messy house

We ate at a neighbours house tonight and toured their lovely home before dinner. As I was touring, the whole time I was thinking "I wonder if their house is always this clean?" Am I the only one that struggles with a clean house? I doubt it, but sometimes I feel like it.

Here are some of my theories as to why I struggle with keeping our house clean/tidy:

1. We have 4 kids under 6 years old. Enough said.

2. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. You would think that would make me have a clean house, but it actually is a de-motivating thing for me. I only feel satisfied with the state of my house when it is ALL clean. This means no clutter and everything in it's place. This is obviously impossible. Just typing this I realize how ridiculous it is. I need to really internalize how ridiculous this is and be happy with being able to tidy up here and there and be satisfied with that.

3. I also feel like I need to want a tidy home for the right reason. It should not be because I want to fulfill this illusion of a perfect mother and wife who always has a clean home, kids perfectly groomed, and a healthy homecooked meal on the table. I need to want to be orderly because of the spirit that it invites into our home. Things are more peaceful. Children are more content. I need to find joy in this aspect of motherhood and help our children learn to work. I also need to care more about our children's state of being, than our house's. There will be plenty of days after the kids are gone that the house will stay clean and organized. I just googled for this poem. I've never heard the whole thing before. I love it. 


Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

- Ruth Hulbert Hamilton



 
The end..........not sure if any of this made sense.......but whatev..........

today

1. Our car is dead. Pretty awesome. John called halfway to work and the car was burning white smoke again (it happened yesterday too...probably should have driven the van). Anyway, he's pretty sure that best case scenario, it would cost $1000 to fix, which is about as much as the car is worth.....so we're in the market for a new (to us) car. Awesome. Luckily he has a nice boss who picked him up and let him drive his work van home until we figure out the car scenario.

2. We went to Hadley's school for the Terry Fox run. It was kind of crazy, and in hindsight, I should have just watched them run, instead of actually taking part whilst pushing Sam in a crappy stroller and flip-flops. I walked most of the way, and jogged a little with Hadley and Brian here and there. Elijah took off at the beginning, and luckily some friends of ours stopped him at the school to wait for me.

3. Brian found a small skateboard at the thrift store yesterday, so he and Elijah have been having fun going on it down our driveway.

oreo face

5. Hadley told me what books she wants from the book order at school. ha.

6. I taught Hadley piano. Too bad I can't get mad at her parents for not getting her to practice.....oi.

7. Finished off the day with bath time.

corn

This is what we did on our Friday afternoon last week.

 

 

We husked 113 cobs and froze 35 bags.

Thanks to Nancy for the corn! 

forget not

After attending the Relief Society General Broadcast, I decided I needed to have a visual reminder of Pres. Uchtdorf's talk, so I made this. I plan on printing it out and hanging it in our bedroom.


His talk was wonderful and helped me remember what is really important in life. The gospel is so simple. I'm looking forward to General Conference this weekend and hearing more inspiring words from our church leaders.

If you missed the broadcast, here's a summary of his talk. It should be available in full text soon. Love it.

Click here to download the image

thursday

Here's the picture from the fall fair that I talked about here

I love it. Too bad I didn't roll Hadley's jeans up though....and I had to crop it so that you couldn't see John's shoes. Pretty fun though.

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Last year John fried up some zucchini with squash from his Mom's garden for me. It was delicious. I never thought I liked zucchini until I tasted it. So, naturally this has become a favorite thing for us to make with our zucchini from the garden.

This was my lunch yesterday. I would say that it was healthy, but with the amount of oil and margarine I fried it in, I may have to forgo that comment. I guess the healthy vegetable stuff is still there, right?

To make it, just sautee cut up zucchini in oil/margarine/butter on med-high to high heat until it is a little translucent and browned. Add salt and pepper. So yummy.

wednesday

Today is feeling like a lazy day. I'm sitting on the couch watching the boys play with cars on the floor. Sam included. He loves cars and even drives them around making a car sound. Pretty cute. He throws a fit when the kids all go downstairs to play and I stop him from going with them. He always wants in on the action.

Hadley was really grumpy this morning. She was so reactive to everything!

I lay out her clothes every night before she goes to bed. Last night I laid them out after she was asleep and she didn't want to wear what I picked. NOT GOOD! Oh man. She was not happy, and wanted me to pick out new clothes RIGHT NOW! Not happening......but after a discussion about how she needs to talk to me nicely....blah blah, I helped her decide on what to wear.

Last night we ate supper at a friends house.....which resulted in a late bedtime......which resulted in the fun morning today......so I can't really blame Hadley much.

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Does anyone need a website made for them? My husband's friend (whose house we went to last night) designs websites and is looking for more business. He also is doing a workshop where he will guide you in building your own, and it's only $199 - a very good deal (coming from someone who paid a lady way too much money to make a simple website and then ditch us and ended up having to finish it on my own) - anyway, if you are interested, let me know and I'll hook you up!

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I've been listening to show choir music nonstop. I'm turning into my mother. I remember my mom would never listen to the radio, always show choir music. I understand why now! I've got to get those creative juices flowing. This idea of coming up with choreography is kind of freaking me out.

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Source

Happy Wednesday!

fall fair

Our church puts on a family fall fair every year for everyone in the town to attend.

There were a bunch of pioneer games that kids could play and get coupons to use at the "trading post" for toys.

After the games, we headed to the "photo emporium" where the town Playhouse Society used their costumes to dress us in old west garb and then took photos of us. It was pretty fun and once we get the picture emailed to us I will post it here.

By the time we were done there, we were starving and headed to the big gym to eat. We filled up on hotdogs, chips, and pop, with ice cream for dessert. The kids ate and danced on the stage and then we headed home.

A great night had by all! - although we did miss out on the hayride, pony-pulled buggy rides, and calf roping - oh well, there's always next year!

choreography

I recently started helping with the local Show Choir. My mom started it way back in 1990. I was raised listening to show choir music and hanging out at the school or theatre during practices. It was our life. My mom helps with the show choir still, and I decided I could help too.

I just got back from the first choreography meeting, where we just talked about how to choreograph a song. I'm not a choreographer. I was in the High School Show Choir. That's my only experience. SO. This should be interesting.

Anyway, I hope I can be like this guy someday.......

plethora of pins

Some of my favorite pinterest finds.....

etsy

this would be cute in a wall collage - I will do one some day.....I have all the frames, just need to spray paint them.....

couldn't find the source...

cute idea - we've got a big pile of reclaimed wood!

whatever

love this - I need to get some crayons while they're still on sale - this would look great in they playroom or craftroom

southernliving

so lovely

seven thirty three

this would be great for church

source

this is practically free to make - my kind of craft!

source

another practically free project!

source

I really need to either buy this or make one before my kids are grown!

Follow me on pinterest here
 *warning - if you haven't checked out pinterest before, use caution, it is VERY addicting! 

a good reminder

from mbartstudios on etsy

boy do I wish I had this quote fresh in my mind last night at bedtime.........