When You Ask Children To Clean Up...

My house.

Two days ago.

Stuff everywhere.

Chaos.

Anarchy.

A mother tries to enlist the help of her young charges only to discover:

Words truly aren't necessary are they?

For now.

Hello Hormones!

Two steps forward one step back

Weekly weigh in: 81.3kg
Loss: +1.1kg
Total loss: 2.1kg
Emotion: Unsurprised, stressed, hormonal

Well- back to That Time Of The Month. And of course a gain for me.

On top of the fact that there is lots on at this time of the year so I am less focused on my eating and more likely to be eating SUGAR, aren't I?

What with having to write up a report, organise outings, have sick children, have one child that wants to test us each night for SOMETHING just so he doesn't get to sleep at the regular time, pick up our new caravan, Christmas shop and get ready to be away for a fortnight IN a caravan and over Christmas and be hormonally unbalanced, is it THAT surprising I put on weight this week?

I think not (HA!)

I am unsurprised but I am also aware that if I let this time of the year get out of hand I will make poor decisions and not lose what I am holding on to this week.

So I have to dig out my menu planner and get to it so that I know and have everything I need for meals this week... amidst cooking treats- for GIFTS of course!!

I will be interested to see how I measure up next week!

For now.

Home Economics Project: Week III Day 1

I feel like this is the LAST thing that I should be doing at the moment!!!

I already have (what seems like) a million things to do. And I have also had sick children the past couple of days... ok, I have one sick child and one that has a sniffly nose that has led to him being very stubborn and disobedient at night. Needless to say I have had much less sleep than normal for the past two (or is it three) nights now?

But I do really enjoy doing the Project Home Economics that Elizabeth posts. And being that it is the season where we can get caught up in the humdrum of it all I think that the topic for this Project was most appropriate...

"Loving What We Do".

The verse Elizabeth noted was one that I could hang on my fridge and remind myself of on a daily basis!

But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.

Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds
His name is the Lord- and rejoice before Him.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families.
Psalm 86:3-6a

I have begun thinking upon this and as a result I am beginning to see a little of the truth of "home economics".

For example, this morning as I was sweeping the kitchen floor, which I had mopped perhaps two days ago, I longingly wished that SOMETHING could stay clean longer than a MOMENT when I did it.

Like a week or so - til the next time I did the mopping (or whatever)!!!

But then I thought, that would mean no husband or children and probably full time work outside the home- and actually I have been there and done that and I did have a clean house and... I really would have liked to be married with children- looking after a home for a purpose... not just for myself.

And here I am.

Wishing I could have a clean home?!

It is not about a clean home.

It is about glorifying God in the role He has blessed me with and doing it to the best of my ability.

That may mean that my home can't and won't be spotless. Life is like that and there are much more important things.

I need to remember the important things and the value of the eternal. Not focus all my attentions on the immediate that will one day pass away! Things that can oftentimes influence my mood and emotional state for the day!

However, on that philosophical note I have managed to clean and organise my pantry this week and I am quite pleased with the result.

The right hand side of my enormous pantry

The left side of my enormous pantry

Where and how I am now storing all our "stuff"

I put all my "ingredients" into Fowlers Vacola jars that I had bought at a garage sale a few months earlier. They were all sitting on the floor of the pantry waiting for preserves (very loud guffaw!)

I ran out of stickers to finish all the labels- but that can wait

I have also made a start on my Christmas cards and my Christmas decorating is done.

Our tree which the children LOVE to decorate and which I am now content to leave JUST as they decorate it!!!


Some of my favourite decorations: a nativity my mum made for me
(I LOVE nativities)

A santa for the tree

Of course I MUST have SOME pink baubles- I would have all pink and silver if it was all about me!

A snowman for the tree.

Another little nativity

And just ONE more

As well as some lovely books

I'd like to build on my collection of these... any suggestions?

I have started going through all of the children's toys (see pantry pics) and I plan on sorting them all soon and keeping them all there (the pantry) so that I can keep a better handle on children picking up after themselves (ie being responsible).

Rather than feeling overwhelmed this season which is how I tend to feel as there are so many things that I feel need doing. I need to practise "loving what I do". I need to work on rejoicing in all the situations that I face and during this special and wonderful season to look for the real reason and celebrate for the right reasons and not try and achieve those things that the world tells us are the most important.

I could do this for the whole year! Practice seeing things the way God sees them, keeping things in their rightful places and rejoicing... loving that which I do- that which God created me for.

Thanks again, Elizabeth for the godly reminder.

For now.

The Weekly Weigh In

Weekly weigh in: 80.2kg
Loss: -.5kg
Total loss: 3kg
Emotion: Amazed, astounded, surprised!

This week flew by for me!

I have had a lot on my mind as there are a lot of "things" happening round here in the lead up to Christmas.

I also made the decision that I couldn't continue to exercise...

This was a biggie for me.

I really like to exercise.

I really love my early morning sojourns into the quiet and familiar streets of Millmerran.

But my wonderful husband does not!

So, like many instances in life, it was time to let go.

Time to sacrifice "me" for "us".

Easy?

No.

Right?

For now, yes.

So this week I have exercise for two days and no more.

And when I step on my scales I tell myself that 82 is likely.

My eating has been controlled- nothing fantastic- I haven't been starving myself by any stretch!

I've even snuck in half a dozen lollies and a few baked biscuits!!!!

And there is 80.2kg looking up at me from the scales.

Yep!

I was surprised.

I was amazed.

I sooooo don't understand how my body works!

But until I can get my treadmill down stairs and find a little block of time in my day where no- one needs me and I have NOTHING else that needs my attention, there will be no more "formal" exercise for me and I will be totally reliant on "diet", or the way I eat, to get me by.

I am not expecting miracles.

But this week I will take what I get!!!

