My Family Wall

So, I've finally gotten my family wall done!!!  We have been using it for about 2 weeks and I can confidently say that it is working for us!  My house is picked up, the laundry is getting done, daily chores are being accomplished, rules are being followed, and biggest bonus, the kids LOVE it!!!

Let me explain:

Here is the picture of the whole wall.  All that is at the bottom is a shelf for the backpacks.

The printables came from:  Family Rules

House Rules

Love and Be Loved

Here is the nuts and bolts of our wall.  Obviously the calendar has enough space on each day to note special events, changes in schedule, appointments, school functions, etc.

During the school year, the 2 eldest children are only with us every other weekend.  For that reason, I designed this system without them and focused on the 3 younger children and providing them set boundaries, rules, and responsibilities.

We have narrowed down the consequences of actions so that the adults in the house no longer have to cajole, scream, holler, repeat instructions, and otherwise lose our minds trying to get them to complete their chores!  We only have one rule so far - work before play.  If they choose to play before their chores are done, consequences follow.  For each warning the resulting consequence increases.  The length of the time out is measured by a 'Time Out Bottle' (many recipes - mine takes about 5 minutes); it gives them a chance to think about the choices they are making and to refocus their attention.  The orange sticks that they pull are chores that no one wants to do, like clean the trash cans, wash the baseboards, clean a section of wall, etc.  The purple sticks all revolve around acts of love toward their siblings, writing them a poem, doing a chore for them, etc.

Because there are three of them, it is easy to assign each of them a specific day.  J has even days, D has odd days, and A has days divisible by 3.  On each of their days, they get all the privileges: riding in the front seat, choosing what games to play, controlling the TV, served first at dinner, etc.  However, before they get to enjoy the privileges, they have to complete the responsibilities on their day.  While the list may look long, it only takes about 15 minutes to accomplish everything except the weekly chore and shower.

These are their every day responsibilities.   The 15 min. fling is done after PJ's are on and before the 1/2 hour reading/journal/meditate time.  We set the timer and everyone picks up and puts away as many things as we can.  It actually only takes about 5 minutes since it stays pretty clean.  The 2 sticks are red and they are quick chores, fold the living room blankets, dust the electronics, etc. - they take less than 5 minutes to complete.  The weekly chores are completed by the owner of the day.  Because the days rotate so much no one person is stuck cleaning the bathroom and it solves the "I did it last time!" argument!

This is my favorite part of our wall.  On the right side is a place for notes from the adults to the children.  On the left side is a place for them to write 'Love you' notes to other members of the family.  The rule is that the note has to stay for one day before it is erased and another is written.  {Whispering} This is so that I can take a picture of each one and then put them into a book! I plan on naming it, "See, I  DO Love You" and giving them each a copy!

Like I said, we've been at this for about a week and 1/2. Their rooms are staying clean, the chores are getting done, there is definitely less fighting, and I'm not 'Harpy Mom' because they have no privileges until they have completed their work!  I'll keep you apprised!  

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!  Thanks for reading - until next time.

Navigating through molasses

Do you ever feel like you are trudging up hill - through a river of molasses - in February? Then you can relate to my current state of mind!!!  I could continue with many cliches about how I am feeling, but I think that pretty much sums it up! Let me tell you where I am at....

I started out the year with a clear vision in my head of how I wanted the year to go (organized, prepared, focused, etc.).  It has not gone so well!!  My house is a disaster - I still have my Christmas bottles on my mantle - they should have been painted for February about 2 weeks ago.  I'm supposed to have my laundry room and my office done and organized - not even started!  I'm supposed to have a routine and a schedule and a family organization center - um..... nope!! There's more.....

On the other hand, I have started exercising every day, whether its yoga, strength training, walking the dogs, its something every day.  I've been drinking the amount of water that I am supposed to be drinking.  I've started teaching art in two more classrooms and am interviewing for a paid art position next week. I threw Jaidyn a really, really cool birthday party.  I worked 17 days in a row to help cover a situation at work.

After reviewing the month of January, looking at my goals and my vision, reflecting of progress made or not, and looking ahead at where I need to be, I have come to the conclusion that my life plan needs to be way more flexible that it is currently!  So, my 12 week plan has become more of an as I get it done plan.  I don't feel the need to beat myself up for not sticking to a set timeline.  Life happens daily and sometimes I am motivated to get things done and sometimes I'm not.  Yes, my life is chaotic; yes, it stresses me out; yes, changes need to be made.  But, no more timelines.

I have a renewed commitment to my goals. I can do this; I just have to navigate through the molasses.

Week One - My Sanctuary

So, I know that this post is a couple days late.  I really did have my task completed on time and then life happened so ....

Anyway, I'm excited to share the before and afters of my sanctuary.  Please let me know what you think or any questions you might have!!

The Befores:  (I resisted the urge to clean before taking the pictures - it took everything I had!  Please remember, this is a judge free zone!)

Note, the mess on the dresser - it is a catchall!  My knick-knacks are stuck in the corner behind my jewelry box.

Mom should be proud, my bed is made at least!

Another catch all place!

The Afters:

My corner revamped.  My knick-knack shelves are organized and displayed nicely.  My jewelry box has been put up on the wall since this picture was taken.  I was tempted to take the TV out of the bedroom altogether since we have quit watching it there, but then I made a dvd of a fire burning and it gives off a nice ambiance.

When we first moved in together, Darin and I started this 'He said; She said' board.  It was cute and fun and romantic.  It was exciting to try and find something new written on it.

Instead of removing the TV, I tried to disguise it, somewhat.  The wine bottle is what we drank the night he proposed.  It holds our ticket stubs, wrist bands, and other mementos from that evening.  The 'Pink Taco' cup and Buzz Balls are from Vegas when we got married.  The water bottle holds the ticket stubs from the Queensryche concert we attended.  My one and only total rocker girl moment when Geoff Tate took a drink out of it, threw the rest of it on the crowd and then dropped the bottle into my hands - it will be forever remembered and cherished. I am not ashamed to admit that I screamed like a typical 80's groupie girl!!!

My bed and nightstands, (minus the weighted blanket, I keep that folded and in one of the drawers under the bed).  Darin's nightstand is his domain so I just kind of straightened it a little - mine is much more organized!

Board #2 and 'Our Story' board

He Said/She Said board #2 - it didn't work as well with the markers and the black board.  We couldn't seem to write as small or as many things.

Everyone has a love story, I like ours the best!

Our first year on a board.  Our rings, our first cards, little notes, mementos, reminders of  the whirlwind romance.

No more catch-all!  The black laundry basket is for dark clothes, the white for light clothes and when one is full, it gets washed, dried and put away.  I end up doing about 3 loads of laundry a week for us.

This is the new version of our love boards.  On occasion, we will write little notes to each other about the little things that we do that sometimes go unnoticed in our busy lives.

Now my room is a place that I want to go to escape the rest of the world.  It is peaceful and calm and quiet.  Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!!  Stay tuned, I'm working on my laundry room and system and it's going to be AWESOME!!

12 Weeks till Spring ....

I mean, 12 weeks until spring break is over.  At which time my house will be deep-cleaned and organized.  Let me share my plan:

Week One:

The bedroom should be an area of sanctuary in the home.  It should be the one place that everything is at peace and the rest of the world can be shut out.  Those reasons are why I chose to focus on my bedroom first.

Week Two:

My biggest challenge, hands down, is keeping up with the laundry.  I have tried the load-a-day system, the all-in-one-day system, the each person does their own system - fails, every single one!  I HATE laundry, so the thought of doing it every day is awful (I really tried to think of a more colorful way to say that but it just flippin' sucks!).  Doing 10 loads in a day inevitably leads to a load left in the washer, a load left in the dryer, a couple unfolded loads on the cedar chest (where I put them after I moved them from the bed so I could go to bed....), a tub of unmatched socks, stack of clothes that haven't yet been put away and maybe five loads completely put away.  I don't even want to tell you how the 'everyone do your own' thing didn't work out - suffice to say it was an epic fail.  So, in addition to deep cleaning and reorganizing my laundry room, I will also come up with some kind of laundry system.

Weeks Three and Four:

My second biggest challenge is keeping up with the paperwork.  My 'office' consists of stacks of papers, randomly placed craft drawers, bins of magazines, etc.  I cannot see my desk top and haven't been able to for a couple of months now.  I gave myself two weeks for this project because it is going to require purging and filing and sorting and.....

