Start Them Young: Job Charts

Learning to be a Responsible

"The price of greatness is responsibility."--Winston Churchill

     I don't know if it is the teacher in me, or the fact that I grew up with week day and Saturday chores, but I completely believe in giving my kids jobs/roles around the house.  We don't call ourselves Team Mac for nothing!  How else do I teach my kids to be responsible?  I know so many other parents who agree with us.  Giving children jobs around the home while they are young is a good thing.  Of course they might not think so, but one day, looking back they will have to agree that learning to work hard is always beneficial.  No one intentionally raises lazy, entitled kids.

"Find joy in everything you choose to do.  Every job, relationship, home...it's your responsibility to love it or change it."  Chuck Palahniuk

    The difficulty with Job Charts and giving your kids responsibilities is being consistent with it.  I get all excited and ready to go every August, and then after a few weeks I find myself doing all the chores myself (because let's face it, sometimes it's just easier to do it yourself) and completely putting the lists aside.  I have found what helps is accountability with your spouse and your kids.  Have a quick family meeting talking about why these new jobs/roles are important and then (for the older kids) give them a list to keep in their room to remind them.  The kids can tape it to the back of their bedroom door or their desk so they don't lose it (with that cool colorful tape they have now!)  Also, start small, give your child 1-2 new jobs per week and once you have a good rhythm going then add another.

"Quit making excuses.  Putting it off.  Complaining about it.  Dreaming about it.  Whining about it.  Crying about it.  Believing you can't.  Worrying if you can.  Waiting until you are older.  Make a plan & just do it." -Nike

  Some jobs/roles I find important to start with first are in the kids bedrooms.  Making their beds in the morning and cleaning up their toys before bedtime should become daily habits.  Then move to the common areas like the kitchen, dining room, and bathrooms.  

We have 4 kids so here are their ages and the jobs they are able to handle.  Sometimes seeing what another kid the same age as your own really helps.  I was recently at a women's conference and the speaker was listing jobs her kids did and it was very convicting to me and eye opening because I had become very slack in this area.

Julia is 8 years old: Makes her bed, cleans the kids bathroom (puts away toothpaste/toothbrushes, replaces toilet paper rolls, wipes down the counter, uses the dust buster to vacuum), Julia also knows how to sort laundry and fold laundry, she clears the dinner table and empties the dishwasher at nighttime, she also watches the kids when I am in the shower or when the kids are in the back yard playing, and she feeds the chickens.

Mark is 7 years old: Makes his bed, collects all the trash from the bins in each room, brings trash to the curb, sets the table, clears the table, sweeps dining room floor, feeds the chickens, and Mark folds the laundry (THE BEST) and puts the laundry on everyone's bed for me.  Mark also watches the babies when I take a shower.

Micah is 3 years old: Learning to make his bed, he puts away his shoes inside the closet, puts dirty clothes in the hamper, puts the napkins and silverware on the dinner table.

Amelia is 2 years old: We sing the clean up song and she puts her toys away, Puts clothes in the washer machine (front loader), she also is going to put cups on the dinner table starting this week

"It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do."--Moliere

  One of the major reasons I am writing the post is to get myself back into the groove of holding my own kids accountable for their responsibilities in the home.  I figure if I am taking the time to write about it, I need to actually do it consistently!  And after writing this I realized how lax I have become with Micah and Amelia.  Julia and Mark were doing so much more at their ages and I really needed to step it up with the little ones!  

Quick Recap:

1. Family Meeting

2. Give 1-2 Age Appropriate Jobs

3. Print a List and tape to the back of their bedroom door

4. Be consistent 

5. Once a rhythm is established add another job

Awesome Responsibility Quotes Link

Age Appropriate Jobs For Kids Link

Job Chart for Kids Link

Mommy Camp

Old Bridge Public Library

Making The Most of Summer

I have decided to not start school until after Amelia is born and possibly after Labor Day weekend.  I was going to start August 3rd and get a head start before the baby came but we packed all my homeschool things up and until we are settled into our new home I really can't even think about school.  I guess that is the beauty of homeschool.

So, that leaves the rest of August to keep the kids busy.   This week is our last week of a Vacation Bible School so our next full open week of nothing starts next week and you know me--we will not be doing nothing...even if I am 9 months pregnant these kids will have structure and fun and things to do to keep them happy and busy.

I have decided to structure our days as following since Micah still takes a nap and since I really can't be out all day in the heat this pregnant.

Activity 1

Outing

Activity 2

Lunch

Break

Activity 3

Dinner

Bath

Books

This is the only way I will survive the next few weeks before we move and before Amelia comes.  Honestly all I want to do is lay in bed and drink water and eat grapes, but since I can't we must press on and be productive with our time.

Activity 1 will most likely be something like reading a few books, coloring, or writing in our summer journal.

Outing time will consist of going to a park while it's still cool out, going to the library for story/play time, meeting up with friends at the pool, or running errands.

Activity 2 is usually back yard time because there are no mosquitoes out yet and the kids ride bikes and play while I fix lunch.

After lunch we all usually head downstairs to watch a short movie or we have Drop Everything and Read Time.

Activity 3 is going to be artsy: craft time, painting, play dough, or possibly baking!

