Hello Folks

I wanted to tell you all about my daily routine in hopes it might help any of you who feel like you don't have control over your life. I am trying out a general outline to follow each day that is really helping me to get everything done! Here it is(and you just have to change it to fit your needs if necessary)
DAILY ROUTINE
5:30-7am Personal time (workout,shower,dress)
7-9am Dress kids, breakfast, kids to school
9-12pm Clean the house, FAST, 10:30 snacktime
12-1:30 Lunch & start dinner
1:30-3pm Nap, teach Tommy, my personal time
3-4pm Get kids snack ready, pick up kids
4-5pm homework,chores,finish dinner
5:30pm dinnertime
6-6:30pm wash dishes
7pm start pajamas, story time, bedtime
8pm kids in bed
8-10pm personal time, cleaning/folding laundry

Goals to teach kids How to do this year:
Load the dishwasher
Sweep & mop & vacuum
Bus the table & counters
Do laundry
Clean bathrooms

I am already starting a chore chart on the fridge that has 4 jobs (for my 4 oldest kids to rotate): set the table, bus the table, load the dishwasher, and pick up all toys in the house. Once a week it rotates and they get a new job. I am teaching them how to do these jobs. Last night I handed everything off the table to Tommy, then I gave him a soapy rag to wash the table off, then a small broom/dustpan to sweep up the crumbs off the floor, then he tucked in all the chairs! It can be done! They have a whole week to learn how to do their job! I laminated their names and put a magnet on the back so they can always see who's job it is each week. I am hoping this will stick.
Last night it was 5:20pm and dinner was almost ready. I looked at the clock and thought "wow, this is working!"
We are also starting the book of mormon this year. I decided we will take turns reading a verse or two each during dinner, and have a family prayer each night. I am going to cling to these good habits I've started! I hope this helps someone out there! Love you now!

Good Morning!

I got up at 5:30 and went to the gym this morning! I am trying to make it a new years resolution to be more active and lose a few pounds. I forgot how much energy I have when I exercise in the mornings. It looks like it's gonna be a good day! I'm gonna watch the innauguration while folding laundry, and then my visiting teachers are coming at 11. Have a good day people!

It was like another Saturday today...

Jared had the day off today, so he took the kids out to a place called "Going Bonkers" to play. It's like a glorified chuckie cheese's. I had some time to clean the house, so it was all good. We ate a nice pot roast dinner, which almost made it feel like a Sunday. Whatever it is today, tomorrow is going to feel like Monday, even though it's actually Tuesday. I'll be glad to get back on track tomorrow. Hope you are all having a good day!

We went to the movies!

DROOL/SWOON POST

Uh-Oh, it's Drool time. My sister in law Julie always pastes up pictures of guys she thinks are HOT, (naughty!), you can click on her link on the left side of my blog to see what I'm talking about. So I couldn't resist joining in the fun of DROOLING! Hope you get a good laugh out of this JULES!
Ok, first off, look at the butt on this. HOT!

A man vacuuming....Nothing turns me on more! LOL
Oh yah, (chicka-chicka)

A man playing with kids...nothing is so HOT. LOL
Just look at the SIZE of this blender... It is so HOT.

And of course, the man of my dreams...(yeah, his name is Jared...Jones) HOT!

I just want you all to know, that I can SHARE (Except Jared, I'm not sharing him). I'm putting these things on this post for your DROOLING PLEASURE. ENJOY!

Hey folks, I'm still here

I am still trying to recover from the Christmas break. I know that sounds pathetic, but I am! I had the kids home making a mess out of everything, and then we had Sue and Rick here for a few days. I just got off track BIG TIME! I am down to about 2 laundry loads left tonight, and then I have to fold and put away about (I lost count) loads. I am slowly organizing things back the way I want them. Today I worked mainly on my room. I dusted and put everything in it's place.
This might sound wierd, but when I have control over my housework I feel like I have control over my whole life. I need a clean home so I won't get depressed and start eating fudge brownies all day!
Things coming up in my life: Carfax employee appreciation party (a great date night for Jared and I, plus it's a formal, so I get to wear a beautiful gown, which I do not have, so I'll have to think of something har har) Jr. is getting his pallet expander this friday, poor kid. He was born with the Fuller small jaw and the Jones crowded teeth. Well, it's on both sides of the family, anyway, poor kid. We are going to go see some movie about a doggie motel this Saturday at the movie theatre. Isaac and Mary want me to take them, and heck, we might as well take the whole crew.
I'm totally stoked to watch American Idol tonight, it's good for a few laughs. I always get sucked into it, because it's something Jared and I like to do together. We always watch the office on Thursdays, and that's about it.
Well, hope everyone is having a good week. Love to all.

We had some fun with Suzy's family!

This is a shout-out!

Hello to my Uncle Darrel and Aunt Donna, who are the newest invited viewers of my blog! I love you guys! Thanks for the Christmas newsletter you sent. It was so nice to catch up with what's going on in your family. Have fun catching up with mine! Love you!

Need to feed an army?

This recipe was so YUMMY! It serves 10 or more people. I love to make it and eat the leftovers the next day.
PARTY SWISS STEAK
4 lbs beef round, top or bottom, cut about 1/2 in. thick
3/4 cup flour
4-6 Tbsp shortening
1 Tbsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
4 cans (14 oz) stewed tomatoes
Hot steamed rice
Cut meat into strips and dredge with 1/2 cup of the flour. Brown in hot shortening. Remove meat to a large dutch oven or roasting pan. Blend remaining flour with hot drippings, add seasonings. Gradually blend in water. Add vegetables. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Pour mixture over meat, cover with lid, and bake at 300 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until meat is tender. Serve over hot steamed rice.

I used my big skillet to brown the meat. Then put it into my big stock pot.

This is the gravy/vegetables.
Throw it all together, put the lid on, and bake it. It is SOOOOO GOOD and easy to make!
I will be posting some pictures of all the fun Susan and I have been having the past couple of days. Hope you all enjoy this recipe.

We made some pizza and donuts