Project: Simplify - Hot Spot #4

Pantry and Refrigerator

When I saw this weeks hot spot, I thought, "I have this in.the.bag." You see, we moved just under a year ago and went through the process of clearing out kitchen clutter then and I tend not to keep much more in our fridge and pantry than staples and what we are going to use for meals for the week [I was wrong]. But, I will let the before and after photos do their talking:

For the refrigerator, I was actually a bit shocked at how much was in there and how disorganized it was. I started by taking things out one-by-one until the fridge was empty (I figured this would make me move quickly, so as to get everything back inside in a timely fashion). Frankly, I was appalled and embarrassed at just how dirty the fridge was! I just didn't notice until everything was out. If it was expired/just plain old it was tossed. Then, everything was just categorized and I *gasp* used the crisper drawers for their intended purposes.

The pantry had been organized, at one time, and after a few trips to Sam's Club and an assortment of plastic containers [I am not a clepto, nor did I purchase most of these, they just show up - if they are yours feel free to claim] things just started getting put where I could fit them. So, this is more of a rearrange. The Goldfish and oatmeal found a home in the pantry, instead of with servewear and the Fruit Crisps made their way back to the "food side" of the pantry. Snacky foods were moved to the top shelf and everything else found a more appropriate home.

We also have a lazy Susan cupboard which contains larger items (vinegar, oil, etc) and drink mixes (coffee, tea, hot cocoa). Not much to photograph, though I did come up with a handy little solution for the boxes of drink mix. I had multiple boxes taking up space that just had a packet or two each in them. I found this little stainless steel container to be used by the sink for a sponge/SOS pad, etc. I was not using it so I cleaned it up a bit and put smaller bags of tea and Crystal Light in the front and larger packets of hot cocoa in the back. Much easier to see now (the little packets of Crystal Light were actually a surprise that I found floating loose on the shelf). Little packets of Truvia in a container to the right and coffee accessories in a container to the left.

The spice rack received little to no attention (I basically just turned it all back to facing me so I could read it). I am not much for the kitchen, threw most of our spices out when we moved, and haven't accumulated much since...

I did most of the work on this while the boys napped on Monday (they have been phenomenal nappers this week). I was finishing up after Matthew woke up and I could hear him chatting away in the living room. I peeked in and I found him propped on the couch reading himself a book out loud. MeltMyHeart.

I will be linking up with Simple Mom on Friday, until then, happy reading!

(P.S. Eric, from Words of Williams, guest posted over at Sievers CPA today. Check it out!)

Toddler Tuesday: Brought to you by The Iowa Farmer's Wife

A double whammy today! In case you can't tell, I very quickly whipped up today's post and didn't have much to offer for resources, etc. I do hope to add to that, but what I really wanted to do today was introduce you to The Iowa Farmer's Wife. Adrienne is such an inspiration to me as a mom, and I find so much encouragement from her as she shares her adventures through motherhood. My favorite posts are her Tot School and Muffin Tin Monday posts.

I asked Adrienne to share her methods for planning activities for her toddler, her resources and how she seems to stay so organized! Here is what she had to say...

I decided to homeschool Peyton before she was born, but I wasn't sure when to start, what to use, how to go about it, organization skills. Basically, I was at a loss. Once I entered the blogging world, I found more and more resources and more and more moms who homeschool. I stumbled upon 1+1+1=1 and Confessions of a Homeschooler and they have both been extremely valuable resources. Obviously at 22 months old, our schedule is pretty lax. I don't really have a "set" schedule and we like to get out of the house as much as possible. There is a bit of organization involved, though.

On Sunday evenings I plan what I'd like to cover that week. We've done letter A, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Letter S and winter theme, and a few random themes as well. Some weeks we don't have a theme at all, we just do activities. After I've decided what to do that week, I print out everything I need. I figure out what needs to be laminated and cut and spend about an hour getting all the materials ready. A lot of times I have her "build" something out of paper. This is really a cut and paste activity (me cutting, her pasting), but it involves cutting out shapes and such beforehand. Doing it beforehand allows me to have everything ready and keep her attention. It probably takes me 1 to 3 hours per week of preparation time, but most of that time is spent looking for the things I need on the internet and preparing the materials.

