Simplify.

As you know we recently overhauled Ronan's room and ever since, Asha has wanted to "sleep-over" in it. Ronan has no problem with this, since he doesn't like being alone (Jordan was the same way, despite their constant bickering about wanting their own room)
Of course I put this all down to the "coolness" of Ronan's room but actually, Asha's room is an overwhelming mess of stuff. She saves every piece of paper and string (it's the crafter in her;-)and despite me planning the room with buckets of buckets and cubbies and drawers, everything is shoved in to any available space and that includes floor.
I had a conversation with Asha that surprised me and reinforced a general rule of how I live my own life.

Me:Why do you like Ronan's room?
A: He doesn't have stuff everywhere.It's easier to clean up.
Me: Would you like your room to be easier to clean?
A:....stares blankly, like she wants to say Duh but knows I don't like that so much.
Me: are you willing to get rid of stuff so it is easier to clean?
A: Yes
Me: How about if we get rid of everything!! Just leave some notebooks and pencils?(I will keep the stuff in storage in case you change your mind and if we don't miss it, we'll donate it.)
A: Sure, then I could have a desk?
Me: That was easy, but I don't have money for a desk right now.
A: I do....

And she proceeds to browse the IKEA catalog as my heart swells with pride, my baby loves IKEA too.

So I donned my industrial overalls, not really but it was a showerless, sports bra kind of project and we went to work.

One large bag of trash, 3 bags for the DI and about 3 moving boxes of "stuff" to keep in storage (in case this experiment doesn't work)And we are done.



Well I thought I was done until I climbed up into the bed to change the sheets and unloaded this lot. She has 39 kids, 42 if you count the 3 dead ones she has in a box complete with headstone (Hobbs loved them too much)
It wasn't as hard as I thought, she didn't flinch as I packed up and threw out all kinds of stuff. At one point I had a rock and a ball in my hand and she said "you can get rid of that" I did and she immediately corrected "NOT the ROCK!!"



So here it is: All but 3 of these buckets are empty.

She color organized all her markers and crayons.




And finally she opted for this table because it was only $20, she hasn't picked a chair yet 'cos she'd like a lime green one.
I'm thinking I need to make a cool notice board for above the desk :)....my next project.

Wordless Wednesday

Ronan

I use my camera as a reminder of events and activities and it seems my camera has been buried for a few weeks but today I wanted to share some pics of my littlest man on his biggest day so far.

Tepanyakis is always a fave for my people since I think they had a internal womb relationship. Ok so I had cravings for their noodles and HAD to go there a lot to take care of that.I was pregnant, it's not like we had a choice.

Then the birthday favorite party for me, the sleep over. It requires, snackage, an ice cream cake after midnight, a bunch of games and ear plugs. Cheap and cheerful.

But this b-day was a biggie for Ronan because he turned 12 and received the Priesthood. Our awesome Bishop, despite having surgery, a reaction to drugs and now blood clots, came over to take part. (and that's why he's the youngest most awesome Bishop I've ever know, pwft... blood clots...no biggie, I'll be there)

The only thing missing today was his Big Brother, who he misses terribly but who has got him reading his scriptures and writing regularly.

On that note. Curtis was able to perform his first Baptism yesterday as well as ordaining someone to the Priesthood. He is doing great in the area of Harrisonburg and is so full of joy and spiritual growth. So far so good. I love that boy, I miss his face.

Out of this world

As promised.
My latest room makeover project.
Since Ronan is in his own room for the first time since birth, we decided to give him exactly what he would love.

His favorite colors, purple and green.

An industrial desk and mural of solar system on the ceiling.

All his stuffed toys on a rope ladder (yeah, big tough guy loves his Teddy's
A collage of friends and family outlined with metal tape.

I don't have great photog skills. It's not nearly as dark as it looks but with the blinds open it was glaring and closed it looks dark.
Anywho, he loves it.
Happy 12th birthday Ronan.

Just hanging out.

Goings on

Since this blog has become somewhat of a digital journal and letter to home, I need to stop all the current goings on for a minute and report on the previous goings on.
I seem to take too long between posts but I get the thrill each time I unload my camera, to bask in the recent and yet already forgotten, memories of yesterday.
February has been and gone in a flash.
The Month of love. The month I actually made some crafty decorations for my mantle to brighten my mood in the dull, cold months of winter. Did I remember a picture? no! but I did take this shot of the pile of stuff waiting to be put away for about 2 weeks after valentines :)

February is also the month of Boyd's birthday and this year he turned the big 4-0.
We both planned many moons ago, since we both turned 40 and celebrate our 15th anniversary in the same year and since we never got a honeymoon(unless you count 2 nights in midway, worrying about your kids, which I don't)that we would take our selves off to Hawaii to celebrate. This being said, I couldn't actually NOT do something for Boyd's birthday and he's not big into gift's (unless they are for me, which I appreciate) so I had to come up with something to do. I was going to throw a party but lets face it, we haven't seen most of the "friends" since the last time we threw a party so I decided this would be something just for him (oh and me;-) something that he would love and that would make his day special.
I woke him at 4:15am, a first for our marriage.
Told him we had a plane to catch and then handed him some lightweight pants and shirt, an obvious sign we were heading to the sun.
Then with one holdall containing beach towels, shades, his kindle and a few other things, we headed to California for the DAY!!!

sunshine, palm trees, a little sushi and ice cream on the beach,

and we were back, sleeping in our own bed by midnight.
Perfect.
February was also a month to celebrate scouting and both Boyd and I received an award from the district. His was a big deal and was awarded for the several times now he has helped start and organize a scout troop into action. It is pretty exciting to see these goofy, armpit farting, 12 year olds, get a guide and a plan and act on it. They turn into fine young men, Eagle Scouts. Heading out on missions and to college, the young leaders of tomorrow, the husbands for our daughters. My award, well I think they are just amazed that someone as poised and debonair as me, can pull off the level of bad jokes that I do and become one with the 8 to ten year olds at pack meetings :)I am also the only winner of the award to be wearing Fleur de leis(scout symbol) , bling and not having 2 inch roots (oops did I really just type that!)


And just so you know, we also do normal things like, go shopping, with boys who don't like to.(My first venture to a mall since my English family left and I was shopped out.) So there's an app for that. Yes they are playing tennis in the shoe section of Nordstrom. Really?

And so another month bites the dust but not before I bite off a huge room make over project. Ronan's.
This is the before, watch this space (It is complete but we haven't revealed it yet, it's a birthday gift so I will as soon as he turns 12, tomorrow!)