Just 6 Things

I write 6 things on a post it note every day. 

Just....six....things. 

It's a fun game I play to measure how productive I am!  I know to some of you non-list makers it sounds like homemakers anarchy, but it has been working for me.  I read about the idea on a simple mom post.  I couldn't find the post to relink it for you, but the jist is "go easy on yourself".  I like that motto for today's modern domestic engineers.

There are so many things which all of us, in our occupations, do every day that are just part of the regular routine.  For me, that is: homeschool, house chores, meals, clean up, pick up, etc.  But, finding those six things that either MUST get done above and beyond the regular, or the things which would really BLESS those around you, or making sure to include time for the things which FULFILL you is an important part of a well rounded, productive day for me.

Here are a few past post-it notes from last week:

clean bathrooms, nature study with kids, work on co-op class, finish bday present for friend, bread, make dinner

haircuts, make groc list, laundry, paint stripes on boy's wall, look up guided reading on google, read through puppy book

I try to keep a balance and make them as specific as possible... (like wash laundry, put away laundry) that way if I get more done than what I've written, it's just icing on the cake.

Speaking of cake, I need to add "pick out a birthday cake to make myself" to a post-it in my near future!  Shameless, shameless plug for birthday wishes!

love of prayer

You may not know this about me, but I do love to pray.  How often am I found with a difficult circumstance staring me in the face and feeling completely helpless?  Large and small problems, for sure, but all of which need solutions.

I feel encouraged to say, that as I grow older, it no longer takes me days or even weeks to realize "I know what I can do about it, I can pray".  It's nearly my first thought any more to pray to our good God who knows our requests before we can form them into words.

The kids are used to patiently sitting through the prayers of their parents.  As Jack & Lena and I sit down on the couch each morning to read and pray as school starts, lately they've been used to Mom going a bit long in the prayer time.

Due to a recent heartache in our former church family, I warned the kids this morning, "We've got a lot to talk to God about today, guys." 

And they got it.  And we prayed.  And it was the most important thing we did all day.  And we're standing with you all.