I'll plan out the week with certain activities on each day, but if they don't happen that day I don't stress about it. I also try not to push the activities on her. If she gets disinterested, we move on to something else. Some activities only last 30 seconds, while others keep her busy for 20 minutes. At her age, her attention span isn't long enough to focus for the duration of some activities, but sometimes she surprises me!

Even though we're not technically "homeschooling" her, yet, this really helps me see what I need to do in a few years when we're really doing school. I almost use this as a practice round and look at works for people. I research educational toys and products and get most of our books from the library. Reading is so important and we like to read her an array of books. We also have a devotional book that we read her 2-3 times a week before bed. It has a devotional for letters A to Z and questions that even she can answer. It also has a verse that she repeats after me. I've spent about $30 on educational materials. Confessions of a Homeschooler has a CD of alphabet curriculum and Carisa at 1+1+1=1 has a members only section that I joined.

Other than that, I type what I'm looking for in a search engine and weed through until I find what I'm looking for. It's great reading other blogs of moms with tots because you can find so many neat and creative ideas. Homeschooling your toddler doesn't have to be full of planning and letter-learning activities. Honestly, I try to make sure we color, paint or use markers each day, read a book and get out of the house to do something fun. If I can do those 3 things, I think she's learning something.

Here are a few of the resources we love:

1+1+1=1

Confessions of a Homeschooler

Totally Tots

Itsy Bitsy Printables

File Folder Fun

Christian Preschool Printables

Starfall

Thanks, Adrienne! Head on over to her blog and leave her some love!

Project: Simplify - Hot Spot #3

Hot Spot #3: Kids clothing and toys. Oh my.

I took many, many, many "before" photos and approach this post with accomplishment, though the job is not done. I made it through M's clothing and part of O's. I had somewhat tackled their toys about six weeks ago, but knew the clothing needed to be assessed.

When I knew that I was pregnant with a second boy, I figured I would be stocked with clothing from the hand me downs. But with one winter baby and one summer baby, on the small side and the bigger side, respectively, (okay are you confused now because I just confused myself). All of this to say, I was clueless as to whether or not the boys had clothes in the appropriate sizes for the appropriate seasons.

M's closet before:

A bit overwhelming...

During...

Since I could not easily tackle this project by just locking myself in to their bedrooms, I took the mess to them and while they played, I sorted (and tallied on a handy-dandy little spreadsheet that I created). Anything sized 12-18 month and under went in to a pile for O's closet. Anything sized 3T and higher went to it's own box, clearly labeled with the size {I now know what I have in 3T and 4T tallied so that I don't have to dig through the box until M is that big. If I have my way, he's staying this age/size forever, so no need for bigger clothes anyway.} The 3T and 4T boxes remain in his closet on the top shelf.

M's closet after:

Look at all that roooooooom. Yes. I love empty space. Now, I might just be able to clear the living room of toys. On the left I hung all of M's spring and summer shirts. Middle, sweatshirts {I was sincerely hoping to just pack those away for the season, but alas it appears to be winter-ish outside again}. On the right, long sleeved shirts, polos and button up shirts and the cutest little Easter outfit combo, ever. Also on the right you can see some of the toy organization that began prior to Project: Simplify. I am hoping to get in to the habit of when one toy comes out the other goes away but who am I kidding?

Now for M's dresser.

Before:

This was such a mess. I happened to e-mail Kelsey (from Snappy Casual) about something totally unrelated and mentioned that after sorting through this mess I was going to 30 x 30 my children. {I was kidding, sort of.} Items in the top drawer were: Lil Swimmers, onesies ranging in size from 18 to 24 month, pajamas and socks. Middle drawer: more Lil Swimmers ranging in size from S - L and shorts ranging from 12 months to 3T (uh, how in the world was I planning on dressing this boy appropriately this summer?!). Bottom drawer: pants ranging from 18 months to 4T. Same as the closet anything 12-18 month and under went to O's room and anything 3T and 4T went to it's respective box.

M's dresser after:

Bliss.

Now to find the opportunity to finish O's bedroom and then sort through the bins of children's clothing in the basement! Wowzers. I will save those before photos for a post where I have after photos to show for it!

