Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #9

9. Time – A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord.

I am up at 5 – cook Nick breakfast, start his coffee, unload and load the dishwasher – and usually sit down on the couch until 5:50.  I could better use my time by not laying on the couch and starting laundry.

I have been exercising at lunch so that is a pretty good use of time!

When we get home from work and daycare – that is where my time needs better organization. I get laundry  done as needed and usually hold off all cleaning until the weekend. I need to do a little each day so that I can enjoy my weekends more.

I think I need to just put my mind to it and get it done!  What do you do to help make better use of your time?

What’s New Wednesday #7

So what is new…I have no motivation? No, that is not new at all.  I just think that I need to kick my tail in gear and make it happen.

I have tried to blame the cold – but let’s be real here…I have access to a free gym that includes a treadmill. No excuse. 

I blame my pants getting too tight on the price of healthy food – but let’s be real here…I choose the food I eat and maybe I need to cut back somewhere else. No excuse.

I blame my laziness on the dreary weather here – but let’s be real…I control my laziness. No excuse.

To start combating this I have been finding some blogs with women and men alike who are motivating in general and have great ideas and tips. (Check out my newly listed links to the right if you don’t believe me.)

I have also started to follow a few more people on Twitter to help get daily motivation.

I am researching different ways to change my diet to help with cost and health in mind.

I cannot change those around me – but I can continue to say affirmations to stay motivated and make sure I don’t let them bring me down. I will get out of this funk. No excuse.

Time to go sign up for some virtual runs – got any you know of? Please let me know!!!

***All images were taken from a google image search for running motivation.

 

Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #8

8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

The debate about homemaking.  I do what I can – but sometimes I really get tired! I have been doing really good making sure my kids get a meal every night that is warm and good for them. I do this by meal prepping – which I am starting to really rock at!  I make sure they always have clean clothes to wear, regardless if it is the ones they love or not.  I kiss them goodnight and always let them know I love them after they have been scolded.

My husband gets loved – probably not as much as he would like though.  I make sure we talk every day, his coffee and breakfast are ready when his shower is done, and his clothes are washed.  He also love to get into a bed that is made every night.  I make the bed every morning before my shower. The little things that make him happy – I am happy to do!

I am always worried that I do not do enough with my girls. I want to read to them, but they won’t sit still through a book. I watch moved with them until they can’t sit still anymore. As soon as it warms up I will take them for a walk with me daily. I just think sometimes I don’t do enough.

I would love to make them a warm breakfast every  morning – but they don’t like to wake up and I would have to start even earlier! I just don’t know that it will happen as much as I would like for it to!

I also would like for my house to be a little bit more in order – just because I myself would like for it to be. Call it my OCD, but I have not learned the art of letting go of it. My friend Michelle stated what I want to be – “if the house doesn’t get done – oh well” (okay maybe all that isn’t a direct quote but it was something similar). Regardless she knows her family is take care of and they are loved and happy.  I think I could let go more than Nick could. ***Seriously chef Michelle out – she is funny and has some amazing coupon stories!

What do you do to be a homemaker in any sense of the word?

Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #7

7.  Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

I have always liked to cook, bake, and make.  I am not always good at it, but I sure do try. I let my failures get to me sometimes to the point of giving up.  I am learning to let go of that and embrace what I can do!

I have realized that even though I can buy nice things – I can also make nice things. I may not be able to make perfect things – but I can make things that will be loved for being almost perfect.

I will continue to try to keep a clean house without grumbling and continually do laundry everyday.  I may not have the cleanest house, but it is filled with love and that is for sure.

I will sing songs while I complete these tasks so that my mouth is not filled with hate filled words. If I want my kinds to not say those things – I cannot say those things.

Won’t you try to make something this week?

Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #6

6. Finances – A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

Ugh – I hate the word finance and anything that goes with the personal type.  Ever since I left John Deere in 2009 mine have not been where I want them. It seems that when the paycheck went down everything else stayed the same and it makes it awful hard to make ends meet.  I have been humbled to needing Nick’s help with a lot of things and money was one of them.  I had to ask to make purchases and I didn’t like it , but it made me really think about things I needed and wanted.

I learning now that things have to be quality, not just about quantity. I might be able to buy 5 shirts for $20 but they will need to be replaced in a couple of months because the quality is bad. OR I could buy 3 for $20 that will last me all summer as the fabric is thicker. 

