The Collective *sigh* Heard Round the Blogosphere

This massive "come clean" session that has started around the blogosphere has truly lifted my heart! I have an extra spring in my step, calling to mind the so many other holy mothers out there who are struggling from time to time, just like me. I have often wondered if I was doing the right thing homeschooling my children - after all, I would never take a teacher losing her cool with my child like I sometimes do!

Yet, just hearing that I am not the only one has been such a tremendous relief. I still need to work on keeping my temper in check and tightening up my resolve when it comes to hard discipline (like when things are so bad that all privileges are lost - I often feel like this is punishing me and am reluctant to follow through!). But just knowing that I am not the only less than perfect Mom out there keeps me from getting discouraged in the face of these setbacks.

The most ironic part is that after reading everything here yesterday, I was reading Mother's Rule of Life last night and came to the part where the author talks about discouragement. She mentions how discouragement is really one of the best tools the devil has for getting us to give up. Things aren't going as well as we like so we quit trying and give into sloth. This description fits me perfectly!

The best thing that we can do is to persevere - keep on keeping on! Let's not forget that is what we are ALL trying to do. Just like we tell our kids every day, we need to keep at it and do our best. Some days we will do better than others, but it will be fine if we keep trying and place our trust in God!

Rest of the day

(I forgot two things about this morning - #1 baby was up rocking on all fours at one point down on the floor, how exciting for him! and #2 - while cleaning bathroom, 4 year old came in and helped clean mirrors with squeegie.)

I went and warmed up lunch - taquitos! - and also decided to warm up queso to go with it. Took it into 6 and 4 year old's room to eat where 6 year old was looking at a picture book and 4 year old was playing rescue heroes. Offer them some chips and queso. They also want water, so I bring it back for them and we set up a "picnic snack" in their room. 4 year old remembers he did not get a cookie after lunch (didn't eat his chicken) so I remind him to eat his chicken first. 4 year old gets his chicken and alternates between throwing a fit and "gagging" on chicken. We ignore him and 15 minutes later he has eaten chicken. I go get him cookie.

I build Lincoln log town with 6 and 4 year old for awhile and then realize that my window of opportunity for a shower is closing, so I go turn on shower water. I hear 2 year old waking up and head him off before he wakes up baby. 2 year old wants to play logs too, so I build him his own log house (so he won't knock over brothers) and hop in shower. 5 minutes later, 2 year old is in bathroom with pajamas off, wanting in shower too. I relent and put him in with me, finish showering and get him a towel. I get dressed and then load dishwasher. 2 year old follows me into kitchen and sits looking at a book. He then wants to play trains, so I follow him to his room and we set up his track again. 6 and 4 year olds join us.

2 year old climbs on toybox, tripping over his towel. I get him dressed and then go make some iced tea. 4 year old comes in crying because he wants 6 year olds toy - I tell him to wait until he is done. More crying a few minutes later - 6 year old pushed 4 year old, who was trying to take the toy anyway. Toy goes up.

We read a book "A Turkey for thanksgiving" (their request, yes it is the wrong time of year!). I go get a cup of tea. Hear fight from bedroom - 2 year old wants his special pillow that 6 year old is laying on. Tell 6 year old to give him pillow - he does. Baby wakes up.

Go get baby and walk towards kitchen. Clean up hairball cat left in family room. 2 year old asks for "happy baby trucks" book so we go to his room to get it. He looks at it while I play games on floor with baby (sing songs, pat a cake, up and down). Give baby toy and watch 6 and 4 year olds play. I ask them what they are doing - they say they are dentists. 6 year old is fixing teeth of baby doll. 4 year old is fixing teeth of three huge rubber dinosaurs. 2 year old realizes one of dinosaurs is his and takes it - fight ensues. Tell 4 year old to let him have that one dinosaur, which 2 year old takes and tucks into bed. He begins to read him a story.

Baby is getting fussy, so take him into another room to nurse. 6 and 4 year old follow, starting to loudly shoot laser guns at dinosaurs. Since cannot go outside (rain), suggest alternate activity, 3-2-1 Penguins video.

Nurse baby and realize that it is time to start dinner. Baby in high chair, boil rice and thaw chicken for stir fry in microwave. Cook Chicken and vegetables. Have older three pick toys up out of family room.