I was pleased to be able to continue setting aside items to donate. In the past I have always felt this deep need to hang on to stuff because I would never know when the boys would need it. After doing this I have realized that they have more than enough. Mostly because we have been so blessed with generous hand-me-downs and gifts {so, if you are reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart for blessing my boys!!!} and some from clearance racks that I simply cannot resist.

Can I just talk for a brief moment about how frustrating children's clothing sizes are? Why some are labeled 0-3 months and then some are just labeled 3 months but then the next piece is labeled 3-6 months. For the organizationally challenged {ahem, that's me} WHERE DO I PUT THE 3 MONTH PIECE? I made the executive decision that anything labeled with just one number gets put with the smaller pieces. Thus, 3 month pieces went into piles with 0-3 months, but could we all just get on the same page here? :)

What are you talking about, Mom?

15 Minute Organization: My Binder

I have been on an organizing kick finally lately. I am in simplify mode, which is the product of a myriad of things: the feeling of calm when things are clearly in their place and easy to find, the desire to be rid of physical clutter, and our journey through financial peace. Simplicity. Clarity. Call it what you will, but I have made it a habit these last couple of weeks to spend at least 15 minutes a day organizing. And, I might just blog about it.

Note: For any online resources that I have used, I will list links at the bottom of the post.

Allow me to introduce you to "My Binder":

Just a simple three-ring binder. In the left pocket goes anything that needs immediate attention as well as postage stamps for bills (as you will see, this makes perfect sense)... On the right you will find the Daily Docket (c/o SimpleMom.net). You are seeing a blank version of the daily docket, but I stick about 14 of these dockets at the front of the binder, before any of the tabs, and I try to spend 15 minutes filling this out for tomorrow at the very end of the day. It is like a dumping ground for everything jumbling my brain. I honestly believe it helps me to sleep better at night and I know that it allows me to process all of the incoming information a little bit better *wink*.

Allow me to introduce you to "My Tabs":

There are eight tabs (2 are unmarked at the moment, because I am trying to make sure they work for me). Each tab has a pocket, which is really handy so that I don't have to take the time to 3-hole-punch everything.

 

Tab 1: Pay Period 1 & Tab 2: Pay Period 2
We get paid twice/month. We have our cash flow spreadsheet complete each month. When paper bills arrive in the mail I double check our spreadsheet and place the bill in whichever pay period it has been allocated towards. On payday-Friday I head to that pocket, remove the bills, write checks and grab a stamp from the front pocket of the binder. Then, the bill is moved to either tab 6, 7 or 8.

Tab 3: Budget Committee
We are back in habit of meeting weekly to discuss our budget and cash flows. Speaking for myself, when we sit down to share our thoughts with each other and discuss cash flows, I think better on paper. I print out two copies of our cash flow spreadsheet and we talk through the topics at hand for the week. If anything is going to change significantly, we will sit down at the computer with the spreadsheet at hand. The "VIP Seating" signs were on our seats at Dave Ramsey Live and are just kind of a fun reminder of the event and help to keep the discussion light-hearted. Any notes that we write during the meeting go into this pocket.

Tab 4: Upcoming Trips
I found a great Road Trip Packing List on the SimpleMom.net site and since we travel to see my sister and friends quite often, I thought this would be a great list to keep on hand. I have not labeled this tab yet, as I am not sure if this is going to be as necessary as I believe it to be. Keeping my options open here.

Tab 5: Inspiration
As we travel along the road to financial peace, I cannot help but dream of our future home. Right now we are renting and I'll be honest: I really despise the paint colors on the walls. I despise the carpeting. I want to hang things on the walls. I want to change the curtains. I want. I want. I want. But, there is a roof over our heads and we have more than enough. I digress. My inspiration folder contains things that I find that spark my interest for someday. Be it for finding "the look for less" or how I want my future home to look. Pictured is the most recent J. Crew catalog. I am loving the outfits, my envelope is not. I am loving the color combinations in general. Great inspiration for not only clothing but also home decor (someday).

Tab 6: To Be Filed
Pretty self-explanatory, I'd say.

Tab 7: 2011 Tax
Any of the paper bills from Tabs 1 and 2 that pertain to tax go to this folder. Or, if I pay something online that is tax related I will print a copy and stick it in this pocket and on filing day it will go to the appropriate slot in the larger 2011 tax file.

