The Magic of Mom

Okay, I confess...I am an organized mess. What exactly do I mean by that? I mean that I want to be organized, that I strive to be organized, that I can usually get the organization done, but that when a room gets unorganized and messy, I become paralized. Solution: find something for Rock and the kids to do away from the house so that I don't have to worry about anyone else, or utilize my Mother when she is in town.

I had a list of things that needed to be done. Nothing big or expansive, but stuff that required another set of hands - don't forget Rock is in Tax Season or he would be helping me - or one uninterupted day. Seeing as that isn't going to be happening until sometime around mid-April, I was resigning myself to not having shelvs and hooks hung and closing the door to the very cluttered and unused used-to-be school room (we moved that to the office). I wanted to use the room for scrapbooking and sewing so that I might actually get some other projects done, but it was in a state of transition and a total mess. However, my glorious slave driver of a Mother came up for Warrior's birtday and stayed around to help me finish off my list. All that being said...Here are the results.Here I have placed my Grandmother's mirror over the fireplace instead of the portrait of three of my children that is 18 months out of date.Here I set up the crib that my Grandfather made for me when Professor was born. Yes, I said made. Those are hand turned spindles. I had to get it back from my brother and awesome sis-in-law. Baby J had been sleeping in a bassinette and was quickly out growing it.
Here is the shelf that holds all the baby care goodies in the boys' room. Yes all three of them in one room. Don't feel sorry for them it is a BIG room. As of January 28 my bedroom is baby stuff free with the exception of the crib.
Here is the coat rack that is hanging just inside my entry door. Now maybe the coats will quit just laying on the kitchen table...as long as they magicaly hang themselves.

And for the grand finalle...drum roll please.

Check out my newly cleaned and organized work room.

Scrapbooking Corner

Sewing Corner and Organized Craft Closet

And what little space I left for the kids. I guess they do need a place for their games.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!!

Isn't he cute?

Today is the Warrior's 3rd birthday. He shouldn't be three. I was holding him the other day and could hardly believe that he was getting so big. What a sweetie he is, and what a total mess at the same time. I forsee many trips to the ER in the future.

We had a pretty good day, although the poor baby woke up sick. He spent most of the day laying in Daddy's chair watching "The Magic School Bus" or "Larry Boy," and getting pretty much what ever he wanted; thanks to it being his birthday, his being sick, and the fact that his Grandma is here as well. Actually, most people would consider this a pretty good birthday even with being sick.

We had to have a Transformers Birthday Cake. You would think I would have at least bothered to take it out of the pan before I decorated it. You would also think I would have at least bothered to make the decorations out of icing. You know the saying about the shoemaker's children...the same goes for the cake decorator's children.

Now, most people would wonder why we make such a big fuss about a 3rd birthday, but in our family when you turn three you get your bracelet. It is just a family thing, but it means that you belong to us. Only family and friends we consider family get them.

Grandma putting his bracelet on him.

Happy Birthday my Big Boy!

Free Stuff is Good

Look what I got for F-R-E-E.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen it is a breadmachine. Now, I usually do not buy gadgets like this because I have an awesome Kitchenaid Stand Mixer that I can and have used to make our bread for at least the past year. However, when your neighbor calls and says, "I have a breadmaker that is practically new. Do you want it?" it is my duty as a frugal woman to say "Why yes, I do think that I would like to have said breadmaker."

I gave it a try this morning and this was the result.

It isn't as pretty as my hand formed bread, but all I had to do was put the stuff in the machine and press the button. I did eat the funny looking heal, and it tasted pretty good. The real test will be my Mother who is coming in today. I'm still going to have to play with it before I decide if I like it. If I don't, then it may be getting passed along to someone else I know who likes free stuff.

Sugar and Spice...

I know that most if not all 4 of my readership are as frustrated as I when it comes to finding dresses for our daughters that look like little girls' dresses. I'm not talking about modesty, although it is an issue, but about my five year old looking like a five year old instead of a sixteen year old. I have been able to find dresses that cover, but I am getting irritated with my choices either being REALLY expensive or something that would look really nice on a teenager. My solution to the problem...tell my Grandmother. She is a wonderful seamstress. I was venting to her at Christmas time and late last week a package arrived with a beautiful little girl dress tucked inside; complete with bow sash, matching purse, embroidered hankerchief, and tag bearing the words "Made Especially for you by Great-Grandmother." If it wasn't for her I'd have to sew.

