Archives for January 2014

Our Family Chore Chart

January 20, 2014 by Jules 2 Comments

Today is Jamin's first day of officially being "on the chore chart". 🙁

I've been postponing this...it just seems too soon. This means he is really growing up 🙁 My younger kids have always though it "unfair" when the older kids got to "help" by doing chores. Every once in a while I would 'let them' help the olders do the chore. Last week was Jamin's official "training week".

All that was supposed to mean was Jamin tagged along with Maggie when she did her chores and watched. What it ended up being was Maggie, the master leader that she is, called Jamin to her when she was asked to do her chore and talked him through how to do each one...step. by. step. Izzie thought she wanted a turn at being his "trainer" but got really irritated quickly and didn't pull it off as easily as Mags did. lol He learned where dishes belong, how to sort laundry, and was already very aware of how the coveted "set the table" chore worked.

One of the things that has helped me is this "responsibility chart" we've had for several years now. I found mine at a consignment event but you can buy the same chart HERE <--affiliate link fyi. I like the chart because it keeps me from asking my oldest to do everything; because I know it will get done, get done right, and it's just easier. Here is how we use our chart:

Basic Chores

This chart comes with tons of "responsibility" options. There are lots of them that are just expected in our house {ie "Say Please & Thank You", "Don't Use Bad Language"}. Then there are some we've labeled "morning chores" {ie "Make Bed", "Get Dressed"} and these are things everyone is supposed to do every morning. The basic chores we are teaching our littles to currently help with are:

Set the Table: decides where everyone sits as well as what color plate they use
Dishes: I have most dishes in lower cabinets for them to reach; they place other items that go higher on the counter for me to put away
Laundry: sorts into clean baskets {we'll work on folding later}, everyone helps put away clothes over the weekend.
[help with] Trash: [helps daddy] bring trash bags from bathrooms, carry out recycling, and take to the curb on the appropriate night
Sweep: dinning room & kitchen daily, bathrooms and laundry room as needed
Vacuum: living room daily, bedrooms as needed

I like to have the same person do Set the Table and Dishes on the same day so if there are no dishes for them to set out they can see the direct correlation between the chores as well as why its important to do these things daily. I have just now started 'training' how to sweep & vacuum so I put those two together and only assign that to the older girls {who are more capable}.

Smiley Face Assignment

I think this chart may have been designed for "earning" smiley faces but since we expect them to help out around the house, we just assign "jobs" they're "allowed" to help with and we take down/replace the smile with a different color if they don't end up doing it that day.

Pink: Maggie {5-years-old}
Purple: Izzie {4-years-old}
Blue: Jamin {3-years-old}
Orange, Yellow, Green: everyone/whoever Mom & Dad's choose

Since the "basic chores" are things that need to be done daily, all I have to do is ask "whose on ____ today" and that person is in charge of doing that chore right then.

Allowance

I'm not sure if allowance is the right term but we "allow" our kids to have money as a way for us to start teaching preschool finances 101; the chores are just a good excuse to do that.

Bread Tie: represents money- can choose to 'spend' them on things
Penny: when we start working on counting and are responsible enough to keep up with the money
Nickle: when they start counting by 5s

At the end of the week, we count which chores were completed and hand out allowance. Then we have them put them into their bank S we made; this is how we teach them about generosity and budgeting.

Don't forget, it's never too early to have children do chores. The early you start, the easier it becomes a habit and helps the entire family in the long run. Their perspective of household chores is all based on how you present it; we choose to show these chores as a privilege to those who are old enough.

Our philosophy has always been, We all helped make the mess so we will all help clean up the mess. Don't get me wrong. I've had to let go of a lot of my perfect ideals, and tons of my organizational tendencies for the details. BUT we get the major stuff done...most of the time. Helping with household chores is also a way children learn about serving one another, being considerate, and responsibility.

