Why I want my next house to be a small house

I talked a while back about why I love small houses.  I do like small house but for years I always thought about "my next house".  I mean yes, I have been content with what I have at this moment but my husband and I know that one day we do want some land and with that land will come a different house so I have thought about the features I want in my next house.  I used to clip pictures and save ideas.  I knew I wanted a large wrap around porch and a house with hopefully four bedrooms and a finished basement, of course.

Yet ever so slowly, my thinking is changing.  Right now we have our 1400 square foot house with three bedrooms and one and a half baths and it works.  We also have all three of our kiddos in one bedroom (the biggest room) and you know what - it works too.  They do sleep and besides the fact that if one gets up early they all do, the situation is pretty good.  

Another reason I like small houses is that I honestly don't like to clean.  It is my least favorite thing to do so cleaning a big house does not sound exciting to me.  And if you think about it - even if you live in a big house, how many rooms do you actually use?   Really, evaluate that.  For a few days, pay attention to the rooms you use most in your house.  For us, we mainly use our living room, kitchen and bedrooms (bathrooms are a given). 

The things I would like to keep in our next house are the small bedrooms.  I would love to have a play room so that way we could keep the bedrooms small.  What would be great is to have a small ranch house with a full basement for a play room and for a place to keep all of our canning.  I used to think that for my next house I wouldn't want a house any smaller than 2,000 square feet but now - I know I can survive on less.  Not only can I survive, I can enjoy it.

Of course, I still would like my wrap around porch.  Its not too much to ask is it?

How about you, what do you like (or dislike) about your house?  Would you ever downsize even if you didn't have to?

Contentment

I was going to post pictures of the redo I have been working for a week.   I redid the kids bedroom into a bedroom/playroom with a little school/study/read area.  When I first started wanting to do it I researched a lot and found a lot of great ideas.  I put together a list of items I thought were necessary to make this playroom cute and functional.  When I totaled up the items they came to over $700 and that wasn't including new bedding or curtains.  When I shared my ideas with my husband he gently reminded me that we recently bought some neat containers for the room from IKEA, but he did not say I shouldn't go ahead with it.

Well, that made me think that maybe I could make the room cute and redo it for cheaper with items I had on hand and then buy some fabric and make duvet covers and curtains.  So I redid their room for $75.  I haven't bought fabric yet but I don't plan to spend too much on that.

This whole situation really got me thinking about contentment.  I have written about it before regarding my small house that I love.  I think so many Americans think they need more stuff.  I will tell you that in my life, I have never been more content than I am right now.  This could be because everything I dreamed about as a child has come true - I am married to a wonderful man who loves me, I have 3 sweet babies that I adore and I get to stay at home and be their mommy.

I had many days in my life that I was not content and I made others lives very miserable and I regret that.  I wish I could have been more content in those situations but something was always pulling at me.  I don't know if we can relate lack of contentment to so many of the problems for Christians in modern America but I definitely think we could make a case.

I am trying to tread lightly and really think about the words I use here. 

I think we need to examine the reasons that we work.  For me, I feel like if my family is being fed, we have a roof over our heads and the utilities are being paid then everything else is just cake.  So do I go back to work for disposable income so I can buy more disposable things (things that will eventually break or be destroyed or turned to dust)?

Or do I continue to stay home and raise my children, keep my home clean and organized, cook and serve good meals and make time for discipleship of others?  I see A HUGE lack of discipleship among Christians everywhere.  I see it among my friends, my family, my acquaintances.  People do not have time nor do they make time for relationships and more importantly for discipleship.

Can you do all of the above and still work a job - of course you can, but what are your motives?

Now, I know there are exceptions for single moms and for those wives of husbands who require them to work (I completely understand that) and for those folks that are deeply in debt or in a medical crisis.

We have to remember that people are more important than anything else.  Furthering the kingdom of Christ is the most important thing in our lives.

I see a blatant correlation to discontentment and wanting more stuff and working more and not being available for relationships, for discipleship, for serving.

We need to see the home as a place that is for mission minded hospitality along with taking care of our own family.

It is on my heart.  It is not meant to condemn or to hurt.  I just want you to think differently than the culture tells you to.

And please take to time to read this Missional Homemaking Handout from one of my favorite blogs Passionate Homemaking.  It changes the way you think of your home.  Homemaking is about people.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you"  Hebrews 13:5


Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  I Tim. 6:6-7

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:11-13

. . . Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.  Proverbs 30: 8b-9

Way more than you wanted to know about my lack of decorating skills

People if you only could understand my lack of decorating ability you would know how amazing this post is.  My stepmom and my sister are fabulous at decorating.  My sister has decorated her house almost completely from garage sale stuff and it looks amazing.  I on the other hand have lived in my house for going on 5 years and I had this one wall in my kitchen with nothing on it, and its a big wall.  5 years people - 5 years with nothing not even something ugly.

