Friday, July 25, 2008

Flylady, Welcome to our home.


We all at one point in our lives leave our mother and father's home and set out to make our own home only to find we are left with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living area, porch, closet, and sometimes even a backyard to CLEAN. How does this happen? What are we to do? And then as we add a husband, a child, and then more children to the mix we are left with less and less time on our hands but yet the expectation is still lingering.


In this housekeeper's continued effort/struggle to make her home welcoming, comfortable, and full of grace I have found a little helper. Introduced to me by several of my friends, I began using Flylady about two months ago. Now, you may ask why I have waited so long to make this post. It is merely because I have a tendency to jump right into something only to fall off within a week or two. But not this time ladies. Nope, I have kept going and it has been wonderful for our family. It is easy enough that even I am still at it. She can help you keep up with the general maintenance of your home, get you started in decluttering all those piles laying around, and have you ready for company with minutes notice. No joke, in our efforts to rent out our house a couple of weeks ago (long story short...we are not moving) I got a phone call from someone looking to rent and was ready within 30 minutes to show the house. Now having received the phone call early one morning while mowing the yard and being the mother of two children...that is a miracle!

She will start you out by Shining your Sink. I did this and have posted this picture to show you what a difference her ideas made. Can you tell which side has been shined!? :) Try it out! Our home really does stay more tidy and clean. And her methods don't make me feel like I'm always cleaning. There are tasks that she mentioned that I did not even know I was suppose to be doing. Go figure. My husband loves it! In fact, he is asking where to find this "Flyguy". Someone to remind him about those regular manly jobs...oil changed, hammering loose nails on the deck, yard work... We'll see.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Happy 1st Birthday Nathan!

Enjoy a little song and dance from the birthday boy!

(Thanks Nana and Grandpa for the great card.)

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Nathan and Jack Turn One

Jack is one. Nathan is on his way. Kedra and Carey decided to pool their resources and creative abilities and throw these gentlemen a joint birthday party, since their birthdays are so close together.

The theme... The Old West. Click on the picture to begin the slide show where you will be treated to Johnny Cash's Don't Take Your Guns to Town. Though the song tells of a sad ending for its character Billy Joe, we couldn't resist it... for these were hard, rugged times--suitable only for hard, rugged men.


Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click to Play

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Marshman's

We have new friends in the Marshman's, a family of three--soon to be a family of four-- from California who have made their way to Southern Seminary. Great people. And Jeff happens to be an excellent photographer as well. After a few brief pointers from him, I feel like I own a new camera. Evidently, those numbers on the screen and when you look through the lens actually mean something. Check out some of his work here, where you will find some great shots from Thursday's party at the zoo.

Tory

The Party


Alas, Abigail's long anticipated "Monkey Birthday" arrived. The girl has been talking about it for about the last 6 months... If I may brag on my wife for a moment, she really puts together a good party. The kids had a fantastic time.  For those with a weak stomach, rest assured that the brown thing on the plate is not a real monkey head, but one that was sculpted by Kedra and Carey out of cake:










Monday, June 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Abigail!

We were so excited to celebrate Abigail's 3rd birthday yesterday. I have to say that this is one her funnest yet. She is getting to the age that she understands what is going on and that it is her special day. Unfortunatley, I don't think that she will feel her birthday is complete until she gets her "monkey birthday" which will come at the zoo later this week. Until then we will be bike riding like there's no tomorrow. Enjoy some pics of her day.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Dollhouse Days


We played doll house the other day, well actually we play almost everyday but this day was special. Abigail never ceases to amaze us with her comments. Here's a little clip from this particular dollhouse moment. Daddy, Abigail, and Nathan are played by myself and Abigail is Mommy of course. Here it goes...

Baby Nathan cries, "WaaaaWaaaaWaaa". Mommy (played by Abigail) runs to get Baby.

Abigail wails in pain, "WAAAAAA". Mommy runs to console Abigail.

Daddy cries out, "MOM? MOM? Can you help me a second?"

Playing Mommy and hands spilling over with dollhouse people, Abigail turns to me with a frazzled look and says, "Oh no, there's too many kids!!!"

So here's a tribute to all the mom's out there who see these dollhouse moments on a day to day basis and thrive.