*WARNING* - LONG POST! - Feel free to skim or skip to the pics!
For those who wonder what I have been up to lately, I will sum it up by saying that I have been focusing on my career/calling, that of homemaking. Some may not feel that homemaking is worthy to be called a career, but it is definitely a full time job that requires one to constantly refine skills, manage time, plan, research, teach, and a million other things. I don’t know how others do it when they can’t make it their primary career. I feel like there is always so much to accomplish and so many goals to achieve! Although I am not paid formally, I know that my services would not come without a price, were I not here (hence the life insurance, I guess.)
Anyway, I love my career/calling and am always trying to be more effective! I recently read a book written in 1969 called “The Art of Homemaking.” I think my mother used to have this book on her shelves and shared many of the insights it contained. She was a wonderful example to me, always very devoted! Yes, the book is a bit “old school” but had some great tried and true philosophies. I especially like the 20 facets of an ideal homemaker listed near the beginning. Remember, they are the “ideal” and not something that we can achieve all right now. But it doesn’t hurt to work toward the ideal. Here they are for us to think about:
The Ideal Homemaker from “The Art of Homemaking” –by Daryl Hoole
1. An ideal homemaker is lovely to look at and lovely to be around-she has a wholesome attitude and a pleasing appearance. She has the courage to be happy and strives to live above the grievous faults of moodiness, sulkiness, and complaining. She is gracious and thoughtful and is consequently adored by her family and admired by all who know her.
2. An ideal homemaker is ambitious and enthusiastic through application of the law that how one feels emotionally greatly determines how she feels physically. She finds that a creative approach to homemaking gives her (a) “pep pill” . . .[I think of “excitement” about her work]
3. An ideal homemaker is devoted to the great career in which she is engaged. She is a professional in her field by being a homemaker every day and letting her devotion and sense of duty, rather than her moods, dominate her.
4. An ideal homemaker realizes that order must be the first law of her home. With her home free of clutter and confusion, maximum progress and accomplishment may be enjoyed by family members. This helps bring about a tranquil atmosphere which is a blessing to all.
5. An ideal homemaker makes the best use of her time and energy by being efficient so that she is able to not only keep up with her housework, but she is able to be a companion to her husband and a friend and a teacher to her children. She is also able to pursue some personal interests which contribute to her happiness and development.
6. An ideal homemaker realizes that many of life’s choicest blessings are gained through hard work, and she therefore accepts work as a challenge and an opportunity rather than a burden.
7. An ideal homemaker plans a program or a schedule for each day so that she is the master, rather than the victim, of her work.
8. An ideal homemaker is prepared to perpetuate the good things she has learned in her own home and is ever alert to new ideas and hints which will make her more effective and help her to be an increasingly better homemaker.
9. An ideal homemaker is consistent in applying the best skills and methods she knows. She has a built-in self starter.
10. An ideal homemaker’s activities are well balanced. Though she may be noted for a specialty and devote a major part of her time to one particular phase, she doesn’t spend all of her time cooking, nor does she concentrate on just sewing, or on cleaning, or on reading, or on outside interests. She reaches out to include in her life stimulating projects which serve as an incentive to her.
11. An ideal homemaker is able to transform four walls into a home by creating both spiritual and physical beauty therein.
12. She will be ideal in her role as a homemaker not only because of the countless current values, but because her example and teachings will live at least another generation through her children.
13. An ideal homemaker will encourage family traditions to add color and depth to the great picture she is painting. Instead of her home being just a “short-order house,” it will be a hallowed place where children learn life’s great lessons, gain proper values, and build memories which will enrich their lives and help determine their destinies. She knows that to be a mother in the highest sense of the word will add [eternal worth] to her.
14. An ideal homemaker exercises patience, understanding, and imperturbability unless controlled anger and reasonable discipline are justified. She will do her best to take those occasional “bad days,” when everything seems to go wrong, in her stride, realizing that she needs some valleys in order to appreciate the mountains. She has a sense of humor. She should not take herself too seriously . . . and is able to withstand life’s blows.
15. An ideal homemaker is the type of companion and wife who merits the appreciation and cooperation of her husband and helps him want to do his part well as husband, father, and provider.
16. An ideal homemaker is skilled in the handling of money, in intelligent shopping, in careful storage, and in clever preparation of food. She is able to conserve the family’s possessions through good management. She doesn’t economize out of self-pity, but because it is a challenge to get the very most out of the resources available. Skill and talent are used to make the most of what is available.
17. And after all these facets have made our ideal homemaker like a sparkling diamond, she will add a few other special facets of her own to set her apart from all the rest.
18. An ideal homemaker is an artist in general management so that her home is able to function at its peak performance and fulfill its lofty purpose, and so that she along with her husband and children, can reflect the joy, order, and progressive spirit therein. She doesn’t try to accomplish this thirty years at a time, but strives to practice being an artist in management and homemaking JUST FOR TODAY.
19. An ideal homemaker will seek divine guidance through prayer, so that her home may be an extension of heaven, and so that she may walk in partnership with God in the rearing of the precious little souls he has sent to her.
20. An ideal homemaker will be able to take pride in her noble calling and in the great work she is doing.
Isn’t that list remarkable? We have so much to strive for not only in homemaking, but also in life!
