Isn't it Ironic...

Well, shortly after I wrote the post about connecting with your kids from your bed... I was put on bed rest. As far as bed rest goes...my stint was not that bad. I had high hopes of getting a lot of posts stocked up in the queue so that once Junior was born I would still be able to keep the blog going. But, as luck would have it, when I would have loved to have it the most...my laptop died.

As it turns out writing on my blog is pretty hard to do without a computer. And really, in all honestly, I haven't had two hands to type with in a long time. So here I am five months after little Junior joined my family I am ready to start plunking away at the keys again. I have really missed writing and other creative outlets since the birth of our adorable son.

My current adventure is simply trying to adjust to life with three kids. Three kids is a whole new ball game. I really should post a picture of what my house looks like right now...the word mess does not quite do it justice.

Adding a third child to the mix has created a very different dynamic. I really wondered why few could say anything encouraging about having a third child. To those of you pregnant with your third child... all I can say is buckle your seat belt, and get ready for an adventure. I don't want to add to the negativity, but I will say, just know it is very different.  I love, love, love having three kids. I wouldn't trade our sweet little guy for anything. But as many mothers who have come before me can attest...you can't fully understand Crazy Town until you actually live there. People can describe it's attractions and day-to-day living...but no one can adequately describe the adjustment of adding a third child. It is messy, silly, stressful, and a beautiful place to be!

So here I am sending you a post card from my favorite place to live! Hopefully, I will be able to make more regular blog entries in the future.

Until then, All my love to you from Crazy Town!

20 Ways to connect with your kids...From your bed.

Whether you find yourself stuck in bed due to bed rest during pregnancy, recovery from surgery, or a chronic pain condition...mothering from bed is never ideal.

When I found myself stuck in bed for a very long time recovering from my back surgery and other chronic conditions... I learned to get creative about finding ways to stay connected with my kids.

Here is a list of activities that can be done from the comfort of your bed. They may not apply to all ages, but many can be adapted to meet your needs.

1. Read Stories....Keep a stash of Library books that they have not seen or read before. It will be a special time of surprise and discovery.
2. Play computer or some kind of video game. While, this may not usually be your cup of tea, it may just make your kid's day. There are free games to play on PBSKids.org or you can let your little gamer tutor you on how to play their favorite game.
3. Sometimes when you are really down and out listening to music and snuggling together is your best option. I have sweet memories of sharing my ipod head phones with my little 20 month old after my surgery. If you are too wiped out to read out loud you can always listen to books-- plenty of tape, CD's and MP3's to choose from either from your Library or itunes.
4. Keep a box of puzzles by your bed.
5. Crochet, Knit or Embroider something together. This may be the perfect time to learn how to do one of these crafts, or to teach your little one. For little hands you can "practice sewing" with sewing cards or stringing wooden beads or wooden spools.
6. Do a little Bible Study together. Read a Bible verse and talk about what it means.
7. Eat cookies and milk together. Sometimes enjoying a sweet treat with Mommy in bed is just the bonding you need.
8. Write letters and make cards for people you love.
9. Turn family photos into silly pictures via online photo editing tools or aps on your phone. Enjoy the giggles!
10. Give each other pedicures and foot rubs. (If you have to stay laying down have your kid lay in the opposite direction so their feet are where you can reach.) Or have someone come and help you with the pedicures.
11. Practice flash cards or play a card game.
12. Color and draw pictures together. You can try to color an entire coloring book from start to finish.
13. Write stories and poems together. Or play Mad Libs.
14. Help your little entrepreneur plan their first business. Help them come up with ideas (lemonade, selling crafts, yard work etc) Then create a business plan that includes start up costs, advertising ideas, supplies and prices for merchandise.
15. Bring out a treasure box of keepsakes from your childhood and tell stories and memories about the contents. Or get out your old year book if you dare!
16. Learn a language together. Research the country and plan your dream trip just in case you visit that place  together some day.
17. Draw letters, shapes and words on each other's back and try to guess what the other person wrote.
18. Look through old family photo albums. Learn about your family history and research online about what it would be like to live in that time.
19. Play Barbies or Action Figures with your kids. They will love it!
20. Get ready for Christmas..No matter what time of year it is... it is never too early to get ready for Christmas. Use this time to plan a special holiday celebration, meal or party (pick any holiday.) Make Christmas presents, ornaments or sign the Christmas cards well in advance. Let your kids help you write your Christmas letter. You can address them and stuff the envelopes. Then when Christmas finally does roll around you will be ready and your child will feel ownership and part of the process.