My kids might like the name brand cereal, but will they ever know the taste difference if I just buy generic and call it the same? No.

Do I really need to buy soda for $5 a 12 pack? No.

When I am not buying all that crap – I can save to make sure the money is here when I really need it.  I am forever learning on this one. Nick has really helped me too – not sure if he really knows it though. 

What have you done to help with finances?

Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #5

5. Service – A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

This one has always been a challenge as well. I struggle with wanting to do so much that I really dont’ get much accomplished.

Moving to Alaska kind of opened my eyes to time management as we thought some events were going to occur leaving me with the girls alone for a while.  I decided to schedule, schedule, schedule. Mary heart in a Martha world can come into play with this one as well – agree?

It worked!  I first and foremost hold me family first. So the laundry is done nightly (unless there is none, which never happens), dishes done in the morning along with folding the laundry that was in the dryer from the night before. I power clean on Saturday mornings so I don’t hate it as much.

I scheduled some me time during the work week to help me keep a clear mind while attending to my family. That has helped me too. Nick can babysit the girls so I can get out – it is okay, I just have to ask to receive!

My friends. They are so dear to me even though it seems like the number is smaller than I originally thought – and that is okay. I would rather have a few I can count on than 100 I can’t. I keep in contact and drop lines of love when I can on their phone via text or voicemail, or even Facebook.  I just want them to always know I think of them. They are on my prayer list at all times as well so no need goes un-requested.

Neighbors. Hmmmmmm…..interesting. People don’t talk to their neighbors up here – or at least not in my area. I am thinking this spring or summer I will have to change this.  It is too cold to visit right now! I think I will invite them over for a fun evening dinner outside, or maybe just leave them a plate of cookies, or something. I think I should try no matter what.

Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #2

So I found this nifty blog about the Proverbs 31 Woman who is an inspiration for most.  I touched last week or so, on the first virtue HERE.  I can tell you that event he first virtue was hard enough. I can say that I have still not put forth the effort that is needed. I do find that when I get my daily devotion email on my Blackberry I do read it – but do I pray on it or ponder it? No.  Man I need to get my butt in gear and get it right!  Anyone want to be an accountability partner for me in Alaska?  Even if just by email? 🙂

So onto Virtue #2:

2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis 2: 18)

I can honestly say in my heart I do well for my husband.  I cook, I clean (and then kids destroy), love, and obey my husband. I do what he asks of me (for the most part) – but I do not do his laundry.  He complains that I don’t do it right. I am sorry – but if you want me to do it along with mine and the kids, you will have to make one sacrifice. I understand this is not the right attitude, but I am standing strong and he doesn’t complain anymore!  I mean really – I get up with him every morning at 4:!5 and cook his breakfast and make his coffee  because I love him – and I don’t have to be up until 5:45 – he can knock of the complaining on how I fold his t-shirts.

I can be a better duster, or floor sweeper, but for the most part the labor side of things is done.  We have come a long way in the trust department (this is on me trusting him, not him trusting me like is stated above), and I strive to be a helpmeet. One I thing I do also want to comment on. If I was not a working outside the home mom – I would make sure things were in line 100% and would fold his t-shirts just as he liked them. Yes, we have mac and cheese from the blue box for dinner sometimes, but if he is off early and my day runs long, tough. We both work and have bad days. I will still do my best to make everything work, but I am human and will allow myself that and so should he. If I am wrong I am sure someone out there will point that out for me on Facebook in a cryptic message. HA!

Proverbs 31 Woman

So I love to read about the Proverbs 31 Woman. I am so interested in what she did, how she did it, and how in it all she still had an amazing faith.  I want to be more like her and think that this transition to Alaska will be a great place to really put everything into motion. A new environment, a new start, and a great place to being – again.

I happened upon a nifty website the other day: A Virtuous Woman. It has a boat load of information and reference material.  I enjoyed it. Especially when I found the post on the 10 virtues of the 31 Woman HERE.  I am going to work my way through them over the next 10 Sundays (or try to!).

From the website directly:

1. Faith – A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15).

I have been following God for almost 5 years now. I have tripped and gotten back up more than once. He is that awesome that he knows what I will do and still loves me.  I have gotten up and prayed and I have gone back to sleep because I was too tired.  I know I need to have more strength of faith, because without it I have nothing. My goal this week is to get up and pray/read every morning. I already get up – I just need to use the time wisely.