Working on Organization

      One of the things that I wanted to accomplish this year was to re-organize (or organize for the first time) our house.  I wanted to do it last January, but instead I started a blog.  Which has been great, but does not make my pantry easier to navigate.  So, here we go.  I have an organization board on Pinterest that you can see by clicking here.  There are so many great tips out there, but the bottom line is still that I just have to do the work.  Or rope my super-organized husband into doing it for with me.  He is the best.

       One of the sites I pinned is doing a 52 Week Organization Challenge, and while I am not exactly participating, I am doing my own little version of it.  She makes several great points - organization does not happen overnight, and it really does consist of forming better habits.  So, after looking through all of the areas that she is tackling, I made my own list of areas in my house that need to be addressed and the order that I wanted to do them in.

       The first area that is being tackled is our kitchen, which was broken into several sub-categories so I could check stuff off the list.  We spent some time in the pantry this weekend, and I am loving the results.  Now, it was not that bad at all, but it was bad enough that I found that I had at least 4 bags of chocolate chips - two of them opened.  That would not have happened if they were all where they were supposed to be.  I didn't take a before picture, but I did take a "during" shot.

He truly does love "arranging" things, which is lucky for me, because it is not my strong suit.  I can keep up a system (when I put my mind to it), but I am not particularly visionary in this area of life.  He helped me group things in ways that made more sense and moved things around to shelves that made more sense.  When we had it all the way we wanted it, I used our trusty label-maker to label it all.  As John says, it will provide a little accountability to me in our pantry when I see the labels.  I am more likely to put things back where they are supposed to go.  (The shelves all pull out, so it is a very accessible pantry that I love.)

 John helped me make everything more functional, and now, I just have to keep it like this.  Hopefully it will keep me from having three Basils, two Poppyseeds and way more canned tomatoes than any one family needs on hand.

      Having a list and doing a little bit at a time seems to be the key for me.  I get overwhelmed thinking of trying to get everything in perfect order at one time.  But, I can clean out the pantry (with John's help) in a couple of hours one afternoon.  It is not all-encompassing of our lives, but over time, and with each task - more of our home will be more functional.

      Planning for things really does make a difference.  I am also realizing that creating daily habits is really the only way to create real life change in any area of my life.   Hopefully, you'll be inspired to do the same!

Carol is the wife of a small business-owner, mother to two little girls, crafter, very-amateur decorator, and occasional cooker.  She blogs at the John and Carol Show - wanna watch?

Prayer

Ok...so I pray quite a bit.   Yet...I still don't quite pray enough.  My prayer life is ever changing...always going through make overs so it can be more intimate.  I like to be very...detailed...with my prayers.  So detailed that sometimes it turns into something less personal...and more about me making sure I cover it all.  I have found myself struggling to keep it less like a "habit" and more like a conversation lately.
So...time to change it up again!  One of the ways that I recently decided to change it is by creating a prayer reminder.  It looks like this:

The pictures remind me to pray for my kids...and I usually go for whatever happens to pop into my mind first.  The little pictures are the missionary families from our church.  I also have added a few tags with names on them recently...just names of people who need prayer for whatever reason.  The thing is...this board is located directly across from my kitchen and on the way to my bedroom.  I see it all the time.  And it really does help me remember to stop and pray...or keep walking and pray.

Another thing that I am doing is going to sound a little odd.  But, I'll just go ahead and say it anyway...I am attempting to have shorter prayers.  That's right...shorter.  I am shortening them because they have become kind of memorized.  I am saying them in my head and not really thinking about them.  So, instead of just "reciting" them...I am praying in the moment.  About what I feel is on my heart at that time in the day.  I have found that it helps make it more personal...and more frequent.

And the other thing I am getting very intentional with is praying over my kids.  I read Ephesians 3:14-21 and put their names in while they are sleeping.  They both like to play possum and crack a smile sometimes if I go in there too soon after I have put them down.  But...when my son asked me to pray for him the other day...it made my heart smile.  I also just pray whatever I feel lead to pray sometimes.  The peace this brings me is the kind of peace that I can't describe.

What are you doing to make sure that you have a personal, unrehearsed prayer life?

Surviving My Newborn

I’m 6 weeks into mommyhood and I’m lovin’ (read as “hanging on by a thread”) every minute of it. Okay, most minutes I’m just barely surviving, but surviving nonetheless. Once I got past the first few weeks of my new life as a mama I decided I needed to start figuring out how life with my new little one was going to work. There are a few things that I have found absolutely invaluable to my survival over the past month and a half. I want to share just a few of them here in hopes that some of you other blurry eyed new mothers might find something useful from my own triumphs and tribulations as a novice mama.


The Caddy of Essentials 
The first couple of days at home with baby girl proved to be a learning experience (surprise, surprise!) and the quickest thing I learned is that a stash of diapers, wipes, a burp cloth, changing pad, a snack (nursing mamas have to eat!), lanolin, and a blanket that can be transported throughout the house is a total life saver! I took an old plastic shower caddy that was in storage under our bathroom sink and converted it into what has become a convenient way to move baby from room to room without having to run back and forth from one end of my house to the other in search of one more thing!