Aren't you supposed to twirl when you get a new dress?

Call Me Suzy HomeMaker

I L-O-V-E being a homemaker. I revel in all there is to being a homemaker. I fall short of the ideal (You know that perfect person in Proverbs 31), but I really do try.

And while I love what I do, I do not like being called a housewife. There is a connotation that drips out of this word, and you can hear it every time someone says "Oh, your a housewife," followed by the all important "so you don't work." This is never a question people, it is a statement. This idea of a woman in her perfectly pressed frock daintily dusting with a feather duster and easily keeping the house spic and span, or the other repugnant idea of the woman dressed in her skin tight leopard print spandex pants lounging on the sofa watching soaps and eating bonbons.

There is so much more to being a homemaker or better yet a keeper of the home than is encompassed in the word housewife (cringe). I have so many wonderful examples of what a homemaker looks like, but the one to which I refer the most is my maternal Grandmother. I was named after her. Our name, Sarah Elizabeth, means Princess Dedicated to God and the title fit my Grandmother to a tee. She oozed hospitality. She was so happy being at home that she never learned how to drive. She was her happiest when she had her family and a huge number of strangers to feed. She made people feel at home in her house. My Grandmother was such a good Homemaker that, even though Parkinson's Disease had kept her from going to church for 10 years, when she died it was standing room only at her funeral. Her children and grandchildren, and if I can help it her great-grandchildren, did arise and call her blessed.

My grandmother was a Homemaker. Housewife just doesn't fit the bill. It is flaccid and cheap compared to what a Homemaker does. My house may not always be spic and span, and you most assuredly will step on a Lego or two, but I pray that I will always have a home where my husband feels comfort, where my children play, grow, and learn, and where friends, family and strangers feel that they are welcomed and wanted anytime.

Bear with me...

Okay, I have some stuff that I want to post, but I am not a quick writer. I have to write and re-write so I promise I will post something soon.

By the way: I re-wrote this post 3 times.

Reflections of a Tax Season Widow

Now hear the collective groans of families everywhere! For those of us who's husband works in the tax industry we are termed "Tax Season Widows."

For me this means that Rock will leave the house before the kids are even awake, and many times get home just in time to kiss them goodnight. It also means that during peak time the kids won't see him for a couple of days every now and then, and I will only see him when he falls into bed and when he gets up. While I bemoan the loss of my beloved during this time period it also makes me more grateful for the wonderful man that God gave me.

Rock is not just my Husband, but he is also my Friend. He recognizes Mother-in-Distress Syndrome and takes action to cure it by locking me in the bedroom by myself for a minimum of two hours. He is the spiritual guide that I need, always making sure that I take time for my own Spiritual growth. He is definitely my better half. During tax season, he doesn't get to be at home like he wants, and therefore I have to take care of pretty much everything without the help to which he has me so accustomed. He doesn't like being away from his family any more than we like having him away from us, and often feels guilty for having to be away. Then I get to be the one who comforts; assuring him that, although we miss him, we do not blame him nor are we angry at him for taking care of his family.

This time also reminds me of the Friends that God has given me. I have the most wonderful friends in the world. God has been so good to us since we moved to Texas a year ago. We have an awesome church, and through that church awesome friends. I have many, many, many standing invitations for babysitters so that I can go grocery shopping unimpeded or get out of the house for a little while by myself.

This time of the year also leads me to reflect upon those who are in my temporary situation permanently or for a much longer period of time. To those who are single Mothers and do not get to take a break, ever. I pray that you will find peace and comfort in God and that your friends will offer you the same standing invitation for babysitting that I get during tax season. To those who's husbands are away for the military for a year or two instead of just kind of out of the picture for 4 months; I pray that you also will find peace and comfort in God. That he will keep your other half safe and bring him back to you and yours. I also thank you for the precious gift of your loved one.

When this time of year comes around I get a little distressed because my safe little life gets a little disturbed, but when I really think about it...I've got it easy. Tax Season will be over in a few months.

Behind the Times

Well, I'm off to a late start with posting Christmas pictures, but hey, better late than never.

Christmas Morning

The kids with their favorite gift.

We had a small Christmas as far as gifts went this year, and to tell you the truth I think it was lots more fun.

That evening Momma had a photo shoot. I think I got some really good pictures.

Baby J

Warrior

Princess

Professor

Aint they purty!?

Have a terrific year everyone!