Friends

As I checked out of the store with my cart full of groceries, the cashier started a conversation with another customer. At first I was a little annoyed. It was Friday afternoon, the end of a long week, and I just wanted to get what I needed and get out of there. But, I started listening to their conversation. After all, they were in the middle of the store. The conversation made me think about a few things.
First, the customer had made a point of hunting down this particular cashier, as if she was a dear friend. But, the only way she knew to find her was to ask for her every time she was in the store. Their conversation progressed as dear friends, though they only saw each other there at the store. The customer acted as if she had few other friends.
Friends and family are so very important. We all need someone to share our heart. Someone to lean on in tough times, laugh with in fun times, cry with in sad times, someone to listen and understand. How do we find such friends? I have always been able to develop friendships through church. I've moved a few times, each time finding a great church family. Sometimes I drove 30 minutes or more to a place where I was connected, involved, loved. It was worth the drive to spend time each week with friends. Church family is important!
Another thought was what they were talking about. The customer's mother had heart surgery a couple months back, and had something go terribly wrong. Now the mother was on life support, with no hope for recovery. A bypass surgery should not end this way. But, we never know. Cherish the time you have with those you love. Take time to visit, call, chat, be with friends.
Things can always be worse. It seems that whenever I'm focused on my own struggles, wondering how to pay the bills, how to keep my kids on the right track, how to help one with spelling, how to get laundry done, all that kind of stuff, God puts someone in my path. Someone who has real troubles. Someone who's mom won't recover from something that shouldn't have happened in a hospital recovery room. A family who just lost a 32 year old mom, sister, wife, to cancer. A mom struggling with her child's chronic illness. A mom grieving a recent miscarriage. A hungry child who's parents care more about getting their next fix than about feeding their children. A pregnant teen who doesn't understand the seriousness of raising a child. I am so blessed. I need to take the focus on me and put it where it belongs, on the God who created me and blesses me every day.
Another mom in my Small Group Bible Class has started a 1,000 Blessings challenge. There's a book out there about a woman who wrote down 1,000 blessings. The mom in my group has taken on the challenge. Sounds like a good idea. So, here goes.
1. I have a wonderful husband.
2. I have 4 fabulous kids.
3. I have a mom and dad who live nearby.
4. I have a sister who's a long drive away, but great to talk to!
5. I love my job.

Pretty good for a start. How many blessings can you write down in the next 5 minutes? Ready.... Go!

Calm Hope

I went to a conference on Autism this week, and learned some interesting things that apply to parenting "typically developing" kids as well as kids with disabilities. It seems that as my own kids grow, they are as able to throw full-body tantrums as my 4 - 9 year old students with Autism.  Talking with other moms on the way to the conference also assured me that I'm not alone with sassy kids. You're not either. Here are two main points for behavior management from the week:
#1: Stay calm. It does no good to join them in the emotion at the moment. Yep, you get really mad when those sweet kids start spinning their heads, yelling, throwing, kicking... Yep, your adrenaline kicks into high gear, you upset at the words coming out of that sweet little mouth. You want that child to understand that you are in charge and they are not to act this way. I get it. I've been there. But, you and I are the adults. We are the ones with the mostly-developed brains, the ones with the life experience, and the ones with the blessing of being the parent. They are children. Their world revolves around how they feel. They don't control their feelings, they act them out for the world to see. Part of growing up is learning how to control ourselves even when we're really mad. So, get your "Big Girl Panties" on, and stay calm. Breath deeply, count slowly to 10, walk away for a moment if you must. After all, "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare." (Proverbs 15:1, New Living Translation).
#2: Have Hope. This will get better. I watched an episode of Dr. Quinn today. Horace and Myra were struggling with their new-born baby. She was very fussy, crying all through the night, every night. (episodes 107 and 108).  Remember those days? I sure do. I remember lots of sleepless nights and long days, trying to figure out why that sweet little baby was so unhappy. And yet, that time passed. My kids can now, for the most part, tell me what's on their mind. They don't cry for hours on end. We communicate fairly well. We have fun together. While preadolescence and adolescence can be frustrating times, filled with attitudes, challenges, sassyness,  and defiance, "This too shall pass," as my mom frequently says. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT). These words were written to the Israelites while they were captives in Babylon. Raising a house full of teens can't be as bad as being prisoners of war in a strange country.  Stand firm, stay calm, continue to instill your beliefs in your children, and one day they will be grown. There is hope. 

