Tip 2 - (baby) We put our diaper genie in the garage so it's quicker to take them to the trash and so any smell that "leaks" out will be out there instead of in the house. Recently ditched the diaper genie and just put diapers in plastic bags and directly into the trash cans in the garage.
Tip 3 - (time management) I do alot of cooking in bulk. This cuts down on time and mess. For example, if I am going to make homemade mashed potatos, I do the whole 5 lb bag and freeze what I won't use for that night's dinner. I do the same when I chop onions. A lot of times, I make more than one of a meal, several meals, or split meals and freeze them for later. It's so nice to have those in the freezer during busy times.
Tip 4 - (spiritual) Measure balance in your life by the fruits of the spirit being evident in your life. The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Tip #5 (cleaning/organization/mommy type tip)
Getting your cleaning done with young children can seem like quite a "chore". You find yourself getting no where and at the same time feel like you're neglecting your children. There are a couple of places I've learned to clean in which both of these problems are solved. One is the bathroom. Clean the bathroom when you're children are taking their bath. This way you are still watching them, they are playing, and not getting into all you that you are making nice. I do the same thing with the dining room. When they are eating lunch and strapped in their chairs, I clean the dining room and/or kitchen. Less stress and more time efficient!
Tip #6 (Green tip)
I'm not like the "greenest" grass in the yard, but I do some things to be sure we are being good to our earth. Of course we recycle cans and newspapers and such but even some small things can make a difference. Here are a few things I do: use both sides of a cotton ball...sounds silly but I use one side for my face in the morning and use the other side for my face at night. I also don't take the receipts at the ATM. I reuse ziploc bags for items that are similiar (sandwiches, chips, etc). Every little bit helps!
Tip #7 (Keepin up tip)
Over the last 2 months, I tried something new on keeping up on my laundry. I do one load a day with 1 to 2 days off (Tuesday and Sunday). If there are no clothes to wash, I do someone's sheets or towels, blankets, etc. I do this first thing in the morning and that way it's done for the day. It is so nice to always have empty laundry baskets! I hear that FlyLady.net recommends this also so I joined her site which is full of organizing and cleaning tips. Check it out for yourself!
Tip #8 (Spiritual Tip)
"Always be joyful. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Tip 9 - Getting Ready tip (time management)
Establish a getting ready "space" to lay out items for the next day. We have one getting ready drawer in my daugther's room that we lay out clothes in for the next day or sometimes several days at a time. She can even get dressed by herself since everything she needs is in there for the next day. We also have a small space downstairs that we leave essential items for getting out the door quickly. This saves us so much time and frustration in the morning! And since the stuff is in a "put away" spot, there's no extra clutter!
Tip 10 - Parenting tip
"Bring them up in discipline AND instruction of the Lord" Ephesians 6:4
Tip 11 and 12 - KNOW and APPLY the word more than you know and apply the world.
Tip #13 (In the kitchen)
Cook up all your meat (ground beef, pork, chicken) in the crock pot to save you time (and your arm). You can do this from a frozen or thawed state. Put the meat in the crock pot with water (1 cup per lb). Then you can divide out all the meat and make meals with it once it is cook. Takes about an hour or so. My crock pot can do about 5lbs at a time.