Week Five:

My bathroom

Week Six:

The Living Room

Week Seven:

The Dining Room

Week Eight:

The Upstairs Bathroom

Week Nine:

The Kitchen - I'll have to kick Darin out or do it while he is at work since I will be invading his territory!!

Week Ten:

The Shed - It's a small shed, meant to hold gardening supplies and yard equipment.  Unfortunately it leaks - something we didn't know until we had stored cardboard boxes in there.

Weeks Eleven and Twelve:

By far, the largest project is The Music Room.  It is a 10 X 14 metal shed that has become a storage place for whatever we couldn't find a place for in the house, including everything that came from my classroom - I accumulated a lot in 2 years!  Unfortunately, while storing things, order was not the first thing on my mind.  It is chaos - there isn't even a path from one door to the other - it's horrible!  The two weeks that I have slated for that project are the two weeks of spring break.  Darin is taking one of those weeks off; I think we can get it accomplished.

Each week I will post pictures of the before and after of each room and describe how I did what I did.  Please comment and make suggestions, I can use all the help I can get!!

Planning, Preparing, and Producing

I have been looking for the perfect planner to help me get and remain organized.  I do believe that I have found it!!  I have been able to adapt it to fit my lifestyle and needs.  The problem with a planner is that it doesn't maintain itself, therefore, it will required discipline and dedication.  The question is, how badly do I want the goal of being organized and prepared and ahead of the game rather than always chasing after.


The planner that I am using is called "The Passion Planner".  It is amazing!!  A few things that I love about this planner:

1.

It starts out with a 'Passion Plan'.  It is basically a 5 minute brainstorm that they then give steps to break down into smaller goals and these in turn translate into weekly and daily focuses.  Goal planning at its best!

 2.

It has the general monthly page but it adds places for goal planning, due dates, priorities and has small reminders to step back and make sure you are on track.  I don't have it all completed yet, I've only had it a couple of days!

 3.

It has a two page layout of the week with the times small enough to accommodate for what I need - like working the graveyard shift! - plus it ties into the goal setting and breaking down the focus into small, daily tasks.  It has separate to do lists for personal and work.  It has a blank space for jotting notes or doodling or whatever AND, one of the coolest things, it has a spot to list the good things that happen that week - I love the focus on the positive!

4.

At the end of each month, it has a built in journal reflection - how amazing is that!?!  It fits so perfectly with my need to see where I've been, where I am, and where I am going.  It serves as a way to get back on track if I have wandered a bit, which I will!

This planner has a lot more features that I am excited to explore and adapt. to my needs.  If you are looking for a way to help get yourself organized, check it out!

Check back on Saturday for my new series - Spring Cleaning in 12 Weeks!

Say 'Hello' to a brand new day!

One of the things that I love about January 1st, is that it seems to be a chance to start fresh.  To say, "OK, this is where I was, this is where I'm at, this is where I want to be."


So, while perusing Pinterest, I came across this really cool template that I thought I would share.  It took longer than I had anticipated and was not nearly as easy as I had expected!  These aren't in any particular order, just what happened to cross my mind.

