So far, So good....

We've got week one down since implementing "chore" charts for the kiddies. I added up all their stickers and they each get $3.50 for the chores they completed. The kids absolutely love their charts and every day they are excited about doing most of them.
I did find my sweet pea putting a sticker on one item, which was "Picking Up," it was a few hours after breakfast and when I asked her why she put the sticker there, she said, "once I put the sticker there, I'm done for the day." I had to laugh and reminded her that is not how it works, but overall, they are doing great. They enjoy checking their charts to see how one compares to the other and if one of them has more, then they ask if they can do an extra chore to catch-up.
Not to mention that $3.50 isn't bad for a 4 and 5 year old, it makes me wonder if I should have tried this earlier, but they are probably at the right age for this. I think the nicest part is that it is giving them some responsibility, both have animal care and they take this pretty seriously. My sweet pea almost knocked over my little man as they were both trying to be the first to feed the dogs and cat. I told them that each one gets a dog and mommy feeds the cat and if we give extra food for the chickens then each one gets a chicken.
When the hubs informed them of how much they made this week, my little man said, "I'm going to "ToysRUs," I hope he can find something for under $3.50 because I'm not giving out any loans.

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one" - Dr. Seuss

The Never Ending Day....

Does it strike you? Those restless moments while you are lying in bed and then a thought crosses your brain, then another, and another until your brain is on super mode with all the things you didn't get done, all the things you need to do, and then future things you should do. ARGH!!!! It hit me hard last night.
I kept laying in my bed thinking if I just lay and close my eyes, I will fall asleep, nope. I tried meditating, nope. Nothing and I'm not sure what time I finally fell asleep, but I remember starring at my clock around 3:00 am and then I woke up at 6:00 am to try and get some work done before everyone else in the house awoke.
And I know that it's my body telling me I need to give some time to myself, I react to stress in two ways, stomach aches and insomnia, I'm not sure which is better and I'd prefer neither, but it's hard to take that moment of quiet time, especially for myself. I feel like I'm getting hit from every direction lately and the light bulb moment hit me as I was staring out the window...for every action there is a reaction, and so forth, so forth until you stop it.
Yes, the little light bulb went off - you can do one of two things: react and propel the situation or do nothing.
Lesson learned after numerous events these past two months, I get it!!! I tend to believe that when you pray/ask for guidance, the higher spirit doesn't say "poof" there you go...instead you are presented with life events, your daily interactions and you never know how that interaction will change you. And I can say that I had forgotten, prior to my children and wedded bliss - I would approach all interactions asking myself the following: "what can I learn from this and how can I use it to make me a better a person because the person I am interacting with is no better or worse than I am."
And then tah-dah...it all unfolds...a few weeks ago, I went to the Iowa Metaphysical Fair and had a reading done by a clairvoyant, after I sat down and only said my name, she took my hand and said, "Who's been throwing the temper tantrums lately and she said you reaction didn't help, it's stubbornness." I laughed and thought, yeah...indeed in a matter of two weeks I had gotten into some serious issues with several people in my life (not at the same time or the same issue). She said that it will only get worse, I told her I knew that and that I can feel it brewing and she reminded me that it's up to me how it unfolds...learn from what is happening now to better prepare me for what's to come. She also confirmed numerous other things that she couldn't have possibly known. And several times today, I was presented with "moments" that I would have reacted to, but I didn't....I paused and decided no reaction necessary, which you know some habits are hard to break :)
And so here I am dishing it all out for you to read....which I debated on posting.
Earlier this week, I had seriously considered deleting my blog. I don't keep my blog a secret from anyone, most people in my life know that I've had a blog for the last couple years. Some choose to read and others don't, but when you start to feel like you have to edit yourself, you have to ask is it enjoyable anymore and I'm just not sure anymore. I enjoy doing this, it's an outlet for me as well as keeping my written journal. I appreciate those who follow my blog and the comments you make, but it's frustrating when someone can take something I've written over a month ago and try to make something bigger out of it, when these are my feelings...
The title of my blog is plan as day..."The rants and raves of a wife, mother, and more." What I type in my blog are my personal feelings to things and events happening in my life. I'm not perfect, I don't claim to be, I make mistakes, I'm just trying to live my life and hopefully learn from the things going on in my life. So, this is just a thought, if you are only interested in reading my blog because you want to stir the pot, just ask yourself what is the outcome I am wanting to achieve?

