21 Days...

21 Days continue...

Well things are going really well here at the Wallace house I am happy to report. My week off comes to an end Monday. That is when the hard work to stay on track with putting things away will really start.

I am pleased with how far I’ve gotten on my list.

Organize front porch- done!

I had Jason bring in the computer armoire we got from our friends from the garage.

We had it in the house prior to switching the living room and dining room around. Since then it’s been waiting in the garage. So, Jason and our friend Bob brought it in and put it where I wanted it on the porch. Jason wasn’t to sure about this spot but he was willing to give it a chance. I’m so glad he did. He told me he really likes it there and sees how it is working. The bottom cupboard area has a laundry basket for shoes!

Putting shoes away, is not a habit in this house. Everyone kicks them off and they end up in a pile on the front porch. Now that we have Ella, they then get scattered all around the living room! So this will be a test for us. So far so good (it’s been 5 days).

*Organize my dresser-Done for now

Yup, I tackled that one this morning. That is my biggest downfall and a major drop zone.

For some reason EVERYTHING, I mean everything you could imagine ends up on it. I think it’s magnetic.

So I put in a small bookshelf and placed it on top of the dog cage and it doesn’t look horrible. It doesn’t look great, but I can work on that later. For now, I was able to sort threw my dresser, I threw a lot out, and put things on the shelves. It’s looking good.

*Kitchen counter- Another very dangerous drop zone for everyone in the family. This is always a work in progress. I’m feeling more positive though, since we are using the upper part of the armoire to store things from the drop zone. Now they will be hidden behind the doors . Smart I know.

Part of Lisa Whelchel’s coaching is all about using things you have in your house. You don’t have to go out and buy things in order to get organized. I haven’t bought one bin yet this whole week!!!!

So I’ll post some pictures. I just have a few more little things to tidy up before the big reveal.

Lost Tooth

Ben lost his first tooth! His tooth had been wiggling for over a week and it finally was ready to come out. It came out Monday night after a long day of worrying about what if....

I had a feeling Ben might have difficulty with losing his first tooth. I know it might surprise you, but he doesn't like not knowing what to expect when he knows something is going to happen. For example when we take him to an amusement park, he worries about the roller coaster. When we he needs to make a decision (sounds like his mom) and doesn't know what to expect with one of the choices.

So this did not surprise me. He didn't know what is was going to feel like. Was it going to hurt? Was it going to bleed? Was he going to swallow it? Was it going to fall out of his mouth and he wouldn't be able to find it?

Our friends Bob & Kathy were over and they enjoyed watching the drama unfold. He would come in the house and go to check on it in the mirror. Then go back out. Come back in and want either Jason or I to go in with him. Then he wanted both of us in the room and he wanted us to watch him pull it out. Nope, he gave a cry and went back outside. Came back in and wanted Jason to pull it out. Nope. I couldn't even take pictures of the drama. He told me he didn't want me to put it up on FaceBook!

Finally, he was in the bathroom, wiggling it with his tooth and wa-la! It came out. There was hardly any blood! Done. Over. Just like that.

And I thought it was going to be a L-O-N-G night!

21 Days...

My Spring Mantle

21 Days to Change a Habit!

Really? Yes really. At least that’s what I’ve read in my “Mom” books. What brought this on you ask?

Last week I was the speaker for MOMS (Mastering Our Mothering Skills) at our church. MOMS meets once a month for a time of fellowship, prayer, topic and craft. This year we chose “Taking Care of the Me in Mommy” by Lisa Whelchel. It’s a fantastic book for all Moms. (Lisa played “Blair” on the Facts of Life and she is NOTHING like that character). She is very down to earth and gives practical tips and suggestions on everything from ways to get organized, finding time for your relationships and of course how to train/raise your child in a God pleasing way.

So my topic was Finding Time for Yourself. This section of the book focused on organizing areas of your life so therefore you will have more time for yourself!

After reading up on this topic (re-read parts of books by Elizabeth George & the Bible & a few other Mom books) I decided it was time for me to take the challenge.

I am taking the 21 day challenge to get my life organized!

No comments please. I am making a conscious effort to start and stick with it!

