Toward the end of her Kindergarten math curriculum, Lilli learned about the value of money. Lilli has had her chore chart in the past, where a sticker next to the completed chore was her reward. Now, she is ready for the big time! She is now five years old and we think she is ready for a weekly allowance.

We actually began giving her an allowance the last week of May. Each daily chore is worth a certain amount of money and when she completes it, she can stick (a photo copy of) that coin next to the chore. At the end of the week, we count up how much “money” she has earned and that is her allowance. If all her chores are completed, she will have earned $2.80. However, if she has completed all of them every day, I give her a bonus $0.20 to make it an even $3.00.

Her chores are to:
* Make her bed (worth a nickel)
* Help with the dishes after dinner - either setting or clearing the table (worth a dime)
* Clean her toys up before bed (worth a quarter)

So far, Lilli has done an excellent job completing her tasks and has learned that “money doesn’t grow on trees.” She usually wants something when we go to the store and I remind her that she only has “X” amount of money…would she have enough to buy the certain item? If she does, then she can make the decision to purchase it or not. If she doesn’t have enough, then she understands that she needs to wait until she earns her next allowance.

Lilli’s allowance has also taught her that Mommy & Poppa are not going to literally “pay” for her mistakes. She recently broke a few of her headbands (by stretching them beyond their capabilities) and said, “that’s ok, you will buy me some more.” Umm….no (The look on her face was priceless, no pun intended…lol). I reminded her that if she is not respectful of hers or others things, then she needs to replace them using HER money. On our next outing to Wal-Mart, Lilli picked out new head-bands, marched up to the cashier, & opened her purple purse to pay for her item. She was even more excited when she got change back. I suppose we’ll learn more on that reasoning in first grade
So how does a five year old keep track of how much money they have? They don’t…lol. Michael found a free online allowance management called Zefty. Lilli has a piggy bank where she keeps her money, but I am not going to bust into it to count it every so often to let her know how much she has. Zefty allows me to virtually make deposits and withdrawals as necessary. If Lilli wants to know how much money she has, I can log in and let her know within seconds. As Lilli gets older, she can log in herself and manage her own deposits and withdrawals.

*** A BIG thank you to Bethany for encouraging me to start tithing with Lilli - even at this young of an age. She answered some of my questions in an email, and I am so thankful for her wisdom. ***

“Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
~Proverbs 22:6

Our weekends are usually busy…getting “stuff done” that normally doesn’t get done during the week. This weekend wasn’t any different in that sense, but man - I think we went non-stop! (We even forgot to watch Battlestar Gallactica on SciFi Rewind- gasp!!)

Friday we went into the city…well I suppose some call it a suburb, but to us “country folk,” Fairfax is definitely the city. While Michael had a doctor’s appointment, the girls and I decided to hit up Fair Oaks Mall. I was excited to get to Yankee Candle Company (I’ve been debating over THIS item but wanted to see it in person before I bought it, which I happily ended up doing) and the girls were excited to play in the indoor playground area - or as some of us describe it: the place to take your kids so they completely wear themselves out and conk out in the car on the way home, which of course didn’t happen for us - the girls had as much fun jumping on our bed when we got home.

Saturday was a complete “nesting” day for me. I re-organized (yes, organized…again) the girls play room, decided to pick up some great craft supplies from Oriental Trading Company (thanks Mandi!), and ran errands with my partner in crime (also known as Lilli ). I’ve been wanting to get a LARGE chalkboard for the girls, but am not going to spend a large amount of money on something that we can make for a lot less (and have fun doing at the same time). My sister in law, Tracy, had painted a chalkboard on one of her walls and said it was awesome. The wall behind the girls’ door is perfect for that so Lilli and I went off to Lowes for chalkboard paint, as well as some other ”supplies” needed by my project lovin’ hubby. Target was another stop for some picture frames, as well as Chik Fil A to get a super duper mega yummy milkshake…I believe this was Lilli’s favorite “errand.”

