Reducing stress...what do you do?

I am curious as to what other people do to reduce stress. In the past, I have tried deep breathing, taking a bath, being quiet, reading the Bible and watching a funny movie. What have you done to reduce stress? Please share!:)

Clothes washing & drying

Doing laundry is something that I enjoy. Okay, I know, to many that may sound very strange. But there is something about clean clothes. The freshness of them...how clean they smell coming out of the wash and how crisp they are coming off of the line.

My laundry room is adequate, my line outside is perfect for one load, my detergent is homemade by another mama and my dryer works if I want to use it. What more could a girl want?! My favorite time to hang clothes is in the morning, when the dew is still on the ground. I talk to God as I hang them and feel a peace about life. I feel so blessed.

During the warm months I try to use my outside line a lot. I like how the clothes smell, it uses less energy and the sun bleaches my whites for me. My husband doesn't appreciate crunchy jeans or towels...but he lets me dry as I please. Some days I do use the dryer. Sometimes it is just out of plain laziness...other times I don't plan ahead for the needed drying time.

If anyone is interested, you can make your own homemade laundry detergent. It is very simple. I plan to make my own when my current stash is gone. The recipe is as follows (This is from a mama on Diaperswappers)...

1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
1 bar Kirks Castile Soap

Slice soap into strips and run through food processor to make "soap beads".
Combine soap beads, borax, and washing soda. Done!
Use 1 tablespoon for small loads, 2 tablespoons for large loads. Twice as much for soiled clothes, half as much for HE washers.

This should save you money and doesn't have all of the ingredients that commercial brands do.

Happy laundering!:)

Finding contentment at home

I am trying to find contentment at home. I love our home. I say home, instead of house, because our home is a home. It is so much more than a house. Our house could use some updating and isn't everything that I would like it to be...but we have made it a home. I feel completely relaxed when I am home. I like finding things to do, taking walks with my boys, spending time with my husband at night while the boys are sleeping, sewing, and sometimes just sitting in the quiet.

But there are days when being at home with a five and almost two year old feels suffocating. I find that I want to leave to keep my sanity. Why is that? I feel like a trapped monkey at times. I guess running around seems easier at the time. Then we get out to run errands, go to the park, etc. and I think..."what was I thinking?". This is not easier! We end up eating out, I end up frustrated, the little one doesn't get a nap, and I don't even like driving. What was I thinking?

This realization has given me the opportunity to try and find contentment at home. Yes, sometimes that means letting them watch television midday (we usually do not have the tv on during the day), or it means me having a nap when they do. Staying home is so much easier and saves so many resources (gas, money, energy-to name a few). It just doesn't seem as fun at the time that I am searching for an escape.

So what do you do to find contentment at home? What are your ideas for bringing relaxation in to the sometimes hectic days? Thanks for sharing!

How are you a good steward?

We can all learn from each other. So let's put our ideas together! I am curious how you practice good stewardship. Your tips, ideas and comments are so appreciated. Hearing what others do to be frugal, recycle, reuse, reduce and save money is of great interest to me. So share away...

Motherhood

Just a note of what I find to be amazing about being a mother.

• the words "ma, ma"
• "love you, see you in a little bit, will you come check on me?" said by my five year old (every night) at bedtime
• watching my boys hug on each other and walking together holding hands
• my 20 month old hugging my five year old when the older one gets hurt and cries
• the bond that breastfeeding a baby creates
• my oldest when he sucked his thumb and had to have his favorite blankie (at five he still wants his blankie at times)
  
• my youngest walking around looking for his bunny (he calls for him saying "munny, munny"
• ornery grins while in time out
• making me laugh when I am desperately trying to discipline ( I so did this to my mom!)
• praying with them when we hear an ambulance/fire truck/police car (my mom did this with us)
• my oldest asking Jesus in to his heart at three
• my oldest telling me that I am pretty or that my outfit looks beautiful
  
• wearing my baby in my sling...and watching him fall asleep
• getting kisses, hugs and giving back rides
• watching my oldest learn to ride without training wheels
• listening to my oldest thank the Lord for the animals and all creation (his words)
• watching the boys light up when they see their grandparents (and knowing that we are so blessed to have such wonderful parents)
• watching them clap their hands and sing songs
  
• having my five year old tell me that he never wants be a husband or have any "junky kids"
• watching them interact with other children

Oh, I could go on and on. They are such blessings. Some days I think I am going to lose my mind. Most days I have to remind myself that I am the adult and that I will not let a five and almost two year old control my emotions. They are amazing little boys and I am so glad that they are ours. Motherhood is a huge responsiibility...but I am glad that I was given the opportunity.

I would love to hear your thoughts, tips, stories or struggles with motherhood or parenting. Enjoy!

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Call to action

The Community Blood Center in Dayton has a major shortage of blood right now, with only a one day supply...pretty scary! If you are healthy and able to donate, please help. It is really no big deal, only take about 20-30 min. total (all of the questions are computerized now) and you get free cookies! You can make an appointment here https://www.givingbloodnow.org/.

One more call to action. Please consider signing the American Solution's petition to ask the U.S. congress to act immediately to lower gasoline prices. You can sign the petition here http://www.americansolutions.com. Please take a few seconds to fill in your information and to pass it on to others.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog!

The Art of Non-Conformity

This week I came across a really inspiring man who shares a lot of wisdom on his blog called ChrisGuillebaeu.com which you can find here...http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/. Yesterday he added to his blog a manifesto called A Brief Guide to World Domination which you can read here http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/files/2008/06/worlddomination.pdf. Wow, he had my mind spinning last night about how I can be remarkable, what my purpose is, what I can offer the world that no one else can and what my perfect day would look like.

I came across Chris Guillebeau when I was at Leo's blog Zen Habits, which you can find here http://zenhabits.net/. He posts so many wonderful ideas on simple living. These two men offer so many intersting topis and tips for adding peace, simplicity and meaning to your life. Check them out! Then let me know how they have inspired you.

Peace...