Then the kids will wash hands, set the table and we will eat dinner.

This is usually when I beg/text John to hurry home.  We then do bath time/showers and all the kids read on their beds til dad gets home.

It's called Mommy Camp.  We all do variations of it.  We keep our kids busy and occupied while enjoying their company.

Daily Summer Activities: Keeping Little Ones Busy

Excited For Summer

This post is a continuation from yesterday!  I was getting depressed thinking about the weeks ahead of me with being pregnant and having 3 kids to entertain (I love being with my kids, but I'm feeling super pregnant and a bit unenthusiastic at the moment).  So, I hopped on pinterest and started a new board entitled Stay at Home Summer Activities.  

Although we will go on weekly excursions to fun places, I wanted to find a list of fun things we can do in our own "back yard" so to speak, and maybe in the front yard!

I need a plan.  If I am ever feeling discouraged or defeated, God has given me a gift at planning ahead and looking to the bright side so that I can organize my time and look forward to things instead of being overwhelmed.

After pinning for a few minutes I came up with this list of things we can do at home:

1. Finger Painting

2. Chalk drawing on sidewalk

3. Swimming in the kiddie pool

4. Baking with mommy

5. Writing letters to our pen pals

6. Reviewing our Math Facts

7. D. E. A. R. Time (Drop Everything And Read)

8. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts

9. Making crafts

10. Memorizing God's Word

This will definitely keep us busy, not to mention, going to camp, VBS, library trips, play dates, pool time, and the beach!  Aaaaahhhhh, I'm feeling much more enthusiastic about the summer!  Check out my pinterest page for even more ideas!

Our Very First Cookbook

Wanting to Make a Difference

My amazing husband John who likes my cooking and who loves my blog came up with this great idea that I should start compiling all of my recipes and the meals I make at home and share them in a cookbook!  He also said that since the readers of my blog are fellow moms who love to share recipes we should incorporate other people's favorite recipes and create a diverse cookbook which would represent our family and my blog family.

I loved the idea...but I wanted the cookbook to stand for a  cause and be not only a great resource for other moms and dads who enjoy cooking, but a blessing to other people.  I also was afraid to commit to such a task with a baby on the way...but Philippians 4:13 says with God ALL things are possible!  Plus, John and I work well under pressure, have you noticed?

So, this Summer and Fall we will be working on our very first cookbook!  This is huge!  This is such an exciting opportunity for me and for my blog.  I want to use it all for God's glory...not my own!

We have two very dear friends, Christianne and Grant (Micah's godparents in India) who work with a group of other Americans (5 in total) living in Kolkata, next to the largest red-light area of India, 10,000 women, who are now trapped in the sex trade.  Their desire is to provide economic opportunity for women to leave the trade and sustainably provide for themselves and their families in a dignified and loving work-place.  Their vision is to open a cafe/bakery by the end of 2014...

Wouldn't it be a blessing to help these women get started in careers and help them get out of the sex-trade industry?

How cool is it that our cookbook could raise money to help women in this way?

I want this cookbook, whatever profit we make, for 50% of the proceeds to go to straight to the bakery in India.  I want to be able to collect funds (with all of my readers help of course) and write a check that could possible buy a woman out of slavery from the sex-trade.

We are told in Micah 6:8 He has shown thee, oh man, what is good and what does the Lord require of thee? But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

Seek Justice.

Love Mercy.

Walk Humbly With God.

I am so excited to announce this Project Cookbook 2014 (We are still working on a catchy name for the cookbook...I like Happy Food but I haven't swayed John on that title as of yet, but Christianne likes it!)

Will you partner with us?  We are not exactly sure what each cookbook would cost to get published but we are hoping in the neighborhood of no more than $30 each book.  And half the proceeds would go straight to Christianne and Grant for the building of their cafe/bakery in India!

I will start compiling my favorite recipes, food photos, and quick stories for each one and start sharing them weekly with all of you!  Hopefully it will encourage you to send me your favorite family recipe and to join us in this new venture!

Prepping for the Big Birthday!!!

Erin Nicastro Photography

First Birthdays Are Huge At Team Mac

My Micah turns one next week and this Sunday we are having a huge family party for him at my Mother in Law's house.  I am so excited!!! Today, I have to do some final things like order the sheet cake and pick up some colorful tablecloths to match our Super Bowl Football theme, and buy some face paint for all the kids.

Erin Nicastro Photography

I already ordered the balloons, cookie favors (Dina Newhard will be making them at Chloe's Creations) and bought all the games, decorations and goodie bags, and planned out all the food items.  He got his pictures done a few weeks ago by Erin Nicastro Photography.  She does all our family photos.

John is working on the year video of Micah.  We always show this at each child's birthday so you can see a progression of how they grew and changed throughout the year.  It always makes me cry to look back and watch them, and the big kids love to watch their video and hear the songs daddy picked out for them.

We are so happy to celebrate our Micah this year!  This has to be the fastest year of our lives.  So much has happened and  God has moved and blessed us in so many incredible ways.  I am very excited to share the joy with all our close family and friends!!!

