Cleaning: What is the Point?

I don't know how many mothers love cleaning: yucky toilets, never ending dishes, bathroom sinks dotted with toothpaste, laundry strewn on the floor, sticky kitchen floors, and messy playrooms.

I think sometimes we get so overwhelmed we forget why we do what we do.

What is the point?

Why do we sweep when crumbs will cover the floor after the next meal?  Why do we pick up the toys when they will just get dumped out again in a few minutes?

We actually find a beautiful answer to our question in the scriptures.

In the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple it says:

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; (Doctrine and Covenants 109:8)

We are striving to become like God and we are striving to have our homes be like his home, the Temple.  

C.S. Lewis said, “The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career. "

This earth was created for families to progress together for exaltation.  As we make our homes a piece of Heaven on earth and provide a spiritual shelter from the world we are fulfilling our purpose.  

In Daryl Hoole's book, "The Art of Homemaking."  She quotes a "Dear Abby" Column that read:

Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell;
While other folks go hungry,
We're eating very well.
With home and health and happiness
We shouldn't want to fuss,
For by this stack of evidence,
God's very good to us.  

So next time you feel overwhelmed by all you have to clean remember how blessed we are to have everything.  

In Daryl Hoole's Book the "Ultimate Career, the Art of Homemaking Today" she has a list of jobs that need to be done daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonally.  

Daily
make beds
prepare and serve meals
clean up and sweep kitchen
spot-clean bath fixtures, mirrors, and floors
pick up throughout house
empty wastebaskets
wash and fold clothes
remove snow in season

Weekly
clean bathrooms
change bed and bath linens
remove fingerprints
damp-mop hard floors
dust furniture
vacuum floors
carry out trash
iron and mend
plan weekly menu and grocery shop
water indoor plants
mow and edge lawn in season
tend garden in season
rake leaves in season
sweep porches and steps

Monthly
clean refrigerator
clean stove, oven, and microwave
dust ledges and baseboards
clean lampshades
clean surfaces of mirrors, TVs, computers, and telephones
dust picture frames
clean light fixtures
straighten and clean closets, drawers, and cupboards
clean furnace filters, air conditioning filters
flush drains with bleach
make home repairs
clean and sweep garage
wash and vacuum vehicles
clean patio or deck in season
purge magazines and newspapers

Seasonally or Semiannually
wash window
clean faucet aerators
sort seasonal clothing, sort and store or give away children's outgrown clothing
prepare yard and patio for next season
turn off or on outside water sources as needed
prepare for holidays
wash or dust walls
spray-wash house plants and polish leaves
clean blinds, mini-blinds, or plantation shutters

It is a long list and can seem overwhelming.  I realize that I can't possibly do all of it alone and maintain a whole house by myself so my family is involved in the process.  I look at the daily list and each child has a daily chore that helps to accomplish tasks on that list.  For Saturday work the kids have jobs based on what needs to be done weekly.   The best part is that when they help clean on a daily and weekly basis they recognize how important it is to be responsible and keep their things picked up daily.  

Surprise

It's official.  Baby #7 is going to be a surprise.  I had my ultrasound last week.  The baby looks healthy and everything is good.  

We will find out 

this fall which bedding 

to put on the crib :)  

Beautifully Ordinary

Monday was an ordinary day at our house; but, there is something magical about throwing something spontaneous into an ordinary day.  

So just before the kids were getting ready to jump in the van to go to school I told them to line up by the front door so that I could get a picture.  The response I got was, "What is special about today?"

My response was, "Today is special because it is an ordinary Monday."

A truly typical, completely normal, nothing exciting, day.  I thought it was beautiful because an ordinary day is such a gift.  One important point to note is that it was the first Monday in 17 weeks that  I truly felt completely normal, l felt like myself (no morning sickness!!)  

As the kids lined up I realized that there are so many ordinary little details about them right now that I want to remember.

Child #1:  She loves clothes and always wears a cute outfit.  She found her cute outfit on our spring break outlet shopping trip. Notice her shoes coordinate!  

Child #2 and #3:  Fall or Spring they usually have their Gap jackets on from their Gramee.  They both get their chores done before school, but each has their own style.  One gets up early and gets his work done, the other prefers to wait and do them just before breakfast:) 

Child #4:  I remember doing her hair all cute and curly that morning and tellling her how grateful I am that she likes to get dressed up fancy.  She was thrilled to be wearing her new sandals to school for the first time! 

Child #5:  He is a super hero at heart!  His great grandma gave him that super robot shirt with a cape on back and if it is clean, he is wearing it (which is a lot!). 

Child #6:  Insisted that her shirt, skirt, headband, and peanut posh be pink! When she colors she only uses pink and purple crayons!  

 After dropping the kids off at school we couldn't help but get out of the car and play.  It was the first day warm enough to play outside at 8:00 a.m.  Instead of rushing inside to do dishes we just played in the driveway and had a wonderful time.

It is in small moments when you stop to enjoy the little things that your heart swells with gratitude for the gift of an ordinary day.

  

Cape flowing behind him as he runs.  

A smooth rock.

Long brown hair. 

A happy smile.

A pink balloon.  