Tab 8: Sievers CPA
I am terrible about receipts. So, as soon as I get home, if I have purchased anything related to my business I try to stick the receipt there immediately. Also, I do a lot of online postage label printing, I put those receipts in there immediately. Any paper work that comes in from a client goes straight to this folder until I have time to work through it and appropriately file.

That's my binder system, in a long-winded nutshell. It is working for me. I am loving it. What is your system? Any organizing tips for me? Staying organized is not my forte {and I think my husband would agree}, but I am working on it {hopefully my husband would agree}!

Resources:
Road Trip Packing List 
Daily Docket
Cash Flow Planning Forms

Toddler Tuesday: Toys, Toys, Toys

Lately it seems toddler toys have been on my mind! It's funny how toys that we brought back out for Owen suddenly sparked Matthew's interest. And, I have heard over and over "Box up half of your kids toys and put them in storage and then rotate them in and out of the toy collection. They will think it's brand new all over again." Mid-winter it finally hit, there was TOO MUCH STUFF. Too much that flashed and made obnoxious noises. Too much that simply required the wee ones to just push a button. Too much that they were just ignoring all together.

I found a large clear plastic bin and started boxing up toys. In went: the barn that Matthew was constantly pulling apart in to pieces and then crying about once he had demolished it {there is so much frustration in the life of a two-year-old, why add to it?! Maybe when he is five he will appreciate the barn}; the light up and make too much noise Camaro {a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do, he hasn't missed it yet}; you get the drift.

This all got me to thinking about the childrens' toys that I like the best. What are the toys that I think have really taught Matthew more than to push a button to make a light flash? One in particular is my favorite {I bought it from Discovery Toys through Kari}. Without further ramblings, I introduce you to:

The Discovery Toys Giant Pegboard. {Photo via discoverytoys.com}

This pegboard has been so instrumental in teaching Matthew about numbers, colors and fine motor skills. Many times I just set up the board and then sit across the room from it and ask Matthew to bring me a red triangle, blue circle or a green hexagon, etc.  It is so fun to praise him when he gets it right. Now I ask Matthew to tell me the shapes as I point to them. He just loves to sort the shapes and stack them all together. Just the other day I walked in to the room and he had attempted one very tall tower with all of the pieces.

Another activity that I have tried with this pegboard was to take a shoe string and teach Matthew how to string the pieces together. He did not enjoy that activity and was very upset. I think we'll wait a while on that one!

If you had to pick one toddler toy, which would be your favorite? My first runner-up to the peg board is play-dough!

.blessed.: Gorgeous day...

.blessed.: Gorgeous day...: "Today was perfect. It started out with a thunderstorm and then turned into a perfect sunny day! We celebrated 60 years of marriage for Jon's..."

.blessed.: an old video...

.blessed.: an old video...: "Today I was uploading a cute video of Matthew and his uncle playing at the Hickory Garden and found this in my You Tube account and it is ju..."

Project: Simplify - Hot Spot #2

Paper Clutter

As I noted on Monday, I was not super excited about this hot spot, because it's the one thing that stays on my to-do list and transfers from week to week and I just straight-up avoid. I am drafting this post on Wednesday night, to have it ready for Friday {when I will link up to the Simple Mom}. So, I have made it almost all of the way, but as soon as I thought I was done I found a couple more spots of paper clutter that I forgot to address! It is my goal to finish that as soon as possible. Without further delay, I will show you what I did accomplish, and I'm feeling oh so good about it!

When we first moved in to this house, this cabinet in the kitchen was the catch all for all mail that came in, because of course I cannot have it sit on the counter. But, it quickly got to the point that coupons were thrown in to the middle of a mail stack and then the mail was piled so high with cookbooks and directories that eventually it became dangerous to think of opening that cabinet door. Inspired by Sunny Side Up's post on paper organization, I created Jon and I each an inbox. How quickly mine got taken over by all kinds of RANDOM stuff.