Because it has been winter and we have had a bit more time to focus on things here at home, I have been focusing on a few aspects. I will tell some of the things that I have learned or do, or goals I am striving for, to give you a flavor of things. Let me start with my basic daily schedule:
I wake up and feed the baby, exercise, wake up the kids and help them get ready. We then eat breakfast, make lunches, read scripture stories (a great time to teach and testify), have family prayer, brush teeth, and the older kids go off to school.
Then I clean the kitchen, feed the baby, get ready for the day and then start morning activities. M,W, F Sheri has preschool and so Mondays I clean and do laundry, Wednesday I do errands, and Friday I grocery shop. On Tuesdays I go to an extra exercise class and playgroup. On Thursdays I volunteer, meal plan, and bill pay.
We have lunch and then learning/reading time for Sheri. Then I prep and cook dinner as much as possible to be ready later. I usually get a bit of time to then check email, plan, read, etc. before picking up the kids at 3PM.
After school we do snacks, homework, reading, piano practicing and then dinner and evening activities (Piano, Tae Kwon Do, Activity Days, Presidency Meetings, etc.)
Bedtime includes brushing and flossing teeth, pajamas, scriptures, prayers, and sometime a family book such as Harry Potter.
(I feed Christian about every hour or two.)
Weekends are busy with soccer, dance, friends, movies, family activities and church.
Here are a few of my new favorite ideas/things:
Dinner Duties – The kids each have a different weekly duty to help with dinner clean up each night. This has been a lift for me, especially since we usually need to minimize time for clean up, and Christian usually needs more attention from mom. I also feel that the kids need to learn to work and contribute.
Saturday work jobs - Since I can’t clean everything on Mondays anymore, it became time to train the kids to help. Each Saturday the kids each have a job that I train or supervise them on. January was vacuuming, February was cleaning bathrooms, and March will be mopping. Again, this is good for the kids and helps me stay on top of the cleaning.
Confiscation – This is something I learned from my dad. If we left something a mess for too long, he would take items and make us pay him to get them back. I got tired of reminding the kids to pick up (and so did they.) Now if I have to pick up for them, they have to pay me a quarter or do a job to earn an item back. It seems to help them remember not to leave things out of place as much. I plan to do less reminding as they continue to understand what is expected of them. Also, the little things they do to “earn back” items really help!
Cloth Diapers – Now I know some of you will think I am crazy, and I never thought I would, but I have started using cloth diapers. The new diapers they make these days are so SMART! They are easy, adjustable, economical, and I hope that Christian will potty train earlier because he will sense better when he is wet. I have started signing to help him understand the potty training process. If you are curious like I was, go to Charliebanana.com or Target now carries them.
Homemade Bread – I used to think I would never have time or an easy enough recipe for making my own bread. I have found an awesome recipe, with basic ingredients that is HEAVENLY! If you want it, it is from my friend Sheri’s blog – crazyfaves.blogspot.com. Now I pine for a Bosch or Kitchen Aid and am researching which one I want.
My treadmill – I picked up a basic treadmill last summer from a garage sale for those days when I just can’t get out and walk. It has been perfect all winter and so convenient!
My foam roller and tennis balls – These are awesome for stretching and massaging my sore muscles when my dearest husband is not around to do it (and he is so amazing that he often does!)
“Homework” packets and reading lessons – Sheri has been doing a little packet each week filled with reading, writing, fine motor, and reasoning skills. This is from a compilation Janet Dorny and I made for our preschool co-op during the year Eve was preparing for Kindergarten. Sheri and I also do a lesson each day from “Teaching Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.” She is excited to be sounding out words and learning some sight words as well. This allows me to be more involved in her Kindergarten preparation. We enjoy the one on one time together.
Our sock bucket – I put a little bucket by our shoe area specifically for socks. It makes it so much easier for the kids to put them away when they take them off. Each week I take the filled tote and add it to the laundry and then place the clean socks in another tote near our main exit. I love not having to make extra trips to retrieve or put away socks!
Stainless Steel Pots and Pans – This was a Christmas gift to me! I love them, feel good about them, and think they look so pretty!
12 Steps to Whole Foods – This is a book that I heard about from a friend. I agree with many of the ideas. It has been a wonderful resource for me as I have tried to move away from less healthy foods to more nutritious foods. Many of the concepts were already ideas I have been working toward. This book has given a lot of knowledge on how to be successful. I could write a whole post about that, but I will save that for another day. If you want an idea of what it is about, go to greensmoothiegirl.com.
Well, that about sums it up for now.
Now for some pics:
My growing baby boy
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Sloppy Joe fun
My "sleeping bats"
Valentine's fun
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I was also able to make a photo book for Matthew with photos of our family that Sara Ker took in December.
Alpha breadsticks
Cute and fun Sheri
Bluberries for Sheri, and "homework packets" with graham crackers & milk.
Snow Days
Handsome Sterling (he doesn't mind wearing a tie now that he doesn't wear the clip on kind which used to bug him.)
And finally, I FINALLY made graham crackers from scratch! I have wanted to try this for years! They were tasty!
Yes, I am happy making our home (even if it can be challenging at times). I hope I will be better each day, so that we can continue to grow and be happy.
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