Friday, January 28, 2011

Friday Confessional

First of all, I just need to mention these two girls. This week Ellie decided that "things" in her hair for school were no longer necessary. I only discovered this because I did a little backpack clean out and found the flowers and ribbons that she has left with the past two weeks, but somehow never came home in. I just assumed that they had just randomly fallen out on the bus on the way home. Oh, what a naive mommy! So, in a "loving" way we talked about how we feel so much better when we are put together for the day. (This coming from a mother that showered after 3 today and didn't put myself together until 5!) Then I showed her beautiful pictures like this series I took of her one morning. I had her notice her smile. We will see if the mini-"bow"-therapy class worked. I will be checking her backpack on Monday afternoon. I figure it was worth a try.

Then we have Brooke. The complete opposite problem with this cutie. I will start at the beginning to set up her little scenario. I got in the car to run to exercise class and decided that I needed a little mascara to not look completely scary for class. I know, not necessary, but at 16 weeks pregnant, a little care goes a long way in the mental department. However, much to my dismay, my mascara was missing. I just assumed that Madie had robbed me, and thought I would talk to her about that later. So, at 5 pm, when I was finally putting myself together, I mentioned it to Madie only to find out it was BROOKE who had it in her backpack. This, of course, led to a conversation that you look beautiful just the way you are. Points were brought up like, we don't wear makeup until 12, you are absolutely gorgeous, your eyes are enchanting with absolutely no extra help and such. I think she is convinced, however, I will be checking her backpack on Monday too!


Ok...now to my confession! I have posted two things concerning organizing and cleaning in the last week or so. Some of you mentioned that I must be incredible to accomplish all of that. I assure you I AM NOT! These two list were like our children's Christmas lists. They list every possible dream that they have for the arrival of their Christmas magic on Christmas morning, but in reality, the list is almost never completely found under that tree.

I have been feeling a little slow. Fortunately, not in a mental sense, but in a motivation after I get kids off to school sense. I just want to sit on the couch with Annie and watch Marley and Me over and over. It is terrible. I wish I could blame it on the weather or my pregnancy, but I think it is probably just a little bit of everything, including just plain laziness and maybe a little dose of the "blues."

I have found that there are only two things that really get me out of this feeling. The first is making a list. If I make a list, I can actually see on a piece of paper, what I have done, what needs to be done and feel like I am making steps forward.

The second is service. Helping others when you are down, weak and lost is the BEST way to feel better. I know that this makes absolutely no sense, but I promise you that I have seen the miracles that happen when people who are struggling look outside of themselves and help someone else. People have often said, "How can I go help someone clean their house if mine is in shambles?" My answer is, "Honestly, I don't know, but I promise it will." I love this principle. It has saved my heart and my mind on so many occasions.

So, I know that Main Floor List looked ambitious, but it was worth making. I only have about 2/3 done, but I have a plan. And the DAILY FOUR truly help me everyday!

I love trying. The success is in the enduring, not the finished product.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Motivation Monday


















Don't you want to just sit back on the porch tonight and chat with a friend?

Well, today is Monday, and in order to feel good relaxing with a friend tomorrow, I better get motivated!

If you lack the motivation to get everything in order for the week, try my simple plan.

I am going to do all four as soon as I post.

Just four things. Four things that can jump start everything else. These four things, (if done right) can help you be successful any day when you get overwhelmed. It is the four things that my kids do to start their rooms. It is the same four things I do to get myself back on track.

Here they are:

1. Collect all trash (Look everywhere! Don't forget the car, the paper pile, and the refrigerator!)

2. Collect all dishes (Again, look everywhere! Water glasses from bedtime, by the kids' t.v., and maybe even outside on the deck.)

3. Collect all laundry (I have laundry days for family members, but Monday is a perfect day to throw in those extra sheets, the "weekend" pile, and maybe the family blankets in the t.v. areas.)

4. Collect all paper (This doesn't mean you have to go through everything, just collect it all. Mail from the cars and garage, check backpacks and church bags, and anywhere else you may stash your paper loot.)

THAT IS IT! CRAZY HUH? Well, after you have collected all trash and put in cans, collected all laundry and started the piles, loaded and started the dishwasher, and made your stack of paper in one holding place...LOOK AROUND!