Filed Under: Cleaning, Homemaker, Homeschool, Organizing, Parenting, The ones about the Rothacher Home

For the Nursing Mamma

January 14, 2014 by Jules Leave a Comment

When my first baby was born 5.5 years ago, I believed the myths:

Breast feeding doesn't ruin your boobs; its such a sweet time for you and your baby; since our bodies were made for nursing, it comes easily; you'll bond better with your baby. Although my milk came in with a bang and I had to buy a deep freeze to store all the excess, nursing didn't seem to bond me with my baby {right away} among the sore, overly engorged boobies. After a year of nursing my sweet cheeks with love juice, biting my lip through the sharp pain, and squashing and squeezing those poor girls...they were Soooo ruined; well, ruined in the fact that they will never be the same and now I know why all those "old ladies" were complaining about their "long saggy boobs". 😉

With all the trial and error, ups and downs, successes and failures, I want to share my ode to love juice...

Porno boobs are not attractive if they upon further inspection appear to be flesh covered bags of marbles that pertrude from the body likely to explode if touched.
Don't bother buying a nursing bra for the 1st week. your boobs will stick straight out from your body like bowling balls.
Let the lactation consultant help you at the hospital {even though its super awkward!}.
Breast pumps are your friend...even though they make me feel like a cow and offer much needed relief even if "the more you milk a cow, the more they produce" {you can always taper off how much you pump later}.
Suck that stuff out and put it in the freezer. You may feel overwhelmed by the gallons you begin to stocking thinking y0u will never in all your life use it all but you will. And if your the freak case that doesn't...people buy that stuff. For Real.
Sometimes, the best way to hold your baby to position her for nursing will feel the most un-motherly.
Something for burping.
Breast fed babies do get gas despite no "bottle bubbles". Mylicon is your friend!
You will fear for your child's life when placing said bowling ball near their tiny head as a means of nutrition
Cave- use a nipple shield. "Save the Nipples" needs to be your battle cry for nearly a month if you plan to be a long-termer. {most hospitals provide it if you request one}
"Let Down" will no longer be a term used when you feel disappointed your child ask for the last sugar cookie...it will now be linked to being let down your infant is still sleeping rather than screaming for the milk that is stinging from your inner most being asking to be taken out
Water {I loath water} is your friend...ice water {even though it tastes better}- not so much: see- intensified "Let Down"
Be ready for your older children to stare...and stare...and stare. Then ask awkward questions. Then regurgitate whatever amazing {simplified version of nursing to get them off your lap while feeding} explanation to the nearest I-don't-really-care person.

My sis eats my mammas boobs.
The baby keeps kissing my mom's boobies.
God put milk in my mamma like cows.
Why she using that cup? {nipple shield}.
I wish I was a baby again so I could eat mommy milk...
When you don't use that plastic thing...it makes it grosser.
My mommy's hiding the baby eating under that thing so you don't see her boobies.

Nursing is the healthiest; has endless benefits long term, and is freak'n fabulous...eventually!!!

HAPPY NURSING!!!

Filed Under: The ones about the Rothacher Home

Sheep Bite

January 10, 2014 by Jules Leave a Comment

Sometimes we break past the stereotypes. Sometimes its fun to pretend those we are reaching, the unchurched & dechurched aren't like other "church" people. We act like those typical things in 'other' churches isn't going to happen here. And sometimes...that's true.

...As just another sheep in the herd trying to help the other sheep find and follow the Shepherd, we have to remember who we are here to please. When our husbands, or we, don't live up to the expectations we've set for ourselves or by others, sometimes, we get bit. Its gonna sting. We may need recovery time. But if we are sticking to God's plan, it will be worth it!" [continue reading...]

Filed Under: The Ones about A Common Bond, The ones about the Rothacher Home, The Ones about The Valley Church

Strawberry Shortcake (cheater) Recipe {Thoughtful Thursday}

January 9, 2014 by Jules Leave a Comment

Thoughtful Thursday is {usually} a weekly post where I like to share recipes, crafts, DIY projects, or other helpful/thoughtful things I love! Welcome to the 1st 2014 Thoughtful Thursday!!!

