Out of the Mouths of My Girls

This is how a few conversations have gone at the Jacobs' House lately:

Sami: Mom! Dad!  I know what I want to be when I grow up! A rhythmic gymnast! I am going to enter all these contests and win!
Me (as I sneak an umm why look towards Matt):  That's nice Sami, but that could be your hobby. You will need a job to pay for the entry fees for the contests.
Sami: I have that figured out. I will just get a husband. He will make all the money and then I can enter all the contests I want.
Me and Matt: **silence** (As I am sure Matt is secretly thinking like mother like daughter!)

Emily: Mom, are you having a mild life crisis or something? I mean you are becoming more anal with age and are just one step away from asking for a label maker.

I don't know why she said this statement. I mean we all organize our pantry by brand, calories, color and packaging.

PS: Little does my daughter know I have been coveting a label maker for years now. I think it may be the move that will officially put me over the edge.

February Challenge - Declutter Your Life

I have been reading alot on simplifying and organizing lately. I actually am a pretty organized person, but there are areas that I feel I could do better or would like to take a different approach. So each month I am going to have a different "challenge" and I will send a prize to the winner at the end of every month.

So for February I am going to steal a challenge that a friend has done in our playgroup. I just did this before we moved and it was amazing what a difference it made.

Clean out those closets, drawers and unwanted clutter. Donate what you can to a local charity (don't forget to ask for a receipt) or someone you know could use it and simply throw out the rest. So get rid of it, clear it out and purge. (Mom this would be a GREAT challenge for you, and maybe in the process find those books I was wanting)

You can take pictures of the stuff you are purging or simply post me a list. Be creative. I will post reminders throughout the month and will reward a prize to the person who declutters the most.

So ready? Set? Declutter!!

Organizing Your Mini-Van/Car

I am an anal, neat freak. At least that is what others say. So what if I like vacuum lines in the carpet? And I make my bed everyday? And I have been known to wash my walls on a frequent basis (especially in this house) I like a clean, organized house. And yes, my kids will probably be in therapy for it when older. And know, what? Matt is even worse than I am. But there is one place I have to admit I let get out of control... my mini van.

With three kids, and between traveling and chauffeuring them back and forth places, we spend alot of time in the van. Yes, it is trashed. But one of my New Year resolutions is to keep my vehicle clean at all times. No more goldfish on the floor. No more leftover Target icees collecting in the cup holders. No more My Little Pony's thrown under the seats. No more gas receipts collecting in a pile in my console. I **WILL** have a clean car. Yesterday I spend an hour cleaning out the van and I felt like a huge weight was lifted off me. (okay so I guess I am anal)

So upon my quest for an organized vehicle I found others who face the same dilemma of balancing kids and a clean car. Here is a blog with some great ideas on how to declutter your vehicle.