Littlest Helpers are the best!

I was explaining to Mason the other day about the cleaning challenge and he asked me if he was "clean enough to win?" I love that kid. I told him that if he put his own shoes in the hanging organizer and made his bed every day(among his other responsibilities), then he could win a prize too .

I told him to do it for 7 days... that's how long its "supposedly" takes to form a habit, right? :)

Ladies... day 3, his bed made first thing in the morning. Boom!

So here's my question: What chores do your children do and at what age did you start? I think I started late with Mason and am trying to start earlier with Van.

Sheeting Cleaning Question?

So how often do you wash your bedding?  I shoot for every other week but I am not sure what is the "ideal" amount?  What think ye?

Pee so much freaking pee!

Every day I let Hyrum choose if he wants to wear underpants or a pull-up diaper. Most days he has underpants on he does not have accidents. Today he chose underpants and had 3 accidents (carseat, couch!!! and one that was not a huge problem).  I have been using my homemade disinfecting cleaner spray for the carpets, etc but a couch cushion? How do I clean that up? Right now I soaked up what I could and then covered the area on the cushion with baking soda. Any great potty training clean up ideas you have would be much appreciated.

Not the first post I intended to write, but...

There I was, crouching in the back seat of my not-yet-year-old car, scrubbing the vomit off the upholstery when I began to get very philosophical.

Lessons from a very gross encounter:

1. Always carry a bucket in the car.
2. Always say yes when the new car salesperson wants you to scotch-guard your upholstery.
3. When children express the need to throw up. Go home immediately. Do not wait.
4. Before cleaning a really gross mess, sometimes it's okay to go to book group, have a good night's sleep and eat breakfast. It gives a lot of important distance from the trauma.
5. It's okay to invite your visiting teacher over to watch your kids while you do the deed. (Thank you!!!!)

I hope to never need to apply these life lessons again. Ever.

Small Victories

Today, I didn't get around to making the bed until early afternoon. But, as I entered our bedroom and saw the unmade bed, it bugged me more than it typically does, and I felt so much better once it was made!

I know this isn't an issue for most of you, but, like Amanda leaving the breakfast things out during breakfast, this, for me, is kind of huge.  I'm getting hooked on the few minutes it takes to make our bed every day!

cleaning the microwave

It's not on my list but since I made my list at 1am and accidentally had one item listed twice or maybe 2 listed twice I keep thinking about what to do in place of the mistaken add-on. So today I cleaned the microwave. I'm not a regular wiper-outer of the microwave. It can get pretty gross and baked on. But I have a trick! A measuring cup with some citrus fruit and water (a slice of lemon is best but today I used the peel from the cutie orange I gave to Hyrum for a snack) . Microwave for 3 mins. The steam from the boiling water loosens the gunk and the citrus helps get rid of the nasty smell microwaves tend to accumulate. After that it's just a little scrubbing and a thorough wipe with a paper towel. I hate to use chemicals where my food is cooked since I can't exactly rinse in there.

I am really enjoying watching/reading about everyone's progress and challenges. It is so motivating for me!

2 Gospel Principles That Do Not Motivate Me

I have been so intrigued by all of these posts. I keep thinking about posts I would like to write, such as "Let's Talk Feng Shui" (I believe in Feng Shui), "Let's Talk About Our Mothers" (their habits are either ingrained in us or rebelled against ... and I think it's fascinating to talk about), and finally, "KILL THE TOYS"  (the toys multiply and replenish and take over time after time after time and I do not know how this happens). However, today I will only write this post: "2 Gospel Principles That Do Not Motivate Me." And then I will go and clean out my hall closet. Or read more blogs. Or whatever.

Perhaps they shouldn't be dubbed "principles." You wouldn't find either of these as major topics in the Gospel Principles lesson manual. Let's call them "facets of the gospel or facets of our gospel culture."

1. Perfectionism - "Be Ye Therefore Perfect." NO! I will not! Because I cannot. And therefore I will not try. It's taken me awhile to come to the realization that it is a futile venture to embark upon perfection. It is a maddening undertaking. And, so, I have set "above average mediocrity" as my aim. And I feel so much better. It really does not work for me to try to be perfect. So when people talk about that in church, I think of something to the effect of "be ye therefore a little better and try a little harder." Little I can do. Perfect I cannot.

2. Guilt - I used to think that feeling guilty meant I recognized a better way and was headed for it. But although I was headed for it, I was always falling short and feeling terrible about it. What a drag to be around someone who is always racked with guilt! I was annoyed hanging around my own guilt-racked self! Enter: Adam Ware. It's never even occurred to him to feel guilt. He lives his life, does his best, and doesn't apologize. Meeting him and learning this new way of approaching life has changed me for the better. (I wouldn't be surprised if many of you could relate to finding this trait in the men in your life ... I think guilt is part of the female DNA, especially the religious, ambitious female, and is less present in the male population at large.) Guilt, in my opinion, works best when it's got a short window of time. Feel guilty for sin, yes. But then make restitution and get on with it! That's when it's most effective for the betterment of the spiritual soul.

So, take it or leave it, the gospel according to Martha. Don't let your cleaning drag you down to a state of endless woe, yo! What doesn't motivate you when it comes to getting your house in order?