You are more than welcome to disagree with me, but I have chosen NOT to make my kids do dishes anymore. The way I see it, they have plenty of other chores to teach them responsibility.
They each are responsible to do their own laundry, ManBoy is charged with taking out the trash, Fashionista is to keep the bathroom sparkling, and RoboBoy's job is to keep the floors swept and clean. In addition they are each tasked with keeping their rooms and computer areas clean. Yes, we have more than one computer, in fact each child has access to one to use during the day. They also have various smaller chores to keep up with such as helping to care for the critters.
The main reason I'm not letting them do dishes anymore is because I got fed up with never having a clean kitchen. There seemed to always be dirty dishes, and messy countertops. As a result, we've had an issue with ants causing us to have to keep our bread, peanut butter and other ant attractors in the refrigerator. Clean dishes were rarely put back where they belonged. I felt like my kitchen was constantly in a state of disorder which totally stresses me out.
I also feel that, by doing the dishes myself, my kids can see that I'm doing something to contribute to keeping our home clean and orderly. Not that I didn't before, but this is a more tangible contribution. This should help them to feel less 'used' or like mom is just giving them all the work to do.
So as I said, you are welcome to disagree with me on this, but my kids are no longer allowed to do dishes in our house. Well, except on rare occasions. Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Sidelined for Jesus
I shared in my last post about falling and scraping myself up pretty badly. As a runner, it is hard to let yourself be down for very long. I was recovering well and saw no reason not to be out running. Besides that, I had an important race coming up. It was the official kick off race for our running team, Calvary Chapel Running Team.
So this past Wednesday I was out doing one of my training runs. Since my last 5k (3.1 mi) race had been so difficult to complete I had decided to clock a 5k on my own working on endurance more than speed. I was near the end of my 5k and still doing well and feeling very proud of myself when it happened again! Even as I was going down I was thinking to myself, "OH, NO!! NOT again!!"
I'm pretty sure it was either the same location as the first fall or very close to it. As I sat there gathering the strength to get back up and assessing the damage, I felt overwhelming discouragement. I just wanted to sit there and cry and cry. I was also feeling angry. I'm not real sure who or what I was angry with but I was MAD!!!
I did manage to get up and limp home again. Even tried to run for a short way. Yes, I'm THAT hard headed! Quickly realized that my injuries were to much for that. Once I got home and got a good look at my injuries, I realized that my left knee was in pretty bad shape. What had been just a minor bruise after the first fall was now swollen about twice it's normal size and had very limited range of motion.
Since then, I've been doing my best to stay off that leg, keeping it elevated and icing it. After 4 days fighting depression, discouragement, and boredom that knee is still swollen and painful. So much so that I stayed home from church in order to keep it propped up. Praise God that our church broadcasts the services live over the internet. There was a special speaker who is a special friend to our church, Daniel Henderson. I'm sure that his message spoke to many others as well, but it was one of those that felt like it was especially for me. You can hear it at: http://www.ccstpete.com/living-word-media/teaching/index.cfm?tape_id=GS3352.
Of all things, the message was titled, "Don't Just Do Something! Sit There!" That's precisely what I'm being forced to do. I guess I'm one of those who is so stubborn that God has to sideline me to get my attention! You've heard of the proverbial frying pan to the head! After hearing this message, I have a new purpose to my recovery. I'm convinced that God wants to use this time to teach me to pray effectively. Not those boring, struggling to stay focused, God here's my list of requests prayers, but reaching the heart of God, worship saturated prayers.
At this point, I have no idea how long my recovery will be, whether weeks or months. I need to see the doctor for some kind of prognosis on that, but I'm going to try make the most of this time sitting at the feet of Jesus.
So this past Wednesday I was out doing one of my training runs. Since my last 5k (3.1 mi) race had been so difficult to complete I had decided to clock a 5k on my own working on endurance more than speed. I was near the end of my 5k and still doing well and feeling very proud of myself when it happened again! Even as I was going down I was thinking to myself, "OH, NO!! NOT again!!"