"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." ~Thich Nhat Hanh

"Our deeds determine us as much as we determine our deeds." ~George Eliot

Lavender, how I love you so...

Update to this post: I tried out my lavender sugar scrub and WOW! I can't get over how smooth my skin feels and not to mention I used it to shave my legs and they are super soft! This is definitely a gift item I will be making more of! If you want the "how to" in making your own sugar scrub, click here

Happy Summer Solstice! The sun was not out long today and it was rainy and humid, but I made sure the kids and I got outside for part of the day.
My lavender is growing madly and I love it. I love the smell of lavender and the color; not to mention all the great things you can do. I found a recipe for lavender cupcakes, which I decided I will make for my upcoming tea party, I can't wait to bake them. I'll be baking a few in the next couple days.
I also made a lavender sugar scrub (thanks to Domestic Witch, she is so creative and crafty) - I still have the last steps to do, such as take the lavendar out and break apart the sugar, but so far it is looking great and when I opened the lid, the smell was intoxicating.
We have a garage sale coming up, so I think I will put some in little jars and sell them along with some homemade laundry soap. I'm not worried if those don't sell because I can use them for myself and I'm making more of the lavender scrub to give away to friends. It makes me wonder what great things I can do with Rosemary and I definitely have plans for more herbs next year.

"As Rosemary is to the spirit, so Lavender is to the soul." - Anonymous

What it's Thursday.....

The weeks are flying by (now that I am working again) and with that I feel like it has been ages since my last post. The chicks are still growing and getting bigger, however, we still do not know if one is a rooster or not, we haven't heard any "cock-a-doodle-doos," as of yet, but one of the chicks definitely has a bigger comb than the other.
I am loving our garden, we are finally getting some sweet peas, which the kids love just pulling off and eating them, the lettuce, spinach is delish. The hubs says the onions are great, we are just waiting for our squash, tomatoes, and peppers. My lavender has taken off, which I love so much, I got a great idea from Domestic Witch on making a Sugar Lavender Body Scrub, I'm only in week one of making it, so I'll post a picture when it is all finished.
We are thinking of having a garage sale in the next couple weeks, I thought if the scrub comes out great, then I may sell a few of those and I thought about making a batch of my laundry powder and selling some small containers of it with the recipe, we'll see. My work has been eating much of my time, which it's great getting back into it, but it ends in September, so I suppose I might as well get as much as I can.
Anyway....I just wanted to post an update...

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life" - Steve Jobs

You are So Wise, Winnie the Pooh

This morning my sweet pea awoke before the sun was even out, so we spent about an hour just hanging in her room talking. And it just reminded me how big she is getting, she finished her last day of preschool and is already excited about the fall and beginning Kindergarten. WOW...I'll have a kindergartener and then my baby boy will be starting preschool, where does the time go? I remember when they both were babies, I'd be holding one or both of them in my arms, rocking them back and forth and thinking how far away "this present time" seemed and now here we are.
My little ones who dress themselves, beginning to make their own beds, and developing their own personalities. It's amazing and makes me a little sad at the same time because I know I will never get those moments back, which makes the fact that I've been able to stay home all the more special.

So what does all this have to do with Winnie the Pooh, I saw this quote and it reminded me of my children.....“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember...you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.”
Yes, Pooh Bear, I loved you as a child, even as a teenager, and today still I love Winnie the Pooh, you wise little chubby old bear.

A home for the chicks....

Well we finally have the chicken coop finished, the hubs worked on it all weekend and it is done and looks good. I think the chicks are enjoying their new space, but they have yet to explore their outdoor space. The two chicks made it to the door, but stopped and just stayed on the edge of their ramp leading outside. And I think we finished it just in time as the last couple times the chicks were out of the box exploring the sunroom. The picture to the right and above is the outside of the coop....

They are also going on 4 weeks and getting bigger, I've noticed that the comb on their heads are starting to form and I'm beginning to think one of the two is a rooster, we still won't know for sure for another few weeks, so we shall see.

On left: inside of the coop

Pictured Below: chicks