2014 Goal Making

Making Goals for the New Year

We sat the kids down on January 1st before putting them to bed.  We were all in the living room on the carpet and Daddy brought in the white dry erase board so we could brain storm together.  This is something we have done a lot lately now that the big kids are seriously getting older.  These are the things we hope they remember and maybe choose to practice with their own family.

We had just spent the entire day at Liberty Science Center and we were all still excited from a day of fun, and perhaps a little tired since we didn't do a formal nap time.  John went over out Team Mac mission statement which is hanging in our living room.

Here it is: Team Mac exists to be All In for Christ, represent God to one another displaying love, joy and grace and to live out the gospel to our community.


This is really what we desire to be to bring glory to the Lord and to hopefully be a blessing to those around us.

John felt it was very important to ask the kids what things they wanted to work on this year and what things they were looking forward to this year.  We went around the room and started with Micah.

Here is what we are asking God to help us with this year and what things we would like to accomplish this year with the Lord's help.

Look carefully at what the big kids said...we did not help them at all.  I was amazed at what they said because those things were already on my heart and I was so proud of them that they voiced things that would be honoring to their parents.

Micah

Sleep through the night

Learn to walk

Get some teeth

Learn baby sign language

Mark

Behave and listen to mom and dad

Play basketball and volleyball

COTW (camp of the woods vacation)-not be as shy be more friendly

Learn to read

Respect my family

Try not to complain

Julia

Learn to ride bike

play soccer and volleyball

be patient, listen to mom and dad

respect my family

COTW-looking forward to roasting marshmallows

Mom

Faithful to read my Bible every morning

Not yelling so much, using a sweeter voice

Go to the gym three times per week

looking forward to COTW and Cape May

Learning to trust the Lord with all my heart

Dad

Faithful in prayer and daily devotions

Time with family

Set Business Gross

Faith outreach to friends and family

I learned something from a friend's blog this week.  When we make our goals or our plans putting God first and praying and inviting him into the planning is very important.  We don't ever want God to feel like he actually has to peak over our shoulder to see what we have planned.  

When John sat us down to make our lists and have our talk and prayer time I was tired and didn't have the best attitude, and Micah kept crawling to the board and erasing our answers.

But after the process was all over and I heard everyone's answers and thought about my own, I realized how valuable the time was.  

Thank you John for being such a godly leader.

Lord help us to honor and glorify you this year!

B-A-L-A-N-C-E in 2014

How Do I Possibly Do Everything I Need To Do?

Learning How To Balance It All In the New Year...

Part of becoming an adult is learning how to prioritize your life and hopefully become responsible.  I think of high schoolers as young adults because already they are learning how to budget and manage their time responsibly between school, sports, family life, spiritual life, and social life, and perhaps even a part time job.

I absolutely loved becoming an adult, going to college, working, doing my course work, and really starting to look for a career I would love and be able to be passionate about.  The one thing I lacked in college was really having a solid foundation in the Lord.  I'm super thankful for mentors like Pam Zollner and Christy Weaver who prayed for me and were available to me to give me godly counsel when I disregarded my parents.

I think God really blessed John and I as a couple because first and foremost we put Him at the top of our list in every decision we made.  I am so thankful to our Pastor at the time, Pastor Joe, who counseled us monthly before we got married and helped us to think out and plan out the family we wanted to become.  Life was never easy...but it sure was blissful in the beginning just being the two of us those first 4 years of marriage before kids.  We call that time BC.  Before Children.  Our priorities always started with God first and then each other.  It was much easier balancing God, home, work, ministry and family.  I guess it was easy because our family was just the two of us.

I never knew how hard balancing everything would become after one child...let alone 3!  There is just so much to consider and plan, and think about.  And to top it all off...I am responsible not only for my decisions and my future...but the lives of 3 human beings!  It goes beyond so much more than just keeping your baby alive the first few months!

One thing that a lot of my friends and readers ask me is...Kristi, how do you do it all?  To which I humanly answer: I HAVE NO IDEA!  It is only Jesus!  Sometimes, my prayer for the day is simply this..."Lord help me to feed everyone, and keep everyone safe today, because I don't think I can do much else!"  Have you ever had those survival feeling kind of days where you just have so much on your plate, or so many great expectations for your day, and it's only 7 a.m. and 10 things have already gone wrong?

This year...in 2014 I will have a 6 year old, a 5 year old and a 1 year old!  And we will be 11 years married!  If that is not a great accomplishment in and of itself I don't know what is?  And not only do I love the man I married 11 years ago...I really, really, like him.  Those people who say that marriage only gets better with time, are very right!  You fall deeper and deeper in love and grace and you can laugh at yourself so much more, thank goodness, for laughter.

My prayer for this year is to continue to put God first, pray without ceasing, listen to godly counsel, speak the truth in love, be authentic, share God's grace and love with others, teach my children to love to learn and be the woman God has called me to be, and most of all be a faithful servant.  All that for me is going to push me into the best balance for 2014.  

I could make a longer list and say I am going to exercise more, read more books, take more naps, plan my meals more efficiently, serve more at church, volunteer in my community...etc, etc, but I really am starting to realize that if I faithful put God first and pray and ask Him to show me what He wants for me...then those things will just come naturally instead of forced.  And hopefully if God is urging me to do those things then I will really stick with them and not give them up after a week or two.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'--Matthew 25:23

The Day After...

