Homemaking sentiments and cute portraits!

Okay, so I have allotted myself only 15 minutes to blog this afternoon, and I'll tell you why. I am on a schedule. Yes, me, on a schedule! To cut to the chase, I have been challenged by current life events and conversations, and also by a book I'm reading. The life events have been constant disorder and frustration, and the book is called Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney - highly recommended, by the way!

I've had a change of attitude recently regarding the hot topic of homemaking! In a nutshell, I previously viewed a homemaker as a woman with no outside occupation, who stays at home to raise her kids...not a bad idea! However, my view was centered on what she was not doing - not sending her kids to daycare, not bringing home a paycheck, not using her education, etc. I have been challenged recently to view homemaking as an active pursuit, not a passive state. It is to be my calling, my career...maybe even my passion. That makes all the difference in the world, and here's why: instead of feeling inferior for never finishing my degree, instead of feeling unfulfilled as the world goes by without me, instead of just biding my time at home with my kids, I need to be actively learning and growing in my calling as a homemaker! I never thought I was very "good" at home management...but is that a valid reason to chuck the idea out the window and focus on something else? NO! Managing my home well is my God-given responsibility! I am called to do my very best, and if I feel I could use some improvement in certain areas, I need to begin some "career enhancements"!

So anyway, this week I started following a basic weekly schedule. That's nothing to many people, but for me, it feels a little foreign, to say the least. I must say, however, that I am reaping the benefits of scheduling already! This is just the beginning, but it has been a very useful first step.

Well, the time I've allotted for today is running out, but I wanted to post this picture while I'm on here. We had a portrait fundraiser for MOPS about a month ago, and because I helped out with coordinating it, I ended up getting $100 worth of free portraits from the company! Wow! It was totally unexpected, but I'm so grateful...being the photo junkie that I am. So without further ado, here's my favorite one:

So are they totally adorable, or what? I gotta go for today - I'm already a couple of minutes over. I'll post again soon!

Chores for kids

I'm looking for ideas on chores that may be appropriate for Drake. Right now he sets the table every day and is expected to clean up after himself (and sometimes Levi) and clear his dishes to the sink after supper. He is sometimes required to put his own laundry away and sometimes to make his bed, depending on whether or not I do the laundry while he's gone at school, and whether I remember in the morning to ask him to make the bed. So I know he is able to do these things. I often have him take out the recycling, as well. Oh yeah, and he knows how to fold the clean diapers and dustbust crumbs from under the kitchen table. I was talking to my friend, Cherie, the other day, and she suggested feeding/watering Heidi (the cat) and dusting some things downstairs, like the piano and bookshelf. There may be a few other things, too, but they are not currently coming to mind.

Anyway, I'm trying to plan my days a little better, and I know that planning more specifically which chores are expected of my children each day will foster a more cooperative spirit in the long run! What I am looking for right now is more ideas for appropriate kid chores. I know many of you have kids near the same age - I would love to hear some of your ideas!

Aren't they cute? (I thought this post needed a picture!)