Paper Towels Work for Me

Sometime in February, we were on the third (or fourth, or hundredth) round of illness here at the Troops. Ugh.

I remembered my sister-in-law's mother (who is a nurse) used to have paper towel holders in the guest bath. Hmmmmm.

Then I realized that we probably spread a LOT of germs on our hand towels. 10 people, times countless hand washes each day. Combined with hands that have been sneezed into, pet the dog, played on the playground at school, etc.

I know the POINT of washing hands is to remove those germs. And I know that technically speaking, if your hands are clean when you dry them, then the towel should actually be germ free.

Who are we kidding here?

They are kids!

So I purchased $4 paper towel holders at Target and put them in the two kid's bathrooms.

Wonderful.

We use the generic paper towels, only one per hand washing. And it works great! We are using less than I would have expected and not spreading so many germs! Yeah!

I will probably not use them all year. But you can bet I'll put them out during flu season or the second someone gets the stomach virus.

Works for me!

Check our the other great tips at Rocks in My Dryer!

Happy Wednesday!

Prayer List

It's backwards day over at Rocks in My Dryer.

That means we can ask a question of the Works For Me Wednesday crew, instead of posting a tip. And since I've realized that the more children we have, the less we know, I'm always up for asking questions!

Now that our baby is getting older (he'll turn one at the end of March), I'm ready to get back into a more organized prayer time. When the babies are tiny, I pray during the day, during feedings, during the night - whenever my mind isn't occupied with helping someone else! But I don't try to keep any kind of record of prayers requests or answers - there just isn't time!

But I realize that as we are praying, we need the see the Lord answering those requests - or not - so that we can see His hand working. It's an encouragement to look back and see how He's worked. And I don't want to miss that.

I've tried the prayer card box - which was way too much work! And I've just used a notebook - but the list gets unorganized so quickly! And for years I did a smaller three ring notebook with a section for each day of the week. And I loved that system! But I know there will be days I will miss and therefore miss those requests!

So I'd love to know what YOU do to keep track of needs and answers. The Lord is so faithful to bring to mind things that I know I need to ask Him for. But I want to have somewhere to record when I've told someone I WOULD PRAY, so that I can be faithful to do what I've promised. And then to see those answers.

Because -HELLO- I forget everything.

Literally.

What DID we name Baby Boy, again? Just kidding.

Thanks for the help!

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Eph 3:20-21)

And be sure to check back at Works For Me Wednesday to find more questions that need an answer!

Simple Family Devotions

Do you struggle with the responsibility of teaching your children God's Word?
Do want them to memorize scripture, but never have time?
Do you know your children should love each other more, but aren't sure how to teach them that?

Over the years we've had many versions of evening devotions together. Our kids call it "Bible Time". But after a lot of trial and error, we've come up with a simple, effective and easy to do plan of spending the time together in the Word and encouraging family unity and prayerfulness.

Our older 5 children are in school, so we don't have a chance to do this during the day. And even though they attend Christian school, their education is our responsibility and they need to see this happen in our HOME, not just at school. They are all memorizing verses at school, but it's important to do it together, as a family. And for our little ones to be involved.

Each evening that we are home (and we don't stress about the nights we aren't), we sit down in our playroom for about 10 or 15 minutes together. The Coach selects a passage of scripture (we are in 2 Peter 1:5-8 right now). We read through it - sometimes the Coach reads, sometimes one of the older kids read. Then starting with the beginning we take one verse and say it together several times. Then each child says it (with help). By the end of the week we've all memorized a verse together.

On Saturday, all of the kids quote the verses we've learned so far in the passage. One the first week, two the second, and so on.

Even our three year old can say them!

The Coach spends a minute of each time together talking about the verses - sometimes having an older child look up a word in the dictionary so that we can all understand what it means.

At the end, we all pray. Each child prays for another child. The one just older, or just younger, or the person next to them, etc. Rotating around so that they are praying for each sibling fairly frequently. We help them with this - talking about what each child has coming up in school, or projects, or other challenges. That way they can pray specifically.

