Let's Simplify.

We recently just got back from a trip to visit my family in Dallas. It was nice to get away from home for a week and spend it with family. Once we got back home, however, we made a huge realization. We are drowning! Drowning in too much!! Too much laundry, too much disorganization, too much stuff! My DH and I woke up and made the realization that something has to change.

This has been a tough year overall. Pregnancy was a bit rougher than usual, my mind seems to have gone on vacation, and there is so much MORE now that the baby is here (think baby swings, bouncy seats, more clothes, etc.). With all this MORE in our lives, there is one thing that we definitely have less of...time.

How can we do it all? DH works so much that I'm left alone to tackle the runnings of the house. I don't complain about it...it is, after all, my job. But while I understand that the most important thing is to raise our kids to be healthy and happy, I still have a million other things to accomplish along with that. Mainly: the kids education and a safe household.

So we have made a pact to simplify our lives. This will be a slow process, but we are determined to get back to the basics. With 5 children running around, we can't afford to let things slide. First we plan to get rid of everything we don't use. This includes household items, clothing, and toys.

Sticking to our chore list for the kids, our homeschool schedule, and menu planning have been difficult lately, and now we realize just how important they are. But sickness and traveling have made it harder than we thought.

Perhaps I'll post about our progress, but in the mean time...if you want to get started on your own life, here are some sites that you can visit for ideas.

Large Family Logistics
Life in a Shoe
Organized Home
Love @ Home
Household Organizing Tips for Large Families

Time to get to work!

Saw this recently.

I thought this was a great video!!

New Books.

Lately, I've been trying to build up my personal library. I'm full of children's books and really want to have some great books on hand for the adults in the house. Since I'm not going to go all out all at once, here are a few books that I got this past week.



OK...you might think that this book is only for children, but in reality it is a beautiful book with wonderful illustrations and a short biography of each saint. I think any adult would enjoy this book! More Saints Lives and Illuminations.




I've been looking for a comprehensive book of Catholic prayers and found this book. I love it because it has prayers for every occasion; from bedtime prayers to prayers when traveling. We have been using it daily at all hours of the day! Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers.





I just started reading this book, so I can't exactly give a full review. So far it seems like a great book, however! Raising Faith Filled Kids.

Feast Day of St. Therese.

Today is the feast day for St. Therese of Lisieux, or St. Therese of the Little Flower, or St. Therese of the Little Way. Whichever name you decide to call her, she is still one of our favorite saints! If you decide to spend a little time with her and your children, here are a list of places where you can find some great activities to do together!

Sacrifice Beads
St. Therese Coloring Pages
A Collection of Activities related to St. Therese (wonderful site!)