Large Family Problems - the sock basket

Oh the sock basket. 

I used to be so embarrassed by this basket. But now it's just a way of life. 

I want to be that mom that matches all the socks and puts them neatly in their drawers. 

Well let's be honest I'm just not, anymore. 

When you have 7 pairs of feet to have socks for everyday. That makes for a lot of socks. 

Way to overwhelming when just getting the rest of the clothes folded and set into baskets for everyone to put away. I just throw them all in a basket and they can fend for themselves. 

Plus when I can hardly ever get a matching pair in the washer at the same time. One is usually stuck in a pant leg or under a bed or even behind the bathroom door. Still sitting there all alone from last nights shower. 

Now if they are lucky and I see a pair together I will stick them together and put them in that child's pile. But other then that they are in the "sock basket". 

I will put my dear hubby's together for him. This is one thing he has asked for from me. He just doesn't have time in the morning to spend 5 minutes looking through the basket. Since he is such an amazing husband and he goes to work all day, I suppose this small request I will do with a sweet smile. 

So how does your family deal with the dreaded socks?

God Bless,

Jen

Big Family Problems series #1

I would like to address some big family problems maybe you are having or maybe it's just me. Some will be silly and some will be serious but I thought I would just share a few. 

Do you see all those fun post with families getting together for a fun trip to the movies and wonder why your family never gets invited to these kinds of things?

I do. I know, I know, that's something silly to be thinking about but I think I figured it out. We just have too many kids. Yep I said it. We have too many kids. 

I don't think I have too many kids but I think others probably get overwhelmed when they even think about inviting us to something like a movie night or to go sledding. 

I wish it wasn't that way but I'm pretty sure I scare the heck out of my friends. 

Plus we have mostly boys so that may be something to do with it too. We are kind of a ruff family. But we are lots of fun. 

We try to make sure we get out and do things together as much as possible but I still think it would be fun to join another family every once in a while. I have tried inviting others to come with but it usually doesn't work out because we are kind of a spur of the moment kinda family. 

What I really think it is I miss is the adults that would be with us. Don't get me wrong I love hanging out with my kids. I just feel like we are missing out on something here. Maybe we are not. 

Am I the only one? Am I being Vain? I don't know but this is just one of the things that have saddened me since I had more then 2 kids. Now that we are adding a 6th here in May. Eeeeek!!! I'm sure we will be thought of as even more crazy. 

Until my next Big Family Problems post. 

God Bless,

Jen

Staying organized "Bullet Journaling"

I am a very forgetful person......

Trust me I am. 

Sad I know! But that is me. If I don't write it down my brain just throws it out until 3am and then I remember. Then I can't sleep. 

So I have been using planners, sticky notes, note books. Then I came upon a video about "Bullet Journalling" and decided to give it a try. 

I didn't buy the graft paper books like recommended so I bought these 3 little notebooks that were .97 each. I glued and taped them together and decorated it. I think next time I will buy one of those pretty leather bound journals. They were 9$ and I didn't want to spend that much on something I didn't know if I would like it. 

Watch this video for more details. 

http://youtu.be/GfRf43JTqY4

Now here is my bullet journal. 

This is the front cover. I just used scapbooking paper and stickers then I used some laminate sheets to protect it. 

 Here is my "key" and index page. Every time you make a page you add it to this page for quick reference. Then I made a little pocket in the inside cover. 

My first 2 pages I ripped these out of my planner. The actual bullet journal does this part different. But I like a calendar. 

This is where you put each day in and you use you symbols from the key and add your appointments and tasks ect. Then you check them off as you finish them or if you don't get them finished you move them to the next day. 

I added pretty stickers and then some dividers for each day. You can make it pretty if you want. I just use fun pens because that's just how I do things. 

I decribe myself as organized chaos! *smile*

Here is an example of a page you would right in the index. I just put my daily chores on this page so I remember which day to do what. So when I am adding tasks to my days I can take a quick look at this. I think I will put a tab on this page so I can find it faster. 

This page is for my work at home job. I make vinyl signs so I write them down or I will forget. As I finish them I color in the square. 

This system seems to be working great for me! I have a hard time with a super organized planner because I need to write down things as they come up. I can adapt this system however I would like. 

I hope this is clear as mud. Lol! Any questions, comment below. 

God Bless,

Jen

Weight loss the healthy way.

I have been writing for a new blog. It is called Fruitful Famlies. I would like to share my latest post with you all. I have been on a journey of weight loss so I wrote on weight loss the healthy way. I am using the Trim Healthy Mama book. Hope you enjoy. And browse around on the rest of the blog. It is a great blog. I write once a month for it.

God Bless,
Jen

Fourth of July adventure

Our new adventure this summer was running a fire works stand. It was a lot of fun but sure a lot of work! 

Here is my tent. It was a lot of work getting it set up. 

Drake standing by 2 of our big fireworks, Vinny working and Croix tuckered out taking a nap before we open. 

Some silliness when someone stole my phone and started taking pictures. And a picture of our Dino we named him Donald then our tent. 

We probably will be doing it again next year but we will change a few things to make it more a little less stressful. 

Hope you all had a great Fourth of July. 

God Bless,

Jen

My first time painting

I did something new today. 

I had a blast doing it!

I was also able to enjoy some girl time. 

I am not an artist by any means. 

But I felt like I could be while painting this. 

We started out by painting circles

Then adding some contrast

This is the beginning of the dandelion. 

Our group. The man all the way on the left was our teacher. 

He did so awesome working all us silly ladies. 

They are thinking about doing on a month. I think I may go each time. 

Alright now your turn. Go get your craft on!! 

God Bless, 

Jen

Last library class and last track meet of the year.

Today was our last library class of the school year. 

Miss Brenda read some very cute spring books then she instructed them on making a pine cone bird feeder. 

They had pine cone and then added peanut butter to them. Then rolled it in bird seed. 

Drake was not a happy camper today because he is teething. He has never had so much problems with teething. Fevers and pain. Poor little guy. 

He did play a little on the floor with some blocks. 

After library class Vinny had his last track meet for the year. 

He didn't place well but he a height challenged. Most all of the boys are about a foot taller. 

He will catch up one day. 

While we were sitting and waiting for the next thing he was in Brooke wanted me to play with her hair. 

It was such a beautiful day today. I am loving spring. 

God Bless,

Jen