Chapter 9

I found this chapter very encouraging and motivating. "My attitude is ultimately what makes our house a peaceful haven. And because I can only accomplish this by leaning on the Lord, it is my relationship with him that ultimately will provide a nurturing environment for the people I love." (p.167) This is a big reminder for me. I tend to get frustrated and emotional quite easily. Motherhood has really brought this to the surface for me. I must rely on my daily walk with God and surrender myself to Him...this is the only way that my home will be peaceful.
I love organization and the process of organizing. I love my label maker and my files. As I mentioned in my "cleaning 101" post, I love a clean house but don't love the cleaning process. Well my new cleaning system has given me much freedom from stress and I have to admit that I am actually enjoying it a little. I made a list of all of my daily, weekly, monthly, bi-monthly tasks. My daily tasks I do every day, my weekly tasks are divided amongst six days (Sunday is my day off). My monthly and bi-monthly are assigned to days that have a lighter weekly task. I have been doing this for the past month and it is working quite well. I typically do my chores either first thing in the morning or after the kids are in bed. The daily tasks get done throughout the day. I have much less frustration about things because when I see the bathroom mirror needs cleaning on Thursday, I remember that it will get done on Saturday and I don't need to think about it today. Yes, I could just take the few minutes right then to clean the mirror, but then I would just find something else and then something else and there you go, I am frustrated about how there is no way I can clean this house and take care of three kids etc. etc. I know that through the course of the month everything will get done and that it will be easier the next time I do it. I am also learning which things may not need to be done every week and some things need to be done more than once a month. I am less stressed because each day has a manageable goal and it is not the end of the world if I miss a day. I am quite an emotional person and this system is taking a lot of the emotional swings of all that needs to be done out of the equation. Things are also cleaned the way I want them to be done. (Okay, maybe I have a little OCD/control issues, but that is for another day, right?) The other nice thing is that my husband knows the schedule (as it is posted below the family calendar) and I have been nicely surprised when coming home from a trip to the grocery after the kids are in bed that the chores have been done by him! (I could go on and on about how selfless and helpful and giving and never complaining he is, but again, that is for another day, right?)
I love all of the practical ideas and examples Sally gives us throughout this chapter. I won't quote and list them all, since you are reading the book too, but I find that reading this chapter is refreshing for me and motivating me. What a joy to read from someone who has been there, knows what we are going through and can give us practical wisdom from her experience and walk with God.
"Learning to live with the tension of never getting all of our work done and still being content is a worthwhile attitudinal goal as we serve our children." (p.169)
"The strong and secure future we help to build for our children is laid by the hundreds of small deeds we do every day as we serve faithfully in our homes. Yet the great value of our service will be felt for generations to come and throughout eternity." (p.176)

Part 3: Chapters 7 and 8

Wow has it been a long time! Have you all been busy with end of year parties, recitals, performances etc.? We are beginning our summer schedule/routine today and I am ready. (I hope). I hope you are continuing to enjoy the book...but most of all I hope you new moms (for the third time!) are soaking up those baby moments...soft skin, fuzzy hair, tiny toes! I am going to post about two chapters today since I haven't posted in over a month! Okay, I have to admit when I began reading chapter 7 and she was talking about gluing her teapot and alluding to how she had done this a lot, my mind went straight to that Brady Bunch episode when they broke the vase..."mom always said, 'don't play ball in the house.'" I know it is sad that 70s and 80s sitcoms still take up space in my brain! I do love all of her relationship principles in chapter 7. My husband and I have spent much time in late night conversation and prayer about these principles and our goals. We have started doing one on one outings with the kids too. (see "something to try..." in chapter 7) We have always planned on doing this and through the years have done so periodically. But I am realizing that if you don't plan it and make it a priority the days, weeks and months go by and it just doesn't happen. My #1 and I went to the paint your own pottery studio together. I was planning on painting something too, but am so glad I didn't. I just watched her paint, was 100% focused on her, listening to her chat away about her painting and what she wants to be when she grows up. After painting she wanted to go the bookstore and share hot chocolate and a cookie. She talked so openly and freely and gave me suggestions for what she would like to be different at home. (Her main request was to be able to help me cook more!...I never would have thought this is something she wanted) It was a wonderful night. I am looking forward to having this time with our other children too.
I enjoyed chapter eight too. Interestingly, my husband excels in the cultivating areas. He has always read beautiful poetry to our children, listened to classical music with them and taken them on adventures to the mountains, art museums, and gardens. We have always taken them out to dinner with us and the majority of the time they have great manners and behave better than most adults in the restaurant. :)
We will begin discussing Part 4: A Mother's Heart for Her Home in the coming weeks.
I would love to hear from you...what did you think of part 3? has reading this book changed you? changed what you do? I look forward to reading your posts and comments!