I'm pretty sure it was either the same location as the first fall or very close to it. As I sat there gathering the strength to get back up and assessing the damage, I felt overwhelming discouragement. I just wanted to sit there and cry and cry. I was also feeling angry. I'm not real sure who or what I was angry with but I was MAD!!!
I did manage to get up and limp home again. Even tried to run for a short way. Yes, I'm THAT hard headed! Quickly realized that my injuries were to much for that. Once I got home and got a good look at my injuries, I realized that my left knee was in pretty bad shape. What had been just a minor bruise after the first fall was now swollen about twice it's normal size and had very limited range of motion.
Of all things, the message was titled, "Don't Just Do Something! Sit There!" That's precisely what I'm being forced to do. I guess I'm one of those who is so stubborn that God has to sideline me to get my attention! You've heard of the proverbial frying pan to the head! After hearing this message, I have a new purpose to my recovery. I'm convinced that God wants to use this time to teach me to pray effectively. Not those boring, struggling to stay focused, God here's my list of requests prayers, but reaching the heart of God, worship saturated prayers.
At this point, I have no idea how long my recovery will be, whether weeks or months. I need to see the doctor for some kind of prognosis on that, but I'm going to try make the most of this time sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Blood, Sweat and Tears! All part of a typical homeschool week!
I don't know about you other homeschool moms, but I've been about as busy as a toddler in a room full of nick-nacks! We haven't been without our share of blood, sweat and tears either! Literally.
Last Thursday I was out running when I stumbled and fell. Running is not supposed to be a contact sport, but I guess I was trying to make it into one! I scraped myself up pretty good! Ended up having to take several days off from running to recuperate. My road rash is still healing and my left knee is a sickly shade of yellow and purple, but I got back out there yesterday. Trying hard to take it easy. Not something I do well!
That same day, I got word that my dad's brother died. He had been fighting a 2 year battle with cancer. I'm glad to be able to say that Uncle David had a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. He performed the wedding service for MyHero's and my wedding. In his last days, he had taken to having a weekly church service for all the family in his home. Even my dad, who had not been to church in years, attended. What a wonderful legacy to leave!! He will be greatly missed by many! I can't wait to be able to visit with him again in heaven!! Please pray for my Aunt Debi and my cousins and their children as well as the rest of my family. They will be grieving for some time yet.
This week I have been plagued by migraines. They have made it difficult to monitor school progress. Yesterday, I was helping RoboBoy with his school work when I got slammed with a migraine. It had been gradually coming on for an hour or so, but suddenly became unbearable. I told RoboBoy that he would have to do his best on his own with his school, then I took my prescription and went to bed. So far today I'm feeling better. Such is the life of a homeschool mom!
Last Thursday I was out running when I stumbled and fell. Running is not supposed to be a contact sport, but I guess I was trying to make it into one! I scraped myself up pretty good! Ended up having to take several days off from running to recuperate. My road rash is still healing and my left knee is a sickly shade of yellow and purple, but I got back out there yesterday. Trying hard to take it easy. Not something I do well!
That same day, I got word that my dad's brother died. He had been fighting a 2 year battle with cancer. I'm glad to be able to say that Uncle David had a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. He performed the wedding service for MyHero's and my wedding. In his last days, he had taken to having a weekly church service for all the family in his home. Even my dad, who had not been to church in years, attended. What a wonderful legacy to leave!! He will be greatly missed by many! I can't wait to be able to visit with him again in heaven!! Please pray for my Aunt Debi and my cousins and their children as well as the rest of my family. They will be grieving for some time yet.
This week I have been plagued by migraines. They have made it difficult to monitor school progress. Yesterday, I was helping RoboBoy with his school work when I got slammed with a migraine. It had been gradually coming on for an hour or so, but suddenly became unbearable. I told RoboBoy that he would have to do his best on his own with his school, then I took my prescription and went to bed. So far today I'm feeling better. Such is the life of a homeschool mom!
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