Chemical Free Cleaning - Window Blinds

Hey I keep a pretty clean house.  I sweep and mop almost weekly. I am pretty good at dusting, or at least assigning one of the kids to dust.  The kitchen is spotless every night before I go to bed, and toilets stay sanitized (necessity with boys, stinky) But please, please, please, don't peak at the fans( I just turn them on if someone is coming).. and don't even speak of between the couch cushions (there is no telling what you might find there), the top of the fridge (yikes), but you CAN inspect my window blinds all you want!  That's right, my window blinds are spotless, well almost spotless, thanks to a little tip from a friend. 

Want to know the secret?  Ok, I'll tell you but you have to promise to share it with EVERYONE you know... (just click the facebook or twitter button below and share away). 

Ok, so here it is... a dryer sheet!  Yep that's it, that is the big secret!  I know you are thinking "Really?" but I promise I have tried feather dusters, electro-static dusters, and every cleaner you can imagine... but none of them have done the job like a dryer sheet, not even my vacuum.

You don't even have to use a new dryer sheet.  in fact I think the used dryer sheets are easier to use because they are softer, and wrap around the slats better. The dirt is attracted to the dryer sheet and the softener helps to repel new dust. No stinky cleaners or expensive cleaning tools; it all free! Well, as long as you use dryer sheets.

I used one dryer sheet per window. Start by, turning the blinds down and rubbing side to side in short repetitive strokes(like and eraser) with the used dryer sheet. Then, turn the blinds up and repeat the process for the other side.  You will probably have to wipe up a gathering of dust from the window seal... or at least I did (my blinds were really dirty).  Give it a try!! I would love to see if you gals have as much luck as I have, so go on.. you know you have a few used dryer sheets floating around your laundry room, it really only takes a few minutes. Then, please come back and tell me what you thought.  Was this a helpful cleaning tip for you? 

PS.  I haven't tried yet, but I bet it works on those ceiling fans too!

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Musings from a Mother of Boys: Follow up from the Ingeted Lego

Well, many of you have read our happenings with the ingested Lego. Thank you to those of you who commented and helped to put my worries at bay, and for those of you that have followed up with phone calls or in person inquiring of the outcome of the toy.  If you didn't see that post late last week, you can catch up here. 

You all now know the Lego was swallowed around 8:00 Thursday morning. Well, all day I stayed alert waiting for Brennan to make any notion that he may need to use the restroom. Sure enough, around 6:00, Brennan took off to the restroom where he found his brother. Which, was good for me.. I needed the alert.
Brennan: "Hurry, I need to go poo."
Brother: silence
Brennan:"HURRY!!"

Ah, the moment I had been waiting for all day had come.  (I want to take a moment and place a little side note. Any of you reading this that are not mother's yet... I know that I may sound a little dramatic, but one day you will find yourself, for one reason or another, waiting for your sweet precious to pass a little stink bomb. And the relief you will feel when everything looks normal is well.... good.) So, I'll continue.. the moment came,  I grabbed a trash bag and ran to the bathroom. stretched it over the potty seat and gave Brennan some privacy.  After a few minutes he was finished and low and behold... the Lego was delivered! 

Well,  for those of you who have not dealt with this particular issue... here is my advice on how to find an ingested object in stool.  (Gross, I know... but hey it's a part of motherhood and so I will continue.. if nothing else than to fill your curiosity.)

First, and possibly the trickiest part, catch you child before they have to go potty.  Raise the lid and seat of the potty and spread a trash bag over the inside (as if placing it in a trash can).  Lower the seat and let your little one do the doo.  When finished, remove the bag and tie the top in a knot. (This is the grossest part) Smash on the bag, to determine if the lost object is present.  I opened the bag and used TP to remove the item and sanitize well with bleach. "What? It was a brand new toy... "  Then dispose of the trash bag, OUTSIDE!

Well there you have it! A long day with a happy ending! And yes, Brennan did get his Golden Lego saw (above) back.

Wordful Wednesday Psalm 127:3-5

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate."

 Psalm 127:3-5

Happy Valentine's Day, to my Husband!

Hello My Dear Friends.  I'm so happy you have chosen to stop by!  Today I want to wish each of you a Very Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you are celebrating all the love around you today, from you friends and family, or maybe a special someone, but most of all the Ultimate love from our Heavenly Father.

This particular post is really directed toward one special person in my life. Someone who God placed right in front of me at just the right time. This is a post I have mulling over and over in my head for sometime, and well what better way to share the way you feel about someone than today, right? I just  also wanted to make sure I didn't miss something, that I was able to portray characteristics fully and boldly, and that the feelings in my heart would flow out of the written words and into your hearts and make you feel as wonderful as me. However, no matter what I write or how I write it... I just can't seem to find all the words.

However no matter what you pull from this post... I do hope that in some way or another it will inspire you to think of those particular things you love about your husband. What is it that keeps your heart pounding and fluttering? What characteristic does you hubby have that first caught your attention? And after you spend some time thinking about these things... share away!  Our hubby's need to hear those words from us, just as we do from them.

Happy Valentine's Day

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To My Best Friend, My Love, My Husband,
On this 10th Valentine's Day together; I want to go back and remember the story of a boy... who chased a girl... who finally  saw what an amazing gift God had placed right in front of her! And 10 years later continues to be amazed as the boy has turned into a man, a spiritual leader, a husband, a father, a mentor, and... so much more!  On this day, I wanted to tell you some things that I love about you, things that make you special, things that I treasure about you, things that I know I don't tell you enough. I know that in no way is this list complete, I don't think it ever will be.

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Michael,

I love that you rough house with our boys and show them love in a ways only a father can love.

I love that you love and respect my grandparents enough to crawl on the tail gate of my granddad's yellow Toyota to trim branches of their pecan tree with bolt cutters and did it with a happy heart. (Even after grandad started driving off while you where still working, chuckle.)

I love that you have supported and continue to support me while I wander through this emotional journey with family.

I love that you  have sought out and surrounded yourself with other Godly men as friends and brothers.

I love that you stayed an extra day at Christmas to fix my mom's computer.

I love that you tell me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear; but also that sometimes you know I just need to hear your voice and that is enough.

I love that you put so much time and energy pouring into teenage boys as you coach them through the game of  basketball and more importantly in through the game of perseverance and teamwork.

I love that you set aside time to pray with our boys each night. And talk about the character of a man.

I also love that you are that man of character and that all you say you also live out.

I love that you care about the color of the paint... not because you actually care about paint, but because you know it is important to me.

I love that you give me so much grace even when I am careless and don't follow through with some of the responsibilities that I should.

I love that you kiss me everyday when you come in from work and that you always ask about my day.

I love that after you kiss me, you then go through the house to make sure each of the boys is also greeted and feels special care from daddy.

I love that you read my blog and ask questions or make supportive comments about the things I post.

I love that you help carry in groceries even after a long day at work, and that you never complain.

I love that you joke and flirt  with me and keep life fun.

I love that you feel so deeply when people are hurting and pray continuously for them.

I love that you can look at me from across the room and know what I'm thinking and vice versa.

I love that our marriage is so important to you, and that you guard yourself to keep it sacred.

I love that you love God before me, and because of that you can fully love me.

I love that while I am writing this and thinking over it... my heart begins to pound and flutter because you just do that to me.

I love you because of who you are and who you strive to be.  I love you, Michael Caldwell! 

Happy 10th Valentines Day!

Menu Plan Monday Feb 13 - 19

I'm so thankful for a busy week ahead! But sometimes that wreaks havoc on weekly meal planning. This week you'll be seeing super quick and easy meals and yes we will be on the road and eating out quite a bit.  Happy Menu Planning!

Monday: Basketball Practice
Ham and Cheese Croissants, Veggie Dippers, Chips

Tuesday: Valentines Day
Thanks to Pintrest!
Heart shaped bacon, Heart Shaped Cinnamon rolls, Scrambled eggs, mixed berry salad

Wednesday:
Grilled Chicken, Steamed Carrots, Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Thursday:
Slow Cooker Beans and cornbread

Friday: Basketball Regional Tournament
Eating Out

Saturday: At Tourney
Eating Out

Sunday: Meet with Life Group
Lunch:Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos, Salad, Chips and Homemade Salsa
Dinner: Hot dogs, and sides

Favorite Things Friday

I came across a wonderful blogger , Rachel, at  Finding Joy,

Friday's over at her place are Favorite Things Friday,

A post designed to reminisce over the past week of photos and happenings

 to reflect and share the simple blessings you experienced. I enjoyed it so much, and encourage you to do the same!  Happy Friday, Gals! 

 

Sweet Big Brothers

who look after little brothers and make sure they are supplied fun stories

Silly Pajama Monsters

That won't eat you up but might cuddle you silly!

A natural love of reading.

Will had gone to the library at school

and brought home a new Star Wars book.

He couldn't get enough and ended up reading half the book in one afternoon.

Warriors

with a spirit to take on the world

They remind me of the boys in "Will, the Mighty Warrior"

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Gifts full of love for a day dedicated to show love.

Loving 3 little sets of hand prints, melts my heart!

Kind hearts and curious minds.

A new fish always makes it OK to sit on the counter top all day!

His name is B.O. , not what you think..it's actually short for Black & Orange.

Makes me giggle every time I hear it.

4 days later, he still loves to sit and watch his fish.

Where did you find Joy this week? Leave a comment below and them make sure to jump over and link up with Finding Joy!

Musings from a Mother of Boys: The one with the ingested Lego!

"Look Brennan, Mommy found your Lego."
"Thank you, Mommy."
"Your welcome, be careful not to drop it so you can play with it when we get home, OK?"
"OK."

Yes, that was how the conversation went this morning when getting back in the car from dropping my oldest son off at school.  Brennan had just bought a new Lego Ninjago set two day before and had lost a small saw-like weapon on the way home from the store.  Well I found it and Brennan seemed to be a very happy boy, UNTIL...

Driving down to road, I heared gasping, gagging, coughing, and more gagging. I quickly and abruptly pulled over to the shoulder of the road, unbuckled him just in time for him to gag, cough, cry, (All the while me holding it together on the outside and panicking on the inside) and then gulp... the Lego went down. Brennan was breathing (answered prayer).  However... now part from the choking and part from the realization that his BRAND NEW toy was now in his tummy, panic came over his face and he began to clammer up my leg, screaming.  I finally consoled him enough that I felt like I could buckle him in his seat, and we headed home, with one panicky boy and a quite frazzled mommy.  Of all the things we have dealt with, busted heads, broken bones, screws in the nostrils, cuts and bruises... this is our first dealing with ingested toys.  I guess it had to happen sooner or later!  For now, he sleeps.




So I guess we will have Brennan poo in a bag for a few days so hopefully we can make sure the Lego saw passes... Haven't decided if I'll try to clean it up and give it back to him or just throw it away. (I know your probably disgusted that I'm even considering it, but I am. )


Have you guys dealt with ingested money, toys, ... anything foreign?  What did you do? How long did it take to come out? Help a momma out!  Suggestions wanted!

Dinnertable Games to get Families Talking

Families are busier than ever.  I know there are some nights that we don't even get to spend dinner time together.  The nights we do, most of the time the kids want to share everything about everything, but sometimes dinner is spent exhausted and tight lipped. If you need a little help getting your family talking (like me)... These games help get your family talking and connecting with out even realizing.

Oh by the way, sometimes we also use these in the car! 

1. Would you Rather...
I love that this gets the kids creative minds thinking. Each person comes up with a scenario, and go around the table telling which scenario we "would rather choose" and why.  Here is my favorite would you rather so far... 

Would you rather have a left arm made of jello or of cake? 
William answered "Jello, so I wouldn't leave crumbs everywhere I go."

2. The Alphabet Game
Start by coming up with a topic or theme for the evening. Go around the table as each person names one item (starting with A and going to Z) related to the chosen theme.
Example:
Theme: Bible Characters,  Adam, Barnabus, Christ, David, Eve, Festus (I had to google that one), God, Habbakkuk, ... you get the point.
If you get stuck, move on to the next letter; but make sure to come back as a family to look up the missed information. (learning opp)

• Theme ideas for younger kids: Animals, Food, Places, Names, Toys, Bible Characters,
• Theme ideas for older kids: US Cities, Bible Characters, Being a Good Friend, Attributes of Jesus

By the way, sometimes we only get a few letters in, because the kids will start to tell the information they have to share about a certain topic, and end up talking the rest of the meal... remember the object isn't to finish, its to get everyone talking and involved!

3. High-Low or Peak-Pit
As Dinner is gearing up  and your day is winding down. It's a perfect time to reflect on the day behind you.  As each member shares the High (favorite part) and Low(worst part) of their day.  I love that this opens our eyes to the things that are important to our children and opens the door for us to ask more about any issues they may be dealing with.


How does your family connect during the week? Is it at the dinner table, bedtime or maybe breakfast? Do you play games to get your family chatting? We want to know... Please share your wisdom with other moms and families in a comment below!

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Menu Plan Monday Feb 6-12

Life and busy and one of the best ways to keep grocery budgets down and get more family time is by  eating at home is by menu planning... so I have planned out my month in meals and will be sharing it one week at a time. If you want to do the same make sure you link up at orgjunkie.com  Away we go!

Monday: Upwards Practice
Ham and cheese Croissants, chips, veggie dippers with the most Amazing Sun-dried Tomato Hummus!

Tuesday:
 Lasagna soup (yeah for pintrest) & Romain Salad

Wednesday:
Mesquite Grilled Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Almond Green Beans

Thursday:
Fruity Chicken Salad Sandwiches (with leftover chicken), roasted potatoes

Friday: Basketball Game! Come support the Lions!
Eating with the team!

Saturday: Fridge Clean Out!
Rockin' the Leftovers

Sunday:
Tortellini Soup (Crock Pot recipe) & Garlic cheddar biscuits


Hope you all have a great week, wishing you fun & blessings while you share a week of meals with you family!!