Everyone sit down to dinner. Just as we start, Dad makes it home and we all sit and eat. Everyone has cookies for dessert and 6 and 2 year old head off for shower. Everyone dresses in pajamas for bed. Three older boys play Star Wars legos in study with Dad while baby and I watch and talk.

Bedtime - Dad holds baby while I brush older 3 boys teeth and read to 2 year old, say prayers, and bed. Now I read to 6 and 4 year old, say prayers, bed. Take baby and go to master bedroom to nurse baby to sleep. Put dinner food away, fold clothes that were in basket and get them put away, type this post, and then I will turn in for the night, where hubby and I read, watch TV, or sit and talk. In bed about 11:30pm.

My morning

I have really enjoyed reading the finer points of everyone's day, like Celeste's and Michelle's. I will admit that my day is more similar to Michelle's, without the morning run. I starting thinking about my day, and have decided that at least by posting it, I would learn a little something for myself, seeing it all in black and white. So today I:

Woke at 2:30 am to nurse the baby, back to sleep. Then woke at 7am to nurse baby. I heard all 3 other boys playing in rooms and decided to milk the time I could stay in bed, so I sat there talking to baby for 45 minutes. Hubby has already headed to work. At last 2 year old heads into room and insists on breakfast - not bad!

We all head to the kitchen and I put baby in high chair and start coffee. I then mix pancakes and heat pan. Baby fusses, so I take him out and place him on family room floor with a toy, instructing 6 year old to entertain him so I can finish breakfast. I cook pancakes, pour my coffee and serve pancakes to oldest 3. I get milk and juice for oldest three. I take my coffee and drink it while I feed fruit to baby.

After breakfast, 6 year old feeds and waters cat. I remind 6 and 4 year old to clear table. 2 year old goes and plays. I remind 6 year old to get dressed - I find him some clean underwear and jeans from pile of clean, unfolded clothes in basket. I put 4 year old in shower while I bathe baby in sink. I remind 4 year old to get dressed - he actually has clean clothes in closet -while I dress baby. I sit down to email for 15 minutes, and then start 6 year old on Cuisenaire rods activity. I pick up fussing baby and carry him as I help 6 year old, break up fight with 4 and 2 year old, keep 2 year old from messing up 6 year old's rods by getting him his own to play with. I start 6 year old on Phonics worksheet and then put baby down for nap. I play Little People on floor with 4 and 2 year old. Finally I sit down and listen to 6 year old read. 2 year old climbs on top of us until I get him situated off to one side of my lap. 4 year old wants up there as well, so we all squeeze on.

Break time! Kids play while I start a load of laundry, clean boys bathroom (toilet, sink, mop floor, and clean tub). I gather dirty clothes out of bathrooms and make my bed. I think about getting dressed, but then decided I better get 4 year old's schoolwork done first while baby is napping. I sit with 4 year old and practice writing Hh on wipe off card. We then do Phonics page on Hh together. We practice reading exercise. We do math sheet on "2" and color page. We attempt to read Bible story. I plead with him to pay attention to Bible story - starting it over three times. Finally give up. Make lunch and feed to older boys. Put own lunch in oven for 20 minutes. Get baby who has woken up and feed him jarred food. Get 6 and 4 year old to clear lunch dishes and then pick up fussing baby. 4 year old goes and plays. Take my lunch out of oven. Read "Verdi" to 6 and 2 year old while holding squirming baby. Start 6 year old on Math lesson until he gets to review adding with number lines (on own). Take baby, 2 and 4 year old into bedroom to play trains so it is quiet for 6 year old to work. Really enjoy playing trains.

Go back to read book about Mass to 6 year old for Religion and check Math work. Read book to 2 year old and put him down for nap. Nurse baby and put him down for nap. Break up fight between 6 and 4 year old over Go Fish cards by threatening to take them away (they stop). Sit down to computer to type this post and catch up on Danielle's my turn for today - great reading! And as I type this, I realize that my lunch is still sitting on the counter, I am still in my pajamas, and I haven't taken my shower yet. Oh, and 2 year old is napping in his pajamas. Post the rest of the day later...

Balancing Faith and Reason

I had my checkup with my regular doctor today, basically so I could get my referral to my hematologist for my check up with him so I could have the official okay to get my wisdom teeth removed (gotta love HMOs!). This is the first time that I have seen my regular doctor since I went in 4 years ago for a checkup, at which my blood test showed the high platelet count that started that particular drama.

The doctor and I were both rolling eyes over the hoops that you have to jump through when seeing a specialist on a HMO plan. I made the comment "well, since I will have this disorder the rest of my life, they should just give me a pass". At that, my doc said "well, you don't know that. Doctors may have to tell you that up front, but they aren't God."

This is funny, because when I was first diagnosed, all info I received stressed how permanent the diagnosis was. Literature even went so far as to say that if platelet counts normalized after diagnosis, either the diagnosis was wrong or the condition was worsening - basically that there could be no miracles. Yet here was a doctor saying just the opposite, that miracles do still happen.

I think back to Jesus's time, as he made the lame walk, the blind see, and healed the lepers. There were those that would have said that those miracles were impossible too, but Jesus defied all of the naysayers. I think that in today's day and age, with all of the research and information, it causes those in the know to often write off miracles that occur as "misdiagnoses". Yet it is hard for humans to admit, that even though we seem to know so much, we are not omnipotent, but God is.

Now, I am not saying that I am looking for a miracle in my case and I will continue to have the checkups in order to ensure that health is as it should be, but I should never write off what God can or cannot do. I know the odds are stacked against the problem going away and I will take care of myself accordingly - that is reason. But I will also remember that God has at times in history chosen to do the miraculous and He very well could in my life today - that is faith.

How fun is this!

Danielle posted this link to Ed Emberley's website - so many fun art ideas for artistically impaired Moms (like me!).

We will defintely be trying these this afternoon!

A Happy Medium

Lately my house cleaning has been pretty successful. Our house has been pretty tidy for the most part, and this has been pleasant to live in day in and day out.

Sacrifices have been made however, and the biggest one is my free time with the boys, just being with them. I miss this greatly. All morning has been spent in lessons with the boys, so I am not neglecting time with them entirely, but I am still missing that time just PLAYING with them.

I think that I have decided that as nice as my clean house has been, it is not worth giving up this time with them - they are only small once and before long they won't let me build block castles with them, play in the sandbox, or fight the evil pirates from atop their fortress. However, I am also not ready to let the house slip back into complete and utter chaos.

Hence I am looking for a happy medium. The trouble is, I am a bit of an extremist personality. Either I give into my perfectionist side and want everything to be done right - in other words with the house, for it to be immaculate, ready to showcase at a moments notice. Then there is the other side of me that gives up and says, "oh well, if it can't be done well, may as well not do it at all until it can be done right" and procrastinates, looking for a "better time". This better time rarely appears while living with 4 small boys 24 hrs a day.

I need to let go of perfection and be satisfied with "just a little bit better". I tried this out this morning, as I looked at the kitchen floor. It needed to be mopped - badly - and I had been putting it off until I could get the boys out of the house for a few hours. That way I could scrub it down (grout included!) and have it look that way for an hour or so, making the effort seem worthwhile. Yet that opportunity has not presented itself as of late and so I stood there looking at my disastrous floor, a bit resigned.

As I watched the boys playing outside, I decided that I would mop for 10 minutes and set my timer. I put my plan into action. As my timer went off, I stopped and looked at what I had accomplished - not bad. Not great by any means (a couple of spots still had dried something on them and the grout looked terrible), but much better than it had been 10 minutes earlier. I did feel better. I then headed outside with the boys.

We had a great time swinging and pretending the playhouse was our space ship. But the best part was when we came in for lunch, and Philip tracked dirt in, I wasn't upset in the slightest, because after all, the floor wasn't perfect to start with anyway!

Sometimes Moms nearly kill themselves (or just beat themselves up!) striving for a perfection that is just a bit unrealistic in a world with small children. We don't have to completely let go of these goals - they are good to strive for - but sometimes we do need to loosen up a bit on the reins!

Advice from a rainy day in (with young boys)

It was our second full rainy day today. I know, not too bad, but the troops were getting a little antsy in the afternoon, so I came up with a brilliant plan - let's all sit down together and watch an episode or two of the old He-Man cartoons (you know, the kind that I grew up with!). So we all settled down (with popcorn!) for our treat and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. I congratulated myself on my great idea.

Then it ended. I now had 3 He-Mans (6, 4, and 2 years old) all brandishing swords in my family room, fighting the bad guys! This would be just fine and dandy if I could turn the melee outside, but, still raining! My brilliant plan is all of a sudden looking not so brilliant.

