We’ve been busy little bees today, trying to catch up on household tasks that fell by the wayside while I was sick. The kids are getting ready for their favorite chore – sock mopping! (Everyone puts on white cotton socks, I dump warm soapy water on the floor, and they start skating. I get a super clean floor & they have a ball.)

I sat down to take a break & found the most refreshing post in my bloglines. Susan of High Desert Home writes so beautifully about gently caring for a home and making it a reflection of God’s love. A gentle, peaceful, ORDERLY home is what I’m working towards and her words are so encouraging!

Whew ~ the craziness is over and the new year is almost here! When I was young, I used to think January was such a dull & boring month; now I’m so thankful that January is a dull & boring month!

Lifespring~

• daily reading
• My Utmost for His Highest
• start a new online devotional – A Chosen Vessel: Finding Peace and Purpose

Tasks~

• Purchase my 2008 Motivated Moms chore list (this works great for me, & only $8!)
• Plan upcoming school semester & make copies – back to school on Wed.
• Pack away Christmas decorations
• Find yummy recipes for bread pudding and black eyed peas. Can you recommend any? Does everyone eat black eyed peas on New Year’s Day, or is it just a southern thing? (actually, I won’t touch them, but Jason likes them)
• Plan my preschool lessons for our homeschool co-op in Feb.

Discipline~

• Start getting up early again!
• Create & commit to an exercise plan

Train them up~

• Assign new chores now that everyone is a little older (waaah!)
• Put together a scripture memory system

Storehouse~

• Clip & file coupons
• CVS & Walgreens deals
• Fine tune budget for the new year

I highly recommend the book The Storehouse Principle – it completely changed the way we look at money. It’s not a finance how-to book, but instead deals with heart issues about money. The focus is on Biblically managing your storehouse in a way that allows you to financially bless others.