DAY 31 - HALLOWEEN!

 I think yesterday's post said everything, so today is just about enjoying Halloween.  I'm home trying to keep my crazy dogs calm with the trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell.  I'm also watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"....ah, childhood memories.  Tony took Kyler out to "get lots of candy".  No more cute little boy costumes - this is what "8" looks like around here.

 

 Asher throws a cape on and runs off with a friend.

 Chris....the friend.

Now for the clever costume....do you get it?

 A fork in the road!

That's Colton for you. 

I loved the costume and the photo ops.

 I've titled this one,

"A Fork in the Road, Getting a Hand Up"

Thanks for following along this past month.  Tomorrow continues the adventure of raising boys and enjoying my Suburban Utopia!

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 30 - THE PENULTIMATE POST (for the 31 day series)

I can't believe this month is almost over!  I'm happy I participated in the 31 day series.  I discovered my greatest challenges in life are also my greatest joys.

I realized that all the annoying little changes to my life and schedule over the last 16 years have only changed me for the better.

I've realized that being really tired may just mean you need to shake things up a bit.  (Sometimes it just means that you're really, really tired!)

I've also realized that what you think is frustration may just be sadness that things are changing too fast.  That your babies turned into boys that morphed into young men and you only have 18 months left before the first one leaves the nest. 

 

One of these days you’ll explode and shout to all the kids, “Why don’t you just grow up and act your age!” And they will…

Or, “You guys get outside and find something to do — without hurting each other And don’t slam the door!” And they don’t.

You’ll straighten their bedrooms until it’s all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers in the closet, animals caged. You’ll yell, “Now I want it to stay this way!” And it will…

You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn’t had all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you’ll say, “Now this is a meal for company.” And you will eat it alone…

You’ll yell, “I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming, Do you hear me?” And no one will answer.

No more plastic tablecloths stained. No more dandelion bouquets. No more iron-on patches. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots or rubber bands for ponytails.

Imagine…. a lipstick with a point, no babysitters for New Years Eve, washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree, no car pools, blaring stereos or forgotten lunch money.

No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks, no wet oatmeal kisses, no more tooth fairy, no more giggles in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean.

Only a voice asking, “Why don’t you grow up?” And the silence echoes: “I did”

- Erma Bombeck

I'm so glad I invested in Kleenex, excuse me while I go use some.

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

 

DAY 29 - MONDAY NIGHT

(love all my boys!)

Monday night at our home means Family Home Evening....well, most Mondays.  (curious what Family Home Evening is.....check it out here)  We try to have a lesson (they range from 20 minutes plus to a mere 20 seconds!), an activity (some Mondays that's all that happens), and a treat (that one seems to be close to 100%).  The most important thing to us is to have time with each other.  Something we've tried over the past year, is to start our discussion/lesson at the dinner table.  This has been pretty successful.  Of course, the topic starts out spiritual and then takes several interesting turns that end up as inappropriate conversation. (FUNNY, but inappropriate!)  But that's what comes with living in a frat house an all boy house.

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 28 - TRADITIONS

Fall brings lots of holidays that are full of traditions. In addition to the holidays, we have a fall tradition at church - the Primary Program.  The kids (ages 3-12) sing songs and everyone has a speaking part.  I've always enjoyed watching the Primary Program. (I just didn't realize that it would always make me cry as a parent!)  I'm proud of Kyler for getting up on the stand and singing all the songs.  He also did a great job delivering his part (even though he wouldn't memorize it).  They asked for the adults to comment on the performance and they would read the comments to the children during Primary.  Well, Tony and I let our 16 year-old write the review.  This is what Colton had to say:
Where do I begin?  This program was stellar!  An aging, over-the-top franchise, the Primary Program has been active since the beginnings of the church.  This time, an all-star cast is assembled, along with fresh new faces such as Joey Knight who provided well-timed comic relief, and for once in my life I see a Primary Program revitalized and ready for more.  2013, here I come!

Colton A. Stock, critic/reviewer from Church Events Weekly

P.S. Kyler was so adorable.
Kyler was so embarrassed since they read Colton's review comments, even the P.S.  Thank you, Kyler for another great program!

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 27 - JEWELRY!

This morning I visited a little boutique.  When I found this necklace and earrings, I decided to treat myself.  I really don't buy things for myself that often and it felt so good to pick this up.  Every once in a while we just need to treat ourselves.  It may be some jewelry, a new lipstick, a pedicure, a new book, or going to the movies by yourself.  So every once in a while, go treat yourself!

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 26 - KLEENEX

I finally did it.....went shopping for Kleenex!

 There were lots of designs to check out.

 I was surprised how much purple there was.

 More purple!

 Cute little pocket packs!  Love the packaging.

 So what did I go for....

I just had to go for the best bargain!

6 boxes for $5.24!

And just like that.....I live in a Kleenex home!

(sadly, I think I'm going to have a hard time breaking away from my toilet paper!)

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 25 - BEING IN THE MOMENT

It's not easy to slow down and be in the moment, but that's what I chose for today.  I spent the morning with my husband who isn't feeling well.  Then I was able to go to a park to visit with my friends.  It was just what I needed.

 After picking up kids for school, we all decided to stay outside and play with the neighbors.  Asher even got some bike riding in.

 Colton opted to rest....well, that was after chasing a two year old.

 Here's the two year old and her one year old sister.

 Truthfully, Aubrey was chasing Colton first, then they reversed roles.

 I had to leave our cul-de-sac to take my youngest and his friends to football practice.  This team is really coming together!

While Kyler was practicing, I enjoyed the time to reorganize my thoughts and read a little bit.

Giving myself time to just be was Utopia!

