I completely emptied out the van and vacuumed it. This was no small success I assure you. This was HUGE. I really wanted to just blow the whole van up and start over but my husband told me that was not an option. So, it is nice and clean now. I even took car seats apart and washed them. We will see how long it stays that way, although I made a vow to myself to never let it get that way again! Inspired by Once a Month Cooking. I made up a two week meal plan and went shopping for it.(including breakfast and lunch) I prepared some of the meals yesterday and froze them. This will be a tremendous help for our upcoming schedule. We have had a fairly harmonious work week so far. It has been placed upon my heart to be encouraging to my children always. Even when a particular child cries and whines through absolutely every subject that is presented to them. Even when this child storms off to their room in tears and slams the door. The encouraging mom writes this child an encouraging note, places it in a ziploc baggie with some M&Ms and slips it under the door. The frustrated child comes out of their room with a smile on their face and a big hug for mom. It is amazing how well the day went after that. Encouragement. Patience. Success!! What are your successes this week? Visit Faith and Family Live to participate.
AWW... the thing about the note and the M&Ms made me cry!!
Posted by: julie | May 28, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Awesome! Thank you for the kick in the pants that I needed. :o)
Posted by: Stephanie | May 28, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Once a month meal plan sounds awesome. And I just love your header photo. And your blog. Really great stuff, thank you!
Posted by: Anne at Catholic Mommy Brain | May 28, 2009 at 12:32 PM
What NEAT ideas!!!! Thanks for posting them, and LOVE your profile pic...what love radiates from that and touches my soul!!! Thanks!
Posted by: ViolinMama | May 28, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Thank you so much for posting your successes! I think it has been one of my successes just reading them and being so inspired! No kidding, I took notes. Really.
Congrats on the van clean out! If your like us (with 7 kids I think you might be) you have an extra BIG van and it is a HUGE undertaking to clean it all out with the car seats included. We are in desperate need of doing the same. We were able to wash the outside but the inside is a disaster :(
You've also inspired me to so that meal planning that I've been putting off for so long. Why I do this to myself?
But the biggest accomplishment that I applaud you on is the way you were able to turn around a tense moment with your child and making it a grace filled moment. Truly beautiful! Thank you again and God bless.
Posted by: Kelly | May 28, 2009 at 03:08 PM
what great ideas! I am in awe of you!
don't underestimate your kids' ability to help with the family van. Ben has our kids clean it out & vacuum it themselves- i think it helps us all- kids included- to work as a team to keep it clean if we all know what goes into cleaning it.
notice i said Ben has them do it. that is because i tend to underestimate them.
Posted by: smithschoolhouse.blogspot.com | May 29, 2009 at 04:42 PM