Decluttering after Christmas

We have a rule in our home.  Whatever new that comes in replaces something old that must go out.  

So today, I will help the kids go through their drawers, and closets and we will spend the day organizing their new clothes and toys, at the same time getting rid of ones that we can donate to Goodwill or throw out.

Mark's Room

Mark got a lot of Super hero costumes and new clothes so we definitely need to make more room in his closet.  I've noticed that Mark only wears a few of his shirts (because he wears his favorites over and over and over) so I want to make his clothes more accessible to him somehow.  Also, we store all of Micah's clothes in Mark's room and so I need to organize Micah's clothes as well.

Julia's Room

Julia got another American girl doll and a barbie head to practice hair styles.  I want to help her display all her dolls neatly!  My little string bean is growing like a weed.  We have lots of new clothes to replace the ones that just don't fit her tall body anymore!  She also got some great new books so I want to help her get rid of some baby books (maybe pass down to one of her twin cousins).

Our Room

John and I got lots of new clothes, new linens for the bathroom, and I really need to re-organize my closet!  Now that all the Christmas gifts are gone that I was hiding in our closets I can really do a deep clean in my room...finally!

Today will be an organizing type of day with lots of down time for the kids to play with their new toys...I'm still wondering why I bough Mark a microphone and Julia a guitar...my quest for quiet will not be had today!!!

Happy Decluttering!

Oh, For The Love of Meal Planning

Meal Planning 101

I truly love knowing in advance what to cook for dinner each night.  I like having all the ingredients in my pantry and fridge.  I like when everything is pre-chopped and right at my fingertips.  And of course I love cooking meals that are healthy and delicious for my family...BUT why is meal planning SO stinkin' hard? Right?  I mean you have to cut coupons to get the groceries, you have to write your list, you have to go grocery shopping, then you have to plan your meals.  I would love my own private chef and my own private assistant who goes food shopping once a week for me...hey while we are at it, can I have someone cut my coupons too?

December is almost over...and I am planning ahead now for my delicious and healthy meals for the month of January.  I felt January would be a great time to start anew.  In 2014 I really want to get my act together so that I can have even more time with my family and spend less time in the kitchen!

First Things First: What You Will Need

*Printing Out A Monthly Calendar

*Grab a few magazines with good recipes

*Get your favorite pen

*Grab a cup of coffee

*Get a pad for grocery list writing

Starting Anew

After I print out the month I am starting with (January) I block out the weeks by color and days of the week. We are very flexible on the weekend because Daddy cooks or we go out to eat, or we visit family so I really don't plan weekend meals unless a holiday or birthday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

I choose the days that I have extra time to chop and cook for longer taking meals (Mondays, Wed., Fridays)  I choose super quick meals, or crock pot dinners for the nights or days that I know I need a short amount of time in the kitchen for prep. (Tues//Thurs).

Magazine or Pinterest Time

Then I gather some great recipes from my recipe box, magazines I love (Real Simple, Rachel Ray, Family Circle) or pinterest.  The internet or pinterest is a great source of ideas.  Especially if you want healthy meals. I have a healthy meal board that you can check out, a crock pot board, and yummy dinners.  Click on one or all three.

List Making Time

Then, after getting inspired, because let's face it, sometimes we need inspiration...you can start filling in your meals.  I am only going to do 1-2 weeks at a time.  I used to do monthly meal planning and I decided to bite off only what I can chew right now!

Here is my January calendar.

Planning the first week of January is easy because it's only 3 days! 

Wednesday: Tortellini Salad

Thursday: Grilled chicken and veggies

Friday: Crock Pot Minestrone

After you plan your meals you can make a list for the ingredients you need that are not in your fridge!  And do something new...try to make meals with items only in your pantry for a full week to use up lots of things before buying more!  It's a great way to save money, get creative, and clean out the pantry!

Happy Meal Planning!  When you plan ahead you leave extra time to spend with the people you love!

Meal Baby: Most Awesome Thing Ever

Meal Baby Plan

One of the hardest things to do as a new mom is cook a decent meal.  After all you just had a baby and all you really want to do is hug, kiss, nurse, hold, rock, and cradle that sweet baby (or babies) in your arms. 

It is such a beautiful gift when people bring you meals those first few weeks after a newborn is in the home.  It's one less thing to worry about and stress over.

Today I just set up a meal baby plan at http://www.mealbaby.com for a friend at church.  She is due in December and I wanted to bless her in this way.

I loved organizing this and setting up the link for her and it is something I plan on doing again in the future to help those mommies I know and love.  I had to share this with all of you out there who know someone you love is pregnant and you want to bless her with a meal plan so that when she comes home from the hospital she won't even have to think about making dinner!

Click here to see the website!  It's awesome!

Keeping Up in the Fast Paced Life: Recipe Binder

Keeping It All Together

Let's face it.  We live in the northeast.  Life is busy.  John calls me a Nascar pit stop!  I can't help it.  In this part of the country we live life in a fast paced time warp.  Sometimes its awesome, other times it can be overwhelming.

