Weekend Wrap

It's been 48 hours since I became a domestic engineer again and I am happy to report that you can not only see the top of the kitchen table, you can also find things in the pantry, open cabinet doors without first checking your last will and testament and your feet don't stick to the floor as you walk across the kitchen and dining room. Yes, I've been cleaning, organizing and decluttering and it's taken me two days to get the kitchen and dining room under control. 

But I don't care. I'm not stressed about it. In fact, dare I say it, it was almost enjoyable. The kids chipped in and helped wipe down baseboards and doors, haul out trash, organize the pots and pans and other kid-friendlier chores. We've swept and mopped and rearranged. All in all...job well done!

And just in case you're worried that we might be all work and no play...

Tucker tickled my toes while we enjoyed some time in the backyard sun.

Lucas and Tucker with 7th degree black belt Master
at their  taekwondo testing Friday.

Savannah breaking her boards to earn her blue belt.

The Cluttered Look

When Bruce and I were engaged we were the lucky recipients of 3 wedding showers. The amount of worldly possessions we walked away with that year surpasses the goods at your local Goodwill I pretty sure. All those possessions were then lugged from Texas and Georgia to Springfield, MO, where Bruce and I would continuing living until we finished college. We then lugged our belongings to Paris, Texas then to College Station, Texas, then to Beaumont, Texas....then just a short jaunt down the road to Winnie, Texas where we bought our first home, then on to Gunter, Texas....where we moved 2 times while we were there and then to Sulphur Springs, Texas....where if that stuff has survived all those moves, it now safely resides. After 18 years of marriage I am at the point where it's time to say goodbye to some of this stuff.

Because....in the mean time we've collected two kids, all the toys, clothes, games and what-nots that come with them, a growing library of books, homeschool curriculum, craft supplies, piano books, sporting equipment and who knows what else. It seems excessive.

Now don't get me wrong....I've cleaned out, reorganized, purged..over the years, but there's always been some crazy reason that I've hung on to some never-used, don't even like it, doesn't work item...sentimental reasons? Who knows, but I've had enough and some of those items...most of them are finding another home.

As I've been taking one room at a time in the house....looking careful at items that have been tucked away I've been keeping only the things that I LOVE. The things that are pretty and functional and meaningful and helpful to accomplishing our family purpose statement. I figure if I am intentional about the things decorating and filling my home, it will help to create an environment that is less cluttered and more welcoming.

Disclaimer...After going back and reading this I feel the need to let you know that I am in NO way a hoarder.....please do not call the TLC for me to be on the latest episode!!!

During the hours of cleaning and purging over the last few days I have realized that the same decluttering needs to happen spiritually speaking. I store things up ....sometimes bad things like bitterness, bad attitudes, fear, disgruntledness, unforgiveness....and routinely I need to be decluttering and removing these things that are not useful or glorifying God. It's not a matter of whether or not I like those things....(cause to date I have not met anyone who doesn't like the occasional pity party, cry fest, temper tantrum...no matter what our age) but what matters is -does it bring glory to God?....and wowzers...I know those actions  (and many more) don't. So decluttering my mind and my heart and transforming it (by God's power) makes a more beautiful dwelling place for the Lord of all creation. And just like my home, makes a more inviting, hospitable place for others to come and sit a while.

What about you? What clutters your home? Your heart? Your mind? Is it time to do some decluttering? Hoarding all that useless junk will do nothing but cause pain and heartache for you...and others.

Remember Romans 12:1-2 -

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of Fire- Update

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There's nothing quite like being greeted by your husband with, "The microwave is shooting balls of fire". 

Seems our over the range microwave has bit the dust...but not before adding a little excitement to our household. After several episodes of shorting out, the dearly loved, often used, small household appliance said its final goodbye in a ball of fire on Monday, October 25, 2010. RIP.

Not to be outdone, our glass cooktop also bit the dust. Yes. That's right. In a short span of 3 hours both highly used appliances said their final goodbye to cooking another meal for my family. Remember just a few days ago when I was thanking God that He had given this perfect house to us.....well, I'm still thankful, things could be worse...always!

Funny thing is.....we won't be replacing the stove top anytime soon. We've priced them and it's not a cheap quick fix. We will be getting a microwave today however! There are some things you just can't live without! We're debt free besides the house and 2 more car payments and we have no intention of heading the other direction.....so goodbye cooktop for a bit...and hello microwave, crockpot and griddle....believe me....we will survive!

