Where Did it All Come From?

Over the last two days the girls and I have been cleaning their bedrooms. I cannot believe how much stuff was in those rooms and how much we are getting rid of. Yesterday A and I filled 4 trash bags (kitchen size bags), plus a pile of stuff for Goodwill, and another pile of clothes and things for friends whose kids will fit in those clothes. Today she finished up cleaning and organizing her desk and dresser and generated even more trash. We hung up some accent items in her room and rearranged the furniture. It looks so nice in there!

Today B and I have worked in her room. Again, mountains of trash. I can't believe how much! Another pile of things for Goodwill and for friends, and a stack of games for our nephew N. It feels good to be able to give things to people who will use them. I enjoy doing that. We have so much stuff and it makes me feel good when other people are able to benefit from it.

My friend Jamie made a good suggestion at lunch today -- if the girls spend 10 minutes each night picking up their bedrooms, the rooms will stay looking nice. I want to try to implement a bedtime routine that includes that and family scripture study, as well as picking up the living room quickly. It's amazing how fast the house falls apart when it isn't attended to on a regular basis. I've never been good at things like that, but I find that lately I don't like being in the house when it's messy, but it feels comfortable and good when it's picked up and neat. We haven't been really good about giving the girls regular chores and responsibilities around the house and they are most definitely old enough to help out more than they do. They won't like it, but if we are going to have any chance at conquering the clutter, the girls will have to help.

We'll see how it goes....

Happy New Year!

I had such big plans for blogging over the holidays...I was going to capture our daily activities, complete with pictures. And it didn't happen. Oh well...I have some pictures...but was too busy having fun with my family and managing daily life to blog.

I hope you all had a fun and safe New Year's Eve. When spent it with a few friends/families from church, having a game night. It was fun. I love playing board games. I made sweet and sour meatballs and 7-layer Mexican dip, both of which were well-received. Both girls managed to stay awake until midnight, although by 11 p.m. B was definitely wearing out. She fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept in a bit this morning.

And now it's 2008. I thought about posting something eloquent, philosophical, and poetic for you...but that's not gonna happen! LOL

So let me just say that I am looking forward to 2008 being a wonderful year. 2007 was a "growth year" for me and I'd really rather not have another one of those any time soon. Lots of growing pains in my life last year (sounds so strange to call yesterday "last year")...I probably just jinxed myself, didn't I? I should know better.

2008 promises to be busy, but every year is like that. Hopefully the chaos will be manageable.

I hope 2008 is a wonderful year for all of you!