Today was SUCH a good day. I’m still not getting this posted early evening like I’d hoped, but that’s just life.
It was so great to wake up to a clean house, the laundry all caught up, and a day with fewer to-do’s. I really feel like we’re starting to get into a great rhythm here with our new schedule… and I’m just hoping that the momentum continues!
Also? I finally got my hair washed and fixed, a nicer outfit on, and a little make up on — which was the first time that has happened since I got sick on Saturday. Yay!
I’m still somewhat dragging and not 100% yet, but I’m improving each day and am hopeful to be back to full capacity again soon. In the mean time, I’m trying to make sure I take care of myself, get a good night’s sleep every night, and eat and drink well.
I love using the diffuser!
Today, we diffused the Harmony essential oil blend. I pick different ones each day — mostly depending upon what mood I’m in or what mood I want to help us all be in! 
After I read my Bible, I came downstairs and we ate a quick breakfast and then started cleaning up the kitchen while the kids did their morning chores. Since we’d gone to bed with a really clean house, this didn’t take long at all.
And I even had time to make my bed… the second day in a row!!
I got the kids started on their morning school projects, switched the laundry, and finished a few more cleaning projects. Then, I exercised and helped Silas with his Kindergarten work.
After that, we all met in the living room and I read aloud while the kids worked on different things — Kathrynne on LEGOS, Kaitlynn on drawing/coloring, and Silas on practicing writing his letters.
A little after noon, Jesse got home and he made lunch. I ate quickly and then headed upstairs to finally get a shower.
They all left for Kathrynne’s swimming practice and I blow dried my hair and then got busy on my afternoon blogging work. Today, I had some posts to write, some emails to answer, a meeting with my executive team (we meet every Wednesday afternoon via Zoom), and then more emails and posts to draft, comments to answer, and some odds and ends of projects.
I headed down to the kitchen around 5:00 p.m. to make apple pie.
Jesse left (again) to take Kaitlynn to her ice skating practice.
Kathrynne and Silas finished up folding and putting away the laundry and then played in the backyard for awhile with the neighbor children.
Once the pie was in the oven, I called the kids back in and they got to watch a movie because their chores and school were done for the day.
I had planned to get a little more blogging work done, but I kinda got distracted online and ended up doing basically nothing for 45 minutes. Well, I mean, I visited lots of sites and found out some interesting information, but had little to show for that time.
So I decided I’d be better off getting up from the computer and starting in on the kitchen cleaning…
I cleaned up from my apple-pie baking and then cleaned out the refrigerator.
When I was finished, Jesse and Kaitlynn got home. They’d picked up Chili’s for dinner and we sat down to eat.
Then, it was back to the kitchen cleaning again!
The Lazy Susan really needed to be wiped out and it felt so good to take everything out, wipe it out, wipe the appliances off, and put them back again.
I also tackled the junk drawer in the kitchen.
Silas helped me organize the batteries in the junk drawer.
Much better!
I also cleaned out the pantry and a few more shelves and cupboards… and ended up with a box full of things to get rid of/trash. Yay for de-cluttering!
When it was all said and done, it was only 8:30 p.m. and I’d finished everything on My Morning Plan. Woot!
Leave a Comment & You Could Win This Stack of Books!
In my cleaning today, I found some more books and cookbooks to get rid of, most all that are ones I’ve loved and just want to pass onto someone who could be encouraged by them! Plus, I threw in a copy of both my book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, and a copy of my new Choose Gratitude Blessings Journal and a box of tea that I love!
Who wants to win them? To win, just leave a comment on this post and I'll choose one winner tomorrow evening and will mail them to you so you'll have them in time for Christmas. Some of these books are great condition and might even work as gifts for people on your Christmas list!
Did you work on cleaning your house today? If you blogged about participating in this Clean Your House For Christmas Challenge, leave the direct link to your post below that is specifically about this challenge. Or, leave a comment telling us how your cleaning went today.
The winner of yesterday’s stack of books is Michelle (kmosmond@) — I sent you an email tonight to ask for your address.
Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU) is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a huge Save with ECCU giveaway! Enter here for a chance to win $1,000!
For most of its 50-year history, ECCU has been known for offering churches, Christian schools, and other Evangelical nonprofits and ministries with specialized financial services. ECCU continues to expand this core commercial customer focus, while now rolling out additional personal financial services.
ECCU introduced new savings accounts to help consumers address a range of financial-planning goals, including their new online Money Market Savings account, which can earn up to 0.95% (APY) with a minimum opening deposit of $50.
With ECCU, your money does more than earn a good interest rate for you. It helps fuel Christian ministry worldwide by low-cost banking services to missionaries and Christian organizations. Plus, ECCU will donate $20 to one of four designated nonprofit organizations for every new account opened. Consumers can direct these funds to go to their choice of Compassion International, International Princess Project, Open Doors USA, or The Sheepfold.
Would you like to be entered to win $1,000?
This contest is open now through January 10, 2015. The qualified winner must open an ECCU Money Market Savings Account where the $1,000 prize will be deposited. The winner will be notified by January 15, 2015.
(Note: This giveaway is open through January 10, 2015 . This giveaway is underwritten by ECCU. Read my disclosure policy here.)
My kids were SO excited about getting these Rollzees in the mail and they have provided hours and hours of fun for them.
We brought them on our last trip and they helped pass quite a lot of time. I love that they are so portable, durable, and encourage creativity.
We got to try out both the Chalkboard Rollzees and the Dry Erase Rollzees and it’s hard to say which one they liked best as they really loved both of them.
The fun thing about the Dry Erase Rollzees is that you can slip a printable in the pocket so that your child can do an activity more than once — which works especially well if you have multiple children who would like to do one activity. Just erase and you can do it again and again!
These come in many different fabrics — something for every child’s style and color preferences. Watch the video below to see more how they work and how portable they are:
These are great to keep in your purse to keep a child occupied while traveling, while waiting at a doctor’s office or restaurant, or during a church service.
Save 10% Off All Orders
Want to order a Rollzee as a Christmas gift or stocking stuffer? Use coupon code MSM to get 10% off any orders placed this week.
Would you like to win a Rollzee prize package? Six winners will receive a chalkboard Rollzee and a dry erase Rollzee. Click on the graphic below and type in your name and email address to be entered to win. Six winners will be chosen and posted next wee. This giveaway ends Friday, December 12, at 11:59 pm, CST.
