A clean home

Okay, so we have all read the lessons, articles and blogs about how much better life is with a clean home. It used to get under my skin because my home wasn't what it should be. It was always a mess. Even if it looked clean for a party or something, there was always some back corner where I dumped everything that didn't have a home. But not anymore!

On December 23rd, 2011 we finished our den, by the next day we were mostly moved in. On the 26th we painted and arranged Vinny's room and had him moved in the next day. Everyone was finally in their place. But not the things.

We started (Dan's idea) to take everything out of the rooms that didn't belong and we put them into the front room. Needless to say it's been a disaster for months, but slowly and surely I got each room cleaned. Including drawers and cupboards, shelves and bins until the only major mess was our living room/dinning room.

Well my Grandma Joy was coming into town this week and I wanted her to see the amazing den that my dad helped us design and bring together. But I couldn't have her see that mess of a room. So I knuckled down this last week and plowed through the mess until, miracles of miracles, my house is finally a home.

Do you have any idea how good it feels to take over 10 car loads to goodwill or to other people who need it? 10 car loads NOT IN MY HOUSE ANYMORE!!!

My boys rooms are clean, everything has a place. Vinny even has a study corner with his own desk to work on "homework".

We can eat together at the DINNER table, not the coffee table. We have a great room out front for the kids to play in and watch TV and movies, we have an awesome den for hanging out. We have a laundry room where is there is more laundry in the washer and dryer than on the floor (pathetic, I know).

The only things left are sorting Vinny's old clothes into storage for Will, our bedroom and Will's closet (full of clothes he is going to fit in soon) Little jobs I can take one day at a time.

I have been so relaxed today, knowing I have some work to do when I get home, but no big messing, nothing crazy. It is amazing how calm and relaxed I feel. And coming into good weather (hopefully soon!) I will be able to get out and work in my yard, which has been severely neglected for the piles of housework over the years. I will have time to go out and get work done and make it the yard I want to spend time in.

And to keep up with this, I made a calender with scheduled days for certain tasks like laundry, sweeping, dusting, etc. I have systems in place to help the kids clean up after themselves to save me extra work. It is just so wonderful to feel this way.

I will NOT let myself go back to what my home used to be!

My Dad is AMAZING!!

That is a 12inch ruler on the bottom.
A tool for every job in every size.

I just feel the need to express how much I love and adore my Dad. He is the best Dad EVER (sorry, but it's true. I am sure your dad is awesome as well, but...).

Last week, on Valentine's Day, my car finally succumbed to a leak in the radiator. For awhile we thought it was just a minor steam leak, add a little water in the morning and it was fine. Until that fateful night. We over heated just blocks from home. A gallon of water got us home and I was able to fill it up and get it to my Dad on Wednesday. And every night since, a full week, he has spent his evenings and his 3 day weekend working on my car.

We replaced the radiator but then it wouldn't start. My Dad pulled out (carefully) part after part after part until he found the issue, a damaged head gasket. He ordered all the parts, paid for them himself, allowing us to pay him back when the final price is known.

Last night he carefully reassembled it all. Loving explaining all the parts as I did my best to "help" him. I'm not sure how much help I really was. There is one last electrical connector to plug in and an air filter to be replaced, but for a man who heads to bed at 9 on weekends, 9:30pm was just too late to continue.

And this is just the latest example of his greatness. He spent countless weekends and evening helping us turn our garage into a warm, cozy den. He helped design and build our 48ft bench at our shop. He insulated, dry walled and painting the inner walls at our shop "family room", he originally helped us make our garage into our first shop. I cannot tell you how many times he has helped with backed up drains, broken lights, yard issues, car after car after car... And this is just for Dan and I in the last year.

He recently spent a few hours at my mother-in-laws when her heater broke, finding it was just a little wire that had come loose, saving her who knows how much from someone more eager to replace the system then repair the issue. She was so grateful she sent him a little something to take my mom out with. He kept the card, told her how much he appreciated the thought, then returned the money, saying he doesn't do it for payment.

Anyone who has grown up around my Dad, in church or the neighborhood, knows how hard he works to help and serve others. He is always willing to help and always there when you need him.

He taught me how to cook, change a tire, change my breaks out (I still get his help though) how to garden and more. The most important thing he's taught me is to think an issue through. Do research, don't just throw money at a problem, there is almost always a way to fix it yourself or with a little help.

I know I call on him for help so much, and he is always willing to help me. He's taken tools all the way to Seattle to help my sister with her home. He goes on vacation to visit family and without so much as a grumble helps fix those little things around the house that our relatives need.

If you don't know my Dad, I am sorry. He is a WONDERFUL man to know. I can never thank him enough for all he has selflessly done for me. He is my Daddy. And I love him.

I AM

So, I came about this idea in a very random and round about way. Watching Bruce Campbell talk about Burn Notice. Thinking about the god of awesome (AKA Campbell) and his tasty co star Jeffery Donovan made me feel like a teenager again when I was crushing on every other TV star. Long story short, I started thinking about where I thought I would be by now and where I want to be in the future. So I decided to commit to an "I am" piece like we did in 8th grade.

I AM

Beautiful
Smart
Random
Odd
Special
Sexy
Lovable
A good mom
Funny
Social
Kind
Hopeful
Excited
A dreamer
Different
Busy

I Will Be

Healthy
Sexy
Helpful
Spiritual
Kind
A good teacher
Active
The best mother I can be
Playful
Loving
A hard worker
Musical
Wise

I would challenge all of you (all four) to write one of these yourselves, on Facebook, your blog, in your journal, wherever. Focus on what you are proud of in yourself and what you want to be without thinking too much on how you are not yet. It is empowering and fun.

Snow daze

It has been so hard to get any work done that last few days. With the cold snowy weather, being kept inside (I WILL NOT drive in the snow. Period.) I have been struggling to have ANY drive to get work done. I just want to lie on the couch and watch old movies.

The weekend itself ended up being great. Our friend was over Saturday night when things started freezing over so we had her spend the night. It was a blast. I haven't had a sleep over in ages! So much fun!

But come Monday I was tired and lethargic. Yesterday wasn't much better. I hope having it all clear out is going to help me. But who knows.

On a different note, William is adding more and more words to his vocabulary. He also loves singing. Normally nonsense but his favorite is "Open, shut them"

Open, shut them, open shut them (open and shut your hands)
Give a little clap, clap, clap (clap your hands)
Open, shut them, open shut them (open and shut your hands)
Fold them in your lap, lap, lap (fold arms)


He will do all the actions and sing the words. It's so darling to watch him because he is so excited and proud to have done it. He is communicating better every day. I am so proud of the little nut.

Get Healthy

So as any of you who read my last post know, I have some weight loss goals this year (who doesn't). So I was very excited to find out about a multi-Ward (church for those non-Mormons out there) Triathlon! It is going to be in June or July, I can't remember, but we are going to be building up to it by training together and trying to help each other as relief society sisters.

I am really happy about this because it is always easier to do with a set goal in mind and with the help and support of others working along the same path. I can't wait to get to participate.

The only issue I have with the whole thing is that I will have to run (my least favorite of the tri) because my bike is falling apart and I have no place to practice swimming. But that is fine. I will get into shape, work hard and hopefully meet my minimum 20lbs lost by July 1st!

Also, anyone in the Salem area who is not in the wards participating or not a member are more than welcome to join in. It's all about getting and staying healthy and enjoying life!

New Years

I have never been one for New Years resolutions. They are usually quick to come by and just as quickly forgotten. I am, however, for goals. I like starting with goals at the start of the year because it makes for an easier to follow timeline. Get done in a month, 6 months, whatever, it's just easier for me to follow.

This year I only have 1 main goal, and then little goals to help me attain it. I am posting this here because I hope it will help me keep to it.

My goal this year is: To become a better wife and mother.

A simple goal, predictable even, but important none the less.

I've broken that goal down into 10 sub goals.

1. Lose 20lbs by July 1st
2. Lose 40lbs by 2013
3. Get house organized and maintained
4. Clear out toys
5. Clear out jewelry
6. Clear out clothes and shoes
7. Get Vinny ready for Kindergarten
8. Start education plan/program with William
9. Become more spiritual
10. Create a stronger family

I wont bore you with the step by step plan I have laid out for each, but I do have them.

So, this is my goal/s for 2012. Hopefully, in one year I can say I truly am a better wife, a better mother and overall a better person through hard work and effort.

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

It's Christmas time! Yippy! This weekend it's Santa and crafts with the family and then the parade! (So bummed when it was canceled last year)

I have a tree up and most presents taken care of. My house is all decorated inside and out. Even have my recipes planned out for treats for the rest of this month. I just LOVE this time of year!

Ack! I want to watch a million Christmas movies, I am listening to music all the time. Singing all the time. Vinny is having so much fun this year. He understands all about Santa now, so he is excited to see him.

The lights around town are just lovely. I got to go to the Star Trees lighting at Willamette and a wonderful music program after with a dear friend. It is just so much fun. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

But you really want to know some of what I am most excited about? Our food drive at the shop. I LOVE seeing that barrel fill more and more each check out. I love seeing the kindness of our customers represented as they bring in more that the 4 cans to get a discount, just so they can help others.

And Vinny is learning from it. We have had many conversations about those less fortunate than us. We just finished going through our coats and set aside a few to take to Helping Hands. And I talked to him about how excited I am to be a part of our Relief Society activity this next week, where we are putting together stockings for people in shelters.

I want Christmas to be as much (if not more) about giving to others when we have been blessed with so much. We may struggle and sometimes it's hard to see how we are going to make it another month, but we have a roof over our heads, warm beds, food to eat and family and friends. Some are not so lucky, and it is our job as brothers and sisters of all the children of God, to serve and bless when we can. No matter who they are.

And what better time to teach that than the season of holidays from all different beliefs. And for those of us who are Christian, if we reflect on the story of Christ's birth; Angels appeared to lowly shepherds, and Kings came to worship Him. Him who was King, but born in a stall. From the wealthiest to the poorest, all were given the glad news.

What better was to celebrate than to help those in need, however we each can?