A song to sing.

A dance to dance.

A car to drive.

A beautifully ordinary day.  

My Husband

We talk for hours, but never run out of things to say,
We cherish the time we spend together, but it is never enough.

(summer 2010)

I love to watch him in his favorite role as a father,
I love to watch him as he teaches.

When I climb into bed at night I am content, grateful he is there.
When I am at church I look down "our row" and I am grateful that we are responsible for so many little ones.

I feel grateful he works so hard to provide,
I feel grateful he is so honest, I trust him.

We are married for eternity and even that won't be enough time.

Words of Inspiration

Watch General Conference April 2013

Saturday, April 6, 2013

I love that our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is set up just as Christ's church when he was on the earth.  We have a prophet and twelve apostles that teach us of Jesus Christ and inspire us to follow him. The first weekend in April and October they speak to us and teach us.  I sit and listen intently and look for answers to questions in my own life.  I always come away with my heart filled to overflowing.

Here are my "one liners" from speakers.  Not actual quotes, but one thing they talked about that inspired me.

President Boyd K. Packer-
Satan is attacking families.  

Elder Davies-
We need a sure foundation, build on the rock, Jesus Christ.

Sister Elaine S. Dalton-
We are all different and unique, but our part matters.  

Elder Cardon
Remember what Christ taught: Forgive 70 x 7. 

Elder Ballard
We have unlimited divine potential.  

Elder Eyering
As we serve we draw near to Christ.  

Elder Scott
Living an obedient life firmly rooted in Christ provides the greatest chance for peace in our home life.

Elder Cook
World peace is not always possible, but through Christ we can have personal peace.

Elder Ellis
We are not spiritual orphans, we are children of God.  

Elder Dickson
There are wonderful people throughout the world.

Elder Bednar
Marriage between man and woman is ordained of God, how we use the power of procreation will determine our happiness in this life. 

Elder Nelson-
Parents have a great responsibility to prepare children to be future missionaries.

glimpse of eternity

Today I had one of those amazing days where you catch an eternal glimpse of what you are doing as a mother and how quickly children really do grow up.

Today was a rare day without any appointments or commitments.  I had it all planned out with errands.  I planned to pick up the house, exercise, go to the bank, stop by a couple of stores, pick up some bread (we finished off the last loaf at breakfast), run past the mall and buy some shorts for myself for summer that are on sale, come home for nap time for the little one, make dinner, and pick up the kids from school, followed by homework, dinner, and soccer practice.

At 8:15 am after dropping the kids off at school I decided to listen to a new podcast on the Power of Moms website while I cleaned up the breakfast dishes and the little kids played with play dough.  The podcast was an interview with author, Katrina Kenison.  I have not yet read any of her books, but her words rang true with my heart.  She is a mother who's sons have now grown and gone to college.  She reflected on motherhood, how quickly it really does fly by, and not being in such a hurry.  At one point in the conversation a question was discussed, something like, "Does what your doing right now really need to be done?"

In tears I turned to see two kids playing happily with a doll stroller.  I started to cry.  I don't want them to grow up.  I don't want to run out of two year olds, but it keeps happening.  We already have four kids in school all day.  Time keeps marching swiftly on and each year it seems to gain speed.

My little one asked me why I was crying and all I could respond with is, "Your growing up too fast."

She said, "And Tanner?"

"Yes," I replied, "Tanner is also growing up too fast."

I decided it has been too long since I have just enjoyed the moments.

The bank can wait. I love to make bread with my kids so I don't need to buy it.  As my husband says, "There is always a sale."  I decided it really is still to cold to wear the shorts that  I was in a hurry to buy today.

My new plan for the day included: pick up the house, exercise, read with Tanner, have preschool with the kids, make bread together (one of my favorite things to do with my kids, they always make their own loaf).

We started some laundry and made lunches.  Then we went to school to surprise Abigail and eat lunch with her.  I have planned to go eat with Abigail for the last few weeks, but kept pushing it off because I was too busy.  I decided that  I can't put it off, it won't be long until she'll be too old to want us to come to lunch with her.

Lunch was wonderful.  We enjoyed visiting and as  I looked around that lunch room I realized that she is getting so much older and life isn't the same as it was in kindergarten.

Motherhood is always about blazing new territory as your oldest child continues to grow and progress.  
Even though I love reading books with Abigail, talking, and shopping; at times I miss that carefree little girl who didn't have to worry about homework, friends, or people at school that say bad words.  As life progresses the problems get bigger and I realize as a mother I am less able to make everything better.

I am grateful that I took time today to listen.  I glad that I took time to enjoy those moments that are easy to miss in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Yes, on another day I will have to go the bank and the store, but sometimes it is ok to take a day to fall on our knees and thank our Heavenly Father for the chance to be a mother.


p.s. take a minute to watch the short video clips by Katrina Kenison here.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter.  Our kids had Spring break before Easter.  We are able to take a few days and get away.  We enjoyed visiting Church History Sites, swimming at an indoor resort, shopping, eating at fun restaurants, and visiting a children's museum.  The Easter Bunny surprised us by bringing surprises to our hotel on Saturday.  We were home for Easter Sunday.