Tackle it Tuesday

With two little ones, I feel like I practically live in my car. We go to preschool 3 days/ week, the gym 5 days/week, church on Sunday mornings, small group Wenesday nights, errands, gym class, etc, etc. And every time, "Can I bring my blanket and Lambie?", "Where's Baby Girl's baby?", "Who has the diaper bag?", "Can't leave without my morning coffee.", and "I've just gotta get her down for nap; I'll grab that stuff later." Seems like the list of odds and ends grows longer in the car. I've been meaning to clean out both cars for weeks now. So one morning while Baby Girl was taking a nap, Big Boy and I went out to clear out the little white car. You'll never believe what I found:

-2 reusable water bottles
-2 coffee mugs
-1 Big Boy backpack
-3 serving trays from hubby's old job
-1 Women's Retreat planning folder
-1 issue of Women's Day magazine
-1 baggie of graham crackers
-2 copies of gym schedules
-1 old rent receipt
-1 Big Boy jacket
-3 copies of school vacation schedules
-1 toy dinosauer
-1 pair Baby Girl pink crocs
-2 sippy cups
-2 sets of tie downs
-1 fold up frisbee
-2 Big Boy hats
-1 Baby Girl diaper
-2 pair Baby Girl socks
-1 car duster
-1 bag of Mary Kay product
-2 new shirts from the thrift store
-1 set of toy goggles
-4 kids' books
-1 baby brush
-1 plastic golf ball
-2 stray socks
-1 bag of scrapbook stuff from Michael's
-multiple empty water bottles
-multiple empty YAKS cups
-multiple empty baggies
-multiple trash papers
-multiple receipts

Multiple, multiple, multiple. I swear it all multiplied while it was in there. But now my car is so clean. We didn't even touch the trunk which really doesn't have much. And I haven't vaccumed yet, but already I can't believe the difference. It's so refreshing to get into a car and not have to push stuff over to get my feet in. I'm loving my new car.

What are you tackling today?
To see what others are tackling, check out 5 Minutes for Mom.

Menu Monday 3/9-3/15

Monday:
Breakfast: Yogurt and Fruit
Lunch: Leftover Chicken Noodle Soup
Dinner: Vietnamese Fried Rice, salad

Tuesday:
Breakfast: Toast and Scrambled Eggs
Lunch: Salads and sandwiches
Dinner: Spaghetti, french bread

Wednesday:
Breakfast: Gingerbread Waffles
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: BBQ Beef and Bean Sandwiches

Thursday:
Breakfast: Yogurt and fruit
Lunch: Salads and Sandwiches
Dinner: Crockpot Beans and Rice

Friday:
Breakfast: Yogurt and fruit
Lunch:
Dinner: Mole Chicken

Saturday:
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Easy Thai Chicken wraps, brown rice, salad

Sunday:
Breakfast: Leftover Pancakes
Lunch:???
Dinner: BBQ at Friends'

Extras:
Cold Bean and Artichoke Salad
Sugar and spice twists

To see what others are cooking up, check out Organizing Junkie.

Link Love

I'm loving the luxury of this High Tea Baby Shower.

These are some great ideas for Clothing Kids without Breaking the Bank (@ Keeper of the Home).

I'm drooling over this Spice Cake (@ Chocolate on My Cranium).

Practicing Hospitality: Chp 4

Lindsey, from Passionate Homemaking, continued our book club discussion last week with chapter four. Sadly, I'm just getting around to posting my thoughts. For previous chapters, check out chapter one, chapter two, and chapter three.

These are just a few of the points that stuck out to me in this chapter:
*"Planning suggests that you are anticipating opportunities to prepare a meal, invite a guest to stay the night, or open your home to others in some way (pg 103)."
*"A crucial part of successful hospitality is to be purpose-driven (pg 117)."
*"Planning meaningful conversation will help you be more effective in your ability to meet the needs of your guests (pg 121)."

1. How can you become a planner of generosity?
We love spending time with friends after church on Sundays. However, with two little ones going out every Sunday can quickly become hectic. One of the ways we've worked out Baby Girl's morning nap is for me to bring the kids home for her nap while my husband and friends pick up lunch to bring back to the house. While this has been a good short term solution, it's also been costly. So my plan is to start making a few freezer meals that I can pop in the oven after church. This way we can still have guests, but not be rushed to make lunch.
I'm also planning to make some breads and goodies for the freezer. I have a friend who does this then feels like she can easily have guests over for coffee and still have something to offer them.
As far as planning for conversation, I need to discuss this idea with my husband further. I've never thought about it before, but I do think it's something we need to pray about and pursue further.

2. How can you begin to change your perspective to view household management with an eternal purpose?
I've always kept a fairly tight cleaning schedule and while I'm a pack rat, I still like to keep it picked up and tidy. One of the ways in which I can view it with an eternal purpose is to pray while I'm cleaning, asking the Lord to remind me that I'm cleaning my home for his glory, not for my own comfort. Praying that I'd remember to extend hospitality as my home is already ready.

3. What tips might you have to help maintain a more orderly and prepared home?
I do have a cleaning schedule, one that is still basic, but has helped structure me enough to keep my home in working order. Daily tasks include: wiping down the counters, loading the dishwasher, sweeping the kitchen, making the beds, tidying up the papers and picking up toys and items that have been drug around the house throughout the day.
Mondays I vacuum, Tuesdays and Fridays are laundry days, Tuesdays are trash days, Thursdays I clean the bathrooms as needed, and Fridays are a day for tying up loose ends. I try to have all my cleaning done throughout the week as weekends are reserved for family and tend to be heaver entertainment days. I try to have most of the heavy cleaning done by then.
I also have a couple of sample menus that I use routinely for when there's nothing in the fridge. My Lentil Tacos are a big hit as are my Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas. Both are easy to make and I keep the necessary ingredients stocked in the pantry.

Join us for Monday for chapter 5: Hospitality and Your Home

Real Resolutions for Moms: Part Eight

For earlier sections of this series, check out Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, and Part Seven.


"When my children have witnessed something ugly in me- unkind words, an angry temper, "harmless" gossip, biting sarcasm, or even my infamous "mommy pout" when things don't go my way- I will confess it as sin before seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man."

We live in a society that tends to look down on confession. It seems we view it as a sign of weakness. And so we are very careful to hide our mistakes, or belittle our wrongdoings. We say, "Oh, it's not a big deal" or "It's only harmless gossip" or "I can't be held responsible for that." It's rare that people confess, especially to their children.

How often I've had to apologize to my kids for being sarcastic or at a loss for patience or just plain "ugly." It's very humbling. I never want to do it, but then I remember that I don't model it for them, who will? If I'm not willing to confess it as sin and ask for forgiveness, what type of people will I be raising?

"Lord, make me quick to call my sin out, even in front of my kids. Maybe I remember that little eyes are watching, and little ears are listening. Remind me that my every action models for them an attitude of self-reliance or total dependence on You. And may my actions always speak louder than my words."