Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

At the end of the school year last year, one of my sweet second graders handed me a card.  It was a thank-you card with a $40 gift certificate to Kohls and a $10 gift certificate to Sonic.  When I opened it, she said, "The Sonic card is from me.  The Kohls one is from my mom.  I'm not supposed to tell you this, but my mom said you're too skinny and your clothes are too baggy.  She said that you need to buy yourself some new clothes." 

Well, I finally spent the Kohls gift card today.  I bought myself a pair of capris, two house rugs, and this:

Why did I buy this (even though it's a little baggy)?  Because I'm a PRE-KINDERGARTEN TEACHER!  I, as a 27-year-old, can get away with wearing things like this to work!  So, if you're ever wondering what to get me for Christmas or my birthday or something just because you love me (or my blog) so much, I need some new work shirts! 

By the way, a few weeks after school was out I received an email from the mom who purchased the Kohls and Sonic gift card.  She said that her daughter slipped and told her about telling me I was too skinny.  She said in the email that she was terribly embarrassed.  I replied and told her not to be embarrassed.  I don't know anyone who would ever complain that someone said they were too skinny (especially 7 months after having a baby)!  Thanks to her daughter, though, I packed up all my maternity clothes. 

Christianity

I was raised Catholic.

In 2008, I became Lutheran.

In 2011, I decided to become a better Christian.

David and I are trying to raise our family believing in the importance of God.

 You see, if you would've asked me my religious beliefs 10 years ago, I would say, "I really don't know what I believe."  Before David, I hadn't been to church on a regular basis since 2nd grade. 


However, my beliefs are stronger than ever.

Why?


The number one reason is my children.
They are so beautiful.
I am so blessed to have them in my life.
I know that there must be a higher power that made these beautiful boys.
My boys made me realize that there is a God.


 My number two reason will be saved for another day.  A day that I'll be able to accept ridicule.   

 Well, this year I decided to become more of a Christian woman. 
I want to read the Bible more.
I want to pray more.
I want to go to church and Bible study more.
So, I did, and I still do.
And my life has truly become better because of it.

 I don't ridicule (as much as I used to).  This has been one of the hardest things to change about myself.  I admit it, I am a gossiper.  I love gossip.  In highschool, I was the one who started the rumors.  No more.  I think before I talk.

 I am trying to love my neighbor.  I am trying very hard.  Anyone who knows me, knows my number one reason for wanting to move so bad is because of my neighbors.  I have had so much trouble with them and their dogs.  DOGS!  How can dogs cause so much turmoil?  For the past six months, dogs have been my number one stressor.  Crazy, huh?  Not money, not a new baby, not my job, but DOGS!  Well, at church a few months ago, I decided to change.  When the neighbor's dogs get into my yard because they're hungry and attack my dog and break my pots and air conditioner (pictures inserted) and crap all over my yard and growl at my three year old, I'm NOT going to call Animal Control.  I'm NOT going to kick the dogs out of my yard and let them roam the neighborhood.  I'm NOT going to throw a fit because my neighbor put up an electric fence on our fence that we share and I have a three year old who likes to play in the backyard but can't because I'm worried he's going to touch the fence.  What am I going to do?  I'm going to feed the dogs.  I'm going to give the dogs shelter.  I'm going to stand outside with my son whenever he wants to play out there to make sure he doesn't touch the fence and the dogs don't attack him.  I'm going to be a good person.  And you know what happened a couple weeks ago?  My neighbor got rid of 11 out of 12 of his dogs.  That's right.  11 of my 12 stressors are gone.  Why?  Maybe coincidence, but I think it's because I decided to be a better Christian.  God answered my prayers.  Maybe if I keep it up, my one stressor will soon be gone.  What will I have to worry about next? 

David and I have made the decision to make church a bigger part of our lives.  We don't make it a chore.  It's a want and a need.  I now look forward to going to church every Sunday.  It's something we do together. 

We look at each other during Bible study whenever they talk about marriage and children.  It helps us connect.  It helps our marriage.  It helps us be better parents.

Our extended family shares the importance of church.  My mother-in-law helps take Diesel to Sunday school before church.

This allows for David and I to go to Bible study (with Sawyer tagging along).

For Valentine's Day, David and I bought each other a Bible. 

David's was $89, plus a $30 Bible carrier.

Mine was $25.  My Bible cover was $25.

But, that's ok.

I'm not going to ridicule.

The important thing is, we each have a Bible for Bible study.

I'll post my Bible cover as soon as I get it.

I found it online.

It's super cute.

It has stars (which, to me, represents my family).

And it's quilted (which reminds me of my Nana).

Not only do Mommy and Daddy have a Bible, but Diesel and Sawyer have one as well.

They have the same Bible.

By coincidence.

The one on the left is Diesel's.

His Godmother, Aunt Mimi, bought him it for his baptismal birthday.

The one on the right is Sawyer's.

His Godmother, Aunt Carrie, bought it for him for his baptism.

Daddy even takes the time to read the Bible to Diesel before he goes to bed.

 Diesel takes his to Sunday school every Sunday.
I bet Sawyer will be soon to follow.



 Every Sunday, after church, we always eat a big lunch together as a family.
It's a very special time.
The cousins get to play together.
The brothers and sisters get to talk.
And Papa and Grammie get to sit back and watch the family they created.
Hopefully this tradition will be passed down forever.

