Is it spring yet?

Oh my, in the mid-west we hear this question over and over and over again! I think we are finally getting closer to answering "YES!". I love the 4 seasons and like all the others I always look forward to this time of year. So many new things... new tree buds, new flowers, new grass growing, new spring hair-cuts, new wardrobe to pull out, new play areas to explore, new gardens. There is something about the newness in nature that stirs a child's soul. Have you taken the time to watch your little ones explore the great outdoors and all the newness it is to them? One of our favorite things to do is visit a local reserve area. We leave our phones at home and pack a lunch to spend a couple hours exploring the outdoors and all the new beauty there is. Between hiking around, sitting by the water, looking for flowers or tree buds, and listening to the birds and water rush it is one of the most peaceful moments with my children. There is a small door you can walk through between winter and spring (especially if you are in a 4 seasons area) and embrace this moment with your kids! In a busy and fast paced world I just want to encourage you today to take a break, if even only for an hour, and find an outdoor place you can let your kids explore and see. I think your heart will beat slower, your mind will slow down, and your memories will last forever with your new tradition of finding Spring together with your favorite little ones. Yes, I think spring is finally here!

be a giver today

Giving is a gift. I believe a gift for the giver and the receiver. As mothers, we become natural givers. We give the hugs, the smiles, the words, the kisses, the greetings. With our children and hopefully with our husbands this comes pretty naturally for us. Today I encourage you to look past the walls of your home and see who could use a little gift from you as the giver. Your neighbor, a friend, a sibling, a stranger, an old classmate, your kid's teacher, the guy at Walmart?Sometimes the giver needs to say nothing, just be in the presence of another person. One's presence can speak a thousand words. Sometimes giving comes in a package or an outing together or at a table over coffee or over an act of service. Giving can be described in so many ways... giving of your heart, your time, your possessions, your money, your friendship. I have been blessed by many givers in my life. Be a giver today or tomorrow or next week. Giving is good for the heart and soul... all of them involved!

The generous soul will be made rich! proverbs 11:25

dirty laundry

look familiar?

Dirty laundry... it just always piles up. Doesn't seem to matter what sort of system I implement I can rarely stay on top of this chore in my household. Sigh. I have a house cleaning rotation that usually keeps me in some sort of organized chaos each week, but the laundry is one I have yet to conquer! I mean seriously, I swear a dirty laundry elf lives in my basement and stuffs clothes into my hamper when everybody is sleeping at night! The last 6 months or so it's been driving me crazy. I always seem to have either a.) piles of dirty clothes b.) stacks of clothes to be put away or c.) both. Usually the last option, C, wins. Dang it! As I step back and look to see what and where I can make changes I found 1 thing so far... when I get a chance to do laundry the children are always sleeping. Whether it is naps or night time, I usually don't have access to put their clothes away or they sit folded nicely in laundry baskets for awhile before anyone stops to put them away (that anyone person being me). I have a very small laundry room in the corner of my basement and when folded laundry starts to get backed up, then I become slower to wash and fold more because I don't want to deal with finding a place for it until the kids are awake and distracted.
So this awful laundry cycle has gone on and on and I finally had enough. Yes, I may have found a small solution to my laundry issues. I found a cheap, yet sturdy, shelving unit to put in my basement. My laundry room is very small so getting a laundry folding table or adding any sort of cabinet space was out of the picture. This however stands tall and is narrow and just what I'm needing to store "ready to be put away" clothes. No more stacks of clothes on top of my dryer, toilet seat, spare bed, or stairs. No more stacks of clothes just sitting outside bedrooms or besides closets waiting to be put away. This was enough to drive a woman nuts! While it hasn't solved all my clothing issues related to laundry, it's a good start.
I need some more efficient laundry ideas! Seasoned mama's and wives out there or well organized women... what are your laundry cleaning secrets? Are there any? or is dirty laundry a nasty household chore that I will continue to battle with until I'm no longer able to lift my arms to do it myself? Hmmm... doesn't sound all that bad.... or not, just kidding. I appreciate my arms and cleaning clothes abilities. I would love to tweak my skills some though... so come on already... share your tips or suggestions for a fully functioning house equipped to handle the dirty laundry!! :-)

a quick fix!