I needed to have a quick and easy way to organize my recipes and meal planning.  So I did what I did in graduate school to survive.  I got a binder and clear sheet protectors and went to town.  I started compiling all the recipes I liked from magazines or notes I jotted down from tv shows and I made a complete Momma Mac's Monthly Menu/ Recipe Binder.  It was when I only had two kids and actual free time (now with Micah...let's be honest...I'm lucky I can still find the binder!)

Here is the link that will show you how I put the binder together:

Recipe Binder Link click here.

I hope you enjoyed my Meal Planning/Recipe week!  It actually really inspired me to cook and be creative in the kitchen again.  I hope/pray it was a blessing to you too!

Have a great weekend!

Next week I will post all about our Christmas Traditions and Celebrations and everything in between!!!

November Goals 2013

Planning Ahead

1. Plan NYC trip for Julia's 6th Birthday.  My mother in law and I want to take her to see Annie on Broadway and also go to American Girl Doll store in December.

2. Start organizing/planning Micah's big turning 1 birthday party in March.

3. Find curriculum to start with Mark because he is ready for a more rigid program.  We will probably begin Kindergarten with him in January!  Pre-K is too easy for him right now.

4. Plan our New Year's Eve Party (Julia's birthday) at our home.  Start buying the things we need for guests at Costco.  Get good deals/sales.

5. Start wrapping Christmas gifts!!!!

6. Clean/Organize Garage

7. Clean shelves in laundry room.

8. Get rid of old curriculum, pass on, or toss out.

9. Organize basement office.

Cleaning Schedule (Back on Track)

My Personal Cleaning Schedule

Yes, I still have a woman who comes to my house every few weeks to help me clean. (It's quite wonderful).  And yes, I'm still the person who cleans like a mad lady before the cleaning lady comes (it's a disease people).  But as all of you home makers know...even if you have help twice a month...that still leaves about 28 days in the month that YOU are required to do the cleaning! So, here is what works for me...to each his/her own. I can not function with a mess or clutter (during homeschool I'm learning to...but even that's hard for me).  This is how I keep mess and clutter to a minimum...a little bit every day so that when it's the weekend I only have the typical 30-45 minutes of cleaning and the rest of my time can be used to play with my kids and/or gaze into John's beautiful blue eyes!

You will notice I tackle at least one room a day. This means I can really focus on getting that room up to par and sparkling and then throw in a load or two of laundry and am done...I also ask Julia and Mark to help me when we clean the play room and do laundry, they are also good at helping me gather all the garbage pails from each room.  And bless their little hearts because they are always willing to help me pick up Micah's toys, which now seem to have taken over the living room!  They help me on laundry days by emptying the hampers and sorting the lights from the darks.  And since the play room is their domain, I guide them as they organize their toys and make sure they put them in the right bins.

I live in my dining room (home-school table) and kitchen (cooking 3 meals)  so these rooms get the most action throughout the day...therefore I am constantly cleaning these two areas.  We do one dish washing load each night and empty dishwasher first thing in the am.

Saturday-2 loads of laundry, downstairs bathroom, sweep the entire back yard deck, sweep the front porch
Sunday-1 load of laundry after dinner time, and put garbage out for collection, vacuum dining room
Monday-2 loads of laundry, organize and vacuum playroom
Tuesday-both upstairs bathrooms, dust and vacuum laundry room
Wednesday-1 load of laundry, empty all garbage cans around the house, vacuum living room
Thursday-vacuum basement steps and hard wood floor, wash kitchen floor
Friday-vacuum upstairs and bedrooms, 1 load of laundry

This list is printed out and is on my refrigerator as a reminder.  Yes, I get teased about it...and no, it does not bother me one little bit!!!

October Goals 2013

Goodbye, September!

The School Year is under way...now it is time to get those holidays planned and prepare the house for guests, prepare for colder weather, and prepare for upcoming birthdays and festivities!

1. Organize the kids closets better.

2. Get my donation bins ready and out of the house.

3. Prepare our shoe boxes for children over seas.

4. Summer clothes away--fall/winter items out!

5. Take our family pics for Christmas Card 2013

6. Start deciding which holidays we will host...Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years, New Year's Eve...or where we will go.

7. Start Christmas Shopping.

8. Start wrapping our Christmas books and videos for the 24 days before Christmas.

9. Make Christmas lists with the kids.

10. Decide what to do for Julia's 6th birthday!!!

Calling on my REINFORCEMENTS

I am so blessed to have my sister Laurie and my mom Judy.
I call them my REINFORCEMENTS!
Do you have helpful family members with really great gifts?
My sister and mother when given a task hit it full force and get the job done!

As you know I like things ORGANIZED!
I married into a family that is also this way.  My mother in law is the QUEEN of organization (that's where John gets it from).  She is even worse than me!  I LOVE it!  Whenever I need to clean out a closet, or a room, or a drawer, with some help because I have so many other things going on (homeschool, cleaning the house, raising 3 kids, etc) I ask them.

Today Laurie and Judy came over for lunch after our school time and re-organized my pantry!  They did such a great job and we all got to hang out, enjoy a meal together, and talk.  It was so great.

I'm so thankful for these two GEMS in my life.
They are wonderful and I know I am blessed.
Don't fogret moms out there: to call on your REINFORCEMENTS!  God doesn't expect us to do everything on our own.  He's given us great people to lean on!

