media, mom groups, family bickering. Limit that noise. Stay positive.

5. Ask for help.

When I can’t complete something on my own, I need to turn to Jesus for help. Just like when a maintenance task at the house or yard is too much for me to complete well on my own, s0 I enlist my husband and kids for help… I need to cry to Jesus in prayer when I get overwhelmed with life.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Ask for godly counsel. Mentoring seems like a dying art. Do you have a trustworthy Christian mentor?

 I plan to analyze my heart as I tackle spring cleaning this year!


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Minimizing

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Do you have issues in your house with too much stuff?
Do you struggle with keeping the house tidy and neat?
Do you want more, more, more?

Try minimizing for a simpler, more peaceful life.

If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them as half as much money. ~Abigail Van Buren

I’m not advocating for getting rid of all your stuff.

I’ve been to some homes and the people seem to have next to nothing by choice and that’s also stressful when there’s nowhere to sit and the rooms are stark and empty and echoey.

Your home doesn’t have to have a Scandinavian or Asian decor to be peaceful and clutter-free.

A home shouldn’t be sterile.

I always have piles of books – from the library, that I’m reading, that I’m going to read. I do continuously purge books as we outgrow them.

Finding a healthy balance of a home with peace and beauty while having storage for the things we love is a challenge.

I grew up with parents and my grandma buying me almost anything I wanted. But it was because that was the only way they knew how to show love. My grandma made up for the poor relationship she had with my father by showering me with gifts all throughout my childhood and I only saw her maybe two or three times a year. She passed when I was a teenager. My parents totally bought into the Big 80’s idea that more stuff equaled status and power and influence. They bought new cars every three years. My mother has shoes in every single color and clothes in her closet with tags still on them. She would hide her clothing purchases from my father. She has at least four closets full of clothing she will most likely never wear.

I blew all the money I made at my first jobs in retail and restaurants. I didn’t think about saving any of it. I never learned about good financial choices in school or at home.

I never learned the value of anything.

I spent most of my early adulthood blowing money on unimportant things, fighting debt, and learning to budget.

I still struggle. I’m still paying off debt. It seems every time we get close, there’s an emergency to set us back.

I want my children to learn the value of things better than I was taught.

We go through massive purges of our stuff every few years as we move. We’re a military family and we’re constantly re-evaluating our stuff. Our kids are growing up. They need fewer things for homeschool and playing.

We’re all maturing. We need less and less stuff to be happy. With fewer things, we’re all more stress-free. It’s easier to clean up when there’s not so much to be messy. There are fewer arguments and fewer hassles about toys and things.

I’m not into organization porn.

The gospel of minimalism, as preached by bloggers, chat rooms, and Facebook groups, is growing more nebulous as the movement of capitalist austerity—austerity as choice and aesthetic—picks up steam…Spareness is the lot of have-nots; minimalism is only aesthetic when it’s a choice. Minimalism critiques extravagance without condemning the wealth itself, making it a doctrine of the rich, for the rich. It’s the “classiest” version of inconspicuous consumption, one that at its core houses sanctimonious self-abnegation.

Aditi Natasha Kini

While I like the clothes folding method from Marie Kondo, I get anxiety thinking about getting rid of anything that doesn’t “spark joy” this very moment. I have regrets of some items we’ve purged over the years. I did the closet trick a few years ago and it helped to downsize clothing. I’ve also lost some weight the last couple years. It’s actually upsetting not to be able to fit into favorite clothes anymore.

I’ve watched The Minimalists. I see the rise of the tiny house movement and I wonder how long that will last. Most of us don’t come from generational wealth nor do our families own land or property where we can just park our trailer and live rent free.

Minimalism is becoming a culture clash. Westerners see the hustle and want to detach from it, somehow connect to a more Eastern mindset without doing any inner work or systemic change.

I am just not spiritual enough not to care about any material goods. I don’t really think this is a character flaw. Everyone has favorite possessions. We cry if there is a disaster and lose things. We are human.

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

William Morris

How I minimize with practicality:

  1. Less is more.

    We really don’t need as much as we have and we certainly don’t need more stuff. Having fewer and simpler toys encourages creativity and resourcefulness. Just because an item exists or all her friends have it doesn’t mean it’s needed. Having less is also easier to keep clean and tidy. Having a smaller home means cheaper upkeep and utilities. We purged most of our worthless knick knacks and streamlined surfaces.

