Progress Link Up #2

It's progress check #2. Not much to report but we are chugging away at the pile, little by little. I think we're getting down to the last little miscellaneous pieces of "stuff" that might just require me going through without the boys helping. I don't need them deciding they want to keep the little broken-off part of some old toy. =) After that, we'll be ready to do a final (good) containerizing & organizing.

Peter Pan & Skippy still are NOT excited to work on cleaning up but once they're started they follow-through. I'm hoping we can create a habit by being consistent!

Progress Link Up #1

Today is the first progress update for the 29 day challenge over at I'm an Organizing Junkie. While you can't actually SEE much progress in the play room, I do think a lot has of progress has been made this week, in my mind. I finally created a VERY simple weekly schedule for myself for cleaning, organizing & such and it's been amazing that I've stuck to it for a whole week. I've struggled for so long with lack of motivation that this past week has been so refreshing!

The boys & I have worked in their room/play room the last two Saturdays. We set the timer for one hour & then I give them specific tasks to do during that time. In fact, last weekend Skippy was in charge of moving all of his tractors to their room to store in the underbed storage. I was so tickled pink when he organized them according to color!

So, even though the picture doesn't show a whole lot of change, I think the change is happening "upstairs" for us! I couldn't be more grateful for that!

29 Day Organizing Challenge - Can I do it again?

Well, the start of a new year always brings a desire to get this place in tip-top shape! However, I've really been having a hard time getting into any kind of routine and the piles have grown into mountains!
Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie is doing another organizing challenge this year & I'm going to participate again! This time I'll be concentrating on the junktoy room. I could have chosen the laundry room (yikes!) or the attic again (the garage sale dumping grounds) but I have some specific reasons for picking the toy room:

1. It's a mess. Duh.
2. It's so nice to send the kids up there to play the Wii when they have some energy to burn off. But they can hardly do that with the room in it's current condition.

and the most important reason...

3. My children see my struggle to stay organized and are adopting those bad habits. Peter Pan has an especially hard time remembering his homework. It's another mother guilt that I burden myself with, so maybe with some encouragement (Laura's challenge!) I can get started on the right path. I don't want my kids to be perfect, but they've got to at least learn how to function properly in life!

On to some pictures. Oh boy...

Being frugal

I've been doing the coupon thing for a while, that is, until I organized my stockpile & realized how much shampoo, body wash & toothpaste we actually have! LOL! So now I'll just use coupons when there's a super great deal on something we don't have as much of.

I've been aware of bent & dent stores but never went because I don't go in that direction. However! Folks here at the farm are eating like it's going out of style & I can't seem to keep up (our budget either). So I went. Awwwesooome! From just 2 visits I've found & bought:

10 boxes of taco shells-$.35ea (only a couple boxes had broken shells)
40 Caprisun pouches-$.10ea
3 10pk juice boxes-$1 ea
20 boxes Kraft mac & Cheese-$.35ea
11 boxes brand name cereal-$1.50ea.
lots of fuit roll-ups & granola bars & other odds & ends

Most boxes are a little smooshed, and I make sure to find ones that are not yet expired.

Coupon prices without the coupon work! Love it!

He loves me

Jesus loves me this I know
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong,
they are weak but He is strong.

YES, Jesus loves me!
YES, Jesus loves me,
YES, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so!

One of my favorite things....

is (are) cloth diapers! Yep, with Jif I took the plunge & tried them. With a little trial & error I've found the cloth diaper I love! The Kawaii Baby diaper can be found at theluvyourbaby.com in many colors & styles. They are easy to use, wash & dry (which can sometimes be more trial & error!) Cloth diapers are not as bad/hard to use as some believe. Sure, there is a tad more work but not having to constantly BUY diapers is wonderful! And Kawaii Baby diapers are VERY reasonably priced compared to other cloth diaper systems. You should really check them out!

If you'd like a chance to win a Kawaii Baby diaper, head to Life of This SAHM where she is GENEROUSLY hosting a giveaway for one! She loves these diapers too! Thanks Life of This SAHM for the chance to win!

52 days & counting! Seriously.

People...there are only 52 days until Christmas! Holy moly! Have you started shopping yet? Have you thought about Christmas cards? Our family just had our picture taken this past weekend so I'm all about getting Christmas cards taken care of soon.

This year, I'm going to try Shutterfly for Christmas cards. I've gotten many photo greeting cards from them in the past & have been really impressed. It's just so cool that you can customize a card just for that someone special!

I am totally going to enjoy browsing through Shutterfly's 700+ holiday cards! I love that sort of thing! I haven't made my final selection but a few favorites are "Most Wonderful Story" 5x7 folded card, "Merry & Bright", & "Puzzle Pieces Christmas" 5x7 folded card. Since photos (and sharing them with family & friends) are some of my favorite things, I'm excited to get this project rolling!

Shutterfly is offering 20% off all holiday cards right now so if you'd like to check them out, go HERE.

They also have some REALLY cute gift tags and return address labels. I love all the colors on these things!

Anywho, I'm so excited for this Christmas season...I've got quite a few gifts for the kidlets already. It's so much fun figuring out what each one likes and personalizing their gifts!

Happy gift-giving everyone!