History...

So I just read a book about a fictional map of the world that was made by the Chinese in the early 1400's which would make it older than European maps of the world. It was an interesting read and brought up some good questions about ownership--think finders keepers? But it also made me think about the fluidity of history. I have always thought of history as being a fixed object--and in reality that is exactly what it is. However, it is interesting to realize that our perception of history is not necessarily so static. We are often taught one side of the story. One perspective. And often, I believe, when we start to see another side to the story, we can understand what has happened in a completely different manner. It's hard to tell who the "good guys" were because we don't understand everything that happened. Just another reason I am so grateful that I won't be the ultimate judge of what happens/happened. Someone told me once that through the urim and thummim you could see history. Whether or not that is true, I would love to actually see history. Watch the flood. Experience the amazing true things that happen all over the world all the time. I have always thought of history as boring and fixed and already done. I have just come to realize that there is so much to discover and understand in history. What a revelation!

New post

Nobody has written anything new on their blog for a while so I'm going to. Even though no one else actually reads my blog :)

Today I'm going shopping with three little kids. It's easier than going with four little kids. Next year, Thomas will be in kindergarten and I'll be able to go with two. The year after that, I'll be down to one. I keep telling myself that this is going to get easier. In the meantime, I usually put off shopping until we really can't wait any longer.

Wish me luck, here we go!!!

Cleaning up...again...

So, I have finally admitted the fact that I am not a naturally clean person. I'm not talking about showering--which I do regularly. I'm talking about the ability to clean up after myself quickly and regularly. I can't do it. So here is an exapmle of how cleaning goes for me: Dishes: I will put it off because (put excuse here--usually it's because the dishwasher is full and needs to be put away or the kids need my attention or some other lame excuse) and so I'll end up with a ton of dishes that fill up both sinks and overflow onto the counter. When we are running out of plates or cups or forks or something, I'll buckle down and do a marathon dishes date. Well, the next day, I don't want to do dishes at all because I just spent so much time on them that I don't want to do them again at all and anyway, (put excuse here). And so it goes.

But I'm trying something new. Again. I will occasionally be inspired and come up with a new schedule that will make cleaning easy and approachable. Here's what I am trying now. Each day I'll just do One. One load of laundry. Vacuum One room. Clean One bathroom. But I always have to sweep and do dishes and make beds and clean up. I figure if I am always doing it, it will always be done--right?

So far, it has been okay. It worked really well for three days. Then I had to go shopping. That usually kills the rest of my day (shopping with three very small children is exhausting!). So one day kind of slipped. That was today. I still made beds and did dishes and swept the kitchen. But I didn't do any of my Ones. Now, I have the weekend and I don't know about your house but sometimes on the weekend all of my best plans fall apart.

I guess I'll let you know if any of this stuff works long-term. For now, it's just nice to have a semi-clean home all the time instead of a really clean home once a month. I do feel more in control of my life when my house is clean and having "jobs" to do each day helps me not get down on myself. I guess I get a feeling of accomplishment and that helps.

I don't really think anyone will ever read all of this crazy rambling, but in case someone does, sorry for the rambling--I've never been a very good writer or talker. It's usually all or nothing.