Project: Spring Clean and Declutter!

After an extremely busy beginning to Spring (spring break trip, family visits, closet updating, etc.), I've dedicated two whole weeks to clean and declutter our home. We are a family of two parents and three children, ages 7, 5, and 20 months. So, yes, we have a lot of clutter! Seth and I have been reading blogs about minimalism, and trying to get up the courage to take on the big project of our home...and the time is finally here.

Today is Thursday, April 22 (Earth day, appropriately enough), and I've gotten off to a good start this week. In three days, I've cleaned and organized the coat closet, living room, dining room, and both of our bathrooms and closets. Although it is nice to have them clean and organized once again, the biggest accomplishment is what I've removed from those rooms. I've filled three trash bags with items that are either not used, out of date, or irrelevant to our family. I've also filled 5 boxes with items to go into our upcoming family garage sale.

For the remainder of this week, I hope to make the same impact on the kitchen and master bedroom. Next week will be dedicated to the children's rooms, play room, and laundry room. Seth will take on the office. My goal is to be finished by the end of next week.

Although this project is very tiring and time-consuming, it is one that we hope will prove to be life-changing for our family. We also hope that the resulting changes we make in our way of life will make our transition into homeschooling our children one that will just build upon the foundation we are laying out now.

Please keep our family in your prayers if you happen to think of us...we've got quite a few changes taking place, and need the Lord's guidance in all of them.

Have a great day!

Hot New Author: Maya Jo Anderson

Yes, Maya has decided she is now an author. She loves reading, and is now reading well past the fourth grade level. So, she has decided she wants to write a book of short stories. We are really encouraging her, and has just completed her eighth entry! She was writing a story on the computer in Clay County as Seth and I were packing up all our stuff to head back home. She had to hurry the ending, but it's a pretty good one! Here it is:

Once upon a time there was a pretty butterfly who lived in the woods. She lived happily there. But one day a moth came and did not like the butterfly. So the moth thought that he was smarter then the butterfly. But the buttrefly already new his plan. So the butterfly thought that she would make a war with the moth. So the next morning the butterfly went to the moth,s house. The moth agreed to war and the butterfly won and moth was never seen again. THE END

I'll be sure to send you the link once her book is published. :D

Good Riddance!

Sorry about the long absence in blogging.  We were lucky enough to receive one of the most shared gifts of the season: the stomach flu.  Yes, from Mom and Dad to all three kids, we've each had the pleasure of admiring the floor of our bathrooms.  I'm just glad they were clean.  :)

So, what could I possibly write about this monster of a bug?  Don't worry...I'm not going into any details.  I just want to share with you a couple of pieces of advice that I have put to good use in the last week.  If any of you can use any of them, then it was well worth it.

1.  If you have a baby or toddler sleeping in a crib, please do this NOW!  Get at least three crib sheets and mattress protectors, and layer them so that you have three layers on your crib.  (Crib + mattress protector + sheet + mp + s + mp + s) If your child gets sick during the night, it is much easier to take off a layer than to completely recover their bed.  Plus, they go back to bed more quickly.

2. Wash your hands.  I know this is obvious, but a lot of people use hand sanitizer in place of soap and water.  Sanitizer does not kill the virus, but soap and water will at least wash the germs from your hands.  And, a recent study found that hot or cold water can be used to achieve the same results.

3. If any of your children complain of their tummy hurting, let them call the shots during meal times.  No, I'm not saying to let them have cookies for every meal.  But, if they don't feel like finishing a whole bowl of beef vegetable soup, don't force it.  Believe me...sometimes you just don't feel like eating.

4. After experiencing the bug, don't drink the water your body desires.  Give your stomach time to settle.  Drink only one tablespoon of room temperature water or diluted liquid every ten minutes.  After a couple of hours, you should be able to increase your intake.


5.  If available, take a phenergan when the time between vomiting has slowed to every 45 minutes. Take the prescribed amount just after vomiting, so that it has time to absorb. This will allow your stomach to settle, as well as give your body the rest it needs.


6. Children have a hard time knowing when they are going to vomit, so it is a great idea to cover their bed/couch with a towel or blanket that can be washed if it becomes soiled.


7. Lastly, there are some foods that you should really have at home at all times, just in case something like this happens to your family. These include crackers, bread (for toast), pop cycles, sports drinks, applesauce, bananas, rice, oatmeal, and broth soups. I did not have any Riptide Rush, and sometimes you just need purple Gatorade. We have a full supply now.


I hope some of this will help you to be prepared. The bug we experienced is very contagious, and seems to be most contagious up to the first day of showing signs of the virus. With this being the case, you can spread the virus without knowing you have it. Just wash your hands as often as possible, and try to eat well-balanced meals. For picky kids, or if your family doesn't always have those recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, there are plenty of vitamins available to keep your immune system strong.


Wishing you and your family a season of health!

Left-over Turkey: Recipes

Sorry for the late post, but Thanksgiving isn't over for us yet!  We eat at my parents' house tomorrow, so this is 'technically' early.  :)  


My Mom purposely prepares an abundance of turkey so that we can bring some home with us, which my hubby loves.  He usually makes turkey sandwiches, but I like to mix it up a bit since turkey is not a meat of choice for me.  Thought I'd share with you a few recipes I've collected over the years to make good use of that leftover turkey.  Enjoy!

Turkey Jambalaya

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds turkey
• 1 pound smoked sausage
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

To Prepare:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, add all ingredients except the rice.  Cook for 30-45 minutes, until the celery has had time to cook.  

2. Prepare the rice as usual in a separate pot.

3. To serve, pour a serving of the jambalaya mixture over a serving of the rice.  

We like just a little spice, so this recipe does the trick.  If you, like my hubby, like to sweat when you eat Cajun, you will want to add an additional spice of your choice.

Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 unbaked pie shells 
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup cooked, chopped turkey meat
• 1 can mixed vegetables, drained
• 1 can (left after emptying the cream of mushroom soup) of milk

To Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the mushroom soup and milk. Stir in the remaining ingredients and pour into one pie crust. Top with the other pie crust, and seal the crust edges by crimping with a wet fork.
3. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown

I usually make 2 of these, and freeze one for later.  If you choose to do this, allow one full day for the frozen pie to thaw before following the same directions above.

White Turkey Chili

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped cooked turkey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 can diced jalapeno peppers
• 1 can chopped green chile peppers
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 cans chicken broth
• 3 cans white beans
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

To Prepare:

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook and stir until tender. 
2. Add the garlic, jalapeno, green chile peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne.  Continue to cook/stir 3 minutes, or until tender. 
3. Add the chicken broth, chicken and white beans. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove the mixture from heat. Slowly stir in the cheese until melted. Serve warm.

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving!