One of the biggest adjustments that I faced as a new wife was in the area of finances. We hadn’t been married very long when we came to the startling realization that we had very different perspectives on how to spend our money. I saw shoes and jewelry as perfectly acceptable investments, while my husband enjoyed buying stock in video games. We quickly agreed that some adjustments would have to be made if we wanted to be able to pay rent and buy groceries in the same month. Writing out a budget was a true test of patience for us both, but in the end, the process revealed that this new season of life had resulted in a shift of our priorities. When it came down to it, the areas that we really valued were where we wanted to invest our money.

I wish that I could tell you that we lived happily ever after as we followed our beautiful budget, but that would a bit of a stretch from the truth. What I can say is that over the last two years, I have learned that my attitude plays a huge role in determining my level of contentment. I can follow a budget and resist an impulse purchase, but if I have a horrible attitude about it, resentment and bitterness start to blossom in my heart. However, when I choose to acknowledge that my financial decisions today impact my goals for tomorrow, it is easier to gain some balance. I might still really want to blow the budget for a new purse, but because I have placed more value on reaching a specific goal, resisting my shopper’s impulse isn’t as difficult. I can choose to be content.

Throughout the week, we have been introduced to a variety of ways to help us transform a part of our world without breaking the bank. To make a successful shift in our thinking, we have to examine our attitude towards our finances. It is possible for us to live satisfied and happy lives without extravagant spending.

photo istockphoto

Most people cringe at the thought of cleaning out closets and garages, often worried about what might be lurking behind the clutter. I, however, have found that cleaning out the mess can be a therapeutic experience for me. There are few places in my world where I can transform chaos into clarity in just a matter of hours. All it takes is a few sturdy boxes, a trash can, and a little elbow grease. Cleaning out my pantry and the closets is a regular occurrence in my house, and nothing brings me the same joy as opening a closet door to reveal the glorious order that has been restored.

A fail-proof approach that has worked for me is the Stay, Give, Go method. My first order of business is to yank everything out of the closet or from under the bed, and lay it out as best as possible so I can quickly get a snapshot of the content. I then crank up some great music and begin sorting. Each item has to be placed into one of the three categories. For me, it seems the easiest to start with the Go bin. Anything that is broken, ripped, has missing pieces or doesn’t work anymore get tossed into the garbage. Items that I have used within the past year and still have some life left in them can go into the Stay bin. Everything else usually falls into that category of “I loved this but don’t use it anymore and now it is taking up value space in my shrinking house.” These Give items are then donated so they can be a blessing to someone else.

Even though the result isn’t as immediate as when I clean out the closet, this is the same formula that I apply when evaluating my outlook on life. Over the years, I have devised a variety of approaches to turn to when I encounter a new situation. If I were to lay all of them out, it would be obvious to me that there are a handful of approaches that are broken, have missing steps or produce negative results. These need to be tossed out of my repertoire. There are some that were very useful during specific seasons, but don’t apply now. However, I can pass these along to others that might encounter similar seasons and could benefit from my experience. There would also be a handful of approaches that work wonderfully and are appropriate for my current stage of life.

I have found that regularly evaluating how I approach life is essential for me if I want to function to my full capacity. What worked in the past doesn’t necessarily work in the present. Being mindful of where I am now allows me to fully grasp and enjoy today. So as you peruse your cupboards and closets for ways to implement some of this week’s concepts, consider taking an inventory of how you approach your life. Are there areas that might need some spring cleaning?

photo istockphoto.com

I live my life in fast forward. It seems like every morning, I fight the urge to smash the alarm clock, run through my day with hectic demands coming from every direction, race home to get dinner ready, pull off the laundry/dishes/vacuum dance, and get the family settled down for the evening…only to start the whole thing over again the next day. In this crazy-paced world, it is so easy for me to get sucked into a belief that I must do it all and do it quickly. After all, why focus on only one thing when I could be doing twelve?

Recently, I was sharing my frustration about this cycle with a dear friend of mine, when she asked me the simple question “so when exactly do you breathe?” This friend once functioned at a pace that would have made Olympic sprinters jealous, juggling the demands of work and school and being a caregiver all at once. Two years ago, she traded that life in to move to a small farming community, and something magical happened. She slowed down.

For me, a slower pace is synonymous with the country experience. Currently, packing up my prized possessions and relocating to the country isn’t an option, but I do think that it might be possible to capture some “country moments” and sprinkle them throughout my chaotic days. Even if my responsibilities do not change, my priorities can be adjusted. There may be some things that need to move from the “today” list to the “eventually” list. It may be an opportunity to delegate some tasks, or even reevaluate what is on my plate so I make sure that distractions are removed and I focus on the most important tasks. I may also need to schedule a “country moment” to make sure that, at some point, I catch my breath.