I take every sword away and send them into their rooms to play. I am in the kitchen with baby and I hear a crash. As I head back to their rooms, I see that toy bins have been dumped in order to find hot wheels track pieces, which are now everyone's sword of choice. Boys are now swinging from the bunk bed, still fighting Skeletor and his minions. The track pieces are quickly confiscated and the boys are now moved into the kitchen with me for some supervised drawing.

We drew some great pictures - guess what of! If you guessed He-Man, just how did you know? Really, this is what I should of come up with to start with - nice supervised QUIET drawing. I will have to keep that note-to-self in hand for the next rainy day!

Rock Hunt Canceled!

This is what I get for not checking the weather forecast when I make my lesson plans! We were scheduled to go to a park and collect rocks for the final section of our Learning About Earth science unit, but today it poured down rain.

An impromptu lesson on nocturnal animals (via an old childhood book of mine) was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Christmas Finale: Epiphany

We had a grand Epiphany celebration! First we read our story of the wise men visiting baby Jesus. We then got to complete our nativity scene...



After that, we played our "Follow the Star" game (from the Little Saints preschool program) and made our Epiphany crowns.



Our Three Kings - take a guess at who our "family clown" is!

My Kitchen Sink

Margaret has a wonderful addition to posts about kitchen sinks. I love this! It is so true that the kitchen sink IS the main artery of our home (maybe this is why I do feel better when that area is clean even if the stovetop side of the kitchen is not!). Everything seems to start from there - cups of water that quench the family's thirst, meal preparation, cleaning... Even when I think of most big discussions that my husband and I end up having, every one that comes to mind took place as we both stood at our sink.

Most of all, there is no place that the boys would rather be and "help" than at the kitchen sink, although I believe that this is because water calls to little boys! Anyhow, without further ado, here is my kitchen sink, complete with happy helpers!





It's not so much the view of my particular sink (the side of our backyard) but everything that happens there that makes it so special!

I knew this day would come...

Yesterday, I was defintely told that I am ripe for wisdom teeth removal.

*sigh*

I go in for my surgeon evaluation on Monday.

Christmas Part 3: Receiving Gifts

Brennan on his bike from Santa (which he LOVES riding - defintely his favorite part of the day!)


Nicholas with his Melissa & Doug Birthday Cake that he sent Santa close to a dozen letters asking for.


Philip's love for helicopters show - his Marine 1 replica helicopter was a big hit!


And this cute and colorful hedgehog (from Grandma) was Jonathan's favorite.

Disaster Averted

Philip just walked into the study sporting a red sharpie. He was just taking the cap off...

Whew! Thank goodness we caught that one in time! I don't know where he got it from!

Let There Be Heat?

If you have read Celeste's post, you will hear that the cold, wintry weather has finally made its way down to Houston. Yes, as her post states, we really are that crazy! We love our high of 36 degrees (stop laughing now, all you northerners!) and rejoice at our respite from the 100 degrees with 99.9 % humidity! As I have fully adapted to southern Texas weather, I too would be joining in Celeste's joy if...we had working heat!

Yes that's right! Our little used central heat just isn't coming on. It seems to be a faulty thermocouple or something - the control board tries to kick the system on a few times, but to no avail.

Ah well! In the meantime we bundle up, my 6 year old can learn the joy of actually having to wear socks, and we can say a quick prayer for those less fortunate than ourselves! At least we have a nice house in which to bunker down! Praise be to God!

Christmas Part Two: A Visit with St. Nicholas

Brennan went first...



Then I asked Nicholas if he would go next. He hesitated, so Philip marched right past him and went up to Santa. The serious look on his face shows that he went right down to business. He sat, got his picture, and then got up. (And yes, he badly needed a haircut!)



That was finally encouragement enough for Nicholas to go...



And then Jonathan, who was defintely attracted to the bright red suit!

Christmas Part 1: Lego Ornaments

Our pictures from last month are finally off of the camera. So each day the next week I will be posting some sort of Christmas celebration pic!

Older boys piece together Lego Christmas ornaments

Pumpkin Plants

I was outside the other day with the boys, and noticed a wonderous sight. Our Halloween pumpkins, which we placed in the garden area, are alreay sprouting some great plants (perhaps confused by the warm weather we have had lately).

