Purpose-driven mom

 My friends and I are reading and discussing the book Mother's Rule of Life which has started some good thoughts on priorities and organization.  One thing that I realized is that I need an office.  Not one of these:

which is wonderful...but highly trafficked by other family members.

I need a space where I can have my own desk--not one with a tempting time-suck computer--but instead a place to keep my grading, calendar, sewing machine and whatever else I deem office-worthy.  Also, I need to let Bill have his own desk which he can organize in his own way without the rest of us cluttering it up.  In this house we have the perfect spaces for both of us.  Bill's desk is in a room with the piano and some books.  Right now there is no overhead light and nowhere to read, so it isn't a temptation for us to mess around in there.  Our first order of business is to get him a good light so he can see what he's doing as he designs his personal space.  Next will be a real desk.

My office full of sunlight, it's central to everything else but still separate; there is room to organize!

My office is really the breakfast nook

My plans include lots of indoor plants including a lemon tree and some herbs.  I see you are laughing because I am not a gardener, but I can learn, right?

Bill gave up his old desk (the old dining room table) so I could have one  :)

I'm going to make a sewing machine cover so it can sit on my desk without being ugly.  I'm also having fun trying to imagine what piece of art to put on the wall.  If we're still here in 5 years, maybe I'll put something up.  In the meantime, a blank wall is very restful.

More sunshine on my back while I work

I recognize that sometimes I will have to share my desk.  In fact, part of the design is that the two smaller knuckleheads will sit there to do their written work so the bigger kids can have some quiet at the other table.  But yesterday I realized that I will also need to be fiercely protective of my space.  A certain artsy-craftsy child chose my desk as the prefect location to work on a puppet, and then at grading time I had open glue, snippets of paper, and markers in my work space.  Grrrr!

And it is in this office that I plan to do some of the most important work of all--give birth to our new baby.  (See how much space there is for a birthing tub?) I know that that project will involve mess and sharing, but I'm looking forward to it.   

We bought an axe!

Bill and I are so excited to be homeowners, and every time I walk around our house or yard I feel like we have so much more than we deserve.  But we are grateful!  The first several times we brought the kids to look at the house, their most pressing interest was in the axe that the previous owners left in the backyard.  When we decided to buy, they all asked if the axe came with the house.  Yes, indeed it did, and we are now the proud owners it...plus the accessory house and yard combo that comes along with it.  Here is a little tour:

The axe

Anthony was more excited about the hermitage than anyone else.  No, that brown shed is in the neighbor's yard/farm.  The hermitage is what you or I might call a dog kennel.

Someone enjoyed decorating and we enjoy some of what they did, but really, cream carpet in the dining room? 

This is after 2 weeks of putting things away

my office

Joseph likes the covered patio, but the swing is going on a backyard tree this afternoon

Because everyone needs a fly-fishing themed bathroom

Father-Daughter Sock Hop

4pm and the dance is at 6:30

Maria helped a lot with making the poodle skirts.

Her dog's leash says "AHG"

I was less fancy and just did a "C" for Cecilia.

On their way to dinner and a night of fun with Dad.

Peeking inside the gift

This fuzzy profile is our baby at about 26 1/2 weeks.  :)

Beckerizing

Gratuitous belly shot of me
in my early birthday present from Chrysostom

You know when some people are so good at something or have such an amazing product that a version their name becomes synonymous with it?  Like to bowlderize, a good malapropism, or Armand Hammer?

We have friends who are really so good at cleaning things out, getting rid of the unnecessary and keeping a clutter-free home that people who know them call ruthless deep-cleaning "Beckerizing".  Today, we began our pre-move beckerization.  The difficulty is that there is not enough time to both beckerize and pack.  It has lead to quite a bit of angst and slowed the process down quite a bit.  However, I will do my best so that our 14K lbs that we are moving (mostly) by ourselves will become a measly 13.5K.

Lenten Sacrifice

Anthony and I were discussing appropriate sacrifices for Lent.  He was willing to go with the general family sacrifice, while I was "gently" suggesting that he is old enough to add a personal sacrifice to the mix. Or maybe he would prefer to add a prayer or an act of mercy--like being cheerful.

Thomas piped in with, "I think the Army should give up keeping Dad late as its Lenten sacrifice."