For now.

Project Home Economics- Week II Day 5

Yesterday, I planned to do a post on Elizabeth's suggestion for Week 2 and Day 5 here.

Instead I got a little carried away and complained about the inadequacies I felt as a home keeper.

Thank you to those lovely readers that shared my woes and encouraged me to keep on- focus on the blessings and to not "faint" or become overwhelmed, which was definitely an emotion I was feeling!

Thank you Amanda, Leanne and Maria for your kind words to me. I feel blessed!

The topic Elizabeth was working on for this day was most timely really!

"Making a house a home- an OUTPOST OF HEAVEN!"

What an appropriate reminder for me.

What a helpful way of looking at the situation at hand.

Regardless of how much we have to do as wives and mothers, it should be done heaven in mind.

I like what Elizabeth said

"As keepers of our home, it's so easy to get caught up in our present duties that we forget the real Christian's true home is not on this earth, but in heaven. Our homes are, or should be, an outpost or colony of heaven on earth."

And,

"So, in making our houses feel like homes, the most important thing we can do, in my honest opinion, is to put our treasure in heaven. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-22"

Alongside this comment:

"We need to make prayerful choices that are informed by God's word. Sometimes, it's a struggle in prayer to give up our ideas, especially when they look easier to us than God's path does at the moment. But, oh, how happy our hearts are when we do get them in harmony with God's will. "

Helps to put things back into persepective.

The Lord's perspective.

Elizabeth suggested that we read Acts chapter 1 and 2 and make an outline of those. So here is my outline having read chapter one and two and using Matthew Henry as my source:

"Jesus told the disciples to wait for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit which would give them the power to work miracles, enlightening and sanctifying their souls. There was also a warning, or caution, to take heed of a desire of forbidden knowledge. It is enough that He has given believers strength equal to their trials and services; that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may be witnesses for Christ on earth, while in heaven He manages their concerns with perfect wisdom, truth and love.

If any is afflicted, let him pray; that will silence cares and fears. They had a great work to do, and before they entered upon it, they were earnest in prayer to God for His presence.

Let us acknowledge His hand as it determines everything which befalls us, especially in matters where any trust may be committed to us."

What another pertinent reminder.

To pray.

That seems to be a recurring theme in my life at present.

As I read through Jeremiah, as I read at night, as I browse blogs.

And now here, again, in Acts.

I need to pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in my life in my role as wife and mother for the strength I need to do those things, whether they be trials or services, that I have been called to do and leave my concerns with Him.

What a treasure to be made known of this truth.

Thank you, Elizabeth for pointing me in the direction of the Lord in managing my home and making my house a home that reflects heaven.

For now.

How Long Has It Been? Home Economics Project Day 5 Week 2

I haven't done anything with the Home Economics Project for AGES (since reading David Copperfield and coming to a complete standstill!)

By the state of my home- it looks as if I have come to a complete HALT in that area also!

What my house looks like at present!

I feel like I need a course in how to manage everything my life entails!!

I feel like I am so behind the eight ball in taking care of all that I am in charge of!

Anyone want to point me in the right direction of how to properly "do" devotional time, look after my husband, train my three children, manage my home and all that encompasses! consider others and take care of myself??????

Yes! Today I am feeling overwhelmed with the enormity of it all.

Everywhere I look there is MESS. And I feel like that is how my whole life is.

I know that is not the truth but it FEELS like it as I look around me.

I think I know (somewhere in the back of my mind) what I need to hear.

Maybe something like:

(Philippians 4:13 ) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I know that there is a time for everything and everything in its time.

I know that Jesus Christ is bigger than the mess around me and that the relationships I have are more important than the messes that occur in my physical world.

I wish they wouldn't happen.

I wish sin wasn't part of my world.

But I do live in a sinful world and there is hope.

Hope for a tidier house tomorrow - or in a week- or even by this afternoon.

But more than that - hope for a Place that is perfect!

A place that won't decay or become dirty.

I need to keep my eyes on the eternal when the present pervades.

To remember that which is most important in the eyes of my Lord and, Saviour from this mess of sinfulness and humanity.

I need to continue in that which I know is right (or the truth) even when it feels and looks like I am failing.

And to remember:

(Philippians 4:6 ) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

For now.

Weight Loss Week 7

Weekly weigh in: 80.7kg
Loss: -.5kg
Total loss: 2.5kg
Emotion: Plodding

This week I have I have exercised really consistently.

I have been following the Walk off Weight program by Andrew Cate. I am enjoying it as it offers variety to my "sessions".

Some days I walk for an hour at a moderate pace, another I jog for 15 minutes and then use weights for 20. Then there are days I can swim (or cross train of some kind- I like to swim), a day to walk as fast as I can for 30 minutes, one day is for "interval training" (such as climbing a whole lot of stairs - over and over) and a day to to rest and do something like Pilates.

The variety is good and it also makes you push yourself a little more that you might normally!

My eating has been "reasonable". Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.

But on the whole "reasonable"... it's so hot here in Australia (pretty much everywhere) I don't really feel like eating all that much.

So I hopped on the scales this morning to see how I am travelling and if I hopped on once, I hopped on 20 times!!!!

Do you know that stupid scale read twenty different numbers!!!!?????????????

THAT is frustrating!!!

Perhaps I should just take the first reading! But that was depressing and when you get a variation of almost 1kg! that is too much! that's two weeks or a month or two months work for me!!!

So give me a steady... consistent... GOOD reading!

Damn you scales!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There!

I feel better.

I have that off my chest.

So I am going to tell you that I have lost 500 grams this week. Mind you it could be 100 grams or 800 grams - that was the degree of fluctuation.

I'll be happy with 500 grams.

I might even weigh myself in the morning so I can be a little more confident in this.

Enough already!

For now.