Friday, August 31, 2012

Nine Months



I'll be 36 weeks along on Monday.

The false labor is here and going strong-- my uterus is working hard already. It's really exhausting, and though I'm trying to stay positive, truthfully it's NO. FUN. AT. ALL.

I just need to begin my deep breathing. I CAN "endure to the end!" Yes...

I think I need to work on some sewing projects with a good movie or a book on CD. I have plenty of projects in my "to sew" box; now I just need a dash or two (or five) of motivation to work on them.

Or maybe I'll just take a nap...

Love, Mama Rachel

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Structuring Time in A "Relaxed" Home Culture



I have shared this post in various places, like the Latter-day Homeschooling blog and at various speaking engagements. But for some reason, I have not been able to find it here, on my blog! It must already be here somewhere, but I cannot locate it! So, because it has been requested by more of my readers, I'm reposting it here today.

Love,
Mama Rachel



I am not a "scheduler." In fact, I totally rebel against them-- even when I make them! I've continually looked to outside sources to "fix" me, including great programs like this. But I like to be spontaneous! I like to switch things around randomly. And I like to go with the flow of my children's interests, so I NEED more flexibility in my home.

One day, I decided to simply accept myself and my family as we are, and workwith my natural tendency to work on a relaxed, unstructured-- uh, structure. *grin*

Something I learned from the "Managers of their Homes" program, was to split up the hours of the day into three separate charts. So I sat down and made a list of the things that we need to do during each part of the day, and then I made a chart for each. This way, we have a goal for what needs to get done, but we are not restricted by my inaccurate time estimates.

Morning is from rising to 11-ish, Midday is from around 11am to 5pm, andEvening is from 5pm to bedtime.

See the chart below to see what we work to accomplish in the Morning.:





And here's what we work on through Midday.:





Here's how our Evenings work. (Please note that each of the activities listed under "Inspiration Time" are not done EVERY night. They simply include the things that happen through the week.):




I am a believer that scheduling IS important. but I am also finding that if I want to truly succeed, I need to work with my personality, and make sure that our schedule is working with our family rhythms, and not against them.

I wish you happiness in creating a plan that fits YOUR family's needs!

Love, Mama Rachel

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Twenty Years

Happy Anniversary to me! 



I'm excited to go to the temple and do sealings tonight with my true love.

I can't believe it's been 20 years...

Love, Mama Rachel

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

The Craziness that is Moi

Image by my lovely friend, Misty.

Just FYI, I do know I'm crazy...

For example:

  • I chose to travel 16 hours each way when 8 months pregnant.
  • I decided that packing two family reunions in two different states and a high school reunion in the course of a week would be the most efficient thing to do EVER.
  • I volunteered to make a slide show for the above mentioned 20th class reunion and it ended up being over 30 minutes long.
  • I chose the crazy last week to allow sugar back in my diet after being off of it for an entire year. The heartburn alone is enough to make this crazy pregnant woman think twice-- for once!
  • I still have the second semester of my Shakespeare booklet to finish by next Saturday, the 18th-- and I haven't looked at it in over a week.
  • I have a Shakespeare teacher training scheduled for the 18th-- hence the need for the booklets to be FINISHED.
  • There is a multitude of sewing I was supposed to finish while I was at my mom's. And I didn't. But considering they're maternity clothes and I only have 2 months left in my pregnancy, perhaps they should be sewn sooner rather than later?
  • I still have suitcases to unload, clothes to put away, laundry to do, and floors to mop.
So wouldn't right now be a good time to revamp our chore chart, or move around some furniture???

Of course it's a good time!!!

Because I'm CRAZY...

Love,

Mama Rachel