Simplifying and projects.

I have been on a quest to simply, purge and complete some of the projects around our house.  I have made myself a cleaning schedule.  I tackle one thing per day.  I also don't stress if I don't get it done. Because I know I have a specific time to tackle it the next week and I make it a priority that week.  So far it's working well and although my house is not completely clean at one time it is ALOT cleaner and ALOT less stressful and time consuming.

I have taken a break to decorate for fall including making this wreath.  Which I later found some like this online on sale for about $60.  Thank you Hobby Lobby mine cost about $15!

I've started to tackle some of my sewing projects.  I've made a pair of pants for Nolan.  It's the best pic I could get and they really aren't as baggy as they look.  I've also made him a Trick or Treat bag.  Is is patterned after the one Ty has which was Drew's when he was little.

I've been purging closets, storage tubs, dressers and other stuffing places.  I've rearranged furniture and I am also close to getting my kitchen cabinet doors finally painted.  I still have a whole list of projects to tackle including the new kitchen table I found this past week, yippee!!  It's felt good and it's been fun working on most of these.  I also don't feel as much stress when I look around the house because it's clean and my "TO DO" list has things marked off.

The past month

It's been a long time since I've written about what is going on with the Reagan Fam.  We have been busy.  Most of it has to do with my current drive to simplify my life and finally tackle many of the projects that have been piling up.

A few weeks ago Andrew, Ty, Sue (Drew's cousin) and I went to a Birmingham Barons Play off game.  We had a great time.  Ty spent the whole evening asking about the fireworks.  Then when they started he decided he didn't like them because they were too loud.  He also won a free piece of pizza.  He ate all of it but the crust.  And we had already eaten dinner.

Nolan is really starting to grow up.  I am amazed at how much he understands and is soaking up on a daily basis.  His personality is really starting to explode.  He is very stubborn, hard-headed, strong willed, and all those other descriptives.  He is also loving, playful and very funny.  He has learned very quickly how to hold his own with Ty.  That usually includes some type of biting or pinching.  Everyday is an adventure!

Sometimes he gets very quiet.  I usually find him in his room sitting on the floor or in the chair "reading."  He also has starting helping set the table when I am cooking.  This night he gave himself three plates.  Which describes how much food this kids can put away at times.  I don't know how we are going to feed these boys when they are teenagers.

Julie is currently here spending a few days with us.  We are enjoying her company and the boys are having a blast with her.  We have an ice cream truck that frequents our neighborhood.  Yesterday she ran out with Ty to buy him his first ice cream from a truck.  He was so excited and I know from now on we'll be asked to take him when we hear the music.

1000 Gifts

For the past few weeks I have been hit with this from several different directions:

The importance of taking the time to think about and realize what I am thankful for in my life.  What are the big and small blessings from God?  I don't do well with keeping a journal but I do lots better at blogging.  So I have decided to join a group of bloggers who are part of the Gratitude Community.  The goal is to list 1000 things you are grateful for and to be specific.  It's so easy to say "I'm thankful for my family, house, friends, job....."  The challenge is to look at the little things that make you thankful for the big things.  My goal is to complete my list in a year.

1. Little hands that have dimples where the knuckles are.
2.  Quiet moments when the kids are sleeping.
3.  dinner out with college friends
4.  lunch with new friends
5.  spontaneous singing from the backseat.
6.  finding dinosaur shapes in the clouds.
7.  the smell of clean sheets
8.  finding new delicious recipes.
9.  finding clothes for the boys at consignment sales
10. selling clothes at consignment sales.
11. kid spaghetti face
12. the sound of rain
13. the smell of fresh cut grass
14. snuggling baby
15. pumpkin pie coffee creamer, yummy!
16. a new box of crayons
17. holding my husband's hand
18. babies with bed head
19. studying God's Word with my Bible Study group
20. The women in my Bible Study group

How to cause emotional distress in child....

Kill a roach WHILE your child is watching Wall-E.