The bad news, however, seems to be that we are actually due for a mild freeze on Tuesday, so I need to figure out just what to do for the plants before then.

(I will post a picture when I upload photos from the camera onto the computer - the real reason that there are not many photos on my site as of yet!).

Health Education

Jonathan, 7 months old, coughs.

Brennan gently places his hand over his mouth and says "Jonathan, remember to cover your mouth when you cough!".

Rejuvenated

Today is our first full day back to our complete schedule. Christmas break was wonderful, but (as so many others have already noted) it is comforting to get some sense of routine back. I awoke at 6 AM this morning and was able to have breakfast out before the first one was awake (well, except Jonathan, who happily sat in his high chair and watched!).

We went back to school lessons, which have evolved a bit since the beginnning of the year. Celeste had the great idea of updating, so I will as well! We are still doing the Modern Curriculum Press Phonics in the morning, as well as reading practice (Catholic Heritage Curricula Little Folks readers for Brennan and 100 Easy Lessons for Nicholas). We then draw - everyone's favorite - in our journals either a free idea or one from Usbourne's Playtime I Can Draw People.

After a break, Brennan works on his Horizons Math (I agree with Celeste - LOVE IT!), and complete Religion, which we are doing the Who Am I series 3 days a week and then reading out of the Golden Children's Bible for the other day. I find with the Golden Bible that I have to paraphrase in some places as it is detail oriented, but the boys LOVE the pictures and frankly enjoy detail when it has to do with battle.

We then use paint, play-doh, chalks, or collage materials to make a picture OR if I have one that fits we do a really cool craft. Sometimes painting will be whatever they want. Other times I give them a starting idea or we discuss and use a card from Mommy It's A Renoir. Science is the Scienceworks for Kids series done before dinner - Basically we read the suggested books, discuss the info in the guide, complete any worksheets applicable to the lesson (not one every day) and do experiments when suggested (we keep this very informal, just like reading a book).

Social Studies - Let me say that I have not been totally satisifed with what I have seen so far in terms of social studies curriculum. So I am currently in the process of putting my own together, mostly for next year. Let me say I LOVE History, Geography, Map Skills, Economics, all that this area entails. I find that it is extremely important to have a firm grasp of the knowledge in this area, yet most adults do not. I also think that textbooks and worksheets are dry, dry, dry and absolutely not necessary in this subject (much like most early science). When I finish pulling together next years, I will probably post it. (It will be first grade according to Texas's Grade 1 TEKS). As far as this year goes:

GEORGE WASHINGTON
- we have read Du Laire's George Washington, found Virginia on a USA map and colored in the Rappahanock and Potomac rivers.
-We have set up a model of Mount Vernon (with our Playmobile farm) and talked about the chores that would have to be done (reading a few different At The Farm books from the Library). I also showed Brennan my pics of Mount Vernon taken on vacation.
-We have practiced "surveying" (mapping out) our backyard and recording what we found.
-We read a book I had from my childhood on Indians of Virgina.
-After discussing how Washington became the first president, we talked about who is president today?

SAM HOUSTON
-we read Sam Houston: An American Hero and found Texas and Tennessee on the USA map.
-Showed pics of the Alamo
-Took boys to Battleship Texas at San Jacinto battleground

GENERAL
-we read Paul Revere's Ride and colored an American flag. We will learn the pledge of allegiance this month.
-we also point out on the world or USA map any place that we read about in our books. The boys love to stand at the map and see how many states they can name correctly. We try to use directional words to introduce them to north, south, east,west (Which state is north of Texas?).
-we will get more into economics this semester by starting Brennan with an allowance and teaching him simple budgeting (spend, tithe, save).

Whew! This ended up being longer than I meant it to be! Just wanted to share all of the social studies stuff, because I am a firm believer that activities and GOOD picture books are the way to go!

Happy new school semester, everyone!

I think that I am due...

Jonathan is 3 days shy of being 7 months old. I can't believe it. His first tooth came in yesterday. He sits well enough to grab at objects and keep his balance. He plays way up on his hands and almost has his knees completely under him (Note to self: time to begin reminding older boys to keep those small swords and lightsabers in their room!). He also has quite the quick, grabby little hands. The kind that easily and mercilessly get tangled in long hair (even when it is pulled back).