The NEW Me

Simplifying and Changing things around here as we prepare to grow our family.

1. My number one priority right now and my main job 16 hours of the day (thank you Lord for the 8 hours of sleep I get each night) is to care for, teach, love, and show my children what is means to bring glory to God each day.  Since being a stay at home, home schooling mommy is so important to me right now, that means that all other things really need to be weighed and I need to decide what stays, what goes, and what needs to be changed.

2. Since my spouse (I love you babe) and my children mean the world to me, this means that I will NOT be able to blog everyday like I used to.  I'm getting in the habit now of not even feeling pressured about it because in just a few short months my newborn will be here (Yay!) and I know for a fact that my heart, hands, and feet will be way too busy to get around at sitting in front of the computer!  I'm only writing this down as proof that I am choosing to give up and sacrifice something I love for the sake of being a great mom and wife to my family.

3. Soon the amount of sports and outings we do will dwindle down.  Especially as Julia gets more involved with School.  Right now she is doing Gymnastics and Taekwondo but soon she will have to choose which one is the most important to her and the other sport will have to be put on the back burner for now.  Because Mommy is NOT a taxi, and if we still do Awana and Chinese School that is way too much time away from our home, plus Mark hasn't even picked his sport yet, poor guy!  So some things will have to give, and I'm so so so okay with that.  Less is more!  And I've come to love Mondays and Fridays when we are home most of the day and not pulled in 80 different directions!

4. I am not a slave to my phone or facebook.  I don't know why I ever felt this way but lots of time having a phone that gives you your facebook updates, and emails is NOT a good thing.  I am constantly drawn to this little object and the noises it makes and many times interrupted from cooking, cleaning, or teaching my kids during school time.  I now do not feel obligated to respond to facebook comments, or texts when I am in the middle of something.  Duh!  I know this is a no-brainer, but the Type A teacher in me wants to do all and answer to all and please everyone, all in that order, and I tend to forget what REALLY matters.  I will no longer let the tyranny of the urgent grab me away from my kids or spouse.  So if I haven't been on facebook in a few days, or haven't responded to a text, fear not, I still love you, but I am probably just trying to focus on the cute little people who NEED me right now, and you know what in just a few years, they won't need me as much and I don't want to miss this opportunity of being all I can be to them.

5. God has given me these past 5 years at home as a lesson of learning how to depend on Him and be a selfless Mom and Wife.  It is not easy at all.  Because I am selfish.  I am a sinner.  And I love to do what I want to do.  But God has really taught me that He is my all and all.  He continues to show me that I don't need "stuff" or "busyness" to fill any voids in my life.  I really do have it all because I have Him.  Plus He keeps pouring on the blessings, first a teaching career I completely loved, an amazingly perfect spouse to marry and cherish, and now beautiful children to adore and teach.  I'm excited for the next 5 years (Lord willing) at home with Baby Mac and the kids, and for all God has in store for us.

How will I....?

Today Mom and I went "shopping" for Baby Mac.  Actually we walked around the Babies R Us store together and registered for baby number 3 while Julia and Mark "helped" us...(waited patiently before we went to the toy side).

It was so exciting and so fun to "shop" for a newborn again. Since we don't know if it is a boy or a girl I tried to keep things very gender neutral, but somehow that gun kept snagging pink items...hmmmm...I couldn't help it!

If this baby is a boy I am going to have a lot of explaining to do to him.

But when I got home with some free samples and the magazines, and my printed out register list, I got to thinking...How in the world am I going to manage 3 little people?

Isn't it funny?  I never once worried about when we found out with Mark...and Julia was only 10 months old at the time.  But now I will be totally outnumbered!  I mean one mommy and three kids!  How does Kate with 8 kids and Mrs. Duggar do it???

I know it's humanly possible.  I know "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13, but how is it physically possible??? I will have three kids to feed, bathe, entertain, teach, go on errands with, (how will I do food shopping?) what will this even look like?

There are times at night when John and I are playing with the kids that I say, "Honey, can you imagine one more climbing on you/"  And as he's gasping for air, tickling and wrestling our 3 and 4 year old, he sighs, and goes, "I have no idea!"

I know it will just be something that I do.  Just like when Mark was born and I had a 17 mos. old at home who was very bright and very active (and she still is), I just did it.  We went everywhere, we shopped, we did school, we traveled, we visited friends and family, we just did it.

