Organization... :)

As a Wife, Mother, Friend, Pastor, Mentor, Disciple... and all the other things that you are...

What would be your #1 suggestion as to how to get organized and STAY organized?

ESPRESSO MAKER YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE WITHOUT:)

Hi Ladies. I accidentally posted my new found espresso maker on Canyons blog. I meant to post it here but did something wrong so check out Canyons blog!

Stacie

My new Favorite Cookbook

This was given to me this last week - and it is now one of my new favorite Cookbooks.

Fix-it & Forget-it - we found it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Seriously - there is nothing like getting all the ingredients put together, having a nice aroma all day, and then eating w/ little clean-up afterwards.

Bugaloo Baby Shoes

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know about a new product I just discovered. I have not purchased these shoes, so I do not have first-hand knowledge, but they get great reviews. They are like Robeez, but only cost $15. Check them out here:
http://www.bugalookids.com/default.asp

HOW TO GET THROUGH THE FEEDING MYSELF STAGE?

So I am finally trying to break out of my super type A personality and realize that I will be feeding Canyon until he is 17 if I don't just get over the idea that yes I will have another mess to clean up today...times 3 if I decide to do if for every "real" meal.

Canyon has always been a great eater and I am thankful for that but this past Sunday we took him to the Country Buffet and he threw a fit...one of those really embarrassing what do I do fits and we really were perplexed by it. He truly stumped us. We had absolutely no idea what he was doing. We've done this before...sat down, got his plate of his favorites...cottage cheese, peas, chicken and mashed potatoes and of course milk and he gladly lets us spoon feed him until he's nice and plump...but not this time. He wanted to do it all by himself. This is what the fit was about and it did take us awhile and many stares to figure it out. So we did it. Let him destroy the place and himself.

So my point is that I am looking for advice on how to do this. It's only been a few days and I have been letting him feed himself and am spending lots of time afterwards cleaning. I have issues with this...even ones God hasn't been able to rid me of quite yet but messes and me just don't get along. I find myself picking up his toys 150 times a day just so he can take them back out again and create another mess. Instead I could probably wait until the end of the day and just do it once but I can't stand a mess. It's mostly not even his toys. It's the random pole to the bath scrubber, the camel on the bookshelf, the white rubber stopper off the bathroom that gets put back on everyday, and miscellaneous item he pulls out of the pantry etc...ANYWAY

I am wondering just how long this takes and am hoping not too much longer. Is there some magical tricks to teaching your kids how to feed themselves? Is there a way to make sure that this doesn't become play time with his food? I feel he is super proud to feed himself and I make him feel like he is conquering Everest when he does it but he is definitely spending most of the time trying to mash it and play with it and give himself a bath in it.

Help:)

Book

Confession: I don't read those cute little books at the Christian bookstore about women and parenting and marriage and whatever else. I am not going to use examples because I think you know what I am talking about.

So, this isn't one of those books. I loved it because it related with everything I feel as a young mom while providing biblical insight into how to journey the path that winds through motherhood.

The Hidden Power of a Mother's Heart by Glenda Malmin

Confession #2: I am supposed to be writing Life Group lessons right now, but the blogging world has sucked me into it's web!

Vinegar...

Another thing vinegar is Great for... Hard Water.

If you notice calcium build up on things like your tea kettle just fill it up w/ vinegar, let it sit for a while, then scrub it out! Plus - it is better than having to buy a new one (cause I love mine) and it is better than using other more harsh products!