The Big Man

"Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys....."

- Author Unknown

My sons are blessed to be surrounded and loved by many "big men".

But there won't ever be any that touch their hearts, hold their hands, put a smile on their face,

and love them as much as their biggest man... daddy. 

Update... 21 Day Organizing Challenge

If you haven't heard I am trying to complete the 21 Day Organizing Challenge.  Check out the link if you are looking for some simple direction on getting organized.  It's simply a check list and you just complete one area a day.  Below are the items I have checked off my list.  WHOOHOO!! 

 

Day 1 - Junk Drawer

Day 2 - Computer Desk

Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet

Day 4 - Linen Closet

Day 5 - Under kitchen sink

Day 6 - Dresser Drawers

Day 7 - The Pantry

Day 8 - Coat Closet

Day 9 - Toy organization

Day 10 - Laundry Room

Day 11 - The Freezer

Day 12 - Spice Cabinet

Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet

Day 14 - Under bathroom sink

Day 15 - Medicine/Vitamin Storage

Day 16 - The Fridge

Day 17 - The Mail

Day 18 - Keepsakes

Day 19 - Master Closet

Day 20 - Photos

Day 21 - You pick!

As you can see, I'm not going in the order of the challenge.  But I'm not sure that really matters, as long as I get the area organized.  Here are some photos from my most recent completions. 

 (I have found it's impossible to just complete that one task on the checklist. 

Example - Organizing the spice cabinet required the entire cupboard to get cleaned/organized.)

 

 

 

Please do not freak out at our toys!  Yes... this is most of them.  There are still some more in the basement but I am not a fan of millions of toys out at a time.  If it doesn't have a place to be stored... it doesn't come upstairs.  I am a huge fan of the Sterilite clear totes pictured above.  (All purchased at Target.)  They fit great underneath kid beds and also in small spots. 

 

One way I have found to not be overwhelmed with toys at holidays and birthdays is to stow away the new toys.  We do not open everything our kids get at parties.  We will open one or two and that will make them happy for days.  The rest get stowed away in closets or the basement.  Then on rainy days or when I need to get a big project done... we go and open a new toy.  Ethan loves it because it's like Christmas all year long.  :)

 

If your taking the Organizing Challenge I'm hoping you are enjoying it!  Happy Organizing!



 

 

My "new" favorite place

Before I go back to work I am bound and determined to get every square inch of my house organized.  Thanks to Pinterest I found this cool blog that is all about organization.  Who knew that people loved organizing that much??  (Thanks to my friend Tonya for pinning this.)

The blog is called a Bowl Full of Lemons.  It has a ton of organizing tips for parts of your life you didn't even think about organizing.  I'm trying to complete the 21 Day Organizing Challenge.   So far I have checked 3 items off of my list.  It's fun because some of these areas I forget about until I go use them... example- the freezer.  I NEVER hardly go down to our basement freezer, so, I'm sure that it is in desperate need of a clean out.

So, I have cleaned and organized every cabinet in my kitchen and it feels GREAT!!  Not only do I have a clean and organized kitchen, I also discovered my new favorite spot.... my kitchen computer desk!!!!  Yes... isn't that crazy?  I've had my computer in the kitchen for a few months as we shuffled bedrooms around for the boys.  And, I have to say that I LOVE having my computer in the kitchen.  I can listen to music, look up recipes, FB while I cook, and so much else.  It's so convenient!  Granted, my new computer only has one cord... I don't think I would have been too fond of putting my old desktop pc, out in the open, with all it's ugly cords.  Now that I'm doing the 21 Day Organizing Challenge I gave this spot a little TLC.  Hung my Ikea rack and buckets for bills and found new art at TJ Maxx.  Check out my hangout below.

Here is a photo of a few places I have organized with the 21 Day Organizing Challenge.

 

If you struggle with knowing where to start when organizing your house... I urge you to look at the 21 Day Organizing Challenge.  Just one area a day.  You can do it!

Stay Sane.  Get Organized.

4 weeks, 30 days, 1 month

No matter how you slice it up... 4 weeks, 30 days, 1 month, 720 hours, 43,200 minutes... our little Isaac Andrew is one month old!  Holy smokes!  Where does the time go?  In the last 30 days we have had a new baby, I turned 27 (ugh!), and we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. August is always a fun month for us! 

I have really enjoyed getting to spend time with both of my boys.  Being the mother of two is not nearly as overwhelming as everyone makes it seem.  I won't deny that I am happy to see my husband at 5pm and love when anyone wants to carry the car seat or hold Ethan's hand, but honestly I am loving it!  Every single minute.  These boys are a blessing.  Ethan is such a helpful big brother!  Sometimes I have to refrain him from kissing Isaac too much... but all in all he is doing wonderful!

Although I am dreading going back to work...  I will say that I sort of miss the challenge of my job.  I miss the problem solving.  I know I will be crying when I have to leave these two at the babysitters in a few weeks... but until then... I'm going to soak up every minute of these two boys and all their love!