30 January 2013

The Jar…

We’ve started a new forced labor incentive program for the kids to be obedient. If they whine, fight, I have to ask them too many times to do something, etc. they have to pick a job from The Jar. This job has to be done in addition to their other jobs that day. Some aren’t so bad, some are even nice… others not so much. The incentive is, if they are obedient they don’t have to pick from the jar. The whole obedient this is genetic… I’m hoping this will help me not lose my cool so often with the kids. Plus I’ll have some really clean toilets!

I wanted to come up with some cute name for this whole thing, but The Jar has kind of taken hold… so that’s what it’s called. I’ve seen it on a couple other blogs, here & here.

This is the list we are using.

Clean out the truck.

Straighten up pantry.

Rub mom’s feet for 10 minutes.

Clean a sibling’s room.

Wipe down little bathroom toilet.

Clean a bathroom mirror while singing any song.

Clean out silverware drawer.

Wipe down outside of fridge.

You are free but this is a WARNING!

Scrub upstairs bathtub.

Wipe down walls by in mud room, including the door.

Wipe down garage door inside and out.

Empty all garbage’s.

Write a letter to someone who has done a service for you and tell them thank you.

Rub dad’s head for 10 minutes while telling him how thankful you are for him working so hard.

Rub mom’s head for 10 minutes while telling her how thankful you are she cooks for you.

Sweep front porch and ride your bike around the block.

Dust family room.

Tell all of your siblings 3 things you love about them.IMG_20130130_172721

Write 50 times “I will not leave my things out.”

Do 25 jumping jacks while singing, “I am a cleaning machine.”

Run around the house for 1 minute and see how many things you can pick up and put away.

Draw a picture of you picking up things and your mom and dad smiling BIG!

Make your bed blindfolded.

Clean out a heater vent.

While hopping on one foot, wipe the kitchen counters off.

Choose 2 items of yours to donate to DI.

Scrub an air vent with a toothbrush.

Hand wash 3 dishes.

Scrub your toilet while singing, ‘whistle while you work’.

Design a machine on paper that cleans the whole house and gets you ready for the day.

Clean the outside of the fridge.

Tell us the story, ‘The Little Red Hen.”

Vacuum the stairs.

Dust the shutters upstairs.

Dust the shutters in the family room and kitchen.

Dust the shutters in the living room and mom and dad's room.

Clean the kitchen garbage can, inside and out.

Clean the recycling can in the mudroom, inside and out.

Do 20 pushups and then kiss your mom 10 times.

Dust the piano.

Clean the windows on the back doors.

Wipe down chairs and stools.

23 January 2013

Thoughts…

"God knows our gifts. My challenge to you and to me is to pray to know the gifts we have been given, to know how to develop them, and to recognize the opportunities to serve others that God provides us. But most of all, I pray that you will be inspired to help others discover their special gifts from God to serve."

—Henry B. Eyring, "Help Them Aim High", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundance Life", Liahona and Ensign, January 2012

10 January 2013

Thoughts…

"Let us resolve to follow the Savior and work with diligence to become the person we were designed to become. Let us listen to and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions", Liahona and Ensign, October 2012

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundance Life", Liahona and Ensign, January 2012