Trying out Terrariums

I have been wanting to make terrarium. As with most things there are lots of ways to do it. Some of them are complex and very artistic. I started out by checking out a few books on Terrariums and looking for directions on various sites. I saw lots of very inspiring examples. But, to start out, I decided to keep it simple. 

First I gathered jars and vases. I found all of these around the house or by collecting various interesting jars. It was a great way to re-purpose items and supplies that I already had on hand.

This craft could easily be done with children. But this time I enjoyed a quiet mommy moment when I assembled these. It was quite enjoyable! 

Step one I gathered materials: Rocks or Pebbles, Charcoal, Moss, Soil, & Plants. 

Level 1: Rocks or Pebbles. I used left over rocks from when we set up our aquarium.

Level 2: Charcoal. Charcoal is also used in some aquariums. I did not have any, so I bought some that is traditionally used with plants. There was a lot to choose from. I decided to use Black Gold.

Level 3: Add a layer of moss. I used left over moss I had from potting my Orchid.

Level 4: Add a layer of potting soil.

This long spoon came in handy when I was adding layers and arranging the plants.

Level 5: Plants. Next I matched up the plants to the jars, and planted them in the soil. I found these plants at our local nursery for about $2 a piece.

Level 6: Moss. I added moss around the base of the plants.

This was a perfect little spring craft that created lovely little gifts, made with many things that I had around the house.

  

Red Light! Green Light!

I am on a 40 day journey to a well-ordered home through the book Organizing Magic by Sandra Felton. Feel free to grab the book and join me.

Alright, I have dreamed my dreams, assessed my organizational level, and now it is time to start implementing small changes. We are challenged to decide on three habits to stop, three habits to continue and three habits to start. These are supposed to be simple changes that propel me towards my dreams of orderly living.

Stop

• I am going to stop being in charge of ministries at church, and limit our commitments outside the home.

As a wife of a pastor it is so easy to get swept into the many great ministries and activities that take place in our church. It has taken me a long time to see and understand my role and where I fit into the life of the church. I have had to ask the hard questions... What does God want me to do with my time? What does my husband want and need me to be doing? How can I best support him?

I started out feeling that I should have a ministry that I did personally. Or, at the very least, minister at my husband's side. This was especially felt in youth ministry. I wanted--and still do want--to be part of what is going on and ministering to the young girls.

But, over the past year God has made it abundantly clear through his word and through my husband what His will is for me. My ministry is being a wife and mother (Titus 2:4-5). In addition to that, my husband needs me to be his behind-the-scenes supporter. He needs to come away for a while and rest in the peace of our home. If I am constantly in the middle of all the church activity and bringing it into our home, where will he rest and replenish his soul?

I have been going through the sometimes painful process of pulling out of activities. This has truly enabled my husband to accomplish so much more in ministry. It has also made me more available, that way when he needs me to step in and help out...I can!! I let my husband pick and choose which activities he wants us to attend and participate in. This is one way I can accept his leadership and protection over our family. It is actually freeing for me, because I don't feel conflicted, obligated or guilty in anyway. Saying no is so healthy!

By the time our third baby is born I will no longer be in charge of anything or volunteering specifically in any ministry at the church. This sounds so wrong. But is it? Ministering to my husband and my children is a full-time, 24-hour ministry! It is vital, it is God ordained and husband sanctioned. It's better to be in God's will than fulfilling my own ideas so I can feel more fulfilled...or worse yet, trying to meet the expectations of others.

Furthermore, this is a season... my babies will not stay babies forever. They require a lot of care and attention right now. If I am stretched too thin in every direction...do you know who will suffer?...the little ones!
Continue

• I would like to continue to stay active physically. Doing pilates and walking really energizes me and helps me to get more done.
• I want to continue to try to get my daily chores done. These are the bare minimum chores that I set up in my Super Flipper. 
• I need to continue to find time for prayer and Bible reading. This may or may not include being part of a Bible Study Group. Either way, I need to be in prayer and in the word. I need to commit everything to the Lord.

Start

• I want to start setting a timer for myself when I get on Facebook. That way I don't space out and waste a bunch of time.
• Actually complete one organizational project/room before starting a new one.
• Declare our bedroom a 'No Dumping Zone'--- as in not allowing any more baskets and items to be brought in there until they are dealt with.

Stay tuned... next journal entry will be about Day Five.

The truth is in the toilet paper...

* I have invited my blog readers to join me as I go through the book Organizing Magic by Sandra Felton. I will be journaling about my 40 day journey to a well-ordered home and life... 

On day two we are asked to take the famous Felton Toilet Paper Test.... it helps to measure our level of organization based on how we handle a new multi-pack of toilet paper.