I know you're not surprised but I tend to 1/2 read recipes and end up 'messing up' the recipe. Sometimes it turns out yummy though & my way is usually easier {because I'm lazy}.
Tonight I'm sharing MY recipe for Strawberry Shortcakes that are EeeeeZeeee!
The original recipe {I messed up} was from Betty Crocker's BIG RED Cookbook- classic!

HERE is the online version which is not the same as the tangible cookbook.

Baking Ingredients

1/2 Sugar
1/3 cup margarine
2 cups all-purpose Flour
3 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
3/4 cup Milk

Baking Directions

Preheat oven 450'.
In a mixer, combine sugar & margarine until creamy.
Slowly add 1/2 the flour, then the baking powder and salt, and then the rest of the flour.
When that's all mixed up, add the milk and mix until it's a thick pancake batter consistency.
Spray a cookie sheet with no-stick spray and then begin plopping globs of the batter on the pan. {I used a large spoon ~2tbs}
You can get about 8-11 on a large cookie sheet without them running into one another & baking together.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown {around the edges. if the top is browning, the bottom is likely black}

Serving Ingredients {per serving}

1-2 shortcakes
1/4 cool whip
strawberry syrup

Serving Directions

I like to either divide a single shortcake or use 2 to make a sandwich
Put the dollop of cool whip inside
Then drizzle with the strawberry syrup.
If you like real strawberries, throw some of those on there, too.

Filed Under: Baking and Cooking, Homemaker, The Ones about Post Series, The ones about the Rothacher Home, Thoughtful Thursdays

Sometimes…I Fart

January 7, 2014 by Jules 2 Comments

I know you are all beyond shocked that I would confess such a thing but I do.
Sometimes, I fart.

I'm not sure exactly why. Maybe it started with the "gas-redeemer" back in elementary school? But I've always been beyond embarrassed to toot in front of people. Accident or not. You know, some people {even girls} are comfortable in the confines of their own home, letting a lil gas pass. I...I am not.

My husband, who we all know is an abnormal version of man, has learned this about me. Back when we were dating or maybe engaged, he heard me toot. YEP! We were at Wal-Mart, I squatted down to look at something, and Toot. I had no idea it was coming and was sooooo mortified. He giggled and it was over.

Several years later...I did it again. We will have been married 10 years this May.

Over this past year, I have been a farting machine. I blame it on the c-sections where they cut you open, fill you with air bubbles and then sew ya shut... Anyways, right after I became pregnant with Ellie, my body started stirring up some mean, painful gas bubbles. One night, I was already in bed and Matt was brushing his teeth. I was in pain. I thought long and hard then wrongfully decided to let a toot come out for some relief and boy did it. Matt shot out of the bathroom, toothbrush still hanging out of his mouth, cracking up, "Was That YOU!?!"

I could have crawled under the covers and died right there. My face was cooking from blushing so extremely. I for real almost cried.

Matt still thought this was hilarious and didn't understand why I was nearly in tears. "I've heard you fart all of 2 times in all our time together. This is funny!"

Now, lets not get carried away here. I toot. I do tent to toot in front of my kids and just say excuse me but that's not common. I allow myself to toot in the bathroom as well. I have a hard time even then if I think someone might hear me; Especially my husband but I've had to allow it or I would Explode. I love that he claims he's only heard me toot 3 times in our entire existence. Yeah. Right.

This pregnancy has been the hardest in lots of ways. Gas is just one of those ways. I have had restless nights at home because I awake from a dead sleep because I tooted next to my husband in bed, fearing he heard me and would think I'm discussing. I was even terrified to attend Allume and sleep with strangers because I just knew I was going to fart on her in my sleep. I'm pretty sure I overdosed on gas-X the entire weekend.

Yep. My amazing husband has suddenly become a "selective listener". I know most women would be angry about this but I truly believe his "selectiveness" is just one more way he loves me like Christ.