Amelia and the green marker

  I have recently made sure that everything upstairs is child proof,  so if I need to leave the kids upstairs for a few minutes to play I can do so without worrying for their safety.  So, I left Deacon and Amelia upstairs to play yesterday for a little while, and little did I know that Amelia can now open markers uh oh!  This is what I found:

Guess she thought it was lipstick.  Well, at least she didn't mark on the walls, and it least it wasn't a toxic marker.  I think I will try to do a better job of making sure all the markers are put away :).

Last week when I put them upstairs for a little while this is what I found

Deacon even put a cover over her.  He is such a good big brother.   I love those sleeping lips.

obsessed about....

I have been absolutely obseesed with 2 things lately

Drumroll please....

Yes, that's right.  The Container Store and the labeler.  I have been to the Container Store 3 times with in the last week (and it's a 30 min. drive one way).  I am a woman on a mission, and boy do they have great ideas on organizing.  My last visit there, the cashier was sharing with me how becoming organized is addicting, I agreed.  She then told me how much fun she has going over to others to help them organize, I didn't agree.  I am not that kind of addict yet.  

I also have been labeling containers and shelves like crazy.  I read an article on organizing, and they suggest you label all containers and shelves so everyone knows where something is, and then they/you can replace it exactly where it belongs so you can STAY organized.  I liked that idea.  So, now labeling queen may become my new name.  

Below are a few things I've started labeling minus my pen/pencil drawer, and snack pantry. 

I'm not wanting to share this to pat my own back, but I love getting ideas from others on various things, so I thought I could share some organizing ideas I used.  A lot of them mostly came from my friend Ryan, I'm trying to get her to start sharing organizing tips of the day on her blog, but I don't think she's going for it.  

*BTW  The Container Store is having there sale going on until Feb. 14 just in case you all get the urge to get organized!

I finally remembered to take before pictures of a few drawers I was organizing.  The top picture  is the before, the bottom picture is the after.  Beware the before was not pretty, but it is what you would see if you opened my drawer.

 

*The dreadful junk drawer, becomes tolerable when you use several different size bins to put the stuff in.  

The biggest aha moment came when I realized that a drawer or cabinet will never stay organized if it doesn't have a compartment or bin to go in.   I would periodically go through drawers, and arrange them all nice and neat looking thinking I was "organizing" things, only to be discouraged in a few days when it all looked messy again.  So, if nothing else make sure all the things in your house have a home.  I have a while to go before everything in my house has a "home", but I am slowly getting there.  Remember, one drawer, one cabinet, one closet, and one room at a time :).

What we've been up to (part 2)

We've also been busy with just life, and things that go along with it.  Like.....

poor Max tore his ACL, and had to have surgery over Christmas break.  He tore out several staples, so we now have to keep the collar of shame on him :(.  

Amelia has been a fussy gus

She is working on 3 teeth popping through.  It hurts, and she tells us all about it.

It's been nice not having to run these two to and from school

*Deacon has officially entered the strained fake smile look.  

I was proud that I was able to capture a real smile from Avery.

This little thing is now...

Walking all over the place.

I love that little toddler walk!  So darn cute!

What we've been up to (part 1)

Let's see where should I start?  

I think I'll start by saying I needed to take a break from all of the picture taking, editing, and time on the computer period!  It was taking over my life, and I was letting it.  The house was the last thing on my priority list, and boy did it show big time.  Something had to change.  I decided to limit my time in front of the computer, and start focusing on the house.

We decided to start organizing our house, one drawer, one closet, and one room at a time.  It will take many more weeks to finish, but at least I am feeling like I am accomplishing something productive around the house.  And as Aaron has told me for years, "if everything has a place, then your life will be less stressful, and you will have time to do more stuff."  I am finally beginning to believe him. 

My friend Ryan who is the ultimate organizer helped design a plan to create a more functioning laundry room.  It is still in the process, but I wanted to share this one thing with you now.

The laundry room is right by the garage, so as soon as we come in the door each person has their own hanging station with their picture above their hook.  The kids now know this, and they are no longer throwing their coats on the floor.  Yay!

Aaron, and I want to make the kids more independent with taking care of their own stuff.  If they know where something should go, then they should have NO excuse not to do it.  So, we thought we would start with the coat closet.  What a disaster that was.  I wish I would have taken a before picture.  Just visualize a shelf and one hanging rod.  Their scarves, mitten, and hats were scattered all over the floor.  Mess, mess, mess.  So, this is what we did:

This is an armoire we got on sale at Lowe's with 3 drawers.  We added a hanging rod in it, and then have a bottom rod on the right for the kid's extra jackets and coats, and then for the best part...

Each kid has their own drawer in the armoire for their hats, scarves, and mittens.

Last week we got a catalog from The Container Store saying they were having a 30% off sale.  Aaron says their 40% over priced, but to me it is worth paying 10% more to have them cut all the shelving for you to the exact dimensions you need.  So, we decided to go buy the stuff to organize Amelia's closets.  Again, I wish I would have taken a before picture.  Visualize a shelf with a hanging rod in each closet.  Toys were scattered everywhere, and stuff was just thrown up there.  Now look at them:

It's functional, and organized!  Yay!  Love, love, love The Container Store.  Aaron was able to hang all this up within 2 hours.  While he was doing it, I started tackling drawers

*these sorting organizers for the sock and underwear drawers are on sale for $5.00 at The Container Store FYI :)

We still have a long long way to go before our house is fully organized, but I am feeling like I am finally in the right direction.