Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean - Week 5

Wow, we are coming to the end of this challenge and I have to say that I have really enjoyed it.  I haven't completed every Martha or Mary challenge but that's okay because I MADE PROGRESS and that's better than doing nothing!


This week, I have to say I think Sarah Mae was reading my mind!!  
I am a person who loves to plan, who loves to schedule, who loves trying out new systems and building them up.  I am not a person who follows through well!  I think I get bored so I look for something new and that excites me to start again.  That's okay, I know I'm not perfect but I won't let that stop me from continuing!


Once again it was the Mary challenges that I gained the most insight from this week.  We came up with a workable routine, listed distractions that keep us from following that routine, and today we begin a journal of the times when we feel more motivated to clean.  I can tell you that after two nights of sleeplessness - I was not motivated to clean!  


A big distraction for me would definitely be my computer.  I had a great habit of not turning it on before noon during our homeschool days when we first started.  I have completely turned away from that and I'm finding it is a huge distraction!  How about you?  What do you do to help with your distractions?

Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean - Week 2 Overview

This was the week that I knew I needed the most.  When I saw Chapter 9 - Confronting Laziness - I knew this was for me!  I find it so easy to sit back and look at things and procrastinate over doing them rather than just get up and go do them!  Honestly, I spend more time procrastinating over the project than the project itself.  I'm slowly learning to just get up and do.  S-L-O-W-L-Y!


This week, I found it ironically funny that my motivation was at an all time low.  If you have ever watched the show The Biggest Loser, you know that week 2 is notorious for a low weight loss.  Well, I find that week 2 of anything I do is the hardest week for me!  Week 1, I'm all excited and can take on the world.  Week 2, I'm ready to crawl in a hole and call it quitsville!  I know this is the case for me so I tried to be a prepared as I could.  Some steps I took to help.

• had my quiet time every morning no matter the time I got up
• limited my computer time - too often a big time killer for me
• focused on just doing the next thing.  No, I didn't get it all done.  I didn't even get to a single cabinet or clean out my pantry but I did get some challenges complete (mainly the Mary one's this week - go figure!).  
• prayed - usually a downward spiral of look at that pile of mess I just cleaned and why bother thoughts would creep in and I'd sulk a little longer before just getting back up and starting! But this time, I prayed first asking God to forgive me for my laziness and to help my attitude to change.  Day 6's Mary challenge was so helpful to me this week along with chanting Colossians 3:23 -  "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. "

So, you will not see any before or after pictures of cabinets, pantries, or drawers from me this week.  However, earlier in the week I divided my Mother's Day flowers up and spread them around the house and every time I passed them by they motivated me to just keep going!

I did get my shoes cleaned out and purged too!

Before/During

After

Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean - Week 1 thoughts

I survived week 1 of the Homemaker's Challenge!  I must say that I am really enjoying the daily steps written in 31 Days To Clean.  They are not overwhelming at all although I don't always get them done.  :)  


My biggest struggle this week was from Day 4 - inviting a friend over to prop up their feet.   And my easiest challenge was from Day 3 - cleaning the top of the fridge and cabinets.  


I knew the Mary challenges were going to be harder for me than the Martha challenges but I am persevering through - I even made the dreaded mission statement on Day 1!


It's not too late for you join if you would like!  I don't think I've said it much this week so here goes.  Accountability works for me :)!


You can visit my daily thoughts of the challenge below.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5 - I didn't get to the Martha challenge but the Mary challenge I had to complete in Day 1 in order to write my mission statement.  I couldn't do that without having my priorities in order!

Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean - Day 4

Day 4 - A place to put your feet up 

This is what happens when I put my feet up - ha ha!  Someone is always wanting to sit with me - no matter the age!

Today's Mary challenge was hard for me - to invite a friend over to put their feet up.  This is something I really struggle with.  I don't mind people coming over - I love it really but it's still hard for me to "entertain".  We have a special couple who we are very close friends with and they are the only ones that I wouldn't mind pulling up in the drive way at any time.  We are just that comfortable with each other.  But anyone else and I tend to have feelings of "why didn't they call first".  I'm working on that attitude but it is hard to change!  

Martha Challenge before pics

The afters - in less than 7 minutes!

You will not find any oven pictures here because I didn't do it.  Some things have to give and I choose the oven for today!  

Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean - Day 3

Day 3 - 10 Ways To Give Life To Your Home


Answers from my family on what chore that I do makes them feel most loved.