Over the next few days, I encourage you to look for opportunities to bring a “country moment” into your busy day. Evaluate the things that clamor for your time and attention. Really spend some time assigning priority levels to each item on your list and be realistic about any deadlines you set for yourself. Anything that really isn’t a priority and is extra on the list can move to the bottom. Let us know some of the creative ways that you have found to incorporate the country experience into your world!

photos istockphoto

I must confess. When I was younger, I was an avid reader of anything that had a mystery theme. Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys often kept me company and I had visions of becoming a legendary detective who could solve any case without exception. The characters in these stories captivated my attention by taking everyday objects and situations and using them to unlock the story behind the crime. They solved problems by thinking outside of the box–an approach that kept me spellbound!

Even though I have traded in my magnifying glass and flashlight, there is still the heart of a detective deep within me and it often plays a role in my everyday challenges. I am rarely able to carry out my goals for the week without hitting some sort of obstacle–it is amazing how quickly 24 hours fly by when I have a list of things to accomplish. At this point, I face two choices. I can throw my hands up in dismay and dramatically proclaim that everything is a disaster and there is no chance of recovery, or I can adjust my perspective.

Our perspective often limits our ability to see a solution to an issue. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in the routine of how we have always done a task that we miss the chance to be creative when a new challenge arises. This week, we have talked about ways to solve some common dilemmas. As new challenges arise, like good detectives, we can shift our perspective when dealing with our children, interacting with our spouse, or carving out moments for ourselves. Here’s to a happy sleuthing weekend!

photo istockphoto.com

When I was little, I had a love/hate relationship with the idea of chores. While I loved the fact that each sticker on the chore chart produced a quarter for my piggy bank, I wasn’t always the biggest fan of how cleaning activities cut into my play time. As I grew older, the chore chart seemed to transform with each new stage; the payout amount incrementally would climb, but the physical requirements of the chore list seemed to increase as well. All the while, my parents were secretly teaching me valuable lessons I needed to be an effective adult. Here are three of my favorite lessons I plan on passing on to my children:

• There is a difference between being responsible for myself and contributing to the greater good of my community. I vividly remember complaining to my parents about the fact that “making my bed” wasn’t listed on the chore chart. I figured I should be paid for the fact that bed making was something important to them. However, my parents seemed to believe that things pertaining to my livelihood were my responsibility and didn’t deserve compensation. Activities deemed as beneficial to the family as a whole, such as emptied dishwashers and vacuumed floors and mowed yards, would lead to a pay day reward. Our chore charts specifically excluded things like clean rooms, clean laundry and clean bathrooms…after all, I was the one who would benefit from these things being addressed.

• There is strength in numbers. My mom is a sneaky woman. There were certain chores on the list that would have a bigger payout, but these chores ALWAYS were a two-man job. Once my brother and I realized we could make more money when we pulled our resources, our bickering ceased and we learned the art of teamwork. Each of us brought strengths to the table, and putting them together produced a greater result than both of us working independently. My mom strategically taught us how to value others and the strength they bring to a relationship.

• I am capable of producing something of value. One of the things I really appreciate about my parents was their ability to see chores as an opportunity to learn a new task. On a regular basis, new chores would appear on the chart, and often would require us to master a new skill that would stretch us in some capacity. Even when the learning process would start out rough, it was only a matter of time before we would be able to complete the chore without their assistance. Without even realizing it, I had cultivated a mindset of perseverance, believing I could accomplish anything if I was willing to put forth the effort.

What are some of the ways you incorporate chores into your child’s world?

photo Martha Stewart

I have a tendency to make things really complicated. Just ask my husband, and he will adamantly confirm this fact. Whether it is the organization of our pantry, the way I attempt to diet or my approach to solving a problem, I have the tendency to pick the most complicated route to obtain my goal. While there are times this approach might build character, there are even more times that it is just downright frustrating.

So as we have been making an effort to “go green” in our home, I thought it would be the perfect time to try a different approach. I decided to try adding two new habits into our normal routine that would be eco-friendly and EASY!!!

1. Clean with vinegar. I have heard this idea before, but once I did a little investigating, I discovered that vinegar could replace about 80% of my normal cleaning products. It acts as a disinfectant and is family friendly. For several helpful tips on using vinegar to clean, click here.

