Dad's Little Helper

Zach wanted so badly to help change the tire, but it was all he could do to push on the jack.

Gratitude

50. My Mom is Here Visiting!!!
49. Cool showers
48. Looking forward to family together on Thanksgiving
47. Japanese cooking
46. My son and grandaughter cuddled up for a story
45. Sunday Dinners
44. Being able to go shopping with Mom
43. Comfy shoes
42. Listening to my 7 year old read to me.
41. My husband's meatloaf

Gratitude

40. Pumpkin pie
39. cookies in a jar
38. Scrabble
37. cinnamon sticks
36. my laptop
35. coupons
34. getting ready for company
33. my husband takes such good care of his parents
32. a good nights sleep
31. make ahead meals

Confessions of a bad housekeeper

I saw the funniest cartoon once. A mother walked in with a basket of clothes and said"Now the laundry is all done." The entire family were just wearing towels. I have felt like that mother, it seems impossible to get it all done.

I don't think I have had all the rooms in my house clean at the same time . If we work on the upstairs it trickles down. And all the laundry is never all done. Even if I get caught up in the morning once 11 people take showers it piled up again. Oh my, if the flu hits, its time to go to the laundry mat or risk never catching up.

I started cleaning out my kitchen cupboards a month ago. Each time I start I straighten up what I have done and then hopefully proceed before time runs out. I'm still not finished.

Our dishwasher runs constantly. Do you know how many dishes it takes to make a meal for a family of 11? I know holiday meals that people have are not that many. My children went to the dentist this week and the hygienist was so nervous about making dinner for 6 it was hard not to say anything, let alone not laugh.

I love having a large family, but I love having a clean house too. I am wondering if the two are incompatible? Especially with a sick mom and children doing most of the work at this time.

I am much better than I was. My dh lived by himself when we got married. I had two children. So he went from himself to a family of 4. When we moved stuff he took down my Christmas tree. It was the last week in February. We had boxes for aisles for months. At least I knew how to cook. He gained weight our first year.

So I am working on decluttering and cleaning. I have seen Don Asslett videos, Flylady's email list, read the Speed Cleaning book and the messies manual. I keep seeing improvement but I have definitely not arrived. Maybe one day.

My children have asked again what I want for Christmas. I have the same answer for Mother's day and my birthday and Christmas. The house all cleaned and no children fighting. They usually laugh. I do know one day it will happen. But I think the house will be clean, but also too quiet. There won't be as many dishes or laundry because there won't be as many home. The floor won't have to be swept several times a day because there won;t be as many small or big feet running on it. So I'll still work on getting my house cleaner but I will remember why it's so hard to keep up.

Minimizing books

Since I have been having trouble with my asthma and allergies I have been trying to minimize, declutter, get rid of stuff, etc. We started by moving all the books out of our room. Still allergies. So I have been getting drastic.

We got rid of all the books and one bookcase.

Full. Hundreds of books.

This bookcase was 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide and full top to bottom with books. It was so hard. I love books. But I love being healthy more.

And you know what? It looks great. So much more spacious.

I have decluttered the rest of the room too. Dvd's pictures, knick knacks. It is so nice and clean and I am glad to have done it

I do still have one bookcase with books in it. But all the new books are kindle so no dust.

Gratitude

30. Mom's Night Out
29. Red Paint
28. Smell of hot bread
27. Sharing jewlery with my daughters
26. a clean living room
25. Shiny waxed floors
24. A running hug that almost knocks me over when I get home
23. A beautiful fall day
22. The smell of fresh sheets off the line
21. A new book

The power of touch

It is so easy to go through the days with the hugs and kisses from the little ones in the house and be so overwhelmed with kisses that I can neglect it with the older ones unless I am thinking about it. My 3 that are 10 and under come up to me every day with hugs, kisses and cuddles. Right now my 7 and 4 year olds are there a lot since they are a little insecure about Mom being sick and have been in the hospital and away from them. Serene would sit most of her time right next to me, on top of me even to be as close as possible. So I have been making a point of giving my older children extra attention too. My 2 older sons 12 and 14 next week aren't as demonstrative unless I initiate it. I pat them on the back or shoulder, give them hugs, ask for a kiss and give them one when they or I am leaving, ruffle their hair. I can see them responding even thought they were still at first. How did I get out of the habit? By not making it a priority, I was getting all the hugs from the younger group and didn't notice. I have to tell you though it isn't as easy as it sounds. I have checklists to get thought the day, right now I am very forgetful. So I have my children on a checklist for me too. Did I say something positive to encourage this child today? Did I hug him or her? Which one needs some special mom time? I have to write it down or I forget. Some would thing it is because I have 10 children but I wasn't always this forgetful. My husband thinks it's all the meds I'm on. And yes, I have him on the list too. With older daughters it is easier, they accept hugs easier although one daughter I always have to point to my cheek at night after I hug and kiss her for a kiss back. She just grins and kisses me. I know she loves me , she is my daughter who is always bringing me hot tea too. So try and make the effort if you've gotten out of the habit. Older children need this too but just don't want to show it. I have so many things pulling at my time and energy this can easily fall by the wayside if I don't plan for it.

Gratitude

20. A hot cup of tea

19. Wonderful healthy meals

18. God's written Word

17. Chocolate

18. Listening to my children read

17. 7 wonderful daughters to laugh with and talk to

16.3 wonderful sons who are so helpful and kind to their mother

15. Sunrise

14. A beautifully set table

13. Smelling the fragrant banana bread my daughter is baking

12. Naps ( for me not the children) :-)

11. My Mom's daily phone calls

Gratitude and Blessings

These are some things I am so grateful for.

10. Being able to read to my children

9. Watching my 4 year old sleep (it's the only time he's still)

8. Little arms wrapped around me in hugs to make me well, (big arms too)

7. To be able to sing even if I can not long always follow the tune, or talk afterwards

6.10 wonderful healthy children

5. The ability to take a deep breathe this morning without coughing

4. My husband who in the last year has had a wife in much more sickness than health

3.My family

2. Christ's sacrifice

1. God's Love

Counting my Blessings

I have had a lot of time of last night, this morning, to think... pray...(iv steroids are not conductive to sleep :-).) My daughter even suggested counting sheep. When I got to 1009 I finally thought I could do a lot better than that. One song I remember my Grandmother singing is Count your Blessings. I have so many even in the midst of this health crisis I can look for the blessings. My daughter has made gifts of gratitude journals so I have decided to do the same. I thought if I could count sheep there had to be at least that many things I am greatful for. Don't worry I won't list them all at once. But first,



Count Your Many Blessings

When upon life's billows you are temptest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name then one by one.
And if will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care,
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly.
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold,
Count your many blessings- wealth can never buy.
Your reward in heaven, nor you home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and confort give you till your journey's end.

Refrain

An Attitude of Blessings

I have a choice on how I decide to view whatever happens. I can chose to look at it as a blessing or as not. This weekend I spent 2 evenings in the ER. That was not how I would have chosen to have spent them but I am choosing to be thankful that medical care is nearby and available should be needed. I am thankful at how kind the dr's and nursed were there. And that I could go home and spend tonight in my own bed. I would, should be sleeping but one of the meds causes insomnia so I guess I have time to write this blog. Our circumstances may vary but each one of us can choose how to view them. Is your glass half empty or full. I have a member of my family that this is hard for and I am accused of walking with rose colored glasses. But I like the color rose so I think I'll stick with it.