Grab Your Apron and Throw it Over Your Head
Some of you may know the story of Susannah Wesley, father of John and Charles Wesley, who was said to have crouched in her kitchen with her apron up over her head as a signal to her children that she was praying. Susannah was a lady who knew the power of prayer and of taking time- yes, I know time is in short supply with a new born- to focus her gaze upwards. Did I mention she had 19 children? Yeah, no excuses unless you are Michelle Duggar. Who is with me? Grab your aprons ladies!

Housework: A little at the time 
I’m not quite a neat freak, but I’m pretty close. Letting go of laundry, dishes, dirty toilets and overflowing garbage is not easy for me even with a crying newborn in my arms. Don’t get me wrong I’m not sweating it, but I am trying to maintain some semblance of decorum and get plenty of rest. The key seems to be doing a little at the time. I’ve always been a fan of cleaning a little every day rather than overwhelming myself with chores. I’ve found it really helpful to plan just one small point of cleaning each day. Also, when it comes to laundry don’t feel like you have to sit and fold it all at once. I like to put it all in my bedroom and fold a few pieces at a time whenever I pass through the room. By the end of the day it is all folded! Booyah! With that said your first 6 weeks with baby should be all about rest and bonding. Let go of having a perfect house and I think it will pay dividends for your emotional and physical health.

Remember You’re Still Married 
That fella sitting on the couch next to you nearly comatose with dark circles under his eyes is still your husband- treat him as such. I read this post not long ago and it inspired my heart to commit to focusing on my marriage in a few small ways each day. Though romance may not be high on the list of priorities these days it doesn’t mean that the health of my marriage should take a backseat. One other thing that has been a great help has been spending 15 minutes each evening debriefing with one another. We talk and I try not to make it all about the little one. I’ve found that having a baby can be a great opportunity to work on communication with my husband. It requires work and you may not want to add one more thing to your list, but I can already see how it is making our marriage stronger and making us better parents.

Getting Dressed Vs. Pajama Days
I believe strongly that getting dressed- makeup included if you fancy it- is one of the biggest boosters to the female psyche. Even though you might not manage it before noon make it a point to get dressed each day…in real clothes. No sweats or yoga pants. REAL.CLOTHES. That being said I have allowed myself one “pajama day” a week. I allow myself and baby girl to stay in our lounge wear once a week. That is usually a day that I refuse to do any housework and try to just enjoy gazing at her sweet, little face as much as possible.

Have Someone You Can Call 
These first few weeks can be rough even if your baby is a perfect angel on the spectrum of newborns. Even if you aren’t dealing with a postpartum mood disorder it is important to have a friend you can call on for help or just to talk with when the walls seem to be closing in on you. Before baby is here it is helpful to designate that person. For me it has been my sister-in-law. She checks in on me a couple times a week via phone (unfortunately she lives a few hours away) and offers her prayers and support daily via email and facebook. It is such a blessing knowing that someone has my back that has been through all of this before.

One Outing a Week
Like most new moms (especially moms of winter babies) I am a bit hesitant to take my little lady out in public a whole bunch. Germs, germs and more germs! However, it is important, for your own sanity, to get out a little bit. I’ve made a point of enjoying one small outing a week. A few outings we have had have been lunch with Daddy, library time (not during children's time to avoid germs), grocery shopping for a few items, a cup of coffee at my favorite local shop, and a visit to the fabric store. Check out a few of the ideas that the ladies over at Rookie Moms have come up with in their 52 week challenge! Let their list inspire you!

If you aren't in this season of life check out this amazing list of 100 ways to encourage a new mama! I especially love #s 15,16, 23, 35, 62 and 65!

What tips do you have for surviving the newborn months? What are some things that you wished you had done when your babies were newborns? 

Jessica is a grace lover, wife, new mama, motherless daughter, reluctant missionary and birth doula. She scribbles down stories of grace on her blog a diamond in the rough. She is currently working on her first e-book about finding God’s grace and discovering the heart of the Gospel when loss and grief are a part of your everyday life.  Follow her on twitter @adiamondnrough.

Teach them to sew!

Growing up, my mother sewed many of my dresses. In fact every Christmas and Easter I had a new dress sewn especially for the occasion.  There were also tons of clothes for school and play as well.  Between what she made, and the handmade hand-me-downs from from cousins, I rarely wore store bought clothes.  As I got older, the pull of "real" clothes became great, and Mom made less and less for me.  But there was still something about getting an Easter dress. So year after year, Mom made one for me. I would often read the pattern directions to her, and then ask her what they actually meant. There was even a time, I was old enough to help do some of the cutting out.  But it always was up to Mom to make the clothes. Honestly? I had no desire to learn.