2. Get a recycle bin. I know…this seems like a no-brainer. But the cool thing is now that we have a separate bin for our recyclables, we were able to downgrade to a smaller trash can, which turns out costs less to have the city pick up. We added a second trash can in the kitchen especially marked for recycle right next to our normal can, so it is really easy to just sort right in the moment. And we save about $15 a month, so what is easier than that! Check with your local city to see what they accept for recycle.

What are some of the ways you have “gone green”?

photo Martha Stewart 

Last month, H&M hit it out of the park again with their new Conscious Collection, a collection of sophisticated looks all made of organic and recycled materials that are manufactured in a way that is respectful of the environment. Check out some of these darling looks for the whole family!

Who knew that being green could look so chic! And in more exciting news, H&M plans on opening up their website for those of us in the United States to start shopping online in early 2012. I am going to start saving up now!

I am the oldest of four children. Since there are several years between me and my youngest two siblings, I can vividly remember how the addition of a brother and sister changed our little family. Introducing a new baby into a family unit can be a tricky adventure. The key to a healthy transition lies in the approach. According to the University of Michigan, there are several strategic things parents can do to prepare kids for a new sibling, before and after the new baby is born. Here are just a few of their suggestions:

Preparation before the new arrival:

o Tell your child about your pregnancy when you tell your friends. Your child needs to hear about it from you, not from someone else.
o If you plan to move your child to a new bed and/or bedroom, do so well before the baby arrives, so your older child doesn’t feel displaced by the baby. This also goes for any other major changes, like weaning, toilet training, and starting preschool or child care.
o Check with your hospital about sibling preparation classes and hospital tours.
o Bring your child to prenatal visits so they can meet your birth attendant.
o Give them a realistic idea of what to expect when the baby first arrives. You will be tired, and the baby will take lots of your time. The baby will not be able to do much at first, except eat, sleep, poop, pee and cry. The baby will not be a playmate.
o Visit friends with a new baby, if possible.
o Look at pictures/video of your older child’s birth and babyhood. Tell them about their birth and what they were like as a baby. Tell them how excited you were when they were born, and how everyone wanted to see them and hold them.
o Have your child practice holding a doll and supporting the head. Teach them how to touch and hold a baby very gently.
o Let them participate in preparations in any way possible. Give them choices, such as choosing the baby’s coming home outfit from two acceptable options.

Adjusting after the baby arrives:

o Set aside special time for your older child. Each parent should spend some one-on-one with the older child every day. It’s amazing how much even just 10 minutes of uninterrupted one-on-one time can mean to your child (and help their behavior!). Let your child choose the activity, and you follow their lead.
o Listen—really listen—to how your child feels about the baby and the changes in your family. If they express negative feelings, acknowledge them. Help your child put their feelings into words. Never deny or discount your child’s feelings.
o Make sure it is very clear that absolutely no hurting is allowed. Give your child other ways to express bad or angry feelings they may have toward the baby. For example, they could draw an angry picture of the baby, or act out their wishes with dolls, or roar like a lion.
o “Baby” your child, if that’s what they seem to crave. This may help stave off regression in areas that are less acceptable to you. There is a tendency to suddenly expect your child to become more independent when you have a new baby. If you expect less independence, you are more likely to get more!
o Have the new baby and older child exchange gifts.
o Have some special “big brother” or “big sister” gifts to give your child as friends and relatives start showing up with baby gifts, so your older child won’t feel left out.
o Make sure the older child has some special, private space, and things of their own that they don’t have to share with the baby.
o Give them special jobs that they can do to help the family and help with the baby’s care (but don’t overdo it—take your cue from your child on this).
o Let them participate in the baby’s care—baths, dressing, pushing the stroller, etc.
o Point out the benefits of being an older child, like choosing what to eat, being able to go the park and play, and having friends.

For additional reading materials for both parents and kids, check out the resource section here!

photo Martha Stewart

Church has always been an important part of my life. From the time that I was little, I can remember getting dressed up on Sunday mornings, and attending services with my family. As we grew older, my siblings and I participated in children’s activities and youth groups, and there were times when it seemed like we were at church every time they opened the doors.

When we moved to Texas, finished out high school at a small Christian school, and then expanded my territories by going to a small Christian college…for seven years. In both school settings, chapels were a required part of our weekly schedule, and most of our campus activities would have some spiritual undertone to them. You would think with all this religious activity, I would be a very good, pure, holy, spotless individual. Nothing could be further from the truth.