The yellow areas indicate trouble spots. My inbox. My coupon holder and the little container for loose coupons. The first thing I did was dump all of the coupons in that box in the garbage. My friends, those coupons dated back to 2006. The loose coupons entered the "take action" bag. Most everything in my inbox founds its way into the big box of paper as I went around the house and collected all of it. What remains is a notebook with all of our imporant "if something happens to me, here's the notebook of everything you need to know" information. Return address labels, Owen's month to month photo cards, and a little treat for M that came in the mail today and I didn't want him to see. My coupon box has only a few coupons in it that I know I will use and they are alphabetized by brand.

The thing I love about these inboxes: When I get the mail each day I immediately sort. Junk to the trash. Bills to my binder {I will post on this soon!}. All other mail is divied up between either Jon or my inbox. Mail build-up is no longer an issue.

 

I keep a small file box at my desk. The main purpose for this is that I keep all of our filing in the basement. The house that we are renting does not have a good space for filing upstairs, so the basement is our best option. With two tots running/crawling around it is not that often that I make it down there, especially when I am needing to file something. I also file quite a bit of paperwork for my business and clients and needed something that would always be right next to me. The box was turning into a place to just stash all loose paperwork and was not ending up in proper file folders. Some of the file folders were too full and contained 2010 tax information and needed a new home. As you can see in my after picture I have simplified {ooh yes... that was the point, right?} this filing box. I was able to do so because I have moved some of this paper work over to my binder system.

I found the bottom of my computer monitor to also be having a problem. It was breaking out. In sticky notes. It was gross. So, I gave it a facial. Mac's have sticky note widgets. So, I transferred all of my hand-written stickies to electronic stickies. Now, the key is to remember they are there. Check back with me on that.

I also went through every.single.file in our basement and ended up with a whole trash bag full of recyclable paper and a box full of paper work to be shred. Then I organized our files in to three drawers: 1) Personal 2) My business files 3) Past tax returns and supporting documentation. I used a fourth drawer for supplies. This freed up an entire two-drawer filing cabinet. Right now it is empty with the exception of four folders. I am going to use both for my scrapbooking and start organizing my projects in to different folders to make it quicker to scrapbook on the go and have all of my projects together. {Yeah, check back with me on that, too. I like to dream big.} I took before and after photos, but they were really nothing special. And being that it is late, my contacts are dry, and I need to respond to a few e-mails... I wish all of my fellow simplifiers luck!

Twenty-eight...

Yesterday I turned twenty-eight-years-old. I like that. Twenty-eight.

In this, my 29th year of life, I know that to a lot it makes me the "baby in the group". I will take the "you're only 28?" comment as a compliment. As well as the "you're so young". I get that a lot it seems. I'll soak it up while I can.

Though, lately, I have been noticing the wrinkles around my eyes becoming more defined by the day, along with the jiggle in my thighs. Ha!

I have lived a very blessed twenty-eight years. And, because of that I thought I would share twenty-eight reflections (in no particular, but somehow related, order):

1. Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Suess
2. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.- Ephesians 4:29
3. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.- James 1:19-20
4. Don't take yourself too seriously.
5. Give grace. You never know when your smile might turn someone else's day around.
6. Consider your words. Once you say them, you cannot take them back.
7. Someday, when I am old, I will probably regret wearing heels. Until then, I will wear them every opportunity I can.
8. Be on the same page as your spouse. Discuss your dreams and goals. Talk about money. Plan for the future. Teach your children fiscal responsibility.
9. What you think about, you bring about. 
10. You become who you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with loving, positive people.
11. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold. {Cue the Girl Scouts "I've got something in my pocket, it goes across my face. I keep it very close at hand, in a most convenient place. I bet you'll never guess it if you guessed a long, long while. So, I'll take it out and put it on it's a great big Brownie smile!" Cherie, if you are reading this, I thought of you when I wrote this.}
12. Exercise. It's one decision you make that you won't regret.
13. You make time for the things that are important to you.
14. Never stop educating yourself.
15. Don't watch too much television news. You'll just end up depressed.
16. Wait for it to go on sale. It always does. 
17. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21 & Luke 12:34
18.  Fail forward. 
19. Read the Bible.
20. Happiness is in a mug of warm coffee. {Just kidding. Kind of.}
21. Pray.
22. Learn to laugh at yourself.
23. What you worry about at the age of 18 will long be forgotten. (Reminder for myself ten years from now. When I turn 38, will I remember what I was worrying about at 28?)
24. Snuggle babies. They are only little for the blink of an eye. 
25. Travel. God's miracles are found in hiking through the Rocky Mountains, standing on the coast, touring cathedrals in Europe...
26. Your toddler will tell you exactly what you say and how you say it. Guard their hearts.
27. Stay in touch with your extended family. Life is short.
28. Blog or journal. Write down your ideas. Share your ideas with others, let them make your ideas better.

