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Sarah
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 9:57am | IP Logged
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Mary Chris' fabulous thread on Simplicitypairs perfectly with my new Home Sweet Home Challenge(if I call it something clever it might inspire me more ). Basically, it will be using the next 365 days to step toward trying to get our home life to be more joyful through doing little things.
Many many times I find myself getting nuts about housework. I want the atmosphere of our home to be something our children look back fondly upon. I desire them to WANT to come visit when they are older. My biggest problems are laundry, dishes, bathrooms, bedrooms, toy & school supply chaos, and the frig (yikes!) . . . (okay, the whole house!  ) and then feeling so bogged down by so many things to do that I get just a little. . .well, crabby .
I have seen some amazing women in the past who I spent quite a bit of time with whose houses were pleasant (not perfect), functioned well, and the kids were happy & good. It is possible and as Mary Chris pointed out. . .it is possible with a plan.
For some reason, I'm really excited to take this on. Maybe because this year I told myself it will take 365 (or more) days and not overnight.
I'll be watching your blogs closely for tips. 
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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Theresa
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 10:31am | IP Logged
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Sarah, I love your new Home Sweet Home Challenge!!! That along with the thread on Simplicty and the thread about our husbands has had my heart and mind pondering many things in my own family and home that I would like to see growth or change in.
I love that you are giving your self 365 days to work towards this challenge and not overnight.
I am not Catholic but would love to join in on this challenge or come up with one similar.
Thank you for sharing here about it. May the Lord bless you as you work to put your home in order with Christ as the head.
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Theresa
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Michaela
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 10:49am | IP Logged
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Sarah, I'd love to participate.
I've been thinking along similiar lines....I really want my family to want to come home when they are gone..anywhere...not just when my children move out. I hope to create a HAVEN that even when they are older and at a friend's home...this miss our home.
I want my husband to step on the gas peddle a little bit more (nothing dangerous...just wanting to be home ) after a long day because he knows this isn't just a place to rest before going back to work, but an atmosphere....warm, loving, cared for.....not put on a suit of armor before walking in the door for the chaos that may be waiting for him. (kids fighting....running around....he needs some quiet after a long day even for 20 minutes to make the transition from work stress to home)
I've been thinking about this a lot. It's humbling to realize that yes, all the basics are being met, but *I* really could do more to make our home a haven.
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 11:16am | IP Logged
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That sounds wonderful, Sarah! I look forward to reading about your progress and getting ideas for my own organizational blitz.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 12:32pm | IP Logged
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Sarah,
I read your wonderful blog post this morning. We all really are on the same page aren't we.....
I also want our home to be a place my children like to come back to and for the present a place they and their friends like to be. At the moment my children have this grand plan, our street is divided into three blocks, our block has four houses on it and they each are planning to buy one of the houses. It is so sweet to listen to them talk and plan. They are going to knock down the fences and put in a pool. I just hope I can keep that sweet attitude as we enter the teen years.
Here's to 2008 may it be year of simple blessings for us all!
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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Angel
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 2:20pm | IP Logged
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Sarah,
I was keenly awaiting your next post after you posted about making a new homemaking blog, because I was in the middle of doing the same thing!  I went ahead and created the homemaking blog... but haven't made it public yet, because, like you, I wondered if it wouldn't be easier to just have everything in one place. On the other hand, I'm not sure if everyone wants to read my lists. 
I would like to participate in your challenge, too, once I figure out a good place to keep posts on the topic. One of the reasons I thought about doing a homemaking blog was because my mil reads my main blog religiously for news of the kids. And my biggest problem around here is clutter, which has exasperated me to the point of tears this Christmas season. And my mil -- God bless her, she only has the best of intentions -- is a major source of clutter in my house. She sent us 6 big boxes of presents this year, definitely outbuying Santa. And now I have to figure out what to do. My dh has tried (many times) to limit her giving, but she won't listen.
So... this week, while we're having a little break, I guess I'm off to look at the simplicity thread, try to figure out a way to deal with all this stuff, and decide whether or not I need another blog.
Thanks for initiating this, Sarah; I think it will be very helpful and uplifting to many of us.
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 4:34pm | IP Logged
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Yay! Dh took son to basketball practice so I have a few minutes before heading to exchange godparent gifts.
Sarah wrote:
Many many times I find myself getting nuts about housework. I want the atmosphere of our home to be something our children look back fondly upon. I desire them to WANT to come visit when they are older. My biggest problems are laundry, dishes, bathrooms, bedrooms, toy & school supply chaos, and the frig (yikes!). . . (okay, the whole house! ) and then feeling so bogged down by so many things to do that I get just a little. . .well, crabby . |
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I want this so much for my home too but kids are undisciplined and, in a crowd, there simply must be crowd-control or there in uncontrollable havoc. Sorry, but I can't live with that on a daily basis.
Take today for example. I am so discouraged and tired.
I snuck off to read in my bedroom today...should be mellowed and relaxed now, huh? My Internet server crashed early and it was a lazy day at home. But neighborhood kids found their way here and crashed my living room. Let's not discuss the splattered blue applesauce that speckled my sofa, carpet, and walls. 
I either keep a vigiliant, ever anxious eye out or I close the door and ignore it all. Both leave me exhausted.
I'm really wondering what kind of grandmother I'll be. Me...who has spent my motherhood flying by the seat of my pants...is beginning to cherish the calm and predictability that comes with growing children.
I definitely need a plan. Of course, once everyone else's children go off to school, I'll be back in control. Right??? 
Sarah wrote:
For some reason, I'm really excited to take this on.
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Thank you and God bless you, Sarah! Your excitement is contagious. I've already printed the goals and rules out. I'm going to add some pretty stickers and laminate it and place it by my prayer/reading corner.
And, what I love the most, is your plan is so "simple". It fits everyone's currant simplicity-mindframe SO WELL! Alleluia! I believe this is going to work!
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 5:44pm | IP Logged
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Sounds good 
That's why I gave myself a yearly 'theme'. Sometimes it takes that long
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~Rachel~
Wife to William
Mum to James 13, Lenore 8
Lighting a Fire
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Sarah
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 6:43pm | IP Logged
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Angel wrote:
I was keenly awaiting your next post after you posted about making a new homemaking blog, because I was in the middle of doing the same thing! |
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Great! Now I'll lots of ideas to take from you and others. That's funny, Angel.
I did really want a blog dedicated for this purpose alone but I just couldn't wing it.
I'm soooo glad you all are here wanting the same thing. Its rejuvenating!
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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Nina
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| Posted: Dec 27 2007 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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Sarah,that is a great idea.I'll be very interested.The sugestions you give in your blog are excellent.I think that one of the signs of great parents is that the children love visiting after they themselves are adults.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Making a Home