Jonathan and Stephen both surprised me with their answers! They said, "when you teach me"!  I thought for sure cooking would go in there!


Sarah had a very hard time narrowing the question down to one specific thing so she ended with "when you help me clean and cook for me".


My husband said cooking also but he too had a hard time narrowing the question down.  I would have a hard time answering also.


I am so much a Martha - just give me the tasks to do and I'll get them done but stop asking me to think about things, lol.

Day 3 before pictures - there's where all my pens are!!  I'm only 5'3" so I can't see up here at all and never put anything up there so I'm off the hook on this one!  

After

some of my cabinet doors - this is actually the before!  I love these doors - custom made by my father in law and husband and very little dirt do they ever show so I'm skipping this one.  :)

And as Mother's Day approaches I wish everyone a very Happy Mother's Day!  Enjoy being "in tha mutherhood"!






And by the way, when you see a space that should have a picture but doesn't - I haven't done that chore yet :).

Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean - Day 2

Day 2 - Created To Give Life


Giving my home a little life........the Mary challenge

Riding bikes with my kiddos - priceless!  The weather is gorgeous today in eastern NC!  And the feet can no longer be contained inside of shoes!  They must be set free!


Next up - the Martha challenge


The fridge clean - ick, ick.  Honestly, I did not finish the freezer!  The fridge did me in for the day.  I started the freezer but wasn't doing that great of a job and heard my mom voice (the one that I use with my children) say "I know you can do better than that."  So, I quit, lol.  Hoping to fit it in tomorrow.


Confession time:  Cleaning the fridge is a weekly chore here but it hadn't been done in over a month!

The befores

The afters....

The freezer before....

Afters coming up tomorrow - maybe. Told you I need accountability! :)

Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean - Day 1

Day 1 - Why Clean?

My Thoughts:  Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?!  First question, first day and it is this!  I don't like mission statements. I do not want to write one!!!  


But it is a challenge so I did it anyway and actually enjoyed it!!  I used Inspired To Action's free ebook to help me out and it was wonderful the way she broke it down - made it so easy.  I am very visual and need help often just getting started!


My list of roles - listed in priority to me.

1. Child of God
2. Wife
3. Mother
4. Homemaker
5. Homeschool Teacher
6. Christian
7. Sunday School Teacher
8. Bible Study leader
9. Tutor
10. Chauffeur :)

I took the top 5 as my core roles and made my mission statement from them.  And here it is....my mission statement.......drum roll please!

My purpose in this life that God has given me is to glorify Him and honor Him in all that I do.  I want to be a helpmeet to my husband by building him up and encouraging him daily.  I want him to know that he is a treasure to me - a gift that my God gave to me.  I want to train my children in the ways of God so that they will know Him at a much younger age than I did.  I want to train them in all areas of their life just as God has commanded me to do. And never forget that He has also given them as gifts to me. And finally, I want my home to be a haven for our family to retreat to when this world has taken so much out of us.

Some bible verses to help me with my mission statement.  There are so many more but these are a beginning!  God's word is so full of life!!

Isaiah 43:7
“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (KJV)

Psalm 86:5
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. (KJV)

Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:31 
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (ESV)

Genesis 2:18"The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (NIV)
Prov. 31:11-12
"The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." (NLT)
Proverbs 22:26
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (NIV)
Psalm 119:18"Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions." (NLT)
1 Timothy 4:12"Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."(NLT)
Ephesians 1:16-19
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power." (NLT)

31 Days To Clean E-book Giveaway!

I am getting excited to join up with the Homemakers Challenge with Christin!  Monday morning is the start date.  I purchased my book so that I would be ready when the time came.  Wouldn't you know that very same day - only moments later even Sarah Mae (the author of the e-book) decided to have a giveaway!  Is that just my life or does this happen to everyone?  


Well, it turns out to be good news for you guys.  She has graciously allowed me to give away not 1 but 2 copies of 31 Days To Clean to my readers!  Just leave me a comment and an email to get in touch with you to enter for your very own copy!


I will pick 2 winners Sunday night!  That will give you plenty of time to join the challenge if you like!   Now, go and comment!  And don't forget to leave me a way to get in touch with you!

Homemaker's Challenge - 31 Days To Clean

Okay, I'm doing it.  I've prayed over whether or not to join and decided to give it a go.  I was very turned off at first with having to pay for the book in order to join.  I'm still not sure why because the book is only $4.99 and if I can follow through and get the accountability I need it will be worth every penny.  I am facing the fact that accountability works for me - in ALL areas!


