Shopping Time!

We all love to shop, right? Me, not really. Of course we love the glamour shopping for shoes, clothes, purses and jewelry!

Then there is non-glamourous shopping for household consumables. I prefer to do that shopping once a month for things like toliet tissue, paper towels, diapers, wipes and household products. I do some of this shopping online for our tolieties, cleaning supplies, health supplements, skin care and cosmetics. Let me know if you are interested and I can assist you in this kind of shopping.

Grocery shopping is done on a weekly basis. This requires planning meals for an entire week. I try to write out a menu or at least have a menu in my head before I make a grocery list.

Manage your time by utilizing online shopping, stock up on those non perishable items so you do not need buy those as often, make a menu and make a shopping list.

The fewer times you have to go shopping means saving time and money!

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A Happy Home

A clean and organized Home is Happy!
Well, my home is not always happy but it makes me happy when it is! We certainly live in our home but eventually you have to clean or the clutter and dirt will take over.

I use a few tricks to keeping our home tidy especially when I do not have the time or energy to do the deep cleaning.

Do a quick pick up in areas guest would be in if they came over. This should include the Living Room, Kitchen and Powder Room. When the floor is clean and no clutter is in plain site then it looks clean even if no time to dust or vacuum before a guest is about to drop in.

Make an effort daily to put everything up where it belongs. Ask your children to be responsible for their belongings. My 6 year old puts away his own clothes, shoes, backpacks and toys. If the toys do not get put away when asked then it is taken away. We have a time for play and toys are going to be out and everywhere but a time to clean up nightly before bedtime routine begins. Even my 1 year old puts her dirty clothes in her hamper or the laundry room whichever is closer. She also knows to put her shoes in the shoe basket in the coat closet. It is organized in a way that my children know where things belong.

The daily chore that is a must to keep a kitchen clean is the dishes. The best routine for me is to unload, put away, load and wash. If I wait to unload then the dishes pile up and require 2 loads to be washed.

Clean off the counters on a regular basis. Again, put it all away where it belongs. If you do it the first time then you will not have to do it again.

Powder Room or Guest Bathroom should be clean. It takes 5 minutes to clean the mirror, wipe down the sink, counter and clean the toliet. A dirty bathroom says your house is dirty so try to make it a priority.

I find it easier if I pick up as I go. I finish my quick clean up before going to bed. I try to do this while the kids are having their last snack or right after they are in bed. The time does not matter just make time or the tasks of cleaning will take over your time.

Once you find your own organizational system and make it a habit then a clean home will be simple and you will be happy!
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Labor of Love

A mom's work is never done. The home may be clean, the cooking done and errands complete but there is always something needing to be done.

Afterschool your labor may include making snacks, reading a story, helping with homework, playing games, painting, making crafts, baking a dessert, riding bikes, taking a walk and giving baths. You may enjoy these activities but it takes time and effort. It is important to plan and make time to do things as a family.

A mom labors out of love for her family.
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Extra

As a wife and mom you love your family more than anyone. You take care of them in all sorts of ways. Cooking, cleaning, driving, taking them to doctor and dental appointments, activities, church, school and much much more.

I try to pour an extra measure of grace and love in the way I take care of our home and family. This may mean different things for us and that's alright.

I believe God blesses those who serve one another. I serve my family. This does not mean I am a servant. By doing things out of love it is rewarding and the work is not so hard. It is a labor of love. Often they serve me as well.

Some days may be hard and challenging. So when you have extra it will get you through the end of the day.

An extra measure of grace and love is a blessing.
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My Loves

I love lots in things in life mostly my family. As a mom of two children I try to make our home the best place for us to enjoy, relax, have fun and make memories.

I love to cook, bake, photography, travel, create crafts, play games, organize a home, read, write and watch movies. There are more but I am sure I will share them at a later time.

What do you love to do? Are you doing it on a regular basis? Are you doing it for or with those you love?

I try my best to maintain a good balance of priorities and doing things I love with my loves in my life!

My desire in writing this blog is in someway inspire others in areas they love. I will share some ways to add an extra measure of grace and love into your family.
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