31 Days to Clean-Day 31!

The 31 Days to Clean challenge is over.  I only posted one other update, at the end of week 1, so I pretty much dropped the ball on updates.  I started the challenge May 1st through Joyful Mothering.  So, here's how I did:

 I did read the entire book (quick, easy read if you read it all at once, but that kind of defeats the purpose of a small chunk each day).  I pretty much stuck to reading it one day at a time. The daily Martha challenges(cleaning, organizing) were great, but I got behind as we were having some work done in our house during the challenge. Then after the workers left, we had company.  So I didn't do everything, but I did the majority of it, just not in the order given.  The daily Mary challenges were the best part of the challenge.  Once again, I dropped the ball here and there, but at the end of the month I did go back and make sure I attempted something towards doing all of the challenges. 

What did I come out of this month with?  I have a detailed weekly cleaning schedule that has daily assignments, a new chore chart for the youngest kiddo, and a posted menu plan for the week.  Most importantly I learned that I need to stop obsessing over having a perfectly clean house and instead focus on having a home full of love that is a haven for our family.  This does include cleanliness and organization, but not to the extreme that Mom is stressed and grumpy over cleaning.  I need to delegate more, and enjoy making a comfortable 'nest' for my family.  What a special role in our families we have as wives and mothers!

31 Days to Clean-Week 1!

On May 1, I began the 31 Days to Clean Challenge through Joyfulmothering.  I really don't have any problems with housekeeping, other than not ever seeming to have enough time or energy to get it all done as often as I'd like. My home is usually picked up, just not as deep-clean as I'd like it.  With chronic illness affecting my energy and pain, along with homeschooling and a busy household where someone is always home 24/7, our house is very 'lived in' and I can't get it all done like I want it.  I've had to relax and let some things just get dusty and cluttered at times.  This Challenge appealed to me because it is more than just cleaning your house-it is also about cleaning up some things inside of you-"We’re going to declutter some junk from our hearts and dust off that motivation that’s been sitting on the shelf." 

So, I've finished through Day 5 and wanted to share with you the best part of the week.  No, it wasn't having a sparkling clean fridge (although that is always very nice!).  On Day 3, one of the challenges was to ask your family members what makes them feel loved that you do in caring for the home.  My kids responses really made me feel great!  Nick (19) said he feels loved when I offer to switch his laundry for him(the older kids do their own laundry), when I cook a big dinner from scratch, and when I just sit and joke with him or listen to his plans for the future.  Alyssa (16) said she feels loved when she sees how frugal I am with budgeting, planning, and sales/couponing.  I'm passing all I've learned over the years on to her, and she has become quite the sale shopper, and uses coupons too!!  Chad (8) was the real shocker: he said he feels loved when I homeschool him, and that he loves me teaching him!!  Melted my heart and made me feel so great!!  I wrestle all the time with  whether he would be happier in school, and that statement of his erased so many doubts I had.

If you are interested in joining the challenge, click on the link above.  If you aren't interested in joining but would like to buy the book, go to 31 Days to Clean.