Messy

Yesterday I helped hubby clean up the garage after he finished a project. There was sawdust everywhere! But it was cleaned up in no time, and the cars moved back in. It got me to thinking, when we're in the middle of a project, working on something, things get messy. Materials spread out everywhere, dust covering the everything, just messy. But, that happens while you're in the middle of making something special. Generally, the mess doesn't get really cleaned up until the project is finished.
My family is just like that. We have 4 kids. They are messy. We are messy. Our house is messy.  But, we're in the middle of making something special. We're right in the middle of raising our kids, focusing on helping them to be the best they can be.
So, when you come for a visit our house will be messy. Our kids will be messy. That's us. We're in the middle of a project. Working hard to make something great. So, excuse the dust, the dishes on the counter, the clothes on the floor. We're busy right now. Besides, I'd rather be busy in the middle of a messy project than to have the project finished and out of my hands. That will come soon enough. 

Spiritual Service

As I look over my lived-in, messy house, dreading getting up to clean up, I came across this in a book, "Service without spirituality is exhausting and hopeless. But in the same respect, spirituality without service is barren and selfish. We need to unite the two and do it all 'as unto the Lord.'"
What a powerful statement. I have just wrapped up a week of work, proceeded by a week of work and VBS, proceeded by ending the school year, proceeded by leading our youth at church thorough a Leadership program, etc, etc, etc.
While it all started out with spirituality leading me to do these things, sometimes that part of it gets lost in the hast to make sure it all gets done well. But, as Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century monk discovered, even kitchen work can be spiritual. He joined a monastery in hopes of spending his days in prayer and mediation. Instead, he was assigned to the kitchen, cooking and cleaning. But, he eventually discovered that when he focused on the love of God, and used His grace to do his work, he grew closer to God even while mopping the floors and peeling potatoes. *
So, my challenge for you and me today is this: instead of looking at household chores and daily work as undesirable tasks, look at them as opportunities to grow closer to God, and to help those around you feel God's love through your positive attitude. We're not perfect, we won't do it perfectly, but a little better today than yesterday is a step in the right direction!

*Quote and story borrowed from Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Weaver, Joanna, Waterbrook Press, 2000.
I highly recommend this book, keep reading through it, the beginning is hard to hear, but the message unfolds beautifully!

Another Job Chart

My kids are getting old enough that they want to earn money, but not old enough to have "real" jobs. We don't give them an allowance, just never got around to making it a regular part of our routine. Besides, we never have cash on hand. We use our Debit card most of the time. So, I did some thinking. Right now, as kids 12 and under, their job is learning how to live. How to be responsible, preparing for adulthood. I get paid to do my job, so why shouldn't they?  So, while I've gone back and forth about household jobs, I've now decided that I'm okay with paying them for doing jobs around the house. So, being the visual person that I am, I made a chart:

When they have completed a job, I go back and check it, then give them credit for it. In the beginning it requires some teaching. My 8 year old wanted some money, so he chose cleaning the bathroom, a higher value chore. I have a list of how to clean it, but had to go back and show him what I meant for each area. I still gave him full credit since he was learning, but next time hope he'll be able to do more without me pointing out the dirty floor. Incidentally, he was grossed out by the pee that he had never before noticed on the floor. Perhaps he'll be more careful! 

The other piece of this is that I still don't have cash. So, I have a notebook that I use to record their jobs and income/expenses. If they need cash I'll come up with it, but for the most part, they still shop with me, so I can just debit their account as needed. I'm sure the chart will be adjusted as the summer goes, but so far, it's working!

Pet Peeve - Check Mate!

You know the scenario. It's summer, the kids are playing around, inside, outside, all over the house. They run to the kitchen, grab a cup, fill it with icy cold water, take one little sip, set the cup down, and run off. The process is repeated all day long, each time a new cup. You're left with a dishwasher, counter, or sink full of "dirty" cups. And, your cups all look the same, so no one will claim any cup, or reuse it. One of my big pet peeves of summer time.
One year I bought cheap cups and wrote the kids names on them with a paint pen. Sounded good, but if their cup wasn't clean, they would still grab another one, and I'd end up frustrated.
This year, I have a new plan. My kids have those stretchy bracelets all over the house. Those thick ones with logos engraved in them. So... I collected one for each kid, flipped it inside out, and wrote their name on it. The band is small enough to fit on our small cups, but stretchy enough to fit on larger cups as well. So, now, before they fill a cup, they grab their band, slip it on, and the cup is theirs for the day. Problem solved!