What else is there? Not much! Maybe some misc. toys or shoes. Take 20 minutes on the kitchen timer to go around and pick up anything else and you have a GREAT start to your week!

I NEED A GREAT START...SO I AM OFF!

Have a great week!!

~Laura

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Patient Athlete


























**First off: I realize the pictures are not big and beautiful. I need my friend Kara to come over here and work her magic! Maybe next week!

ELLIE'S BASKETBALL!!

I love Ellie!

She is #5 in the birth order of our family and is very patient.

She has been attending games and practices since her birth. She knows now to pack a snack and something to do, because you never know how long a game or practice can last. Or more importantly, how many of those games and practices are in a row.

She has been a trooper!

Every season she asks, "Can I get signed up to play ______?"

And every year I find myself saying, "Maybe next season honey."

The thought of having 5 athletes at the same time has crippled me in fear for years, but the time has come.

And may I just say, it was worth the wait. She is the cutest little natural athlete of the bunch. She is great at defense, which is not surprising. She is also great at passing and sharing in the fun! Also, not surprising. Not a bad shot either.

Ellie, someday you will read this about your first experience with a team sport. Know that, even though I made you wait so long, I love watching you and cheering you on.

You make me smile! Thank you for being my sweet "traveling" baby to all of your siblings' events, my partner in Relief Society visits and my little prayer giver at home.

I love you Ellie Jane!

Go Parker Rec 8u!!

~Mom

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

January 18th "TO DO" List
















How can these six little faces create such havoc on my home? (ok, our home)

Seriously, I have never felt so behind, so underwater, or so disorganized in all my life.

It isn't that almost everything doesn't have a place, because most things do. It is just that all those things just aren't in the right places.

No lie, piles and piles have taken over my home.

Yesterday, my best friend came over. Fortunately, she is not a judgemental person, because seriously the house was scary. Downright scary! She almost had Valentine candy (that was trying to stay hidden) almost hit her in the face when she put away the paper cups. Or that she found licorice in the drawer for pot holders. We were out of dish detergent so the dishes filled the dishwasher, the sink and some of the counters. The ice maker wasn't even working to give her a glass of water with lunch, because it needs a new filter!!


Instead of spending the extra time on the holiday break cleaning out closets and bringing in new clothes and going through the old. Instead of taking a day, to clean and organize all the kitchen cabinets (which we skipped doing during Fall break, because we were having too much fun,) and putting away all decorations, we just played.

I know that most of us will look at that and say "Great!" Isn't that the more important thing to do? Of course, but to me, today, I am underwater.

So, I have done what I always do when I am done living in survival mode...I made a LIST!

I was going to take a picture and post it, but I haven't figured out the new computer and its' companionship with my blog, so I am just going to type it. If writing it was therapeutic, typing it again for everyone to see, should be even more motivating.

So today is MAIN FLOOR day! I realize that this should be posted on my organization blog over at www.heapsorhappiness.blogspot.com, but one cannot preach what one is not currently practicing! So maybe here first...then over there with successful before and after photos.

If anyone wants to play along, here we go!

LAURA'S GUIDE TO MAIN FLOOR HAPPINESS:

Front Porch
sweep porch
spray down porch
wash door
hang valentine wreaths (so exciting, and very ambitious)
clean glass on lights
fix and hang flag

Front Entry
wash windows
dust chandelier (seriously, it would be perfect if it were October...now that I say that it was perfect for Halloween, but now it is January!)
shampoo rug
dust all items
set candles to timers
wipe down inside door panels

Front Closet
organize electronic bins
organize bags
hang all coats on wood hangers
wipe down all trim and door
detail vacuum

Dining Room
set table for display
iron tablecloth
decorate table with centerpiece
clean mirror
wipe down all trim
org corner homework table
org beverage bin

Living Room
organize cabinets
dust
vacuum under couch and table
wipe down and polish all woodwork

Piano Room ("Conservatory" to everyone in on the inside joke of 2009)
dust and polish all wood
org piano books and supplies
org all instruments
all extra items out of room
all glasswork
straighten all curtains
vacuum vents

