Rule #41: Organization promotes sanity.

My Darling Husband has just made our home a little better by putting in a closet system in our bedroom. I love that he is so handy...even though he's never done any hand-man work before. I love that he has the confidence to try, and is humble enough to ask for advice from those in the know.

If I had been fully on top of things I would have taken a before picture of the closet in our bedroom. But, not surprisingly...I was not. So here is an in between photo.
Looking back it amazes me that the OCD in me didn't scream at the sight of my closet every morning. But somehow...I just looked past it. It was my dear love that just...couldn't...take it....anymore!!! And here is the final project! Doesn't it look so good? And now that I am ABLE to organize it and have the room to work with....I am very pleased to have my shirts color coordinated. (Minus my tank tops...those are in a category of their own...hence the two sections of red on top).
Thanks again Honey!! You truly are the best!

By the way...if you ever think that you have nothing to wear and have hardly any clothes at all....try taking them ALL out of the closet and placing them randomly around your house. Soon you will feel overwhelmed with your material blessings and find the need to dejunk and donate to the DI.

Rule #40: Consistency is Key

Evan is now 9 months old. It's hard for me to believe that my baby is this old! We just got back from the doctor, so here are Evan's new stats.

Height: 29 inches (75%)

Weight: 17 lbs 15oz (10%)

OFC: 44cm (15%)

As you can see we have a rather tall baby...whose been very consistent with his weight gain. Pretty much 10% from the get go. Here are some things that Evan has been doing lately.

~Still won't roll over (Our pediatrician isn't really concerned....says he's just skipping that phase)

~Sits up like there's no tomorrow....that's about all he wants to do these days

~Gets on hands and knees and rocks

~Scoots around backwards and rotates all around

~Babbling more with consonants (super cute)

~Switches toys from hand to hand

~Is getting a top teefer

~Holds his own bottle

~Smiles at everyone/everything

~Can't stand to hear his cousin Jordyn cry...anyone else is no big deal

He's such a blessing in our family and I can't imagine our life without him! Everyday keeps getting better and better. Sometimes I'm not sure how I got so lucky!

Rule #39: Love your neighbor.

So I went out to mow the lawn for the first time this year, it was getting pretty scraggly and out of control. This is an after the fact shot in case you're wondering and thinking that it doesn't look out of control to you. In retrospect I can't figure out why I didn't think to take a before shot, I mean, I was going to mow the lawn for the FIRST time of the season, thats freaking exciting and everybody cares.

So anyway, I was wandering around clearing debri's such as sticks and stray garbage that had blown in. And then as I get to the southwest corner of our yard (far right in the picture) I notice a cigarette butt. Ok thats odd, so I go to pick it up, and notice another, and another and another... I counted 75 in all afterwards, plus a match book.

They were perfectly distributed in a semi-circle right next to back porch of the 3rd section of the triplex across the fence, leaving no question as to their source.

So here's my question, since obviously I love this neighbor, and smokers especially hold a place in my heart, as about 95% of the wonderful people I shared the gospel with on my mission smoked. How do I turn the other cheek? Is that indeed the appropriate scripture reference? Pick them up for them and say nothing, politely ask them to stop? Take them a plate of cookies?

Rule #38: The bed is big enough for everyone

I came home from work last week and Evan woke up as I was getting ready for bed. I love when he wakes up for me. I love how excited he is to see me in the mornings. There are only a few things in this world that make me feel so special and so loved!

Usually I get him up, take him downstairs and play for a bit while we wait for Daddy to come join us. I was pretty tired that morning and I just needed to get ready for bed, but I didn't want to be away from Evan. So I brought him into bed with Alex and Jasmine.

The sight of my family, including our dog, people that I hold so dear to my heart was overwhelming. I had to take a picture. I had to document forever how wonderful my life is! Wake up Daddy......

Look how happy Evan is in the mornings. It's almost unnatural isn't it? :) It's such a contrast from his father. (not that Alex is angry in the mornings, but he's definately not perky.)

Rule #37: Everyone should have play dates

A few days ago my friend Ethnie came to my house to make baby food. Naturally she brought her son with her. I was so excited for the boys to play together. Once Evan woke up, and Will was fed, they really seemed to enjoy being with one another. Evan was nothing but smiles for Will..it was so cute! I'm so excited for my son to bond with other children. I'm excited to see who he chooses as his "best friend."Even if our boys didn't acknowledge each other it would still have been a play date for Ethnie and I. It's amazing how busy life gets that you really have to set aside time days in advance to get together with a friend.

Of course Jasmine wanted to get in on the play date too!