On March 15, 1996, I asked Jesus to be my Savior. I was fifteen at the time, and looking back now, I know that those years leading up to my faith decision were used to tenderize my heart for that very moment. However, I still felt like I wasn’t that great of a person, especially since I still struggled and still got in trouble. Somewhere in my heart I believed that being a “Christian” meant being perfectly sweet and kind and never fighting with my brother and always using my manners. I honestly believed that throwing myself into the “stuff” of the church would help produce these wonderful attributes, but I quickly discovered that activity without sustenance just makes me weak and burned out. So I faked it.

It wasn’t until I was a sophomore in college, still struggling with the same areas I was when I was 15, that I decided it was time for a change. I was seeing my roommates and friends develop a truly authentic faith, one that was their own, and I desperately wanted that same thing to happen in my life. I felt like I had faked my entire Christian experience, and I was tired of pretending that I had it all together. So I let go. One of my professors, who had spoken into my life several times, walked me through the different aspects of being a Christian and what it meant to have an authentic and deep relationship with a God who treasured my heart and knew me by name. And with that, everything began to change.

It has been almost ten years since my heart shifted, years with great triumphs and great tragedies. But through it all, my relationship with my Savior has grown and developed and strengthened, because each time I start to drift off into a “faking it “ mode, He gently reminds me of His overwhelming love for me, and that I am designed with a purpose and plan He has already laid out for me. And I come running right back to Him.

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, and the wondrous miracle of a God who loved us enough to sacrifice everything for a chance to have a relationship with us, I just encourage you to examine where you are in your faith. Do you believe because you are “supposed to” or do you walk in a growing and developing relationship with a Savior who is madly in love with you? One choice can make all the difference.

If there is any way that I can encourage or pray for you, please feel free to email me!

photo historytoursnorfolk.co.uk 

Here are some wonderful ideas for family-friendly crafts from the lovely marthastewart.com:

Envelope Bunnies

 

One great way to say happy Easter is with paper-envelope rabbits — bearing treats, of course.

 

1. Seal the flap of an envelope, and draw bunny ears on the sealed side, as shown below. You can draw your own or use our bunny ear template. Find Martha’s template here!

 

2. Cut along the line through both layers of the envelope.

 

3. Flip the envelope over; what was the side of the envelope becomes the bottom of your treat holder.

 

4. Cut pink construction paper to make eyes and insides of ears, and glue them on the front of the envelope. Use colored pencil for mouth; glue on a pom-pom nose. Fill with yummy Easter sweets.

Honey Bunny Bookmark

 

Tools and Materials:
Honey bunny bookmark template
Thick paper
Self-seal laminate sheets
Scissors or utility knife
White chenille pipe cleaners
Wire clippers
Hole punch
Photo of child

 

Honey Bunny Bookmark How-To:

 

1. Print Honey bunny bookmark template onto thick paper.

 

2. Laminate both sides of paper using self-seal laminate sheets.

 

3. Cut out bookmark.

 

4. Wrap white chenille stems around arms, ears, and head of cutout.

 

5. Clip with wire clippers, and tuck in ends when finished.

 

6. To make the head, use an inch and a half hole punch to make a disk from the same sheet of paper used to cut out the template.

 

7. Use hole punch to make a hole in center of the disk.

 

8. Twist white chenille pipe cleaners through hole in disk.

 

9. Cut out picture of child using inch and a half hole punch.

 

10. Apply glue to back of photo and attach photo to disk.

 

11. Apply glue to edge of disk and attach to body.

 

You can also watch Martha demonstrate how to make these easy bookmarks here!

Bunny Ears

Tools and Materials:
Bunny ears template
Child-size headband
8-by-16-inch piece of pink felt
6-by-6-inch piece of white felt scissors
pinking or scalloped shears (optional)
hot-glue gun
hot-glue sticks

 

To Cover the Headband:

 

1. Measure the width and length of the top of the headband, add 1/2 inch to all sides, and cut a strip of pink felt to cover.

 

2. Glue the felt strip onto the top of the headband, wrapping the extra material around the headband’s edges.

 

3. Measure the underside of the headband, and cut a strip of pink felt to fit.

 

4. Glue the strip to the underside, creating a backing that covers the edges of the top felt.

 

To Make the Ears:

 

1. Print out our bunny-ears template, and cut out both shapes.

 

2. Trace the outer-ear shape onto pink felt twice, and cut along scalloped edge (or cut out with pinking or scalloped shears).

 

3. Trace the inner-ear shape onto white felt twice, and cut out with regular scissors.

 

4. Glue each pair of ears together with hot glue, and let dry.

 

5. Crease each ear vertically down the middle, and press.

 

6. Fold up the bottom flaps on either side of the notch, and attach to headband with hot glue, pulling notches closed so ears are slightly bent. Hold until glue sets.

photos Martha Stewart