Family Room
org all videos
org all DVDs
dust all wood
vacuum couch
vacuum under all furniture
wipe down all trim, tables, and windowsills
all glasswork
org all games
org end tables
wipe down couch

Picture Shelves
dust shelves
straighten albums
add new albums

Craft Closet
empty
wipe down all shelves
vacuum floor and trim
org all learning books
org all bins
silver out
dog food put in new bins with lids
label all bins and containers
org door unit

Kids' Coat Closet
org all scriptures
org all gloves, hats and scarves
org all bags
vacuum floor and trim'
wipe down shelves and trim
all coats on matching hangers

Downstairs Bathroom
org under sink
stock all supplies
scrub tile, doors and trim
paint back of door
all glasswork
wipe down small table
org all magazines

Laundry Room
clear and wipe down all shelves
org all baskets
label baskets
clear and wipe down folding counter
check and org all cabinets
put extra tools in garage
clean under sink
vacuum floor and trim
wipe down all woodwork
put away all laundry
org craft drawers
pair all socks and put away
wipe down washer and dryer
hang extra chore chart

Office
org all paperwork (to file, to do, bills, memory, shred, etc)
dust and polish all wood
set up bookcases by subject (church, school, reading, etc)
wipe down trim and door
vacuum and edge entire room
org all CDs
org all filing cabinets

Kitchen
TOMORROW!!!

Ok, there it is! Big plans for what looks like a very LONG, but exciting day. I am going to try and prove to myself that I can have fun on breaks, and recover with dignity.

Return and report tomorrow.

What are you doing today? Inspire us!

~Laura

Saturday, January 15, 2011

We are ALIVE!!
















I have missed this!

I have missed recording our family's life in pictures and memories.

I have the pictures and hopefully, will turn them into wonderful recorded memories of our back to school, Fall, holidays and everything in between.

We have BIG news...

We are expecting a little one in July. Even now as I type, I am tearing up thinking about having this baby join our crew. It has seemed like a long time coming.

The month I decided that Annie was a perfect way to end our baby experience, we found out Heavenly Father had another sweet one ready to come our way.

People have asked me if I am nervous to have another baby. I was thinking about that. The fact is, I am not nervous at all about this little one. It is the other things in my life I am nervous about.

The things that I am nervous about are our 15 year old being ready to serve a mission, succeed in school, and pick the right girl in the next 6 years or so. ( I am very aware that SIX years is a long way off, but there is so much I want him to know, habits I want him to continue that will bring him such joy in the future, and making the decisions that will keep his testimony strong.)

I think about our 13 year old who is amazing, but not connected to many. She so desperately wants to make connections, but there are so few that are like her. I want her to see the benefits of surrounding herself with people who are different from her that have so much to offer, and for those same people to realize the same about her. Last night, she pulled out her sewing machine and went to work. She is not afraid of anything, and is so talented. I love her.

I pray that our 10 year old will continue to be this great kid that everyone loves at school. He is working so hard to makeup for lost time in reading and I love it! I want him to feel confident and loved at church like he does at school. (Weird huh? Isn't it usually the other way around?) Well, hopefully, this will be the year to feel safe and loved in BOTH places!

For the little girls...I just want them to stay happy! I love the way that they wake up and love life. I love how Brooke is always trying something new with her hair. I love how the bus driver just told me yesterday, "I am going to steal your Ellie someday." (ok, I didn't really "love" that, but I understood that she adores Ellie as I do. Let's just hope that NEVER happens! I did say a quick prayer on the way to exercise class that it was just a phrase she uses when she likes someone!) And Annie...I just pray that she will continue to be everyone in this house's favorite person on earth!

For John, I pray that he knows how much I love him. Not just the words, but the way I support him in every aspect of his life. I pray that as he works so hard to provide for our family and as he leads us as a father and husband that he doesn't get burned out. I want to see him smile again. I want him to have opportunities to serve the Lord where he can grow and become who I know he already is!

You see...a new little one is growing. Hopefully, strong and safe. But I am not at all nervous to welcome them into this amazing masterpiece in the making that I call "my family."

Happy 2011 to everyone! I have missed all of you so much! To happy reading, sharing and recording!!

~Laura