I am not sure what my grade would be on this test.... what happens to multi-packs of toilet paper in my house was not even an option on her test. And I found it ironic that this test was in the book considering that the TP sitch in our house has been driving me crazy.

Here is the life cycle of the toilet paper multi-pack in our house.

• The toilet paper is brought in from the car, but placed on a desk in the middle of the house. Or, on the floor in my bathroom.
• For a while I was able to store it under the sink in the main bathroom. However, a mouse came in and ate it all. Then we had to clean it out... and trap the mouse... and remove said mouse... and then clean it out again. (This process got stalled in the final cleaning phase). Additionally, the toilet paper holder in that bathroom is broken... we have a new one that is just waiting to be installed.
• Since we have no place to store the toilet paper and no place to hold the roll... rolls go rolling through out the house. The girls love to TP their bedroom, and drag the roll all over the house. I usually end up throwing out a grocery sack full of TP when I clean their room. 
• So, it is not unusual to sit down on The Throne only to discover that someone has hijacked the TP. This results in yelling for the children to come and bring you some. They bring a TP roll from some hidden place in the house. And you just use it, because when you are delivered TP in this manner it is better to be on a 'don't ask, don't tell basis.'

Just for grading purposes I think it is safe to say that we have failed the Felton Toilet Paper Test. The challenge of this day is to look at what I am already doing and then take it up a notch or two. I am glad to report that the space under the sink has been cleaned and the toilet paper now has a home. I am able to disperse the rolls between the two bathrooms. And hopefully someday soon that toilet paper holder will be installed.

Dreaming a Fabulous Dream!

On day two of 'Organizing Magic, 40 days to a well ordered home and life.'

Sandra Felton challenges us to dream about what we want our homes to be like. 

I like all of the examples she gives in the book. But, here are my personal dreams that I want to add to that list.

In my dream home ...

1.          The stuff we have would fit in the space we have. If at all possible I don’t want our 1300 SF house to feel stuffed to the gills. In this perfect dream; the number of books we have would fit on the book shelf, the clothes we have would fit in the drawers, and we would only store what we have room to store in the shed.
2.          Every item would have a space and a place. If I noticed an item laying around I would be able to pick it up and immediately know where to put it away.
3.         My kid's bedroom would be able to be picked up in 10 minutes or less and the girls would be able to pretty much do it all by themselves. They would also be able to safely play in their rooms, and have a reasonable amount of toys.
4.         I would not be fighting a clutter war all the time. Instead we would be able to tidy up the whole house in 30 minutes. Then I would be able to actually do daily cleaning chores to maintain the house. And… spend more time doing other things!
5.         Our home school materials would be contained, organized, and usable.
6.         I would have what I need and use what I have.
7.         I could be ready for guests in a flash, and be able to entertain on a dime.
8.         My bedroom would be a restful, clean and romantic place to be… rather than the overflow and dumping ground for all things that need sorted.
9.         Our home would be a peaceful place for my husband to come home and recharge and study. Rather than an overwhelming place with a chore in every inch he can see. 
10.      My counter would not be the clutter magnet that it is!!!
11.      Of course I would also like my home to be described as stylish, orderly, peaceful, calm and homey. I don't want it to be so clean that no one feels comfortable. I also don't want to be a slave to my home. But I would like it to be a peaceful dwelling place for my family to reside.

   Well, that's the dream. Now to work towards making that dream a reality!

What about the littlest?

Sometimes it is hard to think outside the box when it comes to engaging our little ones in activities. Of course the very best activities are the ones that they can experience right along side you. Little ones learn so much by doing what you are doing.

Most moms also know about the obvious-- sing songs, read stories, teach them to play patty cake and sign language. And really that is just awesome! But if you want to take it up a notch, or if you are looking for additional developmentally engaging activities for your newborn through three-year-old... Here is the perfect book! Wonder Play by Fretta Reitzes and Beth Teitelman

I loved the book Wonder Play -- it has activities for you to do with your baby up to three years old. It includes games, crafts and creative activities that you might not have thought of.

It is true that the book may include some activities and songs you may already know. I still found it helpful to have those activities and songs matched up to appropriate ages to introduce them. Plus I found it helpful to be reminded to do those activities!

Most of these activities and little rhymes are best done spontaneously especially when your baby is young. You will want to either keep the book handy, or create little activity cards that are on a ring. That way you can pick it up, flip to a poem or activity and won't be struggling with the book. You can keep your cards by the changing table or where you feed your baby.

I have enjoyed rediscovering this book in preparation for baby #3.