This is a very simple way to teach your kids the value of knowing God's Word. How to study, meditate on and memorize it and how to love each other by praying for one another. And don't worry, once you've started this you won't forget to do it - your kids won't let you!

Simple Devotions work for us! It's worth the time.

Check over at Rocks in My Dryer for more WFMW posts!

End the Dreadful COUGHING

Right around Christmastime, something horrible came to our house.

THE COUGH.

As far as I could tell, it was just related to a common cold. Two trips with two different children to our pediatrician confirmed it. Nothing could be done.

But after TWO WEEKS of sleepless nights, listening to my toddlers cough, I was at the end of my rope.

Even though during the day, we need the coughing to clear out that nasty mucous, at night it's only frustrating. And my girls were coughing so much they ended up crying and gagging the night away. (Sorry - no intention to be disgusting here)

Our doctor is very adamantly opposed to cough suppressants. He suggested Benadryl to help them sleep more soundly. That didn't work. Even with his warning (and the fear of having their colds move into their chests), I tried several over-the-counter things to no avail.

My Sweet Mother, knowing how tired I was, said some ladies at church mentioned Vicks Vapor Rub. I'd tried that, too. No, she said, you put it on the bottom of their feet. What?

I was suspicious, but desperate.

Turns out, it works. Perfectly. We have been sleeping all night ever since. And with the added rest, the children are getting better by leaps and bounds. Amazing.

Now that this golden knowledge has been passed on to me, I'm finding that many of my family and friends were holding out. They KNEW this, and yet didn't TELL me.

So, in the interest of being kind and helpful, I'm passing this on to you.

And if you use the cream (instead of the ointment), it's easy and mess-free.

Vicks on the bottom of your feet kills the cough. It works for me!

Happy sleeping!

Check back at Rocks in My Dryer for more WFMW posts!

Easy Meal Planning

How can it be Wednesday, already?

OK. So jumping right in.

Today is Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer.

And the only thing I have to give you is this: Easy Meal Planning. Because I'm cooking right now! My brain can only handle so much original thought, Folks.

Years ago I had this wonderful system of organizing and planning meals. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners. But that was in a different lifetime. Or maybe just with a smaller number of children.

So for a family of 10, here's what works really well for us.

On Saturday, I get out a pad of paper with a space for each day.

It looks like this:

Then I add any evening activities that would affect our meal times. And sometimes I write down if I have things during the day, so that I will remember to plan something that can be done quickly when we get home.

Then come the meals. I use the same 20 or so. It's just easier that way. My kids like them, they are inexpensive, and I can keep the ingredients on hand. Every now and then I try something new, but then I fill the rest of the week with our usual fare. Makes everyone happy that way.

So after I fill out this week on my pad of paper (it has a magnet, so I keep it on the fridge), I get out my handy computer shopping list. It looks like this:

Everything we buy on a regular basis is on this. I just circle what we need. It's organized by section of store - in the order that I go through the store each time. I do have separate lists for two other stores, but I only do that shopping once a month.

Now, to keep it real, I must say that I often switch around these meals. Sometimes I don't feel like fixing chicken on Wednesday, so I fix spaghetti and we have the chicken on Thursday. But the main thing is that I have the ingredients for all of these meals. So there's no question of having what I need or making a decision (that's the worst part - as if there aren't 10 million other things to decide each day).

Most weeks, my 10 year old (almost 11) daughter does the meal planning and the grocery list. She does a great job! It's a really good exercise for her find the recipes (if needed), check the pantry and the freezer for what we have and make the list for what we need. After we have the week's meals planned and the list ready, we head to the store. That's another story for another day. But let's just say it involves two of the older kids (as helpers), two grocery carts, a van full of grocery bags, and hundreds of dollars. Yikes. Not to mention all of the strange looks and comments.