Now each kid can claim their own cup for the day, even mom. And, if the band is left on the cup and it goes through the dishwasher, no biggie. It's washable!

Hello Again!

It has, as always, been a busy couple of weeks. I have a new student in my class, we're in the last weeks of school, the weather is up and down, making my students a bit crazy, etc, etc, etc.
What I'm learning is that life rarely slows down. It's an interesting balance. Spending time with the family, focusing on work, taking care of the house, having time for me, time with God. It is up to me to find the balance, no one else will do it for me. After all, I am the grown-up here.
Lots of my earlier posts come together to find this balance. #1, give myself a break. I can't do it all, I am not perfect. I can do my best, and hopefully today's best is better than yesterday's, but sometimes it won't be. Sometimes I just have to let things go. Are the kids fed? Do they have clean clothes? Sometimes, that's good enough. Sometimes I have much more that I am able to do. Can I pick up some clutter? Can I throw a load of laundry in? Can I take out the trash? Sometimes, I even have energy to get the kids involved. Can I teach my daughter how to wash the pans? Can I teach my son how to vacuum? Can I teach one how to take out the trash? While each of those takes time right now, in the long run it not only makes my load a little easier, but it teaches them life-long skills.
So, get the kids involved around the house. Do one thing every day that makes a difference. Tonight I got the hand broom and swept off the stairs. Messy job, takes a few minutes of energy, but, boy, when I walk up and down the stairs it looks good! And, I can say to myself, "I did that!" Gives me strength to do a little more next time.
So, when life seems to be rolling out of control, remember that you have control of the brakes. Learn to know when to say "no", take a moment at a time. Give yourself permission to let things go a little bit, get the family involved, do one thing to make a difference every day, and take time, every day, with God. 

Cake Overload!

This is NOT my picture, it is on Pinterest. I did, however, make this cake for Little Guy's 7th birthday this weekend. It is one of the easiest cakes I've made! He wanted chocolate and white cake, so I made one round cake of each (I recommend 8 inch pan if you have it), and used the extra batter in a 9X13 for another day. Frost and stack the two cake rounds, break Kit Kat bars into groups of two (I used 5 King Sized Kit Kat bars, and still needed one more bar), stick the bars to the cake while the icing is still fresh, pour a medium bag of M & M's on the top, and there you have it! I didn't even add the bow, it held together just fine for me. Sugar overload, for sure! But super easy, and made the boy happy. Yes, with the candy and cake, it cost me $8 - 10 for the cake, which, at first, I thought was a bit much, but when you pay at least $15 for a small cake at the store, I figure I still came out ahead! 

Easy brownies

I just made this for my little guy's class for his birthday, and had to share with you. I'm afraid the goodness of these brownies will be lost on the little kindergartners, but I'll cut the pieces small in hopes of left-overs! I got the recipe from Pinterest, which linked it to this blog: http://www.recipegirl.com/2011/06/02/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-brownies/ I tweaked it to my taste, and will include it here: Cookie Dough Brownies 1 box family sized brownies (9x13) prepared as directed, then cooled completely Topping: (Pretty much the Toll-house recipe, with a couple changes - NO EGGS!) 1 c. butter (2 sticks) softened 3/4 c. brown sugar 3/4 c. granulated sugar (the regular white stuff) 1 tsp. vanilla 3 Tbs. milk 2 1/3 c. flour 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 12 oz package chocolate chips Make the cookie dough as you normally might: beat the butter until smooth, add brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla & milk. Beat well. Next add soda & salt. Gradually add flour & stir. Mix in chocolate chips. Spread cookie dough over cooled brownies. Refridgerate until firm for easier slicing. Drizzle with melted chocolate if desired. Enjoy! I suppose you could use refridgerated, store -bought cookie dough, let it sit out to soften a bit before spreading over brownies. But, you might be taking a chance with raw eggs, so I prefer this recipe with no raw eggs.