  2. What’s the motivation?

    Buying stuff doesn’t equal love. Yeah, I know that’s supposed to be one of the love languages, but really? If it’s not useful or needed, don’t buy it. “Retail therapy” is stupid. We gave up giving greeting cards because it gets really expensive and they’re just thrown away. We don’t exchange gifts with extended family anymore either.

  3. Quality over quantity.

    Get the best you can afford. Don’t get some cheap knockoff that you’ll have to keep replacing. Do your research and save up for it. We are slowly replacing the cheaper or worn out items we bought in the earlier years of our marriage.

  4. Set boundaries.

    Determine some boundaries for stuff and don’t let it spill over. Have a place for everything, and don’t buy more storage just to have more stuff. Do you keep certain items only for sentimental value or for some other reason? I had to get over a lot of that, and yes it’s hard.

  5. One in, one out.

    Purge often. If you get something new, get rid of something else. This helps reduce clutter and keeps priorities straight. No one really needs multiple items in all the colors.

  6. Get organized.

    Everything in its place and a place for everything. A neat and tidy house is more peaceful than a cluttered home. Get a system for those cluttery places where you find family members dropping their stuff. Work with it and not against it. Find a method that works for your family. We like pretty natural baskets for toys and simple bookcases with cabinets.

  7. Limit ad exposure.

    Ads are everywhere, breeding discontent. Limit exposure to TV, social media, and print advertisements to limit wants. Unsubscribe from store and deal emails. Shopping isn’t entertainment.

  8. Teach value.

    Limit the gimmes by having a 3-day wait rule for big purchases. If you still desire the item after 3 days, come up with a plan to afford it. We don’t have huge gift-giving events for birthdays or holidays. We give just a few desired or needed items for birthdays and about 4 items for Christmas and nothing tangible on minor holidays. We have discussions before we go to stores about goals and priorities and there has never been any begging. Our kids have never had a meltdown in the checkout line because I’m proactive and communicate.

  9. Have a plan.

    Have a budget or spending plan and stick to it. It helps to be realistic and set aside a little each month instead of splurging and feeling guilty. Ask: Do you need it and/or why do you have it? This limits anxiety.

  10. Practice what you preach.

    If you limit your kids’ toys and clothing, also limit your own purchases. Don’t go get the newest tech gadget or new car if your others function just fine. Learn to make do. Model good financial choices to your kids.

If something cost $1,000, and it is on sale for $750, and then you decide to buy it, you did not save $250. You spent $750.

Resources:

You might also like:

Teaching Kids About Money
How We Save Money
How to Set a Budget
5 Money Tips
5 Frugal Tips for Buying Kids Clothes
Losing Control
A Frugal Birthday
Shopping in Germany
Obstacles to Being Frugal During the Holidays
How to Have a Debt-Free Christmas

Do you struggle with too much stuff?

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Homemade Laundry Detergent

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A couple of us in the family have sensitive skin, so traditional laundry detergents are irritating to us.

The more natural detergents can be really expensive and many soaps without scent leave my clothes smelling…like vomit.

I’ve experimented with several brands that don’t make my clothes smell good.

I’ve tried several recipes from homemade detergent and this one has been working well for us.

It’s really easy and not very expensive to make. It smells great and no skin irritation. It lasts about 2 months!

I only use a tablespoon or so every laundry load and my clothes smell great!

So, let’s make some laundry detergent!

Gather the ingredients!

Ingredients for Homemade Laundry Detergent

The recipe is super simple. My kids make it now for our family!

We grate two bars of Dr. Bonner’s castile unscented soap. You could use lavender or another castile soap.

Grating Soap
Love Grating Soap

The grated soap looks like little worms. Heehee

It already smells fresh and clean.

Grated Soap

We add two cups each of borax, washing soda, and pure Oxi-clean.

We add 20 or so drops of essential oil. We like lavender or melaleuca or eucalyptus (but not together!). Some people recommend lemon, and I’m sure that smells amazing, but I worry it might bleach the clothes if I hang them to dry in the sun.

Then we shake it all up in this handy pourable container.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

We pour out a couple tablespoons for each laundry load. I don’t really measure it. I don’t fill the dispenser in our washer.

The clothes come out smelling much more fresh than they used to and no irritated skin!