I'd be happy to share our "regular" meals with you. But it would have to be in another post. The chicken just beeped for today's dinner and I'm making two pans (one for a friend with a new baby) so I should get started. It helps to have it ready to go before the kids get home from school.

Happy Planning!

And don't forget to check back at Rocks in My Dryer. I've already found some good ideas over there today!

When do you exercise?

Today is Works for me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer.
Why is it so fun to know that I'm not the only one who needs help?

Here's my question for the day.
One of my New Year's Resolutions is to get in some exercise three or four times each week.
I used to be so faithful. Before children, for sure. After baby #1, even. When baby #2 came I was walking every morning at the mall. Then baby #3 came and I switched to a double stroller. Then baby #4 came and we got our first treadmill. Since then I've walked mostly with some exercise DVDs for interest.
However at this point, I've adjusted my routine so much that exercise isn't a part of it!

So I'd love to know - how do YOU fit it in?

I realize I can't add time to my day that isn't there. I can't get up any earlier, pretty sure of that - I've tried and I just get sick. Can't stay up any later. I'm already tired, enough.

Help me out! Tell me your exercise routine and how you keep up with it. How do you fit your kids in? Do you include them? Or do it when they are elsewhere or occupied?

I'm curious.

Because I can't be the first mom of many children to struggle with this.

And something has got to give.

THANKS!

And be sure to check back at WFMW for more questions and ideas!

Works for Me Wednesday - Keeping up with School

I often tell the Coach that our family is personally responsible for the destruction of several trees each week.
With five children in elementary school, the amount of paper that comes home with them is insane.
Over the years, I've come up with a simple system that helps me keep it all straight.

1. If it needs a response (signature, money sent, etc.) I do it THEN and return it to them or their folder or backpack (for the younger ones). The FIRST thing we do each afternoon is sit at the table and go through folders, sign papers, and get things organized for the next day. I if I try to wait, it doesn't get done.

2. If it's already in the past, or doesn't need any action, I throw it away.

3. If it's in the future, I put it on the calendar. Every child has a letter (for their name) - followed by the activity or what is needed (ex. T-sack lunch, or B-school shirt) on the appropriate day. Sometimes I use a sticky note on the top of the calendar if it needs more of a discription. Like this:
-------------------
Day of the Week

Name

Item/Assignment
-------------------
After they leave for school WITH it that day, I throw the note away.

4. If it needs to be saved for reference at a later time (study sheet, list of requirements for a project, etc.) I put it in their folder.
Each child has a pocket folder, labeled with their name. ALL school stuff goes in these folders. Papers they bring home, pictures they draw, notes from teachers, report slips, etc.

5. Each week or two, I sit on the floor with all five folders and clean them out. If it's something I need to save for them, they have a file in the filing cabinet with their name and school year. If it's past, I throw it away. If it needs further action, I put it on my list. If it's not finished yet, back in the folder.

For the last 6 years, I've used this system with great success. Without some kind of organization, I know I would miss a lot!

Hope it helps you, too!

Be sure to check out the other great ideas at Rocks in My Dryer, WFMW!

WFMW - Mexican Casserole

It's Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer!
Today is "What Do I Fix?" Edition, so here goes:
One of our favorites - for those "What Do I Fix?" evenings - is Mexican Casserole. Here's how I do it, but the possibilities are endless.

Layer in a 9x13 baking dish:

2 cups of cooked rice (usually left over from another meal)
1 lb. cooked ground beef or chicken
1 can of chili beans (or black beans or any beans)
1 cup of frozen corn
1 can of enchilada sauce (it's good without it, too)
1 cup of shredded cheese (I use Colby/Jack)

~As you can see, this has too many substitutions to mention. But I most often have these ingredients on hand.

Bake until it's heated through and serve with warm tortillas and salsa. Sometimes when I only have a few minutes, I mix all but the cheese in a large skillet until heated through, top with cheese and serve it from the pan.

My troop loves it - and it's cheap, quick and simple.

Enjoy!

And be sure to check back at WFMW for more ideas!