Then about 6 months ago I had this idea but I wasn't sure exactly where to go with it.  Yes, 6 months ago and it has taken me that long to see it through to fruition (I think I'm actually somehow related to my in-laws, right MJ).  Anyway, I bought this vinyl verse from Amazon several months ago and I posted help on Facebook and got some suggestions.  This is what I was originally thinking about:

I wanted to do the verse with some plates around it but I couldn't come up with a way that I liked it so I sat on it for about 2 more months.

Then I finally found some plates at Hobby Lobby that I loved.  I wanted them to spell HOME, but they only had the "O" and the "E" so I had to wait another month for the "H" and the "M".  Finally everything was here and I just had to put it together so that is what I did and it looks like this:

Yes, the above picture was 5 years in the making.  Please hold your applause.  My next project is the kids room.  So maybe by the year 2012 I will have some ideas for you.

My Word for 2011

Photo Credit

I was thinking that if I had to pick one word for 2011 that embodied what I wanted for my family, what would that world be?  At first I was going to say simplify.  It is a good word and I do want to simplify my life in all areas, but then I read something that changed my mind.  So what is my word for 2011?

PEACE

I was reading this book that my cousin gave  me (thank you Amee).  It is called "Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker".  It is a great book by the way.  She has a chapter titled "In Search of the Peaceful Home" and it struck me.  I often find myself trying to do good and serve others but sometimes it comes at the expense of my own family.  For instance, I will make someone a 5 course meal with dessert and then swing by McDonald's for chicken nuggets for my own kids.  I think there is something off there.  (Yes, I do go to McDonald's although I try to limit it).

The author also talked about how she was doing a lot of errands one day and she thought about how nice it would be if when she came home there was already someone there and the lights were on and a meal was cooking and a fire was glowing in the fireplace.  Doesn't that sound heavenly?

Then she talked about how it made her think about home from her husband's perspective.  "What is the atmosphere as he walks through the door each evening?  Are good smells wafting?  Is soothing music welcoming?  Are the kids not fighting?

The author also quotes another book:  "Throughout Scripture, God is referred to as our spiritual refuge.  We are told to run to Him for safety, security, rest, replenishment, comfort and never-ending love.  In the same way, I believe God created our homes to be our physical refuge.  He knew we would need a corner of the world to call our own . . . Home."

My goal for this year is to maintain an orderly, cleanly home that welcomes my husband and children to a peaceful environment.  A place where they are fed and loved and feel safe and secure if only for the time they spend at home.

C.S. Lewis once said, "A housewife's work . . . is surely in reality the most important work in the world.  What do ships, railways, mines, cars, government, etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes?  We wage war in order to have peace, we work in order to have leisure, we produce food in order to eat it.  So your job is the one for which all others exist."

Sounds pretty important right?  I do believe I have an extremely important job - the most important.  I am raising future citizens of the society - people that could contribute mightily to the benefit of society or to the determent.  Not only that but I (and my husband) are raising children who will someday serve our Lord and hopefully be Godly men and women that will further the cause of Christ.

I want to be a wife that encourages my husband as he goes out into the world to face all of the things that go on.  I want our home to be his refuge.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you wll have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

You will keep him in perfect peace,
      Whose mind is stayed on You,

      Because he trusts in You  Isaiah 26:3

The LORD will give strength to His people;
         The LORD will bless His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27

Lord, help me to make my home a place of comfort and refuge for all who enter and let us all experience the peace that only comes from You.

Why I love small houses

1.  Small house payments.  My husband is so great at making sure we do not live above our means.  He wanted to make sure we had a house payment small enough that if he was laid off for any reason that one of us could go to work at McDonald's and still be able to make our house payment.  Trust me - we could.

2.  My main bathroom is so small that I can "mop" it on my hands and knees and it only take a few minutes and my "half" bath takes about half a second to mop because it is so small.

3.  We can mow our yard in about an hour with a push mower. 

4.  We are forced to not have a lot of "stuff" becase we don't have room to put a lot of stuff.

5.  We spend lots of time together because there really is no where to get away from each other.

Now don't get me wrong, I dream of eating popsicles in my bare feet while laying out by our inground pool and mowing 3 acres on our fancy riding mower and I dream of a basement playroom that houses all of the kids toys and stuff.

But I don't let those dreams overtake me.  God has worked on my heart and He has made me content with my 1400 square foot 1970's ranch house.  There are still days I look around and want to move into a 3000 square foot walk out basement house on 5 acres, but then I remember all of the above and I start to be very thankful that I only have to clean 2 toilets.  Now I am not saying that I am like Paul and I am content in whatever situation that I am in (Phil. 4:12) but I am working on it and I am very thankful for the house that we have and for a husband that has a good head on his shoulders and that we have a house payment low enough that it doesn't require me to bring home an income just to make it.