Toddler Tuesday: Good Reads on Parenting

Moms, Aunts, Teachers, Caregivers, what are your favorite books on parenting?

When I was pregnant with Matthew I heard John MacArthur on the Family Life radio program. I had not intentionally tuned in to the program, it just happened to be on when I started the car and it caught my attention immediately. If you've not heard John MacArthur speak before, I almost always learn something new. If you have not heard of Family Life before, I think it's great. Check them out!

MacArthur was speaking on Christian parenting, and at the end of what he had to say the Family Life program endorsed his book, "Successful Christian Parenting" now titled "What the Bible Says About Parenting: Biblical Principle for Raising Godly Children". And, oh my word, I think it.is.so.good. A bit convicting and just good.

Another favorite is "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secrets of Man's Soul" by John Eldredge. Even if you are mom to girls and not boys, this book was a great read. Though, as a mom of two boys, it has changed my approach to their behavior and understanding what lies deep in their heart and how God wired their brains. It's good stuff.

Another favorite of ours is "Unplugged Play". It is exactly what it sounds like a book chalk full of ideas, for various age ranges, of games that can be played that do not involve batteries, plug-ins, flashing lights and noise. They are games that enhance imagination and typically involve all sorts of items you already have around the house.

I have also really been wanting to read "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp and "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" by Harvey Karp. Have you read them? What did you think?

Any suggestions?

{All of the links to book titles, above, are through Amazon. 

I have no affiliation with Amazon, it was just an easy search engine to create the links.}

Project: Simplify - Hot Spot #1.5

I started Simple Mom's Hot Spot #2 today, and came across a few things that really just blew me away...

When I saw the hot spot for the week this morning I was kind of disappointed scared. Didn't really want to tackle it. Then I found these things, and a few other goodies. To be continued on Friday... Tune in.

.blessed.: Eight months... and feisty.

.blessed.: Eight months... and feisty.: "So, this is how my 'photo shoot' with O went. He would not sit still, every time I would pose him with the sign he would dive for it and put..."

Project: Simplify - Hot Spot #1

It's time! Over at Simple Mom it is Project: Simplify time! Week #1's hot spot is your wardrobe and closet. This was actually kind of exciting because I had already started setting aside items for Goodwill during the 30 x 30 challenge. Also, since we will very likely be moving out of this house mid-May, it is so helpful to have the motivation to really "clean house" and be taking stuff to Goodwill now, instead of last minute.

Simple Mom's instructions were to have two boxes as you began your closet clean-out; one labeled "give" and the other labeled "toss". The "toss" box was for items that were stained and/or torn and, of course, the "give" box is for items that you would donate. The main thing that I focused on this week was zero hesitation. We were assigned to try on every piece of clothing and make a decision. Lucky for me, there were already pieces that I knew I wanted to donate, so I did not try those pieces on. The rest I gave about ten seconds of thought and if any part of me thought "just donate it", I did. I cheated and added another box and pile of clothing: "sell" and "6 mo.", respectively.

The "sell" box is a product of the Dave Ramsey inside of me, trying to finish Baby Step #2, yelling "sell so much stuff your kids think they're next!" There are only about two pieces of clothing in there along with some jewelry. The "6 mo." pile is two pairs of jeans that I really want to fit back in to {this weird thing happens after two babies... my weight returned to pre-baby but the shape of my body is completely different and dang it if I won't fit in to those jeans again}. I dated the post-it and if they don't fit by that date I have to say "buh-bye" to them.

Two final notes before posting the before and after photos: 1) This project was for our portion of the closet/wardrobe, not for the hubs or the kiddos. So, as much as it pained me to only organize "part" of the closet/wardrobe, it is now on my future to-dos to organize the rest. 2) The closet in the master bedroom of this house is weird. on either side the closet extends past the opening on the wall and your clothing is almost buried and difficult to get at and reach. The sliding doors also make it impossible to view your entire closet at once. Not something that is ideal, but since the house does not belong to us, we don't change it. That is actually one huge benefit to renting a house, I now know what I'm not looking for.