Today I started off a little under the weather. But after I perked up, we painted the girls’ wall, made some more birdfeeders, got the laundry going (Lilli loves to sort) while Michael & Smiley worked on Michael’s garage…something about rafters???, did yard work, played on the playground, and had an enjoyable cookout with our incredible neighbors Wade & Julie. We should all sleep well tonight…especially the girls, who had a blast splashing around in our neighbor’s hot tub!

It (as in, the swag I’ve been excitedly waiting for) is in! We’ve been in our house for about 20 months and I still have some bare walls (I’m the type of person to wait for that PERFECT item, rather than just buying something to fill up space). This was one such wall in our dining room and I thought some sort of floral arrangement would look nice there. As I’ve said before, I have all my wreaths and swags made by Abigail’s Bloomers. I first found her on eBay, but since I was so pleased with that first purchase, I now just email her what I’m looking for - along with some photos of room I’m thinking about hanging it in - and she whips something up. The girls and I were so excited when we received our new item in the mail - perfectly packaged, might I add. The colors compliment the room wonderfully and I love how she created a subtle sense of “country living.” I could just go on and on about how much I adore her & her work! My goal is to have an A.B. piece in each room as well as a wreath for each season to hang on my front door… I only have 6 rooms to go, but I’m sure I could find extra wall space for others .

With daughter #3 on the way, I’ve gotten some practice in being a mother to daughters - in good times and bad, I love it! Here’s a list as to why, with today’s Music Monday pick at the bottom:

1) The easiest to explain: I know what it’s like to be a girl: the issues, struggles, emotions, etc.
2) Strawberry shampoo & lotion
3) Sparkles and glitter
4) Pink & purple nail polish on their piggy toes.
5) My heart melts every time they yell, “PAPA!” and run with arms wide open to Michael when he gets home from work.
6) Dance party time before bed.
7) Pretending to be (depending on the day) a fairy princess, fuzzy cuddly animal, or grown up mommy. Watching Corinne rock her stuffed animals to bed.
9) Watching Lilli hug her sister & say, “It’s alright Corinne, let me give you kisses” when she gets a boo-boo.
10) Butterflies, flowers, & hearts.
11) I sigh each time I get to do their hair in ribbons and curls, after dressing them in those “adorable, cute, little outfits.”
12) Hugs, kisses, & snuggles…just because.
13) Hand prints on my windows
14) My Little Ponies in my car
15) Handmade…anything 16) Watching them (in my peripheral vision) watch me
17) Watching them show me (again and again and again) what I’ve taught them.
18) Colorful Band-Aids
19) STICKERS!!
20) And this song pretty much sums up the joy of motherhood: Jamie O’Neal’s “Somebody’s Hero” (which, of course, I cry to every time I hear it…lol):

No, it wasn’t from that AMAZING Trident Fusion…or the Boston Creme Dunkin Donuts…or the cup of coffee with International Delight vanilla creamer (my hubby did earn points for brining all of those home the other day ). I think it’s just what they call, “nesting.” It is 1:15pm and I have:

* Gotten the girls completely ready & fed them both breakfast, snack, & lunch
* Vacuumed
* Dusted (which I absolutely HATE)
* Finished three loads of laundry
* Unloaded the dishwasher
* Cleaned the bathrooms
* Homeschooled Lilli
* Read the girls a book & put them down for a nap (big yay!!! for the girls, who didn’t fight me on this one!)
* Brushed Nicki
* Balanced the checkbook
* All this and I even got a shower in…and brushed my teeth…WOW!

Anyone want to place a bet as to how long this burst will last???

I never really have just one resolution…there’s so much I know I can work on. So here they are for 2008:

****Study the Bible Daily****
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” ~Psalm 119:105

Last year I was really good about this. Then summer came and I wanted to enjoy the outdoors with the girls. Soaking up the sun while Lilli played in her kiddie pool took priority over God’s Word. Looking back, I still could have enjoyed time with Lilli outside - but I could have brought my Bible & study outside with us, instead of thinking that I would “make time to do it later” (which of course I never got around to doing).

****Be more respectful towards my husband.****
“You wives will submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; He gave His life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything. And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s word.” ~Ephesians 5:22-2

I think I’m respectful…when I want to be. Here’s a good example: I sometimes tend to feel that my unneccessary deceptive feelings are more important than everything else going on around me. You know, like when a thought gets in your mind that won’t go away…dwelling on things that have no importance…that you have no control over…I’m sure you’ve experienced that a time or two. Michael has a way of snapping me back into reality and shining a light on the truth. (It’s an amazing gift God has given him!) Sometimes I’m respectful and accept his words of wisdom…and other times I just want to pout…to lash out…to dwell on those feelings because they “feel” so important when in reality, they’re not. I need to remember that my dear husband has my best interest in mind and isn’t merely shooing my delicate feelings aside. He is actually helping me know the truth. God has given me a wonderful husband who has helped me grow so much and I know he will continue to do so.

****Recycle****
Michael showed me this article this morning and it shocked me: Continents of Floating Garbage
We recycle cans, plastic jugs, and glass, but I don’t go out of my way to recycle things that my center doesn’t accept (plastic items that don’t have a “neck,” magazines, etc). This article has motivated me to recycle as many things as I can!

It is sometimes hard for me to put into words how I am feeling. But I came across these two articles today that reaffirmed exactly what I was feeling. They are lengthy, but definitely worth your time. Enjoy!
The Doormat Syndrome
Romans 12:9-18

“It has been a number of years ago now since I talked with a woman who was a victim of domestic violence. Her husband frequently brutalized her. She was a committed Christian person and tried to do everything right to be the kind of wife a husband would love and cherish.

One Sunday, her pastor preached a sermon on forgiveness and emphasized, Jesus’ words from His Sermon on the Mount:

“If you forgive others their trespasses against you, your heavenly Father will forgive your trespasses. But, if you do not forgive others their trespasses against you… neither will your heavenly Father forgive you!”

The woman went to talk to her Pastor about her situation at home and how she struggled with the issue of forgiveness. How could she forgive someone who abused her?

SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED as the conversation between the woman and her pastor progressed. “You must remember,” the pastor said, “That Jesus forgave the people who brutalized Him while He was hanging on a cross. Do you remember how he said, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.’” Her heart sank as he continued, “Maybe the Lord has called you to be an abused wife!”

THAT WAS THE WORST example I have ever encountered that shows how the whole subject of forgiveness can be abused. In fact the pastor’s response to the woman was itself abusive. Thank goodness she found her way out of that church. While it is true that Christians are called to develop a forgiving spirit, it is not true that a forgiving spirit means accepting abusive behavior. It is very important to properly understand what forgiveness means. A faulty understanding of forgiveness can lead to something I like to call “The Doormat Syndrome.”

The Doormat Syndrome translates to something like this. The doctrine of forgiveness means I have to accept offense or abuse without negative feelings or anger.

We begin with the truth that Jesus came down very strong on the side of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not an option for Christian people, it is a requirement. The reason Jesus was adamant about this - (…if you do not forgive others their trespasses against you… neither will your heavenly Father forgive you! ) - is based on three principles.

I. FORGIVENESS IS THE BASIS OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

II. THE PRACTICE OF FORGIVENESS BY CHRISTIANS TOWARDS EACH OTHER SHOWS THE REALITY OF CHRIST’S LOVE TO THE WORLD.

III. AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT IS ONE OF THE MOST DEADLY ENEMIES OF OUR EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH.

HOWEVER, THE ISSUE of forgiveness can be abused if we do not understand the meaning of the word forgiveness and how it is to be applied.

First of all: It is very important to understand the second principle of forgiveness…namely; “The practice of forgiveness by Christians towards each other shows the reality of Christ’s love to the world.”

I want to read for you, a couple of verses from the New Testament letter to the Colossians:

As God’s chosen people, holy and beloved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, you must do also. But above all these things, put on LOVE, which is the bond of perfection.

