Join me at Atticus, Wilbur, & Me: 2012!

Books of 2011

What was the best new (to you) author you discovered this year?
Elizabeth Gaskell - North & South - definitely not a new author, but new to me & very much enjoyed!

What was your favorite new (to you) series?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Best parenting book?
The Mother in Me: Real-World Reflections on Growing Into Motherhood by Kathryn Lynard Soper

Book that made you laugh out loud?
Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner

Book that totally changed your perspective on something?
Another Place at the Table by Kathy Harrison - gave me a lot of insight into the lives of foster parents (frank, uncomfortable, and heart-breaking at times)

Best homeschool(ing) book?
Deconstructing Penguins: Parents, Kids, and the Bond of Reading by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone - not specific to homeschool, but a fun & interesting read

Book that made you want to make some changes in your own life?
A Heart Like His: Making Space for God’s Love in Your Life by Virginia H. Pearce - this book is from an LDS perspective (I’m LDS) - and has made me want to keep my heart soft toward others

Book you have recommended to the most people this year?
The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

Best childrens/young adult book of the year?
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park - wonderful book!

Book you've been meaning to read for years and finally got to?
The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - though I have to admit, I “read” this one on audio

Read aloud that the family enjoyed the most?
The Story of Rolf & the Viking Bow by Allen French - fabulous!

Best cookbook/knitting/gardening/or other household how-to?
The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner: Easy Meals for Ever Day of the Week by Liz Edmunds

Best non-fiction?
Nothing To Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick - so good!
I also really enjoyed How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had it Coming by Mike Brown

Best religion/theology/doctrine/philosophy?
Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder - a big investment, but I learned a lot and I’m glad I read it.

All-around best story of the year?
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card - some adult situations and language, so be forewarned, but I LOVED it

The Joy of a New Chore System!

I love chore systems! And I love to change them. Whatever system I'm currently using I'm sure is the most perfectly fabulous system ever! Until I change it three months later.



This system has three parts per child:
(except my son who doesn’t have a separate checklist)
1-) A checklist so they can see if they've done everything & can have free time.
2-) A responsibilities list of things they need to make sure are in order.
3-) And a list of chores which vary by the day of the week.

Explanations:
* The first section of the "Responsibilities" Lists are rooms that need to be picked up.
* Handcarts = little boxes where we put things they have left out. The title is a joke, as nothing in their boxes would be worthy of hauling across the plains.
* Scout = our dog (probably self-explanatory)
* Sunroom = great room
* Weekly Deep Cleaning = I post a weekly deep cleaning job for the girls - things like baseboards, etc. I also post jobs they can do for money if they have free time.

I hope this is fun for someone to read. I am terrible at formatting, and that fact that it looks strange may result in hair-loss – hopefully mine, not yours. :)

I love my hard-working kids! And I love systems that make their efforts less of an effort for me!
Bec

My 12yo Daughter’s Checklist
My Room & Bed?
My Hair & Teeth?
My Chores & Stewardships?
My Things & Handcart?
My Practice & School?
Report --- Free Time

My 12yo Daughter’s Responsibilities
Kitchen
Sunroom– including Dining Room
--
Folding
Dog Messes
Blinds
--
Dishes are washed
Clean-dish-towel is empty
Kitchen is swept
--
Weekly Deep Cleaning

My 12yo Daughter’s Chores
M – Vacuum Laundry Rm & Hall
Vacuum Downstairs
T- MOP KITCHEN
SHOWER
W- Vacuum Bedroom
Vacuum Project Room
T- Clean Master Bathroom
SHOWER
F- Vacuum Sunroom
Clean Family Bath sink & counter
S- School Drawer
Room Check
SHOWER


My 9yo Daughter’s Checklist
My Room & Bed?
My Hair & Teeth?
My Chores & Stewardships?
My Things & Handcart?
My Practice & School?
Report --- Free Time

My 9yo Daughter’s Responsibilities
Halls & Entry
Laundry Room
Sort Dryer
Basement
--
Folding
Dog Messes
Blinds
--
Garbage empty – check
Dishwasher is empty
Dishwasher is loaded
Put away Food
Dad’s Lunch
--
Weekly Deep Cleaning

My 9yo Daughter’s Chores
M – Clean Family Bath sink & counter
Clean Project Room Window & Patio Door Glass
Scrub Tub in Family Bath
T- Vacuum Sunroom
Dust Sunroom & Piano/Bench
SHOWER
W- Clean Family & Downstairs Bathroom
T- Vacuum Laundry Rm, Hall,& Stairs
Clean Sunroom Windows
SHOWER
F- MOP KITCHEN
S- School Drawer
Room Check
SHOWER


My 5yo Son’s Responsibilities
Bedroom
Bathroom
Wood
----
Gather & Sort Dirty Clothes
Take Scout Out
Feed & Water Scout x2
Folding
Mail – out & in
----
Clear Table
Rinse & Stack Dishes

My 5yo Son’s Chores
M – Empty the 4 Small Garbage Cans
T- Brush Scout
W- Shake Rugs & Vac Baths
T- Brush Scout
F- Ask Mom?

General Conference - analysis after the fact

My Goals for General Conference – NEXT General Conference

1. Create anticipation – maybe a basket of goodies & activity/note printouts set out a few days before.

2. Simplify meals – yummy, low-prep, and easy clean-up so as to prevent spending entire sessions working in the kitchen.

3. Watch conference DOWNSTAIRS as a family – this will require a plan for the kids to be successful, and alternatives if that just isn’t working.

4. Take notes – printing out something like this, would be fabulous and colorful pens might be a fun addition for the girls.

5. Find ways to make it meaningful for the kids. I love this idea, but lots of things could work.

6. Plan a few fun treats & a fun outing to burn off energy and get out of the house – remember that time & my energy will be limited.

No Matter What

I just got back from my walk. I have been skipping it a lot lately – worried that the wind will dry out my eyes. But as an unfortunate “unintended consequence” the lack of fresh air was drying out my soul. I’ve been so tired lately and I’m thinking, hoping, that by adding back in my daily walk, I can increase my energy level.

It seems too often that when life fills itself with exceptions, I exempt my basics. This is not a good plan. It is those basics that hold my life together, and I need to make time for them every day.

My NO MATTER WHAT List

1. Pray

2. Read my Scriptures (audio versions will work if you simply can’t see)

3. Workout (exceptions made for up to two days of dire illness, or an early morning temple trip)

4. Walk Outside

5. Smile

Nearer to Spring

We read this poem at breakfast earlier this week and all fell in love with it.

I Heard a Bird Sing

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December

A magical thing

And sweet to remember

"We are nearer to Spring

Than we were in September,"

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

--Oliver Herford

Seeing...

Two weeks ago I had lasik surgery and for at least another week after that I couldn’t see well at all. Not seeing was distressing, irritating, and disorienting. On top of that I got sick, so I wasn’t good for much of anything.

The scripture story of the week was “Jesus Forgives a Woman,” when Simon resists the Savior forgiveness of the woman who bathes his feet with her tears. As we were reading I pointed out the phrase in Luke 7:44.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman?

The Savior wanted Simon to really see the woman, for it is the seeing that changes our hearts. The kids listened and then laughed and said, “You can’t do that right now, Mom!”

Oh, but I could. And in some ways it was so much easier when I could do less. Now that there is more to do, it can be so much harder to truly see.

My favorite scripture is D&C 76:94

They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;

It will certainly take the fullness of His grace for me to see.