 

There is one, awkward, closet in our master bedroom, that Jon and I share. Since he has to dress up every day, his suits and dress clothes take priority in the closet, if you will. However, the left side of the closet is the only space for longer hanging clothes. Since it is difficult to get to the clothes that are hidden behind the wall, back there you will find the veil from my wedding, a cocktail dress {that I am dying to find an excuse to wear again} and some casual dresses/long shirts. 

Now that I am posting photos I realize my before and after shots of the left side of the closet made it a bit difficult to compare, but I removed stray hangers, donated a bridesmaid dress (it was super cute, but the idea here was to simplify) and a few other dresses. The floor on that side was my catch-all for shoes, purses, etc. I gave everything a home and then used the basket for empty hangers.

I also occupy the bottom right of the closet, or at least part of it. The before and after photos on the right side of the closet do not really look all that different. Aside from the hubs's dress pants I did donate a LOT of clothing from this side. Here's the empty hangers as proof:

I also chose to organize my jewelry. I had the majority of my jewelry in a hanging organizer, sandwiched into the closet. It just wasn't feeling ideal, and I had some empty cases from Hobby Lobby (left over from my Mary Kay days) and decided to try a new method of organization for the jewels:

I did not take before and after shots of my dresser drawers, mainly because they were already organized. I just purged the contents, because again, the key was to simplify. I do not need more sweatpants than there are days in the week. And, if I wouldn't leave the house in them, why are they there? I don't need three pairs of khaki dress pants. There were also clothes that I just knew didn't fit right. They were cute... But they were those pieces of clothing that you know don't fit right, know aren't comfortable, but you keep trying anyway... Yeah, you can find those at the local Goodwill now! Oh, and some swimsuits that I hadn't worn in a while... When I got those out, the elastic made a "crunch" sound. Those went in the toss box.

{No, we don't buy seafood in bulk. It's a Costco box...}

God's Plan Does Not Have Coincidence...

But it does have free will.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." - Romans 8:28

During this past week, our family experienced loss. My uncle passed away, suddenly. He was a husband, a son, a brother, a father, an uncle, a "Papa", and very much a friend to so many. The pastor at his service delivered a message about salvation. He talked of Jesus meeting us and walking us through the valley of the shadow of death. Then he read from John 14:1-6

'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.'

Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' 

Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

I was thinking these last couple of days, there are so many coincidences. A coincidence that my mom and dad met through my uncle and had nearly crossed paths so many times before they did. What a coincidence that in college Jon and I had so many mutual friends but did not meet until our senior year. What a coincidence that _________. I feel like I am always saying, "what a coincidence!"

Those coincidences lead me to thinking about God's perfect timing. Nothing is a coincidence. The people that we meet in life and who impact us and touch are hearts are all placed there in God's perfect timing. He uses us to impact people that we may never even meet. But I really started thinking, "what if the decisions we make screw up God's perfect timing". I've been through that feeling in my gut many times and am always humbled back to the fact that I am human. I have absolutely no ability to screw up the plan of the Almighty Father. The Master Creator. He knew that I would be a sinner. He knows the exact day, hour, minute and second. He knows the depths of my heart and HE knit me together in my mother's womb. He knew I would be faced with decisions and He gave me the free will to make them on my own. Enter Satan, sin, regret, pain. Enter Jesus, repentance, reconciliation to the Father, and forgiveness. We can, and oh so likely will, continue to sin and screw up. To hurt ourselves, to hurt others, to fail to see what God has placed in front of us to do. But, we can seek His counsel, He left us His words through the Bible. If we turn to the Lord, if we accept God's sacrifice of his only son, He wipes away the past, if we ask for forgiveness and truly repent God will work it all together for the good of those who love Him. 

Nothing is a coincidence. He picked the date of our birth. He picked the date of our death. He knew that we would grieve, mourn, cry, and doubt. But He also knew that we would laugh, rejoice, and celebrate.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

There are things that I see the people I love going through that hurt. It breaks their hearts, and hurts to the core. And we can't understand. We say, "that's the first thing I am going to ask about when I get to heaven. I want to understand why I {he/she} is experiencing this, because it doesn't seem right."