10 Highlights:

1. Mom - It may seem odd that Mom's passing would be on the highlight list; one of the last conversations that we had, she talked about how she felt trapped and helpless.  Now she isn't.  I like to imagine her soul at peace and if there is a heaven she is riding her horse around the streets of gold.
2. Student Success - While I can't share details, I had 2 students that were extraordinarily successful last school year.
3. Xmas Party - The first adult party that I have hosted, it was a pretty good success.  A good time was had by all, I think.
4. Charlie's Graduation - I am combining his graduation with his 18th birthday.  It is almost an indescribable feeling of pride, love, hope, and so many more emotions, while at the same time surreal.  It doesn't seem like it's been 18 years.
5. Married - Viva Las Vegas, Baby!! What a fantastic week it was!  On April 1st, I did what I had sworn never to do again and I'm loving every minute of it!
6. 42nd b-day - Those who have read The Hitchhikers Guide To the Galaxy will understand the significance of the number.  For those who don't, in that book, 42 is the answer to everything.  So for this year only, I have been the answer, whenever the kids don't know, they just say, "Mom is the answer!" While that has been fun, I put my b-day as a highlight because my party was small and fun and planned for me! Then, the night ended with my honey and I in the hot tub under a softly falling snow - big flakes, REALLY big flakes. It was perfect.
7. Teaching Art - This fall I have been volunteering in Jaidyn's classroom as an Art Heritage Instructor.  It is great to have interaction with the students and be teaching again.
8. Award Winning Tori - Tori is involved in many activities in which she is outstanding and contributed to the group in so many ways.  However, one area that spotlights her is her pianist ability.  When she competes, she wins.  She is amazing.
9. Xmas Presents - I handmade the majority of Christmas presents that were given this year.  On top of that, they were individualized.  I gave with love.
10. Acceptance - There were many self realizations this year, but the most significant was realizing that my dream/vision of teaching was not reality and that reality sucked!  It takes a special person to be a teacher - connecting with students and inspiring them to be their greatest in a world that constantly drags them down. That I can do; I can build a relationship with a student, inspire them, build them up, teach them to be and do and think.  Unfortunately, that is only 15% of the job.  The rest of 'teaching' is paperwork, parents, administration, cohorts, meetings, agendas, duties, lesson planning, and, so much more.  I have never been organized.  I have never been a planner. My favorite excuse is that I work best under pressure.  These qualities don't fit the requirements needed for 'teaching'.  When I was able to accept that my vision and the reality would never coexist, I was able to let go of that ideal and with that, I was able to let go of the disappointment, anger, and guilt of which I had been holding. It was an amazing release.

10 5 Disappointments:   (I thought for many hours but my year really didn't have that many downs.)

1. We were not able to attend the State Marching Band tournament.
2. We were not able to attend the All-State Choir Concert.
3. I didn't get my paperwork turned in in time to renew my CO license.  To be honest, I didn't know if I even wanted to renew it when it came time.
4. My teaching contract was not renewed at the end of the school year.
5. Even though I am making attempts, I can't seem to find a routine that keeps our family organized, our chores done, and chaos out of our sanctuary.

3 Game Changers:

1. Losing my contract and not securing another teaching position 
2. Loss of Income but with the same output
3. Adjusting our schedules to fit with the night audit position

3 Things I focused On:

1. Stepping back into the role of Mom - By that I mean reading with the kids every night, making super cool treats to take to classroom parties, helping more one on one with homework, playing more games, and spending quality time together. It's a work in progress.
2. Being a better employee - my last position suffered because of my lack of organization, I am trying to be better organized at work with the steps I take to complete my work
3. Organization - This is a work in progress and I didn't make nearly as much progress as I had hoped!

3 Things I forgot:  I'm sure that by this the template meant tasks or projects; I took it a different way.

1. To be a wife - The last half of the year has been overly stressful because of the circumstances we are facing.  Our focus has been on survival - day by day survival. At times it has felt like I am living with my best friend instead of my husband.  We have kind of lost touch a bit in the romance department. It's ok, though; I have a plan!
2. To have fun - When we first met, our family spent a lot of time playing music together, hanging out with friends, being outside our home and socializing with other people.  Recently, we have become hermit-like in our struggle to survive.
3. To step outside my bubble - I have been so focused on trying to fix what's going on in my home and in my bubble, that I have failed in checking in with those in my outer bubble.  I have said, "Yes, lets get together!" and then never made a date.  I've said, "I'll call you later!" - 3 months ago. I realize that true friends are able to pick up the phone and pick up where they left off and we do, but in the meantime there is much that is left unshared. 

Reflection and plans for next year:

Over the past year, the obstacles and challenges have been few, but they have been momentous and daunting.  I am stronger for having been challenged by them.  I would like to say that I have overcome them all, however, that would be a big, fat lie.  I am working toward it.  I don't put much faith in resolutions, but I think having a vision of where you want your life to go during the year requires planning.

Check back soon to see my plan for the year 2015 - it is going to be an amazing journey!

Breathe, just breathe...