IN OTHER WORDS, –the function of forgiveness within the Christian Community is to keep the conduit of God’s love clear and clean so that the love of God can flow freely. Forgiveness is God’s antidote to spiritual arterial sclerotic disease in the Body of Christ - which is bitterness, anger, and resentment that come from our human tendency to hurt each other. Forgiveness keeps the conduit of God’s love open and the experience of divine love fresh.

The crucial words in the letter to the Colossians “one another.” It is very clear that forgiveness within the Christian Community is based on the idea that: 1) we are ALL recipients of God’s love, and 2) we are, ALL committed to the same spiritual values. That is to say, we are ALL called to do all we can to practice toward each other what God has practiced toward us. In other words the first function of forgiveness is an internal one in the family of faith, the church.

Secondly: The practice of forgiveness toward those who stand outside the Community of Faith has an entirely different function. The purpose of forgiveness here is to release us from bitterness and to trust that GOD will take care of righting all wrongs. It does not mean that we are to become doormats for the abusive behavior of people who do not share our values.

Listen once again to 16 through 18 in our scripture reading:

{16}Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. {17} Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. {18} If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Did you notice the switch between verses 16 and 18? The focus moves from “one another” to “you” I.E. “As much as it lies in you be at peace with all persons.”

TO GO BACK TO MY OPENING STORY… God does NOT call women to live in abusive relationships with men who do not share the values, the love or the faith of the Christian community.

WANT TO READ TO YOU an interesting story from Matthew’s gospel:

It addresses incorrect notion that Christians are not supposed to get angry.

Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‘”My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of thieves.’”

To have a forgiving spirit does not mean that we don’t get angry at abuse. The verb “to forgive” in the N.T. means literally, “to release from a debt.” That’s it. It does not mean you should have particular feelings toward the debtor. Supposing someone wrongs or hurts you in some way. To forgive the wrong means that you release the debt. In other words, you do not keep account of the wrong with the intention that you have to pay back the wrong. It does not, however, mean that you must feel lovey-dovey or warm toward the debtor.

Let me read one verse past our morning scripture. Rom. 12:19 “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather let God take care of it; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine… I will repay,” says the Lord.”

The key point today is that forgiveness is a gift to the Christian Community to insure clear flowing of God’s love in our midst. It is also a call to Christian people to trust God to right all wrongs. We do not have the power or the authority to make all things right and we can make ourselves sick trying to do so. God, however, will make everything right in due course and in God’s own time.

Forgiveness will allow us to trust God for the consequences for all abusive behavior and to find release the bitterness of injustice. The woman who was in effect told by her pastor to stay in a relationship with an abusive husband and worse yet - to see this as a call of God - was called to no such thing at all. On the contrary, she should be encouraged to leave. She will, however, find eventual release from bitterness and anger by letting the abuse go and giving it to God. She can trust that God will somehow make this right and that there are consequences for abusers that she has not control over.

Christian are called to be forgiving persons.
Christians are NOT called to be doormats.”
(Article Courtesy of www.lectionarysermons.com/)

The Healing Power of Forgiveness
by Dr. Deborah Newman

“Before I ever forgave others or helped individuals learn to forgive, I always thought forgiveness granted all the benefits to the offender.The Power of Forgiveness In the process of struggling with forgiveness, I’ve found that it’s my own soul that receives the greatest benefit from it. I’ve witnessed amazing changes in people through the healing power of forgiveness.

What Forgiveness Is Not
Forgiveness is not forgetting. I challenge you to find the verse that says, “Forgive and forget” in your Bible. Get a concordance and try to find it. It won’t be there.

I’ll always remember the most significant experiences of forgiveness in my life. These memories are of spiritual victories whereby God overcame the fear, rage and resistance created in my soul by another person’s actions toward me. In true forgiveness, I release my hatred, self-protection and desire for vengeance, but I keep all of my short- and long-term memories. When we’ve experienced the healing power of forgiveness, we never forget the release we feel in our souls. Through forgiving, we’re able to forget “what lies behind” and reach forward to “what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13), which involves letting go of the pain and being freed from hatred, fear and bitterness. We remember those painful circumstances in a way that gives us hope for the future. True forgiveness gives us back our lives.

Forgiveness is not masking hurt. When we’re sinned against, we hurt. Our instincts tell us to control the hurt. Many of us are pros at denying our hurt. We think that’s forgiveness, but it’s not.

When Jesus hung on the cross, He died for every sin you and I will ever commit. Second Corinthians 5:21 says that He became sin for us. Our Savior didn’t smile and say, “Oh, they really aren’t that bad.” No, He was deeply and completely acquainted with our wretchedness. That was the only way He could forgive us for everything. We can’t forgive a transgression if we won’t let ourselves face how angry, hurt and betrayed we feel because of the offense.

Forgiveness is not an emotion. After we’ve been hurt, we want to feel better. Many of us try to use forgiveness as a feeling to make us happier. Forgiveness is not an action we take without agony of the soul. It’s not easy to do. For me, forgiveness begins as a decision to trust God, rather than a desire or feeling of wanting to be close to the person who has offended me. My emotions toward the person may be completely antagonistic, but that doesn’t affect my decision about forgiving that person.

Forgiveness is not necessarily reconciliation. The great thing about forgiveness is that we’re free to forgive each and every person who has ever sinned against us. Forgiveness doesn’t depend on reconciliation.

It’s freeing to know that our part of forgiveness doesn’t depend on the response of the offender. However, reconciliation does depend on the offender. Reconciliation is possible only when the forgiver and the person being forgiven can come to terms about the offense.

Forgiveness is not revictimization. Many people are afraid of forgiveness because they think it means they’ll become the victim of the person who has sinned against them. This is not what Jesus teaches.

True forgiveness cleanses a heart of the damage caused by an offense. In the process of forgiveness, we realize the need for boundaries - decisions we make about our relationship to the offender that prevent the relationship from being unhealthy, that prevent us from being revictimized. When God asks you to forgive others who have offended you, He is not asking you to be a victim. Being a victim and forgiving are two totally different things.

It’s also easy to practice false forgiveness, but there’s nothing less satisfying to the soul. We can waste a lot of time, effort and energy buying into false forgiveness.

What does it mean to truly forgive? Let’s take a look at the positive side of forgiveness now.

What Forgiveness Is
Forgiveness is a process. Perhaps God is speaking to you about a person you need to forgive. You can begin the process of forgiveness today, but that doesn’t mean you will instantly feel the freedom of complete forgiveness.

For deep offenses, it may take years to experience the full freedom of forgiveness. I compare forgiveness to peeling layers off an onion. You can dig deeply and take off many layers at once, but there are lots of thin layers as well, which makes forgiveness a process of patiently addressing the issues that come up.

Committing to the process means admitting that you’re powerless to forgive on your own. You’re telling God that you want Him to forgive through you. You’re willing to begin, knowing it may take years before you feel the complete release of God’s work of forgiveness in your heart.

Forgiveness is a decision. The most important contribution you make in the process of forgiveness is to trust God enough to make the decision to forgive. In human matters, forgiveness comes down to a decision. It’s a decision to trust that God knows more than you do and that forgiving the person who hurt you will heal you.

No one can force us to forgive, and no one can keep us from forgiving. Forgiveness is a decision to trust not our own instincts but the voice of God. When I’ve decided to forgive, it wasn’t because the offender asked me to do so or even acted in a way that created a desire in me to forgive. I forgave because I trusted that God loves me and that He would never tell me to do something that wasn’t good for me.

