Friend Making Monday!

This is my first time participating in "Friend Making Monday". I loved the idea of getting to know others (and you getting to know me) better......20 Questions!!!

1. Do you cook every night?
That is a YES for me! We eat at home as a rule.....I always try to cook extra when I make a meal in order for me to get two suppers, which gives me a night off of cooking. We are a left-over loving family.....

2. What kind of laundry soap do you use?
I have been using the complete laundry system as of late....but before that I used Tide or ALL. I have been experimenting with only using 1/2 the amount recommended of detergent to see if it still cleans the clothes.....When researching the complete laundry system I found out that H2O alone actually cleans 98% (or something close to that)...so I thought the actual amount of detergent I need to use should be pretty minimal. So maybe consider trying out using smaller amount so detergent to stretch it farther, which in turn saves some money also!!

3. Do you do laundry everyday or loads at a time?
Well I have actually done it both ways...depending on the season of life I am in. Right now I am making it an everyday thing. 1-2 loads a day and that has been working well and I don't feel overloaded with a crowded laundry room.

4. How often do you eat out?
Not very often. I would day once or twice a month is the normal for us. Also to clarify we usually would do a drive through....or get some pizza and eat it at home. It seems to be easier to do with the 4 kiddos. I love that we get to kick back and relax and eat at home....with mom getting the night off from the kitchen!

5. Where do you usually eat out?
Well no one certain place all the time....We love to eat at small "hole-in-the-wall" places. No waiting, most always great food without the sticker shock prices on the menu. Since Justin travels daily within a one hour radius of our house, he finds these neat little places to eat with his customers, then he takes me there to visit some of these places on our date nights........speaking of date night I could really use one!!!!...hint.....hint!!!

6. Favorite Retail store?
I would have to say Target...although I don't have one really close (about a 35 min drive)....I love to go when I get the chance....I love their Shabby Chic line!!!!

7. Favorite drink?
Well on an everyday basis...my coffee....I look forward to sitting and sipping on my coffee each morning as I read my Bible. I never used to drink coffee until about Feb. of this year.....but with 4 kids I have found what a difference some caffeine in the morning can make! I must add that my coffee has LOTS of sugar in it and my favorite French Vanilla Coffeemate creamer!

8. Do you take vitamins? If so what kind?
Nope...I always did when I was pregnant or nursing.....but then it seems to fall by the waste-side......I probably should....

9. What % of the household chores do you do?
Well I guess I have never figured it up that way......I do a good portion of them...but Justin is always a willing helper whenever I ask him...sometimes even when I don't ask (BONUS!)

10. Do your kids do chores?
Well that seems like a no-brainier to me!! YESSSSS!!!! How can I better teach my kids responsibility and accountability? Each child has a daily list of chores they are in charge of completing...even Julia has a few things she always helps mommy with :)

11. Do you attend church?
YEP!!! Just as important as church, we also attend Sunday School......what a great gift it has been to be a part of a church that "teaches biblical truth" in a comfortable small environment. We are thankful for the growth we have experienced through learning so much by attending each week...even when sometimes we would rather stay in bed and sleep in. It is always worth it and we are ALWAYS glad we push ourselves out of bed and getting out to the door to worship our creator!

12. Do you use a housework schedule?
YES.....I find if I keep myself and my household organized it runs much smoother....not perfect mind you...but with much more efficiency and less stress. Everyone knows what is expected and what to expect next.....

13.Do you keep a working budget?
I think most of you know the answer again is YES!!! BOTTOM LINE: If we don't we get lazy!! Even with good intentions and being frugal...if you don't track your spending you don't hold yourself accountable......

14. What do you do at night as a family?
EVERYTHING.....we are pretty much always together.....riding bikes...working in garden...working in the garage with dad or grandpa....playing on the swings...taking a walk....if we can be outside then we are.....We are an outdoor kind of family!

15. How do you prepare for the week?
I meal plan...I check the calendar every Sunday afternoon so we all know what is coming in the week ahead and can be ready for it...I like to blog and schedule my post for a week at a time....which doesn't always happen.....then anything I add to my daily posts is BONUS!

16. What does your morning look like?
MONDAY- FRIDAY
7:15a wake up
730-8a Quiet time, coffee
8-830a get ready for the day, breakfast, kitchen clean-up
9a start Lance with school work
915-945a quick de-clutter of the house, start laundry, switch dishes
950a-10:15a pre-school time with Zach (usually Julia sits in also)
10:20a-11a finish chores, switch laundry again, go through mail, ect
11a-1130a free time...usually reading with the younger kids or a game or outside time
1145a start lunch prep
12-1230p lunch, clean up, sweeping under the table
younger two nap after lunch and then I read aloud a chapter with the older two and then school Caleb while Lance continues with his work.

17. What time do you get up?
Well I answered that above around 7am....probably should be 630a I just can't seem to push myself out of bed then....

18. What time do you go to bed?
Justin and I aim for 10p......sometimes it creeps to 1030p....

19. How do you manage all the paperwork that floods you house?
I have a file cabinet where I keep paid bills, insurance, monthly expense stuff, and all that.
I have a basket where I keep bills until they are paid....then they get filed.
I open mail daily and recycle all the junk first thing so it never has the chance to pile up and lay around.

20. How do you keep your house organized?
With a lot of effort!!!! I only wish it would just naturally happen, but reality says there is no way it can without a major effort and plan on my part. I am an organized person by nature and by choice also. To me I firmly believe a house that is well maintained in routine, and has orderly manner to it is essential FOR ME!!! I know not everyone functions this way....but I know I DO!!! We do stray from routine sometimes....but as a rule, we like a schedule :)


BLESSINGS,

DANIELLE