Children and Chores

I have always been a mom that asks my children to help clean and cook alongside me...to make their beds and pick up after themselves. Recently I decided to give the kids two types of chores: After Meal Chore & Daily Keep Up Chore.

I wrote down their chores on a sheet of paper, highlighted their name and magnected it on the fridge, to remind me and them! Once they complete their chore, I place a sticker. Helps me to see how often they accomplished their job and I feel it will give them the confidence and satisfaction of a good job. :)

After Meal Chore is basically helping me clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner.. Chores given are: clear the table, wash the table, wash the chairs, sweep. I help them and start on the dishes. I started this chore because after lunch I like to get everything quickly cleaned up so we can finish our 'lesson time." After starting this chore, I have to say, I love that they dont rush off after their bellies are full..but that we stay together, lovingly serving!

Daily Keep Up Chore are areas where this mamma needs help ;) ..thats basically how I decide chores. Chores in my home that are given are: vacuum the living room, bathroom and kitchen trash taken out and put a new bag in, organize the shoe area (we have alot of shoes that easily pile up), putting the drying dishes away. Everyone is also responsible for making their bed..my oldest son asked if he could make my bed everyday for 10cents..lets just say I got the better deal on that but I love that he takes his chores a bit further..what a blessing!

I have also taught the children that we serve the Lord in each job we do. No stickers are awarded for those who grumble and complain....

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Have you ever read "One hundred and One More Devotions for Homeschool Moms, by Jackie Wellwood?"

If you homeschool or have thought about homeschooling, I encourage this book greatly! Anyways, Jackie writes a chapter on "Right hand and Left hand jobs." There are jobs we like and love to do, that come more easily to us, then there are jobs that are harder to do that we dislike. We need to teach and train our children that we have to do both kind of jobs in this world. Our sons will be providers for their families and most likely have to do quite a few right and left hand jobs. As mothers I accomplish a handful of left and right hand jobs esp when my hubby is away for work. With this lesson taught to my children, we switch the chores up..my oldest dislikes vacuming and my youngest loves it..they switch where my oldest has to vacuum. Keeps the chores fresh and exciting in a way.. "whats my chore going to be mommy!?" ;) The child that has completed the chore for a few weeks then gets to pass any tips they learned to their sibling..they love that part!!

Lastly when your child does not do their chore to your perfection.. lovingly encourage them with P R A I S E. That really is the key to joyful servers! Moms, your children love your praise! Keep praising them and lovingly instruct them.. do not complain about their work, or fix their work. DO show them, complete the work together..

While you and your children serve together, play hymns, pray for your children (and yourself) to be selfless servers.

Here, my sweet 5yr old decided to help me with dinner, his job was placing the tater tots over the burger. I showed him how to place the taters on one side... He did the other side. Perfectionate old me, wanted to fix his lil taters but NO! His little fingers placed them and he did a wonderful job.. I want to encourage his help so the casserole went in the oven just the way he made it!

There are so many free printable chore charts out there, do whatever one will work for you. Again, mine was simple... wrote their name down, highlighed their name and chore.. left room so stickers can be placed all over..easy!

How are chores working in your home? What works, what doesnt?

Remember the word P R A I S E moms! I know I need the reminder daily!

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Our Simple Country Life

Exposing Birth Control

According to the most precious book on this Earth, Children are indeed a Blessing from above. If you havent spent time studying on what the Lord says about Children, then I plead you to do so.

Loving children starts with us Christians.. Jesus calls us to; 'Ye are the salt of the earth.." And, "Ye are the Light of the world."
Matthew 5:13-16

"Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" We should be exposing the evil going on in this world today.

"With over 17 million American women using the Pill and other chemical abortifacients, it is estimated that breakthough ovulation and pregnany occurs so often . . . that between 7 to 12 million newly conceived children are killed by chemical abortions in the womb each year. And most of these women never even knew they were pregnant." ~quote from http://www.prolife.com/BIRTHCNT.html

Love to share with you a video that demonstrates how the birth control works as a chemical abortion, had difficulty publishing the video. Please watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiCU46_lWeE



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Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who witand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” ―Psalm 94:16

Be of Good Courage!

To be a good mother sometimes we have to say to our children, "no" and sometimes we have to say "not right now." We say those things because we truly want our children to appreciate the things they have already.. to be thankful when we do say "yes." Our heavenly father is just and perfect in all his ways and he wants us to be thankful for all we have and to count our blessings even in difficult times. He also test our patience and makes us wait. When our prayers are answered we see that everything works out, His time is perfect and there was never a reason to worry and not trust Him completely!


When our family moved to another state for my husbands job we seen that this new state is not where we wanted to live forever..we began to pray the Lord would guide us back home. 3 1/2 years later our prayers were answered at the most perfect time. While waiting we met wonderful friends, we were convicted to homeschool, fell in love with a church and grew incredibly close to our Lord and savior. He had a reason to say, "not now" and I look back on those years and think, wow.. If I had gotten my way, I would have missed out on the Lords incredible path for us!
 

