Large Family Living~Laundry



yes, this is really what our laundry chute looks like sometimes!



"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Organization is essential to keeping the laundry beast tamed in our home.  With 7 people, laundry is never complete!  I learned long ago that I needed a schedule in order to remain sane in the laundry department.

My schedule is quite simple.  I do something almost every day.  I once tried doing everything in one day, but it drove everyone crazy with the amount of laundry that needed to be folded.  It also seemed like we couldn't do anything else because we had to keep on top of the laundry in order to get it all done that day.  It just didn't work for our family.  So my schedule now is....

Monday~my clothes and hubby's clothes

Tuedsay~some of the kids clothes

Wednesday~the rest of the kids clothes

Thursday~towels, diapers (when we are in that season), and catch up day

Friday~hubby's work clothes

Saturday~bedding

I also hang our clothes out on the clothesline as often as possible, so I start the wash early in the morning.  I love the smell of fresh, clean clothes, and I really like saving some money by not running the dryer as often!  

My schedule sometimes does change depending on what may be going on that week, and I usually do diapers at least twice a week when we are in that season of life.  I try to get all the laundry folded and put away before hubby gets home from work.  He never complains, but I know he likes it when it is completely done before he gets home.  As we all know, there are always "those days" when nothing gets done like we want them to!

With a large family, there will always be laundry to be done.  While I'm not always thankful for the work, I am thankful that we have the clothing, and thankful for the ones who wear it!  (I'm also thankful for our large capacity washing machine!)

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31



Linking up with:
     

Summer 2012~In Pictures

It's been a great summer!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"

1 Corinthians 10:31

Homemade Granola Bars

My kids love granola bars as a quick snack, but I find that they are expensive and not very healthy for them.  A couple of years ago, I found a recipe online (sorry...I can't remember where~~I have since started writing the website down when I print out a recipe!) for granola bars that my kids really like to eat and is quite simple to make. 

Ingredients

• 6 cups old fashioned oats (we actually use about 5 to 5 1/2 cups because we like it a bit more moist)
• 2/3 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky~whatever you prefer)
• chocolate chips (I've found if you use mini chips, they melt and you don't end up with actual chips in your bars.  Still just as yummy!)

Mix the oats with the chocolate chips (as many or as little as you desire!)  Heat the corn syrup and brown sugar until boiling. 

Boil for one minute, remove from heat and add peanut butter.  Pour mixture over oats and stir until completely mixed. 

Pat mixture into a 9 x 13 pan and let sit until cooled and hardened. I was out of chocolate chips so these bars are just peanut butter.  Try your own variations and see what different tastes you can come up with! 

Cut into bars and enjoy!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

How I Know Child Training Is Never Done

Our 6 year old has recently reminded me that as parents, we must consistantly train our children.  During our opening songs in church on Sunday, she looked up at me and asked "What are we having for lunch?".  I reminded her that we are singing and we'd talk about it later.  She was fine with that answer.  Then later~~during the congregational prayer(!)~~she gets up in my ear and says "Oh, now I get it!  Everyone in Mandie is the same in the first and second movie!!".  (We had spent the previous 2 Friday nights watching the Mandie Movies~~Which are great family movies by the way!!)  She really liked the Mandie movies and apparently her mind had wandered during the prayer to the movies!

As parents, our job of training sometimes seems like it never ends.  Kids need many reminders as they grow.  But as I see our older children grow, I see the fruit of our efforts.  It is all worth it~~even when they talk about movies during prayer!!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Why I Hate Facebook On The First Day Of School!

School starts today at the public school in our town.  Our middlest just got on the bus and is on his way for his first day of fourth grade.  He's looking forward to seeing his friends again.  I'm a bit sad that the summer is over and he won't be home until 3:30 each day.

But, sadly, many don't feel this same way.  Last year on the first day of school, my Facebook page was filled with mommy's who were praising the first day of school, and the days of freedom from their children.  How awful for these children to know that their parents are excited to have them leave the home for a good part of each day.

So I will not be looking at Facebook today.  I don't want to hear how excited you are that your kids are at school.  I'm going to be baking cookies with our other children so that when Spud comes home from school, we can enjoy our time together over cookies and milk. 

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31