Update: The kids in his class LOVED the brownies! They weren't as messy as I thought they might be. A super big hit, one I'll do again!

Pot Luck

Drat! I had just gotten home from my weekly shopping trip when I was reminded that our "Small" Bible Study Group has pot luck tomorrow after worship. Drat. I didn't get anything to make while I was shopping.
Well... I scoured the pantry.
I found:
1/2 box elbow macaroni,
spaghetti sauce,
 a pound of beef,
tomato sauce, and
 Italian seasoning. (If you're in my Life Group, shhhh...).
 So, Out of my pantry comes what has become "Family Goolash". Brown the beef, add spaghetti sauce, and since it's for more than just our family, stretch it a bit with the tomato sauce and seasoning. Add to it the macaroni. (I've been known to use the noodles out of the mac & cheese boxes too. Save the cheese sauce, buy just plain noodles at the next trip to the store, and, wahlah!) Perhaps some chopped up pepperoni. Throw it all in a slow-cooker, top with mozzarella cheese, and, there you have it, quick, out-of-the-pantry-not-the-budget potluck dish. Everything I usually have on hand. Day saved! I may have one of the kids make a pan of brownies, if we have time in the morning. If not, oh well. I'm sure someone else will bring plenty of desserts.
So, what do you have in your pantry that you can whip up into a quick dish to share? I'll bet, with a little bit of creativity, you could come up with something in a pinch. And, best of all, stay within the budget. Bonus!!

What Can You Give?

I may have written about this before, but it's on my heart and mind, so here goes...
Many of us work because we have to, not because we really want to. I'd much rather be home or doing things on my own time. Teaching is tiring, often leaving me with little energy left for the family. Yes, I love teaching, but given a choice, I'd rather not. But, teach I must. There are bills to be paid, and medical insurance is a must with me and my crew, no matter what the government says. So, work I do. Money is tight. With four kids, and the cost of living sky-rocketing, there's not much left at the end of each month. So, between energy, time, and money, there's just not much left. I don't say all this to make you feel sorry for me, but to explain my newly found nugget of wisdom.
I was raised going to church. I've heard all the sermons, lessons, and read all the scriptures about giving. I get it. God wants us to give of what we have, with a cheerful heart. I really do understand that. But lately I've felt really guilty. I just don't have much money to give. I have chosen to have four kids, two of whom cost a lot of money to adopt from Ukraine. I choose to teach at a private Christian school, which can't afford to pay me what I was paid in the public system. Both my choice. I get that. So, there's just not much cash left. I feel bad about that.
 BUT, keep reading. I have recently come to realize a few things. First, those who are able to give much more, and often do give, don't always have the heart that God calls us to have. So, their giving may help the local church do the great things it does, but it doesn't really help the bigger picture because our HEART is so much more important than our wallet. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking down on any one person, I'm just saying what I've observed. So, if I give out of guilt, I'm not doing what God really wants anyway.
The second point is this: I give of what I have. I do have a heart for kids. I spend endless hours preparing lessons and materials for Bible Class. I give those little rascals my love and attention, not just 45 minutes on Sunday morning, but every time I see them running around. I love baking and cooking. I bake bread frequently, much more than my family eats. So, when the Youth Group cooks a meal for the needy in our community each month, I raid the freezer and pass along the extra bread that I've made. Occasionally, especially during the summer or while on school breaks, I make a meal for someone.
So, I'm not saying this to toot my own horn, but just as an example of one person's ability to give. I can't put much in the collection plate as it passes by each week, but I can give in so many other ways. And those ways often come so naturally to me that I don't realize it. I just do it because it's what I enjoy doing, and what I feel I should do for other people.
The moral of this is, give what you are able. Yes, give as much as you can, financially, but find other ways to give as well. And, whatever you give, do it with a cheerful heart. Find what you enjoy. What God has given you the talent for. Then, go out and use it for Him and for His glory. It's not about me, it's about how I can show Him to others.
Now its time to put grades in the grade book, read for school, and then go work on my Bible School lesson......

Humor

The other day The Hubby asked The Boy to throw something in the "Dirty Clothes Hamper."
The Boy quickly replied..... "Instead of the Clean Clothes Hamper????"
Too Funny! 

Bite By Bite

Here's a little quiz for you. I've mentioned it before, let's see who can remember:

Question: How do you eat an elephant? 

