Playroom Clean-Up

Yesterday I finally got fed up with the incredible mess that has been collecting in our play room/spare bedroom. There comes a time when you have to stop planning and talking about something and just DO IT! Just so that no one will think that I'm exaggerating over how bad it got, I have before and after photos. I'm embarrassed to admit that I let it get as bad as it did. I just felt overwhelmed and didn't know where to begin the organizing process.
BEFORE:

AFTER:










All excuses aside, I'm glad it's done. I have done a few extra things to try to keep it organized.

1. I moved the books out to a cozy little niche in our downstairs living room to make a "reading corner." That way, there is a separate place where the kids can go to grab a book and make themselves comfortable.

2. I got rid of my "misc. toys" drawer. As a girlfriend of mine pointed out, there is no reason why everything shouldn't be able to be separated into specific categories. If it's miscellaneous, does it really need to be kept around? This way there are specific "stations" that can be rotated during play time.

3. I will complete the process by labeling the different drawers and boxes of toys. I might even add a cute picture for my youngest children, who can't read yet.

4. (And this is the hard one) I will teach my kids the importance of putting things away as you go along. Before I allow them to take out something new, they are going to be required to put away what they are currently playing with. Perhaps I'll come back and touch on this one again at a later date, when I've had time to work on it!

Everyone has different ways of organizing. What works for me now will probably evolve into something different as my kids grow older. It's not really what system you use that matters, but that it works for you. For more ideas on playroom organization, check out organizing junkie's monthly roundup back in June. http://orgjunkie.com/2008/06/rounding-up-the-playroom.html There's also a great post on her site right now about organizing the entry way to prepare for school to start. But I'll tackle that one another day! : )

Puzzle Mania

Call me crazy, or just say that I love my husband, but we stayed up way too late last night working on this puzzle! It's one of those 3-D puzzles that you stare at until you go cross-eyed. Yesterday it started out as a fun project to work on with the kids. The problem is, they get past the edges and then give up because they can't find the right center pieces that fit together. (Never mind that my DH picks puzzles for age 10 and up and our kids are 7 and under!)

Anyway, it was a fun thing for us to do together after the kids went to bed. It was a nice surprise for them to see it all put together this morning. They couldn't wait to work on the next one, so guess what we're doing today!!! Yep. New puzzle. Some would say that we're a glutton for punishment. I just like that we're spending quality family time together! : )

Worth Reading!

I just wanted to put in a good word for my new friend Lylah, over at http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/ . She is an experienced mom who's blog is "dedicated to helping women restore the dignity of the simple home by creating sanctuary." I love reading her thoughts and this week she is offering a free e-book if you visit her blog and e-mail her. Just click on "about" and her e-mail is at the bottom. I'm super excited to have found her! She's worth reading.

The Ordinary Things

Yesterday's storm has passed, as expected. I never did figure out what it was that was bothering me. I just did a lot of praying and continued with my normal routine and today I feel better. Perhaps that's all I needed...a little re-focusing so that my day to day routine involved Jesus. It's nice when I find my thoughts drifting towards Him while doing what seems to me to be "ordinary things." Meals, dishes, and laundry are all necessary parts of my day, but they don't have to weigh down my spirit if I do them in love.

As I have mentioned before, some days I don't feel like doing the ordinary. Even on my worst days though, I'm glad to look back on the day and see what was accomplished. The way I look at it, I'm not just doing these things to take care of my children. I'm also setting an example for my children and enabling them to be responsible for themselves one day. That's why it's important to involve them in my chores and give them chores of their own.

Teaching them the skills is not the hard part. They are watching my attitude as well. Sometimes that can be a scary thought. I was watching my girls play house the other day and everything was "sweetie" this and "sweetie" that. I thought it was pretty cute. (I must call them sweetie a lot.) My point is, they pick up on my moods not only by what I say, but how I say it! All the more reason to do things with a cheerful heart!