Do you know those times in life when you get so focused on accomplishing a certain task that the world around you kind of disappears into a fog?  That was the last two weeks for me.  I had grand plans for Christmas and everything that I was going to do from parties to presents to decorations, etc.  However, I am limited by finances to how much I can do every couple of weeks. In the end, it came down to me having two weeks to complete all my presents, decorations, party preparations, family activities, and so on.  By last Thursday, I had survived on about 4 hours of sleep a day and was so tired that I felt I was just spinning my wheels.  I found myself saying, "Next year I'm not doing anything for Christmas, !@#$$#%$%&%*!!"  Which is a lie, I will; however, I am determined to be more prepared and organized, hence this blog, right?!?  In the end, compromises were made, some presents were put on hold, and the world didn't come to an end.

Let me share the best parts of the last few days:

The final round of concerts:

Ms. Chavez and her students - Christmas Piano Recital

Tori - Piano - Waltz of the Flowers

Tori - Piano - Dance of the Reed Flutes

Jaidyn's Christmas Program: Christmas Is the Best In the West

Christmas Is the Best In the West - Title Song

Christmas Is the Best In the West - Part 1

Christmas Is the Best In the West - Part 2

Smith had his final few days of fun.  He seemed to get a bit dark there near the end, I think that was due to the 18 year old who helped quite a bit while I was sleep deprived!

Surgeon Smith

TP Smith

I love that he's still wearing his surgical mask!

Cosmetologist Smith

I don't think Santa wanted make up!

Gambling Smith

Wrapping Smith

Rocker Smith

Giving a concert for everyone with whom he has had fun!

Goodbye Smith

This letter came from here.  The kids all cried when they hugged him goodbye.

We hosted an adults only 'Ugly Sweater Party' - here are a few pictures from our photo booth.

I didn't get any pictures of the decorations, the trivia games, the hot cocoa bar, or the nog ball bar; I kind of got caught up in having fun with my guests and forgot!  You will have to take my word that it was set up very cute and we had a fantastic time.  

Sheila and I -  Love ya, Sis

I and my honey

1st Place winner - Angel

1st and 3rd place winners Angel and Crystal (she had lights - she had to take them off)

'The Girls'
Crystal, Tava, Brittni, Kim, Angel

After the party, we had the 'Jeep Express'.  I had great visions of the express this year - I was going to put the seats down, line the back with purple lights, have popcorn, candy, decorate-your-own mugs of hot cocoa, music - it was going to be awesome.  Instead, we blew a fuse in the jeep and had no lights so there was no decorating of the mugs, no feeling like we were in a limo, there was no music, to me it was a huge disappointment.  The kids, on the other hand, thought it was the bomb!  I sometimes forget that the simplest things make the best memories.  Here are a few of the lights that we saw:

Musical House - Good Tidings To You

Musical House - Angels We Have Heard On High

And, of course, everyone's favorite time of the year - Christmas Morning!!!!

Before I'm judged too harshly for the next pictures, let me explain.  A couple of years ago, I ran out of wrapping paper - OMG!! To fix the issue, I put each of the small children s toys in one big box and wrapped that.  Since then, it has been requested every year that their presents all go in one box.  Its a win-win, no $$ for paper, no time wasted wrapping, no waste on Xmas day, and the kids don't have to waste time unwrapping.  This year, I decided that instead of just a box, I would make them each a reading nook - that is the box that held all their presents. These boxes are for washers and dryers and stand about 5' tall  The kids spent the afternoon decorating their forts and their pillow loungers.

For Damien

For Airian

For Jaidyn

The biggest hit of the day:  Gizmo, our rescued chinchilla

"That's what." - She

Charlie collects buttons, just like I did at his age.  I found the last button I had bought in a box of old memorabilia and passed it down to him - it is blue with green lettering and about an inch in diameter.  It says "Buttons are stupid!" It appealed to my ironic sense of humor.  He understands me.

He was not impressed with the clock, however.  He thinks doing math while asleep could be considered abuse!!

"I like to party and by party I mean read books!"

"Forget Prince Charming, I'm waiting for my Timelord!"

Playing the game of Life

Xmas Jenga

Sorry about the sideways video - it doesn't last long!

All in all, it has been an event fulled last few days and I'm ready to just sit back for a little bit and breathe and be thankful for all that I have and those that I am with.  My life is blessed in many ways.