We also use wool dryer balls with a bit of lavender essential oil.

Print

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 60

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Borax
  • 2 cups Washing Soda Or 1/2 washing soda and 1/2 baking soda.
  • 2 bars Dr. Bonner’s castile unscented bar soap grated
  • 2 cups or scoops Oxi-Clean optional
  • 20 or so drops essential oil We like lavender or melaleuca!

Instructions

  1. Grate bar soap and mix all ingredients in a jar.
  2. Use 1-2 T each wash load.

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Making a Natural Home

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Our journey to being chemical-free began years ago.

I never would have thought I would be a crunchy mom, but I am proud!

We’re on a journey – often with baby steps, sometimes doing the cha-cha or completely backsliding (and regretting it), but we realize that we’re so much healthier now than we were just a year ago. We’ve come so far!

We’re making a synthetic chemical-free home for our children to grow up healthy.

Making a Chemical Free Home for our children to grow up healthy.

Chemical Free Food

We first eliminated dyes and chemicals in our food about seven years ago to help our eldest daughter with her focusing problems.

We knew it was a good decision and saw immediate results. We learned how to eat better and our pantry looks very different than it did ten years ago!

It was a gradual process with many ups and downs. We had to learn a new way of life. Some days were really hard.

We often do a cleanse after holidays or trips with a Whole30.

We mostly drink water. The kids know any juice is a treat. Homemade soda (in our Soda Stream) is a very special treat. I am thankful that the German foods and drinks are less chemical than the American ones.

We eventually adopted a way of natural eating that works for us. I don’t freak out too much if someone hands my kids a fruit rollup or cup of Kool Aid.

My kids are learning better choices and often choose the healthier alternative without being prompted because they know how the dyes and chemicals negatively affect their bodies. They prefer to feel good in lieu of the instant gratification of the fun flavors. And they read labels. They’re learning to be good stewards of their bodies.

We’re getting into fermenting now with kombucha and kraut!

Chemical Free Cleaning

Most of the commercial cleaners available in stores are very unhealthy and exacerbate allergies and illness.

When we quit using those, we felt so much better!

We use natural cleaners for most of our home cleaning. We often make our own glass cleaner, laundry soap, and dish detergents.

Vinegar and baking soda are favorite cleaning staples. I add essential oils for extra clean scents.

We use fragrance-free and dye-free laundry detergent. We love Seventh Generation or the Costco alternative, but we need to make our own since I can’t find those here. I hang dry all our clothing – except underwear. We don’t use fabric softener.

We don’t use air fresheners, scented candles, wicks, wall plugs, or wax melts in our home, office, or cars. I diffuse essential oils. Diffusers are safer than hot wax or messy chemical liquids. My husband gets very irritated to the scents in chemical air fresheners but he loves the diffused essential oils! Check out these diffusers for under $50!

We also like having houseplants to freshen the air and make it pretty.

Chemical Free Body Care

This was our most recent change in our journey to being a chemical-free home.

We started using the natural laundry soap when our second child was born and had such sensitive skin.

We realized the chemicals we use on our skin can be just as harmful (or more so) as the chemicals we could ingest.

Several of us have suffered from dry and irritated skin for years with no explanation. Removing the chemicals from our body care helps.

We love natural products for hair, face, and body.

Liz and I use natural makeup from Cowgirl Dirt and Lemongrass Spa.

I make DIY products for skin and face with natural ingredients and essential oils for our family and friends.

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The Benefits of Green Carpet Cleaning

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When it comes to getting your carpet clean, there are few things more important to consider than the cleaners you use.

Green cleaners not only help to protect the environment against the potential for harmful chemical pollution, but can also cause respiratory and skin irritation for your family and pets.

The Benefits of Green Carpet Cleaning

Chemical Exposure

Traditional carpet cleaners use a bevy of chemicals to remove stains and make your carpets smell good. While they are effective in cleaning your carpets, they have also been implicated in the contribution to a number of health conditions including asthma and various allergies. They have also been shown to cause certain neurological conditions, immunosuppression and even cancer. These conditions have been seen in both humans and many pets after prolonged exposure.

Steam Cleaning

Professional carpet cleaning services often use steam cleaning as a form of green cleaning solution. When using steam, most carpet cleaning professionals don’t use chemicals at all to clean your carpets. The higher temperature and steam infusion loosens dirt and debris, allowing it to be removed manually. Steam has also been shown to be highly effective in the removal of dust mites, which are often the culprit for triggering allergic reactions.

