What Can Happen in a Day...

Last night at this time I smugly took in my surroundings and was pretty pleased with myself.  My house was clean.  The dining room table cleared of any clutter, the dishes were washing in the dishwasher, my children slept peacefully in their beds.

Alas, tonight is not the same.  As I peruse my house, I take in the view of six large tubs of children's clothing scattered across the floor.  The dishes are NOT done and as I type I still hear one child stirring.  Aah, those women who have it all together every night....I am not one of them.  And I have a theory which leads to me to wonder "how exactly do you prove a theory to be true?"  Anyway, my theory... when no one comes over my house, my house is spotless and yet no one sees the clean house.  However, when I am up to my eyeballs in some current task (getting clothes ready for the seasonal sales) then people appear out of nowhere at my front door.  What gives? 

I picked up a couple of plastic lunch totes today and a pack of silicone cupcake forms:)   Look out This Lunch Rox lady cause here I come!  My kids will be super cool and smart and fun and cool and neato and nice and intelligent and cool (did I say cool?) all because they have the cutest lunches packed;)  I'm sure you will readily agree with me, right?

Woo Hoo!

Today has definitely had its ups and downs but I'm happy to say that it has ended on a good note. 

Quattro is seven months old.  Back in February Numero Uno and I went out to eat with some friends and I needed a pair of jeans that were not maternity.  I finally found a pair and was not crazy about how low riding they were but they fit and looked decent, so there!  I bought them.  And have hated, no loathed, them ever since.  I've been longing for the day when they could go.  Well, today my friends is that day. 

Since I got the book "The Happiness Project" from my BFF around April, I missed out on chapters January, February, and March and I'm now going back and reading January since I finished up August early.  January is about decluttering and the author shared how nice it was to clean out her closet.  She let go of the baggage of clutter - "free" clutter,  "one day" clutter, "old" clutter.  Tonight I tackled my closet.  As I went through it I found three pair of non maternity jeans folded over hangers.  I tried each one on and low and behold, two of the three fit!  I believe it is in part due to the fact that I went to a boot camp last night with aforementioned BFF and today the scales said I finally reached the 10 pound loss mark:)  I immediately found the loathed pair of jeans and put them in the give away bag. Yay, me!

There are still a few items hanging in my closet that I hate to part with because I think one day I would like to wear them.  I probably need to just let them go.  I'm torn.  Isn't it hilarious that "I'm torn" over articles of clothing that I have not worn for some time but may possibly wear them in the future?  Aaaahhh! 

On a positive note, I did part with the full "can can" slip that I wore under my wedding dress nine years ago that has moved with me four times and hung in my closet doing nothing:)  Please tell me, why did I hang onto that slip?

How Pinterest Changed My Life

I found the title of my future book, "How Pinterest Changed My Life".  Kidding, kidding. But it does make me laugh to say it:)  Seriously though, I do feel like I use the pins off of Pinterest all the time.  Before Pinterest I would have never ventured to do half the things I've done.  Whoever came up with this idea, kudos.

I believe it was the House of Smiths that I got my pantry door idea.  In fact, I think I'm gonna add her blog to my blog list.  She's got some GREAT ideas.

  So painting my door was a big, bold step for me.  I took some pics but looking at them, I really can't tell that I distressed the door so I may have to go back and sand some more:)

Yeah, I'm gonna have to use the sandpaper some more.  Dos wanted to get in on the action.

And not to be outdone, Tres did too.

So, what do you think?  A little more sanding? 

A Lazy Sunday & 90's Rock Bands

Dos and Tres are recovering from strep throat.  Thank goodness they got it a week and a half before school starts so we can have it over with before then.  We spent this beautiful day together as a family just doing whatever we felt like and I loved it!  The weather has me in such a great mood.  Fall is my favorite time of year and for the past two days there has been a hint of fall in the air.

Numero Uno's parents fixed us lunch.  My father-in-law recently had his land logged so we rode the Gator over the property viewing the change in the landscape.  Afterwards we gave Maybelle a haircut.  Boy, did she need it!  I can't get over how quickly that dog's hair grows. 

I even managed to read some of a book today, change the sheets on my bed, and paint my pantry door.  Now, the door I'm very excited about but not ready to show just yet.  I still need to distress it a little bit before I break out the camera. 

To cap the day off, we spent the evening outside roasting hot dogs on the open fire and sitting at our picnic table listening to 90's hair bands.  (Mr. Big, Jeff Healey Band, Poison)  What more could you ask for in a Sunday?

Okay, I'm rereading this post and it cracks me up how matter-of-fact I am.  I feel like a "get to the point" kind of gal.  How do I put into words the peace and happiness I felt today?  How do I describe how many times today I was able to reach over and hold my man's hand or hug one of my kids or dance with my baby?  How do I describe the excitement I felt over the changing of the seasons as the wind blew through my hair in the backyard? 