Answer: One bite at a time! 

Last night I finished filing my 2011 taxes. I started about a month ago. I took one bite at a time. The first night I collected all of my statements and receipts. As I did this, I took the time to write down my totals for things that I know count as deductibles: Medical Expenses, Teaching Expenses, etc. Disclaimer here: I am NOT an accountant, and don't claim to be. This is just what I do for me and my family's taxes. Anyway, I made a list, and 2 piles. One small pile was my tax forms, W-4s and those other things that come in the mail that I know I need. The other big pile was all of my statements from the year. That pile fits in a grocery sack, which I keep close by until I finish filing my taxes. I might need to refer back to it. 

The next step that I did earlier this week is to look back through my computerized check book for things I might have missed in my paper files. I pay a lot online, and this is my one place where it's all collected. I filled in the gaps on my list from earlier with this. 

The final step was to go online and use the tax prep program that I've used for years. In the past I bought it on CD, but this year it was all on line. I won't give the name here, I won't advertise for them, but I've had no problems with this particular program, and have used it for about 15 years. (Last year we went to a real accountant, we had completed an adoption, which made our taxes trickier that year, and wanted the pros to handle it, this year, back to normal). Anyway, this program walked me through the process, one step at a time, including deductions. I expected to start last night and finish up today, but it was so easy that I just kept going. And, wahlah! A couple of hours later, Uncle Sam is taken care of for another year. By the way, but itemizing, my tax rate was actually -1.7% this year. Yes, Uncle Sam paid me a tad bit, instead of me paying him a single penny. SWEET!!! 

So, the moral of the story is, if a task seems too daunting, take it one step at a time. Spread it out over a few days if needed. It will make the task much easier to swallow. Jesus tells us,

"And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26). He doesn't say it will be done instantly, He just says it is possible.

So, take a bite today, and see what you can accomplish with God on your side!

Simplify

Jeff Shocklee, the Youth Minister at the Madison Street Church of Christ in Clarksville, TN, gave a great lesson this past Sunday morning. He called it, "Simplify." In a nut shell, he talked about all the things we try to cram into one day, filling our lives with activities and stuff. The world wants us to think that busy is better, and more stuff is better.
But really, does having a cell phone make life any easier? I have to say yes on that one, only because I have two pre-teen daughters, and like to know where they are. But really, they don't have phones, and this weekend they went back and forth to the grandparents' house (about 1/4 mile away), with no problems, with very few phone calls. So, thinking seriously about it, not really any easier with the cell phone.
So, the big question that Jeff asked was this, Does my life look like a person who is desperately pursuing a deep, intimate relationship with God? Do I really look like the deer in Psalm 42, who is panting for streams of water in the midst of a drought? Look at Matthew 6, am I seeking His kingdom first and foremost?
Some more thoughts: Psalm 46: Be still and know that I am God. We had a minute of silent reflection in the middle of worship. Just one minute out of a busy day to BE STILL and think of the Creator. Wow! What do you think about in those moments? It is so hard to put aside the thoughts of "What are my kids doing right now? Are they messing around? When am I going to get the laundry done? What will I fix for dinner? What about lesson plans for this week? etc, etc, etc" But, that is what God has called us to do.
So, to simplify. Jeff used the Richard-Foster Principles of Simplicity:
1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than for their status. If you need a new shirt, go ahead and get one, but if you just want it because that's the latest fashion, skip it.
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Cut back on those things that get between you and God, and that just don't benefit you. If you think you just can't live without it (favorite TV show, coffee, chocolate (ouch!!)), get rid of it. It might very well be getting between you and a relationship with God.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away. This includes your time.
4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. You don't have to have the newest iPhone. Really. You don't.
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them. This includes your time. Just yesterday I decided to not become involved in planning a ladies retreat. I can go and enjoy the weekend without heading it up. Someone else has the talent to plan it, I will let them.
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. Turn the TV off and go outside. Go for a hike or a walk.
7. Look with a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes. Enough said.
8. Obey Jesus instruction about plain, honest speech. If you say you'll do something, do it. Don't speculate, keep your word.
9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others. Are your shoes made by children on the other side of the world? Be sensitive to where your "stuff" comes from.
10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first God's kingdom. Be diligent and deliberate about seeking God.

Remember the key question: Does my life look like a person who is desperately pursuing a deep, intimate relationship with God?