Green Cleaning Preparations

There are also a number of green cleaning solutions that are used in conjunction with traditional hot water carpet cleaning and low flow carpet cleaning solutions. These products aid in the removal of pet stains and other stains by using naturally occurring enzymes and other certified green cleansers. Both surface cleaning solutions and pre treatment solutions are available in green cleaning preparations in order to ensure that there is no harmful chemical residue introduced into your home during the carpet cleaning process.

It is important to understand what carpet cleaning preparations are being used in your home before the technicians begin work. For example, if you are looking for Green Choice carpet cleaning Brooklyn and the company wants to use a surfactant that includes harsh chemical ingredients, it is important to know this ahead of time and find another company.

No matter what type of carpet you have, getting it cleaned regularly is the key to ensuring that your home is as clean as it looks on the surface. However, in order to ensure that you are cleaning your carpets rather than contributing to your indoor air pollution, using green carpet cleaning techniques is a must. When deciding on what carpet cleaning service to use, make sure you inquire about the company’s green carpet cleaning services.

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Cleaning Laminate Flooring

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Did you know laminate flooring comes in wood or tile/stone? I love the looks and ease of it. When we buy a house after the Air Force has finished moving us around, I will look into this!

How to Clean Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring is extremely popular in today’s décor world, and for many good reasons! Not only is laminate flooring a beautiful and less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring, but laminate flooring is also extremely durable and easy to maintain. It is always recommended to check your manufacturer recommendations before using cleaners on your laminate floor.

Below are a few helpful tips to keep your laminate flooring beautiful and shining:

  • Avoid soap based detergents.
  • Avoid “mop and shine” products, as they can dull the film on your laminate flooring, causing permanent damage.
  • Never use abrasive cleaners or any material that can scratch your floor.
  • Never use wax or polish on your laminate floor.
  • You can vacuum your laminate flooring with the wand attachment.
  • Regular cleaning with a dust mop is highly recommended.
  • Spills should be wiped up immediately with a cloth or sponge.
  • Damp cloths and mops can be used, but it’s important to not over saturate your floor.
  • Use only recommended laminate floor cleaning products.

Laminate flooring is a great addition to any home, and can last a lifetime with very little maintenance. If you’re considering installing laminate flooring, consider visiting your local Flooring America and speaking to their flooring professionals.

I love to clean my floors with my spray mop and its Velcro pad using warm water and essential oils such as Thieves or Citrus.

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5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials {Day 2: Know Yourself}

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Sure, we need to plan.

We also need to know our strengths and weaknesses.

All the mamas and the papas and the babies have different personalities and that makes for fun-filled days with all those dynamics at work. How do you cope?

We need to know ourselves.

We need to constantly reevaluate ourselves and our purpose and homeschool.

We need to know what our recipe for success is. For ourselves personally, and for each of our children. We need to know what sets us on edge and do our best to eliminate those triggers.

Pray. Always. Unceasingly.

Run a smooth(er) homeschool.

Consider learning styles for each child and how that works with your teaching style, mamas. I have to force myself out of my comfort zone to teach my children the way they best learn and that’s often difficult for me. Is it more important that I check off that box or that my child has a great learning experience?

Check out my post on learning styles.

Create a learning space for each child and a sanctuary for mama. Small spaces make this tough, but you can make or buy a privacy shield to allow children to work independently behind a barrier and that helps many focus. I often work alongside my kids and this is comforting for all.

Consider the flow and dynamics of a typical school day. How could it go more smoothly? Do the kids need an outdoor recess or vigorous indoor activity to get the wiggles out midmorning? Do you need to reinforce a rest or quiet time in the afternoons for the evenings to play out more calmly? Does the schedule need to be revamped to be more successful? I alternate days with history and science since it’s a lot of reading and notebooking.

Homemaking Helps.

What can you do to improve the ebb and flow of your home? Be proactive.

I recently subscribed to eMeals to help me with meal planning because I.am.terrible.about.meal.planning. Too many afternoons have passed me by and nothing made its way out of the freezer to thaw for dinner and we had to scramble or grab takeout or rush to the store. We like to eat and we often have a freezer and fridge full of lovely food, but I’ve been lazy lately about getting it prepared and on the table on time.

Set up a cleaning schedule or chore chart for the kids – and for you. Lots of moms use Fly Lady or zone cleaning. Find something that works for your family. Tori is my cleaner. I can just let her go and she does whatever it is above and beyond my standards. Alex and Kate are pretty cheerful about helping but Liz really doesn’t care to help. It’s not optional. Teach the kids to help early on. Servant leadership and great life skills!

Have only littles? Find a family with an older child in training to be a mama helper. This can be for pay or on a barter. This older child can help with laundry or cleaning up or watching the kids to give you a little breather.

Ask your husband what can be let go. My husband is pretty laid back but it drives him nuts to have toys all over the floor. The laundry piling up? He’d pick his clothes out of a basket forever with no complaint. He helps with cooking. He cares for the lawn and snow shoveling. He’ll vacuum or steam clean if I ask. Most everything else he overlooks. Awesome.

We need to maintain our health as best we can.

Sleep is important.

We make sure the little kids are in bed by 8 PM. Our eldest typically goes to bed by 9. Generally, they all wake up naturally between 6:30-8 in the morning. If we have a rare appointment in the morning and have to get up early, it’s grumpiness all around. Sleep and rest are important and I am happy to allow for their growing bodies to regenerate and grow and heal.

Eat well.

I get up every morning and make a hot breakfast. It took me too many years to get that this is important. I never used to eat breakfast. Even still, I often don’t get anything after the kids have swooped down. I either have a smoothie or hardboiled egg (I keep a supply of HB eggs in the fridge and I make twice as much smoothie as I need so there are leftovers of that as well). I have noticed since feeding my kids a good breakfast, their behavior is much improved and our days run more smoothly.

Exercise.

We need to stay fit to be healthy. The kids and I play the Wii, shovel snow, take hikes or walks, do Family Time Fitness or Fit2Be  or yoga together. My husband frequents the gym almost every day. Liz has to take a physical training test monthly for Civil Air Patrol. I get to the gym when I can. Fresh air and exercise are great mood elevators and keep our bodies working properly.

Natural care.

We use essential oils and cod liver oil and drink lots of water to keep our immune systems healthy. We don’t use OTC or prescription meds. We also diffuse focusing oils to help our brains function at their best. We’ve limited microwave use and I would get rid of the thing altogether, but we’re not quite there yet. We use less plastic and Thieves® Household Cleaner to clean, well, everything.

The point is, we all have strengths and weaknesses. We’re all different. We have different personality traits and it’s not worth trying to overhaul that and be someone we’re not. Find something that works to help streamline your life so everyone is at peace with it.

The whole series:

Day 1: Planning

Day 2: Know Yourself

Day 3: Know Your Enemy

Day 4: Supplies

Day 5: Let Go

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How much is a mom worth?

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How do you balance it all, Mama?

I know I struggle! with homeschooling my 4 kids, meal planning, a house cleaning schedule, blogging, an essential oils business, church commitments, heart training and discipling my children, and trying to find a moment to spend time with my husband…there’s nothing left. I am drained.

Here’s a confession:

Check out this fun {not really} infographic.

I {heart} infographics. What are you worth? Look at all our job titles!

Mom Annual Salary Infographic
This infographic was created by Credit Card Insider, your trusted credit resource, providing plain-language guidance from seasoned industry veterans.

Now, tell your husband to take you out to dinner. You deserve it!

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Stepping Out on a Limb

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I loved to climb trees when I was a little girl. I grew up in the South and I was such a tomboy, much to my mother’s horror. She had envisioned a proper little princess belle and I fell dreadfully short of that vision, I’m sure.

I now have four perfect little darlings. Three princesses and one prince. They’re all so different from me and from each other. It’s absolute blessed chaos.

As much as I would love to say I teach and work around the house all day in peep-toe pumps and crinolined skirts with pearls…not so much.

So…I’ll step out on a limb and write a little bit about me…

Stepping Out on a Limb

Seems like I’ve been reading a lot lately about struggles. In fiction, self-help books, both Christian and secular, blogs, magazines…lots o’ reading.

I feel strangely and awkwardly blessed to not have it so bad, ya know?

I don’t think I struggle all that much. No addictions. No illnesses. No major issues. Such blessings!

