It worked!

So, after the big clean the boys have been really great about picking up after themselves. I've been really proud of them for taking on some added responsibilties. Last night, while I was cleaning house, Colby decided he wanted to help - so he fed the cat. Of course, being 3, he spilled cat food all over the bathroom floor, but he didn't tell me. He decided to clean it up himself. I didn't know he was doing this because I was in the kitchen. Later, when I went to turn the bathroom light off so they could sleep, I found this:

I'd been to soccer practice, had been cleaning for 2 hours and still had to pack for the campout. It took every ounce of restraint I had to thank him for taking care of the cat and trying to help. But I wanted to scream because I was just so exhausted. Well, I wanted them to understand how to take care of their things and the house - and I guess he's learning. I won't complain and now a week later, I can laugh.

Stupid

The truck we bought only had one key. We haven't gotten a second one yet. I locked it in the truck - in my garage. Oh, yeah, we also don't know the code to get in the door either.

Stupid.

Before & After

Several weeks ago I had to put the fear of Mom into my kids. They had let their rooms, the bonus room and my office (which is also the homework & art room and where all their books are) get into a mess - here's one example:

It took two days - three hours in the room above. But all of them now look like this:

Afterward, we had a meeting. I told them the next time it got like that, I am going through the rooms with the shop-vac & garbage bags and not looking back. Part of this is my fault. I pretended this wasn't happening. I will not do that again.

They're doing better. Even my three year old is putting his clothes in the hamper and dishes in the sink. And they are making their beds every morning. All the toys and books have a place and we pick up every night before bed.

It's getting warmer, which is always a good thing. They spend more time outside and there are fewer messes inside. But my inside will never look like this again. If anyone knows any tricks for keeping them (and me) motivated - I could use some ideas...

One down...

I GOT A TRUCK!!! I am so completely thrilled about this. Just ask me - I'll tell you everything you want to know and then some. It's basically what I had, only newer - and BETTER. It's an 05 (I had a 98); it's got 28K miles (mine had 162K) and it's got the works. (Why, yes, I'm spoiled, why do you ask?) Yes, it's still a gas guzzler. But we need the space - and I don't do minivans.

Two boys + soccer + campouts + Cub Scouts + travel + friends = something with a lot of seating or cargo space. Even though we usually don't have all of that going on at once. (With the third seat that folds down, we can have either but not really both.)

And - with no payment (thank you, Dave Ramsey) we can afford a little more in gas.

I love it. I'm excited we were able to do it. Now we have to build our savings back up some, but it was worth it. And I got to cross something off of my to-do list.

Progress?

I still have nothing checked off of my to-do list. I'm getting there, but nothing is complete.

1. We still have no light fixture - honestly, we haven't really looked - there just hasn't been enough time.
2. Colby picks out a different color everytime we try to decide on paint for his room. I'm going to end up choosing for him and redoing it in a year or two.
3. Still no truck. Though, we do have the money and our car-dealer friend is looking for it. It still might be a few weeks.
4. I've lost 8 of those 24 pounds. It's slow going, but easier to keep off that way.
5. My work automation is going well. I still have a project list a mile long - but it's much, much better than it was. And as I automate, I have more time to spend on the list.

It's all going, just not as quickly as I'd like. We've had some complications this year and some detours. But I'm handling it and still managing to enjoy what's come my way. And all of the above will still be done by 12/31/2008. Just in time to make a new list!

What happens when you don't know how to say no?

You become the PTO president.

Where is the Fat Lady?!

Man, oh man. We went for the post-op follow up today. Garrett's eyes have straightend and he's not having any complications from the surgery. YAY!! He's still swollen and the stitches are still in there (I can see them when I put his medicine in), but that's all normal and could take a couple of weeks to go away. They even lifted all of his restrictions today. BUT, we have to go back - again - in two months. The doctor indicated that after that we would go back to regular check-ups for vision checks, not muscular problems.

After the last visit in November, we thought everything was fine. But we had to go back for a follow up in February - when they told us about the surgery. Honestly, I'm not worried. He's responded to all the treatments. The surgery was easy and successful. I think I'm just ready to not think about it. I'm tired of asking him over and over again to look at me so I can see which way his eyes are looking. I'm ready for this chapter to close. And I'm grateful that we're one step closer - I just wish there weren't so many steps!