:::cue dora music now!:::

I did it, I did, I did it, YEAH!

I pared down the kid's book collection. Though some books that I chose to donate were perfectly good stories, we simply had *too many! We donated 2 large boxes of books yesterday, and about 3 garbage bags full of kids clothes. sigh. almost done.

Mired in Mud

That's what I feel like right now. Going through books and deciding what to keep and what to give away must be my kryptonite. Having five children ranging in age from 3-12 pretty much means that we're FULL of books... our shelves are at overflow. How does one decide what books to keep? How can I DO that?

I've got a great storage and display solution for them, but it means that we need to whittle down the collection.

boxes, bangles, and beads

So after much gnashing of teeth, and general sourness I made the kids clean out their rooms. And when I say clean out their rooms , think literally! We had many many empty plastic totes that were remnants of the great storage shed clean out 2008. So they had to clean EVERYTHING out of their rooms and place them in the totes. After a good deep cleaning of the room itself, we sorted, disposed of and placed the keepers back into their bedrooms.

They have never looked so clean and organized. When I figure out how to upload pics I'll add them!

I feel so good , even alpha-girl does. She said that when she woke up this morning to get ready for school she loved knowing where everything was and knowing that everything was where it SHOULD be.

Amazing

It never ceases to amaze me that when I pray and ask God to lead me, he does. I've been feeling lonely and isolated... God moves wonderful new neighbors in. So wonderful that we can watch American Idol in our robes and slippers together.

I feel led to become more focused in my homemaking vocation (and in turn create a haven for my family) and I find a wealth of blogs on the very subject.

Now if he'd only plop a blogger tutorial in my lap, all would be well in the world. (just kidding,kind of!)

New Year Revisted

The beginning of our New Year was hectic. We received news that a beloved member of our family was ill, and days later we learned she had died. We prepared for the 12+ hour roadtrip to Indiana, and I prayed the whole time. You see all my budgeting has fallen by the wayside lately and this unexpected trip was difficult. So we're back on board and trying not to fall off of the wagon again.


So in addition to clearing out our storage room and turning it into a crafting haven for Mom.... I want to do *better at home.

Happy new year

The new year is just about to begin. Every year it feels like this is the time to begin anew and put new ideas into practice.

I have many things that I could improve upon. LOL

Moment of thought

Today on our military base I had to take some last minute packages to be shipped (an online order was unexpectedly delayed... so I cancelled and sent via FedEx)

Anyway, as I was standing in line all five children were with me and in high spirits. I felt like I was remaining calm but was bein firm in direction. I also was starting to be VERY out of place as the rest of the customers were all single young military members... and I felt like they were staring.

As I stood there disciplining my children for the umpteenth time, a voice from behind me said " I miss my Mom"

I turned around and saw a fresh faced young Marine with lotions in his hand.

When I turned around and looked at him he said "I really miss my mom" "You guys are going to miss her one day" he said to my kids.

It was a little reminder to *me that though they are little and drive me crazy sometimes, they'll grow up too . I also am going to say a little prayer for those Military members who are far from the people that they love this Holiday.