31 days of December: Sunday

Chris and I hung out at the library to get our papers finished. Went grocery shopping and then Jake, Sammy, Chris and I had dinner. Baked Ravioli and garlic bread.

31 days of December.

December 1st: Saturday

We went shopping at the holidayfest in Lake worth.

I saw a picture of laundry and a basket with a title of

10 habits for a well-run home on pinterest. What mom wouldn't click on it. 

Number 1 was Wake up early. NO!!! I do not want too. This is cruel to an over worked single mom of many. So that is as far as I got before I decided to post it to my blog.  I am off to read number one past Wake up early. Oh god now she said to go to bed early....Back to reading.Ok, so she is smarter than I original thought.  

Number 2 oh wait number 2 was  Go to bed earlier . opps read ahead of myself. 

Number 3 Evening preparations. This is a good one. Having everything ready for morning makes a happy morning mom. 

Number 4  Institute meal-planning. Great idea! 

While cooking is a good time to make lunches for the morning. I have my lunch container out and dish first before I serve the kids and put in frig for an easy grab when off to work. This way I can serve and soak the pan during dinner for easy clean up after and no eats my lunch by mistake. 

Number 5  Do one complete load of laundry a day. Washing, Folding and put away. 

Number 6  Do dishes before going to bed. Ok, I have to go to bed earlier and now I have a ton of chores to do before hitting the sack. Luckily I already do this one. 

Number 7 5 minute bathroom clean. This is something I do not do and think its a great idea.

Number 8 Have a place for everything. A girl after my own heart, I can't stand clutter. I am borderline of BORING because of this rule. Someday I will have a well decorated house that is clutter free and not boring. 

Number 9 Bedtime routine for the kids. See number 3 for the moms.

Number 10 Do not say YES immediately to new requests.   “Due to other obligations, I won’t be able to ________”.  

I am not sure if she came up with this on her own or revise from another list. This is a list that will work and prepare you for an easy, crazy free mornings. 

French Toast Bar

Since I got up early I decided to let the dogs out for the the kids, since all of the kids stayed up late and slept in the living last night.

While waiting on the three angels to do there morning run to the tree and stare up at the squirrel. I decided to make the kids breakfast. I have come across a lot of pictures of "food bars" on Pinterest and wanted to do a small one of my own. I did a french toast bar with honey butter ( just softened butter and added honey), real syrup, SF syrup, powdered sugar ( I made it), bacon (Jake made it) and put plates out. Each kid slowly woke up and found their way to the table for breakfast. I think I will do this more often. It was nice to cook and set up the table for the kids to fix a plate when they were ready instead of waiting for everyone to wake up. 

Family

What makes someone your family?

I have been fighting with the answer to this, since I am not close to own family. No fighting just live in different states. I was ready to move my whole family across three states to be closer to my family, but realized if we do not have time to call and talk or take the time for each others kids. We will not find the time if we lived closer, it would just hurt more to live closer and not seeing family. 


So for now we are staying in Texas, at least for another 5 years. I hate it here, but I will have to find a way to love it for now because its where we call home. 

Thrift shop finds

We were at Sam's soccer practice and of course we had to make a bathroom run. We found a thrift store and I found this. I LOVE IT!

Echoes of Laughter

I was looking though Pinterest and found this blog called Echoes of Laughter. She put together a notebook for all her bills. I use a online calendar and take pictures of my bills, since all but two are paperless. This is such a good idea, I started mine today. It may take me days to get all the bills in one place. I have printed most of my bill and they are in  page protectors. When I am done I will hand the book over to my 17 year old to learn budgeting and how to pay bills.