Yep, this is about the time with each boy that I go get my hair chopped off just above the shoulders (just long enough that I can still pull it back). Jonathan got tangled up in my hair last night as a matter of fact - twice!

I think I'll go this weekend.

Devotions Meme

I was tagged by Celeste, so here goes!

1. Favorite devotion or prayer to Jesus?
I love the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. I really want to fit this in daily as well at some point in the near future.

2. Favorite Marian devotion or prayer?
The Rosary. I have been saying a couple of decades while I sit in the shower each morning. Great way to start the day and I really notice it when I decide to rush and skip it!

3. Do you wear a scapular or medal?
No

4. Do you have holy water in your home?
We have a bottle that is in our front hall right when you come in the main door.

5. Do you offer up your sufferings?
I do when I think about it. I figure I need to practice this more so that it will become second nature. This is one attribute of many of the saints we read about that I really admire - they seemed to offer up sufferings so naturally!

6. Do you observe First Fridays and First Saturdays?
No, but I would really like to - maybe with Mass and/or Adoration?

7. Do you go to Eucharistic Adoration? How frequently?
I use to go once a month - absolutely wonderful. One of the best experiences with Adoration was when I went right before my c section with Nicholas. I was starting to become anxious and was really becoming quite neurotic! After spending a wonderful hour at Adoration just contemplating everything and asking Jesus for help, I felt so at peace! Everything went smoothly after that! I have fallen out of the habit the last year as my husband has had school at night when our parish offers Adoration, but I plan to get back to it this year!

8. Are you a Saturday evening Mass person or Sunday morning Mass person?
Sunday morning, defintely! I think it has to do with my Baptist roots - we always went Sunday morning (and Sunday night!).

9. Do you say prayers at mealtime?
Yes, for all three meals.

10. Favorite Saint(s)?
Mary, St. Therese, St. Clare

11. Can you recite the Apostles Creed by heart?
Yes.

12. Do you usually say short prayers (aspirations) during the course of the day?
I have little conversations with God off and on all day long - this is how I get through most days!

13. Where is your favorite place to pray?
Anywhere I am relatively alone.

14. Bonus Question: When you pass by a automobile accident or other serious mishap, do you say a quick prayer for the folks involved?
Every time!


I think I am the last one to do this. I have been way slow getting back into routine!

Resolutions

I have never been one to make hard and fast resolutions for each new year. I have kind of scoffed at the typical "lose weight, go on vacation" goals that have really not seemed much for me. As I have started reading other's resolutions, however, I really like the idea of thinking of just little improvements that you can make in every aspect of life. Nothing overwhelming, nothing that I can already say "yep, I am not going to make that one!". So I am giving it a go:


Spiritually, I would like to get back to Adoration every month. I had been better about this in the past, and now is a great time to start again. I also have been attempting to get to Reconciliation once a month the last couple months and would like to continue that.

Physically, well, I get plenty of exercise between the boys and softball, and really if I keep down on the colas my weight kind of takes care of itself. I feel much better if I eat breakfast with my coffee instead of skipping food. It also wouldn't hurt to set a bedtime and KEEP IT!

Emotionally, I need to better let go of my frustrations instead of dwelling on them. I tend to get so wrapped up in what isn't happening just the way that I have planned that I stress out not only myself but everyone else. I have a Bible passage book that may be good to read any time I start to feel frustrated about something - maybe that would work as a goal (or a quick Our Father if it is a situation that I am in the middle of).

As far as the boys are concerned, they really are old enough to do more. I attempt to shortcut way too often and don't insist that they do many chores themselves. I will buckle down on them for a day or two, and then give it up. So I am going to actually write up a schedule and a chore chart for the boys (something I have done for myself, but been hesitant to do for the boys, not wanting to structure their day so much that they don't get free time).

With my husband, I really want to continue to keep my evenings free to be available to him (A Mother's Rule Thing!). That has been wonderful, and I really treasure the evenings spent with him while the boys are asleep.

And the household, well we are still getting rid of stuff and it is actually going well. This will continue to be a process, making sure everything has a place to go or else it is tossed. But at least I can say that I have started this one already!

I just need to take each of these one at a time and add a new one each month. I will start with the house since I already have begun that and continue with Reconciliation. The key for me is not to do too much at once. This is where I like Michelle's monthly resolutions. Maybe I can tackle a different one in February!