The Money Jars

We implemented Money Jars at our house a few weeks ago. My boys do chores daily, but until recently they haven't been receiving an allowance. I have no problems paying the boys to help around the house, but I do have issues with paying them to help but still having to hear constant arguments and name calling..especially from my teenagers....So I the made money jars...Keep in mind also that my boys are 7,12, and 14...This could easily be modified for younger children though.

The boys will be getting $10 a week for their allowance. I will be putting their $10 in their jars at the beginning of the week in all quarters...As the week progresses every time I hear "Dude you are so freaking gay", or whatever the cut down of the day is, the boy looses a quarter out of his jar...Same goes if I get arguments over them doing their daily chores or homework... If they loose more than their $10 a tab will be kept and deducted from the following weeks allowance.

At the same time I didn't want to make it an all negative thing so if they do something genuinely nice for someone they can earn extra quarters. They can also earn extra quarters by doing extra side chores that I post on the board weekly, or by memorizing bible verses. Also any kid who has their original amount of quarters or more gets a $2 bonus at the end of the week.

 I have to admit so far this has worked pretty good...It's been a lot quieter around our house lately! lol...It's amazing the results you get when they realize their actions have consequences on their spending money 

P.S...excuse the bad photography...lol..I'm not great at taking pics anyways, but have you ever tried to take pics of glass jars??? It was not as easy as I had expected! The jars will be getting a makeover soon. They are certainly ugly, but for now they work. :0)

Bible Cover

As I've posted previously, We are finally getting back into church. I love the bible I have, but I've had it for years and it's getting a little worn, but I really didn't want to purchase a new one.

So I made a cover/case for it...

I love it, and it works great to not only hold my bible, but also my Sunday school book so I don't manage to misplace it :0)

I used a tutorial that I found online here.

I also bought this adorable robot material and decided to make my youngest son a case too...My older boys think they are to old for one, but my youngest son is the one who LOVES accessories...lol..It doesn't matter what kind...I found the time to make his case last night, and he loved it....

I wish I had got a picture of his face when I gave it to him this morning, but unfortunately we were in a hurry to get on the bus so I didnt have time to dig out my camera... Hope everyone is having a great week!  :0)

Catch up

I have blogged one time this year!...ONE...That's crazy considering it's the end of August! So I'm making a commitment right now to start blogging more regularly.

This past year has been one a crazy, stressful year, but I'm really hoping that things are finally starting down the right path. Let's see...to get caught up...

We have had 4 family members pass away since last September. My grandfather, my step grandma, my step dad, and one of my aunts. They are all greatly missed!

I started working as a caregiver for an elderly woman a few months ago. I love the job. It does mean that it has seriously cut into my crafting and sewing time though :0)

 School started here on Aug 10..I swear it seems to get earlier and earlier each year! I home schooled my oldest son last year, but this year he decided he wanted to try public school again for the 8th grade. He's on medicine this year for his ADD and so far he's doing excellent!!! I'm so proud of him! Here's their pics from the first day of school...

Being silly

Even more silly..they were a little excited..lol

Finally a serious one!

First day of 2nd grade

Had to show off his 2, soon to be 3, missing front teeth..lol

 As for myself lately there's been a lot of changes...I recently got diagnosed with adult ADD..I never would have thought it was a problem for me because I associate it with hyperactivity and not listening. Any of you who know me know I'm an extremely laid back person most of the time. But I have a huge problem being anywhere on time, finishing projects that I start (you should see my craft closet!) and just being motivated and focusing in general. So my doctor started me on Vyvanse and the difference in how I feel has been amazing! My head is no longer "foggy"...I can concentrate, and I've finished every project that I've started...I really had no idea how much I was spinning my wheels and not being productive until I got productive!

I can't say I'm the most popular person at my house right now..lol..but my kids will get over it...I've implemented money jars, house rules, and a cleaning chart these past few weeks. My kids might not like it, but I think my husband does...We've had some serious issues come up between us this year also that we are having to work through, but I do think they (hopefully) seem to be slowly getting a little better.

I think my favorite thing that I have changed is that we are back in church...or at least most of us are...(still need to get the hubby going again.) I promised my grandpa right before he passed away that I would get me and the boys back in church, and I am thrilled to be able to say that I've done that.

I was raised in small southern baptist churches my whole life and that was the kind of church I wanted to belong to again. I wanted a small church with a good size youth group to get the kids involved in, and that's not always easy to find. I wanted a church where they still sang the old hymns, where everyone knows everyone, where I could get involved, but that was still big enough to have activities for the boys...and I found that I think in Keck Avenue Baptist Church...We've only been going for a little bit, but so far I love it! Everyone is so welcoming! I'm pretty sure we'll be joining the church very soon.

I think that gets me pretty much caught up...I'll post more later about the money jars and the house rules :0)