Fridge Filing

This is my first post of an organizing tip. I recently read this in a magazine and started putting it into practice, and so far it has proven quite helpful.

Instead of just throwing leftovers into a plastic container and forgetting about it until a few weeks later when you finally throw out that gross moldy thing from who-knows-when. Or instead of spending ten minutes looking in every Tupperware trying to find that certain leftover you want. Why not label them? Duh, Dena, you say. But here's the brilliant part: Use a dry erase marker to write the contents and date on the top of the storage container. It will stay put in the fridge, but wipes off quite easily in the sink. Simple, easy, and it works.

North American Mom

Well, I'm a real North American mom now. I drive a mini van with two car seats. I just started going to play group with the kids. We'd never been before - the kids loved it and so do I! I joined the local gym that I hit most mornings around 6:30. I've started getting to know some people from the community, too (other than church people) from the gym, the play group, and a midwives network I started attending meetings for. It's a new experience for me, and I am enjoying it.

I'm really happy about meeting non-church people. Don't get me wrong - I love our new church family. But I also think it's so important for Christians to be in the community and know people and form real relationships with them. I never really knew many non-church people in Peru, and didn't have the chance to get involved in anything outside the church. So this makes me happy.

And, on another note...we recently learned we'll be adding another little one to our family this fall! We were pretty shocked when we found out, but are really excited! I am on the waiting list for a doctor, so I don't have any real details to share, but by my calculations I'm due early September. I'll keep you posted as we learn more about baby #3.

Organizing

We have settled in on PEI and things are going well. We have made great friends with a couple about our age, and everyone has been so warm and welcoming to us. Yes, the winter is very cold and windy, but it will pass. And then we will be able to enjoy living on the coast. (Our house is two blocks from the water. From our driveway we can see the harbour, though it is snow filled and icy right now.)

Until then, my goal is to get organized. In every aspect of my life. I recently started going back to the gym. I need to take control of my body again. I also am trying to get more organized in the kitchen: I am working even harder at cooking even healthier meals (most of which are now vegetarian). I am trying to organize all the areas of the house, including closets, pantries, toy bins, kitchen cabinets, etc. And my time is in desperate need of some organization. My devos seem to be way too few and far between, and my time always seems torn in so many directions.

So, that is the new leaf I hope to turn this year. I am not really one for New Year's Resolutions, but this year we live in a new country, Ell has a new job, we are in a new (to us, of course) house, so this is really a perfect time to get all areas of life under control. As a result, I am sure my blog will reflect this change as I learn things about health, find new recipes, learn organization or time management tips, etc. So, perhaps you will journey with me. I guess we could all use a little more order in our lives anyway.