This is why I think small houses are some of the Finer Things in Life.

*Photo Credit

Thoughtful Thursday: Are You Overcommitted?

If you are a woman, you have probably struggled with this (and some men too). Do you always say yes? I read a book that asked the question, “Who can do what you do?” It basically said to list your priorities. For me that would be (in this order):

1. My commitment to God
2. My commitment to my husband
3. My commitment to my children
4. My commitment to be the keeper of the home
   

The book stated it like this. I am the only one that can be my husband’s wife. I am the only one that can be a mother to my children. I am the only one that is the keeper of my home. Beyond that, yes, other people can do the jobs you signed up for. Someone else can make the cupcakes for the bake sale. Someone else can lead the Bible study. There are others that are capable.

The point of this was to say that there are just a handful of jobs that ONLY you can do (and should do). These jobs should come first. Once these jobs are fulfilled then start doing outside activities and don’t feel guilty about it. I believe the guilt comes in when you have spent all afternoon doing a project for someone else and your children are crying and cranky because you didn’t have any time to spend with them.

This is a problem that I struggle with. I am a much happier person when I stay at home and my house is clean and my children are on a good schedule where I can spend time with them.

If you do struggle with this try to find an accountability partner (your husband would probably work well or a very good friend). My husband really helps remind me that doing a certain thing may push me over my limit and most of the time he is correct. Also, write out your priorities and list only the things that you can do. Make sure that you daily are working on these priorities and then if you find you still have a few moments of free time, then go for it and sign up for those activities.

I try to remember that my children are only going to be young for a little while, so Lord willing, I will have more time later to do many activities. How about you? How do you try to keep yourself from being overcommitted?

Master List of Meals, Breakfast Update

I have amended my breakfast list slightly. I have taken out Breakfast Casserole because it does call for a lot of eggs and I like to make that when I know I have company because it is something I can do the night before. Also, I apologize ahead of time for my formatting. I don't know how to format very well with blogger!

Breakfast:
Granola

Pumpkin Pancakes (Homemade whole wheat pancakes with pumpkin added to them)
Yogurt and toast - I actually never make the toast. It is usually yogurt with blueberries (frozen ones that are thawed) or strawberries mixed in.
Baked Oatmeal
Fruit Smoothie & pb Toast
*All Breakfast items will also have a fruit

Also, I do have some regular cereal that I had stocked up on so we use that too until we run out.

I have also done a rough estimate of cost per meal:

Breakfast:
Monday Granola - Still working on this one.
Tuesday Pancakes (Flour - $0.20 + Milk $0.20 + Oil - $0.50 + Pumpkin - $0.50 + Egg $0.10 = $2.00 for about 40 mini pancakes)
Wednesday Yogurt and toast (Yogurt - $0.40 + Bread - $0.30 + Butter/jam - $0.20 = $0.90 )
Thursday Baked Oatmeal - I am still working on this one
Friday Fruit Smoothie & pb Toast (Milk - $0.20 + Fruit - $0.75 + Toast - $0.15 + Butter - $0.15 = $1.25)
*Fruit items that we eat with breakfasts will vary. I will buy usually what is in season, except for bananas. I buy them usually every week!

It is difficult to estimate something that comes in a large size such as Milk. 1 gallon of milk = 16 cups. So if you paid $2.50 a gallon (which is about the sale price I can usually find) then a cup of milk will cost you about $0.16.

***I just found this link. It is very good. It is a recipe cost calculator. Give it a try!

I am trying to analyze things to get a better handle on what things cost me. If anyone does this currently and has some good ideas about how best to figure this, let me know!

You can see my full menu plan here.

For other Menu ideas visit orgjunkie.com

Make your own Swiffer and the Paper Towel debate

I have a Swiffer duster. I really like it, but I don't like buying the refills. It seems like such a waste of money. So I found this site. I admit that I have not tried it yet, but I am going to this week. I will post back and let you know how it goes.

Also, in an effort to save money I am trying to look at everything I buy and figure out if we "need" it or not. Again, paper towels seem like such a waste to me. So much so that I usually tear them in half and only use half of one anyway. I don't think my husband can live without them completely, but I am thinking of trying this system. Again, I will try to post back and let you know what happens. Don't worry though I am definitely not going to try to reuse toilet paper! Ha!

The kitchen remodel is almost complete!

Well, after several weeks of not having cabinets or a sink - the kitchen remodel is almost done. We have to put up the trim and put the hardware on the cabinets and the light above the sink, but the hard work is done (thanks to my husband, father and my cousin's husband)!

Here is a before picture - it is of my neice at Christmas making Christmas cookies, but look at the background and you get an idea about what it looked like before:

And here are a few of the after pictures:

And here is my favorite thing, the appliance garage:

Thank you Lord for a new kitchen. I want to be in here all the time!