Previous Goals:  two out of my three goals have been going fairly well.   I need to keep #2 on my list!

1.  cleared countertops and a clean sink :  good

2.  selling/giving away  the homeschool books:  not doing very well on this yet...I'll keep it on

3.  daily  time in the flower garden, watering and weeding:  good

New goal: 

 Instead of scrubbing and cleaning my glass shower every two weeks, I want to establish the habit of squeegee cleaning it after each use.

I'm only adding one goal, but I DO believe in "slow and steady" when it comes to new habits!   What habits are YOU working on?

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Habits I'm working on have been motivated by our decision to move to another home.   First, I'd like to start and end the day with empty countertops and a clean sink.  There's something very un-motivating about starting a day with a sink full of dishes or countertops with messy  reminders of yesterday.   Second, I need to concentrate on selling/giving away  the homeschool books we are done using.   I don't need to move ALL these books.  Lastly,  until we sell this house, I need to make daily morning time in the flower garden, watering and weeding.  I love doing this in the spring, but hate it in the heat of the summer.  I don't think dead flowers are a selling point!  What habits are YOU working on?

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Make a New Year's Resolution!

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 As part of the   "Clean Heart, Clean Home Challenge",  I tackled our disastorous schoolroom.

Before:  We let things go over the winter months!

AFTER....

Each child has a work space

Three middle-school aged kids share two computer stations

My daughter prefers the corner secretary desk...probably because when I say, "Clean off your desk", she can just close up the lid!

The kids worked hard,  right along side me,  so I think they will also work hard to keep their work spaces  in better shape.  I can only pray their  hearts were cleansed along with mine as we unburied symptoms of neglect,  laziness,  disregard,  misplaced priorities, and  disobedience to our individual callings. 

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My sunroom is off the kitchen/family room.   We've used it as a playroom and a place to hatch and raise chicks.   The kids sometimes do schoolwork out there in the spring and fall.   It's a 3 season room,  but in our climate it is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.   The "hatchery" and chick cage are still in place, but we are out of the egg business for now,  so I'm giving this room a make over.

I enlisted the help of my kids to clear out the room and sort through toys and books we no longer need.   This is a log construction home,  so I spent a good portion of the day washing down the log beams and individual logs which make up the 4 walls. 

Then,  I decided to mop and re-seal the floors as long as I had the room emptied out.   Here are the final results:  a dinette area, a desk/project area and a reading area.

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My car is officially a very big purse.  Library books, a change of clothes, extra make-up, water bottles, coffee mugs, towels from swimming practice, school work.....say what you want, but I'm prepared for any unexpected opportunity!  My husband just shakes his head at the "collection" I stow.  I could make a Yukon commercial demonstrating the capacity of a "full load".

After emptying the car, we scrubbed, vacuumed, shampood and polished all afternoon.  Our 12 year old birthday-boy was excused from this laborious task.

Won't my dear husband be surprised....actually shocked is more like it!!

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This is a back hall I use as my library.  Obviously it has become a catch-all for "stuff"!

I joined the "Clean Heart, Clean House Challenge" and tackled this space first.

It's a start.  I ended up with one large 50 gallon garbage bag,  two boxes to go to the church garage sale, and one box of give-aways for other students. 

Next is the school room....oh boy!
 

I have walked 5.5 miles -- 11% of my goal of 50 miles!!

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    Join me in Dandelion Seeds' "Clean Heart, Clean Home" Challenge.  Spring cleaning results in a clean home.  If you're like many, you dream of an ordely, sparkling home your mother would be proud of.   Me?   Having all the kids find their shoes and coats as we run out the door would be nice.  Spending less time searching for school books in the morning would be a big plus too.   The cobwebs hanging from my vaulted ceiling wouldn't be missed either.

    But where does spring cleaning begin?  First, our heart must be changed.  We have to ask ourselves some tough questions.  What other activities have we allowed to crowd our time?  Are we spending too much time at the computer or on the phone?  Are we over extended in outside activities to the detriment of our own family and home?  Have we allowed our children to become disorganized and sloppy because we ourselves have lost the energy required to consistently train them in orderliness.  Are our priorities in need of some spring cleaning, first?

    CELEBRATEHIM blogs about spring cleaning our spiritual closet.  She writes, "Sometimes the weight of those heavy burdens begins to stink and become noticeable in behaviors and attitudes and they can no longer  remain hidden."    Now that's convicting!

     If you need encouragement, support, accountability, or a plan of action to get your spiritual house and your family home in order, the "Clean Heart, Clean Home" Challenge may be a starting point.

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