Routines

Routines are wonderful things! They are always there when you need them, calling you back to where you should be. I have been spending a nice piece of my morning on the front porch with my coffee and Bible. This has been a wonderful addition to my morning routines. Now that school is more relaxed...mostly read aloud and some math review...my mornings are more relaxed too. Kyle leaves for work about 8:30, so that is the perfect time to head out the door too. I am showered and dressed by then so the little kids are eating their breakfast and getting their morning chores done while Sweetheart is getting ready for the day. NO ONE bothers me. Really.
Uninterrupted time with the Lord. What could be better? Nothing I can think of. It is not that I am not accessable...I think I am out of their sight so....you know, out of sight, out of mind. I have really needed that the last couple of days too. You know I love my kids, but when the strict school schedule drops, they get more difficult. I am planning to get their routines tweaked a little so they can feel more structured over the summer.Don't they look just darling?? So innocent...so loving....so full of trouble those two!
They wanted a picture taken with me, but Zach was full of it! No idea what the number 3 is about....I do not understand how the camera adds 20 pounds to me, but not the kids! How is that possible?Today was spent with my mom. It was a wonderful morning and early afternoon with her. We emptied out her bathroom for the workman to start the remodel tomorrow. She bought us lunch and ice cream and then we came on home. Sweetheart is working at his Mom's too. I pray my own children show up for me in my old age! It is what we are suppose to do.
We are getting ready for the Anniversary Open House in a few weeks. Sweetheart tore the carpet off the deck. It had served it's purpose and was falling apart. He planned to power wash it and then stain it.Look at the difference....the bottom section was washed.We both felt it looked good enough to skip the stain. He power washed the furniture and it looks wonderful!I better scoot and do my own household routines before Sweetheart returns. I have asked for my son to drop TJ for a few hours of play also, so I must get off of here so I can greet him at the door. I just love seeing TJ run to me yelling, "Surprise, Grandma, I'm here!!!!
Be Blessed!!!
Bren

PODA

No, I am not watching a Lord of the Rings movie. PODA sounds like a character from that type of film. Actually PODA stands for "Parade Of Daily Adventures". I came up with the above PODA about a year and a half ago. I stopped using it as my dailies and monthlies became routine for me. Well they became so routine that some days I let them go completely. With our new home school year starting on Monday, I decided to pull it back out and start using it again. Here is how it works...I run enough copies for the week on the weekend. I only use these Monday through Saturday. Sunday is an off day for me other than routines. Every night I look in my HMB for the next day's list of dailies and that week's monthly list. Here is what the dailies say for Wednesday.
The dailies are not set in stone. If the dusting was done on Monday, and Wednesday it is still dust free, I don't dust. It is a guideline of things that may or may not need to be done. I take this list and add the needed chores to that day's PODA under "Daily To Do List".I list any appointments, errands, or phone calls. As I complete a task, I cross it off, or place a check in the box. Also, I check the Monthly list...
This is impossible for you to read, but the 3rd week of the month (I know it is actually the 4th, but I did not count the first 2 days this month) is my focus cleaning for the Family Room, Deck, and bathrooms. I would normally put some of these jobs on my list, but I never do these on Wednesday. It is Sweetheart's day off and I like to keep things lighter on those days. Tomorrow, Thursday, will see many of these jobs because Thursday is my lightest daily list. I am praying this will make things easier as the school year starts. There is just something about crossing a task off a list that makes you feel like you accomplished something!! Do you have a PODA???

Schedules

Anyone who has been reading this blog for more than a month, knows I am BIG into schedules. My children thrive on them, and so do I. I have gotten some criticism, especially within my own extended family, but it works for me. One Christian Mom asked in a blog post this morning about schedules. I told her I would share mine. If you are not familiar with scheduling, it can be overwhelming. I have learned alot on the subject through many different blogs. I took a little from each and formatted what works for us. Here it is (again for my older readers). This is the NEW Master Schedule for me and the kids. It was made to meet the needs of our upcoming home school year. I keep it in the front of my Home Management Binder.I have been hanging out with my Aussie friends...I spelled organized with an "s" instead of a "z"! The Master Schedule is the only one that has actual times on it. These are guidelines, and time goals, but in no way does everyday follow that exact time frame. If you have nothing to aim for, you will miss it every time!

Each child has their own "schedule" to help them stay on track. The Master Schedule is still THE schedule, but this makes them feel like they have some control. They actually helped with what went on their own schedules, as you could guess by looking at Zach's list. Here is an example. These hang on their bedroom walls.

On the Master Schedule, where it says "Morning Routine", those things are listed on each "personal" schedule. They include, shower, teeth, making your bed, etc. They also have an evening routine. I have my own routines in my binder.
The children also have their own "school schedules" in their school bins. Note, there are no times listed, though the time goals are on the Master Schedule. The time thing can be used against you, but it can also be a great tool to keep the kids on track.
There it is One Christian Mom! What works for one family will not work for another. Schedules will only work if they are adapted to fit the needs of your own household.
Today, I plan to declutter the coat closet. We house games and puzzles there, and it is time to move them to a more suitable place. I plan to work on my book list for school, and do some sewing on the next Sunbonnet Sue. My plan for a block a day fell apart.
The kids got gift cards to Toys R Us from my Aunt Robin. Instead of spending them individually, they decided to put their money together to buy this...

They are both so excited. I am certain it is not high quality for the price, but if you are 7 and 11, it is perfect!
Have a blessed day!