Thanks, Jeff, for your challenge this week!

Funny!

So, I just have to share this: My family was watching a very old TV show tonight, when my dear daughter says, "Why is she using that station to call him?" She was talking about a phone booth! I thought it was too funny, but then made me think of a lot of different things.
I'm wondering when I got so old; What other things will my kids never know that were necessities when I was growing up? I used a phone booth many times, but my kids never will. So, ponder that one. It was good for a laugh tonight!

Stuff

So, the life of a working mom is pretty busy. I didn't realize it had been so long since I last wrote. The hubby and oldest went to a huge youth event last weekend, leaving me as temporarily single mom to the other 3. We took it easier than we usually do, I threw my normal Saturday routine of grocery shopping and laundry out the window. Normally that is my alone time. Hubby stays home with the kiddos while they ease into the day, and I rush out to the grocery store to beat the crowds and provide food for the week. I struggle to get the best deals with kids in tow. So, this weekend, having the younger 3 of the kids, I decided to skip the store and take it a little easier. Interesting, Saturday night the older boy told me he liked being able to stay home and play. He was dreading the grocery store, and was actually aware and thankful that I had skipped it for the day. Small blessings! I still needed to get to the store, but that came later in the weekend, after the hubby came home. So, my moral of the story, flexibility can be so very valuable. Instead of getting the kids and me stressed out, I changed my normal routine. And yes, we ate all weekend, and had what we needed. Life is Good, Take time to enjoy it!

Chime In!

Okay, I do most of the writing here, but now it's your turn! Here's the scenario: You only have time/resources/energy to update one room in your home at a time. Which space do you do first. Updating begins with paint, includes perhaps moving furniture around, cleaning the carpet/floors, deep cleaning, swapping out accessories, no major furniture or flooring changes. Here are your options:
1) Entry way
2) Living Room /Family Room (main gathering area)
3) Dining Room
4) Kitchen
5) Main bathroom
6) Kids' bedrooms
7) Your bedroom
8) Your bathroom (if you have one)
9) Utility room
10) Other space: Playroom, basement, guest room, what didn't I list that you have?

Where would you begin, what would you do, and why?

I look forward to your comments!

Ready for Taxes?

I just spent the last couple of hours going through all of my receipts and statements from 2011 to get ready for filing taxes. I have learned a lot over the past few years, about how to make it easier on myself. In my first few years, I just filed the Easy forms. But then, the hubby went into ministry. Talk about details! As a minister, we could deduct all sorts of things, even toilet paper, because our home was used as a part of the ministry. But then, we also had to take our own taxes out and pay them quarterly. We had to be super organized to not get behind and in big trouble with the IRS. We managed to keep on top of things, though tax season was always a challenge. So, through the years, I've learned how to keep on top of things.
My tricks now? First, I have a plastic shoe box that I keep all of the bills and receipts in throughout the week. That way they're all together when I pay bills and balance the accounts.

I keep a 2 drawer filing cabinet beside where I pay bills. At least once each month, I file away all of the receipts and statements that I need for taxes, and other just-in-case records. My files are pretty specific. I try to match them up to the way the tax forms usually call for them. For example, in my medical file, I have one section for Doctor Visits, one section for Medical Supplies, and one section for Medications. I also have a section for my insurance premiums, since we pay those out of pocket. When I'm in a hurry I slip the papers on top of the cabinet, but at least once a month I file them away. Here's a pic:

I've already emptied the files in the front, the full files are the medical papers that I haven't gotten to yet. You can also see the stack of papers from 2012 that I can't file away until I take care of my 2011 papers.
So, that is constant, year-round maintenance, that just takes a few minutes. In the past, when I just piled up the papers, it took hours and hours to sort them all out. Now, when I do them frequently, it only takes a few minutes at a time.
Next, sometime at the end of January or first of February, I go through all of the files. I organize them chronologically, by category. For example, the first file is the Mortgage. I don't need to total these up, but I make sure I have a statement from the bank that includes my property tax payments. I do want to keep these papers for several years. I staple them together, as long as the staples will go through! Sometimes the stack is so thick, I just have to pray they stay together. I continue to go through each file, organizing, but only totaling up the categories that I can deduct. I keep a pad of paper handy to list out each category.