I want those answers, but I think when we get to heaven we are going to be too busy to ask those questions. I think we'll be a bit pre-occupied with singing with choirs of angels. Hurriedly helping Jesus make sure that the rooms he has prepared for our loved ones are ready. Soaking up the comfort of resting in the arms of the Lord. 

I think a lot about how I want the people that I love so much to get to heaven before I do because I don't want to miss them if I get there first. The truth is, we will not feel that empty emotion in heaven. And when we get there, we won't have to wait very long for them to join us because life on earth is truly a blink of an eye. We are here to let the light of Jesus shine, because HE is the way, the truth and the life.

Toddler Tuesday: To be continued...

Just a quick note! I really wanted to keep up on the Toddler Tuesday posts. I had some ideas for this week's post, but am unexpectedly out of town.

SO!

If the two of you that read my blog want to offer up some ideas for future posts, I'd love your comments and suggestions!

(Oh, and what good is a post without a picture?)

Book Review: Your Money God's Way

The most recent book that I received from Thomas Nelson (complimentary for review) was Your Money God's Way: Overcoming the 7 Money Myths That Keep Christians Broke by Amie Streater. Given our current journey through Financial Peace I was thrilled that this book was a selection for review. It did not disappoint. While it is similar to the Dave Ramsey materials that I have read, the book takes on a different format that may be easier for some to relate to.

Book Description (via Thomas Nelson)
“Amie Streater…delivers a powerful message of common sense and biblical wisdom that today’s churchgoers desperately need.” - Dave Ramsey
Readers discover the seven "counterfeit convictions" that keep them broke and encounter proven plans for getting out of debt, building wealth, and finding financial peace.

Money habits. Where do they come from? Can you pinpoint when you started shopping to feel better, why you can’t usher grown children into financial independence, or why saving for the future is a priority in theory but not in practice?

Amie Streater, associate pastor of financial stewardship for the 10,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, has been there. From her own experience, she knows what it’s like to look at an impossible pile of bills and a pile of toddlers wrestling in the next room. In Your Money God's Way, empowered by her own incredible journey to financial freedom, she leads readers to the dream of mastering their finances. She also expertly uncovers seven “counterfeit convictions” Christians believe that hinder their personal finance success.

Some of the statements Streater makes in the introduction kept me glued right away, because they are things that I struggle with and can identify with:

...We have to break free from our bad habits if we want to walk in freedom. How true, not only of financial habits, but so many other areas of life.

Referring to those in financial distress... A tendency to blame God for our own impulsive behavior. Have you ever done that? No? Oh yeah, me neither.

And going along with everything we learned in FPU, Your wealth - or lack thereof - is a direct result of the decisions you have made regarding every dollar that has passed through your hands. [my emphasis]

Streater tackles many of the "counterfeit convictions" that we believe, as Christians and combats them with "Timeless Truth". I need scripture to back up what authors say about money. Streater does just that with the "Timeless Truth". She also warns against misunderstanding and misapplication of scripture. In my opinion, also very important. She says not taking the time to read and understand the Bible, to pray its promises over your life and your family, and to seize the power that lies within it is like walking to work when you have a Porsche in the driveway. You may eventually get to your office, but when you do, you will be tired, dirty and too strung out to get any real work done.

She spends a great deal of time on giving back. Streater seems a credible source on this topic, given that her own path to conquering debt lead her to become the associate pastor of financial stewardship for a 10,000 member church. She gives so many real life examples and feel that no matter where you are at in life and your current situation you can find a way to relate.

I'd love to give my copy away... but I underlined, starred, circled, took notes, dog-eared pages, you name it. This one's a keeper! Keep your eye out though, maybe there will be a give away coming up soon!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wordless Wednesday

Okay, a few words. I need to say that this pictures just makes me happy. 

I took it with my phone. Camera phones are so slow. They were both looking at me at one point. 

Happy to have health back in check.

Happy to be out of the house.

Happy to buy in bulk. 

There is just something about buying in bulk that is exciting. Maybe it's knowing that I filled up a cart with things that I won't need to shop for again for at least six months. Woot!

Happy to see the brother bond continue to grow.