I'm getting excited for our new minivan purchase this Christmas, and for the bedroom switches.  Plus I have pretty sweet, loving kids who are very tender with babies, and I know Julia and Mark are going to be helpful.  I just worry and wonder and have to give it right over to Jesus.  He knows.  He will be my help.  And of course we will survive.  I'm not the first mommy to have 3 kids under the age of 5.  And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

****Tomorrow's Post: "Mommy where do all our mistakes go?"--Julia

10 Tips for Busy Fall Schedules

I just love September.  Back to the routine and the grind, and the lazy days of summer are gone for now.  God sure knew that we are creatures of change and habit and some of us need structure!  The past 3 weeks, since finding out about the baby the end of July and then going on vacation the beginning of August we took time off from our school routine.  Today was our first day back in gear.  I was so inspired by this woman's article (A SAHM and homeschooler) that I had to post it so you could read it too.  Some of the ideas she has I do, some I don't and that's okay.  We all have different amounts of kids, we are all in different directions, we all eat differently, are involved with different outside extra curricular activities, so we as Moms and Dads have to do what works best for our own unique homes.  But I don't know about you, I love seeing what works for other moms.  It helps me rethink my own schedule and why I do what I do.

http://thestressedmom.com/2012/03/10-habits-for-a-well-run-home/

Here are 10 Tips I suggest for a Smooth Fall Transition

1. Start out the day with some quiet time.  For me this mean simply waking up 15 minutes before the kids.  That's all I need to stop, recharge, and listen to what God has to say to me.  Sometimes I write in my journal, other days I sit and read a Psalm or two or a devotional, other days I sit with my tea and just listen and plan my day.  I like to start out my day with quiet time because once the day starts there is NONE, lol.

2. The night before try to prep breakfast dishes and vitamins, and snacks for the upcoming day.  This really helps me because the minute everyone is up they want to eat and drink!  So I try to have bowls, spoons, and sippy cups out and ready to go.  John's lunch/snack on the counter, and if we have an outing lunches/snacks packed for the kids.  I feel like I live in the kitchen so as much as I can do the night before I do!  This also means an empty sink before bed...I hate waking up to a dirty sink...it's discouraging.

3. Monthly/Weekly Meal Planning.  Most of you know I plan our meals monthly.  I've been doing it over a year and a half now, so I already have a binder worth of monthly meals and recipes and each new month I just switch things around and add things from Pinterest that I'm excited to try.  And don't get me wrong, there are times when I say, nah, I'd rather make a shepherd's pie, or the day is too busy we will have salad and mac and cheese.  But for the most part I try to stick to our schedule.  It makes shopping easier too.  Click here to see this September's Menu.

4. One Load of Laundry a Day.   I get teased for this one a lot, but you know what our hampers are never full, we always have what we need, and after vacations and on Saturdays I sometimes do two or three!  This makes my life easier, but to each his own.  I also have very helpful kids who bring down the bag from their own hampers on Kid Wash day which is usually twice a week.  This means I do lights one day, darks the next, kids clothes one day, delicates the next and, towels/sheets and so on.

5. Make a Clean Sweep.   I do this a few times throughout the day.  This is just clearing counters, clearing floors of toys, picking up shoes or clothes and basically putting everything in it's place.  I do this for my own sanity and also to reduce tripping, and to teach my kids that when we are done with one activity we clean up before we start the next.  I'm also learning that if there isn't a spot for everything it's a sign to start going to Good Will and donating.  Nobody likes a cluttered house.  For me it makes my thinking cloudy.  Once a month/or a quarter we donate clothes or books or toys just because.

6. Kids CAN help.  I have learned that I am not a slave or a maid.  I'm a wife and homemaker and a mom, and my job is to involve everyone in the process of HELPING and SHARING the load.  One thing that's been working lately is after dinner I say, "Okay in 30 minutes we are all going to watch a show together and have dessert...BUT first we need to clean X, Y, Z and put our pajamas on."  Oh my goodness, I've never seen kids work so fast...usually it takes less than ten minutes to clean up the playroom and basement and get everyone prepped for bedtime (pajamas).  It would take me 30 minutes to do all those rooms by myself but when we all chip in it really does lessen my load.  On Saturdays John gives the kids chores/jobs around the house and after all the jobs are done they get their allowance and have to put their tithe, spending money and savings in separate containers.  It's been really cool to see them excited about helping!  And Daddy loves teaching them about the importance of tithing and saving money.

7. Bedtime Routines.  Yes I am a Mom who does the same thing every night and every nap time with the kids, and you know what it brings safety, the kids know what to expect and it runs smoothly.  8:30 Brush teeth, Books, Prayers, and CD time.  Each child gets to pick a story book to be read to them and a story book on CD that they can fall asleep to.  We do bath night every other night.  I have had good sleepers since birth but I think it's also because we've always always had a routine and we've always allowed the kids to soothe themselves to sleep.  My 4 1/2 year old still takes naps during the day and her 3 year old brother has to be woken up after nap time is over or he'd sleep the day away.  Start healthy routines as soon as possible everyone in the home will benefit.

8. Vacuum love affair.  I vacuum at least once a day, am I crazy?  I love to vacuum!  I have a dog also so for me getting rid of dog hair is a must, plus I have a beautiful white rug in the basement that sheds!  I pick a new room each day to thoroughly vacuum and that includes the stairs.  Doing one room a day makes me feel not as overwhelmed and by the end of the week I just start again.

9. Family First.  I have a very hard time saying no to people and I get overly involved.  But since I've become a mom I have learned that my family comes first.  Especially my husband.  We have a huge white board calendar leading into our kitchen that we both plan our month together with.  We try to say yes to fun things that come up, but Family Time is always first especially since John works 14 hour days.  Even with church things that may be good to go to sometimes we must have to say no to meet the napping needs of our kids, or to respect date nights that have been planned in advance.  I plan on dating my spouse til the day I die!  I've also learned not to feel guilty to say no or to feel like I have to give an explanation.  I just say, "I'm sorry we have plans that day."  And leave it at that.  And recently when I was so nauseous and physically needed to rest and lay on the couch I learned to say no and stick up for myself.  The health of my baby and my body was not worth sacrificing.