I end up with a pretty big stack, like this. I put the items that I can't deduct on the bottom, and the deductible stuff on top so I can refer back to it if I need to. I then grab a grocery sack, write the year on it, and slide the  stack of papers inside. When I'm done with my tax forms a few days later, I'll put the sack in a box, and take out the first sack from several years ago. That stack of papers can now be shredded because they're out of date (I don't know for sure how many years to keep everything, so I won't post that here!).
The next step for me is to go through my computer program that I use to record my checks and stuff. There are a few tax categories that I don't really have  receipts for, but I do have recorded there. I'm able to search for each payee and print out a list that way. Now, once that's done, I'm ready to fill out my tax forms, and send them off. Hopefully, if all goes well, I'll be getting a deposit back from Uncle Sam in a few weeks. Here's hoping!

***** This blog is NOT intended for tax advice. It is simply intended to help the reader be organized to make tax filing go a little smoother. No legal advice is offered here!!! *****

Slowing Down

This past month has been busy, and somewhat stressful. Regarding work/school (I teach where the kids go to school, so it's all related!), it seems like I'm constantly thinking, when this event is over, things will slow down, but of course, that never happens. It's always busy around here. So that keeps me on my toes. Same with church related activities. I now have a kiddo in the youth group, so that area has taken more of a priority, in addition to my other church-related commitments. My dad has been in and out of the hospital, fighting his cancer, lately. He's currently doing pretty good, but cancer is relentless, so I'm really wanting to take more time for me, as well as my kids, to spend time with mom and dad. So, what to do? Where to put my time and energy? It's time for me to look at my priorities again, and delegate some of my responsibilities. I really enjoy most of what I do, and each individual project doesn't take a whole lot of my time, but put them all together, I just really have to learn to say no to some things.
I probably already shared this, but it has been sticking with me lately. The story goes that God asked a man to pull a wagon up to the top of a large hill. The wagon had a few rocks in it, but was bearable. The man took on the job. As he went, he encountered several people who asked him to carry their rocks as well. Just one or two, here and there. Eventually, he could no longer pull the wagon, and had to stop. He asked God why he was asked to pull such a burden, but God reminded him that he was only asked to carry the first few rocks. God did not ask him to carry all the other rocks.
So, what rocks have I been given that I need to let go of? I'm not sure yet, but I will be praying and journaling about it. I do know this, my own 4 kids and my family are the most important. What good does it do to care for everyone and everything else, if my family is neglected? I'm going to take time in this coming week to pray about it, meditate on it, write some things down, and come up with some answers.
Sorry this post seems like a bit of a downer. But, that is the life of this working mom!

Musings

I just realized it's been over a week since I've written. Sorry! I tend to slow down in the winter. I become quieter, even a little down in the dumps. But, I know it's a phase I go through every winter, and it will pass.
So, what have I been thinking about over the past week? Lots of things...
1) Making soup in a crock pot does not require as much water as when making it on the stove, but it does need a lot more time, especially for the special ingredients added at the end. (My potato soup took way too long tonight!)
2) Parenting is serious business. I need to be more fully present with my kids, and much more patient with them as well. Discipline (NOT to be confused with punishment) is much better received when a relationship is build. Same goes with the students in my class.
3) Keep up with Laundry! The dryer was repaired, but then broke again, this time to be unrepairable. (Don't think that's a word, but it works for me!). I had about a week of trying to figure out how to replace the dryer on a very tight budget, meanwhile the mountain of laundry built up. Fortunately, I had been caught up before all this happened, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
4) Naps are nice. We had a 3 day weekend stretch into 4 days, thanks to some ice and snow. I was able to take it easy, rest, and enjoy the family. Nice.
5) Frequent de-cluttering is much easier than one mad rush. Over these 4 days home, I've been after my kids to pick up when they're done with things, and have also picked up after myself and the hubby quite a bit. It is much easier, and more satisfying to do it as I go, instead of waiting until there's so much stuff everywhere that I'm upset.
6) Sourdough bread is addictive, and therapeutic! In the fall I was given a starter and great recipe for sourdough bread. It requires attention every 3-5 days, which I thought would be a chore. But no, I love fresh bread, and mixing and kneading the bread is a calming, wonderful experience. Especially when it's followed by a warm, soft piece of bread later in the day. I have some in the oven as I type this, and can't wait!