I’m pretty sure I’m a social retard, but I hide it rather well, I hope. All those hours of sitting around reading Emily Post and Miss Manners paid off in that at least I know enough to inwardly cringe when people commit a social faux pas. My husband and I do not go out. We don’t socialize. At all. I read about other couples and families on Facebook and whatnot and I wonder, how do they find the time and money? I guess their priorities are different. Or maybe we just haven’t found our social niche. We have no friends. We haven’t found others like-minded enough among fellow homeschoolers or Christians or with Air Force families where we’re stationed. I do worry about our kids. But, our parents weren’t social either. And they weren’t homeschoolers or Christian. Aaron’s parents were school teachers. My dad was Army. It takes a whole lot of effort to be friends with people, especially since we move around a lot. I have very few people I would consider friends. This only occasionally bugs me.

I think I’ve come a long way in seven years. We don’t really discuss that submission subject. I know I’m bossy and always right. Aaron knows that I’m almost always right. Some days (and weeks, even months) I wonder why my husband married me. Other times, I realize how good he has it and what a blessing I am to that man! Honestly, without me, those poor girls would have crew cuts and the house would be an utter disaster! They’d all live on bacon and carbohydrates. And they would attend a school – shudder!

Of course, I’m not all that perfect.

I yell. A lot. We call it hollering in the South. Sounds a bit sweeter, ya know? I’m just loud. Sometimes, I’m not even mad. I just need to be heard over all the ambient noise.

Some weeks, the laundry remains in those handy baskets (not even folded – gasp!) and doesn’t make it those extra few feet into closets and drawers.

Most nights, dinner is mostly prepped and ready to go, and I mean real food, nothing out of a box or can. We like to eat good ‘round here. Some nights, usually after a particularly good school day (what a downer!), dinner isn’t thawed out or something went terribly wrong in the prep process! It helps now that the weather’s warm and pretty to send those younguns outside to play in the afternoons. I threaten with unpleasant chores and undesirable school work if they whine to come in. Rascals! Get some fresh air and exercise! I’ve been with you since 0648, making breakfast, listening to your surreal nocturnal dream world, providing a morning snack, doing laundry and dishes, attempting to teach you about God and the world we live in, making lunch, snack, and the never-ending cleaning up. Mama needs a cocktail, some peace and quiet, and time to prep dinner and play on the computer. Not necessarily in that order.

I’ve been downsizing and organizing for a while now.

I recently rearranged our little living room and it really opened up that area and is quite lovely. All school takes place in the basement now. Got a new desk and now Tori and Katie can work side by side at matching desks and Liz and I work at the table. Alex alternates between the floor, the little hand-me-down pink desk, or my old table and chairs. More likely, he runs around, wreaking havoc and interrupting and causing insane messes. School time is usually mostly successful for 1/2 to 3/4 of the children. If Alex naps, I rush Liz through the rest of her assignments. I use weekly work folders with daily and weekly checklists.

I have nothing nice to say about money.

I have no idea how to live within our means. Yes, we have a lovely and quite detailed budget that shows how I fail miserably twice a month. We usually get close to debt-free about the time we have to move again. Every time we move, we get into debt with unexpected expenses. Vicious cycle. I don’t even consider us to be very materialistic. I know we do have too much stuff though. Books don’t count. We rent a house. We just re-fi’ed Aaron’s Jeep. The van will be paid off this fall. I shop mostly at thrift stores and consignment shops for clothes. We have great furniture that I supplement with amazing finds from estate and yard sales or thrift stores. We do have lots of investments: savings, CDs, IRAs, retirement funds, 529s. At least we’re not total financial losers. I am quite jealous of bloggers who make money just for blogging. I know I have little to offer in that world. Did I mention we like to eat good food? We don’t serve our kids something different at meals. If I make lamb or seafood or some amazing and complex pasta dish, that’s what we all have. The kids don’t even like hot dogs and pizza that much. And no boy will ever be able to afford to date our daughters.

Liz and Tori are running track. Katie loves soccer. Alex plays hard. Aaron has to keep in shape for the Air Force. I try to run with the girls and teach them to have a healthy lifestyle. I don’t think I am really overweight so much as a bit flabby in places. I used to be totally skinny until I had Tori and Katie 14 months apart. I wouldn’t say that I struggle in this area so much…,more that I’m just lazy and I like to eat and don’t really like to work out. I don’t make time for it.

So, what issues do you struggle with?

 
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