Make your home a haven: Time to plan

I have to plan out everything. We have pretty crazy schedules.



**First I always look at our family calendar. I keep everything on it. What nights Mike Refs, Courtney's volleyball practices and tournaments, Alyssa's game nights at college, Ryans sports and when things are due since he is a senior. Just anything.



**After I look at the calendar I can make my meal plan for the week. I try to have things that are in the crock pot when we are going to have different dinner schedules. Having a meal plan helps me so much when I come home from preschool exhausted. I don't have to give any thought to dinner. I just have to have the energy to make it.


**Our grocery adds usually come out on Wednesday's so I start on Wednesday matching coupons and sale adds and finish up on Thursdays. Then I usually go to the store on Fridays. We only have classes in the morning so that leaves me the afternoons to get errands done while the kids are in school.

**Laundry I seem to always do on Saturday and Wednesday or Thursday. That just seems to be when someone needs something. And the loads are large ones so I don't feel like I am wasting energy doing a tiny load.

**Dusting, moping and general cleaning I usually do also on Fridays or Saturdays. It depends what our weekends look like. Every week I try to clean one drawer or cabinet. It just makes me feel better.

**That is what works for me. I really think the key is just being organized. Of course things change with the seasons also. I just love to be outside in the spring and summer. Maybe the key really is being organized and flexible.

Happy Friday

Crystal

Just Thursday

Where I would like to be: At the beach with my family. I am tired of the cold.

What I hear: Ryan fixing a burrito because he does not want what we are having for dinner.

What things are on my mind right now: Meeting Alyssa's boyfriend tomorrow; Ryan and college, Courtney and the cold and cough she has.

How was my day at preschool: Loud but fun. It was pajama day. Love it, so comfortable

What's the weather here: Cold and is suppose to snow again :(

What I am wondering right now: What time Mike will be home from refing basketball

What my devotion was about today: God's faithfullness

What I did when I got home from work: Cleaned the bathrooms. yuck

What I am greatfull for: My cozy home.

Crystal

Making the Ordinary Special in Our Home

Today I was encouraged to make an ordinary day special in some way. There are so many things you could do to make this happen. Bake cookies for or with someone, visit a friend you have not for a while, play with your kids a little longer today. I chose to write each of my kids a note. Well, Ryan and Courtney I wrote a note. Alyssa I e-mailed since she is so far away. I then turned back their beds for them and put the notes on their pillows. Courtney of course came out with a big smile and sat down by me. Her way of saying thanks mom and Ryan came and gave me a big hug and said I love you to mom. Alyssa had a game tonight and she has a paper due so I am not sure when she will see her e-mail but I know her she will let me know when she sees it. I hope that will be a special memory for my kids. It was for me. The thank you and that smile brought tears to my eyes. So what could you do to make the day special for someone. The possibilities are endless.

Crystal

Valentine Tree

Courtney and I did the Valentine tree. I know the picture is not very good, sorry. We made hearts out of paper, some we decorated with glitter. It looks pretty cute. It is so nice to have a craft to do with just her. It did not cost much money. I had all the paper and glitter and the lights were $1.00 after Christmas. Hope you had a great Tuesday.

Crystal

What a Sunday Morning

That is what we woke up to Sunday morning about 6:30 a.m. My husband thought he saw head lights out by our sons car so he peeked out the window. Then he saw someone reaching out their car window to write with chalk on Ryans window. We went out to see what they wrote and this is what they actually did. I was so upset. Why would anyone do that? So, of course we call the police and they take a report. After the police leave we notice the same car keeps driving by the house so we keep a watch and tell the police they keep driving by Ryan's car. At this point we are thinking maybe they are going to steel Ryans stereo or maybe his subs. All stuff he bought with his summer job money. The police proceed to drive and look for the car but I guess they can't find it. So here comes the car again but this time Ryan and Mike get the tag number, make and model and we turn it into the police. The police say they know who it is. OK, well. Ryan and Mike are outside later cleaning up the mess and putting a bag on the window and the policeman drives up and talks to them a bit. He kind of suggest Ryan is hiding something from us. So of course we talk to Ryan and tell him if there is any thing he needs to come clean with do it now. He says no. I was a little upset with the policeman. It was our sons car that had the damage done and now it is also his fault that it happen. That does not make since. Mike suggested to the policeman to call and ask the Chief of Police here in town what kind of boy our son is because our sons are best friends. We all know teenagers can get themselves into trouble but we don't think Ryan had any thing to do with this. We are definitely parents who know our kids are not perfect. Boy if they were it would make this parent job so much easier. We think it was a random act. Ryan has no idea who they are when he saw them and they look like boys who are out of high school. It is just so hard to believe that people would do this. I can not even imagine doing this to someone and it makes me so upset with the boys that did it. Yes it is just a car and it will be fixed this week but Mike, Ryan and I have to pay for it now. It is hard enough to stay on track and reach your money goals without the help of senseless acts. I am upset with the boys who did it but I will put that anger into prayer where it should be. I think these young men need it more than ever.

Crystal

Make Your Home A Haven: Morning Routine

I was reading a blog I really like, it is http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com. She was talking about having a morning routine. Yes my children are older 20, and away at college, 17 a senior in high school and 13 and in middle school. But since my children were born I have always had a morning routine. I know it is sometimes hard to get out of bed and get your day started when you were up most the night with a baby or sick child. But, it is so important to keep on a routine. It makes for a more peaceful and enjoyable morning. My kids are still kind of on a routine. They get up the same time everyday. They know when they wake I will be up and ready for our day. Alyssa always knows she can call bright and early because I will be up. Our days usually go a little like this:

4:45 ~ wake; devotions

5:15 ~ check e-mail; look at favorite blogs; start laundry

5:45 ~ make bed; pick up house

6:00 ~ shower ready for work

6:30 ~ fix breakfast for Courtney and Ryan

6:45 ~ Wake Courtney; Ryan up on own

7:20 ~ Kids off to school

7:20 ~ Finish picking up house; clean the kitchen

7:45 ~ I walk to work

That is pretty much it. No matter what age your children are it is nice to have a routine. It makes mornings run so much nicer. So that is one thing I do to keep our home running smoothly.


Crystal

Alyssa and College

Alyssa is taking a Sociology course at school called Death and Dying. She has to write her own obituary. Can you imagine writing your own obituary? She says she dies tomorrow, January 21st. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow and you had to write your own obituary would you be ready? I don't think we ever accomplish everything we would like to in life but are you proud of the accomplishments you have made? How will people remember you? Are you right with the Lord? Are you proud and more important is the Lord proud of the way you have lived your life. We never know what life has in store for us and we should try to treat everyday like it were our last. Something to think about. Maybe writing your own obituary is an eye opener. Alyssa really got me thinking.

Crystal