This was a good day.  I wish you the same perfect kind of day:)

Small Talk on a Saturday

I've made my list and crossed each task off.  I'm one excited girl.  Wee Swap starts in a week and a half and I've been in my attic sorting through clothes.  I am extremely thankful that we have been blessed with such nice clothes for each of the kiddies.  Now to create a list of what is still needed: winter coats, rain boots, rain coats, church shoes, Christmas outfits, Halloween costumes, etc. 
I got a great deal on some Keen shoes for the kids this week at 50 & 60 % off:)  I paid the same for the Keens as what a pair of Wal-Mart shoes would have cost - sweet!

I can't get away from a deep down desire to be on a farm.  I got my fix of The Pioneer Woman this morning and I am in love with the ranch living.  Really, I could not handle living on a ranch in the middle of nowhere but I do love some land and a pond and animals.  This is the thing, I love animals but I have a complete love/hate relationship with my two dogs.  So...would I really be happy on the farm?  I think so. 

Numero Uno took Dos on a boy's trip to Stoney Lonesome OHV Park.  They are riding Pawpaw's Gator which is slower than the other vehicles but I bet you won't hear them complain:)

Can't you just see us on a farm?  The kicker is we just don't know when to put our house on the market or where we would go.  I need a little more of a plan before we take that leap.

I must confess I'm a little excited about the kids starting back to school soon.  The reason?  With most of them at school during the day, I have BIG plans for cleaning and decluttering this house.  I envision a spotless home and a daily routine.  This makes my heart sing!

I sure hope your beautiful Saturday is going well!
-The List Maker:)

Good Day Sunshine!

I got my haircut today and the jury is out on whether or not I like it.  I like the fact that it is shorter but I only had enough budgeted for the haircut and not the highlights and I'm thinking the highlights would've really sealed the deal on me lovin' the haircut.  Oh well, sometimes I don't like the cut until I've had a chance to style it myself.

I do not recall me having a snappy tone of voice growing up but once I became a mother I noticed how quick I am to get on edge if the kids mess something up or do not obey as quickly as I'd like.  If??? I mean WHEN.  So, I've really been praying and giving every effort to remain calm with my kids.  I think rest has a lot to do with my response and currently I'm not getting good rest which I believe is related to my lack of nutrition and exercise but that is for another post.

Yesterday was a good day.  I knew what I needed to accomplish, allowed myself plenty of time and reminded myself to LISTEN to my kids and ENJOY them.  And that's exactly what I did.  We spent almost 6 hours in town running errands and they were saints!  How happy I am when I hear them say things like, "yes, ma'am" or "thank you, Mommy".  They fill my heart with happiness and I myself am happy when I act with patience toward them.  I honestly do not remember where I read it but recently I read to try and remember what it was like at your child's particular age and it will give you a sense of calm and understanding.  For yesterday, at least, it worked.

I even went so far as to explain to them how tired I was at the end of our trip and would greatly appreciate their quick obedience because I tend to become frustrated more easily when I'm tired.  And it worked!  By the time we reached Wal-Mart (yes, we even braved Wal-Mart) they were so tired and begged to ride in the BIG buggy which I usually do not use because of its gargantuan size.

We were able to pick up some groceries, school supplies, and teacher gifts for the new year!  Plus grab a bite to eat and me feed Little Man.  I would say it was a good day!  Hope your day was a good one as well.  Any tidbits on how to remain calm when you are running errands with your family?



Cleaning Out the Closet

As I read my Proverbs 31 Woman devotion this morning, the following verse was included in the conclusion of today's devotion:

 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Ephesians 4:31

I thought about this verse, about the struggles I have gone through the past year and about the anger that wells up in me time and again.  How nice it would be to "get rid of" my bitterness and anger and slander.  I recognize the directive but where's the application?  Where's the "and here's HOW it's done?"  This statement conjures up the image of me cleaning out my closet of unwanted clothes.  I imagine bitterness to be a too tight, itchy sweater that makes me hot, annoyed, and irritable - one that I would gladly throw away.  But in my life, this bitterness seems to be fitting too tightly and leaves me clawing to get it off of me and out of my life.  I have listened longingly to sermons that share the importance of forgiveness and release of bitterness.  I get the importance of letting go.  I understand unforgiveness is like drinking poison expecting the other person to die (overheard at church). 

When cleaning out a closet I've learned you get three garbage bags and fill them up accordingly:
1.  One bag is for items to keep.
2.  One bag is for items to sell/give away.
3.  One bag is for items to throw away.

What is my list for "getting rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice"?  Do I: 1.  Pray three times a day.  2.  Think only sweet and loving thoughts toward the one who causes the feelings of bitterness and rage.  3.  Don't cross the street at midnight.
How?  How do you go about letting it go?  What if you feel you've gotten rid of your bitterness and rage just to have the same issue brought up again and again?

It is my desire to follow this scripture.  I long for a peace from following God's word.  I simply am looking for the list explaining how to get this done:)