Simplify for the new year!

Well, the itch to declutter and put things away, or even throw away has set in.  It's been a month since we put up our Christmas decorations and believe me, I thought they were gorg this year, but I'm always ready to put it away and not have so much "stuff" out anymore.  I still have alot of "stuff" out, just not as much. 
It's a sunny and warm, almost 50* here in Iowa today and it feels like I need to begin my spring cleaning.  I definitely need to do some major dusting!  The decorations are almost completely down.  Only the trees left for my husband to disassemble and pack away, and a few odds and ends that seem to have lost their home.  I don't know how I need to get, yet, another tub to store decorations in when I got rid of quite a bit of stuff.  I'm sure I didn't add THAT much this year.
As I look back at this previous year I realize how much we have accomplished as a family and myself personally.  We became debt free, except our house, only 19 years left on that one.  Thanks Dave Ramsey!!  I became even more laid back as a parent. ( I guess four kids and 8 years of parenting will do that.)  My husband and I actually agreed on things that we would like to accomplish with our house, MAJOR accomplishment!!!....and I have certainly been challenged by God.  I think our entire family has.  I always feel that its a good thing when I have a problem and I can actually feel God leading me through it with my thoughts and actions.  It makes life so much easier.
So what do I want to do in 2011???  Well, I have a new cricut and dremel and would LOVE to put those to good use, we are planning on installing hardwood floors soon, painting rooms is definitely in my future and I am so excited to follow my favorite blogs and see what awesome ideas they come up with, that I can do.  I love my diy girls!!! 
Hope you are ringing in your new year with lots of joy!   

Special Blessings

I've had the privelege of being part of an accountability group with some other women from my church.  I have to admit that it is quite hard for me to open up in groups and let everything out although I have certainly been trying.  I have also, recently, had issues with feeling as though I have had a hardened heart.  I make the excuse that life has changed me and I am not the same person that I use to be.  Although that is partly true, it is no excuse to allow myself to harden to my own, or others situations.  That is why this group has been such a blessing to me. 
I started this group with that hardened heart.  I felt numb during the session letting things pass in one ear and out the other.  Not that I didn't care, but more like I couldn't care.  I didn't feel that it was in me anymore. 
For some reason that has suddenly changed.  The women are no longer just women, or even friends, they have become comrades in every aspect of life.  They are challenged in the same ways as I am and with the help of each other, we learn how to turn it over to Christ, how to conquer and sometimes how to just let it go.  We share very intimate information about ourselves, about our pasts knowing that we will not be judged but will be prayed for and encouraged throughout the situation.  The encouragement seems to extend past the meeting, with quick little emails, notes and phone calls as a reminder that we are never alone in our journey.
Our journeys have all had bumpy roads, slippery slopes and sometimes even dead ends where we must go back and take another road, but knowing that these women are there to help me, encourage me, and remind me that God's love never fails is such a reassurance and a definite heart softener. 
Today I wrote a heartfelt thank-you to someone.  The words were not forced but came freely and eagerly.  I no longer consider these ladies strangers, acquaintances, or even friends.  They are companions on a road that we are all traveling and striving to please God with each step we take.  Thanks ladies!

So much to do, so little time

It's been a while since I have written.  December just seems to be an out of control month, plus some disappointments that have led to me not wanting to blog.  I was planning on getting a camera on Black Friday, but in my Dave Ramsey state of mind, I decided that just buying one that was not the "one" that I really wanted, was not such a good idea and I have felt that a blog without personal photos of projects and decorating that I have accomplished is just not a good blog.   Well peeps, you are going to have to deal with it a little longer.  Once I do get that camera I think I will be posting several times a day just to catch you up on everything that really has gotten done.  The advent calendar????  Not so much, but I think I may start it after Christmas and have it ready for next year!!  Hahaha....
So this is what I have gotten accomplished so far...... The house looks absolutely amazing.  I seem to add a little to it each day.  Just little touches here and there.  OH!!!!  and the big news.... I got a cricut.  Hence the adding little touches.  Today I cut out tons of paper snowflakes and hung them in my daughters room.  It looks so cute.  Also working on some ideas for my boys room once they get there new bedding for Christmas and I can redo everything.  I finally finished my felt retro robot, got the personalized recipe box done, made a few pillows just for fun, made a personalized cape and made a dirty/clean sign for my moms dishwasher.  Whew!  I've been in overdrive for the last couple of weeks.  Combine that with Christmas concerts, work and keeping up the house, I am officially exhausted.  Fortunately I only have a few items left to complete and then I plan on starting early for next year.  Maybe I won't be in this mad rush to complete everything if I slowly work on it through the year. 
So, I hope you will still continue to follow me and wait patiently for me to get that camera.  Have a great week!