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 24 - FALL TREES

After making the Halloween card, I was ready to work on another project.  I found three styrofoam cones in a dollar store bag and decided to work with those.  After some thought, I came up with this idea - cover them in felt and attach some fall leaves.  I love how they turned out!

 And I'm so happy to get rid of these candles!!!  Truth be told, I've had these candles for over a decade. The color has faded and they are beat up from living around 3 boys.

 Back to the project - I made a template out of a sheet of paper, cut out my three colors of felt, and used straight pins to attach the felt to the cones.  This way, I can redo these for Christmas.

 I folded my edge under and then pinned the entire seam.

 After covered the sides, I cut out a circle and pinned it to the top.  Then grab a few leaves, arrange and pin to the cone.

 I love that they will be displayed for the entire fall.

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 23 - TIME FOR FUN!

 I've been cleaning in my craft room and uncovering lots of goodies.  It's been fun, but crafting would be more fun.  But life is busy.  And I've had lots to do.   Plus, the dishes have created their own city on my counters, my husband is sick and the van is making horrible noises.  I think it's time to let it go and get busy! (you didn't think I meant get busy cleaning, did you?!?)  Let's craft!

I found the template for the card on Mojo Monday.

 All the paper is from my scraps, the stars, spider and banner are clearance stickers from Target last year, and the strip of black & white polka dot under the banner is washi tape from Walmart.  I even used my clear star pen to add some glittery goodness to the outline of the stars and to cover the spider.  Then I used the pink star pen to put a couple of eyes on him.

 Now back to reality.....this is what my kitchen looked like after my boys cleaned it.  Sad and pathetic.  They've been helping with other things around the house and I've been busy tearing apart "dish city".  Enough about real life.....here's the card again.

Now go have some fun!

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAYS 21 & 22 - MY GRAND PLANS

“Do not allow yourselves to be made to feel inadequate or frustrated because you cannot do everything others seem to be accomplishing. Only you and your Father in Heaven know your needs, strengths, and desires. Around this knowledge your personal course must be charted and your choices made.”
― Marvin. J. Ashton 

 

I had grand plans for this month.  I know I started out writing about the little things like a box of Kleenex or lighting scented candles.  But in my mind I had grand illusions of furniture being painted, chandeliers hung, decorations that would be fit for magazines, gorgeous table settings, and equally gorgeous food.   Here I am on Day 22 and I feel like I haven't done enough.  That I haven't really reclaimed anything.  This isn't why I challenged myself to this 31 Day Series.  I wanted to bring some of the joys that I've let go back into my life.  I didn't realize how off course my expectations had become until my Pantry Organization post.  I was so proud of the work I put into getting things organized again.  Then I thought of all the blogs that don't just organize a pantry, they decorate it.  Painting it the most popular color, stenciling, adding the perfect containers with vinyl lettering and topping it off with a chandelier.  (for a pantry, people!)  I started to wonder if I should decorate my pantry.  After a quick evaluation, I decided that I would decorate my pantry.  You know, after my whole home is consistently clean, the closets are reorganized, rooms are decorated as I would like, the trim and interior doors are painted, I've planted a garden, the garage has a good cleaning/purging, all the scrapbooks are caught up, Christmas gifts are bought/wrapped, the winter grass is in, the cars are cleaned and the never ending paperwork in my home is managed.  After making that choice, it wasn't hard to see what was right in front of me.  I see improvement.  I see joy.  I see effort.  I see more concern for me.  I see the priorities in my life were always in line, I just needed to fine tune some details....and maybe hang a chandelier.

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 20 - A LITTLE BREATHER

I love this man!

And I love these boys!

 But mama needs a break!

Thankfully my man took the boys camping.  I went out to lunch with my mom, then we went shopping for a little bit.  We came back to my house to watch a movie.  When it was finished it felt like it was midnight.....it was 6:30pm.  Yes, I'm a crazy woman!  Now I'm trying to stay awake to watch Blue Bloods.  I would love to take a bubble bath, but I've watched What Lies Beneath too many times!  I'm really enjoying the quiet though.  Sometimes a little breather makes all the difference.

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 19 - PANTRY LOVE

 I can't believe I'm sharing these photos, it may be a little too much reality for you.  You see, there's a cycle to the cleanliness in my pantry.  It gets organized, everyone is in and out of it multiple times a day, only mom puts things back where they belong, before long I dread opening the door and then it's time to organize it again.  Today I decided to tackle the job and discovered most of the items weren't in the right place. I mean,  I only filled one bag of trash. (that's a record for me!)

Pantry before

 

 Pantry after

 

Left side before

Left side after

Right side before

Right side after

Back of the door before

Back of the door after

PANTRY LOVE!

Bonus: my man is taking all the man cubs camping tomorrow.  Do you know what this means?!?  The pantry will stay clean for more than one day!!!!!

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.

DAY 18 - YUMMY FOOD, PRODUCTIVE DAY!

I love productive days.  I think I've dealt with 6 loads of laundry, reorganized my pantry, set a pretty table, and made teriyaki chicken & homemade take out noodles.  Such a good day!  I even had the best leftovers for lunch - pork carnitas tacos.  What could make this day better?

 The boys taking care of the dishes!  I only used to let the boys clear the table and put things back in the fridge.  I knew I needed to let them do the dishes, but I didn't want them breaking my dishes.  (which is what I thought would happen if they did dishes since their dad breaks dishes all the time!)  Tonight I just let them take care of things.  Thanks, boys!

 Another productive part of my day is practicing the piano.  I started practicing again in the spring and I'm happy to say I'm making progress.  I generally work on playing hymns, but I think I need to find a different piece to start working on.  I try to play for at least 30 minutes and I'm really enjoying it. 

Big plans are ahead tomorrow....wish me luck as I try to find my desk in the craft room.  I know it's in there somewhere!

You can start on Day 1 here or 

check out the other 31 Dayers here.