Getting My Home Squared Away in 2012

My In-Laws Home in Ireland

Niall and I moved to a new apartment the week before I was hospitalized for preterm labor. Then we had a very little baby in the NICU for two months. Life as a new mom once my baby came home was an adjustment, and I am still learning how and trying to get everything done. Needless to say my house is a tad bit of a wreck :). If you just peek into the door of my living room it isn't so bad, but shine a light on the deep inner recesses and you might be shocked! Since I can't go anywhere anyways (S is on lockdown to avoid germs until late spring), I thought 2012 might be well-spent on purging and organizing our home.

Like I said, still adjusting to life as a new mom with its various challenges, so how can I do this without quickly burning out? Here's my plan: one room a month. I'll be assigning one room as one of my goals for 3in30 each month. Every weekday I intend to set a timer for 20 minutes and just plug away. If the progress isn't steady enough at that pace then I'll adjust my plan as needed.

Be excited! I will be posting the embarrassing before pictures, in hopes that the after shots will be smashing :). The first room: Baby S' nursery! Right now she sleeps in a bassinet in our room, but soon I want to start putting her in her actual crib for naps. Right now that is impossible since it is literally piled high with baby stuff.

I'd love for you to join me! Pick one room to work on this month and tell me about it in the comments. The more the merrier :). Happy organizing!

Today's Special Purpose: Surprising my husband!

It is a beautiful sunny day today in northeastern Pennsylvania. And I have been inspired :).

My husband is at work all day, as usual, but he is going on a special guys night out this evening as well. It got me thinking, what if when he came home our house was actually really clean for the first time since baby? Or if I had actually ironed all of his shirts (also hasn't happened since bed rest, hehe)? If his desk was tidied and the nursery actually organized?

As probably happens to most mother's of newborns, my home has been fairly neglected lately. Usually the day is so full of feeding S and pumping milk in between feeds and trying to catch up on the sleep I'm not getting at night, that I feel great if just the dishes get done. And with the extra snippets of time I will confess I am usually reading or trying to rest or relax.

Well, today will be different, Lord willing. Today I am going to push extra hard to accomplish as many noticeable things as I possibly can- things that I know Niall will appreciate! Now I realize that S is going to have demands and needs, and those will be my first priority. And I also realize that sometimes your baby can throw you a curveball that consumes your entire afternoon. But by God's grace I am going to work as hard as I can, for just this one day! And tomorrow I can catch up on rest in a clean house :). Hopefully.

My plan of action: Tackle the vacuuming and ironing, as these will have the biggest impact. Anything that gets done on top of that is sheer bonus. I am trying to be realistic here :). I'll let you know how it goes!

What special thing will you do to bless your husband today?

Motivate Yourself!

This week has been one of struggling. It partially had to do with the fact that we had scheduled events on two weeknights, something we try to avoid as a rule (in order to protect our time, marriage and other responsibilities). I also spent over 46 hours working outside of the home. At any rate, it was a week of falling behind, and this weekend I had to catch myself up.

Despite our best intentions, we all have weaker moments and times of failure when it comes to our domestic duties. When I'm struggling to keep up, here are some of the ways I motivate myself.


1. Take 15 minutes to sit down and read something motivational. This usually includes a small snack or a cup of tea as well.  Half of the benefit is taking a 15 minute breather, it helps to propel you on. I'll read something like a chapter of Elizabeth George on the home or wifely duties  (she is always good when I need a positive kick in the pants), or websites like Fly Lady. Although I don't think her acrostic is very good or biblical, I find that reading about cleaning your home and transforming your habits can be very helpful. After those 15 minutes I feel ready to seriously take control and go defeat the evils of dirty dishes and dust bunnies in my home.

2. Multi-task. While I'm cooking a meal or washing the dishes, I have found that rehearsing my scripture memory passages is an excellent way to redeem the time. It fills your mind with something encouraging and true, and fills the empty moments (waiting for a pancake to fry, etc). The task goes faster and my mind is renewed by the end of it. While I iron I talk on the phone or watch a movie. It makes the task less dull and more enjoyable. There are lots of ways to multi-task!

3. Set a timer. This is another tip I picked up from E.G. When I'm super tired at the end of the day. I set the timer for 15 minutes, or however long I think I can manage, and just plug away at my task. When the timer goes off, I am done. Sometimes it works in my favor though and makes me want to finish the task even if my time is up!

These are just a couple of the ways in which I pick myself up by the boot strings, so to speak. What motivators help you to persevere?

The Delights of Dreaded Domestic Duties

One of the things that the Lord changed my heart about (when going through the previously mentioned study with my pastor's wife) was my attitude towards certain hated chores. Namely, ironing and dishes.

Do any of you hate doing the dishes??? Because I sure did! How about ironing? It can be very time-consuming, and not so delightful at the end of a long work day.

Graciously, the Lord has slowly changed my heart towards those things. Elizabeth George, and Janet (my pastor's wife), helped me to realize two things. 1)Washing the dishes and ironing Niall's shirts is being obedient to the Lord by fulfilling the role He has given to me. 2) By faithfully performing these acts I am serving and showing love to Niall.

Realizing those two things has completely changed my attitude! There is joy in knowing that you are obeying God and blessing your husband. I wonder sometimes how I can serve God and how I can best please Him, and this is such a simple and truly easy way if you really think about it. And when I go to my sink, piled high with the day's dishes, and think about honoring God and my husband, it makes me happy. And that joy carries me quickly and painlessly through the task at hand.

May the Lord grant you joy in the duties you dread to carry you through!