Thank you God for protecting Bruce as He battled the blaze of microwave fire! 


While I was posting this post yesterday....God had already provided the funds for a new stove. I just didn't know it then. Later in the day when Bruce told me, I was overwhelmed with emotion because of the goodness of God. He is concerned with our every need. He blesses us beyond what we deserve. Thanks to whoever became the hands and feet of Jesus yesterday. God bless you!

The Heat is On!

We are enduring the hottest days of summer. I got in my car the other day and the inside thermostat read 113 degrees....HOT! HOT! HOT! So, since it's almost unbearable outside we've been spending lots of time indoors...playing games, renting movies, Full House marathons, crafting, and for me....cleaning.

I'm doing all the dreaded chores....you know...cleaning out behind the dryer, wiping windowsills out, baseboards, dusting the tops of the bookcases, refrigerator and whatever else I can't easily reach. We're getting there. I had promised myself to do a room a day until it was completed...and we have three rooms down.

I've been thinking a lot about these chores and home responsibilities and while I do not ever plan on having the perfectly clean home, I sure am enjoying the order around me. Let's see how long it last!?!

Stuff I Threw Away Today

So after work today I dove head first into Tucker's closet and dresser (AKA The Great Unknown)....here's some of what I three away:

1. 7 unmatched socks....some from his infancy...how have they made it through 4 moves? I do not know.
2. 1 diaper...unused...thankfully.
3. 19 Kid's meal toys...you know the ones that come with chicken, fries and apple juice?
4. Puzzles with lost pieces.
5. Broken crayons

Then I moved on to Savannah's closet....which happens to be barbie/American girl doll heaven. Here's what ended up in file 13:

1. Countless # of barbie shoes- seriously... Barbie needs to learn to organize her shoes so she doesn't keep losing them.
2. Bend-a-roos....I hate those things
3. Dried up Play-dough
4. 2 flip flops....that didn't match each other.
5. Dried up markers

.....and I am not finished yet.

The goal is to move Savannah's school desk into her monstrously large closet (she has 2 closets in her room). I'd like to set it up like a mini-office with all school related stuff in there so that she can have her own private space for school, reading and crafting. She's excited and so am I.

Here's what's in the garage sale stash:

1. Clothing Boys- 3T
2. Clothing Girls- 6 and 6X
3. Girls Shoes- Size 10-11
4. Lacing Cards
5. An expired webkinz (does that mean he's dead?)
6. Aggie Monopoly
7. A few beginner reading books

The stash will be growing as I get ready for my garage sale on May 14. Each room is getting a thorough going through and so is all the stuff in my storage shed. I'm sure there will be a plethora of treasures to discover!

If you're in the area come by and see me.

Ordered Steps

Psalm 119:133

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

This year I want a few different things for my family. I've mentioned these in other posts and you are already probably bored out of your mind that I am even mentioning them again, but for me, repetition will be what starts a habit and habits become lifestyles. 

One thing I am hoping to establish is a more orderly house. I used to want an orderly house so that if anyone dropped in during the day, I wouldn't be embarrassed. Then I wanted an orderly house because that's what stay at home moms did...cleaned house. But, really the reason I want an orderly house is because "I" do better when things are picked up. I am less fussy, less irritable, more fun, more creative, happier, less moody. I am a better me. 

I've found the things that distract me from being an orderly housekeeper aren't bad things....work, kids, husband, church, reading, blogging, crafting, me. But if I let these things take the lead then I usually can't give my best to God in other areas He allows me to serve. 

I will never be my mom when it comes to housekeeping. She was wonderful. Towels all faced the same way in the linen closet, baseboards were cleaned regularly, you could open the kitchen drawers and find something with ease, you could eat off the floor. However, I am making some strides. I've enlisted the kids too. We made Family Chore Charts and everyone gets a chart....yes, you can imagine Bruce's delight to find his waiting on him this morning. The kids get a sticker (ok, Bruce gets one too) for every chore completed. At the end of the month they get to go have a blizzard at DQ if they've been diligent. 

I am also organizing some things to make life more manageable. I am keeping a Day Planner for the first time in years. This will help us not get too busy. I'm tracking our bills there and keeping unpaid ones right there so I can see due dates easily. I'm also keeping track of b-days and anniversary dates for our family there.

Anyway, this first Monday of January went pretty well. I'm looking forward to this little headway toward a more disciplined, ordered life...the one I believe God is calling my little nest to follow.