Hints for a Mommy

This one took a while.

It took a lot of thinking.

You see, when it comes to cleaning, I am not willing to spend a lot of time on my hands and knees.

I try to find quick, easy ways of cleaning things.

Well, I found some...

Tip #1: Buy white everything. 

White towels, white sheets, white pillow cases, white blankets, and white shower curtains.  Why white?  You can bleach them.  I bleach everything that can be bleached.  I love bleach.

Tip #2:  A shower curtain, liner, and the rings at the top (still attached to the shower curtain) can fit in the washer. 

"What?" (I know you just said that in your head)

See the attached picture.

I take my shower curtain and liner off the rod (with the rings still attached) and put it in the washer with a cup of bleach.  No, I don't dry it.  I hang it up (hehe) in the shower to dry!  I do this every few months. 

Tip#3: Wash the shower when you're taking a shower. 

This is what I do:  I spray the entire shower with cleaner about 10 minutes before I want to take a shower.  When I get in, I take a sponge with me and scrub the shower.  Just remember to do this before you actually wash your body.  I do this once a month. 

Tip #4:  Keep a small trashcan in all rooms. 

Keep a few extra Walmart bags in the bottom for when you need to empty it. 

Tip #5: Clean one thing a night (on weekdays). 

I, like most mothers, do not have the luxury of paying someone to clean my house.  So, during the week, only worry about one thing each night.  For example, last night I dusted the living room.  That was it.  Tonight I will clean the coffee pot.  Tomorrow I am washing the shower (when I shower).  On the weekends, clean your ass off.

Tip #6:  Put a glass with one cup of CLR in the dishwasher once a week. 

Only have that glass in the load.  This will prevent nasty buildup (especially if you live in El Ghetto and have orange tap water). 

Tip #7:  Once a week (I do this on the weekends) fill the bathtub with bleach water (include a little dish soap), and throw everything in it that you can. 

I put baby toys, baby bathtub, bath toys, razors, potty chairs, trashcan lids, toothbrush holders, etc. in there.  Get rid of all those germs.

Tip #8:  Have your husband's side of the bed be the side that's away from your bedroom door. 

That way, when we have visitors, they can't see his disgusting mess that I refuse to clean up.

Tip #9: Keep a bowl full of pacifiers available.

Wash the used pacifiers once a week (or when necessary) in the dishwasher.

Tip #10: Get your kids involved.

Diesel has 5 chores that he does everyday.

Everyday that he does them, he gets paid $1.

You might think that's a lot for a three year old, bu this is what we do:

Every Sunday, he gives $1 to church.

That leaves him with $6 a week.

Once a month he goes to a gas station and picks out one candy.
He pays for the candy with his money he made that month (around $24).
He learns about spending money that he earns.
Then we go straight to the bank.
He deposits the rest of them money (around $22) into his college account.
He watches the bank teller take the money.
At the bank, they give him a sucker.
He's as happy as can be.
He talks all the time about saving his money for college.

Yes, a three-year-old.

And, you know what?  I don't mind giving him $1 every day.

By the way, I change it up.

Give him a one dollar bill one day, four quarters the next, 10 dimes the next... that way he learns about different types of money.

Diesel even has his own spray bottle.

I put a little bit of vinegar in the bottle.

I fill the rest up with water.

He has a blast cleaning on his own.  And he thinks of things to clean that I've never thought of.

Tip #11:  Organize all your chores on a calendar. 

 See mine below. 

 

When I get a chore done, I write it down on the next day that it needs to be done on.  For example, when I get done washing the floor, I cross it off and write it down for 7 days later.  Here's my list of what I do and how often I do it:

Once A Week

Disinfect and clean bathroom

Wash and disinfect sink

Wash and disinfect counter

CLR the dishwasher

Wash coffee pot and coffee maker

Sweep/mop (I wish this could be done on 2 seperate days, but it cannot)

Change Scentsy wax

Done Once Every 2 Weeks

Wash throw blankets

Wash Mommy and Daddy sheets

Wash kids' sheets

Dusting living room

Dust dining room

Water plants

Wax my face (yep, sure do)

Done Once a Month

Wash large blanket on bed

Fertilize potted plants

Wash rugs

Trim my arm, eyebrow, and nose hairs (yep, sure do)

Change air filter

Change contacs

Use ceramic cleaner on oven top

Dust bedrooms

Wash and disinfect the shower

Done Once Every 3 Months

Add toilet tab to back of toilet

Change razor

Get haircut

Wash outside of car

Wash inside of car

Wash carseats

Vacuum car

Wash shower curtain




You may think I'm strange, but it works for me!

 

My New Year's Resolution

I want to take credit for this, but I can't.

I know I'm a month late, but that's okay.

Today, I'm starting my New Year's Resolution.

Thank you, John Kralik

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/excerpt-365-yous-john-kralik/story?id=12402610

Today, my first thank-you note will be written.  I will try to write

365 - 30

thank-you notes this year.

Hopefully God will help me pay for the stamps.

Here we go...

Dates Complete:


January 30th
31
February = Completed
March
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

Boogers or Scabs?

 I cannot tell whether they're boogers or scabs.  You be the judge.  They hurt when I pick at them.