This & That

Well, I have about an hour free before my next kids pickup-and I decided to finally do an update....Well....I may be avoiding housework.  Ahem. 

• We are apparently going to be snowed in come tomorrow.  I am doing what I usually do when there is a storm predicted-whether it's snow, hurricane, or whatever.  I have gassed up the vehicles, made sure Dustin has plenty of clean work uniforms/clothes/cold weather gear (he works whenever there is a storm), made sure Dustin has cash (some stores are open during bad weather, but can't always take debit cards), stocked up on groceries, etc. etc.  You get the idea.  I need to be cleaning as well, but I figure I can do that when I am snowbound with 3 kids.  Yes, I'm sure I'll get lots of cleaning done then!  :-)  I have been trying to get the laundry caught up because even though we have a whole house generator, you can't really run the washer/dryer.  It would take way too much energy.  All of that coupled with a 2 hour school delay has made for an interesting day!  I have to say- the 2 hour delay was harder to deal with than going regular time.  The twins just could not understand that they weren't going to have to stay as long, were basically going straight to lunch (they go at 10:50 a.m.), and would be doing less work & not playing outside today (too cold!).  It was chaotic and wore me out dropping them off! 
• Emilynn also has a game at 5 pm.  She cheers for basketball at school.  She is really enjoying cheerleading and I have to say-they are SO DARN cute!!!  I love sports too, so it's nice to see some games and their school has a really good basketball program.  I am thoroughly enjoyed it so far.  It's funny to see teams with "regular" cheerleaders, and there here comes our school's little mascot girls. 
• Decluttering challenge- Oh my goodness- I have gotten rid of so much stuff already!  317 things to be exact, and yes, I am counting them!!  I decided to make the challenge my own and just try to do 500 things for the month of January.  I am well on the way and I can't tell you how good it feels to drop a load of things off at Goodwill!  I have made 3 trips so far, sent Dustin on 1 dump trip, and taken my sister a load of clothes for my nephew.  I also got rid of 2 trash bags full of maternity clothes which I did not count in the 317 tally so far.  (In all fairness-they were 1/2 my sister's so she gets some decluttering credit there too!).  I am loving the challenge and hope to just continue for the whole year.  I have SO much more to go through.  I am battling pack rat genes (thanks, Dad! :-)  so it takes time.  I haven't even cracked the door to my storage shed yet-yikes!  I have to say, my closet is much better and I'm not done with that either. 
• All 3 kids have been sick, of course, the past 2 weeks so I am hoping we are done with sickness for this winter.  We were also sick back in November.  I guess it's just the whole school thing.  Henry really goes down when he gets sick, so I have my fingers crossed he will get and stay well.  He still has a lingering cough.  I hate for him to miss school, he only goes 3 days as it is. 
• The twins and I went tubing with ALL of my family-it was about 20 of us 2 weekends ago.  It was SO much fun!!!  I felt like a kid flying down the hill on tube.  :-)  The kids really loved it as well.  Carson was the first one down the hill out of our entire group!  Maybe my shy child is coming out of his shell a little! 
• Our family went to a buffet after tubing, and it was the twins' first experience at a buffet.  They were amazed.  Ha!  I told them to come with me to get their food, and Carson was like, "No, mom, we have to stay in our seats."  They caught on quickly and loved the unlimited dessert bar with cotton candy!  Carson ran inside to tell Dustin we ate at a buffet when we got home.  My children really aren't sheltered but I didn't realize they had never experience this phenomenon before-it was funny! 

Well, I am off to make a school run!  Then drop the boys off and head back for a game.  It is nice having one on one time with Emmy-despite all the running around and back and forth to school. 
I will miss all this chaos one day-so I am trying to enjoy it while they are small and I am still cool enough to drive them to school- :-) 

Happy Sunday!

What a beautiful Lord's day after lots and lots of rain!! 

Our sermon today was awesome, and the scripture that I guess I want to share is from Psalm 30:4- "Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name." 

We should praise always, in all things, all times, etc.  The preacher mentioned how here in America what we tend to believe is a real problem is truly just a small issue.  I mean, honestly, we are so blessed on even what we consider our worst day. 

It's funny how when I go to church, I get exactly the message I need, or I get affirmation of what is on my heart. 

Yesterday, we were watching a favorite channel with the kids.  It's called Smile of a Child I believe.  It's a Christian television network, which I think is awesome!  Praise God we can watch a whole channel of wholesome shows ranging from a cute little monster truck religious cartoon that teaches values, to Veggie Tales we are all so familiar with.  Anyway, a show came on and it was showing a Mother in a 3rd world country.  Her precious children had not eaten in days.  My kids were watching and had lots of questions.  What a great teaching moment.  I was explaining to them how many children around the world do not have even the basic things like food, clothing, a home to keep them sheltered, etc.  Henry turned around and so simply said, "Well why don't we give them some of our food, Momma?"  What a perfectly rational solution.  If only we all gave and gave as a 3 year old would, without even a second guess.  I pray that I will learn to be as giving as the children without even a thought.  Then he says, "Mom, it doesn't look like they have a car, so we will have to pick them up to give them the food."  Such a sweet boy. 

It really made me think of how I have said it before and I will say it again, my heart's desire is for my children to have a servant's heart.  I want them to always want to help others.  Honestly, my heart went out to that mom who just wanted to provide for her children.  Isn't that what all moms want, no matter their nationality or place in life?  Just to feed and protect their children. 

I really feel like with it being the start of a new year, I really need to try to give even more.  It's no accident we saw that snippet of that show at that moment.  God knows we need to be reminded to all we have and all we can give.  Perhaps my kids can get by with one less toy and another family somewhere else can eat food they desperately need......

Definitely something to think about this week!  Happy Sunday!!!!

Decluttering challenge anyone?

I know I mentioned how torn up our house has been with Christmas, remodels, and the dryer and hot water heater going out all at once.  ~Big sigh!!~
I was checking out one of my favorite websites this morning- www.moneysavingmom.com and saw a post on a decluttering challenge.  You have to get rid of 500 things in 14 days. 
I think I am going to try this....anyone with me?  I doubt I will buy the $6 online class because I'm just too cheap frugal for that.  Ha!  I will probably just try to do this.
I KNOW we have at least 500 things we should purge.  I will try to post my progress once I start this (I haven't decided what date to start). 
We have so many things to get rid of, things we have promised to give to others and just take to Goodwill, yet life happens and we don't do it. 
This will be the nudge I need to deliver those maternity clothes to someone I promised them to, take the old train table to Goodwill, give Emilynn's Doc McStuffins check up center to the girl we promised it to....you get the idea. 
I am sick of clutter!  Maybe this will be the year we become minimalists!????!!!!  A girl can dream! :-)
Happy 2016!  More goals to come!!!