I'm making slow headway on the 40 Bags in 40 Days spring cleaning process. I think I should take a photo of the area I cleaned out, and then a picture of how Janey "helped" me just for fun. (Like as I am cleaning the bathroom closet, the toilet paper magically unrolls itself all over the floor. There is nothing to do but laugh, 18 months is the cutest age ever-she wants to be stuck like next to me at all times and copies everything I do. :)
But this Lenten process gets easier and easier for me each year, I have to admit, because I am so much more careful about what comes into this house, and I find myself doing little purges all year long. I hope to whiz through rooms quickly, although I anticipate coming to a screeching halt when I get to the attic.
I've realized that I have dropped the ball on my weekly menu posts. As soon as I think I can handle a small blogging obligation with ease, some how my life here at home fills up, something more important eases its way in, and I have to rearrange priorities. I mean to continue, but can't count on the time to do that yet. I laughed that I wrote on my sleep post 'Part Two coming soon', because it is most definitely not coming soon....it is coming most indefinitely later. As we start up here with the busy season of spring (yeah!), things seem to come at me so fast, that I have to clear brain space in order to strive to have a peaceful mind instead of a harried one.
I am off to catch up on laundry and write out that menu (boy I dread that sometimes!), and get things in order for the busy weekend. Hope you have a good one!
I am increasingly thankful for your blog. I'm thankful that you offer grace to moms of littles and that you show us about true priorities: Jesus and family ... You are helping to equip me with the tools to worry less about "being productive" and instead focus more on the truly important tasks of shaping young people to grow up and share Christ. You are a blessing!
ReplyDeleteLove you, Sarah! I am so glad you give yourself permission to cut the unnecessary extras so you don't become a crazy, stressed out mother! I will follow your example!
ReplyDeleteLooks like things are in good order there! Even though I love a clean, organized home things seem to get overlooked (like our storage room) and I've been having fun getting rid of so much stuff the last few days and it feels great! Thanks again for the inspiration to get organizing. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great!! I am really trying to do this this year. Might not be a bag a day (baby girl is home for spring break right now) but 40 total!! Have several boxes of books to giveaway/donate and some items for consignment already to go. Love the pic of Janey "helping".
ReplyDeleteThis is my third year--and your blog was the inspiration for this--and I have to say this has completely transformed so much about our lives. Now every purchase I make, every gift I buy, every suggestion I make for something for the kids to friends and family --I think about if we need it, how useful, or will it end up in a bag? It has really focused me on what is important. Less is more. I now have extra money to buy organic food, grass-fed meat and save for bigger and better vacations because I am not buying crap that we don't need. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy house could really benefit from 40 bags in 40 days, but I'm almost too overwhelmed to start!
ReplyDeleteIn case you need encouragement, I look forward to your menu posts, and I've used several of your recipes over the years (the granola is a family favorite). I also just got a chance to read the first part of your sleep post and I am REALLY looking forward to part 2!
Your philosophy of motherhood is so refreshing. I'm so glad that you're putting it out there in blogland, and I truly hope it touches as many mothers as possible. As a mother of one (22mo), it helps so much to have a seasoned mom remind me that following my instincts will not fail my daughter. Especially when there is so much "noise" to the contrary out there! Thank you, Sarah!
Sarah!! I was lucky to find "Clover Lane" last year during Lent., Your blog is my absolute favorite. I am inspired... thank you! Your writings have touched me in numerous ways. You have a talent that is so special.
ReplyDeleteI started with my 40 bag project on Wed and am making great progress! . My daughter, age 11, got home today and saw all the organization I completed and went up to her room to clean and do her part! Without my asking! She is now tracked out for three weeks from year-round school, so we will continue to de-clutter and have some fun too!! May all us Mum's be blessed as we keep trying to do the best we can for our families and for ourselves! Cheers to you for writing what a lot of us think!
I am doing the 40 bags in 40 days this year. I must say, I feel overwhelmed. I didn't think I had so much stuff in this little house of mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being such an inspiration!
I am dreading the basement storage room, can't I just pretend it doesn't exist?!
ReplyDeleteYou inspired me a couple years back to declutter and keep at it almost weekly if needed and now I dont need to go on big burst of decluttering. It seems you no longer use the changing table for it's intended purpose do you mind sharing how you keep Janey's casual shorts, pj's, acccesories organized in your closet. Given her toddler age now do you foresee any bedroom switcharoos in the near future?
ReplyDeleteSarah you are so smart to prioritize what matters most. That is the message we all love you for and need to hear ourselves. And I have the fondest memories of my 18 month olds and messy toilet paper rolls. What is it about toilet paper rolls!? They love them so much. Cherish this stage for both of us. :)
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Sarah, I doubt I will ever, in my entire life, have closets that look that organized. Very impressive! I love that you know that the things that happen off of this page are so much more important than sitting down to share them. But I'm sure that I can speak for many when I say that we are grateful for whenever and whatever you do share!
ReplyDeleteI love your photo of little Janey's hand in the drawer. You always capture such sweet moments!
ReplyDeleteSarah, your house inspires me to purge. I feel like I'm constantly surrounded by STUFF and I hate it. I wrote about your inspiration today (and lent, even though I'm not Catholic, I think it's a worthy practice.) Thanks for the inspiration!
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