I know 7 is not considered a number to complete a list, but, dinner is waiting, so here goes...

7) God can handle my worries much better than I can. With the winter months here, coming off of Thanksgiving and Christmas with incredibly tight budgets, moving on to a broken dryer, I've been a little stressed lately. I've been doing a lot of reading lately. My Bible, a daily devotional, and another book. All in all, I have not business stressing out. God can handle it. So, for today, I give it to Him.
Better go now. Have a great week! 

Drop Zones

First, a disclosure: My ideas are not original! I like to read and look at other blogs, there's a lot of good stuff out there. I take those ideas, adapt them to my family and what works for me, and share them again to help you, my reader. One blog that I used to read a lot, and still do sometimes, is FlyLady. She gives lots of tips on cleaning and organizing your home and life. It doesn't all work for me, but if you check out that blog, you will see some of what I've posted here. I'll put a link to that site on the side here.

So, that being said, Drop Zones are dangerous! They are those places around your house that you just drop stuff. For me, it's the kitchen table. When the family comes in, we drop stuff off at the kitchen table. Mail, papers, lunch boxes, stuff, stuff, and more stuff. Then, when it's time to eat dinner, we have to clear off the table, and stuff gets piled up in other Drop Zones. And, stuff gets lost. I try to clear off the Drop Zone every day. Some days I do better than other days. Here's a tip. After you do you clean up, dishes, clothes, trash, etc, take time to clear through your Drop Zone, and do the same there that you do around the house. Put STUFF where it goes. Have a box for receipts, bills, etc. Put those there immediately so they don't get lost. Then, when you plow through bills, file them each away as part of your process. Don't delay, or that monster will get huge! I'll put another post about that later. I do have Drop Zones for everyone in my family, that they are responsible for. Generally it's their dresser. Whatever stuff of theirs that I find around the common areas of the house, I deposit there. Then they are all responsible for keeping their own Drop Zones under control. I do teach the young ones how to manage this. So, add to your list, Drop Zone. It needs daily attention!

Fun Day!

I have made a couple of resolutions. They all revolve around Spirit, Body, Mind. Put simply, I will spend more time meditating on God's Word and living for Him. I will be more fit. I will learn more about my job, which I love. I've done all of these for the past 2 days of the new year. Go me. The cool part is, because I got out the Wii-Fit and worked out for 30 minutes this morning, the whole family has now used it today! We've had fun together, working out, cheering each other on, and relaxing. I even tinkered around with Pinterest. Interesting. No Pun intended.
So, perhaps my resolutions will carry over to the whole family. I know having a couple weeks off work has made it much easier. When school get going again, after just one more day off, life will get busy and tough again. It will be hard to stick with what I am resolving to do. But, that's life. We have to work hard for the good stuff. As I tell my students every day, to get good stuff, you have to do good stuff. You have to work hard in this life. That's just the way it goes. We can dread it every day, or we can embrace it and move forward. Either way, life continues on. I choose to enjoy it as much as I can. What about you? 

New Traditions

So, as I mentioned in my last post, I stressed out this year, in the days leading up to Christmas. In the end, I was rushing to have the kids make cookies for Santa, which turned out pretty bad. I was stressed, the dough wasn't right, it just wasn't fun.
Well... we had to change New Year's Eve plans due to a kiddo with an upset stomach. So we ended up staying home and enjoying family time. Instead of going to a party somewhere else, we hung out, played games, and made cookies. Good Cookies. The end result was much more relaxing, and fun for all. So, I'm going to try something new for this year. First, among a couple of other personal resolutions, I'm going to try to not stress over doing things the way I think they should be done, especially involving what should be fun for the kids, but ends up not so much fun. After all, the kids didn't really care about making cookies for Santa. I just thought it was something that had to be done. So, I'm scrapping cookies for Santa, and instead, am thinking we'll do New Years Cookies. More time for fun, more relaxing. Traditions aren't really any good if they don't bring joy to the family. We'll see what comes in 2012, but for now, trying hard to chill out! Here's a few pictures of what we ended up with. Everyone pitched in, from the six year old, all the way up to mom.

The cookie recipe was the hubby's grandmother's, the icing recipe and technique came from a blog, "Pennies on a Platter." Let me know if you'd like me to post them. Happy New Year!