Changing Youth Entitlement

Well, God spoke to me once again. I have become so frustrated with the kids disorganization (especially my middle child). I have been searching for inspiration to tackle this problem. My dear sister in law listened to me vent the other day and recommended a book that she found inspiration in, Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma. The first chapter talked about a plan to reduce clutter and creating responsibility, even holding the parents accountable . Yes, I have my creatively organized piles and clothes hanging here and there. The first plan is to give everyone a jar with 30-$1.00 bills. Everyday beds must be made, rooms remain clutter free, and clothes in their proper places or you loose your dollar. At the end of the month, what is left is theirs to keep. Money seems to talk to my boys, and well me too;). Watch for our progress.

New Year.. New Goals

Last year around this time, our 6th deployment was looming. I decided to make the deployment a growing experience instead of sulking in things I couldn't change. I made this visualization board and left it hanging in places I would see it everyday. I then tucked it away the past few months because I felt that I had accomplished most of what I had set out to do last year. On my board I hoped to have a happy homecoming with my Marine. That happened! I set out to start swimming and get healthy. Although the pounds did not melt off and frustration set in, I finally found a local trainer and program that I love and I am seeing my body change everyday! I spent a lot of time talking to God to led me to a better relationship with him and to lead me to where he wanted me to go in my life. That led us to a new church and me applying and getting accepted to USC Master in Social Work program! I revamped my blog and had a goal of reaching more women. Women who were mothers, wanting to get fit, going through deployments, or just needing inspiration and advice. My blog to date has had 57,000 hits. Some days I am amazed that I get 150 plus visitors! We scooted off to Cancun for a post deployment trip. It was so much fun and so glad we got that time to reconnect. My book writing has been put on the back burner with all the writing I have been doing for my grad program. It is still a goal for me. I also want to develop a nonprofit for military families. Financial health is the biggest goal for the next year. Going from a two household income home to a one has been an adjustment. ( I left my real estate career when AJ was activated.)

This year: 

I hope to create a more functional, simplified life through organization. I have been an iPhone/ smart phone user for years. I really got into keeping my calendar on my phone. But as the boys get older, AJ shares in driving, and our lives get busier... I set out for a new solution. I am going back to a paper planner, a large calendar on our fridge, and reminders on our phones for when AJ has to run the kids. I was forgetting appointments, losing schedules, and going to the wrong places for kids activities. As I prepare to be out of the house 16 hours a week for my internship, it all has to be in order. I loved this free printable one at I Heart Organizing, but after I priced the cost for materials, I decided to go with Erin Condren's Life Planner. I can't wait to get it! 

I will continue to work on my fitness and clean eating ( as I devour this piece of turtle pie in front of me).

Source: kalynskitchen.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

Now that my husband is home and should be here the rest of the year. We are going to work on our financial health TOGETHER. Because we got married at the age of 18/19 and he was constantly leaving, I did the bills. I also made the important decisions. I feel like a lot of the struggles we have had financially is because of decisions I have made is because we were not doing it together. I am super cautious and have a lot of emotion in paying bills and buying things. I think that AJ would take that away and be stricter on paying things off and keeping a budget. One idea we are excited about is this one I found on Pinterest. We will put away every $5.00 bill we get this year. At the end of the year we will do something fun with the money.

Source: thefairlyoddmother.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

We want to continue to work on our Faith and incorporate it more into our family and our kid's lives. I want to spend more time really getting to know their hearts and talking with them. I also want to work on money with them and responsibility. We have incorporated this system in our house. We set up savings accounts for them and will directly put their money in their accounts, minus the money for church/ charity. I will share my templates in another post.

Source: 71toes.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

   

I want to continue to balance my grad school career with my families needs. I have found a passion in Social Work and am so excited that I will be working at the local hospital and primarily in oncology and the ER. For my blog I want to really connect with my readers. I have so many people that just stop by. But, I want to really make connections with you all. If you stop by... please leave me a note or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram!

No Time To Be Sick!

Yep you guessed it. My little snot monster shared his lovely cold. I went to the doctor and it's viral and a touch of bronchitis. Lovely. I was able to pull through and get my food made for today and hide 80 Easter eggs for the boys. I am bummed that Easter church is not in the cards, but I want to rest so I can enjoy the day and a very special 9 year old.
The past few days I've been in to organizing. I need to make things easier before school starts. I found some great bins at Target for $2.50 a piece. I love having things contained. Now to teach my boys how to keep it that way!

Organization and Baby Proofing

Well, Mr. G as you all know is a wild man. I got tired of picking up my desk drawer everyday. I decided to use my organizers and move them to my "junk drawer". I absolutely love the way the drawer came out! Amazing what a clean junk drawer can do for the soul!

Lacking Motivation

I don't know if it has been the weather or what... but I have clearly been lacking motivation the past few days. G has been sleeping better ( just getting up once). However, we were up at 5:30, and both back asleep in the chair at 6:15. Keegan's basketball season has come to an end. Yeah! We know have more time in the evenings. But, Brayden's is just beginning but won't be as intense. I have been fighting a pinched nerve in my neck that has moved down my back. So far today,  bit better. So, the whole working out thing has taken a back seat for a few days. Hoping to get back in the pool this evening and take the boys.

I must find some motivation to get my house in order. I am hosting a girls night Favorite Things Party on Friday. Whatch for photos and details on my own this weekend!

Source: thesunnysideupblog.com via Jen on Pinterest

 Projects I need to tackle this week:

* Clean up my desk.
* Go through fridge

Source: crateandbarrel.com via Jen on Pinterest

(I am dreaming my fridge will someday look like this.) Containers on the to buy list!

* Organize my clothes
* Work on garage organization.

Source: thesunnysideupblog.com via Jen on Pinterest

This is something I hope to have done by the end of next week! Everyone just comes in and drops everything by the door. Shoes need to stay outside, because we have a shoe eating monster these days!

To Do

I have been very inspired by the blog posts out there on organization. I was inspired to take on one task a day and get things organized before AJ comes home for one last visit. Yesterday was my dresser. I hate putting clothes away! Well it was getting out of control! I dumped everything on the floor and got things in my drawers or closet. It did feel nice to not have that clutter staring at me. I searched and searched for a printable to use in a frame and couldn't find what I wanted. So, I went into creation mode. I will add it to my free printables!