Mission: Organization=Mission Accomplished

Well, almost...I still have to do Dylan's room--he left it a MESS and then I made it worse when I moved the tv's again. And I need to do a deep cleaning now that everything is in its proper place, labeled and neatly put away.

Mission: Organization is my new favorite show. It comes on FLN (Directv subsidiary channel of HGTV) and I've no idea when, I just happen to catch it on one day and fell in love so I tivo'd it. Now I watch in the evenings when I'm home. They have the COOLEST ideas. Of course, I have to add the redneck twist to everything and I'm too cheap to buy a lot of their little gadgets so I make my own or reuse & recycle! lol

I guess the biggest change is that we moved the "home office" OUT of our bedroom and Jeff and I have reclaimed our sanctuary! Now the kids have no excuse to be in there unless they are invited (which of course they will be from time to time). I also moved all of my scrapbooking stuff and photos/keepsakes, etc. from the bedroom closet and it got a new home of its own, too. Now my hours to be crafty are not limited by Jeff's bedtime.

All this made the kitchen a little more crowded. But that room was always crowded anyway, no matter what. I honestly don't feel like I've lost any "space" in here and it now doubles as an environment conducive to learning and lots of other things besides just gorging on junk.

The extra space in the bedroom made room for the rocker to be moved back in there and that left space in the living room for the "music area" to be reclaimed. My friend, Donna has a "music room" in her house and I'm so jealous! All I can fit in my little area is the piano and Kayti's violin and music stand. Dylan's drums (poor guy) must stay in the garage/playroom/laundry room/storage area/exercise room/woodworking room/gardening center! (Oh yeah, that room is DEFINITELY multi-use and it got a major overhaul as well!)

Okay, so you guys knew I was anal! And when your space is limited, you have to be even more so! Give me a break. It's actually been my saving grace this week. It was a challenging week for me at work! I don't know if it's me (probably is) or the kids in my class (maybe it's a little them?) but they've been super hyper this week! I got ANOTHER new student (that makes 17 on roll for me now! Thank you, LORD that they don't all come at once but most days I DO average about 12-13). He did fine the first day but Tuesday and yesterday, he had MAJOR adjustment issues. It started with him getting hurt on the playground first thing Tuesday morning. He fell from the monkey bars (which all my other three's know they are not to get on and they hate it, too!) He did two rungs and as I was getting up to go get him off, he fell! On his arm! Ugh! Bless him. Thank goodness, nothing was broken but after that, I guess he'd decided he'd had enough "school". He would not cooperate for anything. Fortunately, his older sister also stays there and she came up and spent the day with us helping him.

Then, later that day, as I was getting lunch ready, one of my other little ones (and one of my faves to boot) snuck up behind me. I backed up away from the counter to put some applesauce down in someone's spot and tripped over him, knocked him to the floor, fell on my laurels and cracked my head on the table! I didn't know what I'd tripped over and when I saw him lying there on the floor, I thought I'd killed him! I swear I did! I screamed, "Drew!" and that scared him and he burst out crying. Meanwhile my head is throbbing, I'm looking him over to find what was broken on him, applesauce is all over the place (including both of us). I hate to wish the days away since they are supposed to be blessings from God but I was surely glad when that one was over! I've never been more thankful to make it to Donna's pool party! The back of my head is a little sore and thankfully, Drew is okay as well. Okay, I try not to pick faves in my class and believe me when I say I really DO love them all and I try extra hard to love the ones that are just not easily lovable because they are that way because of so much turmoil going on in their little lives, which is so sad. But this kid reminds me of my precious son. Almost every day, he wears his cowboy boots! Dylan wore his (along with his hat, badge and gunbelt) for nearly a year when he was that age. So naturally, this kid has my heart. Sue me.

Kayti & Dylan are still on mission trip but I've talked to Kayti a lot. She is having the best time! Last night, Brooke went to spend the night at Deb's (grandmother) so Jeff and I got a very rare date night. We decided we had to try out Cajun Steamer and it was WONDERFUL!!! And not all that pricey either. At least not like I expected, especially for just the two of us. After filling up on stuffed shrimp, he decides he wants to try Cold Stone Creamery also. So we go but there is a line and looking at what all they had, I'm sorry, I was not that impressed. I would much rather have a Moolatte from DQ so that is what we did!

We're alone again tonight (Jeff is grilling me a steak as I type)--Brooke is spending the night with Lauren. But she'll have most of her friends over tomorrow night for her "slumber" party and then she and Hannah try out for dance team Saturday. Dylan and Kayti get back late Saturday night and my week of a semi-clean house will be over. At least I know now who makes most of the messes! And that will be my next mission!

Blessings,