It's not to late for you to join too!  First, you have to purchase the book.  Then follow the guidelines below and sign up for the challenge at Joyful Mothering.  

Here’s how the challenge will work:

1. Read the chapters each day that week. Highlight, take notes, do what you have to do to engage the material. Don’t just read it. Really allow it to change you. Journal, pray, look up scriptures. 
2. Write a post (or more, if you like) sharing your most challenging chapter for that week and give us a personal glimpse as to why you struggle in this area. Don’t worry! We all have an area of struggle, so we will all be sharing! Share what you need that could help you in that area. I will be posting a struggle, but also some extra solutions to accompany what Sarah Mae has offered. If you feel compelled, why not also share something that comes easily for you? Perhaps you could offer tips to others who may be struggling? 
3. Use the button in your post so that others can find their way back in case they would like to join us. The more the merrier! I have changed the code so it brings you to the list of “31 Days to Clean” posts. You can find the button in my sidebar. 
4. Link up your post(s) on Friday, beginning May 6th . It doesn’t matter what day you choose to write your post, you can still link it up on Friday.

Homemaker's Challenge - Schedule Rebellion

This weeks challenge:

Choose one item from your schedule to implement.

The item I chose from our schedule was for me to have my quiet time FIRST thing in the morning.  I manage to get in my quiet time everyday but I really want it to be the first thing I do.  I want to start my day with my God and have Him fill me with His Spirit to tackle the day that lies ahead.  In order to accomplish this goal, I must/had to get up earlier than I have been.  My habit lately has been sleeping in and then rushing to get school started instead of having my nice relaxing morning.  


So, here's how the week went for me.


Day 1 - Monday - A very hard day to do this.  My husband is off on Monday's and Sunday's are FULL around here so it's hard to get up and get going.  I did not not meet my goal this day.


Day 2 - Tuesday - This is our Classical Conversations day and the day after Zumba.  So, dragging out of bed is even harder than on Monday.  Do you see a pattern of excuses here?  I do!!  But, I did it and felt so refreshed and ready to go even if my legs and hips were not wanting to cooperate with those feelings!


Day 3 - Wednesday - No excuses!  Up and quiet time done!  Hooray!


Day 4&5 - Thursday & Friday - Again, up and quiet time done!


Honestly, the accountability factor helped me immensely.  I'm finding that in all areas of my life.  I need accountability so thank you Christin for the challenge!  


Go see how others tamed their schedule rebellion this week or did they............

Homemaker's Challenge - Kitchen Purge

The Challenge:  

Challenge: Spend 15 minutes per day (5 days) purging & organizing your kitchen. Just 15 minutes. Set your timer and set to work.

My kitchen counters seem to always become hot spots.  If someone sits one thing down, it instantly multiplies into three!  So, I wanted to keep my counters purged and clean this week.  I am posting a picture of one of the days.  And honestly, this was the day that it took the longest to clean and I still had 6 minutes to spare!  I've found that what really takes the longest is the procrastination just to get started!!

The before with hot spot galore!

The after in just 9 minutes!

The time to prove it! 6 minutes left!  So stop procrastinating and just do it!!  That is a note to myself!

I love my kitchen.  The only design change I would like to make would be adding a small breakfast table but other than than that I am happy with what I have!

Homemaker's Challenge - Master Your Bedroom

This weeks challenge was to tackle or tame your Master Bedroom! I really have to stay on top of this room or it can so easily be consumed by clothes, paper, trash, cd's, books, and everything else that may not have a current home! You see, our master bedroom also serves as our school room! I thought about adding our school room to the dining room but it's the one room that is almost ALWAYS clean and clutter free and I really wanted it to stay that way. Plus, I really like the option of shutting the door on the mess if I need too :). Guess that doesn't help here does it,lol.
Oh well, on a typical day in my home you may see my bedroom look like this.......

and the school portion like this....

And after putting everything back in it's place, dusting, and vacuuming it should look like this! Still need to get my sweetie to hang that picture on the hope chest over the bed too!

and the school side....

I really love the size of our room.  I try to keep the two areas seperate as much as possible so we can still have "our" space and it not be invaded by the school room mess!


For more master bedroom inspiration be sure to check out Joyful Mothering!