10. Just do what works for you!  I'm the first person to say I"M NOT PERFECT.  I don't have it all together.  I get frustrated daily.  My kids mess up.  And I'm a work in progress.  I just really like to try to be organized to set order to my crazy busy day with two kids (soon to be 3!).  So if none of these ideas sounds tempting just do what you do!  After-all you are the best parent for your kids, you know your family best, you meet their needs,  and you are probably doing an awesome job as it is.

Happy Fall!

Revisit--Summer Plans

Planning Ahead

 Click here to see a post I wrote before summer began.  It was about the importance of planning your summer ahead of time before others or events take over your precious time.  Isn't it amazing how many birthday parties, graduations, etc are during the summer?

Some important goals I had for the kids were visiting: Kateri Environmental Center (June 1)...Turtle Back Zoo (May 25)...The beach (once a week)...Dorbrook (we've gone at least 4 times this summer)...Jenkinson's Aquarium we did (July 16)...the only place we haven't gone yet is Allaire State Park and I plan to go in August for a train ride.

We also went to Terhune Orchards in Princeton twice so far and had a blast learning about farm animals and flowers!

Fall Plans

Some exciting things to look forward to this Fall are Gymnastics, Awana, Co-op Homeschool group twice a month, Bible Study Fellowship once a week, and Mops once a month.  I'm still aching to take my kids to Liberty Science Center...I'm hoping to go this August/Sept.  I also want to take Julia to the American Girl Doll store in NYC and I want to take Mark to Insectropolis...a museum about bugs...he's so into bugs lately.

I like planning ahead...I feel more accomplished this way!

"Iniative prompts you to tackle the task before you are told, before you are asked, and before the last minute!"

Planning ahead is my motto!

Organizing our Day

Woman on a Mission

I like to get things done and make the MOST of my time.  I could never understand why people would say, "You should nap while your baby is napping."  That is, until I had two under two!  Now when it is nap time I make at least 15-30 minutes of putting my feet up!  But wait we are getting too ahead of ourselves.  Here is how things typically run in the Team Mac household under "Mommy Time" which is usually through dinner. 

I break up our day into 5 very distinct parts:

Morning Work

Something Fun

Lunch/Nap

Something Fun

Dinner/Downtime

It all starts with that first cup of coffee and first praise to God for giving us a brand new day with no mistakes in it...yet.

Morning Work entails:

Milk Cups, Breakfast, Beds Made, Get Kids Dressed, Shower, Brush Teeth, Sesame Street, School Time, One load of Laundry, Clean Kitchen, Garbage put out, water my vegetables and flowers.

Kaitlyn, My Julia, Jennifer, Annabelle :)

Something Fun is usually: 

I believe in organized fun.  Going to library craft time or storytime is one of our favorites or we sometimes like to go to Barnes and Nobles story time.  Something Fun is a plan for the day that I make at least a week in advance.  I never wing it.  That stresses me out.  Usually during the weekend I'll decide which day we head to the library, a playdate, the pool, the beach, Monmouth Museum, the park, the farm, or Kid town at WoodBridge Mall.  This is a built in incentive for the kids to do all their school work well so we can look forward to that something fun later on.

Lunch/Nap is always at noon:

My kids enjoy eating at the same time in their own home.  Yes we can eat anywhere at anytime, but I really try to make this time of the day sacred.  It saves money to eat at home.  And after our play time out of the house the kids love to play in their play room as I make lunch.  I've stuck to this schedule for a long time with them and they are really good eaters and nap very well!  Usually I put them down around 1:30/2:00 and by 4:00 we are all up and about and ready for the next fun thing!

Something Fun Part 2:

This could be as simple as puzzles on the floor til dinner time, painting sea shells we collected at the beach, coloring in our coloring books, reading books from the library, or playing in the backyard shark pool and slip and slide.  Sometimes Julia has Taekwondo during the week and we have to head there.  Sometimes we make plans with my Mom to meet at the park.  But whatever it is it's something active til dinner time.

 Dinner/Downtime:

I never ever stress about dinner.  I have a plan.  See my monthly prep plan click here.  I prep during nap time and by 5 or 5:30 we eat it.  It's short and sweet and simple.  No fuss no muss.  After dinner it's bath time and pajamas.  The kids have free play til daddy gets home.  When Daddy walks through that door you should hear the YELLS, SCREECHES, and SCREAMS, it's as if he's been gone for years at a time.  And once John is home our family is complete.  We allow the kids to stay up til 9pm and then head upstairs for potty time, brushing teeth, books and prayer, and of course hugs and kisses.

  That's how I do it.  That's how we make it through the day as a team.  We work together to get things done, but leave plenty of time for family fun.  And I can't do it alone.  I pray through out the day for strength, because let's face it staying home all day with your kids is exhausting.  Playing is fun, but the nitty gritty stuff is hard and tiring.  God is my help.  And I'm so thankful for my help mate, John.  Team Mac needs him!

 --Kristi