Help Me!

I have never been a very organized person.  When I was younger my room was always messy  a complete disaster.  The ironic part of this, is that clutter and disorganization drive me batty.  I seriously cannot think clearly when things are a mess.  But for some reason I just can't seem to figure out a system.  I try, I really do.  I bought little baskets for our "junk" drawer.  I organized it but it always gets super messy again.  I organize my pots and pans cabinets and two weeks later they are cluttered and it's dangerous to open them again.  And don't even get me started on the pantry, fridge, and my craft closet.

 

I need your help!  I know some of you are awesomely organized.  Help a sister out.

 

I'm thinking the first place I want to start is with a cleaning schedule.

 

Did anyone see this on FB?  This is me to a T!

So what's your schedule?  Or how did you come up with one?  Be specific!  Talk to me like a 5 year old.  I'm slow. :)

 

Also, meal planning.  I've tried it and yet I keep failing miserably.  How do you do it?  Do you have a system?  HELP!

 

Quick Takes

 

1. I made my first trip EVER to Hobby Lobby on Tuesday.  I didn't think we had any down here but I was wrong.  There is one about 30 minutes away.  I know that sounds far but I have to drive into the next town to go to Joann's or Michaels and that's also 30 minutes away.  Where I live you just get used to driving everywhere.  Anyway, it's the opposite direction of where I usually go - but whatever.  I was so worried that it wouldn't live up to what I built it up to in my mind.  Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!  I had to seriously restrain myself in there.  So much awesomeness in one place.  I'll be going back very, very soon!

2.  After spending a ridiculous amount of time in HL, Mary-Grace was telling me how hungry she was.  Well, telling me in toddler speak which involves signing more rapidly while saying "eat!" over and over again.  So I decided what the heck!  I took her to Chick- Fil-A and figured we'd just round out our day supporting Christian businesses.

3.  We also made a pit stop at Target where I successfully chased down my toddler who took her shoes off and ran while I simultaneously nursed Hannah in her ring sling.  This probably wouldn't have been so hard with an infant.  But an almost 18 pound, 29 inch, 9 month old...um not so simple.  I may have pulled a muscle.

4.  Well of course the above trip to HL resulted in some crafting (duh!).  I have been searching all over creation for burlap ribbon and I finally found it!  And to make it even better, it was 1/2 off!  So, that with a wire wreath form, some silk flowers, and an "M" I already had, I created this wreath for our front door. Please excuse the crappy iPhone pictures. :)

 

 

 

The only think that would make it better is cotton bols rather than the hydrangeas.  But maybe a certain blogger buddy who also happens to love cotton will stick a few in the mail for me.  Hint! Hint! ;)

I also did these...

I actually got the frames from Ikea for $2 a piece.  I got the paper and the "M" from HL and decided not to put the glass on the frames.  Right now they are on our TV stand, but once we finish painting they will be hanging on the wall.

5.  Speaking of painting.  The color of the inside of my house was driving me nuts.  It was a very pale green and I was just sick of it.  I decided awhile back I wanted to paint (like before I was pregnant with Mary-Grace).  Well, I finally got Kevin on board with it.  It took FOREVER for me to pick a color.  We had sample paint spots all over our walls for the longest time.  A few weeks ago we finally made a decision and I have been very, very slowly working on getting this place painted.  Let me just say, painting your house when you have to very young babes is insanity at it's finest.  I'm not sure we're ever going to finish.

6.  The pictures from above are from a family photo session we got on groupon and had taken back in November.  It was our first professional pictures since our wedding.  We were so pleased with how they turned out!  Here's a sampling onslaught...

 

 

 

 

7.  That's all she wrote folks! I'll leave you with this picture of my baby girl acting like a big girl.

Why is she standing? Where is my baby? Waaaaa!

Why I Love My Husband

* I can't get the cute picture to load so just pretend it's right here.  And go visit Kaitlin for more "Why I Love My Husband!

 

 

 

 

He tells me I'm beautiful and that he thinks I'm sexy every.single.day.  I know this sounds like it's no big deal, but to me it really is.  I've always had self-esteem issues.  Even when I was scary small and very underweight.  Well, hormone issues and two babies in 12 months have not helped that at all.  I'm far above a weight I'm comfortable with and it's not coming off.  It doesn't seem to matter what I eat.  Super healthy?  Doesn't budge.  Not so healthy?  Doesn't budge.  I'm assuming breastfeeding has a bit to do with it.  Or so I keep reading.

 

He listens to me complain about it regularly and just reminds me that I am beautiful and that he thinks I'm sexy.  Sexier than I was when I was skinny.

 

And to make it sweeter, he told me to go get the gym membership I've been wanting.  I'm super excited to drop the girls off at the gym daycare for an hour a few days a week and get my heart pumping a bit.  Even if I don't lose a single pound, I know I'll be stronger and healthier.  Woot!

New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

 

Am I the only one happy to see 2012 go?  Don't get me wrong, they year wasn't all bad.  We did welcome our sweet Hannah.  But man, oh man, was it a tough year!  I'm praying 2013 goes a little smoother.

 

I'm not usually one to make resolutions.  I feel like no matter what, I break them a week into it.  Well this year I've decided to change that.  I'm making several resolutions because I've got some serious work to do here.

 

1. Keep my resolutions. :)

2. Get organized!  Our life needs some serious organization.  I'm working on filing important papers, cleaning out closets, rooms, the garage, etc.  It's much needed and it feels so good to de-clutter.

3. Revamp the budget and stick with it.

4. Get out of debt!  We were able to refinance our house at a much lower interest rate in December and K got a pretty dang good Christmas bonus (much to our surprise!) so we are going to pay off my car.  This will free up some much needed money.  We're going to try to beef up our savings as well as pay off that pesky credit card from when we were younger and not so smart.

5. Get in shape!  I've given up the goal of being as thin as I was when K and I met.  It's ridiculous to think that I could get back there.  Especially considering that I was underweight.  My new goal is to be healthy and just accept whatever size that may be.  I have a number in mind, but if I'm toned and healthy I'm flexible with that.

6.  Cook home cooked meals every day with the exception of twice a month.  We have fallen into the habit of eating out far too much.  It's not good for our wallets or our waistline.

7.  Go to confession once a month.

8.  Get dressed daily.  Staying at home makes it easy to be frumpy.  I want to purposefully make myself look presentable everyday.  This includes make up and hair.  He would never say anything, but I know my hubby can't possibly enjoy coming home to me still in my pj's.

9.  Write down in a journal a positive memory for each day.

10.  Blog at least once a week.  I'm actually working on a major revamp that may include a new name.  I need a change and hopefully this will help keep up with this goal.

 

As a family we are also going to work on a family rosary each evening (we're beginning with just a decade with the girls).

 

I really pray I can keep up with this!  I know I can do it.  Maybe one of my resolutions should have been to not be so lazy and to not procrastinate. :)