Then my children came along. I convinced Mom to get her machine out, and sew a few things for my first and second born.  By this point, Mom wasn't all that keen on sewing, so she had me do most of the cutting and reading again, and I might have even sewn a hem or two. But she still made them a few outfits.  Then, when my daughter was turning two, I wanted her to have a Raggedy Ann dress to go with her birthday party theme.  I bought the pattern and material and convinced my Aunt Linda to make it for her. And it was that year I decided to learn to sew.

Fast forward quite a few years, and I am looking at the face of my then 9 year old daughter dying to use my machine, and me terrified she will "mess up" something.  So, what is a Mom to do? I got out a piece of paper and my sewing machine.  Yep. She learned her basics with paper.  No thread, or anything.  We started with straight lines. She learned to lock her "stitches", how to lower the needle, and off she went. The needle punched holes into the paper, and she was able to see how straight, or NOT straight her stitches were. After she mostly mastered straight lines, we moved to curved lines, then zig-zags or other 90 degree sharp turns.  We used up tons of scrap paper around the house, and she really was learning well. Even one or two of my sons got in on the fun.  This is great for any beginner sewer to get used to a machine and working out sewing along lines.  I've even used this technique for when I am trying out a new stitch or sewing look. 

After she got all the lines down, we moved on to cutting out hand sized shapes like stars, hearts, and such from fabric to sew together and stuff. They became gifts for friends, pin cushions, and Christmas tree ornaments.  Be creative, and enjoy some time with your children as you teach and/or learn a new skill.

By the way, she is now making her own quilt tops.  Guess I better learn how to teach her quilting!

Beth is a pastor's wife, mom to five boys and three girls. She loves to sew, crochet, read, and bake in her spare time. You can see what her family is doing at Sew Anyhow and follow her on Twitter at @BethSewAnyhow.

Our Eiffel Tower Inspired Nursery

When I was considering what I wanted to do if we had a daughter, I thought of a recent trip we took to Israel and the stop we made in Paris on the way back.  We got to take a late night city tour in a taxi and stopped at the Eiffel Tower.  I thought this would be so cute for a nursery along with animal prints, purple, pink and green.  Now that I had an idea, it was time to start looking for items and working on projects.  Here are some of the things we did for her room.

 

 A few cute embellishments that Nana bought and some glass Eiffel Tower vases from Hobby Lobby.

 A framed mirror from the thrift store, a lamp I recovered years ago and a pink Eiffel Tower from Hobby Lobby.

 I covered this gliding rocker by laying the pillows down on the wrong side of the fabric.  Then I pinned all around them and removed the pillows.  I then sewed all around where the pins were and slipped the pillows back in.  Mine are still currently open in the back, but I think I can close them with Velcro. 

 A few Eiffel Tower decorations and a cool chandelier from Ikea (purchased off of craigslist). 

 This cute fabric was found at Hobby Lobby.  I got the idea for the curtains from a pin for making a ruffled crib skirt. 

 This is the quilt I made years ago that I never gave away and it matches perfectly!

The name blocks that Aunt Lydia made us for Christmas.

Kama is married to Ben, mom to 2 crazy boys ages 3 and 2 and a sweet baby girl who was born at home.  She loves to craft, quilt and play on the computer in her free time (aka nap time).  She also likes to save money and use coupons (when she finds time to cut them). 



Not Your Grandmother's Comfort Food

My grandmother's best recipe was her chicken and rice. Man, we flocked across the pasture everytime we knew she was cooking that. It was so flavorful and juicy, rice cooked perfectly. Well, my grandmother has no need to cook in heaven, but I do hope one day I can cook that chicken and rice like she did, but until then, I wanted to share some of my favorite comfort food recipes for any time of the day...

Breakfast

Cream Cheese Danish

Baked Creamy Grits

Lunch

Seaside Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Hot Corn Dip

White Chicken Chili

Dinner

My Fave Baked Mac and Cheese

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Sausage and Cheese Penne Bake

Signature Baked Ziti

Spinach Lasagna

Chicken Cacciatore

Dessert

Strawberry Pizza

Last Minute Valentine Crafts

Happy Valentine's Day!!  I forgot to go out and buy a valentine for my husband, so I whipped up these handprint valentines for him (and the grandparents).  I used tempera paint and did each hand with a little overlap so it looks like a heart.  I also did the baby's feet.  Then I wrote a little message all the way around, signed their name and the year.  For the baby's feet, I wrote, "I love you from the bottom of my heart to the tips of my toes."  Then I cut all the way around them.  So cute and such a great keepsake! 

I had my 3 year old keep himself busy by sharpening the crayons over some wax paper.  Then I folded it in half and ironed it for half a second!  I then cut little heart shapes out and taped them on the window for a little Valentine decoration. 

There are also tons of ideas on pinterest.  Check out my Valentines board!

Speaking of last minute...time to figure out what I'm going to give my husband!!  Ideas??

Kama is married to Ben, mom to 2 crazy boys (ages 3 and 2) and a sweet baby girl who was born at home. She tries to keep the kids out of trouble by keeping them busy with crafts and projects.  She loves to craft, quilt and play on the computer in her free time (aka nap time). She also likes to save money and use coupons (when she finds time to cut them).