Forgiveness is desiring reconciliation. You can use this act of forgiveness as a litmus test to determine how far along you are in the process of forgiveness. As God cleanses our souls from bitterness and hatred, He replaces them with love. As forgiveness does its work, you move from being an obsessed, embittered woman to a willing agent of God’s love. The reconciliation that you desire is evidence of the changes going on in your heart through forgiveness. Perhaps the person we’re forgiving and seeking reconciliation with doesn’t see things the same way we do. But for reconciliation to take place, there must be an openness in the hearts of both parties to admit wrong and come to a mutual understanding.

Forgiveness is alchemy for the soul. True forgiveness brings about a seemingly magical transformation. Whereas we were once burdened, consumed and obsessed, now we’re transformed, free and willing. When I was 16 years old, I read a quote that has had a great impact on the way I’ve lived my life: “I will never allow another person to ruin my life by making me hate him.” God has used these words to keep my soul free from the burden of hate. Hate creates chemical reactions in our bodies. Unresolved hatred and anger have been linked to heart disease and burnout. A soul that’s free of hate through forgiveness goes through a chemical transformation.

Steps to Forgiveness
There are no “six simple steps to forgiveness.” But I’ve seen myself and others go through stages. Here are three stages of the forgiveness process that have helped guide people through the path of forgiveness.

1. Fully examine the wrong. A lot of us don’t experience the full healing power of forgiveness because our spirituality won’t allow us to feel the anger that’s stored inside. Ephesians 4:26 says to be angry and sin not. Anger in itself is not sin. It’s what we do with our anger that makes it sin. I find it helpful to express the anger in my soul in a letter that I don’t send to the person who offended me. This helps me fully recognize the reality of who and what God is asking me to forgive.

2. Confess your own sins. How have you allowed the sin committed against you to influence you to sin? Have you been angry at God? Have you developed a life of hate and anger? Have you become afraid to live? Have you not loved well? Have you been afraid to love God? It’s important for you to honestly admit your own sins and take responsibility for your own life in the process of forgiveness.

3. Commit to the process of forgiveness. Now it’s time to let God do what only He can do. Forgiveness in the Spirit is a spiritual process. He can reach and cleanse places in your soul that you could never touch. It’s time to trust God and let Him free you from the bondage of unforgiveness.

True forgiveness is one of the most important instructions Jesus gives us. The reality of a fallen world makes forgiveness the only true remedy for the damage done to our souls by hurtful relationships. I challenge you to consider the deep work of forgiveness and let God know that you’re willing to practice true forgiveness in your relationship. As you practice true forgiveness, you’re well on your way toward ending your cycle of damaging relationships.”
(Article courtesy of www.briomag.com)

Today was what I call “perfect weather”- mid 70’s, light breeze, and a few cirrus clouds high in the bright blue sky. A great day to line dry my laundry. Not that I mind hanging my laundry any other [hot and humid] day…lol, but being able to do it on a “perfect” day allowed me to enjoy the rest of God’s creation.

As I took in North Mountain’s scenery: the evergreen trees, cool wind, birds chirping, even the roaming cattle in the field behind us, I realized how much times have changed. I am one of the few who likes -  or even has the time - to line dry their laundry (there are reasons for this: saving energy, the scent from the breeze, the aerobic workout: walking to and from - as well as the actual bending and hanging). I hand wash the dishes too- a great arm work out! But that’s another story  

People are in such a hurry these days and their priorities are so out of whack: who has the latest fad (I don’t even know what it is now…not watching TV has somewhat eliminated advertisements), who has the best looking car/house/cell phone/handbag/etc, what celebrity has gone into or gotten out of rehab/jail/etc, or how one can lose 20 pounds on a miracle diet in three days. 

I wish times would slow down, go back to when people could just say hello in casual passing rather than giving each other cautious looks, lend each other a hand without asking for anything in return, not having to lock the doors at night, my list goes on and on…

Most importantly, I wish times would go back to when the focus was on God rather than other earthly, materialistic “things.”

Luke 6:46-49 (NIV) 
    “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will how you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Ninety nine percent of the time, I love being a stay at home mom. I’m blesssed to have the opportunity to devote the majority of my time to taking care of the needs of my husband and girls. I take my God given purpose seriously. I wouldn’t say I’m a neat freak, but everything has it’s place at the end of the day. I plan our menus on a weekly basis, I have a daily schedule (see below) that is ninety nine percent of the time kept to, I manage our finances & budget in an Excel spreadsheet (those formulas are a blast!), I knit, & am in the process of mustering up the courage to bake homemade bread (without a bread machine, of course).

Daily Things To Do
**After getting Michael off to work**
1. Tidy up bedroom
    *Make Bed
    *Hang up clothes
    *Gather dirty clothes and put in laundry basket
2. Tidy Up Kitchen
    *Get coffee going!
    *Unload dishwasher
    *Hand wash & load into dishwasher any left over dishes
3. Diaper Check
    *Wash & hang any left over diapers
4. Laundry Check
    *Separate colors
    *Wash any large loads
    *Hang dry
    *Fold and put away (throughout the day)
5. If the girls aren’t up yet, get yourself ready.
6. Get girls ready
    *Corinne
          *Change diaper
          *Dress for the day 
    *Lilli
          *Have her make her bed
          *Get her dressed
          *Help her brush her teeth
          *Do hair
    *Get the girls breakfast
          *Windex the high chair after all feedings
7. Begin homeschooling
8. Outside playtime
9. Lunch
10. Put the girls down for a nap
11. Tidy up kitchen
12. Housecleaning chore of the day
       *Monday: Dusting & light vacuuming
       *Tuesday: Bathrooms
       *Wednesday: None (small group)
       *Thursday:None (gymnastics)
       *Friday: Vacuuming
       *Saturday: Kitchen
       *Sunday: None
13. Possible quiet time (Bible Study)??
14. Wake girls up and let them play independently
15. Begin dinner
      * Have Lilli help set the table
16. Set out Michael’s after-work clothes
17. Serve dinner
18. Clean up
       *Have Lilli help clean and load dishes
       *Pack Michael’s lunch for the next day
19. Possible play outside time?
20. Preparation for bedtime
       *Bath time & teeth brushing for girls
       *Get girls into PJ’s
       *Corinne
             *Bottle and off to bed
       *Lilli 
             *Clean her room
             *Read her a book in bed
             *Prayers
21. One last walk through the house to make sure things are in order.
22. Get yourself ready for bed

*** Remember to keep it fun! ***  

The past three days were part of the one percent when I wish I was floating on a flats boat in the Florida Keys…by myself. Lilli was having some issues “following directions” because she “didn’t like to” & Corinne was cutting, not one, but all four 1st year molars…need I say more? Thankfully, God returned me to my wonderful ninety nine percent today. Lilli obeyed with a cheerful smile & Corinne was back to her bubbly self. What made me smile the most was when Lilli and I were saying our prayers tonight. She thanked God for (and I hope I don’t leave anything out…)

“candy, bubble gum, chloclate (pronounced just as it is typed), beans (what she calls Skittles), ice cream, cake, brownies, and apple clobbler (again…pronounced just as it is typed).”

I wouldn’t trade moments like that for the Florida Keys in a million years.

Proverbs 31:10-27 (NLT)
            “A Wife of Noble Character
  10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
      She is more precious than rubies.
 11 Her husband can trust her,
      and she will greatly enrich his life.
 12 She brings him good, not harm,
      all the days of her life.

 13 She finds wool and flax
      and busily spins it.
 14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
      bringing her food from afar.
 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
      and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
      with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
 17 She is energetic and strong,
      a hard worker.
 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
      her lamp burns late into the night.

 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
      her fingers twisting fiber.
 20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
      and opens her arms to the needy.
 21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
      for everyone has warm clothes.

 22 She makes her own bedspreads.
      She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
 23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
      where he sits with the other civic leaders.
 24 She makes belted linen garments
      and sashes to sell to the merchants.

 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
      and she laughs without fear of the future.
 26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
      and she gives instructions with kindness.
 27 She carefully watches everything in her household
      and suffers nothing from laziness.”