I like the way the Message puts it in Philippians 2:14 - "Do everything readily and cheerfully, no bickering-no second guessing allowed!" From now on, there will be no second guessing about how important the "ordinary" things are in life for this mom. : )

Life Storms

Storms. There are all different kinds. Some are long, and it seems like they will never end. Many are very damaging and have long-term effects even after they are gone. There are those that you can see coming from a mile away as the clouds roll in, and then there are those hit quickly and unexpectedly. That’s what today’s storm did. It began with the wind, and before we knew it, there was lightning, thunder, rain, and then a large amount of hail piling up on our lawn. It came out of nowhere! One minute it was sunny and fair, and the next it was cold and dark. What a site to see!

As menacing as our storm seemed today, it was nothing compared to the one that’s raging in my heart. I don’t know where it came from. I can’t even place my finger on why it’s there. Yesterday things were fine. I was happy. There wasn’t anyone or anything that could change that. Then I woke up this morning and before I knew it, I was in the middle of this crazy storm. Isn’t life like that sometimes? We’re going along just fine and then, BOOM! the thunder hits.

So what do you do when you find yourself caught in a storm? Well, you can run for shelter. Find comfort in friends, family, and the warmth of those around you. Talk it through with someone. Sometimes just talking can help to find the source of the storm, and that’s enough to bring hope for fairer weather. It’s the “we’re in this together” method.

In my case today, I have tried to focus on positive thoughts, uplifting music, and inspirational messages to keep my mind off of the storm. I know that it will pass eventually. I have been trying to figure out what it is that’s bothering me but maybe I don’t need to know. Sometimes it’s not the cause of the storm that matters, but what happens afterwards. Cleaning, rebuilding, healing, and moving on are all important parts of recovery after a storm hits. I know this storm will pass and I will find peace again. For me, that is reason enough to help me wait this one out.

Be Still

“Sit Still!” The words echo through my mind as I call to memory when I was a child and I used to squirm in my chair as if I had ants in my pants. As an adult I can’t even count the number of times I have said those two small words to my own children. Lately though, I have heard another voice whispering in my ear. The first word is changed, but the second remains the same. “Be still” are the words of my Heavenly Father.

Think about it for a while. Why is it so hard for children to sit still? They are always busy. They are busy learning, doing, and moving from one thing to another. As adults, that movement doesn’t slow down. We have schedules to keep, deadlines to make, and meetings to attend. It’s no wonder that many of us are tired, burned out and worn down in this crazy, fast paced day in age.

As I have been meditating on Psalm 46 this week, I have realized that it doesn’t have to be that way. Even in the middle of this crazy life, we don’t have to be crazy ourselves. Why? Because “God is our refuge and strength.” (vs 1.) The psalmist goes on to describe the earth giving way, mountains falling into the sea, and nations in uproar. Despite all of the troubles mentioned, I am comforted by verse 5. When describing a river that flows in the City of God, the psalmist says “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

That is just what I need in the midst of my crazy, hectic, day to day schedule – God within me. When I call on Him, He will help me at the break of each day. With His help, no matter what comes crashing down around me, I will not fall. Once that is established in my heart, I can then “Be still.”

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Happy Anniversary to Us!

This week we celebrated our 14th anniversary. Some people celebrate with flowers and candy, some go on elaborate over-night get-a-ways. Then there's the ever popular one...jewelry!

We've done all of those in the past, as well as a special three day mini-vacation for our 10th anniversary. This time, we went to a movie and then stopped to share a bit of uninterrupted conversation over a basket of steak fries on our way home.

It's not really how you celebrate that makes the difference. It's remembering why you're celebrating that matters. Love. It's what binds husband and wife together and makes two become one.

Love between husband and wife does not always come as easy as some might think. In 14 years of marriage we have certainly had our shares of ups and downs. We've changed jobs and moved several times. On occasion, we have been unemployed. We are also raising five beautiful children together. Life has thrown many challenges, as well as blessings our way.

Jobs, homes, and yes, even children come and go in life. There is however, one thing that will always remain, and that is the love that we have for each other. It may always be changing and growing. It looks different now than it will in 10, 15, or even 20 years. But it will always be there. It will never cease to exist, as long as we work at it. And that, is reason to celebrate.

I love you honey! Thanks for 14 wonderful years!

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails.