Ok.....I think I am back this time.....I think??

Well, I have taken a BIG break from blogging to purge.....and my friend we have a new house- feels great too!! Although I had over 3000+ square feet to clean every inch.....house and extra beauty shop included. I have found a new love......consignment!!!

There is a new consignment store in town- and I find myself taking things up there every week or so. I clean out a closet and find unwanted things and put them in my trunk and on the two days a week they take items.....I am there!!! Unless I feel as if they just need to be donated- then I donate to a local battered women's shelter.

Here is another secret I have been keeping.....I have a love for organizing and feel as if God is showing me a new direction in my life. I really really have a strong desire to HELP people who are just so far in disarray they don't know where to begin. I have read a dozen books on it and have many ideas myself, and feel as if I can relate in a personal way.

But I have seen STUFF own us over the past few years. When you have STUFF....like items to dust, furniture, toys, too many clothes!!! They own you and your time. As a mother my time with my children is so valuable, I would much rather be on the floor playing a game then on the floor scrubbing it or cleaning a commode!! Do ya know what I am talking about??

So over the past few months of my purging I was asking myself the same questions "do I really need this?" " can I live with out this?" "what is the purpose of this item?" and so on....

Then I realized it was also clothing- I would find myself hours on end washing, drying, folding, hanging up, and what mother does not feel as if she does laundry 24/7!!! Never ever ending job!!

Well, the less clothes you have the less you have to do- RIGHT? So I narrowed down are clothes- other closets less than others.....no comment!! It really hit me when I packed my kids suitcases when I wen t to Peru- I packed them for 11 days......laid out outfits and packed extras for each grandma's house. And do you know with 11 days worth of clothes, and extras undies socks and all......they STILL had many clothes hanging in the closet!!!

This picture of the boys closet it after combining two closets......they still have PLENTY!!!

My system was to pick 4-5 church outfits- that is all......they are allowed to wear the same thing to church twice!! Then 4-5 play outfits and 4-5 nice outfits.....that is all!! WOW what a difference it makes in laundry. I can stay on top of things- instead of being behind and thinking well, they still have plenty in the closet to wear!! Amazing what a few outfits can bring in at a consignment store too!!

I also got rid of all my extra clothes in the attic. We really feel complete- So I parted with all the baby clothes and maternity clothes I owned. I would much rather sweet little baby boys and mamas to be wearing them than to be stored in a Rubbermaid container in an attic until they were out of style!!! That my friend was 8- YES EIGHT containers!! I'm surprised the ceiling had not fallen in!!

I also went through sorting and throwing away many many items that serve no purpose at all- just collecting dust. Therefore, if I am dusting I am spending valuable time away from my family- and so I got rid of it.

After doing all that I then would organize things- Here are some pics of my pantry aka a shelf in my laundry room. When things are organized I don't spend as much time looking for it and I can go grab it and focus on the task. Also, when I am organized for my meal planning- I can look at what I need and write a grocery list much much faster!! When I don't have a list I will buy double of something we don't even need....been there....YES me too!! Do you really use 3 jars of PB at one time??

If you are thinking WOW she is obsessed with this......well yes!! You are right, but I have just felt so overloaded and felt the need to rid my life of excess things that weigh me down. I would much rather spend and hour with my family than an hour on my house!! So I really felt the need to go through the whole house and take a look around.

Do I care if I have the prettiest or most decorative house on the block? Nope. Do I care if I have the most fashionable clothes on my kids in every color they make? Nope. Do I even care what people will think if they see me wearing the same clothes over and over again? Nope. Because what matters is that 30 years from now- if my kids can look back and say "I want to be like my parents and focus on what matters most!" This is what will matter most. If I spend time with my kids they will remember that a whole lot more that what they wore or what our house looked like. My Family and children are worth more to me than any of the things in my house put together cost in money.....and they will be around longer too!!

I pray that this time I have taken and effort I have put forth in our home will inspire me to stay focused on the journey we are taking as a family. It is not about WHAT we have it is about WHO we serve and I feel as if my calling in life is to share with people- mostly moms the balance in life and how to balance the home.....all comes from the moms heart. Where is your heart- is it in stuff of others thoughts towards you?? Or is it on the ones who matter most in your life??

So, bare with me as I do a little catching up from August til now......stay tuned!! Looking forward to blogging again!! And Thanks to one of my very favorite friends who inspired me to pick it back up- when she said "I keep checking to see if you have posted something." It made me want to write and express my feelings again!! I am Thankful God has blessed me with great friends who appreciate who I am!!

Mollie

To be absent from the blog.....is to be pleasantly purging!

If you know me well, you know that I do love to clean & organize. So....since the boys have started pre-school two days a week- I have been on a binge! Even nook and cranny in the house. Clean it out and wipe it down- then throw away or donate what needs to be done.

I have almost completely finished the whole house. I mean NOT a drawer, closet anything over looked!! Therefore, I am setting out to accomplish this goal- so other things to get pushed to the side....blogging :(

I have a lot of catching up to do. I do love to tell my stories and share my life in the blog- but have you ever gotten in a little funky mood when you just need a "break" I guess that is what I have done lately. When I get "funky" I like to clean- I don't get to "funky" that often! It is not that I don't have anything to say.....HAHAHA!!! What a day that will be....when I am gone from here!!

I have been trying to get a few other things together and organized- out side of my daily domestic engineer life. Church activities and I don't know I think that seeing how fast my boys are growing up and seeing that this is T's last year at home with me.....kinda makes me want to play one more game of guess who- or candy land. Even if it take a half a day to get up off the floor when we are through. It will be worth it when they are grown and I will be able to say I am so thankful that I was able to be there for them.

Not to mention EVER since I got back from Peru in June I have worked with C to toilet train....ugh!!! That is just a post in itself- talk about opening a CAN OF WORMS....or should I say underwear of Poop!!! He is finally this week really getting the hang of it- are laundry is getting less and less of plastic pants!! I can see the lights coming on- it just happens to be one of those that takes a while to get bright though, you know the ones that come on at dark and go off at dawn.....there own time!!! Just like the Bible says there is a time and a place for all things!! As long as he is not going to Kindergarten in 3 years in diapers- I think I will be OK!

Here are the latest pictures of the boys my friend Stacy took- Awwww I just love her and her talents!! She is awesome. Can't wait to see these hanging on my wall in the house!! Love Love Love the last one with boys by the old Ford truck.

I hope to start catching up soon on the blog- like I said one last project....My Room & My Closet.....dum dum dum!!!! Clothes galore!!!! The rate I have been going should not take long......so we will see you soon!!

~The Soul of a Child is the loveliest flower that grows in the garden of God.~

Mollie

Teaching kids to organize their toys

Ok, here are the incriminating pictures I told you I would share. Oh My....what a mess!! This is T's room....before & after. I have worked with him since he has been here on "when you get something out....put it back!" This was the two weeks that we were running around crazy.....I did not follow through with all our chores those few weeks. So, this is what happens. NORMALLY....normally....his room looks like the after pics when we go to bed or nap.

Starting with Step 1 STORAGE: To teach your kids to have a home for every toy....even if it shares a home with other "trucks, balls, etc" Everything needs a home. I can hand T a toy and say go put this in it's home and he knows where it belongs!!

Step 2- SORT....when we clean we sort into piles....trucks, balls, stuffed animals, etc. Then put all away at the same time....instead of making numerous trips across the room.

Step 3- DON'T DO IT FOR THEM.....I HELP them, but as I help they are helping......if they start playing with toys, I remind them stay on task.....and when we are done we will get toys out and play. If they refuse to clean keep in mind they might be too tired, or not feeling well.....so save it for when they are feeling better. If it is BAD memories it will not work!!

Step 4- Make it fun.....sing the clean up song "Clean up Clean up everybody do your share....Clean up Clean up pick up toys everywhere!" Even C at age 2 can sing it. When I start singing....they immediately start picking up.

Step 4- Rewards!!! Have a Popsicle or Ice cream sandwich for reward....or quarter for chore jar....stickers....what ever works for your child. Now that we have done this for so long.....his room stays clean- BUT when I need to go and straighten up, a pat on the back works!! We have a HUGE Wooden TOY BOX for large toys.....stick horses, swords, stuffed animals. It is nice to throw a lot of things in but not too much- so you can still keep it some what organized!!

Look at that happy helper......he jumped into every picture and posed!! HA!!

I keep an empty plastic bag hanging on the door knob and throw away all color pages, and just TRASH I happen to find. I also like to wear something with pockets.....and put small things that don't belong or even things I don't want them to see me throw away. Honestly, every time we clean.....I throw away every little "happy meal" toy we get.....usually because it is broken too!!

I also try to find any TOYS are things we haven't used in awhile.....and remove.....usually they are never missed!!

Storage bins.....My dad made this and the toy box from scratch. If you are lucky and have a handy man in your family.....I just saw a storage solution in a pottery barn magazine....and showed it to him. HE gave it to him for his second birthday! Bought the LARGE bins at Wal Mart. On each Bin is a PICTURE and words of what is in them, since he cannot read yet.....he knows the pictures. They are BALLS, RESCUE TRUCKS, CONSTRUCTION TRUCKS, TRUCKS, SKATEBOARD RAMP & TANKS, HANDY MANNY & MICKEY MOUSE things. Those are our bins now. The cards are removable- so you can change them as they grow out of the toys. This storage unit is also on caster wheels....so I can remove it and vacuum behind and under it. WE LOVE IT!!! It is wonderful to have.

I also have little....shoebox size bins under his bed. For all the little tiny toys, toy soldiers, matchbox cars, toy bugs!!! There are 6 small bins. They also have pictures on them to help him keep them straight.

Like I said, we have done this for 2 years. But I firmly believe that if you don't teach your children to clean up after themselves, it enables them- especially boys!! Boys really have NO natural instinct to clean up after themselves I believe....I live with 3 of them!! And it also makes your job harder.

This morning we had a play date with some kiddos.....right before they came, the living room was already cluttered....I asked T to take his bin.....pick up all toys and go put them in there right home. I explained to him that we want our house to be clean for company, and there would be little babies who could get hurt if they played with big kids toys.....he completely understood.....and BOTH BINS were empty before guest arrived.....I then hugged his neck gave him a HIGH 5 and told him I appreciated his help. Honestly, that took 10 minutes off of my job!!

Ok, so that is my "system for toys!" It works for us......what works for you??

Mollie

Help Clutter Free you living space of TOYS!!!

Have you ever walked through your living room at night and stepped on a small toy....that made you do all kinds of crazy gyrations just to try to avoid the next toy.....one step away!! Or maybe some one calls on the phone, says they are on their way to your house.....be there in 10 minutes!!! You run through the house like a mad woman- throwing toys in all sorts of places, kicking them under the couch...closets.....etc.

I have, and some times it can be embarrassing.....the sea of toys. Most people are understanding- usually when they see two toddler boys......they know it was probably clean that morning. Actually, my living room can go from completely toy free to completely TOY CLUTTER in 1 minute FLAT!!!

With the addition on Maizie our Lab puppy in December. She helped show me how many toys they left out. I have always tried to help boys pick up toys prior to nap & bed time, that way when you wake.....new start!!! Seems like the little puppy, would chew on toys of all kinds- then I was afraid she would choke on them. Also, the boys would get upset when there toys had CHEW marks on them too!!

Here is a little system I have started, not thinking it would stay and work really really good! Mostly just to keep out of harms way of the puppy!!

I found these two "bins" at Wal-Mart. I labelled them each with their name. Placed them on a table in the Living/Dining Room. They both know which one is theirs too!! If I happen to walk through the room and there are toys lying vacant on the floor- I can pick them up.....walk by the bin.....throw them in it......and move along!!

When it is time for the boys to go rest....they are to take their bins into their rooms and put all the toys up in there proper home. They LOVE it!! I have to admit....I do too!!!

I took pictures of a messy room this week, and hope to post a story this week on how quickly I was able to help show T how to organize and put things up.....on his own. Our HUGE rule at the house is when you get it out....put it back....in it's home!! When they have a million toys it is hard to keep them all straight. Then they will come and ask...."where is my black monster truck?" Well, if it isn't put up in the right place.....it is missing!!

I think I am the Queen of BINS.....I absolutely LOVE some bins and organizing!! Like I said, Hopefully I will get to post some more this week!!

Mollie

Chore time

Yesterday, I shared about our new chore chart & New Rules. Just to let you know we are still on a Roll!!

My guilt comes when I spend more time cleaning and doing chores- rather than spending precious time with my children...instead they are being Hooked on TV!!!

I have decided after much prayer and thinking about it- not to mention I bought about 10 books on Amazon a few weeks ago.....all about having a clean/ organized house & teaching kids to!! Plus, it is a way we can still be together and they can learn to help out- and be rewarded!!

If they can help, then they will learn to keep things clean too!! It started with their nasty bathroom.....boys have the worst habits....toliets....Ugh!!! Then all the toothpaste in the sink..... Ugh..Ugh!!!!



I told them at 9 am...."okay we are turning to TV off and we are going to do chores...who wants to help??" I stood there with WIPES in my hands.....they love using my WIPES!!!!



They help with the table many times after meals- to wipe down the table. I LOVE these particular wipes because the are Natural and SAFE for children- Non-toxic!! I am all about that. I keep them stocked up- because I only order once a month.



I gave them each a wipe and they went to town, they were wiping everything they could- I had to stop T from cleaning the light bulb on the lamp.

I was cracking up when I looked over and saw T wiping every little wire on the basket!! Don't know where he has EVER seen that before??
And good Ole' C he was just so excited about getting to Play in the sink and NOT get in trouble!! He stayed at the sink & pour water in a cup and out for about 30 minutes!! Then he moved to the shower....I have no clue what he was doing in there- but he had a wipe!!

I know he was probably thinking.......This is a dream come true......water, me & the sink I use to get in trouble for sitting in!!

I feel like we are well on our way to starting off our new little chores and system work- I will share next week more.... I know you can't wait.....That is if you are OCD like me!!!

Mollie

Rules & Chores.....walking a fine line!!

This week we started a few new things. Our chore chart I bought at Christmas time, and I made my little homemade rules chart!! Don't laugh if I misspelled words- or my awful handwriting, they can't read anyway...it was better than my drawings!!!

I also made these little cards....they are too dumb looking to put on as a picture!! I can remember my Kindergarten teacher having them. It is a smiling face....a straight face.....a frown face.... and a crying face!! Each time we would misbehave, she would cut off a face- then if you were left with a crying face you were in BIG TROUBLE!!!

It made a BIG impact on me. I can remember getting a crying face one day....probably for too much talking?? Ha ha!! It made that much of an impression on me- that is all it took!!!

So, I made some 3x5 index cards of the same. Each time the boys get in trouble I would cut off a face. T cried the first time I had to cut hissmiling face off.... He pushed his brother off the bed!! Needless to say I also punished him more than that too!!

It has just come to the point in our house-I can almost NOT take them in public anymore!!! I can remember when I just had T everyone would say- "wow he is so good!!" I don't know where I lost control.....I can guess but I won't BLAME!!! Now when I go out in public they say "WOW YOU HAVE YOUR HANDSFULL!!!!"

But there comes a point when you are trying to get something done and you look over and your kids are having a wrestling match or running crazy in a store- YOU MUST PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN and SHOW THEM WHO IS BOSS!!!!

THIS IS MAMA'S HOUSE!!!! I have got on my soap box this week and decided if I don't do it now- I will be wishing I had when I am posting bail one of these days!!! No, I would not wish that on anyone- especially my own...just using it as an exaggeration.

We have also started this lovely chore chart. So far so good- the Cowboy like to put his own smiling faces on.....I think I need to move it to where he can reach it better- It is here so it is OUT of reach of others!! HA!!I found this at a local store on sale 20% off....so I thought I would pick it up and it would be just what are family needed for our new year- new start!! It is a Melissa & Doug, you would find if you toured my house....I LOVE Melissa & Doug Products!!! Puzzles, toys, you name it- we LOVE IT!!

The chart has so many behavior & chores ideas to choose from, I let T pick his own on Sunday nights then he gets to put his smiling face on his completed chore- at the end of the day- WE CELEBRATE....with a quarter for a completed line of Smiles :) Did I mention it is magnetic!!

The first chore for the day was folding clothes, I dumped their clothes on T's bed and said "let's play a game- let's put all C's clothes on one side of the bed, then all of your clothes on the other side!" First off....every kid likes a GAME!!! Secondly, I told him I it was a RACE....he has enough of his father in him to be COMPLETELY COMPETITIVE!!! No room for losers in this house!!!

Once we finished that race, we continued to the next one- sorting, underwear, PJ's, jeans, shirts, etc. Then lastly I let him hang up his own clothes as I hung us C's clothes, he wanted to hang them up in his own closet....that is where the OCD in me has to step aside....and say "yes, yes you may...!!!!" Gulp!!

Knowing they would not be in the right place.....long sleeve, short sleeve, church shirts, sweaters, hunting clothes, and jeans. That is how I have all the clothes in their closets. He could only reach the bottom shelf with extra hangers...whew, so I got to put them up in the proper Home- later when he was pre-occupied!!

I don't ever want him to see me correct or finish his work, I NEVER change his bed once he makes it....he will never think that it measures up good enough for me. So I leave it and move on- When it comes to clothes, I know exactly what is clean, dirty & missing in everyones closet- due to my system!! Don't hate me because I am crazy!!!

Here is the future husband of some beautiful young lady....who will thank me one day!!!Hanging up his OWN SHIRT!!! So PROUD!!!And all the other shirts he hung up, half were backwards, and falling off- But it was great and he felt so good for helping me!! We can work on details as the years go by!!

Who can resist this Cute little Cowboydee!!!Meanwhile Back at the Ranch....this floppy hat is a fireman costume.....needs starch on the hat I think!!! Oh My, I just added organize books on T's shelf for tomorrow after seeing this picture!!! Think I have over looked that lately!! Ya Think??

Ok, so now you see what tweaking we have done- hopefully this new start will continue to stay in our home, at least until good habits are learned and patterns are set!!

How do you teach your kiddo's to help around the house??

Mollie

Yet another project...

OK this week I got a head start- we were not supposed to be home until Late Monday night- My goal was Saturday to have this finished!! I am almost done!!

Yes, I have a HUGE problem.....taking pictures......These boxes are JUST PICTURES!!!

Mostly from 2005- to present~~ Although I have NOT developed ANY pictures since last December......Just kept them on disc.

You know when the first kid is born and you take 150 pictures of them A DAY- OF THEM DOING NOTHING BUT LAYING THERE!!!! Can you agree???

That is my problem- only thing is I use to stay on top of it and keep them organized- Now they are just in boxes- not scrapbooks!!

I am going on a retreat to scrapbook later this month- so I am getting things in order!!

I also am taking ALL of this and re-organizing it!! A friend of mine cut me a great deal on her tote and everything in it- Luckily she had a boy too- so all her stickers and scrapbook stuff etc.....is just what I needed!!!

My GOAL is to get ALL this stuff into 2 of those BIG Black totes......

GOAL...... will only be reached if I get rid of a lot of stuff!!

No need to run to Hobby Lobby or Michael's before this retreat!! Although I am selling tons of stuff on EBay- mostly out dated or GIRL stuff!!! Wishful thinking when I was pregnant I guess- I bought a lot for our two nieces.....but do you REALLY NEED 500 stickers of girls stuff when you have 1500 of boys???

Next week I will focus on the house for the BIG 2 year old birthday party!! I sent the invites out- they turned out so cute. I ordered them off of eBay!! Do you see a pattern....sell...buy...sell..buy....

So this week I am busy as a bee trying to get all this sorted out.....gotta run I hear stickers, papers & die cuts calling to be put in an organizer!!

Mollie

Project # 2 The office multi-purpose room

Here it is my big project!

My Office/Multi- purpose Room

I have worked hard for 2-3 weeks on this. It was a bad before you'll have to trust me on this one-I have no before pics......it was so bad I could not bare to show that skeleton in this room!!

I took EVERYTHING out of this room- then replaced it all in an organized fashion. Just kinda like the show "clean sweep" on TLC. I also threw away 5 trash bags of STUFF- and gave 7 boxes of things to a charity.

All the clear bins have school supplies, craft supplies, and gift wrapping stuff in them. Books on shelf where they belong. Papers all filled away where they belong!! Everything has a Home and likes to live in their own place- that way I don't loose my mind looking for a pair of scissors!

Honestly, not to blame anyone- I have been out of place for 2 years!! I think when baby #2 it me I was so not prepared! I am a pretty organized person-at least I think I am. When I had 4-6 hours of sleep for the first 18 months of his life- totally lost my brain!!

Really when you deliver the baby, placenta, brain goes with it each time!! That is Dr Mollie speaking!!

I have felt freedom ever since I conquered this project. There is a song on the radio I LOVE by Third Day "It feels like I am living, breathing, born again- for the very first time." If you listen to KLOVE you will know what I am talking about.

That is the feeling have. Not only have I cleaned my whole house, every closet and nook and cranny. I have also lost 15 lbs. the last 3 weeks!!! Whoo Hoo- CRUISE here we come!

I also have more energy to do more minus the extra LB! I have been getting up and putting on God first- before anything!! That has made a HUGE difference-He is the one I give GLORY to for all my accomplishments!!

Even though I was set back for awhile- I got back on my feet knocked the dust off- and will carry on!

Our new room has computer space for me in the corner, a craft area, and a school area. I have been doing fun school activities with the boys- they love it- I am tricking them into learning!

That is in part to my lack of blogging lately!!!!

Psalm 128:2 When you shall eat the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.

Proverbs 12:24 The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.

Thank You Heavenly Father for your word that keeps me going.

Please continue to Pray for my sweet Mamaw- My dad just called and gave me a report that she has stopped eating. Bless her heart-Lord heal her soon and take her HOME!

Mollie

I am OUT of the CLOSET!!!

Glad to say I am coming out this week...out with my finished PROJECTS!!!!

Project # 1 for last week was a major disaster!!! After his birthday party I have no clue what happened. This has always been a DON'T OPEN DOOR unless you ask permission. Due to all the puzzles and pieces & dress up stuff. Seems like there were some little mice who came and took care of business.......

BEFORE

AFTER
I did go clothes shopping for him and did not have enough hangers in the closet....so I had to get rid of the 5T and replace with all the new 5-6. Cannot believe my baby is 4 and getting so big!!I promise you I put a whole full Rubbermaid container in the attic (to save for C) of clothes & shoes from this closet.....can't tell much different of these two pics.
Then there is all the containers and stuff to store all the colors and coloring books and etc.....

"Gosh it really looks worse in these pictures than I really thought it looked!!"
So I was on a mission. I did it in one day (while C was napping 2 hrs) Took everything out of the closet and placed it on the floor & bed. Could not believe all the JUNK!!!

I had planned to make a school room in my office- so that stuff was just hauled off. Then to organize the rest.......two hours later this is what I had done.
Needless to say I did not have to work out that day.....I was sweating from being in the closet with out air for 2 straight hours!!!

I am not totally finished yet....still need to make some labels and with kids who cannot read they have to come with a picture.

T is so good at putting things back- HE LOVES that everything is in order. I do too!!!

I still feel like there is too much of a hole in the middle- but that box if FULL of dress up clothes (fireman, policeman, cowboy, armor of God, doctor) No actual dresses!!!

I get a total HIGH from organizing- I know call me crazy!! When everything has a place I feel like I have a home again!!!

And YES that is a TEXAS LONGHORN football uniform hanging in an Arkansan's house!!! I am from Oklahoma B is from Arkansas but we pull for the Longhorns!!!

He got it from Santa last year- it still fits perfect.....thinking of trying to talk him into wearing for Halloween???? He is still young enough to talk him in to Santa gifts too!!!

What do you think any suggestions or questions about the room??

Mollie

What was I thinking??

Right after I spent two and a half hours cleaning our back porch. Ridding it of all the spiders who had made there homes there this winter, and the lovely pine pollen we get here in LA, not to mention leaves, pine needles...I could go on forever. The boys had been sleeping and I felt good that I accomplished a lot. We play outside a lot- we have many toys to play with outside too. I cleaned every toys down with my favorite Thieves Cleaner (all natural). It is wonderful takes black mold off of things and smells great in the process- not to mention your kids, when they put it in their mouths- and they will at my house; It does not harm them!!

Ok on to my mistake. A friend of mine gave me this table years ago, for the kids who came to my beauty shop to color on and use. Well, it has not been used for 4 years nearly. I was cleaning it up and found that it was deep inside. What a great "water table" you know like the ones they sell at the store for $100 plus!! I am so smart and thrifty!! Yeah Right!!

I got it out and filled it with water. Knowing how much C likes to splash water in the sink, tub, you name it- he sees water it is gonna get splashed!

I placed it on the corner of the porch......1st mistake.....should have been in grass. They were so excited to see it and of course C splashed himself completely soaking wet with in seconds!!

Then T asked if he could build a sand castle......2nd mistake......should have said NO!! Then he proceeded to carry the sand with a shovel (small kids one) across the newly swept and spotless porch.....not any more!!!

Then I looked over and saw ALL the MESS!!! I was distracted for a few minutes due to organizing the balls, bats, golf clubs, bowling set, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc.. into different "new homes."

I was thinking to my self "Self what have you just done....You have spent two and a half hours cleaning, organizing, and sweating over this whole porch ONLY for it to be completely destroyed in seconds!!"

Then I looked at how much fun they were having and said " Self it was worth it!"

No matter how much I clean the house or pick up toys- IT is a NEVER ENDING JOB!! Just as motherhood is. You never get a day or hour off!! There are the moments you may get away without children, but they are still on your mind 24/7.

And to think one day I will be sweeping that same porch with T's little feet print in the concrete from his 1st birthday. I will be reminded of this day when all the water & sand were here and now it's gone and so are my boys!

So don't worry about the mess- get messy it will wash up and the memories will stay forever!

Mollie

Switch-A-Roo

Well today is my day!! My wonderful friend Crystal live who lives right around the corner from me, has two boys who are close in age to mine. We both are blessed to stay at home, we have also learned can be difficult to keep it together. Literally I think when you stay at home the house is SO much more messy than if NO ONE was there. Makes sense...right!

TV time is great with a 4, 3, 2 & 1 year old!

With the idea from my other friends Adria & Megan who did this system also. We choose 2 days a month (we try every month) and one week I watch the 4 boys while she cleans her house. Then next week I GET to CLEAN and she watches the boys!!!

Little Boys playing together- parallel play still... haha

We are so blessed that our boys LOVE each other. They play wonderful together.

*We pack a lunch for the other mom so she doesn't have to fix extra lunches.

*We usually clean from 9-noon or 1 if we are lucky!!

Then when the boys go back home the take a nap- they are usually worn out!

BIG boys playing Doctor

Let me tell you, the first time we did it.... I was a mad woman moving through the house like a F5 tornado. Cannot believe how fast and all I got accomplished ALONE!! There are just some things I cannot do with the kids here. For example C the toilet splashing toddler would wonder why does she get to play in the potty when I get a spanking for splashing all the water out? And T has NEVER missed all those thousands of McD's toys I throw away every time he leaves the house. Granted they do sleep each day I get a lot accomplished when they nap each day....but that is when the sleep at the same time or for small little daily jobs- dishes, laundry, etc.

Anyway today is my LUCKY day!!

It is my turn.

So off to go clean.....

Mollie

Spring Cleaning & Giving

Today I got a chance to clean out some clothes. C slept for 3 1/2 hours (praise the Lord) and T was at pre-school. I have been needing to sort through a few things. We are having a "new" boy cousin soon. So, I needed to get some things together for J & J. They will welcome baby T in a few weeks.

I was sorting through ALL the Rubbermaid containers of baby boy clothes, getting so sad. As I would pick up an outfit- I would think back to the time when my little babies wore it. Thank Goodness I take a ton of pictures. I have almost a picture of them in all of my "favorite" outfits. Therefore I did not feel bad that they would have a new owner.

I also sorted out some of the clothes for the homeless shelter. As I was looking at all of these clothes, I was thinking " Why am I hanging on to these?" I really don't think I am going to have anymore children? I have left that up to God. But, really I had SO many left over after I put some in a box for our cousin. Why let these sit up in a dirty dusty attic- when there are children in our community with NO clothes or maybe what is just on their back.

Well, that just opened up a whole NEW can of worms- or shall I say Rubbermaid boxes! Maternity Clothes??? I had 8 boxes....no lie.....of Maternity Clothes!!! I had bought some myself, but then as friends would stop having babies.... I would get MORE clothes!!!

Most of them the wrong season for me- but I just hung on to them. I set a Goal. I will try to get 3 out of the 8 boxes. It took me two hours total to get all this done. I did it. I met my goal and now have plenty of empty Rubbermaid boxes. Plus, I called a girl up that we go to church with- she and her hubby are expecting baby # 1 in six weeks. Gave her a few blouses & dresses to get her through.

The 5 bags of Maternity clothes I have to give away will go to the Hannah center- for Abortion Minded Clients who get counseling. They gave me 2 free ultrasounds (to teach others and practice) when I was preggo with C. It is awesome to see that little baby inside of you....even if it looks like an alien at the moment. And the Ministry that it is a blessing to give someone an ultrasound to let them see that God does not make mistakes even if we do sometimes.

Today I felt so good to get things cleaned out. Plus to think of all the people who NEED these things more than me. I don't know HOW my attic was not falling through the ceiling?? With 16 boxes total with clothes just sitting waiting for someone to wear.

I prayed over the clothes after I bagged them all up and asked the Lord to Bless and touch every one's life who comes across these clothes. Then I thanked him for blessing me with the clothes either that had been given to me or that we were blessed to have the money to buy them.

" Give and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

P.S. Praise and Worship Music is the BEST for sorting clothes. hahahaha

Mollie