I’ve failed before. This time I hope to kick my habit of being “cluttered” and a “stuff it” since I am saying publicly that I want to kick my habit. I decided to start this week for two reasons. #1 I just spoke on the topic and learned so much and #2 I am off for April break and the kids were off last week so I have a lot of free time at home without the kids.

Lisa has a website lisawhelchel.com and on it you can have her be your “personal mom coach” through daily emails. She has several topics you can pick from. I of course picked Organization.

So here we go. I have to play a little catch up, I’m up to day 3.

Day 1- Vision and day dream- On my first day I’m suppose to daydream about what I would do with all my free time and with all the extra money I will have since I won’t be buying things to help me get organized! WoW, does she know me!!!!!

So my day dream....I can’t tell or it won’t come true :- ]

Day 2 Prioritize your time! I always say I have ADD. I get so distracted when I clean. I start to many mini projects and then get overwhelmed. I need to stay focused.

I made a list on Sunday of what I wanted to accomplish this week. This was my list:

Rake front garden (DONE)

Change over clothes from winter to summer (ALMOST)

Organize the front entry porch area (DONE)

Organize my dresser (NOT YET)

Organize kitchen counter (IN-PROGRESS)

Ben’s room (Yeah, no)

Day 3 God is a God of order He wants you to live an orderly life.

I’m suppose to get excited about this.

I’m trying to see the order in organizing clothes. I’m not getting excited yet. I got a little off track, but not to bad. I got off track by starting another side project, the counter in the kitchen! I am de-cluttering and simplifying!

No comments.

Jason is starting an exciting project of his own. He’s making a patio/terrace area. He’s been gathering rocks from the woods and he’s made so much progress in three days! He does not have ADD. He stays focused.

How did we ever end up together?

Ultimate Blog Party 2010!

Hello and Welcome to my blog! I’ve named it for the initials of my husband and two children and my first name. I originally started this blog as a way to keep family and friends in the loop on our crazy & fun life with Katie and Ben.

I love to blog. Really I do. I know it doesn’t always look that way. I kinda got off track this past winter. I got hooked on Facebook and neglected my blog :(

Well, family and friends have been making a lot of comments telling me they really miss my updates so I’M BACK!!! I got inspired again by reading one of my Besties Blogs (Kathy at Wellspring Academy) and surfing all my old favorite blogs.

So here I go again! Let me introduce myself. I am married to Jason, my love. We have two children Katie and Ben. They are our two awesome children who bring joy and laughter to our lives everyday!

We have many blessings:

We have Christ in our lives!

We have parents and sibs who are always there for us!

We are blessed with a roof over our heads and jobs that help us provide for our family.

We have the BEST FRIENDS E-V-E-R!!!

I have some amazing women who are wonderful, caring, inspiring and committed friends!

I am a full time working mom outside the home. I am a special education teacher and work with preschool age children for a school system here in New England. I never wanted to be a working Mom, but I am. I let go of the guilt a few years ago with a lot of prayer and support from my husband. What a huge relief to have the weight of the guilt off my shoulders! It’s amazing what you can do once you let the guilt go!

Anyway, that’s a little bit about me! I hope you’ll stop by to visit and catch up with J,L,K & B!

My 9 Year Old

Katie is 9! WoW that is weird to say!

She had a fun day spending time with family, friends at church and having lunch at Ruby Tuesday with her friends Jilly & Haley. Next week the big bash!

She loved her presents...A cake decorating kit! Ever since Kelly got her Easy Bake Oven that's all Katie talks about. I liked this because we could make real food and she can decorate all she wants! She especially loves the turn table for the cake.

She is having fun building their new lego house (shares with Ben), dressing up Mia in her new clothes and wearing her new boots!

Here are a few quick picks before I head to bed...

Her cupcake creation...

Yummy ice cream cake she requested

Decorating cupcakes to take to small group

Let's see....

Katie reading the box to us! It's made by

Cake Boss from the TLC show.

Skating

Fun Day!

The kids went skating in the front field!

Fun...Fun...Fun!

Jilly & Haley stopped by...

Katie and Daddy having some fun on the ice. Olympics here they come!