It's Time For A Change

I highly recommend this book if you have not already read it. When people call me for design advice I find that I have been tackling another issue before I can even offer design ideas. That issue is CLUTTER. The principles and concepts addressed in the book relate to us all.

Here are a few MAGIC questions to ask yourself,
"What type of life do I want to live?"
"Is stuff more important than relationships?"
"Why am I holding on to all this stuff?"

My husband is the exact opposite of me when it comes to clutter. I save and he doesn't. For those of you who have seen our home, if you think we are minimalists now, watch out because we're about to do a complete overhaul!

I find myself saying that I am overwhelmed. The source is not my children, IT"S ME! I am constantly distracted by the four large bins of fabric sitting in my laundry room waiting to be used. Or the 20 boxes of notes, tests, and projects from college. Laundry! Do my kids really need ALL those clothes? And the toys! Do I buy them for me or the kids? Some of them the kids don't even play with and I am still holding on to them waiting for that fateful day when they realize how cool they are.

It's time for a change. Wish me luck!

Opps!

Mother's Day was May 11. Darrel worked Saturday and was going to work Sunday night which meant I would not see him very much that "special" weekend and I didn't. Saturday night when he came home, I was just about to go to bed and we exchanged a few words before our heads hit the pillow (typical). Sunday morning however, I arose early with the children and he lay fast asleep in bed (typical). I wasn't upset, I wasn't expecting anything like breakfast in bed or...anything. I have learned to not expect things like this because when they don't come - I get a little upset. So, back to the story, I had gone downstairs to fix the kids breakfast and quickly returned to the project I was determined to complete. When Darrel did awake, I was at the computer - deep into my control journal (see flylady.net). He kissed me on the cheek and greeted me with, "Happy Mother's Day". "Thank you" I quickly replied and returned my focus back to the computer screen. Again, I am not upset, simply focused. He then sat next to me and started to make small talk. All the while I am thinking, "Honey, not right now, I really want to finish my control journal and besides, it's my special day. Can I PLEASE have a moment to myself!" He continued to talk and started to act funny. saying random things and asking random questions and starring at me in a peculiar way. Now, I'm getting bugged. What does he want from me? After 5 -10 min. of wierdness from him and total "I'm ignoring you" from me, he asked, "Did you like your Mother's Day present?" I freeze in mid typing sentence. "What present?" I questioned. He thought I was joking. I was not. So, we walked downstairs together and sure enough, there on the dining room table were beautiful, pink Tulips in a vase WITH A CARD! I felt my heart sink. How SWEET and thoughtful of him! How rude of me! I was so preoccupied with my "important" project that I did not even notice the flowers. I quickly apologized and told him he was the best husband ever (because he is) and exclaimed how happy I was that he remembered me on Mother's Day.

Jump Around!

"Jump around! Jump around! Jump up, Jump up and get down!"

The kids LOVE the moon bounce. I could not get them out. Each time I would call for them they would pretend like they didn't hear me and race to the back again. Meanwhile bigger kids are pouring in and I am afraid my little guys are going to get squashed. It is a treat to see how happy they are just being kids.

"What does the fire truck say?"

We have read countless books about fire trucks. Most recently, Fireman Small by Wong Herbert Yee. On this particular day we went to a Children's Festival where booths were set up with information, games and crafts for the kids. I spotted the fire department's booth and upon leaving, I collected three fireman hats for each child. Well, it was a great idea to begin with but, they didn't want to take them off. So, I'm trying to strap them into their car seats and of course the bill of the hat is in the back so each time they put their head back the hat pops off. Corey screams, "Hat! Hat fall off!" and I am suppose to immediately place it back on his little head. I do, because I am an obedient mother and as soon as I crawl out of the back seat and stand erect again, he screams "Hat! Hat fall off!". I could see where this was going and I suggest that he take the hat off and hold it until we get out of the truck. "NOOO!" and the tears fall "I want hat! WAAAAAHHH!" (sigh) Once more I replace the hat and explain to him why it keeps coming off. In my head, I am preparing myself to hear him scream while I drive because this is the last time I going to put the hat on his head. Bless his heart, he sat in his car seat with his head forward for fifteen minutes until we reached our next destination. The hat stayed on.

Grandma Ree and Grandma C

Daryl, Corey and Nicolas think they are the luckiest kids ever because they have TWO grandmas! And they are lucky. They have two wonderful grandmas that love them to pieces. There is not one thing these two women would not do for their precious grandchildren. I wish every child in the world was blessed with a "Grandma Ree" and a "Grandma C". The world would be a better place. Above is Grandma Ree holding Spencer with a gleeful Daryl LaRue sitting beside her. Below is Grandma C showing the kids how to play with the airplanes. "Pull it back...Let go... and watch them FLY across the floor!"

I'm H.A.P.P.Y

The kids were sick a couple of weeks ago. It was torture for me. Everyone was whining and crying and clinging to my every limb. Daryl and Nic would wipe their runny noses on my clothes, Corey would fall to pieces when his nose would run and he needed a tissue. Not fun. So, everyone is healthy again and I am H.A.P.P.Y! Since I don't have any pictures of myself, I thought smiley pictures of Daryl would suffice.

Say...I Love You and CHEESE!

The kids have been playing extremely well together lately. This is Daryl and Nicolas. After Ballet we decided to go for a walk. The kids were just having a grand time walking, running chasing each other and of course... posing for Mom.