With this in mind I will always be strengthen to wait on the Lord.. He is always teaching us lessons in one way or another, So that we can be wiser, stronger, to trust in Him and to live out the scripture, "walk by faith and not by sight." Not to mention to spread and share our testimonies to encourage others. It may be hard to tell your story for whatever reason but the Lord wants us to share what He has done thru us.

Now I am waiting again on the Lord, for a home of our own. Its only been a month in waiting but when living with others, the time ticks by slowly. But when the enemy wants to bring me down, discourage my husband and me..we are brought quickly back to truth and to our experience on the Lords time. We truly can wait on the Lord and never worry! He cares for our every need! There is a reason, a very good reason why we have not found a home just yet...but I can praise Him all day long for a house, I know He will provide!
           
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." psalm 27:14

The Blessing of Friendship

"Every good and every perfect gift is from above" James 1:7

Friendship has been a blessing to me from above, I thank the Lord for sending me such wonderful friends while living across the country, far from family. The Lord graciously sent me friends who became like family to me, being a blessing to me in one way or another. What a gift!

Here is to the blessing of friendship!

The Friendship Garden

Heart~Soil Preparation

Prepare the soil by tilling it with God's unconditional love.

Remove any rocks of judgement or critical attitudes.

Pull out any roots of fear and jealousy.

Destroy the seeds of gossip before they can even take root.

Seedtime

Seeds of friendship may be found most anywhere.

Plant with care, using kind words and a listening ear.

Germination is usually spontaneous, so be watchful.

To ensure growth, water with kind deeds and a generous heart.

Maintenance

Make sure you give each friend plenty of room to grow.

Be realistic, don't expect a marigold to smell like a rose.

Fertilize generously with laughter and joy.

Water deeply with tear of empathy and prayer to develop healthy roots and a stronger, more stable friendship.

{Karla Dornacher}

Friendship takes time, patience..but it's worth it!

Friendship needs to be seasoned with G R A C E! yup, Grace!

We all are imperfect people and yes our friends are not perfect, they may hurt us, disappoint you, forget something important. Every friendship should be covered in prayer and patience..most importantly, love! I have been hurt in the past by friends but when I spoke to the Lord about it and gave it time I seen how many times I myself failed. The only perfect friend we will ever have is Jesus, He will never fail us! He often called his followers, friends..if you have put your faith in Jesus, He is your friend and you are His!

God is the greatest gift giver of all

and He loves when we are a cheerful giver.

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

Be the friend you want to have, give;

give a listenting ear,

prayers,

wise advise rooted in scripture,

patience,

support while she grows in Christ,

love,

a shoulder to cry on,

babysitter when needed,

kindness to her children,

a place for lunch, 

homemade gift, 

encourager,

a meal!

Jesus is our example of a perfect friend. His perfect love is our standard~ Karla Dornacher

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt" proverbs 27:9

Our conversation should always be to build up and encourage,

never to tear down.

Our counsel should always be preceded by prayer

and showered in grace.

Our commitment should always be to speak the truth with love and integrity.

Jesus is your ever~present friend, the unseen guest in every conversation.

{Karla Dornacher}

If you do not have the blessing of friendship currently, please pray because the Lord knows you best and what friend would be perfect for you.. she may be praying right now to meet a friend too!

Friendship is heavy on my heart..never did I have such dear friends, sisters in Christ to share my life with.. I am moving back to my homestate and will miss them greatly. Our family is so thankful to the Lord for moving, its been an answer to many prayers.. it will be a bittersweet time for us. 

The wonderful news is that Jesus is my best friend and He is always with me, no matter where I am on this earth! 

Cherish your friendships and lift one another up in Christ dear ladies! 

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Herbal Face Wash

I love trying new facial mask recipes that are natural and inexpensive. I used to use store bought but they are pricey and there is too many chemicals, I just do not want on my face! ;)

I often use baking soda which when mixed with water can make a great scrub and I love using a plain mashed banana!

But my N E W favorite is The Gooseberry Patch Herbal Face Wash, I discovered this recipe in their book, "Simple Country Pleasures."

You start with adding 2tablespoons of plain yogurt

Add chopped thyme and/or rosemary, I used both.

Thyme works great for reducing spots and pimples, its both soothing and gentle to your skin.

Rosemary is good for oily skin.

Add 2 tablespoons of oatmeal. If you want your mask to be more creamier, then add 1 1/2 tablespoons of oatmeal.

Mix all together, it smells really yummy and fresh!

My beautiful daughter, always along side me...enjoying our *girly* times!

Store in the fridge, keep in mind the exp. date of the yogurt.
What facial mask recipes do you enjoy?









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