31 Days Fall Challenge: Week Three ~ Hidden Clutter... Part 1

So here we are into the third week of the 31 Days Fall Challenge...Making Your Home a Haven.  I'm really thankful that Courtney decided to host this challenge.  It has helped me so much in just 2 weeks. I know that there are lots of different challenges and blogs out there in "cyber world" for wives and moms and women in general, but I like something that really challenges me spiritually and practically.  We always have room for improvement and should remain teachable throughout our lives.
Here’s week #3′s Challenge: List a few of the spots in your home that make you visually stressed. Now go buy something for that spot – like a basket to put it all in! Work on cleaning up clutter. Throw things away.

While you’re at it – clean up some clutter in your spiritual life. What gets in the way of your peace spiritually?

Well, as I mentioned, I've already been working on the clutter in my home.  If you are a regular reader here, you know that I've mentioned tackling the clutter and having a desire to live in a home that is comfortable, organized, welcoming, and clean.  My biggest clutter zone is my garage and that's just from moving many times in short periods and then storage for all of our church/school/ministries and family of 6.  However, I would like to minimize it all, not just for ease, but to be less of an eye sore when I see it.
Anyway, I looked around at my house and I must say that I've got things pretty much the way I like it to be.  We have church Bible study and prayer at my house every Wednesday now and I've finally got a handle on keeping the house presentable.  However, I do have some weak spots and these will be my challenge for this week.
Here's spot number one:

 This bookshelf is in the corner of our "office" room.  My husband Marco uses one side and I have the other side all set up as a craft space.  This is not a room that has a door that you can close to tuck away the clutter when company arrives.  When you walk into our home, it is the first open space to the left - the front room.  This bookshelf has become a catch-all for my school things for my little guy, crafts and such for the kids and for church, etc.  I also have a box of framed pictures that need to either be hung or re-purposed.  The box on top of it is our church projector that we use and then the gift bags are from parties we've recently had.  It all needs to get straightened out.  My husband has boxes of books in the garage and he needs to go through those.  I think I will encourage him to do that this week so that I can spruce it up for him.  This spot has been on my nerves for a while, but it doesn't ever get done.  Now is the time!
Here's spot number two:

This mess is inside our pantry.  Out of the picture, but to the right are shelves that keep our canned goods, pastas, etc.  That is fine and in order.  The shelves that we're looking at WERE in order at one time, but have gotten out of control.  Part of it is that I've done a lot of entertaining lately and instead of putting things away properly the first time, I just stuff it in there and make sure it won't fall out.  This will be handled this week for sure.  I will post pictures for you all  hopefully before next Monday!
There you go.  Two spots that really need my attention.  They may not be anything that bothers anyone else because they don't even know it's there, but I know what is happening and it bothers me.
Tomorrow, I will be sharing with you Part Two of Hidden Clutter.  I will be talking about the clutter that's different...the clutter that is weighing down our hearts.  See you then!

31 Day Fall Challenge: Week One - A light and a prayer...

I really can't believe we are already into the first week of October.  Seriously.  The time just seems to have flown by.  Well, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am taking part in a fall challenge to make our Home a Haven.  This should be something that every mother is interested in doing.  Our homes should be a place of comfort, security and good memories.  There is no perfect home, parent, marriage or child.  However, we can all strive to improve in some way.  This does not mean we never have laundry out that needs to be folded/put away or that there's never a dirty dish in the sink.  It doesn't mean you've got beautiful furniture that most people would only see in a magazine... Let's be honest here!
I had a party for one of my children not too long ago and a friend of mine commented that she loved my home and how comfortable it was.  I laughed and asked her if she meant it was looking shabby (not in a chic way). lol We were laughing, but then she got serious and told me that she really felt like it was a warm, loving, and inviting home.  I've had kids that I've babysat tell me that they loved my home too.  They said it always smelled good (not sure if that's still the case with 4 kids and a dog) and that they FELT COMFORTABLE there.
That makes me happy.  Now, I am the first to admit that I have a lot of STUFF.  I mean, come on.  I taught for years and years, I home-schooled, I am a crafter, I work in all sorts of ministries in our church and my furniture is... well, eclectic is the nicest word for it. haha.  It's a hodge podge of stuff, I guess.  However, it is my goal to always have things as NEAT and CLEAN as possible.  I enjoy having air fresheners, smelly candles, etc. but I know that they can not replace a clean home.
My kids are allowed to play with their toys in the living room.  They are allowed to paint, color, get out the glitter, etc at the table.  They are NOT allowed to eat and drink wherever they want...but sometimes, they sneak by me. *sigh*   Hey, we are a work in progress, right?  I am a firm believer in everyone helping to keep the place picked up and looking nice.   We are currently having our mid-week Bible study at our house every Wednesday.  It's been great, but that means 20 - 30 people (including children) are tracking through my house on a weekly basis.  That's okay.  I love having them all over for such a great reason.  Dishes can be washed and carpets can be cleaned, but we are making memories here in this house.  We are praying, we are learning, we are growing and we are LIVING.
Besides looking, feeling and smelling nice, I want my home to be a place where my family feels safe.  Safe from this world, safe from judgement, safe from bullying... A loving, forgiving, growing environment.  With four kids and a busy mom and dad who are not perfect, this is not always how it works.  We fail, but we are always making room for improvement!
This week's challenge provided by Courtney at Women Living Well Ministries is this: "October 3 - Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. Do what makes sense for your family. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home."
I couldn't go out and buy a new candle this week, but I did have a candle that was perfect for this challenge and then I put something else together for another spot in the house.   Take a look:

 I took a small hurricane vase that I had and place a glass votive inside. It still has some pumpkin spice candle left in it.  Then I poured in these adorable pumpkin and acorn shaped beads I bought at a yard sale that I passed this weekend. Only a quarter for each bag.  Yay! I love fall stuff!

Psalm 18:28 ~ "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."

 A close-up of the fall beads I scored at the yard sale.  This lady was selling all sorts of seasonal stuff.  It was one of those days that I wish I had cash on hand and also one of those days where I was kind of glad I didn't have cash on hand.  Know what I mean? haha!  I could have done some real damage there.

Now to my other candle.  I have had this candle since last year.  I never lit it, just put it on display.  Well, no more saving or "collecting" candles here.  Use them and enjoy them is what I say now.  It already was decorated with the adorable fall leaf.  I can't tell if it's going to be a very fragrant candle yet, but it will remind me to pray a prayer of peace over my house and my family when I see it.  Oh and do you notice that little pumpkin to the right of the candle?  It's made to look like broken glass pieces, but I think it's some kind of resin or plastic with metal.  Anyway, that was my other yard sale deal.  Brand new with tags and it cost me a whole dollar.  Simple pleasures!
Are you participating in this challenge?  If you are, please share your link if you are posting about your progress.  I'd love to visit. =)  Happy fall y'all and don't forget that you can help to make you HOME a HAVEN.  

30 Day Photo Challenge

Photo found on Google Images

If you know me, you know that I like to surround myself with people that are generally positive, interested in edifying others, and inspire others to find/be their authentic self. Well, that is basically a description of my friend Lee. She recently shared this photo challenge on her blog and I loved the idea of a prompt each day to guide me. I enjoy taking pictures and recording our memories, but I tend to get bogged down on WHAT and HOW. This one is a no brainer! I can still add my twist to it, but the prompts are right there! You can still join in if you'd like. Let me know if you do - I'd love to visit and see your take on each day. __________________________________________________

Photo Challenge30 Days

Day 01 A picture of yourself.

Day 02 A picture of you and your children.

Day 03 A picture of your most recent project.

Day 04 A picture of your night.

Day 05 A picture of a favorite memory.

Day 06 A picture of your morning start.

Day 07 A picture of your most treasured item.

Day 08 A picture that makes you laugh.

Day 09 A picture of something you find intimidating.

Day 10 A picture of the person you do the silliest things with.

Day 11 A picture of something you can’t stand.

Day 12 A picture of something you love.

Day 13 A picture of your favorite piece of furniture in your home.

Day 14 A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

Day 15 A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Day 16 A picture of someone who inspires you.

Day 17 A picture of one that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Day 18 A picture of your biggest insecurity.

Day 19 A picture of you when you were little.

Day 20 A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

Day 21 A picture of something you wish you could forget.

Day 22 A picture of something you wish to try.

Day 23 A picture of your favorite book.

Day 24 A picture of something you wish you could change.

Day 25 A picture of your day.

Day 26 A picture of the view out your back door.

Day 27 A picture of your favourite hobby.

Day 28 A picture of something that inspires you.

Day 29 A picture that can always make you smile.

Day 30 A picture of looking forward.